Patents Examined by Timothy Thorpe
  • Patent number: 5749218
    Abstract: A wear reduction kit for a combustion system of a gas turbine includes:a) a plurality of U-shaped inserts for use with a gas turbine transition piece having a peripheral end frame at one end thereof, the peripheral end frame having a continuous peripheral slot therein, open in a radially outward direction wherein the plurality of U-shaped inserts are adapted for insertion within the peripheral slot, and further wherein the U-shaped inserts are formed of material having a hardness greater than the end frame;b) at least a pair of guide block elements for use in securing a transition piece of a gas turbine combustor to a transition piece support, wherein each of the guide block elements is secured to the transition piece and adapted for engagement with cooperating guide finger elements secured to the support; and at least a pair of covers for the guide finger elements, and wherein the guide blocks are formed of material having a hardness greater than the finger element covers; andc) cooperating combustor flow sl
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: General Electric Co.
    Inventors: Robert H. Cromer, Kenneth B. Potter
  • Patent number: 5749712
    Abstract: A variable displacement swash plate type compressor has a coupling structure between a drive shaft and a swash plate in order to allow the swash plate to be movable along the drive shaft and inclinable relative to the same. The coupling structure comprises a bearing portion provided on the drive shaft to rotate therewith. The bearing portion includes first and second semicylindrical outer walls which are symmetrically arranged with respect to an axis of the drive shaft and first and second flat side walls which are symmetrically arranged with respect to the axis. Each of the first and second semicylindrical outer walls is perpendicular to each of the first and second flat side walls. The bearing portion further includes a rectangular center bore formed in a hub portion of the swash plate. The center bore is so sized and shaped as to intimately and slidably receive therein the bearing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Calsonic Corporation
    Inventor: Yukio Umemura
  • Patent number: 5746582
    Abstract: A method and a pumping system for lifting formation fluids from a production zone in a wellbore which allows the pump unit to be retrieved through the production tubing while leaving the tubing, electrical cable, and the remainder of the components of the pumping system in place. A pump unit is retrievably positioned within the production tubing and is releasably connected to a downhole motor whereby the motor will drive the pump when electricity is supplied thereto through the cable secured to the tubing. This allows the pump unit to be both retrieved and installed through the tubing without removing the production tubing string, the motor, or the electrical cable from the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventor: John C. Patterson
  • Patent number: 5746581
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for evacuating a vacuum system which includes an evacuating portion comprising first and second vacuum pumps which are connected in series. The method and the apparatus are characterized in that the first vacuum pump is operated in a range from reverse rotation to forward rotation, and the second vacuum pump is rotated unidirectionally, thereby enabling pressure control of the vacuum system over a wide range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignees: Ebara Corporation, Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Katsuya Okumura, Yuuichi Mikata, Manabu Tsujimura, Yoshio Ando
  • Patent number: 5743717
    Abstract: A gas flow control device for injecting gas into a production string for recovering pressure and reducing frictional losses, so that critical flow can be reached at lower pressure drops and higher production pressure, includes a nozzle having first and second ends, and a flow path therebetween, and a Venturi having first and second ends, and a flow path therebetween. The first end of the Venturi is disposed adjacent to the second end of the nozzle. The Venturi flow path is aligned with the nozzle flow path to provide a continuous flow path through the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Fluid Flow Engineering Company
    Inventor: Zelimir Schmidt
  • Patent number: 5743715
    Abstract: Balancing the load between compressors is not trivial. An approach is disclosed to balance loads for compression systems which have the characteristic that the surge parameters, S, change in the same direction with rotational speed during the balancing process. Load balancing control involves equalizing the pressure ratio, rotational speed, or power (or functions of these) when the compressors are operating far from surge. Then, as surge is approached, all compressors are controlled, such that they arrive at their surge control lines simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Compressor Controls Corporation
    Inventors: Serge Staroselsky, Brett W. Batson, Saul Mirsky, Vadim Shapiro
  • Patent number: 5741124
    Abstract: In order to protect a user from receiving an electric shock, an electric motor driven high pressure water pump system having an electric motor, a pump associated with the electric motor via of a direct drive shaft, and a fan housing wherein the electric motor driven high pressure pump includes a first insulator surrounding the direct drive shaft and electrically isolating the drive shaft and pump housing, from the electric motor and at least one insulator ring, dividing the electric motor stator from the pump housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: Officine Meccaniche FAIP S.r.l.
    Inventors: Roberto Mazzucato, Carlo A. Cuneo, Gus Alexander
  • Patent number: 5740674
    Abstract: The arrangement of a gas turbine engine suitable for high bypass ratio aircraft engines in which gases circulate in a primary air channel (7) and a secondary channel (8) concentric to said primary air channel, is characterized in that structural vanes (22) connecting the channel delimitation casings (2, 10, 14, 5) with each other, alternate with aerodynamic vanes (20) for guiding the gases on a common circumference of the engine bypass air channel (8), and in that the structural channels branch out between the two channels. The resulting advantages are simplicity of construction associated with a reduction in the space required for housing the channels and good resistance without notable increase of the total mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: Societe Nationale d'Etude Et de Construction de Moteurs d'Aviation "Sherma"
    Inventors: Bruno Beutin, Jean-Louis Charbonnel, Andre Collot, Claude Dejaune, Alain Espenel, Philippe Fessou, Jean-Claude Gregoire, Daniel Martin, Herve Paitre, Jean-Francois Ranvier, Monique Thore
  • Patent number: 5741126
    Abstract: A valveless positive displacement pump with a closed end cylinder has fluid inlet and outlet ports adjacent to the closed end. A piston is reciprocally and rotatively driven in the cylinder. The piston is provided with crisscrossed helical slots formed thereon which communicate specifically with the inlet and outlet ports for pumping fluid through the positive displacement pump. The piston is rotated by a drive shaft connected to a motor and reciprocated by an cam actuator mechanism cooperating with the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Inventors: Stanley D. Stearns, Paul Werner
  • Patent number: 5741125
    Abstract: The invention relates to a peristaltic pump system. The pump system comprises both an insert (10) and a motor assembly (30). The insert essentially comprises a wall (16) and a duct (22) of deformable material. The motor assembly comprises a drive shaft (38), a plate (50) on which rotary means (54, 64) are mounted to guide wheels (48) suitable for co-operating with the duct (22). When the shaft (38) is inserted, the wheels (48) are spread outwards and compress the duct (22) between themselves and the wall (16) of the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: Debiotech S.A.
    Inventors: Frederic Neftel, Bernard Bouvier
  • Patent number: 5741120
    Abstract: A scroll-type machine is disclosed which is particularly well suited for use as a compressor in refrigeration and air conditioning systems and incorporates a unique arrangement for modulating the capacity thereof. In one group of embodiments the capacity of the scroll-type machine is modulated by relative axial movement between the scroll members so as to form a leakage path across the wrap tips and opposed end plates. In another group of embodiments, modulation is achieved by reducing the orbital radius of one of the scroll members to thereby form a leakage path across the flank surfaces of the wraps. Both types of scroll separation may be accomplished in a time pulsed manner to thereby enable a full range of modulation with the duration of the loading and unloading periods being selected to maximize the efficiency of the overall system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: Copeland Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Bass, Roy J. Doepker, Jean-Luc M. Caillat, Wayne R. Warner
  • Patent number: 5738495
    Abstract: A device for constant, automatic regulation of water pressure and flow in a water supply plant, comprising an electric pump fitted in the main water pipe, an adjustable pressure switch connected to the main water pipe, and an electronic control unit, which switches the pump on if the pressure falls short of a predetermined level or switches it off if a predetermined pressure level is exceeded. The device is characterized in that a turbine, incorporated in the water pipe, acts as a sensor, cooperating with a rotation signal transmitter which is connected to the electronic control unit in order to keep the pump switched on as long as the sensor detects a flow of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Inventors: Claudio Carmignani, Ugo Ciurlo, Luciano Maruni, Martin Nimbach, Luca Pinoli
  • Patent number: 5738502
    Abstract: A cylinder assembly of a reciprocating compressor has exhaust valve elements including an exhaust valve reed, a stopper and a keeper. The keeper has two opposite fixed ends pressed against a valve seat by the cylinder head. Each of the fixed ends of the keeper includes an elastically deformable portion arranged to be elastically deformed by a pressing force of the cylinder head. This ensures accurate positioning of the keeper, regardless of the magnitude of the pressing force from the cylinder head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tae-Kyung Lee
  • Patent number: 5738503
    Abstract: A method of balancing an electronically driven air blower unit comprising a radial blower with a high-speed electronically commutated d.c. motor which drives the blower and which is of external rotor design, utilizing a balancing device into which the completely mounted air blower unit (1) can be inserted, without housing lid, and with which electrical contact (101, 102, 103; 201, 202, 203) can be made. The balancing device is provided with a control device for the motor (3, 4, 5) of the air blower unit and with a device (9) for bridging the motor electronics (10) of the air blower unit (1) itself. In order to drive the part to balanced of the air blower unit, its electromechanical transducer (3, 4, 5) is used, which for this purpose is actuated by the control device provided in the balancing device. The balancing process is essentially carried out in two compensation planes which are spaced axially from one another and are parallel with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Otfried Schmidt-Marloh, Claudius Muschelknautz, Johann Bohnert, Guenter Bauer, Juergen Herp, Kay Kroeger, Josef Wehberg, Gerd Knoepfel, Jochen Goehre, Henning Schroeder, Hans Kobschaetzky
  • Patent number: 5737914
    Abstract: Device for fixing an air intake to a jet engine and jet engine incorporating such a device.This device for fixing an air intake (24) to a jet engine (10) installed on a support strut (12) and having a fan (18) and a fan frame or case (20) is characterized in that the device has a hinge (32) fitted between the air intake (24) and the support strut (12) of the jet engine (10), in order to support and pivot the air intake (24) between a closed position, where the intake (24) and the fan frame (20) are arranged substantially coaxially, and an open position, where the intake is angularly spaced from said frame (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Aerospatiale Societe Nationale Industrielle
    Inventors: Alain Porte, Jean-Louis Lasserre
  • Patent number: 5738496
    Abstract: A ceiling fan having interchangeable plug-in circuit completion modules for varying the electrical driver circuitry of the fan. Each module is selectively designed to complete a motor driving circuit and/or a light driving circuit and are preferably installed in the switch housing of the fan. In addition, the modules contain selectively designed circuitry to enable a user to either manually or remotely control the fan. Since the modules are interchangeable, the driver control circuitry of the fan may be easily converted between manual and remote control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Hunter Fan Company
    Inventor: Vinay Mehta
  • Patent number: 5735675
    Abstract: A combination compressor unloader which has a horizontal cylinder and a double acting piston forming two compression chambers. Each chamber communicates by a passageway with a supplementary chamber with each passageway associated with a reversible actuator having an attached unloader plug capable of sealing the passageway from a remote control. A second means is provided to form a reversible by pass that can deactivate at least one cylinder end of said double ended piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Inventors: Richard Claude Peoples, Daniel Lee Umbaugh
  • Patent number: 5735117
    Abstract: A fuel injection system for a gas turbine engine combustion chamber comprises at least one pilot fuel injector having a fuel discharge passage communicated to the combustion chamber and at least one secondary fuel injector having a fuel discharge passage communicated to the combustion chamber and a fuel purging passage communicated to a higher pressure region upstream of the combustion chamber. A fuel flow control device supplies metered fuel flow to the pilot fuel injector under all regimes of engine operation and to the secondary fuel injector under certain, intermittent regimes of engine operation requiring fuel flow above a selected level. A shuttle valve is movable to a first position to provide fuel flow communication between the fuel control device and the fuel discharge passage of the secondary fuel injector for fuel injection to the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Fuel Systems Textron, Inc.
    Inventor: Alvin D. Toelle
  • Patent number: 5732547
    Abstract: A jet engine fan noise reduction system. The noise reduction system includes active noise control to suppress fan tone noise of an airplane flyover noise signature. The active noise control includes microphones with acoustic transducers upstream and downstream of the engine fan and fan exit guide vane stage to sense control system errors. Control signals are derived from the fan angular speed or blade passing frequency and the error signals sensed by the acoustic transducers. The control output signals actuate (modulate) air control valves on each side of the fan stage to direct conditioned (pressure and temperature regulated) high pressure primary air flow, thereby producing acoustic canceling of fan tone noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Ronald F. Olsen, Jeffrey M. Orzechowski
  • Patent number: 5733104
    Abstract: A vacuum pump system for multi-stage gas inlet systems and including a pumping unit formed of a turbomolecular pump and one or several further pumps arranged downstream of the turbomolecular pump and the rotors of which are located on the same shaft as the rotor of the turbomolecular pump, and an additional intermittently operated dry running pump, which discharges against atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Balzers-Pfeiffer GmbH
    Inventors: Armin Conrad, Otto Ganschow