Patents Examined by Kimya N McCoy
  • Patent number: 7419356
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for regulating the airflow around a blade of a windmill. The device comprise a spoiler, which is provided with a cavity. The spoiler is mounted to a surface of the blade in connection with an another flow regulating unit, and the spoiler can change the airflow around the blade by assuming different forms. When the spoiler is in a deactivated form no particular changes of the airflow takes place, as the spoiler runs continually and follows the contour of the blade. When the spoiler is in an activated form the airflow, however, is changed in that the spoiler no longer follows the contours of the blade and creates a discontinuity or at least changes the profile of the blade in such way that the airflow conditions are changed. In particular the airflow conditions can be changed so the effect of the second flow regulating unit completely or partly is eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Bonus Energy A/S
    Inventor: Henrik Stiesdal
  • Patent number: 6935835
    Abstract: A centrifugal fan (10) with improved efficiency and decreased noise, comprising a fan housing (12), in the form of a fan housing, with parallel sides (22, 23), which are fixed to opposite edges of a casing scroll (24), and a fan or impeller (25) with blades (27), positioned inside the fan housing (12), in such as way that it does or does not overlap the end of a inlet cone (26); a flow sharing device element (20), shaped and produced in a single piece (20) or in more than one piece (28, 30), with at least one appendage facing the inlet cone (26), and if necessary overlapping the impeller (25) and extending for the width of the discharge opening (21), in such as way to allow homogenization of the flow delivered and reduction of vortices, which cause high noise and loss of efficiency of the centrifugal fan (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Comefri S.p.A.
    Inventor: Pierangelo Della Mora
  • Patent number: 6893207
    Abstract: A centrifugal pump pumps well fluid with a high gaseous content by utilizing an impeller design for use in gaseous liquids. The impeller has high discharge angles and large balance holes. The impeller has short and long vanes alternating with each other. The shorter vanes have a leading surface that is concave in shape. In one design, the longer vanes have a radially outward portion of a leading surface that is concave in shape. The radially outward portion of the longer vanes of this design has substantially the same radius of curvature as the shorter vanes. The radially inward portion of the leading edge of the longer vanes can be concave or convex in shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Alan Lin Kao
  • Patent number: 6884036
    Abstract: A turbine nozzle includes outer and inner bands integrally joined to a vane having a three-pass serpentine flow circuit between opposite pressure and suction sidewalls. The outer band includes an inlet for channeling cooling air into a first channel of the circuit located behind a leading edge of the vane. A first outlet is disposed in the inner band at the bottom of the first channel where it joins the second channel of the circuit. A second outlet is also disposed in the inner band at the bottom of a third channel of the circuit which is disposed in flow communication with the second channel. The first channel behind the leading edge is smooth except for corresponding rows of first and second turbulators spaced laterally apart. The first turbulators bridge the pressure and suction sidewalls directly behind the leading edge, and the second turbulators are disposed behind the suction sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Baolan Shi, Robert Francis Manning, Randall Brent Rydbeck, Nigel Brian Thomas Langley
  • Patent number: 6881030
    Abstract: One aspect of the invention is directed to an impeller made of a non-metallic, heat resistant material, comprising a generally cylindrical shaped body, first and second generally planar end faces and a side wall extending between the first and second faces. A plurality of passages have inlets circumferentially spaced apart from each other on the first face, outlets at the impeller sidewall, and connecting portions extending between the inlets and the outlets transverse to the central axis. Another aspect of the invention is directed to an impeller comprising a central hub portion and first and second impeller bases, including end faces, transverse to a central axis. Vanes extend from the central hub portion between the impeller bases. Cavities are formed between the impeller bases and between adjacent vanes. Molten metal inlets on the end faces for molten metal to reach the cavities. Pumps are also disclosed using the inventive impellers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Inventor: Bruno H. Thut
  • Patent number: 6872047
    Abstract: The steam-cooling-type gas turbine is provided with communication passages in number equal to that of the front-stage stator blades and the rear-stage stator blades. Many communication passages are placed in the blade ring densely. As a result, in the blade ring, the temperature difference between the portion having the communication passages and the portion without the communication passages becomes smaller. This makes it possible to minimize the thermal deformation of the blade ring, thereby making it possible to provide uniform clearance between the fixed side such as the blade ring and the rotary side members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tadateru Tanioka
  • Patent number: 6837685
    Abstract: A method of repairing a rim of a rotor wheel is provided. The rotor wheel includes a rim, the rim having at least one slot defined by a slot bottom wall and at least one corner, the slot sized to receive the dovetail of a rotor blade therein. The method includes forming a first pocket at the at least one corner, wherein the first pocket has a first radius of curvature and forming a second pocket along the slot bottom wall, wherein the second pocket has a second radius of curvature and is spaced a distance along the slot bottom wall from the first notch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Sylvain Pierre
  • Patent number: 6824353
    Abstract: A water turbine includes a casing, a rotor, a primary drive shaft, a speed-reduction gear set, and an output drive unit. The casing confines a water compartment, and is formed with a water inlet for admitting pressurized water into the water compartment, and a water outlet for discharging the pressurized water from the water compartment. The rotor is mounted rotatably in the water compartment, and is driven rotatably by flow of the pressurized water from the water inlet through the water outlet. The primary drive shaft is coupled to and is co-rotatable with the rotor. The speed-reduction gear set is coupled to and is driven rotatably by the primary drive shaft. The output drive unit is coupled to and is driven rotatably by the speed-reduction gear set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Inventor: Wen-Pin Lin
  • Patent number: 6821086
    Abstract: A seal assembly and method for a turbomachine having a rotary member and a stationary member circumscribing the rotary member. The seal assembly comprises an annular-shaped platform on the rotary member so as to be disposed at an outer circumferential region thereof. The platform is supported radially outward from the rotary member so as to project beyond axially-adjacent regions of the rotary member. The platform has a contact region radially separated from the rotary member by a cavity. A sealing member is disposed at a radially inward region of the stationary member, with a portion of the sealing member in rubbing contact with the contact region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bruce William Brisson, Mark Edward Burnett, David Alan Caruso, Robert Edward Deallenbach, James Harvey Vogan, Christopher Edward Wolfe
  • Patent number: 6805529
    Abstract: A complex mechanical seal for vertical multiple stage pump includes a hollow cylinder fixed plate positioned in the vertical multiple stage pump. It is coupled to a fixed barrel. The bottom hole of fixed barrel is used as the passage of pump axle. A long axle bushing in the inner part of the fixed plate is fixed on the pump axle. A balance plate is positioned below long axle bushing. The circumference of balance plate has a flange. The mechanical seal is fixed on the upper space of the balance plate and fixed on long axle bushing. A return water passage is connected to the upper part of balance plate and to inlet of pump, and the high pressure region. A and low pressure region B, are needed as the pushing force. The complex structure of balance plate and mechanical seal is simultaneously easier and quicker to assemble and disassemble.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Reliance Pumps Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ming-Tsung Liu
  • Patent number: 6802691
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an axial flow rotary machine and to a maintainable compressor bleed system therefore. The axial flow rotary machine comprises a primary flow path for a working medium, a secondary flow path for the working medium, a bleed system for allowing a bleed portion of the working medium flowing in the primary flow path to be delivered to the secondary flow path, a support structure for the bleed system located radially inboard of the bleed system, and the panels for gaining access to the bleed system. The panels are located radially outboard of the bleed system. The panels form the inner flow wall for the primary flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Wieslaw Chlus
  • Patent number: 6799947
    Abstract: The mounting of an adjustable rotor blade on the rotor hub of a wind power installation has as an adjusting drive pivot bearing, a rolling bearing for the transmission of high axial forces and great flexural moments in the event of slight relative movements between the co-operating bearing components. It comprises a bearing race for the one co-operating bearing component, which receives in positively locking relationship two radially mutually displaced rows of rolling bodies, and a bearing race for the other co-operating bearing component, which embraces them in a U-shape in cross-section. The bearing race for the rotor blade forming the other co-operating bearing component comprises two races (10, 12) of different diameters, which are fixed independently of each other to the rotor blade (3). The circular root of the hollow rotor blade (3) is forked to form two shell portions (3a, 3b) and each shell portion is fixed to one of the two races (10, 12) of the one bearing race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Inventor: Aloys Wobben
  • Patent number: 6793457
    Abstract: A method for repairing a turbine nozzle segment having at least one vane disposed between outer and inner bands includes separating the inner band from the nozzle segment, and joining the inner band to a newly manufactured replacement casting having an outer band and at least one vane. The replacement casting includes a mounting platform formed on one end of the vane and a boss formed on the mounting platform. A collar is joined to the inner band and has a slot formed therein. The boss is then inserted into the slot, and the mounting platform is received in a recess formed in the inner band. Joining is completed by joining the boss to the collar and the mounting platform to the inner band. The thickness of the collar is tapered in an axial direction, and a relief is formed in the collar to provide assembly clearance with adjacent components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Walter Caddell, Matthew Nicklus Miller, Brian Alan Norton
  • Patent number: 6793460
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to fans having a handle that is disposed in a non-radial manner with respect to the center of the fan portion. In preferred embodiments the handle is substantially parallel to an imaginary circumferential tangent of the fan. In an especially preferred embodiment the fan is expanded at two radial spokes. Each of the spokes has a distal end, and the two distal ends are used to support the handle. An angle formed between the two spokes when the fan is in the expanded configuration is at least 15 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Inventor: Langdon DuBois
  • Patent number: 6790002
    Abstract: The present invention solves problems of securing high-temperature strength at elevated temperatures and of preventing steam leakage that arise when high-pressure, high-temperature steam is used for driving a steam turbine, and problems of preventing the occurrence of rubbing due to the suppression of the excessive elongation difference and of minimizing steam leakage from shaft seals. A double-wall casing structure is arranged at an area corresponding to stages from a high-pressure first stage (7) to a predetermined high-pressure stage arranged on an upstream side of a high-pressure final stage (8); and a single-wall casing structure is arranged at an area corresponding to stages which follows said predetermined high-pressure stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Morikazu Kitazawa, Masataka Kikuchi, Kazuo Aoyagi, Nobuo Okita, Hiroyuki Oohira
  • Patent number: 6786694
    Abstract: In a gas turbine, having a number of turbine blades/vanes respectively combined to form blade/vane rows, each of the turbine blades/vanes including an integrated cooling air duct, the cooling air requirement is to be kept particularly low in conjunction with reliable cooling of the turbine blades/vanes. For this purpose, the turbine blades/vanes forming a first turbine blade/vane row and the turbine blades/vanes forming a second blade/vane row connected downstream thereof, viewed in the flow direction of the working medium, are connected one behind the other on the cooling air side with the intermediate connection of an injection device for water. During the operation of the gas turbine, the cooling air flowing out of the turbine blades/vanes forming the first blade/vane row is intercooled by the injection of water and is subsequently supplied to the cooling air ducts of the turbine blades/vanes forming the second blade/vane row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Peter Tiemann
  • Patent number: 6783320
    Abstract: Pressurized gas turbine engine with efficiency enhanced by an electrothermodynamic power convertor. The turbine has peripheral nozzles which are supplied with pressurized gas or pressurized liquid by internal nozzle gas ways. Pressurized liquid is flashed by the nozzles. The electrothermodynamic power convertor has a collector plate which envelopes the turbine engine expansion chamber and a charged screen which is positioned radially between the gas nozzles and the collector plate. Collector plate insulation is affixed between the collector plate and the walls of the expansion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: International Automated Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Neldon P. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6783326
    Abstract: Two independent adjusting systems are recommended for each rotor blade (6) for blade angle adjustments of the rotor blades (6) of the rotor of a wind power plant, assuring full redundancy of the blade angle adjustment. By suitable control of the individual adjustment paths of the two adjustments systems, additional advantageous effects can be gained, such as good lubricant distribution and/or even load distribution over time (FIG. 1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roland Weitkamp, Henning Lütze, André Riesberg, Jochen Anemüller
  • Patent number: 6779967
    Abstract: A device for air mass flow control in a gas turbine engine includes at least one inlet duct 1, which can issue into an air duct 2, a counter-pressure duct 3, and a double-action shut-off element, which is connected between the counter-pressure duct 3 and the inlet duct 1 and is responsive to pressure differences between the two ducts to control air flow in the air duct 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG
    Inventors: Winfried-Hagen Friedl, Joerg Au
  • Patent number: 6779973
    Abstract: The pressure ratio &Dgr;P4S of a final stage moving blade is reduced. As a result, the Mach number in the final stage moving blade can be suppressed, and in the gas turbine operating at a pressure ratio of 20 or more, therefore, decline of turbine efficiency due to shock wave loss can be prevented securely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Eisaku Ito, Kazuo Uematsu