Patents Issued in April 14, 2015
  • Patent number: 9004837
    Abstract: A method and a device for pressing a book block over the rounded back of a book block having a longitudinal axis extending in the center and along the back. The book block is clamped between two clamping jaws of a clamping device, in a region adjacent to the back of the book block, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the back. A pressing device presses a pressing member against the back, wherein the pressing member is placed approximately in the center of the back onto the book block back. At least a section of the pressing member is then moved across the back. Once the pressing member, which is oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the back, is placed onto the back it then moves along at least one continuously preselected movement path over the back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Mueller Martini Holding AG
    Inventor: Thomas Friese
  • Patent number: 9004838
    Abstract: An apparatus for characterizing a wafer comprising an aligner comprising a chuck for receiving and rotating the wafer, a sensor for detecting the position of the wafer as it is rotated, a first actuator for lowering and raising the wafer vertically, and a second actuator for moving the chuck horizontally; and a weighing scale comprising a weight sensor disposed proximate to the aligner, and a cantilevered arm extending laterally from the weight sensor over the chuck of the aligner, the cantilevered arm having a through hole surrounding the chuck. The chuck is vertically movable relative to the weighing scale from a first position in which the wafer is supported by the chuck to a second position in which the wafer is supported by the cantilevered arm of the weighing scale. A method for characterizing a wafer using the instant apparatus is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Microtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Reiner G. Fenske, David S. Denu
  • Patent number: 9004839
    Abstract: A glass substrate storage and transportation system is provided, including a storage platform and a transportation platform. The storage platform includes a plurality of storage housings for receiving the upright glass substrates. A glass substrate storage platform is also provided. The glass substrate storage and transportation system and the glass substrate storage platform adopt a vertical storage mode to store the glass substrates for solving the technical problems of the space utilization rate being low and the product having defect resulted by the particle pollution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yun Wang
  • Patent number: 9004840
    Abstract: An intermediate transfer device is located upwardly of an article delivering and receiving portion and downwardly of a ceiling transport vehicle. A transfer device grip is provided such that the intermediate transfer device is in vertical alignment with the ceiling transport vehicle and the article delivering and receiving portion and is capable of traveling, while guided and supported by a guiding support, to and among a transfer position for the delivering and receiving portion, a transfer position for the intermediate rack, a transfer-time retracted position, and a temporary-storage-time retracted. The guiding support is configured to form a space through which the grip portion and an article can pass in the vertical direction when the ceiling transport vehicle transfers the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomotaka Kinugawa, Suguru Shibata, Daisuke Ogawa
  • Patent number: 9004841
    Abstract: Disclosed are apparatuses and methods for use thereof for loading bulk material into freight containers. One apparatus comprises a hopper configured to receive bulk material that is sized and shaped to be at least partially enclosable by a container to occupy a substantial volume of the container and a ram. The ram comprises a plate and a driver configured to move the plate from a back end of the hopper to an open end of the hopper to expel material into a container. Another apparatus comprises a hopper configured to receive bulk material that is sized and shaped to be at least partially enclosable by a container to occupy a substantial volume of the container and a reciprocating conveyor floor system. Optionally, a chute can be employed in combination with a loader vehicle to quickly and efficiently load bulk material into a container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: SA Recycling LLC
    Inventors: George Adams, Terry Scot Adams, Michael J. Adams
  • Patent number: 9004842
    Abstract: A hoist apparatus is provided for loading an article onto a vehicle. The hoist apparatus generally includes a frame; a stationary sheave block including at least a first pulley and a second pulley; a moveable sheave carrier adapted for movement along the length of the frame, the moveable sheave carrier including at least a third pulley and a fourth pulley. At least one powered winch mechanism is attached to the moveable sheave carrier for moving the moveable sheave carrier along the length of the frame. A cable is provided which includes a first end detachably fixed to an article to be loaded onto a vehicle and a second end fixed to the hoist apparatus, the cable being adapted for travelling through the first pulley and the second pulley of the stationary sheave block and the third pulley and fourth pulley of the moveable sheave carrier in a predetermined path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Wastequip, LLC
    Inventors: John J. Downing, Nathan L. Martindale
  • Patent number: 9004843
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for handling aerogenerator blades that provide a versatile means for handling aerogenerator blades without an unbalanced distribution of the loads in the blade. The method comprises positioning an upper mounting part (103) over the blade after the upper mold has been retracted; lifting the blade with the upper mounting part from the under mold using a lifting means; positioning the blade over an under mounting part (104) which is fixedly attached to an inferior movable support (102); attaching the upper mounting part to the under mounting part, wherein the upper and under mounting parts together have the inner surface substantially corresponding to the shape of the blade outer profile section. The invention further comprises an apparatus for handling aerogenerator blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Tecsis Tecnologia E Sistemas Avançados S.A.
    Inventors: Phillips Antonio Da Costa Lemos, Caio Teruo Hideshima, Tatiane Rabello Koga, Tomaz Schmidt Cavalcante
  • Patent number: 9004844
    Abstract: A forklift truck includes a truck body, a fork, a mast, tilting and lifting mechanisms, tilt and lift levers, tilting and lifting operation detectors, an auxiliary switch, a tilt angle detector and a controller. The tilt and lift levers are adapted to operate the tilting and lifting mechanisms, respectively. The auxiliary switch is disposed on the lift lever at a position where the auxiliary switch and the lift lever are operable by the same operator's hand. The controller is adapted to control the tilting and lifting mechanisms based on signals from the tilting and lifting operation detectors and the auxiliary switch. When the auxiliary switch is in operative position and the lifting operation detector detects that the lift lever is in operative position, the controller controls the tilting mechanism so as to tilt the fork to have a predetermined tilt angle based on a signal from the tilt angle detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Takashi Nishiwaki, Junichi Kuwayama, Tadashi Yamada
  • Patent number: 9004845
    Abstract: Implements and brackets for mounting implements on the lift arms of a working machine with a front end loader configuration are disclosed. The implements and brackets are configured to enable a user to mount the implement on the lift arms of the working machine in an inverted orientation, for example in order to mount a bucket that is typically used in a forward-facing orientation for digging or clearing in an inverted rearward facing position for piercing into the ground and performing a rearward scooping action. Some embodiment includes configurations for manual or powered adjustment of a lateral position of the implement in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the working machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Gilbert Bernier
  • Patent number: 9004846
    Abstract: A gripper assembly for use with a moving device is disclosed. The moving device can be a mechanical device such as a robot. The gripper assembly includes a platform and an elongate arm extending from the platform. The elongate arm is in the form of least one elongate member. Each elongate member has a body which has a proximal end and an opposed distal end. A gripping mechanism is rotatably supported relative to the arm, and includes a holder having a pivoting arm pivotably joined to the body in the region of the distal end of the body. An actuator is in operable communication with the pivoting arm to impart pivotable movement to the pivoting arm and rotational movement to said gripping mechanism about a horizontal axis upon actuation of the actuator. The gripper assembly may have a center of mass substantially aligned with a vertical rotation axis of the gripper assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Stefano La Rovere, Jia-wei Chiu, Andreas Boettcher, Jeffrey Kyle Werner
  • Patent number: 9004847
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for automated aerating and handling a sub stack of a stack of rectangular paper sheets where the sub stack is gripped near or at opposed corners of a common edge of the sub stack by means of two robotic grippers (A, B) having two opposed gripping fingers (A1, A2, B1, B2), lifting and rotating the corners in mutually opposite first directions such that the work stack achieves an upwards concave form, gripping the corners by the robotic grippers (A, B), and rotating the grippers in second directions opposite to the first directions such that the upper sheet of the sub stack has a curvature smaller than the bottom sheet of the sub stack, preferably a substantially plane form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Industrial Robot Automation
    Inventors: Lars Fleckenstein, Henrik Christiansen
  • Patent number: 9004848
    Abstract: A feeding device includes a housing, a first conveying mechanism mounted on the housing, and a distribution mechanism. The housing forming a receptacle space includes a top surface defining a receiving opening communicated with the receptacle space. The distribution mechanism includes a slide platform slidably mounted on the top surface, a distribution member, and elastic members. The slide platform defines an unloading opening communicated with the receiving opening and a mounting groove adjacent to the unloading opening. The distribution member is movably mounted in the mounting groove. The elastic member elastically resists the distribution member to protrude out from the unloading opening. The stacked feeding trays resist the distribution member to move away from the unloading opening. When the top feeding tray is moved above the distribution member, the distribution member retracts by an elastic force to separate the top feeding tray from the stacked feeding trays located below.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bing Li, Bo Yang, Yong Zhang
  • Patent number: 9004849
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a bearing structure mounted to the front center body case structure to rotationally support a shaft driven by a geared architecture. A bearing compartment passage structure is in communication with the bearing structure through a front center body case structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Peter M. Munsell, Philip S. Stripinis
  • Patent number: 9004850
    Abstract: A compressor for a gas turbine engine with variable inlet guide vanes each defining an airfoil portion twisted such that at each location of the airfoil portion along the pivot axis, an angle is defined between a respective chord extending between the leading and trailing edges and a same reference plane containing the pivot axis and extending radially with respect to the compressor. The angle, which is measured along a direction of rotation of the rotor, varies from a minimum value near the hub side wall to a maximum value near the shroud side wall. A method of reducing vortex whistle in a radial inlet of a compressor is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Jason Nichols, Hien Duong, Peter Townsend
  • Patent number: 9004851
    Abstract: A system for converting wind energy to rotational mechanical energy, comprising a conical impeller having multiple spiral vanes on its outer surface, the impeller supported so that it can rotate about its vertical, central axis in response to airflow impinging on the impeller, and connected to a mechanical drive system to transmit energy from the rotation of the impeller to a device that performs useful work using the transmitted energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Gustavo Q. Garza
  • Patent number: 9004852
    Abstract: A turbomachine high-pressure turbine including a rotor disc with upstream and downstream annular flanges separating a radially internal annular cavity in which the hub of the disc extends from two radially external annular cavities, of which one is upstream of the disc and receives a ventilation air flow and of which the other is downstream of the disc, the upstream flange of the disc including a mechanism connecting to the upstream eternal cavity and the internal cavity for ventilating the hub of the disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Mathieu Dakowski, Fabrice Garin, Delphine Roussin-Leroux, Wilfried Schweblen
  • Patent number: 9004853
    Abstract: An axial compressor is disclosed for compressing air, such as for a gas turbine. The axial compressor can include a rotor, having a multiplicity of rotor blades, and rotor casing. The casing and rotor can form an annular gas passage. Outside the gas passage an annular and concentric bleed air chamber, can include at least one bleed air slot in functional communication with the gas passage. At least one injection device having at least one nozzle which can inject the fluid into the gas passage via the bleed air slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Luis Puerta, Marco Micheli, Wolfgang Kappis, Gabriel Dunkel
  • Patent number: 9004854
    Abstract: An engine blower includes: an engine; a fan that is rotated by the engine; a volute case that houses the fan therein and includes an air intake port; and a sponge cover with which an exterior of the air intake port of the volute case is covered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Husqvarna Zenoah Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoshi Nakazawa
  • Patent number: 9004855
    Abstract: The invention relates to a nacelle including an air intake upstream from the jet engine (1), a medium section surrounding the fan of the jet engine (1), and a downstream section. The nacelle further includes at least one pair of mobile cowlings (3) provided on both sides of a vertical longitudinal symmetry plane of the nacelle and hinged essentially parallel to a longitudinal axis (A) of the nacelle so they can be opened to provide access to the jet engine (1). The mobile cowlings (3) are paired by fastening means (8) so that they can be hinged on each other about separate or overlapping axes (6). Each mobile cowling (3) comprises permanent connection means or means (14, 15) for connecting it temporarily by rotation and in closed position to a fixed structure (7) of the nacelle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Aircelle
    Inventors: Guy Bernard Vauchel, Xavier Cazuc
  • Patent number: 9004856
    Abstract: An inlet connection piece for an axial compressor, particularly for a turbocompressor, includes an inlet housing (1) in which is arranged a bearing housing (2) with a bearing (3), particularly a radial and/or axial bearing, for a rotor. The bearing housing (2) is connected to the inlet housing (1) by an inlet strut (4) which is connected to the inlet housing in a front cross section. The center of the bearing (3) is arranged axially in the flow direction of a fluid to be compressed behind the area center of the front cross section by at least 0.1-times, particularly at least 0.15-times, particularly at least 0.2-times, particularly at least 0.25-times, the chord length of the front cross section. In addition or alternatively, a fluid passage (5, 6) is formed in the inlet strut (4), and at least portions of this fluid passage (5, 6) form an acute angle with a normal plane relative to the longitudinal axis of the inlet connection piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: MAN Diesel & Turbo SE
    Inventors: Christoph Lange, Henning Ressing, Fikri Aynacioglu, Dirk Anding, Karl-Heinz Dreyer
  • Patent number: 9004857
    Abstract: In a centrifugal compressor, for the purpose of preventing the positions of a diaphragm and a head flange in a radial direction from moving with respect to a casing, preventing the unstable vibration of the rotor and enabling an efficient and stable operation even on high-pressure conditions, there is provided a barrel-shaped centrifugal compressor including a casing, a diaphragm located in the casing to define a flow channel, and a head flange attached to the end of the casing by a shear key, wherein in the inner peripheral surface of the casing and the outer peripheral surface of abutment portions of the diaphragm and the head flange in which they are abutted on the inner peripheral surface of the casing, sliding key grooves which are vertical to the surfaces are provided at least two portions in a peripheral direction, and sliding keys are provided in the key grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yohei Magara, Kazuyuki Yamaguchi, Mitsuhiro Narita, Haruo Miura, Naohiko Takahashi, Akira Endo
  • Fan
    Patent number: 9004858
    Abstract: An annular nozzle for a ceiling fan includes an inner wall defining a bore having a bore axis, an outer wall extending about the inner wall, an air inlet for receiving an air flow, and an air outlet section extending between the inner wall and the outer wall. The air outlet section defines an air outlet for emitting the air flow. An interior passage extends about the bore axis for conveying the air flow to the air outlet. The air outlet section is configured to emit the air flow away from the bore axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Frederic Nicolas, Alan Howard Davis, James Robert Allan MacDonald
  • Patent number: 9004859
    Abstract: A casing treatment for a fan or compressor stage 10 of a gas turbine engine comprises circumferential grooves 16A, 16B, 16C, 16D and 16E which extend in a series disposed between the leading edges 20 and trailing edges 22 of blades 6 of a fan or compressor stage 10. The grooves 16 vary in depth d in order to optimise the stall margin of the fan or compressor stage 10 while preserving peak efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Shahrokh Shahpar, Ning Qin, Yibin Wang, Greg Carnie
  • Patent number: 9004860
    Abstract: A free-tipped axial fan assembly includes fan having a blade tip geometry which provides a desired blade loading in the presence of a tip gap. The maximum camber exhibits a sudden and significant increase as the blade tip radius R is closely approached in the direction of increasing radial position. In some constructions, the maximum camber at the blade tip radius R is at least 10 percent greater than the maximum camber at a radial position r where r/R=0.95. In some constructions, the blade angle increases by more than 0.01 radians from a radial position r where r/R=0.95 to the blade tip radius R. The maximum camber at the blade tip radius R is at least 0.06 times the chord length in some constructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Robert J. Van Houten
  • Patent number: 9004861
    Abstract: An example blade assembly includes, among other things a blade tip having a pressure side and a suction side, and a plurality of grooves within the blade tip. At least one of the grooves has a contour that is different than both a contour of the pressure side and a contour of the suction side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy Charles Nash, Andrew S. Aggarwala
  • Patent number: 9004862
    Abstract: A control system for calibrating a wind turbine sensor placed on a component of a wind turbine and related methods are disclosed. The wind turbine includes a rotor having at least one wind turbine blade. The method comprises pitching one or more of the at least one of the wind turbine blades according to a predetermined pitch movement which induces a vibratory motion in the at least one turbine blade. A wind turbine sensor measures a vibratory response signal at least partly caused by the vibratory motion. A characteristic sensor response value is determined from the vibratory response signal. The characteristic sensor response value may be compared to a predetermined sensor calibration parameter to determine whether a difference is greater than a predefined tolerance parameter. In this manner, the wind turbine sensor may be calibrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventor: Erik Carl Lehnskov Miranda
  • Patent number: 9004863
    Abstract: A ceiling fan including a motor having a rotating flange; a single integrally formed fan blade, wherein the fan blade includes two substantially equally weighted wing portions disposed opposite each other; and a center portion disposed between and integrally formed with the two wing portions and having a passageway therethrough, wherein the passageway is sized such that the fan motor fits at least partially within the passageway; and means for attaching the center portion of the fan blade to the rotating flange of the motor is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Minka Lighting, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Gajewski
  • Patent number: 9004864
    Abstract: A wind turbine having a set of curved blades mounted on a central rotatable hub. Each of the blades has a defined pitch angle, to a rotational axis of the hub, along the blade from the hub to the tip. A curve is provided on the wind contact surface along each of the blades over the blade surface from the leading edge of the blade to the trailing edge of the blade by an amount between about 6 and about 24 degrees. The defined pitch angle from any point along the leading edge of the blade being defined by the arc-sine of a ratio of blade velocity to apparent wind velocity, with a variance of ±30 percent of the complementary angle to the arc-sine; and apparatus for varying the velocity of the blade to control power output so that it is within fifteen percent of maximum obtainable power of the blade most distant from the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Kean W. Stimm
  • Patent number: 9004865
    Abstract: A blade for a turbomachine impeller including an airfoil and at least one platform at one end of the airfoil, the blade configured to be arranged with a plurality of substantially identical blades so as to form a ring, the platform surface having a suction surface profile and a pressure surface profile respectively along the suction surface and the pressure surface. In the blade, the pressure surface profile including a pressure surface recessed part is located axially in an upstream half of the airfoil. Due to this configuration, efficiency of the blade is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Guimbard, Olivier Kueny, Ludovic Pintat
  • Patent number: 9004866
    Abstract: A turbine blade (10) including an airfoil (12) having multiple interior wall portions (70) each separating at least one chamber from another one of multiple chambers (46, 48, 50, 58, 60). In one embodiment a first wall portion (70-2) between first and second chambers (60, 52) includes first and second pluralities of flow paths (86P, 86S) extending through the first wall portion. The first wall portion includes a first region R1 having a first thickness, t, measurable as a distance between the chambers. One of the paths extends a first path distance, d, as measured from an associated path opening (78) in the first chamber (60), through the first region and to an exit opening (82) in the second chamber (52) which path distance is greater than the first thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignees: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, Mikro Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ching-Pang Lee, Glenn E. Brown, Benjamin E. Heneveld
  • Patent number: 9004867
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a rotor for a wind turbine (1), having a rotor hub (8), having at least one rotor blade (9) mounted on the rotor hub (8) so as to be rotatable about a blade axis (11). At least one threaded spindle mechanism (13) is positioned between the rotor hub (8) and the rotor blade (9) and is connected both to the rotor hub (8) and the rotor blade (9). The rotor blade (9) is adapted to be rotated relative to the rotor hub (8) about the blade axis (11) by means of an actuation of the threaded spindle mechanism (13). The threaded spindle mechanism (13) has a drive (22), an actuating element (31), a spindle nut (18) detachably coupled to the actuating element (31), and a threaded spindle (19) which can be rotated about the longitudinal axis (25) thereof by means of the drive (22) and which is detachably coupled to the drive (22), such that the threaded spindle (19) and the spindle nut (18) can be separated from the threaded spindle mechanism (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: SSB Wind Systems GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventor: Fabio Bertolotti
  • Patent number: 9004868
    Abstract: An industrial fan impeller that includes blades having an outer edge with a tapered portion and a level portion and method of manufacture are provided. The industrial fan impeller includes a front plate with a first diameter and a back plate with a second diameter larger than the first diameter of the front plate. Blades are attached to the front plate and the back plate. Individual blades have an outer edge with a tapered portion and a level portion. The blades are positioned between the front plate and the back plate such that the tapered portion of the outer edge of the individual blades tapers towards the front plate of the industrial fan impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: The New York Blower Company
    Inventor: Matthew W. Rhodes
  • Patent number: 9004869
    Abstract: A centrifugal pump impeller includes front and back shrouds and a plurality of pumping vanes therebetween, each pumping vane having a leading edge in the region of an impeller inlet and a trailing edge, the front shroud has an arcuate inner face in the region of the impeller inlet, the arcuate inner face having a radius of curvature (Rs) in the range from 0.05 to 0.16 of the outer diameter of the impeller (D2) The back shroud includes an inner main face and a nose having a curved profile with a nose apex in the region of the central axis which extends towards the front shroud, there being a curved transition region between the inner main face and the nose. Fr is the radius of curvature of the transition region and the ratio Fr/D2 is from 0.32 to 0.65. Other ratios of various dimensions of the impeller are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Weir Minerals Australia, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kevin Edward Burgess, Wen-Jie Liu, Luis Moscoso Lavagna
  • Patent number: 9004870
    Abstract: A rotor for turbomachines with shrouded blades comprising a row of a plurality of blades covered by an external ring, coaxial to said row of blades; the external ring being composed of a plurality of sectors, commonly referred to as shrouds, which are adjacent to one another and transversely and circumferentially attached to the end of respective blades; a damping member being arranged so as to straddle a respective pair of adjacent sectors and being pushed, in use, against radially internal surfaces of the sectors of the pair of adjacent sectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: AVIO S.p.A.
    Inventors: Paolo Calza, Rosario Grillo, Sergio Salvano
  • Patent number: 9004871
    Abstract: A stacked wheel assembly for a turbine system includes a plurality of wheels. A stud includes a forward end having a circumferential surface with at least one relatively planar portion and a first groove extending circumferentially around at least a portion of the circumferential surface. A first nut is disposed proximate a forward face of one of the plurality of wheels to receive the forward end of the stud. A resilient arcuate member is configured to fittingly reside within the first groove. A lock plate having at least one slotted region is disposed proximate an outer surface of the lock plate to fittingly engage at least one lug disposed on a forward region of the first nut for rotationally retaining the stud and a second groove is disposed within an inner surface of the lock plate to receive the resilient arcuate member for axially retaining the lock plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Anil Mishra, Meelan Ravindra Nanivadekar
  • Patent number: 9004872
    Abstract: A system for assembling a turbine engine component has a disk having a groove, which groove has a bearing surface and an upper wall, at least one locking slot being positioned at an intersection of the bearing surface and the upper wall; each locking slot having a shaped surface; and at least one lock having a shape which matches and mates with the shaped surface of the locking slot; and said locking slots providing clearance to assemble blades into the disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas Aiello, Louis James Ruotolo, Uyen Phan
  • Patent number: 9004873
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a unique airfoil for a turbomachine. Another embodiment is a unique gas turbine engine. Yet another embodiment is a method for manufacturing an airfoil for a turbomachine. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for airfoils and turbomachinery. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventor: Edward Claude Rice
  • Patent number: 9004874
    Abstract: A turbomachinery blade includes: an airfoil; and a shank extending from a root of the airfoil, the shank being constructed from a composite material including reinforcing fibers embedded in a matrix The shank includes a pair of spaced-apart side faces that cooperatively define: a dovetail disposed at a radially inboard end of the shank, comprising spaced-apart, diverging faces; a first neck portion having a concave curvature disposed radially outboard of the dovetail, and defining a primary minimum neck at which a thickness of the shank is at a local minimum; and a second neck portion disposed radially outboard of the first minimum neck, the second neck portion having a concave curvature and defining a secondary minimum neck at which the thickness of the shank is at a local minimum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Joshua Brian Jamison
  • Patent number: 9004875
    Abstract: A flange is provided including a longitudinal axis defining a first direction, a radial direction being substantially perpendicular to the first direction, a neck extending along the first direction, a flange plate connected to the neck and including a connecting portion adapted for holding a connecting device at a connecting side, the flange plate further including a non-connecting side being at a radially different location than the connecting side; the flange including a first plane defining a first level of the neck, a second plane defining a second level, where flange plate and neck are connected, and a third plane defining a third level of the flange plate, wherein the three planes extend substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the flange; the flange includes at least at the non-connecting side a bulge, which extends from a level between the first plane and the second plane to the third plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ingo Paura, Vajralingam Bennuri
  • Patent number: 9004876
    Abstract: A cooling system includes a fan group with a number of fans arranged in a row, a rail extending in a direction parallel to the row of the fans. A backup fan slidably mounted to the rail, a motor configured to control the movement of the backup fan, and a control board to determine whether there exists one malfunction fan in the fan group. When one abnormal fan exists in the fan group, the control board outputs a control signal to the motor, to enable the motor to drive the backup fan to move to a location corresponding to the abnormal fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Zhongshan Innocloud Intellectual Property Services Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhen-Xing Ma, Lei Liu
  • Patent number: 9004877
    Abstract: A multi-stage diaphragm suction pump, includes at least two pump chambers, each having a inlet having at least one inlet valve, and a outlet having at least one outlet valve, and a suction line, which connects the fluid inlets of the pump chambers. Successive pump chambers are connected to one another by at least one connection line such that, when a differential pressure in the suction line is reached/exceeded, the diaphragm pump changes from parallel to an operating mode that is at least also serial. At least one check valve, which opens to a downstream pump stage, is interposed in each of the inflow and outflow regions of the at least one connection line. A suction-side opening or a pressure-side opening of the connection line is arranged in a region of the pump chamber on which a diaphragm associated with the pump chamber rolls first during a pump cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: KNF Neuberger GmbH
    Inventors: Erich Becker, Erwin Hauser
  • Patent number: 9004878
    Abstract: A fan assembly for creating an air current includes an air inlet, an air outlet, an impeller, a motor for rotating the impeller to create an air flow passing from the air inlet to the air outlet, the air outlet comprising an interior passage for receiving the air flow and a mouth for emitting the air flow, the air outlet defining an opening through which air from outside the fan assembly is drawn by the air flow emitted from the mouth, a control circuit for controlling the motor, a remote control for transmitting control signals to the control circuit, and a plurality of magnets angularly spaced about the air outlet to provide a plurality of angularly spaced docking positions for the remote control on the air outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Peter David Gammack, James Dyson, Arran George Smith, Ian John Brough, Mon Shy Teyu, Noorhazelinda Mohd.Salleh
  • Patent number: 9004879
    Abstract: A discrete, heat-insulating exhaust muffler device (8) and a refrigeration compressor using the exhaust muffler device are provided. The exhaust muffler device (8) includes a metal cavity body defining cavities (9, 10), and intake pipe and exhaust pipe installation holes respectively arranged on the cavities (9, 10). Non-metallic shell bodies (17, 18) are further arranged outside the cavities (9, 10), and the exhaust muffler device (8) is disposed outside cylinder blocks (14) and is separated from the cylinder blocks (14). By disposing a layer of the non-metal shell bodies (17, 18) outside the metal cavity body (9, 10), thermal contact between exhaust gas and gas inside a compressor can be reduced owing to a better heat-insulating effect of the non-metallic material, thereby reducing heat transfer from the metal cavity body (9, 10) to the outside. The gas inside the compressor can have a relatively lower temperature, and the efficiency of the compressor is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Huangshi Dongbei Electrical Appliance Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Baichang Yang, Lijian Cao, Jingxiong Dai, Renshu He, Younan Wang
  • Patent number: 9004880
    Abstract: A fan motor set locating structure includes a base seat and a motor set. The base seat has a bearing cup. At least one locating notch is formed on a top section of the bearing cup. A bearing is disposed in the bearing cup. The motor set includes an insulation support. One side of the insulation support is formed with a sleeve. The sleeve is capped on the bearing cup. The sleeve has at least one protrusion section protruding from the sleeve to the bearing cup corresponding to the locating notch. The protrusion section is engaged in the locating notch in abutment with the bearing. Accordingly, the motor set can be quickly fixedly assembled with the bearing cup to fix the bearing. Therefore, the number of the components is decreased and the assembling process is speeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Asia Vital Components Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yen-Chin Lu, Chun-Hao Huang, Chun-Liang Ho
  • Patent number: 9004881
    Abstract: A fluid pump includes a pump body enclosing a first cavity and a second cavity, a first flexible member disposed within the first cavity, a second flexible member disposed within the second cavity, and a drive shaft extending between and attached to each of the first flexible member and the second flexible member. The drive shaft is configured to slide back and forth within the pump body. The pump also includes a first shift valve and a second shift valve disposed between the first flexible member and the second flexible member, operatively coupled to deliver a drive fluid to drive fluid chambers in alternating sequence. Some fluid pumps disclosed herein include a housing defining a modular-receiving cavity and a modular insert secured within the modular-receiving cavity by an interference fit. Methods of manufacturing and using fluid pumps are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Simmons Development, LLC
    Inventors: Tom M. Simmons, John M. Simmons, David M. Simmons, Bruce Johnson
  • Patent number: 9004882
    Abstract: A variable displacement pump includes: a first urging member arranged to urge the cam ring in a direction to increase the eccentric amount; a second urging member arranged to urge the cam ring in a direction to decrease the eccentric amount; a control hydraulic chamber arranged to receive a discharge pressure, and thereby to move the cam ring against the urging force of the first urging member; and a hydraulic pressure introduction section configured to introduce the discharge pressure to the control hydraulic chamber when the discharge pressure becomes greater than a predetermined pressure which is in a range where the cam ring is movable against a resultant force of the urging forces of the first and second urging members, and where the cam ring is not movable only against the urging force of the first urging member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Ohnishi, Koji Saga, Yasushi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9004883
    Abstract: A low noise, high efficiency solenoid pump includes a housing containing a hollow electromagnetic coil. Within the coil resides a pump assembly defining a tubular body having a pair of opposed ends which respectively include an inlet or suction port and an outlet or pressure port and within which a plunger or piston resides. The piston is biased in opposite directions by a pair of opposed compression springs. A first compression spring limits and arrests travel of the piston during the suction or return stroke and a second compression spring limits travel of the piston during the pumping stroke and returns the piston after the pumping stroke. The piston includes a first check valve that opens to allow hydraulic fluid into a pumping chamber during the suction stroke and closes during the pumping stroke to cause fluid to be pumped out of the pumping chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Vijay A. Neelakantan, Paul G. Otanez, Shushan Bai
  • Patent number: 9004884
    Abstract: A fluid transfer assembly includes a housing within which at least a portion of a pump element can be disposed. The housing includes a first surface and a second surface and defines a cavity therethrough. The housing is configured to be coupled to a reservoir such that the first surface is disposed within an interior volume of the reservoir and the second surface is disposed outside the interior volume of the reservoir. The housing includes a seal portion configured to fluidically isolate the first surface from the second surface. The cavity is configured to receive at least a portion of the pump element such that movement of the pump element produces a fluid flow from an inlet opening defined by the first surface and an outlet opening defined by the second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Synerject LLC
    Inventors: Kevin L. Leppert, Jason D. Keown
  • Patent number: 9004885
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a reciprocating compressor in which a cylinder of a compression unit is tightly fixed to a hermetic shell, and a stator of a reciprocating motor is fixed to the hermetic shell by a support spring consisting of a leaf spring, so as to reduce the gap between a compressor body and the hermetic shell and thus reduce the size of the compressor. In addition, the masses of the members of the reciprocating motor and of the compression unit, as well as the elasticity of the spring supporting the members, are properly adjusted to offset the force being applied to the hermetic shell, thereby minimizing the vibrations of the hermetic shell. Further, the relative velocity of the reciprocating motor increases such that the relative velocity of the reciprocating motor is faster than the relative velocity of the compression unit, thereby improving the efficiency of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sunghyun Ki, Hyuk Lee, Eonpyo Hong
  • Patent number: 9004886
    Abstract: A pressure monitoring system allows for more accurate and reliable measurement of the pressure inside of a tube in a pump. The pressure monitoring system prevents movement of the tubing or a change in size of the tubing due to external forces applied to the pump, eliminating inaccuracies due to handling of the pump during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Zevex, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent Beck, Philip Eggers, Larry Walker