Patents Examined by Adam W Brown
  • Patent number: 10054131
    Abstract: A fan assembly comprises a hub and fan blades. The hub includes a plurality of sockets configured to receive complementary mounting blocks of the fan blades. The mounting blocks each include at least one tapered shoulder portion. The mounting blocks are each tapered along three dimensions. Each mounting block comprises a rear face seated against a complementary rear face of the corresponding socket and a front face that is exposed relative to the hub. A cap secures the fan blades to the hub. The fan assembly may also include one or more shrouds positioned about the fan blades. The one or more shrouds may be substantially straight cylinders, may be flared or bell-shaped, may comprise a cage, may have any other suitable configuration, or may be omitted altogether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: DELTA T, LLC
    Inventors: Richard M. Aynsley, Richard A. Oleson
  • Patent number: 10054052
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine is provided having a nacelle and a compressor section constructed and arranged to generate hot air. An anti-icing system is constructed and arranged to discharge the hot air from the compressor section to the nacelle. An anti-icing valve is positioned in the anti-icing system and constructed and arranged to control a flow of the hot air from the compressor section to the nacelle. The anti-icing valve includes a partially open position to constrict a flow of the hot air from the compressor section to the nacelle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Zhijun Zheng, Michael D. Greenberg
  • Patent number: 10054055
    Abstract: A platform is disclosed. The platform may include an airfoil section with a cooling passage and a platform. The platform may have various cooling features, such as a platform cooling apparatus. The platform cooling apparatus may have a cooling passage forming a channel disposed at least partially through the platform and the platform cooling apparatus may have an inflow channel in fluidic communication with the channel and the cooling passage so that cooling air may travel from the cooling cavity of the blade airfoil section and into the platform cooling apparatus. Moreover, the platform cooling apparatus may have a cooling cover apparatus at least partially fluidically sealing the platform cooling apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: United Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Brandon W. Spangler, Edward F. Pietraszkiewicz
  • Patent number: 10054106
    Abstract: A counterweight system for a wind turbine is provided. The wind turbine comprises a rotor hub positioned on a wind turbine tower such that the rotor hub is configured to rotate around an axis, the rotor hub comprising one or more mounting surfaces, the counterweight system comprising: The system comprises a beam comprising a connection element adapted to be attached to the mounting surfaces, the beam being provided with a first steering mechanism adapted to control an orientation of the beam with respect to the connection element. Furthermore, the system comprises a counterweight mass coupled to the beam. Moreover, methods for installing blades to a rotor hub of a wind turbine are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: GE Renewable Technologies Wind B.V.
    Inventors: Isaac Gil MollĂ , Elsa Rondeleux
  • Patent number: 10047763
    Abstract: A rotor assembly for use in a turbofan engine is provided. The rotor assembly includes an annular spool including a first blade opening defined therein, a first rotor blade configured to be radially inserted through the first blade opening, and a fairing positioned on a radially outer side of the annular spool. The first rotor blade includes a blade portion and a flange portion that extends substantially perpendicularly relative to the blade portion such that the flange portion is positioned on a radially inner side of the annular spool. The fairing is configured to receive a fastener radially inserted through the flange portion and the annular spool such that the first rotor blade is secured to the annular spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Todd Alan Anderson, Nicholas Joseph Kray, Bryant Edward Walker
  • Patent number: 10047615
    Abstract: A method for mounting rotor blades on a rotor disk along a predetermined pitch circle diameter in such a way that adjacent rotor blades, when properly mounted on the rotor disk and in the cold state, are clamped against each other with a predetermined preload. A clamping device which performs such a method has a plurality of clamping elements which are arranged in a uniformly distributed manner around a central axis, the number of which corresponds to the number of rotor blades to be mounted on the rotor disk and which in each case are designed for the locating of a rotor blade, wherein the clamping elements are moveable radially, exerting a radially inwardly directed force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Daniel Hofsommer
  • Patent number: 10047761
    Abstract: A coupling pin for use in a pump housing, the pump housing including an outer casing and an inner pump liner, the coupling pin being suitable for locating the liner and casing relative to one another, the coupling pin including a shank and a head at one end of the shank. The head includes a cammed surface thereon which is adapted to co-operate with a follower on the liner, and a locating section on a remote or terminal end of the head which is adapted to be positioned against a seat in the outer casing when fitted. The arrangement is such that rotation of the coupling pin causes the follower to track along the cammed surface so as to cause relative movement between the outer casing and the inner pump liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Weir Minerals Australia Ltd.
    Inventors: Garry Bruce Glaves, Michael Christopher Foreman
  • Patent number: 10040255
    Abstract: A manufacturing arrangement for the manufacture of a rotor blade, including a pair of tracks arranged along the longitudinal sides of a blade mold, a first gantry assembly realized to span the track pair and to carry a first tool arrangement including at least a fiber distributor for distributing a fiber material into the blade mold, a second gantry assembly realized to span the track pair and to carry a second tool arrangement including at least a handling tool for handling a cover sheet for the fiber distributor, which cover sheet is realized to apply pressure to the distributed fiber material, and a control arrangement realized to effect a coordinated movement of the gantry assemblies along the track pair and to coordinate the operation of the second tool arrangement with the operation of the first tool arrangement, is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Karsten Schibsbye
  • Patent number: 10041371
    Abstract: A robotically articulated inspection scope (56, 69) inserted into a pilot fuel nozzle port (58) of a turbine engine (20) for in-situ measurement of gaps (59) between tips of turbine blades (40A) and the surrounding shroud (44). A non-contact gap measuring device (52) on a distal end (79) of the scope may be navigated through a combustor (28) and transition duct (34) into a position proximate a blade tip gap. The scope may be controlled via computer (68) via a robotic drive (66) affixed to the pilot fuel nozzle port. Multiple scopes may be used to measure gaps (59A-D) at multiple azimuths of the turbine simultaneously. The turbine disk (37) may be rotated on its operating turning gear to sequentially measure each blade at each azimuth. The computer may memorize an interactively navigated path for subsequent automated positioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Joshua DeAscanis, David Letter, Alejandro Bancalari, Clifford Hatcher, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10036273
    Abstract: A bleed valve for a gas turbine engine, the bleed valve comprising: an inlet coupled to an air source; and an outlet coupled to an air sink. The bleed valve also comprises a first stage of flow area modulation between the inlet and the outlet. Also a second stage of flow area modulation between the first stage and the outlet. The pressure can be equalized between the first and second stages. There is also an arrangement comprising a plurality of bleed valves and a controller to control the flow areas of at least one of the first and second stages of each bleed valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Michael Georg Kozuch, Zahid Muhammad Hussain, Kevin Mark Britchford
  • Patent number: 10036266
    Abstract: A turbo-machine inlet includes a gas passage having a non-gradual bend prior to an impeller assembly. The non-gradual bend causes a localized shockwave in fluid flowing through the gas passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Benjamin E. Fishler
  • Patent number: 10018068
    Abstract: A blade outer air seal (BOAS) for a turbomachine can include a BOAS body including a plurality of cooling holes defined in substantial conformance with a set of Cartesian coordinates as set forth in Table 1 herein, wherein the Cartesian coordinates are provided with respect to a point P which is at the center of an arc W and co-planer with a machined surface V. A blade outer air seal (BOAS) for a turbomachine can include a BOAS body including a plurality of cooling holes defined in substantial conformance with a set of Cartesian coordinates as set forth in Table 2 herein, wherein the Cartesian coordinates are provided with respect to a point P? which is at the center of an arc W? and co-planer with a machined surface V?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Peter J. Milligan, Paul M. Lutjen, Ken F. Blaney, Thurman C. Dabbs, Kevin J. Ryan
  • Patent number: 9995162
    Abstract: A seal and damper system is provided. The system comprises a blade assembly seal with a central portion defining a recess and a depression. The system also includes a damper comprising a center body and an arm extending from the center body and configured to engage the depression. A blade assembly is also provided comprising a blade platform, a seal configured to press against the blade platform, and a damper clipped onto the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Daniel A. Snyder
  • Patent number: 9982654
    Abstract: Wind turbine having a wind turbine tower, a nacelle provided on the wind turbine tower, a rotor hub rotatably mounted to the nacelle, and one or more wind turbine blades having a root end to be mounted to the rotor hub, a tip end, and pressure and suction sides connected to each other via a leading edge and a trailing edge. The wind turbine blade has a plurality of cross-sectional profiles arranged according to the surface of the suction side so that the surface of the suction side forms a line having a predetermined curvature which curves towards the pressure side of the wind turbine blade and/or forms an approximately straight line along at least part of the relative length. The line crosses each cross-sectional profile in that point on the pressure side where the maximum relative thickness of that profile perpendicular relative to its chord line is measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Envision Energy (Denmark) ApS
    Inventor: Wout Ruijter
  • Patent number: 9982686
    Abstract: An elastomeric dampening link including two or more interconnected dampening bushings mounted around corresponding ones of two or more adjustable length turnbuckles linked to devices and elastomeric dampening link includes at least one bar connecting adjacent ones of the dampening bushings. Clamping bands of clamp may be clamped around each of the dampening bushings. Bar may be in tension between the dampening bushings. Each of the turnbuckles may include a rod disposed in a corresponding one of the dampening bushings and having distal hollow internally threaded first end, first eyelet mounted on the first externally threaded shank adjustably screwed into internally threaded first end. One of the bushings may be substantially solid, have a rectangular slot extending inwardly from an annular surface of bushing, and the rod may have six sided surface with two opposite sides slidingly engaging and fitting snugly in the slot. Turnbuckles and links may be used to actuate variable stator vanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Aldo Daniel Ramirez Ollervides, Luis Alejandro De Leon Teran, Timothy Jay VanDemark, Steven Edward Horner, Sr.
  • Patent number: 9976439
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for differentiating control failures in a system for controlling an actuator (14) determining the position of a member for modifying the state of a gas-turbine engine, the system including a single- or dual-channel electric control and a mechanical control, the electric control including one computer (10, 10?) per channel, only one of which is active at any given time in order to calculate the set position of the movable member of the actuator (14) and to transmit a set signal to the single-channel mechanical control of the actuator, a failure being diagnosed when a deviation is detected between the set position of the movable member of the actuator and the position thereof measured during a predetermined deviation confirmation time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Severine Chevalier, Jose Roland Rodrigues, Alain Tiepel
  • Patent number: 9970308
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes feather seals for use in gas turbine engines. The feather seals may be used in stationary components such as vanes or blade outer air seals. The feather seals may include stiffening elements, such as round or ovoid dimples, to improve the stiffness of the feather seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Russell J. Bergman
  • Patent number: 9963991
    Abstract: A brush seal plate may comprise a flat ring with bristles protruding from an inner diameter of the flat ring. The brush seal plate may have a racetrack slot to allow the flat ring to move in a radial direction relative to a retention pin. The bristles may protrude from the inner diameter of the flat ring at an angle. A slot may be formed through the flat ring, and the slot may be angled. The flat ring may be circumferentially discontinuous. The flat ring may further comprise a retention opening configured to fix the flat ring in place relative to a retention pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Ross Wilson, Michael G. McCaffrey, John R. Farris, Theodore W. Hall, John W. Korzendorfer, Elizabeth F. Vinson, Jeffrey Michael Jacques, John E. Paul, Edwin Otero, Alan W. Stoner
  • Patent number: 9951787
    Abstract: In an impeller for a fluid energy machine with a hub and a plurality of rotor blades which are mounted on the hub and around which a medium may flow through the fluid energy machine and which form a blade duct between two neighboring rotor blades with a blade duct length which extends in the axial direction of the impeller, wherein each rotor blade is connected to the hub via a first transition region with a first curvature and via a second transition region with a second curvature and with a straight conical blade duct bottom of the blade duct formed between the first transition region and the second transition region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: iHi CHARGING SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL GMBH
    Inventors: Roberto De Santis, Daniel Just
  • Patent number: 9951635
    Abstract: A blade row group arrangeable in a main flow path of a fluid-flow machine and including N adjacent member blade rows firmly arranged relative to one another both in the meridional direction and in the circumferential direction is provided. Here, a front member blade row with front blades having a leading edge and a trailing edge as well as a rear member blade row with rear blades having a leading edge and a trailing edge are provided, and the blade row group has two main flow path boundaries. It is provided that the profile of the blades of the member blade rows is firmly connected at at least one of the two main flow path boundaries to a base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE DEUTSCHLAND LTD & CO KG
    Inventor: Volker Guemmer