Patents Issued in August 6, 2013
  • Patent number: 8500390
    Abstract: A turbofan engine comprising an annular inner wall surrounding tips of the fan blades, a layer of insulating material surrounding the inner wall, and an outer casing including an annular outer wall surrounding the insulating material and concentric to the inner wall and at least two annular rub elements extending radially inwardly from the outer wall through only part of a radial thickness of the layer of insulating material, at least two of the rub elements being in axial alignment with the blade tips at every point around a circumference of the fan, each rub element having a radially inner end spaced apart from the inner wall and made of a material harder than that of the blades, and a containment fabric layer wrapped around a support structure of the outer wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Czeslaw Wojtyczka, Andrew Marshall
  • Patent number: 8500391
    Abstract: A supersonic gas compressor with bleed gas collectors, and a method of starting the compressor. The compressor includes aerodynamic duct(s) situated for rotary movement in a casing. The aerodynamic duct(s) generate a plurality of oblique shock waves for efficiently compressing a gas at supersonic conditions. A convergent inlet is provided adjacent to a bleed gas collector, and during startup of the compressor, bypass gas is removed from the convergent inlet via the bleed gas collector, to enable supersonic shock stabilization. Once the oblique shocks are stabilized at a selected inlet relative Mach number and pressure ratio, the bleed of bypass gas from the convergent inlet via the bypass gas collectors is effectively eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Ramgen Power Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Shawn P. Lawlor
  • Patent number: 8500392
    Abstract: A seal housing is provided to substantially cover at least one duct wall of vane array duct of a gas turbine engine, and one example arrangement is employed in a mid-turbine frame. The arrangement provides improved sealing of the vane array duct through the provision of a plurality of cavities extending along the duct wall. The arrangement may also include insulation tubes to assist in sealing around load transfer spokes passing through the vane array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Eric Durocher, John Pietrobon
  • Patent number: 8500393
    Abstract: A pump for chopping solid material in a liquid stream having a volute housing, a rotating cutter with at least one blade parallel to a rotational axis of the rotating cutter, an impeller arranged at an outer circumference of the rotating cutter, and a stationary cutter having at least one blade parallel to the rotational axis of the rotating cutter. The stationary cutter is concentric with the rotating cutter, and the stationary cutter, the rotating cutter and the impeller are all at least partially housed within the volute housing. Typically, the rotating cutter has a different number of blades than the stationary cutter. Optionally, the pump, further comprises an inspection cover that is removably attached to the pump, and has an opening large enough to remove the stationary cutter and the rotating cutter from the volute housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: The Gorman-Rupp Company
    Inventors: John Cartwright, Eddie Cottrell, David Oswalt
  • Patent number: 8500394
    Abstract: An inner diameter shroud for receiving an inner diameter base portion of a rotatable vane in a gas turbine engine has a single piece channel and a core. The channel has a leading edge wall, an inner diameter wall, a trailing edge wall, a radial outer surface, and at least two axial projections. The axial projections prevent radial movement of the core. The core has an outer radial surface that generally aligns with the radial outer surface of the channel. The core is movable in the channel in a circumferential direction and is configured to rotatably retain the inner diameter base portion of the rotatable vane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel W. Major, William J. Speers
  • Patent number: 8500395
    Abstract: A vane (234) is provided which reduces leakage of gas in a variable geometry turbocharger (210) from the high pressure side of the vane (234) to the low pressure side of the vane (234). The vane (234) can have a channel (330, 430) along a gas bearing surface (325, 425) for reducing the leakage. The channel (330, 430) can be defined at least in part by sideplates (300, 350). The sideplates (300, 350) can be integrally cast with the rest of the vane (234). At least one of the sideplates (300, 350) can have a hole therein for a vane shaft (228) which allows movement of the vane (234) for gas flow control. The sideplates (300, 350) can have edges (301, 351) that conform to the shape of the gas bearing surface (325, 425).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Roby, David M. Decker, Dietmar Metz
  • Patent number: 8500396
    Abstract: A turbine blade includes an airfoil tip with first and second ribs extending along the opposite pressure and suction sides. The ribs extend outwardly from a tip floor and are joined together at opposite leading and trailing edges. A cascade tip baffle transversely bridges the two ribs above the tip floor forward of the maximum width of the tip to partition the tip chordally into corresponding tip pockets on opposite sides of the baffle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kevin Samuel Klasing, Ching-Pang Lee, Paul Hadley Vitt, Brian David Keith
  • Patent number: 8500397
    Abstract: A seal structure for a steam turbine is provided, which is capable of suppressing transfer of heat generated by a friction between a rotating portion and a fixed portion to the rotating portion and of suppressing an increase in the temperature of the rotating portion. A labyrinth seal device serves to suppress the amount of steam leaking from a clearance present between each stator blade (fixed portion) of the steam turbine and a rotor (rotating portion). The seal structure for the steam turbine is formed to ensure that permeable spacers made of a permeable metal are provided on the rotor and a seal stationary body and face respective seal fins provided in the labyrinth seal device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenjiro Narita, Haruyuki Yamazaki, Hiroyuki Doi, Kei Kobayashi, Hajime Toriya
  • Patent number: 8500398
    Abstract: A turbocharger heat shield is disposed around a turbocharger turbine housing and comprises first and second heat shield members each having a wall structure that is generally semi-cylindrical in shape. The heat shield members are removably attached with one and include axially opposed openings, and a radial opening, to accommodate passage of other turbocharger components therethrough. A third heat shield member may be included to cover a further element of the turbocharger. One or more tabs project from an edge of the first or second heat shield member to register with an adjacent edge of the other member to facilitate alignment, engagement and/or attachment between the two members. An insulating material can be interposed between the heat shield and the turbocharger housing and, in a preferred embodiment, is attached to the heat shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Walker Design, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Walker, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8500399
    Abstract: The present invention provides a non-axisymmetric flow member disposed in a duct of a gas turbine engine. The flow member narrows the area aft of a vane to reduce the cross sectional area through which a wake from the vane traverses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Roy Fulayter, Steve Wellborn
  • Patent number: 8500400
    Abstract: A component handling system for use in a wind turbine is described herein. The wind turbine includes a rotor, a drive train assembly supported from a support frame, and a drive shaft that is rotatably coupled between the rotor and the drive train assembly. The component handling system includes a lifting assembly that is removably coupled to a component of the drive train and a lifting device. The lifting assembly is configured to support the component from the lifting device, and includes a plurality of lifting legs extending between the component and the lifting device. An alignment device is coupled to at least one lifting leg of the plurality of lifting legs, and is configured to adjust a length of the at least one lifting leg to adjust an orientation of the component with respect to the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jonathan Paul Signore, Charles Van Buchan, Ulrich Neumann, Michael Royce Johnson
  • Patent number: 8500401
    Abstract: A turbine rotor blade with counter flowing near wall cooling channels that includes an outer spanwise flowing near wall cooling channel and an inner chordwise flowing near wall cooling channel connected in series and with an arrangement of pedestals to produce turbulent flow. Cooling air form the spanwise flow channels flows through a blade tip floor cooling channel and then into a collection cavity, and then through impingement cooling holes in the leading edge region and into the chordwise channels before discharging out exit holes on both sides of the blade. An arrangement of pedestals forms 90 degree flow paths through the near wall cooling channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Florida Turbine Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: George Liang
  • Patent number: 8500402
    Abstract: Described is a rotor blade for a wind power installation having a rotor blade leading edge. A deposit sensor device is arranged in the region of the rotor blade leading edge. That deposit sensor device has a transmitter for the wireless transmission of signals by way of a transmission link and a receiver for receiving the signals wirelessly transmitted by way of the transmission link. Deposits on the surface can be detected in the region of the transmission link on the basis of the signals transmitted by way of the transmission link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Inventor: Aloys Wobben
  • Patent number: 8500403
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a table for a wind turbine equipped with attachment devices 103 for attaching servicing equipment, 401, 402, said attachment means being attached at and accessible from the blade exterior. They may be located in cavities and be covered when not in use. Hereby it is accomplished that the blade can be serviced and repaired while positioned horizontally without the attachment devices as such otherwise influencing the aerodynamic properties of the blade. One possibility is that during manufacturing such a cavity is closed but the cavity can later be broken open. Additionally, the invention relates to a wind turbine featuring such blade and a method of servicing a blade when mounted on a wind turbine, wherein servicing equipment is attached to at least one attachment device in the blade. It is furthermore mentioned, that the attachment devices might be used when mounting a blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: LM Glasfiber A/S
    Inventor: Peter Grabau
  • Patent number: 8500404
    Abstract: A film cooling apparatus with a cooling hole (46) in a component wall (40). A first surface (42) of the wall is subject to a hot gas flow (48). A second surface (44) receives a coolant gas (50). The coolant flows through the hole, then downstream over the first surface (42). One or more pairs of cooperating electrodes (60-61, 62-63, 80-81) generates and accelerates a plasma (70) that creates a body force acceleration (71, 82) in the coolant flow that urges the coolant flow to turn around the entry edge (57) and/or the exit edge (58) of the cooling hole without separating from the adjacent surface (47, 42). The electrodes may have a geometry that spreads the coolant into a fan shape over the hot surface (42) of the component wall (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew D. Montgomery, Chander Prakash
  • Patent number: 8500406
    Abstract: Methods for deploying a section of a wind turbine rotor blade include compressing a section of skin from an airfoil profile to a retracted profile, wherein the section of skin includes a shape memory polymer composite, and heating the section of skin to at least a transition temperature of the shape memory polymer composite so that the section of skin transitions from the retracted profile back to the airfoil profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Carlos Rafael Ramírez Jiménez, Carlos Alberto Concha Flores
  • Patent number: 8500407
    Abstract: A method for reducing bearing stress in a composite structure is disclosed. A composite structure comprises at least one coupling hole for coupling to the composite structure, and at least one bushing structure is coupled to the at least one coupling hole. A metal bushing retainer structure is coupled to the at least one bushing structure and the composite structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Dennis K. Kennedy, Zach K. Stahlecker, Jonathan D. Roesch
  • Patent number: 8500408
    Abstract: Wind turbine systems and methods are disclosed herein. A representative system includes a wind turbine blade having an inner region that has an internal load-bearing truss structure, and an outer region that has an internal, non-truss, load-bearing structure. In particular embodiments, the truss structure can include a triangular arrangement of spars, and/or can include truss attachment members that connect components of the truss without the use of holes in the spars. Spars can be produced from a plurality of pultruded composite members laminated together in longitudinally extending portions. The longitudinally extending portions can be connected at joints that interleave projections and recesses of each of the spar portions. The blades can include fan-shaped transitions at a hub attachment portion, formed by laminated layers and/or a combination of laminated layers and transition plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Modular Wind Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Myles L. Baker, Cory P. Arendt
  • Patent number: 8500409
    Abstract: Wind turbine systems and methods are disclosed herein. A representative system includes a wind turbine blade having an inner region that has an internal load-bearing truss structure, and an outer region that has an internal, non-truss, load-bearing structure. In particular embodiments, the truss structure can include a triangular arrangement of spars, and/or can include truss attachment members that connect components of the truss without the use of holes in the spars. Spars can be produced from a plurality of pultruded composite members laminated together in longitudinally extending portions. The longitudinally extending portions can be connected at joints that interleave projections and recesses of each of the spar portions. The blades can include fan-shaped transitions at a hub attachment portion, formed by laminated layers and/or a combination of laminated layers and transition plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Modular Wind Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Myles L. Baker, Cory P. Arendt, Bernard G. Madrid, Sheldon Vilhauer
  • Patent number: 8500410
    Abstract: A blade made of composite material including an airfoil formed of filaments or fibers, optionally woven, impregnated with a heat-curable resin, with an intrados wall and an extrados wall between the leading edge and the trailing edge; and a device for damping the vibrations incorporated in one or other of the intrados and extrados walls is disclosed. The damping device is formed of at least one layer made of viscoelastic material and a layer made of rigid material, these layers being superposed. The layer made of rigid material includes a first zone and a second zone. The layer made of viscoelastic material is interposed between the airfoil and the first zone of the rigid layer, and the second zone of the rigid layer is attached to the wall of the airfoil without interposition of viscoelastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Raul Fernando De Moura, Pierrick Bernard Jean, Son Le Hong, Jean-Pierre Francois Lombard
  • Patent number: 8500411
    Abstract: A turbine airfoil usable in a turbine engine and including a depth indicator for determining outer wall blade thickness. The airfoil may include an outer wall having a plurality of grooves in the outer surface of the outer wall. The grooves may have a depth that represents a desired outer surface and wall thickness of the outer wall. The material forming an outer surface of the outer wall may be removed to be flush with an innermost point in each groove, thereby reducing the wall thickness and increasing efficiency. The plurality of grooves may be positioned in a radially outer region of the airfoil proximate to the tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Marra, Allister W. James, Gary B. Merrill
  • Patent number: 8500412
    Abstract: An alarm system is provided for generating an alert when a water-powered sump pump is activated and water is being used by the water-powered sump pump. The alarm system includes a water sensor for detecting if water within a sump reaches the sensor and a housing for containing sensor electronics, wherein the water sensor is supported by the housing. In addition, a clamp is attached to the housing for releasably attaching the housing to a pipe such that the alarm system may be positioned to alert a user when water-powered sump pump is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Liberty Pumps, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Williams, Jeffrey D. Goodenbery, Randall D Waldron
  • Patent number: 8500413
    Abstract: The present invention provides a pumping system for moving water of a swimming pool, including a water pump and a variable speed motor. In one example, a target volume amount of water and an operational time period is provided, and the operational time period is altered based upon a volume of water moved. In another example, operation of the motor is altered based upon the volume of water moved. In addition or alternatively, a target flow rate of water to be moved by the water pump is determined based upon the target volume amount and a time period. In addition or alternatively, a plurality of operations are performed on the water, and a total volume of water moved by the pump is determined. In addition or alternatively, an optimized flow rate value is determined based upon power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignees: Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc., Danfoss Low Power Drives A/S
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, Jr., Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Ronald B. Robol, Christopher R. Yahnker, Einar Kjartan Runarsson
  • Patent number: 8500414
    Abstract: A method of controlling a gear pump comprising two meshing gear wheels (11, 12), wherein the two gear wheels (11, 12) are driven via respective shafts (2, 3) each by a drive unit (7, 8). A current position of the one gear wheel (11, 12) is determined with respect to the current position of the other gear wheel (12, 11), and the current position of the one gear wheel (11, 12) is continuously adjusted with respect to the current position of the other gear wheel (12, 11) according to specified predefined operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Maag Pump Systems AG
    Inventor: Markus Aregger
  • Patent number: 8500415
    Abstract: A displacement control valve for a variable displacement compressor includes a valve element. The valve element has a discharge pressure receiving surface which receives pressure in a discharge chamber and a suction pressure receiving surface which receives pressure in a suction pressure section acting in a direction opposite to the direction that the pressure in the discharge chamber acts on the discharge pressure receiving surface. The displacement control valve also includes a solenoid generating generates an electromagnetic force acting on the valve element, and a urging means urging on urges the valve element in a valve closing direction to hold the valve element in a valve closing position when the generated electromagnetic force generated by the solenoid is not acting on the valve element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Sanden Corporation
    Inventor: Yukihiko Taguchi
  • Patent number: 8500416
    Abstract: A pump assembly in the context of a piston pump having a piston carrying a disk which extends radially outwardly to engage a wall of a chamber to substantially prevent fluid flow in one direction and yet permit deflection of the disk away from the wall of the chamber to permit flow in the other direction; the improvement in which two or more of similar such disks are provided spaced axially adjacent one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Gotohti.com
    Inventors: Heiner Ophardt, Ali Mirbach
  • Patent number: 8500417
    Abstract: A motorized vacuum pump apparatus, may include an electric motor operating in response to an electric signal, a pumping unit connected with a motor shaft of the electric motor, and a sound absorbing unit enclosing the pumping unit and having an inlet for sucking external air, a damping chamber and an outlet, wherein the sound absorbing unit is directly combined with the electric motor, and wherein the external air is compressed and supplied by the pumping unit to the damping chamber and discharged through the outlet such that noise is reduced by damping compressed air in the damping chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Donghee Han, Wootae Kim, Seungkook Han
  • Patent number: 8500418
    Abstract: A compressed gas powered machine is provided. The machine includes: an outlet and a hollow member fluidly connected to the outlet and configured to receive gas expended from the machine through the outlet the hollow member defining holes oriented to allow the gas contained in the hollow member to blow on various parts of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: SPX Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Haynes, Dwight Booth
  • Patent number: 8500419
    Abstract: A technique is provided for pumping fluid in subsea applications. A self-contained pumping module is created by mounting one or more removable pumping units on a skid that can be lowered to a sea floor. Each removable pumping unit comprises an electric submersible pumping system enclosed by an outer housing. The self-contained pumping module also comprises hydraulic connectors and electrical connectors that facilitate connection with corresponding hydraulic lines and electric lines while at a subsea location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Kevin T. Scarsdale
  • Patent number: 8500420
    Abstract: A suction valve includes a non-rotatable lock sleeve 20 concentrically arranged on a valve seat 3, the lock sleeve having a non-circular outer contour onto which an unloader 22 is placed with its radial central section 28 and which is correspondingly formed in a diametrically opposed manner to prevent turning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Hoerbiger Kompressortechnik Holding GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Spiegl, Markus Testori, Uwe Fuxa
  • Patent number: 8500421
    Abstract: Embodiments to the present invention provide a peristaltic pump. This peristaltic pump includes a flexible flow path, an exterior casing, an elastomeric member, and a number of rollers driven by a motor. The exterior casing and elastomeric member have a first and second annular recess, respectively. An annular flow path guide is formed when the exterior casing and elastomeric member are mechanically coupled. Rollers move along the annular flow path to compress and release the flexible flow path and in so doing draw fluid through the flexible flow patch to achieve pumping action. Mechanical guides proximate to the first annular recess and second annular recess prevent relative motion between the first annular recess and second annular recess ensuring that the flexible flow path remains in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: David Domash, Mark Hopkins, Nader Nazarifar
  • Patent number: 8500422
    Abstract: A vacuum pump housing comprises first (12) and second half-shell stator components (14) defining a plurality of pumping chambers separated by partition members (26, 28, 30, 32). Each pumping chamber comprises an inlet port (42, 44, 46, 48, 50) for receiving fluid and an outlet port (54, 56, 58, 60, 62) through which pumped fluid is exhausted from the chamber. The inlet ports are open on an external surface of the first stator component, and the outlet ports are open on an opposing external surface of the second stator component. The stator components further define transfer channels (66, 68, 70, 72) for conveying fluid between the pumping chambers. Each transfer channel preferably comprises first and second portions located on opposite sides of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Edwards Limited
    Inventors: Stephen Dowdeswell, Nigel Paul Schofield, Peter Hugh Birch
  • Patent number: 8500423
    Abstract: A rotary fluid pressure device includes a gerotor gear set having a ring gear and a star gear orbitally moveable about a longitudinal axis relative to the ring gear. The star gear includes an annular spacer ring disposed at one end of the star gear. A brake pin is moveable along the longitudinal axis into and out of interlocking engagement with the annular spacer ring. The brake pin includes an outer surface for engaging an interior surface of the spacer ring. The outer surface of the brake pin and the interior surface of the spacer ring are each angled relative to the longitudinal axis to engage each other in a tapered engagement, to generate an axial force along the longitudinal axis to move the brake pin out of engagement with the star gear in response to a torque being applied to the star gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Hisatoshi Sakurai, Yasukazu Mishima
  • Patent number: 8500424
    Abstract: In order to improve a screw compressor comprising an outer housing, a compressor screw housing which is arranged in the outer housing and in which rotor bores for screw rotors are arranged, a drive arranged in the outer housing on one side of the compressor screw housing, a bearing housing arranged in the outer housing on a side of the compressor screw housing located opposite the drive and a sound damping device which is arranged within the outer housing and has compressed working medium flowing through it, in such a manner that the working medium leaving the screw compressor carries as little lubricant as possible along with it, it is suggested that the sound damping device guide the compressed working medium by means of a flow guide in an interior space as a circulating flow circulating around an axis and that lubricant be separated from the circulating flow of the working medium as a result of centrifugal forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Bitzer Kuehlmaschinenbau
    Inventors: Klaus Feller, Roni Loerch
  • Patent number: 8500425
    Abstract: A Roots vacuum pump stator is arranged to house a pair of intermeshing rotors, said stator being characterized in that it comprises a director or deflector arranged to direct solid material entrained in a gas pumped through the pump towards the outlet. In other words, the stator according to the present invention has a means for directing or deflecting powder or solid material entrained in a gas being pumped directly towards an outlet of the pump or out of the pump. The directing means can comprise a channel disposed between the arcuate surface and the outlet, said channel comprising a portion that engages the arcuate surface prior to the bottom-dead-centre position and which extends away from the rotor's axis of rotation towards the pump outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Edwards Limited
    Inventors: Nigel Paul Schofield, Stephen Dowdeswell
  • Patent number: 8500426
    Abstract: A counterpressure/temperature control apparatus, comprises: a mold, having a runner and an air passage, both coupled to a mold cavity inside the mold; a logic control valve, coupled to the air passage for controlling a high-temperature gas or/and a counterpressure gas to flow in and out the mold cavity; a counterpressure gas supplying device, for supplying the counterpressure gas to the mold cavity through the logic control valve; and a high-temperature gas supplying device, for supplying the high-temperature gas to the mold cavity through the logic control valve; wherein the mold cavity is heated by the high-temperature gas, while subjecting the same to a counterpressure provided from the counterpressure gas supplying device during an injection molding process, and thereby, not only the surface quality of a product resulting from the injection molding process can be improved, but also the size of foams and the distribution evenness thereof are enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Chung Yuan Christian University
    Inventors: Shia-Chung Chen, Ping-Shun Hsu, Jen-An Chang, Shyh-Shin Hwang, Chia-Yen Tseng
  • Patent number: 8500427
    Abstract: Nano-scale particles of materials can be produced by vaporizing material and allowing the material to flow in a non-violently turbulent manner into thermal communication with a cooling fluid, thereby forming small particles of the material that can be in the nano-scale size range. A raw material feeder can be configured to feed raw material toward a heater which vaporizes the raw material. The feeder can include a metering device for controlling the flow of raw material toward the heater. A gas source can also be used to cause gas to flow through a portion of the raw material feeder along with the raw material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Quantumsphere, Inc.
    Inventor: Ray Douglas Carpenter
  • Patent number: 8500428
    Abstract: A machine for making cotton candy includes a shell, a sugar-spinning unit and a scraping unit. The sugar-spinning unit includes a heater located in the shell for heating and melting sugar, a bowl located around the heater, a lid located on the bowl, and a primary motor for spinning the heater and the bowl to spin the molten sugar. The scraping unit includes a holder located in the shell, a stopper connected to the holder, a lever pivotally connected to the holder, a first scraper attached to the lever, a second scraper pivotally connected to the holder, a hook connected to the second scraper, a spring for connecting the lever to the second scraper, a difference motor, and a crank including an end connected to a mandrel of the difference motor and an opposite end connected to a pin movably inserted in a slot defined in the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Inventor: I-Chiang Yang
  • Patent number: 8500429
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for lining the wall of a manhole. The apparatus may include a liner assembly, which includes an expansion device, an auxiliary bladder, a primary bladder, and a liner. The auxiliary bladder is first inflated near the top of the manhole. Next the primary bladder may be expanded to press the liner against the wall of the manhole. The liner, being impregnated with a resinous material, is pressed against the wall until the resinous material cures and hardens. The expansion device, auxiliary bladder, and primary bladder are then removed from the manhole. The result is a repaired manhole wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: LMK Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Larry W. Kiest, Jr., Jason M. Mathey
  • Patent number: 8500430
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vulcanizing press comprising two plates capable of adopting a proximal position in which said plates close a mold, so as to give a tire a predetermined shape, and a distal position in which the mold is open; and at least one bore formed in one of said plates called the support plate, the diameter of said bore being defined so as to let the head of a pin pass thereinto. The vulcanizing press further includes a locking/unlocking device comprising a first movable stop that can move between a rest position and an active position, in which said stop is interposed between the head of the pin and the support plate in order to keep said pin in the bore, the shank of said pin being fixed to the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignees: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin, Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventor: Stéphane Herault
  • Patent number: 8500431
    Abstract: The present invention includes embodiments that generally relate to methods and devices for control of electrospinning processes. Some embodiments include constant current electrospinning jets. Other embodiments include pressure control using a system of valves in fluid communication with the electrospinning fluid. Still other embodiments include control of one or more physical parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: The University of Akron
    Inventors: Darrell H. Reneker, Tao Han
  • Patent number: 8500432
    Abstract: A corrugator device for shaping thermoplastic corrugated pipes from a tube of molten plastics material emerging from an extrusion device may include molding jaws, grippers for returning the molding jaws from the end of a molding section to the start of the molding section, and a mold release device. The mold release device is arranged at the end of the molding section, and has a motor-driven rotary disk for interacting with the pair of molding jaws. The pair of molding jaws, which has reached the end of the molding sections, is moved apart by means of first and second drivers formed on the motor driven rotary disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Unicor GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Fösel
  • Patent number: 8500433
    Abstract: A screw machine, in particular an extruder, has a housing which has a supply opening at a supply end. At least one bore with a longitudinal axis is provided, in which a screw shaft is rotatably arranged. The drive takes place by means of a drive motor using a gear, the output shaft of which has a rotary drive connection to the screw shaft. Provided between the housing and the gear is a slide connection, which allows a displacement of the housing relative to the gear in the direction of the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Coperion GmbH
    Inventor: Ralf Riehle
  • Patent number: 8500434
    Abstract: A device is described for granulating plastic having a granulating head (1) and having a drivable cutter head (4), which cooperates with a perforated plate (2) and is arranged inside a housing (3), and which is movable along an axial guide made of guide spars (7) and guide sleeves (8), which are displaceable on the guide spars (7), and is attachable to the granulating. head (1) via locking units (9). In order to provide advantageous design conditions, it is proposed that the locking units (9) comprise latching wedges (11) mounted so they are displaceable transversely to the guide sleeves (8), which penetrate the guide sleeves (8) and the guide spar (7) in oblong holes (12, 13) in the locking position and are supported in the direction of the spar axis on one side on the guide sleeve (8) and on the other side on the guide spar (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: ECON GmbH
    Inventor: Gerhard Hehenberger
  • Patent number: 8500435
    Abstract: A system for the after-treatment of parisons (7) produced in an injection molding mold, comprising at least two after-treatment tools. To provide a system for the after-treatment of parisons produced in an injection molding mold, by means of which a plurality of after-treatment tools can be easily positioned, it is proposed in accordance with the invention that there is provided a positioning device for positioning the first after-treatment tool in at least one positioning direction, and the at least two after-treatment tools are connected together so that with the positioning device for positioning the first after-treatment tool at least one further after-treatment tool can be positioned by suitable positioning of the first after-treatment tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: MHT Mold Hotrunner Technology AG
    Inventors: Witold Neter, Helmut Thoemmes, Christian Wagner
  • Patent number: 8500436
    Abstract: A ball lock clamp includes a cylinder housing. A first piston is movable in the cylinder housing in response to a first fluid pressure. A second piston is movable in the first piston. A rod extends from the first piston. A biasing member is positioned in the cylinder housing to provide a biasing force between the first piston and the housing. A plunger is at a terminal end of the rod. The plunger includes at least one ball moving radially in and out of the plunger. A receiver receives the plunger. The receiver retains the plunger in a locked position in the receiver. A mechanism releases the plunger from the receiver. The mechanism includes a member in the rod to move the at least one ball radially in and out of the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Rentz
  • Patent number: 8500437
    Abstract: Process for manufacturing a plastic hollow body, the process comprising the following steps: a) a tubular stream of molten plastic is extruded; b) this stream is taken up by means of a tensioning device; c) a transverse cut is made in this stream so as to create a parison having one free edge that is not taken up by the tensioning device; d) the parison is moved relative to the tensioning device so that the free edge of the parison is also taken up by the tensioning device; and e) at least one longitudinal cut is made in the parison over its entire length. Equipment suitable for implementing this process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Inergy Automotive Systems Research (S.A.)
    Inventors: Pierre-Francois Tardy, Bjorn Criel, Philippe Bournonville
  • Patent number: 8500438
    Abstract: A device for the stretch blowing of plastic containers in a continuous single-stage process, having at least one injection rotor, with injection molds for preforms, which are fed via controlled valves from an extruder head and by way of a melt distributor from a central extruder, wherein the axis of the extruder is placed at least essentially in the axis of the injection pipe, and at least the extruder head and the melt distributor can be permanently and synchronously rotationally driven by the injection rotor. A method where, during the manufacture of each preform in the injection mold, injection molding phases and a compression molding or dwell pressure phase are combined and superimposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Heinz Humele, Karl-Heinz Achhammer, Wolfgang Hausladen, Franz Gmeiner
  • Patent number: 8500439
    Abstract: An extrusion blow-molding device (1) for producing plastic containers, particularly plastic bottles, is proposed, comprising an extruder head (3), which is connected to at least one extruder (2) for plastic material and has at least one extrusion die (4), a blow-molding tool arrangement (5) having at least one blow-molding cavity (6) and at least one injection device (7), which is disposed on the side of the blow-molding tool arrangement (5) facing away from the extruder head (3) and can be inserted into the blow-molding cavity (6) through an opening provided there. During a production cycle, the extruder head (3) can be axially adjusted in terms of the height thereof relative to the blow-molding tool arrangement (5). To do so, the extruder (2) is articulated along the longitudinal extension thereof on a rotational axis (9) and can be tilted in the manner of a rocker, and the extruder (2) is configured such that the height thereof about the rotational axis (9) thereof can be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Soplar S.A.
    Inventor: Alexander Muller
  • Patent number: 8500440
    Abstract: A burner for a melter is provided which includes a nozzle, a fuel stream moving through the nozzle, and an oxidant stream including an initial elliptical cross section and being external to the nozzle and surrounding the fuel stream for providing a combustion stream having a cross section transitioning from an elliptical cross section to a circular cross section to provide a flat flame from the circular cross section for combustion in the melter. A method for producing a flat flame is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Linde, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew P. Richardson