Patents Examined by Kimya N McCoy
  • Patent number: 6503053
    Abstract: A blade with optimized vibration behavior for turbomachinery components in an axial-type construction having a solid, thin and elongated blade body, the blade, at a distance from both a radially inner blade body end and a radially outer blade body end, having at least one plate-like rib which is disposed in an upright position on the blade body surface and is oriented in a neutral manner with regard to the flow and is also integrally connected to the blade body on one of the suction and pressure sides of the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: MTU Motoren-und Turbinen München GmbH
    Inventor: Norbert Huebner
  • Patent number: 6499217
    Abstract: An efficient method of manufacturing a three-dimensional printed wiring board is provided in which a conductor foil can be reliably heat-fused to the board at a relatively low temperature and the three-dimensional shape such as convex and concave of a mold can be reproduced precisely with no residual stress. The method comprises the steps of providing a filmy insulator comprising a thermoplastic resin composition containing 65-35 wt % of a polyaryl ketone resin having a crystal-melting peak temperature of 260° C. or over, and 35-65 wt % of an amorphous polyetherimide resin, and having a glass transition temperature as measured when the temperature is increased for differential scanning calorie measurement of 150-230° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Plastics Inc., Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Shingetsu Yamada, Jun Takagi, Koichiro Taniguchi, Kaoru Nomoto, Toshihiro Miyake, Kazuya Sanada, Makoto Totani
  • Patent number: 6499949
    Abstract: The present invention provides active convection cooling through micro channels within or adjacent to a bond coat layer applied to the trailing edge of a turbine engine high pressure airfoil. When placed adjacent to or within a porous TBC, the micro channels additionally provide transpiration cooling through the porous TBC. The micro channels communicate directly with at least one cooling circuit contained within the airfoil from which they receive cooling air, thereby providing direct and efficient cooling for the bond coat layer. Because the substrate includes an actively cooled flow path surface region that can reduce the cooling requirement for the substrate, the engine can run at a higher firing temperature without the need for additional cooling air, achieving a better, more efficient engine performance. In one embodiment, a metallic bond coat is added to an airfoil with pressure side bleed film cooling slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Inventors: Robert Edward Schafrik, Ramgopal Darolia, Ching-Pang Lee
  • Patent number: 6497552
    Abstract: An impeller has a plurality of blades at an outer periphery thereof. Each of the adjacent blades define a groove space, and a partition wall is provided in the groove space. The partition wall is disposed at a center area of the groove space in an axial direction of the impeller for partitioning the groove space from a root of the blade. The blade inclines backwardly in the rotating direction at the root side thereof, and inclines frontwardly in the rotating direction at a radial outer end side thereof. A front face is inwardly concaved from both axial ends, and warps from the root to the radial outer end of the blade to form the concave such that the concave gradually becomes small from the root to the radial outer end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushige Kobayashi, Kiyotoshi Oi, Hiroaki Takei, Yoshio Ebihara
  • Patent number: 6494677
    Abstract: A method for repairing a turbine nozzle segment having at least two vanes disposed between outer and inner bands includes separating the outer and inner bands from the vanes, and forming one slot for each vane through the outer band and one slot for each vane through the inner band. A newly manufactured replacement vane is provided for each one of the original vanes. Each replacement vane has an outer boss formed on an outer end thereof and an inner boss formed on an inner end thereof. Then, each outer boss is inserted into a corresponding one of the outer band slots, and each inner boss is inserted into a corresponding one of the inner band slots. Once the parts are so assembled, each outer boss is welded to the outer band on the cold side, and each inner boss is welded to the inner band on the cold side. Each replacement vane is also brazed to the outer and inner bands on the respective hot sides thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Wayne Ray Grady
  • Patent number: 6494672
    Abstract: Compensating for the complex changing shape and location of a turbocompressor's surge limit line can be difficult and imprecise when using antisurge controllers that do not incorporate sufficient capability. Based upon various operating conditions, surge limit line changes can be attributed to a number of process variables. These effects are particularly relevant to multistage centrifgal and axial turbocompressors operating with variable rotational speed and equipped with adjustable inlet or diffuser guide vanes, or both. This invention relates to an innovative method of antisurge control in which the function of those process variables (comprising the turbocompressor operating condition parameters) is used to calculate distances to the surge reference line. The function is formed as a superposition of the functions of lesser numbers of variables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Compressor Controls Corporation
    Inventors: Boris S. Khots, Leonid Shcharansky
  • Patent number: 6494676
    Abstract: A centrifugal fan runner, equipped with backward blades, being suitable to be applied to, in particular, an air cleaner, an air conditioner, and a fan for air blow and ventilation, with high fan efficiency, a large air volume, low noises, comprising: a core plate being connected to an axis of a motor; and a side plate being provided opposing to said core plate, wherein backward blades, being inclined in an anti-rotational direction thereof, are provided at a distance in a circumferential direction, and the backward blades are bent in a position at distance of about ½-{fraction (1/(3.5))} of a length of the blade from an outer periphery thereof, so that an outlet portion thereof is inclined into a direction of rotation of the blade, and an outlet angle of the outlet portion with respect to a tangential direction on an outer periphery of said side plate lies from about 40 degree to about 60 degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Yokoyama, Yoshihiro Takada
  • Patent number: 6494678
    Abstract: A turbine assembly having at least one rotor blade comprises an airfoil having a pressure sidewall, a suction sidewall and a tip portion having a tip cap. A tip is disposed on the tip cap. A plurality of blade tip cooling holes are positioned within the airfoil near the tip portion. Cooling grooves are disposed within the airfoil to connect the blade tip cooling holes with the top portion of the tip to transition cooling flow from the cooling holes to the tip portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Ronald Scott Bunker
  • Patent number: 6491494
    Abstract: A direct drive water pump is provided for circulating coolant in a high performance engine with or without a radiator. The direct drive water pump utilizes an electric motor that may be removed. The direct drive water pump utilizes removable flanges that provide for the use of the pump with multiple engines having various water passage configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Inventors: Clyde D. Beckenbach, Rowland W. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6488472
    Abstract: A low-noise axial fan is provided with whirring sound minimized. The axial fan includes a plurality of blades arranged around a rotation axis at predetermined layout pitches. The blades are arranged at varied layout pitches. For instance, the layout pitch between the two adjacent blades may be different from the layout pitch between the remaining blades. This arrangement controls the whirring sound of the fan, which would be high in level if the blades were arranged at an equal layout pitch. A low-noise axial fan thus results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Atsushi Miyazawa
  • Patent number: 6488467
    Abstract: A casting technique is disclosed which improves efficiency and reduces fabrication and assembly cost for a centrifugal compressor. The volute is cast integrally with the impeller housing to allow closer radial tolerances to be used to improve efficiency. In the preferred embodiment, compressors for multi-stage compression are assembled with intercoolers and the integral volute is cast together with the impeller housing and the lower gearbox housing and the associated intercooler. Efficiency increases of 2% or more are achievable. In multistage applications, efficiency gains in the early stages are compounded in each subsequent stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Cooper Cameron Corporation
    Inventors: Edward S. Czechowski, Robert M. Kolodziej, John Battershell
  • Patent number: 6485260
    Abstract: A fan assembly has a fan housing defining mounting apertures, a sheet metal mounting member for mounting the fan housing thereon, mounting tabs extending outwardly of the mounting member and received within the mounting apertures of the fan housing, and threaded fasteners received within the mounting apertures of the fan housing and engaging both the mounting tabs and the fan housing to secure the fan housing to the mounting member. Each mounting tab is formed by piercing the sheet metal mounting member with a forming tool, and moving the forming tool through the pierced mounting member to thereby move the pierced metal in the shape of the tab outwardly of the mounting member. The mounting tabs are received within the mounting apertures of the fan housing, and self-tapping fastener are inserted into the mounting apertures of the fan housing and engage both the fan housing and the mounting tabs to secure the fan housing to the mounting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Nidec America Corporation
    Inventors: Paul A. Orlowski, Richard W. LaFond, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6482187
    Abstract: An animal identification and medication syringe includes a barrel, a plunger piston which moves longitudinally within the barrel in response to air pressure within the barrel, and a syringe needle for penetrating the hide of an animal and for introducing medication into the animal. A valve mechanism or plug assembly enables the syringe to selectively deliver medication into the animal. The plunger piston evacuates the medication chamber within the barrel, and also acts as the force by which the syringe is ultimately ejected from the animal after medication has been delivered. A marking disk may be mounted on the distal end of the syringe to disinfect the needle and/or to mark the animal upon impact of the syringe with the animal. A rapid refill device is also provided to refill the syringe numerous times without having to disassemble or otherwise manipulate the syringe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Inventor: Fred O. Gibbs
  • Patent number: 6481968
    Abstract: The invention is based on a helicopter having the following features: one rotor head (1) is non-rotatably connected with a rotor mast (3) which is rotatably mounted in a housing (5) of a transmission (6); one or more driving mechanisms actuate the rotor mast (3) via the transmission (6) with a summarizing gear (11) fastened on said rotor mast (3), one swash plate (17) is supported by its stationary part (18) via a first fork in a non-rotatable but axially displaceable manner and tiltably in all directions relative to this axis of said rotor mast (3); a rotatable part (19) of said swash plate (17) is rotatably supported against said stationary part (18) of said swash plate (17) via axial and radial bearings (23) and non-rotatably hinged on said rotor head (1) by means of a second fork.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: ZF Luftfahrttechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Fischer, Josef Müller
  • Patent number: 6481960
    Abstract: A variable gas turbine compressor vane structure includes a gas turbine compressor vane having a vane support at an end thereof, and a case structure having a bearing support disposed to engage the vane support of the gas turbine compressor vane. The bearing support is typically a bearing bushing or a bearing washer. The bearing support is made of a metal skeleton having open-cell porosity extending therethrough, and an infiltrant material such as an organic or a ceramic infiltrated into the porosity of the metal skeleton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Co.
    Inventor: Wayne Ray Bowen
  • Patent number: 6481100
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a wiring board comprising the steps of winding an electrical wire around a insulating plate having a number of electrical wire grooves for placing an electrical wire therein and a number of terminal grooves formed at positions corresponding to the electrical wire grooves in which the attached pressure connection terminal is connected to the electrical wire making use of the electrical wire grooves; cutting the electrical wire wound around the insulating plate at desired positions; and attaching the pressure connection terminal at a desired position in the number of terminal grooves, a wiring board, and an electrical connection box manufactured by accommodating the wiring box in a casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masakazu Murakami, Mitsuo Tanaka, Tatsuo Satori
  • Patent number: 6474938
    Abstract: A fuel pump for use in conjunction with a gas turbine engine is disclosed which includes a pump housing, a shrouded rotor member, and an inlet post member, wherein fluid is axially supplied along the pump centerline and then radially discharged at a first pressure to the interior chamber of the pump housing, at the base portion of vane elements associated with the rotor, thereby contacting the vane elements at a minimum angular velocity and angle of incidence. Also disclosed is a single bearing arrangement for eccentrically supporting a shrouded rotor member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Coltec Industries Inc
    Inventors: William H. Dalton, George L. Bennett
  • Patent number: 6471469
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine variable geometry exhaust nozzle including a seal system that facilitates extending a useful life of the engine variable geometry system is described. The seal system includes a backbone and an attachment assembly. The attachment assembly frictionally engages the backbone to secure the attachment assembly to the backbone. The attachment assembly includes a plurality of clamp sub-assemblies and base sheet fabricated from a ceramic matrix composite material. The clamp sub-assemblies are clamped through openings extending through the base sheet, such that a predetermined amount of preload force is applied to the base sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Jay Toffan, Paul Evan Zimpelmann, David Jay Harris
  • Patent number: 6468027
    Abstract: A casing includes a C-shaped casing side pump groove along blades of an impeller. A casing cover also includes a casing cover side pump groove facing the casing side pump groove. The casing side pump groove and the casing cover side pump groove form a pump fluid passage. A gap is provided between an outer surface of the pump grooves and the impeller. Depth, and outer and inner diameters of a pump groove starts to gradually change from a fuel upstream side of a fuel outlet. The depth of the pump groove gradually decreases, the outer diameter of the pump groove gradually decreases to approach an outer diameter of the impeller, and the inner diameter of the pump groove gradually increases to approach the outer diameter of the impeller. The pump groove ends at a downstream side of the fuel outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Narisako, Yoshio Ebihara
  • Patent number: 6468247
    Abstract: A device for localized delivery of drugs into a user definable, three dimensional area within a tissue mass comprising a means for securely housing a plurality of hypodermic needles, a means of impaling and retracting the hypodermics into a tissue mass, and a means of injecting the contents of the hypodermics as they are being retracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Inventor: Mark Zamoyski