Patents Issued in December 31, 2015
  • Publication number: 20150376996
    Abstract: Method and apparatus overcoming gas-lock in reciprocating downhole pumps. On the downstroke of a plunger in a barrel, gassy fluid is compressed in the pump chamber between standing and travelling valves. Downhole plunger movement drags a sleeve over a mandrel for opening a chamber valve to a staging chamber located at a downhole end of the travelling valve for receiving at least a portion of the compressed and gassy fluid therein. On the upstroke, the chamber valve is dragged closed for sealably retaining the compressed gassy fluid therein while drawing an additional increment of fluid through the standing valve into the pump chamber. Continued downstroke and upstroke cycles increases pressure of the compressed gassy fluid in the pump chamber until it exceeds the hydrostatic head above the travelling valve for resumption of normal fluid pumping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventor: Donald R DOWNING
  • Publication number: 20150376997
    Abstract: Non-halogenated molecules having 10-30 carbons including aliphatic, aromatic, saturated, unsaturated (and combinations thereof) alcohols, ketones, organic acids, organic acid salts, sulfonated derivatives, and/or other derivatives are used as tracers to measure oil and/or water fluid returns, such as from a hydraulic fracturing job. The non-halogenated molecules may be combined with substrates and introduced into a subterranean location, desorbed and recovered from the subterranean location with a fluid, reacted with a reagent (e.g. pentafluoro benzyl chloride) to give a derivatized tracer. Alternatively, the tracer molecule release can be delayed by use of an emulsion or a coating that allows slower diffusion of the tracer into the fluid. The presence of the derivatized tracer is then detected in the recovered fluid. A different non-halogenated tracer may be used for each hydraulic fracturing stage, e.g. to determine from which fracturing stage water is produced and from which oil is produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ronald M. Matherly, Grahame N. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20150376998
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides techniques for inline injection of water and chemicals for a dump flood. The techniques include collecting water from a source reservoir into a water collection zone of an adjacent water injection well, and injecting a chemical solution into the water injection well. The water and the chemical solution are then mixed downhole in a mixer, such as a static mixer. The mixed injection fluid is then directly injected into an adjacent target reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Matthew Dean, Varadarjan Dwarakanath, Taimur Malik, Will Sherman Slaughter, Dustin L. Walker
  • Publication number: 20150376999
    Abstract: A method of treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore by contacting an energized fluid with the subterranean formation; and reducing a partial pressure of the energized fluid by an amount sufficient to form polymeric foam structure within the subterranean formation
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Carlos Abad, Alexander D. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20150377000
    Abstract: This system stores and uses as needed Compressed Gas, Hydrates, or Liquified Gas to unload and add power in order to produce a well or transfer fluids from one place to another. It can also supply gas to run the system, or generate electricity or various other auxiliary functions. It has been proven successful and could increase production in America and the world by bringing back into production wells that are not economical any other way. One well at a time, or entire fields can be produced with a single compressor. Stripper wells account for 40% of total domestic production. There are 1000s of wells not being produced. Huge production OPEC type wells could be produced with this system better, faster, and less expensive than any other system. This is also environmentally cleaner as very little gas will escape to the atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventor: Leonard Alan Bollingham
  • Publication number: 20150377001
    Abstract: A device for heating a hydrocarbon resource in a subterranean formation having at least one pair of laterally extending upper and lower wellbores therein may include a radio frequency (RF) source. The device may also include an upper wellbore RF radiator to be positioned in the laterally extending upper wellbore and including a plurality of first terminals. The device may further include a lower wellbore RF radiator to be positioned in the laterally extending lower wellbore and comprising a plurality of second terminals. The device may also include an interconnection arrangement configured to couple the RF source and the first and second terminals so that at least one of the upper and lower wellbore RF radiators heat the hydrocarbon resource in the subterranean formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventor: FRANCIS EUGENE PARSCHE
  • Publication number: 20150377002
    Abstract: Non-toxic, biodegradable base fluids are disclosed for use in making downhole fluids, where the base fluids include blends of paraffins, olefins, naphthenes, esters, and oxygenates, having low viscosities, having a pale-yellow color, having a flashpoint of >80° C. (175° F.) and have a pour point of about 19° F.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Olusegun M. Falana, Frank Zamora, Edward C. Marshall, Sarkis R. Kakadjian
  • Publication number: 20150377003
    Abstract: A method for determining geological formation characteristics involves driving a bottom hole assembly (BHA) in a borehole. At least one mechanical drilling parameter generated is detected responsive to operation of the BHA in the borehole. At least one geological formation characteristic is identified responsive to the detected at least one mechanical drilling parameter. The identified at least one geological formation characteristic is provided to a surface steerable drilling system. Operation of the surface steerable drilling system is controlled responsive to the at least one geological formation characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: TODD W. BENSON, TEDDY CHEN
  • Publication number: 20150377004
    Abstract: A downhole closed loop method for controlling a drilling toolface includes measuring first and second attitudes of the subterranean borehole at corresponding first and second upper and lower survey stations. The first and second attitudes are processed downhole while drilling to compute an angle change of the subterranean borehole between the upper and lower survey stations. The computed angle change is compared with a predetermined threshold. This process may be continuously repeated while the angle change is less than the threshold. The first and second attitudes are further processed downhole to compute a toolface angle when the angle change of the subterranean borehole is greater than or equal to the threshold. The toolface angle may then be further processed to control a direction of drilling of the subterranean borehole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Applicant: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Hornblower, Christopher C. Bogath, Adam Bowler, Junichi Sugiura
  • Publication number: 20150377005
    Abstract: A method can include receiving mechanical information of a geologic environment and location information of natural fractures of the geologic environment; using a model of the geologic environment, calculating at least strain associated with hydraulic fracturing in the geologic environment; calculating at least microseismicity event locations based at least in part on the calculated strain; calibrating the model based at least in part on the calculated microseismicity event locations and based at least in part on measured microseismicity information associated with the geologic environment to provide a calibrated model; and, using the calibrated model, determining an increase in reactivated fracture volume associated with hydraulic fracturing in the geologic environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Xavier Garcia-Teijeiro, Nikolaos Constantinos Koutsabeloulis
  • Publication number: 20150377006
    Abstract: Techniques and apparatus are provided for stress calculations for sucker rod pumping systems. A method is provided for determining stress along a sucker rod string disposed in a wellbore. The method generally includes receiving, at a processor, measured rod displacement and rod load data for the sucker rod string, wherein the sucker rod string comprises a plurality of sections; and calculating stress values at a plurality of finite difference nodes for at least one of the plurality of sections based, at least in part, on the measured rod displacement and rod load data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventor: Victoria M. PONS
  • Publication number: 20150377007
    Abstract: The disclosure is about a desiccant box comprising at least one wall defining an inside compartment containing a desiccant material. The box is designed so that: at a first temperature value, the inside compartment is a substantially vapor tight closed compartment, at a second temperature value superior to the first temperature value, at least a portion of the box is permeable to vapor so that vapor can penetrate into the inside compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Frederic Pauchet, Vianney Rubio, Nicolas Roumilly, Vincent Bourens
  • Publication number: 20150377008
    Abstract: An assembly for measuring a temperature of a fluid flowing through a tubing section is provided. The assembly can include the tubing section and a temperature measurement component in thermal communication with an inner diameter of the tubing section. A temperature of a fluid flowing through the tubing section can be detected using the temperature measurement component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Christopher Michael McMillon, Robert Mitchell Neely
  • Publication number: 20150377009
    Abstract: A gravel pack tool for interfacing with a gravel pack completion assembly includes a mandrel disposed to fit into a gravel pack completion assembly, the mandrel carrying a sensing mechanism disposed to detect a unique sensing feature positioned at known location within the gravel pack completion assembly. The downhole tool further includes a locating mechanism carried by the mandrel, the locating mechanism disposed to mechanically engage a locating feature within the gravel pack assembly in order to locate the tool relative thereto. The tool includes processing system to activate the locating mechanism in response to detection of a sensing feature by the sensing mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventor: Thomas J. Frosell
  • Publication number: 20150377010
    Abstract: Non-halogenated molecules including, but are not necessarily limited, to alkyl and aromatic amines having from 8 to 18 carbon atoms and salts of these amines, diols having the formula HO—(CH2)n—OH, diamines having the formula H2N—(CH2)n—NH2, dicarboxylic acids having the formula HO.CO—(CH2)n—CO.OH, diesters having the formula R?O.CO—(CH2)n—CO.OR?, where n is 4 to 18, and R? and R? are independently straight or branched alkyl or aromatic groups of 1-20 carbon atoms, and combinations thereof are used as tracers to measure oil and/or water fluid returns, e.g. from a hydraulic fracturing job. The non-halogenated molecules may be combined with substrates and introduced into a subterranean location, desorbed and recovered from the subterranean location with a fluid, reacted with a reagent to give a derivatized tracer. The presence of the derivatized tracer is then detected in the recovered fluid. Different non-halogenated tracers may be used for each hydraulic fracturing stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: RONALD M. MATHERLY, GRAHAME N. TAYLOR
  • Publication number: 20150377011
    Abstract: Disclosed herein methods for determining a property of a formation, for example, when well logging, by feeding a gadolinium tracer fluid into the formation, applying an emitted radiation to the formation to thereby produce a signal, such as a neutron signal, and capturing the signal from the formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Carlos Torres-Verdin, Erich Schneider
  • Publication number: 20150377012
    Abstract: A technique facilitates anomaly recognition and tracking in a variety of components, such as tubular components. The technique comprises sensing for anomalies in the component, and storing detected anomalies in a storage medium. The detected anomalies are matched with stored digital descriptions of anomalies. The stored digital descriptions may comprise anomalies of similar types and/or anomalies detected on the specific component being tested. The detected anomalies are ranked according to similarities with respect to the stored digital descriptions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Zhanke Liu, Shunfeng Zheng, Mirjam Zwanenburg
  • Publication number: 20150377013
    Abstract: A control system with probes for generating and utilizing at least one or more addressed datagrams that communicate information to and from devices along piping assemblies comprising; one or more transmitters, one or more receivers, and one or more controllers, wherein the transmitters transmit information via one or more addressed datagrams encoded within a working medium to one or more receivers among the piping assemblies, is described. Transmitters convert datagrams into signals that are transmitted within the working medium and the receivers receive signals from the transmitters and also convert signals from the working medium which is converted back into datagrams. The controllers receive and decode the datagrams so that the controllers selectively communicate and perform logical operations on piping assembly devices according to directions received from the addressed datagrams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Daniel Maurice Lerner, Andre Orban
  • Publication number: 20150377014
    Abstract: A fluid pressure pulse generator comprises a stator having a body and cylindrical bore and a rotor having a cylindrical body and cap. The diameter of the cylindrical body is smaller than that of the stator central bore such that an annular gap is formed therebetween. The cap has a base with a diameter larger than that of the rotor body, forming a protruding lip that covers at least a portion of the annular gap. The stator body and rotor body collectively have at least one fluid flow chamber comprising a lateral opening and an uphole axial inlet, and a downhole axial outlet and at least one fluid diverter comprising a lateral opening in fluid communication with the axial outlet. The rotor can rotate within the stator such that the fluid diverter moves in and out of fluid communication with the fluid flow chamber to create fluid pressure pulses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Gavin Gaw-Wae Lee, Justin C. Logan, Aaron W. Logan
  • Publication number: 20150377015
    Abstract: A fluid pressure pulse generator comprises a stator with a body and cylindrical bore and a generally cylindrical rotor having uphole and downhole ends with different diameters to form an annular fluid barrier at the intersection of the two ends. An annular gap is formed between the rotor uphole end and stator body. The stator body and rotor body collectively have a fluid flow chamber comprising a lateral opening and an uphole axial inlet, and a downhole axial outlet and fluid diverter comprising a lateral opening in fluid communication with the axial outlet. The annular fluid barrier is in fluid communication with the fluid flow chamber or the fluid diverter. The rotor can be rotated such that the fluid diverter is movable in and out of fluid communication with the fluid flow chamber to create fluid pressure pulses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Gavin Gaw-Wae Lee, Justin C. Logan, Aaron W. Logan
  • Publication number: 20150377016
    Abstract: Wireless power transmission to downhole well installations is provided using acoustic guided Lamb waves and a tubular conduit (production tubing, casing) as the power transmission medium. A phased array of acoustic transmitters is present at the transmitting end (surface) and an array of acoustic receivers at the receiving end (downhole). Both transmitter and receiver arrays are coupled to the tubular conduit. Beamforming techniques are used along with power amplifiers to generate directional, high power and low frequency acoustic guided Lamb waves along the wellbore to transmit power over long distances. A downhole multi-channel acoustic energy collecting system receives the transmitted acoustic signal, and generates electrical power and stores the power in downhole electrical power storage. This power is used to operate downhole well equipment including sensing, control and telemetry devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventor: TALHA JAMAL AHMAD
  • Publication number: 20150377017
    Abstract: An acoustic transmitter for transmitting an acoustic signal through a downhole medium includes a voltage source; a composite load; and switching circuitry that applies voltage from the voltage source across the composite load in response to a drive signal. The composite load includes charge control circuitry, in the form of at least one inductor, connected electrically in series with a piezoelectric transducer that may be electrically modeled as a capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Applicant: XACT Downhole Telemetry Inc.
    Inventor: John Godfrey McRory
  • Publication number: 20150377018
    Abstract: A fluid pressure pulse generator comprises a stator having a body with a cylindrical bore and a fluid flow chamber comprising a lateral opening and an uphole axial inlet, and a rotor having a cylindrical body rotatably seated within the bore, a rotor head connected to the rotor body, and a fluid diverter comprising a fluid passage through the rotor body and a nozzle in the rotor head. A fluid passage has an opening on an outside surface of the rotor body and an outlet at an end of the rotor body. The nozzle has an inlet end communicable with a drilling fluid and an outlet end in fluid communication with the fluid opening. The flow area of the nozzle increases from the inlet to outlet end such that the velocity of the drilling fluid slows while from inlet to outlet end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Gavin Gaw-Wae Lee, Justin C. Logan, Aaron W. Logan
  • Publication number: 20150377019
    Abstract: A method of testing mechanical properties of an earth formation can include disposing a probe in a wellbore, impacting the probe against a wall of the wellbore, and measuring a parameter related to at least one of a displacement, displacement rate, strain, and strain rate, of at least one of the probe and the formation. Another method can include disposing a probe and a known material in a wellbore, and after the disposing, penetrating the known material with the probe. Another method can include disposing a probe in a wellbore, measuring a displacement of the probe into a wall of the wellbore while measuring a load applied to the probe, and applying fluid pressure to the formation via the probe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel D. Gleitman, Gang Li
  • Publication number: 20150377020
    Abstract: An apparatus including a screen capable of separating solids from a liquid-solid mixture and a first probe disposed beneath the screen. The first probe is provided to determine a position of a beach between the liquid-solid mixture and separated solids. The apparatus may measure a property of a local volume of a probe disposed beneath a first separator deck. The probe may then send a first signal to database. Based on the signal a location of a beach may be determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Ed Kronenberger, Kasi Amaravadi
  • Publication number: 20150377021
    Abstract: Methods and devices for sampling tracers may include providing tracers into a wellbore, taking samples of the fluids exiting the wellbore, and quantifying an amount of tracer returning from the well, wherein the samples are automatically taken based on a predetermined profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Yasser Mahmoud El-Khazindar, Richard Todd Meaux
  • Publication number: 20150377022
    Abstract: Non-halogenated molecules having from 10 to 30 carbon atoms selected from the group consisting of aliphatic, aromatic, saturated, unsaturated (and combinations thereof) alcohols, ketones, organic acids, organic acid salts, sulfonated derivatives of these compounds, and combinations thereof are used as tracers to measure oil and/or water fluid returns, such as from a hydraulic fracturing job. The non-halogenated molecules may be absorbed onto and/or adsorbed onto substrates and introduced into a subterranean location, desorbed and recovered from the subterranean location with a fluid, reacted with a reagent (e.g. pentafluoro benzyl chloride, and the like) to give a derivatized tracer. The presence of the derivatized tracer is then detected in at least a portion of the recovered fluid. A different non-halogenated tracer may be used for each hydraulic fracturing stage, thus, it can be determined from which fracturing stage water is produced and from which fracturing stage oil is produced, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ronald M. Matherly, Grahame N. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20150377023
    Abstract: The eccentric motor has a motor housing with an internal cylinder space. A main shaft is concentrically aligned with a central axis of the cylindrical space. A rotary blade is rigidly fixed, and arranged radially with respect, to the main shaft. A rotor is eccentrically arranged inside the motor housing, wherein the rotational axis of the rotor is spaced at a predetermined distance of eccentricity from the central axis of the main sheath surface of the motor housing. The rotary blade and the rotor are coupled to each other through a coupling member to establish a forced mechanical connection therebetween. The coupling member is adapted to move relative to the rotary blade in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof, and also relative to the rotor in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rotary blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventor: József KOLOSSA
  • Publication number: 20150377024
    Abstract: An oscillatory rotary engine comprising a toroidal housing having an intake port and an exhaust port. The housing supports an output shaft and a plurality of stacked rotors are disposed within the housing and coupled to the output shaft. Each rotor includes a plurality of pistons disposed in spaced relation to each other about a circumference of the rotor. A resilient coupler connects the rotors to the output shaft. Preferably, the coupler comprises a plurality of nested spiral cuts extending through the rotor. Each piston may include a pawl that is operative to engage ratchets located around the housing, thereby allowing rotation of each rotor in only one direction. The oscillatory rotary engine may further include a compression bypass port that is operative to relieve intake air pressure during compression, whereby the engine has a compression ratio that is less than its expansion ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventor: Mars Sterling Turner
  • Publication number: 20150377025
    Abstract: A rotary piston engine comprising at least one rotary piston for compressing and/or expanding a working gas in at least one working chamber and a method for compressing and/or expanding a working gas in a rotary piston engine are provided. The rotary piston engine comprises at least one rotary piston with at least one rotatably mounted rotational body and at least one sealing portion that can be moved relative to the rotational body for sealing the at least one working chamber. In the method for compressing and/or expanding a working gas in a rotary piston engine, the working gas is compressed by a rotary piston in a first working chamber and transferred into a second working chamber in order to be ignited, wherein the working gas is supplied with fuel in the second working chamber and/or is further compressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventor: Glenn ROLUS BORGWARD
  • Publication number: 20150377026
    Abstract: A wheel of a rotating machine for a fluid includes blades that project on the front surface thereof. On one portion of the front surface which is at least 70% of the diametrical range that defines the blade installation area, the front surface is tangential to a cone, the tip of which is pointed forward and the vertex angle of which is between 154° and 170°. A rotating machine and a turbocompressor that includes such a wheel are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Applicant: THY ENGINEERING
    Inventor: Thierry Lefevre
  • Publication number: 20150377027
    Abstract: A fan disc is provided for supporting fan blades of a gas turbine engine. The fan disc has a disc body having axially extending slots for receiving, in use, dovetail root fixings of a circumferential row of fan blades. The fan disc further has an annular drive arm which extends radially inwardly from a forward portion of the disc body to a connector for engaging, in use, with a corresponding connector portion of a drive shaft of the engine. The fan disc further has a hoop stiffening ring which is removably mounted to a rear portion of the disc body, the stiffening ring being axially spaced from the drive arm to increase the torsional stiffness of the fan disc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Alan R MAGUIRE, Kenneth F UDALL, Phillip J DOORBAR
  • Publication number: 20150377028
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing a component, e.g. a fan blade for a gas turbine engine. The apparatus includes a support frame with a rotatably mounted first support for supporting the component and a robotic arm with a rotatably mounted mounting portion for supporting a processing tool. The support frame includes at least one frame locator provided in a fixed spatial relationship with the support frame. The first support includes at least one first support locator and the apparatus further includes at least one mounting portion locator provided in a fixed spatial relationship with the mounting portion. A detector is provided for detecting the position of the at least one frame locator, the at least one first support locator and the at least one mounting portion locator such that, in use, the detector determines the relative positions and the orientations of the support frame, the first support and the mounting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventor: Richard ANDREOU
  • Publication number: 20150377029
    Abstract: A component for a gas turbine engine according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a wall that forms a portion of an outer periphery of at least one cavity and at least one curved turbulator that extends from said wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Mosheshe Camara-Khary BLAKE, Lisa K. OSBORNE, Thomas N. SLAVENS
  • Publication number: 20150377030
    Abstract: A sheath, for protecting the leading edge of airfoils used in gas turbine engines, may have a solid member, a pressure side flank and a suction side flank. The solid member may form an outer edge, which may include a main portion and a projecting portion. The projecting portion may have a variable dimension. The pressure side flank and suction side flank may project from the solid member opposite the outer edge. The pressure side flank and suction side flank may form a receiving cavity for receiving an airfoil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventor: James R. MURDOCK
  • Publication number: 20150377031
    Abstract: Hollow fan blades for gas turbine engines are disclosed. The hollow fan blades include a body having a convex side and a concave side wherein the convex side has a cavity formed therein. The cavity is covered by two covers including an inner cover that may be adhered to the body of the fan blade assembly and an outer cover that may be adhered to the inner cover and/or the body of the fan blade assembly. The covers may be made of titanium, more than two covers may be employed and more than one cavity may be employed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: James Cosby, Michael A. Weisse, Kwan Hui
  • Publication number: 20150377032
    Abstract: A component for a gas turbine engine according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a platform that axially extends between a leading edge and a trailing edge, circumferentially extends between a first mate face and a second mate face, and includes a gas path surface and a non-gas path surface. The component defines at least one cavity that extends at least partially inside of the component. A first plurality of cooling holes extends from the at least one cavity to at least one of the first mate face and the second mate face and a second plurality of cooling holes extends from either the at least one cavity or the non-gas path surface to the gas path surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Scott D. LEWIS, Brandon M. RAPP, Jeffrey S. BEATTIE, Matthew Andrew HOUGH, Bret M. TELLER, Jeffrey Michael JACQUES, Max ASTERLIN
  • Publication number: 20150377033
    Abstract: A component for a gas turbine engine according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a wall having an internal surface, an outer skin and a cooling hole having an inlet extending from the internal surface and merging into a metering section, and a diffusion section downstream of the metering section that extends to an outlet located at the outer skin. At least two lobes are embedded within the diffusion section of the cooling hole. At least one surface of each of the at least two lobes is at least partially cylindrical.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventor: JinQuan XU
  • Publication number: 20150377034
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine component that includes a structure having a surface which includes multiple cooling channels having a width of 20-30 ?m and a depth of 25-50 ?m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventor: John Quitter
  • Publication number: 20150377035
    Abstract: A turbine shroud for a gas turbine engine includes a plurality of shroud segments arranged around a central axis. Each shroud segment includes a carrier segment, a blade track segment, and a radial seal element that seals a radial interface between the carrier segment and the blade track segment. The turbine shroud further includes a plurality of circumferential seals that seal circumferential interfaces between the shroud segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Ted J. Freeman, David J. Thomas, Joseph P. Lamusga, Aaron D. Sippel
  • Publication number: 20150377036
    Abstract: A shrouded airfoil may have a suction surface and a pressure surface. An at least first suction surface shroud may be disposed on the suction surface and an at least first pressure surface shroud may be disposed on the pressure surface. The at least first suction surface shroud may include a first and second contoured surface and a first mating face. The first contoured surface may have a first substantially concave portion and a first substantially convex portion. The second contoured surface may have a second substantially concave portion and a second substantially convex portion. The at least first pressure surface shroud may include a third and fourth contoured surface and a second mating face. The third contoured surface may have a third substantially concave portion and a third substantially convex portion. The fourth contoured surface may have a fourth substantially concave portion and a fourth substantially convex portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Frederick M. Schwarz, Michael A. Weisse
  • Publication number: 20150377037
    Abstract: Braze methods for turbine buckets include providing the turbine bucket comprising a modification surface, wherein the modification surface comprises a non-z-notch contact surface, disposing a pre-sintered preform on the modification surface and, heating the pre-sintered preform on the modification surface to bond the pre-sintered preform to the turbine bucket at the modification surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Jacob Andrew Salm, Gareth William David Lewis, Jonathan William Graham
  • Publication number: 20150377038
    Abstract: A method locates and maintains a core in fixed space relationship within the interior of shell mould. The method provides at least one pin extending into the core with at least one axial end of pin protruding from the core. A wax pattern having an outer surface is formed by encasing the core and at least one protruding axial end of pin in wax such that at least one protruding axial end of the pin terminates at the outer surface of wax pattern. A shell mould is formed around the wax pattern such that, upon removal of the wax pattern, and in subsequent casting process for production of hollow metal components, at least one protruding axial end of the pin abuts the shell mould thus fixing the pin and maintaining position of the core relative to the mould. The protruding axial end of the pin has an enlarged head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventor: Bogachan ALPAN
  • Publication number: 20150377039
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine component may include a coating adapted to protect the component during use. The coating may be applied by sintering metallic particles to form a metallic matrix fused to the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventor: Quinlan Y. Shuck
  • Publication number: 20150377040
    Abstract: A fan section to be incorporated into a gas turbine engine has a rotor and a plurality of fan blades. The fan blades deliver air into a bypass duct defined inwardly of the nacelle and into a core engine. There are static vanes inward of the nacelle. A surface of the fan section is provided with a removable film material. A gas turbine engine and a method of refurbishing a surface are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Gary D. Roberge, George J. Kramer
  • Publication number: 20150377041
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, a rotor is disclosed. The rotor may include a disk having a central axis, an airfoil radially extending from the disk, a bayonet tab extending radially from the disk, and a lock. The lock may further include a short tab and a long tab, both extending radially from the disk and in an axial direction with respect to the central axis. The long tab may have a greater axial length than the short tab.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Julian Partyka, Jonathan Perry Sandoval
  • Publication number: 20150377042
    Abstract: The invention relates to a guide means (10) for a gas turbine, in particular for an aircraft engine, having at least one casing element (12); at least one first duct segment (14), which is arranged in the radial direction on the inside of the casing element (12), by means of which first duct segment, at least one duct (16), through which gas can flow, is at least partially delimited outward in the radial direction; having at least one second duct segment (16), which is arranged in the radial direction on the inside of the first duct segment (14), by means of which second duct segment, the duct (16) is at least partially delimited inward in the radial direction; and having at least one guide vane (28).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventor: Alexander Boeck
  • Publication number: 20150377043
    Abstract: A steam turbine vane manufacturing method including: a groove processing step for forming a protective part connecting surface (14) on a steam turbine vane material (11) that was subjected to rough processing; a build-up welding step for forming, by build-up welding, a protective part build-up bead (15) on the protective part connecting surface (14); and a processing step for performing processing, by cutting the steam turbine vane material (11) that was subjected to rough processing and the protective part build-up bead (15), to finish the steam turbine vane material (11) that was subjected to rough processing so that the same becomes a steam turbine vane material (16) that was subjected to finishing processing. In this case, the steam turbine vane material (11) that was subjected to rough processing is larger than the steam turbine vane material (16) that was subjected to finishing processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Applicant: MISUBISHI HITACHI POWER SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Hidetaka HARAGUCHI, Hiroharu OYAMA, Takahiro OTA, Motonari MACHIDA, Kohei HATANO, Takumi MATSUMURA
  • Publication number: 20150377044
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fixed diffuser vanes assembly (10) for guiding flow through a turbomachine, comprising an internal annular platform (12) and a plurality of fixed vanes (11) which are mounted on this platform, the internal platform comprising a support plate (121) forming the base of said vanes, a radial annular partition (120) extending from the support plate toward an axis of the vanes assembly, and an internal ring (122) attached to the radial annular partition and having an internal surface on which an abradable material (123) is arranged, the vanes assembly being characterized in that the internal ring comprises at least one cut-out (1223) delimiting a tongue (1226), the tongue being bent to press against the radial annular partition (120). The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing such a vanes assembly and to a turbomachine incorporating such vanes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Sebastien Congratel, Marion Chambre, Bruno Richard, Romain Roullet
  • Publication number: 20150377045
    Abstract: A vane assembly within a mid-turbine frame of a gas turbine engine includes an airfoil that extends between an outer platform and an inner platform. The airfoil includes an outer wall defining a leading edge of a first radius. An inner wall of the airfoil defines an inner cavity including a forward portion proximate the leading edge defining a second radius different than the first radius.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Hoyt Y. Chang, Shelton O. Duelm