Patents by Inventor Paolo Ruffino

Paolo Ruffino 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: 8454297
    Abstract: A method for determining the remaining service life of a rotor of a thermally loaded turboengine in which a temperature on the rotor is determined. Thermal stress on the rotor is calculated from the determined temperature, and the remaining service life of the rotor is calculated from the derived thermal stress. The temperature is measured directly at a predetermined point of the rotor, and the thermal stress on the rotor is derived from the measured temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Francesco Congiu, Andreas Ehrsam, Wolfgang Franz Dietrich Mohr, Paolo Ruffino, Peter Weiss
  • Publication number: 20100296918
    Abstract: A method is provided for determining the remaining service life of a rotor of a thermally loaded turboengine. In the method, a temperature on the rotor is determined, the thermal stress on the rotor is derived from the determined temperature, and the remaining service life of the rotor is deduced from the derived thermal stress. A simple, exact and flexible determination of the remaining service life is achieved in that the temperature is measured directly at a predetermined point of the rotor, and in that the thermal stress on the rotor is derived from the measured temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventors: Francesco CONGIU, Andreas EHRSAM, Wolfgang Franz Dietrich MOHR, Paolo RUFFINO, Peter WEISS
  • Patent number: 7478556
    Abstract: An apparatus for a rapid measurement of temperatures in a hot gas flow, in particular in a gas turbine. The apparatus includes a sensor having two two-dimensional, electrically conductive heating elements, which are attached to the surface of a common, electrically insulating sensor body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Paolo Ruffino, Hanspeter Zinn
  • Publication number: 20060088075
    Abstract: An apparatus for a rapid measurement of temperatures in a hot gas flow, in particular in a gas turbine. The apparatus includes a sensor having two two-dimensional, electrically conductive heating elements, which are attached to the surface of a common, electrically insulating sensor body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Publication date: April 27, 2006
    Applicant: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Paolo Ruffino, Hanspeter Zinn
  • Patent number: 6739178
    Abstract: A sensor probe and method of use for determining the temperature, velocity, and/or liquid volumetric fraction of gas laden with droplets. In one variation, the probe includes a single heating element used in a well-characterized flow. The heating element is maintained above the Leidenfrost transition for the droplets, which prevents cooling effects from the droplets from impacting the temperature measurement. In another variation, the probe includes two or more heating elements arranged in similar flow environments. The property of interest is derived by relying on thermodynamic and heat transfer principles, which are not usable in conjunction with conventional devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: University of Maryland
    Inventors: Marino Dimarzo, Paolo Ruffino
  • Patent number: 6732568
    Abstract: A sensor probe and method of use for determining the temperature, velocity, and/or liquid volumetric fraction of gas laden with droplets. In one variation, the probe includes a single heating element used in a well-characterized flow. The heating element is maintained above the Leidenfrost transition for the droplets, which prevents cooling effects from the droplets from impacting the temperature measurement. In another variation, the probe includes two or more heating elements arranged in similar flow environments. The property of interest is derived by relying on thermodynamic and heat transfer principles, which are not usable in conjunction with conventional devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: University of Maryland
    Inventors: Marino Dimarzo, Paolo Ruffino
  • Publication number: 20030209056
    Abstract: A sensor probe and method of use for determining the temperature, velocity, and/or liquid volumetric fraction of gas laden with droplets. In one variation, the probe includes a single heating element used in a well-characterized flow. The heating element is maintained above the Leidenfrost transition for the droplets, which prevents cooling effects from the droplets from impacting the temperature measurement. In another variation, the probe includes two or more heating elements arranged in similar flow environments. The property of interest is derived by relying on thermodynamic and heat transfer principles, which are not usable in conjunction with conventional devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Applicant: University of Maryland
    Inventors: Marino Dimarzo, Paolo Ruffino
  • Publication number: 20030209055
    Abstract: A sensor probe and method of use for determining the temperature, velocity, and/or liquid volumetric fraction of gas laden with droplets. In one variation, the probe includes a single heating element used in a well-characterized flow. The heating element is maintained above the Leidenfrost transition for the droplets, which prevents cooling effects from the droplets from impacting the temperature measurement. In another variation, the probe includes two or more heating elements arranged in similar flow environments. The property of interest is derived by relying on thermodynamic and heat transfer principles, which are not usable in conjunction with conventional devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Applicant: University of Maryland
    Inventors: Marino Dimarzo, Paolo Ruffino
  • Patent number: 6609412
    Abstract: A sensor probe and method of use for determining the temperature, velocity, and/or liquid volumetric fraction of gas laden with droplets. In one variation, the probe includes a single heating element used in a well-characterized flow. The heating element is maintained above the Leidenfrost transition for the droplets, which prevents cooling effects from the droplets from impacting the temperature measurement. In another variation, the probe includes two or more heating elements arranged in similar flow environments. The property of interest is derived by relying on thermodynamic and heat transfer principles, which are not usable in conjunction with conventional devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: University of Maryland
    Inventors: Marino Dimarzo, Paolo Ruffino
  • Publication number: 20030041650
    Abstract: A sensor probe and method of use for determining the temperature, velocity, and/or liquid volumetric fraction of gas laden with droplets. In one variation, the probe includes a single heating element used in a well-characterized flow. The heating element is maintained above the Leidenfrost transition for the droplets, which prevents cooling effects from the droplets from impacting the temperature measurement. In another variation, the probe includes two or more heating elements arranged in similar flow environments. The property of interest is derived by relying on thermodynamic and heat transfer principles, which are not usable in conjunction with conventional devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Marino Dimarzo, Paolo Ruffino