Patents Examined by Jason Fountain
  • Patent number: 9273566
    Abstract: A turbine engine stator vane is provided that rotates about an axis, and includes an airfoil, a flange and a shaft. The airfoil extends axially between a first airfoil end and a second airfoil end. The airfoil includes a concave side surface, a convex side surface and a cavity. The concave and the convex side surfaces extend between an airfoil leading edge and an airfoil trailing edge. The cavity extends axially into the airfoil from a cavity inlet in an end surface at the second airfoil end. The flange is connected to the second airfoil end. The flange extends circumferentially around at least a portion of the cavity inlet, and radially away from the concave and the convex side surfaces to a distal flange edge. The shaft extends along the axis, and is connected to the second airfoil end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Brandon W. Spangler, Tracy A. Propheter-Hinckley
  • Patent number: 9249885
    Abstract: Mechanical seals, seal assemblies and pumps are disclosed. A mechanical seal includes a sealing member and a mount that forms part of a mounting assembly to mount the sealing member to a support structure of the seal. In an embodiment, the mount forms part of a seal assembly and is an elastomeric ring bonded to the sealing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Vulco, S. A.
    Inventors: Ricardo Abarca Melo, Rodrigo Guzman Castro, Osvaldo Quiroz Venegas
  • Patent number: 9249669
    Abstract: A ceramic matrix composite blade for use in a gas turbine engine having an airfoil with leading and trailing edges and pressure and suction side surfaces, a blade shank secured to the lower end of each airfoil, one or more interior fluid cavities within the airfoil having inlet flow passages at the lower end which are in fluid communication with the blade shank, one or more passageways in the blade shank corresponding to each one of the interior fluid cavities and a fluid pump (or compressor) that provides pressurized fluid (nominally cool, dry air) to each one of the interior fluid cavities in each airfoil. The fluid (e.g., air) is sufficient in pressure and volume to maintain a minimum fluid flow to each of the interior fluid cavities in the event of a breach due to foreign object damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Andres Garcia-Crespo, Jerome Walter Goike
  • Patent number: 9243702
    Abstract: A blade for a torque converter, including: a body with first and second blade side surfaces and a blade edge surface connecting the first and second blade side surfaces; and a tab extending from the blade edge surface and arranged for insertion through an opening in a core ring for the torque converter. The tab includes: a distal end furthest from the blade edge surface; first and second tab edge surfaces in communication with the distal end; and first and second indentations in the first and second tab edge surfaces, respectively, between the distal end and the blade edge surface. The core ring forms at least respective portions of respective inner circumferences for a turbine and pump for the torque converter. After insertion through the opening, the tab is arranged to be bent along a line connecting the indentations so that a portion of the tab engages the core ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael L. Resh, Randy L. Keller
  • Patent number: 9239056
    Abstract: A non-clogging type pump impeller includes: a fluid passage provided in an approximately cylindrical body and connecting a suction port to a discharge port. The fluid passage has a vortex shape as viewed from an axial direction. A first recess, which is sunk downwardly in the axial direction, is formed on a first end surface of the approximately cylindrical body so as to surround a boss. A second recess, which is sunk upwardly in the axial direction, is formed on a second end surface of the approximately cylindrical body so as to surround the suction port. At least one communication hole provides fluid communication between the first recess and the second recess. Sewage in the second recess is introduced into the first recess through the at least one communication hole to thereby effectively remove an air pocket trapped on the first end surface of the impeller and in the first recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Miyazaki, Ritsuko Miyazaki, Junya Kawabata, Hiromi Sakacho, Masashi Obuchi, Yoichi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9234459
    Abstract: A turbine housing of a turbocharger is formed by joining a scroll body with a base body. An exhaust passageway is formed between the scroll body and the base body. At the joint portion between the scroll body and the base body, an inside corner portion is formed by an inner peripheral surface of the scroll body that faces the exhaust passageway, and an outer peripheral surface of the base body that also faces the exhaust passageway. An inside fillet that is shaped to change the direction of exhaust gas along the inner peripheral surface of the scroll body to a direction along the outer peripheral surface of the base body is formed on the inside corner portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takahiro Sadamitsu, Tatsuo Iida
  • Patent number: 9228442
    Abstract: An airfoil comprises leading and trailing edges with pressure and suction surfaces defining a chord length therebetween. The pressure and suction surfaces extend from a root section of the airfoil to a tip section. A tip shelf is formed along the tip section between the pressure surface and a tip shelf wall spaced between the pressure surface and the suction surface. A squealer pocket is formed along the tip section between the tip shelf wall and a squealer tip wall extending from the suction surface. The tip shelf extends from within 10% of the cord length measured from the leading edge to within 10% of the chord length measured from the trailing edge. The squealer pocket extends from within 10% of the chord length measured from the leading edge to terminate between 10% and 25% of the chord length measured from the trailing edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Dominic J. Mongillo, Jr., Steven Bruce Gautschi, San Quach
  • Patent number: 9222370
    Abstract: A turbomachine including a rotor and an inner interior housing an outer interior housing and an exterior housing, wherein the turbomachine has a first flow and a second flow arranged opposite the first flow for a high-pressure blading or medium-pressure blading, wherein the inner interior housing is made of a higher quality material tan the outer interior housing and solely accommodates the high-pressure and medium-pressure inflow regions including the balance piston is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Christian Cukjati, Heinz Dallinger, Thomas Müller, Rainer Quinkertz, Norbert Thamm, Andreas Ulma, Michael Wechsung, Uwe Zander
  • Patent number: 9206744
    Abstract: A system includes a gas turbine engine, which includes a compressor configured to generate compressed air and a turbine. The turbine includes a stationary component and a conduit configured to convey the compressed air from the compressor to the stationary component in a forward direction. The gas turbine engine also includes a flow control device coupled to the conduit. The conduit is configured to convey a gas path air from the stationary component in a reverse direction opposite from the forward direction when the flow control device is in a startup mode. The gas turbine engine also includes a shaft coupled to the compressor and the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Jaime Javier Maldonado, Sandip Dutta
  • Patent number: 9206820
    Abstract: An inducer includes a hub having an inlet end and an outlet end. At least one full size blade has an inner edge is affixed to the hub and an outer edge. This full size blade extends rearwardly from the inlet end in a helical configuration. A partial shroud encloses a first length of the full size blade outer edge adjacent the inlet end. A second length of the full size blade outer edge that is adjacent to the outlet end is free of the partial shroud. It is within the scope of the disclosure to include short blades symmetrically offset from the two full size blades. These short blades have a short blade inner end affixed to the partial shroud and a short blade outer end extending from the partial shroud towards the hub, but terminating prior to reaching the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: AEROJET ROCKETDYNE, INC.
    Inventors: Maria Romaniuk Subbaraman, Saleh Tyzoon Tyebjee
  • Patent number: 9200634
    Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining the operation of a geothermal production pump having one or more impellers and a vertical line shaft for driving the impellers, includes a liquid buffer for isolating a discharge column through which pumped geothermal fluid including non-condensable gases flows from a lubrication column through which flows oil for lubricating one or more bearings of the line shaft, the liquid buffer being interposed between the discharge column and an outlet of the lubrication column to prevent infiltration of the non-condensable gases into the lubrication column. The liquid buffer includes an upper oil receiving section facing the lubrication column outlet and a lower securing element related to the upper oil receiving section. A lowermost bearing is a thrust bearing, and a bowl in which the cup structure and the thrust bearing are housed is in fluid communication with a further bowl in which is housed an uppermost impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Ormat Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Nadav Amir
  • Patent number: 9194241
    Abstract: A composite material turbine nozzle blade including an airfoil adapted to have a cooling fluid flow through it and extending between a shroud and a root is provided. The shroud is shaped to be attached to one or more turbine casings of a turbomachine and the root is shaped to provide a junction with a turbine internal casing. The root is produced with a loosened texture and includes an external upstream side loosened texture lug and an external downstream side loosened texture lug. The ends of the two external side lugs extend radially relative to the rotation axis of the turbomachine to form a device for supporting and centering the internal casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Antoine Jean-Philippe Beaujard, Gilles Alain Charier, Jean Pierre Mareix, Didier Fabre
  • Patent number: 9194259
    Abstract: Solid particle erosion in a steam turbine is minimized by diverting through angled slots formed in appendages of outer rings of the diaphragms, a portion of the steam from the steam flow path thereby bypassing downstream rotating components. The slot through the first stage appendage lies in communication with a passage through a downstream outer ring of a following stage such that the diverted solid particle containing steam may be extracted from the steam flow path and passed to the feed water heater of the turbine. The slot in the second stage appendage diverts steam from between the first and second stages and about the second stage. Solid particle erosion in various regions, i.e., the trailing edge of the stator vanes, along the surfaces of the buckets and in the regions of the cover and its connection with the buckets as well as the sealing devices is thereby minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Douglas Robert Mitchell
  • Patent number: 9194292
    Abstract: A sheet-metal turbine housing has a scroll part formed by joining opposing scroll members of sheet metal to form a spiral-shaped exhaust gas passage. The housing includes a member on a side of a bearing housing inclosing a bearing supporting a rotation shaft of a turbine rotor blade member on the exhaust side forms an outer side of the turbine rotor blade. Support columns connect the member on the side of the bearing housing with the member on the exhaust side in an axial direction of the turbine and are arranged at intervals on an outer circumference of the turbine. Each support columns may have a cross-sectional shape which includes an upstream corner and a downstream corner in a direction of a gas flow, each of which has an acute angle, so that an upstream surface and a downstream surface are inclined to the gas flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Takao Yokoyama, Katsuyuki Osako, Yasuaki Jinnai, Noriyuki Hayashi, Motoki Ebisu
  • Patent number: 9163526
    Abstract: A turbomachine includes a compressor, a first shaft, a second shaft, a first turbine, and a second turbine. The first shaft carries at least one turbine wheel belonging to one of the elements selected from the first and second turbines. The second shaft carries at least one turbine wheel belonging to the other element selected from the first and second turbines. The first and second shafts are oriented substantially vertically in normal utilization situations of the turbomachine. The first shaft is held by a first single bearing while the second shaft is held by a second single bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: TURBOMECA
    Inventor: Frederic Batlle
  • Patent number: 9163514
    Abstract: A system includes a rotor assembly with a first rotor component having a first set of bushing receptacles and a first set of bolt holes arranged about a first rotational axis of the first rotor component. The rotor assembly also includes a second rotor component having a second set of bushing receptacles and a second set of bolt holes arranged about a second rotational axis of the second rotor component. The rotor assembly includes a first set of bushings disposed in the first and second sets of bushing receptacles in a first installed configuration, wherein the first installed configuration of the first set of bushings is configured to align the first and second rotational axes with one another, and the first installed configuration of the first set of bushings is configured to bear at least a first portion of a torque during rotation of the rotor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: John Herbert Dimmick, III
  • Patent number: 9145772
    Abstract: A rotor disk for a gas turbine engine includes a hub; a rim with a forward portion and an aft portion; and a plurality of circumferentially spaced radial scallops in the rim to form cooling slots between two disks when the rotor disk is connected to another rotor disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Richard C. Baxley, Christopher St. Mary, Cagdas Yilmaz, Gary S. Odell
  • Patent number: 9145776
    Abstract: A blade assembly including: a hub which is rotatable about an axis; at least one blade having an aerofoil portion and a root, wherein the root is coupled to the hub using a primary retention device which prevents radial separation of the root and hub in normal use; and, a secondary retention device having a root part and a hub part, the root part being located radially inwards of the hub part in a retention cavity in use, wherein at least a portion of the root part enters the retention cavity via an interlock which prevents radial separation of the root and hub in the event of a primary retention device failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Kenneth J Mackie, David M Beaven
  • Patent number: 9140138
    Abstract: An exemplary containment structure includes an annular wall configured to receive a rotatable portion of a turbomachine. A plurality of apertures extend radially through the annular wall. The apertures have a varying circumferential width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Michael A. Corson
  • Patent number: 9127686
    Abstract: A fan rotor protection structure includes a fan wheel and an annular member. The fan wheel has a hub and a plurality of blades. The hub has a top portion and a side wall portion, which together define a receiving space in the hub. The annular member has one side aligned with and connected to an end surface of the side wall portion opposite to the top portion, and defines an opening communicable with the receiving space in the hub. With the annular member, foreign matters are stopped from entering into and accumulating in the fan rotor, enabling largely increased fan service life and more stable flow field around the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: ASIA VITAL COMPONENTS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shih-Chieh Lin