Patents by Inventor Richard C. Oppmann

Richard C. Oppmann 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: 3999373
    Abstract: A gas turbine power plant, particularly adapted for powering motor vehicles. The engine includes a gas generator made up of a compressor, combustion apparatus, and a turbine driving the compressor. It also includes a power turbine energized by the flow from the gas generator rotatable independently of the gas generator. The power turbine is connected through a suitable transmission to the driving wheels of the vehicle and also drives accessory loads such as the engine fuel and oil pumps, an alternator, air conditioning, a power steering pump, and the like in the vehicle. The gas generator is substantially free of any accessory drive load, which improves the acceleration characteristics of the engine.The engine fuel control includes an underspeed governor which responds to power turbine speed and increases fuel flow as required to maintain power turbine speed at a minimum value high enough to power the accessory devices satisfactorily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1976
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Albert H. Bell, III, Richard C. Oppmann
  • Patent number: 3999374
    Abstract: A gas turbine power plant, particularly adapted for powering motor vehicles. The engine includes a gas generator made up of a compressor, combustion apparatus, and a turbine driving the compressor. It also includes a power turbine energized by the flow from the gas generator rotatable independently of the gas generator. The power turbine is connected through a suitable transmission to the driving wheels of the vehicle and also drives accessory loads such as the engine fuel and oil pumps, an alternator, air conditioning, a power steering pump, and the like in the vehicle. The gas generator is substantially free of any accessory drive load, which improves the acceleration characteristics of the engine.The engine fuel control includes an underspeed governor which responds to power turbine speed and increases fuel flow as required to maintain power turbine speed at a minimum value high enough to power the accessory devices satisfactorily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1976
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Richard C. Oppmann, Larry L. Schwartz