Circularly Around Fixed Runner Axis Patents (Class 415/127)
  • Patent number: 8944756
    Abstract: An example blade outer air seal assembly includes a blade outer air seal that is biased toward a second part. The blade outer air seal and the second part move together radially during operation. Radial inward movement of the blade outer air seal is limited exclusively by the second part during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Ken Lagueux
  • Patent number: 8944759
    Abstract: A fan cooling system has individual fan modules which are connected together in an end-to-end configuration, where one of the fan modules is connected to a mechanism which rotates the linear array of fan modules. The fan modules are substantially identical, which allows prefabrication of the fan modules prior to on-site installation of the system. Each fan module may contain water injection piping and nozzles, which allows the fan cooling system to dispense fog. The linear array of fan modules may be rotated along a longitudinal axis, such that the axial flow direction of the fans may be changed with respect to a vertical plane. A suggested use of the fan cooling system is for the cooling of livestock in large livestock structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Inventor: Michael Terrell
  • Patent number: 8939713
    Abstract: An aerodynamic element for an aircraft nacelle is provided that includes a fixed shroud and an intake lip axially movable relative to the shroud. The aerodynamic element is flexible and has a substantially cylindrical general shape and defines an upstream portion attached to the inner wall of the intake lip of the nacelle, and a downstream portion bearing radially against an inner face of the shroud. The downstream portion of the element includes a ring shaped bead protruding towards an outside of the aerodynamic element and an end blade which, at rest, is tilted towards the outside of the aerodynamic element in a direction of its free end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Aircelle
    Inventors: Céline Blin, Guillaume Strub, Vincent Peyron
  • Patent number: 8939712
    Abstract: The invention relates to a housing for covering the ends of a row of rotor blades of an axial turbomachine compressor, the housing being provided with a sealing device between the blade tips and the housing. It comprises a shell segmented along its circumference, each segment being fixed to the housing by a series of elastomeric elements in a recess in the shape of a channel cut into the inner surface of the housing. In this way, in the event of misalignment of the rotor relative to the stator, the rotor blades coming into contact with sections of the shell will be able to move to compensate for this misalignment while reducing the frictional forces generated by contact between the blades and the shell. In the event of alignment being re-established the segments of the shell will be able to resume their initial position because of the elastic behavior of the elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Techspace Aero S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Francois Cortequisse
  • Patent number: 8899908
    Abstract: The disclosure refers to a method and apparatus for checking the bearing alignment of a rotor of a gas turbine or steam turbine having a rotor with a radial offset and a radial offset surface and in a bearing shell, which supports the rotor, with a radial, at least in sections, end surface, wherein the radial offset surface and the radial end surface face the free end of the rotor. The radial offset is arranged in the bearing shell and offset towards the free end of the rotor. The degree of offset in the axial direction with regard to the rotor is measured at least two different circumferential positions around the rotor periphery in order to determine the alignment of the rotor. Differences in the degree of offset at different circumferential positions are used as measurement for the bearing alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Eduard Brühwiler, Marc Rauch
  • Patent number: 8894377
    Abstract: A personal motorized cooling fan designed to retract and fold into a vertical tower for economy of shipping, storage and desk space. Each fan blade includes a blade portion and a root portion that rides in a race that guides the blades as they splay during rotation. When the fan is turned on, the rotation of the shaft and therefore race, combined with centrifugal force, causes the blades to splay forming a radial array. A protective cage including an array of longitudinal members expands in a fan-like manner. The cage is engaged with ribbons of stretch fabric that retract and fold along with the cage and blades after use. The entire assembly folds tidily into a slender tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Inventor: Jeffrey Alan Greenberg
  • Publication number: 20140341752
    Abstract: A pumping system featuring a pump chamber configured with a central portion having a tangential outlet, and configured with a tubular coupling end portion having inwardly flexible rim portions on one side; and a mounting base, having a circular portion with an inner circumferential rim configured to receive and engage the inwardly flexible rim portions of the tubular coupling portion of the pump chamber so as to be rotationally coupled to the pumping chamber so that the pumping chamber may be rotated 360° in relation to the mounting base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: Flow Control LLC.
    Inventors: William A. GELL, III, Jeffrey D. LOPES, Jesus ESTRADA, Randall H. MOORMANN
  • Publication number: 20140227081
    Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system has a fan component defining a radially interior space and a radially exterior space and a tube disposed in the radially exterior space, the tube being in fluid communication with the radially interior space at a first angular location and a second angular location different from the first angular location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: Trane International Inc.
    Inventor: Percy F. Wang
  • Patent number: 8790077
    Abstract: An adjustment assembly for pump casing of a pump, the pump casing including a main part and a side part having a main axis and a side wall section extending laterally with respect to the main axis. The adjustment assembly is operable to cause relative displacement between the side part and the main part of the pump casing. The adjustment assembly includes a drive device and an actuator which can be activated externally of the pump, the drive device being operable to cause the relative displacement of the side part in response to activation of said actuator, the relative displacement capable of being a combination of axial and rotational movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Weir Minerals Australia Ltd.
    Inventors: Kevin Edward Burgess, Michael Christopher Foreman
  • Patent number: 8764384
    Abstract: An assembly kit includes a first turbocharger component flange with receptacles spaced according to a first interval angle; a second turbocharger component flange with receptacles spaced according to a second interval angle that differs from the first interval angle; and a piece configured for receipt by a receptacle of the first component and a receptacle of the second component where alignment of the receptacles determines a rotational orientation angle of the first component with respect to the second component. Various other examples of devices, assemblies, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Kristian Norman Dullack, Harry Fuku Hess, Shawn Warren Merritt
  • Patent number: 8757963
    Abstract: A thermal module includes a fan device having a fan and a fan housing for covering the fan. A vent is disposed on the fan housing. The thermal module further includes an airflow guiding device installed on the fan housing in a protrudable manner and disposed on a side of the vent for guiding airflow into the vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventor: Wei-Cheng Chou
  • Patent number: 8727709
    Abstract: A casing component (2) of a turbomachine, the casing component (2) comprising: a plurality of casing elements (14) which define a diameter of the casing component; and an actuation means operable to change the diameter of the casing component (2), wherein the actuation means changes the diameter of the casing component (2) as a function of a rotational speed of a rotatable component (4) disposed within the casing component (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventor: Crispin D. Bolgar
  • Publication number: 20140127001
    Abstract: An aircraft gas-turbine engine has an engine cowling-nacelle which surrounds a core engine in a tubular way, characterized in that at least one inflow-side part of the engine cowling-nacelle is telescopically movable against the flow direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG
    Inventor: Predrag Todorovic
  • Publication number: 20140105730
    Abstract: According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a variable geometry turbine comprising: a turbine wheel mounted for rotation about a turbine axis within a housing, the housing defining an annular inlet surrounding the turbine wheel and defined between first and second inlet sidewalls, the annular inlet being divided into at least two axially offset inlet portions; a cylindrical sleeve axially movable across the annular inlet to vary the size of a gas flow path through the inlet; and a guide for guiding the movement of the cylindrical sleeve, the guide being at least partially located within the inlet at a radially extent of the inlet portions, and extending in an axial direction parallel to the turbine axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Cummins Turbo Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Tim Denholm, James Alexander McEwen, Tom J. Roberts, Robert L. Holroyd, Christopher Nomington, Arun Vijayakumar, Stephen Edward Garrett
  • Patent number: 8678742
    Abstract: The invention relates to a clearance control system for adjusting a running clearance (L) between a rotor (12) having rotor blades (10) of a turbomachine (14), especially a gas turbine, and a casing (18) that surrounds at least sections thereof and comprises at least two segments (16a-d), the clearance control system having at least one adjusting device (20), which can be coupled to at least one segment (16a-d) of the casing (18), and by means of which the at least one segment (16a-d) can be moved radially in relation to a rotational axis (D) of the rotor (12) for adjusting the running clearance (L), wherein each segment (16a-d) of the casing (18) is coupled to at least three adjusting devices (20) of the clearance control system. The invention also relates to a turbomachine (14), especially a gas turbine, as well as to a method for adjusting a running clearance (L).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines GmbH
    Inventor: Hermann Klingels
  • Patent number: 8678748
    Abstract: A blower fan unit includes a housing, a fan, a support unit to support the housing rotatably, and a exhaust tube projecting from the outlet, the exhaust tube producing a reaction force by guiding the airflow toward an upstream side of movement of the peripheral surface synchronized with rotation of the housing, the reaction force rotating the housing toward a downstream side of the movement of the peripheral surface of the housing, a stopper being positioned on a movement path of the exhaust tube that moves with the rotation of the housing to stop the rotation of the housing by blocking movement of the exhaust tube, and a switch mechanism to switch blocking and restarting of the movement of the exhaust tube using the stopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Shinichi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8647048
    Abstract: A system includes a gas turbine engine, a nozzle structure located adjacent to the gas turbine engine, a flexible annular seal linking the gas turbine engine and the nozzle structure, the flexible annular seal having a plurality of corrugate sections, and a reinforcement member positioned between two of the plurality of corrugate sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Steven D. Roberts, Richard W. Monahan, David C. Pimenta
  • Patent number: 8641370
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a locking device (10) designed to fixedly attach a first element (9a) to a second element, comprising a locking member (12) intended to equip the first element, an additional locking element intended to equip the second element, and a control handle (13) connected to the locking member via transmission means, characterized in that the transmission means comprise a telescopic connecting rod (15) designed to oscillate freely between a minimum extension position and a maximum extension position, and means for returning the telescopic connecting rod to its position of maximum extension, said return means being placed in a prestressed state when the control handle is in the closure position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Aircelle
    Inventor: Fabrice Provost
  • Patent number: 8608428
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a submersible centrifugal pump assembly comprising an impeller suspended in the end of a drive shaft, and driven in rotation relative to an impeller seat which is stationary in normal operation and which defines an axial intake for liquid to be transported by the impeller in rotation. The pump assembly is characterized in that the impeller seat is journalled in a pump housing for limited rotational movements in opposite directions of rotation relative to the pump housing, and in rotation controlled in guide means for limited linear displacements in opposite axial directions relative to the impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Xylem IP Holdings LLC
    Inventor: Patrik Andersson
  • Publication number: 20130324025
    Abstract: The present invention is applicable to the technical field of heat-radiation structures and discloses a flow-guiding apparatus and an electronic device including the flow-guiding apparatus. The flow-guiding apparatus includes a support and flow-guiding members for guiding an air flow generated by an axial fan to a directed area, where the flow-guiding members are connected to the support, at least two flow-guiding members are arranged and are located on both sides of a hub of the axial fan or around the hub of the axial fan, and the flow-guiding members tilt toward the hub of the axial fan along an air-blowing direction of the axial fan. The electronic device includes a chassis, where the chassis is provided with an air vent, an axial fan is arranged at the air vent, and an air outlet of the axial fan is arranged with a flow-guiding apparatus mentioned above.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
  • Publication number: 20130323025
    Abstract: A fan assembly for creating an air current includes a nozzle mounted on a base. The base comprises an outer casing, an impeller housing located within the outer casing, the impeller housing having an air inlet and an air outlet, an impeller located within the impeller housing and a motor for driving the impeller to create an air flow through the impeller housing. The nozzle includes an interior passage for receiving the air flow from the air outlet of the impeller housing and a mouth through which the air flow is emitted from the fan assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: DYSON TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventors: Tom Vallance Hamilton CRAWFORD, Christopher Simon OSBORN, Kevin John SIMMONDS, Frederic NICOLAS, Jonathan Richard CODLING
  • Patent number: 8585361
    Abstract: A fan cooling system has individual fan modules which are connected together in an end-to-end configuration, where one of the fan modules is connected to a mechanism which rotates the linear array of fan modules. The fan modules are substantially identical, which allows prefabrication of the fan modules prior to on-site installation of the system. Each fan module may contain water injection piping and nozzles, which allows the fan cooling system to dispense fog. The linear array of fan modules may be rotated along a longitudinal axis, such that the axial flow direction of the fans may be changed with respect to a vertical plane. A suggested use of the fan cooling system is for the cooling of livestock in large livestock structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Inventor: Michael Terrell
  • Patent number: 8585352
    Abstract: The invention provides a nacelle for a bypass turbojet, the nacelle comprising: an aerodynamic fairing; a maintenance cover fastened to the aerodynamic fairing by means of at least one connection hinged about a longitudinal axis of the nacelle; a cold stream inner shroud and a cold stream outer shroud placed concentrically inside the aerodynamic fairing so as to define between them a flow passage for a cold stream, the inner shroud having at least one opening closed by a removable access hatch; and the outer shroud includes at least one opening closed by a removable access hatch that is fastened on the maintenance cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Jacky Raphael Michel Derenes, Delphine Dijoud Lambert, Christophe Claude Philippe Nouhaud
  • Publication number: 20130302147
    Abstract: A clearance control system for a turbine having a stator assembly and a rotor assembly includes a hydraulic or pneumatic controller that axially drives, through a shaft, one or more actuators connected to the stator assembly casing. The controller causes relative movement between the stator and rotor assemblies to adjust the clearances between portions of the stator and rotor in accordance with the varying operating conditions of the turbine. More particularly, the controller moves the stator relative to the rotor in first and second axial directions to compensate for thermal expansion and contraction during the operating conditions of the turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kenneth BLACK, Rohit PRUTHI, Sanjay Shankar JADHAV, Pradeep GHUTE
  • Patent number: 8550769
    Abstract: A wind turbine comprising a tower and a nacelle which is rotatably mounted on the tower and whose alignment is adjustable by way of a yaw system, wherein the yaw system has at least one adjusting drive, a rotatable yaw bearing, at least one brake disk and at least two brake units which can exert a braking torque on the brake disk, wherein the at least one of the brake units has a first brake pad with a first coefficient of friction, and at least one of the brake units has a second brake pad with a second coefficient of friction, wherein the first and the second coefficient of friction are different from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Nordex Energy GmbH
    Inventors: Merten Behnke, Andre Sievers
  • Patent number: 8550767
    Abstract: A regulating system for a gas turbine, in particular an aircraft engine, has devices for blade-tip injection for increasing the compressor stability, these devices being activated as needed. The regulating system has devices for active clearance control, preferably in the high-pressure compressor, with which the radial clearance in the high-pressure compressor is kept in an optimum operating range, and the regulating system has a shared engine regulator for both devices. The technical problems of the prior art are avoided through the present invention, and an improved regulating system for a gas turbine, in particular an aircraft engine, is made available for active stabilization of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Horn, Klaus-Juergen Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8534996
    Abstract: A compressor stator vane and rotor blade tip clearance control assembly in which a plurality of stator vane segments each with vanes extending inward are connected to an annular sync ring through eccentric cranks so that circumferential movement of the sync ring will produce radial displacement of the vane segments and control the clearance between the blade tips. An actuator piston is rigidly fixed to the sync ring and forms an actuator chamber with stationary actuator housing. Bleed off pressure from one of the compressor stages is used to move the actuator piston, which moves the sync ring to radially displace the vane segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Florida Turbine Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William W. Pankey, Jack W. Wilson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8529199
    Abstract: The invention relates to a locking device (13) that includes at least one locking system (16), intended to be placed on a first moving element (11), and a retaining member (17), intended to be placed on a second moving element (12), the locking system (16) having a first hook (18) designed to engage with the retaining member so as to lock the locking device (13). The locking system (16) includes at least a second hook (19) set back from the first hook (18) so as to engage with the retaining member in the event of the first hook (18) breaking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Aircelle
    Inventors: Xavier Raymond Yves Lore, Michel Christian Marie Jean
  • Patent number: 8485777
    Abstract: A blower fan unit includes a housing, an impeller, an outlet, and a positioning mechanism. The impeller is mounted in the housing. The impeller rotates around a rotation center axis and generates an air current in a centrifugal direction from the rotation center axis. An outlet is formed in the housing and located in a centrifugal direction from the rotation center axis. A positioning mechanism is connected to the housing and makes the position of the housing change along the rotation center axis at each angular position around the rotation center axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Motohiro Takemae, Shinichi Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20130164117
    Abstract: A rotational duct blocker for a gas turbine engine includes a duct blocker rotor and a duct blocker stator. The duct blocker rotor includes a plurality of first vane segments that extend radially between an inner rotor platform and an outer rotor platform, and a plurality of first flow apertures that extend axially through the duct blocker rotor. Each first flow aperture also extends circumferentially between respective adjacent first vane segments. The duct blocker stator includes a plurality of second vane segments that extend radially between an inner stator platform and an outer stator platform, and a plurality of second flow apertures that extend axially through the duct blocker stator. Each second flow aperture also extends circumferentially between respective adjacent second vane segments. The first vane segments move circumferentially relative to the second vane segments to regulate fluid flowing between the first flow apertures and the second flow apertures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: James Jones, Roger W. Bursey, JR., John H. Maurer, Larry B. Hawke, Ronald T. Clawson, Andrew P. Olech
  • Publication number: 20130164118
    Abstract: A rotational duct blocker for a gas turbine engine includes a duct blocker rotor and a duct blocker stator. The duct blocker rotor includes a plurality of first flow apertures extending axially therethrough, and a plurality of roller elements connected to an inner rotor platform. The first flow apertures are arranged circumferentially around the inner rotor platform. The duct blocker stator includes a plurality of second flow apertures that extending axially therethrough, and a roller element track located radially within the inner rotor platform and in rolling contact with the roller elements. The second flow apertures are arranged circumferentially around an inner stator platform that is located axially adjacent to the inner rotor platform. The duct blocker rotor rotates relative to the duct blocker stator to regulate fluid flowing between the first flow apertures and the second flow apertures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: James Jones, John H. Maurer, Eric J. Ward, Roger W. Bursey, JR.
  • Patent number: 8459930
    Abstract: A rotational axis multi-phased wind turbine power generating system is disclosed. A differential pressure is created by utilizing the prevailing wind, and air from the prevailing wind is directed into air blades for the creation of power. Optimally, the air blades directly utilize the prevailing wind in combination with the created differential pressure to create power. An adjustable air scoop, adjustable exit drag curtain or barrier, orienting systems, and air flow directing dampers are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Inventor: Brett C Krippene
  • Patent number: 8439632
    Abstract: A thermal module includes a fan device having a fan and a fan housing for covering the fan. A vent is disposed on the fan housing. The thermal module further includes an airflow guiding device installed on the fan housing and disposed on a side of the vent for guiding airflow into the vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventor: Wei-Cheng Chou
  • Publication number: 20120301273
    Abstract: An adjustable exhaust apparatus for use with a pod having a pod housing formed with at least one exhaust opening comprises a number of exhaust panels each hinged to the pod housing in position to move between a closed position in which the at least one exhaust opening is sealed, and an open position in which the exhaust panels are oriented at up to about a 30° angle relative to the pod housing. The exhaust panels, when in the open position, are effective to create a negative pressure within at least the aft portion of the pod housing to draw air into the pod and to assists in maintaining or at least avoiding an appreciable drop in the kinetic energy of an air stream moving through the pod interior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventor: John F. Justak
  • Patent number: 8317463
    Abstract: A fan apparatus includes a blower defining an air outlet at a lateral side thereof, an annular guiding rail and a fastener connecting the blower with the guiding rail. The guiding rail defines an annular groove therein. One end of the fastener is received and slidable in the groove of the guiding rail, whereby the fastener can slide in the groove along a circumferential direction of the guiding rail. The other end of the fastener is connected with the blower, and thus the blower is rotatable with respect to the guiding rail such that an orientation of the air outlet of the blower can be easily regulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zhen-Xing Ye
  • Patent number: 8212187
    Abstract: A heater with 360° rotation of a heated air stream is provided. The device includes a housing, a motor, an impeller, a heating element, an air stream deflector and a rotational engine. More specifically, the device is directed toward a portable space heater having an outward radial projection of a heated air stream in combination with 360° rotational movement for reducing air temperature stratification and uneven heating problems in a room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Lasko Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: William E. Lasko
  • Patent number: 8177483
    Abstract: A gas turbine with an active clearance control system includes a plurality of actuators circumferentially spaced between an inner shroud and an outer casing. The actuators are configured to eccentrically displace the shroud relative to the outer casing. A plurality of sensors circumferentially spaced around the shroud detect a parameter that is indicative of an eccentricity between the rotor and shroud as the rotor rotates within the shroud. A control system in communication with the sensors and actuators is configured to control the actuators to eccentrically displace the shroud to compensate for eccentricities detected between the rotor and shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Martel Alexander McCallum
  • Patent number: 8167542
    Abstract: This patent discloses a fan capable of 360 degree continuous rotation. The fan may include an impeller positioned within the impeller housing, an impeller motor fixed to the impeller housing, where a control knob may control the impeller motor. The fan further may include an impeller shaft connected between the impeller and the impeller motor to rotate the impeller and the impeller housing may reside on a base. A contact ring may be positioned within the base. The impeller motor and the impeller housing may rotate relative to the contact ring, which may provide power to the impeller motor through brushes. A housing motor may be positioned within the base and be connected to the impeller motor to rotate the impeller motor. A housing motor switch may control the housing motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Inventor: Elijah A. Owusu
  • Patent number: 8118541
    Abstract: A multi-functional air circulation system includes a bottom base, a flow-splitting base, a filter and a main engine. The bottom base has a lower flow-guiding surface, a net, and a space used to contain diverse improving agents. The flow-splitting base is fixed on the bottom base, including an inner flow-guiding surface to rush air flow generated by a blade member down to the bottom base. The filter is laid at an exit of the inner flow-guiding surface, composed of two filter bases forming a room between them for containing aromatic powder, etc. The main engine includes a motor having its shaft fixed with a blade member, and a control system. The motor is installed in a rear shell combined with a front shell. Air is sucked in through the rear shell to run through an ornamental shell and the flow-splitting base to enter a room. The main engine and the bottom base can also be assembled to work independently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignees: Jih-I Ou, Hern Juei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jih-I Ou, Ching-Shu Huang
  • Patent number: 8113768
    Abstract: A mid-turbine frame assembly includes a mid-turbine frame, a ring structure and a plurality of actuated struts. The ring structure surrounds the mid-turbine frame, and has an interior surface and an exterior surface. The actuated struts connect the ring structure to the mid-turbine frame. The actuated struts are strain actuated so that the actuated struts reposition the ring structure in response to a strain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Nagendra Somanath, Keshava B. Kumar, Christopher M. Dye
  • Publication number: 20120027572
    Abstract: A turbine ring assembly includes a ring support structure and a plurality of ring sectors, each including a single piece of ceramic matrix composite material. Each ring sector includes a first portion forming an annular base with an inside face defining an inside face of the turbine ring and an outside face from which there extends two tab-forming portions including ends that are engaged in housings in the ring support structure. The ring sectors present a section that is substantially ?-shaped and the ends of the tabs are held without radial clearance by the ring support structure. The tabs can have a free length in meridian section that is not less than three times their mean width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicants: SNECMA PROPULSION SOLIDE, LE HAILLAN, SNECMA
    Inventors: Franck Roger Denis Denece, Alain Dominique Gendraud, Georges Habarou, Hubert Illand, Damien Bonneau
  • Publication number: 20120007362
    Abstract: A turbine assembly (10, 90, 100, 200) comprising, a rotor (20) having a plurality of blades (30), and a shroud (40) at least partially enclosing the rotor (20) and adapted to expose a portion of the rotor (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventor: Eric Bannister
  • Patent number: 8087880
    Abstract: Apparatus and method of operating a centrifugal compressor and active control system includes a centrifugal compressor with compressor blades mounted on an impeller, an annular cavity bounded in part by a shroud adjacent to the blades, and an active control system for controlling a clearance between the shroud and the blades by controlling a cavity pressure in the cavity. An electronic controller for controlling a control pressure valve for pressurizing using a source of compressor discharge pressure air and depressurizing the cavity respectively may open and close the valves using pulse width modulation. Pressure and clearance sensors positioned for measuring the cavity pressure the blade tip clearance respectively in signal supply communication with the electronic controller may be used. The shroud may be supported by radially spaced apart annular radially outer and inner supports connected to a casing by a bolted joint bounding the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Apostolos Pavlos Karafillis, Kenneth Allen Loehle, Robert Patrick Tameo, David Allen Gutz
  • Patent number: 8075246
    Abstract: The relief device is designed to divert a portion of a main flow toward a by-pass flow in a turbojet that includes a main flow stream, a by-pass flow stream and an intermediate casing. The relief device includes inner openings of the inner shroud, outer openings of the outer shroud, a relief circuit connecting the inner openings to the outer openings, and a blanking device capable of opening and closing the relief circuit. The relief circuit includes upstream holes of the intermediate casing, downstream holes of the intermediate casing, and an annular channel defined between the intermediate casing, the outer shroud and a connecting partition. The connecting partition rests on the intermediate casing so as to encompass the downstream holes of the intermediate casing in the annular channel and resting on the outer shroud so as to encompass the outer openings of the outer shroud in the annular channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Snecma
    Inventors: Brice Bruno Albert, Francois Marie Paul Marlin, Regis Eugene Henri Servant
  • Patent number: 8070416
    Abstract: A turbocharger (10) for an internal combustion engine includes a compressor (12) having an impellor (16) disposed in a compressor chamber (18). The compressor chamber (18) receives fluid flow. A flow regulation mechanism (30) is disposed in the compressor (12) and includes a diffuser cover (32) and a recirculation gate (36). The diffuser cover (32) is moveably disposed in a diffuser passage (34) from a first position permitting fluid flow through the diffuser passage to a second position at least partially impeding the fluid flow. The recirculation gate (36) is moveably disposed in the compressor chamber (18) from a first position closing a recirculation groove (48) to a second position opening the recirculation groove to fluid communication with the compressor chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Gottemoller, Terry G. Wood
  • Patent number: 8011883
    Abstract: A method for controlling blade tip clearance within a gas turbine engine includes a compressor having at least one first rotor assembly, wherein the blade tips in each of at least one first rotor assembly has a mating geometry with at least one of at least one blade seal surfaces, and a clearance distance extending between the blade tips and the blade seal surfaces; a turbine having at least one second rotor assembly, wherein the blade tips in each of at least one second rotor assembly has a mating geometry with at least one of at least one blade seal surfaces, and a clearance distance extending between the blade tips and the blade seal surfaces; providing an actuator selectively operable to move at least one rotor assembly relative to the shroud; providing an electronic engine controller having a control logic for operating the actuator; and moving at least one first rotor assemblies and at least one second rotor assembly relative to the shroud using the actuator at a response rate according to the control l
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick M. Schwarz, J. Walter Smith
  • Patent number: 8002517
    Abstract: Sensors (32, 52, 72) for determining a gap between a conductive member (34, 54, 74) such as a blade in a gas turbine engine and a seal segment (31, 51) are known to use capacitive variants in order to create an electrical signal indicative of the gap width. Thermal disparities can create problems with regard to sensor aging and accuracy. By creating a sensor incorporating a metal rod (33, 53, 74) typically integrally formed or associated with the seal segment (31, 51) and coupled through inductive coupling loops (35, 36; 55, 56; 75) it is possible to create a tuned circuit with a Q value which is more stable and therefore acceptable with regard to producing more accurate results at elevated temperatures with less problems with regard to thermal disparities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: Anthony G. Razzell, Lee Mansfield, Leo V. Lewis
  • Patent number: 7976267
    Abstract: A helical turbine with a circular member attached to one end for redirecting axially flowing fluid into perpendicularly flowing fluid. A fluid diverter for redirecting substantially perpendicular flowing fluid into axially flowing fluid. A hollow circular member attached to an opposite end of the turbine allowing substantially axial flowing fluid into one end of turbine. A drive shaft of at least one generator is in continuous contact with the peripheral edge of the solid or hollow circular member producing faster rpm. A turbine assembly mounted on a rooftop utilizing accelerated wind. Fluid diverters increasing fluid flow into the helical turbine's receding blades. A fluid diverter preventing fluid from hitting turbine's oncoming blades. A tail section for maintaining optimal direction into oncoming fluid. Two counter rotating turbines where the attached circular member's edges are in continuous contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Inventor: James W. Burrell, IV
  • Publication number: 20110142599
    Abstract: An adjustment assembly for pump casing of a pump, the pump casing including a main part and a side part having a main axis and a side wall section extending laterally with respect to the main axis. The adjustment assembly is operable to cause relative displacement between the side part and the main part of the pump casing. The adjustment assembly includes a drive device and an actuator which can be activated externally of the pump, the drive device being operable to cause the relative displacement of the side part in response to activation of said actuator, the relative displacement capable of being a combination of axial and rotational movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Kevin Edward Burgess, Michael Christopher Foreman
  • Publication number: 20110070068
    Abstract: Fluid turbine devices and methods related to fluid turbine devices are disclosed herein. One example method includes deflecting a first portion of a fluid flow from a return path of a vertical blade assembly, while permitting a second portion of the fluid flow to enter a drive path of the vertical blade assembly. Another example method related to a fluid flow device includes orienting a shroud relative to a fluid flow to deflect a first portion of a fluid flow from a return path of a vertical blade assembly and to permit a second portion of the fluid flow to enter a drive path of the vertical blade assembly and activating a generator, based on an operating characteristic of the fluid turbine device, to regulate a rotational speed of the vertical blade assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: FREIEZO, LLC.
    Inventors: Robert C. Cumings, Derrick J. Weisbrod