Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Gene D. Fleischhauer
  • Patent number: 8240043
    Abstract: A stator assembly having a windage cover for structure adjacent to a cavity bounded by rotating elements in a rotary machine is disclosed. Various construction details are developed for damping vibrations in the windage cover as the windage cover bounds a cavity having swirling high velocity gases that are capable of transmitting acoustic energy and kinetic energy to adjacent structure. In one detailed embodiment, the windage cover in the uninstalled condition has diverging arms that are resiliently compressed during installation to exert a frictional force on the adjacent structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Paul W. Duesler, C. Vincent Loffredo, Matthew D. Nicolson, Richard J. Pawlaczyk
  • Patent number: 7635251
    Abstract: A stator assembly having a windage cover for structure adjacent to a cavity bounded by rotating elements in a rotary machine is disclosed. Various construction details are developed for damping vibrations in the windage cover as the windage cover bounds a cavity having swirling high velocity gases that are capable of transmitting acoustic energy and kinetic energy to adjacent structure. In one detailed embodiment, the windage cover in the uninstalled condition has diverging arms that are resiliently compressed during installation to exert a frictional force on the adjacent structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Paul W. Duesler, C. Vincent Loffredo, Matthew D. Nicolson, Richard J. Pawlaczyk
  • Patent number: 7600967
    Abstract: A stator assembly for a rotary machine having an array of wall segments for bounding a working medium flow path is disclosed. Various construction details which provide a sealing structure for the segments are developed. In one detailed embodiment, a removable seal retainer for a seal chamber bounded by wall segments traps a resilient seal member in the seal chamber. In one particular embodiment, a modular subassembly for the engine is an outer air assembly disposed in a fixture as the subassembly is assembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Michael C. Pezzetti, Jr., Peter A. Faucher, Daniel E. Kane, Randall R. Good
  • Patent number: 7575416
    Abstract: A rotor assembly having a seal member in the root section of a rotor blade is disclosed. Various construction details are developed for blocking the flow of gases between adjacent rotor blades. In one detailed embodiment, a deformable seal member formed of a high temperature material is disposed between the root sections of adjacent rotor blades and engages the blades under operative conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Stanley J. Funk, Wieslaw A. Chlus
  • Patent number: 7516748
    Abstract: A method for performing electrochemical processes using an array of dedicated cells is disclosed. Various construction details and steps of the method are developed which promote, in one embodiment, automating the method of performing the processes and cleaning the articles between electrochemical processes. In one embodiment, the array of dedicated cells includes rinsing cells which have a rinse chamber adapted to receive an article and flow rinse fluid such that the fluid impinges against the article at predetermined locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Robert B. Parrish, Christopher T. Shallow
  • Patent number: 7396205
    Abstract: A rotor blade having a wing and beam construction for a tip shroud is disclosed. Various construction details are developed for providing a transition zone that extends from the suction side and pressure side of the airfoil to provide a flow path surface of the shroud. In one detailed embodiment, the transition zone over substantially all of its extent between the leading edge region and the trailing edge region is contoured to extend to the sides of the wings to provide a spanwise taper that extends to the side of the wing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Bryan P. Dube, Eric D. Gray
  • Patent number: 7134838
    Abstract: A rotor blade having a wing and beam construction for a tip shroud is disclosed. Various construction details are developed for providing the shroud with a depression in the shroud and a transition zone that extends from the suction side and pressure side of the airfoil to provide a flow path surface of the shroud. In one detailed embodiment, the tip shroud has a depression generally outwardly of the airfoil and generally following the curve of the pressure and suction sides of the airfoil from the leading edge region to the trailing edge region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Bryan P. Dube, Eric D. Gray
  • Patent number: 7066713
    Abstract: A rotor blade having a wing and beam construction for a tip shroud is disclosed. Various construction details are developed for providing a transition zone that extends from the suction side and pressure side of the airfoil to provide a flow path surface of the shroud. In one detailed embodiment, the transition zone is contoured under the beam differently than a portion under the rear portions of the wings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Bryan P. Dube, Eric D. Gray
  • Patent number: 6672836
    Abstract: A coolable rotor blade having an airfoil having two serpentine passages is disclosed. Various construction details are developed for providing cooling to the leading edge region and the trailing edge region of the airfoil. In one detailed embodiment, the airfoil trip strips in the passages having constant height and constant pitch over each leg in most legs of the passages except for the legs closest to the edge regions of the airfoil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Brian D. Merry
  • Patent number: 6652657
    Abstract: A method for performing electrochemical processes using an array of dedicated cells is disclosed. Various construction details and steps of the method are developed which promote, in one embodiment, automating the method of performing the processes and cleaning the articles between electrochemical processes. In one embodiment, the array of dedicated cells includes rinsing cells which have a rinse chamber adapted to receive an article and flow rinse fluid such that the fluid impinges against the article at predetermined locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Robert B. Parrish, Christopher T. Shallow
  • Patent number: 6629583
    Abstract: Fixture for an Elevator System A fixture using an electrophoretic display system is disclosed. Various construction details are developed which enable simplification of the wiring system for the elevator system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Mary Ann T. Valk, Bruce E. Zepke, Wei-Quan Ng
  • Patent number: 6547945
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell for use in electrochemical processes, such as plating processes, has a first electrode which extends circumferentially about at least a portion of an electrode chamber. The article being treated is the second electrode and is disposed within the chamber. Electrolyte is flowed between the two electrodes. Various construction details of the electrochemical cell are developed which facilitate a plating process. In one embodiment, a supply conduit to the electrode chamber has a swirler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher T. Shallow, Robert B. Parrish
  • Patent number: 6543995
    Abstract: A stator assembly for a rotary machine a stator vane for the assembly are disclosed. Various construction details are developed which facilitate assembly, disassembly and replaceability of the vane. The stator assembly includes a casing having a plurality of flats which adapts the case to engage a corresponding flat on the stator vane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Keith T. Honda, Michael E. McMahon, Steven J. Feigleson
  • Patent number: 6544460
    Abstract: A fixture for disposing laser blocking material on the interior of an airfoil is disclosed. Various construction details are developed which allow for the repetitive disposition of the laser blocking material in one airfoil after another. In one embodiment, the fixture includes a tool member and a nozzle adaptor for providing a sealing surface to a nozzle which extends into the tool member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gordon M. Reed, Kenneth M. Boucher, Stanley J. Funk
  • Patent number: 6540068
    Abstract: A rim assembly for a roller assembly and method of forming a rim assembly for cargo mover systems are disclosed. Various steps and construction details are developed for affecting the response of the rim assembly to operative conditions. In one detailed embodiment, the roller assembly has a rim assembly having a rolling surface whose operative surface characteristics are set by the material of the surface material; and structure is disposed inwardly of the rolling surface which affects the bulk behavior of the roller assembly. In one particular embodiment, the roller assembly is adapted for use with moving doors or wall panels in elevator systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: John P. Wesson, Renee H. Croteau
  • Patent number: 6450766
    Abstract: STATOR VANE BLANK AND METHOD OF FORMING THE VANE BLANK A forged vane blank for forming a stator vane for a rotary machine is disclosed. Various construction details are developed which facilitate forging and machining of the vane blank into its final form as a stator vane. In one detailed embodiment, the vane blank has a greater draft angle at the outer surface than the draft angle at the inner surface as a result of the forging operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Keith T. Honda
  • Patent number: 6409472
    Abstract: A stator assembly for a rotary machine having a shroud for a stator vane is disclosed. Various construction details are developed which limit movement of the stator vane into the flowpath by reason of the stator vane being restrained by the shroud. In one particular embodiment, a clip member extends through an opening in the tip of the vane and is disposed at a location adjacent a nonflowpath surface of the shroud to restrain the tip of the vane against inward movement through the shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Michael E. McMahon, Robert B. Richardson, Steven J. Feigleson, Keith T. Honda, Christopher G. Demers, Michael A. Servadio, Kevin A. Walton
  • Patent number: 6394750
    Abstract: A method and replacement detail for use in processing a stator vane for a rotary machine are disclosed. Various steps and construction details are developed which promote the ease of carrying out the process and improve the fatigue life of the processed stator vane. In one particular embodiment, a portion of the airfoil and the platform are removed in a region adjacent the leading edge of the airfoil and replaced with a replacement detail having new material at a location where cracks are known to form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: David James Hiskes
  • Patent number: 6370772
    Abstract: A method of forming a stator assembly which adapts the stator assembly to receive a roller assembly in a rotary machine is disclosed. Various details of the method are developed which may be used for the manufacture, the modification, and the repair of the stator assembly. The method includes forming a liner for the stator assembly independently of the stator assembly; and, disposing the liner in the stator assembly to adapt the stator assembly to receive the roller assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Keith T. Honda, Harvey I. Weiner
  • Patent number: 6273676
    Abstract: A method and shield assembly 12 for use in processing a flow directing assembly 10, such as a stator vane or rotor blade, is disclosed. Various details are developed for the construction of the shield assembly and for the method of masking the flow directing assembly. The shield assembly has a shield having two sides 52, 56 and at least one tab 56 which extends from one of the sides and through the other side and is pressed against the other side. In one embodiment, the method includes exerting a force against the shield to block movement of the shield from the installed position. The shield assembly might include a locking member for this purpose which has a projection 106a which is attached to the shield or a locking member 42 which is not attached to the shield and which has a tab 114 which engages the shield and a projection 112 which engages the airfoil. Alternatively, the shield assembly might include a clamp 92 which presses the shield against the airfoil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Theodore Brooks, Harvey Richard Toppen