Patents by Inventor William E. Woollenweber

William E. Woollenweber 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: 5025629
    Abstract: A turbocharger for an internal combustion engine can provide a two-stage compressor with movable stator blades to shift the compressor performance and match the air output of the turbocharger to varying air requirements of an internal combustion engine. The turbocharger can also be provided with a generally optimum boost pressure ratio of about 4.5:1 to 4.6:1. Such a compressor comprises a first axial-compressor stage, typically providing a 1.3:1 pressure boost ratio, and a second radial-compressor stage, typically providing a pressure ratio of 3.5:1. The turbine of such a turbocharger can be a combination flow turbine and can be provided with closure means to vary the turbine geometry and provide more efficient turbine operation at low-engine speeds. The turbocharger includes a roller bearing system adapted to accommodate imbalance. A control system operating in response to engine-operating conditions can operate the compressor-stator vanes and, if present, the turbine closure means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1991
    Inventor: William E. Woollenweber
  • Patent number: 4918923
    Abstract: An exhaust-driven cooling system for an internal combustion engine includes a turbocooler having an exhaust-driven turbine and ducted fan means to generate a flow of cooling air for use in an internal combustion engine heat exchanger to dissipate heat losses of the engine and a control for the generation of cooling air. The system can provide internal combustion engines with substantially reduced temperatures and pressures for its exhaust gas, thrust usable as a motive force and exhaust system components and substantially improved reliability and efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1990
    Inventors: William E. Woollenweber, Niels J. Beck
  • Patent number: 4885911
    Abstract: An exhaust-driven cooling system for an internal combustion engine includes a turbocooler having an exhaust-driven turbine and fan means to generate a flow of cooling air for use in an internal combustion engine heat exchanger to dissipate heat losses of the engine. The system can provide internal combustion engines with substantially reduced temperatures and pressures for its exhaust gas and exhaust system components and substantially improved reliability and efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1989
    Inventors: William E. Woollenweber, Niels J. Beck
  • Patent number: 4776168
    Abstract: A variable geometry turbine system for internal combustion engine turbochargers is provided which comprises a turbine wheel and a meridionally divided volute having first and second volute passageways defining first and second turbine inlet openings for the flow of exhaust gas from the passageways into the turbine wheel. The system further includes closure means movable betwen a first position in which both from both volute passageways to flow into the turbine turbine inlet openings are open to permit exhaust gas wheel to provide a mixed-flow turbine during periods of high engine speed; and a second position closing the first turbine inlet opening to permit exhaust gas from only the second volute passageway to flow into the turbine wheel to provide an axial-flow turbine during periods of reduced engine speed. The closure means of the system can further include valve means for diverting during periods of reduced engine speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1988
    Inventor: William E. Woollenweber
  • Patent number: 4641977
    Abstract: A bearing system for a high-speed, rotating shaft (20) includes an outer race (12) adapted to be rotatable in its machine support and ( 32) to carry a rolling bearing (16), such as a ball bearing, at one end and further includes a floating sleeve bearing (14) at the other end. The outer race of the system can be adapted to rotate on a film of lubricant at a speed less than one-third, and preferably about one-tenth, that of the rotating shaft. The bearing system can include thrust-bearing surfaces (12c, 12d) at one end of the outer race and surfaces to permit lubrication of the sleeve and rolling bearings. The floating sleeve bearing is free to rotate at speeds of about one-half the speed of the rotating shaft. The system thus can provide very low bearing losses and a long bearing life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1987
    Inventor: William E. Woollenweber
  • Patent number: 4565505
    Abstract: A new turbine combining the advantage of a combination-flow turbine wheel which may be inserted and removed from the turbocharger assembly through the exhaust opening, and a divided volute turbine casing, wherein the dividing wall is canted away from the exhaust opening allowing the gases from the volute passages to flow through the turbine with less flow losses than in conventional, radial turbines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1986
    Inventor: William E. Woollenweber
  • Patent number: 4224794
    Abstract: A turbine assembly is provided for use on an internal combustion engine such as a diesel engine having conventional intake and exhaust manifolds. The assembly includes a hollow section which has an inlet communicating with the exhaust manifold, and an outlet communicating with an exhaust gas entry into a chamber in which a turbine wheel is mounted. Rotatably mounted within the hollow section is a rotor which is adjustable to various selected positions. When in a first selected position, the rotor permits substantially unrestricted exhaust gas flow through the assembly. When in a second selected position, a predetermined amount of exhaust gas is diverted from the turbine wheel chamber through a bypass passageway formed in the hollow section. The end of the bypass passageway terminates downstream of the turbine wheel chamber. When in a third selected position of adjustment, the rotor effects substantial blockage of the exhaust gas flow through the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1980
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventor: William E. Woollenweber
  • Patent number: 4169354
    Abstract: The disclosure illustrates an exhaust gas turbine and compressor system for use with a pneumatic conveyor where the exhaust gas is supplied by an internal combustion engine. The engine utilizes a variable geometry turbine device for changing the torque characteristics of the turbine so as to vary the mass flow of air from the compressor driven by the turbine. As a result, the compressor output will be sufficient to supply air to the engine or to the pneumatic conveyor system while the engine is naturally aspirated. A diverter valve is provided for selectively directing air from the outlet of the compressor either to the air intake of the engine or the pneumatic conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1976
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1979
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventor: William E. Woollenweber
  • Patent number: 4008572
    Abstract: This disclosure deals with a centripetal flow turbine housing including an intake opening for receiving a working fluid, a volute which conveys the fluid to a turbine wheel rotatably mounted within the housing, and an outlet opening co-axial with the wheel. A valve is provided adjacent the intake opening, and two intake passages are formed in the housing between the valve and the volute. One of the intake passages is arranged concentrically around the other intake passage, and the intake passages merge ahead of the volute to form generally concentric aspirating nozzles. The valve is adjustable to one position where it directs all of the working fluid through one intake passage, and to a second position where it directs the working fluid through both intake passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1975
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1977
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventor: William E. Woollenweber, Jr.
  • Patent number: 3993370
    Abstract: A bearing structure is provided for use in machinery wherein certain components thereof operate at high rotational speeds. The structure includes a shaft mounted for rotation within a stationary housing member. A pair of bearings, arranged in longitudinally spaced relation, is disposed between the shaft and the adjacent surface of the housing member. The housing member is provided with a passage for high pressure oil terminating at each bearing. Each bearing is of sleeve-like configuration and is provided with a plurality of radial holes which are in communication with the oil passage of the housing member. A plurality of longitudinal openings are formed in each bearing and interconnect the end faces of a bearing. The openings communicate with the holes of the bearing thereby permitting oil to flow to the end faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1974
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1976
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventor: William E. Woollenweber
  • Patent number: 3961867
    Abstract: A rotatable assembly is provided which is adapted to be used in centrifugal compressors, expanders, or the like. The assembly includes a rotor rotatably mounted within a housing. The rotor is provided with an axially extending sleeve portion having an external annular groove and an axially extending bore terminating within the rotor. One end of a rotatably mounted shaft is accommodated within the sleeve bore. A stationary backing plate is disposed within the housing and encompasses the sleeve portion. The plate is provided with a stepped bore through which the sleeve extends. The stepped bore has a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion, the latter being located between the sleeve external groove and the end face of the sleeve. An annular seal means is disposed within the sleeve external groove and sealingly engages the large diameter portion of the plate stepped bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1974
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1976
    Assignee: Holset Engineering Company Limited
    Inventor: William E. Woollenweber