Radially Adjusted Or Centered Shaft Patents (Class 415/133)
  • Patent number: 9500133
    Abstract: A turbine engine assembly includes a turbine engine case, a gearbox and a plurality of gearbox mounts that connect the gearbox to the case. The case extends along an axis between an upstream end and a downstream end. The gearbox mounts include an axial mount that extends axially in an upstream direction from the gearbox to the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Todd A. Davis, Timothy Webb, Mark Ronski, David A. Stachowiak
  • Patent number: 9133858
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for removing a centrifugal compressor diffuser case from a turbofan gas turbine engine case which may be used while the engine is installed on an aircraft or when the engine has been removed from the aircraft. The tool includes movable gripping members at least one force member for exerting a pushing action on the engine structure on which the diffuser case is mounted the method includes gripping a peripheral portion of the diffuser case and applying an axial pushing force on the case relative to the engine case to thereby overcome an interference fit between the diffuser case and the engine case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Enzo Macchia, Geoffrey Henriksen, Robin Hardstaff, Ian Chandler, Tim Bedard
  • Publication number: 20130156541
    Abstract: An active tip clearance control (ATCC) system of a gas turbine engine includes an ejector to selectively drive an air flow passing through the ATCC system. A high pressure air flow as a motive flow of the ejector is controlled by a valve according to engine operation requirements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Andreas ELEFTHERIOU, Daniel ALECU
  • Patent number: 8449243
    Abstract: A device and method for axially displacing at least one turbine rotor relative to at least one corresponding turbine stator in a multistage axial turbine is disclosed. The turbine shaft is provided with a split design and has a first axially displaceable shaft half, which is connected via a turbine disc to the turbine rotor and via a torque coupling to the second shaft half. By axially displacing the turbine rotor relative to the turbine stator and by controlling this axial displacement, the operation of the turbine is held in its possible optimum of efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Fiala, Michael Kremmer
  • Patent number: 8172513
    Abstract: The invention relates to an adjusting shaft arrangement (1) of a variable turbine geometry turbocharger or waste gate turbocharger having an adjusting shaft (2) which has a fastening section (3); having a lever (4) which is connected to the adjusting shaft (2) via the fastening section (3); having a sleeve (5) which is arranged on a base body (6) of the adjusting shaft (2); and having a seal (7) which is arranged in the region of the base body (6) between the sleeve (5) and the adjusting shaft (2); the main body (6) of the adjusting shaft (2) having a stepped outer contour; and the sleeve (5) having an inner contour with a stepped inner contour which complements the design of the base body (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Dirk Frankenstein, Volker Paul, Ralf Boening
  • Publication number: 20120057958
    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), with at least one adjusting gear unit (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) for adjusting the running clearance (L) can be moved radially in relation to a rotational axis (D) of the rotor (12), and with an adjusting element (22) that can be arranged around the rotor (12) and which is coupled to the at least one adjusting gear unit (20) and can be moved in relation to it for actuating the adjusting gear unit (20), whereby the adjusting element (22) can be moved axially in relation to the rotational axis (D) of the rotor (12) or can be pivoted with respect to the rotor (12) for adjusting the running clearance (L), and the at least on
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: HERMANN KLINGELS
    Inventor: Hermann Klingels
  • Patent number: 8100638
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine (10) comprising a rotating member (16), a support structure (22) and a centering device (30), the centering device (30) centers the rotation of the rotating member (16) which is supported within the support structure (22), characterized in that the device includes a first member (34) and a second member (36) that contact one another, one of the first and second members (34, 36) extending from the rotating member and the other of the first and second members (34, 36) extending from the support structure (22), the first member (34) comprises a biasing surface (46) and the second member (36) comprises a seating surface (40), the device requiring a predetermined force to be applied to move between a centered condition and a first out of center condition and in the centered condition the first member (34) is seated against the seating surface (40) of the second member (36), and in the first out of center condition the first member contacts the biasing surface (46) which is arranged to provide
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventor: Kenneth F. Udall
  • Publication number: 20110286835
    Abstract: A turbomachine including a compensating piston that is sealed by means of a seal with respect to a stator is provided. Conventional compensating pistons consume significant amounts of process fluid, which can cause a considerable loss of efficiency. The turbomachine provides the solution in that the stator partially carrying the seal is designed to be axially moveable in the housing such that the permeability of the seal can be changed in this way.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventor: Patrick Van Der Span
  • Patent number: 8061973
    Abstract: A turbomachine includes a compressor having a compressor intake, and an intake system mounted upstream of the compressor intake. The intake system includes a housing and a plurality of selectively positionable vanes arranged within the housing. The plurality of selectively positionable vanes are moveable between a first position to remove a first amount of foreign particles, and a second position, to remove a second amount of foreign particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Robert Henry Devine, II
  • Patent number: 8043074
    Abstract: A blood pump device comprises a housing having a blood inflow port and a blood outflow port, an impeller having a magnetic body or bodies and rotated in a non-contact state in relation to the inside surface of the housing to feed blood, an impeller rotating torque generating section for attracting the impeller from the outside of the housing and rotating the impeller, and a non-contact type bearing mechanism enabling the rotation in the non-contact state of the impeller inside the housing. An impeller fixing member is detachably mounted to the housing and prevents the impeller from moving inside the housing, whereby the impeller can be prevented from moving inside the housing before use, and damage to the impeller or the housing inside surface can be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Saho Tada
  • Patent number: 7878756
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for controlling seal clearance in a turbine engine includes positioning a seal ring within a turbine engine, the seal ring having an inner annular surface and an outer annular surface, the inner annular surface and the outer annular surface both being circular but non-concentric, rotating the seal ring within the engine until the seal ring is placed in an aligned orientation at which a center of a circle that defines the inner annular surface coincides with a centerline of the engine, and securing the seal ring while in the aligned orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Todd Davis, Jennifer Reid
  • Publication number: 20100066089
    Abstract: A ducted water turbine is configured to be installed in a subsea environment to generate hydroelectric power and broadly includes a turbine housing, a turbine rotor, and a generator. The turbine rotor includes a peripheral rim and a plurality of rotor blades mounted to and extending radially inwardly from the rim. The turbine housing includes a duct that permits water to flow through the housing. The peripheral rim is rotatably mounted in the duct, with the water flow causing the turbine rotor to spin. The turbine rotor is drivingly connected to the generator and powers the generator when the turbine rotor is spun by the water flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventors: Bruce Best, Brian Haupt
  • Publication number: 20090015012
    Abstract: A turbomachine has a housing defining an axis and having an axially outwardly directed first end wall. A shaft rotatable about the axis inside the housing has a first end projecting axially from the housing. An electric rotor is provided on the shaft, and an electric stator is provided on the housing juxtaposed with the electric rotor. A radial impeller fixed on the first shaft end outside the housing has an inner face directed axially toward the housing end wall. A magnetic bearing half is fixed on the housing end wall immediately adjacent and directed at the impeller inner face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventors: Andreas Metzler, Kurt Ellensohn, Julio Cesar Vargas Marquez, Werner Bosen
  • Publication number: 20080286103
    Abstract: A fan comprising: a housing unit; a retractable fan blade; and a means for driving the retractable fan blade from a retracted position within the housing unit to an extended position exterior to the housing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: SWISS MODULE GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Gajewski, William Patrick Conley, Rodger Dale Thomason
  • Patent number: 7270513
    Abstract: Apparatus for generating power from a water current in a body of water comprises a longitudinally extending flotation platform for maintaining the apparatus afloat in the body of water and a water turbine operatively carried by the platform for generating power in response to water current in the body of water. The platform is configured to enhance the flow of water current over the turbine blades and, as well, to enable a number of like platforms each with an associated turbine or turbines to be arrayed in a cooperative manner. The water turbine may comprise a turbine rotor with a plurality of relatively narrow, flexible elongated blades arranged in circumferentially spaced rows extending along the rotor. In each row, the blades are distanced from each other in succession by a space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Inventors: Colin Regan, Johann Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 6682298
    Abstract: In a double-ended Francis turbine, shaft whip at critical speed is alleviated by pitching tappets in the housing, around the rotor. The tappets are adjusted to lie closer to the rotor than the (labyrinth) seal grooves. The tappets are of polythene, and are around twenty in number. The tappets are adjustable from outside the housing, and adjustment may be done with the turbine running.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Inventor: David George Demontmorency
  • Publication number: 20030215326
    Abstract: In a double-ended Francis turbine, shaft whip at critical speed is alleviated by pitching tappets in the housing, around the rotor. The tappets are adjusted to lie closer to the rotor than the (labyrinth) seal grooves. The tappets are of polythene, and are around twenty in number. The tappets are adjustable from outside the housing, and adjustment may be done with the turbine running.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventor: David George DeMontmorency
  • Publication number: 20030147742
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for centering a shaft (for an impeller or other rotating component) in a gas turbine engine, such as that used in aircraft or other vehicles. The apparatus includes a base, at least one arm and an actuator. The arm is connected to the base and the actuator is located on a predetermined axis and aligns the impeller shaft to that axis. The actuator also applies a force to the actuator to simulate actual operational forces in the engine so that proper tolerances can be measured. The method includes steps of coupling the apparatus to a locator surface, impeller shaft with the actuator and moving the actuator such that an axial load is provided on the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventor: Erik C. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5658125
    Abstract: An integrated system for controlling the positioning of a rotating rotor within a compressor to enhance the performance of a gas turbine engine. The rotor being attached to a rotating shaft that is coupled to the compressor housing by a magnetic bearing system. The magnetic bearings support and position the rotor within the high speed tubomachine. During operation of the compressor the magnetic bearings non-axially position the rotor relative to the compressor housing to provide compressor instability control. By non-axially displacing the rotor relative to the compressor housing there is a resulting local disturbance to the fluid flow field, which in turn serves as the disturbance to alter the dynamics of the aerodynamic system and displace the compressor surge line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: Allison Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald W. Burns, John Robert Fagan, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5326222
    Abstract: In an axial flow gas turbine, the outlet blading followed by an exhaust casing (5) whose boundary walls essentially comprise a ring-shaped inner part (6) at the hub and a ring-shaped outer part (7) which delimit a diffusor (9). The outlet-end bearing arrangement (4, 11) of the turbomachine is arranged in the hollow space within the inner part. The bearing casing (11) can be repositioned by adjustment elements (12) arranged on the inner part (6) of the exhaust casing and is supported on the foundation via at least one sprung support (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri Ltd.
    Inventors: Kamil Matyscak, Michael Muller
  • Patent number: 4992024
    Abstract: A fluid bearing damper for damping radial motion of a bearing includes a plurality of concentric, circular, thin shims located in an annular damping chamber to present thin, radially stacked damping cavities. A portion of the shims have protruding radial lands that partially define the cavities, carry radial loads through the damper and produce a controlled mechanical centering force as well as serving to ensure replenishment of fluid film cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1991
    Assignee: Allied-Signal Inc.
    Inventor: Hans Heydrich
  • Patent number: 4925363
    Abstract: A roller structure for a rotary machine has a plate that is removably engagable with the outer casing of such rotary machines, a shaft portion attached to the plate and insertable through the outer casing, a bearing mounted for rotation upon the shaft portion, and a selected plurality of shims having different thicknesses engagable upon the shaft portion to adjust the position of the bearing with respect to an inner casing of the rotary machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: James R. Brown, Rick A. Olson
  • Patent number: 4548546
    Abstract: An adjustment system for centering a turbojet wheel, and a turbojet equipped with a mechanism enabling the system to be applied and, more particularly, an adjustment system for centering a turbojet wheel in the stator ring that encircles it. The system includes, for purposes of determining the degree and direction of any possible off-centering of the wheel and ring and allowing the off-centering to be easily compensated for by a removable device for measuring the degree and direction of off-centering of the wheel with respect to the ring, and a mechanism connected to the fixed bearing closest to the wheel for bringing the value of off-centering back within preset limits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1985
    Assignee: S.N.E.C.M.A.
    Inventor: Alain M. J. Lardellier
  • Patent number: 4064403
    Abstract: The disclosure concerns a hydroelectric machine including a tube-type hydraulic machine having a bladed wheel which carries adjustable blades, rotates about a horizontal axis and is connected with a shaft which extends into a guide blade lattice hub, and an electrical machine which surrounds the bladed wheel and has a rotor secured to an annular rim in which the external ends of the adjustable wheel blades are pivotably mounted. The rotating set is provided with three radial bearing arrangements, one being associated with the rotating unit formed by the rotor and the rim, providing sole radial support for that unit, and consisting exclusively of hydrostatic devices which support without physical contact. The other bearing arrangements are associated with the shaft at its free and bladed wheel ends, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1976
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1977
    Assignee: Escher Wyss Limited
    Inventor: Helmut Miller