Patents Examined by Edward Look
  • Systems and methods for adjusting clearances in turbines
    Patent number: 9057282
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention can provide systems and methods for adjusting clearances in a turbine. According to one embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a turbine system. The system may include one or more turbine blades; a turbine casing encompassing the one or more turbine blades; and a thermoelectric element disposed at least partially about the turbine casing, wherein the thermoelectric element expands or contracts the turbine casing by heating or cooling at least a portion of the turbine casing, thereby adjusting a clearance between the one or more turbine blades and the turbine casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Rahul J. Chillar, Erwing Calleros, Prabhakaran Saraswathi Rajesh, Ezio Pena, Nicolas Antoine, Jose-Quintino Da-Costa
  • Manifold for geared turbofan engine
    Patent number: 9057284
    Abstract: A geared architecture for a gas turbine engine includes a lubricant manifold for directing lubricant flow to the geared architecture. The manifold including annular channel and a bowl member received within the annular channel for defining a passage for directing lubricant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: James B. Coffin, Tony Haugh
  • Axial turbomachine having an axially displaceable guide-blade carrier
    Patent number: 9057281
    Abstract: An axial turbomachine including a rotor-blade cascade is provided. The turbomachine includes a casing in which the cascade is installed and a guide-blade carrier which encloses the cascade and is integrated into the inner side of the housing. The guide-blade carrier is arranged immediately adjacently to the blade tips faulting a radial gap, wherein the guide-blade carrier is mounted in the housing, such that it may be displaced parallel to the axis of the axial turbomachine, and includes an adjusting ring which is supported on contact surfaces on the housing and guide-blade carrier and may be rotated about the axis, wherein the contact surfaces of the adjusting ring and of the housing and/or of the guide-blade carrier are set with respect to a plane perpendicular to the axis, so that, when the adjusting ring is rotated about the axis, the guide-blade carrier is displaced axially by the adjusting ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Francois Benkler, Andreas Böttcher, Uwe Kahlstorf, Torsten Matthias, Dieter Minninger, Oliver Schneider, Peter Schröder, Vyacheslav Veitsman
  • Twisted gas turbine engine airfoil having a twisted rib
    Patent number: 9057276
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine blade (20), including: an airfoil (24) including a pressure side exterior surface (34), a suction side exterior surface (36), and a first rib (130) spanning between the pressure side exterior surface and the suction side exterior surface. The airfoil (24) is twisted from a base end (30) of the airfoil to a tip end (32) of the airfoil. The first rib is twisted from a base end of the first rib to a tip end of the first rib. The pressure side exterior surface, the suction side exterior surface, and the first rib are cast as a monolith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Ching-Pang Lee
  • Butterfly plate for a steam turbine exhaust hood
    Patent number: 9057287
    Abstract: A steam turbine exhaust hood includes an exhaust hood section, and a butterfly plate arranged in the exhaust hood section. The butterfly plate includes a complex curvilinear cross-sectional profile having a first section that extends between a first end portion and a middle portion, and a second section that extends between the middle portion and a second end portion. One of the first and second sections is formed from at least two curvilinear segments including at least one curvilinear segment having a positive curvature and at least one curvilinear segment having a negative curvature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Antanu Sadhu, Prakash Bavanjibhai Dalsania, Shashwat Swami Jaiswal
  • Non-circular aft nacelle cowling geometry
    Patent number: 9057286
    Abstract: A nacelle for a turbofan propulsion system that extends along a centerline includes a forward cowling and an aft cowling. To improve the fit of a turbofan propulsion system in the space between the wing and ground of a fixed-wing aircraft, the aft cowling of the nacelle is modified. The aft cowling has a non-circular cross-sectional geometry disposed in a plane substantially perpendicular to the centerline. The non-circular cross-sectional geometry includes a radially recessed section disposed between first and second curved sections. The first and the second curved sections each have a radius that is greater than a radial distance between the centerline and a center point of the radially recessed section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Joseph Murphy, Robert E. Malecki
  • Centrifugal fan and method for manufacturing the same
    Patent number: 9057379
    Abstract: A blower fan includes an impeller centered on a central axis, a motor portion arranged to rotate the impeller about the central axis, and a housing arranged to accommodate the impeller. The housing includes a lower plate portion arranged to cover a lower side of the impeller and a side wall portion arranged to cover a side of the impeller. The lower plate portion is preferably made of, for example, a steel sheet. The side wall portion is preferably made of, for example, a resin. A lower end portion of the side wall portion and an edge portion of the lower plate portion are preferably joined to each other through insert molding. An outer circumferential cut surface of the lower plate portion is arranged in contact with the side wall portion at a joint between the lower end portion of the side wall portion and the edge portion of the lower plate portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Nidec Corporation
    Inventors: Takaya Otsuki, Toshikazu Fukunaga
  • Development of a new tower cabling
    Patent number: 9051920
    Abstract: A cable suspension arrangement includes a first suspension means for suspending the first plurality of cables at a nacelle; a second suspension means which is attachable to the nacelle; a second plurality of spacer plates each including a suspension hole and each including a third plurality of cable through-holes; wherein the second suspension means is led through the suspension holes; a fixing means for fixing the spacer plates at different positions on the second suspension means such that they can at least not lower their respective position; wherein the cables can be slidably led through the through-holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: AMSC Austria GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Prebio
  • Wall of turbo machine and turbo machine
    Patent number: 9051840
    Abstract: The invention relates to wall of a turbo machine having a cascade of blades. The wall includes: a first platform facing a first passage between blades in the cascade of blades; and a second platform facing a second passage between adjacent cascade of blades on an upstream side and cascade of blades on a downstream side, and having a circumferential outline having a distribution of radial positions. According to the invention, loss due to disturbance of flow through the gap of axially adjacent walls can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignees: IHI CORPORATION, THE SOCIETY OF JAPANESE AEROSPACE COMPANIES
    Inventors: Katsunori Mitsuhashi, Akira Takahashi, Hiroshi Hamazaki, Ruriko Yamawaki
  • System and method for identifying impending hydraulic pump failure
    Patent number: 9051945
    Abstract: A system and method for predicting impending pump failure in a hydraulic system is disclosed. The system measures and compares the running and moving volumetric deficiencies of the hydraulic system as a whole and if they are not within range of each other by a predetermined threshold, the system determines that at least one of the pumps in the system is about to fail. If such a determination is made by the system, the pump displacement is at standby of each pump is then calculated and the pump with the greatest displacement at standby is determined to be the pump approaching failure. Once the pump approaching failure is identified, a signal is generated to apprise the operator or other entity to enable corrective action to be taken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: M. Evan Hague
  • Counter-rotating open-rotor (CROR)
    Patent number: 9051044
    Abstract: A method of controlling a Counter-Rotating Open-Rotor (CROR) includes measuring a speed of a first rotor and deriving a speed of a second rotor and controlling a pitch of the first rotor and the second rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Eric J. Talasco, Paul A. Carvalho, David R. Danielson, Robert H. Perkinson
  • Portable hydroelectric kinetic energy conversion device
    Patent number: 9051913
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a crosscurrent tacking portable hydrokinetic energy conversion hydrofoil useful for generating electricity in moderate velocity currents and especially useful for rapid deployment and removal from a land base, boat or dock. The device comprises a buoyant and ballasted semi-cylindrical shroud containing a turbine rotor, annular cylindrical wing, a linear expansion nozzle, an alternator with linkages to a turbine shaft, an insulated conductor cable and tether lines. Hydrofoil elements enable the device to tack into a stream and hold a stable position. A system using two tether lines, each with one end connected to the device are fed into a stream to a desired distance from a surface base and are subsequently individually tensioned and fixed to a point on the base, stabilizing the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Inventor: Fred John Feiler
  • Turbine blade
    Patent number: 9051838
    Abstract: A turbine blade of an axial turbine includes internal cooling fluid passages with radially outwardly extending passages connected to holes in the blade root. The holes are generally core printouts providing stability to the core during the casting process, but are not needed and need to be closed to guarantee the functioning of the cooling system. This is achieved by at least one covering plate. The plate is held by at least two slots located at the root of the turbine blade. Thus, the supply holes for cooling fluid located at the root section are closed by a simple mechanical device, e.g., a plate that does not require any subsequent brazing/welding operations. In addition, the plate is removable to facilitate inspection/cleaning, or further processing of the blade at service intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD.
    Inventors: Brian Kenneth Wardle, Christoph Didion, Herbert Brandl, Shailendra Naik
  • Support structure forming method
    Patent number: 9051850
    Abstract: A method of forming an annular support structure for fastening a component of a gas turbine engine to a static part of the engine is provided. The support structure has a substantially frustoconical skin portion which, in use, extends inwardly from the static part. The support structure further has a flange portion which extends inwardly from an inner edge of the skin portion. In use, a mating flange extending outwardly from the component is attached to the flange portion. The flange portion has an engagement face against which a corresponding face of the mating flange is secured. The flange portion further has an inwardly-facing land at an outer edge of the engagement face which restrains the component against radial movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Michael L. Carlisle
  • Turbomachine component machining method
    Patent number: 9052707
    Abstract: An exemplary component manufacturing method includes scanning a first surface of a component to determine a location of pocket surfaces of the first surface. The method machines apertures in the component from a second, opposite surface of the component. The apertures each have a cooling air inlet within one of the pocket surfaces and a cooling air outlet within the first surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: John Quitter
  • Hydraulic system and control logic for collection and recovery of energy in a double actuator arrangement
    Patent number: 9051944
    Abstract: Hydraulic unit adapted for connection to master and slave actuator system includes three valves, the first configured for selective fluid passage between the cap ends, the second configured for selective fluid passage between the slave cap end and an accumulator, and the third fluidly coupled for selective fluid passage between each of a single pump and the accumulator, and the slave cap end. During actuator retraction, the valves permit pressurized fluid in the slave cap end to be delivered to accumulator for storage; during extension, the valves permit pressurized fluid from pump and accumulator to be delivered to the slave cap end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Gang Wen
  • Mounting of vortex generator devices via mounting plate
    Patent number: 9051919
    Abstract: A method of retrofitting flow-altering devices to an outer surface of a wind turbine blade is disclosed. The flow-guiding devices are of the type having a base comprising an inner side for attaching onto the surface of the wind turbine blade, and an outer side with protruding flow-altering device parts. The method comprises the steps of: a) inserting the protruding flow-altering device parts into a mounting plate so that the inner side of the flow-guiding devices are exposed from a first side of the mounting plate, b) adhering the inner side of the flow-altering devices to the surface of the wind turbine blade by applying the first side of the mounting plate onto an area of application on the surface of the wind turbine blade, and c) removing the mounting plate from area of application on the surface of the wind turbine blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: LM Windpower A/S
    Inventors: Lars Erik Jensen, Hans Tommerup Knudsen, Jesper Madsen
  • Turbine yokeplate flyweights to improve RAT startup
    Patent number: 9045983
    Abstract: A turbine having a cam follower operable to control turbine blade pitch in association with a position thereof is provided and includes an axially movable plate, a rotational and axially movable flyweight and a system operably coupled to the plate and the flyweight whereby, at low RPMs, the system prevents flyweight rotation such that the plate and the flyweight position the cam follower at a first position, at medium RPMs, the system permits flyweight rotation such that the plate and the flyweight position the cam follower at a second position, and, at high RPMs, the system prevents further flyweight rotation and permits initial axial movement of the plate and the flyweight such that the plate and the flyweight position the cam follower at a third position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: David Everett Russ
  • Vertical double suction pump enclosing tube seal
    Patent number: 9046107
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided featuring a casing assembly, a shaft and an integral bellows type mechanical face seal. The casing assembly has an enclosing tube configured to house a stationary bearing and to contain lubricating oil. The shaft is configured to rotate in relation to the stationary bearing, the shaft having a rotating seal with a rotating sealing face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Inventors: Paul W. Behnke, Matthew J. Koren
  • Stator vane bumper ring
    Patent number: 9045985
    Abstract: An assembly for use in a gas turbine engine includes an inner diameter (ID) shroud having a plurality of ID slots and an outer diameter (OD) shroud having a plurality of OD slots and positioned radially outward from the ID shroud. A plurality of stator airfoils extend from the ID shroud to the OD shroud. Each of the stator airfoils is positioned at least partially in one of the ID slots and is positioned at least partially in one of the OD slots. A bumper is positioned proximate a first end of each of the stator airfoils so as to limit movement of the stator airfoils in a radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Steven J. Feigleson, David P. Dube