By Shaft Speed Or Torque Responsive Means Patents (Class 415/30)
  • Patent number: 11625082
    Abstract: A computing system includes a target device to be cooled, a fan unit, a storage device storing a first portion and a second portion of firmware, and a baseboard management controller (BMC). In the firmware, only the first portion is related to heat-dissipation control. The BMC executes the firmware for monitoring the target device, generating a monitoring report for the target device, and controlling the rotational speed of the fan unit based on the monitoring report thus generated and on cooling parameters and cooling algorithms stored in the first portion of the firmware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Jabil Circuit (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yen-Cheng Chang, Chin Liang
  • Patent number: 11171543
    Abstract: A device for utilizing groundwater, characterized by an upper well shaft and an upper well water reservoir having a first water level; a lower well shaft and a lower well water reservoir having a second water level; wherein the second water level is lower than the first water level; a water line between the upper well water reservoir and the lower well water reservoir including a first line extending downwardly inside the well shaft of the upper well and into the upper well water reservoir, a second line extending downwardly inside the well shaft of the lower well and into the lower well water reservoir, and a connecting line connecting the first branch line and the second branch line; at least one turbine coupled to the water line; and an electrical generator coupled to the at least one turbine for delivering electric power to the power grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Inventor: Jan Franck
  • Patent number: 10926631
    Abstract: A transmission system includes a power take-off for driving an implement and a hydrostatic unit for transmitting power from the engine to the power take-off. The hydrostatic unit includes a first hydraulic power unit having a first connection line and a second connection line, and a second hydraulic power unit having a first connection line and a second connection line. The hydrostatic unit also includes a valve for connecting the first hydraulic power unit and the second hydraulic power unit, the valve being positionable at least in a first position a first position and in a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Alessandro Benevelli, Riccardo Morselli
  • Patent number: 10858112
    Abstract: An aircraft turboprop engine has at least a low-pressure body and a high-pressure body. The low-pressure body drives a propeller by a gearbox. The turboprop engine also includes means for supplying air to an air-conditioning circuit of an aircraft cabin, wherein the means for supplying air has at least one compressor of which the rotor is coupled to the low-pressure body. The compressor has an air inlet connected to means for bleeding air from an air inlet duct of the turboprop engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignees: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES, SAFRAN, SAFRAN POWER UNITS
    Inventors: Nicolas Claude Parmentier, Pierre Froment, Jean-François Rideau, Bruno Thoraval
  • Patent number: 9623169
    Abstract: A method for filling and venting a device for extracorporeal blood treatment is disclosed, such as a patient module in a heart-lung machine, without attached patient. A filling liquid from a filling liquid container located higher than the device flows by gravity via a venous side of the system into a reservoir and flows onwards into a blood pump located at the lower end of the reservoir, wherein a first controllable valve (HC1) for a venting line of a filter is opened and, after the response of an upper filling level sensor in the reservoir, is closed. An upper level of the filter is positioned higher than the upper filling level sensor, and a start-stop motion of the blood pump is performed, as a result of which a stepped flooding of the filter is made providing for an advantageous de-airing of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: ZOLL LifeBridge GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Arzt, Gerhard Brieske
  • Patent number: 9488051
    Abstract: A single-flow turbine using CO2 as a working fluid. The turbine includes a balance piston portion configured to optimize an axial load of a rotor on a bearing with a fluid having a temperature lower than a temperature of the working fluid introduced into the turbine, wherein a flow path in which at least a part of the fluid passing through the balance piston portion is extracted from a middle part of the passing, and in which at least a part of the extracted fluid is urged to flow to a middle part of a passage where the working fluid passes and where rotor blades at a plurality of stages are provided, is formed at the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Hideyuki Maeda, Tsuguhisa Tashima, Shogo Iwai, Nobuhiro Okizono, Iwataro Sato, Kazutaka Tsuruta, Naoyuki Okamura
  • Publication number: 20150050120
    Abstract: Methods and systems for fan speed control based on memory margin are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method includes determining an operating margin of a memory interface. The method also includes determining whether the operating margin of the memory interface meets a predetermined condition. Further, the method includes controlling a speed of a computing system cooling fan based on the operating margin in response to determining the operating margin meets the predetermined condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael DeCesaris, James J. Parsonese, Luke D. Remis, Philip L. Weinstein
  • Patent number: 8794903
    Abstract: A wind energy systems includes a shroud for each turbine. The shroud is adapted to direct and accelerate wind towards the turbine. A strong adaptable support assembly is provided for securing turbines to a structure. An air glide yaw assembly facilitates rotational movement of the structure allowing the turbines to face oncoming wind. The turbine blades are optimized for use with a shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Green Energy Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John W. Fedor, Mark L. Cironi
  • Patent number: 8790081
    Abstract: A constant torque propeller mechanism allows a propeller to operate very efficiently in both takeoff and cruise flight conditions, which significantly improves aircraft performance. The constant torque propeller mechanism introduces a lightweight and passive propeller control system which requires no electrical power to operate, but at the same time improves the efficiency of the motor propeller combination over the flight envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Auburn University
    Inventors: Christoph Burger, Roy Hartfield
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20140186156
    Abstract: A fan control circuit for controlling a two-wire or three wire fan in a fan control system includes: a rotational speed detecting module, for detecting a rotational speed of the fan, in order to generate a rotational speed signal; a rotational speed converting module, coupled to the rotational speed detecting module, for converting the rotational speed signal into a first voltage signal; and a feedback control module, coupled to the rotational speed converting module, for generating a fan control signal to control the fan according to the first voltage signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: ANPEC ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ching-Feng Lai, Dong-Yi Liu
  • Patent number: 8753067
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a steam valve apparatus includes: a hydraulic cylinder including an internal space sectioned into first and second chambers by a piston operated by a hydraulic liquid; a first passage to supply the hydraulic liquid to the first chamber; a second passage connecting the first and second chambers; a third passage to drain the hydraulic liquid from the second chamber; an electromagnetic valve switched between first and second states; a first cartridge valve opening the first passage when the electromagnetic valve is in the first state and closing the first passage when the electromagnetic valve is in the second state; and a second cartridge valve closing the first passage when the electromagnetic valve is in the first state and opening the first passage when the electromagnetic valve is in the second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Osamu Shindo
  • Patent number: 8734086
    Abstract: A modular fan housing configured to hold an array of motors and fans is provided. The modular fan housing is configured for use in an air-handling system that delivers air to a ventilation system for at least a portion of a building. The fan housing comprises a plurality of modular units configured to be stacked adjacent to one another in at least one row or column to form an array. The modular units each include an interior surface and have a front end and a back end that define a chamber. The chambers are configured to receive the motors and fans. Sound attenuation layers extend along at least a portion of the interior surface of the corresponding chambers. The sound attenuation layers are positioned between at least some of the adjacent chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Huntair, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence G. Hopkins
  • Publication number: 20140140810
    Abstract: A method for fan speed control for a condenser fan in an air conditioning system includes determining a refrigerant condition at an inlet of a compressor by a condenser fan speed control module; determining a refrigerant condition at an outlet of the compressor by the condenser fan speed control module; determining a parabolic curve of a relationship between an air conditioning system performance metric and a speed of the condenser fan based on the determined inlet condition and the determined outlet condition by the condenser fan speed control module; identifying an optimum condenser fan speed based on a vertex of the parabolic curve by the condenser fan speed control module; and controlling the speed of the condenser fan to meet the optimum fan speed by the condenser fan speed control module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Balistreri, Eugene D. Daddis, JR., Kenneth J. Nieva
  • Publication number: 20140119882
    Abstract: A fan control system and a method thereof are applicable to a computer device. The system includes a fan, a board management unit, a power control module and a rotation speed switching module. The fan is driven by a control power and a rotation speed control signal. The board management unit provides a fan enabling signal, a rotation speed switching signal and a first fan rotation speed signal in a standby state. The power control module receives the fan enabling signal to determine whether to provide the control power to the fan, and switches between an auxiliary power or a main power served as the control power to the fan. The rotation speed switching module receives the rotation speed switching signal to accordingly switch between the first fan rotation speed signal or a second fan rotation speed signal served as the rotation speed control signal to the fan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicants: INVENTEC CORPORATION, Inventec (Pudong) Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Chia-Hsiang Chen
  • Publication number: 20140093393
    Abstract: In an electric water pump for circulating cooling water of an engine mounted on a vehicle or similar, a time interval to switch energized phase of a pump motor is set to longer than a time interval during a normal flow rate control (during a flow rate control at a flow rate equal to or more than a flow rate where an electromotive force generated at a non-energized phase is detectable). In the case where a pump discharge pressure (or a water temperature of the cooling water) repeatedly increases and decreases in this extremely low flow rate state, it is determined that the electric water pump normally rotates as required. This allows providing the extremely low flow rate state between a water stop state and a water circulation state in a control for stop of water in an engine cooling system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yukari Araki, Osamu Shintani, Takasuke Shikida
  • Publication number: 20140037423
    Abstract: A power generation system includes a ram air turbine that is connected to a generator. The power generation system may be located in a pod, for example a pod for mounting on an aircraft. The ram air turbine receives air that passes through an air path through the pod, going in through an air inlet, through the turbine to turn the turbine, and out through an air outlet. The system includes a deployable flow obstruction, such as one or more airbags, that are deployable to suddenly obstruct the flow through the air path. The obstruction may be used to cut off flow (or greatly reduce flow), when overspeed of the ram air turbine is detected. The obstruction deploys (for example, airbags deploy in an air inlet of the system) to prevent continuation of the overspeed operation of the turbine, which may damage parts of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Richard M. Weber, Scott E. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20130272845
    Abstract: A fluid stabilizing control method of an axial compressor is provided, which includes driving to drive the axial impeller, and stall controlling to suppress or prevent an occurrence of a stall that may transpire during rotation of the axial impeller by supplying highly-pressurized compressed air into the casing through a stall controller according to a predetermined time and volume. Accordingly, a stall may be suppressed or prevented, the occurrence of a stall that may transpire when a threshold point is exceeded by an unexpected event during driving in a low-flow high-pressure section on a performance curve, in which efficiency is high. Additionally, since an air injection method for suppressing the stall is properly applied, an amount of power expended for the stall control may be reduced while supply of the high-pressure compressed air is minimized, thereby achieving economically feasible stall control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Young Seok Kang, Soo Seok Yang, Hyung Soo Lim, Hyo Jo Bae, Seung Jin Song, Shin Hyoung Kang
  • Patent number: 8500389
    Abstract: A gas driven motor includes a housing, a gas driven rotating member including a rotor and a rotor shaft carrying the rotor and journalled in a first bearing and a second bearing supported in the housing, and a speed governor for controlling a pressure gas inlet flow in response to the rotation speed of the rotating member. The first bearing includes a set of rolling elements, an outer race arranged in the housing and an inner race arranged on a shaft portion of the rotating member, the set of rolling elements being in contact with the races on which the rolling elements roll. The motor further includes a coupling device arranged to couple the speed governor to the rolling elements of the first bearing, thereby transferring the rotary motion from the rolling elements to the speed governor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Industrial Technique Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Anders Urban Nelson, Sten Herman Olsson
  • Publication number: 20130129473
    Abstract: A machine has a rotor and includes a converter-controlled drive and a working machine, wherein the drive and the working machine are connected such that a torque is transmitted. A frequency converter is electrically connected to the drive. The frequency converter is embodied such that in a Campbell diagram intersection points are based on the natural torsional frequency of the rotor and V-shaped symmetrical straight lines of the inter-harmonic exciter frequency for output frequencies. The output frequencies are grouped into a plurality of concentration ranges based upon a rotational speed of the machine, wherein each concentration range comprises output frequencies which are close to one another and which respectively have a common output point on the abscissa of the Campbell diagram. Each concentration range defines a blocking range, wherein the machine has an operating rotational speed range which lies outside the blocking ranges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Volker Hütten, Norbert Wagner
  • Patent number: 8419348
    Abstract: A fan array fan section in an air-handling system includes a plurality of fan units arranged in a fan array and positioned within an air-handling compartment. One preferred embodiment may include an array controller programmed to operate the plurality of fan units at peak efficiency. The plurality of fan units may be arranged in a true array configuration, a spaced pattern array configuration, a checker board array configuration, rows slightly offset array configuration, columns slightly offset array configuration, or a staggered array configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Huntair, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence G. Hopkins
  • Patent number: 8398365
    Abstract: A modular fan array is provided that is configured for use in an air-handling system and configured to deliver air to a ventilation system for at least a portion of a building. The modular fan array comprises a plurality of modular units configured to be stacked adjacent to one another in at least one row or column to form an array. The modular units each include at least an interior surface, a front end and a back end that define a chamber. The modular fan array includes motors and fans positioned in the chambers of the modular units. The fans are located proximate to the front ends of the corresponding chambers. The fans direct air to discharge from the back ends of the chambers. Sound attenuation layers extend along at least a portion of the interior surface of the chambers. The sound attenuation layers are positioned between at least some of the adjacent chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Huntair, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence G. Hopkins
  • Patent number: 8393852
    Abstract: The turbocharger having a device for detecting a malfunction of the turbocharger, particularly a malfunction of at least one bearing of the turbocharger has the following features: The device for detecting a malfunction of the turbocharger has a memory device, in which the target operating states of an intact turbocharger are stored. The device for detecting a malfunction of the turbocharger further has a comparing device, in which the determined actual operating state of the turbocharger is compared to a corresponding target operating state of an intact turbocharger. The turbocharger further has a measuring device for determining an actual operating state of the turbocharger, wherein the device for detecting a malfunction of the turbocharger emits an error message if the comparing device detects that the actual operating stage deviates from the target operating state by a predefined measure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Andre Kaufmann, Achim Koch
  • Patent number: 8246294
    Abstract: An overspeed protection system for a gas turbine engine comprises: a plurality of engine speed sensors that generate engine speed signals; and a plurality of engine overspeed detection channels, each channel comprising an overspeed detector that receives and generates an overspeed signal when it detects the engine speed signal exceeding a selected value of overspeed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald H. Rosenfield, Wayne T. Tran, Charles Spatafore
  • Patent number: 8201662
    Abstract: A system and method are provided to selectively control lubricant supply flow to a rotating machine that is installed in an aircraft having ram air turbine that is movable between at least a deployed position and a stowed position. A controller determines at least when the ram air turbine is in the deployed position, and determining when rotational speed of the rotating machine exceeds a predetermined value. The electric motor driven lubrication pump is at least selectively energized to control the measured lubricant pressure to a predetermined minimum pressure at least when the ram air turbine is deployed and the rotational speed exceeds the predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Jim Delaloye, Matthew Christopher
  • Patent number: 8133023
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing wind turbine damage includes a propeller having a plurality of blades projecting radially from a hub. The blades may be adjustably combined to form variable cross-sections that either increase or decrease propeller rotation speed dependent on wind speed and weather conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Elliott Reitz
  • Patent number: 8113317
    Abstract: A system and method are provided to selectively control lubricant supply flow to one or more rotating machines in an aircraft when the rotating machines are windmilling. A controller determines if the rotating machines are windmilling. When the rotating machines are windmilling, the controller at least selectively energizes an electric motor driven lubrication pump, to thereby supply lubricant to the windmilling turbomachine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Jim E. Delaloye
  • Patent number: 8113776
    Abstract: A method of operating variable pitch fans in series to cool an operating computer system. The method comprises running a first variable pitch fan with blades positioned at an operational pitch to induce airflow through the computer system and through a second variable pitch fan disposed in series with the first fan, and, simultaneously, not running the second variable pitch fan with blades positioned for minimal impedance to the airflow. In response to detecting a failure condition of the first fan, the method includes running the second fan with blades positioned at an operational pitch to induce airflow through the computer system and through the first fan, and, simultaneously, not running the first fan with blades positioned for minimal impedance to the airflow. Preferably, the method includes locking the rotor of a fan that is not running, and locking the blades of the non-running fan in a minimal impedance position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Sean June, Michael Sven Miller, Paul Andrew Wormsbecher
  • Patent number: 8083467
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling rotating bladed machinery by using a source of pressurized gas is disclosed. The source of pressurized gas, such as air, imparts braking torque on a turbomachinery component through the use of one or more impinging orifices or jets. The orientation of the jets is such that the transfer of momentum from the pressurized gas results in a force substantially opposite the direction of rotation of the turbomachinery component. This transfer of momentum from the pressurized gas allows for a controlling torque to be applied to the turbomachinery component without the need of mechanical and/or electrical devices applying torque to the rotating shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Karl Edward Sheldon, Michael Anthony Shockling
  • Patent number: 8052373
    Abstract: A control mechanism for moving at least two components of a gas turbine engine, the control mechanism comprises first and second crankshafts and a torsion bar connected to both crankshafts, each crankshaft is connected to a different component, the crankshafts engage one another via one-way abutment means and the torsion bar is pre-twisted so that up to a predetermined rotational extent the two crankshafts rotate together and beyond that extent only the first crankshaft rotates, thereby one of the two components moves more than the other component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: Crispin D. Bolgar, Michael J. Sheath
  • Publication number: 20110236180
    Abstract: A gas driven motor includes a housing, a gas driven rotating member including a rotor and a rotor shaft carrying the rotor and journalled in a first bearing and a second bearing supported in the housing, and a speed governor for controlling a pressure gas inlet flow in response to the rotation speed of the rotating member. The first bearing includes a set of rolling elements, an outer race arranged in the housing and an inner race arranged on a shaft portion of the rotating member, the set of rolling elements being in contact with the races on which the rolling elements roll. The motor further includes a coupling device arranged to couple the speed governor to the rolling elements of the first bearing, thereby transferring the rotary motion from the rolling elements to the speed governor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: ATLAS COPCO TOOLS AB
    Inventors: Anders Urban Nelson, Sten Herman Olsson
  • Patent number: 7942629
    Abstract: A system for determining wind turbine tower base torque loads including a controller configured to determine a torque load of a base of a tower of a wind turbine according to a computation of an effective height of the wind turbine multiplied by a wind force upon a rotor of the wind turbine, and generate a control signal representing the torque load. A method for determining wind turbine tower base torque loads including determining a torque load of a base of a tower of a wind turbine according to the foregoing computation, and generating a control signal representing the torque load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ruijie Shi, Leonardo Cesar Kammer, Charudatta Subhash Mehendale
  • Publication number: 20110070068
    Abstract: Fluid turbine devices and methods related to fluid turbine devices are disclosed herein. One example method includes deflecting a first portion of a fluid flow from a return path of a vertical blade assembly, while permitting a second portion of the fluid flow to enter a drive path of the vertical blade assembly. Another example method related to a fluid flow device includes orienting a shroud relative to a fluid flow to deflect a first portion of a fluid flow from a return path of a vertical blade assembly and to permit a second portion of the fluid flow to enter a drive path of the vertical blade assembly and activating a generator, based on an operating characteristic of the fluid turbine device, to regulate a rotational speed of the vertical blade assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: FREIEZO, LLC.
    Inventors: Robert C. Cumings, Derrick J. Weisbrod
  • Publication number: 20110002772
    Abstract: A wear-free, self-contained control device for an aerodynamic emergency brake of a wind energy converter is presented that comprises multiple components in order to provide a most effective means to control the rotation of a vertical axis wind turbine by a brake, which is able to activate itself without external actuation in malfunction situations and is able to shut down the vertical axis wind turbine. Therefore, a mass element is utilised to store mechanical energy which in turn is used to deploy an aerodynamic braking operation. It also represents a means to control and limit the amount of torque, as absorbed by the turbine in high-wind conditions, and thus provides the ability to harvest electrical/mechanical energy, beyond the normal operational wind speeds of turbines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventor: Claus Colling
  • Publication number: 20100028126
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling rotating bladed machinery by using a source of pressurized gas is disclosed. The source of pressurized gas, such as air, imparts braking torque on a turbomachinery component through the use of one or more impinging orifices or jets. The orientation of the jets is such that the transfer of momentum from the pressurized gas results in a force substantially opposite the direction of rotation of the turbomachinery component. This transfer of momentum from the pressurized gas allows for a controlling torque to be applied to the turbomachinery component without the need of mechanical and/or electrical devices applying torque to the rotating shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Karl Edward Sheldon, Michael Anthony Shockling
  • Publication number: 20100021281
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method for power management in a machine. The method for power management may include sensing a parameter indicative of a torque applied to a torque consuming device rotatably driven by a power source. The method may further include modifying a quantity of fuel supplied to the power source as a function of the sensed parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventor: Bryan E. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20080213084
    Abstract: An overspeed protection system for a gas turbine engine comprises: a plurality of engine speed sensors that generate engine speed signals; and a plurality of engine overspeed detection channels, each channel comprising an overspeed detector that receives and generates an overspeed signal when it detects the engine speed signal exceeding a selected value of overspeed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventors: Ronald H. Rosenfield, Wayne T. Tran, Charles Spatafore
  • Patent number: 7415376
    Abstract: A valve tester system is disclosed that comprises a valve tester assembly for rotating a valve stem of a valve. The valve tester assembly may include a support, a rotation element mounted on the support for rotating a valve during a rotation event, a control element for controlling aspects of the rotation event of the valve by the rotation element, and an element for detecting a location of the valve tester assembly during the rotation event of the valve. In some embodiments of the invention, the element for detecting the location of the valve tester assembly includes a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) receiver. In some embodiments, the GPS receiver is integral with the control element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Inventor: Lyndon J. Hurley
  • Publication number: 20080101918
    Abstract: A method and system of testing an overspeed protection system of a turbomachine may include providing an overspeed protection system on a turbomachine having at least one shaft. The method may: determine whether a permissive or permissive(s) is satisfied; initiate an overspeed test; automatically adjusting the speed of a shaft; determining if the speed exceeds an overspeed trip value; and automatically disabling the automatic adjustment of the speed after the test is complete.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventors: Frederick William Block, Mark P. Bombard, Michael J. Dell'Anno, Guillermo Garcia, Eamon Patrick Gleeson, Kenneth Lee Leary, Richard Lee Nichols
  • Publication number: 20080095609
    Abstract: A method and system of testing an overspeed protection system of a turbomachine. The method and system may include providing an overspeed protection system on a turbomachine that may have a single or multiple shafts; determining whether the speed the shaft or shaft(s) exceeds a shutdown value; changing an overspeed trip value of the turbomachine; and determining whether the overspeed protection system would operate to trip the turbomachine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Inventors: Frederick William Block, Mark P. Bombard, Michael J. Dell'Anno, Guillermo Garcia, Eamon Patrick Gleeson, Kenneth Lee Leary, Richard Lee Nichols
  • Publication number: 20080042441
    Abstract: A method for the operation of a wind turbine generator plant with a rotor blade angle control and a torque control, wherein in a full-load operation, starting from a predetermined speed (nAbsenkung), a preset torque is lowered by the torque control in such a way that a predetermined value for a provided power (P) is not exceeded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: Nordex Energy GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Kabatzke
  • Patent number: 7322788
    Abstract: A limit switch 6 is placed on an end portion of the trip rod 4, which converts the mechanical deviation of the trip rod 4 into an electrical signal. The electrical signal from the limit switch 6 is transmitted to quick acting solenoid valves placed in a drive unit for a steam valve via a sequence circuit device, and then the steam valve is closed. Accordingly, an equipment structure can be simplified and reliability can be improved as compared to conventional arts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Osamu Shindo, Kazuhito Shinoda
  • Publication number: 20070292257
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a system includes an electronic system board, a fan positioned to provide cooling for the electronic system board, wherein the fan is configured to be controlled by a pulse width modulated signal, and a fan startup circuit configured to operate the fan in accordance with a first operating condition during startup and in accordance with a second operating condition after startup. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Inventors: Ghee Beng Ooi, Joseph Boon Hock Kho, Lee Ming Ong
  • Patent number: 7238000
    Abstract: A pneumatic high speed motor includes a stator housing, a rotor journalled in the stator housing, and a pressure air inlet passage. A speed governor for the motor includes a valve element that is shiftable between an open position and a closed position for controlling pressure air flow through the pressure air inlet passage, and a spring which continuously biases the valve element toward open position. An air compressor is driven by the rotor to deliver an output pressure, which is responsive to a speed of the rotor, to an activating surface of the valve element. The activating surface of the valve element is acted upon by the output pressure of the air compressor to shift the valve element toward the closed position against the bias force of the spring at rotor speed levels exceeding a desired operating speed level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Tools AB
    Inventor: Karl Johan Lars Elsmark
  • Patent number: 7059820
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and/or systems for controlling vibration and/or acoustic noise. An exemplary method senses noise and/or, for example, rotational speed of a rotating shaft, determines control parameters and actuates one or more actuators. An exemplary device includes a controller configured to receive information, determine control parameters and actuate one or more actuators. An exemplary system includes one or more sensors, a processor and one or more actuators. Various exemplary methods, devices, and/or systems are optionally suitable for use with turbochargers and/or other boost systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Diaa Hosny, Samir S. Ahmad
  • Patent number: 6918739
    Abstract: A turbine engine has a rotor shaft rotatably carried within a non-rotating support structure. A seal is carried by the support structure circumscribing the shaft and having a flexible sealing element for sealing with the shaft. A chamber is located between the seal and support structure. A fluid is carried within the chamber and damps radial excursion of a seal axis from a support structure axis. The seal may be a full annulus or may be segmented. The fluid may be contained within one or more elastomeric bladders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Mark E. Addis
  • Patent number: 6918307
    Abstract: Measures of a torque and rotational speed of a pump or fan are obtained, from which a mechanical input power can be calculated. By further using predetermined relations between mechanical input power and flow rate through the pump or fan, a measure of the flow rate can be derived without use of in-line flow or pressure sensors. In preferred embodiments the torque and/or rotational speed is obtained by measuring the input current and voltage of a motor driving the pump or fan and using predetermined relations between on the one hand current and voltage and on the other hand torque and rotational speed. Furthermore, also other flow properties, such as pump head, pump efficiency and total efficiency can be determined in this manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: ABB AB
    Inventors: Bertil Ohlsson, Ulrike Windecker, Said Zahrai
  • Patent number: 6860712
    Abstract: A control strategy for a gas turbine engine which exchanges future lifetime of the engine for present thrust. Gas turbine engines, such as those used in aircraft, sometimes incur damage, as when they ingest birds, or are struck with ballistic objects fired by an enemy. The invention detects the damage, and invokes a control strategy wherein the engine is operated in a more harsh manner, thereby sacrificing a significant part of the remaining lifetime of the engine, in order to obtain thrust currently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Alan David Pisano, James Patrick Conaty, Matthew William Wiseman, Sabrina Anne Sequeira
  • 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: 6719523
    Abstract: Steam turbine speed-control systems often incorporate pilot valves for the purpose of controlling the position of hydraulic actuators for steam valves. However, the operational efficiency of these pilot valves can suffer from imperfections due to manufacturing defects, wear, and the like, thereby impairing the control system's overall performance. For these reasons, this disclosure relates to a method for overcoming a faulty pilot valve by incorporating a control system (including additional controllers) dedicated to the pilot valve. In this type setup, not only can the position of the pilot valve be a control variable, but the velocity of actuation of this valve can also be used as another control variable. Therefore, the results of separate controllers, using these two control variables, can be combined to improve the dynamic response of the steam turbine speed-control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Compressor Controls Corporation
    Inventors: Naum Staroselsky, Mykhailo Volynskyi, Dmitry Drob