Patents Examined by Everette A. Powell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4863348
    Abstract: A rotor blade particularly adapted for turbine engines includes various injection holes on the blade tip and near the blade tip and on the root plane and near the root plane so directed as to reduce the tip leakage flow crossing the tip and to control the boundary layer by means of fluid curtain and entrainment effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Inventor: Wolfgang P. Weinhold
  • Patent number: 4863344
    Abstract: A centrifugal pump comprises impeller blades which are pivoted at their inner ends to a rotor so that the impeller blades can rotate relatively thereto between two extreme positionss. The extreme positions are defined by stop means in the form of pins. The construction enables the centrifugal pump to be operated efficiently when driven in either direction, the blades being allowed to flex during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Inventor: Daniel Stefanini
  • Patent number: 4863349
    Abstract: The invention relates to compressor manufacture. The impeller comprises a base disc (1) wherein, according to the invention, the angle (.beta.) between its internal surface (5) and the plane (p) perpendicular to the impeller rotation axis (0--0) is 0.5-1.degree. larger than the angle (.alpha.) between its external surface (4) and the same plane (p).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Assignee: Proizvodstvennoe Obiedinenie Nevsky Zavod Imeni V.I. Lenina
    Inventors: Vladimir V. Arkhipov, Gennady F. Velikanov, Gilya A. Raer, Kir B. Sarantsev
  • Patent number: 4859146
    Abstract: The object of this invention is to provide a large scale but low cost windmill by maximizing wind-contact out of the least cost of materials with least cost of maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1989
    Inventor: Gaudencio A. Labrador
  • Patent number: 4859147
    Abstract: The airfoil shaped body has a separate leading edge portion (14) spaced from the main body (12). Slots (22) thereby formed discharge cooling air parallel to surface (38) of the main body. A step change across the slot between the leading edge surface (52) and the main body surface (38) facilitates smooth introduction of cooling air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1989
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth B. Hall, Kenneth K. Landis
  • Patent number: 4859144
    Abstract: The invention comprehends an inter or after stage of a fan system in which the stage has curvilinear spiralling guidance blades and integral blade tips angled in an axial direction to provide guidance for air flow to the spiralling guidance blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1989
    Assignee: The Hoover Company
    Inventor: William S. Houston
  • Patent number: 4859149
    Abstract: A locking system for blades in a circumferential dovetail groove in a rotor of a gas turbine engine, the blades having dovetail roots in the groove and platforms resting on steady rest flanges on the outside surface of the rotor on opposite sides of the slot between converging shoulders of the dovetail groove. The blade locking system includes an inner lock member between roots of a pair of adjacent blades, an outer lock member captured in aligned notches in the steady rest flanges between the rotor and the platforms of the adjacent blades, and a screw extending through a clearance hole in the outer lock member into a threaded bore in the inner lock member. When the screw is tightened, the inner and outer lock members are clamped against the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1989
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: John C. McClain
  • Patent number: 4854821
    Abstract: A rotor assembly for use in a rotodynamic machine comprises a rotor disc (10) with a plurality of blades (14) attached to its outer rim (12) and a seal plate (22) for substantially preventing the escape of blade cooling air. The rotor disc (10) is provided with a plurality of hooked restraining members (30) each including a radially inward directed abutment face (32) which in use restrain the seal plate from moving axially and from moving radially outward under centrifugal force by abutment with the seal plate. In this way the blades (14) are not subjected to additional loading by the seal plate (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: John D. Kernon, Kenneth R. Langley, Mark R. Thatcher
  • Patent number: 4850801
    Abstract: Preloading and retention of an aircraft propeller blade (12) are achieved by a preloading mechanism (85) received within an outer portion of a hub barrel(30) within which the blade is received. The preloading mechanism comprises an annular fastener (90) threaded into the barrel. A splined lock ring (125) prevents loosening or disengagement of the fastener from the barrel. Location of the preloading mechainsm at an outer location of the barrel allows the primary centrifugal load path from the blade into the barrel to be free from discontinuities and attendant stress concentrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Peter L. Valentine
  • Patent number: 4850798
    Abstract: A wind actuated device which has a sail in the shape of a double or single modified helicoid. The device may be provided as a decorative novelty device or may be supported on a mast as a wind indicating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Inventor: Dennis B. Bailey
  • Patent number: 4850800
    Abstract: An improved device for blocking the rotation of marine propellers on lower units of outboards or out-drives is described. The blocking unit has a fixed part and a movable clamp. The fixed part is held by the movable clamp against the under side of the anti-cavitation plate of the lower unit and has a height sufficient to extend down into the propeller rotation circle. When torque is applied to the propeller retaining nut a propeller blade engages the side or bottom of the fixed part and the propeller is prevented from rotating. The blocking unit has an enriching flange and central and transverse webs to provide a low stress design so that it may be fabricated of plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Inventor: Larry Zygutis
  • Patent number: 4850792
    Abstract: A vertical axis wind turbine includes a pair of wind deflectors for directing the wind current into the rotor assembly. The wind deflectors are connected to the wind turbine so that their positions are automatically adjusted as a function of wind velocity as well as wind direction to maximize efficiency. The wind deflectors automatically move to a position downwind of the rotor assembly during periods of unusually high wind velocity and actuate a rotational governor which increases the angular inertia of the turbine to limit the speed of the turbine shaft during such high wind conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Inventor: David R. Yeoman
  • Patent number: 4850799
    Abstract: A vibration damper for a suspended ceiling fan comprising a motor mounting and a frame support plate, totally enclosed in a vibration absorbing rubber compound. The motor mounting and frame support plates are separated by an annular space that forms an outward facing annular channel. Trapezoidal shaped reinforcement ribs located in the outward facing annular channel restrict swaying of the fan blades when the motor is energized. The damper may comprise two arcuate shaped members which allows easy installation on existing ceiling fans and easy disassembly when the fan motor needs maintenance or repairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Assignee: Chien Luen Industries Co., Ltd., Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Bucher, Sr., Shih T. Wu
  • Patent number: 4846628
    Abstract: A rotor assembly (34) includes a disk (36) having an axially extending, unbroken annular spigot (38). The spigot (38) supports a plurality of radially extending lugs (42) which are juxtaposed with a corresponding plurality of dogs (14) integral with an annular sideplate (12). A smooth key (54) fits within the opening (44) formed between adjacent engaged dogs and lugs (14, 42) and is retained axially by a sheet metal retainer (46) received through a slot (52) disposed in the key (54).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen M. Antonellis
  • Patent number: 4844694
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fastening spindle and a method of attaching the rotor elements together utilizing the spindle. The system according to the invention reliably permits the visual inspection of the rotor assembly and to determine if it is properly tightened without the need for any additional post assembly inspection. The fastening spindle according to the invention has a central portion having a generally oblong cross-section with a first, major transverse dimension d.sub.1 which is greater than a second, minor transverse dimension d.sub.2 ; a first cylindrical portion which extends from the central portion in a first direction, the first cylindrical portion having a threaded distal end and a diameter d.sub.3 such the d.sub.3 is less than d.sub.2 ; and a second cylindrical portion extending from the central portion in a second direction, the second cylindrical portion having a threaded distal end and a diameter d.sub.4 such that d.sub.4 is less than d.sub.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Assignee: Societe Nationale d'Etude et de Construction de Moteurs d'Aviation (SNECMA)
    Inventor: Jacky Naudet
  • Patent number: 4844697
    Abstract: In an impeller for use in an axial flow fan and having blades (5) which are adjustable during operation of the fan, each blade (5) is, through a blade shaft (7) connected to a hub (1) designed as a compact unit.The blade shaft (7) and an axial thrust bearing device (9) on which the blade (5) is journalled in such a manner that it can, through a control mechanism, be pivoted about its axis for controlling the blade angle, are retained axially in a bearing housing (8) screwed into a threaded bore (18) in the periphery of the hub (1).For adjusting the radial distance between the periphery of the hub (1) and the blade tip the thrust bearing device (9) is held against a closed end of the bearing housing (8) by a spring (43) and a nut (14) screwed onto a threaded portion (15) of the blade shaft (7) and lockable in an arbitrary position by a lock screw (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Assignee: Novenco A/S
    Inventor: Ulrik Johansen
  • Patent number: 4842482
    Abstract: A high-efficiency paddle construction having a blade and a stem extending therefrom, and wherein the blade has a pair of opposite, longitudinally extending edges, with flanges extending along the edges. The arrangement is such that there is provided resistance to flow past the side edges when the paddle is being used. There is thus realized improved efficiency, with a consequent reduction in the efford required by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1989
    Inventor: Frank S. Beckerer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4842483
    Abstract: Disclosed is a marine propeller for inboard, outboard, or inboard/outboard motors. The propeller is made from a non-metallic composite material that will not deform or deflect even at very high horsepower or RPMs. At the same time, the propeller is substantially less expensive than traditional metallic propellers. An especially unique feature of the propeller is that, unlike metallic propellers, it will shatter when it strikes a solid object in the water, thereby avoiding the engine and drive line damage that occurs when rigid metallic propellers strike a solid object. Also disclosed is a coupling member that permits the propeller to be adapted for use with most inboard/outboard motor configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1989
    Inventor: Edwin S. Geary
  • Patent number: 4840536
    Abstract: In an axial guide blade assembly for a compressor stator, the root end of each guide blade is attached in a ring gap of a preferably axially split, i.e. split along a normal plane, compressor housing made of a fiber reinforced synthetic material. The root of each blade is received in the ring gap or circumferential groove formed between two adjacent housing sections joined together along the axial separating plane. The guide blades hang on fiber rings with which the blade roots are clamped into the circumferential groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1989
    Assignee: MTU Motoren-und Turbinen-Union Muenchen GmbH
    Inventor: Siegfried Sikorski
  • Patent number: 4840539
    Abstract: Moving blading for a steam turbine, the blading comprising blades (1) having respective bodies (3) provided with caps or fins (4), said caps or fins (4) on adjacent blades coming into contact at least during rotation of the blading over a plane surface which is substantially parallel to the radial axis (Z'Z) of the blade and giving rise to blade body twisting by virtue of said contacts (7, 8), the blading being characterized in that, in addition to the contacts (7 and 8) between adjacent caps or fins (4), it includes a link which is provided by means of additional contacts (A, A') free to slide rectilinearly in a plane corresponding to the plane of each cap or fin (4) along an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation OO' of the blading, said additional contacts (A, A') being situated at a relatively large distance from said contacts (7, 8) which give rise to twisting. The invention improves the vibration properties of the blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1989
    Assignee: Alsthom
    Inventors: Pierre Bourcier, Gilbert Riollet