Patents Assigned to The Garrett Corporation
  • Foil bearing alignment
    Patent number: 4502795
    Abstract: A bearing support structure for a journal bearing including a plurality of overlapping compliant foils mounted upon one of a pair of relatively rotatable members to form an outwardly diverging surface to support the other of the members. The outwardly diverging surface may be formed by varying thickness shims included along the axial length of the plurality of foils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1985
    Assignee: The Garrett Corporation
    Inventors: Reinhard M. Klaass, Francis J. Suriano
  • Combustion turbine engine
    Patent number: 4497171
    Abstract: A combustion turbine engine having an improved variable-area turbine stator assembly defining a flow path for motive fluid. The stator assembly includes a multitude of guide vane members which are movable into and out of the motive fluid flow path to respectively decrease and increase the effective fluid flow area defined thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1985
    Assignee: The Garrett Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. Corrigan, Paul R. Dodge
  • Actuation system for a variable geometry combustor
    Patent number: 4497170
    Abstract: An annular, variable geometry combustor is provided with an actuation system operable to inversely vary air inflow to the combustor liner through axially spaced inlet openings formed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1985
    Assignee: The Garrett Corporation
    Inventors: Harry A. Elliott, John T. White
  • Multi-quadrant brushless DC motor drive
    Patent number: 4494051
    Abstract: A control circuit for a brushless DC motor providing positive control in all four quadrants of motor operation. The circuit provides control of motor current, thereby controlling motor torque, in response to an applied current command signal, relying solely on feedback signals of motor current and rotor angle. The heart of the system is a level dependent logic stage which selectively controls the states of the switches applying power to the motor windings in accordance with a current error signal developed by reference to the feedback current signal. The control circuit causes the motor current to correspond to any applied current command and works at any motor speed and torque for rotation in either direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1985
    Assignee: The Garrett Corporation
    Inventor: David A. Bailey
  • Supercharged diesel engine air flow control system
    Patent number: 4489702
    Abstract: A control system is provided for a supercharged diesel engine to control engine air inflow in response to an operator-selected fuel flow and in accordance with a predetermined air-fuel ratio schedule chosen for minimizing undesirable exhaust emissions throughout a broad range of engine operating conditions. The control system includes a force-biased relief valve for adjusting engine air inflow, wherein the relief valve is movably responsive to the pressure of air supplied to the engine and the force-bias is controlled in accordance with engine fuel flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1984
    Assignee: The Garrett Corporation
    Inventors: Robert L. Cholvin, Charles E. McInerney, James N. Nancarrow, Jack L. Gantz
  • Gas generator with ratchet no-back and method
    Patent number: 4489549
    Abstract: A gas generator having a one-way ratchet assembly is disclosed which compensates for compaction and degradation in the catalyst bed to reduce destructive oscillatory vibration in the gas generator, thereby substantially extending the life and assuring dependable performance of the gas generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1984
    Assignee: The Garrett Corporation
    Inventor: George Kasabian
  • Turbocharger and rotor shaft assembly
    Patent number: 4486147
    Abstract: A rotor shaft assembly for use in turbochargers includes a metal shaft having a generally cylindrical female cavity therein concentrically distributed about the axis thereof; and a solid hubbed ceramic turbine wheel having a male stub shaft insertable into the female cavity. The axis of the male stub shafted ceramic turbine is coextensive with the axis of the shaft and the stub shaft is mated with the female receptacle and joined by an adhesive. A turbocharger includes a rotor-shaft assembly of the above-described type, in which the metal to ceramic adhesive joint is located in the turbocharger center housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1984
    Assignee: The Garrett Corporation
    Inventors: Joe L. Byrne, Hans Egli
  • Integral header heat exchanger
    Patent number: 4484622
    Abstract: A plate-fin heat exchanger is provided with inlet and outlet headers mounted integrally with the heat exchanger core wherein each header includes a fluid fitting adapted for alignment in an individually selected direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1984
    Assignee: The Garrett Corporation
    Inventor: David L. Satchwell
  • Pneumatic quick disconnect apparatus and methods
    Patent number: 4482039
    Abstract: The spline-ended connecting shaft of an engine-accessory disconnect device has a radially outwardly projecting drive flange coaxially secured to an intermediate portion thereof. A housing captively retains the flange, permitting axial translation and rotation of the flange and shaft relative to the housing. A burst of compressed air injected into the housing is caused to exert sequentially opposite forces on the flange to rapidly initiate and terminate axial uncoupling motion of the shaft without imposing appreciable rigid impact force on the disconnect components. The shaft extends through openings in end walls of the housing so that it is freely rotatable and axially translatable relative to the housing without touching the surfaces of the housing openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1984
    Assignee: The Garrett Corporation
    Inventor: Edward N. Harris
  • Method for controlling the operation of an hydraulic assist turbocharger
    Patent number: 4478043
    Abstract: A control arrangement is provided for controlling the operation of an hydraulic assist turbocharger of the type including an hydraulic turbine driven by an hydraulic fluid under pressure to supplementally drive a turbocharger during engine operating conditions when supplemental air flow is required. The control arrangement includes a dual function control valve responsive to engine speed and load to regulate the supply of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic turbine in accordance with engine air flow requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1984
    Assignee: The Garrett Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Kobavashi, Joe L. Byrne
  • Turbocharged internal combustion engine having an altitude compensated boost control and method for its operation
    Patent number: 4476682
    Abstract: A pneumatically controlled altitude compensating boost control for maintaining a constant intake manifold pressure on a turbocharged engine having a wastegate valve for selectively bypassing engine exhaust gas around the turbine. The altitude compensating boost control comprises an altitude compensating bleed valve means which varies the compressor outlet pressure in the control in response to the change in ambient pressure and a wastegate actuator which is responsive to the ambient pressure and the varied compressor outlet pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1984
    Assignee: The Garrett Corporation
    Inventor: Charles E. McInerney
  • Bearing foil stiffener
    Patent number: 4475824
    Abstract: A fluid bearing having a pair of members in relatively rotatable relationship with each other, and a compliant foil bearing disposed between the pair of relatively rotatable members. The compliant foil bearing has a plurality of overlapping integral compliant foil/stiffener elements with one end mounted to one of the rotatable members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1984
    Assignee: The Garrett Corporation
    Inventors: Jerry Glaser, Henry A. Sirridge, Ernest J. Ibach
  • Variable speed induction motor drive system
    Patent number: 4476424
    Abstract: A variable speed induction motor drive system operating at a leading power factor. A prescribed reactive power is coupled to the motor's rotor, to permit line commutation of an inverter supplying the motor's stator, and to permit the inverter to be supplied by a substantially constant dc link voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1984
    Assignee: The Garrett Corporation
    Inventor: Gabor Kalman
  • Charge air cooler mounting arrangement
    Patent number: 4474162
    Abstract: A plate and fin type heat exchanger is provided with an improved mounting arrangement for mounting the heat exchanger, for example, within the intake manifold of a combustion engine for use as a charge air cooler. A plurality of threaded nuts are secured as by welding at predetermined points at the inboard sides of the heat exchanger side plates for receiving bolts passed through aligned bolt-receiving holes in the intake manifold and side plates to secure the heat exchanger in place, thereby providing a mounting arrangement permitting the heat exchanger to occupy substantially the entire cross-sectional area of the intake manifold for optimized heat transfer capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1984
    Assignee: The Garrett Corporation
    Inventor: John L. Mason
  • Fluid compressor
    Patent number: 4470256
    Abstract: A fluid compressor including a rotating impeller and apparatus inhibiting fluid surging. The surge inhibiting apparatus includes a multitude of guide vanes circumscribing an inlet of the compressor. Movement of the guide vanes with respect to fluid flowing to the compressor is effective to inhibit fluid surging. A combustion turbine including such a fluid compressor, and a vehicle powered by such an engine are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1984
    Assignee: The Garrett Corporation
    Inventor: Donald L. Palmer
  • Angular rate sensing apparatus and methods
    Patent number: 4467984
    Abstract: A three-axis navigational guidance system utilizes three specially designed internal jet-type fluidic angular rate sensors which simultaneously sense the rotational rate of a guided body relative to three mutually perpendicular control axes. Fluidic output signals from the sensors are converted to electrical signals which are used to maintain the body in a preselected attitude relative to each of the three axes. The sensors are rendered extremely accurate by means of unique calibration mechanisms associated therewith which compensate for or correct for fabricational inaccuracies in the sensors. The operation of the rate sensing portion of the guidance system is environmentally stabilized by a novel jet-control system which automatically maintains the Reynolds number of each sensor jet within a predetermined range to thereby substantially eliminate jet drift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1984
    Assignee: The Garrett Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas B. Tippetts
  • Turbocharger combustor system
    Patent number: 4464901
    Abstract: A combustor system for use with a turbocharged combustion engine comprises a combustor connected for continuous passage of engine exhaust gases. The combustor includes a relatively low pressure fuel injection system for atomizing fuel for combustion in a substantially vitiated atmosphere, and a fuel control system for supplying fuel to the combustor in response to engine operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1984
    Assignee: The Garrett Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Kobayashi, James H. Nancarrow, Jeffrey L. Alger
  • Cooling control system apparatus and method
    Patent number: 4463897
    Abstract: A cooling control system including a valve device controlling a flow of cooling medium to an enclosure in response to a control signal; and a control apparatus generating the control signal as a function of both the temperature and the pressure within the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1984
    Assignee: The Garrett Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Denneny, Jr., Charles M. Rowland
  • Dispersion strengthened ferritic stainless steel
    Patent number: 4464207
    Abstract: Through-nitrided light gage ferritic stainless steels having a dispersion of metal-nitride particles at an interparticle spacing of less than about 10 microns. The resulting material has substantially improved strength at room and elevated temperatures over conventional ferritic stainless steels, exhibits ductility markedly above that commonly associated with nitrided articles, and is stronger than conventional 18Cr-8Ni austenitic stainless steel (T-304) for prolonged service above about 1400.degree. F. The nitriding is accomplished with atomic nitrogen at 1500.degree.-1800.degree. F. followed by heating to above 1800.degree. F. in a non-oxidizing atmosphere to remove excess nitrides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1984
    Assignee: The Garrett Corporation
    Inventor: Lynn E. Kindlimann
  • Turbocharger turbine housing assembly
    Patent number: 4463564
    Abstract: A turbine housing assembly for use in a turbocharger having an exhaust gas driven turbine wheel for rotatably driving a compressor impeller. The assembly includes a turbine housing having an exducer passage into which exhaust gases are discharged from the turbine wheel. A bypass passage in the turbine housing and a pivoting wastegate valve cooperate to provide an efficient exhaust ejector for drawing gases through the exducer passage to reduce back-pressure on the engine. The turbine housing further includes an air vent for circulation of cooling air between the bypass and exducer passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1984
    Assignee: The Garrett Corporation
    Inventor: Charles E. McInerney