With Testing Means For Speed Control Patents (Class 415/16)
  • Patent number: 10260378
    Abstract: A system for controlling fluid flow in a turbine that includes at least one flow valve configured to regulate fluid intake through the turbine. The system further includes a control system operatively coupled to the at least one flow valve. The control system includes at least one processor configured to receive a percent value flow command. Convert the percent value flow command to a unit value flow command. Determine a unit value stroke command based on the unit value flow command. The processor is further configured to control a position of the at least one flow valve to the unit value stroke command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Joseph Clay Saltsman
  • Patent number: 9366236
    Abstract: The invention relates to a test tool for testing an overspeed protection system of a wind turbine. The system includes a sensor for sensing a first physical signal having a physical nature and representing a speed of rotation of a rotor of the wind turbine, and for providing a corresponding output signal; means for receiving the output signal from the sensor and for determining, based on the output signal, if the speed of rotation exceeds a threshold of speed of rotation; and means for initiating, if the speed of rotation exceeds the threshold of speed of rotation, an action reducing the speed of rotation. The test tool provides a second physical signal of the same physical nature as the first physical signal, is suitable for supplying the second physical signal to the sensor so as to simulate the rotation of the wind turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventors: Paul Holzweber, Claus T. S. Andreasen
  • Patent number: 8989890
    Abstract: In polishing a substrate having a layer of GST disposed over an underlying layer, during polishing, a non-polarized light beam is directed onto the layer of GST. The non-polarized light beam reflects from the first substrate to generate a reflected light beam having an infra-red component. A sequence of measurements of intensity of the infra-red component of the reflected light beam are generated, and, in a processor, a time at which the sequence of measurements exhibits a predefined feature is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Kun Xu, Feng Liu, Dominic J. Benvegnu, Boguslaw A. Swedek, Yuchun Wang, Wen-Chiang Tu, Laksh Karuppiah
  • Publication number: 20150056059
    Abstract: A control system controls the output capacity of a compressor to avoid surge conditions in the compressor. The control system determines a capacity control output for the compressor and then modifies the capacity control output in view of any output limiters or overrides as determined by system operating parameters and to maintain a minimum frequency of operation for the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventor: Curtis Christian Crane
  • Patent number: 8899911
    Abstract: The invention provides a heat-dissipating system and a control method thereof. The heat-dissipating system has a plurality of fans and is configured for adjusting rotation-speeds of the fans. The control method includes following steps: obtaining a plurality of rotation-speed values of the fans; computing out a rotation-speed reference value according to the rotation-speed values; when the rotation-speed reference value is greater than a first threshold value, decreasing the rotation-speeds of the fans through a corresponding fan control signal; when the rotation-speed reference value is less than a second threshold value, increasing the rotation-speeds of the fans through the corresponding fan control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Coretronic Corporation
    Inventors: Chih-Cheng Chou, Wen-Hsien Su, Tsung-Ching Lin, Chao-Nan Chien
  • Patent number: 8807936
    Abstract: A fan-turbine rotor assembly for a tip turbine engine includes a multiple of fan blades, which include an inducer section, a hollow fan blade section and a diffuser section. The hollow fan blade section defines an airflow passage. The core airflow is turned, spread and split toward opposite ends of the diffuser section by a multiple of internal turning vanes. The airflow streams are then further turned by discharge turning vanes before discharge from a diffuser discharge outlet. Along with turning and splitting the core airflow, the fan blade profile balances the mass of the diffuser section such that the center of mass thereof is over the hollow airfoil section structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Craig A. Nordeen, Gabriel L. Suciu
  • Patent number: 8657558
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and products are disclosed for improving the airflow exiting a blower that has one or more adjustable guide vanes that are affixed to the blower at one or more pivot points located in an outlet of the blower that include: determining a rotational speed of an impeller in the blower and adjusting a position of at least one of the adjustable guide vanes in dependence upon the rotational speed of the impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael S. June, Jason A. Matteson, Mark E. Steinke
  • Patent number: 8641361
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and products are disclosed for improving the airflow exiting a blower that has one or more adjustable guide vanes that are affixed to the blower at one or more pivot points located in an outlet of the blower that include: determining a rotational speed of an impeller in the blower and adjusting a position of at least one of the adjustable guide vanes in dependence upon the rotational speed of the impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael S. June, Jason A. Matteson, Mark E. Steinke
  • Patent number: 8591167
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and products are disclosed for improving the airflow exiting a blower that has one or more adjustable guide vanes that are affixed to the blower at one or more pivot points located in an outlet of the blower that include: determining a rotational speed of an impeller in the blower and adjusting a position of at least one of the adjustable guide vanes in dependence upon the rotational speed of the impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael S. June, Jason A. Matteson, Mark E. Steinke
  • Publication number: 20130280033
    Abstract: A wildlife detection system includes a tracking device, a receiver, and a wildlife deterrent system. The tracking device may be mounted to a wildlife. The receiver is configured to track movement of the tracking device relative to an object of danger to the wildlife. The wildlife deterrent system is configured to reduce risk of danger to the wildlife in response to movement of the wildlife within a predetermined distance from the object of danger as tracked by the receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Victor Babbitt, Andrew G. Oliver, Jeffrey W. Fine, Daniel Ives, Alexander D. Brand
  • 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: 8257040
    Abstract: A wind power generation system includes a wind turbine at a wind turbine location, a measuring device for providing a wind condition signal at a test location, a sensor for providing a wind condition signal at the wind turbine, and a controller. The controller is configured for receiving the wind condition signals, using a wind correlation database and the wind condition signal at the test location for providing a wind condition estimation at the wind turbine location, obtaining a difference between the wind condition signal at the wind turbine location and the wind condition estimate at the wind turbine location, and using the difference for adjusting the wind condition signal at the wind turbine location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Weiguo Chen, Jiyang Xia, Lei Zhao
  • Patent number: 8123479
    Abstract: A fan system includes a fan and a fan rotation speed control. The speed control is operable to command the fan to rotate at a speed selected from a certain range of rotation speeds. A fan oscillation detector may be coupled with the fan to detect oscillation of the fan as the speed control is operated to rotate the fan at various speeds among the range of fan rotation speeds. The fan oscillation detector may comprise an accelerometer or other device. Oscillation amounts detected by the oscillation detector are compared against each other or against an oscillation threshold value. A programmer device identifies fan rotation speeds at which the oscillation amount exceeds the threshold or is otherwise unacceptable, and programs the fan rotation speed control to prevent an operator from being able to select those speeds at which the oscillation amount exceeds the threshold or is otherwise unacceptable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Delta T Corporation
    Inventors: Elios Klemo, Richard A. Oleson
  • Patent number: 7780400
    Abstract: An arrangement is provided for detecting a shaft break on a rotor of a first turbine, especially a medium pressure turbine, of a gas turbine machine, especially an aircraft engine. A second turbine (11), especially a low pressure turbine, is positioned downstream from the first turbine. An actuating element (18) is positioned lying radially inwardly relative to a flow channel, between the rotor of the first turbine and a stator of the second turbine. A transmission element (22) is guided in the stator of the second turbine (11), in order to transmit a shaft break detected by the radially inwardly positioned actuating element (18) to a switching element (23) positioned radially outwardly relative to the flow channel on a housing (14) of the gas turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines GmbH
    Inventor: Christopher Bilson
  • Patent number: 7644572
    Abstract: A turbine combustion chamber is provided with deflectors on the cold side generating vortices in a secondary gas flow into the chamber, thereby confining the flame front under variable operating conditions and cooling the chamber walls. The high-speed cantilever shaft has a longitudinal duct and an array of fine orifices in the wall of the shaft for directing pressurized oil jets that impinge on the shaft bearings with little relative speed to increasing wetting of the bearing components. Oil is supplied to the duct by means of a positive-displacement pump directly driven by the output shaft. The pump output pressure is monitored to signal the end of the start-up sequence when the turbine reaches sufficient speed. The turbo-engine further includes devices for decoupling vibrations between the three systems thereof, including a loosely-mounted removable spline pivotable at both ends for coupling the high-speed shaft to the step-down gearbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Mandolin Financial Properties Inc.
    Inventor: Gustavo Francisco Labala
  • Patent number: 7065954
    Abstract: A turbine includes a combustion chamber with deflectors generating vortices in a secondary gas flow into the combustion chamber, thereby confining the flame front from penetrating into the cold region of the chamber under variable operating conditions, simplifying cooling of the chamber walls. The turbine further includes devices for decoupling vibrations between the high- and low-speed shafts, including a loosely mounted spline coupling the high-speed shaft to the step-down system and disk dampening means coupling the step-down system to the low-speed output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Inventor: Gustavo Francisco Labala
  • Publication number: 20040265115
    Abstract: A control unit for driving a regulating transistor (2) of a fan arrangement, in which the regulating transistor (2) is connected in series with an electronically commutated fan (1), having control means (5, 6, R1, R2) for the analog driving of the regulating transistor (2) with a control signal (Ucontrol) in a manner dependent on a control input voltage (Uin). The control unit comprises compensation means (R3, R4) for influencing the control signal (Ucontrol) in a manner dependent on an AC voltage component (UAC) of an operating voltage (UB) of the fan arrangement, so that the AC voltage component (UAC) of the operating voltage (UB) is completely or partially compensated for in a voltage across the fan (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Applicant: Fujitsu Siemens Computers GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Busch
  • Patent number: 6736593
    Abstract: A protective device is provided for protecting a turbo molecular pump having a rotor mounted for undergoing rotation, an intake port for sucking gas by rotation of the rotor, and an exhaust port for exhausting the gas sucked from the intake port. The protective device has a detecting device for detecting the occurrence of an abnormal phenomenon in the turbo molecular pump. An abnormal phenomenon inference device infers a type of the abnormal phenomenon detected by the detecting device. A value obtaining device infers a magnitude of damage given to the turbo molecular pump by the abnormal phenomenon inferred by the abnormal phenomenon inference device and obtains a value weighted based on the inferred magnitude of the damage. A value accumulation device accumulates the value obtained by the value obtaining device. A sum obtaining device obtains a sum of the values accumulated in the value accumulation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: BOC Edwards Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Hirotaka Namiki, Akira Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 6607349
    Abstract: The broken shaft detection system and method uses a detector assembly mounted downstream of a power turbine wheel of a gas turbine engine to detect rearward axial motion of the wheel and thereby a broken shaft event. The detector assembly has a plunger positioned to be axially displaced against a link connected in an electrical circuit. The link may be broken when the plunger is displaced thereby creating an open circuit that may be detected by a detection and test element. The breaking may be communicated to an overspeed circuit that controls a shut off switch that interrupts fuel flow to the engine. The link may be connected to the detection and test element by two pairs of parallels wires to facilitate monitoring of circuit function and to detect failures that are not broken shaft event failures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom G. Mulera, Dave K Faymon, Kevin A. Jones, Paul M. Stevens
  • Patent number: 6341238
    Abstract: A method of testing an actuation system for positioning an actuator, the actuation system including a primary electronic system, a secondary hydro-mechanical system is disclosed. The method includes the steps of measuring the actual position of the actuation device as set by the primary electronic system; measuring the system inputs and computing an ideal actuator position based thereon; determining the difference between the actual actuator position and the ideal position. The difference is then compared to a first threshold value which represents a disturbance beyond which the system cannot safely operate. Control is transferred from the primary control to the secondary control if the difference exceeds the first threshold. If the difference is less than the first threshold, the difference is compared to a second threshold value which represents an operating condition that can be tolerated for a period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas P. Modeen, John E. Games, Norman J. Faust
  • Patent number: 6210100
    Abstract: An upper reservoir-side conduit or a lower reservoir-side conduit is branched in the vicinity of pump-turbine ends and at least a first pump-turbine out of a plurality of pump-turbines which share the conduit portions located farther than the branch points with the other pump-turbine or pump-turbines is provided with a rotational speed increase detector. When it is detected that the rotational speed of the first pump-turbine has exceeded a second predetermined value higher than a rated speed, a command is issued also to at least one of the other pump-turbines to limit the guide vane closing speed in that pump-turbine to a speed approximately equal to or lower than the speed after the shift to a slow closing of the guide vanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takao Kuwabara
  • Patent number: 6042331
    Abstract: An upper reservoir-side conduit or a lower reservoir-side conduit is branched in the vicinity of pump-turbine ends and at least a first pump-turbine out of a plurality of pump-turbines which share the conduit portions located farther than the branch points with the other pump-turbine or pump-turbines is provided with a rotational speed increase detector. When it is detected that the rotational speed of the first pump-turbine has exceeded a second predetermined value higher than a rated speed, a command is issued also to at least one of the other pump-turbines to limit the guide vane closing speed in that pump-turbine to a speed approximately equal to or lower than the speed after the shift to a slow closing of the guide vanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takao Kuwabara
  • Patent number: 5967742
    Abstract: The operation of quickly taking a turbocompressor off-line from a parallel configuration, of a gas pipeline compressor station, may encounter increased mechanical action (in particular, vibration) upon recycle piping and the additional risk of compressor surge. For these reasons, this invention relates to a method and apparatus for decreasing vibratory loads and for increasing surge prevention effectiveness, while initiating an off-line operation, by (1) altering the surge control line's location, at a preset rate, from its initial location to a predetermined new location; and (2) decreasing the turbocompressor's deceleration rate when the operating point intercepts the surge control line before the control line reaches its new location. Upon completion of the off-line activity, the control line returns to its initial location; and the reduction of compressor speed will cease on reaching a preset value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Compressor Controls Corporation
    Inventors: Saul Mirsky, Michael L. Tolmatsky
  • Patent number: 5938401
    Abstract: A method of testing an actuation system for positioning an inlet guide vane, the actuation system including a primary electronic system, a secondary hydro-mechanical system is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas P. Modeen, Christopher E. Paul, Kristin M. Devlin
  • Patent number: 5234315
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a first rotational speed detecting device provided on a stub shaft at a position closer to a turbine than a pump, a second revolution speed detecting device provided at the other end of the stub shaft, a comparator for continuously comparing values detected by these first and second rotational speed detecting devices, and a device for tripping the turbine when a difference is determined between the values compared by the comparator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunihiro Ogihara, Hideaki Kaneda
  • Patent number: 5003769
    Abstract: A simple rotary bobweight overspeed governor mechanism is conveniently incorporated in a main fuel control system for a gas turbine aeroengine in order to prevent overspeeds of one and more of its compressor/turbine rotating spools. In order to prevent so-called "dormant" failures of the overspeed governor mechanism going undetected, the invention provides automatic checking of governor function by means of a microswitch linked to a main digital electronic controller of the fuel control system. The position of a spindle in the governor mechanism is proportional to the speed of the spool from which it is driven and each time the spindle is at the position which should correspond to a predetermined proportion of the maximum allowable spool speed, the microswitch is actuated and signals the electronic controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventor: Hugh F. Cantwell
  • Patent number: 4971517
    Abstract: A control system 30 for measuring the clearance "x" between the tip 26 of a blade 24 and wall 28 in a turbine engine8. A series of probes 32, 32' and 32.sup.N located in the wall 28 each have a reference orifice 52 and a sensing orifice 54. Fluid from a source flows through the reference orifices 52 into the turbine engine. This fluid flow is substantially unrestricted and as a result a fluid pressure P.sub.2 is established in a reference chamber 44. Fluid flow from the sensing orifice 54 is restricted by the relationship of the tip 26 of each blade 24 and as a result fluid pressure P.sub.2 ' is created in chamber 48. A multiplexer 62 sequentially provides transducer 92 and 94 with fluid pressure P.sub.2 from the reference chamber 44 and P.sub.2 ' from sensing chamber 48. The transducers 92 and 94 convert the pneumatic signals into electrical signals which are supplied to a computer 116.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: Allied-Signal Inc.
    Inventors: Russell C. Perkey, Nickie L. Stanage
  • Patent number: 4723726
    Abstract: A rotary type electrostatic spray painting device including a rotary shaft driven by an air turbine. A reflecting face portion and a non-reflecting face portion are formed on the rear end face of the rotary shaft. A rotating speed sensor is arranged adjacent to the rear end face of the rotary shaft to detect the rotating speed of the rotary shaft from light reflected from the reflecting face portion. The amount of pressurized air fed into the air turbine is controlled in response to the output signal of the rotating speed sensor so that the rotating speed of the rotary shaft becomes equal to a desired rotating speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1988
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shogo Ooishi, Naoki Yamada, Hitoshi Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 4225284
    Abstract: A safety system for a steam turbine installation is disclosed based on a closed circuit principle and includes a two-channel low-pressure section in which safety devices are utilized and a high pressure section. Each channel of the low-pressure section acts hydraulically on the high pressure section by way of a tripping and reset relay. The high pressure section includes a high pressure hydraulic system and is divided into an intermediate safety system and a principal safety system each having a two channel arrangement. A one-channel common safety system is provided with stop valves for the steam turbine. Feed and discharge amplifiers are hydraulically connected in series and separate the intermediate and principal safety systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1980
    Assignee: BBC Brown Boveri & Company Limited
    Inventors: Jaroslav Masek, Franz Suter
  • Patent number: 4059960
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing the movability of a valve plug. The invention provides for movement of the valve plug from a first to a second position, from the second to a third position in an opposite direction, and again in the first direction to the first position. Indicators are provided to ascertain if such movements have occurred. Alarm signals are generated if any of the movements do not occur. The magnitude of the motions of the plug is normally small relative to the full valve stroke. Size of stroke and time at each position are chosen to minimize any disturbance to the power system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1976
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1977
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Robert L. Osborne
  • Patent number: 4002065
    Abstract: A digital electrohydraulic steam turbine control system that generates a feedforward total steam flow demand signal to position the governor valves singly or sequentially in accordance with a dynamic nonlinear representation of steam flow vs. valve lift position having provision for testing the throttle valves while the turbine is operating in either the single or sequential mode and without effectively disturbing the load on the turbine and without the necessity of turbine operational feedback loops in service, is disclosed. Decremental and incremental flow changes for each of the governor valves in the test path and the non-test path, respectively, are calculated iteratives in accordance with a non-linear valve flow vs. valve lift position characterization for the total steam flow to the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1975
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1977
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Francesco Lardi, Uri G. Ronnen