Patents Examined by Wesley Le Fisher
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Patent number: 10920747Abstract: There is provided a method for controlling a hydraulic pitch force system (220) so as to reduce or eliminate a decrease in hydraulic oil pressure (241) if a hydraulic system parameter value is outside a hydraulic system parameter range, the method comprising: Obtaining (690) the hydraulic system parameter value, and operating the hydraulic pitch force system (220) according to a reduced mode (692) if the hydraulic system parameter value is outside the hydraulic system parameter range, wherein in the reduced mode one or more pitch based activities are reduced (694) or suspended. An advantage thereof may be that it enables keeping the wind turbine in production in certain instances rather than shutting down the wind turbine. In aspects, there is furthermore presented a computer program product, a pitch control system (250) and a wind turbine (100).Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2016Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/SInventors: Martin Ansbjerg Kjær, Frank Møller Hansen, Jacob Hviid Nielsen, Jesper Lykkegaard Neubauer, Poul Brandt Christensen, Fabio Caponetti, Christian Skallebæk, Robert Grøn-Stevens, Kasper Zinck Østergaard
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Patent number: 10907615Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of correcting rotor imbalance and a wind turbine thereof. The correction method comprises measuring the vibrations within at least one time window and determining an imbalance factor and an imbalance phase. The values of the parameters in the equation for calculating the correction action are then updated based on the imbalance factor and an imbalance phase. A correction angle for each of the wind turbine blades is calculated using these adjusted parameters. The correction angle is used to aerodynamically balance the rotor, and a model may be used to determine the initial values of the parameters. Another imbalance factor and imbalance phase is determined based on another set of measurements. This imbalance factor is then used to calculate a mass moment for correcting the mass imbalance in the wind turbine blades. The weight and location of a balancing mass is finally calculated based on this mass moment and installed in the respective wind turbine blades.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2016Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: Envision Energy (Denmark) ApSInventor: Keld Stefan Pedersen
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Patent number: 10875615Abstract: A method of making a propeller includes forming the propeller to have blades coupled to an outer hub, the outer hub coupled to an inner hub via ribs, and the inner hub configured to be coupled to the marine vessel. The ribs each have first and second ends with a midpoint therebetween, an inner end and an outer end that define a width therebetween, and a leading surface and a trailing surface that define a thickness therebetween. The ribs are tapered such that the thickness is greater at the midpoint than at least at one of the first end and the second end, and scalloped such that the width is greater at the midpoint than at least at one of the first end and the second end. Each of the ribs is coupled to the outer hub in radial alignment with one of the blades.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2018Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Alexander K. Monroe, Trevor George, Philip R. Walker, Daniel J. Guse, Justin D. Ericson, Jason Worful
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Patent number: 10858952Abstract: A projecting portion is formed on a nozzle ring, projects to a radially outer side with respect to a cylindrical portion, extends in a circumferential direction, and is held in abutment against a housing from a side of a link plate. A plate is faced to the nozzle ring on a side of a nozzle vane, and is configured to form a flow passage in a clearance to the nozzle ring. A pin is inserted into a first insertion portion formed in the nozzle ring and a second insertion portion formed in the plate, and to which the nozzle ring and the plate are mounted while the clearance is maintained. A counter bore groove is formed in the first insertion portion of the nozzle ring on the side of the link plate, and cut out the projecting portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2019Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: IHI CorporationInventors: Takao Asakawa, Kenichi Segawa, Takahiro Kobayashi, Ryota Sakisaka, Kazuko Takeuchi, Kenji Bunno
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Patent number: 10859091Abstract: A system includes a machine; a centrifugal fan, the centrifugal fan having a plurality of centrifugal fan blades and being constructed to generate a cooling airflow for cooling the machine; and an axial flow inducer disposed on the plurality of centrifugal fan blades, wherein the axial flow inducer is constructed generate an axial flow through a central portion of the centrifugal fan.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2018Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: ABB Schweiz AGInventors: Stefan Rakuff, Joe J. Liou, Qimin Dong
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Patent number: 10830102Abstract: Casings and methods for manufacturing casings are provided. For example, a casing defining radial, axial, and circumferential directions is provided. The casing comprises an annular inner wall and an annular outer wall, each extending along the axial direction, with the outer wall radially spaced apart from the inner wall. The casing also comprises an auxetic structure extending from the inner wall to the outer wall and including a plurality of lattice elements. Each lattice element extends circumferentially and radially from the inner to the outer wall, and the lattice elements are axially spaced apart from one another. The auxetic structure may define at least one aperture for fluid flow from one portion to another of the auxetic structure and/or may be configured to vary the thermal characteristics of the casing along the axial direction. The casing may be integrally formed as a single monolithic component, e.g., by additive manufacturing.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2018Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Andrew J. Martin, Arthur William Sibbach
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Patent number: 10830100Abstract: A turbine nozzle for a rotary machine including a centerline axis includes an airfoil including a leading edge and a trailing edge. The airfoil defines a throat location proximate the trailing edge. The turbine nozzle also includes an inner band assembly including a platform portion coupled to the airfoil, and a first flange coupled to the platform portion. The first flange is obliquely oriented with respect to the platform portion, and the platform portion and the first flange intersect at a point axially aligned with the throat location.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2018Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: General Electric Company Polska Sp. Z o.o.Inventors: Michal Czarnecki, Michal Kowalczyk, Adam Krysztopa, Piotr Pachota
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Patent number: 10823195Abstract: A compressor diffuser for a gas turbine engine comprises a plurality of diffuser pipes having a tubular body. The pipes have a first portion having a radial component and defining a throat at a location along the first portion, a second portion having an axial component, and a curved portion fluidly linking the first portion and the second portion. The first portion has an inner surface with a local surface contour located between the throat and the curved portion. The local surface contour extends along a portion of and around less than an entire perimeter of the first portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2018Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.Inventor: Hien Duong
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Patent number: 10794400Abstract: A fan includes a rotating unit and a housing unit. The rotating unit includes a base and a fan body that is rotatably mounted to the base. The housing unit includes an outer ring that surrounds and is connected to the base, a plurality of connecting members that are mounted to an outer peripheral surface of the outer ring and that are spaced apart from each other, and a base member that surrounds the rotating unit and the outer ring and that is connected to the connecting members. The base member has a plurality of receiving holes, and each of the connecting members is made of a shock-absorbing material, and is fixed in a respective one of the receiving holes.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2019Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: YEN SUN TECHNOLOGY CORP.Inventors: Chien-Jung Chen, Hsin-Hsien Wu, Chih-Tsung Hsu
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Patent number: 10788019Abstract: The application relates to a liquid containment assembly (200) for a wind turbine (10), comprising: a support (202) for supporting wind turbine equipment (220); and a flexible container (300) suspended beneath the support (202). The flexible container (300) is arranged such that it is moveable between a collapsed position, in which the liquid containment assembly (200) has a first depth (D1), and an expanded position, in which the liquid containment assembly (200) has a second depth (D2), the second depth being greater than the first depth.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2016Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/SInventors: Morten Hedegaard Petersen, Steffen Hougaard, Erland Falk Hansen, Rasmus Dejgaard Jensen
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Patent number: 10767657Abstract: An axial alignment structure for a fluid pressure pump (100) includes: a first housing made of a resin; and a second housing made of a resin, in which a housing is configured in a state where the first housing and the second housing are joined to each other by thermal welding at a welding position, and a pump rotor is accommodated in the housing, and the first housing and the second housing have an axial alignment mechanism that axially aligns the first housing and the second housing such that axes of the first and second housings coincide with each other at the time of joining of the first housing and the second housing to each other by the thermal welding.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2018Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hiroaki Kumagai, Hiroomi Ogawa
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Patent number: 10760442Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a circumferential gap between a stationary component and a rotating member is disclosed. The rotating member is configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis and has a radially outer surface disposed at a first non-zero angle with respect to the longitudinal axis. The apparatus includes a stator disposed circumferentially about the longitudinal axis and a shoe configured for translation in a radial direction with respect to the stator. The shoe includes a circumferential surface and a plurality of protrusions extending radially inward from the circumferential surface toward the rotating member, each one of the plurality of protrusions having a length configured to maintain a clearance gap with respect to the rotating member.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2018Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Michael L DiFrancesco, Conway Chuong
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Patent number: 10746130Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a composite panel having a sandwich structure formed by a central core having a primary cellular structure, for example, of the honeycomb type, sandwiched between two skins. The primary cellular structure includes an array of main cells. The composite panel further includes a plurality of pins, each pin being, on the one hand, arranged to be housed and to cooperate inside a main cell and, on the other hand, formed of a secondary cellular structure having an array of secondary cells.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2017Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: Safran NacellesInventors: Philippe Bienvenu, Jean-Claude Rivoal, Michel Lefebvre
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Patent number: 10746180Abstract: A blower device includes: a fan; a motor rotating the fan; a case supporting the motor; and a heat generating component housed in the case, wherein the case includes: a main body member defining a flow path portion that guides blown air, generated by rotation of the fan, to the heat generating component; and a closing member closing an opening formed on the flow path portion, the main body member includes a fixing portion provided on the flow path portion and fixing the closing member, and the fixing portion is located inside an inner peripheral edge of the opening.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2018Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: SHINANO KENSHI CO., LTD.Inventors: Akihito Fukuzawa, Shigetoshi Tomisawa
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Patent number: 10746194Abstract: The invention relates to a holding system for a fan comprising a wall ring and a protective grille. A holding system according to the invention for a fan with a protective grille having at least one protective-grille strut arranged in the circumferential direction and comprising a wall ring having a first end face is characterized in that the wall ring has at least one first connecting element on the first end face and the protective grille has at least one second connecting element, whereby the first connecting element can be operatively connected to the second connecting element, and the second connecting element is arranged so as to be sunk in the first end face of the wall ring.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2016Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: EBM-PAPST MULFINGEN GMBH & CO. KGInventor: Martin Munz
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Patent number: 10738761Abstract: A ram air turbine has turbine blades connected to rotate a transmission shaft. The transmission shaft is connected to drive a first gear which is engaged to drive a second gear. The second gear is connected to rotate an output shaft extending through a strut away from the transmission shaft. A governor arrangement is configured to change a pitch angle of the blades in response to speed, and includes counterweights acting on a spring in the governor arrangement. The governor spring is positioned on an opposed side of the strut relative to the turbine.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2017Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand CorporationInventor: Andrew N. Baines
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Patent number: 10738630Abstract: A platform apparatus for a propulsion rotor having an annular array of airfoils carried by a rotor disk. The apparatus includes: at least one forward segment comprising an arcuate forward body having a plurality of spaced-apart axially-extending forward fingers, each of the forward fingers bounded by a curved first lateral edge interconnected to a straight second lateral edge by an aft edge, wherein the forward segment defines a flow path surface and an opposed back surface; at least one aft segment comprising an arcuate aft body having a plurality of spaced-apart actually-extending aft fingers, each of the aft fingers bounded by a curved first lateral edge interconnected to a straight second lateral edge by a forward edge, wherein the aft segment defines a flow path surface and an opposed back surface, and wherein the aft edges have a shape complementary to a shape of the forward edges.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2018Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Qiang Li, Nicholas Joseph Kray, Gerald Alexander Pauley, Ming Xie, Jorge Orlando Lamboy, Tod Winton Davis
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Patent number: 10738892Abstract: A rotary machine includes a seal device capable of restricting a flow of a fluid in a clearance between a stationary member and a rotational member. The seal device includes a pressure loss element mounted to the stationary member, a first non-contact type seal protruding from the rotational member toward the pressure loss element and facing the pressure loss element via a first gap, and a second non-contact type seal protruding from the stationary member toward the rotational member, facing the rotational member via a second gap, and being positioned on one side of the pressure loss element in a flow direction of the fluid. The seal device also includes a contact type seal protruding from the stationary member toward the rotational member and being disposed downstream of the pressure loss element and the second non-contact type seal in the flow direction of the fluid.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2015Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: MITSUBISHI HITACHI POWER SYSTEMS, LTD.Inventors: Masato Araki, Yoshiyuki Okabe, Ryosuke Mito, Keita Takamura, Shinya Hashimoto
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Patent number: 10711763Abstract: A wind-turbine rotor blade having a rotor blade portion which comprises an inner rotor blade portion with a first end having a plurality of fastening units for fastening to a hub of a wind turbine and a second end having a flange for fastening further portions of the wind-turbine rotor blade, wherein the inner rotor blade portion is produced from polymer concrete, wherein the rotor blade portion has a plurality of resin-impregnated fiber-composite laid scrims or rovings which are wound around the inner rotor blade portion.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2016Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: Wobben Properties GmbHInventor: Alexander Hoffmann
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Patent number: 10683868Abstract: A bushing anti-rotation system and apparatus. A bushing anti-rotation system includes an impeller and diffuser stage including a rotatable shaft extending longitudinally through the stage, the diffuser having an inner diameter defining a bore, a bearing set including a bushing pressed into the inner diameter, and a rotatable sleeve inward of the bushing, and means for wedging the bushing against the inner diameter of the diffuser, wherein the means for wedging provides a mechanical lock against rotation of the bushing. The means for wedging the bushing against the diffuser includes one of a key wedged between an eccentric cavity in the diffuser and a notch in the bushing, a pin protruding from the diffuser against a flattened portion of the bushing, a square-shaped bushing secured into a square-shaped bore, a bent retaining ring having a bent end that wedges against a diffuser groove wall, or a combination thereof.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2017Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.Inventors: Wesley John Nowitzki, Joshua Wayne Webster, Randy S. Roberts, Joseph Dean Butler, John Vanderstaay Kenner, Thomas John Gottschalk