Bearing, Seal, Or Liner Between Shaft Or Shaft Sleeve And Static Part Patents (Class 415/229)
  • Publication number: 20150016993
    Abstract: A drill powered pump is provided. The pump includes a housing, an impeller mounted within the housing and a pair of bushings that support opposite ends of the support shaft of the impeller. The bushings are carried by the housing. Anti-rotation arrangements are provided to prevent rotation of the bushings relative to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: Nomis LLC
    Inventor: David Aaron Larson
  • Patent number: 8932011
    Abstract: A shaft assembly for a gas turbine engine that includes a shaft with a threaded shaft segment, an annular rotor disposed on the shaft, and annular stack nut. The stack nut includes a base nut segment and a clamping nut segment. The base nut segment includes a threaded nut bore that is mated with the threaded shaft segment. The clamping nut segment axially extends from the base nut segment to a load bearing surface. The clamping nut segment includes a radial thickness that decreases as the clamping nut segment extends from the load bearing surface towards the base nut segment. The load bearing surface exerts a force against the rotor securing the rotor to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Eric C. Mundell, Todd M. LaPierre, Marc J. Muldoon, Stephen J. Lyle
  • Patent number: 8927175
    Abstract: A pump has a shaft, an impeller arranged on the shaft, and a labyrinth seal which is arranged between stationary and moving parts of the pump. A plurality of blades are arranged on the rotor and a labyrinth seal extends at least between the shaft and a rear portion of the blades. A gap in the labyrinth seal is designed such that liquid water can be actively carried away, with the labyrinth seal for this purpose being designed at least in places with a channel in the form of a spiral and/or a staircase. The invention also relates to a fuel cell system having such a pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Oliver Harr, Andreas Knoop, Cosimo S. Mazzotta, Patrick L. Padgett, Hans-Joerg Schabel, Klaus Scherrbacher
  • Patent number: 8919133
    Abstract: A double-body gas turbine engine, including a low-pressure body LP and a high-pressure body HP, rotatably mounted about a single shaft in a stationary casing, the low-pressure body LP including a compressor and a turbine connected by a low-pressure shaft LP. The low-pressure shaft LP is supported by an upstream LP bearing, a first downstream LP bearing, and an additional downstream LP bearing by the stationary casing, the high-pressure body being supported by an upstream HP bearing and a downstream HP bearing which is an inter-shaft bearing including an inner track rigidly connected to the HP turbine rotor and an outer track rigidly connected to the LP shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Snecma
    Inventors: Jacques René Bart, Didler René André Escure, Ornella Gastineau
  • Patent number: 8915708
    Abstract: A turbocharger includes a turbine section, a compressor section and a bearing section. A turbine wheel and a compressor wheel are mounted on a shaft and the shaft is rotatably mounted in a bore of a housing. A lubrication system circulates lubricant through the bearing section. First and second spaced apart seals are positioned along the shaft. A recess is positioned between the first seal and the second seal to define an air buffer chamber. The air buffer chamber is provided with pressurized air to discourage lubricant leakage past the first seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Nan Yang, Jeff A. Jensen, Robert C. Griffith
  • Publication number: 20140369830
    Abstract: A bearing arrangement is disclosed. The bearing arrangement includes first and second bearings, with each bearing including a respective support element and a respective set of rolling elements and defining a respective load path extending through the respective support element and rolling elements. The support elements are coupled such that a load applied to either support element is transmitted through both the first and second load paths. The arrangement further includes a pair of superelastic titanium alloy elements located in the respective load paths to provide resilient movement between the bearings when a load is applied to the bearing arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Paul FLETCHER, John Richard WEBSTER, Alan Robert MAGUIRE
  • Publication number: 20140369831
    Abstract: A pump insert (50) for supporting a rotor (14) of a pump comprises an annular resilient support (52) for engaging the body (26) of the pump, the support (52) extending about a rolling bearing (10) having an inner race (12) for engaging the rotor (14), an axially preloaded outer race (16) fixed to the support (52), and a plurality of rolling elements (18) located between the races. During assembly, the rolling bearing (10) can be accurately positioned within the support (52) so that there is a very low tolerance stack-up when the insert (50) is fitted to the rotor (14). Consequently, the position of the rotor (14) will hardly change, if at all, when the rolling bearing (10) is replaced during servicing of the pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Barrie Dudley Brewster, Martin Ernst Tollner, Paul David Flower
  • Patent number: 8911204
    Abstract: A method for servicing a gas turbine engine includes disassembling a bearing compartment, providing access from a forward side of the gas turbine engine to a gearbox contained within said bearing compartment. The gas turbine engine provides a core flow path that extends from the forward side aftward in a core flow direction. The method includes servicing a component located within the bearing compartment. A method for servicing a gas turbine engine includes providing access from a forward side of a front center body assembly, and servicing a component located within a bearing compartment aft of the front center body assembly. The gas turbine engine includes a seal package located aft of a bearing package. A front wall is mounted to the front center body support and is removable from a front center body support to access at least one of the gearbox, the bearing package and the seal package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Todd A. Davis, Brian P. Cigal
  • Patent number: 8911203
    Abstract: A turbofan engine comprises an engine case. A gaspath extends through the engine case. A fan has a circumferential array of fan blades. A fan case encircles the fan blades radially outboard of the engine case. A plurality of fan case vanes extend aftward and outward from the engine case to the fan case. A forward frame comprises a plurality of vanes radially across the gaspath. A torque box couples the fan case vanes to the forward frame. A transmission couples a shaft to a fan shaft to drive the fan. A fan bearing assembly couples a stationary forward hub structure to the fan shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory E. Reinhardt, Karl D. Blume, John P. Tirone, III, John C. Ditomasso, Enzo DiBenedetto, Jason W. Mazanec
  • Patent number: 8905707
    Abstract: An air cycle machine has a housing which holds a compressor section, and a turbine section having an expansion area, and a fan section disposed outside of the housing. A shaft, which attaches to and is coaxial with the compressor section, the turbine section and the fan section, is supported by an air journal bearing and an air thrust bearing. The shaft has a hollow core for porting cooling air from the air journal bearing and the air thrust bearing, and a tube that extends into said expansion area and communicates cooling air from the turbine expansion area to the thrust bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Darryl A. Colson, Seth E. Rosen, Eric Chrabascz
  • Patent number: 8894350
    Abstract: A centrifugal pump has a stationary diffuser with a bore. A thrust bearing is pressed into the diffuser bore and has a curved interior. A thrust runner having a curved exterior is correspondingly and closely received by the thrust bearing interior. The thrust runner is keyed to a shaft and transmits thrust from a rotating impeller to the diffuser via the thrust bearing. The curved surface of the thrust bearing allows for handling of both axial and radial thrust without the need for multiple thrust bearings. The increased surface area of the curved surface in the thrust bearing can also handle higher loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Christopher M. Brunner, David W. Chilcoat, Jason B. Ives
  • Publication number: 20140341732
    Abstract: A bearing housing (1) of an exhaust-gas turbocharger (2) having a turbine-side flange (3), having a compressor-side flange (4) and having a center part (5) which is arranged between the turbine-side flange (3) and the compressor-side flange (4). The turbine-side flange (3), the compressor-side flange (4) and the center part (5) are separate components which are connected to one another in the fully assembled state by a connection device (6) or thermally or by adhesive bonding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventor: Peter Friedrich
  • Patent number: 8882458
    Abstract: A compressor with a housing having an air guide section and a bearing section, and a moving part having a compressor wheel and a shaft connected to the compressor wheel in a pivot-proof manner. The shaft is pivot-supported in the bearing section, and the compressor wheel is accommodated in a first chamber of the air guide section in a pivoting manner. The shaft is driveable by an electric motor and at least one radial bearing and one axial bearing are provided for supporting the shaft in the bearing section, wherein the axial bearing has at least one magnetic bearing. The axial bearing includes at least one first bearing and a second bearing, the first bearing configured in the region of the compressor wheel and the second bearing is configured in the region of an end of the moving part facing away from the compressor wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Andreas Knoop, Juergen Leitz
  • Patent number: 8882447
    Abstract: This hydraulic machine (1) has a wheel (2) mounted to move in rotation relative to a stationary structure (9) and about a stationary axis of rotation (X2), the wheel (2) being designed to pass a forced flow (E) of water therethrough. A hydrostatic bearing (100), provided between firstly an element (111) constrained to rotate with the wheel (2) and, secondly a portion (91) of the stationary structure (9), is disposed between a first zone (Z1) of the machine, which zone is in fluid communication with the forced flow (E) and in which zone, during operation, a pressure prevails that is similar to the pressure of the forced flow, and a second zone (Z2) of the machine that is isolated from the forced flow by said bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Alstom Renewable Technologies
    Inventors: Yves Bouvet, Jean Francois Bertea
  • Patent number: 8882446
    Abstract: A bearing system for a rotor in rotating machines, such as compressors, pumps, turbines, expanders, has points of bearing and sealing for the rotor each being in the form of a combined bearing and sealing formed by a stator situated within a rotating machine house and surrounding the rotor. The stator is formed with a bore, whereby an annular clearance is created between stator and rotor, and the bore is having sectional area gradually increasing in the direction of larger pressure within the rotating machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Statoil Petroleum AS
    Inventor: Harald Underbakke
  • Patent number: 8882459
    Abstract: Wind turbine provided with a bearing supporting a hub carrying rotor blades, the bearing comprising a rotational bearing race connected to the hub and a stationary bearing race, a lubrication area between the bearing races which area is confined at both ends by first seal rings sealing the gap between the rotational bearing race and stationary parts to form a lubrication barrier. At one or both ends of the lubrication area a redundant seal ring is arranged at a distance from the first seal ring in or near the gap to be sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: XEMC Darwind B.V.
    Inventors: Gustave Paul Corten, Cornelis Johannes Antonius Versteegh, Herman Luimes
  • Publication number: 20140328677
    Abstract: A bearing unit (2), designed for attachment on a shaft of a pump assembly, has an inner sleeve (6) for receiving the shaft and a bearing sleeve (4) fixed on the outer periphery of the inner sleeve (6). At a first axial end (7) the inner sleeve (6) includes an engagement element (8), designed for positive, rotationally fixed engagement with the shaft or with a component (42) connected to the shaft. At a second opposite axial end the inner sleeve (6) includes a second contact shoulder (10), which fixes the bearing sleeve (4) in an axial direction (X). A pump assembly having such a bearing unit is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: Grundfos Holding a/s
    Inventors: Johnny Trangbaek KLAUSEN, Thomas SORENSEN
  • Patent number: 8876470
    Abstract: An abrasive coating for a rotor shaft, the abrasive coating having a metal bond coat layer on the rotor shaft and an abrasive layer over the bond layer for contact with vanes during operation of the rotor shaft. The abrasive coating includes a matrix containing a low strength filler having an increased concentration radially outward from the bond layer to the outer surface of the abrasive layer. The matrix may be ceramic or metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher W. Strock, Paul W. Baumann
  • Publication number: 20140314541
    Abstract: An example turbomachine thrust balancing system includes a member coupled in rotation with a turbine for transferring rotational power therefrom. A load carrying device rotatably supports the member. The load carrying device is configured to counteract substantially all of the thrust load generated by the turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: United Technologies Corporation
  • Patent number: 8864441
    Abstract: A rocket engine turbopump with a main rotor shaft supporting a liquid oxygen impeller on a forward end and a turbine on an aft end, and with a multiple stage liquid hydrogen impeller in-between. Two hydrostatic bearings support the main rotor shaft such that the liquid oxygen impeller and the turbine are both overhung. A balancing piston is used to balance the main rotor shaft in an axial direction. This structure allows for the main rotor shaft to be of such a large diameter that the turbopump is capable of operating at around 70,000 rpm that can produce a liquid hydrogen outlet pressure of around 4,000 psia in a turbopump having a diameter of less than 10 inches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Florida Turbine Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Alex Pinera
  • Patent number: 8864460
    Abstract: A bearing assembly that includes a first bearing, a second bearing, a spring and a sleeve. The spring applies a preload to each of the bearings, and the sleeve surrounds the spring and the bearings. The sleeve includes an end portion that extends axially beyond the first bearing. The end portion includes a step down in the outer diameter that defines a seat for an o-ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Matthew John Childe, Geoffrey Michael Burlington, David Michael Jones
  • Patent number: 8858171
    Abstract: A bearing assembly for mounting a pair of spaced parallel actuators between a wing and a control surface of an aircraft so that the actuators control deployment of the control surface from the wing in tandem. The bearing assembly includes a fixed member for attachment to the aircraft and a movable member attachable to the actuators. The fixed and movable members are coupled via a part-spherical bearing and are configured such that the part-spherical bearing is located in the space between the actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations Limited
    Inventor: Simon John Parker
  • Patent number: 8858172
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a rotor assembly in which a first impeller and a second impeller are fixed to a rotation shaft which is supported by a bearing so as to be rotatable, the method including: fixing the second impeller to the rotation shaft; fitting and fixing a sleeve to the rotation shaft after fixing the second impeller; fitting and fixing the bearing to the sleeve after fitting and fixing the sleeve; and fixing the first impeller after fitting and fixing the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: IHI Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuaki Kurihara, Kentarou Oda, Noriyasu Sugitani, Minoru Tsukamoto, Nobusada Takahara
  • Patent number: 8858173
    Abstract: A turbocharger bearing assembly can include a compressor side bearing; a turbine side bearing; and a spacer configured to axially space the compressor side bearing and the turbine side bearing where the spacer includes lubricant passages to direct lubricant to spacer-bearing interfaces and where the spacer optionally includes a spring disposed in a central through bore to load the bearings. Various other examples of devices, assemblies, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Damien Marsal, Raphael Hettinger, Jean-Pierre Lassalle
  • Patent number: 8851829
    Abstract: A pump insert (50) for supporting a rotor (14) of a pump comprises an annular resilient support (52) for engaging the body (26) of the pump, the support (52) extending about a rolling bearing (10) having an inner race (12) for engaging the rotor (14), an axially preloaded outer race (16) fixed to the support (52), and a plurality of rolling elements (18) located between the races. During assembly, the rolling bearing (10) can be accurately positioned within the support (52) so that there is a very low tolerance stack-up when the insert (50) is fitted to the rotor (14). Consequently, the position of the rotor (14) will hardly change, if at all, when the rolling bearing (10) is replaced during servicing of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Edwards Limited
    Inventors: Barrie Dudley Brewster, Martin Ernst Tollner, Paul David Flower
  • Patent number: 8845271
    Abstract: A bearing system for a turbocharger shaft comprising a rotatable elongated cylinder with axially spaced journal bearing surfaces on the inside diameter and a thrust face on each end. A sleeve on the shaft incorporates a flange on one end that transmits thrust force to one thrust face on the elongated cylinder. A flanged collar on the opposite end of the shaft transmits thrust force to the thrust face on the opposite end of the elongated cylinder. A radially extending flange on one end of the elongated cylinder transmits thrust forces to stationary housings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventors: William E. Woollenweber, Joseph S. Delgado
  • Patent number: 8845267
    Abstract: A propeller pod drive for a vessel has at least one driveshaft for driving a propeller, at least one radial bearing arrangement for receiving radial forces, at least one axial bearing arrangement for receiving axial forces of the driveshaft. A thrust collar is supported in axial direction on at least one side in axial direction at a guide device, and a supporting structure for arranging the at least one radial bearing arrangement and the axial bearing arrangement. The guide device has at least three, axial sliding segments arranged in a segment guide and each of which has a sliding surface in contact with the thrust collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: RENK Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Dierk Welz, Uwe Wenzel, Rainer Mischak
  • Publication number: 20140271177
    Abstract: A seal for use in a centrifugal pump, the pump having a stationary pump casing, a stationary plate and an axially adjustable side liner, is disclosed. The seal includes a base having an inner surface and an outer surface. A band portion extends from the base and a retainer member extends from the band portion. The retainer member is spaced apart from the base and oriented for positioning against a groove formed in the axially adjustable side plate liner of the centrifugal pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: WEIR SLURRY GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Randy J. Kosmicki, Michael L. Viken
  • Publication number: 20140271176
    Abstract: A bearing housing for use with a centrifugal pump can include a bracket and a cradle separated from the bracket by a gap. A plurality of ribs can connect the bracket to the cradle across the gap. The ribs can be sized and configured to improve cooling to help minimize operational temperatures of the cradle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Alexander Manchenkov
  • Patent number: 8834095
    Abstract: A bearing support assembly for supporting a bearing assembly within a bearing compartment of a gas turbine engine includes a centering spring and a bearing support member integrally joined together to form a one piece structure. The centering spring connects to the bearing assembly and has a portion that extends conically relative to a centerline axis of the gas turbine engine. The bearing support member extends from the centering spring to connect to an engine case of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Todd A. Davis
  • Patent number: 8834100
    Abstract: A wind turbine blade bearing with a fixed ring fixed to a hub of the wind turbine and a moving ring whereto the blade is fixed by corresponding fixing elements; the bearing making it possible to avoid the collision of the blade with the wind turbine tower by providing a separation therebetween via the disposal of the blades at an angle with respect to the wind turbine hub; where the angle is given by the bearing of the blade pitch change system. The separation is achieved since a rear face of the moving ring is in contact with the blade so that a plane defined by the rear face is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the blade, the rear face not being perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Acciona Windpower, S.A.
    Inventors: Miguel Nuñez Polo, José Miguel García Sayés
  • Patent number: 8827636
    Abstract: A turbomachine includes a compressor having a cartridge that is configured to slide in and out of an external casing. The turbomachine further includes an electrical motor having a motor shaft configured to be connected to the compressor shaft. A conduit is configured to extend through the statoric part of the compressor or the motor, from a first magnetic bearing to the second magnetic bearing. The conduit includes conduit electrical cables provided inside the conduit and extending from a first end of the conduit to a second end of the conduit; and electrical cables connecting one of the first and second magnetic bearings to an external connector via the conduit electrical cables of the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Nuovo Pignone S.p.A
    Inventors: Massimiliano Mariotti, Luciano Mei, Silvio Giachetti
  • Patent number: 8826637
    Abstract: In an arrangement for discharging oil-venting air (oil air) separated by a lubricating oil de-aeration system, kinetic energy of the oil-venting air (O) is increased to a static pressure which exceeds the exhaust-gas flow (A) pressure by a diffuser and the oil-venting air is then mixed with the exhaust-gas flow and discharged with the latter. The venting line (10) coming from the lubricating oil de-aeration system issues into a diffuser (13) which is integrated into the exhaust cone (9) enveloped by the exhaust-gas flow of the engine and whose oil-air outlet opening (14) is connected to the exhaust-gas flow either directly or via an attenuation chamber (18) provided in the exhaust cone. Provision is such made for discharging oil air from the engine to the atmosphere without contaminating visible engine parts and for obtaining a weight reduction due to the reduced length of the venting line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG
    Inventor: Robert Thies
  • Patent number: 8827639
    Abstract: A compressor rotor compresses and delivers compressed air across a turbine rotor. The turbine rotor is connected to the compressor rotor such that rotation of the turbine rotor drives the compressor rotor. A shaft is connected to rotate with the turbine rotor and the compressor rotor. A thrust bearing is provided by a member extending perpendicular and radially outwardly of the shaft. The member rotates with the shaft and faces a first housing wall. A hollow chamber is formed on an opposed side of the first housing wall. A cooling air path supplies air across a thrust bearing surface, and between the member and the first housing wall. The first housing wall has a communication hole for communicating cooling air from the cooling air path into the hollow cavity to drive air within the hollow chamber. Also, a housing incorporating the communication hole is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Craig M. Beers, Brent J. Merritt, Victoria S. Richardson
  • Patent number: 8821113
    Abstract: An air cycle machine includes a bearing housing with a shaft bore. A rotor shaft is arranged in the shaft bore and includes knife edges extending from the rotor shaft. A seal engages the shaft bore and includes an outer diameter and an inner diameter providing a seal land axially aligned with the knife edges. A radial clearance between the seal land and the knife edges is nominally 0.006 inch. The inner diameter is arranged between lateral sides of the seal that define a width. In one example, a tapered surface extending at an angle relative to the outer diameter from the lateral side to the seal land, the tapered surface facing the large end. The outer diameter to the inner diameter provides a first ratio of 1.25-1.28, and the inner diameter to the width provides a second ratio of 4.33-5.58.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Victoria S. Richardson, Lawrence Binek, Craig M. Beers
  • Patent number: 8821109
    Abstract: A device for detecting the axial position of a rotary shaft of a rotary machine comprises a target of ferromagnetic material placed at the end of the rotary shaft, an induction coil associated with a stationary magnetic circuit and placed facing the target while leaving an airgap, and a power supply circuit. The power supply circuit comprises an AC voltage source connected between a first end of the induction coil and a zone situated at a reference voltage, at least one capacitor connected between the ends of the induction coil, and a detector device interposed between a second end of the induction coil and the zone situated at the reference voltage, in order to deliver on a line information about the magnitude of the current flowing between the second end and the zone situated at the reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: SKF Magnetic Mechatronics
    Inventor: Ulrich Schroeder
  • Publication number: 20140230403
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a core housing that includes an inlet case and an intermediate case that respectively provide an inlet case flow path and an intermediate case flow path. A first shaft supports a low pressure compressor section that is arranged axially between the inlet case flow path and the intermediate case flow path. A first bearing supports the first shaft relative to the inlet case. A second bearing supports a second shaft relative to the intermediate case. A low pressure compressor hub is mounted to the first shaft. The low pressure compressor hub extends to the low pressure compressor section between the first bearing and the second bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Brian D. Merry, Gabriel L. Suciu, Todd A. Davis, Gregory E. Reinhardt, Enzo DiBenedetto
  • Patent number: 8807921
    Abstract: A bearing foil assembly includes a top foil, an intermediate foil, and a bump foil. The bump foil is provided with corrugations at circumferentially spaced locations. The bump foil has an end that is bent radially outwardly from a center of the foil assembly. The top foil has a bent portion extending radially outwardly and adjacent to the bent end of the bump foil. A first radius of curvature is defined to a curved portion leading into the bent portion at a first end adjacent to the bent end. A second radius of curvature is defined at an end of the bent portion on an end opposed to the bent end. A ratio of the first radius of curvature to the second radius of curvature is between 0.6 and 10. A bearing assembly, a shaft sub-assembly, an air machine, and a method of assembling a bearing into an air machine are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Ronald M. Struziak
  • Patent number: 8807920
    Abstract: A pump assembly with a rotatable rotor shaft (10), wherein the rotor shaft (10) includes at least one axial bearing (36, 40) and a radial bearing (30, 32), which are integrated into a common bearing assembly (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Grundfos Management a/s
    Inventors: Helge Grann, Alfred Lisbjerg Pedersen
  • Patent number: 8801361
    Abstract: A machine includes a rotor supported to rotate about a rotational axis and an actuator arranged to act on the rotor and control a position of the rotor about the rotational axis. A bladed turbomachine wheel is coupled to the rotor and has blade tips that pass closely to an adjacent, non-rotating surface. A sensor is adjacent to the turbomachine wheel and arranged to sense the blade tips and output a position signal representative of the position of blade tips relative to the sensor. A controller is coupled to the sensor and the actuator and is adapted to receive the position signal from the sensor and generate and send a control signal to the actuator to control the position of the rotor based on the position signal from the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Calnetix Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Lawrence A. Hawkins
  • Patent number: 8801365
    Abstract: This hydraulic machine comprises a wheel supported by a shaft (5), the wheel and the shaft being able to rotate about a vertical axis (X5) while a radial hydrostatic or hydrodynamic bearing (100) is formed between, on the one hand, a radial peripheral surface (52) of the shaft and, on the other hand, an internal radial surface (102) of a member (101) that is fixed relative to the vertical axis. The bearing (100) extends between two edges (121, 122) which, in normal operation, constitute regions for the removal of a film of water formed in the bearing. At least one cavity (130) is created in the fixed member (101) and opens onto its internal radial surface (102) near a first edge (122) of the bearing. The machine comprises means (131, 132, 133) for placing the cavity (130) in fluidic communication with a volume (V1) situated outside the bearing near the second edge (121) of the bearing (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Alstom Renewable Technologies
    Inventors: Jean-Francois Bertea, Gerard Vuillerod
  • Patent number: 8794917
    Abstract: A turbocharger, which is particularly suitable for a motor vehicle, includes: a rotor shaft with a turbine impeller and a compressor impeller disposed thereon. The rotor shaft has a roller bearing assembly for mounting in the housing of the turbocharger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Böning, Hartmut Claus, Dirk Frankenstein, Holger Fäth, Jochen Held, Stefan Krauβ, Stefan Nowack
  • Patent number: 8784035
    Abstract: A bladeless pump for fluids, such as gases that may contain particulate matter, drivable by a motor, consisting of an assembly of rotors or discs stacked against each other. Each rotor/disc has a runner portion on an outer area separated from its center, and a central portion having two or more spokes, divided by openings. The spokes are typically thicker than the rest of the discs. When many discs are placed together and spun on a motor-driven axle, air may be drawn in adjacent the rotor assembly, to the inter-disc openings, and compressed as it enters the area A spiral-shape volute is provided adjacent the outer ?M of the disc assembly, receiving pressurized air and releasing it from a motor housing. Applicant's bladeless pump may include a base for receiving the rotor housing and the motor, which may include a housing to substantially enclose the motor and its housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Inventor: Ralf W. Blackstone
  • Patent number: 8764378
    Abstract: A centrifugal pump assembly with at least one impeller (8) and with a thrust bearing (44) which includes a rotating (50) and a stationary (48) bearing part. The rotating (50) as well as the stationary (48) bearing part are designed in a self-aligning manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Grundfos Management a/s
    Inventors: Bjarne Dindler Rasmussen, Peter Monster, Carl-Christian Danielsen
  • Patent number: 8753069
    Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a shaft of a turbomachine. The apparatus may include a magnetic bearing to support the shaft during a normal operation of the turbomachine, and an auxiliary bearing to support the shaft during a drop event. The apparatus may also include a disk coupled to the shaft and comprising a substantially non-ferrous, conductive material, and a magnetic assembly disposed proximal the disk, the magnetic assembly configured to magnetically engage the disk to damp vibrations during the drop event, to apply a circumferential braking force on the disk during the drop event, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventor: Martin D. Maier
  • Patent number: 8753068
    Abstract: A highly efficient and long-life pump is provided through improvement of pump efficiency by extending an effective length of a blade of an impeller and through reduction of friction loss of a thrust bearing. In a pump 110, a suction direction X and a discharge direction Y of a liquid are approximately perpendicular to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Noriaki Matsunaga, Hiroki Aso
  • Publication number: 20140154072
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a support (1) for rolling bearings, which advantageously finds application, among others, in the technical field of rotary vacuum pumps, such as turbomolecular vacuum pumps. According to the invention, the support for rolling bearings (1) comprises a first inner annular shell (3) made of metal and intended to be mounted on the outer surface of a rolling bearing, a second outer annular shell (5) made of metal, concentric with said first inner annular shell and external thereto and intended to be mounted on the surface of the bearing seat, and an intermediate elastomeric member (7) provided between said inner and outer shells and fixed thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Inventors: Carmelo Quartarone, Luca Campagna, Alessandro Follo
  • Patent number: 8740543
    Abstract: A method of deploying offshore wind turbine assemblies includes mounting a wind turbine assembly horizontally on a vessel and transporting the wind turbine assembly to an offshore site. The wind turbine assembly is raised to a vertical condition at the site and attached to anchor weights. Blades are attached to the turbine head after the wind turbine assembly is in the vertical condition. In one embodiment, the wind turbine assembly can include a tower including tapered lower and upper sections joined together at their respective wide ends, a turbine head connected to the upper section, and a platform connected to the lower section. The platform includes a buoy tank partially filled with ballast to provide mass and buoyancy. A wave piercing cowling is rotatively attached to the lower section. The turbine head can include an adjustable journal bearing, scabbard blade mounts, and a gearless induction generator with flux adjusting capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Inventor: Lloyd E. Weaver
  • Patent number: 8740549
    Abstract: A lubrication system for turbocharger(s) ensures continuous lubrication of bearings and shaft of the turbocharger with lubricant retention during start and shut down of turbocharger-associated systems thereby enhancing the performance and turbocharger life. A shaft and bearings are lubricated by introducing pressurized lubricating oil through an oil inlet passage in the bearing housing and after lubricating, the lubricant returns to the engine oil sump located below the turbocharger through the oil outlet passage. A valve in the oil inlet pipe line permits lubricant flow to the bearings during engine running, and when the engine stops and oil pressure falls below the valve opening pressure, the valve shuts and traps the lubricant in oil inlet pipe that is above the valve. The oil outlet pipe retains sufficient lubricant in the bearing housing which lubricates the shaft and bearings post engine shutdown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd
    Inventors: Kishor Raut Shashank, Sharad Shete Manoj
  • Patent number: 8734017
    Abstract: An air bearing shaft for an air cycle machine is provided. The air bearing shaft includes a seal disk and a shaft body. The shaft body includes a first shaft body portion extending from a face of the seal disk to a knife-edge seal. The first shaft body portion includes journal bearing cooling holes positioned axially closer to the knife-edge seal than to the face of the seal disk. The journal bearing cooling holes extend through the first shaft body portion to a hollow interior and have a total cooling area. Start-up holes are positioned axially closer to the face of the seal disk than to the knife-edge seal. The start-up holes extend through the first shaft body portion to the hollow interior. The start-up holes have a total start-up area. A ratio of the total cooling area to the total start-up area is between 2.17 and 4.06.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Darryl A. Colson, Craig M. Beers, John H. Paliulis