Patents Issued in March 11, 2014
  • Patent number: 8668435
    Abstract: A fan (100) has a fan housing (110). The latter has an air entrance opening (120) and an air exit opening (130). It further has a swivel joint arrangement (180) having at least one swivel joint (145, 147, 155, 157, 165, 167, 175, 177) that is arranged on a joint carrier (188; 188?); at least one non-return flap (140, 150, 160, 170) that is journaled rotatably by means of the at least one swivel joint (145, 147, 155, 157, 165, 167, 175, 177) and, in its closed position, at least partly closes off the air exit opening (130); and at least one elastic return member (142, 152, 162, 172) that is associated with the at least one non-return flap (140, 150, 160, 170) and urges it toward its closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: EBM-PAPST St. Georgen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Norbert Weisser, Marcel Paffendorf, Wolfgang Laufer, Jürgen Herr, Stefan Mayer
  • Patent number: 8668436
    Abstract: A turbomolecular pump has multiple stages of alternately arranged rotors and stators. Each of the rotors has blades radially extending from a rotating body. Each of the stators has blades radially extending toward the rotating shaft of the rotating body. The blades provided on at least either of a rotor and a stator are formed in a twisted shape having a blade angle set by an expression in which the radial distance from the rotating shaft is a variable. The expression of the blade angle is composed of a first expression which provides the optimum angle of each blade on the outer side of a predetermined radius of the blade and also composed of a second expression which provides the blade angle suppressing, on the inner side of the predetermined radius, reverse flow of gas molecules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Kouta Oishi
  • Patent number: 8668437
    Abstract: A cooling fluid feed system for a turbine engine for directing cooling fluids from a compressor, through one or more impellers, and into row one turbine vanes and one or more rows of turbine blades for increasing the cooling capacity of the turbine vanes and blades. Such a configuration increases cooling capacity, which in turn increases the capacity for growth within the turbine engine, creates a larger cooling fluid to gas side pressure differential and reduces amount of bleed off of cooling fluids from the compressor, thereby increasing efficiency of the turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: George Liang
  • Patent number: 8668438
    Abstract: A turbine assembly having a bladed turbine wheel and a turbine casing (1000), extending axially of the turbine assembly, radially outwardly surrounding the tips of the blades of the turbine wheel, the casing having at least one radially outwardly extending dummy flange (2100, 2200) off which, in axial direction, one or more cooling manifolds (1100, 1200, 1300), wrapping radially outwardly around the casing, are mounted, the or each cooling manifold being adapted to receive cooling air and to discharge the cooling air radially inwardly towards the casing, for cooling the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventor: Rajinder Saroi
  • Patent number: 8668439
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an insert for a turbine cooling circuit includes: a radial cooling passage for receiving downstream fluid; an axial passage extending from the radial cooling passage within a lower portion of the insert; and a plurality of radial passages extending from the axial passage, each radial passage extending to a bottom of a partially circumferential dovetail slot of the insert. In another embodiment, an insert for a turbine cooling includes: a plurality of radial passages, each radial passage extending from a bottom of a partially circumferential dovetail slot of the insert; an axial passage extending from the plurality of radial passages within a lower portion of the insert; and an exhaust passage extending from the axial passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Fred Thomas Willett, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8668440
    Abstract: A platform segment for supporting a nozzle guide vane for a gas turbine is provided. The platform segment includes a gas passage surface arranged to be in contact with a streaming gas exhausted from a combustor, wherein the streaming gas streams along the gas passage surface in a streaming direction, a cooling surface, opposite to and thermally connected to the gas passage surface and arranged to be in contact with a cooling fluid, a wall protruding from the cooling surface and extending at least partially in the streaming direction, wherein the wall is arranged circumferentially between positions, at which adjacent guide vanes are to be provided, such that cooling fluid is channeled by the wall for cooling a downstream portion of the cooling surface, and a further wall protruding from the cooling surface and extending at least partially in the streaming direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: David Butler, Anthony Davis, Charlotte Poole, Paul Mathew Walker
  • Patent number: 8668441
    Abstract: The nacelle of the invention includes an air-inlet front section, a middle section for encasing the fan of the turbofan (7) and a rear section including means for connection to a pylon to be connected to the rigid structure or an airplane. The rear section includes a structural framework (18) having at least one aerodynamic smoothing and acoustic panel (21). The acoustic panel (21) is secured on the structural framework (18) by floating or elastic fixation means so that said acoustic panel (21) can be deformed in a direction (31) essentially centrifugal and radial relative to the turbofan (7) in the presence of overpressure air (3) in the engine compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Aircelle
    Inventor: Guy Bernard Vauchel
  • Patent number: 8668442
    Abstract: A turbine nozzle is provided and includes a first ring having a first microstructure, a vane extending from the first ring, a first porous zone between the first ring and the vane that is more porous than the first microstructure to attenuate thermo-mechanical fatigue cracking between the vane and the first ring. Methods of manufacturing the turbine nozzle are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Mark C. Morris, Daniel Ryan, Donald G. Godfrey, Jason Smoke
  • Patent number: 8668443
    Abstract: A variable-vane assembly for a variable nozzle turbine comprises a nozzle ring supporting a plurality of vanes affixed to vane arms that are engaged in recesses in the inner edge of a unison ring. The unison ring is rotatable about the axis of the nozzle ring so as to pivot the vane arms, thereby pivoting the vanes in unison. The unison ring is radially restrained by a combination of radial guide rollers and fixed axial-radial guide pins secured to the nozzle ring, and is axially restrained by one or more axial stops affixed to the nozzle ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Olivier Espasa, Pierre Barthelet, Julien Mailfert
  • Patent number: 8668444
    Abstract: An attachment stud for a variable vane assembly is disclosed. The attachment stud may generally include a bottom segment, a middle segment, a top segment and a shoulder segment. The bottom segment may generally have a shape and configuration adapted to be secured to a synchronizing ring of the variable vane assembly. The middle segment may generally have a shape and configuration adapted to receive a rotational attachment device of the variable vane assembly. The shoulder segment may be disposed between the bottom segment and the middle segment. The top segment may generally have a shape and configuration adapted to receive a retaining device configured to rigidly attach the rotational attachment device to the attachment stud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Harry McFarland Jarrett, Jr., Andrew John Lammas, Michael Christopher Howard
  • Patent number: 8668445
    Abstract: A nozzle is disclosed for use in a turbine or compressor. In an embodiment, each of a plurality of vanes is supported by an outer shroud including a plurality of outer shroud segments disposed adjacent to adjoining segments in end-to-end relationship. Each segment includes a hole therethrough, dimensioned to receive a vane extension sleeve. This system may be used in conjunction with a modulated cooling system and may allow for improved removal for overhaul.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Andres Jose Garcia Crespo, Robert Walter Coign, David Richard Johns, Gary Charles Liotta
  • Patent number: 8668446
    Abstract: A supersonic compressor rotor. The supersonic compressor rotor includes a rotor disk that includes an upstream surface, a downstream surface, and a radially outer surface that extends generally axially between the upstream surface and the downstream surface. The radially outer surface includes an inlet surface, an outlet surface, and a transition surface that extends between the inlet surface and the outlet surface. A plurality of vanes are coupled to the radially outer surface. Adjacent vanes form a pair and are oriented such that a flow channel is defined between each pair of adjacent vanes. The flow channel extends between an inlet opening and an outlet opening. The inlet surface defines an inlet plane that extends between the inlet opening and the transition surface. The outlet surface defines an outlet plane that extends between the outlet opening and the transition surface that is not parallel to the inlet plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Douglas Carl Hofer, Zachary William Nagel, David Graham Holmes
  • Patent number: 8668447
    Abstract: A steam turbine blade includes a coating film formed at least a portion of a surface of the steam turbine blade, the coating film containing a ceramic matrix and nanosheet particles dispersed in the ceramic matrix. The steam turbine blade is employed as one of stator blades or one of rotor blades in a steam turbine. The steam turbine includes a turbine rotor, the rotor blades implanted in the turbine rotor, the stator blades provided in an upstream side of the corresponding rotor blades, and a turbine casing supporting the stator blades and accommodating turbine rotor, the rotor blades and the stator blades. The steam turbine is also configured such that the rotor blades are paired with the corresponding stator blades to form turbine stages arranged in an axial direction of the turbine rotor, thereby forming steam paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Akio Sayano, Masashi Takahashi, Masahiro Saito, Kazuyoshi Nakajima, Jianshun Huang, Kazuhiko Mori
  • Patent number: 8668448
    Abstract: An example airfoil retention arrangement includes a retention assembly having a first retention segment and a second retention segment. Each of the retention segments is separately moveable to an installed position relative to an airfoil assembly and a support structure. The retention segments each have a portion position between a lip of the airfoil assembly and a collar of the support structure when the retention segments are in the installed position. The retention assembly is configured to limit radial movement of an airfoil relative to the support structure when in the installed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jorge I. Farah, Jaisukhlal V. Chokshi
  • Patent number: 8668449
    Abstract: An exhaust diffuser system and method for a turbine engine. The outer boundary may include a region in which the outer boundary extends radially inwardly toward the hub structure and may direct at least a portion of an exhaust flow in the diffuser toward the hub structure. At least one gas jet is provided including a jet exit located on the outer boundary. The jet exit may discharge a flow of gas downstream substantially parallel to an inner surface of the outer boundary to direct a portion of the exhaust flow in the diffuser toward the outer boundary to effect a radially outward flow of at least a portion of the exhaust gas flow toward the outer boundary to balance an aerodynamic load between the outer and inner boundaries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: John Orosa
  • Patent number: 8668450
    Abstract: An upper steam guide segment may be a height limiting clearance for a lift of the upper exhaust hood of a steam turbine. The upper steam guide segment for a steam turbine is made detachable from a steam guide. The upper steam guide segment is bracketed to a butterfly plate fixedly attached to an upper exhaust hood of the steam turbine. The upper steam guide segment is supported by the butterfly plate when detached from the full steam guide. During a lift of the upper exhaust hood, the steam guide segment will also be lifted with the upper exhaust hood, resulting in a lower clearance height for the lift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Richard Jon Chevrette
  • Patent number: 8668451
    Abstract: A ceiling fan (10) is disclosed which has a motor (13) and an annular array of blade irons (14) each having a blade (15) mounted thereto. Each blade iron includes a body portion (18) and a mounting portion (19). The body portion (18) has a motor mounting flange (21) which includes a trapezoidal shaped groove 28 and a flat spring (32). The mounting portion (19) includes a trapezoidal shaped or dove tailed tongue (40) which has a depression (42) adapted to receive the spring to lock to the position of the body portion relative to the mounting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Hunter Fan Company
    Inventor: Fred Haynes
  • Patent number: 8668452
    Abstract: The invention relates to an device for production of energy from currents in water, comprising a first element (10), a second element (20) and a plurality of turbine modules (750) connected to the first element. The second element is mounted on the first element in an approximately perpendicular relationship, the first element is adapted for submersion below a water surface, and an upper part of the second element projects up above the water surface when the plant is in production. The invention also relates to an anchoring device for a floating plant (10, 20), comprising mooring lines (24a, 24b) which are connected at one of their respective ends to the plant and which are connected at their respective second ends to buoys (50, 52), where the mooring lines (24a, 24b) extend substantially horizontally between the plant and the respective buoys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Hydra Tidal Energy Technology AS
    Inventor: Svein Dag Henriksen
  • Patent number: 8668453
    Abstract: A cooling system having one or more pin fins with reduced mass for a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The cooling system may include one or more first surfaces defining at least a portion of the cooling system. The pin fin may extend from the surface defining the cooling system and may have a noncircular cross-section taken generally parallel to the surface and at least part of an outer surface of the cross-section forms at least a quartercircle. A downstream side of the pin fin may have a cavity to reduce mass, thereby creating a more efficient turbine airfoil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Ching-Pang Lee, Nan Jiang, John J. Marra
  • Patent number: 8668454
    Abstract: A cooling system for the fillet of a turbine blade is provided. The blade includes an airfoil transitioning to a platform having a flow path surface. The transition region is defined by a fillet. A cooling passage is formed in the platform and extends about at least a portion of the periphery of the airfoil. The cooling passage is located proximate to the flow path surface and is substantially aligned with at least a portion of the fillet. Coolant is delivered to the passage by a supply hole, which can reduce the temperature in the fillet region. As a result, thermal gradients in the fillet region can be minimized, which can reduce thermal stresses. An exhaust hole extends between the passage and the flow path surface of the platform. Thus, coolant discharged from the exhaust holes enters the flow path of the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: David J. Wiebe
  • Patent number: 8668455
    Abstract: A wind driven energy source is providing integrated a series of radially extending masts from a central hub. The masts are supported by a series of cables. A mast-to-mast tension cable spans between distal ends of adjacent masts. A mast-to-axle tension cable spans between the distal end of each mast and each axial end of the central hub. A turbine blade is supported by each mast. The turbine blades can be of a rigid or pliant material. An angle of incidence of the rigid blades can be adjusted by rotating the mast. An angle of incidence of the pliant blades can be adjusted by applying tension to a blade control cable. Pliant blades can be retracted into the mast via a retracting mechanism to reduce the exposed surface area when subjected to excessive wind speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Inventor: Alfred Finnell
  • Patent number: 8668456
    Abstract: A turbomachine blade having features arranged to initiate bending of the leading edge towards the pressure surface upon impact of a foreign object on the leading edge. The features may be features weaker than the material of the leading edge located on the pressure surface side of a mid-thickness line. By causing the leading edge to bend towards the pressure surface on impact the volume of the foreign object, typically a bird, that passes over the suction surface is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: Nicholas M. Merriman, Simon Read
  • Patent number: 8668457
    Abstract: A trim balance for a gas turbine engine having a hollow rotatable rotor shaft includes an elongate support rod adapted for longitudinal accommodation within and mounting on an interior surface of the rotor shaft and one or more apertured balance weights supported on the support rod which extends through the weight apertures and a weight retainer for retaining the weights on the support rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher M. Juh
  • Patent number: 8668458
    Abstract: A fan including a hub part, a blade part and a vibration-absorbing boss, all constituent elements of which are injection molded, thereby reducing production costs. The fan has a minimized contact area between the vibration-absorbing boss and the hub part to prevent the vibration-absorbing boss from being deformed by high-temperature heat during insert injection molding of the hub part and the blade part while assuring sufficient strength of the hub part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Min Gi Cho, Jin Baek Kim, Seong Ho Kil, Young Jae Kim, Byung Ghun Kim
  • Patent number: 8668459
    Abstract: A turbine assembly has a casing, a turbine ring and a blade. The blade has a root portion having an axially extending first shape, an airfoil attaching to the root portion and having a trailing edge and a radially outward tip. The tip has a first portion disposed in parallel to the axis of rotation for minimizing escape of air between the tip and the casing and a second portion extending aft from the first portion at an inward angle. The ring has a cut-out having a second shape mating with the first shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Shihming Jan
  • Patent number: 8668460
    Abstract: A turbo fan includes a main plate for rotation in a rotational direction about a rotational axis and a plurality of blades arranged at intervals around the rotational axis of the main plate. At least one blade includes: a first blade section having a leading end and a trailing end; a second blade section having a leading end and a trailing end, wherein the first blade section is between the main plate and the second blade section; and a third blade section having a leading end and a trailing end, wherein the third blade section is between the first blade section and the second blade section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sungwon Han, Inho Choi, Kyunghwan Kim, Kidong Kim
  • Patent number: 8668461
    Abstract: Wind turbine rotor blade with a longitudinal axis, a blade tip, a blade root, a leading edge, a trailing edge and a cross-section arranged orthogonally to the longitudinal axis and changing from the blade root to the blade tip, is the cross-section being formed at the blade root and in the middle of the rotor blade by an aerodynamic profile, and an imaginary reference plane arranged with respect to the rotor blade which includes the longitudinal axis of the rotor blade, wherein, in a cross-section, an angle ?3 is defined between the reference plane and a straight line, which connects the longitudinal axis with the trailing edge, and describes the position of the trailing edge, wherein the angle ?3 increases with decreasing distance from the blade root in a first longitudinal portion of the rotor blade and decreases with decreasing distance from the blade root in a second longitudinal portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Nordex Energy GmbH
    Inventor: Gunter Fischer
  • Patent number: 8668462
    Abstract: Wind turbine rotor blade with a blade tip, a blade root, a leading edge, a trailing edge, a pressure side, a suction side and a cross-section, which changes from the blade tip to the blade root, the longitudinal portion being arranged between the blade root and the middle of the rotor blade, has the following: a convex pressure side portion, which extends from the leading edge up to a pressure-side inflection point, a concave pressure side addition portion, which connects with the pressure-side inflection point with a continuous curvature and extends up to the trailing edge, a convex suction side portion, which extends from the leading edge up to a suction-side kink or inflection point, and a suction side addition portion, which extends from the suction side kink or inflection point up to the trailing edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Nordex Energy GmbH
    Inventors: Gunter Fischer, Hermann Rochholz
  • Patent number: 8668463
    Abstract: Radial shifting of a rotatable component in a gas turbine engine is prevented by radially offsetting overlying mounting apertures in said component and a base or mounting flange therefor such that fasteners received within said overlying apertures are radially interference fit within the apertures thereby eliminating the necessity of machining or otherwise forming the apertures to an exact fit with the fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Cagdas Yilmaz
  • Patent number: 8668464
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for transporting a fluid for generating a fluid jet, wherein the fluid is delivered from a pump under pressure with a predetermined volume flow to an exit opening. In the event of an interruption of the volume flow, the pump is automatically switched from an operating mode for generating pressure to an operating mode for suctioning fluid; and a device for producing a volume flow for realizing a fluid jet for cutting and/or flushing of material, comprising a pump with an operating mode for generating pressure in the fluid and for generating suction. The device is constructed such that during interruption of the set volume flow, the pumpcan be switched over or switches over automatically from the operating mode for generating pressure to an operating mode for generating suction for the purpose of suctioning fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Human Med AG
    Inventors: Arnd Kensy, Konrad-Wenzel Winkler, Andreas Runow, Frank Niklas, Gernot Schlee
  • Patent number: 8668465
    Abstract: If a hydraulic system has several modes of operation, in particular a mode with a high pressure demand (II) and a mode with a high fluid flow demand (II), the hydraulic fluid pump has to be built with an accordingly high fluid flow output. Such a pump is expensive. Therefore it is suggested, to provide two pumps. I.e. a controllable main pump (2) is provided, which supplies the hydraulic consumer (6) during phases (I) of high pressure demand. During phases (II) of high fluid flow demand, normally, relatively low pressures are sufficient. Therefore, it is suggested to provide a parallel boost pump (9), which supplies the hydraulic consumer (6) in addition to the high pressure pump (2), if a high fluid flow is needed. Excess fluid flow output is avoided by controlling the fluid output flow of main pump 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Sauer-Danfoss Aps
    Inventors: Luke Wadsley, Niall Caldwell
  • Patent number: 8668466
    Abstract: A variable displacement reciprocating pump with pumping rate that is adjustable from zero to maximum stroke while the pump is running. Stroke is varied by changing relative position of pairs of eccentric inner and outer cams that drive the pump's plungers. The pump's input drive shaft drives two gear trains: a first gear train that turns the inner cams and a second gear train that turns the outer cams. These cams normally revolve together with no relative motion occurring between them. A rotary actuator is positioned in the first gear train to rotate the inner cams relative to the outer cams and thereby changes the pump's stroke. A computerized system of sensors and control valves allows the pump to be automatically controlled or limited to any one or combination of desired output flow, pressure and horsepower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Serva Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas E. Allen
  • Patent number: 8668467
    Abstract: An integrated fluid handling apparatus 10 includes a power take off device 108 having a rotating power take off mechanism 122, a hydraulic pump 104 having a rotating fluid pump mechanism 146, a flow torque tube 106, and an electric motor/generator 102 having a rotating electric power conversion mechanism 173. A rotational power transfer system includes connector devices 128, 138, 166 and 172 that are drivingly connected to and that drivingly connect the mechanisms 122, 146 and 173 in one mode of operation. The electric motor/generator 102 includes heat exchange fluid flow passages that establish a fluid flow path to the inlet of the pump. The mechanisms 122, 146 and 173, and the connector devices 128, 138, 166 and 172 are assembled and used as a whole within a housing, without externally exposed mechanical drive connections and without externally exposed fluid connections, between such mechanisms and devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Parker Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Bruce Douglas, Dale Vanderlaan, Bruce D. Larkin
  • Patent number: 8668468
    Abstract: A hydraulic pump system for an automatic transmission has the advantages of preventing excessive power loss and durability deterioration. The hydraulic pump system may include a first hydraulic pump that generates a first hydraulic pressure to supply a low pressure portion with the first hydraulic pump, a second hydraulic pump that receives the first hydraulic pressure to generate a second hydraulic pressure higher than the first hydraulic pressure and supplies a high pressure portion with the second hydraulic pressure, and a drive portion that rotates a drive shaft that integrally connects the first hydraulic pump with the second hydraulic pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Jin Young Hwang
  • Patent number: 8668469
    Abstract: The present disclosure sets forth an axial piston pump with greatly improved throughput. The axial piston pump provides cylinders, antechambers, and fluid flow apertures which are uniquely shaped and dimensioned so as to increase the overall flowability and expulsion rate of the piston pump. By providing curvilinear transition zones and fluid flow apertures, the cylinders can be completely filled and pressurized even at the extremely high pressures and RPMs required by modern machines. Such machines may include front-end loaders, excavators, pipe layers, graders, and the like wherein such pumps can be used to power hydraulic cylinders moving the implements, work arms and other tools associated with such machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne Fritz, Jeremiah C. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8668470
    Abstract: A fluid end 15 for a multiple reciprocating pump assembly 12 comprises at least three plunger bores 61 or 91, each for receiving a reciprocating plunger 35. Each plunger bore has a plunger bore axis 65 or 95. The plunger bores are arranged across the fluid end to define a central plunger bore with lateral plunger bores located on either side. The fluid end 15 also comprises at least three respective suction valve bores 59 or 89 in fluid communication with the plunger bores. Each suction valve bore can receive a suction valve 41 and has a suction valve bore axis 63 or 93. The fluid end 15 also comprises at least three respective discharge valve bores 57 or 87 that can receive a discharge valve 43 and are in fluid communication with the plunger bores. Axes of suction and discharge valve bores are offset in the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: S.P.M. Flow Control, Inc.
    Inventors: Jacob A. Bayyouk, David M. Manson, Donald Mackenzie, John Bruce Clayfield Davies
  • Patent number: 8668472
    Abstract: A pumping apparatus for harvesting the wave energy and converting such energy into hydraulic power which may be transmitted and used to generate electricity or to produce desalinated water. The pumping apparatus has a float, an accumulator pressurized above the ambient pressure of the pump, the accumulator is charged with fluid and the pump is full of fluid. A check valve is closed and a pumping chamber is pressurized. An additional pumping chamber is also equally pressurized. An axial force is generated on a first tube by the pressure difference between its ends. An opposite axial force is generated on a second tube by the pressure difference between its ends. The second tube is larger in diameter than the first tube and hence the magnitude of the force on the second tube is greater. The resultant of these forces is balanced by a portion of the buoyancy of float.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Inventor: Robert Tillotson
  • Patent number: 8668473
    Abstract: An axial-flow blood pump for pumping blood includes a substantially cylindrical outer enclosure. A tubular housing concentric with and located within the outer enclosure has at one end an inlet and at an opposite end an outlet. A motor stator is concentric with and located between the outer enclosure and the tubular housing. An impeller is concentric with and located within the tubular housing. The impeller is suspended in operation by a combination of passive magnetic forces between magnets within the impeller or magnetized regions of the impeller and the motor stator and hydrodynamic thrust forces generated as blood flows between the tubular housing and a plurality of hydrodynamic thrust bearing surfaces located on the impeller. A volute may be in fluid-tight connection with the outlet of the tubular housing for receiving blood in the axial direction and directing blood in a direction normal to the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: HeartWare, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. LaRose, Charles R. Shambaugh, Jr., Kartikeyan Trichi, Richard A. Marquis, Daniel G. White
  • Patent number: 8668474
    Abstract: An electro-active, valveless pump having a pumping chamber with at least one chamber wall. There is at least one opening in the at least one chamber wall. An electro-active actuator is located over each of the openings for inducing fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Nanyang Technological University
    Inventors: Yin Chiang Boey, Jan Ma
  • Patent number: 8668475
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for pumping fluids, such as water and/or hydrocarbons, from a subterranean formation or reservoir, include a linear rod pump having a mechanical rack and pinion drive arrangement, adapted for attachment to a pumping mechanism, such as the polished rod at the top of a rod string in a hydrocarbon well. The rack gear, of the rack and pinion drive arrangement, is adapted for connection to a cable and pulley arrangement for imparting motion to the polished rod. The pinion gear does not translate with the rack gear, and is driven by a reversible motor for affecting up and down reciprocating motion of the rack gear and pumping mechanism. Some forms of the invention include a compressible gas counter-balance arrangement. Some forms of the invention include an electronic drive configured for dealing with electric power generated by the motor during a portion of the pumping cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Unico, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Gregory, Ronald G. Peterson
  • Patent number: 8668476
    Abstract: A housing can have a cap, a base member and a mid-portion positioned between and removably coupled with the cap and the base member. The cap and the mid-portion can define a reservoir therebetween and the cap can define a recessed inner wall in fluid communication with the reservoir. The mid-portion can define a recessed impeller chamber configured to receive a pump impeller. The mid-portion can further define a retainer positioned between the impeller chamber and the inner chamber. A resiliently compressible member can be positioned within the inner chamber and configured to resiliently compress in response to a volumetric expansion of the liquid coolant. The retainer can contact the resiliently compressible member to prevent the resiliently compressible member from moving out of the reservoir or into a position blocking a liquid coolant flow through a port. The mid-portion can define a housing wall forming the retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Coolit Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Alexander Robin Walter Scott
  • Patent number: 8668477
    Abstract: A series-connected fan unit includes a first fan frame, a second fan frame, a first motor, a second motor and two impellers. The first fan frame has a first base and a first positioning member coupled with the first base. The second fan frame is connected to the first fan frame in series and has a second base and a second positioning member coupled with the second base. The first motor is disposed in the first base and has a first circuit board coupled with the first positioning member. The second motor is disposed in the second base and has a second circuit board coupled with the second positioning member. The two impellers are respectively coupled with the first motor and the second motor, and an insulation area is formed between the first circuit board and the second circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Sunonwealth Electric Machine Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhe-Hao Wu, Cheng-Te Liu
  • Patent number: 8668478
    Abstract: A scroll compressor includes a discharge valve assembly having a valve member, a valve stop supported within the compressor shell and including an aperture there through and a communication member. The communication member defines a fluid passage extending into the discharge chamber from the valve stop toward the first discharge outlet in the discharge chamber and provides fluid communication between the aperture in the valve stop and a location downstream of the valve stop. A first side of the valve member abuts the valve stop when in an open position and the valve stop provides communication between the first side of the valve member and the communication member via the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaogeng Su, Weihua Guo, Hanqing Zhu, Xiaomin Qu
  • Patent number: 8668479
    Abstract: This gas equipment, for other than air, includes a fixed scroll and an orbiting scroll, each having fins upon their back surfaces. The orbiting scroll remains within a housing having fins that engage with the fins on the orbiting scroll. The internal fins of the housing transfer heat from the orbiting scroll to the housing for air cooling by the atmosphere. The spiral arranged fins pump working fluid within the housing to increase heat transfer. The housing may also have an exterior fan. The orbiting scroll receives torque and rotation from a magnetic coupling or magnetic face seal, without a physical connection to a motor, so that the atmosphere does not infiltrate inside the housing. The present invention also has an enclosed inlet plenum to prevent infiltration of the atmosphere into the working fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Air Squad, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert W. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 8668480
    Abstract: A vane liner for use in a vane pump has a vane liner body defining an inner bore for providing a cam surface in a vane pump. The cam surface has a suction opening formed through the body at one circumferential extent, and a discharge opening through the body at a distinct circumferential extent. A pre-pressurization opening extends through the body at a location upstream of an upstream end of the discharge opening, but spaced by at least 90 degrees from a downstream end of the suction opening. A vane pump incorporating the above-discussed liner is also claimed. Further, a vane pump is also disclosed and claimed having the spacing from the downstream end of the suction opening at least X degrees wherein X equals 360 divided by N, N being the number of vanes in the vane pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Paul G. Dennis, Timothy J. Franckowiak, David W. Borgetti
  • Patent number: 8668481
    Abstract: A pump assembly, in particular for lubrication in helicopters, has a casing, the lateral wall of which defines an intake port and a delivery port; and the casing houses two rotary pumps powered by a drive shaft via a motion-splitting transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Agustawestland S.p.A.
    Inventor: Andrea Gabrielli
  • Patent number: 8668482
    Abstract: In a formwork in concrete construction, particularly for a round vessel, in which, for a further construction section, formwork elements enclose an upper edge of a completed wall portion, are secured to this completed wall portion, and protrude over this wall portion for filling with concrete, vertical members are arranged parallel to, and at a distance from, the wall portion, and a slide is displaceable at every vertical member, and formwork elements are connected to the slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Inventor: Marcus Sundermann
  • Patent number: 8668483
    Abstract: A facility for using powder materials to produce a solid product having multiple layers includes a supply of powder material(s), a die for receiving the powder material(s) and shaping the solid product, the die being secured in a reversible manner to a die-holding table secured to the frame of the facility, and translatable upper and lower punches that engage with one another at the die to compress the powder material(s). The lower punch is connected to a system for uncoupling the members that provide the movement thereof, the system having a brake for limiting the downward travel of the lower punch to keep it in contact with the powder material contained in the die when producing the solid product to avoid the generation of additional compression during the receipt of powder material in the die during the intermediate filling phases for each layer of the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Medelpharm
    Inventors: Henri Mercado, Bruno Villa
  • Patent number: 8668484
    Abstract: A mold capable of a highly accurate alignment with a member to be processed in such a state that a photocurable resin material is disposed between the mold and the member to be processed, and is constituted by a substrate 2010 formed of a first material and an alignment mark 2102 formed of a second material different from the first material. The first material and the second material have transmissivities to light in a part of an ultraviolet wavelength range. The second material has a refractive index of not less than 1.7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsunori Terasaki, Junichi Seki, Nobuhito Suehira, Hideki Ina, Shingo Okushima
  • Patent number: 8668485
    Abstract: An improved dough-rolling apparatus and method for rolling sheeted dough. The proposed invention comprises a dough-rolling apparatus having a dough sheeter that cuts a dough sheet into preforms having a concave leading edge and convex trailing edge. A rolling curtain creates a rolled preform with the leading edge on the inside and the trailing edge on the outside. The rolled preform is cooked to produce a rolled snack product with consistent thickness throughout its length and a round outer flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Frito-Lay North America, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Emerson, Shalaka Narwankar