Patents by Inventor Robert A. Prochnow

Robert A. Prochnow 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: 6158121
    Abstract: Circular recuperators are used to increase the efficiency of gas turbine engines. The present circular recuperators is made of a plurality of cells. Each of the plurality of cells includes a plurality of components, such as, a plurality of sheets, a plurality of bars and guide strips. To more efficiently utilize the configuration of a primary surface circular heat exchanger or recuperator, the plurality of cells are manufactured to have a involute configuration. A fixture is used to position, hold and form the involute configuration. The fixture includes clamping device which positions and holds a base edge and the plurality of bars in a preestablished position and a forming member forms the remainder of the individual cells into the involute configuration. Corresponding ones of the base edges of individual cells form an inner diameter of the recuperator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Solar Turbines Incorporated
    Inventors: Doug R. Ervin, Tom L. Grigsby, Robert A. Prochnow
  • Patent number: 6112403
    Abstract: Circular recuperators are used to increase the efficiency of gas turbine engines. The present circular recuperators are made of a plurality of cells. Each of the plurality of cells includes a plurality of components, such as, a plurality of sheets, a plurality of bars and guide strips. To more efficiently utilize the configuration of a primary surface circular heat exchanger or recuperator, the plurality of cells are manufactured to have a involute configuration. A fixture is used to position, hold and form the involute configuration. The fixture includes clamping device which positions and holds a base edge and the plurality of bars in a preestablished position and a forming member forms the remainder of the individual cells into the involute configuration. Corresponding ones of the base edges of individual cells form an inner diameter of the recuperator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Solar Turbines Incorporated
    Inventors: Doug R. Ervin, Tom L. Grigsby, Robert A. Prochnow
  • Patent number: 5918368
    Abstract: Circular recuperators are used to increase the efficiency of gas turbine engines. The present circular recuperators is made of a plurality of cells. Each of the plurality of cells includes a plurality of components, such as, a plurality of sheets, a plurality of bars and guide strips. To more efficiently utilize the configuration of a primary surface circular heat exchanger or recuperator, the plurality of cells are manufactured to have a involute configuration. A fixture is used to position, hold and form the involute configuration. The fixture includes clamping device which positions and holds a base edge and the plurality of bars in a preestablished position and a forming member forms the remainder of the individual cells into the involute configuration. Corresponding ones of the base edges of individual cells form an inner diameter of the recuperator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Solar Turbines, Inc.
    Inventors: Doug R. Ervin, Tom L. Grigsby, Robert A. Prochnow