Patents Issued in May 27, 2014
  • Patent number: 8734079
    Abstract: A robotic device movable in a vertical direction between rails arranged in multiple rows at various levels with respect to ground. The robotic device has a frame, wheels coupled to the frame for moving the frame along the rails, and a movable platform provided on the frame. The platform is configured for moving the frame in a vertical direction between first rails and second rails arranged above the first rails, and for placing onto the robotic device first and second loads arranged at different levels with respect to the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Inventor: Sergey N. Razumov
  • Patent number: 8734080
    Abstract: An apparatus for rotary dumping of rail cars, including a material receiving pit. A rotary rail car dumper includes a rotational frame supporting at least one baffle. The rotational frame is configured to dump a load from a rail car during rotational motion of the rotational frame between an upright position wherein the entire load is in the rail car and a dumping position wherein the load can exit the rail car. A backside airflow diverter is located beneath the rotational frame and includes a curved upper surface. A lower margin of the at least one baffle contacts the curved upper surface during at least part of the rotational motion of the rotational frame. A backside hood is located beneath the backside airflow diverter on the back side of the pit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Air-Cure Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael Harris, Dennis Hall, Kal N. Ugargol
  • Patent number: 8734081
    Abstract: A storage unit is disclosed. A first feed is disposed at least partially within the storage unit, and a second feed is coupled to the first feed. The second feed is configured to receive one or more materials and to transfer the one or more materials to the first feed. The first feed is configured to elevate the one or more materials to the storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Calvin L. Stegemoeller, Ed B. Hagan
  • Patent number: 8734082
    Abstract: An improved implement support device for using an implement with a motor vehicle, with the device having an implement support structure, a lift mechanism, and a swing mechanism, where the implement support structure is suitably adapted to support and manipulate useful implements, such as a snowplow blade, a pair of fork lift forks, a container, a platform, and the like, with the lift mechanism suitably adapted to move the implement vertically in both an upward and a downward direction and the swing mechanism suitably adapted to move the implement laterally in both a leftward and a rightward direction, and with the implement able to be concurrently moved both vertically and laterally by substantially simultaneous operation of both the lift mechanism and the swing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Inventor: David E. Grant
  • Patent number: 8734083
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to a tooling device which for connecting to a manipulator. The device includes a base unit and at least two manipulator modules each with a first and a second end. At least one degree of freedom in movement is provided between both ends of each manipulator module. The first end is connected with the base unit and a tool interface is provided at the second end. The tool interfaces are each moveable independently of the other relative to the base unit. At least one manipulator module is linearly moveable on its first end relative to the base unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: ABB AG
    Inventors: Bernard Negre, Gérard Pinchon, Gregor Stengel, Kuno Hug, Sven Soetebier, Wolfgang Waldi
  • Patent number: 8734084
    Abstract: The Wind Wing converts wind energy into electrical energy utilizing an oscillating vertical unarticulated wing, and in one of its two models, employs a new type of electrical generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Inventor: Andrew Lovas
  • Patent number: 8734085
    Abstract: A turbine section of a gas turbine engine is described, which includes an aftmost rotor extending, an aftmost stator located upstream of the aftmost rotor, and a second to last aftmost rotor located upstream of the aftmost stator. The second to last aftmost rotor being spaced apart a first axial distance from the aftmost stator. A turbine exhaust case is located downstream of the aftmost rotor and includes an inner radial wall and an outer radial wall defining a main gas path duct downstream of the aftmost rotor. The turbine exhaust case being axially spaced apart from the aftmost rotor a second axial distance that is greater than the first axial distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Guy Lefebvre, Eric Durocher
  • Patent number: 8734086
    Abstract: A modular fan housing configured to hold an array of motors and fans is provided. The modular fan housing is configured for use in an air-handling system that delivers air to a ventilation system for at least a portion of a building. The fan housing comprises a plurality of modular units configured to be stacked adjacent to one another in at least one row or column to form an array. The modular units each include an interior surface and have a front end and a back end that define a chamber. The chambers are configured to receive the motors and fans. Sound attenuation layers extend along at least a portion of the interior surface of the corresponding chambers. The sound attenuation layers are positioned between at least some of the adjacent chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Huntair, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence G. Hopkins
  • Patent number: 8734087
    Abstract: A multi-stage centrifugal fan is provided and includes first and second stages of a rotor having substantially axially aligned rotor vanes formed to impart energy to a fluid moving in an outward radial direction when the first and second stages of the rotor rotate about a centerline and a stator having stator vanes radially interposed between and substantially axially aligned with the first and second stage rotor vanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Space Systems International, Inc.
    Inventor: David G. Converse
  • Patent number: 8734088
    Abstract: A variable stator vane in a gas turbine engine has a journal provided with a circumferential recess. An aperture extends from the recess to a face of the journal directed towards the aerofoil portion of the vane. In operation of the engine, heated air, for example from a downstream compressor stage of the engine is admitted to the recess and flows through the aperture to, for example, the pressure surface of the aerofoil portion. The aerofoil portion is thereby heated, so preventing ice accretion on the vane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: Gareth Jones, Clive Lockwood, Adam Bagnall
  • Patent number: 8734089
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a vane assembly for a gas turbine engine. Another embodiment of the present invention is a damper seal that may be employed in conjunction with a vane assembly of a gas turbine engine. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods and combinations for vane assemblies and the sealing and damping thereof. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits and advantages of the present application shall become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventor: Justin Gilman
  • Patent number: 8734090
    Abstract: A rotor blade tip clearance control apparatus for a gas turbine engine includes a plurality of circumferentially distributed segments which form an annular shroud surrounding the outer tips of a row of rotor blades. A mechanical arrangement is operatively connected to the segments. Actuation of the arrangement causes the segments to move in a radial direction thereby controlling a clearance between the segments and the outer tips. A case cooling system supplies cooling air to an engine case to which the segments are mounted. The cooling air regulates thermal expansion of the case and thereby also controls the clearance between the segments and the outer tips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventor: Leo V. Lewis
  • Patent number: 8734091
    Abstract: A compressor includes: a compressor spool rotatable about an axis carrying axially-spaced-apart blade rows of compressor blades; a casing surrounding the compressor blades, the casing carrying a liner assembly defining a boundary of a primary compressor flowpath; and a plurality of axially-spaced-apart stator rows of stator vanes carried by the liner assembly, the stator rows alternating axially with the blade rows. At least some of the stator rows are variable stator rows, the stator vanes of which are mounted on trunnions passing through the casing, and are pivotable relative to the casing. An actuator arm is coupled to each trunnions, outside the casing. At least one first bleed slot passes through the liner structure between axially adjacent first and second ones of the variable stator rows; and a first flow path defined by the casing communicates with the first bleed slot and with the exterior of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas Ory Moniz, Thomas Viars
  • Patent number: 8734092
    Abstract: A flood pump includes a pump housing having a pump housing inlet and a pump housing outlet, an impeller housing disposed in fluid communication with the pump housing between the pump housing inlet and the pump housing outlet, an impeller disposed in the impeller housing, a power unit drivingly engaging the impeller, a diversion conduit disposed in fluid communication with the pump housing between the pump housing inlet and the pump housing outlet and a pump housing outlet valve in the pump housing between the diversion conduit and the pump housing outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Inventor: Rick D. Spargo
  • Patent number: 8734093
    Abstract: A mechanism modulates a fluid flow in a diffuser flow path of a compressor diffuser, including: a shroud disposed on the diffuser flow path and having a cam and a driving wheel fixed base; a diffuser vane having a diffuser guide vane disposed in the diffuser flow path and a diffuser vane shaft fixedly disposed on the diffuser vane that penetrates from the diffuser flow path through the shroud; a driving ring sleeved on the cam and having a moving bar; a sliding block having one end connected with one end the diffuser vane shaft that penetrates through the shroud, and the other end sleeved on a sliding groove formed on the moving bar; a driving wheel disposed in the driving wheel fixed base and having a driving shaft connected to an actuator outside of the compressor; and a driving cable connected to the driving wheel and the driving ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Cheng-Chung Yen, Chung-Ping Chiang, Ching-Fu Chen, Yung-Lo Chow
  • Patent number: 8734094
    Abstract: A fan assembly includes a motor-driven impeller for creating an air flow, at least one heater for heating a first portion of the air flow, a surface diverting a second portion of the air flow away from said at least one heater, and a casing comprising at least one first air outlet for emitting the first portion of the air flow and at least one second air outlet from emitting the second portion of the air flow. To cool an external surface of the casing, at least one second air outlet is arranged to direct at least part of the second portion of the air flow over the external surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: John David Wallace, Chang Hin Choong
  • Patent number: 8734095
    Abstract: A gas turbine that can effectively cool an axial cavity between a stator blade and a rotor blade and a blade-end surface is provided. In a gas turbine in which a blade-count difference between stator-blade segments of a second-stage stator blade and a third-stage stator blade is set to zero, a relative position between the second-stage stator blade and the third-stage stator blade in the circumferential direction is set by clocking so that a wake flow produced by the stator-blade segments of the second-stage stator blade is guided to the leading edges of the stator-blade segments of the third-stage stator blade within a range of 0% to 15% of the length in a span direction from a hub side of the stator-blade segments of the third-stage stator blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Koichiro Iida
  • Patent number: 8734096
    Abstract: When cold and in the non-coated state, the aerodynamic profile is substantially identical to a nominal profile determined by the Cartesian coordinates X,Y,Z? given in Table 1, in which the coordinate Z? is the quotient D/H where D is the distance of the point under consideration from a first reference plane P0 situated at the base of the nominal profile, and H is the height of said profile measured from the first reference plane to a second reference plane P1. The measurements D and H are taken radially relative to the axis of the turbine, while the X coordinate is measured in the axial direction of the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Guimbard, Pierre Marche, Renaud Martet, Renaud Royan
  • Patent number: 8734097
    Abstract: A blower includes an electric motor having a shaft, a housing having an inlet and outlet between which is defined a gas flow path, the outlet structured to direct gas exiting the blower in an axial first direction, a first impeller attached to the shaft and adapted to accelerate air tangentially and direct it radially outward, a stationary portion, and a shield. The stationary portion includes a first stator vane structure defining a plurality of stator vane leading edges and a stator vane outer radial edge. The first stator vane structure is arranged to direct gas flow along a curved path that directs flow at an inner end thereof in a radially inward direction. The shield has an outer edge extending radially beyond the outer radial edge of the first stator vane structure and is adapted to isolate the stator vane leading edges from an impeller blade pressure pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: ResMed Motor Technologies Inc
    Inventors: Barton John Kenyon, Peter John Sweeney
  • Patent number: 8734098
    Abstract: Assemblies and methods for a booster pump used in a pool cleaning/filtration system are provided. An exemplary booster pump assembly is adapted to increase the water pressure of water flow for use in a pool cleaning system. The booster pump includes a front housing defining a substantially circular geometry having an inlet positioned substantially in the center of the front housing and extending axially outward with respect to the front housing. The booster pump also includes an outlet extending substantially laterally with respect to the front housing. The front housing and the rear housing form an enclosure for positioning of an impeller. The inlet and the outlet are each coupled to conduits having substantially similar flow diameters, and the water passing through the outlet at an increased water pressure is sufficient to make operable a positive pressure pool cleaner. Advantageous support structures and drain plug configurations are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Hayward Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Ortiz, Jason W. Parcell
  • Patent number: 8734099
    Abstract: A water pump for a vehicle includes: a pump housing; a drive shaft; an impeller fixed on a first end portion of the drive shaft; a pulley including a first radial extension portion and a first axial extension portion; a seal ball bearing which is disposed between an inner circumference surface of the first axial extension portion and an outer circumference surface of a cylindrical portion, and which includes seal members; and a plate member disposed between an end portion of the seal ball bearing which is on an impeller side and a stepped portion, and arranged to cover an end surface of the seal ball bearing which is on the impeller side, the plate member having a thickness smaller than a thickness of the stepped portion, and including a separating portion which is separated from a portion rotating relative to the plate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenya Takarai
  • Patent number: 8734100
    Abstract: A turbine stage for a turbomachine, the stage comprising a rotor wheel mounted inside a sectorized ring carried by an outer casing, and a sectorized nozzle fastened to the casing downstream from the wheel, each ring sector having a downstream end that is held bearing radially outwards against a cylindrical rail of the casing by means of the nozzle, the casing rail including an annular row of through radial notches reducing the areas for heat exchange by conduction both between the casing and the ring sectors and between the casing and the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Fabrice Marcel Noel Garin, Alain Dominique Gendraud, Thierry Lequitte, Sebastien Jean Laurent Prestel
  • Patent number: 8734101
    Abstract: A vane includes a composite airfoil having a single dovetail root extending chordwise between or near leading and trailing edges of the airfoil. The root is connected to the airfoil and is slidably received in a dovetail slot in an inner vane mount. The dovetail slot has a triangular slot cross section and a flat slot bottom and flat slot pressure and suction side crush faces corresponding to pressure and suction sides of the airfoil. The root has a triangular root cross section, a flat root bottom, and flat dovetail root pressure and suction side crush faces. A biasing means urges the root bottom of the dovetail root away from the slot bottom and presses and preloads the dovetail root pressure and suction side crush faces against the slot pressure and suction side slot crush faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Co.
    Inventors: Seth Alexander McDonald, William James Strock, Courtney James Tudor, William Howard Hasting, Frank Worthoff
  • Patent number: 8734102
    Abstract: A heat dissipation device includes a number of fans and a fixing member. Each fan includes two spaced boards respectively defining a number of through holes. The fixing member is sandwiched between the boards of each fan, at a corner of the fan. The fixing member includes two engaging portions movably relative to each other. A number of pins are formed on each engaging portion for respectively engaging in the through holes of the fans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zheng-Heng Sun
  • Patent number: 8734103
    Abstract: A method of repairing a flange of a casing for an airplane turboprop or turbojet, in which the flange includes at least one through hole for passing a bolt for fastening equipment, and the hole opens out in a face of the flange that is worn by friction against the equipment, disclosed. The method includes mounting a bearing member on the flange. The bearing member includes a radial wall covering the worn face of the flange. The wall includes a hole that comes into register with the hole in the flange and having thickness for compensating the wear of the face of the flange. The member further includes an abutment for bearing against the periphery of the flange, and being fastened to the flange by adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Patrick Jean-Louis Reghezza, Julien Tran
  • Patent number: 8734104
    Abstract: A wear-free, self-contained control device for an aerodynamic emergency brake of a wind energy converter is presented that comprises multiple components in order to provide a most effective means to control the rotation of a vertical axis wind turbine by a brake, which is able to activate itself without external actuation in malfunction situations and is able to shut down the vertical axis wind turbine. Therefore, a mass element is utilized to store mechanical energy which in turn is used to deploy an aerodynamic braking operation. It also represents a means to control and limit the amount of torque, as absorbed by the turbine in high-wind conditions, and thus provides the ability to harvest electrical/mechanical energy, beyond the normal operational wind speeds of turbines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Inventor: Claus Colling
  • Patent number: 8734105
    Abstract: A method of operating a wind turbine having a bearing assembly, a shaft received therein, and at least one sub-system capable of altering a dynamic state of the wind turbine includes monitoring at least one parameter indicative of a load on the shaft; comparing the at least one parameter to a threshold criteria; and when the at least one parameter meets the threshold criteria, altering the dynamic state of the wind turbine to reduce the load on the shaft; and/or altering the state of the bearing assembly to better accommodate the load on the shaft. A control system for the wind turbine includes a controller operatively coupled to the bearing assembly and the at least one sub-system, and at least one sensor for monitoring at least one parameter indicative of a load on the shaft. The controller signals the sub-system or the bearing assembly when the threshold criteria is met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventor: Jörg Wadehn
  • Patent number: 8734106
    Abstract: Devices, apparatus, systems (and related methods) which protect various features of ceiling fixtures, such as fans, chandeliers, lights, and other fixtures, during painting and remodeling processes. The presently disclosed apparatus may be installed and removed quickly and easily, and both disposable and reusable embodiments are possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: AH-HA Designs, Inc.
    Inventors: Dawn R. May, Tracy G. Hinterman
  • Patent number: 8734107
    Abstract: A turbine bucket may generally include an airfoil formed from a metal-based material. The airfoil may include a base and a tip disposed opposite the base. The airfoil may also include a pressure side wall and a suction side wall extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge. Additionally, the turbine bucket may include a tip cap disposed between the pressure side wall and the suction side wall. The tip cap may be formed from a ceramic matrix composite material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey John Butkiewicz, Stanley Frank Simpson
  • Patent number: 8734108
    Abstract: A turbine rotor blade with impingement cooling cavities for the airfoil and serpentine flow cooling channels for the platform of the blade. Two impingement cavities provide cooling for the forward section of the airfoil while another two impingement cavities provide cooling for the aft section of the airfoil. Both impingement cavity cooling circuits are connected in series to platform cooling channels that use the same cooling air to cool the platform. The spent cooling air from the platform cooling channels is discharged into a dead rim cavity as purge air for the blade. The blade with the impingement cavities and the platform serpentine flow cooling channels are all formed as a single piece from a metal printing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Florida Turbine Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: George Liang
  • Patent number: 8734109
    Abstract: A foldable electric fan, comprising: a fan head, a support tube and a base, a turnover mechanism for turning the fan head up or down is provided between the top of the support tube and the fan head, is disclosed. Further, the base is foldable, and the electric fan can be arranged into a desk fan or a floor fan by turning the fan head up or down, and can be used for several different purposes in more broad fields. The fan head and the base of the electric fan can be folded-up, which reduces the space it occupies and cuts down the cost of package and transportation. Moreover, the foldable electric fan effectively reduces the inconvenience of traditional electric fans which need to be detached into several parts during package and transportation, and then assembled together for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Jiangmen Keye Electrical & Mechanical Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiangming He, Guanglian Lin
  • Patent number: 8734110
    Abstract: A wind turbine blade having a lightning protection function includes an outer shell, a spar arranged in a space inside the outer shell, a spar cap which is formed by a carbon-fiber plastic laminated member disposed on a blade root side and a glass-fiber plastic laminated member disposed on a blade tip side that are connected together, the spar cap supporting the spar to the outer shell, and a lightning protection unit. The lightning protection unit includes a receptor for receiving lightning which is provided in the outer shell on a side where the glass-fiber plastic laminated member is arranged, a down conductor which directs lightning current received by the receptor into the ground or the water, and a conductive metal member which covers the outer shell on a side where the carbon fiber plastic laminated member is arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Kuroiwa, Hideyasu Fujioka
  • Patent number: 8734111
    Abstract: A method for creating a platform cooling passage in a turbine rotor blade, wherein the turbine rotor blade comprises a platform at an interface between an airfoil and a root, wherein the platform includes a platform topside along an outboard surface. The method may include the steps of forming a recessed area along the platform topside; forming a coverplate; and affixing the coverplate to the platform topside. The coverplate may be configured to correspond to the shape of the recessed area such that, when affixed to the platform topside in a desired manner, the coverplate substantially encloses the recessed area to form the platform cooling passage therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jonathan Matthew Lomas, Mark Lawrence Hunt
  • Patent number: 8734112
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a disk having an annular hub circumscribed about a centerline with an annular web extending radially outward from the hub to an annular rim. A multiple of slots extend generally axially through the rim and at least one of the multiple of slots having an asymmetric slot root for lower stress and higher service life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Scott D. Virkler, Raymond S. Hummel
  • Patent number: 8734113
    Abstract: When cold and in the non-coated state, the aerodynamic profile is substantially identical to a nominal profile determined by the Cartesian coordinates X,Y,Z? given in Table 1, in which the coordinate Z? is the quotient D/H where D is the distance of the point under consideration from a first reference plane P0 situated at the base of the nominal profile, and H is the height of said profile measured from the first reference plane to a second reference plane P1. The measurements D and H are taken radially relative to the axis of the turbine, while the X coordinate is measured in the axial direction of the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Snecma
    Inventors: Patrick Girard, Olivier Kueny, Renaud Martet, Renaud Royan
  • Patent number: 8734114
    Abstract: Blades for gas turbine engines which are formed from composite materials have problems with respect of resistance to impacts such as bird strikes. Previous blades formed from metals had some ductility towards the trailing edge which could accommodate the whiplash effects of impacts. With regard to composite materials such ductility is not present. By providing projections 32 which act as propagation wave trips as well as high intensity reflectors 36 it is possible to limit the whiplash at the edge 31 resulting in damage. Typically a cladding cap 38 is provided which also may be formed from a metal to allow some greater uniformity with respect to mass per length despite the tapering of the blade. Furthermore by providing voids which act as delamination initiation sites cracking can be provided between plies which allows greater flexibility towards the edge and therefore release of energy. These voids may incorporate uncured polymer matrix to act as a binder subsequent to delamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventor: Alison J. McMillan
  • Patent number: 8734115
    Abstract: When cold and in the non-coated state, the aerodynamic profile is substantially identical to a nominal profile determined by the Cartesian coordinates X,Y,Z? given in Table 1, in which the coordinate Z? is the quotient D/H where D is the distance of the point under consideration from a first reference plane P0 situated at the base of the nominal profile, and H is the height of said profile measured from the first reference plane to a second reference plane P1. The measurements D and H are taken radially relative to the axis of the turbine, while the X coordinate is measured in the axial direction of the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Jean Bleuzen, Jean-Michel Guimbard, Pierre Marche, Renaud Martet
  • Patent number: 8734116
    Abstract: A turbine bucket is provided including a bucket airfoil having an airfoil shape, the bucket airfoil having a nominal profile substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z set forth in Table 1 wherein the Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z are non-dimensional values from 0% to 100% convertible to dimensional distances in inches by multiplying the Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z by a height of the airfoil in inches, and wherein X and Y are distances in inches which, when connected by smooth continuing arcs, define airfoil profile sections at each distance Z, the airfoil profile sections at Z distances being joined smoothly with one another to form a complete airfoil shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Paul Kendall Smith, Spencer Aaron Kareff, Srinivasa Govardhan Jayana
  • Patent number: 8734117
    Abstract: A grease collector is described, which is connectable to a wind turbine nacelle. The grease collector includes a channel with a flexible side portion for providing a sealing between the nacelle and a wind turbine tower. Moreover, a wind turbine nacelle and a wind turbine with a grease collector and a method for collecting excess grease which is emitted from a yaw system of a wind turbine are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Thorkil Munk-Hansen
  • Patent number: 8734118
    Abstract: A set of piston compressors (2, 4, 6, 8) for use in a refrigeration system comprises a fluid connection (10) between the crank cases of the piston compressors (2, 4, 6, 8) for allowing oil compensation between said piston compressors (2, 4, 6, 8); and a control unit (12) which in operation monitors the running time of each piston compressor (2, 4, 6, 8) and, in case all piston compressors (2, 4, 6, 8) are running, subsequently interrupts the operation of a respective piston compressor (2, 4, 6, 8) for a predetermined period of time for oil compensation if its running time reaches a predetermined maximum running time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Bernd Heinbokel, Heinz Gassen, Kai Munker
  • Patent number: 8734119
    Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and method of varying power output and decrease noise generation of spa pumps by powering them with a variable frequency power device, digital signals capable of controlling cascaded pumps using ganged controls, and to decrease safety concerns of spas using an integrated water level and motion detectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Luraco Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Le, Sivakumar Parameswaran, Thanh Le
  • Patent number: 8734120
    Abstract: A piston type compressor wherein the position of the piston highest pressure point is indicated and the rotor of the motor at the optimal starting angle aligned prior to the actual compression operation by providing a pre-pulse to rotate the rotor of the motor at least one full rotation at a certain frequency, during rotation measuring the load torque by the frequency converter as well as indicating the maximum load torque point and at the end aligning the rotor of the motor at the optimal starting angle of about 180° from the maximum pressure angle, and at the beginning of the actual compression operation setting the rotor position opposite to the maximum torque angle by feeding direct current to the stator winding and starting the motor by supplying maximum motor current to the motor to give the maximum torque and acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Vacon Oyj
    Inventors: William Giewont, Todd Snider, Andreas Doktar
  • Patent number: 8734121
    Abstract: A flow guide structure for a bladeless air fan. The bladeless air fan includes a host and an airflow guiding frame. The host includes an airflow generator. The airflow guiding frame is connected to the host and includes an air discharging portion which has an airflow guiding passage inside to communicate with the airflow generator. The air discharging portion also includes an airflow gathering wall, an inner ring compression wall and an outer ring compression wall extended forwards from two ends of the airflow gathering wall. From the junctions of the airflow gathering wall and inner ring compression wall and outer ring compression wall, the inner ring compression wall and outer ring compression wall are spaced from each other at a decreasing interval between them, and the inner ring compression wall and outer ring compression wall also have distal ends forming a front air outlet to discharge airflow forwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Kable Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Samson Tsen
  • Patent number: 8734122
    Abstract: A control system includes an oil pump module and a diagnostic module. The oil pump module, based on engine operating conditions, selectively generates a first mode request signal to initiate a first transition from operating an oil pump of an engine in one of a first pressure mode and a second pressure mode to operating the oil pump in another one of the first pressure mode and the second pressure mode. The second pressure mode is different from the first pressure mode. The diagnostic module, based on when a driver starts the engine, selectively generates a second mode request signal to initiate consecutive transitions from operating the oil pump in the second pressure mode to operating the oil pump in the first pressure mode. The diagnostic module diagnoses a pump fault when a first oil pressure change associated with the consecutive transitions is less than a first predetermined pressure change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Inventors: Lawrence O. Murray, David R. Staley, Kevin J. Storch, Colin S. Yager, Morena Bruno
  • Patent number: 8734123
    Abstract: A converter for converting mechanical energy into hydraulic energy and a robot implementing the converter are disclosed. The converter includes a shaft rotated about a first axis relative to a casing, a hub defining a bore about a second axis, the shaft rotating in the bore. The first axis is parallel to the second axis, and a distance between the first axis and second axis defines an eccentricity. At least two pistons are movably disposed in radial housings of the shaft with the at least two pistons bearing against the bore. Movement of the pistons feed a hydraulic fluid into one of two annular grooves of the casing arranged in an arc of a circle about the first axis, and the hub is configured to translate along a third axis to modify the value of the eccentricity between two extreme values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: BIA
    Inventors: Samer Alfayad, Fathi Ben Ouezdou, Fayçal Namoun
  • Patent number: 8734124
    Abstract: A swash plate type compressor includes a swash plate rotating around a rotating shaft, pistons that advance and retreat with the rotation of the swash plate and formed with a hemispherical concave sliding surface, and shoes formed with a flat end surface part in sliding contact with the swash plate and a spherical surface part in sliding contact with the sliding surface of the piston. A cylindrical part is formed between the spherical surface part and the end surface part of the shoe, and the shoe is formed with a flange part that surrounds the boundary portion between the cylindrical part and the end surface part and is in sliding contact with the swash plate. Further, the flange part is located on the inside of an imaginary spherical surface including the sliding surface of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Taiho Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaharu Hatta, Masanori Akizuki, Satoshi Nomura, Hiroshi Kanemitsu
  • Patent number: 8734125
    Abstract: A system includes a compressor having a shell housing a compression mechanism driven by an electric motor in an on state and not driven by the electric motor in an off state. The system also includes a variable frequency drive that drives the electric motor in the on state by varying a frequency of a voltage delivered to the electric motor and that supplies electric current to a stator of the electric motor in the off state to heat the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel L. McSweeney, Charles E. Green, Stephen M. Seibel
  • Patent number: 8734126
    Abstract: A screw compressor includes a low pressure stage compressor body; a high pressure stage compressor body that further compresses a compressed air compressed by the low pressure stage compressor body; pinion gears for example, respectively, provided on, for example, a male rotor of the low pressure stage compressor body and, for example, a male rotor of the high pressure stage compressor body; a motor; a bull gear for example, provided on a rotating shaft of the motor; and an intermediate shaft supported rotatably and provided with a pinion gear, which meshes with the bull gear, and a bull gear, which meshes with the pinion gears. Thereby, it is possible to make the motor relatively low in rotating speed while inhibiting the gears from being increased in diameter, thus enabling achieving reduction in cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Nishimura, Tomoo Suzuki, Hiroshi Ohta
  • Patent number: 8734127
    Abstract: A pressure regulating restriction for allowing a cylinder bore and a valve plate discharge port to communicate with each other before the cylinder bore communicates with the valve plate discharge port, and an oil passage for allowing the valve plate discharge port and the cylinder bore to temporarily communicate with each other in a time period after the cylinder bore is freed from the communication with the valve plate suction port until the cylinder bore communicates with the pressure regulating restriction. The oil passage has length capable of transmitting high pressure in the oil passage on a side of the cylinder bore at the time of the communication and of restoring the pressure in the oil passage on the side of the cylinder bore to the pressure on a side of the valve plate discharge port before the communication with a next cylinder bore at the time of non-communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeo Iida
  • Patent number: 8734128
    Abstract: A silencer device (10) for connection to a piston compressor of a motor vehicle: a housing (11) with an inlet (12) connected to a suction line or to an air outlet of a piston compressor, and an outlet (13) connected to an air inlet of a piston compressor or to a compressed air line. A throughflow air duct (20) extends through the housing. A quarter-wave resonator (30) in the housing has an elongate resonator duct (31) which is curved in its longitudinal direction, has at one end an inlet aperture (32) situated in a wall of the throughflow duct, and has a cross-sectional area larger than or equal to that of the throughflow duct. The other end (33) of the resonator duct is closed. A motor vehicle has such a silencer device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Scania CV AB
    Inventors: David God, Ragnar Glav, Lars Kjellström