Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Bachman & LaPoint, P.C.
  • Systems and methods for monitoring thermal growth and controlling clearances, and maintaining health of turbo machinery applications
    Patent number: 7455495
    Abstract: A system and method for determining thermal growth of motor or engine parts to thereupon control the clearance of motor or engine fan blades is disclosed herein. In addition, a system and method for monitoring the health of a turbine engine, its components and sub-components is also described herein. The system(s) and method(s) described herein permit continuous monitoring during the life of the engine for radial clearances and blade and rotor vibration problems, which will assist in correcting and retaining performance for a longer on-wing time in operation. In addition, inconsistent engine-to-engine performance variations due to component tolerances, engine operation characteristics, and operation during extremes in ambient temperatures can be eliminated or significantly minimized when employing the system(s) and method(s) described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Leogrande, Peter L. Jalbert, C. Bruce Wood, Matthew J. Schryver
  • Biosensor
    Patent number: 7455756
    Abstract: A biosensor, for use in measurement of an analyte, includes a microporous membrane support, a first electrode system, a second electrode system, and a pair of insulating films. The first electrode system is formed on the surface of the microporous membrane support and the second electrode system is formed on the opposite surface of the microporous membrane support. The biosensor enables a rapid, simple, separation-free, and selective detection of the analytes. The biosensor does not require any bulky additional electrode, so that miniaturization, point-of-car testing, and disposability can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: i-SENS, Inc.
    Inventors: Moon-Hee Choi, Gang Cui, Jae-Hyun Yoo, Ho-Choll Cho, Min-Sun Kim, Fenghua Zhang, Hakhyun Nam, Geun-Sig Cha
  • Thermal barrier coating compositions, processes for applying same and articles coated with same
    Patent number: 7455913
    Abstract: A process of coating an article includes the steps of (1) applying upon at least one surface of an article at least one graded layer of at least one ceramic based compound comprising at least one metal selected from the group consisting of lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, lutelium, indium, scandium, yttrium, zirconium, hafnium, titanium, and mixtures thereof; (2) optionally drying the coated article; and (3) optionally repeating steps (1) and (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Melvin Freling, Michael J. Maloney, David A. Litton, Kevin W. Schlichting, John G. Smeggil, David B. Snow
  • Slotted bleed deflector for a gas turbine engine
    Patent number: 7455498
    Abstract: The invention relates to a slotted bleed deflector for a gas turbine engine. The bleed deflector comprises an inlet portion for receiving bleed air from the engine and a body for distributing the bleed air into a fan bypass duct. The body includes a leading edge section, a trailing edge section and a flow compartment section where the flow compartment distributes the bleed air above an inner wall of the bypass duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Steven H. Zysman
  • Quick coupling
    Patent number: 7455330
    Abstract: A quick coupling (1) comprising a sleeve-shaped coupling body (3) with a receiving opening (4) to receive one end (5) of a pipe (2), a retaining element (7) to hold the end (5) of the pipe in the coupling body (3), a sealing element (8) to seal the pipe (2) against the coupling body (3) and a securing element (9) to secure the connection between the pipe (2) and the coupling body (3), in conjunction with first and second locking ribs (23,24) adjacent to the receiving opening (4) on an external surface (21) of the coupling body (3), which ribs extend outwards in a radial direction and interact with the securing element (9) for the purpose of securing a connection between the pipe (2) and the coupling body (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Kulm Holding AG
    Inventor: Hans Baumgartner
  • Method of making bristle arrangement for brush seal
    Patent number: 7454822
    Abstract: A method of making a bristle arrangement for a brush seal, which includes providing a bristle arrangement; severing the bristle arrangement, the bristle arrangement now having free ends; and joining the free ends. A method of reworking a bristle arrangement for a brush seal, which includes the steps of: providing a bristle arrangement; removing a section from the bristle arrangement; and adding a replacement section to the bristle arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Szymbor, Mark E. Addis
  • Seal
    Patent number: 7451989
    Abstract: A seal has first and second spring elements each having first and second surfaces along a bellows cross-section and extending between first and second edges. A spreader is secured to an endplate between the first edges of the first and second elements to capture first edge portions of the first and second elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Cornett, D. Gregory More, Stephen S. Stone, Paul A. Dudzinski
  • Ceramic matrix composite turbine engine vane
    Patent number: 7452189
    Abstract: A vane has an airfoil shell and a spar within the shell. The vane has an outboard shroud at an outboard end of the shell and an inboard platform at an inboard end of the shell. The spar has a first chamber essentially along the suction side and a second chamber along the pressure side opposite the first chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Shi, Stuart S. Ochs, Kevin E. Green, David C. Jarmon, Michael K. Sahm, Lisa A. Prill
  • Fan
    Patent number: 7448856
    Abstract: A fan assembly has a central metallic element and a polymeric fan. The polymeric fan has a hub carrying the central metallic element and has a plurality of blades extending from the hub. The central metallic element has a central longitudinal aperture and a lateral surface. The central metallic element lateral surface is of substantially uniform substantially square section along a majority of a length of the central metallic element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Xavier Girod, Eric Icarre, Michel El Baz
  • Pulse combustion device
    Patent number: 7448200
    Abstract: A pulse combustion device has a number of combustors with upstream bodies and downstream nozzles. Coupling conduits provide communication between the combustors. For each given combustor this includes a first communication between a first location upstream of the nozzle thereof and a first location along the nozzle of another. There is second communication between a second location upstream of the nozzle and a second communication between a second location upstream of the nozzle of a second other combustor and a second nozzle location along the nozzle of the given combustor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Kirk R. Lupkes, Gary L. Lidstone, Mark W. Parish
  • Investment casting
    Patent number: 7448434
    Abstract: A wax or similar material may be molded to a base plate of an investment casting shelling fixture. The molding may provide for enhanced positioning of wax patterns or may provide a precise surface shape for the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Michael K. Turkington, Delwyn E. Norton, Steven J. Bullied
  • Safety system
    Patent number: 7448241
    Abstract: A safety system for use with a machine having a moving tool arranged to move through a known path of movement. The safety system is arranged to detect the presence of an obstruction in a region (20) around a portion of said path deemed to be hazardous. The safety system is characterised by comprising a light emitting means (16), a light receiving means (18) and a processing and control means. The light emitting means (16) is arranged to emit light generally parallel to the path of movement of the tool such that the region (20) is illuminated. The light receiving means (18) is arranged to receive light from the light emitting means (16) which has passed through the region (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Inventor: Kevin S. Davies
  • Fuel cell stack including hydrogen pumping fuel cells
    Patent number: 7449260
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack having a first plurality of fuel cells each having an anode, a cathode and an electrolyte disposed therebetween, the first plurality of fuel cells being communicated with a source of hydrogen-containing fuel and oxidant so as to generate an electric current, an oxidant exhaust stream and a hydrogen-containing exhaust stream; the stack further having a second plurality of fuel cells each having an anode, a counter electrode and an electrolyte disposed therebetween, the second plurality of fuel cells being communicated with the electric current and the hydrogen-containing exhaust stream so as to produce a hydrogen rich stream, the first plurality of fuel cells being communicated with the second plurality of fuel cells to receive the hydrogen rich stream as at least a portion of the source of hydrogen-containing fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: UTC Power Corporation
    Inventor: Leslie L. Van Dine
  • Turbine engine rotor stack
    Patent number: 7448221
    Abstract: A turbine engine has a first disk and a second disk, each extending radially from an inner aperture to an outer periphery. A coupling, transmits a torque and a longitudinal compressive force between the first and second disks. The coupling has first means for transmitting a majority of the torque and second means, radially outboard of the first means, for transmitting a majority of the force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, James W. Norris
  • Apparatus and gasification of carbonaceous solid materials
    Patent number: 7449158
    Abstract: An apparatus for thermochemical conversion of solid carbonaceous materials into fluid fuels using a fluid source of oxygen and an external source of concentrated radiation includes a reactor having a wall defining a cavity; a radiation inlet positioned in the wall for passing concentrated radiation into the cavity; and at least one inlet for introducing a fluid reactant flow of a source of oxygen and particles of carbonaceous material into direct exposure to the concentrated radiation in the cavity so as to heat and thermochemically convert the particles into fluid fuel. A process and system are also provided. The fluid source of oxygen is preferably steam and the carbonaceous material is preferably particles of petcoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignees: Intevep, S.A., Ciemat, Ethz
    Inventors: Philipp Haueter, Andreas Z'Graggen, Dominic Trommer, Aldo Steinfeld, Manuel Romero, Juan Carlos De Jesus, Domingo Rodriguez, Alfredo Morales, Julian Blanco
  • Variable vane arm/unison ring attachment system
    Patent number: 7448848
    Abstract: An attachment system for use with a variable incidence vane is disclosed. The attachment system includes a vane arm for joining a unison ring to a vane spindle. The vane arm has an arm portion and a bushing connected to the arm portion. The attachment system further has a pin for joining the vane arm to the unison ring. The pin fits within an interior bore in the bushing and is joined to the unison ring by a dual swage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Phillip Alexander, John Pickens
  • Enhanced serpentine cooling with U-shaped divider rib
    Patent number: 7445432
    Abstract: A cooling passageway for use in an airfoil prtrion of a turbine engine component having a pressure side wall and a suction side wall is provided. The cooling passsageway comprises a serpentine flow passageway through which a cooling fluid flows. The passageway has an inlet through which cooling fluid is introduced into the passageway, an inlet channel for receiving the cooling fluid, an intermediate channel, and an outlet channel. A divider rib extends from a location in the inlet channel to a termination in the intermediate channel to improve the heat transfer coefficients associated with the passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Levine, William Abdel-Messeh, Raymond Surace, Eleanor Kaufman
  • Devices for use by deaf and/or blind people
    Patent number: 7446669
    Abstract: A device for use by a deafblind person is disclosed. The device comprises a first key for manually inputting a series of words in the form of a code, a second key for manually inputting an action to be performed by the device, a third key for manually inputting a user preference, and a fourth key for manually inputting communication instructions. The device further has an internal processor programmed to carry out communication functions and search and guide functions. The device has various safety and security functions for pedestrians or persons in transit. In a preferred embodiment, the device comprises an electronic cane known as an eCane. Also disclosed is a system for allowing a deafblind person to enjoy television programs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Inventor: Raanan Liebermann
  • Method and a system for authenticating a user at a network access while the user is making a connection to the Internet
    Patent number: 7448075
    Abstract: The method consists in: a user terminal issuing an access request to an access or IP service provider, the request containing user identification and authentication data with the provider and with an access and IP transport network operator, the access request being transmitted via the access network to an authentication server of the access or IP service provider; previously transmitting the access request to an authentication server of the network operator; the authentication server performing a procedure to authenticate the user on the basis of user identification data with the provider; and transmitting a response message to the user terminal, which response message contains the results of the user authentication by the authentication servers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: France Telecom
    Inventors: Lionel Morand, Frederic Delmond, Estelle Transy, Celine Carpy
  • Selective sulfur removal from hydrocarbon streams by absorption
    Patent number: 7446077
    Abstract: An adsorbent for selective removal of sulfur from a hydrocarbon feedstock includes a matrix material having a surface area of at least about 400 m2/g and a surface acidity of less than about 0.20 ?mol/m2; and a metal phase dispersed through the matrix, the metal phase being selective to reversible adsorption of sulfur. A process for using and method for making the adsorbent are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Intevep, S.A.
    Inventors: M. M. Ramirez-Corredores, Zaida Hernandez, Julia Guerra, Raul V. Navarro