Patents Examined by J Todd Newton
  • Radially compressible and expandable rotor for a fluid pump
    Patent number: 11434922
    Abstract: In a rotor for a fluid pump which is made radially compressible and expandable and has a hub (4) and at least one conveying element (10, 11, 19, 20) which has a plurality of struts (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 27, 28) and at least one membrane (18) which can be spanned between them, provision is made for a design in accordance with the invention which is as simple and inexpensive as possible that at least one first group of struts is pivotable in a pivot plane, starting from a common base, and can thus be spanned open in the manner of a fan, wherein the conveying element lies along the hub and contacts it over its full length in the expanded state to avoid a pressure loss at the margin of the conveying element between it and the hub and thus to realize an optimum efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: ECP ENTWICKLUNGSGESELLSCHAFT MBH
    Inventor: Daniel Roehn
  • System and method for measuring an axial position of a rotating component of an engine
    Patent number: 11428116
    Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring an axial position of a rotating component of an engine are described herein. The method comprises obtaining a signal from a sensor coupled to the rotating component, the rotating component having a plurality of position markers distributed about a surface thereof, the position markers having an axially varying characteristic configured to cause a change in a varying parameter of the signal as a function of the axial position of the rotating component. Based on the signal, the method comprises determining a rotational speed of the rotating component from the signal, determining the varying parameter of the signal, and finding the axial position of the rotating component based on a known relationship between the axial position, the rotational speed, and the varying parameter of the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Antwan Shenouda, Ella Yakobov
  • Accelerated and-or redirected flow-inducing and-or low pressure field or area-inducing arrangement, their use with turbine-like devices and method for using same
    Patent number: 11428200
    Abstract: An accelerated and/or redirected flow arrangement, optimally serving as a wildlife and/or debris excluder (WDE), is used in combination with a turbine-like device having an inlet end and an outlet end for fluid flowing therethrough, e.g., a hydro-turbine. The arrangement includes at least a forward part designed to be placed in front of a fluid inlet of a turbine-like device and configured to produce at least one of the following effects on the fluid: (a) imparting a re-direction of the fluid; and/or (b) accelerating the flow velocity of the fluid, as it flows through the forward part. Turbine-like devices having both a forward part and a rearward part of flow arrangement are disclosed, as well as a method of enhancing turbine performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: HYDROKINETIC ENERGY CORP
    Inventor: Walter Schurtenberger
  • Nozzle vane
    Patent number: 11428154
    Abstract: A nozzle vane for a variable geometry turbocharger satisfies 0.45<(Xp/L)?0.60, where L is a chord length of the nozzle vane, and Xp is a distance between a leading edge of the nozzle vane and a rotation center of the nozzle vane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES ENGINE & TURBOCHARGER, LTD.
    Inventors: Bipin Gupta, Toyotaka Yoshida, Yosuke Dammoto, Yoji Akiyama, Sambhav Jain
  • Rotary internal combustion engine with seal lubrication
    Patent number: 11428128
    Abstract: A rotary internal combustion engine with a housing having a fluid passage defined therethrough opening into a portion of its inner surface engaging each peripheral or apex seal of the rotor. An injector has an inlet for fluid communication with a pressurized lubricant source and a selectively openable and closable outlet in fluid communication with the fluid passage for delivering the pressurized lubricant to each seal through the fluid passage. A housing for a Wankel engine and a method of lubricating peripheral seals of a rotor in an internal combustion engine are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Edwin Schulz, Etienne Plamondon, Jean Thomassin
  • Horizontal and vertical axis wind generator
    Patent number: 11421649
    Abstract: An embodiment of Horizontal and Vertical Axis Wind Generator (HVAWG) concept with the rotating wings, the gearbox, repulsive magnets attached to the wings and the wind tunnel cover with the same pole magnets or repulsive magnets is described. This feature allows for a number of improvements over the current state of the art including damage protection and the ability to remain operational during high wind conditions. In addition, the invention described here is scalable for cars, boats, motor cycles, camping cars, homes, offices, and power plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Inventors: Jung Dae Lee, Jung Hoon Lee
  • Composite aerofoils
    Patent number: 11421538
    Abstract: A composite aerofoil may include an aerofoil body defining a leading edge and a trailing edge, wherein the body comprises a composite material including a plurality of relatively higher-modulus reinforcement elements, a plurality of relatively tougher polymer-based reinforcement elements, and a matrix material substantially encapsulating the plurality of relatively higher-modulus reinforcement elements and the plurality of relatively tougher polymer-based reinforcement elements. The plurality of relatively higher-modulus reinforcement elements are different from the plurality of relatively tougher polymer-based reinforcement elements. The disclosure also describes techniques for forming composite aerofoils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Heeter, Matthew J. Kappes, Jonathan Michael Rivers, Benedict N. Hodgson
  • Rotating body and turbocharger
    Patent number: 11421581
    Abstract: Provided is a rotating body, including: a shaft; an impeller (compressor impeller) having an insertion hole, which passes through the impeller in an axial direction of the shaft and is configured to receive one end side of the shaft inserted therethrough; an axial-end hole, which is formed in the shaft, is opened at one end of the shaft, and extends to a radially inner side of the insertion hole in the axial direction of the shaft; a radial-expansion member arranged in the axial-end hole; and a tubular wall portion, which forms the axial-end hole, and is configured to press an inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: IHI Corporation
    Inventor: Yutaka Uneura
  • Easy access fan motor assemblies
    Patent number: 11421711
    Abstract: In a refrigeration unit for use in cooling a space, such as a walk-in cold space, or other system, an easy access fan motor assembly is provided. A motor mount holds the motor with a plurality of legs that couple to a front panel using stud inserts. In some instances the legs are curved and looked like spider legs. A fan guard member covers the fan and is also attached to the stud inserts. By removing fasteners on the stud inserts, the guard member may be removed and the fan motor assembly may be removed from a position exterior to the refrigeration unit for repair or serving. Other systems and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Heatcraft Refrigeration Products LLC
    Inventors: Todd Irvin Collins, Eric C. Moen
  • Aircraft turbomachine with mechanical reducer and contrarotative turbine
    Patent number: 11415045
    Abstract: Aircraft turbomachine with mechanical reducer and counter-rotating turbine are described. The turbomachine includes a fan driven in rotation by a fan shaft, a mechanical reducer with epicyclic gear train, a gas generator comprising a counter-rotating turbine, a first turbine shaft of which is coupled to an input shaft of the reducer and to a pin, and a second turbine shaft of which is coupled to the fan shaft. The guidance of the reducer input shaft is provided by a first ball bearing, the guidance of the pin is provided by a second roller bearing, and the guidance of the first shaft is provided by a third roller bearing axially interposed between the first and second bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Paul Ghislain Albert Levisse, Olivier Belmonte, Olivier Formica
  • Method of operating a four stroke internal combustion engine system
    Patent number: 11408330
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of operating a four stroke internal combustion engine system (1), the engine system (1) comprising:—a four stroke internal combustion engine (2) provided with an intake duct (5),—a turbo compressor (6?) arranged to compress intake flow in the intake duct (5), and—a displacement machine (7) provided in the intake duct (5) downstream the turbo compressor (6?), wherein the displacement machine (7) is arranged to displace intake flow from an inlet to an outlet thereof. The method comprises the step of: operating the displacement machine (7) in a first mode where a pressure ratio (PR) given by a pressure at the outlet of the displacement machine (7) divided by a pressure at the inlet of the displacement machine (7) is substantially equal to 1. The invention also relates to a four stroke internal combustion engine system arranged to be operated by the above method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Martin Bauer, Fredrik Rahm
  • Sensor device for an aerodynamic element
    Patent number: 11408394
    Abstract: A sensor device for measuring flow-separation on an aerodynamic element, including a number of compliant elements with aerodynamic and/or structural properties designed to allow flow-induced vibrational motion in an air current and a sensor-element designed to measure vibrations of the number of compliant elements is provided. Further provided is an aerodynamic element, e.g. a wind turbine blade or an airfoil, with such sensor device, a method for controlling the angle of attack of an aerodynamic element, a controlling device and a wind turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: SIEMENS GAMESA RENEWABLE ENERGY A/S
    Inventor: Steven Buck
  • Asymmetric turbomachinery housing for thermal expansion
    Patent number: 11401828
    Abstract: A turbomachinery according to an embodiment includes an impeller including at least one blade, and a casing for housing the impeller rotatably. A size of a gap between a tip of the blade and an inner surface of the casing during a stop of the impeller is formed non-uniformly over a circumferential direction of the impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES ENGINE & TURBOCHARGER, LTD.
    Inventors: Isao Tomita, Reiko Takashima, Yutaka Fujita
  • Systems for a fastening device of an exhaust-gas aftertreatment system
    Patent number: 11401853
    Abstract: Systems are provided for a coupling element. In one example, the coupling element comprises a rotating element configured to rotate an aftertreatment device relative to a section of an exhaust passage in response to a force greater than a threshold force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Spurling, Marius Sawatzki, Daniel Meckenstock
  • Lubrication of epicyclic gear system for gas turbine engine
    Patent number: 11401864
    Abstract: An epicyclic gear system includes a sun gear, a ring gear, and two or more star gear assemblies enmeshed between the sun gear and the ring gear. Each star gear assembly includes a star gear and a journal bearing supportive of the star gear. The journal bearing includes one or more lubricant passageways to deliver a flow of lubricant to a selected location of the star gear assembly, wherein a first cross-sectional area of a lubricant passage of a first journal bearing of the two or more star gear assemblies is greater than a second cross-sectional area of the corresponding lubricant passage of a second journal bearing of the two or more star gear assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Michael E. McCune
  • Casing for preventing distortion and pump including the same
    Patent number: 11396886
    Abstract: Various pumps capable of preventing distortion are disclosed. A casing of the pump comprises a metal member configured to have at least two sub metal members and a body. Here, the sub metal members are included in the body, and the body is formed of plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Inventor: Sang Seon Lee
  • Flow channel for a turbomachine
    Patent number: 11396812
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for designing a flow channel for a turbomachine, in particular a gas turbine that comprises a guide vane cascade having a plurality of guide vanes, which are distributed in the peripheral direction, and flow passages, each of which is bounded by two successive guide vanes, and a support rib arrangement having at least one support rib, wherein a design of one of the flow passages is adapted to this support rib, that it is situated downstream of, in order to reduce a pressure loss and/or a vibrational stimulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines AG
    Inventor: Guenter Ramm
  • Turbocharger
    Patent number: 11391177
    Abstract: A turbocharger includes a turbine housing configured to house a turbine rotor provided on one side of a rotor shaft; and a bearing housing configured to house a bearing that rotatably supports the rotor shaft, in which at least one cooling water flow path through which cooling water flows is formed in at least one of the turbine housing and the bearing housing, and the at least one cooling water flow path is formed such that a plurality of flow path cross sections are present in, of a cross-section including an axis of the rotor shaft, a half cross-section divided by the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Yutaka Fujita, Tadashi Kanzaka
  • Turbine wheel
    Patent number: 11384645
    Abstract: A turbine wheel is provided with a groove having a bottom surface and a pair of side wall surfaces. The turbine wheel includes: a balance weight that is arranged in the groove, is insertable from any circumferential position of the opening of the groove, and has a through-hole opened toward one of the pair of side wall surfaces; and a retaining member that contacts the one of the pair of side wall surfaces in a state of being inserted in the through-hole of the balance weight, to thereby cause the balance weight to abut against the other one of the pair of side wall surfaces and be retained in the groove. The groove has engagement recesses provided at intervals in a circumferential direction at the bottom surface or an engagement protrusion fitted to one of fitting recesses provided at intervals in the circumferential direction at the bottom surface and protruding from the bottom surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Power, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shosaku Hiwatashi, Yasuyuki Watanabe, Tadashi Murakata, Yoshiki Sakamoto
  • Diffuser vane geometry for a centrifugal compressor and turbocharger
    Patent number: 11384766
    Abstract: A centrifugal compressor includes an impeller, a plurality of diffuser vanes arranged in a circumferential direction on a radially outer side of the impeller, and a housing which includes a scroll portion forming a scroll flow passage positioned on a radially outer side of the plurality of diffuser vanes. The plurality of diffuser vanes include at least one first diffuser vane positioned in an angular range between a tongue section of the scroll portion and a scroll end of the scroll portion in the circumferential direction, and a second diffuser vane positioned outside the angular range. A vane outlet angle formed by a tangent line at a trailing edge to a pressure surface of each of the plurality of diffuser vanes satisfies ?1<?2, where ?1 is the vane outlet angle of the first diffuser vane, and ?2 is the vane outlet angle of the second diffuser vane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES MARINE MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kenichiro Iwakiri