Patents Examined by Paul Thiede
  • Patent number: 10415402
    Abstract: A blade assembly comprises a blade (120) and one or more wear pads (170, 172). The blade has an airfoil (122) having a leading edge (126), a trailing edge (128), a pressure side (130), a suction side (132), and extending from an inboard end to a tip (125). The blade further includes an attachment root (124). The one or more wear pads are along the attachment root. The one or more wear pads have a plurality of slits (228, 230 242).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: James R. Murdock, Kwan Hui
  • Patent number: 10408124
    Abstract: A control method for a turbocharger system may include controlling opening levels of an intake bypass valve, an exhaust bypass valve, and a throttle valve according to a driving condition of a vehicle by a controller, and executing a series of commands by the controller, including determining whether an engine rpm satisfies a set low/medium speed condition, determining whether an acceleration request condition is satisfied when the engine rpm satisfies the set low/medium speed condition, closing the intake bypass valve, and controlling an opening angle of the exhaust bypass valve according to the acceleration request condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Yoon Joo Kim, Seung Kook Han, Il Joong Hwang, Dong Ho Chu, Jong Il Park, Dong Hee Han, Hyuk Im, Hyun Jun Lim
  • Patent number: 10302067
    Abstract: The invention relates to a controller configured to determine one or more future values of blade control references and/or a generator control references for a wind turbine generator. The first of the future values of the control references are used for control purposes. The future control references are determined from a physical model of a system of the wind turbine generator by solving an optimization problem which includes at least one cost function and at least one constraint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S
    Inventors: Eik Herbsleb, Fabiano Daher Adegas, Poul Brandt Christensen, Robert Bowyer, Fabio Caponetti, Ian Couchman, Lars Finn Sloth Larsen
  • Patent number: 10288037
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a wind turbine (10) comprising a rotor (12) and a generator (18), connected to said rotor (12), for outputting electrical power to an electrical grid, said rotor (12) comprising rotor blades (14) whose blade pitch angles (?) may be moved during operation in order to control the rotational speed (n) of the rotor (12). Upon reaching a rotational speed (n) higher than a rotational speed limit (nlim) that delimits an operational range (34, 34?, 34?) of said wind turbine (10), the rotor (12) is forcibly braked by increasing the blade pitch angle (?) at a predefined positive blade pitch angle movement rate (?r). According to the invention, the rotational speed limit (nlim) is altered as a function of a blade pitch angle movement rate (?) set by the control. The invention also relates to a corresponding wind turbine (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: SENVION GMBH
    Inventors: Nicolai Cosack, Christian Beckmann
  • Patent number: 10253735
    Abstract: A motorcycle supercharger (42) pressurizes intake air (I) for a combustion engine (E). The supercharger (42) includes a centrifugal impeller (50) and an impeller casing (52) which covers the impeller (50). The impeller casing (52) includes an outer peripheral wall (84) located radially outward of the impeller (50) and a side wall (86) located axially outward of the impeller (50). Reinforcing first and second side wall ribs (94, 96) are provided at the side wall (86) of the impeller casing (52).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shohei Naruoka, Hisatoyo Arima, Hiroyuki Watanabe
  • Patent number: 10247189
    Abstract: A scroll compressor is provided. The scroll compressor may include a fixed scroll having a fixed wrap and a plurality of first key recesses, an orbiting scroll engaged with the fixed scroll to define a compression chambers and having an orbiting wrap and a plurality of second key recesses, the orbiting scroll performing an orbiting motion with respect to the fixed scroll, a drive having a rotation shaft coupled to the orbiting scroll such that one end portion thereof overlaps the orbiting wrap in a lateral direction, and an Oldham ring having a plurality of first and second keys coupled to the plurality of first key recesses and the plurality of second key recesses, respectively. The plurality of second keys may at least temporarily protrude from the plurality of second key recesses in a radial direction during the orbiting motion. Further, the plurality of second key recesses and the plurality of second keys may be disposed to obtain maximum contact areas therebetween at a moment of start of discharging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Taemin Earmme, Byeongchul Lee, Cheolhwan Kim, Sanghun Seong
  • Patent number: 10240613
    Abstract: A supersonic compressor provided may include an axial inlet and a centrifugal impeller fluidly coupled to the axial inlet. The centrifugal impeller may have a periphery and may be configured to impart energy to process fluid received via the axial inlet and discharge the process fluid from the periphery in at least a partially radial direction. The supersonic compressor may further include a static diffuser circumferentially disposed about the periphery of the centrifugal impeller and configured to receive the process fluid from the centrifugal impeller and convert the energy imparted. The static diffuser may include a plurality of diffuser vanes defining diffuser passageways therebetween. A supersonic ramp may be formed at an end of the at least one diffuser vane proximate the periphery of the centrifugal impeller. The supersonic ramp may be configured to generate a shock wave from the process fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: DRESSER-RAND COMPANY
    Inventors: Pascal Lardy, James M. Sorokes, Mark J. Kuzdzal
  • Patent number: 10233756
    Abstract: A two-sided turbocharger compressor wheel and a housing forming a diffuser for the compressor. A first side and a second side of the compressor wheel are characterized by different values of a trim and of an annulus area. A first side of the diffuser surrounds the first side of the compressor wheel, and a second side of the diffuser surrounds the second side of the compressor wheel. The first and second sides of the diffuser are characterized by different annulus area ratios. The blades of the first and second sides of the compressor wheel are angularly offset from one another. The compressor wheel is configured for greater flow through the side of the compressor wheel that faces away from a related turbine wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: GARRETT TRANSPORTATION I INC.
    Inventors: Hua Chen, Annie Li, Michael Zhao, Wei Dai, Jose Luis Lazaro Bercianos, Vit Houst, Daniel Turecek, Vaclav Kares, Milan Nejedly, Michal Mokos
  • Patent number: 10233772
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine (20) and method for containing a fan inside an engine after a fan thrust bearing assembly failure. The engine (20) may comprise a fan (42), a housing (100) including a compartment (102), a fan shaft (104) inside the compartment (102) and comprising a bowl (108), a support structure (110) inside the compartment (102), a speed sensor pickup (114) mounted on the outer surface (120) of the bowl (108), a speed sensor (112) mounted on the support structure (110), and a fan thrust bearing assembly (41) disposed forward of the bowl (108). The fan thrust bearing assembly (41) including a bearing (126). The speed sensor (112) and the sensor pickup (114) define a defining a sensor gap (116). The bearing (126) and the outer surface (120) defining a fan thrust bearing gap (130), wherein the sensor gap (116) is less than the fan thrust bearing gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Michael E. McCune
  • Patent number: 10233927
    Abstract: A scroll compressor includes first and second scroll bodies having respective bases and respective scroll ribs that project from the respective bases such that the scroll ribs mutually engage. The second scroll body is movable relative to the first scroll body for compressing fluid. A drive shaft has a longitudinal axis and an eccentric drive pin configured to engage a drive hub on the second scroll body. A counterweight has a hub portion, and a perimeter portion positioned radially outward from the hub portion. A radial axis divides the counterweight into a first and second regions. The mass of the hub portion in the first region being roughly equal to the mass of the hub portion in the second region, and the mass in the perimeter portion being distributed between the first and second regions such that the center of mass of the counterweight is located along the radial axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: BITZER Kuehlmaschinenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Xianghong Wang, Kenneth D. Heusler
  • Patent number: 10227918
    Abstract: A Polygon Oscillating Piston Engine having multiple pistons on one of two oscillating disks. Each piston moves in a straight line along one of the sides of a polygon within a cylindrical chamber, while the oscillating disks move in an arc about a central shaft. The difference in the straight motion of the piston and angular motion of the oscillating disk is accommodated by a slip sleeve within the piston that slides on a peg or bar mounted to each disk. The engine can be configured to operate as an internal combustion engine that uses diesel fuel, gasoline, or natural gas, or it can be configured as an expander to convert high pressure high temperature gas to rotary power. This engines compact design results in a high power-to-weight ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Inventors: Martin A. Stuart, Stephen L. Cunningham
  • Patent number: 10226814
    Abstract: A cast component includes a cast body that has a single crystal microstructure and an internal corner bounding an internal cavity. The single crystal microstructure defines a critical internal residual stress with respect to investment casting of the cast body using a refractory metal core beyond which the single crystal microstructure recrystallizes under a predetermined condition. The internal corner has a corner radius that is greater than a critical corner radius below which an amount of internal residual stress in the single crystal microstructure exceeds the critical internal residual stress. The internal cavity includes a cross section less than about 20 mils near the corner radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Max Asterlin, Jeffrey S. Beattie, John R. Gunn
  • Patent number: 10227898
    Abstract: A multi-valve-type steam valve provided with a plurality of control valves widening a flow path as valve bodies are gradually separated from valve seats by valve shafts being driven in one direction and allowing steam to flow in by allowing the plurality of control valves to reach an open state in order, the multi-valve-type steam valve being configured such that at least the control valve reaching the open state first among the plurality of control valves have a smaller steam inflow amount during the driving in the one direction from a closed state than the other control valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Compressor Corporation
    Inventor: Hirokazu Kawashima
  • Patent number: 10208669
    Abstract: A method for regulating oil cooling within an oil cooling device of a turbomachine including a first heat exchanger mounted in series with a second heat exchanger, the first heat exchanger being an oil/air exchanger while the second heat exchanger is an oil/fuel exchanger, each heat exchanger having an oil inlet and an oil outlet, a bypass directly connecting the oil inlet of the first heat exchanger to the oil outlet of the first heat exchanger, and a flow regulator to regulate the flow rate of oil flowing through the bypass. Circulation of oil though the bypass is allowed by means of the flow regulator when the oil temperature is less than or equal to a predetermined temperature comprised between 70° C. and 90° C., preferably equal to about 80° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Sebastien Gameiro, Brice Andre, Guillaume Mathon Margueritte, Nicolas Potel
  • Patent number: 10197063
    Abstract: A centrifugal fluid machine includes a rotor, a low pressure compression unit provided on one side in the axial direction of the rotor, a high pressure compression unit provided on the other side in the axial direction of the rotor, a partition wall 13 that separates the low and high pressure compression units, and a high pressure-side discharge passage 54 formed on the side of the high pressure compression unit of the partition wall 13, extending in the radial direction of the rotor, and provided along the partition wall 13, wherein the partition wall 13 has a wall body 71, a passage deformation suppression member 72 that is provided between the wall body 71 and the high pressure-side discharge passage 54 and can deform the high pressure-side discharge passage 54, and an biasing mechanism 73 that is provided between the wall body 71 and the passage deformation suppression member 72.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES COMPRESSOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akihiro Nakaniwa, Shinichiro Tokuyama
  • Patent number: 10196277
    Abstract: A method for producing ammonia may be provided. The method may include supplying ammonia synthesis gas to a synthesis gas screw compressor and compressing the synthesis gas. The compressed synthesis gas may be joined with a flow of recycle gas compressed in a recycle gas screw compressor. The compressed combined flow may then be introduced to an ammonia reactor. The ammonia reactor may discharge ammonia, purge gas, and unconverted gas, which may be the recycle gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Inventor: Derek Carlton Lennon
  • Patent number: 10190416
    Abstract: A blade cascade for a turbomachine, in particular a gas turbine, including multiple identical blade groups which are situated next to each other and which each include a first individual blade (10) having a vane (12) having a blade profile and a first side wall (11), and a second individual blade (20), which differs from the first, having a vane (22) having a blade profile and a second side wall (21), the first and second side walls (11, 21) having different contourings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines AG
    Inventor: Carsten Zscherp
  • Patent number: 10190565
    Abstract: This method can be used for refurbishing a facility for converting hydraulic energy into electrical or mechanical energy, and vice versa. The facility includes a Francis type pump-turbine. The pump-turbine includes a runner movable about an axis, a pre-distributor, including stay vanes defining between each pair of two adjacent stay vanes a first water passage channel and a distributor, including guide vanes arranged downstream of the stay vanes in the direction of water flow feeding the pump-turbine operating in turbine mode. The guide vanes define between each pair of two adjacent guide vanes a second water passage channel. This method includes steps of reducing the height, taken parallel to the axis of rotation of the runner, of the first water passage channels and reducing the height, taken parallel to the axis of rotation of the runner, of the second water passage channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: GE RENEWABLE TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventors: Sylvain Daniel Lavigne, Claude Beral, Sylvain Antheaume, Jean-Bernard Houdeline
  • Patent number: 10190454
    Abstract: An impeller for pressurizing an intake air of an engine is provided on a left side end portion in a supercharger rotary shaft of the supercharger. The power from the engine is transmitted to a second sprocket, which is provided on a right side end portion of an input shaft of a speed increaser, through a chain to thereby allow the supercharger to drive. The second sprocket is removably fitted to the input shaft by means of a bolt. The supercharger rotary shaft, the input shaft, the second sprocket and the bolt are all accommodated in a supercharger casing. The supercharger casing has a right side end face formed with an access opening through which access can be made to the second sprocket and the bolt from an axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shohei Naruoka, Hisatoyo Arima, Yoshiharu Matsuda
  • Patent number: 10190439
    Abstract: A frangible mounting arrangement between a bearing and a bearing support in a gas turbine engine comprises a plurality of frangible bolts connecting mounting flanges of the bearing and the bearing support. The bolts are disposed on a circle. A distance on the circle between a first pair of adjacent bolts is greater than a distance on the circle between a second pair of adjacent bolts. The bolts are configured to break when subjected to a breaking load above a predetermined value. The breaking load results from at least one of a bending moment and a shear load on the mounting flanges. When subjected to the breaking load, the first pair of adjacent bolts breaks before the second pair of adjacent bolts. A method of providing a frangible mounting arrangement between a bearing and a bearing support is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Oleg Korshikov, Czeslaw Wojtyczka, David Denis