Patents Represented by Attorney M. G. Panian
  • Patent number: 5548951
    Abstract: An improved combustion system that is constructed and arranged to be used with a power-generating turbine or the like includes at least one combustion chamber, a fuel supply system for supplying fuel to the combustion chamber, an air supply system for supplying air from a pressurized air source to the combustion chamber, a monitor for monitoring a property of the combustion products from the combustion chamber, a regulator for regulating an air to fuel ratio in the combustion chamber, and a controller, in communication with the monitor and the regulator for controlling the regulator in response to information received from the monitor. According to one novel aspect of the invention, the controller controls the regulator with no direct mechanical linkage therebetween, so that the complexity and expense of the system is kept to a minimum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen E. Mumford, Andrew J. Kosinski
  • Patent number: 5540551
    Abstract: Vibration in the blade of a turbo-machine is suppressed by the incorporation of both inner and outer restraints that inhibit deflections of the blade foils. The outer restraint comprises shroud, welded lugs or tie wires that divide the row of blades into a plurality of blade groups by connecting the blades in each group together. The number of blades in each group can be equal to the number of blades in the row divided by the harmonic of the rotor rotational frequency that is closest to the blade resonant frequency of concern. The inner restraint comprises welded lugs or tie wires disposed radially inward from the outer restraint that divide each blade group into a plurality of sub-groups, thereby further suppressing blade vibration. Since the length of the inner restraints is less than that associated with harmonic shrouds, the stresses in the inner restraint, as well as in the blades, due to radial growth of the rotor are maintained within acceptable levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Roger W. Heinig
  • Patent number: 5530647
    Abstract: A method of dynamically determining engine oil change intervals for an internal combustion engine having selectable high and low operating speeds HS and LS, respectively. The method includes the steps of accumulating operating time THS of the internal combustion engine at speed HS, accumulating operating time TLS of the internal combustion engine at speed LS, calculating a high speed factor HSF as a function of the accumulated engine operating time THS, and calculating a low speed factor LSF as a function of the accumulated engine operating time TLS. The method then sums the high speed and slow speed factors HSF and LSF to provide a sum S which is compared with a predetermined constant K1. A signal indicating the engine oil should be changed is provided when the comparison step finds the sum S has reached the predetermined constant K1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas R. Sem, Jay L. Hanson, Doyle G. Herrig
  • Patent number: 5524341
    Abstract: A row of mix-tuned rotor blades for use in a turbomachine in which the first mode vibratory frequency of each of the blades falls into either of two distinct groups. The blades from the first group alternate with the blades from the second group so that no two adjacent blades have the same frequency, thereby inhibiting the onset of stall flutter. The blades are made by forging a forging blank between upper and lower die halves. The orientation of the upper die half relative to the lower die half when the die is fully closed is different depending on whether blades are being made for the first or second group, the difference being an offset in the position of the upper die half. As a result, the airfoils of the blades in the first and second groups have slightly different shapes, thereby resulting in the difference in resonant frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Jurek Ferleger, Douglas C. Hofer
  • Patent number: 5518366
    Abstract: An exhaust system for an axial flow turbomachine having a diffuser comprised of inner and outer flow guides that direct the flow of working fluid from a turbine cylinder to an exhaust housing having a bottom opening, thereby turning the flow 90.degree. from the axial to radial direction. The flow exiting at the top of the diffuser is directed by a flow-guiding surface of the exhaust housing to turn 180.degree. from the vertically upward direction to the downward direction. The axial length of the outer flow varies around the circumference thereof as a function of the distance from the flow-guiding surface of the exhaust housing to the inlet of the outer flow guide so that the axial length of the outer flow guide is less than 30% of the height of the last row blade airfoil throughout any portions of the outer flow guide in which the distance from the flow-guiding surface to the outer flow guide inlet is less than the height of the airfoil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Lewis Gray
  • Patent number: 5513547
    Abstract: In a turbine system of the type wherein a first large cylinder having a first flange is connected to a second large cylinder having a second flange by a multiplicity of bolts securing the first flange to the second flange, a method of precisely aligning the first and second cylinders includes steps of (a) loosening the bolts that secure the first flange to the second flange so as to permit the first and second cylinders to be slightly shifted with respect to each other; (b) removing at least one of the bolts from its respective boltholes in the first and second flanges; (c) replacing the removed bolt in the respective boltholes with an apparatus for laterally shifting the first flange with respect to the second flange by a controlled amount; (d) shifting the flanges by using the apparatus; (e) tightening the bolts; (f) removing the apparatus; and (g) replacing and tightening the removed bolt. A unique apparatus for performing the lateral shifting is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Alan R. Lovelace
  • Patent number: 5511937
    Abstract: A gas turbine vane airfoil has an aft cavity in which an insert is placed so as to form a cooling air passage between the insert and the walls that form the cavity. The insert serves to distribute cooling air around the passage. Cooling air from the passage exits the vane airfoil via film cooling holes in the pressure surface of the airfoil and via a passage formed in the trailing edge of the airfoil. A W-shaped flexible regulator seal is attached to the trailing edge of the insert and has legs that are pressed against ridges in the airfoil walls. Holes in the regulating seal regulate the amount of cooling air flowing from the passage surrounding the insert to the trailing edge passage, thereby preventing too low a pressure differential between the cooling air in the passage surrounding the insert and the hot compressed gas flowing over the airfoil, which would inhibit adequate film cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Theodore Papageorgiou
  • Patent number: 5499512
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for converting a refrigeration unit having a manually controlled thermostat to remote operation via a data logger, without replacing the manually controlled thermostat. A set point temperature selector associated with the thermostat is fixed at a predetermined value, and a resistance temperature detector (RTD), which is normally connected to a temperature input of the thermostat, is disconnected. A set point temperature for a space conditioned by the refrigeration unit is selected via the data logger. The data logger monitors the temperature of the conditioned space, compares the temperature of the conditioned space with the set point temperature selected via the data logger, and determines an operating mode for the refrigeration unit which will cause the temperature of the conditioned space to be maintained in a predetermined range relative to the set point temperature selected via the data logger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Romuald M. Jurewicz, Albert C. K. Wong, Verlon J. Wirth
  • Patent number: 5497613
    Abstract: A hot gas manifold system for a gas turbine power plant utilizing a pressurized fluidized bed combustor producing gas that is heated in two topping combustors. Each topping combustor is connected to a separate manifold. The manifolds, which are adjacent each other in a forward and aft arrangement, are disposed in the turbine shell between the compressor and turbine sections of the gas turbine and each forms a toroidal chamber that encloses the rotor. A plurality of ducts extend downstream from each manifold, with the ducts of the forward manifold extending through the aft manifold. Each of the ducts has an arcuate outlet that together form an annular hot gas path that matches the annular inlet to the turbine section. The ducts from each manifold form an alternating array so the hot gas from each of the individual topping combustors is symmetrically distributed around the turbine inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Arthur W. McGuigan, Benjamin C. Wiant
  • Patent number: 5494405
    Abstract: A steam turbine having improved stationary parts in which a moisture removal slot is formed in a blade ring cylinder immediately upstream of the last row of rotating blades. The slot has a reduced width inlet throat portion and an enlarged manifold portion. The manifold portion of the slot distributes the moisture collected to a plurality of radially oriented discharge holes formed in the blade ring. The inlet throat serves to insolate the manifold from the swirling steam flowing through the turbine, thereby preventing entrainment of the moisture droplets into the steam flow. The blade ring encircles the tips of the last row of rotating blades and the outer flow guide is integrally formed on the blade ring. The steam turbine also has a new inner flow guide that matches a new last row of rotating blades. The new inner flow guide is attached to the existing inner flow guide by welds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Lewis Gray, John C. Groenendaal, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5488825
    Abstract: A gas turbine stationary vane having an airfoil portion and inner and outer shrouds. Five serpentine radially extending cooling air passages are formed in the vane airfoil. The first passage is disposed adjacent the leading edge of the airfoil and the second passage is disposed adjacent the trailing edge. A first portion of the cooling air enters the first passage, from which it flows sequentially to the second, third, fourth and fifth passages. Additional cooling air enters the third passage directly, thereby bypassing the first and second passages and preventing over heating of the cooling air by the time it reaches the fifth passage. A radial tube extends through the second passage and directs cooling air through the airfoil, with essentially no rise in temperature, to an interstage cavity for disc cooling. Fins project into each of the passages and serve to increase the effectiveness and flow rate of the cooling air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Paul H. Davis, Mark T. Kennedy, William E. North
  • Patent number: 5482435
    Abstract: A gas turbine blade having a shroud extending outwardly from the tip of the airfoil portion of the blade. The shroud is cooled by cooling air passages formed within it. A radial cooling air supply hole directs cooling air directly from the blade root through the airfoil and to the shroud. A plurality of cooling air passages extend from the supply hole and are disposed adjacent bearing surfaces along which the shroud contacts the shroud of an adjacent blade. One of these cooling air holes is formed in the portion of the shroud that projects from the convex surface of the airfoil and another one of the cooling air holes is formed in the portion of the shroud that projects from the concave surface of the airfoil. The cooling air holes extend to the edge of the shroud and discharge the cooling through an opening in the edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Dorris, William E. North, Anthony J. Malandra
  • Patent number: 5479826
    Abstract: A method for monitoring turbine blade vibrations comprises the step of transmitting a continuous wave of microwave energy toward a rotating row of blades. Each passage of an individual blade tip through the path of the continuous wave produces a signal indicative of the time at which each passage occurs. The signal is then monitored and analyzed to detect blade vibrations. The signal can be based on a standing wave or a reflected wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Twerdochlib, Robert J. Beeson, David E. Bateman, Paul F. Rozelle, John F. DeMartini
  • Patent number: 5480285
    Abstract: A steam turbine blade having an airfoil portion and root portion by which the blade is affixed to a rotor. The geometry of the blade airfoil is configured to minimize energy loss through the row of blades and reduce the weight of the airfoil. The airfoil has a leading edge and a trailing edge defining a chord therebetween. The chord is reduced linearly from the base of the airfoil to 50% of the airfoil height. However, the chord remains essentially constant from 50% of the airfoil height to the airfoil tip. The root is fir tree shaped and has four sets of tangs and grooves that are configured to minimize the stresses in the root.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Ashok T. Patel, Daniel R. Cornell, James F. Lydon
  • Patent number: 5479782
    Abstract: A combustor for a gas turbine having a centrally located fuel nozzle and inner, middle and outer concentric cylindrical liners, the inner liner enclosing a primary combustion zone. The combustor has an air inlet that forms two passages, each of which has a circumferential array of individually rotatable swirl vanes. The swirl vanes are mounted on axially oriented primary fuel pegs that extend through the air inlet passages. The middle and outer liners form an outer annular passage in which radially oriented secondary fuel pegs are disposed. The middle and inner liners form an inner annular passage that is supplied with cooling air. A perforated circumferentially extending baffle is locating in the inner annular passage and directs the cooling air to flow over the inner liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corporation
    Inventors: David M. Parker, David T. Foss, Perry E. Lowe, David J. Amos
  • Patent number: 5473898
    Abstract: A combined cycle gas turbine power plant uses compressed air bleed from the gas turbine compressor discharge air as a source of warming air for the steam turbine at start-up by incorporating a bypass line from the compressor discharge to the steam chest. During this time period, the steam produced by the heat recovery steam generator is dumped to the condenser. After warming the steam turbine, the compressed air is directed to the heat recovery steam generator for discharge to atmosphere. Once the heat recovery steam generator is capable of generating steam at sufficient temperature and pressure for introduction into the steam turbine, a control valve in the bypass line is closed, thereby eliminating the warming air, and a control valve in the steam supply line from the heat recovery steam generator to the steam turbine is opened so that the steam turbine can be brought on line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Michael S. Briesch
  • Patent number: 5458188
    Abstract: A refrigeration system, which conditions the air of a conditioned space via heating and cooling cycles, includes a heat exchanger and, in a first embodiment, heat pipes. A cryogen is circulated through the heat exchanger during a cooling cycle. During a heating cycle the flow of cryogen is terminated and heat is transferred into the heat exchanger via the heat pipes. In another embodiment, the temperature of evaporation of a liquid cryogen in the heat exchanger is selected according to the desired temperature of the conditioned space, via selectable cryogen flow paths which provide different pressures and thus different evaporation temperatures. Vaporized cryogen drives a motor connected to a fan which circulates air between the conditioned space and heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Roland L. Roehrich, Herman H. Viegas
  • Patent number: 5456088
    Abstract: A refrigeration unit, and method of operating same, having a compressor driven by a prime mover. The prime mover is selectively operable in either a continuous mode which includes heating and cooling cycles, or in start-stop cycling mode which includes cooling and null cycles, to control the temperature of a conditioned space relative to a predetermined set point temperature. In one embodiment, the cycle mode is operable only when the set point temperature is in a predetermined temperature range, the limits of which are selectable. The prime mover is operated in the continuous mode, notwithstanding the selection of the cycle mode, when the set point temperature is not within the temperature range authorized for cycle operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Jay L. Hanson, James E. Nixon, Doyle G. Herrig, Gerald J. Ladendorf
  • Patent number: 5442908
    Abstract: A combined combustion and steam turbine power plant which includes a steam turbine unit, a boiler unit for supplying steam to the steam turbine unit, and a combustion turbine unit with an exhaust gas duct structure for supplying the turbine exhaust gases to the boiler unit, has at least one heat recovery steam generator arranged in the exhaust gas flow downstream of the boiler unit and connected to the steam-turbine unit so as to supply any steam generated in the heat recovery steam generator to the steam turbine unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignees: Westinghouse Electric Corporation, Babcock & Wilcox
    Inventors: Michael S. Briesch, Michael A. Costanzo
  • Patent number: D367524
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: William L. Waldschmidt, William P. Maxwell, Richard S. Walters