Patents Examined by Christopher J Hargitt
  • Patent number: 9091181
    Abstract: Module for a steam turbine including a low-pressure module, includes an internal turbine casing able to accommodate at least one set of fixed vanes and a rotor equipped with at least one set of blades, and a slab, the internal turbine casing resting on the slab via at least two bearers secured to said internal turbine casing, the connection between said bearers and the slab is provided by a plurality of mechanical connectors. The connectors each prevent the internal turbine casing from lifting in relation to the slab, and allow the internal turbine casing to slide on the slab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD.
    Inventors: Julien Roge, Jacques Mizera
  • Patent number: 9086077
    Abstract: The sealing of a turbine casing is reinforced by decoupling a fastening flange from a remainder of a housing. The casing includes a body that is externally reinforced by axial ribs that are connected to an annular rib and the fastening flange is attached to the annular rib by an annular wall portion that is thinner than the annular rib and than the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Sebastien Boufflert, Philippe Bourdin, Vincent Langlois, Patrice Fayolle
  • Patent number: 9083212
    Abstract: A turbine-generator device for use in electricity generation using heat from industrial processes, renewable energy sources and other sources. The generator may be cooled by introducing into the gap between the rotor and stator liquid that is vaporized or atomized prior to introduction, which liquid is condensed from gases exhausted from the turbine. The turbine has a universal design and so may be relatively easily modified for use in connection with generators having a rated power output in the range of 50 KW to 5 MW. Such modifications are achieved, in part, through use of a modular turbine cartridge built up of discrete rotor and stator plates sized for the desired application with turbine brush seals chosen to accommodate radial rotor movements from the supported generator. The cartridge may be installed and removed from the turbine relatively easily for maintenance or rebuilding. The rotor housing is designed to be relatively easily machined to dimensions that meet desired operating parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Concepts ETI, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Fairman, Francis A. Di Bella, David Japikse, Frederick E. Becker, Alexander Gofer
  • Patent number: 9074487
    Abstract: A self-lubricating brush seal assembly, for a power generation system and method of reducing air leakage in a power generation system including a plurality of self-lubricating members is provided. The plurality of self-lubricating members include a plurality of self-lubricating bristles, a plurality of cores sheathed in a self-lubricating braid, a plurality of cores having an outer diameter coated with self-lubricating material and a solid lubricating pack. The lubricating material is selected from graphite, hexagonal-boron nitrite (hBN), molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), tungsten disulfide (WS2), titanium nitride (TiN), titanium aluminum nitride (TiAlN), titanium carbonitride (TiCN), and combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Krishnamurthy Anand, Surinder Singh Pabla, Sundar Amancherla, Paul Mathew
  • Patent number: 9068556
    Abstract: A pilot circuitry is disclosed for controlling the activation of an emergency feathering system of a wind turbine by means of a pilot pressure, wherein the pilot circuitry comprises at least two parallel control circuits for providing a pilot pressure. Additionally, a selector may be provided for selectively preventing a control circuit from providing the pilot pressure to the emergency feathering system in case of malfunction of the control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventors: Jesper Lykkegaard Andersen, Jens Bay Madsen
  • Patent number: 9068513
    Abstract: A seal assembly between a disc cavity and a hot gas path in a gas turbine engine includes a rotating blade assembly having a plurality of blades that rotate with a turbine rotor during operation of the engine, and a stationary vane assembly having a plurality of vanes and an inner shroud. The inner shroud includes a radially outwardly facing first surface, a radially inwardly facing second surface, and a plurality of grooves extending into the second surface. The grooves are arranged such that a space having a component in a circumferential direction is defined between adjacent grooves. During operation of the engine, the grooves guide purge air out of the disc cavity toward the hot gas path such that the purge air flows in a desired direction with reference to a direction of hot gas flow through the hot gas path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Ching-Pang Lee
  • Patent number: 9068469
    Abstract: A turbine section of a gas turbine engine includes a housing, a rotor assembly, and a seal assembly. The rotor assembly includes a rotor disk, a rotor platform coupled to the rotor disk, and a rotor blade extending from the rotor platform into the mainstream hot gas flow path. The stator assembly includes a stator platform with a stator vane that extends from the stator platform into the mainstream hot gas flow path. The seal assembly includes a first flow discourager extending in a first direction from the rotor platform, a second flow discourager extending in a second direction from the stator platform, the first flow discourager axially overlapping the second flow discourager such that the second flow discourager is interior to the first flow discourager in a radial direction, a hard coating applied to the first flow discourager, and an abradable coating applied to the second flow discourager.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Bradley Reed Tucker, Jason Smoke, Mark C. Morris
  • Patent number: 9057379
    Abstract: A blower fan includes an impeller centered on a central axis, a motor portion arranged to rotate the impeller about the central axis, and a housing arranged to accommodate the impeller. The housing includes a lower plate portion arranged to cover a lower side of the impeller and a side wall portion arranged to cover a side of the impeller. The lower plate portion is preferably made of, for example, a steel sheet. The side wall portion is preferably made of, for example, a resin. A lower end portion of the side wall portion and an edge portion of the lower plate portion are preferably joined to each other through insert molding. An outer circumferential cut surface of the lower plate portion is arranged in contact with the side wall portion at a joint between the lower end portion of the side wall portion and the edge portion of the lower plate portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Nidec Corporation
    Inventors: Takaya Otsuki, Toshikazu Fukunaga
  • Patent number: 9051850
    Abstract: A method of forming an annular support structure for fastening a component of a gas turbine engine to a static part of the engine is provided. The support structure has a substantially frustoconical skin portion which, in use, extends inwardly from the static part. The support structure further has a flange portion which extends inwardly from an inner edge of the skin portion. In use, a mating flange extending outwardly from the component is attached to the flange portion. The flange portion has an engagement face against which a corresponding face of the mating flange is secured. The flange portion further has an inwardly-facing land at an outer edge of the engagement face which restrains the component against radial movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Michael L. Carlisle
  • Patent number: 9046078
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rotor blade for a wind power plant comprising a rotor blade body, wherein the rotor blade body encloses a hollow space, wherein the rotor blade body comprises a penetration for draining the hollow space, and a functional element, wherein the functional element is displaceably connected to the rotor blade body and is disposed at the penetration. According to the invention, the functional element can be transferred from a closed position into an open position, wherein the functional element can be displaced purely by translation. Improved drainage is thereby achieved and clogging of the drain is prevented, with reduced noise production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Kenersys GMBH
    Inventor: Alexander Miller
  • Patent number: 9045985
    Abstract: An assembly for use in a gas turbine engine includes an inner diameter (ID) shroud having a plurality of ID slots and an outer diameter (OD) shroud having a plurality of OD slots and positioned radially outward from the ID shroud. A plurality of stator airfoils extend from the ID shroud to the OD shroud. Each of the stator airfoils is positioned at least partially in one of the ID slots and is positioned at least partially in one of the OD slots. A bumper is positioned proximate a first end of each of the stator airfoils so as to limit movement of the stator airfoils in a radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Steven J. Feigleson, David P. Dube
  • Patent number: 9045984
    Abstract: An assembly for use in a gas turbine engine includes an inner diameter (ID) shroud having a plurality of ID slots and an outer diameter (OD) shroud having a plurality of OD slots. The OD shroud is positioned radially outward from the ID shroud. A first stator airfoil extends from the ID shroud to the OD shroud. The first stator airfoil is positioned at least partially in one of the ID slots and is positioned at least partially in one of the OD slots. A first end of the first stator airfoil has one of a raised tab and an indented notch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Steven J. Feigleson, Dennis R. Tremblay
  • Patent number: 9046106
    Abstract: A fan includes a fan frame and a fan wheel. The fan frame includes a frame body and a first waved structure. The frame body has a wind enter side and a wind exhaust side, wherein the wind enter side is opposite to the wind exhaust side. The first waved structure is formed on the wind enter side of the frame body. The first waved structure has a plurality of first peaks and a plurality of first valleys, wherein the first peaks and the first valleys are arranged separately. The fan wheel is rotatably disposed in the fan frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: COOLER MASTER DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wei-Lung Chan, Chi-Jung Huang
  • Patent number: 9039357
    Abstract: A seal assembly between a disc cavity and a turbine section hot gas path includes a stationary vane assembly and a rotating blade assembly downstream from the vane assembly and including a plurality of blades that are supported on a platform and rotate with a turbine rotor and the platform during operation of the engine. The platform includes a radially outwardly facing first surface, a radially inwardly facing second surface, a third surface, and a plurality of grooves extending into the third surface. The grooves are arranged such that a space is defined between adjacent grooves. During operation of the engine, the grooves guide purge air out of the disc cavity toward the hot gas path such that the purge air flows in a desired direction with reference to a direction of hot gas flow through the hot gas path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Ching-Pang Lee
  • Patent number: 9028205
    Abstract: A system for a turbofan has a variable outer air seal, an actuator coupled to the variable outer air seal, a sensor positioned inside the turbofan for sensing an engine parameter, and a flight controller connected to the turbofan for receiving the parameter from the sensor. The flight controller directs the actuator to regulate the position of the actuator based on the flight condition resulting form the received parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Meggan Harris
  • Patent number: 9011086
    Abstract: An aluminum alloy turbine housing includes an inlet for exhaust, a turbine wheel space configured to receive exhaust via the inlet, a wastegate opening configured to receive exhaust via the inlet and to provide received exhaust to a wastegate chamber, and a locally hardened valve seat surrounding the wastegate opening. Various other examples of devices, assemblies, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Aitor Herrera Celaya, Jean-Jacques Laissus
  • Patent number: 9004865
    Abstract: A blade for a turbomachine impeller including an airfoil and at least one platform at one end of the airfoil, the blade configured to be arranged with a plurality of substantially identical blades so as to form a ring, the platform surface having a suction surface profile and a pressure surface profile respectively along the suction surface and the pressure surface. In the blade, the pressure surface profile including a pressure surface recessed part is located axially in an upstream half of the airfoil. Due to this configuration, efficiency of the blade is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Guimbard, Olivier Kueny, Ludovic Pintat
  • Patent number: 8979502
    Abstract: A rotor retaining system for a rotor assembly of a gas turbine engine includes a washer interlocking multiple retaining nuts to prevent relative rotation. The retaining nuts retain a rotor disc and a cover plate in position, respectively. A wire is provided to retain the washer in position and which may dampen vibration during engine operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: René Paquet, David Glasspoole
  • Patent number: 8967955
    Abstract: A variable nozzle for a turbocharger includes a plurality of vanes rotatably mounted on a nozzle ring and disposed in a nozzle flow path defined between the nozzle ring and an opposite nozzle wall. Either or both of the faces of the nozzle ring and nozzle wall include(s) grooves extending substantially transverse to a general flow direction of the flow through the nozzle, and there are clearances between the ends of the vanes and the adjacent faces. Leakage flow through the clearance between the end of each vane and the adjacent face having the grooves must proceed across the grooves, and thus a labyrinthine flow passage is presented to the leakage flow. The labyrinthine passage has a greater resistance to flow than would be the case without the grooves. Accordingly, leakage flow is reduced, which is beneficial to turbine efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Pierre Barthelet, Emmanuel Severin, Nicolas Morand, Denis Jeckel, Dominique Petitjean, Philippe Arnold, Karl-Heinz Bauer
  • Patent number: 8967956
    Abstract: A variable-nozzle assembly for a turbocharger includes a generally annular nozzle ring and an array of vanes rotatably mounted to the nozzle ring such that the vanes can be pivoted about their axes for regulating exhaust gas flow to the turbine wheel. A unison ring engages vane arms that are affixed to axles of the vanes, such that rotation of the unison ring causes the vanes to pivot between a closed position and an open position. The vanes have proximal ends that are adjacent a face of the nozzle ring. A vane sealing member is supported on the nozzle ring and has a portion disposed between the proximal ends of the vanes and the face of the nozzle ring. The unison ring includes cams that engage cam followers. Rotational movement of the unison ring causes the cam followers to be moved axially and thereby urge the vane sealing member against the proximal ends of the vanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Philippe Arnold, Denis Jeckel, Dominique Petitjean, Pierre Barthelet, Emmanuel Severin, Nicolas Morand, Karl-Heinz Bauer, Chris Groves