Patents Examined by Todd Mattingly
  • Patent number: 5363649
    Abstract: A hydraulic pressure system includes a pump and a dry valve situated in the inlet of the pump, the dry valve being actuated by a pilot valve capable of capturing the pressure differentials between inlet and outlet of the pump for shifting the dry valve between opened and closed positions. In the dry operational mode, the pump inlet operates at a pressure below atmospheric, thus providing a pressure differential substantial enough to move the dry valve to an opened position. In the preferred form, the pilot valve is a solenoid actuated two-position, four-way, spring loaded valve. The dry valve is a gate valve directly coupled to a fluid control motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventors: James R. McBurnett, Weston R. Poyner
  • Patent number: 5281089
    Abstract: A rotary machine which includes a stator assembly 36 having a seal assembly 38 is disclosed. Various structural, details are developed which improve the structural integrity of the seal assembly during fabrication. In one detailed embodiment, the seal assembly includes a substrate 42 having angled surfaces 44, 46 facing a flowpath 24 for working medium gases which intersect at an obtuse angle region I and an axially continuous metal structure 48 which is attached to both surfaces and extends across the obtuse angle region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1994
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Allen W. Brown, Raymond A. Wolf
  • Patent number: 5275535
    Abstract: A blade and method for fabrication of a blade for use on a hub for rotation in a fluid that enjoys the benefits of a skewed blade without the disadvantages. This is accomplished through the use of alternating clockwise skewed and counterclockwise skewed sections formed along the leading edge. In bidirectional applications the alternating clockwise and counterclockwise skewed sections are formed along both edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: Innerspace Corporation
    Inventor: Calvin A. Gongwer
  • Patent number: 5269658
    Abstract: A composite axial flow rotary machine blade (50) and method of blade construction is disclosed. A partial-length, spanwisely-disposed hollow spar (20) partially captures a shaped foam core (30) which extends from within the spar's cavity (26) along a substantial length of the blade (50) in a spanwise fashion. A resin-impregnated high strength, high modulus cloth (34) and graphite (32) composition overlays the spar-core assembly (36) and forms the casing (50) with airfoil regions (52, 54) of the propeller blade (10). This construction results in a rotor blade (50) with enhanced natural frequencies thereby providing for an enhanced operational speed range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. K. Carlson, John A. Violette
  • Patent number: 5269652
    Abstract: A wing for a wind rotor of a windmill has a main part and a turnable part that serves as an aerodynamic brake. The main part of the wing has an outer end spaced radially inward from the wing tip and a notched partial-chord edge portion extending radially inward from the outer end for part of its length. The turnable part includes a first section and a second section. The first section is a full-chord outer tip portion of the wing that extends radially outward from the outer end of the main part of the wing. The second section is a partial-chord portion that extends radially inward from the first section in the notched region of the main part of the wing. Hinges located at the outer end and at the radially inner extent of the notched edge portion of the main part connect the second section of the turnable part to the main part for turning about a pivot line between a stowed position and a deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Inventor: Helge Petersen
  • Patent number: 5269647
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotor driven by wind power with a vertical rotating axis and radial arms distributed at uniform angular intervals over its periphery which bear bodies with an aerodynamic profile such that one side of the profile exhibits a lower air resistance with a current at right angles than with a current from the opposite side.Known vertical rotors should be of simple construction and should be capable of being manufactured at low cost. At the same time their efficiency should be high enough for them to be used to generate wind power economically. To this end, the rotor of the generic type is improved such that the rotor arms consist of one or a plurality of loops in vertical planes with an aerodynamic profile, where the profile shape is maintained essentially uniform over the entire length of the loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Inventor: Josef Moser
  • Patent number: 5269651
    Abstract: A guide vane ring having guide vanes is provided on two rings which are arranged coaxially and radially at a distance from one another. These two rings are held on assigned housing sections which are subjected to thermally different expansions. One ring is rigidly connected with the guide vanes, and the other ring is connected with the free ends of the guide vanes by the compressive force of a tensioning element. In addition, the other ring is divided into several piston-ring-type elements which axially follow one another and which are each slotted approximately axially and form a cylindrical sliding surface for the whole free ends of the vanes. The tensioning element is arranged on the one group of assigned housing sections while forming a radial compressive force distributed uniformly on the elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: MTU Motoren- und Turbinen-Union Munchen GmbH
    Inventors: Oskar Ostermeir, Wolfgang Kruger
  • Patent number: 5259191
    Abstract: A torque converter is provided for transmitting torque from an engine output shaft to an input shaft of a transmission. The torque converter includes a pump, connected with the engine output shaft, which includes a shell portion disposed at an outer portion thereof, a core portion disposed at an inner portion thereof and a plurality of blades disposed between the shell portion and the core portion. A turbine is disposed facing the pump and is driven by the pump through hydraulic fluid. The turbine includes a shell portion disposed at an outer portion thereof, a core portion disposed at an inner portion thereof and a plurality of blades disposed between the shell portion and the core portion. A stator is disposed between the pump and the turbine for torque amplification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Takino, Tokimori Saka
  • Patent number: 5257905
    Abstract: An anti-windage device is provided for use on the couplings formed by mating flanges of rotors for turbomachines, such as steam turbines and the like. The anti-windage device is comprised of upper and lower anti-windage ring segments. The anti-windage ring segments have holes for each of the nuts that are threaded onto the bolts that join the mating flanges into a rotor coupling. The holes enclose the nuts and the anti-windage ring segments fill the circumferential spaces between adjacent nuts. The ring segments are secured to the rotor flange by causing the nuts to bear against an annular lip formed in each hole. The depth of the holes and the axial thickness of the anti-windage ring is such that the end faces of the anti-windage ring, nuts and bolts are flush, thereby forming a smooth surface that minimizes windage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1993
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Robert C. Wynn, Lowell M. Swartz
  • Patent number: 5251440
    Abstract: A control system for automatically controlling the operation of a hydraulic system for heavy construction equipment. The system of this invention provides a controller optimally connected to sensors and to control devices on the hydraulic system so that it automatically and optimally preheats the engine coolant and the hydraulic fluid of the heavy construction equipment before a normal starting operation in order to reach to an optimal operating temperature in a relatively short time. The control system automatically checks the operating temperature of the engine coolant and the hydraulic fluid by temperature sensors, and alarms the operator to any overheat condition by an alarm device. The control system also automatically controls the operational mode in order to remove the overheat condition thus preventing the temperature of the engine coolant and the hydraulic fluid from rising above a predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignee: Samsung Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hoang Bong-dong, Jo Jang-ug, Jeong Sang-tae, Lee Chan-hee, Song Myeong-hun, Lee Jin-han
  • Patent number: 5249503
    Abstract: A reaction type control valve, primarily intended for controlling a power assisted steering system, comprising a hydraulic interface having variable effective reaction areas, the extent of which is determined by selected functions of values of torque applied thereto. Differential hydraulic fluid pressure is generated by the valve, which differential hydraulic fluid pressure is proportional to the applied torque and inversely proportional to any particular effective reaction area. Hydraulic fluid is induced to flow through a hydraulic interface between first and second valve members wherein primary and secondary sets of input and return orifices are selectively utilized to define the effective reaction areas as a function of the input torque. The primary and secondary sets of input and return orifices are located at selected radii.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: William J. Weinstock
    Inventor: Edward H. Phillips
  • Patent number: 5249423
    Abstract: A master cylinder includes a second piston that is provided with a hollow portion. The hollow portion includes a yoke portion for receiving an end of the second return spring, a cylindrical portion having a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the second return spring, and a tapered portion located at the open end of the hollow portion. The second return spring is disposed within the yoke portion so that the second return spring is coaxially arranged with respect to the second piston. Thus, although the second return spring is capable of moving rapidly to and fro within the hollow portion, the construction of the second piston and the arrangement of the second return spring within the hollow portion of the second piston helps avoid interference between the second piston and the second return spring. Thus, unpleasant noise can be reduced or eliminated. Moreover, small particles that would normally result when the second return spring scratches the second piston are not as likely to arise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kaoru Nakamura, Haruo Arakawa
  • Patent number: 5249928
    Abstract: A fixed pitch propeller has blades that are not solely dependent on the blade angle dictated by the helical path of the blade tip. An outboard portion of the blade has a range of blade angles that are relatively flat to operate most efficiently at lower aircraft speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Inventor: William J. Schulz
  • Patent number: 5249504
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pneumatic brake-booster comprising a casing (10), inside which is situated a piston (22) consisting of a rear tubular part (22) which supports a skirt (14) and which with the aid of an unwinding diaphragm (12) defines a front chamber (16) permanently connected to a vacuum source and a rear chamber (18) selectively connected to the front chamber (16) or to the atmosphere by a valve mechanism (20a, 32a, 40) actuated by a control rod (34) adapted to bear, by way of a plunger (32) sliding in a bore (30) of the piston (20), against one face of a reaction disk (58) fastened to a push rod (56), the valve mechanism (20a, 32a, 40) comprising a valve closure member (40) cooperating with a first valve seat (32a) formed on the plunger (32) and with a second valve seat (20a) formed on the piston (20 ), a retaining member (50), for the plunger (32) disposed in a radial space (38) in the piston (20) and having an inner end region extending the bore (30) of the piston (20) and forming a stop surfac
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: Bendix Europe Services Techniques
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Gautier, Ulysse Verbo, Miguel Perez
  • Patent number: 5245829
    Abstract: A vacuum-actuated brake booster which can better utilize a wire elongated member type travel clip is brought forth. The brake booster provides a dual durometer rear bearing having a first soft portion for sealing and supporting the power piston and a second harder portion for cushioning the travel clip upon its engagement with the rear housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Craig A. Osterday, Douglas L. Osterfeld
  • Patent number: 5241822
    Abstract: The invention concerns axial piston machines for installation in gearboxes and for detachable attachment thereto, having an machine housing open on one side, a connection block which closes this housing and has a pressure duct and an suction duct for the pressure medium, and a driving shaft rotatably mounted in the machine housing and the connection block, which drive shaft projects from the axial piston machine for the purpose of connection to a gear unit, the gearbox being capable of being closed by means of a gearbox cover, and having through apertures for the supply and discharge of the pressure medium to the pressure duct and suction duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Assignee: Brueninghaus Hydraulik GmbH
    Inventors: Ivan Pecnik, Josef Beck
  • Patent number: 5240374
    Abstract: There is provided a self-actuating variable pitch marine propeller which incorporates two or more blades, each independently rotatable, relative to the propeller hub, between a first lower and a second higher pitch. The blades are preferably mechanically linked by coordinating means and are caused to move preferably by a combination of centrifugal force effect resulting from inertial mass means and the hydrodynamic forces acting upon the blade hydrodynamic surface. The rotation of the blades relative to the propeller hub is limited primarily as to speed of rotation by restricted viscous fluid flow damping means operably connected to the blades. In one preferred embodiment, the viscous flow means further acts as an initial restraint against all motion by closing off the viscous flow orifice until a certain minimum propeller rotational speed is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Assignee: Nautical Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen R. Speer
  • Patent number: 5240371
    Abstract: A fan has a casing (1) having walls defining a flow duct which accommodates a multiple-disc rotor (1) mounted for rotation about the axis (3) thereof. The flow duct also accommodates baffles provided on opposite sides of the rotor (1) to extend along its axis (3). According to the invention, the casing (7) is mounted for rotation about the axis (3) of the rotor (1). The fan is useful for controlling air-exchange in living space or industrial production space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Inventor: Petr I. Belomestnov
  • Patent number: 5236309
    Abstract: A turbine blade assembly composed of a rotor which is rotatable about a turbine axis of rotation and a plurality of turbine blades supported by the rotor, each blade having a root and the rotor being provided with a groove shaped for holding each root in a manner such that the root and groove have mutually contacting surfaces which apply a radially inwardly directed restraining force to the root, the root further having a bottom facing the turbine axis and the groove having a base which is located radially inwardly of, and faces, the root bottom. The mutually contacting surfaces of the root and the groove are pressed together by means of at least one disc spring compressed between the root bottom and the groove base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Gary S. Van Heusden, Thomas A. Brown, Lloyd W. Smith, Ralph R. Barber, Robert M. Lloyd, Phillip R. Ratliff, Wilmott G. Brown, Albert F. Le Breton, David A. Lutz
  • Patent number: 5235900
    Abstract: A rotary actuator device having an annular piston rod, the device comprising at least one piston held provided with sealing means and co-operating with an annular piston rod mounted so as to be capable of moving in an annular chamber, together with means for selectively applying a fluid under pressure in said annular chamber, wherein the piston head co-operates with the piston rod via a hinge having one degree of freedom in rotation and one degree of freedom in translation, said hinge comprising a piece in the form of a knife whose edge co-operates with a V-groove in a female portion of triangular profile, the knife edge and the V-groove being parallel to the axis of rotation of the piston rod. This disposition enables the forces exerted on the sealing means to be brought back into balance, thereby increasing sealing even under high pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Assignee: Societe Europeenne de Propulsion
    Inventor: Patrick Garceau