Patents by Inventor Robert F. Hoeft

Robert F. Hoeft 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: 4950129
    Abstract: An improvement in the inner tip support of variable inlet guide vanes in an axial flow compressor. Each of the guide vanes is rotatably mounted on a spindle at its radially outer end so that it can pivot between an open and a closed position. The improvement comprises a bushing disposed in the casing radially inward of each of said guide vanes, and a button on the end of each of said guide vanes contained within and forming clearances with the bushing walls, the button being eccentrically offset with respect to the guide vane spindle by a preselected amount and in a preselected direction to cause the button to provide restraining force on the vane inner ends when the vanes are in an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Manubhai M. Patel, Robert F. Hoeft
  • Patent number: 4088421
    Abstract: A coverplate damping arrangement is provided for a turbine assembly wherein a sealing and damping pin which extends between and under adjacent bucket platforms is formed with one or more eccentric masses which cause the pin, under the urging of centrifugal force, to rotate into abutment with the coverplate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1978
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Robert F. Hoeft