Patents by Inventor Stephan Bross

Stephan Bross 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: 11619238
    Abstract: A sealing arrangement for a centrifugal pump is provided. The sealing arrangement permits a sealing gap between a rotating element such as a pump impeller and a non-rotating element such as a pump casing to be minimized, while protecting against element wear from gap reduction and element contact, particularly during transient operation such as pump start up. At least one of the rotating element and the non-rotating element is provided with a plurality of movably mounted bodies configured to rotate and maintain separate the rotating and non-rotating elements when the sealing gap is reduced. The elements and the bodies may be formed in an additive manufacturing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: KSB SE & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Alexander Boehm, Stephan Braun, Stephan Bross, Holger Rauner, Adrian Stein, Tim Richter
  • Publication number: 20190136864
    Abstract: A sealing arrangement for a centrifugal pump is provided. The sealing arrangement permits a sealing gap between a rotating element such as a pump impeller and a non-rotating element such as a pump casing to be minimized, while protecting against element wear from gap reduction and element contact, particularly during transient operation such as pump start up. At least one of the rotating element and the non-rotating element is provided with a plurality of movably mounted bodies configured to rotate and maintain separate the rotating and non-rotating elements when the sealing gap is reduced. The elements and the bodies may be formed in an additive manufacturing process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Alexander BOEHM, Stephan BRAUN, Stephan BROSS, Holger RAUNER, Adrian STEIN, Tim RICHTER
  • Patent number: 7815421
    Abstract: A pressure exchanger transferring pressure energy from a liquid in a first liquid system to a liquid in a second liquid system, having a housing with inlet and outlet connection openings for each liquid and a rotor arranged in the housing for rotation about a longitudinal axis. Through rotor channels are arranged around the rotor longitudinal axis with openings on each axial end face of the rotor. The rotor channels are arranged for connection through opposing flow openings facing the housing to the connection openings of the housing. During rotor rotation high pressure liquid and low pressure liquid are alternately introduced into the respective systems. Liquid flowing to the rotor through the openings generates a circumferential force (cu) for driving the rotor, and starting at or following the openings a flow guiding configuration formed as a rotor channel flow diverting contour is arranged in the rotor channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: KSB Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stephan Bross, Wolfgang Kochanowski
  • Patent number: 7798772
    Abstract: A centrifugal pump with a housing having one or more impellers having an axial or semiaxial, open or closed design disposed therein and an intake channel mounted upstream of the first impeller. A plurality of grooves that are distributed around the circumference and extend in the direction of flow are arranged within the wall area of the intake channel. In the housing wall of the intake channel there is a closed annular wall area constructed between a point of entry of the first impeller and the proximate ends of the grooves, whereby the grooves are operatively connected exclusively with the space in the intake channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: KSB Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stephan Bross, Isabel Goltz, Peter Amann
  • Patent number: 7748923
    Abstract: An element is to be mounted on a shaft of a non-positive displacement machine and forms a gap for limited passage of a flowing medium. A bush-like part for mounting on a shaft of the machine has an outer periphery provided with a recess for accommodating a ring. During operation of the machine, the ring, which is partially surrounded on its faces by circular ring-shaped walls of the recess, forms an axial gap with the circular, ring-shaped walls of the recess and a radial gap with the bottom of the recess. The ring is held by frictional contact with a rigid wall which surrounds it. To reduce wear on rings made of soft, flowable material, a second recess is formed in the rigid wall and surrounds the faces of the ring that project from the walls of the bush-like part. One of the lateral bounds of the second recess is formed by a tubular part detachably joined to the rigid wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: KSB Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stephan Bross, Ruediger Koepp
  • Patent number: 7600535
    Abstract: A valve for switching over liquid paths, particularly for pressure exchanger installations with tubular pressure exchanger chambers (3) through which an alternating flow occurs, in which a rotatable control element (10, 10.1) having a plurality of flow paths is mounted in a housing (11), which in turn comprises a plurality of connection opening (12, 16, 17, 46) connected to a first pipe system and to an end of at least one pressure exchanger. Another end of the pressure exchanger is connected to a second pipe system through a valve. A motorized drive shaft (50) rotates the control element so as to alternately connect the control element flow paths to openings inside housing (11). Oncoming flow to the control element may come from an axial direction or from a radial direction, and outgoing flow from the control element occurs in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: KSB Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Sven Baumgarten, Stephan Bross, Bernhard Brecht, Uwe Bruhns, Stefan Flak, Christoph Jaeger, Wolfgang Kochanowski, Wiltrud Knoebl, Mogens Ellegaard
  • Patent number: 7465153
    Abstract: Disclosed is a diverter for directing particles that cause wear in a slurry pump away from the stationary face of a slurry pump. The diverter comprises a protrusion that directs particles back into the collector of the pump to reduce the number of particles that go through the impeller nose gap. The protrusion extends from the suction liner face to the front shroud whereby particles can be deflected away from the suction liner face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Inventors: Graeme R. Addie, Thomas Mueller, Stephan Bross, John Maffett
  • Publication number: 20070212231
    Abstract: A pressure exchanger for transferring pressure energy from a first liquid in a first liquid system to a second liquid in a second liquid system, having a housing with inlet and outlet connection openings for each liquid and a rotor (1) arranged in the housing for rotation about a longitudinal axis. A number of through rotor channels (2) are arranged around the rotor longitudinal axis with openings (4) on each axial end face of the rotor. The rotor channels (2) are arranged for connection through opposing flow openings formed in the housing to the connection openings of the housing such that during rotation of the rotor, high pressure liquid and low pressure liquid are alternately introduced into the respective systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Applicant: KSB Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stephan Bross, Wolfgang Kochanowski
  • Publication number: 20070137170
    Abstract: A pressure exchanger for transferring pressure from a higher pressure liquid in a first liquid system to a lower pressure liquid in a second liquid system having a housing (8) with inlet and outlet connection openings (10-10.3) for each liquid and a rotor (1) arranged in the housing for rotation about a longitudinal axis. The rotor has a plurality of through channels (13) arranged around the longitudinal axis with openings (12) on axial end faces (2, 3) of the rotor. The rotor channels (13) are connected to the connection openings (10-10.3) through flow openings (11-11.3) in the housing such that during rotation of the rotor high pressure liquid and low pressure liquid are alternately supplied to the respective systems. A predominantly axially extending flow transition is formed between the flow openings (11-11.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Applicant: KSB Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stephan Bross, Wolfgang Kochanowski
  • Publication number: 20070104588
    Abstract: A pressure exchanger for transferring pressure energy from a liquid flow of one liquid system to a liquid flow of another system including a housing provided with inlet and outlet lines for liquid flows having differing pressure states, and a cylindrical rotor disposed in the housing for rotation about its longitudinal axis. The rotor has a plurality of passageways located on an annular plane surrounding the longitudinal axis of the rotor and having an opening at each axial end face of the rotor. Inlet and outlet ports for the inlet and outlet lines are arranged in the housing at the ends opposite the end faces of the rotor, and sealing zones are arranged between the inlet and outlet ports. Radially extending sealing webs are disposed on the end faces of the rotor between the passageway openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Publication date: May 10, 2007
    Applicant: KSB Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stephan Bross, Wolfgang Kochanowski, Christof Schuler
  • Publication number: 20060060245
    Abstract: A valve for switching fluid paths, particularly for pressure exchanger installations with tubular chambers through which fluid flows in an alternating manner, including a rotatable closing element (12, 13) provided with a motorized drive shaft (14) and arranged inside a housing (2) having a plurality of connections (3, 4) for connecting lines leading to a pipe system and to a respective end of at least one pressure exchanger. Another end of each pressure exchanger is connected through a valve arrangement to a second pipe system. A splitter (7) provided with a plurality of overflow paths (17, 18, 27) is arranged inside the housing (2); mouths of the overflow paths are located on two axial end faces (10, 11) and on the circumference of the splitter (7), and a rotatable, disk-shaped control element (12, 13) is arranged in a sealing manner at each end face of the splitter (7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Publication date: March 23, 2006
    Applicant: KSB AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Sven Baumgarten, Stephan Bross, Bernhard Brecht, Uwe Bruhns, Mogens Ellegaard, Stefan Flak, Christoph Jaeger, Wolfgang Kochanowski, Wiltrud Knoebl
  • Publication number: 20060054223
    Abstract: A valve for switching over liquid paths, particularly for pressure exchanger installations with tubular pressure exchanger chambers (3) through which an alternating flow occurs, in which a rotatable control element (10, 10.1) having a plurality of flow paths is mounted in a housing (11), which in turn comprises a plurality of connection opening (12, 16, 17, 46) connected to a first pipe system and to an end of at least one pressure exchanger. Another end of the pressure exchanger is connected to a second pipe system through a valve. A motorized drive shaft (50) rotates the control element so as to alternately connect the control element flow paths to openings inside housing (11). Oncoming flow to the control element may come from an axial direction or from a radial direction, and outgoing flow from the control element occurs in the axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Publication date: March 16, 2006
    Applicant: KSB AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Sven Baumgarten, Stephan Bross, Bernhard Brecht, Uwe Bruhns, Stefan Flak, Christoph Jaeger, Wolfgang Kochanowski, Wiltrud Knoebl, Mogens Ellegaard
  • Publication number: 20050265866
    Abstract: A centrifugal pump with a housing having one or more impellers having an axial or semiaxial, open or closed design disposed therein and an intake channel mounted upstream of the first impeller. A plurality of grooves that are distributed around the circumference and extend in the direction of flow are arranged within the wall area of the intake channel. In the housing wall of the intake channel there is a closed annular wall area constructed between a point of entry of the first impeller and the proximate ends of the grooves, whereby the grooves are operatively connected exclusively with the space in the intake channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Publication date: December 1, 2005
    Applicant: KSB AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Stephan Bross, Isabel Goltz, Peter Amann
  • Publication number: 20050244091
    Abstract: An element which is to be mounted on a shaft of a non-positive displacement machine and which forms a gap for limited passage of a flowing medium, which includes a bush-like part (2) for mounting on a shaft of the machine having an outer periphery provided with a recess (4) for accommodating a ring (5). During operation of the machine, the ring (5), which is partially surrounded on its faces by circular ring-shaped walls of the recess (4), forms an axial gap with the circular, ring-shaped walls of the recess (4) and a radial gap with the bottom of the recess. Ring (5) is held by frictional contact with a rigid wall (1) which surrounds it. To reduce wear on rings made of soft, flowable material, a second recess is formed in the rigid wall (1) and surrounds the faces of the ring (5) that project from the walls of the bush-like part (2). One of the lateral bounds of the second recess is formed by a tubular part (7) detachably joined to the rigid wall (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Publication date: November 3, 2005
    Applicant: KSB Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stephan Bross, Ruediger Koepp
  • Publication number: 20040136825
    Abstract: Disclosed is a diverter for directing particles that cause wear in a slurry pump away from the stationary face of a slurry pump. The diverter comprises a protrusion that directs particles back into the collector of the pump to reduce the number of particles that go through the impeller nose gap. The protrusion extends from the suction liner face to the front shroud whereby particles can be deflected away from the suction liner face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Graeme R. Addie, Thomas Mueller, Stephan Bross, John Maffett
  • Publication number: 20030044272
    Abstract: Disclosed is a diverter for directing particles that cause wear in a slurry pump away from the stationary face of a slurry pump. The diverter comprises a protrusion that directs particles back into the collector of the pump to reduce the number of particles that go through the impeller nose gap. The protrusion extends from the suction liner face to the front shroud whereby particles can be deflected away from the suction liner face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Graeme R. Addie, Thomas Mueller, Stephan Bross, John Maffett
  • Publication number: 20020125649
    Abstract: A seal which is arranged between a shaft and a casing opening and separates, from one another, two spaces at different pressures, with the exception of a residual annular gap which permits a slight leakage caused by a gap flow. The seal can replace prior seal types and only permits a very small leakage volume flow while being relatively uncomplicated in terms of components, assembly and maintenance. The seal includes a bush (13) tightly surrounding the shaft (2), having at least one grooves (14) in each of which is arranged, with slight axial clearance, an elastic annular element (15, 18, 20, 21, 23) split by a longitudinally extending gap (16, 17, 19). The pressure difference between axial end surfaces of the annular element(s) (15, 18, 20, 21, 23) urges the annular element(s) (15, 18, 20, 21, 23) into sealing contact with the casing opening (3) in such a way that the gap flow is guided via the annular gap between the groove(s) (14) and the annular element(s) (15, 18, 20, 21, 23).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventors: Stephan Bross, Gerhard Schwarz, Bernhard Brecht, Ruediger Koepp
  • Patent number: 6146095
    Abstract: A housing for a double spiral circulation pump includes a spiral housing and a multipartite rib. The spiral housing defines a flow channel. The multipartite rib is disposed in the housing to divide the flow channel. The multipartite rib includes at least two rib parts spaced from each other to define a gap therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: KSB Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stephan Bross, Peter Hergt