Patents Examined by Adam W Brown
  • Device for measuring vibration amplitudes of the blade tips in a turbomachine
    Patent number: 9518894
    Abstract: A device for measuring vibration amplitudes of the blade tips in a turbomachine is provided. The device includes a support mounted in an orifice of a casing of a turbomachine, in which are housed two optical guides for the emission and reception of a light signal exiting inside the casing across from the tips of the blades of a turbine wheel Each optical guide includes an optical fiber connected by a mechanical connector to a needle of which the core is made of a material able to transmit a light signal and which is resistant to temperatures less than or equal to 1100° C. and which exits at its distal end in the casing across from the blade tips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Andre Leroux, Serge Del Arco, Olivier Follerot, Michel Herbault, Philippe Armand Hugbart, Fabien Pouchard, Etienne Tulie
  • Rotor of an axial compressor stage of a turbomachine
    Patent number: 9512727
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotor of an axial compressor stage of a turbomachine featuring a rotor assembly with a rotary axis, forming on its circumference a blade ring with a radially outer ring surface, and several rotor blades arranged on the blade ring. It is provided that the ring surface between two adjacent rotor blades has at least in a partial area a changing radius relative to the rotary axis of the rotor assembly both in the axial direction and in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE DEUTSCHLAND LTD & CO KG
    Inventors: Erik Johann, Frank Heinichen
  • Turbine-pump system bowl assembly
    Patent number: 9500203
    Abstract: A turbine-pump system bowl assembly for use with flowing liquid in a liquid conduit has an impeller subassembly that includes multiple axially abutting impeller members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Inventor: Henry A. Baski
  • Turbine-pump system
    Patent number: 9494164
    Abstract: A turbine-pump system adapted for use with well liquid that is displaceable within a well conduit. The turbine-pump system may include a bowl assembly; and a bowl support device fixedly attachable to the bowl assembly and selectively engageable with the well conduit for holding a portion of the bowl assembly in substantially axially, radially and rotationally fixed relationship with the well conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Inventor: Henry A. Baski
  • Work piece having self-supporting gusset and method related thereto
    Patent number: 9486963
    Abstract: A powder-derived, non-finished work piece includes a first body section that has a wall that spans in a vertical direction. The wall has a relatively thin thickness with respect to a length and a width of the wall. A second body section is arranged next to, but spaced apart from, the first body section. A gusset connects the first body section and the second body section. The gusset extends obliquely from the wall of the first body section with respect to the vertical direction such that the gusset is self-supporting. The first body section has a geometry that corresponds to an end-use component exclusive of the gusset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Sergey Mironets, Lyutsia Dautova, Joseph Ott, Christopher F. O'Neill, Robert P. Delisle, Jesse R. Boyer, Agnes Klucha, Louis Porretti
  • Metal powder casting
    Patent number: 9475118
    Abstract: A method of component forming according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, positioning a metal powder in a mold cavity, melting the metal powder within the mold cavity, and cooling the melted metal powder to form a component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Sergey Mironets, Wendell V. Twelves, Agnes Klucha
  • Securing device for axially securing a blade root of a turbomachine blade
    Patent number: 9470099
    Abstract: A securing device (20) for axially securing a blade root (12) of a blade in a groove (11) of a turbine engine. The outer contour (24) of the securing device (20) that faces a groove wall, in particular a groove base (33), is curved at least in some regions, the outer contour (24) having three different radii (R1, R2, R3) in some regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines GmbH
    Inventors: Rudolf Stanka, Manfred Dopfer, Martin Pernleitner, Wilfried Schuette
  • Compact IGV for turboexpander application
    Patent number: 9464533
    Abstract: An inlet guide vane actuation apparatus is provided. The inlet guide vane actuation apparatus comprises an actuation ring with a first connector for connecting an actuator rod, wherein the first connector positions the actuator rod over the rotational axial center of the actuation ring, a plurality of crank rods with a first end connected respectively to a plurality of second connectors located on the rotational axial center of the actuation ring; and a plurality of cranks with each having a third connector connected respectively to a second end of the plurality of crank rods and respectively to vanes associated with a nozzle, wherein the third connector located on the rotational axial center of the actuation ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Nuovo Pignone S.p.A
    Inventors: Giacomo Landi, Antonio Asti, Paolo Del Turco
  • Turbine intrusion loss reduction system
    Patent number: 9453417
    Abstract: Systems and devices configured to reduce windage and mixing losses in a turbine by redirecting and/or aligning a direction of a leakage flow with the flowpath of the main flow of a turbine are disclosed. In one embodiment, a device includes: a base configured to connect to a diaphragm of a turbine; and a radial portion connected to the base and extending radially inboard from the base toward a rotor of the turbine, the radial portion oriented to adjust a direction of travel of a leakage flow of working fluid radially inboard at an angle complementary to a primary working fluid path of the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Prabakaran Modachur Krishnan, Kevin Joseph Barb, Srikanth Deshpande, Moorthi Subramaniyan
  • CMC blade attachment shim relief
    Patent number: 9410439
    Abstract: A blade root shim comprises a base, a suction side shim wall, a pressure side shim wall, and a contact relief region. The base extends longitudinally between a leading shim end and a trailing shim end. The suction side shim wall extends along the base and corresponds to a suction side blade root bearing surface. The pressure side shim wall, spaced circumferentially apart from the suction shim wall, corresponds to a pressure side blade bearing surface. The contact relief region is formed into an upper wall portion of either the suction side shim wall or the pressure side shim wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Blake J. Luczak
  • Fluid interface device as well as apparati and methods including same
    Patent number: 9394046
    Abstract: A fluid interface device, such as an airfoil assembly, can include a device structure and at least one movable band oriented such that the band moves in a direction of fluid flow. The at least one movable band can be supported on the device structure such that an outer surface of the movable band is exposed along the device structure and is capable of movement relative thereto such that a relative velocity can be maintained between the outer surface and the device structure. The fluid interface device can also include an edge extension disposed along the leading edge of the device structure. An airplane, a wind turbine and a method are also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Ecological Energy Company
    Inventor: Theodore M. Garver
  • Ceiling fan
    Patent number: 9382918
    Abstract: A ceiling fan includes a suspension part, a pipe, and a main body, the main body has a coupling part, an upper portion of the coupling part has a coupling hole, a lower portion of the pipe has a pipe hole, the coupling part is inserted into the pipe, a bolt inserted into the coupling hole and the pipe hole, and a nut. The bolt includes a threaded portion and a head having a curved surface that conforms to the shape of the outer surface of the pipe. The curved surface has a head direction guide part that guides the direction of the curved surface such that the curved surface is fixed in contact with the outer surface with the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kuramochi, Shigeo Itou, Kiyohiko Iwamoto
  • Method for mounting a stator blading of a turbomachine, an engine casing and a turbomachine comprising at least one stator blading mounted on this engine casing
    Patent number: 9366150
    Abstract: The present disclosure aims at achieving a mounting of a turbomachine stator blading while avoiding a delicate machining process of the engine casing. It also aims at simplifying the mounting as well as at reducing the costs, and at decreasing the number of item references for the engine. To achieve these objects, the turbomachine uses an extension of the engine casing. A turbomachine comprises at least one stator blading for air or gas stream flowing on the internal engine casing. The stator blading comprises a rim which is assembled on a radial extension of engine casing with an axial fastener. In a preferred embodiment of the turbomachine, the engine casing presents an annular wall provided with fingers originating axially from this wall and extending according to a curvature so that they present a radial extension tip against the rim of the stator blading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Maurice Guy Judet, Jerome Etienne Robert Cameau, Fabrice Marcel Noel Garin, Alain Paul Madec
  • Electrodynamic control of blade clearance leakage loss in turbomachinery applications
    Patent number: 9347331
    Abstract: Electrodynamic control of fluid leakage loss is provided. Embodiments utilize electrohydrodynamic (EHD) principles to control and/or reduce leakage flow in turbomachinery. Electrodes can be used to provide a flow actuation mechanism inside the clearance gap for generating discharge. The electrodes can be positioned to have geometric asymmetry. Embodiments provide the electrodes on a turbine blade. The blade can have a DC power that can function as a square pulsed DC wave with the duty cycle equal to the blade passing frequency and the stator can be grounded. In an embodiment, the stator can have the actuator of the electrode-insulator assembly attached to the inside. In one embodiment, the actuators can be arranged just on the stator or casing. The phase and power supply to individual electrodes can be adapted as needed. In one embodiment, the phase can be lagged for accurate control of leakage flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventor: Subrata Roy
  • Vibration damper for rotating parts
    Patent number: 9334740
    Abstract: A rotating element for a rotating machine, in particular for a turbine machine, is provided with a vibration damper for vibrations of the rotating element during operation of the machine. The vibration damper includes a closed cavity in the body of the rotating element. In the closed cavity there is located a movable solid damping body as well as a damping medium. The damping medium is based on a metal which is in liquid state at the operation temperature where damping is desired. It furthermore relates to turbo machines equipped with such rotating elements as well as to uses of liquid metal for such vibration dampers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Rudolf Kellerer, Herbert Brandl
  • Marine propeller having demountable blades
    Patent number: 9308978
    Abstract: A vessel propeller comprising a cylindrical hub rotatable about a rotation axis and a plurality of blades provided radially around the hub with a certain pitch angle. The propeller is characterized in that the hub comprises a blade connection housing helically formed on the cylindrical surface of the hub for the demountable connection of each blade to the hub; each blade comprises a hub connector to be placed in the respective connection housing; and plurality of external connecting members extending axially along the hub thickness for rigidly connecting the hub and plurality of blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Inventor: Mehmet Nevres Ulgen
  • Flat bottom damper pin for turbine blades
    Patent number: 9309782
    Abstract: A damper system for the buckets of a gas turbine engine. The damper system may include damper pins having a generally rounded top portion and a generally flat bottom portion along substantially the entire length thereof. The generally flat bottom portion may allow addition or removal of material to or from the pin in order to achieve an optimal dynamic weight ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Spencer Aaron Kareff, Matthew Robert Piersall
  • Clustering of cycloidal wave energy converters
    Patent number: 9297351
    Abstract: A wave energy conversion system uses a pair of wave energy converters (WECs) on respective active mountings on a floating platform, so that the separation of the WECs from each other or from a central WEC can be actively adjusted according to the wavelength of incident waves. The adjustable separation facilitates operation of the system to cancel reactive forces, which may be generated during wave energy conversion. Modules on which such pairs of WECs are mounted can be assembled with one or more central WECs to form large clusters in which reactive forces and torques can be made to cancel. WECs of different sizes can be employed to facilitate cancelation of reactive forces and torques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Atargis Energy Corporation
    Inventor: Stefan G. Siegel
  • Rotary machine and mounting method of atmosphere relief mechanism for rotary machine
    Patent number: 9291100
    Abstract: A rotary machine is provided with a casing and an atmosphere relief mechanism (20) for closing an opening (12) for atmospheric release formed in the casing and relieving pressure of inner fluid to atmosphere when a pressure in the casing rises. The atmosphere relief mechanism includes: a rupture disc (24) configured to rupture when the pressure in the casing reaches a predetermined pressure; a pair of annular holding parts (22, 27) arranged to hold an outer edge of the rupture disc from both sides; a plurality of fastening members (29) for fastening the pair of annular holding parts to each other so as to hold the rupture disc between the pair of annular holding parts; and an annular spacer part (25) provided along an outer circumference of the rupture disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HITACHI POWER SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Ryoji Mihara, Syota Fujii, Hideki Fukumori
  • Vertical axis windmill with passive over-speed protection
    Patent number: 9284946
    Abstract: A windmill is disclosed having over speed protection. In a preferred embodiment, the vanes are symmetric, curved metal sheets, with each vane's shape having a circular arc corresponding to its portion of the cylindrical support structure. Each vane is mounted with a large leading portion exposed to the wind. The imbalance of surface area causes the wind to push the vane open when moving downwind and push the vane closed when moving upwind. During periods of high rotational speed, the off-axis centers of mass cause each vane to rotate towards a closed position under centrifugal force. Once the critical speed is reached, the vanes fully close as they pass through the upwind side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Inventor: Kenneth B. Lane