Patents by Inventor Robert A. Nims

Robert A. Nims 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: 6571563
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine having a housing and an axially extending shaft journaled to the housing by two axially spaced apart bearings. The bearings are located along the shaft so as to define an overhung shaft portion. A rotating component such as a turbine wheel or compressor wheel is mounted on the overhung shaft portion and is concentric about the centerline (50) of the engine. An annular shroud (40) that is part of the housing is disposed about the rotating component, the annular shroud (40) being concentric about a centerline (60) radially offset from the engine (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Honeywell Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas K. Yim, Robert A. Nims, Mike Masoudipour
  • Patent number: 6455964
    Abstract: A microturbine engine core with gas bearings used to support a rotating group is provided, including methods of optimizing the engine core's performance. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to ascertain quickly the subject matter of the technical disclosure. The abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Nims
  • Publication number: 20020073714
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine having a housing and an axially extending shaft journaled to the housing by two axially spaced apart bearings. The bearings are located along the shaft so as to define an overhung shaft portion. A rotating component such as a turbine wheel or compressor wheel is mounted on the overhung shaft portion and is concentric about the centerline of the engine. An annular shroud that is part of the housing is disposed about the rotating component, the annular shroud being concentric about a centerline radially offset from the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas K. Yim, Robert A. Nims, Mike Masoudipour
  • Patent number: 6307278
    Abstract: A rotating group for a microturbine power generation system includes an electrical generator rotor, a turbine and a compressor intermediate the generator and the turbine. The turbine, compressor and electrical generator rotor are secured together by a tieshaft. The tieshaft is prestressed such that faces of the turbine, electrical generator rotor and compressor maintain contact during high-speed, high-temperature operation of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Honeywell Power Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Nims, Joseph Denk, Ramesh Doshi, Terence Emerson
  • Patent number: 6246138
    Abstract: A microturbine engine core with gas bearings used to support a rotating group is provided, including air flow control devices downstream of the gas bearings to maintain high pressures. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to ascertain quickly the subject matter of the technical disclosure. The abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Nims
  • Patent number: 6198174
    Abstract: A microturbine power generation system includes an electrical generator, a turbine and a compressor intermediate the generator and the turbine. The turbine, compressor and electrical generator are secured together by a tieshaft. The tieshaft is prestressed such that faces of the turbine, electrical generator and compressor maintain contact during high-speed, high-temperature operation of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Nims, Patrick Lee O'Brien, Terrence Emerson
  • Patent number: 5799484
    Abstract: An auxiliary power system comprises two turbogenerators sharing a single combustor for delivery of elevated pressure and temperature gas to both the turbogenerators, a single fuel system for supplying elevated pressure fuel to the single combustor, and a single electronic unit for conditioning the electrical power input and output. The auxiliary power system also comprises first and second recuperator means operating in association with the dual turbogenerators for transferring heat from turbine exhaust to air entering the single combustor. The entire recuperator volume is used in both the single and dual turbogenerator operating modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Allied Signal Inc
    Inventor: Robert A. Nims
  • Patent number: 4580406
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for conditioning a flow of working fluid includes a parallel, bypass anti-icing flow of warm fluid which is induced and automatically controlled in relation to critical system operating parameters while minimizing parasitic power losses to improve overall system efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1986
    Assignee: The Garrett Corporation
    Inventor: Robert A. Nims