Patents by Inventor Melbourne F. Giberson

Melbourne F. Giberson 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: 9841055
    Abstract: A vertical radial guide bearing of fixed circular bore construction surrounds a journal attached firmly to a rotating shaft, is lubricated via pot lubrication means, has a bearing bore surface that is shaped to include viscosity oil pumps that are situated below the surface of the oil in the pot, are adjacent the bottom of the bearing, have associated supply ports remote from the journal, and have associated discharge grooves that extend vertically up the bearing bore surface to a circumferential groove adjacent the top of the bearing, wherein the viscosity oil pumps are sized to pump oil quickly up the grooves so as to develop an oil film between the journal and bearing surfaces, this film generated by normal hydro-dynamic action having sufficient pressure and thickness to rapidly separate the journal and bearing surfaces and to keep them separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Inventor: Melbourne F. Giberson
  • Publication number: 20160245338
    Abstract: A vertical radial guide bearing of fixed circular bore construction surrounds a journal attached firmly to a rotating shaft, is lubricated via pot lubrication means, has a bearing bore surface that is shaped to include viscosity oil pumps that are situated below the surface of the oil in the pot, are adjacent the bottom of the bearing, have associated supply ports remote from the journal, and have associated discharge grooves that extend vertically up the bearing bore surface to a circumferential groove adjacent the top of the bearing, wherein the viscosity oil pumps are sized to pump oil quickly up the grooves so as to develop an oil film between the journal and bearing surfaces, this film generated by normal hydro-dynamic action having sufficient pressure and thickness to rapidly separate the journal and bearing surfaces and to keep them separated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Inventor: Melbourne F. Giberson
  • Patent number: 8499562
    Abstract: A geared fluid drive arrangement in which a constant speed motor is used to start a “full-size” boiler feed pump, and is able to operate the pump at a limited speed and correspondingly limited power adequate to fill, pressurize and feed water to a boiler such as would be used for an electrical generating plant to start-up and to operate stably at part load, but not necessarily full load. After the boiler is operating stably, steam from the boiler or from an extraction point of the main turbine is admitted to a mechanical drive steam turbine in order to drive the same “full-size” pump to the normal operating range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Inventor: Melbourne F. Giberson
  • Publication number: 20120017851
    Abstract: A geared fluid drive arrangement in which a constant speed motor is used to start a “full-size” boiler feed pump, and is able to operate the pump at a limited speed and correspondingly limited power adequate to fill, pressurize and feed water to a boiler such as would be used for an electrical generating plant to start-up and to operate stably at part load, but not necessarily full load. After the boiler is operating stably, steam from the boiler or from an extraction point of the main turbine is admitted to a mechanical drive steam turbine in order to drive the same “full-size” pump to the normal operating range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventor: Melbourne F. Giberson
  • Patent number: 8028526
    Abstract: A geared fluid drive arrangement in which a constant speed motor is used to start a “full-size” boiler feed pump, and is able to operate the pump at a limited speed and correspondingly limited power adequate to fill, pressurize and feed water to a boiler such as would be used for an electrical generating plant to start-up and to operate stably at part load, but not necessarily full load. After the boiler is operating stably, steam from the boiler or from an extraction point of the main turbine is admitted to a mechanical drive steam turbine in order to drive the same “full-size” pump to the normal operating range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Inventor: Melbourne F. Giberson
  • Publication number: 20090145128
    Abstract: A geared fluid drive arrangement in which a constant speed motor is used to start a “full-size” boiler feed pump, and is able to operate the pump at a limited speed and correspondingly limited power adequate to fill, pressurize and feed water to a boiler such as would be used for an electrical generating plant to start-up and to operate stably at part load, but not necessarily full load. After the boiler is operating stably, steam from the boiler or from an extraction point of the main turbine is admitted to a mechanical drive steam turbine in order to drive the same “full-size” pump to the normal operating range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventor: Melbourne F. Giberson
  • Patent number: 7237958
    Abstract: A bearing stiff plate pedestal with cylindrical bore and a separate bearing with shimmed saddle blocks that mate to the bore to permit accurate alignment and with self-aligning Babbitted tilting pad bearings to replace existing bearing spring plates arrangements. A method wherein the bearing stiff plate pedestal is fashioned initially as a drill fixture by drilling mounting holes in the stiff plate pedestal with the diameter of a tap drill for hold down bolts, to permit drilling and tapping holes in the pedestal base plate at proper locations. Subsequently, the mounting holes are enlarged to form clearance holes, and the stiff plate pedestal is mounted, aligned, and bolted into place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Inventor: Melbourne F. Giberson
  • Patent number: 7171870
    Abstract: In a system in which a large motor, to be energized from a power grid, is connected to drive a main fluid drive through a main impeller shaft that has a main impeller shaft gear mounted on it, a relatively small start-up motor is provided, driving a start-up fluid drive. A start-up gear is connected to be driven by the start-up fluid drive and selectively to drive the main impeller shaft gear, and to be disengaged from the main impeller shaft gear. In operation, the small motor is first started, with the start-up gear engaging the main impeller shaft gear, and brought up to a speed at which the large motor begins to rotate at close to synchronous speed with the electrical frequency of the grid, at which point the large motor is connected to the grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Inventor: Melbourne F. Giberson
  • Patent number: 7059551
    Abstract: In an assembly including a diesel engine, a fluid coupling connected to the flywheel of the diesel engine, a comminuting machine and a conveyor for feeding the comminuting machine, a fluid coupling module is common to various output power train assemblies. Slip speed of the fluid coupling between impeller input and runner output shafts is measured, and modulates or regulates the process feed rate of the conveyer. An electrically actuated control valve acts as an oil flow diverter valve directing oil into the fluid coupling impeller when a signal to engage the coupling is given, and in response to a signal from an over-temperature sensor when the temperature of circuit oil leaving the element exceeds a preset set point value, diverts the oil to a reservoir, thereby permitting the impeller and runner cavity to evacuate, which separates the engine from the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Inventors: Melbourne F. Giberson, Mark T. Simonelli, Frederick C. Wiesinger, Jr., Gerald L. Abrams
  • Patent number: 7055316
    Abstract: In an assembly including a diesel engine, a fluid coupling connected to the flywheel of the diesel engine, a comminuting machine and a conveyor for feeding the comminuting machine, a fluid coupling module is common to various output power train assemblies. Slip speed of the fluid coupling between impeller input and runner output shafts is measured, and modulates or regulates the process feed rate of the conveyer. An electrically actuated control valve acts as an oil flow diverter valve directing oil into the fluid coupling impeller when a signal to engage the coupling is given, and in response to a signal from an over-temperature sensor when the temperature of circuit oil leaving the element exceeds a preset set point value, diverts the oil to a reservoir, thereby permitting the impeller and runner cavity to evacuate, which separates the engine from the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Inventors: Melbourne F. Giberson, Mark T. Simonelli, Frederick C. Wiesinger, Jr., Gerald L. Abrams
  • Patent number: 7017341
    Abstract: In an assembly including a diesel engine, a fluid coupling connected to the flywheel of the diesel engine, a comminuting machine and a conveyor for feeding the comminuting machine, a fluid coupling module is common to various output power train assemblies. Slip speed of the fluid coupling between impeller input and runner output shafts is measured, and modulates or regulates the process feed rate of the conveyer. An electrically actuated control valve acts as an oil flow diverter valve directing oil into the fluid coupling impeller when a signal to engage the coupling is given, and in response to a signal from an over-temperature sensor when the temperature of circuit oil leaving the element exceeds a preset set point value, diverts the oil to a reservoir, thereby permitting the impeller and runner cavity to evacuate, which separates the engine from the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Turbo Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Melbourne F. Giberson, Mark T. Simonelli, Frederick C. Wiesinger, Jr., Gerald L. Abrams
  • Patent number: 7004626
    Abstract: In a two wire thermocouple, a hollow tip is formed of the material of one of the thermocouple wires, the tip being adapted to extend into a medium the temperature of which is to be measured, both wires extending into a passage in the tip through an open outer end of the passage toward an inner end of the passage, one of the two thermocouple wires, of a material different from said tip, extending entirely through the passage and being welded at the outside of said tip to form a thermocouple junction and the other of the wires, of the same material as the tip, being welded to the tip at a place spaced from the junction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Turbo Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Melbourne F. Giberson, Gerald L. Abrams
  • Patent number: 6993902
    Abstract: In an assembly including a diesel engine, a fluid coupling connected to the flywheel of the diesel engine, a comminuting machine and a conveyor for feeding the comminuting machine, a fluid coupling module is common to various output power train assemblies. Slip speed of the fluid coupling between impeller input and runner output shafts is measured, and modulates or regulates the process feed rate of the conveyer. An electrically actuated control valve acts as an oil flow diverter valve directing oil into the fluid coupling impeller when a signal to engage the coupling is given, and in response to a signal from an over-temperature sensor when the temperature of circuit oil leaving the element exceeds a preset set point value, diverts the oil to a reservoir, thereby permitting the impeller and runner cavity to evacuate, which separates the engine from the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Turbo Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Melbourne F. Giberson, Mark T. Simonelli, Frederick C. Wiesinger, Jr., Gerald L. Abrams
  • Publication number: 20040216454
    Abstract: In an assembly including a diesel engine, a fluid coupling connected to the flywheel of the diesel engine, a comminuting machine and a conveyor for feeding the comminuting machine, a fluid coupling module is common to various output power train assemblies. Slip speed of the fluid coupling between impeller input and runner output shafts is measured, and modulates or regulates the process feed rate of the conveyer. An electrically actuated control valve acts as an oil flow diverter valve directing oil into the fluid coupling impeller when a signal to engage the coupling is given, and in response to a signal from an over-temperature sensor when the temperature of circuit oil leaving the element exceeds a preset set point value, diverts the oil to a reservoir, thereby permitting the impeller and runner cavity to evacuate, which separates the engine from the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventors: Melbourne F. Giberson, Mark T. Simonelli, Frederick C. Wiesinger, Gerald L. Abrams
  • Publication number: 20040211847
    Abstract: In an assembly including a diesel engine, a fluid coupling connected to the flywheel of the diesel engine, a comminuting machine and a conveyor for feeding the comminuting machine, a fluid coupling module is common to various output power train assemblies. Slip speed of the fluid coupling between impeller input and runner output shafts is measured, and modulates or regulates the process feed rate of the conveyer. An electrically actuated control valve acts as an oil flow diverter valve directing oil into the fluid coupling impeller when a signal to engage the coupling is given, and in response to a signal from an over-temperature sensor when the temperature of circuit oil leaving the element exceeds a preset set point value, diverts the oil to a reservoir, thereby permitting the impeller and runner cavity to evacuate, which separates the engine from the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Melbourne F. Giberson, Mark T. Simonelli, Frederick C. Wiesinger, Gerald L. Abrams
  • Publication number: 20040206075
    Abstract: In an assembly including a diesel engine, a fluid coupling connected to the flywheel of the diesel engine, a comminuting machine and a conveyor for feeding the comminuting machine, a fluid coupling module is common to various output power train assemblies. Slip speed of the fluid coupling between impeller input and runner output shafts is measured, and modulates or regulates the process feed rate of the conveyer. An electrically actuated control valve acts as an oil flow diverter valve directing oil into the fluid coupling impeller when a signal to engage the coupling is given, and in response to a signal from an over-temperature sensor when the temperature of circuit oil leaving the element exceeds a preset set point value, diverts the oil to a reservoir, thereby permitting the impeller and runner cavity to evacuate, which separates the engine from the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventors: Melbourne F. Giberson, Mark T. Simonelli, Frederick C. Wiesinger, Gerald L. Abrams
  • Publication number: 20040172937
    Abstract: In an assembly including a diesel engine, a fluid coupling connected to the flywheel of the diesel engine, a comminuting machine and a conveyor for feeding the comminuting machine, a fluid coupling module is common to various output power train assemblies. Slip speed of the fluid coupling between impeller input and runner output shafts is measured, and modulates or regulates the process feed rate of the conveyer. An electrically actuated control valve acts as an oil flow diverter valve directing oil into the fluid coupling impeller when a signal to engage the coupling is given, and in response to a signal from an over-temperature sensor when the temperature of circuit oil leaving the element exceeds a preset set point value, diverts the oil to a reservoir, thereby permitting the impeller and runner cavity to evacuate, which separates the engine from the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventors: Melbourne F. Giberson, Mark T. Simonelli, Frederick C. Wiesinger, Gerald L. Abrams
  • Patent number: 6769248
    Abstract: In an assembly including a diesel engine, a fluid coupling connected to the flywheel of the diesel engine, a comminuting machine and a conveyor for feeding the comminuting machine, a fluid coupling module is common to various output power train assemblies. Slip speed of the fluid coupling between impeller input and runner output shafts is measured, and modulates or regulates the process feed rate of the conveyer. An electrically actuated control valve acts as an oil flow diverter valve directing oil into the fluid coupling impeller when a signal to engage the coupling is given, and in response to a signal from an over-temperature sensor when the temperature of circuit oil leaving the element exceeds a preset set point value, diverts the oil to a reservoir, thereby permitting the impeller and runner cavity to evacuate, which separates the engine from the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Turbo Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Melbourne F. Giberson, Mark T. Simonelli, Frederick C. Wiesinger, Jr., Gerald L. Abrams
  • Patent number: 6712516
    Abstract: Existing bearing spring plates for a certain class of steam turbines fail due to a combination of static stresses and cyclic stresses over a long period of time leaving the bearings unsupported. The failures typically occur at welds between the flexible support plate and the pedestal base plate. A method to replace the broken spring plate to return the steam turbine to service is provided. A replacement bearing spring plate pedestal has a flexible plate integral with top and bottom mounting blocks. The flexible spring plate and mounting blocks meet at large radii, polished and substantially free from stress risers. A drill fixture permits drilling and tapping holes in the pedestal base plate to install the replacement spring plate pedestal at the proper location. The bottom block is secured as by bolting with epoxy to a pedestal base plate, and a top block is bolted onto a bearing-supported yoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Inventor: Melbourne F. Giberson
  • Publication number: 20030230655
    Abstract: In an assembly including a diesel engine, a fluid coupling connected to the flywheel of the diesel engine, a comminuting machine and a conveyor for feeding the comminuting machine, a fluid coupling module is common to various output power train assemblies. Slip speed of the fluid coupling between impeller input and runner output shafts is measured, and modulates or regulates the process feed rate of the conveyer. An electrically actuated control valve acts as an oil flow diverter valve directing oil into the fluid coupling impeller when a signal to engage the coupling is given, and in response to a signal from an over-temperature sensor when the temperature of circuit oil leaving the element exceeds a preset set point value, diverts the oil to a reservoir, thereby permitting the impeller and runner cavity to evacuate, which separates the engine from the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Applicant: Turbo Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Melbourne F. Giberson, Mark T. Simonelli, Frederick C. Wiesinger, Gerald L. Abrams