Patents by Inventor William C. Maier
William C. Maier 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).
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Publication number: 20170227166Abstract: A method for boosting a multiphase fluid is provided. The method may include separating the multiphase fluid into a liquid phase and a gaseous phase in a separator, compressing the gaseous phase in a compressor, and discharging the compressed gaseous phase from the compressor to the discharge line. The method may also include draining the liquid phase from the separator to a liquid reservoir, passively actuating an inlet control valve to flow the liquid phase from the liquid reservoir to a liquid tank, and actively actuating an inlet actuation valve to flow a motive gas from the compressor to the liquid tank to thereby pressurize the liquid phase contained therein. The method may further include passively actuating an outlet control valve to discharge the pressurized liquid phase from the liquid tank to the discharge line, and combining the compressed gaseous phase with the pressurized liquid phase in the discharge line.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2015Publication date: August 10, 2017Inventors: William C. Maier, Jose L. Gilarranz
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Patent number: 9702354Abstract: A mounting system for an industrial compression system including a first component close-coupled to a second component includes a first support for the first component. The first support is configured to resist movement of the first component in a first direction substantially horizontal relative to the first component, a second direction substantially vertical relative to the first component, and an axial direction relative to the first component. The mounting system also includes a second support for the second component. The second support is configured to resist movement of the second component in a first direction substantially horizontal relative to the second component and a second direction substantially vertical relative to the second component, wherein the second support permits movement of the second component in an axial direction relative to the second component.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2014Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: Dresser-Rand CompanyInventor: William C. Maier
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Publication number: 20170175771Abstract: A support assembly and method for supporting an internal assembly in a casing of a turbomachine are provided. The support assembly may include a support member that may be slidably disposed in a recess formed in the internal assembly and configured to engage an inner surface of the casing. A biasing member may be disposed in a pocket extending radially inward from the recess. The biasing member may at least partially extend into the recess and may be configured to apply a biasing force to the support member disposed therein.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2017Publication date: June 22, 2017Inventors: William C. Maier, David J. Peer, Andrew Jason Ranz, Joel D. Johnson
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Publication number: 20170106319Abstract: A separator method and apparatus that includes a rotatable drum defining an annular passageway therein, a plurality of blades coupled to the rotatable drum and located in the annular passageway, each of the plurality of blades including a leading section, a trailing section, a concave surface, and a convex surface, the concave and convex surfaces extending from the leading section to the trailing section, each of the plurality of blades disposed circumferentially adjacent to at least another one of the plurality of blades so as to define blade flowpaths therebetween, and a housing at least partially surrounding the rotatable drum and defining a fluid collection chamber fluidly communicating with the annular passageway.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2016Publication date: April 20, 2017Inventors: William C. Maier, Gocha Chochua
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Patent number: 9624933Abstract: A support assembly and method for supporting an internal assembly in a casing of a turbomachine are provided. The support assembly may include a support member that may be slidably disposed in a recess formed in the internal assembly and configured to engage an inner surface of the casing. A biasing member may be disposed in a pocket extending radially inward from the recess. The biasing member may at least partially extend into the recess and may be configured to apply a biasing force to the support member disposed therein.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2014Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: Dresser-Rand CompanyInventors: David J. Peer, Andrew J. Ranz, William C. Maier, Joel D. Johnson
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Publication number: 20170077780Abstract: A stator can for an electric motor of a motor-compressor is provided. The stator can may include an annular body configured to be disposed radially outward of a rotor of the electric motor. An inner radial surface of the annular body and an outer radial surface of the rotor may at least partially define a radial gap therebetween, and a first axial end portion of the annular body may at least partially define an inlet of the radial gap. The stator can may include a plurality of swirl breaks disposed about the first axial end portion of the annular body. The plurality of swirl breaks may be configured to reduce a swirling flow of the process fluid flowing to the inlet of the radial gap.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2015Publication date: March 16, 2017Applicant: Dresser-Rand CompanyInventors: Joseph A. Tecza, William C. Maier
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Patent number: 9550140Abstract: A separator method and apparatus that includes a rotatable drum defining an annular passageway therein, a plurality of blades coupled to the rotatable drum and located in the annular passageway, each of the plurality of blades including a leading section, a trailing section, a concave surface, and a convex surface, the concave and convex surfaces extending from the leading section to the trailing section, each of the plurality of blades disposed circumferentially adjacent to at least another one of the plurality of blades so as to define blade flowpaths therebetween, and a housing at least partially surrounding the rotatable drum and defining a fluid collection chamber fluidly communicating with the annular passageway.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2015Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: Dresser-Rand CompanyInventors: William C. Maier, Gocha G. Chochua
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Publication number: 20170009654Abstract: A motive air conditioning system for a gas turbine assembly is provided. The motive air conditioning system may include an inlet flow channel configured to be fluidly coupled with the gas turbine assembly. The motive air conditioning system may also include a filtration assembly fluidly coupled with the inlet flow channel and configured to filter motive air. The filtration assembly may include a plurality of filter modules disposed adjacent one another and further disposed circumferentially about a longitudinal axis of the inlet flow channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2016Publication date: January 12, 2017Inventor: William C. Maier
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Publication number: 20160375446Abstract: A collection apparatus for a separator. The collection apparatus including a housing at least partially encircling a flow separation passage and defining a chamber and a cutout, the chamber being in fluid communication with the flow separation passage to receive a separated flow therefrom, and the cutout extending outward from the chamber to at least partially deflect the separated flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2015Publication date: December 29, 2016Applicant: Dresser-Rand CompanyInventors: William C. Maier, Gocha Chochua
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Patent number: 9488180Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for compressing a process fluid are provided. The system includes a sealed housing configured to be submerged in a body of water, and a compressor disposed in the sealed housing and including a compressor casing, the compressor being configured to compress a process fluid. The system also includes a motor operably coupled to the compressor and disposed in the sealed housing, the motor being configured to drive the compressor. The system further includes a source of hydrogen, such as a hydrogen generator, disposed in the sealed housing or submerged and disposed proximate thereto, the source of hydrogen being fluidly coupled with the compressor and configured to provide the hydrogen gas thereto.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2012Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: Dresser-Rand CompanyInventors: Pascal Lardy, William C. Maier
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Publication number: 20160281736Abstract: An inlet guide vane assembly for a compressor is provided. The inlet guide vane assembly may include a hub configured to be disposed in an inlet of the compressor, and an inlet guide vane extending from the hub. The inlet guide vane may include a stationary section configured to be coupled with the inlet and a mobile section disposed adjacent the stationary section. The mobile section may include a rod configured to extend through an opening formed in the inlet. The inlet guide vane assembly may also include at least one biasing member disposed about the rod and configured to exert a biasing force on the mobile section to urge the mobile section radially outward.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2016Publication date: September 29, 2016Applicant: DRESSER-RAND COMPANYInventors: Richard J. Wiederien, William C. Maier, James M. Sorokes, Mark J. Kuzdzal
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Publication number: 20160256808Abstract: A “bolt on” static separator is disclosed for use in conjunction with a rotating separator to handle higher liquid volumes that are not able to be effectively separated by the rotating separator alone. The static separator may be positioned upstream of the rotating separator, generally right in front of the rotating separator, i.e., immediately ahead of the inlet to the rotating separator and generally attached directly to the front end of the rotary separator. The static separator may include a significant change in flow path direction that is sufficient to cause coarse fluid separation. The output of the static separator is in communication with the input of the rotating separator. Additionally, the drain of the static separator is in communication with the drain of the rotating separator and is at the same pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2016Publication date: September 8, 2016Inventors: Pascal Lardy, Harry Allan Kidd, William C. Maier
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Patent number: 9419492Abstract: An interface for transmitting electrical power to a motor of a motor-compressor is provided. The interface may include a receptacle having a first end portion coupled with a stator of the motor and a second end portion defining a hole at least partially extending therethrough. The interface may also include a plug configured to be detachably coupled with the receptacle. The plug may include a rigid, conductive rod having a first end portion configured to be coupled with a penetrator of the motor-compressor, and a second end portion configured to be at least partially disposed in the hole of the receptacle and detachably coupled therewith. The rigid, conductive rod may be configured to electrically couple the penetrator with the receptacle, and the receptacle may be configured to transmit the electrical power to the stator.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2014Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Assignee: Dresser-Rand CompanyInventors: Jose L. Gilarranz, William C. Maier, William C. Egan, Axel Moehle, Patrick Gels, Marco Festa, Andreas Bethge, Pal Benestad, Jonas Nelson
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Patent number: 9366268Abstract: Apparatus and methods for supporting a compression system are provided. The apparatus includes a compressor support coupled to a compressor, and a motor support coupled to a motor, the motor and the compressor being stand-alone units and having a shaft extending therebetween. The apparatus also includes a subframe connector coupled to the compressor support and the motor support and configured to prevent radial and axial misalignment of the shaft.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2012Date of Patent: June 14, 2016Assignee: Dresser-Rand CompanyInventors: William C. Maier, Jose L. Gilarranz
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Patent number: 9339748Abstract: A multistage separation system is provided. The multistage separation system may include a rotary shaft configured to drive a compressor. A rotating separation system may be coupled with the rotary shaft and may have an outlet in fluid communication with an inlet of the compressor. A static separation system may be coupled with a front end portion of the rotating separation system. The static separation system may include an axial inlet configured to receive a fluid and a static separation curve fluidly coupled with and disposed radially outward of the axial inlet. The static separation curve may include an outlet fluidly coupled with an inlet of the rotating separation system.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2013Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: Dresser-Rand CompanyInventors: Pascal Lardy, H. Allan Kidd, William C. Maier
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Patent number: 9303658Abstract: A turbomachine system and method, with the system including a slug detector coupled to a main line to detect a slug flow in a multiphase fluid in the main line. The system also includes a compressor fluidly coupled to the main line and disposed downstream of the slug detector, and a bypass line fluidly coupled to the main line upstream of the compressor and downstream of the compressor. The system further includes at least an upstream control valve fluidly coupled to the main line upstream of the compressor and communicably coupled to the slug detector. The upstream control valve is configured to actuate between a normal position, in which the upstream control valve directs fluid to the compressor, and a bypass position, in which the upstream control valve directs fluid to the bypass line, according to when the slug detector detects a slug flow.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2012Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: Dresser-Rand CompanyInventors: William C. Maier, Pascal Lardy, Jose L. Gilarranz
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Publication number: 20160084304Abstract: A radial magnetic bearing may include an annular housing including a radial outer wall disposed between radially outer ends of two annular axial end plates and an isolation sleeve which may include a helical arrangement of a plurality of ferromagnetic wires. The isolation sleeve may be an annular structure extending axially between the two annular axial end plates, and the isolation sleeve and the annular housing may define an isolation cavity therebetween. The radial magnetic bearing may also include an isolation sleeve retainer configured to maintain a position of the isolation sleeve between the two annular axial end plates. The radial magnetic bearing may further include a plurality of laminations disposed adjacent the isolation sleeve and about a shaft of the rotating machine. A gap may be defined between the plurality of laminations and the isolation sleeve.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2014Publication date: March 24, 2016Applicant: DRESSER-RAND COMPANYInventors: William C. Maier, Joseph A. Tecza
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Publication number: 20160025106Abstract: A fluid compression system is disclosed having a hermetically-sealed housing with at least a motor and a compressor arranged therein. The motor may drive both the compressor and a blower device coupled to the housing or otherwise arranged within the housing and configured to circulate a cooling gas throughout the housing and thereby cool the motor and accompanying radial bearings. The blower device circulates the cooling gas through a closed-loop circuit which may include a heat exchanger and gas conditioning skid. Buffer seals may be used to seal the shaft on both sides of the compressor so as to prevent the migration of liquid and solid contaminants into the closed-loop cooling circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2015Publication date: January 28, 2016Applicant: Dresser-Rand CompanyInventors: Jose L. Gilarranz, David J. Peer, Louis Lombardi, Steven Rockwood, William C. Maier
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Patent number: 9228588Abstract: Apparatus and methods for expanding a process fluid are disclosed. The apparatus includes a casing having an inlet and an outlet, and a component carrier disposed in the casing. The component carrier and the casing defining a cavity therebetween, and the component carrier at least partially defines a process flowpath fluidly communicating with the inlet and the outlet of the casing. The apparatus also includes a rotor disposed at least partially in the component carrier, with the rotor at least partially defining a first expansion stage intersecting the process flowpath. The apparatus also includes a bleed port extending from the process flowpath at a first point of the process flowpath to the cavity, to provide a thermal buffer fluid to the cavity.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2012Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: Dresser-Rand CompanyInventors: William C. Maier, Patrice LeConte, George M. Lucas
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Patent number: 9231395Abstract: A system and method are provided for a terminal assembly of a subsea motor-compressor. The terminal assembly may include a plurality of terminal ports extending through a hollow spherical body to a cavity defined therein. The terminal assembly may also include a penetrator detachably coupled with the spherical body about each of the plurality of terminal ports. The terminal assembly may further include a mounting port extending through the spherical body to the cavity defined therein. The mounting port may be configured to couple the terminal assembly with a housing of the motor-compressor.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2014Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: Dresser-Rand CompanyInventors: William C. Maier, Jose L. Gilarranz, John Battershell, Timothy Griffin, Matthew Pilon, Pascal Lardy, Elroy Brickey, Joel Johnson, Anthony James