Patents by Inventor Donald K. Whirlow

Donald K. Whirlow 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: 5296829
    Abstract: A core-form transformer winding with liquid coolant flow diversion bands is disclosed. The apparatus includes a winding tube with a central longitudinal axis. A number of coil sections are axially displaced along the central longitudinal axis of the winding tube. Radial ducts are formed between the coil sections. Internal vertical ducts are formed within each of the coil sections. A liquid coolant is used to cool the windings during operation. Flow diversion bands are placed around every other coil section. The flow diversion bands generate a partial blockage of the liquid coolant, which produces a radial flow into one or more of the radial ducts, resulting in vertical flow through the internal vertical ducts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard E. Kothmann, Donald K. Whirlow
  • Patent number: 4959963
    Abstract: A moisture pre-separator for a steam turbine includes an inner cylinder, an outer cylinder and a bottom interconnecting lower ends of the inner and outer cylinders. An annular collection chamber formed by the outer surface of the inner cylinder and the inner surface of the outer cylinder and the bottom is vented to communicate steam from the collection chamber to the interior of the inner cylinder, thereby equalizing pressure around the circumference of the entry gap and increasing effectiveness of moisture entrapment. Vanes are provided either on the outer surface of the inner cylinder or the inner surface of the outer cylinder, or both, in order to enhance swirling flow of moisture within the chamber, thereby helping to keep moisture away from the outer surface of the inner cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1990
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Homer G. Hargrove, Harry F. Martin, Donald K. Whirlow
  • Patent number: 4149134
    Abstract: A heat storage system provides overload capacity for a vaporization-cooled electrical apparatus. An external housing, containing a heat storage fluid, is disposed around a fluid conductor connecting a non-condensable gas storage reservoir and the radiator of a vaporization-cooled electrical apparatus. At normal loads, the non-condensable gas is contained within the fluid conductor and the storage reservoir thereby thermally isolating the storage fluid from the hot vapors contained within a radiator which keeps the storage fluid at ambient temperatures. A pressure increase, caused by an overload, compresses the non-condensable gas into the storage reservoir and allows the hot vapors to flow into a portion of the fluid conductor surrounded by the external housing whereby heat is dissipated from the hot vapors to the storage fluid contained within the external housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1979
    Assignee: Elect Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard E. Kothmann, Donald K. Whirlow
  • Patent number: 4078149
    Abstract: Electrical inductive apparatus, such as a transformer, cooled by a liquid dielectric having a boiling point within the normal operating temperature range of the apparatus. A vapor lift pump, with few or no moving parts, recirculates the liquid dielectric through a conduit which extends between a supply reservoir and a distribution point, by means of a pressure to velocity energy conversion provided by an orifice in a chamber located in the supply reservoir. The use of a vapor lift pump enables significant improvement in the reliability and power requirements of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1976
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1978
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Donald K. Whirlow, John G. Aldworth, Garlington C. Wilburn
  • Patent number: 4058373
    Abstract: Method and apparatus is disclosed for extracting and analyzing gas from a body of liquid such as oil in an electrical transformer. The oil is continuously moved by thermosiphonic action through a conduit in which a gas permeation cell is mounted. Oil within the conduit is air cooled to create a temperature gradient relative to the body of liquid for establishing the thermosiphonic movement. The permeation cell comprises a semi-permeable membrane supported about an elongate porous tube mounted concentric within the conduit so that gas contained within the liquid permeates through the membrane and into a chamber within the cell. An inert carrier gas is injected into and out of the chamber for carrying the permeating gas to a gas detector-analyzer unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1977
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute
    Inventors: Robert A. Kurz, Donald K. Whirlow