Impeller Driven By Fluid Motor Patents (Class 416/171)
  • Patent number: 11867075
    Abstract: An assembly is provided for a turbine engine. This turbine engine assembly includes a rotating structure, a stationary structure, a bearing and a gearbox. The rotating structure is configured to rotate about a rotational axis. The rotating structure includes a shaft and a bladed rotor connected to the shaft. The stationary structure circumscribes the rotating structure. The bearing rotatably mounts the shaft to the stationary structure. The gearbox is disposed radially inboard of the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: RTX Corporation
    Inventors: Marc J. Muldoon, Russell B. Witlicki
  • Patent number: 11852026
    Abstract: An exo-bearing system for a turbomachine is operable to improve aerodynamic efficiency and mechanical limits of rotor blades for fans, compressors, turbines, pumps and the like. The exo-bearing system is positioned between the tips of the blades and a surrounding structural housing. The exo-bearing system eliminates the air gap that is formed in prior art turbomachines and causes the blades to load in compression during operation which increases mechanical operability of the blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventor: Brian Nicholson
  • Patent number: 11649828
    Abstract: A rotary machine includes a cylindrical rotary shaft extending in a direction of an axis, a fastening bolt having a bolt body that extends in a direction of an axis O in the rotary shaft to form fastening portions at both ends, a pair of rotary bodies each having an end portion in the direction of the axis that is fixed to each of the pair of fastening portions to be in contact with an end surface of the rotary shaft in the direction of the axis, and a bolt extension mechanism that temporarily extends the bolt body in the direction of the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES COMPRESSOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Miyata, Hideki Nagao
  • Patent number: 11519271
    Abstract: A rotor assembly includes a plurality of wheels and a tie bolt that extends through the plurality of wheels and applies a compressive force to the plurality of wheels. The tie bolt includes a first segment with a first stiffness and a second segment with a second stiffness to allow for thermal growth of the plurality of wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc., Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Brett Hartnagel, Brandon Snyder, Michael Whitten
  • Patent number: 11073106
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a gear system that provides a speed reduction between a fan drive turbine and a fan rotor. Aspects of the gear system are provided with some flexibility. The fan drive turbine has a first exit area and rotates at a first speed. A second turbine section has a second exit area and rotates at a second speed, which is faster than said first speed. A performance quantity can be defined for both turbine sections as the products of the respective areas and respective speeds squared. A performance quantity ratio of the performance quantity for the fan drive turbine to the performance quantity for the second turbine section is relatively high.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, Jason Husband, Frederick M. Schwarz, Daniel Bernard Kupratis, Gabriel L. Suciu, William K. Ackermann
  • Patent number: 10954998
    Abstract: A turbocharger includes a bearing housing defining an interior. The turbocharger also includes a shaft and a thrust bearing assembly disposed about the shaft. The thrust bearing assembly includes a thrust plate defining a bore configured to receive the shaft and having a first thrust surface which is integral. The thrust bearing assembly also includes a bearing having a second thrust surface which is integral. The thrust bearing assembly further includes a washer disposed between the thrust plate and the bearing. The washer has a third thrust surface which is integral, and an opposite fourth thrust surface which is integral. The third thrust surface faces the first thrust surface for engagement with the first thrust surface, and the fourth thrust surface faces the second thrust surface for engagement with the second thrust surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Jason P. Moscetti, Zachary S. Ashton
  • Patent number: 10927683
    Abstract: The invention relates to a turbomachine assembly (1) comprising: a first rotor module (2) comprising a disk (21), a first blade (20) being mounted on the external periphery of the disk (21), the first blade (20) comprising a platform (25) and a support (27), a second rotor module (3), connected to the first rotor module (2) by means of at least two attachments (22) and comprising a second blade of smaller length than the first blade (20), and a damping device (4) attached to the attachment (22) between the first (2) and the second (3) rotor module so as to dampen their vibrational movements during operation, and comprising: a head (40) comprising a first radial external surface (42) supported with friction against the platform (25), and two attachment feet (41) extending on either side of the support (27) of the first blade (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Philippe Gerard Edmond Joly, Francois Jean Comin, Laurent Jablonski, Romain Nicolas Lagarde, Jean-Marc Claude Perrollaz, Charles Jean-Pierre Douguet
  • Patent number: 10914240
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine, in particular an aircraft engine, includes: a turbine connected via an input shaft device to a gearbox device having a sun gear, a planet carrier having a plurality of planet gears attached thereto, and a ring gear, the sun gear is connected to the input shaft device, the planet carrier or the ring gear is connected to a propulsive fan via an output shaft device of the gearbox device, with a rear carrier bearing device radially between the planet carrier and a static structure on the input side of the gearbox device or a front carrier bearing device radially between the planet carrier and a static structure on the output side of the gearbox device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Alan R. Maguire, Geoffrey Hughes
  • Patent number: 10519872
    Abstract: A planetary gear system for a turbomachine includes a forward planetary gear assembly including a plurality of forward planet gears meshed to a forward sun gear disposed on a power shaft and a forward ring gear meshed to the forward planet gears and an aft planetary gear assembly aft of the forward planetary assembly including a plurality of aft planet gears meshed to an aft sun gear disposed on the power shaft and an aft ring gear meshed to the aft planet gears. The system also includes a gear housing disposed between the forward planetary gear assembly and the aft planetary gear assembly. The gear housing includes a stationary carrier, wherein the forward and aft planet gears are rotatably mounted to the stationary carrier, and a mount extending radially from the stationary carrier that is connectable to a stationary portion of the turbomachine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ken F. Blaney, Todd M. LaPierre, Richard K. Hayford
  • Patent number: 10393068
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine, including: a low pressure spool having a low pressure compressor and a low pressure turbine connected by a low pressure shaft; a reduction gear train having a sun gear, a carrier having a plurality of planet gears attached thereto, and a ring gear, wherein one of the sun gear, carrier or ring gear is connected to the low pressure shaft, and another of the sun gear, carrier and ring gear provides an output drive; a propulsive fan mounted fore of the gear train; a fan shafting arrangement comprising a fan shaft which is connected to the output drive of the gear train and a fan support shaft which passes through center of the gear train along the axis of rotation of the gearbox and fan, wherein the fan shafting arrangement is rotatably supported by at least two axially separated bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Andrew Swift, Stewart T Thornton, Paul Simms, Glenn A Knight
  • Patent number: 10221771
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a fan section and a speed change mechanism for driving the fan section. A first fan section support bearing is mounted forward of the speed change mechanism and a second fan section bearing is mounted aft of the speed change mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gary D. Roberge, Michael E. McCune, William G. Sheridan
  • Patent number: 9335387
    Abstract: This invention discloses a ventilation system for an MRI system, including: a hydrodynamic rotating device, a primary coolant water pipe, a secondary coolant water pipe, a fan and air outlet; the water outlet of the primary coolant water pipe is connected to the water inlet of the hydrodynamic rotating device, while the water inlet of the secondary coolant water pipe is connected to the water outlet of the hydrodynamic rotating device; with the impetus provided by the coolant water from the primary coolant water pipe, the hydrodynamic rotating device drives the fan near the air outlet to rotate, discharging the coolant water into the secondary coolant water pipe. Furthermore, the invention discloses a ventilation method for an MRI system. Ventilation efficiency is improved significantly with the system and method provided by this invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Li Ming Chen, Ting Qiang Xue, Wei Gao, Ke Cheng Liu
  • Publication number: 20140234102
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a radial fluid device comprises a cylinder block, first and second pluralities of pistons, a first cam disposed about the first plurality of radially extending cylinders, and a second cam disposed about the second plurality of radially extending cylinders. The direction of rotation of the second cam is independent of the direction of rotation of the first cam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventor: Carlos A. Fenny
  • Patent number: 8403644
    Abstract: A power generating apparatus of renewable energy type in which a hydraulic pipe between a hydraulic pump installed inside a nacelle and a hydraulic motor installed near a bottom part of a tower can handle the turning motion of the nacelle. In the power generating apparatus of renewable energy type, a hydraulic pump inside the nacelle and a hydraulic motor near a base end part of a tower are connected by a first double pipe and a second double pipe. The first double pipe is rotatably connected to the second double pipe. The first double pipe includes a first inner pipe and a first outer pipe. The second double pipe includes a second inner pipe and a second outer pipe. The first and second inner pipes communicate with each other to form an inner passage. The first and second outer pipes communicate with each other to form an outer passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Tsutsumi, Takuro Kameda, Taku Ichiryuu
  • Publication number: 20110229325
    Abstract: A rotor for a charging device may include a shaft, a turbine wheel and a compressor wheel. The turbine wheel may be connected to the shaft. The rotor may also include at least one of a metal or ceramic adapter connected to the turbine wheel or the shaft via an infiltration process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventors: Klaus Czerwinski, Martin Schlegl, Thomas Berger, Oliver Gamm
  • Patent number: 7931441
    Abstract: A two blade row inducer for a low pressure pump in a turbopump of a rocket engine. The inducer includes a first set of blades and a second set of blades or partial blades in which the partial set of blades is covered with a shroud and the shroud includes a row of turbine blades extending outward to form a turbine to drive the inducer. The first set of blades is spiral or screw thread blades that end just upstream from the leading edges of the second set of blades covered with the shroud. In another embodiment, the screw thread blades can extend toward the aft end of the inducer and in-between adjacent partial blades in which the shroud also covers the aft ends of the screw thread blades. A second fluid reacts with the turbine blades to rotate the inducer and pump the first fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Florida Turbine Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Pinera, Frank W Huber
  • Patent number: 7834476
    Abstract: A method for running in a drive train component of a wind energy plant, wherein the wind energy plant has an operation management which can control at least one operational variable B significant for the strain of the drive train component to a desired value BS, wherein after starting up the drive train component, the desired value BS is limited by a maximum value BMax, which is preset depending on a yield value W which describes the yield of the wind energy plant achieved since starting up the drive train component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Nordex Energy GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Nitzpon, Hauke Karstens, Ulrich Harms
  • Patent number: 7828511
    Abstract: An axial tip turbine driven pump in which a first fluid pumped by an inducer is driven by a second fluid that reacts with a turbine blade extending from a shroud on the inducer. The inducer includes a set of screw thread blades and a second set of partial blades that are covered by a shroud in the aft section of the inducer. A row of turbine blades extends from the shroud and into a manifold that forms the outer casing for the pump. The fluid flow through the manifold reacts with the turbine blades and drives the inducer to pump the fluid from the inlet and through guide vanes downstream from the inducer. The fluid passing through the turbine blades is collected in an outlet collector manifold and discharged into the fluid flowing through the guide vanes. The inducer with the turbine blades is rotatably supported within the housing formed by the guide vane support member and the manifold casing. The swirl flow direction of the turbine blades is opposite to that of the swirl flow in the inducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Florida Turbine Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Pinera, Frank W Huber
  • Publication number: 20090148272
    Abstract: A tip turbine engine (10) and a method of operating the engine provides increased efficiency while eliminating or educing the number of axial compressor (122) stages by moving the core airflow inlet (27) aft of the fan (24). As a result, the core airflow entering the core airflow inlet is the fan exhaust, which is already at an increased pressure. A portion of the fan exhaust is guided radially inward, then axially forward and then radially outward through compressor chambers (72) in the hollow fan blades (28) for further, centrifugal compression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventors: James W. Norris, Craig A. Nordeen
  • Publication number: 20090148292
    Abstract: A tip turbine engine (10) according to the present invention provides at least one gear (90) coupling rotation of a bypass fan (24) to an axial compressor (22), such that the axial compressor (22) is driven by rotation of the fan (24) at a rate different from than the rate of the fan. In one embodiment, the rate of rotation of the axial compressor (22) is increased relative to a rate of rotation of the fan (24). By increasing the rotation rate, the compression provided by the axial compressor is increased, while the number of stages of the axial compressor blades may be reduced. As a result, the length of the axial compressor and the overall length of the tip turbine engine are decreased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventors: Gabriel Suciu, Gary D. Roberge, Brian Merry
  • Patent number: 7290987
    Abstract: A direct replacement impeller hub for the torque converter of an automatic transmission and a method of repairing an impeller assembly utilizing the replacement impeller hub to provide increased service longevity. In the present impeller hub the geometric roundness characteristic of the impeller hub is controlled to an exacting tolerance during the manufacturing process in accordance with American National Standards Institute (ANSI) definitions to provide a close tolerance fit within a mating bearing sleeve. The present impeller hub is also finish ground in accordance with ANSI definitions to reduce surface friction and to provide an optimal sealing surface for engagement with a radial seal, which is disposed about the impeller hub sealing it to prevent contaminants from entering the hydraulic pump of the transmission. The present impeller hub also includes additional structural features such as fillet radii machined on selected features to facilitate assembly of the torque converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Sonnax Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael G. Morin
  • Patent number: 6852025
    Abstract: Based on a hollow column (1), terminating at the bottom in a baseplate (2) and at the top in a core (3) from which vanes (4-4?), also hollow and connected with the column (1), emerge; a motor-fan (6-7) is installed in the baseplate (2), activated by means of a circuit breaker (8), which absorbs air from the outside through the lower and open end of the baseplate (2), and delivers it to the vanes (4-4?) from which it passes to the outside through opposite nozzles (5), so that this flow of air causes a rotary movement of the vanes (4-4?), by reaction, and said vanes, in their rotation, form a curtain against solar radiation, while simultaneously moving air below them. The wall of the column (1) can be translucent to allow the light generated by an internal spotlight to pass through it and within said column an electrical resistance or other means of heating that allows the ventilator to provide hot air, can be installed; the external surface of said column forming furthermore an advertising panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Inventor: Pablo Gumucio Del Pozo
  • Patent number: 6786150
    Abstract: A roll for a web printing press includes a cylindrical member configured for supporting a web, the cylindrical member being rotatable about an axis of rotation. A motor device is disposed at the axis of rotation for rotating the cylindrical member so as to advance the web over the cylindrical member during a webbing-up operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Gerald Joseph Drew, David Elliott Whitten, Mark Anthony Wingate
  • Publication number: 20040141851
    Abstract: An aeration device that converts wind energy into mechanical energy to drive a pump. The aeration device has a wind-driven rotor member that activates the pump by magnetic or mechanical forces. The pump is fixed within a housing. An aeration line extends from the housing through a ballast unit. An aeration tube is sealed to said aeration line via a barbed connection. The aeration tube extends downwardly, terminating in a foot valve. An anchor rope adjacently follows the aeration tube away from the ballast unit, where the anchor rope is fixed to an anchor, to secure the aeration system in place. Whereby when the wind-driven rotor members rotate about a rotor shaft, air is pumped from the pump out through the foot valve, to aerate the water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventor: Scott R. Hite
  • Patent number: 6257498
    Abstract: An economical and compact air handler specially configured for use in agricultural applications is provided. The agricultural air handler includes a shroud formed to surround a rotating shaft having a propeller attached to each end of the shaft. The propellers draw air through an air inlet located proximate the top of the shroud. Each propeller blows the air out of an end of the shroud. A shaft drive rotates the shaft. The shaft drive can be powered by a source outside the shroud, or a source contained within the shroud. The power source can include a hydraulic pump driven by the power take-off of a tractor. An air stream is blown from the shroud. The air stream is directed in an approximately vertically planar flow pattern to remove water ponded within the stem cup of a agricultural crop, such as cherries. The air handler can be used as a freeze protecting heat exchanger or for the application of liquid or dust formulations of agri-chemicals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Inventor: James R. Siebol
  • Patent number: 5975848
    Abstract: A ceiling fan includes an outer housing and a cap secured on top of the outer housing. A shaft is secured to the cap and a motor is disposed in the outer housing and secured to the shaft for driving a number of fan blades. An inner housing is rotatably disposed in the outer housing and includes a center sleeve rotatably engaged on the shaft for allowing the inner housing to be rotated about the shaft and includes a number of blade members. The fan blades may generate a circulating wind through the inner housing in order to actuate the blade members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Inventor: Jack Yu
  • Patent number: 4936748
    Abstract: A power takeoff for an unducted fan gas turbine engine having first and second counterrotating coaxial rotors coupled respectively to first and second propellers. The rotors and propellers are oriented for rotation about a longitudinal axis of the engine. A gear is coupled to each of the rotors for rotation therewith and arranged to provide rotational motion about an axis transverse to the engine axis. A shaft is coupled to the gear for rotation about the transverse axis. Each of the propellers includes a plurality of propeller blades, each of the blades is rotatable about a corresponding blade axis, and a control is coupled to the blades for varying the pitch thereof whereby power is selectively distributed between the propellers and the power takeoff. The power takeoff may include a propeller coupled to the shaft for developing thrust substantially transverse to the engine axis and/or a pump, compressor, or generator to supply fluids or electric power to other apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1990
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Arthur P. Adamson, Lawrence Butler
  • Patent number: 4916894
    Abstract: The present invention provides a high bypass turbofan engine configuration wherein a fan drive turbine is divided into first and second turbine sections mounted for independent rotation within the engine frame. The first, higher pressure, higher speed turbine section is coupled to the fan section drive shaft via a gear box which reduces the rotational speed of the power delivered by the higher pressure first turbine section to match the design rotational speed of the fan section. The second turbine section, having a larger diameter and lower rotational speed as compared to the first turbine section, is directly connected to the fan section and drives the fan section at the same rotational speed as that of the second turbine section. In this manner, the fan drive shaft horsepower is provided while reducing the weight and size of the necessary gearing between the fan drive turbine and the fan. The weight and size of the fan drive turbine and the booster compressor are also reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Arthur P. Adamson, Lawrence Butler
  • Patent number: 4915586
    Abstract: A blade attachment between a propfan blade and a propfan hub in a propfan propulsion system for a tube-launched expendable aircraft, the attachment including a hinger on a rotatable propfan hub on the aircraft, a stem of the propfan blade rotatably supported on the hinge, a pitch control arm rigidly attached to the propfan blade, and a pitch control link universally articulated at opposite ends to the pitch control arm and to the propfan hub. When the hinge is extended, the pitch control arm and pitch control link locate the propfan blade in a folded position generally flat against the fuselage of the aircraft for storage in and launch from a tube. After launch, the hinge rotates to a retracted position and the pitch control arm and pitch control link concurrently rotate the propfan blade to an unfolded position for propelling the aircraft forward when the propfan hub rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: James R. Williams
  • Patent number: 4892269
    Abstract: A pusher turboprop engine is provided with an interior exhaust duct structure which directs the hot turbine gasses through and out of the engine nacelle to an annular duct mounted on the rear spinner which surrounds the propeller hub. The rotating annular duct includes blade-shaped shields which protect the roots of the propeller blades from the hot exhaust gasses and also pulls warmed cooling air through the engine nacelle thereby providing a rearwardly directed jet thrust to augment the propeller thrust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1990
    Assignee: Allied-Signal Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Greco, Jack D. Betterton
  • Patent number: 4883403
    Abstract: A centrifical slurry pump impeller comprises auxilliary vanes located on at least one side surface thereof, an annular projection joining the auxilliary vanes at or adjacent the periphery of the impeller, and at least one further projection extending between adjacent auxilliary vanes and spaced substantially from both ends of the adjacent auxilliary vanes to form pockets intermediate the adjacent auxilliary vanes with the annular projection, thereby to limit recirculation of the working fluid of the pump along the face of the impeller containing the auxilliary vanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1989
    Assignee: Warman International Limited
    Inventor: Craig I. Walker
  • Patent number: 4826403
    Abstract: A power turbine (12) comprises alternate annular arrays of contra-rotatable turbine blades. Two arrays of turbine blades (30) and (47) have annular arrays of aerofoil propulsion blades (17,18) respectively attached thereto. Alternate arrays of turbine blades are attached to a primary drum member (55) in such a manner that below normal operating temperatures, limited relative radial movement is permitted between them. However when the normal operating temperature is reached, the relative radial movement is inhibited in such a manner that the rigidity of the power turbine (12) enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventor: Ronald Catlow
  • Patent number: 4817382
    Abstract: A turboprop propulsion system where there is a core engine driving a power turbine that is connected through a planetary drive transmission to first and second counterrotating propellers. One of the propellers is connected to the ring gear, while the other propeller is connected to the planetary carrier, the sun gear being driven from the power turbine. The apparatus is provided with a substantially continuous gaseous flow path from the inlet to the exhaust nozzle of the engine, with the planetary drive transmission being spaced radially from the flow path. In some embodiments, the planetary transmission is positioned radially inwardly of the flow path, while in other embodiments, it is positioned radially outwardly of the flow path. The propellers can be in either the pusher configuration or the tractor configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Peter K. C. Rudolph, Grazyna B. Ostrom
  • Patent number: 4815273
    Abstract: There is a core engine having a turbine section which is drivingly connected to a single propeller through a planetary transmission. The core engine provides a substantially continuous, axially aligned gaseous flow path from the inlet to the discharge nozzle, with the planetary drive being spaced radially from the flow path. In one configuration, the planetary transmission is spaced circumferentially around the flow path, while in another configuration, it is positioned inside of the annular flow path. The engine is ranged in both a tractor and a pusher configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1989
    Inventors: Peter Rudolph, Grazyna Ostrom
  • Patent number: 4809498
    Abstract: An improved gas turbine engine is disclosed. The engine includes counterrotating first and second turbine rotors without an intervening nozzle. Disclosed also are means for obtaining pitch relative outlet velocity greater than pitch absolute inlet velocity for at least one of the rotors. In one embodiment, the reaction of at least one of the rotors is greater than a reference reaction effecting peak efficiency of the one turbine. Advantages include improved overall engine efficiency and decrease in weight, reduced cooling flow and complexity of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1989
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Rollin G. Giffin, III, Dean T. Lenahan
  • Patent number: 4767269
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rotor system, particularly a boat propeller system, which consists of a main propeller and a turbo unit in the form of a fore-propeller and a turbine mechanically coupled thereto, the turbo unit being freely rotatably journalled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1988
    Assignee: AB Volvo Penta
    Inventor: Lennart H. Brandt
  • Patent number: 4767271
    Abstract: A power turbine suitable for a gas turbine engine which a blade of one array of turbine blades has a fan propulsion blade attached to its radially outer extent. A drum member is further provided which carries at least one further annular array of turbine blades and is coaxially interposed between the arrays of turbine blades and fan propulsion blades to rotate with the same in operation. Aperatures are defined through the drum member to accommodate the attachment structure provided between the turbine blade and the fan propulsion blades such that relative radial movement is permitted between the turbine blade and the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1988
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventor: Ronald Catlow
  • Patent number: 4764313
    Abstract: A flotation platform supports a mast assembly through which a drive shaft extends having a wind driven turbine on the upper end and a propeller on the lower end situated below the water surface. The propeller is rotated by the wind turbine and causes localized water circulation in the body of water in which the mill is situated thus aerating and mixing the water in the summer and also maintaining an ice free area around the mill in winter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: Sunset Solar Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Douglas Cameron, Lorraine Cameron
  • Patent number: 4744214
    Abstract: The low pressure compressor and fan together with the intermediate case are removable as a unit from the core engine by removal of the nose cone and a stub shaft at the front of the low pressure turbine shaft and at the ID of the fan hub (50) to provide access to attachment bolts at the inner portion of the intermediate case which holds the bearing for the high pressure rotor in position within the intermediate case after assembly of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1988
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: William G. Monsarrat, Robert F. Brodell
  • Patent number: 4653705
    Abstract: An improved autogyro including a main airframe having a main engine and pusher propeller as customarily applied in autogyros, and a lifting rotor having an auxiliary drive for the lifting rotor for tapping a minor portion of power from the main propulsive engine and transmitting it to the rotor, including a three-stage compound mechanical-hydraulic transmission for transferring power from the main engine to the lift rotor, wherein the hydraulic portion of the transmission serves functions of providing continuously variable transmission speed ratio, torque converter type of inverse speed-torque relationship, a one-way check valve allowing the rotor to free-wheel, an overpressure relief valve to prevent overtorquing of the lift rotor, a bypass valve acting as a clutch to engage and disengage the power, and a manual shut-off valve acting as a rotor brake and rotor parking lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1987
    Inventor: Igor B. Bensen
  • Patent number: 4648801
    Abstract: A wind turbine assembly includes a wind turbine 18 mounted in a head 16, the wind turbine driving, via a gear box 22, an air compressor 24, 25, the inlet 26 of which is arranged to withdraw air from the vicinity of the blades of the turbine 18 to improve the efficiency of the turbine. The compressed air may be fed via a duct 12 for example to a reservoir or to a motor or gas turbine, for example, to drive a generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1987
    Assignee: James Howden & Company Limited
    Inventor: Robert R. Wilson
  • Patent number: 4623299
    Abstract: A driving arrangement for a watercraft includes a propeller and a freely pivoted guide wheel arranged subsequently to the propeller. The guide wheel which has a higher blade number and a smaller rotational speed than the propeller is provided with sectionized blades. One segment of each blade is propeller blade-like and extends outside the stream generated by the propeller and the other segment is turbine bucket-like and extends within the propeller stream. Upon equal rotational speed of the propeller and the guide wheel, the pitch of the respective segments is such that the pitch of the one segment which is outside the propeller stream is essentially constant in radial direction while the pitch of the other segment steadily increases radially from the one segment towards the hub on which the guide blade is arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1986
    Assignee: Harmstorf AG
    Inventor: Otto Grim
  • Patent number: 4598632
    Abstract: An air-driven ceiling fan uses air from the duct work system of a home such as the central air-conditioning system to harness that air flow and drive a ceiling fan having a plurality of blades which are spaced from the ceiling and upon a common shaft in a horizontal plane. Air flow through the duct work drives a squirrel cage blower which is mounted about a vertical axis so that air flow through the duct work also drives the squirrel cage blower and the ceiling fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1986
    Inventor: Johnny Johnson, III
  • Patent number: 4569630
    Abstract: In hydrostatic pumps, motors and transmissions; faces, which slide and seal along adjacent faces, commonly have recesses for hydrostatic lubrication or for control of flow through ports.The invention provides additional arrangements on such faces for the provision of additional functions, for example, for the control of hydrodynamic flow into spaces between faces, the control of an additional control flow through the faces and the sealing therof or it provides recesses or seal inserts of specific locations or configurations for the improvement of the efficiency of the faces or for assurance of additional actions by the faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1986
    Inventor: Karl Eickmann
  • Patent number: 4464259
    Abstract: A hydraulically powered mixing aerator rides on an upright beam member for submersion in a body of water such as an equalization basin, oxidation ditch or sludge holding tank used in sewage treatment plants. The aerator employs a submersible, hydraulically powered mixing motor driving a propeller which is mounted on the beam member by a slidable bracket for height adjustment. The beam member is swingably supported to allow adjustment of the vertical plane angle. Because the beam member is also mounted for rotation, substantially any attitude or position of the mixer can be selected for creating an efficient flow pattern within the body of water. The speed at which the propeller is rotated, and therefore, the rate at which the water is circulated and aerated, is selectively adjustable. The hydraulically driven motor provides for a low speed and high torque rotation of the propeller without the use of a reduction gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1984
    Assignee: Air-O-Lator Corporation
    Inventors: Roy A. Cramer, Barry G. Cramer
  • Patent number: 4370095
    Abstract: A horizontal axis windmill in which there is employed a conventional propeller mounted at one end of a fuselage housing a generator, and there is also located in the fuselage an induction fan. The fan functions to increase the volume of air moving through the propeller and in a direction coordinate with the direction of rotation of the propeller, thus to improve the efficiency of the windmill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1983
    Inventor: H. Prescott Sleeper, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4354801
    Abstract: A reaction-type fan has a housing with a central collar rotatably supporting a hub having blades extending radially therefrom. Nozzles are carried at the tip portions of the blades. Compressed air is directed through the housing, collar, hub and blades to the nozzles. The nozzles are arranged such that the reactive force of the compressed air exiting therefrom rotates the blades, thereby causing ambient gases to be drawn through the housing. Sound absorbing elements are positioned along the flow path of the compressed air to attenuate noise associated therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1982
    Assignee: Coppus Engineerng Corporation
    Inventor: William P. LaBaire
  • Patent number: 4292540
    Abstract: The invention is an energy-saving means for providing turbulence as well as circulation to liquids in a controlled natural purification system for advanced waste water treatment and algae farming. The wind-powered impeller-mixers are used in the algae growing reactors of a controlled natural purification system. The invention consists of a vertical vane type windmill that turns an impeller blade to cause turbulence in waste water being treated. The impeller blade may be geared to operate from a horizontal position to a vertical position to provide circulation movement. A motor-generator hook-up is combined with windmill-impeller system so that generated energy may be stored for use in turning the impeller blade when there is no wind or not enough wind to operate the system. A clutch arrangement is used to disengage the impeller when the algae growing reactor is to be drained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1981
    Inventors: Worthington J. Thompson, Peter A. Freeman
  • Patent number: 4276816
    Abstract: An interior ceiling type fan operated by a wind propelled squirrel cage rotor, rotatably mounted atop the roof of a structure, with an axially extending drive shaft therefrom extending downwardly through the roof of the structure, such as a building, trailer, etc., with the multi-bladed ceiling fan fixed to the distal end thereof within the inner area of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1981
    Inventor: Bertha L. Tuley
  • Patent number: RE33347
    Abstract: An air-driven ceiling fan uses air from the duct work system of a home such as the central air-conditioning system to harness that air flow and drive a ceiling fan having a plurality of blades which are spaced from the ceiling and upon a common shaft in a horizontal plane. Air flow through the duct work drives a squirrel cage blower which is mounted about a vertical axis so that air flow through the duct work also drives the squirrel cage blower and the ceiling fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Inventor: Johnny Johnson, III