Patents by Inventor Kurt L. Nichol

Kurt L. Nichol 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).

  • Variable stiffness oil film damper
    Patent number: 4867655
    Abstract: The critical speed of a bearing supported rotating shaft is changed or controlled by dimensioning the oil squeeze film damper so that the volumen of oil is selected to produce a spring rate that when added to the mechanical spring rate will attain the overall spring rate of the system. The spring rate of the oil becomes effective when the volume is at a predetermined value which is at a level higher than heretofore known oil squeeze film dampers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1989
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: John R. Barbic, Kurt L. Nichol, David H. Hibner, David R. Szafir
  • Multiple feed oil supply system for fluid damper
    Patent number: 4775248
    Abstract: Structure for preventing cavitation and/or starvation in an oil film squeeze annular damper for dampening the high energy vibrations occasioned by a rotating shaft by including a plurality of judiciously located inlets to the annular damper so as to place in continuous communication the low pressure portion of the annulus with the supply source. Three inlet ports equally spaced about the circumference of the annulus disclose an exemplary supply system wherein each inlet includes a check valve for preventing backflow from the annulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1988
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jack R. Barbic, Kurt L. Nichol