Patents by Inventor Robert P. Andrews

Robert P. Andrews 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).

  • Active bearing
    Patent number: 5397183
    Abstract: A mechanical bearing, the major advantage inherent in magnetic and other non-contact bearing designs, i.e., being active. The specific bearing disclosed is a tilt pad bearing having a structure which changes shape in a controlled manner in response to a control signal, which structure is made up of a piezoceramic smart material and a backing housing. A controller is also provided for developing a control signal in response to feedback information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Leo K. Lu, Robert P. Andrews, Kenneth J. Bussell
  • Method of making scalable side entry turbine blade roots
    Patent number: 4692976
    Abstract: A method for providing a scalable two tang side entry turbine blade root geometry which significantly reduces stress concentration due to centrifugal and bending load on the blade root by equalizing the stresses at all points of stress concentration utilizing a scalable model in which all of the dimensions can be multiplied by a constant to produce a range of different sized blade roots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1987
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: Robert P. Andrews