Patents by Inventor Thomas R. Norris

Thomas R. Norris 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: 8257036
    Abstract: A high drag vortex generator for inhibiting the formation of boundary layer gas flow is mounted in a duct having a strong adverse pressure gradient with high speed gas flow over a primary aerodynamic. The vortex generator includes a mounting for supporting the high drag vortex generator at a spatial interval in the high speed gas flow above the primary aerodynamic surface. The high drag vortex generator is supported from the mounting and extends from the mounting in the high speed gas flow less than the full distance to the primary aerodynamic surface. Each high drag vortex generator includes first and second vanes. The first and second vanes have flow confining components at substantial right angles to one another. The vanes flow confining components deflect fluid flow towards and/or away from the primary aerodynamic surface inhibiting boundary layer formation downstream of the vortex generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventor: Thomas R. Norris
  • Publication number: 20080121301
    Abstract: A high drag vortex generator for inhibiting the formation of boundary layer gas flow is mounted in a duct having a strong adverse pressure gradient with high speed gas flow over a primary aerodynamic. The vortex generator includes a mounting for supporting the high drag vortex generator at a spatial interval in the high speed gas flow above the primary aerodynamic surface. The high drag vortex generator is supported from the mounting and extends from the mounting in the high speed gas flow less than the full distance to the primary aerodynamic surface. Each high drag vortex generator includes first and second vanes. The first and second vanes have flow confining components at substantial right angles to one another. The vanes flow confining components deflect fluid flow towards and/or away from the primary aerodynamic surface inhibiting boundary layer formation downstream of the vortex generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventor: Thomas R. Norris
  • Patent number: 5813828
    Abstract: In a conduit constituting the outlet from turbo machinery such as a turbine or compressor, stall gas having high static pressure and low velocity is collected. This stall gas is then routed through struts--preferably teardrop shaped--to more central low static pressure and high velocity gas flow areas. At these areas, the gas is discharged, preferably through multiple manifold openings. Mixing of the collected high static pressure, low velocity stall gas with the low static pressure, high velocity main stream gas occurs. Turbine noise, vibration, and back pressure are decreased with resulting improvements of efficiency. Variations are illustrated including adaptation of gas flow transfer utilizing turning vanes, fairings, rectangular duct turns, and struts for placement in turbine turbo machine outlets having high turbulence or variable swirl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Inventor: Thomas R. Norris
  • Patent number: 5684355
    Abstract: A lamp is provided with a mounting arrangement for achieving a precise alignment. The lamp includes a double-ended light source, a metal strap clamping one end of the light source at two locations, and a plastic base having an internal opening wherein the metal strap is engaged. The metal strap includes two clamping members between which the light source is clamped and a cap member attached to the clamping members. The cap member has tabs adapted for engaging the internal opening of the plastic base and gimbaling the light source to align the light source with respect to the plastic base. The clamping members are joined together at a point between the to clamping locations such that a spring force clamps the light source. The clamping members are also oriented at an angle of about 45 degrees from vertical to better withstand both vertical and horizontal loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Douglas G. Seredich, Thomas R. Norris, Gino Savarino, Thomas H. Yu, John J. Stewart
  • Patent number: 5603604
    Abstract: An improved efficiency flow enhancement method and system is provided for a duct system downstream of blading in a turbomachine, the system comprising the blading, a duct leading from the blading, two or more passages defined at least in part by partitions which take flow from within the duct, or from across its outlet, or from within four duct widths downstream of its outlet, the partitions defining at least partially separated flow passages intended for flows leaving the expanding duct of generally different mechanical energy, one or more zones of significant pressure drop for the flows of higher energy, one or more passages of comparatively less pressure drop for the passages with flows of lower mechanical energy, one or more zones where the flows are rejoined, and an outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Assignee: Norlock Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Norris, Hanford N. Lockwood, J. Alan Watts
  • Patent number: 5340276
    Abstract: An improved efficiency flow enhancement method and system is provided for a duct system downstream of blading in a turbomachine, the system comprising the blading, a duct leading from the blading, two or more passages defined at least in part by partitions which take flow from within the duct, or from across its outlet, or from within four duct widths downstream of its outlet, the partitions defining at least partially separated flow passages intended for flows leaving the expanding duct of generally different mechanical energy, one or more zones of significant pressure drop for the flows of higher energy, one or more passages of comparatively less pressure drop for the passages with flows of lower mechanical energy, one or more zones where the flows are rejoined, and an outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: Norlock Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Norris, Hanford N. Lockwood, J. Alan Watts
  • Patent number: 5276291
    Abstract: A compact resonating muffler is disclosed. Specifically, the muffler is a part of a duct which is preferably rectilinear with an aspect ratio in the order of 3 to 1. The muffler contains at least two and preferably three or more rows or lines of Helmholtz type resonators placed on at least one side of the muffler housing. Preferably, the resonators are on opposite sides of the duct, these sides being opposite major sides when the duct is rectilinear. The first row of the resonators is tuned for attenuation of the major acoustical frequency to be muffled. The second row of the resonators is tuned to exclude the major damped frequency. Preferably, this row of resonators is tuned to harmonics of the major frequency. Finally, the third and last row of resonators is tuned again to muffle the primary frequency, this exact resonant frequency preferably being slightly different from the frequency of the first row of resonators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Inventor: Thomas R. Norris
  • Patent number: 5188510
    Abstract: An improved efficiency flow enhancement method and system is provided for a duct system downstream of blading in a turbomachine, the system comprising the blading, a duct leading from the blading, two or more passages defined at least in part by partitions which take flow from within the duct, or from across its outlet, or from within four duct widths downstream of its outlet, the partitions defining at least partially separated flow passages intended for flows leaving the expanding duct of generally different mechanical energy, one or more zones of significant pressure drop for the flows of higher energy, one or more passages of comparatively less pressure drop for the passages with flows of lower mechanical energy, one or more zones where the flows are rejoined, and an outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Assignee: Thomas R. Norris
    Inventors: Thomas R. Norris, Hanford N. Lockwood, Jr., J. Alan Watts
  • Patent number: 4953659
    Abstract: This invention provides an improved method and apparatus for attenuating the sound of flowing fluid. The apparatus of this invention includes at least two attenuating areas, preferably particle-filled containers arranged serially within a housing. One of the attenuating areas has a central void into which a portion of the fluid may flow on its way through the muffler. The muffler may also include a mechanism for permitting one of the attenuating devices to move in order to accommodate changes in fluid pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Inventor: Thomas R. Norris
  • Patent number: 4353434
    Abstract: An improved muffler is provided for attenuating noise generated by a pressurized fluid when released to the atmosphere. Use of a combination fill-pack and void volume gas collector herein permits effective operation with a much smaller unit than normally required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1982
    Inventor: Thomas R. Norris
  • Patent number: 4320815
    Abstract: Noise reduction mechanism for an engine, especially effective during idling nd operation at low RPM, is disclosed. Under those conditions, engine exhaust noise often represents a predominant part of the total vehicle noise. The noise reducing mechanism comprises a flow-throttling element that substantially closes the main exhaust passage when the engine is in the low-speed range; the exhaust gas and noise is forced to flow through a more effective muffling device to reduce the noise at the exit end of the system. At high engine speeds, the throttling mechanism is deflected to a maximum flow condition for avoidance of undesired back pressure in the exhaust system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1982
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Thomas R. Norris