Patents by Inventor Kevin D. Fairman

Kevin D. Fairman 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: 11441487
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include turbomachines designed and configured for high temperature and pressure operation and increased power level output that minimize pressure vessel design requirements, and increase dry gas seal reliability. In some examples, a first radial bearing is located in a high temperature and/or pressure region of the turbomachine between a rotor of the machine and a dry gas seal while other bearings are located outside of the high pressure region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Concepts NREC, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin D. Fairman
  • Publication number: 20190331027
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include turbomachines designed and configured for high temperature and pressure operation and increased power level output that minimize pressure vessel design requirements, and increase dry gas seal reliability. In some examples, a first radial bearing is located in a high temperature and/or pressure region of the turbomachine between a rotor of the machine and a dry gas seal while other bearings are located outside of the high pressure region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventor: Kevin D. Fairman
  • Publication number: 20150135696
    Abstract: An axial-flow turbine assembly that includes one or more features for enhancing the efficiency of the turbine's operation. In one embodiment, the turbine assembly includes a turbine rotor having blades that adjust their pitch angle in direct response to working fluid pressure on the blades themselves or other part(s) of the rotor. In other embodiments, the turbine assembly is deployable in an application, such as an oscillating water column system, in which the flow of working fluid varies over time, for example, as pressure driving the flow changes. In a first of these embodiments, the turbine assembly includes a valve that allows the pressure to build so that the flow is optimized for the turbine's operating parameters. In a second of these embodiments, one or more variable-admission nozzle and shutter assemblies are provided to control the flow through the turbine to optimize the flow relative to the turbine's operating parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Frederick E. Becker, Francis A. DiBella, Kevin D. Fairman, Alexander Gofer
  • Patent number: 8974184
    Abstract: An axial-flow turbine assembly that includes one or more features for enhancing the efficiency of the turbine's operation. In one embodiment, the turbine assembly includes a turbine rotor having blades that adjust their pitch angle in direct response to working fluid pressure on the blades themselves or other part(s) of the rotor. In other embodiments, the turbine assembly is deployable in an application, such as an oscillating water column system, in which the flow of working fluid varies over time, for example, as pressure driving the flow changes. In a first of these embodiments, the turbine assembly includes a valve that allows the pressure to build so that the flow is optimized for the turbine's operating parameters. In a second of these embodiments, one or more variable-admission nozzle and shutter assemblies are provided to control the flow through the turbine to optimize the flow relative to the turbine's operating parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Concepts ETI, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick E. Becker, Francis A. DiBella, Kevin D. Fairman, Alexander Gofer
  • Patent number: 8506237
    Abstract: A turbomachine that includes a radial-flow impeller and one or more of a variety of features that enhance the performance of machinery in which the turbomachine is used. For example, when the turbomachine is used in a dynamometer, the features enhance the useful shaft horsepower range of the dynamometer. One of the features is a variable-restriction intake that allows for adjusting flow rate to the impeller. Other features include a unique impeller shroud and a shroud guide each movable relative to the impeller. Yet another feature is an exhaust diffuser that facilitates an increase in the range of shaft power and the reduction of deleterious vibration and noise. The turbomachine can also include a unique impeller blade configuration that cooperates with the adjustable intake and the exhaust diffuser to enhance flow through the turbomachine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Concepts ETI, Inc.
    Inventors: David Japikse, Kevin D. Fairman, Tsuguji Nakano, Douglas M. DeBenedictis, Frederick L. Zink, Daniel V. Hinch
  • Publication number: 20130145753
    Abstract: An axial-flow turbine assembly that includes one or more features for enhancing the efficiency of the turbine's operation. In one embodiment, the turbine assembly includes a turbine rotor having blades that adjust their pitch angle in direct response to working fluid pressure on the blades themselves or other part(s) of the rotor. In other embodiments, the turbine assembly is deployable in an application, such as an oscillating water column system, in which the flow of working fluid varies over time, for example, as pressure driving the flow changes. In a first of these embodiments, the turbine assembly includes a valve that allows the pressure to build so that the flow is optimized for the turbine's operating parameters. In a second of these embodiments, one or more variable-admission nozzle and shutter assemblies are provided to control the flow through the turbine to optimize the flow relative to the turbine's operating parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: Concepts ETI, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick E. Becker, Francis A. DiBella, Kevin D. Fairman, Alexander Gofer
  • Publication number: 20130022449
    Abstract: A turbomachine that includes a radial-flow impeller and one or more of a variety of features that enhance the performance of machinery in which the turbomachine is used. For example, when the turbomachine is used in a dynamometer, the features enhance the useful shaft horsepower range of the dynamometer. One of the features is a variable-restriction intake that allows for adjusting flow rate to the impeller. Other features include a unique impeller shroud and a shroud guide each movable relative to the impeller. Yet another feature is an exhaust diffuser that facilitates an increase in the range of shaft power and the reduction of deleterious vibration and noise. The turbomachine can also include a unique impeller blade configuration that cooperates with the adjustable intake and the exhaust diffuser to enhance flow through the turbomachine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: CONCEPTS ETI, INC.
    Inventors: David Japikse, Kevin D. Fairman, Tsuguji Nakano, Douglas M. DeBenedictis, Frederick L. Zink, Daniel V. Hinch
  • Patent number: 8100631
    Abstract: A fluid-type absorption dynamometer that includes a rotary impeller and one or more of a variety of features that enhance the shaft-horsepower range for which the dynamometer can be used. One of these features is a variable restriction intake that allows a user to adjust the flow of fluid to the impeller. Other features are a unique impeller shroud and shroud guide that are each movable relative to the impeller to allow a user to adjust flow characteristics at the exhaust and blade regions of the impeller. Yet another feature is a set of exhaust baffles that facilitate an increase in the range of shaft power ratings of the device and the reduction of deleterious vibration and noise. The dynamometer also includes impeller blades having a unique configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Concepts ETI, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas M. DeBenedictis, Kevin D. Fairman, Daniel V. Hinch, David Japikse, Tsuguji Nakano, Frederick L. Zink
  • Publication number: 20090232641
    Abstract: A fluid-type absorption dynamometer that includes a rotary impeller and one or more of a variety of features that enhance the shaft-horsepower range for which the dynamometer can be used. One of these features is a variable restriction intake that allows a user to adjust the flow of fluid to the impeller. Other features are a unique impeller shroud and an shroud guide that are each movable relative to the impeller to allow a user to adjust flow characteristics at the exhaust and blade regions of the impeller. Yet another feature is a set of exhaust baffles that facilitate an increase in the range of shaft power ratings of the device and the reduction of deleterious vibration and noise. The dynamometer also includes impeller blades having a unique configuration that cooperates with the shroud guide to enhance flow through the dynamometer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: CONCEPTS ETI, INC.
    Inventors: Douglas M. DeBenedictis, Kevin D. Fairman, Daniel V. Hinch, David Japikse, Tsuguji Nakano, Frederick L. Zink