Patents by Inventor George M. Lucas
George M. Lucas 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).
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Publication number: 20230054112Abstract: A direct drive batch mixing system including a vessel having an interior region for receiving a batch, a direct drive electric motor attached to at least one rigid point, a multi-axis load cell located between the motor and the rigid point to provide signals representing forces and moments in multiple axes, and an impeller located within the interior region of the vessel and engaged with the motor such that the motor rotates the impeller. Forces and loads on the impeller are directly supported by the motor and measured by the multi-axis load cell. In some embodiments, a programmable controller generates control signals that control the motor's speed (RPM), torque and direction of rotation, and receives feedback signals for adjusting the motor's speed and/or torque and/or direction of rotation.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2022Publication date: February 23, 2023Applicant: PRIME DATUM DEVELOPMENT CO., LLCInventors: PATRICK M. ROLLINS, GEORGE M. LUCAS
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Publication number: 20220390194Abstract: The present invention is directed to a load bearing direct-drive system and a variable process control system for efficiently managing the operation of fans in a cooling system such as a wet-cooling tower, air-cooled heat exchanger (ACHE), HVAC system, blowers and centrifugal blowers, mechanical towers or chiller systems. In one embodiment, the load bearing direct-drive system comprises a load bearing torque multiplier device having an output rotatable shaft connected to a fan, and a load bearing motor comprising a rotatable shaft that drives the load bearing torque multiplier device.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2022Publication date: December 8, 2022Applicant: PRIME DATUM DEVELOPMENT CO., LLCInventors: PATRICK M. ROLLINS, GEORGE M. LUCAS
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Patent number: 11454465Abstract: The present invention is directed to a load bearing direct-drive system and a variable process control system for efficiently managing the operation of fans in a cooling system such as a wet-cooling tower, air-cooled heat exchanger (ACHE), HVAC system, blowers and centrifugal blowers, mechanical towers or chiller systems. In one embodiment, the load bearing direct-drive system comprises a load bearing torque multiplier device having an output rotatable shaft connected to a fan, and a load bearing motor comprising a rotatable shaft that drives the load bearing torque multiplier device.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2021Date of Patent: September 27, 2022Assignee: PRIME DATUM DEVELOPMENT CO., LLCInventors: Patrick M. Rollins, George M. Lucas
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Publication number: 20210164740Abstract: The present invention is directed to a load bearing direct-drive system and a variable process control system for efficiently managing the operation of fans in a cooling system such as a wet-cooling tower, air-cooled heat exchanger (ACHE), HVAC system, blowers and centrifugal blowers, mechanical towers or chiller systems. In one embodiment, the load bearing direct-drive system comprises a load bearing torque multiplier device having an output rotatable shaft connected to a fan, and a load bearing motor comprising a rotatable shaft that drives the load bearing torque multiplier device.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2021Publication date: June 3, 2021Inventors: PATRICK M. ROLLINS, GEORGE M. LUCAS
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Patent number: 10928144Abstract: The present invention is directed to a load bearing direct-drive system and a variable process control system for efficiently managing the operation of fans in a cooling system such as a wet-cooling tower, air-cooled heat exchanger (ACHE), HVAC system, blowers and centrifugal blowers, mechanical towers or chiller systems. In one embodiment, the load bearing direct-drive system comprises a load bearing torque multiplier device having an output rotatable shaft connected to a fan, and a load bearing motor comprising a rotatable shaft that drives the load bearing torque multiplier device.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2019Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: PRIME DATUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, LLCInventors: Patrick M. Rollins, George M. Lucas
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Patent number: 10697329Abstract: A drainage system for a stage of a turbine. The drainage system may include at least one annular recess defined in the inner surface of the casing of the turbine and configured to accumulate liquid therein. An axial slot and a radial slot may be formed in a diaphragm of the turbine, the axial slot extending between the upstream and downstream faces of the diaphragm. The drainage system may further include a tubular member including an axially extending tubular portion disposed in the axial slot and a radially extending tubular portion disposed in the radial slot. The radially extending tubular portion may be sized and configured to fluidly couple the at least one annular recess and the axially extending tubular portion, such that liquid in the at least one annular recess may be drained therefrom and discharged from the stage of the turbine via the axially extending tubular portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2017Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: DRESSER-RAND COMPANYInventors: Randall W. Moll, Daniel Flurschutz, George M. Lucas
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Publication number: 20190293371Abstract: The present invention is directed to a load bearing direct-drive system and a variable process control system for efficiently managing the operation of fans in a cooling system such as a wet-cooling tower, air-cooled heat exchanger (ACHE), HVAC system, blowers and centrifugal blowers, mechanical towers or chiller systems. In one embodiment, the load bearing direct-drive system comprises a load bearing torque multiplier device having an output rotatable shaft connected to a fan, and a load bearing motor comprising a rotatable shaft that drives the load bearing torque multiplier device.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2019Publication date: September 26, 2019Inventors: PATRICK M. ROLLINS, GEORGE M. LUCAS
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Publication number: 20190218941Abstract: A drainage system for a stage of a turbine. The drainage system may include at least one annular recess defined in the inner surface of the casing of the turbine and configured to accumulate liquid therein. An axial slot and a radial slot may be formed in a diaphragm of the turbine, the axial slot extending between the upstream and downstream faces of the diaphragm. The drainage system may further include a tubular member including an axially extending tubular portion disposed in the axial slot and a radially extending tubular portion disposed in the radial slot. The radially extending tubular portion may be sized and configured to fluidly couple the at least one annular recess and the axially extending tubular portion, such that liquid in the at least one annular recess may be drained therefrom and discharged from the stage of the turbine via the axially extending tubular portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2017Publication date: July 18, 2019Inventors: Randall W. Moll, Daniel Flurschutz, George M. Lucas
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Patent number: 10345056Abstract: The present invention is directed to a load bearing direct-drive system and a variable process control system for efficiently managing the operation of fans in a cooling system such as a wet-cooling tower, air-cooled heat exchanger (ACHE), HVAC system, blowers and centrifugal blowers, mechanical towers or chiller systems. In one embodiment, the load bearing direct-drive system comprises a load bearing torque multiplier device having an output rotatable shaft connected to a fan, and a load bearing motor comprising a rotatable shaft that drives the load bearing torque multiplier device.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2014Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: Prime Datum Development Company, LLCInventors: Patrick M. Rollins, George M. Lucas
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Patent number: 9938895Abstract: A method for operating a compressed air energy storage system is provided. The method can include compressing a process gas with a compressor train to produce a compressed process gas and storing the compressed process gas in a compressed gas storage unit. The method can also include extracting the compressed process gas from the compressed gas storage unit to an expansion assembly through a feed line. A valve assembly fluidly coupled to the feed line can be actuated to control a mass flow of the compressed process gas from the compressed gas storage unit to the expansion assembly. The method can further include heating the compressed process gas in a preheater fluidly coupled to the feed line upstream from the expansion assembly, and generating a power output with the expansion assembly.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2013Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: DRESSER-RAND COMPANYInventors: Jason M. Kerth, George M. Lucas, Stephen S. Rashid
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Publication number: 20160069624Abstract: The present invention is directed to a load bearing direct-drive system and a variable process control system for efficiently managing the operation of fans in a cooling system such as a wet-cooling tower, air-cooled heat exchanger (ACHE), HVAC system, blowers and centrifugal blowers, mechanical towers or chiller systems. In one embodiment, the load bearing direct-drive system comprises a load bearing torque multiplier device having an output rotatable shaft connected to a fan, and a load bearing motor comprising a rotatable shaft that drives the load bearing torque multiplier device.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2014Publication date: March 10, 2016Inventors: PATRICK M. ROLLINS, GEORGE M. LUCAS
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Patent number: 9228588Abstract: Apparatus and methods for expanding a process fluid are disclosed. The apparatus includes a casing having an inlet and an outlet, and a component carrier disposed in the casing. The component carrier and the casing defining a cavity therebetween, and the component carrier at least partially defines a process flowpath fluidly communicating with the inlet and the outlet of the casing. The apparatus also includes a rotor disposed at least partially in the component carrier, with the rotor at least partially defining a first expansion stage intersecting the process flowpath. The apparatus also includes a bleed port extending from the process flowpath at a first point of the process flowpath to the cavity, to provide a thermal buffer fluid to the cavity.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2012Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: Dresser-Rand CompanyInventors: William C. Maier, Patrice LeConte, George M. Lucas
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Patent number: 9115601Abstract: A rotating machine has a barrel casing and at least one component carrier disposed therein. The component carrier is aligned and supported within the barrel casing using a plurality of carrier alignment fixtures which have alignment shafts that extend through the barrel casing to the component carrier. Each alignment shaft has an eccentric key pin extending from a distal end thereof and an alignment key rotatably-mounted to each eccentric key pin. The alignment keys mate with corresponding keyway slots defined on the component carrier such that when the carrier alignment fixtures are rotated axially, the corresponding alignment keys bias against the keyway slot and shift the position of the component carrier.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2012Date of Patent: August 25, 2015Assignee: Dresser-Rand CompanyInventors: William C. Maier, Patrice LeConte, George M. Lucas
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Publication number: 20140137563Abstract: A method for operating a compressed air energy storage system is provided. The method can include compressing a process gas with a compressor train to produce a compressed process gas and storing the compressed process gas in a compressed gas storage unit. The method can also include extracting the compressed process gas from the compressed gas storage unit to an expansion assembly through a feed line. A valve assembly fluidly coupled to the feed line can be actuated to control a mass flow of the compressed process gas from the compressed gas storage unit to the expansion assembly. The method can further include heating the compressed process gas in a preheater fluidly coupled to the feed line upstream from the expansion assembly, and generating a power output with the expansion assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2013Publication date: May 22, 2014Inventors: Jason M. Kerth, George M. Lucas, Stephen S. Rashid
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Publication number: 20130174576Abstract: A rotating machine has a barrel casing and at least one component carrier disposed therein. The component carrier is aligned and supported within the barrel casing using a plurality of carrier alignment fixtures which have alignment shafts that extend through the barrel casing to the component carrier. Each alignment shaft has an eccentric key pin extending from a distal end thereof and an alignment key rotatably-mounted to each eccentric key pin. The alignment keys mate with corresponding keyway slots defined on the component carrier such that when the carrier alignment fixtures are rotated axially, the corresponding alignment keys bias against the keyway slot and shift the position of the component carrier.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2012Publication date: July 11, 2013Applicant: DRESSER-RAND COMPANYInventors: William C. Maier, Patrice LeConte, George M. Lucas
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Publication number: 20130177389Abstract: Apparatus and methods for expanding a process fluid are disclosed. The apparatus includes a casing having an inlet and an outlet, and a component carrier disposed in the casing. The component carrier and the casing defining a cavity therebetween, and the component carrier at least partially defines a process flowpath fluidly communicating with the inlet and the outlet of the casing. The apparatus also includes a rotor disposed at least partially in the component carrier, with the rotor at least partially defining a first expansion stage intersecting the process flowpath. The apparatus also includes a bleed port extending from the process flowpath at a first point of the process flowpath to the cavity, to provide a thermal buffer fluid to the cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2012Publication date: July 11, 2013Applicant: DRESSER-RAND COMPANYInventors: William C. Maier, Patrice LeConte, George M. Lucas
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Patent number: 5277403Abstract: A substantially cylindrical, plug-type configuration of the element offers a mass which is less responsive to non-uniform and unsteady pressures, and channeling therein opens centrally, and about the periphery thereof, onto a recess formed in an end of the element which closes onto a valve seat. The channeling and recess are cooperative to assure that the balance-end of the element will have average, representative pressures conducted thereto.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 1993Date of Patent: January 11, 1994Assignee: Dresser-Rand CompanyInventors: John Waggott, George M. Lucas
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Patent number: 4431369Abstract: A governor control linkage assembly to be connected between the governor and a valve to be controlled by the governor such as the inlet valve for a steam turbine upstream from a venturi type safety trip valve therein in one preferred form with Woodward T.G.-10 governors has a main lever arm connected at one end to the governor for actuation thereof and to the opposite end to a pivot arm on a fulcrum assembly which permits the pivot arm to be moved by a manually operable threaded assembly connected thereto so as to move the inlet valve from open to closed position and from closed to open position when the turbine is shut down to aid in the restarting thereof. In another preferred form with Woodward P.G.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 1981Date of Patent: February 14, 1984Assignee: Edison InternationalInventor: George M. Lucas