With Means For Selective Runner Operation Or Drive Shaft Connection Patents (Class 415/61)
  • Patent number: 7824147
    Abstract: A method and control for predicting the remaining useful life of an airfoil for a gas turbine engine includes the steps of monitoring conditions of the blade such as flutter, leaning, etc. A measured amount of deflection of the airfoil is compared to tabulated data to predict an expected crack length which is likely causing the deflection, etc. Once a predicted crack length has been identified, the amount of accumulated damage to the airfoil at the crack is monitored and stored. The amount of useful life for the blade can be predicted by compiling the accumulated damage over time. The useful life remaining can be displayed such that flight plans or maintenance schedules for the aircraft can be modified as appropriate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Morris, Jerrol W. Littles, Sharayu Tulpule
  • Patent number: 7810322
    Abstract: Improvements in a turbo transmission are provided for transferring power from a power source to a work unit. The transmission includes an input shaft coupled to a power source and to a pump that is configured to rotate with the input shaft. The pump transfers energy received from the power source into a fluid or gas. The transmission includes an output shaft and a multi-stage turbine in line. The first turbine is fixed to output shaft, and a plurality of additional turbines are fixed on either one-way overrunning clutches or multi-disc clutches and these clutches are fixed to the output shaft and after each turbine is a multi-valves that discharges the fluid or gas. After all of the multi-stage turbines a planetary gear set connects the turbo transmission to the vehicle or work unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Inventor: Mustafa Rez
  • Patent number: 7796386
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing, an active fan installed in the housing, and an airflow reversal prevention assembly. The assembly includes a fixed rack secured to the housing opposite to the active fan, a movable rack, a passive fan, a curtain shelter, a shaft, and a resilient member. The curtain shelter is attached between the fixed rack and the movable rack. The shaft is fixedly passed through the movable rack and the passive fan to be rotatably secured to the fixed rack. The passive fan is driven by air from the active fan to rotate, thereby driving the movable rack to rotate relative to the fixed rack by the shaft to allow the curtain shelter being folded up. The resilient member can urge the movable rack to rotate back to allow the curtain shelter being spread open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ming-Der Chou
  • Patent number: 7726113
    Abstract: A method for assembling a gas turbine engine includes coupling a low-pressure turbine to a core turbine engine, and coupling a counter-rotating fan assembly including a first fan assembly and a second fan assembly to the low-pressure turbine such that the first fan assembly rotates in a first direction and the second fan assembly rotates in an opposite second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Joseph Orlando, Thomas Ory Moniz
  • Patent number: 7675747
    Abstract: A fan module for use with fan trays or decks within a computer chassis for forced-air cooling with counter-rotating flow to provide higher static pressure. The fan module may have a conventional side-by-side form factor with a first and second fans supported within first and second housings. The first and second housings are spaced apart and arranged side-by-side. The first fan has a clockwise-rotating blade, and the second fan has a counterclockwise-rotating blade. In the fan module, the first and second fans may be axial fans with the blades rotating about first and second axes that are offset and parallel. In some embodiments, the fan module may have airflow through the first fan in a first direction along the first axis and airflow through the second fan in a second direction along the second axis, with the first and second directions generally matching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brett C. Ong, Timothy W. Olesiewicz, Kenneth D. Shaul
  • Patent number: 7630201
    Abstract: While one of ventilation fans operates, the other ventilation fan is at rest. Air flows from the operating ventilation fan to the ventilation fan at rest. The airflow passes through an air passage defined in a heat radiating member located between the ventilation fans. Dust cumulates at the entrance of the air passage. The other ventilation fan is then driven to operate while the operating ventilation fan is brought to rest. Airflow is generated in the reverse direction. The airflow is inverted within the air passage. The inverted airflow serves to remove the dust from the entrance of the air passage. The cumulation of the dust can thus reliably be avoided. Accordingly, no dust filter is required in the path of airflow outside the air passage. Airflow of a sufficient amount can always be maintained in the air passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Kazutoshi Asahi
  • Patent number: 7527468
    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: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Huntair, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence G. Hopkins
  • Patent number: 7445423
    Abstract: A first motor 25 rotates, in one of two rotating directions, the first impeller 7 including a plurality of front blades 28 in a suction opening portion 15 of a housing 59. The second motor 49 rotates, in the other rotating direction opposite to the one rotating direction, the second impeller 35 including a plurality of rear blades 51 in a discharge opening portion 57 of the housing 59. A plurality of stationary blades 61 are arranged between the first impeller 7 and the second impeller 35 in the housing 59. When the number of the front blades 28 is N, that of the stationary blades 61 is M, and that of the rear blades 51 is P, their relationship is defined as N>P>M. A length L1 of the front blades 28 measured in an axial direction is set longer than a length L2 of the rear blades 51 measured in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Sanyo Denki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsumichi Ishihara, Honami Oosawa
  • Publication number: 20080260554
    Abstract: A device for cooling a pet includes a fan with a housing. A motor coupled with a blade positioned in the housing. The motor is electrically coupled with a power source to energize the motor to rotate the blade. At least one member is coupled with the housing. The at least one member includes a cut-out to couple the member with an animal crate to mount the fan on the crate for cooling a pet inside of the crate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventors: Stephen A. Milks, Penny Milks
  • Patent number: 7422416
    Abstract: A device for effecting heat transfer to rotating equipment, in particular gas turbines, is provided. A gas turbine (10) comprises a first rotating unit (11), i.e. an internal shaft and a second fixed unit (16), i.e. a housing. A third rotating unit (14, 17), i.e. rotor blades and plates connected to the rotor blades are disposed between the first unit (11) and the second unit (16). The first (11) and third (14, 17) units are rotatable around a common axis (12) and with respect to each other. At least one device (21) for improving heat transfer by convection is assigned to the first rotating unit (11), i.e. the internal shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines GmbH
    Inventor: Claus Burkhardt
  • Patent number: 7179046
    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: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Huntair Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence G. Hopkins
  • Patent number: 7140833
    Abstract: The present invention relates to vacuum pumps and a method for creating and maintaining a high vacuum. A vacuum pump includes a regenerative section and a turbo-molecular section. A common first rotor carries forward-rotating elements of both the regenerative section and the turbo-molecular section. Additionally, a second rotor carries counter-rotating elements of the turbo-molecular section. A first drive rotates the first rotor in a forward rotational direction while a second drive rotates the second rotor in a counter-rotational direction. The drives may be controlled to drive the common first rotor on start-up, and to later drive the second rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: The BOC Group, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher M. Bailey
  • Patent number: 7137775
    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: March 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Huntair Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence G. Hopkins
  • Patent number: 7120019
    Abstract: A structure for cooling an electronic component includes a heat sink attached to the component, an inner air duct extending into a central portion of the heat sink, and an outer air duct extending into an outer portion of the heat sink. In inner fan, within the inner air duct, moves air in one direction, while an outer fan, in the outer air duct, moves air in the other direction. The fans may be built as separate rotors, or as separate portions of a single rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jimmy Grant Foster, Sr., Michael Sean June, Albert Vincent Makley, Jason Aaron Matteson
  • Patent number: 6945747
    Abstract: A dual rotor wind turbine according to the present invention includes a rotatable drive shaft, a first rotor assembly connected to the drive shaft, a second independently-rotating rotor assembly coupled to the drive shaft rearward of the first rotor assembly, a first stage generator coupled to the drive shaft, a second stage generator operatively connected to the second rotor assembly, a housing wherein the generators are situated, a rotary base, and a tail. In use, the rotary base allows the tail to optimally position the rotors for collecting wind. Wind rotates the first rotor assembly, causing the drive shaft to rotate and operate the first stage generator. Wind passing through and directed off the first rotor assembly rotates the second rotor assembly, independent of the first rotor assembly, operating the second stage generator. The two stage generators are any combination of AC or DC electrical generators, pumps, and compressors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Inventor: Willis F. Miller
  • Patent number: 6939103
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a wind power installation having a rotor with at least one blade and an adjusting device for the rotor blade. An adjusting device with more than one drive for one rotor blade is provided. By virtue of that arrangement each drive only has to furnish a corresponding fraction of the power output, it can be of a correspondingly smaller design configuration, and it imposes a correspondingly lower loading on the subsequent components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Inventor: Aloys Wobben
  • Publication number: 20040247427
    Abstract: A ceiling fan with multiple rotors, comprising a shaft unit, a rotation seat, a power transmission unit, and a fan mechanism. In operation, each of the two movable fans is both rotated on its own axis and rotated about the shaft unit, while the motor set of the fan mechanism also drives the rotation disk to rotate, thereby rotating the fan blades simultaneously. Thus, the ceiling fan produces a three-dimensional air flow rate with rotation of 360 degrees, thereby efficiently providing a three-dimensional heat dissipation effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventor: Chia-Teh Chen
  • Patent number: 6827549
    Abstract: A heat-dissipating module including a first fan unit, a second fan unit, and a connecting arrangement for connecting the first fan unit and the second fan unit in a serial manner. The first fan unit is located on an air inlet side and includes a casing and a fan wheel received in the casing of the first fan unit. The second fan unit is located on an air outlet side and includes a casing and a fan wheel received in the casing of the second fan unit. At least one side air inlet is defined between the casing of the first fan unit and the casing of the second fan unit for increasing an air inlet amount and an air outlet amount of the second fan unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Sunonwealth Electric Machine Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Alex Horng, Yin-Rong Hong
  • Patent number: 6817831
    Abstract: An automotive engine-cooling fan assembly uses pairs of overlapping fans to improve flow uniformity through the heat exchanger cores and to maximize the amount of fan power that can be achieved with limited motor sizes. One fan of each pair has upstream supports and the other has downstream supports, and these supports are so configured to minimize the axial dimension of the assembly. The use of banded fans maximizes fan performance, and blade skew minimizes fan noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch Corporation
    Inventors: William M. Stevens, F. Raymond Coté
  • Patent number: 6817830
    Abstract: A ceiling fan with multiple rotors, comprising a shaft unit, a rotation seat, a power transmission unit, and a fan mechanism. In operation, each of the two movable fans is both rotated on its own axis and rotated about the shaft unit, while the motor set of the fan mechanism also drives the rotation disk to rotate, thereby rotating the fan blades simultaneously. Thus, the ceiling fan produces a three-dimensional air flow rate with rotation of 360 degrees, thereby efficiently providing a three-dimensional heat dissipation effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Inventor: Chia-Teh Chen
  • Patent number: 6799942
    Abstract: A composite fan consists of a first fan and a second fan located on the air outlet side of the first fan. The first fan has a plurality of first rotary vanes and a plurality of first guide vanes located on the air outlet side of the first rotary vanes. The second fan has a plurality of second rotary vanes and a plurality of second guide vanes located on the air inlet side of the second rotary vanes. Each of the second guide vanes corresponds to and is coupled with each of the first guide vanes to form a continuous curved surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Inventec Corporation
    Inventors: Yih-Wei Tzeng, Win-Haw Chen
  • Patent number: 6537019
    Abstract: A fan assembly includes a first fan and a second fan. The first fan has a first housing and a first blade assembly. The first blade assembly includes a plurality of blades attached to a hub, and is configured to rotate about a first axis of rotation in a first direction. The second fan includes a second housing and a second blade assembly. The second blade assembly also includes a plurality of blades attached to a hub. The second blade assembly, however, is configured to rotate about a second axis of rotation in a second direction that is opposite the first direction of rotation. The first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation can be coincidental or they can be slightly offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: David E. Dent
  • Patent number: 6422816
    Abstract: Maintenance requirements on a variable pitch propeller control system are minimized by eliminating the need for mechanical elements, such as a flyweight, mechanism in a secondary control for the variable pitch propeller. The system includes a secondary control (40) operating a pitch change mechanism (24) in response to the existence of at least one undesirable propeller condition and includes a target (34), (38) along with a target pickup (32), (36) for sensing the target (34), (38) and providing information to a function generator (76) which in turn provides information to a logic device (78), (80), (82), (84), (86), (88), (94) which in turn is connected to the pitch change mechanism (24) for operating the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: David R. Danielson
  • Patent number: 6179553
    Abstract: Multiple stage centrifugal pumps have a plurality of rotors arranged on a drive shaft are shown. At least one rotor is formed as a hollow shaft which is rotatably journalled on the drive shaft and which rotates with a speed of rotation n2 which is different from the speed of rotation n1 of the drive shaft. The hollow shaft is driven by a mechanical converter which takes up mechanical power from the drive shaft in the housing and gives it off at a different speed of rotation n2 to the hollow shaft in such a manner that the speed of rotation of a rotor of the first stage is lower in order to produce a lower NPSHR value for the multiple stage pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Sulzer Weise GmbH
    Inventor: Siegfried Liegat
  • Patent number: 5759016
    Abstract: The proposal is for a device for continuously cooling apparatuses with at least one circulation mechanism to circulate a coolant, wherein the circulation mechanism has at least one drive mechanism and at least one distribution means driven by the at least one drive mechanism to distribute the coolant, characterized by at least one auxiliary mechanism couplable to the at least one distribution mechanism; wherein, in the event of failure of a drive mechanism, the at least one auxiliary mechanism is coupled to the distribution means and maintains the functioning of the distribution mechanism concerned. Thus in the event of the failure of a circulation mechanism, the flow conditions of the coolant in the apparatuses are substantially maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hermann Bernhardt, Frank Notter
  • Patent number: 5704768
    Abstract: A motor pump group has a plurality of centrifugal pumps of the same nominal port diameter including a plurality of impellers having stepwise greater outside diameters for stepwise higher pump heads, and a plurality of respective motors for actuating the pumps. The pump heads are classified into a low head section and a high head section. The low head section is handled by a single-stage impeller, and the high head section is handled by multi-stage impellers. The centrifugal pumps have respective pressed-sheet pump casings. The outside diameters of the impellers are not required to be increased in the high head section, and the outside diameters of the pump casings fall in a relatively small range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Kobayashi, Masakazu Yamamoto, Yoshio Miyake
  • Patent number: 5676528
    Abstract: A motor pump group has a plurality of centrifugal pumps of the same nominal port diameter including a plurality of impellers having stepwise greater outside diameters for stepwise higher pump heads, and a plurality of respective motors for actuating the pumps. The pump heads are classified into a low head section and a high head section. The low head section is handled by a single-stage impeller, and the high head section is handled by multi-stage impellers. The centrifugal pumps have respective pressed-sheet pump casings. The outside diameters of the impellers are not required to be increased in the high head section, and the outside diameters of the pump casings fall in a relatively small range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Kobayashi, Masakazu Yamamoto, Yoshio Miyake
  • Patent number: 4770002
    Abstract: A transport refrigeration system including a compressor, a prime mover for the compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator blower assembly. The evaporator blower assembly includes a shaft driven by the prime mover, a first blower fixed to the driven shaft, a second blower journaled for rotation about the driven shaft, and a clutch for coupling and decoupling the first and second blowers. The volume of air moved through the evaporator and into the conditioned space or cargo area is thus selectable based upon need of the transport refrigeration system, without the necessity of changing the speed of the prime mover. The resulting savings in power realized when only one blower is being driven is automatically translated into fuel savings and/or increased cooling capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1988
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Herman H. Viegas, Robert K. Havemann, Bruce E. McClellan
  • Patent number: 4636083
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement in containers (1) intended to hold materials of a pumpable consistency. The arrangement comprises a reversible motor (9) which is drivably connected to a rotatable agitator (12) located in the container (1). The arrangement is characterized in that there is arranged between the agitator (12) and the pump (2) a coupling means (11) adapted to couple the agitator to the pump when the agitator is driven in a first rotational direction, and to hold the agitator disengaged from the pump when the agitator is driven in a second rotational direction, opposite to the first.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1987
    Assignee: Allman Byggnadsservice AB ABS
    Inventor: Bjorn Soderlund
  • Patent number: 4424452
    Abstract: Electric power generator for mounting on a vehicle or the like, consisting of a tubular shroud within which is coaxially mounted a spool, the space between the spool and shroud being a venturi and containing a plurality of spaced pairs of blade rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1984
    Inventor: Paul T. Francis
  • Patent number: 4406578
    Abstract: A method for operating pumps in a pumping-up power plant having a single speed reversible pump turbine and a booster pump, the booster pump being provided in a branch pipe which is provided in parallel with a portion of a draft tunnel between the pump turbine and a lower reservoir, is disclosed. The method includes the steps of initiating the closing of a first inlet valve at the discharge side of the pump turbine, disconnecting the pump turbine and the booster pump simultaneously from an outer electric power system to which the pump turbine and the booster pump are connected, after an opening of the first inlet valve is closed to a predetermined value, and then closing the first inlet valve completely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1983
    Assignee: Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Sachio Tsunoda, Katsunori Shirasu
  • Patent number: 4376614
    Abstract: A propeller brake for a twin spool turbo-prop engine which permits the propeller to be locked in a stationary position with the engine running is disclosed. The propeller brake has a hydraulically actuated friction brake and hydraulically actuated locking mechanism rotatably connected to the engine spool turning the propeller. The friction brake stops the propeller from rotating in response to an external command. A hydraulic signal indicating the propeller has stopped rotating actuates the mechanical lock holding the propeller in a stationary position. A safety latch prevents the mechanical lock from being actuated in event of a hydraulic pressure or engine failure in flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1983
    Assignee: The Bendix Corporation
    Inventor: Frank Woodruff
  • Patent number: 4365930
    Abstract: An electric fan including a casing having an air supply opening at a front part and an air suction opening at a rear part and an air passage in the casing from the air suction opening to the air supply opening; fan blades placed in the air passage or near the air suction opening as an inlet to provide air flow in the air passage from the air suction opening to the air supply opening; a first motor for rotating the fan blades; a circular air directing grille having many slits to cover the front part of the air supply opening of the casing in gyratory manner; a driving roll made of an elastic material placed on the peripheral part of air directing grille to contact the driving roll with the peripheral part of the grille with a spring force; a second motor for driving the driving roll to turn the air directing grille and the air directing grille can be rotated in stable condition under contacting of the driving roll with the peripheral surface of the air directing grille with the spring force if desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1982
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masato Ogura, Noriyasu Horio, Kinzo Suzuki
  • Patent number: 4347041
    Abstract: An improved fuel supply apparatus includes a booster pump assembly which is disposed in a fuel tank of an aircraft and is operable to supply fuel to an engine. The rate at which fuel is supplied by the booster pump assembly varies with variations in the demand for fuel by the engine. The booster pump assembly includes a pump having a small volumetric discharge capacity and a second pump having a large volumetric discharge capacity. An electric motor is provided to continuously drive the small pump. A fluid coupling is engaged to connect the large pump with the motor when the discharge pressure from the small pump decreases in response to an increase in demand for fuel by the engine. To engage the fluid coupling, a control assembly directs a flow of fuel to a space between input and output elements of the coupling. When the output pressure from the small pump increases due to a decrease in demand for fuel by the engine, the fluid coupling is drained to disconnect the large pump from the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1982
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Cooper
  • Patent number: 4223770
    Abstract: A shaft drive alternately for both directions of rotation, comprises, a shaft rotatably supported on bearings having first and second turbines connectable thereto, each including a respective first and second turbine wheel freely rotatable on the shaft in respective opposite first and second directions. The turbine wheels are driven by fluid which rotates the wheels in a selected direction and, in addition, displaces the turbine wheels so that a friction disc carried thereby is engaged with a respective first and second clutch to connect it to the shaft to impart the selected direction of rotation. When the turbine is stopped by not directing the fluid into the blades, in which case the clutch mechanism is moved out of engagement and the turbine wheel may run free of the shaft, the second turbine wheel may be connected in a similar manner by effecting engagement of the associated second clutch with the shaft when the fluid is directed to the second turbine for rotating the turbine wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1980
    Assignee: Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm GmbH
    Inventor: Walter Kranz
  • Patent number: 4190395
    Abstract: A multiple stage pump having pumping means in an inner case which is removable from the outer case to which supply and discharge conduits are respectively connected to an inlet port and an outlet port without disturbing the conduit connections. The pump stages comprise a first or booster stage having multiple impellers and a second stage of a single impeller, the impellers of the first and second stages being connected to and driven by different shafts, the speeds of which can be independent of one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1980
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Corporation
    Inventor: Rowland E. Ball
  • Patent number: 4129005
    Abstract: This is a method, and an apparatus for performing said method, wherein the latent energy in expansible fluids is utilized in a multi stage series of expanders, or energy extractors, wherein succeeding expanders or energy extractors derive energy from fluid emanating from a preceding expander from which some energy was previously derived; and, wherein, important features are: the ability to maximize the torque output from the combined units as necessary for special load conditions by bypassing the primary fluid around one expander and into a succeeding expander with the bypassed expander being immmobilized; and differential coupling of the mechanical output of the expanders for utilization of maximum output and efficiency under varying conditions of capacity of the expanders due to changes in fluid and load conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1978
    Inventor: Clarence K. Greene
  • Patent number: 4025224
    Abstract: A multiple air motor drive unit in which the motors are mounted in series to permit the exhaust air from the first motor to be used in driving the second motor. The exhaust air from the second motor assists in driving the third motor. The exhaust air from the third motor assists in driving the fourth motor. A line extending from the intake side of the first motor provides additional air pressure to the intake side of each of the succeeding motors so that each motor is operating under the same operating pressure. The motors are geared to gears on a common shaft which extends through a universal joint to the apparatus to be driven.The unit may be used to help power a motor vehicle if desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1977
    Inventor: Raymond E. Starbard
  • Patent number: 4005575
    Abstract: A ducted fan gas turbine engine comprises a pair of turbines in flow series which are contra-rotating and which drive shafts which in turn drive into an epicyclic gear. The output from the epicyclic gear drives a fan which normally provides forward thrust from the engine. The fan can be made to rotate in the opposite direction to provide reverse thrust by varying the relative speeds of rotation of the two turbines by bleeding working fluid from between them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1975
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1977
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce (1971) Limited
    Inventors: Alexander Scott, Peter Eric Peck
  • Patent number: 3973864
    Abstract: A wave motor is comprised of two or more parallel rotors having apertured radial paddle elements with hinged flaps or blades covering the apertures such that upon the impingement of water upon one side of the paddles the blades cover the apertures and the wheel is turned, but upon impingement of water against the other side of the paddles the blades swing open. Each pair of rotors are coaxially mounted and designed for rotation in opposite directions to maximize extracted power regardless of the predominant current direction, and a single take off shaft is coupled to the rotors through a ratchet and gear mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1976
    Inventor: Dewitt T. Atherton