Patents by Inventor Bernard Cantin

Bernard Cantin has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11648744
    Abstract: On-site pressing of field poles for a hydroelectric generator is provided. A field pole may be placed on a press cart and press bars may be placed on top of the field pole. The press cart is moved along a track to transport the field pole to a pressing unit. Hydraulic cylinders in the pressing unit press the field pole and the press bars between the cart and a top plate of the pressing unit to straighten the field pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: ANDRITZ HYDRO CORP.
    Inventors: Samuel Riley Kent, Steven Parker, Nathan Steele, Lewis Hulbert Morgan, Bernard Cantin, Thomas C. Coulson
  • Patent number: 11635055
    Abstract: The stub shaft bearing for a stub shaft can be replaced while the stub shaft remains installed in a hydroelectric unit. A runner hub lifting device may be positioned within a discharge ring surrounding a runner hub. The runner hub lifting device may lift the runner hub, and a stub shaft bearing may be removed from a stub shaft. The stub shaft bearing may be disassembled into bearing sections while located in a chamber in the hydroelectric unit. The bearing sections may be removed from the chamber through a service hatch in the chamber. A replacement stub shaft bearing may be moved into the chamber and installed on the stub shaft. The runner hub lifting device may lower the runner hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: ANDRITZ HYDRO CORP.
    Inventors: Anthony Robert Dall, Jr., Wagner Vanci da Silva, Bernard Cantin
  • Patent number: 11594943
    Abstract: A method for in-place machining of a collector ring attached to a turbine shaft of a hydroelectric generator includes: attaching a support member to stationary portions of the hydroelectric generator, the support member being configured to support a machine tool at an angle parallel to an inclination angle of an axis of rotation of the turbine shaft; attaching an adjustable positioning device to the support member; attaching the machine tool to the adjustable positioning device, the machine tool being configured to perform a machining operation on the collector ring; controlling a rotational speed of the turbine shaft to a specified rotational speed by controlling a flow of water through the turbine; adjusting the adjustable positioning device to adjust a position of the machine tool with respect to the collector ring; and performing the machining operation on the collector ring at the specified rotational speed of the turbine shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: ANDRITZ HYDRO CORP.
    Inventors: Christopher George Tuttle, Hiram Lee Avant, William Hopper, Lorenzo Pelayo, Joseph Matthew Travis, Bernard Cantin
  • Publication number: 20230020562
    Abstract: A method for in-place machining of a collector ring attached to a turbine shaft of a hydroelectric generator includes: attaching a support member to stationary portions of the hydroelectric generator, the support member being configured to support a machine tool at an angle parallel to an inclination angle of an axis of rotation of the turbine shaft; attaching an adjustable positioning device to the support member; attaching the machine tool to the adjustable positioning device, the machine tool being configured to perform a machining operation on the collector ring; controlling a rotational speed of the turbine shaft to a specified rotational speed by controlling a flow of water through the turbine; adjusting the adjustable positioning device to adjust a position of the machine tool with respect to the collector ring; and performing the machining operation on the collector ring at the specified rotational speed of the turbine shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Christopher George Tuttle, Hiram Lee Avant, William Hopper, Lorenzo Pelayo, Joseph Matthew Travis, Bernard Cantin
  • Publication number: 20230008888
    Abstract: The stub shaft bearing for a stub shaft can be replaced while the stub shaft remains installed in a hydroelectric unit. A runner hub lifting device may be positioned within a discharge ring surrounding a runner hub. The runner hub lifting device may lift the runner hub, and a stub shaft bearing may be removed from a stub shaft. The stub shaft bearing may be disassembled into bearing sections while located in a chamber in the hydroelectric unit. The bearing sections may be removed from the chamber through a service hatch in the chamber. A replacement stub shaft bearing may be moved into the chamber and installed on the stub shaft. The runner hub lifting device may lower the runner hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2021
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Inventors: Anthony Robert Dall, JR., Wagner Vanci da Silva, Bernard Cantin
  • Publication number: 20230011857
    Abstract: On-site pressing of field poles for a hydroelectric generator is provided. A field pole may be placed on a press cart and press bars may be placed on top of the field pole. The press cart is moved along a track to transport the field pole to a pressing unit. Hydraulic cylinders in the pressing unit press the field pole and the press bars between the cart and a top plate of the pressing unit to straighten the field pole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Inventors: Samuel Riley Kent, Steven Parker, Nathan Steele, Lewis Hulbert Morgan, Bernard Cantin, Thomas C. Coulson
  • Patent number: 11433491
    Abstract: A method for repairing a discharge ring of a hydraulic turbine with a turbine runner in place includes: mounting adjustable fixtures to runner blades that are approximately evenly spaced around the turbine runner, where each adjustable fixture is mounted to a different runner blade at a different predetermined vertical position with respect to a surface of the discharge ring; attaching cutting equipment configured to remove material from the discharge ring to each adjustable fixture installed on the runner blades; installing a drive unit configured to rotate the turbine runner; controlling the drive unit to rotate the runner at a specified speed; and controlling the cutting equipment attached to each adjustable fixture to concurrently remove material from the discharge ring as the turbine runner rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: ANDRITZ HYDRO CORP.
    Inventors: Samuel Riley Kent, Mauricio Recalcatti, Nathan Steele, Joseph Matthew Travis, Bernard Cantin, William Hopper, Kenneth R. Sykes, Lorenzo Pelayo, Christopher Hayes, Hiram Lee Avant