Patents by Inventor Wouter Balk

Wouter Balk 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: 9284842
    Abstract: A link part for a turbine engine which mounted between a fan cone and a fan disk supporting fan blades is provided. The link part includes an annular wall pierced by a plurality of orifices, each orifice for receiving a fastener member and terminated by a substantially perpendicular rim having an outer surface that provides an aerodynamic extension of the fan between an outer surface of the fan cone and an outer surface of a fan blade platform. The annular wall is made of a first material that is composite and is provided on an inner surface of the rim with a ring made of a second material that is different from the first and that is suitable for radially retaining the fan blade platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignees: SAFRAN, SNECMA
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Francois Lombard, Wouter Balk, Sebastien Pautard, Benjamin Samson, Benjamin Kiener-Calvet, Frederic Rogues
  • Publication number: 20160031655
    Abstract: A conveyor for buffering products includes a first helical conveyor having a first conveyor input and a first conveyor output and a second helical conveyor having a second conveyor input and a second conveyor output. The first conveyor output is coupled to the second conveyor input and the second conveyor output is coupled to the first conveyor input. A loading station and a discharging station are configured to load and discharge products to and from the conveyor. A single conveyor belt follows the helical tracks of the first and second helical conveyors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Johannes Wilhelmus Broers, Wouter Balk
  • Patent number: 9227783
    Abstract: A conveyor for conveying products comprises at least a drivable helically-shaped inner track conveyor member and a drivable helically-shaped outer track conveyor member. The outer track conveyor member surrounds the inner track conveyor member. The pitches of the inner track conveyor member and the outer track conveyor member are different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Specialty Conveyor B.V.
    Inventors: Wouter Balk, Johannes Wilhelmus Broers
  • Patent number: 9227723
    Abstract: A mechanism for adjusting pitch of blades of a propeller of a system of contra-rotating propellers for a turbomachine, wherein each blade moves around a radial axis. The mechanism includes a linear actuator, a structure to transform movement imparted by the linear actuator into rotation of each of the blades in a synchronized manner around their radial axis, the structure including a bracket of longitudinal axis formed of a central ring, an outer ring, and multiple radial arms rigidly connected to the central ring and to the outer ring. The central ring can be subject to actuation of the linear actuator, and the central ring and the outer ring are positioned in two separate planes, orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, such that the bracket is shaped as a truncated cone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Wouter Balk, Gilles Alain Charier
  • Publication number: 20150377282
    Abstract: A method for producing by pultrusion a hollow main body of a rotary movement transmission shaft made of a composite material, the method including: impregnating a reinforcement; arranging a reinforcing fabric around a pultrusion chuck to wrap the pultrusion chuck, the fabric including circumferential fibers arranged in planes orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the chuck; and then depositing the impregnated reinforcement around the reinforcing fabric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Applicant: SAFRAN
    Inventors: Cedric THOMAS, Patrick DUNLEAVY, Wouter BALK
  • Publication number: 20150375941
    Abstract: An accumulating portal conveyor comprises a conveyor belt, a frame for supporting and guiding the belt, which frame includes a first helical path and a second helical path spaced from the first helical path, a bridging path and a return path. Under operating conditions the belt successively follows the first helical path upwardly, the bridging path, the second helical path downwardly and the return path, and such that in transverse direction of an upright plane through central centerlines of the first and second helical paths. The bridging path includes a static part having a fixed position with respect to the helical paths and a dynamic portion displaceable in transverse direction of the upright plane to change the path length of the belt. At least a portion of the return path is displaceable for compensating the change of the path length of the belt at the bridging path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventor: Wouter Balk
  • Patent number: 9204566
    Abstract: A device for protecting a computer of an aircraft turbine engine, the device comprising a box containing the computer and a cover covering the box, the box being supported by tabs forming integral portions of the box and maintaining a flow of air between the bottom of the box and a portion of the casing of the engine on which they are to come into secure contact via resilient studs, the box being made of a composite material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: SAFRAN
    Inventors: Wouter Balk, Robin Mandel
  • Patent number: 9181041
    Abstract: A conveyor for buffering products comprises at least first and second drivable curved conveyor parts, which are spaced from each other in horizontal direction. At least, the first conveyor part has at least an inner track and an outer track, wherein the outer track is adjacent to the inner track and disposed at the outside bend side of the inner track. The second conveyor part has at least a second conveyor part track, wherein one end of the outer track of the first conveyor part is coupled to one end of the second conveyor part track. An other end of the second conveyor part track is coupled to one end of the inner track of the first conveyor part. The first and second conveyor parts are at least partly helically-shaped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Specialty Conveyor B.V.
    Inventors: Johannes Wilhelmus Broers, Wouter Balk
  • Publication number: 20150291360
    Abstract: A conveyor comprises two helical conveying tracks and a bridging track which connects the two helical conveying tracks to each other such that products can be transported upwardly via one helical conveying track, then via the bridging track to the other helical conveying track and subsequently downwardly via the other helical conveying track. The conveyor is provided with a driveable endless conveyor belt which follows at least one of the helical conveying tracks, at least a part of the bridging track and a return track, wherein the return track at said one helical conveying track has a vertically oriented portion and a horizontally oriented portion, which horizontally oriented portion is disposed below the bridging track and extends beyond the vertically oriented portion with respect to the center line of said one helical conveying track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventor: Wouter Balk
  • Patent number: 9090025
    Abstract: A fitting including at least one composite material bracket with two flat segments forming an angle less than 180° on an inside of the bracket and an angle greater than 180° on an outside of the bracket, together with a stiffener extending on the inside of the bracket between the two flat segments is disclosed. The bracket presents a slot crossing a straight line between the two flat segments, the slot extending into the two flat segments. The stiffener is folded in register with the slot and includes tabs fastened to each of the two flat segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: SAFRAN
    Inventor: Wouter Balk
  • Patent number: 9085979
    Abstract: A device for controlling pitch of fan blades of a turboprop including at least one set of adjustable-pitch fan blades secured to rotate with a rotary ring centered on the longitudinal axis, and mechanically connected to a turbine rotor, each blade of the set being coupled for pitch adjustment to a synchronization ring centered on the longitudinal axis. An actuator is secured to rotate with the turbine rotor and is mechanically connected to the synchronization ring by a plurality of connection arms connected to the actuator rod and hinge-mounted on the synchronization ring such that actuating the actuator causes the synchronization ring to move in turning about the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Wouter Balk, Gilles Alain Charier, Francois Gallet
  • Publication number: 20150083552
    Abstract: A conveyor comprises a frame, an endless conveyor belt supported by the frame in a conveying direction along a helical path, a non-helical path and a transfer path. The helical path has an upright center line. The belt includes a plurality of plates movably coupled to each other. The frame comprises at least at the helical path a radial guide, wherein the radial guide supports a plate at a radial guide contact location thereof in radial direction with respect to the center line of the helical path, a bearing guide for upwardly supporting the plates, wherein the bearing guide supports a plate at a bearing guide contact location thereof, and an auxiliary guide for compensating a torque on a plate at the bearing guide contact location about an axis directed in the conveying direction. The auxiliary guide contacts a plate at an auxiliary guide contact location thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventor: Wouter Balk
  • Patent number: 8985954
    Abstract: A device for controlling pitch of fan blades of a turboprop including at least one set of adjustable-pitch fan blades secured to rotate with a rotary ring mechanically connected to a turbine rotor, each blade of the set being coupled for pitch adjustment to a synchronization ring. The device includes a rolling bearing including an inner cage slidably mounted on a turbine casing and connected to the rod of an actuator, and an outer cage that is mechanically connected to the synchronization ring by a plurality of connection arms connected to the actuator rod and hinge-mounted on the synchronization ring such that actuating the actuator causes the synchronization ring to move in turning about the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Wouter Balk, Gilles Alain Charier, Francois Gallet
  • Publication number: 20150021455
    Abstract: A turbine engine support part including a main structure made of composite material and a reinforcing secondary structure made of metal and integrated in the main structure, the secondary structure presenting a geometrical shape and dimensions configured to impart mechanical strength to the support part in event of the main structure being destroyed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicants: SAFRAN, SNECMA
    Inventors: Robin Mandel, Wouter Balk, Nicolas Christian Raymond Leblond, Jean-Yves Picart
  • Patent number: 8899013
    Abstract: A thrust reverser for the nacelle of a turboreactor includes at least one fixed front frame that can be mounted downstream of a fan casing of the turboreactor and directly or indirectly supports at least one flow deviation vanes, in which at least part of the flow deviation vanes can be detached from the front frame and moved in translation independently therefrom when a maintenance operation is being carried out on the reverser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignees: Aircelle, Snecma
    Inventors: Herve Hurlin, Nicolas Dezeustre, Wouter Balk, Bertrand Desjoyeaux
  • Patent number: 8876462
    Abstract: A system of contra-rotating propellers for an aircraft turbomachine, including: a free power turbine including a first rotor; first and second propellers; and a mechanical transmission system including a planetary gear train fitted with a sun gear driven by the rotor, at least one planet gear driving the first propeller, and a ring driving the second propeller. The free power turbine also includes a second rotor that is contra-rotating relative to the first rotor, and rotating the ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Snecma
    Inventors: Wouter Balk, Gilles Alain Charier, Francois Gallet
  • Patent number: 8851273
    Abstract: A conveyor system for conveying at least one product comprises a spiral first conveyor having a vertically extending central axis. The first conveyor comprises a number of conveying elements extending substantially parallel to each other. Each conveying element comprises at least one supply end for receiving the product and at least one discharge end for discharging the product. The discharge ends of the individual conveying elements are positioned at different vertical levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Specialty Conveyor B.V.
    Inventor: Wouter Balk
  • Patent number: 8844861
    Abstract: An aircraft propulsion system including a bypass turbojet engine surrounded by a nacelle together with a mechanism attaching the engine to a pylon of an aircraft. The nacelle includes an inner structure forming a body of revolution including a rigid framework formed by an upstream annular frame fastened to an intermediate casing of the engine, a downstream annular frame supporting the exhaust casing of the engine, and longitudinal arms connecting the frames together, the annular downstream frame being fastened to the pylon by a flexible or hinged suspension mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Wouter Balk, Anne-Laure Marie Clemence De Galle
  • Patent number: 8839629
    Abstract: An assembly is designed to attach hangers from which an aircraft propulsion unit is suspended. The propulsion unit is intended to be suspended from a structural element of the aircraft. The propulsion unit includes a turbojet engine having a longitudinal axis and the attachment assembly having a clevis mount for attaching the hangers to a casing of the propulsion unit. The clevis mount is fixed to the casing by means designed to form a connection between the clevis mount and the casing at the external periphery of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignees: Aircelle, SNECMA
    Inventors: Herve Hurlin, Nicolas Dezeustre, Wouter Balk, Gilles Charier
  • Patent number: 8834119
    Abstract: A device including a pair of counter rotating propellers with variable pitch which may be modified by an actuator located in a central cavity of the shafts. A system for transporting energy to the actuator includes a conduit passing into a static case in proximity to an epicycloidal gear train, and then control conduits leading to the actuator and crossing the planet carrier of an epicycloidal gear train. The junction is affected by a dynamic joint with a collector. This transport path avoids a high temperature turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Wouter Balk, Francois Gallet