Responsive To Moving Member Developed Fluid Force, Current Or Pressure Patents (Class 415/26)
  • Patent number: 11767854
    Abstract: A rocket engine propulsion system having improved engine performance is described herein. The rocket engine propulsion system includes multiple axial counterbalances to reduce or eliminate axial thrust exerted on components of a turbopump. The axial counterbalances can allow for a larger range of axial thrust forces while coupling this ability to a rotational speed (e.g., rotations per minute, or RPM) of a shaft. The axial counterbalances include protrusions that extend circumferentially around a shaft that mate with protrusions on swing arms. The swing arms are rotatably attached to a bracket which is constrained by a static support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Blue Origin, LLC
    Inventor: Jordan Marshall
  • Patent number: 11555503
    Abstract: A rocket engine propulsion system having improved engine performance is described herein. The rocket engine propulsion system includes an axial counterbalance to reduce or eliminate axial thrust exerted on components of a turbopump. The axial counterbalance can allow for a larger range of axial thrust forces while coupling this ability to a rotational speed (e.g., rotations per minute, or RPM) of a shaft. The axial counterbalance includes a rack and pinion system in which the rack can be teeth extending circumferentially around a shaft and the pinon can be teeth extending outwardly from a swing arm perpendicular to the shaft. The swing arm is rotatably attached to a bracket which is constrained by a static support. The swing arm can also include a weight on an end of the swing arm opposite the end of the swing arm including the pinion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: BLUE ORIGIN, LLC
    Inventor: Jordan Marshall
  • Patent number: 11536153
    Abstract: The turboshaft engine for a rotorcraft includes a low pressure spool having a low pressure compressor and a low pressure turbine section, and a high pressure spool having a high pressure compressor and a high pressure turbine section. The spools are independently rotatable relative to one another. The low pressure compressor section includes a mixed flow rotor. A set of variable guide vanes (VGVs) are discposed upstream of each of the low pressure and high pressure compressors, the VGVs being configured to be independently operable relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Keith Morgan, Eric Durocher
  • Patent number: 11415148
    Abstract: A system is provided and includes a compressor. The compressor further includes a diffuser frame, a gas or oil actuator and a drive system. The diffuser frame defines a first channel through which compressed fluids are flowable, a second channel intersecting the first channel and a third channel extending from the second channel. The gas or oil actuator includes a piston and a head integrally coupled to the piston. The head and the piston are disposable in the second and third channels, respectively. The piston is movable in forward or reverse directions through the third channel such that the head is movable through the second channel and into or out of the first channel, respectively. The drive system is at least partially disposable in the third channel and configured to drive forward and rearward movements of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kai Deng, Vishnu M. Sishtla
  • Patent number: 11333080
    Abstract: A method of extracting work from a convertible gas turbine engine having a core flowpath and a bypass flowpath. The method comprises operating the convertible gas turbine engine at a first volumetric flow rate through the core flowpath and a second volumetric flow rate through the bypass flowpath to produce a first work output of the convertible gas turbine engine; extracting the first work output via an unshrouded fan and a shaft at a first fan to shaft extraction ratio; altering the second volumetric flowrate through the bypass flowpath while maintaining the first work output; and extracting the first work output via an unshrouded fan and a shaft at a second fan to shaft extraction ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Charles L. McNeil, John Kusnierek
  • Patent number: 11263835
    Abstract: A vehicle fault detection system including at least one sensor configured for coupling with a vehicle system, a vehicle control module coupled to the at least one sensor, and being configured to receive at least one time series of numerical sensor data from the at least one sensor, at least one of the at least one time series of numerical sensor data corresponds to a respective system parameter of the vehicle system being monitored, generate a graphical representation for the at least one time series of numerical sensor data to form an analysis image of at least one system parameter, and detect anomalous behavior of a component of the vehicle system based on the analysis image, and a user interface coupled to the vehicle control module, the user interface being configured to present to an operator an indication of the anomalous behavior for the component of the vehicle system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: John M. Boggio
  • Patent number: 11199195
    Abstract: A shroud configured to be disposed around an impeller of a centrifugal compressor, the shroud has a wall extending around a central axis of the centrifugal compressor, the wall having an inner face oriented toward a gaspath and an outer face oriented away from the gaspath, a slot extending all around the central axis and from the inner face to the outer face of the wall, bridges secured to the wall, the bridges circumferentially distributed around the central axis and spanning across the slot, the bridges extending from roots to tips, the tips of the bridges circumferentially offset from the roots relative to the central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventor: Alexandre Capron
  • Patent number: 11181112
    Abstract: A control arrangement for a coolant pump of an internal combustion engine includes a control slide which controls a throughflow cross-section of an annular gap arranged between an outlet of a coolant pump impeller and a surrounding delivery duct. A control pump adapts a hydraulic pressure generated in a flow duct. An electromagnetic valve includes a first and second valve seat, a first, second and third flow connection, a closing member and an armature. The first flow connection is fluidically connected to an outlet of the control pump. The second flow connection is fluidically connected to a first pressure chamber of the control slide. The third flow connection is fluidically connected to an inlet of the coolant pump. The first valve seat is arranged between the first flow connection and the second flow connection. The second valve seat is arranged between the second flow connection and the third flow connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: PIERBURG GMBH
    Inventors: Stephan Zielberg, Michael-Thomas Benra, Michael Sanders, Stefan Rothgang, Andreas Burger, Sven Nigrin
  • Patent number: 11174869
    Abstract: A rotary machine includes a rotating shaft which is rotatably provided around an axis, a casing which covers the rotating shaft from an outside in a radial direction and in which a gas flow path extending in a circumferential direction is formed, a drain pipe which is connected to a lower portion in a vertical direction of the casing and communicates with the gas flow path, an adjusting valve which is provided in the drain pipe and adjusts a flow state of a fluid in the drain pipe, and a gas flow pipe which is connected to the drain pipe at a position closer to a connection portion between the casing and the drain pipe than the adjusting valve and through which the seal gas flows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES COMPRESSOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takuya Kinoshita, Yu Sayama
  • Patent number: 10995846
    Abstract: The present invention includes a system, method and kit for preventing or reducing water penetration of a gearbox, the system including: a fan or impeller coupled to the gearbox; and a hub coupled to the fan and shaped to provide a labyrinth seal that prevents or reduces water penetration into the gearbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventor: Scott David Poster
  • Patent number: 10794367
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for measuring moments of a wind turbine, comprising a carrier pin that can be fixedly connected to a bedplate of a nacelle of the wind turbine, which is arranged on a tower and can be adjusted with respect to yaw, a torque support of a gearbox of the wind turbine being mountable on the carrier pin via an elastomer body, and to a method for operating a wind turbine and the corresponding wind turbine. The carrier pin is provided with one or more sensors that are designed and arranged to detect strains and/or shears of the carrier pin, a signal processing and/or evaluation unit being provided, which is connected to the sensor(s) and which can determine, during operation of the wind turbine, from measurement signals of the sensors, pitch moments and/or yaw moments that act upon the torque support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: SENVION GMBH
    Inventors: Karsten Warfen, Eckart Hopp
  • Patent number: 10619654
    Abstract: A method of operating a fail-fixed hydraulic actuator system is provided. The method includes providing an actuator in an initial position, electromechanically operating a valve assembly to hydraulically drive actuator movement and halting the hydraulic driving of the actuator movement by the valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventor: Todd Haugsjaahabink
  • Patent number: 10564060
    Abstract: A pressure sensing device with a tubular pressure port including an internal chamfer adjacent to a deflectable diaphragm, and/or a hydrophobic or superhydrophobic coating applied to at least a portion of the tubular pressure port, the internal chamfer, and/or the deflectable diaphragm. The internal chamfer and/or the hydrophobic or superhydrophobic coating are configured at least in part to reduce adhesive forces between condensation and the surface of the tubular pressure port, to reduce the tendency for capillary action to draw condensation towards the deflectable diaphragm, and/or to increase the tendency for capillary action or gravity to draw condensation away from the deflectable diaphragm and out of the tubular pressure port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Ronald Bruce Schofield
  • Patent number: 10527047
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program to adjust the effective width of centrifugal fan wheel(s) in a fan system during operation. The reason for the adjustment is to prevent stall when running the fan over a wider range of system operating points. This is of particular use in high turndown variable air volume systems commonly encountered in HVAC systems. An additional option function is to isolate a single fan, in a fan system, if that fan should fail, to prevent reverse flow through the failed fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Inventors: Frederick Q. Kamps, Andrew Frink
  • Patent number: 10100842
    Abstract: A cover of a centrifugal compressor intended to be rigidly connected to a turbomachine housing, which includes a plurality of ports, is provided. The cover further includes a fastening device for fastening the cover to the housing. A portion of the fastening device is located upstream relative to the ports and can be accessed by a fastening tool through at least one of the ports of the cover. A turbomachine uses this cover to form a sealed space, in particular with a view to collecting air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Alain Marc Lucien Bromann, Kamel Benderradji, Pamela Dominique Daniele Reichert
  • Patent number: 9995179
    Abstract: A compressor assembly is disclosed. The compressor assembly may have a compressor housing and a compressor impeller disposed within the compressor housing. The compressor impeller may have a hub extending from a hub front end to a hub rear end and an exducer blade disposed on the hub adjacent the hub rear end. The compressor impeller may further include a hub extension extending outward from the hub rear end. The compressor assembly may also have an impeller cap disposed on the hub extension. Further, the compressor assembly may have a windage seal disposed on the impeller cap. The windage seal may be separated from a blade rear surface by an axial gap. In addition, the compressor assembly may have a compressor diffuser disposed within the compressor housing. The compressor diffuser may have a diffuser inner surface separated from an outer rim of the exducer blade by a radial gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Progress Rail Locomotive Inc.
    Inventors: Gary R. Svihla, Raji Rexavier
  • Patent number: 9890655
    Abstract: A device, system, or method to position variable guide vanes disproportionately is provided. An adjusting device for guide vanes of an axial-flow machine, includes a plurality of rotatably mounted rings of variable guide vanes, a plurality of levers which are arranged on the outer sides of a guide vane carrier for rotating the variable guide vanes, a plurality of adjusting rings, each of the adjustment rings is arranged coaxially to the guide vane carrier and to which a first end of one of the levers is connected, and an adjusting drive with which the adjusting rings may be moved in the peripheral direction. At least one of the levers is set up to perform at least partly a disproportionate longitudinal movement of the first end of the at least one lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Graeme Leithead, Michael Smith, Philip Twell
  • Patent number: 9777745
    Abstract: A drainage pump has an impeller, a motor for driving the impeller, and a pump housing surrounding the impeller. The pump housing has an end wall, a side wall, an inlet, and an outlet. The side wall extends from the end wall. The side wall and the end wall cooperatively define a pump chamber. The inner surface of the side wall has at least one interfering surface for mixing of fluid flowing through the pump housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Johnson Electric S.A.
    Inventors: Zheng Zhao, Kin Wah Wong, Min Li
  • Patent number: 9394913
    Abstract: A centrifugal compressor includes: an impeller having full blades and splitter blades; a shroud wall forming an intake and having a shape conforming to the impeller; and a bleed chamber facing an outer surface of the shroud wall. The bleed chamber communicates with a discharge space having a pressure equal to or lower than a pressure of a working fluid at the intake. The shroud wall is provided with a slit (a bleeding passage) that directs a portion of the working fluid that has flowed into a space between the full blade and a pressurizing surface of the splitter blade to the bleed chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Taguchi, Fumitoshi Nishiwaki, Kou Komori
  • Patent number: 9353762
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a pump including a pump chamber, a shaft at least partially positioned in the pump chamber, an impeller coupled to the shaft, and a seal coupled to the shaft. The pump also includes a wet seal chamber. The wet seal chamber can include a separator with a disc and a resilient member. The disc includes one or more slots through which fluid pressure from the pump chamber is transferred to the resilient member. The wet seal chamber substantially prevents fluid from contacting the seal in order to prolong a life of the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Pentair Flow Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Lang, Dan Beilke, Jeff Hermes, Jared M. Krueger
  • Patent number: 9347458
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a pump including a pump chamber, a shaft at least partially positioned in the pump chamber, an impeller coupled to the shaft, and a seal coupled to the shaft. The pump also includes a wet seal chamber with a first fluid. The wet seal chamber can include a bladder that compresses to compensate for volumetric expansion of the first fluid. The wet seal chamber substantially prevents fluid from contacting the seal in order to prolong a life of the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Pentair Flow Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Doug Goulet, Jeff Hermes
  • Patent number: 9188133
    Abstract: A product is disclosed for inhibiting oil from entering a turbocharger compressor. A compressor wheel may be disposed in a wheel chamber of a housing to rotate at a range of speeds. The compressor wheel may be surrounded by a collection volute with a diffuser channeling air from the wheel chamber to the collection volute. A shaft may extend through the housing and may be connected to the compressor wheel. The shaft may be supported by a bearing that may be lubricated through an oil circuit. A pressure differential between the wheel chamber and the oil circuit inhibits oil from entering the wheel chamber. The pressure differential may be maintained during rotation of the compressor wheel at a low end of the range of speeds by a collar disposed near a tip of the compressor wheel at an entrance to the diffuser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Richardson, Simon Slater, Andrew Taylor
  • Publication number: 20140370409
    Abstract: A cooling pump driving system includes an electric water pump in a coolant passage line for circulating a coolant and having a variable rotation speed. A sensor disposed at an outlet side of the electric water pump checks a coolant pressure passing through the electric water pump. A controller including a reference value for the pressure change is configured to decrease a rotation speed of the electric water pump when the pressure change detected by the sensor is the reference value or higher.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Applicant: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Jeong Kyu PARK, Dong Hoon KIM, Young Pin JIN
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20140212267
    Abstract: A controllable coolant pump driven by a belt pulley for internal combustion engines is equipped with a valve slide. A seal is disposed on the outer edge of the wall plate between the plate and the outer cylinder of the valve slide. At least one additional flow outlet opening is disposed on the pump housing, the outlet volume stream of which openings can be additionally controlled, aside from the controllable volume stream that exits from the flow exit opening. The flow outlet opening from which the controllable outlet volume stream exits is connected with an outflow opening disposed near the rear wall of the valve slide, in the pump chamber rear wall, via an outflow channel. The outflow opening is enclosed by a ring seal disposed in the pump chamber rear wall, which enters into operative engagement with the valve slide in its rear end position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: Geraete- und Pumpenbau GmbH Dr. Eugen Schmidt
    Inventor: Franz Pawellek
  • Patent number: 8789369
    Abstract: A turbocharger of a supercharging apparatus includes a turbine impeller, which is rotatable by exhaust gas discharged from an internal combustion engine of a vehicle. An electric heater is placed in an exhaust passage, which extends from an exhaust outlet of the internal combustion engine to the turbine impeller. The electric heater generates a heat when the electric heater is energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Osamu Sato
  • Patent number: 8777554
    Abstract: A fan system is disclosed having a forward fan stage configured to pressurize an airflow and an aft fan stage having a tip-fan configured to pressurize a first portion of a pressurized air flow from the forward fan stage wherein the aft fan stage is driven by a second portion of the pressurized airflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: John Lewis Baughman
  • Publication number: 20140169936
    Abstract: A method for detecting heat-dissipating air flow is disclosed. The method includes the following steps: detecting whether a reset command is input; if the reset command is input, resetting a wind pressure standard value according to the reset command; if the reset command is not input, controlling a fan to operate at full speed according to a start signal; detecting the wind pressure of a heat-dissipating air flow after controlling the fan to operate at full speed to acquire a wind pressure value; determining whether the wind pressure value is equal to the wind pressure standard value; and generating a warning signal if the wind pressure value is not equal to the wind pressure standard value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Wistron Corporation
    Inventors: MING-HSIU WU, YI-HUNG HSU
  • Patent number: 8721283
    Abstract: A pitch change apparatus comprises a hydraulic actuator for angular displacement of propellers of the propeller assembly. The hydraulic actuator has a piston and cylinder arrangement which defines fine and coarse fluid chambers. Increasing the volume of the fine chamber at the expense of the coarse chamber results in angular displacement of the propellers to a finer pitch. Increasing the volume of the coarse chamber at the expense of the fine chamber results in angular displacement of the propellers to a coarser pitch. The pitch change apparatus further comprises one or more fine hydraulic lines carrying hydraulic fluid to and from the fine chamber, and a coarse hydraulic line carrying hydraulic fluid to and from the coarse chamber. The apparatus further comprises a pressure-sensing check valve which fluidly isolates the coarse chamber from the coarse hydraulic line if the pressure in the coarse hydraulic line falls below a threshold pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: Andrew Swift, Antony Morgan
  • Patent number: 8689552
    Abstract: A centrifugal compressor is provided with: a housing which houses a compressor wheel therein; a spiral scroll arranged in an outer periphery of the compressor wheel; and a diffuser portion provided as a path space communicating with the scroll from an outlet side of the compressor wheel and formed by a compressor housing and a center housing. The centrifugal compressor is also provided with a movable vane which is movable between a projecting position where the movable vane projects from the compressor housing and a housing position where the movable vane houses in a housing portion provided in compressor housing, and an actuator which drives the movable vane between the projecting position and the housing position. The actuator is provided in the center housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akitoshi Iwata
  • Patent number: 8668435
    Abstract: A fan (100) has a fan housing (110). The latter has an air entrance opening (120) and an air exit opening (130). It further has a swivel joint arrangement (180) having at least one swivel joint (145, 147, 155, 157, 165, 167, 175, 177) that is arranged on a joint carrier (188; 188?); at least one non-return flap (140, 150, 160, 170) that is journaled rotatably by means of the at least one swivel joint (145, 147, 155, 157, 165, 167, 175, 177) and, in its closed position, at least partly closes off the air exit opening (130); and at least one elastic return member (142, 152, 162, 172) that is associated with the at least one non-return flap (140, 150, 160, 170) and urges it toward its closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: EBM-PAPST St. Georgen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Norbert Weisser, Marcel Paffendorf, Wolfgang Laufer, Jürgen Herr, Stefan Mayer
  • Patent number: 8647047
    Abstract: A method for controlling at least two turbocompressors (1.1, 2.1), each having a control device (1.2, 2.2) for maintaining a distance relative to a surge limit curve (P1, P2) of the respective turbocompressor; wherein a first distance (A1.1, A2.1) is determined for each turbocompressor from its surge limit curve; wherein the distance to be maintained can be trimmed relative to this first distance in the control devices; and wherein the distance (A2.2) of a control device (2.2) to be maintained is trimmed relative to its first distance (A2.1) based on a trimming (A1.1?A1.2) of another control device (1.2) in such a way that a total process variable (dV/dt) remains substantially constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: MAN Diesel & Turbo SE
    Inventors: Jürgen Dirks, Peter Jansen
  • Publication number: 20140030058
    Abstract: A control method and apparatus for startup of turbocompressors to avoid overpowering a driver of the turbocompressor. In a first embodiment, the control system monitors input signals from transmitters of various control inputs. When the input signals exceed threshold values, the control system begins to close the antisurge valve. In a second embodiment, the antisurge valve begins to close after a predetermined time measured from the time startup is initiated. In both embodiments, the antisurge valve continues to ramp closed until the compressor has reached its operating zone, or until the compressor's operating point reaches a surge control line, at which point the antisurge valve is manipulated to keep the compressor from surging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Compressor Controls Corporation
    Inventors: Saul Mirsky, Wayne Jacobson, Jeff McWhirter
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8585349
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a turbine with a housing mountable in a drill string and having an inlet opening and an outlet opening for a fluid conveyed through the drill string, and with an impeller arranged in the housing and adapted to be impinged upon by the fluid flowing into the housing, wherein the impeller is axially movably mounted and yieldably supported against the afflux direction in such a way that the supporting force of the yielding support increases as the axial movement of the impeller increases. To reduce the dependence of the turbine rotational frequency and turbine performance on the feed rate and to avoid overloading of the generator, the housing includes in the range of movement of the impeller a frontal first housing section of smaller inner diameter as seen in the afflux direction and a rear second housing section of larger inner diameter as seen in the afflux direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Weatherford Energy Services GmbH
    Inventor: Helmut Winnacker
  • Patent number: 8556569
    Abstract: A method and control system can implement a transient exhaust pressure protection logic to avoid a turbine exhaust vacuum trip due to a short duration turbine exhaust pressure transient that may be caused by a large reduction in turbine flow coupled with a transient increase in exhaust pressure, which specifically occurs during full load rejections. When full load rejection conditions are sensed by power load unbalance and confirmed by secondary indications, normal alarm settings and trip settings for turbine exhaust pressure are blocked for a delay period while transient operating limits are in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Molitor, William G. Gorman
  • Patent number: 8540498
    Abstract: A control method and apparatus for critical rotational speed avoidance in a compressor-expander set in a gas refrigeration system. By varying an opening of an antisurge or recycle valve, a shaft power used by the compressor in the compressor-expander set may be varied, thereby varying the rotational speed of the compressor-expander set to move it away from its critical speed zone. Additionally, a feedforward signal may be provided by a compressor-expander set control system to cause an antisurge valve for a recycle compressor to open upon a trip or shutdown of one compressor-expander set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Compressor Controls Corp.
    Inventors: Saul Mirsky, Wayne Jacobson, David J. Hoogerwerf
  • Patent number: 8534988
    Abstract: A fan assembly includes a mounting bracket, a fan, and a baffle. The mounting bracket includes two side plates bounding an outlet, and each side plate defines a through hole. An inner side bounding the through hole defines an arc-shaped cutout, communicating with the through hole. The baffle includes two pins rotatably received in the through holes of the side plates. A protrusion protrudes out from each pin, and is engaged in the corresponding cutout. When the fan operates, the baffle is pushed to rotate to open the outlet, to allow air from the fan to flow out through the outlet. When the fan ceases operation, the baffle rotates back under force of gravity to a position to cover the outlet, where the protrusion resists against one end of the cutout such that further rotation is prevented, to prevent air intake into the mounting bracket through the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Guang-Yi Zhang, Zhe Zhang
  • Publication number: 20130115042
    Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamically balancing axial loads in centrifugal compressors to reduce residual axial loads on the bearings used therein are described. A sensor or probe detects a parameter associated with the axial load acting on the bearing. Based on the detected parameter, the pressure in a balance chamber is controlled to adjust the compensating axial force generated by a balance drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventors: Gabriele Mariotti, Claudia Cagnarini
  • Patent number: 8408871
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for measuring an air flow at an airfoil surface are provided, wherein at least one pressure sensor adapted to detect an air flow associated with a rotor blade surface and a pressure transducer which converts the detected air flow into an electrical signal indicating the air flow are provided. The pressure sensor is arranged within the boundary layer of the air flow at the airfoil surface such that the boundary layer profile may be determined from the electrical signal. The air flow sensor is adapted for rotor blades of a wind turbine to assist in adjusting a pitch angle of the rotor blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Stefan Herr, Ryan Michael Leclair, Christopher Winslow, Alexander Simpson, Carlos Haertel, Thierry Maeder
  • Patent number: 8382429
    Abstract: A turbine housing of an exhaust gas turbocharger includes an outer casing and a rotor casing which is arranged in the outer casing and includes a tubular neck for engagement in an exhaust pipe to conduct exhaust gas from the neck in a direction of an exhaust flange. The exhaust pipe is hereby coupled to the rotor casing for relative movement there between. A sealing ring is arranged between the neck and the exhaust pipe, wherein the neck has one end provided with at least one outwardly directed projection defined by an outer diameter which is greater than an inner diameter of the sealing ring. Fabrication of the turbine housing is realized by pushing the sealing ring over the neck, and inserting an expanding mandrel into the neck to widen the neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Elmar Grussmann, Christian Smatloch
  • Publication number: 20130045076
    Abstract: A compressor control method includes providing variable aerodynamic sizing of fluid flow through a compressor at multiple operating points of the compressor. A head is determined for an operating point, based on a process input at that operating point. Further, for that operating point, a control pressure number is determined as a function aerodynamic flow sizing at that operating point. The control pressure number is determined a function of the head divided by the square of a tip speed of the impeller of the compressor. An operating speed setpoint is determined based on the determined head and control pressure number.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Inventors: Soeren Boegh Andersen, Frans Ploeger, Richard H. Vinton
  • Publication number: 20130022445
    Abstract: An air induction system for a power source including a first compressor and a second compressor is disclosed. The air induction system includes an air feed passageway that directs compressed air from the second compressor to an area between a compressor wheel and a center housing in the first compressor to reduce oil consumption in the first compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: Perkins Engines Company Limited
    Inventors: Tom W. Carlill, Ian Pink
  • Patent number: 8303242
    Abstract: A hydropower generating turbine having an impeller housing disposed to receive water, at least one impeller disposed within the impeller housing, at least one adjustable duct pivotally connected to the impeller housing, and, where the duct has a plurality of duct leafs, wherein the duct leafs articulate and cause the duct to converge and diverge for selectively disposing a fluid about the impeller. The ducts may be inflow or outflow ducts, and the turbine may react to a change in the fluid and alter the shape of the impeller. Further, the turbine may have an automated controller where variable change in the flow is detected by a sensor and transmitted to the automated controller to cause a directional shift in the multidirectional turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Hydro Green Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Wayne F. Krouse, Frederick E. Becker, Andrew R. Provo
  • Patent number: 8292569
    Abstract: An air regulator comprises a housing, a shaft, a first air regulation member and an elastic ring. The shaft is rotationally fixed within the housing. The first air regulation member is coaxially coupled to the shaft and has a plurality of first air flow apertures positioned radially about the shaft. The elastic ring is configured and positioned to centrifugally deform and increasingly block the first air flow apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Schmid & Wezel GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Jan Sitzler
  • Patent number: 8240991
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for operating a wind turbine is disclosed. For operating the wind turbine a set of operational data points are sensed via a sensing module. The set of operational data points may include bending stress values. Based on the bending stress values, a load scenario indicator value may be computed. Further, based on the set of operational data points a loading threshold value may be obtained. At least one operating parameter of the wind turbine is changed if the load scenario indicator value exceeds the loading threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Matthijs Leonardus Gerardus Boerlage, Leonardo Cesar Kammer
  • Patent number: 8167543
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a wind turbine rotor blade is provided. Anticipated primary load paths within the rotor blade are predicted. Fibers of reinforcing material are dispensed onto a mold, having an orientation pattern of the fibers which is selected in dependence on the predicting step. Resin is also dispensed into the mold. A wind turbine rotor blade is provided. The blade comprises fibers of reinforcing material which are embedded in resin. The fibers are short, say in the range of 5 to 200 mm, and are orientated in dependence on an anticipated structural loading pattern of the rotor blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventor: Paul Hibbard
  • Publication number: 20120034065
    Abstract: An automatic power-off and actuation circuit for a fan comprises a drive unit, a detection unit, a voltage-modulating unit, a comparison unit, an auto-restart unit, a regulation unit and a controlled IC, wherein the detection unit is electrically connected to the drive unit, the voltage-modulating unit is electrically connected to the detection unit, the comparison unit is electrically connected to the voltage-modulating unit, the auto-restart unit is electrically connected to the comparison unit, the regulation unit is electrically connected to the auto-restart unit and the drive unit, and the controlled IC is electrically connected to the regulation unit and the drive unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: Ching-Cheng MA, Ting-Cheng Lan
  • Patent number: 8105028
    Abstract: A control system for mitigating the effects of a wind turbine on a radar system is disclosed. The control system includes a sensor configured to detect an operating condition of the radar system; a processor configured to receive an operating condition of the wind turbine and determine a rotation modification sequence based on the operating condition of the radar system and the operating condition of the wind turbine; and a controller configured to apply the rotation modification sequence to the wind turbine. A method of mitigating the effects of a wind turbine on a radar system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Technology Service Corporation
    Inventor: David A. Rugger
  • Patent number: RE47580
    Abstract: An aquarium pump including a first unit comprising a magnet in an encasement disposed against the outside panel of an aquarium or other tank, and a second, submersible unit comprising a magnet in an encasement and a motor, an impeller, and buoyant material contained within a chamber disposed against the inside panel of an aquarium or other tank and opposing the first unit. The magnet included on the second, submersible unit includes a plurality of recesses into which are inserted synthetically coated ball bearings that are allowed rotate freely, with a portion of the ball bearings extending outside the magnet thus allowing the ball bearings to make contact with the aquarium or tank wall and allowing the second, submersible unit to be maneuvered into place without the necessity of violating the aquatic environment. The buoyant material allows the second, submersible unit to remain fixed in place solely utilizing magnetic attraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Inventor: Anthony Costa