Patents by Inventor Robert H. Nadjafi

Robert H. Nadjafi 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).

  • Hybrid foil/magnetic bearing
    Patent number: 6135640
    Abstract: A cylindrical shaft including a rotor rotates within a housing. A foil bearing comprised of flexible foil segments encircles the rotor, and is located in between the rotor and the housing. The foil segments are attached to the housing, and are installed with a flexion to press against the rotor. A split ring is situated near each end of the foil bearing. Each ring is suspended in an circumferential groove in the rotor by springs which also apply a force tending to keep the ring closed. When the rings are closed, the foil segments can press against and support the rotor. The rings can be opened by respective solenoid-operated plungers to press against the foil segments and force them apart from the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventor: Robert H. Nadjafi
  • Foil thrust bearing set
    Patent number: 5871284
    Abstract: A spring assembly for a foil thrust bearing set includes a stiffener disc and a plurality of spring segments. Each spring segment has at least two anchoring tabs. When inserted into a slot in the stiffener disc, the anchoring tabs anchor the spring segment to the stiffener disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventors: Robert H. Nadjafi, Mickey Joe Andrews
  • Foil thrust bearing with varying radial and circumferential stiffness
    Patent number: 5318366
    Abstract: A spring cluster disc (14) for a foil thrust bearing (10) is provided with a plurality of sets (52) of springs (62,64,66). The springs are configured to provide varying spring force and thus varying stiffness in radial and circumferential directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventor: Robert H. Nadjafi
  • Foil thrust bearing with varying radial and circumferential stiffness
    Patent number: 5248205
    Abstract: A spring cluster disc (14) for a foil thrust bearing (10) is provided with a plurality of sets (52) of springs (62,64,66). The springs are configured to provide varying spring force and thus varying stiffness in radial and circumferential directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventors: Alston L. Gu, Robert H. Nadjafi