Patents Issued in November 17, 2016
  • Publication number: 20160333849
    Abstract: A wind turbine blade which is at least 45m long. The blade has a main axis in the lengthwise direction from root to tip and an aerodynamic shell surrounding a spar which extends in a lengthwise direction along a substantial proportion of the blade at least a portion of the half of the shell closest to the tip. The blade is reinforced by high stiffness fibres having a Young's modulus to density ratio of greater than 50 GPa/(g·cm?3), and an electrical resistivity of greater than 1010 ?·cm. The fibres are biaxial with a first axis angled with respect to the main axis at an acute angle and a second axis angled with respect to the main axis at an acute angle in the opposite sense to the first angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Paul Trevor HAYDEN, David Anthony WHILEY
  • Publication number: 20160333850
    Abstract: Structural preform layers of multiple rigid unidirectional strength elements or rods are constructed and arranged for use in fabricating load-bearing support structures and reinforcements of wind turbine blades. Individual preform layers include multiple elongate unidirectional strength elements or rods arranged in a single layer along a longitudinal axis of the preform layer. Each preform layer includes one or more fibrous carrier layers to which the multiple strength elements or rods are joined and arranged in the single layer. Each strength element or rod is longitudinally oriented and adjacent to other elements or rods. Individual strength elements or rods include a mass of substantially straight unidirectional structural fibers embedded within a matrix resin such that the elements or rods have a substantially uniform distribution of fibers and high degree of fiber collimation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Joel D. Gruhn, Ethan Franklin, Kameshwaran Narasimhan
  • Publication number: 20160333851
    Abstract: A wind power generating apparatus that includes a generator unit having an upper shaft and a lower rotary shaft connected to a rotor, wherein a circumference of the generator unit is supported by an upper portion of a support structure at a specified level, a lifting propeller vertically coupled to an end of the upper rotary shaft via a first coupler, a wind-power fan vertically coupled to an end of the lower rotary shaft via a second coupler, and a support unit coupled to a lower portion of the support structure so as to reversely support summed weights of the rotor, the lifting propeller, and the wind-power fan on a center of rotation of a lower side of the wind-power fan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Nam-Kyu Choi, Young-Hwa Choi
  • Publication number: 20160333852
    Abstract: A method for operating a wind turbine and/or a wind farm for feeding electric power into an electrical supply grid, wherein an output power, in particular an active and/or reactive power, is regulated by means of at least one power regulation module of a regulation and/or control device, said method comprising the following steps: presetting a power regulation input value, determining a power regulation output value from the power regulation input value, and outputting a power regulation output value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventor: Kai Busker
  • Publication number: 20160333853
    Abstract: Wind energy systems and devices comprise a nacelle, a rotor driven alternator housed in the nacelle, a rotor connected to the alternator, and a load control system in communication with the alternator. The rotor includes a rotor hub and three or more rotor blades, and each blade has a foil shape and is connected to the rotor hub by a full foil attachment mechanism. The alternator is configured to operate at low rpm and to increase rotation speed without a step-up mechanism. The load control system is configured to anticipate changes in wind speed and adjust alternator load such that when wind speed increases the load control system adjusts the alternator load to optimize rotor rpm and optimize tip-speed ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Applicant: Uprise Energy, LLC
    Inventor: John R. Knight
  • Publication number: 20160333854
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a digital twin interface for managing a wind farm having a plurality of wind turbines. The digital twin interface includes a graphical user interface (GUI) displaying a digital equivalent of the wind farm. For example, the digital equivalent of the wind farm includes environmental information and a digital representation of each of the wind turbines arranged in the wind farm. The interface also includes a control icon arranged with each of the digital representations of the wind turbines. In certain embodiments, the control icons of each wind turbine may correspond to a control dial. More specifically, the control icon of each digital representation of the wind turbines includes information regarding current and optimum operating conditions of the digital wind turbine. The interface also includes one or more control features configured to optimize performance of the wind farm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Arnold M. Lund, Karl Mochel, Jeng-Weei Lin, Raimundo Onetto, Jayanthi Srinivasan, Peter Gregg, Jeffrey Eric Bergman, Kenneth D. Hartling, JR., Anwar Ahmed, Sham Chotai
  • Publication number: 20160333855
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a digital system for managing a wind farm having a plurality of wind turbines electrically coupled to a power grid. The system includes a farm-based first communication network having one or more individual wind turbine control systems communicatively coupled to the one or more wind turbines and an overall wind farm control system. The system also includes a cloud-based second communication network communicatively coupled to the first communication network via an industrial gateway. The second communication network includes a digital infrastructure having a plurality of digital models of the one or more wind turbines, wherein the plurality of digital models of the one or more wind turbines are continuously updated during operation of the wind farm via data supplied by the farm-based first communication network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Arnold M. Lund, Karl Mochel, Jeng-Weei Lin, Raimundo Onetto, Jayanthi Srinivasan, Peter Gregg, Jeffrey Eric Bergman, Kenneth D. Hartling, JR., Anwar Ahmed, Sham Chotai
  • Publication number: 20160333856
    Abstract: A wind turbine that includes a housing, an asynchronous generator disposed in the housing and configured to be electrically connected to a power grid connection; a power converter circuit disposed in the housing and configured to be electrically connected to the asynchronous generator; and a variable impedance device disposed in the housing, connected to the generator and configured to limit current by varying impedance in response to a transient current. The wind turbine delivers reactive power to the power grid when the variable impedance device varies impedance in response to the transient current. The variable impedance device can be arranged in series between the asynchronous generator and the power grid connection, or can be in a shunt arrangement between the asynchronous generator and a neural point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Applicant: INGETEAM POWER TECHNOLOGY, S.A.
    Inventors: Francisco Javier Chivite ZABALZA, Carlos Girones REMIREZ, Ainhoa Carcar MAYOR, Eneko Olea OREGI, Jesus Lopez TABERNA
  • Publication number: 20160333857
    Abstract: A platform-like device for generating electricity from moving fluids has two has at least two fluid turbines coupled to one another through a frame. The fluid turbines are adapted to rotate in opposite directions. The fluid turbines also provide buoyancy for the platform so that the platform is self supporting in the water. The fluid turbines preferably have helicoid flights (screw-like threads) mounted to generally prolate casings. The fluid turbines preferably connect to electric generators through belt, chain-drive, or other transmission systems. The platform may additional support a wind turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventor: John Pitre
  • Publication number: 20160333858
    Abstract: A system for maintaining buoyant, energy-capture devices in general relative position in water in the presence of surface waves allows heeling of the energy capture devices while preventing collision. The system includes a grid of structural members that resists compression while permitting limited relative surface displacement between the first and second energy-capture devices. The structural members may be partially compressible and provide a restoring force, and they may allow heeling. Electricity from wave energy capture devices is combined in a way that smoothes variations inherent in wave action. Electricity from wind energy capture devices is combined with energy from wave energy capture devices for transmission to shore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: John Pitre, Stuart Huang
  • Publication number: 20160333859
    Abstract: A wind turbine system includes turbine blades connected to a nose hub that is connected to a main turbine shaft. A flywheel is mounted around the main turbine shaft proximate to the nose hub. A bearing assembly is fixed to a turbine tower and is mounted around at least a portion of the flywheel. The bearing assembly includes a bearing housing and a main bearing fixed therein having a main bearing faced adapted to be in contact with or within a close tolerance to the circular outside diameter surface of the flywheel. This main bearing may be comprised of lignum vitae wood.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventor: Robert Alan Shortridge, SR.
  • Publication number: 20160333860
    Abstract: A wind turbine yaw assembly has a yaw piston and a yaw bearing pad. A spring resides inside the yaw piston and applies spring pressure to the yaw bearing pad. A threaded yaw piston bushing applies adjustable pressure to the spring. The threaded yaw bushing has a plurality of at least three force adjustment screws distributed symmetrically about the threaded yaw piston bushing. The spring pressure is adjusted by tightening or loosening the plurality of force adjustment screws. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Christopher James Winslow, Matthew Kenneth King
  • Publication number: 20160333861
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a lightning protection system for a wind turbine rotor blade. The lightning protection system includes a lightning conductive circuit having at least one electrical conductor and at least one semiconductor. The semiconductor is configured for placement at a blade root of the rotor blade. Further, the electrical conductor is configured to electrically couple a blade tip of the rotor blade to a ground conductor. In addition, the electrical conductor is configured to electrically couple the semiconductor between one or more spar caps located on either or both of the pressure or suction sides at the blade root and the ground conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Joseph Lawrence Chacon, Richard Allen Hardison
  • Publication number: 20160333862
    Abstract: A foundation for wind turbine tower and a pre-assembly method for the tower, in which the tower comprises sections divided into shell segments, and where the foundation comprises a pile cap with an upper base, a lower base and a slanted surface, with the upper base having a smaller area than the lower base. The foundation comprises a set of support elements that extend above the slanted surface of the pile cap arranged so that free upper surfaces of these support elements provide a support surface for the shell segments for the pre-assembly of a section, and a set of slender connection elements that are connected to the pile cap and whose open end is configured connect to the shell segments of a section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Francisco Javier MARTÍNEZ DE CASTAÑEDA, Manuel CIDONCHA ESCOBAR
  • Publication number: 20160333863
    Abstract: In a divided cage, a plurality of pockets for accommodating engaging elements between an inner ring and an outer ring of a one-way clutch are formed in a circumferential direction. The divided cage includes: a pair of ring-shaped portions which oppose each other in an axial direction and which are provided between the inner ring and the outer ring; and a plurality of pillar portions which are separated members from the pair of ring-shaped portions and which have end portions in the axial direction connected to the ring-shaped portions. Side faces of both the ring-shaped portions opposing each other in the axial direction are subjected to abrasion resistance treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hideki FUJIWARA
  • Publication number: 20160333864
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure include a device for amplifying energy. The device may include a frame and a pivoting power generator supported by the frame. The power generator may include an upper control arm and an attached lower control arm, a left axel shaft and a right axel shaft situated between the upper control arm and the lower control arm at opposite ends thereof, a center axel shaft configured to rotate upon the application of a first level of energy, and a spin arm attached to each of the left axel shaft and the right axel shaft, the spin arms configured to spin when the center axel rotates. In embodiments, a second level of energy greater in magnitude than the first level of energy may be collected from the spin arms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Jerry Lee Hendricks, Robert Patrick Miles
  • Publication number: 20160333865
    Abstract: An electrospray thruster and method includes an emitter, an extractor, and a propellant storage vessel. A porous propellant delivery pathway from the vessel to the emitter wicks liquid propellant to the emitter. An ionic liquid in the vessel has a chemical composition rending the ionic liquid solid at room temperature to prevent water absorption. In the liquid state, the ionic liquid exhibits favorable electrospray characteristics. A heater associated with the vessel is configured to heat the ionic liquid to above its melting point when thrust is required for delivery to the emitter via the porous propellant delivery pathway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Nathaniel Demmons, Vladimir J. Hruby, Douglas Spence
  • Publication number: 20160333866
    Abstract: A Hall thruster apparatus having walls constructed from a conductive material, such as graphite, and having magnetic shielding of the walls from the ionized plasma has been demonstrated to operate with nearly the same efficiency as a conventional nonmagnetically shielded design using insulators as wall components. The new design is believed to provide the potential of higher power and uniform operation over the operating life of a thruster device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Dan Michael GOEBEL, Richard Robert HOFER, Ioannis G. MIKELLIDES
  • Publication number: 20160333867
    Abstract: A sliding shoe for supporting a piston of a hydrostatic axial piston machine against a swash plate includes a sliding face that defines a central concentric pressure pocket that is flat in order to stabilize the sliding shoe. The pressure pocket has radial supply grooves in order to ensure an optimal supply of pressure medium to the pressure pocket from a central mouth opening. The radial supply grooves extend through the pressure pocket and as far as a circumferential groove which surrounds the pressure pocket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Matthias Schnell, Stefan Hoppe, Timo Nafz
  • Publication number: 20160333868
    Abstract: Method and device for metering a medium from at least one storage tank by a metering device, which has a piston pump, which defines a working chamber with a cylinder and a piston, wherein in a first method step a determined filling quantity of a medium is conveyed via an inlet valve into the working chamber and the determined filling quantity is greater than the quantity to be metered and, in a second method step, the piston reduces the working chamber in size enough that only the quantity to be metered remains, wherein the excess medium flows out of the working chamber, wherein the excess medium flows via the inlet valve back into a ring line, which is connected in a medium-conducting manner to the storage tank and is arranged outside the working chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventor: Stefan HERTEL
  • Publication number: 20160333869
    Abstract: A fluid delivery system for an inverted electric submersible pump (ESP), where the ESP has a motor section positioned above a pump section in a production path of a hydrocarbon well. The system has a supply of fluid connected to the motor section of the ESP by a supply line and a positive displacement pump that pumps fluid through the supply line to the ESP. A valve is connected between the positive displacement pump and the ESP. The valve is in an open state when the positive displacement pump is pumping fluid. A bypass line is connected in parallel to the positive displacement pump and connected between the normally closed valve and the supply of fluid, the bypass line having a check valve that permits the flow of fluid from the supply of fluid to the ESP.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Applicant: Petrospec Engineering Ltd.
    Inventors: Gerald Chalifoux, Clint Jones
  • Publication number: 20160333870
    Abstract: A liquid supply device which supplies liquid to a target object, comprises a cylinder having both ends closed; a piston which comparts an inner space of the cylinder into a first space and a second space, and is relatively slidable on an inner wall surface of the cylinder; a piston rod which extends to penetrate an end portion of the cylinder and has a tip end portion connected to the piston; a frame member to which a portion of the piston rod which is located outside the cylinder is fastened; a drive section which causes the cylinder to reciprocate in a direction in which the piston rod extends; a first flow line which is in communication with the first space to flow the liquid therethrough; and a second flow line which is in communication with the second space to flow the liquid therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kei WATANABE, Hideki SATOU, Daisuke IHARA, Akira SHOJI
  • Publication number: 20160333871
    Abstract: A synthetic vacuum generator has a case enclosing an interior cavity with an aperture through the case in communication with the cavity. A piston and a check valve are mounted in the case in fluid communication with the cavity and the aperture. The piston and check valve are configured with symbiotic resonant response to establish an outflow there through and inducing an inflow through the aperture upon reciprocation of the piston at a predetermined frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Steven F. Griffin, Christopher R. Shurilla
  • Publication number: 20160333872
    Abstract: An electrochemically actuated pump and an electrochemical actuator for use with a pump. The pump includes one of various stroke volume multiplier configuration with the pressure of a pumping fluid assisting actuation of a driving fluid bellows. The electrochemical actuator has at least one electrode fluidically coupled to the driving fluid chamber of the first pump housing and at least one electrode fluidically coupled to the driving fluid chamber of the second pump housing. Accordingly, the electrochemical actuator selectively pressurized hydrogen gas within a driving fluid chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Roger W. van Boeyen, Jonathan A. Reeh, Mehmet Kesmez, Eric A. Heselmeyer, Jeffrey S. Parkey
  • Publication number: 20160333873
    Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention, a system for managing commands for a pump electric motor for powering a pump for use in a pool and/or a spa is provided. The system includes a user interface for receiving user commands from a user and a pump motor controller for controlling the pump electric motor. The user interface and/or the pump motor controller is adapted to receive first protocol commands utilizing a first protocol from a first input source and adapted to send first input source signals corresponding to the first protocol commands to a portion of the pump motor controller. The user interface and/or the pump motor controller is further adapted to receive second protocol commands utilizing a second protocol from a second input source and adapted to send second input source signals corresponding to the second protocol commands to a portion of the pump motor controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2015
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Marc Christopher McKinzie, John Sheldon Wagley
  • Publication number: 20160333874
    Abstract: A foam pump for generating a foam comprising a foamable liquid and air has dual, coaxial air and liquid cylinders, each having a respective air and liquid piston which move together during a dispensing operation. One or more air passageways between the air cylinder and a liquid-air mixing chamber are configured to impart rotation to an airstream passing from the air cylinder to the mixing chamber to increase turbulent mixing of the air and liquid in the mixing chamber. The liquid cylinder is axially aligned with the air cylinder to provide a low profile pump which does not require a dip tube or sleeve to communicate with the bottom of the liquid source when used in an inverted application wherein the foam pump is positioned below the source of liquid. A resilient valve member in the liquid outlet is biased to close on its own to prevent leaking in the event the air and liquid pistons do not fully return to the home position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventor: Gregory L. Indruk
  • Publication number: 20160333875
    Abstract: A fuel pump includes rotors that rotate, a pump housing that defines a rotor housing chamber that rotatably houses the rotors, and an outer circumferential side housing that includes a cylindrical portion formed in a cylindrical shape that surrounds the pump housing from an outer circumferential side and a narrowing potion having that narrows down with respect to the cylindrical portion. The fuel pump sucks fuel into the rotor housing chamber and then discharges the fuel due to the rotor rotating. A pump cover of the pump housing includes an inlet port that sucks fuel into the rotor housing chamber, and a sliding surface portion on which the rotors slide. An outer circumferential portion of the pump cover includes a joining portion joined to the narrowing portion, and a recessed portion that is recessed adjacent to the joining portion, the recessed portion allowing the outer circumferential portion to elastically deform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Hiromi SAKAI, Daiji FURUHASHI
  • Publication number: 20160333876
    Abstract: A vane pump used as a fluid pressure source includes: a rotor that is rotationally driven; a plurality of vanes that are inserted into the rotor in a freely slidable manner; a cam ring at which tip-end portions of the vanes slides as the rotor rotates; a pump chamber that is defined between the adjacent vanes; a suction port that guides working fluid to the pump chamber; a discharge port through which the working fluid discharged from the pump chamber is guided; a groove-like notch that extends from an opening edge of the discharge port in an opposite direction from rotation direction of the rotor, and the notch has a gradient-changing portion at which a rate of change of opening area is decreased in the rotation direction of the rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2015
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Applicant: KYB CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoyuki FUJITA, Koichiro AKATSUKA, Fumiyasu KATO, Hiroki GOMI
  • Publication number: 20160333877
    Abstract: A gas compressor includes a block part inside which a cylinder chamber is formed; a rotor rotatably housed in the cylinder chamber; and vanes provided on an outer circumferential portion of the rotor. The block part has a pressure supply part configured to supply pressure to backpressure spaces behind the vanes. This pressure supply part has an intermediate-pressure supply part which communicates with each backpressure space from an intake cycle to a compression cycle in the compression chamber, a first high-pressure supply part which communicates with the backpressure space from the compression cycle to a discharge cycle in the compression chamber, and a second high-pressure supply part which is formed between the intermediate-pressure supply part and the first high-pressure supply part independently of the first high-pressure supply part and which communicates with the backpressure space in a middle of the compression cycle in the compression chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Applicant: CALSONIC KANSEI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masahiro TSUDA
  • Publication number: 20160333878
    Abstract: A fuel pump includes an inner rotor, an outer rotor, a casing, and a housing. The inner rotor includes outward teeth. The outer rotor includes inward teeth geared with the outward teeth. The casing houses the inner rotor and the outer rotor, and forms a variable capacity pump chamber between the inward teeth and the outward teeth. The housing is formed in a cylindrical shape and includes a cylindrical inner portion, the casing being press fit into the cylindrical inner portion. A recessed portion is formed at a predetermined position in a circumferential direction of an outer circumferential surface of the casing, the recessed portion being recessed toward a radial direction center of the outer circumferential surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Hiromi SAKAI, Daiji FURUHASHI
  • Publication number: 20160333879
    Abstract: An anti-locking mechanism of a spherical compressor rotor, an anti-locking power mechanism of a spherical compressor, and a spherical compressor. A pin boss is fixedly arranged on a turntable shaft, and guide pins are movably connected with a guide sleeve. A concave slideway is arranged in a cylinder block spherical surface or a cylinder lower spherical surface, and is distributed along a sliding track of the guide sleeve on the corresponding cylinder block spherical surface or cylinder lower spherical surface in a rotation process of a turntable. A main shaft rotates and drives the turntable. When the turntable rotates to a position at which a turntable axis and a piston axis are superposed, the turntable can continue to rotate around the turntable axis by means of torque obtained by the guide pin from the concave slideway, and thus a problem of a dead point of movement of a spherical compressor rotor is solved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventor: Luyi Wang
  • Publication number: 20160333880
    Abstract: An electric compressor includes a rotary shaft, an electric motor, a compression mechanism, and a housing. The electric motor has a stator including a cylindrical stator core and a coil that has a coil end. The housing has a suction port and a main passage through which a fluid is flowed. An introduction hole through which the fluid is introduced into the compression mechanism is disposed opposite from the main passage. The housing has a coil end area in which a coil end of is disposed. The suction port and the introduction hole are connected via the main passage and the coil end area. The housing further has a groove including a first groove portion and a second groove portion having a depth greater than the first groove portion. A cross sectional are of a first passage portion is smaller than a cross sectional area of the main passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI
    Inventors: Kazuhiro ONARA, Yumin HISHINUMA, Hiroyuki GENNAMI, Muneharu MURASE
  • Publication number: 20160333881
    Abstract: A compressor includes a suction hole provided in a cylinder. The suction hole includes a plurality of portions being different in diameter and disposed from an outer circumferential side toward an inner circumferential side of the cylinder. The plurality of portions are reduced more in diameter toward the inner circumferential side of the cylinder. A central axis of an outer circumferential side suction hole of the plurality of portions intersects a central axis of the cylinder. A central axis of an inner circumferential side suction hole of the plurality of portions is parallel to the central axis of an outermost circumferential side portion and decentered from the central axis in an opposite direction to a direction of a spring hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Hiroki NAGASAWA, Takaya KIMOTO, Toshifumi KANRI
  • Publication number: 20160333882
    Abstract: A self-priming, centrifugal pump comprising a first housing part having a front wall with an inlet, a second housing part having an outlet, an impeller rotatably arranged in the second housing part and a pump screw rotatably arranged in the first housing part, connected to the impeller and comprising a center body around which a helical blade is arranged for feeding the impeller with any gas that is present in the liquid, wherein the center body is arranged at a distance from a side of the front wall that faces the center body, such that a channel with a width of at least 12 mm is formed between the center body and the side of the front wall that faces the center body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Applicant: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventors: Poul Anton DAUGAARD, Jesper RAABJERG JENSEN, Kenneth REHHOFF
  • Publication number: 20160333883
    Abstract: A relatively small water pump-DC motor combination, powered by batteries, provides sufficient pump power to create the flow between the hot and cold water lines necessary to maintain a substantially immediate hot water response when the hot water tap is opened. The pump is controlled by a thermal sensor signaling the pump to commence operation when the temperature in the hot water line upstream of the hot water tap is less than a predetermined value. Preferably, each of the batteries is rechargeable, most preferably utilizing a wireless system, where the power source is a distance away from the pump battery, to provide additional protection against electrical short circuits in the presence of water. Commonly available batteries of between 10 and 24 Volts can be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Carl A. PERRONE, Steve THOMPSON, Todd FACEY, Di WU, Robert BIRKENSTOCK, Vladislav STAKEV
  • Publication number: 20160333884
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining a use condition of an appliance, such as a sump pump, and outputting an indication of the current use condition of the appliance. A system implementing the method will first generate an actual first signature of a first characteristic associated with the appliance. The system will then generate an actual second signature of a second characteristic associated with the appliance. Each of the actual first and second signatures are then compared to corresponding expected signatures. The system then selects a current use condition from a plurality of use conditions based on the relationship between the actual signatures and the expected signatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Nayeem M. Hussain, Ryan T. Fant, William J. McLeod, Theodore R. Ullrich, Dean DiPietro, Nathan Gardner Meryash, Pepin Sebastian Gelardi
  • Publication number: 20160333885
    Abstract: A blower assembly is configured to deliver a flow of breathable gas at a continuously positive pressure with respect to ambient air pressure to a patient interface in communication with an entrance to a patient's airways including at least an entrance of the patient's nares, while the patient is sleeping, to ameliorate sleep disordered breathing. The blower assembly includes a motor having a shaft that extends from opposite sides of the motor. The blower assembly also includes an impeller and a circuit board. The impeller is attached to the shaft on a first side of the motor and is structured to rotate in close proximity to a volute wall. The circuit board is configured to control power supplied to the motor and is configured to disable the motor when the impeller is closer than a predetermined distance from the volute wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Geoffrey Daniel DALY, Alexander VIRR, Stephen Anthony LEA, Nicholas Jerome REED
  • Publication number: 20160333886
    Abstract: Disclosed is an axial compressor (1) comprising a first compressor stage (2) including a first impeller (4) driven by first drive means (6), and a second compressor stage (3) including a second impeller (5) driven by second drive means (7). The second compressor stage (3) is arranged in axial continuation of the first compressor stage (2) and the first drive means (6) is arranged at the hub (8) of the first impeller (4) and the second drive means (7) is arranged at the hub (8) of the second impeller (5). Use of an axial compressor (1) is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventor: Lars Skovlund ANDERSEN
  • Publication number: 20160333887
    Abstract: An air conditioner for a vehicle includes a blower motor and a blower control unit integrated so that terminals therebetween can be easily connected and a PCB is closely fixed to a flange with stronger power. The air conditioner includes: a blower unit having a blower motor driving a blower wheel to blow wind to the inside of an air-conditioning case; a blower control unit controlling the blower motor to control rotation of the blower wheel; a flange on which the blower motor is fixed and to which a PCB of the blower control unit is joined to one side of the blower motor; a first terminal associated with the blower motor; and a second terminal associated with the PCB and which is combined with the first terminal, wherein the blower control unit and the blower motor are formed integrally to the blower unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Chan Joo MAENG, Hong Hee JEONG, Jeong Eun LEE, Youn Woo LIM, Sang Ho OH
  • Publication number: 20160333888
    Abstract: A support apparatus for balance correction of a rotated body having an end face in a direction intersecting a rotation center and having a support hole in a rotation center portion of the end face includes a vertical mandrel inserted into the rotated body from a vertical direction by being fitted in the support hole; a fluid radial bearing provided on an outer circumferential surface of the mandrel and adapted to rotatably receive an inner surface of the support hole by means of a fluid ejected from the outer circumferential surface of the mandrel; and a fluid thrust bearing placed around the mandrel and adapted to eject the fluid to an end face of the rotated body and thereby float the rotated body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Applicants: IHI COMPRESSOR AND MACHINERY CO., LTD., IHI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazumasa MIYAHARA, Masayuki KUBOTA, Yukihiro MAEDA, Toshifumi KITANOBO, Yoshio SHIMOKURA, Yutaka HIRATA, Taketo MARUYAMA, Ken NAKANO, Hisayuki MOTOI, Naomichi OOMORI
  • Publication number: 20160333889
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine blade root shim for use between a composite blade root and a wall of a slot in a rotor includes a longitudinally extending base having distal first and second transversely spaced apart ends, first and second longitudinally extending legs acutely angled inwardly towards the base from the first and second ends, and one or more apertures disposed through each of the longitudinally extending first and second legs. Apertures may include rectangular slots having rounded edges along the first and second outwardly facing surfaces of the first and second legs respectively and/or rounded corners between the first and second outwardly facing surfaces and the first and second inwardly facing surfaces of the first and second legs. Low coefficient of friction coatings may be disposed on outwardly facing surfaces, of the legs. Coatings may include polytetrafluoroethylene powder dispersed in a resin binder and other coatings having polytetrafluoroethylene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Nicholas Joseph KRAY, Qiang LI
  • Publication number: 20160333890
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a circumferential array of vanes slidably supported in an inner case shroud segment. Multiple segments are secured to one another to provide an annular engine static structure section. The inner case shroud segment and the vanes have different material properties than one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2014
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Richard K. Hayford, Mark J. Rogers, Carl S. Richardson, Jonathan J. Earl
  • Publication number: 20160333891
    Abstract: Realized is a water pump having improved readiness of maintenance. The water pump includes a first unit having a rotatably driven drive shaft and a second unit having a partition wall and configured to circulate cooling medium in association with rotation of the drive shaft. The first unit and the second unit are connectable to and detachable from each other. The partition wall defines an insertion hole for the drive shaft. In this arrangement, there is provided a closing member for closing the insertion hole of the partition wall when the first unit is detached from the second unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yojiro KOGA, Yoshiaki NAKANO, Kenichi KOMAI, Megumi ONOZUKA
  • Publication number: 20160333892
    Abstract: A dummy ring assembly for removal is provided with a plurality of dummy rings. Each of the dummy rings has a dummy shroud section fitted into a vane ring groove of a casing into which a shroud of a vane segment is fitted, and has an arc shape whose central angle centered on a rotational axis is less than 90°. The dummy shroud sections of the plurality of dummy rings are fitted sequentially into the vane ring groove of the casing. The vane segment is removed from the casing by moving the dummy rings in a circumferential direction along the vane ring groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Takuro HASHIMOTO, Kunihiko WAKI, Kenichi ARASE
  • Publication number: 20160333893
    Abstract: A blower fan includes a plurality of blades radially extending from a boss provided at a rotary center and spaced apart from each other in the rotational direction, and a ring portion connecting outer peripheral ends of the blades in a ring shape. A radially outer end part at an end on an air-flow upstream side of the ring portion is positioned outward in a radial direction of a rotary shaft in the blower fan, as toward the air-flow upstream side. Thus, the blower can prevent the backflow air from being swirled, thereby reducing noise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Toshikatsu KONDOU, Youhei KAMIYA, Masaru KAMIYA, Takeshi MIYAMOTO, Masashi MATSUKAWA, Isao KONDOH, Takashi ITO, Kazuhiro TAKEUCHI
  • Publication number: 20160333894
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a circumferential array of stator vanes that have first and second vanes with different vibrational frequencies than one another. The first vanes are arranged in circumferentially alternating relationship with the second vanes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2014
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Hayford Richard K., Robert J. Morris, Charles H. Warner, Charles P. Gendrich
  • Publication number: 20160333895
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic accumulator, in particular a low-pressure accumulator, comprising an accumulator housing (2) and a separating element arranged therein, in particular in the form of an accumulator bladder (22) separating two media chambers (3, 5). The hydraulic accumulator is characterized in that the accumulator housing (2) is formed of at least two shells (8, 10) welded together at their opposing end regions (24).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2014
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Herbert BALTES, Peter KLOFT
  • Publication number: 20160333896
    Abstract: The invention relates to an accumulator device, in particular in the form of a piston accumulator, having a dividing piston (22) which inside an accumulator housing (2) separates two media chambers (26, 28) from each other, and in particular separates a chamber (28) containing a working gas, such as nitrogen, from a chamber (26) containing a working fluid, such as hydraulic oil. The invention is characterized in that the dividing piston (22) is longitudinally movably guided in a guide device (24) and that the guide device (24) is arranged inside the accumulator housing (2) and extends at least partially along the longitudinal axis (10) thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Applicant: HYDAC TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Herbert BALTES, Peter KLOFT
  • Publication number: 20160333897
    Abstract: An IMV circuit includes a set of IMVs, an IMV resolver, an on/off bypass valve, and a bypass valve. The set of IMVs is fluidly coupled to an actuator to independently control a flow of a hydraulic fluid to the actuator. The IMV resolver is configured to receive a first pressure signal and a second pressure signal and output a third pressure signal. The on/off bypass valve is configured to control the flow of the hydraulic fluid to the set of IMVs in response to the third pressure signal. The bypass valve is fluidly coupled to a hydraulic fluid supply conduit downstream of an IMV circuit supply. The bypass valve is fluidly coupled to the IMV resolver and is configured to reduce the flow of hydraulic fluid through the hydraulic fluid supply conduit in response to an increase in pressure in the third pressure signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: ANDREW J. KLEITSCH
  • Publication number: 20160333898
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides, in a first aspect, a pressure-controlled 2-way flow control valve for hydraulic applications, wherein the 2-way flow control valve has applied thereto a first pressure signal in the closing direction of the 2-way flow control valve by means of a first output-side tapping and a second pressure signal in the opening direction by means of an LS pressure reporting duct. A pressure signal corrupting the first or second pressure signal is applied to the 2-way flow control valve in the closing or opening direction by means of a second tapping which is effective at least over part of the control stroke of the 2-way flow control valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas WECHSEL, Martin HEUSSER