Patents by Inventor Kevin Fairman
Kevin 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).
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Publication number: 20240133385Abstract: Turbomachines such as air dynamometers are disclosed that include a radial outflow compressor and gas collector. In some examples, the gas collector is designed as a separate component that is coupled to the machine, such as coupled to a frame. In some examples, the collector and frame are intentionally spaced and coupled at discrete points to minimize the transfer of mechanical and thermal energy therebetween. Aspects of the present disclosure also include turbomachines that include at least one impeller bypass flow path for the direct transfer of air between ambient and a location in the collector downstream of the impeller blades. In some examples, such flowpath(s) may allow for the inflow of external ambient air into the collector. Methods of manufacturing turbomachines having decoupled collectors are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2023Publication date: April 25, 2024Inventors: Kevin Fairman, Song Xue
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Patent number: 11852149Abstract: Turbomachines such as air dynamometers are disclosed that include a radial outflow compressor and gas collector. In some examples, the gas collector is designed as a separate component that is coupled to the machine, such as coupled to a frame. In some examples, the collector and frame are intentionally spaced and coupled at discrete points to minimize the transfer of mechanical and thermal energy therebetween. Aspects of the present disclosure also include turbomachines that include at least one impeller bypass flow path for the direct transfer of air between ambient and a location in the collector downstream of the impeller blades. In some examples, such flowpath(s) may allow for the inflow of external ambient air into the collector.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2022Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: Concepts NREC, LLCInventors: Kevin Fairman, Song Xue
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Publication number: 20220372984Abstract: Turbomachines such as air dynamometers are disclosed that include a radial outflow compressor and gas collector. In some examples, the gas collector is designed as a separate component that is coupled to the machine, such as coupled to a frame. In some examples, the collector and frame are intentionally spaced and coupled at discrete points to minimize the transfer of mechanical and thermal energy therebetween. Aspects of the present disclosure also include turbomachines that include at least one impeller bypass flow path for the direct transfer of air between ambient and a location in the collector downstream of the impeller blades. In some examples, such flowpath(s) may allow for the inflow of external ambient air into the collector.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2022Publication date: November 24, 2022Inventors: Kevin Fairman, Song Xue
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Patent number: 11421695Abstract: Turbomachines such as air dynamometers are disclosed that include a radial outflow compressor and gas collector. In some examples, the gas collector is designed as a separate component that is coupled to the machine, such as coupled to a frame. In some examples, the collector and frame are intentionally spaced and coupled at discrete points to minimize the transfer of mechanical and thermal energy therebetween. Aspects of the present disclosure also include turbomachines that include at least one impeller bypass flow path for the direct transfer of air between ambient and a location in the collector downstream of the impeller blades. In some examples, such flowpath(s) may allow for the inflow of external ambient air into the collector.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2020Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: Concepts NREC, LLCInventors: Kevin Fairman, Song Xue
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Publication number: 20200325903Abstract: Turbomachines such as air dynamometers are disclosed that include a radial outflow compressor and gas collector. In some examples, the gas collector is designed as a separate component that is coupled to the machine, such as coupled to a frame. In some examples, the collector and frame are intentionally spaced and coupled at discrete points to minimize the transfer of mechanical and thermal energy therebetween. Aspects of the present disclosure also include turbomachines that include at least one impeller bypass flow path for the direct transfer of air between ambient and a location in the collector downstream of the impeller blades. In some examples, such flowpath(s) may allow for the inflow of external ambient air into the collector.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2020Publication date: October 15, 2020Inventors: Kevin Fairman, Song Xue
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Publication number: 20150322811Abstract: A turbine-generator device for use in electricity generation using heat from industrial processes, renewable energy sources and other sources. The generator may be cooled by introducing into the gap between the rotor and stator liquid that is vaporized or atomized prior to introduction, which liquid is condensed from gases exhausted from the turbine. The turbine has a universal design and so may be relatively easily modified for use in connection with generators having a rated power output in the range of 50 KW to 5 MW. Such modifications are achieved, in part, through use of a modular turbine cartridge built up of discrete rotor and stator plates sized for the desired application with turbine brush seals chosen to accommodate radial rotor movements from the supported generator. The cartridge may be installed and removed from the turbine relatively easily for maintenance or rebuilding. The rotor housing is designed to be relatively easily machined to dimensions that meet desired operating parameters.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2015Publication date: November 12, 2015Inventors: Kevin Fairman, Francis A. Di Bella, David Japikse, Frederick E. Becker, Alexander Gofer
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Patent number: 9083212Abstract: A turbine-generator device for use in electricity generation using heat from industrial processes, renewable energy sources and other sources. The generator may be cooled by introducing into the gap between the rotor and stator liquid that is vaporized or atomized prior to introduction, which liquid is condensed from gases exhausted from the turbine. The turbine has a universal design and so may be relatively easily modified for use in connection with generators having a rated power output in the range of 50 KW to 5 MW. Such modifications are achieved, in part, through use of a modular turbine cartridge built up of discrete rotor and stator plates sized for the desired application with turbine brush seals chosen to accommodate radial rotor movements from the supported generator. The cartridge may be installed and removed from the turbine relatively easily for maintenance or rebuilding. The rotor housing is designed to be relatively easily machined to dimensions that meet desired operating parameters.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2013Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: Concepts ETI, Inc.Inventors: Kevin Fairman, Francis A. Di Bella, David Japikse, Frederick E. Becker, Alexander Gofer
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Publication number: 20150037136Abstract: A turbine-generator device for use in electricity generation using heat from industrial processes, renewable energy sources and other sources. The generator may be cooled by introducing into the gap between the rotor and stator liquid that is vaporized or atomized prior to introduction, which liquid is condensed from gases exhausted from the turbine. The turbine has a universal design and so may be relatively easily modified for use in connection with generators having a rated power output in the range of 50 KW to 5 MW. Such modifications are achieved, in part, through use of a modular turbine cartridge built up of discrete rotor and stator plates sized for the desired application with turbine brush seals chosen to accommodate radial rotor movements from the supported generator. The cartridge may be installed and removed from the turbine relatively easily for maintenance or rebuilding. The rotor housing is designed to be relatively easily machined to dimensions that meet desired operating parameters.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2013Publication date: February 5, 2015Inventors: Kevin Fairman, Francis A. Di Bella, David Japikse, Frederick E. Becker, Alexander Gofer
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Patent number: 5256038Abstract: In order to restrict flow between the motor and pump of canned motor pump, a seal arrangement is provided for use with a canned motor pump which has a motor disposed within a motor housing and an axially extending output shaft for rotating an auxiliary impeller to circulate fluid from an external supply to cool and lubricate the motor. A pump housing is abutted with the motor housing and surrounds a main impeller which is seated on the motor shaft. A seal assembly is provided to minimize the leakage between the pump housing and the motor housing and includes a pair of axially spaced bushing seals which surround the motor output shaft and define an annular reference cavity between the seals. A passageway connects the pump outlet and the reference cavity to permit the motor fluid to reference pump discharge pressure without subjecting the impeller to increased axial thrust.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1991Date of Patent: October 26, 1993Assignee: Sundstrand Corp.Inventor: Kevin Fairman