Patents Examined by Michael Koczo
  • Patent number: 7200998
    Abstract: A gas turbine combustor has a combustion chamber into which fuel and air are supplied, wherein the fuel and the air are supplied into said combustion chamber as a plurality of coaxial jets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Inoue, Tomomi Koganezawa, Nariyoshi Kobayashi, Isao Takehara
  • Patent number: 7201566
    Abstract: In a reciprocating-piston machine, in particular a refrigerant compressor for a motor vehicle air-conditioning system, including a machine shaft, a plurality of pistons are arranged, at the same distance from the machine shaft, on a cylinder envelope defined by the axes of the pistons and extending around the machine shaft, and an annular pivoting disc which is driven by the machine shaft and which engages the pistons via a joint arrangement, the joint arrangement has an at least partially spherical receptacle, in which at least one sliding element structure is arranged moveably relative to the associated piston and relative to the pivoting disc, including a first sliding element having a first sliding face in the form of a spherical segment with a first geometric center (M1, M3), and a second sliding element having a second sliding face in the form of a spherical segment with a second geometric center (M2, M4) arranged at a distance from the first geometric center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignees: DaimlerChrysler AG, Obrist Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Roland Cäsar, Peter Kuhn
  • Patent number: 7198475
    Abstract: A valve assembly of hermetic compressor is disclosed, in which a valve insertion groove (44) and (45) are formed. The valve insertion groove (44) includes a suction opening (42) on a head (40) provided between a cylinder (5) and a head cover (10), and the valve insertion groove (45) includes a discharge opening (43). An insertion type suction valve (50) and an insertion type discharge valve (60) are connected to said valve insertion grooves (44) and (45) respectively by spot welding. Accordingly, the valve assembly of hermetic compressor can make the valve smaller and simpler, so that reduced fabricating cost and improved productivity can be obtained. Also, at the same time dead volume can be reduced, thereby improving the compression efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hyeon Kim, Jai-Seong Sim
  • Patent number: 7194864
    Abstract: Methods of increasing lifetimes of components in a gas turbine engine. Ordinarily, components are replaced after they experience a certain number of thermal cycles, or a certain operating temperature limit is exceeded. Under one form of the invention, the components are not replaced at that time, but are subjected to increased cooling, which decreases the highest temperature reached in subsequent thermal cycles. Also, many components are replaced when acceleration of an engine falls below a target. In one form of the invention, the components are not replaced, but (1) scheduled fuel flow is increased and (2) compressor stall margin also increased, in order to attain the target acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Sridhar Adibhatla
  • Patent number: 7194852
    Abstract: Propulsion from combustion of solid propellant pellet-projectiles for providing a useful propulsion that has the advantages of both solid and liquid propulsion engines, and also can make use of either solid chemical propellants or fissionable nuclear material as the fuel. Preferred methods and systems can include a storage chamber for storing solid propellant pellets, a feeding system having a pellet feeding channel and a pellet feeding mechanism connected to the storage chamber and to a gun assembly, which is positioned along a longitudinal axis to eject the pellets at a certain velocity. A triggering system positioned between gun assembly and thrust chamber can initiate the propellant pellet-projectile, and a thrust chamber having a combustion chamber for combustion of propellant pellet-projectile with an exhaust nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Inventor: Vinu B. Krishnan
  • Patent number: 7195463
    Abstract: A method of installing a removable inlet port filter plate having a replaceable filter between a compressor inlet port and a suction hose assembly is taught. The inlet port filter plate includes a main body and mounting surfaces for attachment between the compressor and the suction hose assembly or between the compressor and the compressor hose block. The main body defines a passage that allows for refrigerant flow through a filter which is positioned in the passage. In one preferred embodiment the diameter of the filter is greater than the inside diameter of the compressor inlet port. In another preferred embodiment the diameter of the filter is greater than the inside diameter of the suction hose assembly outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Inventor: Thomas M. Wall
  • Patent number: 7195466
    Abstract: A fuel pump having a pumping impeller and an electric motor integrally contained in a cylindrical housing is submerged in a fuel tank of an automotive vehicle. The fuel pump pumps up fuel in the fuel tank and supplies pressurized fuel to an internal combustion engine. To make the fuel pump compact in size, i.e., small in diameter and short in length, a power-receiving connector of the fuel pump is coupled to a power-supplying connector by facing both connectors in the circumferential direction around the axis of the fuel pump. Elongate terminals in the power-receiving connector and brushes are positioned to overlap each other in the rotational direction of the fuel pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Masayuki Kobayashi, Eiji Iwanari
  • Patent number: 7191792
    Abstract: A compressor assembly having a base. Particularly, a compressor assembly including a base defined at least partially by a support surface and a wall extending upwardly therefrom, an elastomeric coating positioned to cover at least a portion of the base to define a substantially fluid tight containment area, and a fluid compressor positioned within the base with at least a portion of the fluid compressor positioned in the containment area. The present invention may further include a method for assembling a compressor assembly, the method including providing a base having a support surface and a wall extending upwardly therefrom to define a first perimeter, coating at least a portion of the support surface and at least a portion of the wall with an elastomeric material to define a fluid containment area, and positioning at least one fluid compressor component at least partially within the first perimeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventor: Dean P. Hendrix
  • Patent number: 7192257
    Abstract: The automatic transmission for motor vehicles includes a positive displacement pump, a sump hydraulically connected by a passage to the pump inlet, a line pressure control valve having a high pressure outlet, a passage carrying fluid from the control valve through a nozzle and an nozzle exit opening to the passage that connects the sump to the pump inlet. The high pressure passage has a cross section whose area decreases in the direction toward the pump inlet and terminates in a nozzle through which a high speed jet enters the low pressure passage through the nozzle exit opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Lee Becker, Timothy Droste, Vladimir Yasnogorodskiy, Thomas Tibbles
  • Patent number: 7188464
    Abstract: A method for operating an aircraft engine facilitates preventing ice accumulation on the aircraft engine. The method comprises coupling a semi-permeable membrane to the engine adjacent an outer surface of the engine, coupling a fluid reservoir to the aircraft engine in flow communication with the semi-permeable membrane, and supplying fluid from the fluid reservoir to the semi-permeable membrane to facilitate preventing ice accumulation on the aircraft engine outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Frederick Ackerman, William Kent Wagner
  • Patent number: 7189065
    Abstract: A regenerative source of heat is provided for the oil used to lubricate a compressor within a heating, cooling or refrigeration system. The regenerative source absorbs heat from the oil when it is circulating through the compressor at a relatively high temperature. The regenerative source gives up heat to the oil following deactivation of the compressor. The source of heat includes a thermal phase change material that is preferably a hydrated salt capable of storing sufficient thermal energy to maintain the oil above any temperatures that would cause damage to the moving parts of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Kevin F. Dudley
  • Patent number: 7188476
    Abstract: A gas turbine combustor has a combustion chamber into which fuel and air are supplied, wherein the fuel and the air are supplied into said combustion chamber as a plurality of coaxial jets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd
    Inventors: Hiroshi Inoue, Tomomi Koganezawa, Nariyoshi Kobayashi, Isao Takehara
  • Patent number: 7186095
    Abstract: A mounting bracket for a compressor. The mounting bracket includes a mounting member and an elongate bracing member. The mounting member is secured to the housing of the compressor has a central support section in substantial registry with the housing. The mounting member includes two legs which extend from opposite ends of the central support section. The first and second legs respectively include first and second distal portions. The bracing member may be secured to the mounting member with two swaged connections. The swaged connections each define an aperture through the bracing member and the mounting member. A method of mounting a compressor is also provided. The method utilizes a mounting bracket having a bracing member which is secured to a mounting member by deforming at least one of the bracing member and the mounting member into engagement with the other of the bracing member and the mounting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventor: Robin G. Skinner
  • Patent number: 7186098
    Abstract: A pump (1) is provided with a housing (2), having an inlet (28) and an outlet (29), a drive (5), a fixed cylinder (2) centered on a mid-axis (9), a displacer (18), rotating eccentrically within the cylinder (2), a crank drive (13) for the displacer (18), a circumferential sickle-shaped pumping chamber (26) between the cylinder (2) and displacer (18) and a helical sealing element (27, 27?, 27?, 39) in the pumping chamber (26). The pump is a dry vacuum pump, whereby the displacer (18) circulates in the cylinder (2) without making contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Oerlikon Leybold Vacuum GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Dreifert
  • Patent number: 7186097
    Abstract: Suction valve spring retainers mounted using an access bore plug are described for use in plunger pump housings having an offset access bore and incorporating structural features for stress-relief. These pump housing structural features accommodate access bore plugs that secure suction valve spring retainers that are internally located substantially centrally over the suction bore transition area of the plunger pump housing. Access bore plugs are secured in place on the pump housing using one or more threaded retainers. Plunger pumps so constructed are relatively resistant to fatigue failure because of stress-reducing structural features, and they may incorporate a variety of valve styles, including top and lower stem-guided valves and crow-foot-guided valves, in easily-maintained configurations. Suction valve spring retainers mounted in plunger pump housings may also incorporate a suction valve top stem guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventor: George H. Blume
  • Patent number: 7181915
    Abstract: A high temperature gas turbine component for use in the gas flow path that also is a specular optical reflector. A thin layer of a high temperature reflector is applied to the gas flow path of the component, that is, the surface of the component that forms a boundary for hot combustion gases. The component typically includes a thermal barrier coating overlying the high temperature metallic component that permits the component to operate at elevated temperatures. The thermal barrier coating must be polished in order to provide a surface that can suitably reflect the radiation into the gas flow path. A thin layer of the high temperature reflector the is applied over the polished thermal barrier coating by a process that can adequately adhere the reflector to the polished surface without increasing the roughness of the surface. The high temperature reflector can be applied to any surface aft of the compressor, such as on a centerbody.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Frederick Ackermann, Paul V. Arszman, Bangalore A. Nagaraj, Craig D. Young, Nicole Justis
  • Patent number: 7182583
    Abstract: An electro-hydraulic power unit is disclosed that includes a housing filled with hydraulic fluid. A hydraulic power unit is disposed within the housing, the power unit having a mechanical power shaft. Additionally, an electric machine is disposed within the housing adjacent to the hydraulic power unit, the electric machine having a rotor secured to the mechanical power shaft of the hydraulic power unit. Hydraulic fluid within the housing passes over the electric machine, thus cooling the electric machine and providing for improved efficiency and performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Sauer-Danfoss Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Gandrud, Torben Frederiksen, Hans Esders
  • Patent number: 7179066
    Abstract: A fuel pump has an electric motor with a stator, a rotor, a generally cylindrical tube having opposed ends, a fuel pumping element driven by the electric motor to take in fuel and discharge fuel under pressure, and a plate having a face disposed adjacent to the fuel pumping element and a discontinuous support surface against which one end of the tube is received. The discontinuous support surface preferably minimizes distortion of the plate face under loading from the tube in assembly of the fuel pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: TI Group Automotive Systems, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Julie K. Good, Shane L. Kady, George E. Maroney, Bradley L. Uffelman
  • Patent number: 7178340
    Abstract: A sealing device for use between a gas turbine combustor transition duct aft frame and a turbine inlet having improved durability, reduced wear on the mating turbine vane, and reduced manufacturing costs, is disclosed. The sealing device has a circumferential length, an axial width, and a radial height and contains a plurality of channels extending axially along the seal inner surface for passing a controlled amount of cooling air to a turbine inlet. The sealing device is formed of abradable honeycomb having a plurality of honeycomb cells with the honeycomb cells oriented to ensure maximum control against cooling air leakage while also providing maximum flexibility during assembly. The sealing device is captured between the transition duct aft frame, bulkhead, and turbine vane platform, thereby allowing easy replacement of the seal without requiring major disassembly of the transition duct aft frame section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Power Systems Mfg., LLC
    Inventor: Stephen W. Jorgensen
  • Patent number: 7177151
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are provided for cooling a heat source. One apparatus embodiment includes a housing, a fluid conduit, a pump within the housing and in communication with the fluid conduit for conveying fluid through the fluid conduit, and a turbine in communication with the fluid conduit to be driven by the fluid as it passes through the fluid conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Brian T. Van Lear, Jerad D. Whitaker