Patents Issued in November 1, 2016
  • Patent number: 9482066
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in controlling first and second downhole tools includes a first cyclical indexing mechanism associated with a first downhole tool, and a second cyclical indexing mechanism associated with a second downhole tool, wherein the first indexing mechanism defines at least three sequential indexing positions within a cycle and the second indexing mechanism defines at least two sequential indexing positions within a cycle. The apparatus includes at least one actuator for actuating the first and second indexing mechanisms in response to a common stimulus to cause said first and second indexing mechanisms to advance between respective indexing positions so as to permit co-ordination of the operational states of the associated first and second downhole tools. The apparatus may be used for controlling first and second under reamers or for controlling an under reamer and a corresponding stabilizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: NOV DOWNHOLE EURASIA LIMITED
    Inventors: Alan MacKenzie, Matthew Shaw
  • Patent number: 9482067
    Abstract: A hydraulic anchor is coupled to a packer subassembly of a tool string. The hydraulic anchor, when actuated by fluid pressure, engages the surrounding wellbore, holding the tool string in place within the wellbore. A packer may then be actuated, held in position within the wellbore by the hydraulic anchor. In some embodiments, an inflatable packer may be held in the desired location by the hydraulic anchor. In some embodiments, a straddle packer assembly may be held in place by the hydraulic anchor. In some embodiments, a swellable packer may be held in place during the swelling process by the hydraulic anchor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: TAM INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Colin Dewars, Philip Scott, Steven Scott
  • Patent number: 9482068
    Abstract: A subsea well connector for connecting a tubular member to a subsea wellhead assembly includes a tieback connector having an annular stationary connector body that circumscribes a portion of an annular moveable connector body. A tie rod with a tie rod profile extends axially from the stationary connector body. A dog ring circumscribes the tie rod and is moveable between a lockdown open position where the dog ring is spaced from the tie rod, and a lockdown engaged position where a dog ring inner diameter profile engages the tie rod profile, to axially couple the stationary connector body and the moveable connector body. An annular piston circumscribes the dog ring and has a region with a reduced inner diameter that engages an outer diameter of the dog ring to retain the dog ring in the lockdown engaged position. A cylinder circumscribes the annular piston, defining a lockdown piston cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Vetco Gray, Inc.
    Inventor: Rockford Dee Lyle
  • Patent number: 9482069
    Abstract: A packer or plug for use in a wellbore includes: a tubular mandrel made from a composite material including a pyrotechnic composition; an expandable seal disposed on an outer surface of the mandrel; and an igniter operable to initiate combustion of the mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Geoffrey Powers
  • Patent number: 9482070
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and a system for sealing an annulus enclosing a tubular element in a wellbore. The method comprises the steps of introducing a first drilling fluid in the wellbore; drilling an open hole section of the wellbore using a drilling tool suspended at the end of a drill string; replacing the drilling fluid with a sealing fluid; extending the tubular element into the open hole section of the wellbore; and flushing part of the sealing fluid out of the wellbore, leaving an annulus between the tubular element and a wellbore wall filled with a layer of sealing fluid. The aforementioned steps may be repeated as required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: SHELL OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Stefan Aernout Hartman, Petrus Cornelis Kriesels, Dhivya Sashidhar
  • Patent number: 9482071
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for restricting fluid flow with a seat assembly. The seat is configured to go from a first position, in which it is adapted to engage a plug element, to a second position, in which the plug element passes through the seat. A second portion of the seat, and alternatively of a housing in which the seat is disposed, is formed of a disintegrable material. The second portion of the seat and housing comprising the disintegrable material are isolated from a fluid flow when engaged with the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Nicholas Carrejo, Omar R. Espinoza, Sean L. Gaudette
  • Patent number: 9482072
    Abstract: A method of activating a tool can include displacing a device in the tool, the device transmitting energy to a receiver of the tool, thereby activating the tool, and the transmitting including a control circuitry increasing electrical current flow between an electrical power source and a transmitter in response to a sensor detecting a predetermined stimulus downhole. A system can include a tool including a receiver and an electrical load, and a device which displaces relative to the tool, the device including a transmitter, a sensor and an electrical power source. Another method can include displacing a device in a tubular string including multiple downhole tools, each including a receiver and an electrical load, and the device including a transmitter and a sensor. The transmitter transmits energy to at least one of the receivers in response to sensor detection of a predetermined number of the tools traversed by the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Fripp, Zachary W. Walton, Zachary R. Murphree, Donald G. Kyle
  • Patent number: 9482073
    Abstract: A convertible valve having a conversion element retained in a seat to convert a valve gate from bidirectional flow to unidirectional flow. The convertible valve includes a valve gate moveable between a first open position and a second closed position, a seat moveable between a first position and a second position, and a conversion element retained in the seat. The seat, in its first position, maintains the valve gate in its first open position. With the valve gate in the first open position, the convertible valve allows bi-directional fluid flow. Fluid flowing through the convertible valve creates downward force on the conversion element and the seat. Upon reaching a predetermined force, the seat moves to its second position allowing the valve gate to move to its second closed position. With the valve gate in the second closed position, the convertible valve allows only unidirectional fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Top-Co Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory James Alexander Andrigo
  • Patent number: 9482074
    Abstract: An actuating apparatus for a downhole valve including a tubular body, which includes an axial bore that extends through the body. The actuating apparatus also includes an operating member that is adapted to move relative to the tubular body. The movement of the operating member relative to the tubular body is between a first position and a second position such that fluid contained within a reservoir is displaced when such a downhole valve is actuated. The actuating apparatus is adapted to be fluidly coupled to the downhole valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON MANUFACTURING & SERVICES LIMITED
    Inventors: Michael Adam Reid, Gary Henry Smith
  • Patent number: 9482075
    Abstract: Generally, the present disclosure is directed to systems that may be used to facilitate the retrieval and/or replacement of production and/or processing equipment that may be used for subsea oil and gas operations. In one illustrative embodiment, a system is disclosed that includes, among other things, subsea equipment (100) that is adapted to contain a first fluid while operating in a subsea environment (160), and an accumulator device (120a, 120b, 120c, 120d, 120e) that is in fluid communication with the subsea equipment (100), wherein a pressure boundary of the accumulator device (120a, 120b, 120c, 120d, 120e) is adapted to move in response to a pressure change on the subsea equipment (100) as the subsea equipment (100) is raised from the subsea environment (160).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Randall Smedstad
  • Patent number: 9482076
    Abstract: An actuator assembly for effective interventionless activation of a valve in wells of multilateral architecture. The assembly may be pressure actuated from an oilfield surface even in certain circumstances where another valve in another leg of the well has been opened in a manner compromising pressure control of the well. Due to the multi-stage nature of the actuator, pressure based activation remains viable as a result of supplemental and/or fail-safe modes of actuation, for example, where such pressure control becomes compromised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Dinesh R. Patel
  • Patent number: 9482077
    Abstract: In one aspect, a method is provided for controlling fluid flow in a wellbore containing a plurality of production devices, wherein the method includes the steps of defining a first setting of each production device in the plurality of production devices, defining a change in a parameter relating to fluid flow in the wellbore and using a model to determine a second setting for at least one of the plurality of production devices based on the change in the parameter. The method also includes the step of generating a script corresponding to the second setting, wherein the script is configured to be implemented without modification, and storing the script in a suitable storage medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Garabed Yeriazarian, Chee M. Chok
  • Patent number: 9482078
    Abstract: A pump includes one or more stages, each stage including a tubular housing and a mandrel disposed in the housing. The mandrel includes a rotor rotatable relative to the housing and having: an impeller, a shaft, and one or more helicoidal blades on an outer surface of the impeller. The mandrel further includes a diffuser: connected to the housing, having the rotor shaft extending therethrough and having a plurality of vanes on an outer surface thereof. Each vane has an arcuate portion and a longitudinal portion. The diffuser further has a channel formed between an adjacent pair of vanes. The pump further includes a fluid passage formed between the housing and the mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: ZEITECS B.V.
    Inventors: Christian Carstensen, Rik De Doncker, Helge Brauer, Holger Franz, Johannes Schmidt, Benjamin Eduard Wilkosz
  • Patent number: 9482079
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to determining acid injection treatment parameters. One example method includes identifying one or more characteristics of a rock structure; and determining one or more parameters of an acid injection treatment to produce a specified flow structure in the rock structure when the acid injection treatment is applied, the one or more parameters of the acid injection treatment determined based on the one or more characteristics of the rock structure and including at least one of an injection flow velocity or a characteristic of an acid to be used in the acid injection treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Weiming Li, Aaron Christopher Kralovetz
  • Patent number: 9482080
    Abstract: A device for heating hydrocarbon resources in a subterranean formation having a wellbore therein may include a tubular radio frequency (RF) antenna within the wellbore and a tool slidably positioned within the tubular RF antenna. The tool may include an RF transmission line and at least one RF contact coupled to a distal end of the RF transmission line and biased in contact with the tubular RF antenna. The tool may also include a guide member extending longitudinally outwardly from the distal end of the RF transmission line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: HARRIS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian N. Wright, Murray Hann, Raymond C. Hewit, Zachary L. Linkewich, Alan Watt
  • Patent number: 9482081
    Abstract: Method for preheating an oil reservoir comprises injecting saturated or superheated steam at an initial injection pressure into a tubing placed inside a well drilled in the oil reservoir. Steam temperature at an outlet of the tubing is measured and a heat flow from the well to the oil reservoir is calculated. An optimal steam injection rate when steam quality of the injected steam at the tubing outlet becomes greater than zero, is calculated, the optimal steam injection rate ensuring compensation of the heat flow from the well to the oil reservoir with the heat of steam condensation. A steam injection rate is decreased to the calculated optimal steam injection rate value by decreasing the initial injection pressure providing constant temperature at the outlet of the tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vyacheslav Pavlovich Pimenov, Denis Vladimirovich Klemin
  • Patent number: 9482082
    Abstract: A method for stimulating a sub-commercial geothermal well includes steps of drilling a stimulating well; isolating a corresponding zone in the stimulating well using vertically spaced swell packers that are swellable when contacted by subterraneously heated geothermal brine present in the stimulating well and are resistant to the high temperature of the brine; injecting stimulating fluid into the stimulating well such that it will flow only through a zone of the well that is not isolated; and allowing the stimulating fluid to exit the well from a non-isolated zone located at a desired depth into a surrounding geological formation. The fracture or system of fractures within the formation is thereby hydraulically reopened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: ORMAT TECHNOLOGIES Inc.
    Inventors: Ezra Zemach, Paul Spielman
  • Patent number: 9482083
    Abstract: A method for controlling vibrations in a drilling system, the drilling system including an elongate body extending from surface into a borehole formed in an earth formation, and an associated drive system for driving the elongate body, the drive system comprising a torque controller, the method comprising obtaining a model of the drilling system; obtaining at least one input parameter for the model that relates to an uphole parameter of the drilling system; operating the drive system to provide a drive torque to the elongated body; obtaining at least one output parameter from applying the model using the at least one input parameter, the at least one output parameter including at least one modelled downhole parameter of rotational motion; using the modelled downhole parameter of rotational motion in the torque controller for determining an adjustment to the drive torque, so as to control vibrations; as well as a drilling system comprising a torque controller, which torque controller is adapted to use the mode
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: SHELL OIL COMPANY
    Inventor: Apostolos Doris
  • Patent number: 9482084
    Abstract: Integrated methods and systems for optimizing drilling related operations include recording data, parsing the data into intervals and analyzing the intervals to determine if the performance data in each time interval is of sufficient quality for using the interval data in a performance optimization process. The quality assessment may involve evaluating the data against a set of determined standards or ranges. The performance optimization process may utilize data mapping and/or modeling to make performance optimization process recommendations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Dar-Lon Chang, Lei Wang, Paul E. Pastusek, Jeffrey R. Bailey, Gregory S. Payette, Darren Pais
  • Patent number: 9482085
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for providing electromagnetic (EM) measurement-while-drilling (MWD) telemetry capabilities using an existing mud-pulse MWD tool. An EM tool intercepts the output from the mud-pulse tool and generates an EM signal that mimics a mud-pulse pressure signal. The EM signal is intercepted at the surface by a receiver module that conditions the signal and inputs the signal into the existing pulse tool receiver. Since the EM signal mimics a mud-pulse signal, the pulse tool receiver does not require software or hardware modifications in order to process an EM telemetry mode. The EM tool can be adapted to also provide dual telemetry by incorporating a conventional pressure pulser that would normally be used with the pulse tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Mostar Directionsl Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: John Petrovic, Victor Petrovic, Matthew R. White, Neal P. Beaulac
  • Patent number: 9482086
    Abstract: A well site remote monitoring system comprises a monitoring station, a number of recording devices, a number of sensors, a processor, and a power source. The monitoring station supports the recording devices, processor, and power source thereon and is positioned at a strategic location at a well site so that the recording devices can create video, audio, or other recordings of points of interest of the well site. The processor controls the recording devices and uploads the recordings to a remote server computer for storage and so that an operator can manage and view the recordings on a remote monitoring computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: WELL CHECKED SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: Roy Stephen Richardson, Michael David Haines, Samuel H. Haines
  • Patent number: 9482087
    Abstract: An apparatus including a body having a central axis defined therethrough, at least one extendable arm coupled to the body, and a mechanical property tester coupled to the at least one extendable arm, the mechanical property tester configured to penetrate a surface of a borehole and to measure one or more mechanical properties of the surface of the borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mohammed Badri, Reza Taherian
  • Patent number: 9482088
    Abstract: A method having obtaining one or more porosity data of a subsurface of the Earth using a data acquisition tool; computing one or more permeability data from the porosity data using a transformation function; computing a first quantile regression function and a second quantile regression function of the one or more permeability data; producing a combined mean regression function of the one or more permeability data by summing the first quantile regression function and the second quantile regression function, wherein the first quantile regression function is multiplied by a first coefficient and the second quantile regression function is multiplied by a second coefficient; and using the combined mean regression function to predict a mean permeability of the subsurface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Sylvain Wlodarczyk
  • Patent number: 9482089
    Abstract: An example system for receiving gas expelled from a core sample of a formation may include a tubular element. A core chamber may be disposed within the first tubular element. A gas and drilling fluid separator may be in fluid communication with the core chamber. The tubular element may be an inner barrel assembly of a core sample assembly that is disposed within a borehole. A core sample may be contained within the inner barrel assembly and may be retrieved at the surface. Gas may be expelled from the core sample as it is retrieved, and the gas and drilling fluid separator may separate the expelled gas from suspension with a drilling fluid for analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ludovic Delmar, Benjamin Llywelyn Evans, Adrien P. C. Henry, Svein Ravndal
  • Patent number: 9482090
    Abstract: A mining machine includes a boom, a cutter head, a valve, and an actuator. The boom defines an internal chamber and includes a first end coupled to a frame, a second end, and an opening in fluid communication with the internal chamber. The cutter head includes a plurality of cutting bits and is supported on the second end of the boom. The valve is coupled to the boom and is movable between a closed position in which the opening is covered and an open position in which the opening is at least partially uncovered. The actuator is coupled to the valve to selectively move the valve between the closed position and the opened position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Joy MM Delaware, Inc.
    Inventors: John Willison, Richard D. Boyd, Brad Neilson
  • Patent number: 9482091
    Abstract: A face equipment for mechanical extraction in longwall mining, in particular in the underground hard coal mining industry, includes a face conveyor (17) arranged along the mining wall, an extraction device (18) that can be moved along the face conveyor (17), and shield support frames (10) supported on the face conveyor (17) at an angle thereto. In order to determine the height of the face opening, a flexible hose level (21) with a liquid-filled hose (22) placed between the face conveyor (17) and at least one main component of the shield support frame (10) is installed in the area of the face conveyor (17). A pressure sensor (23, 24, 28) is arranged on at least one end of the hose (22). An inclination measuring device (25, 26) is arranged on the face conveyor (17) and on the main component of the shield support frame (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: RAG AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Martin Junker, Armin Mozar
  • Patent number: 9482092
    Abstract: A rotary engine has a top housing with suction and exhaust ports and bottom housing arranged to receive a crank assembly and a cam assembly. The crank assembly has a crank plate rotatably placed above the bottom housing and a set of semi circular cranks provided at the top surface of the crank plate to travel along with the crank plate. The cranks are positioned opposite to each other and are aligned to the crank plate. A crank shaft arranged to pass through the top housing and bottom housing drive along with the crank plate. The cam assembly has a set of cams placed above the crank plate and arranged to pivot through pivot pins. The cams and the cranks revolve to form an eccentricity with the outer cavity ring and inner cavity ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Inventor: Mothinath Ulaganathan
  • Patent number: 9482093
    Abstract: Provided is an impeller in which a through hole is provided in a center of a base member of the impeller and a plurality of recessed parts are formed on a bottom surface of the base member. Meanwhile, a jig using in a cutting work of the impeller includes a seating part having a seating surface, a shaft part is erected from a central part of the seating part and is engageable with the through hole of the impeller, and protruded parts are formed on the seating surface and are engageable with the recessed parts provided on the base-member bottom surface of the impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takashi Masakawa
  • Patent number: 9482094
    Abstract: A gas turbine includes a rotor concentrically surrounded by a casing, with an annular hot gas channel axially extending between the rotor and the casing. The rotor includes a plurality of blades arranged annularly on the rotor. Each of the blades is mounted with a root in a respective axial slot on a rim of the rotor radially extending with an airfoil into the hot gas channel and adjoining with an axially oriented root surface to an annular rim cavity. A cooling device is provided at the root of each blade to receive cooling air injected into the rim cavity through stationary injectors. An optimized cooling is achieved by providing an essentially plane root surface and the cooling device includes a scoop for capturing and redirecting at least part of the injected cooling air, which scoop is a recess with respect to the root surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Sascha Justl, Carlos Simon-Delgado, Thomas Zierer, Sven Olmes
  • Patent number: 9482095
    Abstract: A rotor blade assembly for a gas turbine engine includes two aerofoil members joined together at their roots by a blade assembly attachment web. The rotor blade assembly is made from a composite material, for example an organic fiber composite material. The blade assembly attachment web is used to attach a plurality of rotor blade assemblies to the rest of the gas turbine engine in order to form a rotor stage. The rotor stage may, for example, be the fan stage of a turbofan gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Andrew James Drane
  • Patent number: 9482096
    Abstract: A surface area of a structure is fabricated with a textured surface that reduces the surface wear rate or erosion caused by a high speed flow of fluid containing abrasive particles over the surface area. More particularly, a leading edge surface such as a rotor leading edge surface, an aircraft airfoil leading edge surface, a propeller leading edge surface, etc. is fabricated with a textured surface comprised of a plurality of grooves that alter or break up a high speed flow of fluid containing abrasive particles over the textured surface. The grooves are contacted by the high speed flow of fluid containing the abrasive particles and alter or break up the flow of fluid and abrasive particles and thereby reduce surface wear rate or erosion of the structure leading edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Antonio Paesano, Robert B. Thompson
  • Patent number: 9482097
    Abstract: An airfoil for a turbine engine includes pressure and suction sides that extend in a radial direction from a 0% span position at an inner flow path location to a 100% span position at an airfoil tip. The airfoil has a relationship between a stacking offset and a span position that is at least a third order polynomial curve that includes at least one positive and negative slope. The positive slope leans aftward and the negative slope leans forward relative to an engine axis. The positive slope crosses an initial axial stacking offset corresponding to the 0% span position at a zero-crossing position. A first axial stacking offset X1 is provided from the zero-crossing position to a negative-most value on the curve. A second axial stacking offset X2 is provided from the zero-crossing position to a positive-most value on the curve. A ratio of the second to first axial stacking offset X2/X1 is less than 2.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Edward J. Gallagher, Byron R. Monzon, Ling Liu, Linda S. Li, Darryl Whitlow, Barry M. Ford
  • Patent number: 9482098
    Abstract: The cooling system for a turbine may include a plurality of platform cooling openings positioned in a platform of the turbine airfoil. In particular, the first set of cooling openings may create a first cooling path and a second set of cooling openings may be placed in the path of the first cooling path where the first cooling flow will cool the second set of cooling openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: San Quach, Steven Bruce Gautschi, Christina E. Botnick
  • Patent number: 9482099
    Abstract: The invention relates to a blade (2) of a turbomachine, in particular a rotor blade of a gas turbine, which has a variable transition radius (Rv1) in the vicinity of at least one platform overhang (16), and to a turbomachine having at least one such blade (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Schlemmer, Bartlomiej Pikul
  • Patent number: 9482100
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine component subjected to a flow of high temperature gas includes a wall having first and second wall surfaces and a cooling hole extending through the wall. The cooling hole includes an inlet located at the first wall surface, an outlet located at the second wall surface, a metering section extending downstream from the inlet and a diffusing section extending from the metering section to the outlet. The diffusing section includes a first lobe, a second lobe and a transition region. The first lobe diverges longitudinally and laterally from the metering section and has a first shape. The second lobe is generally opposite the first lobe and diverges longitudinally and laterally from the metering section and has a second shape different from the first shape. The transition region is positioned between the first and second lobes and includes a downstream end adjacent the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Atul Kohli, Matthew S. Gleiner
  • Patent number: 9482101
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine component includes an airfoil extending radially from a root section to a tip section and having a trailing edge cooling passageway and first, second and third flow dividers in the cooling passageway. The first, second and third flow dividers have longitudinal axes that are angled based upon a position of the flow divider relative to the tip section of the airfoil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: JinQuan Xu
  • Patent number: 9482102
    Abstract: A method of reinforcing a mechanical part, for example a turbine engine part, the part being made by assembling together two portions, the method including: inserting reinforcing mechanisms of elongate shape at least in part in at least one recess formed in one of the portions and opening out into a junction surface between the portions; and assembling the two portions together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Gilles Charles Casimir Klein, Jean-Michel Patrick Maurice Franchet, Gilbert Michel Marin Leconte, Dominique Magnaudeix
  • Patent number: 9482103
    Abstract: An intermediate component with an internal passageway includes a solid metallic additively manufactured component with an internal passageway in a near finished shape. The component has voids greater than 0 percent but less than approximately 15 percent by volume and up to 15 percent additional material by volume in the near finished shape compared to a desired finished configuration. Also included are a ceramic core disposed within the internal passageway of the component and an outer ceramic shell mold encasing an entirety of the component, such that an entire external surface of the component is covered by the outer ceramic shell mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: John McBrien, Lea Kennard Castle, Brandon W. Spangler, JinQuan Xu
  • Patent number: 9482104
    Abstract: A turbine blade for a turbojet engine, made of a ceramic matrix composite material and including a vane that extends above a platform and a root that extends below the platform is provided. The pressure face and the suction face of the vane is formed by sheets of a composite material, the sheets meeting at the leading edge and trailing edge of the vane. The pressure face and suction face are formed by the same sheet bent back on itself, in a radial direction, at the leading edge or trailing edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventor: Francois Gallet
  • Patent number: 9482105
    Abstract: A wear resistant coating protects against corrosion and erosion of the thin metal protective sheath on turbomachinery applications. The coating has a metal layer overlaid by a ceramic layer. Multiple metal and ceramic layers can make up the coating with the layers varying in thickness allowing the layers nearer the substrate to remain more malleable to bend with the sheath and those layers nearer the top of the coating to be more brittle and resistant to wear. A cold spray metallic layer applied to the substrate provides a lightweight, flexible layer beneath the corrosion and erosion resistant protective multilayer coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Inventors: Vladimir Gorokhovsky, Victor K. Champagne
  • Patent number: 9482106
    Abstract: A combustor transition can be adapted to guide combustion gases in a hot gas flow path extending between a combustor and a first stage of a turbine in a gas turbine. The combustor transition includes a duct having an upstream end adapted for connection to the combustor and a downstream end adapted for connection to a first stage of the turbine. The downstream end comprises an outer wall, an inner wall, a first side wall and a second side wall. At least one side wall has a side wall extension, which can extend in a downstream direction beyond the outlet. A gas turbine can be retrofitted with such a combustor transition and a gas turbine with such a combustor transition can also undergo a borescope inspection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Düsing, Mirko Ruben Bothien
  • Patent number: 9482107
    Abstract: A sealing element is provided for sealing a leak path between a radial outer platform of a turbine nozzle and a carrier ring for carrying said radial outer platform. The carrier ring has an axially facing carrier ring surface and the radial outer platform has an axially facing platform surface. The carrier ring surface forms a first sealing surface and the platform surface forming a second sealing surface. The first and second sealing surfaces is aligned in a plane with a radial gap between them. The sealing element includes a leaf seal adapted to cover the gap between the first and second sealing surfaces, and an impingement plate for allowing impingement cooling of a radial outer surface of the radial outer platform. The impingement plate is adapted to be fixed to the turbine nozzle. The sealing element may be part of a nozzle arrangement of a gas turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Stephen Batt
  • Patent number: 9482108
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a system comprising a turbomachine blade assembly having a blade portion, a shank portion, and a mounting portion, wherein the blade portion, the shank portion, and the mounting portion comprise a first plurality of plies extending from a tip of the airfoil to a base of the dovetail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Andres Jose Garcia Crespo
  • Patent number: 9482109
    Abstract: A compressed gas energy storage and release (CGESR) system and method. The system has a gas compressor, a container for storing compressed gas, a pressure engine, and an underground high temperature region. Conduits connect the gas compressor, the container and the pressure engine. The compressed gas drives the pressure engine. An electrical power generating means is operatively connected to said pressure engine to generate electricity. The system further comprises a means to heat at least a portion of one of the conduits utilizing heat from the underground high temperature region to heat the compressed gas therein prior to driving the pressure engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Inventor: Andrew Marks de Chabris
  • Patent number: 9482110
    Abstract: A gas turbine including a compressor and a combustor, an SOFC including an air electrode (cathode) and a fuel electrode (anode), a first compressed air supply line adapted to supply a compressed air compressed by the compressor to the combustor, a second compressed air gas supply line adapted to supply a part of a compressed air compressed by the compressor to the air electrode (cathode), a first fuel gas supply line adapted to supply a fuel gas to the combustor, a second fuel gas supply line adapted to supply a fuel gas to the fuel electrode (anode), a fuel gas recirculation line adapted to return an exhausted fuel gas discharged from the fuel electrode (anode) to the fuel electrode (anode), a cooler provided in the fuel gas recirculation line are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HITACHI POWER SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Ozawa
  • Patent number: 9482111
    Abstract: A fan section of a gas turbine engine includes a fan containment case assembly includes an outer case of an aluminum alloy. The outer case extends circumferentially around an axial centerline. A thermally conforming liner assembly is located inwardly of the outer case. The thermally conforming liner assembly includes a circumferential liner of an aluminum alloy. A ballistic liner is located between the outer case and the thermally conforming liner assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Mark W. Costa, Thomas J. Robertson, Jr., Darin S. Lussier
  • Patent number: 9482112
    Abstract: A turbine has a first and second inner wall, an inner casing and a shield element. The first and second inner walls are mounted to the inner casing such that an inner volume for working fluid is separated from an outer volume for cooling fluid. The first and second inner walls and inner casing are arranged to form a cavity in outer volume. The shield element is arranged inside cavity to separate cavity in an inner and outer region in a radially outer position to the inner region. A gap is formed between the first and second inner walls for working fluid between the inner volume and inner region. The shield element is arranged in cavity to form a fluid inlet for injecting cooling fluid from outer region to inner region for generating a predefined recirculation of working fluid and cooling fluid inside inner region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Andrew Down
  • Patent number: 9482113
    Abstract: A mounting system for a fire detection system for a turbofan engine propulsion system is provided to mount fire detection sensors on the inner fixed structure (IFS) of the nacelle. The mounting system mounts to an inner, engine facing surface of the IFS. Two IFS halves cooperate to form a substantially enclosed space around an engine core. The mounting system includes part of a fastening system mounted to the IFS, and an orientation clip mounted to a thermal blanket. Brackets for mounting the fire detection system sensing wires are positioned on the orientation clip, and the fastening system fixes the bracket to the IFS and traps the thermal blanket therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventors: Bahram Graily, Aleksandar Ratajac
  • Patent number: 9482114
    Abstract: A lining for a compressor case in use with a gas turbine engine compressor is provided. The compressor includes a compressor casing, which is generally comprised of a first and second half. Inside the casing is a plurality of vanes attached to a plurality of vane bands. The vane bands are affixed to the interior of the compressor casing. A lining, comprising a carbon fiber reinforced-type material is applied to the interior of the compressor casing over the vane bands. The lining allows a minimal clearance to be between the lining and wheel blade tips spinning within the compressor casing. The carbon fiber in the lining allows the lining to withstand a high number of temperature cycles due to the use of the compressor and the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Inventor: Craig Rookstool
  • Patent number: 9482115
    Abstract: A turbine engine includes multiple tierod supports. Each of the tierod supports is connected to an inner frame case of the turbine engine via multiple fasteners and at least one self anti-rotating bushing component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Meggan Harris, Jorge I. Farah, Christopher Treat, Timothy Dale