Patents Assigned to Dresser-Rand Company
  • Patent number: 9366268
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for supporting a compression system are provided. The apparatus includes a compressor support coupled to a compressor, and a motor support coupled to a motor, the motor and the compressor being stand-alone units and having a shaft extending therebetween. The apparatus also includes a subframe connector coupled to the compressor support and the motor support and configured to prevent radial and axial misalignment of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventors: William C. Maier, Jose L. Gilarranz
  • Patent number: 9347327
    Abstract: A system and method for repairing a turbine. The method includes applying a coating on an outer surface of a tenon that extends from a stator vane. The tenon may be inserted at least partially into an opening defined by an inner shroud segment of the turbine. A bushing may be inserted at least partially into the opening in the inner shroud segment of the turbine such that the tenon becomes at least partially disposed within an opening defined by the bushing. A bolt may be inserted through the opening in the bushing and at least partially into an opening defined by the tenon. The bolt may be threadably engaged with the tenon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventors: Justin C. Armstrong, Graham D. Sherlock, Greg T. Snyder, David L. Bollinger, Paul V. Sickles, David L. Sanchez, Dillon R. Jourde
  • Publication number: 20160138861
    Abstract: A system and method for producing liquefied natural gas from a natural gas source is provided. The method may include feeding natural gas provided by the natural gas source to a liquefaction module. The method may also include flowing the natural gas through a product stream of the liquefaction module. The method may further include flowing a process fluid through a liquefaction stream of the liquefaction module to cool at least a portion of the natural gas flowing through the product stream to produce the liquefied natural gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Applicant: DRESSER-RAND COMPANY
    Inventors: Daniel Ohart, Greg Yonker, Jason M. Kerth
  • Patent number: 9339748
    Abstract: A multistage separation system is provided. The multistage separation system may include a rotary shaft configured to drive a compressor. A rotating separation system may be coupled with the rotary shaft and may have an outlet in fluid communication with an inlet of the compressor. A static separation system may be coupled with a front end portion of the rotating separation system. The static separation system may include an axial inlet configured to receive a fluid and a static separation curve fluidly coupled with and disposed radially outward of the axial inlet. The static separation curve may include an outlet fluidly coupled with an inlet of the rotating separation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventors: Pascal Lardy, H. Allan Kidd, William C. Maier
  • Patent number: 9334866
    Abstract: A system and method of counterbalancing an aerodynamic thrust force generated by the impellers of a centrifugal compressor is disclosed. A rotor assembly includes a rotatable shaft disposed within a housing, and having a plurality of impellers axially-spaced from each other and coupled to the rotatable shaft for rotation therewith. Adjacent impellers along the rotatable shaft are each separated from each other with a stationary wall having one or more magnets coupled thereto. The magnets are disposed axially-adjacent a hub-side of each impeller such that the one or more magnets magnetically-attract each impeller toward the adjacent stationary wall, thereby reducing a net impeller thrust of the rotor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventor: Jose L. Gilarranz
  • Publication number: 20160123344
    Abstract: A shaft of a compressor may include a first shaft section defining a first cavity axially extending therein and a second shaft section defining a second cavity axially extending therein. A plurality of inlet holes may be defined on an outer surface of the first shaft section, and a plurality of outlet holes may be defined on an outer surface of the second shaft section. The plurality of inlet holes may be in fluid communication with the first cavity and the plurality of outlet holes may be in fluid communication with the second cavity. The first cavity and the second cavity may form a passageway fluidly coupling the plurality of inlet holes and the plurality of outlet holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Applicant: DRESSER-RAND COMPANY
    Inventor: Daniel J. GRIFFIN
  • Patent number: 9309978
    Abstract: A valve member for a poppet valve is provided. The valve member may include a valve stem, a valve head, a face formed on the valve head, a sealing surface disposed between the face and the perimeter of the valve head, a tapered socket, and a bevel. The valve stem may include an outside surface defining a stem diameter. The valve head may include a maximum diameter greater than the stem diameter. The face may be formed on the valve head opposite the valve stem. The sealing surface may include a transition ring disposed between the perimeter of the face and the maximum diameter of the valve head. The tapered socket may be disposed in an end of the valve stem, defining an opening with a socket perimeter sized to receive a spring therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventors: Glenn D. Hatch, Joel T. Sanford
  • Patent number: 9309893
    Abstract: A supersonic compressor including a rotor to deliver a gas at supersonic conditions to a diffuser. The diffuser includes a plurality of aerodynamic ducts that have converging and diverging portions, for deceleration of gas to subsonic conditions and then for expansion of subsonic gas, to change kinetic energy of the gas to static pressure. The aerodynamic ducts include vortex generating structures for controlling boundary layer, and structures for changing the effective contraction ratio to enable starting even when the aerodynamic ducts are designed for high pressure ratios, and structures for boundary layer control. In an embodiment, aerodynamic ducts are provided having an aspect ratio of in excess of two to one, when viewed in cross-section orthogonal to flow direction at an entrance to the aerodynamic duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventors: William Byron Roberts, II, Shawn P. Lawlor, Robert E. Breidenthal
  • Patent number: 9303688
    Abstract: A rotary shaft and method for reducing non-uniform heating thereof are provided. The rotary shaft may include a tubular body having a longitudinal axis extending therethrough. An outer surface of the tubular body may define a groove at least partially extending radially inward from the outer radial surface toward the longitudinal axis of the tubular body to define a depth thereof. The rotary shaft may include a thermal barrier at least partially disposed in the groove and configured to absorb at least a portion of heat generated from rotation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventor: Glenn R. Grosso
  • Patent number: 9303658
    Abstract: A turbomachine system and method, with the system including a slug detector coupled to a main line to detect a slug flow in a multiphase fluid in the main line. The system also includes a compressor fluidly coupled to the main line and disposed downstream of the slug detector, and a bypass line fluidly coupled to the main line upstream of the compressor and downstream of the compressor. The system further includes at least an upstream control valve fluidly coupled to the main line upstream of the compressor and communicably coupled to the slug detector. The upstream control valve is configured to actuate between a normal position, in which the upstream control valve directs fluid to the compressor, and a bypass position, in which the upstream control valve directs fluid to the bypass line, according to when the slug detector detects a slug flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventors: William C. Maier, Pascal Lardy, Jose L. Gilarranz
  • Patent number: 9303655
    Abstract: An annular seal is provided for use in a turbomachine. The annular seal may form a generally rectangular cross-section and may include an outer radial surface forming an outer sealing surface and defining at least one annular groove and a plurality of slots spaced circumferentially about the outer radial surface. Each slot may have an end terminating in the at least one annular groove. The annular seal may also include a first axial sidewall forming a sidewall sealing surface and a recessed portion and a second axial sidewall opposing the first axial sidewall. At least one annular groove and the plurality of slots may be configured to maintain a low pressure environment across at least a portion of the outer radial surface. The second axial sidewall, the recessed portion, and the inner radial surface may be configured to maintain a high pressure environment there across during operation of the turbomachine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventor: Daniel J. Griffin
  • Publication number: 20160083812
    Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating iron castings for metallic components. The method for fabricating the iron castings may include forming a molten solution by melting carbon and iron and combining carbon nanomaterials with the molten solution. A first portion of the carbon nanomaterials combined with the molten solution may be dispersed therein. The method may also include cooling the molten solution to solidify at least a portion of the carbon thereof to fabricate the iron castings. The first portion of the carbon nanomaterials may be dispersed in the iron castings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Applicant: DRESSER-RAND COMPANY
    Inventor: Kevin Pickrell
  • Publication number: 20160084304
    Abstract: A radial magnetic bearing may include an annular housing including a radial outer wall disposed between radially outer ends of two annular axial end plates and an isolation sleeve which may include a helical arrangement of a plurality of ferromagnetic wires. The isolation sleeve may be an annular structure extending axially between the two annular axial end plates, and the isolation sleeve and the annular housing may define an isolation cavity therebetween. The radial magnetic bearing may also include an isolation sleeve retainer configured to maintain a position of the isolation sleeve between the two annular axial end plates. The radial magnetic bearing may further include a plurality of laminations disposed adjacent the isolation sleeve and about a shaft of the rotating machine. A gap may be defined between the plurality of laminations and the isolation sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Applicant: DRESSER-RAND COMPANY
    Inventors: William C. Maier, Joseph A. Tecza
  • Patent number: 9291072
    Abstract: A journal housing including a series of housing threads defined on an outer radial surface. The series of housing threads may be adapted to threadably engage a series of casing threads defined on an inner radial surface of a casing. A shoulder may extend radially-outward from the outer radial surface, and the shoulder may be disposable axially-adjacent the casing and adapted to receive at least one first mechanical fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventor: Andrew J. Ranz
  • Publication number: 20160076545
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for sidestream mixing. The system may include a first junction formed from a plurality of conduits. The plurality of conduits may include a first conduit fluidly coupled to a compressor, the first conduit forming a first conduit diameter and configured to flow therethrough a first process fluid stream of a plurality of process fluid streams. The plurality of conduits may also include a second conduit fluidly coupled to the first conduit and the compressor, and configured to flow therethrough a second process fluid stream of the plurality of process fluid streams. The first junction may be disposed a first distance at least three times the first conduit diameter upstream of the compressor, such that the first process fluid stream and the second process fluid stream are mixed and form a first combined process fluid stream prior to being fed into and pressurized in the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Applicant: DRESSER-RAND COMPANY
    Inventors: James M. Sorokes, Harry F. Miller
  • Publication number: 20160074934
    Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating a carbon nanotube metal matrix composite. The method may include forming a molten mixture by combining carbon nanotubes with a molten solution. The carbon nanotubes combined with the molten solution may be dispersed therein. The method may also include transferring the molten mixture to a mold and applying a magnetic field to the molten mixture in the mold to substantially align at least a portion of the carbon nanotubes with one another. The method may further include solidifying the molten mixture in the mold to fabricate the carbon nanotube metal matrix composite, where at least a portion of the carbon nanotubes may be substantially aligned in the carbon nanotube metal matrix composite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Applicant: DRESSER-RAND COMPANY
    Inventor: Nicholas Pillon
  • Patent number: 9279334
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine with a compressor rotor having compressor impulse blades that delivers gas at supersonic conditions to a stator. The stator includes a one or more aerodynamic ducts that each have a converging portion and a diverging portion for deceleration of the selected gas to subsonic conditions and to deliver a high pressure oxidant containing gas to flameholders. The flameholders may be provided as trapped vortex combustors, for combustion of a fuel to produce hot pressurized combustion gases. The hot pressurized combustion gases are choked before passing out of an aerodynamic duct to a turbine. Work is recovered in a turbine by expanding the combustion gases through impulse blades. By balancing the axial loading on compressor impulse blades and turbine impulse blades, asymmetrical thrust is minimized or avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventors: Shawn P. Lawlor, William Byron Roberts, II
  • Patent number: 9279324
    Abstract: Balance piston assembly, apparatus, and methods are provided. The assembly includes a balance piston coupled to a rotatable shaft and configured to rotate therewith, the balance piston including a first shelf and a second shelf, the first and second shelves being axially-overlapping and radially-offset. The assembly also includes a seal including a first sealing surface configured to seal with the first shelf and a second sealing surface configured to seal with the second shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventors: Stephen G. Clute, Mark J. Kuzdzal, Glenn R. Grosso, David J. Peer
  • Publication number: 20160053682
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for a compressed air energy storage (CAES) system. The system and method may include compressing a process gas with a compressor train to produce a compressed process gas. The compressed process gas may be directed to a compressed gas storage unit and stored therein. The compressed process gas from the compressed gas storage unit may be released to a heat recovery unit via a feed line. The heat recovery unit may heat the compressed process gas and direct the heated compressed process gas to an expansion assembly to generate a power output. Feed water from a feed water source may be heated in the heat recovery unit to produce steam for injection into a combustion turbine assembly. The combustion turbine assembly may heat the heat recovery unit via an exhaust line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Applicant: DRESSER-RAND COMPANY
    Inventor: Ian M. Page
  • Patent number: 9259781
    Abstract: A method for protecting a turbomachine from corrosion may include creating a first sand mold in a drag of a casting flask, coupling a cope of the casting flask to the drag, removing the runner pin and the at least one riser pin from the cope to expose a runner and at least one riser, respectively, and pouring a molten first material in the runner to cast a first component of the turbomachine. The method may further include removing the first sand mold, creating a second sand mold utilizing the first component in the drag, coupling the cope to the drag, removing the runner pin and the at least one riser pin from the cope to expose a runner and at least one riser, respectively, and pouring a molten second material in the runner to cast a second component of the turbomachine integral with the first component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventor: Byron L. Mohr