Patents by Inventor Chris N. Siefring

Chris N. Siefring has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11473592
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an impeller includes attaching blades to a hub. The impeller includes the blades, the hub, and a shroud. The blades each include a tip, and the shroud includes an inner surface and at least one ring extending from the inner surface. The method also includes applying a brazing compound to the tips of the blades and to the inner surface of the shroud. The method includes inserting the blades and the hub into the shroud such that the tips of the blades press against the rings. The rings and the tips of the blades form an interference fit between the rings and the tips of the blades that maintains a consistent gap between the shroud and the blades during manufacture of the impeller. A compressor including the impeller is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Chris N. Siefring
  • Patent number: 11306726
    Abstract: A bearing system includes a bearing housing that includes a sleeve and a mounting structure for connecting the bearing system to a compressor housing. The sleeve has a radial inner surface that defines a cylindrical bore, and includes a locking feature located along the radial inner surface. The mounting structure is located radially outward from the sleeve. The bearing system also includes a foil bearing assembly positioned within the cylindrical bore. The foil bearing assembly includes an outer foil, an inner foil, and a bump foil positioned between the outer foil and the inner foil. At least one of the outer foil and the inner foil includes a bearing retention feature cooperatively engaged with the locking feature to maintain the foil bearing assembly within the bearing housing at a fixed rotational position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael M. Perevozchikov, Chris N. Siefring, Craig F. Robillard, Zheji Liu
  • Publication number: 20210048037
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an impeller includes attaching blades to a hub. The impeller includes the blades, the hub, and a shroud. The blades each include a tip, and the shroud includes an inner surface and at least one ring extending from the inner surface. The method also includes applying a brazing compound to the tips of the blades and to the inner surface of the shroud. The method includes inserting the blades and the hub into the shroud such that the tips of the blades press against the rings. The rings and the tips of the blades form an interference fit between the rings and the tips of the blades that maintains a consistent gap between the shroud and the blades during manufacture of the impeller. A compressor including the impeller is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventor: Chris N. Siefring
  • Publication number: 20200291953
    Abstract: A bearing system includes a bearing housing that includes a sleeve and a mounting structure for connecting the bearing system to a compressor housing. The sleeve has a radial inner surface that defines a cylindrical bore, and includes a locking feature located along the radial inner surface. The mounting structure is located radially outward from the sleeve. The bearing system also includes a foil bearing assembly positioned within the cylindrical bore. The foil bearing assembly includes an outer foil, an inner foil, and a bump foil positioned between the outer foil and the inner foil. At least one of the outer foil and the inner foil includes a bearing retention feature cooperatively engaged with the locking feature to maintain the foil bearing assembly within the bearing housing at a fixed rotational position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Inventors: Michael M. Perevozchikov, Chris N. Siefring, Craig F. Robillard, Zheji Liu