Patents Issued in February 12, 2004
  • Publication number: 20040025466
    Abstract: A cooling tower support frame having a plurality of modules. Each module includes at least two vertical columns and at least two horizontal girts that are connected to the vertical columns. The horizontal girts extend between the vertical columns preferably at separate vertical levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Applicant: Marley Cooling Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul W. Hink, Michael P. Cushing, Mark A. Muder, Eldon F. Mockry
  • Publication number: 20040025467
    Abstract: This invention provides a configuration of a joint that allows a satisfactory welded joint to be formed with reduced deformation of the joint region when two-face structures (panels) are friction-welded end to end. The panels 31, 32 each have two substantially parallel plates 33, 34 and a third member 35 connecting the two plates 33, 34. The end portions of the plates 33, 34 of one panel 32 are friction-welded to the end portions of the plates 33, 34 of the other panel 32. At least one of the panels has a plate 36 at its end for connecting the plates 33 and 34 and has a rigidity to support a pressing force produced during the friction welding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Kinya Aota, Tsuyoshi Takenaka, Yasuo Ishimaru
  • Publication number: 20040025468
    Abstract: This invention provides a configuration of a joint that allows a satisfactory welded joint to be formed with reduced deformation of the joint region when two-face structures (panels) are friction-welded end to end. The panels 31, 32 each have two substantially parallel plates 33, 34 and a third member 35 connecting the two plates 33, 34. The end portions of the plates 33, 34 of one panel 32 are friction-welded to the end portions of the plates 33, 34 of the other panel 32. At least one of the panels has a plate 36 at its end for connecting the plates 33 and 34 and has a rigidity to support a pressing force produced during the friction welding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Kinya Aota, Tsuyoshi Takenaka, Yasuo Ishimaru
  • Publication number: 20040025469
    Abstract: An apparatus for packaging an article in a wrapping of a sheet material surrounding the article and closed in a fantail configuration, comprising:
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Pier Carlo Scaliti, Giovanni Sobrero
  • Publication number: 20040025470
    Abstract: A picking or commissioning device (1) has a rack or shelf (2) with an intermediate storage areas arranged essentially horizontally in the longitudinal direction of the shelf in the form of said tiltable containers (3) with a filling or charging opening (4). A lower collecting conveyor (5), central conveyor or buffer is associated with the tiltable containers (3) in the longitudinal direction of the shelf. One or more said containers (3) are filled manually or mechanically with selected products preferably simultaneously in a filling position (F) of the containers. The selected products are released onto the collecting conveyor (5), central conveyor or buffer by tilting the filled containers into a tilted position (K).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventor: Karl Freudelsperger
  • Publication number: 20040025471
    Abstract: A machine for packaging articles, in particular CDs, DVDs and the like, into relative containers, which are formed by a pair of substantially box-like closure members, lower (G1) and upper (G2), hinged to each other along a common hinge edge (D), includes a conveying line (L), which is equipped all around with gripping and transferring means (1). The gripping and transferring means (1) are moved continuously and grip lateral edges of the lower closure member (G1) of the containers (C) housed in closed condition inside a magazine (S0) and remove the containers (C) from the bottom of the magazine (S0). The gripping and transferring means (1) transfer the containers withdrawn from the magazine (S0) to subsequent working stations associated to the line (L).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Massimiliano Sichera, Gianni Sichera
  • Publication number: 20040025472
    Abstract: An apparatus (1) for inserting packaged material into packaging means is described. In the region of an insertion device (2) and a preinsertion device (3), a packaged-material conveyor device and a packaging-means conveyor device are provided. The insertion device has at least one insertion tappet (5A-5C), and the preinsertion device has a covering tongue (7A-7C) corresponding to the insertion tappet. The insertion tappets and covering tongue can be guided essentially transversely to a direction of motion of the conveyor devices, and the motions of the insertion tappet (5-A5C) and of the covering tongue can each be generated by means of a respective servomotor drive mechanism (8, 9), coupled to the insertion tappet and to the covering tongue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Ulrich Wieduwilt, Guenther Lade, Eberhard Krieger, Ruediger Grabowski
  • Publication number: 20040025473
    Abstract: A device for packing flat articles in transport containers includes a feeder for feeding the flat articles in imbricated form. A conveyor disposed downstream of the feeder, in a transport direction of the articles, has an at least approximately vertically extending end for discharging the articles into the transport containers at a filling location. A conveying device is provided for feeding the transport containers to the filling location in a conveying direction rectilinearly counter to the transport direction of the articles. Equipment is provided for further conveying the transport containers at the filling location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Hartmut Klapp, Wolfgang Diehr, Klaus Steves
  • Publication number: 20040025474
    Abstract: An ultrasonic sealing device and method, in which an ultrasonic sealing device is disposed near a bag take-out position of a rotary type vacuum processing device that has a plurality of vacuum chambers disposed at equal intervals on the circumference of an intermittently rotating table, a degassed bag is taken out of the interior of a vacuum chamber stopped at the bag take-out position and is transported to and positioned in the sealing position of the ultrasonic sealing device, a horn element and an anvil are caused to advance and press-hold a predetermined position on the bag mouth and perform ultrasonic sealing to the bag. The temporary sealing to the bag mouth is preferably performed in the rotary type vacuum processing device so that the degassed state inside the bag is maintained when the vacuum chamber is placed in an atmospheric pressure state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Applicant: Toyo Jidoki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinichi Hiramoto
  • Publication number: 20040025475
    Abstract: An automated, fully programmable, and adaptable device fills straws or straw-like packages with any type of flowing, or flowable, liquid. A straw is dropped from a hopper down chutes into a capture area where it is held and filled with liquid, after which it is sealed. The straw dropping, capture, filling, and sealing actions are preferably automatically controlled by a preprogrammed electronic controller. The major elements of a typical embodiment of the invention include means for dropping a straw or other receptacle into a fixed mounting position consistently, optional means for heating fluids throughout the fill process, means for filling the receptacle, and means for sealing the receptacle. The straw hopper has a retractable slide plate at its base that slides back to allow only one straw at a time to fall through the chutes into the capture area. In the preferred embodiment, the slide plate at the bottom of the hopper moves back and forth in a predefined fully programmable sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventor: Kathryn M. Hamilton
  • Publication number: 20040025476
    Abstract: An in-line, continuously operating stand-up pouch forming, filling and sealing apparatus and process contemplates a continuously moving web and pouch train operating at rates in excess of 150 pouches or 500 to 600 web inches per minute, and at to at least about 1500 pouches or 4000 web inches per minute. Seal facilitating holes are continuously punched in a continuously moving web and side seams are formed by continuously sealing a continuous web. The stand-up pouches are positively opened by a continuous Coanda-Effect application or alternately by a combined vacuum/mechanical operation. Stand-up pouches are continuously formed, filled and sealed without intermittent web stops for web or pouch operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Frank G. Oliverio, Boris E. Makutonin, David P. Hizer, Lawrence K. Jones, Robert J. Burkhardt
  • Publication number: 20040025477
    Abstract: A method fox introducing a cover sheet (2) between a transparent sheet (3) and a book-like container (4), which is substantially formed by a pair of closure members (4a, 4b), externally wrapped within the film (3), includes:
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Massimiliano Sichera, Gianni Sichera
  • Publication number: 20040025478
    Abstract: Device for protecting parts (9, 12) of an animal (8) from pests, which can be releasably attached to one or more of the parts (9, 12) of the animal (8) which are to be protected, which device (1) comprises an elongate, flexible strip, from which strip one or more ribbons of flexible material (2) lead, extending on at least one side of the strip, in which device the flexible strip comprises one or more substantially dimensionally stable, curved positioning components (3) which are suitable for locating the flexible strip on substantially a central line of the part or parts (9, 12) of the animal (8) which is/are to be protected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventor: Peter Hermanus Schwieters
  • Publication number: 20040025479
    Abstract: A filter material take-up product and a paper winding core, which are free from secondary-contaminattion by an outgas while being transported or stocked. Irrespective of its application such as building air conditioner, an air cleaner or a semi-conductor factory, the amount of the outgas to be generated from the filter take-up product for the air filter can be kept at a negligible level. The filter take-up product for the air filter is produced by coating and wrapping the filter material for the air filter, as wound on the winding core, with a film wrapping material which is so made of phenolic compounds, carboxylate esters, phosphate ester or cyclic siloxance as to have an outgas generation in an amount of 100 ng/g or less by the dynamic head space method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Toshihiko Soyama, Masashi Sato
  • Publication number: 20040025480
    Abstract: The invention relates to a closing device for a housing (1) of an air filter that can be closed with a housing cover (2). The assembly process is to be simplified and accelerated, while the number of parts required is to be reduced at the same time. According to the invention, this is achieved in that the housing cover (2) and the housing (1) can be connected to one another by means of a locking frame (4) which surrounds the housing cover (2) and the housing (1) in the region of the housing edge (3), said locking frame (4) being positionable in closed position by means of translatory motion, in which position it presses the housing cover (2) onto the housing edge (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventor: Andreas Thanheiser
  • Publication number: 20040025481
    Abstract: A pre-separator removes contaminants from dirty air and an air intake system of an automobile engine. The pre-separator includes a central body connected to a plurality of vanes, the central body including a leading nose-cone portion and a trailing nose-cone portion. An exit tube defines an outlet that is sized and positioned relative to the central body. The pre-separator is capable of easy packaging within the air intake system, while minimizing the restriction and maximizing horsepower of the engine. In one embodiment, the separation efficiency, the restriction, and acoustic tuning may be selectively controlled for the particular application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Applicant: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Neville J. Bugli, James J. Kempf, William C. Montgomery, Charles B. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20040025482
    Abstract: In a centrifugal separator, the rotor (19) of which is adapted to be driven by means of a gaseous driving fluid, the rotor itself supports a ring of turbine blades (34) extending around the rotational axis (R) of the rotor. A stationary nozzle (40) is adapted to direct a flow of the driving fluid towards the ring of turbine members (34). After the driving fluid has passed between the turbine blades (34) and has influenced them for driving of the centrifugal rotor, it enters a reversing chamber (41) formed by a stationary reversing member (42). In the reversing chamber the driving fluid is caused to change its direction and is then conducted again towards the ring of turbine members (34) in order to be utilized a second time for driving of the centrifugal rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Leonard Borgstrom, Claes-Goran Carlsson, Peter Franzen, Claes Inge, Torgny Lagerstedt, Hans Moberg, Stefan Szepessy
  • Publication number: 20040025483
    Abstract: Device for extraction of greases in aerosol form from an air flow in a ventilation system, which device comprises a number of intermediate plates (16) which define both an increased surface of deposition for the greases, and an extended flow path in the ventilation system, which flow path exhibits an alternating direction of flow and an alternating cross sectional area. According to the invention, each intermediate plate (16) exhibits a turbulence inducing wing (26), along a free edge thereof which forms the highest situated point or line in each intermediate plate in the device, which wing (26) is directly followed in the flow path by an increased cross-sectional area for the air flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventor: Conny Norman
  • Publication number: 20040025484
    Abstract: In a housing for receiving an air filter element 1 with a housing bottom 2 and a housing top 3, the air filter element 1 within the housing can be positioned between the first carrier element 8 which is located on the housing bottom 2, and a second carrier element 9 which is located on the housing top 3, by means of the first carrier element 8 and/or the second carrier element 9 a seal being implemented between the raw air space 5 and the clean air space 6. The housing bottom 2 and the housing top 3 and also the two carrier elements 8, 9 of the housing can have different dimensions to match various types of internal combustion engines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Udo Marchart, Ralf Ziegler, Peter Erlewein, Wolfgang Banscher
  • Publication number: 20040025485
    Abstract: An air filter includes a tubular outer mesh body, a tubular inner mesh body, a filter layer, a first end cap and a second end cap. The first and second end caps are molded from plastic foam material, have end portions of the inner and outer mesh bodies embedded therein, and fill perforations in the end portions of the inner and outer mesh bodies. The first and second end caps cooperate to position the filter layer between the inner and outer mesh bodies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventor: Dong-Tasi Lee
  • Publication number: 20040025486
    Abstract: A composite yarn having a high reinforcing effect on a matrix material to be reinforced is a paralleled yarn of at least one substantially non-twisted multifilament yarn having a tensile strength of 13 cN/dtex or more and an initial modulus of 300 cN/dtex or more with at least one substantially non-twisted staple fiber yarn having a staple fiber fraction (1) having a fiber length of 1.5 times or more the average fiber length of the staple fibers and another fraction (2) having a fiber length of 0.5 time or less the average fiber length, in which a portion of the staple fibers in the staple fiber yarn winds around the periphery of the paralleled composite yarn to thereby bind the multifilament yarn and the staple fiber yarn substantially into a composite yarn without twisting the composite yarn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventor: Kotaro Takiue
  • Publication number: 20040025487
    Abstract: In what is referred to as an air vortex spinning method, fibres are dispersed by a dispersion roller (5) into individual fibres, and conveyed by means of a suction roller (9) against a fibre conveying channel (15), from which the fibres are conducted against the mouth of a yarn channel of a hollow spindle (13). In this situation, the front ends of the fibres are taken up in the yarn channel (14), while the rear ends are acquired by a rotating air flow R and rotated around the mouth area of the spindle or yarn channel, so that a yarn is formed which exhibits at least a surface which displays a character similar to a ring-spun yarn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventor: Peter Anderegg
  • Publication number: 20040025488
    Abstract: The invention relates to a spinning device which according to the invention with FIG. 2 differs from the prior art of FIG. 1. In the prior art, the fibres delivered through a fibre conveying channel (13) (compaction due to slight twisting) are guided around the tip of a needle (5) into a yarn guidance channel of a spindle (6) and thereby compacted, whereby this guidance takes place as a result of an air flow created through the nozzles (3). The tip of the needle (5) has the purpose, on the one hand, of guiding the fibres and, on the other, of avoiding a false twist having a reverse effect back through the fibre conveying channel as far as, for example, a clamping gap of a pair of delivery rollers due to the rotation of the fibres, since such a false twist would at least interfere with the formation of the yarn, if not preventing it altogether.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Peter Anderegg, Herbert Stalder
  • Publication number: 20040025489
    Abstract: An external combustion engine includes: a plurality of cavities; a compressible working fluid in fluid communication between each pair of adjacent cavities; and a plurality of hydraulic linkages in reciprocal phase communication between each pair of alternate cavities. In an alternative embodiment the external combustion engine includes: a plurality of cavities; a compressible working fluid in fluid communication between each pair of adjacent cavities; and a plurality of articulated mechanical linkages in reciprocal phase communication between each pair of alternate cavities. In another alternative embodiment the external combustion engine includes: at least four upright cavities disposed substantially equidistant from a central upright axis; a compressible working fluid in fluid communication between each pair of adjacent cavities; and at least one linkage in reciprocal phase communication between each pair of alternate cavities. The at least one linkage may comprise a hydraulic linkage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Ricardo Conde, Dara Faroughy
  • Publication number: 20040025490
    Abstract: Turbojet engines and aircraft configurations for advantageous use of the turbojet engines; the turbojet engines utilizing ram air turbine units that centrifugally compress air isothermally for use in various combustion configurations designed for stoichiometric combustion, wherein a stream of by-pass ram-air jets is mixed with combustion gas jets for discharge in a common discharge nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventor: Marius A. Paul
  • Publication number: 20040025491
    Abstract: For supporting the cooling of an air-cooled gas turbine set, it is proposed to arrange, in the cooling air ducts of the cooling system, means for increasing the pressure of the flowing cooling air. In an embodiment, the cooling system (17) is supplied with high pressure compressor air from the end stages of the compressor (1) of a gas turbine set (1, 2, 3, 4). This cooling system branches into a first branch (18), by means of which the combustor (2) and the first stages, particularly the first guide blade row of the turbine (3), are cooled. A second branch (19) conducts cooling air to the further turbine stages. An ejector (20) is provided for increasing, as needed, the pressure drop available by means of the first branch (18) of the cooling system. Its ejector nozzle (22) is supplied with live steam (9) taken from a waste heat steam generator (51), the live steam supply being adjustable by means of an adjusting member (21).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Juergen Hoffmann, Stefan Rofka, Rene Waelchli, Rolf Dittmann
  • Publication number: 20040025492
    Abstract: A fuel system for a gas turbine engine having a main burner fuel supply line and a pilot burner fuel supply line, a high pressure pump supplying fuel to the main and pilot burner supply lines in use, a throttle valve controlling the flow of fuel in the main burner supply line, a metering valve controlling the flow of fuel in the pilot burner supply line, and a pressure raising valve between the pilot burners and the metering valve, the pressure raising valve serving to maintain the upstream fuel pressure to a pre-determined amount in excess of the pressure of fuel supplied from the throttle valve to the main burners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Michael Griffiths, Trevor Stanley Smith, Glyn Dixon
  • Publication number: 20040025493
    Abstract: A turbofan jet engine having a housing and an engine core disposed in the housing. The engine core includes at least a compressor, turbine, and a drive shaft. The drive shaft defines a drive shaft axis. A plurality of fans are disposed in the housing and each is rotatable about a separate fan axis. Each of the fan axes are axially offset from the drive shaft axis. The turbofan jet engine further includes a drive system operably interconnecting the engine core and fans so as to rotatably drive the fans and selectively disengage select fans from the engine core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventor: Paul M. Wojciechowski
  • Publication number: 20040025494
    Abstract: A device for centering a tube component positioned inside and rotationally secured at its end to a turbine hollow shaft positioned in a gas turbine engine. The device includes a sheath enclosing and solidly joined to the tube component, and an elastic ring interposed between the sheath and the shaft. The ring includes a plurality of pairs of opposed shoes extending radially outwardly therefrom and configured to radially expand so as to extend against an inner portion of the shaft. The shoes include thin, elastic cylindrical walls having an external diameter configured slightly less than the internal diameter of the shaft prior to assembly onto the shaft, and arranged to expand to the inner wall of the shaft when assembled thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Jean-Bernard Vache, Jean-Luc Soupizon, Christophe Galand
  • Publication number: 20040025495
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprising a combustion chamber section, a turbine section, and a compressor section. The turbine section surrounds the combustion chamber and the compressor section surrounds the turbine section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventor: Sudarshan Paul Dev
  • Publication number: 20040025496
    Abstract: A system and method for synchronizing a remote generator to a bus, whether or not power from the bus is available at the generator. The system includes: a first clock at a host site; a host timing processor for determining the time of a synchronizing event; a communication channel for transmitting the time to a remote site; a second clock at a remote site synchronized to the first clock; and a remote timing processor for receiving the time of a synchronizing event, comparing the time of the event to the time of a similar event at the generator, and adjusting the speed of the generator to synchronize the generator to the bus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventor: Frank Patterson
  • Publication number: 20040025497
    Abstract: An electrostatic filter (1) has a chamber (11) into which a gas stream is introduced. An ioniser (19) in the form of an electrode array (20) is located in the chamber (11) and creates an ionising zone through which the gas stream passes. A charged outlet (21) is located downstream from the ioniser (19). As the gas stream passes through the ionising zone, the unwanted particles therein are charged and urged away from the outlet (21) by the ioniser (19). Charged particles approaching the outlet (21) are also electrostatically repelled therefrom, permitting “clean” gas to be extracted through the outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventor: Rodney John Truce
  • Publication number: 20040025498
    Abstract: A method and system for freeze protecting liquid NOx reductants, preferably used in vehicle applications, wherein a liquid NOx reductant, carried onboard a vehicle exposed to cold weather conditions, is heated by existing thermal energy generated by fuel compression. The heated fuel heats a potentially frozen reductant and the liquid reductant is supplied to an exhaust gas pipe in front of a catalyst for reducing NOx on the surface of the catalyst and catalytically converted into environmentally safe nitrogen and water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christine Kay Lambert, Rolf Backes
  • Publication number: 20040025499
    Abstract: An exhaust emission control method for treating exhaust gas emitted from an internal combustion engine is provided in which an emission control device located in an exhaust gas passage of the engine stores SOx when the air/fuel ratio of exhaust gas is lean, and releases the stored SOx when the temperature of the emission control device is raised to a desulfurization temperature or higher and the air/fuel ratio of the exhaust gas becomes substantially equal to the stoichiometric air/fuel ratio or rich.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koichiro Nakatani, Shinya Hirota
  • Publication number: 20040025500
    Abstract: A particulate filter for purifying exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine, in particular of a diesel engine, comprises a filtering body and heating elements for initiating combustion of soot particles accumulated on and in the filtering body. The heating elements comprise at least a hot spot ceramic ignitor (3). The invention is applicable in the automotive industry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Sebastien Bardon, Craig Willkens
  • Publication number: 20040025501
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine waste heat recovery system is provided in which a second heat exchanger (H2), a fifth heat exchanger (H5), a fourth heat exchanger (H4), a third heat exchanger (H3), and a first heat exchanger (H1) are disposed sequentially from the upstream side to the downstream side of the flow of exhaust gas in an exhaust passage (33) of an internal combustion engine, and water as a working medium is supplied sequentially to the first heat exchanger (H1), the second heat exchanger (H2), the third heat exchanger (H3), the fourth heat exchanger (H4), and the fifth heat exchanger (H5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Tsuneo Endoh, Masashi Shinohara, Hiroyuki Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20040025502
    Abstract: A Stirling engine comprises a first porous body (112A) having a large hole diameter, a second porous body (113A) having a small hole diameter and a ring (114) for fixing the first porous body (112A) and the second porous body (113A) in a pressurization chamber (111) inside a gas outlet closer to the pressurization chamber (111).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Satoshi Okano, Shohzoh Tanaka, Jazuhiko Ueda, Yoshiyuki Kitamura
  • Publication number: 20040025503
    Abstract: In a combined cycle plant that combines a conventional thermal power plant and a gas turbine plant, there is provided a dump system 1 that connects a main steam pipe 60 with the condenser 25 and dumps the steam generated by the boiler 10 into the condenser 25, bypassing the steam turbine; and HRSG HP turbine bypass system 2 and HRSG LP turbine bypass system 3 which connect the HP pipe 70 and LP pipe 71 of the heat recovery steam generator, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Youichi Hattori, Taiji Inui
  • Publication number: 20040025504
    Abstract: The invention concerns a turbocharger with a variable geometry turbine comprising a mobile cylindrical piston (70) to modify the cross-section of the input nozzle to the turbine. Vanes (90) extending from a heat shield (92) for adjusting the flow of the nozzle are contacted by the piston in a first closed position. In a second open position, the piston is spaced apart from the vanes, thereby increasing the input nozzle cross-section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Hubert Perrin, Olivier Espasa, Marylene Ruffinoni, Alain Lombard, Philippe Joseph Muller
  • Publication number: 20040025505
    Abstract: An aircraft control system includes a propeller governor in which a stepper motor is used to apply a compression force on a speeder spring, and a turbocharger in which a stepper motor is used to actuate a needle valve associated with a diaphragm cell. An electronic control unit may be used to control the stepper motor in the propeller governor and the stepper motor in the turbocharger. The integration of the propeller governor and the turbocharger into a single control system decreases the number of individual adjustments that must be performed manually by the pilot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Applicant: Bombardier-Rotax GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Koch, Heinz Lippitsch, Johann Bayerl, Manfred Moseneder, Gerald Mayr
  • Publication number: 20040025506
    Abstract: A flywheel assembly for use with a supercharger having a rotatable shaft is provided. The flywheel assembly includes a flywheel configured to rotate about an axis of and be supported by the rotatable shaft and a clutch configured to selectively couple the flywheel to the rotatable shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Bradley J. Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20040025507
    Abstract: An on-board inert gas generating system (OBIGGS) uses a turbine in order to recover the energy of compression of the nitrogen-enriched product gas. This energy is transferred, through a shaft, to the compressor, which supplies compressed air to the separation membrane. Unlike conventional systems, where there is no means for recovering the energy of the compressed nitrogen enriched product air, the present system provides a cooled nitrogen-enriched gas to be supplied to a fuel tank ullage without losing the energy stored in the compressed nitrogen-enriched product gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Leigh, Timothy P. Birbeck, Giorgio Carlo Isella
  • Publication number: 20040025508
    Abstract: The invention provides an injection system for injecting an air/fuel mixture into a combustion chamber of a gas turbine engine, the injection system having a longitudinal axis and comprising fuel injection means, interposed between first and second air injection means, the fuel injection means being disposed in an annular internal cavity of a Venturi, the fuel injection means comprising at least a first fuel admission circuit provided with at least one fuel injection orifice, and a plurality of second fuel admission circuits independent from the first fuel admission circuit(s), each being provided with at least one fuel injection orifice so as to define a plurality of independent modes of injecting the air/fuel mixture depending on determined operating speeds of the engine, the fuel injection orifice of the first fuel admission circuit being formed in the upstream wall of the Venturi so as to inject fuel towards the combustion chamber in a general direction that is substantially perpendicular to a flow of air
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Applicant: SNECMA MOTEURS
    Inventors: Gwenaelle Calvez, Didier Feder, Marion Michau, Frederic Ravet, Jose Rodrigues, Alain Schuler, Alain Tiepel, Christophe Viguier
  • Publication number: 20040025509
    Abstract: A rotary ramjet engine generator set. An exemplary embodiment of a rotary ramjet engine is provided operating with a very low axial flow component. The engine has a closely housed rotor and shaft mounted for rotary motion with respect to an engine case. A plurality of ramjet combustors are provided at the periphery of the rotor, and a pair of spaced apart helical strakes are provided extending outward from the surface portion of the rotor toward the interior wall of the engine case, less a running clearance therefrom. An inlet centerbody is provided for each ramjet. The centerbody is disposed along a helical axis parallel to the strakes, and includes a leading edge structure, a pair of sidewalls defining therebetween a shaped cavity, and a rear end wall. Each pair of strakes cooperate to define, rearward of the rear end wall of each inlet centerbody, a combustion chamber for mixing therewithin and inlet fluid and burning fuel therein to form hot combustion gases therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2002
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Applicant: RAMGEN POWER SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Shawn P. Lawlor, Robert C. Steele
  • Publication number: 20040025510
    Abstract: In a method operating a gas- and steam-turbine plant (1) having a gas turbine (2) which can be operated with both gas and oil, during a change of operation from gas to oil, a partial-flow mixture (t1,2) formed from a first partial flow (t1) of heated feedwater (S′) and from a second partial flow (t2) of comparatively cool feedwater (S) is admixed directly with the cold condensate (K) and thus without a heat exchanger. To this end, the plant (1) comprises a feed line (104) for the heated feedwater (S′), this feed line (104) being directed to the condensate preheater (36) and having an admixing point (103) for feeding the comparatively cool feedwater (S).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventor: Werner Schwarzott
  • Publication number: 20040025511
    Abstract: A dual function rapid shutdown and ecology system for fuel delivery systems for engines, specially aircraft gas turbine engines, is disclosed. The dual function is accomplished in a single module operated by a single electro-magnetic solenoid valve commanded by the engine electronic control unit. Upon actuation of the solenoid valve, a large spring loaded piston strokes to the extreme of its travel creating a cavity having a volume sufficient to accommodate all fuel leftover in the fuel manifold and distribution system at shutdown, thus preventing atmospheric pollution or engine damage upon subsequent operation. Simultaneous with actuation of the solenoid valve, fuel pressure differentials cause a small piston to stroke to the extreme of its travel opening fuel passageways and causing all the fuel being delivered to the engine combustion chamber to be bypassed back to pump inlet, thus effectively accomplishing the rapid shutdown function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventor: Robert S. McCarty
  • Publication number: 20040025512
    Abstract: A control system and methodology for a gas turbine having multiple fuel valves for multiple combustion chambers involves tuning the fuel values to associated combustion chambers to optimize nitrous oxide emissions; dynamic pressure, and variation in fuel/air ratio. Further, fine tuning of the fuel values is then used to maintain dynamic pressure oscillations, nitrous oxide emissions or variation in fuel/air ratio within predetermined limits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lewis Berkley Davis, Bruce G. Norman, Robert Joseph Iasillo
  • Publication number: 20040025513
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine (10) comprises a second compressor (14), a first compressor (16), a heat exchanger (18), a combustor (20), a first turbine (22), a second turbine (24) and a third turbine (26) arranged in flow series. The first turbine (22) is arranged to drive the first compressor (16). The second turbine (24) is arranged to drive the second compressor (14). There are means to inject liquid into the gas turbine engine (10). The means to inject liquid is arranged to inject liquid upstream (46) of the second compressor (14), within (48) the second compressor (14), between (50) the second compressor (14) and the first compressor (16), within (52) the first compressor (16), between (54) the first compressor (16) and the heat exchanger (18) or within (56) the combustor (20) to boost the power of the gas turbine engine (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Philip P. Walsh, Paul Fletcher
  • Publication number: 20040025514
    Abstract: A gas turbine includes an annular combustion chamber and an outer wall of an annular combustion chamber. A straining ring is arranged on the outer wall of the annular combustion chamber and enables oscillations of the outer wall to be damped via friction. The effects of combustion oscillations produced by damaging vibrations of the annular combustion chamber are thus reduced. A method is further for damping an oscillation of an outer wall of an annular combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Roderich Bryk, Otmar Gobmann, Harald Holl, Burkhard Voss
  • Publication number: 20040025515
    Abstract: An automated storage library including: an enclosure having a cartridge storage area in an interior of the enclosure; a plurality of media cartridges disposed in the cartridge storage area; and a cooling unit operatively connected to the enclosure for cooling at least the cartridge storage area of the enclosure. Preferably, the enclosure has an exterior wall and the cooling unit is at least partially disposed in the exterior wall. More preferably, the cooling unit is a thermoelectric cooler having a hot side disposed on an exterior of the enclosure and a cold side disposed in the interior of the enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jeremy Thomas Evans