Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm McNees, Wallace & Nurick
-
Patent number: 7945350Abstract: A system and method for controlling noise generated from a wind turbine is disclosed. The method includes selectively adjusting the angle of pitch of the blade in response to an amount of noise generated being above a predetermined amount and maintaining the amount of noise generated at or below the predetermined amount of noise.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2009Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Kevin Kinzie, Stefan Herr, Benoit Petitjean
-
Patent number: 7941246Abstract: An automatic generation control (AGC) augmentation system and method for wind power plant integration for controlling the power contribution to a grid by the wind plant is disclosed that provides for the calculation of the area control error (ACE) by actively communicating to the wind plant ramp rate limits and curtailment requests contributing to the ACE calculation. The augmented control of the ACE minimizes the amount of lost energy production by the wind plant.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2008Date of Patent: May 10, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Nicholas Wright Miller, Kara Clark
-
Patent number: 7937987Abstract: A method for monitoring a filter installed in a fluid system. The steps include providing a reference region in the fluid system, the region including a chamber having a known volume and releasing a fluid from the chamber configured to flow through the reference region. The method further includes measuring pressure and temperature values at predetermined locations at predetermined time intervals and determining filter permeability values in response to measured pressure and temperature values. The method further includes comparing the filter permeability values to predetermined filter permeability values.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2007Date of Patent: May 10, 2011Assignee: Circor Instrumentation Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Patrick A. Lowery
-
Patent number: 7927865Abstract: Diagnostic in-vitro devices for use in the assaying of biological fluids are provided which include cover plates or backing strips which exhibit hydrophilic properties to assist in transport of the biological fluid or retention of same within the device. Exemplary diagnostic devices include lateral flow devices, microfluidic devices and microtiter plates. The devices may also be comprised of low fluorescent material in order to facilitate any diagnostic determination by use of fluorescent emissions. Hydrophilic properties may be imparted to the cover plates or backing strips by physical or chemical treatment thereof. The cover plates or backing strips may exhibit heat sealable or pressure sensitive properties.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2008Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: Adhesives Research, Inc.Inventors: William Meathrel, Herbert M. Hand, Sr., Li-Hung Su
-
Patent number: 7927077Abstract: A wind blade spar cap laminate repair for wind turbine rotor blades, a repair kit to repair spar cap laminate damage, and a method of repairing damage on wind turbine rotor blades is provided. The wind blade spar cap laminate repair includes a prepared surface, an adhesive region disposed on the prepared surface, and a repair disposed on the adhesive region, wherein the adhesive region sufficiently bonds the repair to the prepared surface to substantially match the mechanical properties of the bulk of the wind turbine rotor blade.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2009Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Steven Olson
-
Patent number: 7928892Abstract: A system or method of creating a map of voids in the ground based on a scattered electromagnetic signal includes traversing a receiver/probe in a near field above a target area; generating a signal from a signal transmitter, the signal having a predetermined wavelength ?; receiving a scattered signal with the receiver/probe, the scattered signal including indications of subsurface variations via reflection of the generated signal; and detecting evanescent components of the scattered signal to provide a predetermined resolution. The method includes the use of an electrically small antenna for resolution of subwavelength features. The metamaterial-based antenna is on the order of meters and has an efficient transmit/receive capability. The ESA is 1/10 of the length of the equivalent dipole length, and may be scaled down to 1/10,000. Such an antenna may include phase sensitive current injection in the metamaterial resonant structures for loss-compensation.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2008Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Robert B. Greegor, Claudio G. Parazzoli, Minas H. Tanielian
-
Patent number: 7921638Abstract: A bi-propellant rocket motor having controlled thermal management is disclosed. The rocket motor produces thrust using a solid or gel-phase primary propellant that can be either fuel- or oxidizer-rich, with a complementary self-pressurizing secondary propellant selected to balance the primary propellant in terms of the equivalence ratio. The motor houses multiple propellant grains arranged in such a configuration that each chamber containing a primary grain serves as both propellant storage and the main combustion chamber for that propellant grain as it burns with the secondary propellant. The secondary propellant is stored separately, and the flow routed past the primary propellant chamber to provide cooling for adjacent primary propellant chambers limiting the temperature rise in the motor structure.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2007Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: Combustion Propulsion & Ballistic Technology Corp.Inventors: Kenneth K. Kuo, J. Eric Boyer, Peter J. Ferrara
-
Patent number: 7922416Abstract: A portable support structure including a platform member having a primary platform connector and a secondary platform connector. The primary platform connector is configured to receive a primary support connector. The secondary platform connector is configured to receive a secondary support connector. The support structure also includes a primary support member including the primary support connector and a hook member. In addition, the support structure includes a secondary support member having a first end and a second end. The first end is detachably engaged with the secondary platform connector and the second end is in locking engagement with the hook member. The primary support connector includes structures that engage the primary platform connector and rotationally position the primary support member. The hook member includes a hook portion that engages and prevents the secondary support member disengaging upon a rotation of the secondary support member.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2009Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: Tait TowersInventors: Adam Davis, Michael Tait, James Fairorth
-
Patent number: 7925455Abstract: A method for determining the health of a structural element. The method includes providing a plurality of transducer elements arranged and disposed to permit measurement of vibration generated by at least one of the transducer elements at one or more of the other transducers elements. Vibration is induced with at least one transducer element. Vibration is measured at least one other transducer element, where the measured vibration corresponding to a vibratory path. At least one damage index value is calculated for each vibratory path in response to the measured vibration. At least one damage image is generated in response to the damage index value. The damage image assigns damage index values to each vibratory path. A damage location is determined from the damage image.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2008Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Lawrence E. Pado, James P. Dunne, Jeong-Beom Ihn
-
Patent number: 7918099Abstract: A single medium voltage starter box is mounted on a chiller unit with the other components of the chiller system. The starter box can be positioned on the chiller system unit to permit the starter box to be close coupled to the motor, and specifically to the main motor lead exit hub without the need for any power conduit connections between the starter box and the motor. In addition, the starter box also does not require any control interface and receives controls from a control panel. A short conduit connection between the control panel and the starter box is used to provide the necessary connections between the control panel and the starter box.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2008Date of Patent: April 5, 2011Assignee: York International CorporationInventor: Dean K. Norbeck
-
Patent number: 7911959Abstract: A method for providing network integrated services based ReSerVation Protocol across a cryptographic network boundary includes assigning one or more DiffServ forwarding classifications to correspond to IntServ requests for QoS provisioning. A daemon in the QoS Service Provider module signals the QoS upon detecting data packets indicating a DiffServ forwarding class assigned to IntServ QoS requests. In response to the notification, the QoS Services Provider module initiates an RSVP-based request for network resources, and establishes a network path in response to acceptance of the RSVP path request. The data flow comprised of encrypted data is then transmitted over the reserved path. Multiple simultaneous aggregated flows may be provisioned. Paths may be reconfigured and resized by the QoS services provider module in response to an overlimit data flow, subject to network resource availability. An ECN bit is returnable from the destination application to signal a problem with the data transmission.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2009Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Arun Ayyagari, Orlie T. Brewer
-
Patent number: 7908881Abstract: An HVAC system having a main circuit and a subcooler circuit. The main circuit includes a main circuit evaporator, a main circuit expansion device, a main circuit condenser and a main circuit compressor connected in a closed refrigerant loop. The subcooler circuit includes a subcooler evaporator, a subcooler expansion device, a subcooler condenser and a subcooler compressor connected in a closed refrigerant loop. The subcooler evaporator is arranged and disposed to exchange heat between liquid refrigerant in the main circuit and the refrigerant in the subcooler circuit to cool the liquid refrigerant in the main circuit prior to entering the main circuit evaporator. The operation of the subcooler circuit provides an increased cooling capacity per unit of a mass flow of cooling fluid through the main circuit condenser and subcooler condenser for the HVAC system with a predetermined design efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2006Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Assignee: York International CorporationInventor: William L. Kopko
-
Patent number: 7905702Abstract: A system and method is provided for detecting and controlling rotating stall in the diffuser region of a compressor. A pressure transducer is placed in the gas flow path downstream of the impeller, preferably in the compressor discharge passage or the diffuser, to measure the sound or acoustic pressure phenomenon. Next, the signal from the pressure transducer is processed either using analog or digital techniques to determine the presence of rotating stall. Rotating stall is detected by comparing the detected energy amount, which detected energy amount is based on the measured acoustic pressure, with a predetermined threshold amount corresponding to the presence of rotating stall. Finally, an appropriate corrective action is taken to change the operation of the compressor in response to the detection of rotating stall.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2007Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Robert E. Stabley, E. Curtis Eichelberger, Jr.
-
Patent number: 7905102Abstract: A stability control algorithm is provided for a centrifugal compressor. The stability control algorithm is used to control a variable geometry diffuser and a hot gas bypass valve (when provided) in response to the detection of compressor instabilities. The stability control algorithm can adjust the position of a diffuser ring in the variable geometry diffuser in response to the detection of a surge condition or a stall condition. The diffuser ring in the variable geometry diffuser can be adjusted to determine an optimal position of the diffuser ring. The stability control algorithm can also be used to open a hot gas bypass valve in response to the detection of continued surge conditions.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2008Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Mark R. Bodell, II, Robert E. Stabley, IV, Wanda J. Miller
-
Patent number: 7902689Abstract: A method for controlling noise generated from a wind turbine. The method including providing a blade attached to a hub having a rotor shaft, and a generator in communication with the rotor shaft. The at least one blade includes an adjustable pitch angle. The method further includes providing a wind turbine acoustical profile and a wind turbine power profile. The wind turbine acoustical profile and the wind turbine power profile are compared to determine a noise reduced operational condition. The wind turbine is controlled to provide a rotor speed and the pitch angle of the blade corresponding to the noise reduced operational condition.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2009Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Kevin Kinzie, Stefan Herr, Benoit Petitjean
-
Patent number: 7895745Abstract: The present invention includes a method for fabricating elongated wind turbine blades and wind turbine blades formed by the method. The method includes providing a first shell reinforcing fiber structure. At least one shear web reinforcing fiber structure is positioned adjacent to the first shell reinforcing fiber structure. The method includes infusing the first shell reinforcing fiber structure and shear web reinforcing fiber structure with a matrix material and curing the matrix material to form a unitary composite first shell component. Thereafter a composite second shell component is attached to the composite first shell component to form an elongated composite airfoil suitable for use as a wind turbine blade. The wind turbine blades formed include unitary components providing reduced number of adhesive joints.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2007Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Nicholas Althoff, Amir Riahi, Andrew Billen, Willem Bakhuis
-
Patent number: 7897895Abstract: An on-the-fly analog switching method and system for providing a switching time of less than one second between energy levels and laser heads for laser shock peening applications. An analog switch is used with variable resistance devices that produce a switching time of less than one second. One advantage of the present invention is that a switching time of less than one second is provided which provides for an energy and time efficient system. The laser shock peening process is never delayed for switching purposes as the switching occurs during the standard pause between treated linear areas.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2006Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Wayne Lawrence
-
Patent number: 7895852Abstract: A control algorithm for controlling an economizer circuit in a chiller system is provided. The control algorithm opens and closes a port valve in the economizer circuit in response to predetermined criteria to engage and disengage the economizer circuit. The predetermined criteria can include an operating parameter of a compressor and a level of liquid refrigerant in a flash tank.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2008Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: York International CorporationInventors: Curtis Christian Crane, Frank Highland Hill, IV, Glenn Eugene Nickey
-
Patent number: 7897202Abstract: A process using environmentally friendly materials for restoring a surface of an epoxy graphite composite material that has been degraded by exposure to ultraviolet radiation. An example process includes steps of providing a gelled solvent composition, applying the gelled solvent composition to a degraded surface of an epoxy graphite composite material, and thereafter removing the gelled solvent composition to produce a restored surface. The process uses a novel gelled solvent composition comprising one or more non-halogenated organic solvents, a thickening agent, an abrasive agent, and water; wherein the gelled solvent composition has an evaporative weight loss that is lower than the evaporative weight loss of the one or more non-halogenated solvents.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2007Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Gregory J. Werner, Burt Shah
-
Patent number: 7897103Abstract: An elongated rod assembly is made by preparing a plurality of rods. Each rod is prepared by the steps of furnishing at least one nonmetallic precursor compound, thereafter chemically reducing the precursor compounds to produce the metallic material, and thereafter consolidating the metallic material to form the rod, wherein the rod has a rod length equal to the assembly length. The rods are bundled together to form a bundled rod assembly. The rod assembly may be used as a consumable feedstock in a melting-and-casting operation.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2005Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Eric Allen Ott, Andrew Philip Woodfield, Clifford Earl Shamblen, Peter Wayte, Mike Eugene Mechley