Patents Issued in October 18, 2016
  • Patent number: 9470058
    Abstract: A high temperature downhole packer including a tubular member, an annular and longitudinally movable ring, and a packer. The tubular member has a stop located on an outer diameter thereof. The annular and longitudinally movable ring is disposed around the outer diameter of the tubular member. The packer element is disposed between the stop and the ring. The packer element includes a high temperature elastomeric polymer having a first storage modulus from about 1,000 MPa to about 10,000 MPa at a first temperature between about ?100° C. and about 175° C., and a second storage modulus from about 1 MPa to about 1000 MPa at a second temperature ranging from about 175° C. to about 475° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kuo-Chiang Chen, Agathe Robisson, Huilin Tu, Partha Ganguly
  • Patent number: 9470059
    Abstract: A bottom hole assembly carrying an expandable tubular is disposed in a portion of a wellbore having a lost circulation zone, and the tubular is radially expanded to isolate the wellbore from the formation across the lost circulation zone. The expandable tubular is made up of a rolled up sheet like member and mounts along the outer periphery of a portion of the bottom hole assembly. A bladder on the bottom hole assembly is inflated for expanding the tubular radially outward against the wellbore wall. A drill bit and underreamer are included with the bottom hole assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventor: Shaohua Zhou
  • Patent number: 9470060
    Abstract: A device and method for use is provided for grippingly engaging a tubular, in particular for gripping a wellbore casing. Drillable bridge plugs may use hardened buttons or other slip arrangements and materials that may be susceptible to damage when the bridge is being run into the wellbore. It may be desirable to protect the slip ring or the hardened buttons by shielding the buttons during run-in or by providing a standoff device so that the buttons may be prevented from contacting the casing until desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Allen Young, James Alan Rochen
  • Patent number: 9470061
    Abstract: Device, system, and method to adhesively bond a sleeve to a mandrel are disclosed. The sleeve and the mandrel may be used as part of frac plug or a bridge plug in oil and gas applications. The bonded adhesive connection with grooves is strengthened to reliably achieve higher levels of lap shear strengths than attainable by conventional means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: CCDI Composites Inc.
    Inventor: Rob Sjostedt
  • Patent number: 9470062
    Abstract: A downhole tool for use in a wellbore and that is attached to a perforating string that creates perforations in a portion of the wellbore. Where the downhole tool can selectively flow fluid from the perforating string to surface, or circulate flow from surface to an annular space between the tool and a wellbore wall. The tool includes pressure actuated valves that provide the flow diverting functionality. The valves are in cooperation with one another to prevent fluid from the portion of the wellbore having the perforations from flowing into the annular space. A pressure actuated selector assembly, which is made up of a piston and specially configured mandrels that are coaxially stacked, selectively moves separate mandrels in an axial direction for opening and closing the valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Eugene Stolboushkin
  • Patent number: 9470063
    Abstract: A system comprising a control valve comprising a flapper either activated or inactivated, when activated the flapper may be closed or open and, when inactivated the flapper is open, a first sleeve transitional from a first to a second position, and a second sleeve transitional from a first to a second position, when the first and second sleeves are in the first position, the flapper is activated, when the first sleeve is in the second and the second sleeve is in the first position, the flapper is inactivated, when the first and second sleeves are in the second position, the flapper is activated, the application of pressure to the first sleeve via a first member transitions the first sleeve from the first to the second position, and the application of pressure to the second sleeve via a second member transitions the second sleeve from the first to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Takao Stewart, Eric Bivens, Timothy Holiman Hunter
  • Patent number: 9470064
    Abstract: A safety valve including at least one tubular housing having an interior surface. A flow path provided within an interior of the at least one tubular housing. A movable flow path blocking member arranged to block the flow path in a closed condition of the blocking member and open the flow path in an open condition of the blocking member. A first seal bore on the interior surface of the at least one tubular housing. A hydraulic control chamber within a wall of the at least one tubular housing; and, a second seal bore on the interior surface of the at least one tubular housing; wherein the hydraulic control chamber is disposed longitudinally between the first and second seal bores. The second seal bore is disposed longitudinally between the hydraulic control chamber and the movable flow path blocking member. Also included is a method of accommodating a high control pressure wireline insert safety valve within a tubing retrievable safety valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Samuel C. Kucera
  • Patent number: 9470065
    Abstract: Expandable brushes for cleaning a surrounding tubular member. Brushes include a housing to be disposed within the surrounding tubular member and a brush shoe that retains at least one brush bristle, the brush shoe being radially moveable with respect to the housing between a radially retracted position and a radially expanded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Samuel K. Kruger, Joseph Cottrell, George N. Kreig
  • Patent number: 9470066
    Abstract: A method of servicing a wellbore comprising placing a wellbore servicing apparatus into a wellbore, wherein the wellbore servicing apparatus contains a plurality of mobilized template-assisted crystallization beads and contacting a fluid comprising scale-forming ions with at least a portion of the template-assisted crystallization beads. A method of servicing a wellbore, comprising contacting a fluid comprising scale-forming ions with a quantity of template-assisted crystallization beads in a vessel to form a treated fluid, wherein the template-assisted crystallization beds are mobile within the vessel and placing the treated fluid into a wellbore, a subterranean formation, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Lucas Kurtis Fontenelle, Eli Allen Schnoor, Holly Ann Grider, Nathan Carl Schultheiss, Todd Anthony Stair
  • Patent number: 9470067
    Abstract: A casing joint assembly and methods for producing an annulus gas cap using the casing joint assembly. The casing joint assembly comprises a first valve and a second valve to control fluid pressure in the sealed annulus between the casing string and a wall of the well bore or another casing string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Landmark Graphics Corporation
    Inventor: Robert F Mitchell
  • Patent number: 9470068
    Abstract: Methods and systems for historical, geological modeling for producing an estimated distribution of hydrocarbons trapped in subsurface clathrates are disclosed. One method includes instantiating a basin model of a geological area of interest, and, for each of a plurality of predetermined geological times up to a geologic present day: determining one or more changes to the basin model, calculating, at each of a plurality of locations within the basin model, a temperature and a pressure, determining an existence and a location of a clathrate stability zone based on the calculated temperatures and pressures, and estimating one or more clathrate concentrations and hydrocarbon volumes in the clathrate stability zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventor: Marek Kacewicz
  • Patent number: 9470069
    Abstract: Subsea well assembly having a Xmas tree (107, 207) and wellhead (103). From a tubing hanger (113) a tubing extends into the well. A part of a production flow passage extends vertically from the tubing hanger (113) in a vertical bore (111) of the Xmas tree. A fail close production master valve (PMV) (117) is arranged in the production flow passage. The tubing hanger (113) is arranged below the Xmas tree (107), such as in the wellhead (103). The Xmas tree (107) exhibits a branch (115) that deviates from the vertical bore (111), which branch constitutes part of the production flow passage. The fail close type production master valve (PMV) (117) is arranged in the branch (115).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Aker Subsea AS
    Inventor: Robert Stubbeman
  • Patent number: 9470070
    Abstract: A method, including: performing dual-side depressurization on a hydrate blockage in a subsea flow line, wherein dual-side depressurization includes, reducing pressure on a topside of the hydrate blockage in the subsea flow line by removing liquid from within a subsea riser with a bubble pump that has a first end in fluid communication with the liquid within the subsea riser, reducing pressure on a backside of the hydrate blockage, and concurrently controlling the reduction in pressure on the topside of the hydrate blockage and the backside of the hydrate blockage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Brendon L. Keinath, Jason W. Lachance
  • Patent number: 9470071
    Abstract: An apparatus for detonating an explosive body associated with a downhole tool includes a plurality of firing heads, each firing head including an initiating explosive body generating a high-order input when detonated; and a funnel configured to detonate the explosive body associated with the downhole tool by using a single high-order output. The funnel has a body that includes: a plurality of input openings, each input opening positioned next to an associated initiating explosive body to receive the generated high-order input, a single output opening, and a flow path connecting the plurality of input openings with the single output opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: OWEN OIL TOOLS LP
    Inventors: Ian Morrison, Lyle W. Andrich, Timothy E. Lagrange, Bradley J. Vass
  • Patent number: 9470072
    Abstract: A Y-tool for use in a wellbore includes: a stem having a bore formed therethrough, a port formed through a wall thereof, and a coupling formed at each end thereof; a branch fastened to the stem and having a passage formed therethrough in fluid communication with the stem port and a coupling formed at an end thereof; and a gasket sealing an interface of the stem port and branch passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: ESP COMPLETION TECHNOLOGIES L.L.C.
    Inventors: Robert P. Fielder, III, Lance I. Fielder
  • Patent number: 9470073
    Abstract: A method for lifting fluids within a subterranean well includes lowering an elongated plunger to a lower region of a bore of the subterranean well. The plunger includes a motor assembly operably connected to a propeller. A seal can be created between the plunger and an inner surface of the bore of the subterranean well. A thruster, such as motor assembly connected to a propeller, generates thrust to lift the plunger to a plunger retainer located proximate to a wellhead of the subterranean well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Jinjiang Xiao, Abubaker Saeed
  • Patent number: 9470074
    Abstract: A device and method to lower the deepest gas lift location to a deeper location within the wellbore. Providing a bottom lift tool with flexible joints to sting into a side pocket mandrel to access annular high pressure gas. Diverting that gas into the stinger through the bottom lift tool down into the wellbore below the lowest end of the production tubular and the packer and preferably to at least the bottom of the perforations in the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Drover Energy Services LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Bolding, Joseph D. Clark
  • Patent number: 9470075
    Abstract: A direct drive pump employs an on-off tool to attach the drive rod string to a floating pump drive shaft in both torsion and tension. The downward thrust on the drive shaft, as well as the weight of the drive rod string, is born by a thrust bearing in the drivehead at the surface. A floater pump is used with this direct drive pump to permit the free vertical movement of the drive shaft. When a tandem direct drive pump is employed a housing containing a tandem pump drive shaft connector connects the shafts in an upper and lower tandem pump to permit the two to freely move in the tandem direct drive pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Harrier Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: William Bruce Morrow
  • Patent number: 9470076
    Abstract: A method for producing gas from a well including a wellbore extending from a surface into a subterranean formation, wherein the well also produces liquid, the method including: (a) producing gas from a production zone in the subterranean formation through an annulus extending within the wellbore at a first velocity that is greater than a critical velocity, and (b) pumping liquid through a liquid tubing string after (a) to reduce a level of the liquid within the wellbore. The method also includes: (c) shutting in the annulus after (a) after the first velocity decreases below the critical velocity, wherein the annulus has a first cross-sectional area and the first production string has a second cross-sectional area that is less than the first cross-sectional area, and (d) producing gas from the production zone through the first production tubing string after (c) at a second velocity being greater than the critical velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. Edwards, Timothy Idstein
  • Patent number: 9470077
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of recovering a hydrocarbon mixture from a subterranean formation comprising: (i) injecting an oxygen-rich gas into said formation; (ii) combusting said oxygen-rich gas in said formation thereby heating and reducing the viscosity of said hydrocarbon mixture and generating CO2-rich gas; (iii) recovering said heated hydrocarbon; and (iv) capturing at least a portion of CO2 from said CO2-rich gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: STATOIL ASA
    Inventors: Harald Vindspoll, Knut Vebjørn Grande, Karina Heitnes Hofstad
  • Patent number: 9470078
    Abstract: A system and method that uses fluid diversion to selectively re-fracture a location of a multizone horizontal wellbore. A tubing string is extended from the surface to a location within the wellbore that is to be re-fractured. The annulus between the tubing string and the wellbore contains a first fluid and a second fluid is contained within the tubing string. The annulus may be sealed off at or near the surface and the second fluid is pumped out of the tubing string to initiate the re-fracture of the first location. The annulus seal may then be unset and the first fluid may be pumped down the annulus simultaneous to pumping a third fluid down the tubing string to re-fracture the first location. After re-fracturing the first location, the first location may be hydraulically isolated from the wellbore to permit a second location to be re-fractured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Angel F. Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 9470079
    Abstract: A low profile high energy gas fracturing device, comprising a closed steel tube having a uniform wall thickness, except for having thinned areas that are designed to rupture when subjected to pressure greater than a predetermined level. Propellant is packed into the said steel tube sufficient to create high pressure above said predetermined level, when ignited. Finally, an ignition mechanism passes through said tube, to ignite the propellant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: THE GASGUN, INC.
    Inventors: Jaia D. Schmidt, Adam C. Schmidt, Richard A. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 9470080
    Abstract: A system and a method for recovering oil from an oil-bearing formation wherein the method includes providing a reverse osmosis (RO) unit comprising at least one membrane; feeding a first feed stream having a first salinity content to a first side of the membrane; and feeding a second feed stream having a second salinity content to a second side of the membrane. The method further includes discharging a retentate stream from the first side of the membrane, and discharging a product stream having a controlled salinity content from the second side of the membrane. The method furthermore includes injecting at least a portion of the product stream into the oil-bearing formation, and recovering at least a portion of the oil from the oil-bearing formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Hareesh Kumar Reddy Kommepalli, Andrew Philip Shapiro, Todd Alan Anderson, Hua Wang
  • Patent number: 9470081
    Abstract: A method and device for monitoring down-the-hole percussion drilling. A down-the-hole hammer is supplied with percussion and flushing fluid flow. The down-the-hole hammer is subjected to rotational force and to feed force. Percussion frequency or a related frequency of the down-the-hole hammer is sensed. A representation of a spread thereof is created so as to produce a response to an adjustment of at least one drilling parameter as a change of width of the spread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: SPC TECHNOLOGY AB
    Inventor: Ivo Henriksson
  • Patent number: 9470082
    Abstract: A blowout-preventer-stack one-trip test tool and method providing a solid test pin for sealing the test plug in the wellhead, a running tool for securely placing, separating from, reattaching, and removing the solid test pin, testing all fixed and variable rams and annulars and testing all blind and shear rams without damage to pipe, in one trip, and a fail-safe secondary provision for removing the solid test plug on a second trip with an emergency retrieval tool if necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: BACKOFF, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Williams, Gregory LaFleur
  • Patent number: 9470083
    Abstract: A method of monitoring deformation and other characteristics of a casing or other tubular or cylindrical well equipment in a well traversing an underground formation. The method includes providing a carrier rod having at least one recess extending along at least part of the length of the rod, in which recess an optical fiber assembly for monitoring strain, temperature and/or other physical parameters is arranged, which assembly is along at least part of the assembly's length bonded within the recess; lowering the carrier rod and well equipment simultaneously into the well such that the rod is arranged in an annular space between the well equipment and the wellbore; securing the rod at a plurality of locations distributed along the rod's length to the well equipment; and connecting the optical fiber assembly to an optical signal transmission and reception assembly for monitoring physical parameters of the well equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Kari-Mikko Jääskeläinen
  • Patent number: 9470084
    Abstract: A sensor system for sensing a process variable of fluid at a first location including a variable resonator disposed at the first location having a resonant frequency which varies in response to the process variable of the fluid and responsively provides a resonant acoustic signal at the resonant frequency indicative of the process variable. An acoustic sensor disposed at a second location which is spaced apart from the variable resonator is configured to receive the resonant acoustic signal transmitted from the variable resonator. Measurement circuitry coupled to the acoustic sensor configured to provide a process variable output related to the process variable of the fluid in response to the received resonant acoustic signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Hedtke, Liangju Lu
  • Patent number: 9470085
    Abstract: A computed-implemented method, a device, and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium are disclosed that can perform a method of visualizing sensor data obtained from a plurality of wells at a well site. The method can include acquiring sensor data from one or more sensors operable to measure conditions of subsystems of each well in the plurality of wells at the well site; determining, by a processor, a visual representation of the sensor data; and causing the visual representation of the sensor data to be displayed in a matrix layout on a visual display, wherein the matrix layout comprises an end row representing a current value of the sensor data and one or more intermediate rows representing a past value of the sensor data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Robert Saunders
  • Patent number: 9470086
    Abstract: A method for assessing an inflow performance relationship for a horizontal well in heterogeneous solution gas drives reservoirs. A commercial simulator Eclipse is utilized to develop IPRs for horizontal wells producing oil from solution gas drive reservoirs. Firstly, a simulation model is developed where a base case is considered with typical rock, fluid and reservoir properties using a black oil model. Dimensionless IPR curves are generated by obtaining a set of points relating to flowing bottom-hole pressures to oil production rates. The effects of several reservoir and fluid properties such as bubblepoint pressure, oil gravity, residual oil saturation, critical gas saturation, initial water saturation, porosity and absolute permeabilities on the calculated curves are investigated. A new single empirical IPR model is obtained for horizontal wells producing oil from heterogeneous solution gas drive reservoirs suitable for systems with different reservoir permeability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Muhammad Ali Khalid, Sami Abdulaziz Alnuaim, Muzammil Hussain Rammay
  • Patent number: 9470087
    Abstract: A cutter head includes a first member, a cutting bit, and a second member. The first member includes a first end and a second end and includes a first mass. The cutting bit is coupled to the first member proximate the second end. The cutting bit includes a cutting edge rotatable about the axis. The second member is rotatable about the axis and includes a second mass eccentrically positioned with respect to the axis. Rotation of the second mass causes the first member and the cutting bit to oscillate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Joy MM Delaware, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell P. Smith, Andrew D. Hunter, Peter A. Lugg, Ian B. Schirmer, Geoffrey W. Keech, Christopher Coates, Bradley M. Neilson
  • Patent number: 9470088
    Abstract: In a rock anchor bolt a centering member includes an outlet hole for removing any leakage water flowing into a borehole. The rock anchor bolt includes a sealing device provided around the outer end of a tube to seal the borehole watertight as a tightening nut is being tightened, and an outlet tube provided in a casting space between the tube and a drawbar to carry out the leakage water as grouting paste is being injected, the inner end of which outlet tube extends to the vicinity of an expansion member and the outer end of the outlet tube extends out from the outlet hole of the centering member. The tube has one or more first casting holes at the outer end of the tube in the vicinity of the sealing device and one or more second casting holes at the inner end of the tube near the expansion member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Suomen Metallityö Oy
    Inventor: Tomi Ahola
  • Patent number: 9470089
    Abstract: A face equipment for mechanical extraction in longwall mining, in particular in the underground hard coal mining industry, includes a face conveyor (21) arranged along the coal face, an extraction mechanism (22) that can be moved along the face conveyor (21), and shield support frames (10) fastened at an angle to the face conveyor (21). In order determine the shield height of the extended shield support frame (10) corresponding to the face opening height, a flexible hose level (17) with a liquid-filled hose (18) is installed between the roof canopy (13) and floor skid (11) of individual shield support frames (10), and a pressure sensor (19) is arranged on the skid-side end of the hose (18). An inclination measuring device (25) is arranged on the roof canopy (13), and the pressure sensor (19) and inclination measuring device (25) are connected to an analyzing and control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: RAG AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Martin Junker, Armin Mozar
  • Patent number: 9470090
    Abstract: A device for converting the kinetic energy of molecules into useful work includes an actuator configured to move within a fluid or gas due to collisions with the molecules of the fluid or gas. The actuator has dimensions that subject it to the Brownian motion of the surrounding molecules. The actuator utilizes objects having multiple surfaces where the different surfaces result in differing coefficients of restitution. The Brownian motion of surrounding molecules produce molecular impacts with the surfaces. Each surface then experiences relative differences in transferred energy from the kinetic collisions. The sum effect of the collisions produces net velocity in a desired direction. The controlled motion can be utilized in a variety of manners to perform work, such as generating electricity or transporting materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Inventor: Lee Ervin
  • Patent number: 9470091
    Abstract: A blade group arrangement for a turbomachine in order to form a blade-row group, whereby a front blade and a rear blade each form an overlapping area that has a contraction ratio of at least 1.2, and it also relates to a turbomachine having such a contraction ratio between a front blade and a rear blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines GmbH
    Inventors: Sergio Elorza Gomez, Alexander Hergt, Ulrich Siller, Tim Schneider
  • Patent number: 9470092
    Abstract: A system for attaching a rotating blade in a turbine includes a bush having an axial slot and a radial slot that intersects with the axial slot. A radial retention member fits within the radial slot, and an axial retention member fits within the axial slot and engages with the radial retention member. A method for attaching a rotating blade in a turbine includes inserting a bush into an axial passage in a rotor wheel and inserting a radial retention member into a radial passage in the rotor wheel and through at least a portion of the bush. The method further includes inserting the rotating blade in a slot in the rotor wheel, inserting the radial retention member into a retention slot in the rotating blade, and inserting an axial retention member into the bush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Venkata Narasimha Rao Kurapati, Kishore Kumar Somayajula, Mahesh Gopalakrishnan, Yagneshkumar Dalpatbhai Hathiwala
  • Patent number: 9470093
    Abstract: A fan section for a gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a rotor hub defining an axis, and an array of airfoils circumferentially spaced about the rotor hub. Each of the airfoils include pressure and suction sides between a leading edge and a trailing edge and extending in a radial direction from a 0% span position at an inner flow path location to a 100% span position at an airfoil tip. Facing pressure and suction sides of adjacent airfoils define a channel in a chordwise direction having a width between the facing pressure and suction sides at a given span position of the adjacent airfoils. The width at each pressure side location along the channel is defined as a minimum distance to a location along the suction side. The width diverges without converging along the channel for at least some of the span positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Edward J. Gallagher, Sue-Li Chuang
  • Patent number: 9470094
    Abstract: A blade cascade for a continuous-flow machine having a non-axisymmetrical side wall contour, whereby the side wall contour has at least one pressure-side elevation and one suction-side depression, whose highest section and lowest section are located over an area 30% to 60% of an extension of the blades in the axial direction, and the axial positions of the outermost sections differ from each other at the maximum by 10% in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines AG
    Inventors: Inga Mahle, Markus Brettschneider
  • Patent number: 9470095
    Abstract: An airfoil includes an airfoil body that defines a longitudinal axis. The airfoil body includes a leading edge and a trailing edge and a first side wall and a second side wall that is spaced apart from the first side wall. The first side wall and the second side wall join the leading edge and the trailing edge and at least partially define a cavity in the airfoil body. A lattice network connects the first side and the second side. The lattice network includes at least one enlarged node spaced apart from the first side wall and the second side wall and ribs that extend from the at least one enlarged node. Each of the ribs connects to one of the first side wall and the second side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Tracy A. Propheter-Hinckley, Sergio M. Loureiro, Agnes Klucha, Benjamin T. Fisk, Anita L. Tracy
  • Patent number: 9470096
    Abstract: A turbine bucket having an airfoil is disclosed. The airfoil may include a pressure side and a suction side extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge. In addition, the airfoil may include a tip. The tip may include a tip floor and a tip wall extending outwardly from the tip floor. The tip wall may include an inner surface defining an inner perimeter of the tip wall. Moreover, a plurality of notches may be defined by the inner surface around at least a portion of the inner perimeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Niraj Kumar Mishra, Xiuzhang James Zhang, Murugesan Seerangan, Sachin Kumar Rai
  • Patent number: 9470097
    Abstract: A leading edge member for a composite vane of a gas turbine engine. The leading edge member includes a first leg and a second leg. The first leg includes a proximal end joined to a proximal end of the second leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Benedict N. Hodgson, Jonathan M. Rivers
  • Patent number: 9470098
    Abstract: The present application and the resultant patent provide an axial compressor for a gas turbine engine. The compressor may include a rotor disk positioned along an axis of the compressor. The rotor disk may include a slot defined about a radially outer surface of the rotor disk, and the slot may include a slot planar surface facing away from the rotor disk. The compressor also may include a compressor blade coupled to the rotor disk via the slot. The compressor blade may include a platform positioned over the radially outer surface of the rotor disk, and the platform may include a platform sealing edge facing toward the rotor disk. The compressor further may include a gap defined between the platform sealing edge and the slot planar surface, wherein the gap is configured to control a flow of leakage air from a high-pressure side of the compressor blade to a low-pressure side of the compressor blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jeremy Peter Latimer, Eric Richard Bonini, John Duong
  • Patent number: 9470099
    Abstract: A securing device (20) for axially securing a blade root (12) of a blade in a groove (11) of a turbine engine. The outer contour (24) of the securing device (20) that faces a groove wall, in particular a groove base (33), is curved at least in some regions, the outer contour (24) having three different radii (R1, R2, R3) in some regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines GmbH
    Inventors: Rudolf Stanka, Manfred Dopfer, Martin Pernleitner, Wilfried Schuette
  • Patent number: 9470100
    Abstract: The technical field of the invention is that of turbine rotors for a thermal electric power station and the subject of the invention is, more particularly, a rotor of a turbine for a thermal electric power station, said rotor comprising a plurality of blades, each comprising at least one root and a vane; and at least one rotor disk secured to a shaft able to be in rotation about a reference axis, the rotor disk comprising on its periphery outgrowths in which to fit the blades, so that the vanes of the blades are arranged radially with respect to the reference axis; said rotor being one wherein: the rotor disk comprises a groove opening axially and having a lower face and an upper face, the lower face of the groove of the rotor disk being situated on the periphery of said rotor disk and the upper face of the groove of the rotor disk being situated on the outgrowths and facing the lower face; each of the blades comprises, at its root, a lateral projection directed axially, said lateral projection having, in its
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Christophe Berquier, Andre Batot
  • Patent number: 9470101
    Abstract: A turbo machine is provided. The turbo machine comprises a turbo stator having a shroud, a turbo rotor having an impeller within the shroud, a brush seal between the impeller and the shroud, and at least one vane extending from the shroud toward the impeller upstream of the brush seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: NUOVO PIGNONE S.P.A.
    Inventor: Giacomo Landi
  • Patent number: 9470102
    Abstract: A gas turbine vane containment cap is attached to an inboard surface of the vane inner shroud by penetrating flat weld filler, formed in a root gap between the cap and inner shroud. A semi-circular bead weld filler is formed outboard the penetrating weld filler closer to the vane exterior. Vane containment caps so welded are more resistant to in-service cracking along weldments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Mrinal Munshi, Shivashankar Vinay Amatiganahally, Eric L. Roach, Todd F. Young
  • Patent number: 9470103
    Abstract: The turbomachine includes a mid turbine vane frame, with an annular compartment formed between the mid turbine vane frame and a low-pressure turbine casing being sealed by means of at least two ring seals, wherein one ring seal is in contact with the mid turbine vane frame and the other ring seal is in contact with the low-pressure turbine casing and a radial annular overlap is thereby created with the first-mentioned ring seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: MTU AERO ENGINES AG
    Inventor: Klaus Pirker
  • Patent number: 9470104
    Abstract: A seal shaft for use in an air cycle machine has two axial edges. An axial distance is measured between contact faces at the axial edges, with a tolerance to the dimension. A greatest variation between the axial distance at a plurality of spaced locations on the edge face is maintained with a ratio of the greatest variation to the tolerance being less than 0.2. A rotor assembly, an air cycle machine and a method are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Vignali, Robert M. Pragluski
  • Patent number: 9470105
    Abstract: The present application and the resultant patent provide a gas turbine engine system. The gas turbine engine system may include a gas turbine engine, a water wash system, and a system controller. The gas turbine engine may include a compressor, a combustor in communication with the compressor, and a turbine in communication with the combustor. The water wash system may be in communication with the gas turbine engine and configured to remove contaminants therefrom. The water wash system may include a number of valves configured to control flows through the water wash system, and a number of sensors configured to measure operating parameters of the water wash system. The system controller may be in communication with the valves and the sensors and operable to automatically control the valves upon receiving operating parameter signals from the sensors in order to perform a wash of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Rahul J. Chillar, Dean Matthew Erickson, George Martin Gilchrist, III, Michael Savale, Mica Lee Longwell
  • Patent number: 9470106
    Abstract: A turbocharger includes a turbine housing defining a turbine chamber and a compressor housing defining a compressor chamber. A turbine wheel is disposed in the turbine chamber and a turbine shaft is connected to the turbine wheel. A compressor wheel is disposed in the compressor chamber and connected to the turbine shaft. A compressor back plate is adjacent to the compressor wheel and a bearing cartridge is sandwiched directly between the compressor back plate and the turbine housing and rotatably supporting the turbine shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Louis P. Begin, Brian J. Edwards
  • Patent number: 9470107
    Abstract: A compression rod may include a plunger and a spring. A proximal end and a distal end of the compression rod may contact engagement features in a core cowl of a gas turbine engine. The compression rod may transmit loads between halves of the core cowl. The spring may cause the plunger to extend and contract in response to vibrations or other relative movement between halves of the core cowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: ROHR, INC.
    Inventor: Stuart J. Byrne