Patents by Inventor Michael E. Slipper

Michael E. Slipper 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: 11946392
    Abstract: A flow control device for constraining fluid flow between axial flow turbomachines in series has a flow constrainer which constrains the fluid flow downstream of the first turbomachine in the series to the blades region of the second turbomachine, preventing fluid flow from impacting the hub or nosecone of the second turbomachine and providing more uniform fluid flow to the second turbomachine. The flow control device includes connective elements for positioning between the downstream region of the first turbomachine and the upstream region of the second turbomachine. The device may be equipped with stator vanes having a variety of optional configurations to further improve the uniformity of the fluid flow load on the second turbomachine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Michael E. Slipper, Tristan M. Wolfe, Kyle J. Verrinder
  • Patent number: 11585227
    Abstract: A flow control device for constraining fluid flow between axial flow turbomachines in series has a flow constrainer which constrains the fluid flow downstream of the first turbomachine in the series to the blades region of the second turbomachine, preventing fluid flow from impacting the hub or nosecone of the second turbomachine and providing more uniform fluid flow to the second turbomachine. The flow control device includes connective elements for positioning between the downstream region of the first turbomachine and the upstream region of the second turbomachine. The device may be equipped with stator vanes having a variety of optional configurations to further improve the uniformity of the fluid flow load on the second turbomachine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Michael E. Slipper, Tristan M. Wolfe, Kyle J. Verrinder
  • Patent number: 10109970
    Abstract: The disclosed invention is a slip ring assembly that provides electrical power transfer to centrifugal turbomachinery while minimizing or eliminating the presence of wires in the flow path. The device transfers electrical power through a set of wires connected to a plurality of brushes that are held rotationally stationary, but allowed to displace axially or radially through a set of springs. The brushes make contact with conductive busbar rings, transferring electricity to the busbar rings. The busbar rings rotate with the centrifugal turbomachine with a set of wires that connect the busbar rings to the blades or other aerodynamic surfaces of the centrifugal turbomachine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Michael E. Slipper, Tristan M. Wolfe, Daniel J. Simmons
  • Patent number: 10033145
    Abstract: The disclosed invention is a slip ring assembly that provides electrical power transfer to centrifugal turbomachinery while minimizing or eliminating the presence of wires in the flow path. The device transfers electrical power through a set of wires connected to a plurality of brushes that are held rotationally stationary, but allowed to displace axially or radially through a set of springs. The brushes make contact with conductive busbar rings, transferring electricity to the busbar rings. The busbar rings rotate with the centrifugal turbomachine with a set of wires that connect the busbar rings to the blades or other aerodynamic surfaces of the centrifugal turbomachine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Michael E. Slipper, Tristan M. Wolfe, Daniel J. Simmons
  • Patent number: 9793669
    Abstract: The disclosed invention is a slip ring assembly that provides electrical power transfer to centrifugal turbomachinery while minimizing or eliminating the presence of wires in the flow path. The device transfers electrical power through a set of wires connected to a plurality of brushes that are held rotationally stationary, but allowed to displace axially or radially through a set of springs. The brushes make contact with conductive busbar rings, transferring electricity to the busbar rings. The busbar rings rotate with the centrifugal turbomachine with a set of wires that connect the busbar rings to the blades or other aerodynamic surfaces of the centrifugal turbomachine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: The United States of America Department of the Navy
    Inventors: Michael E. Slipper, Tristan M. Wolfe, Daniel J. Simmons
  • Patent number: 6386830
    Abstract: A high-pressure vane-axial fan assembly is provided. A rotor assembly has a plurality of rotor blades disposed circumferentially around and extending radially outward from a hub. Each rotor blade has an airfoil cross-section and is constructed to define a straight-ruled leading edge that extends outward from the hub. The rotor blade is rotated along its span relative to the straight-ruled leading edge. The plurality of rotor blades defines a solidity of greater than 1. A stator assembly has a plurality of stator vanes disposed circumferentially around and extending radially from the frame. There are a lesser number of stator vanes than rotor blades. The stator assembly is positioned adjacent the rotor assembly such that an axial gap is defined between the trailing edge of the rotor blades and the leading edge of the stator vanes. The axial gap increases with radial distance from the hub as defined by the shape of the trailing edge of the rotor blades and the shape of the leading edge of the stator vanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Michael E. Slipper, Yu-Tai Lee