Patents Represented by Attorney Meiers Law Office LLC
  • Patent number: 7905495
    Abstract: A circumferential sealing arrangement is disclosed herein. The circumferential sealing arrangement includes a structure operable to rotate about an axis and having a first surface facing radially outward. The circumferential sealing arrangement also includes a static housing circumscribing the rotatable structure. The circumferential sealing arrangement also includes at least one seal element connected to the static housing and having a second surface facing radially inward. The circumferential sealing arrangement also includes a seal runner rotatable with the structure and having a third surface facing radially outward. The third surface cooperates with the second surface to form a circumferential seal between the static housing and the rotatable structure. A radial gap is defined between the first surface of the rotatable structure and a fourth surface of the seal runner facing radially inward and opposing the first surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventor: John Munson
  • Patent number: 7900461
    Abstract: The invention is a combination that includes a gas turbine engine extending along an axis. The gas turbine engine includes an annular combustor with a combustor liner. The combination of the invention also includes a plurality of projections extending from the combustor liner and spaced from one another circumferentially about the axis. The combination of the invention also includes a free-standing ring disposed about the combustor liner and positioned adjacent to the plurality of projections along the axis. The plurality of projections engage a corresponding circumferentially-facing portion of the free-standing ring and circumferentially support the combustor liner while allowing relative radial displacement between the combustor liner and the free-standing ring. The combination of the invention also includes a rolling assembly operably disposed between the free-standing ring and the plurality of projections to reduce binding during the relative radial displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce Edward Varney, Vickie Rae Smiley, Todd S. Taylor, Jack Dwane Petty, Sr.
  • Patent number: 7897241
    Abstract: A composite spacer operable to be mounted on a first component is disclosed herein, wherein compression loads associated with attaching the first component to some other structure are born by the composite spacer to limit compressive deformation of the first component. The composite spacer includes a first body formed of resin and defining an aperture extending along an axis. The composite spacer also includes a plurality of first fibers positioned in the first body about the aperture. Each of the first fibers extends substantially parallel to the axis and increases a compressive strength of the first body relative to the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventor: Edward Claude Rice
  • Patent number: 7884738
    Abstract: A visual warning assembly for disposal at an intersection of a plurality of roadways is disclosed herein. The visual warning assembly includes a housing with first and second openings facing first and second directions. The first and second directions are transverse to one another. The visual warning assembly also includes a first light assembly positioned in the first opening and having a plurality of light emitting diodes arranged in pattern representing an emergency vehicle. The visual warning assembly also includes a second light assembly positioned in the second opening and having a plurality of light emitting diodes arranged in pattern representing an emergency vehicle. The visual warning assembly also includes a signal receiver physically supported by the housings or one or both of the first and second light assemblies. The signal receiver or sensor is operable to receive and communicate a signal emitted by a signal emitter associated with an emergency vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: E-Light LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Speros Pappas, Richard William Carpenter, Anthony C. Savalle
  • Patent number: 7878303
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for scavenging lubricant is disclosed herein. In the invention, a rotating structure is encircled within a sump housing and subjected to lubrication. The sump housing collects high-momentum lubricant flow and low-momentum lubricant flow. The interior of the sump housing is separated into a plurality of chambers with at least one dynamic seal. The at least one dynamic seal extends between the sump housing and the rotating structure to isolate the high-momentum lubricant flow from the low-momentum lubricant flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventor: John Munson
  • Patent number: 7841117
    Abstract: A kit for suspending a sign is disclosed herein. The kit includes first and second column anchors operable to be mounted in the ground. Each column anchor has a plurality of fins facing in different directions from one another and a conical tip. The kit also includes first and second columns individually receivable in one of the first and second column anchors and selectively removable. Each of the columns has a plurality of through-apertures. The kit also includes a plurality of sets of eye-bolts and nuts, each individually receivable in one of the plurality of through-apertures. The kit also includes a plurality of cable members having latches or S-hooks at both ends and a stretchable member extending between the latches or S-hooks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Inventor: Kevin Smith
  • Patent number: 7810402
    Abstract: A torque monitoring apparatus for monitoring torque between a driving structure rotating about a first axis and a driven structure rotating about a second axis. The torque monitoring apparatus includes a piston and cylinder assembly. The piston is received in an aperture defined by the cylinder. At least one of the piston and the cylinder is operable for connection to one of the driving structure and the driven structure and rectilinearly moveable along the first axis or the second axis. The aperture is centered on the axis of rectilinear movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Chris Norris, Stan Clemens
  • Patent number: 7811001
    Abstract: A bearing housing is disclosed herein. The bearing housing includes a chamber with out-take for oil scavenging. The out-take extends across a chordal arc of the chamber. A portion of an outer wall adjacent to the out-take has a spiral divergence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventor: Richard J Swainson
  • Patent number: 7789200
    Abstract: A sump housing for scavenging lubricant is disclosed herein. The sump housing includes an outer wall defining a chamber. A lubricated structure operable to rotate can be disposed within the sump housing. The sump housing also includes an out-take for lubricant scavenging. The out-take extends across a chordal arc of the chamber. The out-take includes an upstream first portion of the outer wall diverging away from the chordal arc at a first rate. The out-take also includes a downstream second portion of the outer wall opposite the first portion. The second portion diverges away from the chordal arc toward the first portion at a second rate greater than said first rate to define a blunt wall facing the first portion for reducing the likelihood that windage will limit lubricant scavenging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventor: John Munson