Patents Issued in November 7, 2017
  • Patent number: 9810068
    Abstract: A rotary engine includes a housing having a working cavity, a shaft, the shaft having an eccentric portion, a rotor having a first axial face, and a second axial face opposite the first axial face, the rotor disposed on the eccentric portion and within the working cavity, the rotor comprising a first cam on the first axial face, the first came having an eccentricity corresponding to the eccentricity of the eccentric portion of the shaft, and a cover integral with, or fixedly attached to, the housing, the cover comprising a plurality or rollers, each roller engaged with the cam, wherein the cam guides the rotation of the rotor as the rotor rotates within the working cavity and orbits around the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: LiquidPiston, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Shkolnik, Nikolay Shkolnik
  • Patent number: 9810069
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel and improved method for repairing a shrouded blade and a reconditioned shrouded blade. More specifically, a way of measuring a set of previously-operated blades to determine their post-operation geometric characteristics is provided where an offset due to deformation of the hardface surfaces of the shroud is determined. The hardface surfaces of the shroud are rough-machined and blade-compatible material is added to the hardface surfaces. A first side hardface surface of the shroud is then machined to a desired dimension offset relative to an originally manufactured blade after which a second side hardface surface is machined such that the distance between the hardface surfaces satisfies the cross-shroud dimension, which is similar to that of an originally manufactured blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: ANSALDO ENERGIA SWITZERLAND AG
    Inventors: Gregory Alan Dubs, Thomas Horace Milidantri
  • Patent number: 9810070
    Abstract: A turbine rotor blade includes a mounting portion that partially defines a cooling circuit within the turbine rotor blade and an airfoil portion that extends radially outward from the mounting portion. The airfoil portion further defines the cooling circuit. The turbine rotor blade further includes a platform portion that is disposed radially between the mounting portion and the airfoil. The platform portion includes a bottom wall, a top wall, a forward wall, an aft wall and a pair of opposing side walls. A cooling plenum that at least partially defines the cooling circuit is defined within the platform portion. The cooling plenum is at least partially defined between the forward wall, the aft wall and between the pair of opposing side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Richard Johns, Mark Andrew Jones
  • Patent number: 9810071
    Abstract: An internally cooled airfoil for a gas turbine engine has a hollow airfoil body defining a core cavity. An insert is mounted in the core cavity. A cooling gap is provided between the insert and the hollow airfoil body. A plurality of standoffs project across the cooling gap. Trip-strips projecting laterally between adjacent standoffs. The trip-strips and the standoffs may be integrated into a unitary heat transfer feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventor: Michael Papple
  • Patent number: 9810072
    Abstract: A rotor blade includes a mounting portion comprising a mounting body that is formed to receive a coolant therein. An airfoil portion extends substantially radially outwardly from the mounting body and includes an airfoil body. The mounting body and the airfoil body define a plurality of primary cooling passages that extend substantially radially therein for routing the coolant through the airfoil body. Each of the primary cooling passages includes a cooling flow outlet that is formed along a tip portion of the airfoil body. The airfoil body further defines a plurality of trailing edge cooling passages, each having a coolant outlet that is formed along a trailing edge portion of the airfoil body. At least a portion of the trailing edge cooling passages are formed along a radially outer portion of the trailing edge proximate to the tip portion of the airfoil body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Zhirui Dong, Xiuzhang James Zhang, Jason Adam Neville
  • Patent number: 9810073
    Abstract: A turbine blade includes a cooling channel through which cooling air is passed, and a swirl portion provided at an entrance of the cooling channel so as to form a swirl flow in the cooling air. The turbine blade may increase cooling performance of a root unit, improve the stiffness of the root unit, and increase the internal heat transfer efficiency of a blade unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: DOOSAN HEAVY INDUSTRIES & CONSTRUCTION Co., LTD
    Inventor: Sung Chul Jung
  • Patent number: 9810074
    Abstract: Gas turbine engine blade squealer tips incorporate cooling slots formed in the suction side rail downstream of the leading edge for directing cooling gas flow along an inside edge of the squealer tip pressure side rail. Some embodiments incorporate a tip fin on the suction side rail proximal a cooling slot. Segmented suction side rail embodiments abrade opposing turbine casing abradable surfaces prior to potential contact with the pressure side rail, reducing likelihood of pressure side rail friction heating. During turbine engine operation cooler pressure side rails reduce likelihood of squealer tip erosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Ching-Pang Lee, Kok-Mun Tham, Gm Salam Azad
  • Patent number: 9810075
    Abstract: A damper seal received in a cavity of a turbine blade includes a central body with two ends and a two sides. A portion extends from each end, one side has a faceted edge, and a projection extends from the other side to receive a lug of the turbine blade to align the damper seal relative to the turbine blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Kyle C. Lana, John E. Paul
  • Patent number: 9810076
    Abstract: A fan rotor for a gas turbine engine has a fan hub mounted for rotation about a central axis of the engine. A plurality of fan blades are circumferentially distributed about a radially outer surface of an outer rim section of the fan hub. The outer rim section is connected to an inner rim section through an axially facing web section. The web section extends from the outer rim section at a location axially aft of the center of gravity of the fan blades. A ridge formation extends radially inwardly from the outer rim axially forward of the web section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventor: Barry Barnett
  • Patent number: 9810077
    Abstract: A fan blade includes a root including a front surface, a rear surface, a first side surface connected to the front surface and the rear surface, and a second side surface connected to the front surface and the rear surface. The front surface engages the first side surface and the second side surface by one or more blunted surfaces, and the rear surface engages the first side surface and the second side surface by one or more blunted surfaces. A blade extends from the root.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: James R. Murdock, Christopher S. McKaveney, Jason Elliott
  • Patent number: 9810078
    Abstract: Rotary machines including a hybrid rotor with an integrally bladed rotor portion are provided. The integrally bladed rotor portion for the hybrid rotor comprises a rotor disk portion and a blade portion. The rotor disk portion has a peripheral rim configured to mechanically retain an individual rotor blade. The blade portion comprises an integral rotor blade extending outwardly and integrally from the rotor disk portion. The individual rotor blade is configured to extend outwardly from the rotor disk portion in a blade array with the integral rotor blade. The hybrid rotor is also provided and comprises the integrally bladed rotor portion and a plurality of individual rotor blades extending outwardly from the rotor disk portion in a blade array with a plurality of integral rotor blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sean A. Whitehurst, Patrick James McComb
  • Patent number: 9810079
    Abstract: A dirt separator assembly for a gas turbine engine comprises a cyclonic accelerator in flow communication with compressor discharge air, the accelerator having a plurality of passages, each passage having an inlet, an outlet and at least one vent located in the passage, a plurality of turning vanes disposed along each of the passages, the passage turning tangentially between the inlet and the outlet, the accelerator passages decreasing from a first cross-sectional area to a second cross-sectional area and said turning vanes inducing helical swirl of compressed cooling air, and, at least one vent located in the accelerator passages for expelling dust separated from the swirling compressed cooling air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Francis Manning, Victor Hugo Silva Correia
  • Patent number: 9810080
    Abstract: A moisture separator for a steam turbine power plant for separating moisture from a flow of vapor or gas that includes a bundle of vanes having a corrugated portion and a trailing edge. The trailing edge includes means to collect moisture on the surfaces of the trailing edge. These means can include a clip-like attachment, or a U-shape of the trailing edge itself. The collection means on the trailing edge contribute to the overall moisture separation efficiency of the moisture separator and a decrease of risk of damage to the steam turbine driven by the steam flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Technology GmbH
    Inventor: Christian Peter Stucki
  • Patent number: 9810081
    Abstract: A conduit through which hot combustion gases pass in a gas turbine engine. The conduit includes a wall structure having a central axis and defining an inner volume of the conduit for permitting hot combustion gases to pass through the conduit. The wall structure includes a forward end, an aft end axially spaced from the forward end, the aft end defining a combustion gas outlet for the hot combustion gases passing through the conduit, and a plurality of generally radially outwardly extending protuberances formed in the wall structure. The protuberances each include at least one cooling fluid passage formed therethrough for permitting cooling fluid to enter the inner volume. At least one of the protuberances is shaped so as to cause cooling fluid passing through it to diverge in a circumferential direction as it enters into the inner volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Ching-Pang Lee, Chander Prakash, Reinhard Schilp, David A. Little
  • Patent number: 9810082
    Abstract: A gas turbine stator for aircraft engines has a blade array with a plurality of blades constituted by a series of first blades and a series of second blades with different geometries; the array is formed by a plurality of sectors, each having an inner portion, an outer portion, at least one first blade and a least one second blade, and each defined by a body made in one piece; a single first blade is alternated with a single second blade for the entire circumference of the stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: GE AVIO S.R.L.
    Inventor: Paolo Calza
  • Patent number: 9810083
    Abstract: A stator vane removal system includes a reaction platform configured to couple between opposing sides of a slot defined in an inner surface of a casing of a rotary machine. At least one stator vane is retained in the slot. The reaction platform includes at least one wedge surface. The system also includes an actuator configured to couple to the reaction platform. The at least one wedge surface facilitates inducing a coupling force exerted by the reaction platform to the opposing sides of the slot when the actuator applies a pushing force to the at least one stator vane in the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joshua Michael Oden, James Bradford Holmes
  • Patent number: 9810084
    Abstract: An airfoil for a gas turbine engine includes pressure and suction side walls joined to one another at leading and trailing edges. The pressure and suction side walls surround an airfoil cavity and provide an exterior airfoil surface. A baffle is arranged in the airfoil cavity and includes a supply hole. Ribs extend from the pressure and suction side walls into the airfoil cavity and engage the baffle. The ribs are configured to provide a serpentine cooling passage between the baffle and at least one of the pressure and suction side walls. The serpentine cooling passage has first and second passes joined by a bend. The ribs form a film cooling cavity between the first and second passes. The supply hole fluidly connects the baffle to the film cooling cavity. Film cooling holes extend through at least one of the pressure and suction side walls. The film cooling holes are in fluid communication with the film cooling cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brandon W. Spangler, Ryan Alan Waite, Steven Bruce Gautschi, Benjamin F. Hagan
  • Patent number: 9810085
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine nozzle includes a flap movable relative to a structure. A seal assembly is supported by one of the structure and the flap and includes a seal hinged about an axis. The seal has a sealing profile engaging a seal land of the other of the structure and the flap. A biasing member is configured to urge the hinged seal toward the seal land. A method of sealing a nozzle flap includes supporting a seal relative to a structure along an axis. The seal is urged toward a nozzle flap. The seal rotates about the axis to maintain engagement between the seal and the nozzle flap in response to the urging step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shawn M. McMahon, Kirk A. Shute
  • Patent number: 9810086
    Abstract: A shroud apparatus for a gas turbine engine includes: an annular shroud segment having an arcuate bottom wall defining an arcuate inner flowpath surface, spaced-apart forward and aft walls extending radially outward from the bottom wall, and spaced-apart side walls extending radially outward from the bottom wall and between the forward and aft walls, each side wall defining an end face which includes: an axial slot extending in a generally axial direction along the end face; a first radial slot extending in a generally radial direction along the end face, and intersecting the axial slot; an axial spline seal received in the axial slot; and a first radial spline seal having an L-shape with radial and axial legs, the radial leg being substantially longer than the axial leg, wherein the radial leg is received in the first radial slot, and the axial leg is received in the axial slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Victor Hugo Silva Correia, Christopher Michael Ceglio, David Scott Stapleton
  • Patent number: 9810087
    Abstract: A sealing structure for a gas turbine engine includes a rotor that has a rim with slots and a cooling passage. The rotor is rotatable about an axis. First and second blades are arranged in the slots and respectively including first and second shelves facing one another within a pocket that is in fluid communication with the cooling passage. The first and second shelves form an opening. A reversible seal is arranged within the pocket and has a body that is configured for operative association with the first and second blades in any of four orientations to seal the opening in a second condition. The seal includes first and second protrusions respectively extending from first and second faces opposing one another. The first protrusions supported on the rim in a first condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher Corcoran, Daniel A. Snyder
  • Patent number: 9810088
    Abstract: A blade outer air seal (BOAS) assembly for an engine case of a gas turbine engine includes a multiple of supported air seal segments and a multiple of floating air seal segments circumferentially alternate with the multiple of supported air seal segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Thurman C Dabbs, James N Knapp
  • Patent number: 9810089
    Abstract: This power generation system (20A) includes a plurality of power generation units (50A, 50B, 50C, . . . ) which are provided in parallel, wherein each of the power generation units (50A, 50B, 50C, . . . ) includes an expander (26) configured to be rotated by a working medium, a power generator (28) configured to generate power through rotation of the expander (26), a rectifier (29), a medium circulation system (22) configured to pump the working medium into the expander (26), a relay (70) configured to interrupt power between the power generator (28) and an external power system (30), an operating unit (40A, 40B) configured to be operated when maintenance starts, and a relay driving unit (71) configured to interrupt power between the power generator (28) and the external power system (30) by the relay (70) when the operating unit (40A, 40B) has been operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Yutaka Kubota, Toyotaka Hirao, Takao Sakurai, Naoki Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9810090
    Abstract: Method for determining oscillation parameters of turbo-machine blades consists in that when the blade tip travels in front of a sensor, reading values of a single pulsed signal formed by the sensor are obtained in a number that is not lower than that of unknown parameters of a harmonic or polyharmonic oscillation of the blade, the origin of a single pulsed signal readings obtained for each blade being synchronized with the blade tip position relative to the sensor according to a given level of the single pulsed signal; then the values of the harmonic or polyharmonic oscillation parameters of the blade are calculated with the use of the obtained values of the single pulsed signal reading origins and of the value of the turbo-machine shaft revolution period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: SAMARA STATE AEROSPACE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Danilin Aleksandr Ivanovich, CHernyavskij Arkadij Zhorzhevich, Danilin Sergej Aleksandrovich, Gretskov Andrej Aleksandrovich
  • Patent number: 9810091
    Abstract: A method is provided for calibrating an active clearance control system for a plurality of turbine engines. During this method, a squeeze test is performed between a tip of a rotor blade and a shroud. Results of the squeeze test are applied to adjust a gap between the tip and the shroud. The performance of the squeeze test and the application of the results may be individually performed for each of the turbine engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Zacchera, Patrick D. Couture
  • Patent number: 9810092
    Abstract: A rotor arrangement including: a rotor stage having an annular array of rotor blades each blade having a tip; a casing that surrounds the rotor stage and defines a clearance between the tips and the casing; and an over tip leakage measurement system including a multi-hole total pressure probe mounted to a stationary component downstream of the rotor stage; the probe arranged such that the axis of at least one of the holes is substantially aligned with an expected flow direction from the rotor stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: James Peter Roberts, David Fillingham
  • Patent number: 9810093
    Abstract: Disclosed is a gas turbine and a gas turbine power facility which flexibly accommodate changes in layout of devices and in user's needs. This invention includes an air compressor 1; a turbine 2 coaxially coupled to the compressor 1; a turbine casing 4 accommodating the compressor 1 and the turbine 2; a compressor output shaft 23 for coupling rotary devices including a power generator 200, the compressor output shaft 22 protruding from the turbine casing 4 towards the compressor 1; and a turbine output shaft 23 for coupling the rotary devices, the turbine output shaft 23 protruding from the turbine casing 4 towards the turbine 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hironori Tsukidate, Hidetoshi Kuroki, Atsushi Sano
  • Patent number: 9810094
    Abstract: The invention offers a steam turbine forced air cooling system, its method, and a steam turbine provided with the system, the system being of an inexpensive and simple device configuration and improving a cooling effect by the use of an easy-to-get device. Suction is applied to the steam introduction side of an HP turbine 4 or an IP turbine 9 by the use of cooling air suction ejectors 27, 28 which use a compressed medium other than steam as a drive source. The cooling air is then introduced from the steam exhaust portion of the steam turbine into the inside of the steam turbine and is discharged from the ejectors 27, 28 to the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Genki Kashima, Toyohiko Masuda, Tetsuya Hinuma, Isao Sagawa, Yoshitaka Narimatsu, Hotaka Kobayashi, Goingwon Lee, Kenji Sasaki
  • Patent number: 9810095
    Abstract: A sealing device for a turbine engine bearing oil enclosure including a rotor shaft; an annular cover secured to an engine casing and arranged around the rotor shaft to co-operate therewith to define an oil enclosure that is to receive a bearing rotatably supporting the rotor shaft relative to the engine casing; a labyrinth seal mounted on the rotor shaft facing one end of the cover; an annular rim mounted inside the cover; a dynamic annular gasket interposed radially between the rim and the rotor shaft; and a clip for axially blocking the rim inside the cover and including at least one latch passing radially through the rim and being received radially inside a groove formed in the cover, is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Serge Rene Morreale, Dominik Igel
  • Patent number: 9810096
    Abstract: A turbomachine casing assembly including an inner casing element for arrangement radially outward of a turbomachine fan; an outer casing element for arrangement radially further outward of the turbomachine fan; a retaining lip arranged radially inward of a portion of the inner casing element; and a separator extending between the inner and outer casing elements and arranged to urge a portion of the inner casing element against the lip. The separator is arranged in compression between the inner and outer casing elements to urge the portion of the inner casing element against the lip. The separator is arranged to engage a frangible region of the inner casing element such that the frangible region is configured to break in response to an impact satisfying predetermined conditions, allowing the inner casing element to displace radially outwards exposing features to improve retention of a released fan blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Dale Edward Evans, David Laker Christmas
  • Patent number: 9810097
    Abstract: A corrugated shield comprises a mounting base and a corrugated ring section. The mounting base is disposed at an aft end of the ring section for securing the shield ring section within a generally annular cavity. The generally annular cavity is defined at least in part by a hot fluid flow path boundary wall, and a radially adjacent and spaced apart cold fluid flow path boundary wall. The corrugated ring section is configured to substantially block a line of sight between the hot fluid flow path boundary wall and the cold fluid flow path boundary wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Alisha M. Davis, Christina S. Liebel, Conway Chuong
  • Patent number: 9810098
    Abstract: A system for inspecting a turbomachine is provided. The system includes a traverse actuator system and a pressure isolation system connected to the traverse actuator system. The pressure isolation system is configured to maintain a pressure resistant seal around a probe. A gimbal mount is connected to the pressure isolation system. The system is configured to move the probe into and out of the turbomachine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lawrence James Moore, Fredrick Levi Fuller, Jason Michael Boss, Bernard Baran Zabek, Gerald Marco Geraci, Michael Richard Pomykai
  • Patent number: 9810099
    Abstract: An arrangement to control vibrations in a gas turbine exhaust diffuser is provided. The arrangement includes a protrusion coupled to a turbine exhaust cylinder strut for controlling shock induced oscillations in a gas turbine diffuser. The controlled shock induced oscillations minimize pressure fluctuations in the gas turbine exhaust diffuser such that an unsteadiness of the fluid flow surrounding the turbine exhaust cylinder strut is reduced. A method to fluid flow induced vibrations in a gas turbine diffuser is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Ali Akturk, Jose L. Rodriguez, David L. Wasdell, John A. Orosa, Matthew D. Montgomery
  • Patent number: 9810100
    Abstract: The barring gear assembly is designed to drive in rotation a shaft of a turbo-alternator group having an axis of rotation A. The barring gear assembly includes a main wheel fixed on said shaft and defining lateral sides located on either side of the axis of rotation A, a barring gear module having a support piece on which is mounted a clutch system for coupling and uncoupling a secondary shaft to and from the main wheel, the secondary shaft being driven by an auxiliary motor, and the barring gear module being positioned on one of said lateral sides (C1) of the axis of rotation A.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Arnaud Bastier, Jacques Mizera
  • Patent number: 9810101
    Abstract: A method for starting a continuous steam generator is provided. The steam generator includes a combustion chamber provided with a plurality of burners, a water-steam separation device that is mounted downstream of evaporator tubes of the water-steam separation device on a flow-medium side. The amount of water flowing into the water-steam separation device during a starting process is kept to a minimum. The firing power of at least one of the burners is adjusted in accordance with a filling level characteristic value of the water-steam separation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Rudolf Kral, Frank Thomas
  • Patent number: 9810102
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method and a system for implementing the method so as to alleviate the disadvantages of a reciprocating combustion engine and gas turbine in electric energy production. The invention is based on the idea of arranging a combustion chamber outside a gas turbine and providing compressed air to the combustion chamber in order to carry out a combustion process supplemented with high pressure steam pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Finno Energy Oy
    Inventors: Timo Erämaa, Heikki J. Salminen
  • Patent number: 9810103
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for generating electrical energy in a combined system consisting of a power plant and an air handling system. The power plant comprises a first gas expansion unit connected to a generator. The air handling system comprises an air compression unit, a heat exchange system, and a fluid tank. In a first operating mode, feed air is compressed in the air compression unit and cooled in the heat exchange system. A storage fluid is generated from the compressed and cooled feed air and is stored as cryogenic fluid in fluid tank. In a second operating mode, cryogenic fluid is removed from fluid tank and is vaporized, or pseudo-vaporized, at superatmospheric pressure. The gaseous high pressure storage fluid generated is expanded in the gas expansion unit. Gaseous natural gas is introduced into the heat exchange system (21) to be liquefied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: LINDE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Alexander Alekseev
  • Patent number: 9810104
    Abstract: A method for recovering waste heat in a process for the synthesis of a chemical product, particularly ammonia, where the product is used as the working fluid of a thermodynamic cycle; the waste heat is used to increase the enthalpy content of a high-pressure liquid stream of said product (11), delivered by a synthesis section (10), thus obtaining a vapor or supercritical product stream (20), and energy is recovered by expanding said vapor or supercritical stream across at least one suitable ex-pander (13); the method is particularly suited to recover the heat content of the syngas effluent after low-temperature shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Casale SA
    Inventors: Ermanno Filippi, Raffaele Ostuni
  • Patent number: 9810105
    Abstract: A system includes a camshaft disposed along an axis from a drive end to a opposite end, and the camshaft includes a plurality of journals configured to support the camshaft and is spaced along the axis. The camshaft includes a plurality of cams spaced along the axis, and is disposed along the camshaft in sets, where each set is disposed between a respective pair of journals of the plurality of journals. The camshaft includes a plurality of mass portions, where each mass portion is disposed between a set of cams and a respective journal. The plurality of mass portions is disposed along the camshaft such that a center of mass of the plurality of mass portions is nearer to the drive end than to the opposite end, and the plurality of mass portions is configured to increase a natural frequency of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Hugo Martyn, Christian Rauch, Sandro Rivellini
  • Patent number: 9810106
    Abstract: A camshaft phaser includes a stator having a plurality of lobes and a rotor coaxially disposed within the stator and having a plurality of vanes interspersed with the lobes defining a plurality of alternating advance chambers and retard chambers such that a phasing valve supplies and vents oil to and from the advance and retard chambers. A first check valve allows oil to flow from only one of the retard chambers to only one of the advance chambers when a first diverter valve permits communication between the one of the advance chambers and the first check valve and a second check valve allows oil to flow from the one of the advance chambers to the one of the retard chambers when a second diverter valve permits communication between the one of the retard chambers and the second check valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas H. Fischer, Thomas H. Lichti, Cai P. Shum, Jeremy N. Graves
  • Patent number: 9810107
    Abstract: An intermediate phase adjustment apparatus of a CVVT includes check valves provided to prevent backflow of oil when the oil moves from one chamber to another chamber in order to secure a parking position of a lock pin in a CVVT of which an advance chamber and a retard chamber are formed between a rotor and a stator, and an oil inlet portion formed at the stator to correspond to inlet portions of the check valves, wherein an oil inlet portion provided at one chamber is formed larger than an oil inlet portion provided at the other chamber by a predetermined size, and the open angles of the check valves for making oil to flow into a chamber are increased, thereby preventing an offset occurrence by a cam torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chung Han Oh, Yun Seok Kim, Jong Kuk Park
  • Patent number: 9810108
    Abstract: An engine variable camshaft timing phaser (10) includes a sprocket (12) and a planetary gear assembly (14). The sprocket (12) receives rotational drive input from an engine crankshaft. The planetary gear assembly (14) includes two or more ring gears (26, 28), multiple planet gears (24), a sun gear (22), and a wrap spring (76). One of the ring gears (26, 28) receives rotational drive input from the sprocket (12) and one of the ring gears (26, 28) transmits rotational drive output to an engine camshaft. The sun gear (22) engages with the planet gears (24). The wrap spring (76) experiences expansion and contraction exertions to permit advancing and retarding engine valve opening and closing, and to prevent advancing and retarding engine valve opening and closing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard, Thomas R. Benner, Christopher J. Pluta
  • Patent number: 9810109
    Abstract: An engine variable camshaft timing phaser (10) includes a sprocket (12), three ring gears (26, 28, 30), multiple planet gears (24), and a sun gear (22). The sprocket (12) receives rotational drive input from an engine crankshaft. One or more of the three ring gear(s) (26, 28, 30) receives rotational drive input from the sprocket (12) and rotates with the sprocket (12), and the remaining ring gear(s) (26, 28, 30) transmit rotational drive output to an engine camshaft (62). All three of the ring gears (26, 28, 30) engage with the planet gears (24). And the sun gear (22) also engages with the planet gears (24). In operation, relative rotational speeds between the sprocket (12) and the sun gear (22) causes the engine camshaft (62) to advance or retard engine valve opening and closing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Pluta, Michael W. Marsh
  • Patent number: 9810110
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a valve lift control device. In one example, a method may include rotating an adjusting camshaft of the valve lift control device in order to adjust a valve lift of one or more cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Guenter Hans Grosch, Rainer Lach, Joerg Bonse
  • Patent number: 9810111
    Abstract: An oil supply structure of a water-cooled internal combustion engine includes an oil cooler for improving oil circulation efficiency by making an oil passage of a lubrication system short. In addition, weight of the oil cooler is reduced by reducing the number of parts. The oil supply structure of a water-cooled internal combustion engine includes an oil pump drive shaft of an oil pump that is coaxially coupled with one end of a balancer shaft placed parallel with a crankshaft and a water pump drive shaft of a water pump that is coaxially coupled with the other end of the balancer shaft. In the oil supply structure, an oil cooler is provided in the vicinity of the oil pump together with an oil filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sotani, Hiroshi Yokota
  • Patent number: 9810112
    Abstract: Provided is a lubricant feed mechanism for an engine capable of achieving manufacturing cost reduction. A lubricant feed mechanism for an engine (1) is configured to feed lubricant through a cylinder head (10), a camshaft (an intake-side camshaft (40); an exhaust-side camshaft (42)), a cam cap (50), and an oil feed member (100) to a cam (a cam (40a); a cam (42a)) of a valve gear (30). The oil feed member (100) is formed by folding one panel member, and the inside surface of the oil feed member (100) in the folded state is recessed so as to form an oil passage (a first oil passage (114); a second oil passage (116); a third oil passage (118)) for guiding lubricant fed through the cam cap (50) to the cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: TAIHO KOGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Hikita, Tomomi Azuma
  • Patent number: 9810113
    Abstract: A lubrication distribution system for an engine is disclosed. The system includes a source of lubricant for the engine and at least one feed line fluidly connected to the source of lubricant. The feed line includes a wall defining a passageway and an orifice. The feed line terminates at the orifice, and lubricant flows through the passageway and exits the feed line through the orifice. The feed line also includes a heating element contained substantially within the wall of the feed line and located at or directly upstream of the orifice. The heating element is selectively activated to heat the lubrication flowing through the passageway and exiting the orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: David Scott Krug
  • Patent number: 9810114
    Abstract: A cam follower assembly is provided including an improved lubricant flowpath. The assembly includes a generally cylindrical housing including an annular groove adapted to be in communication with a lubricant gallery in an engine block or cylinder head. An axial end of the housing includes skirt portions including openings, and one of the skirt portions includes a first recessed section indented from an outer lateral surface of the housing and extending axially between the annular groove and a respective one of the openings. A pin is mounted in the openings of the skirt portions and has a second recessed section indented from an outer lateral surface of the pin that extends to at least one of the ends of the pin. The second recessed section is in communication with the first recessed section, and a cam roller supported on the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Jeffrey Shewell
  • Patent number: 9810115
    Abstract: An engine block, an engine sub-assembly, and method for providing and manufacturing an engine block. The engine block includes a plurality of cylinder barrels positioned in the engine block, at least one oil jacket channel formed in the engine block, and an oil inlet port positioned in a peripheral wall of the engine block and connected to the at least one oil jacket channel. The at least one oil jacket channel includes a plurality of curved channel sections. Each curved channel section in the plurality of curved channel sections extends about at least a portion of a circumferential portion of a respective cylinder barrel in the plurality of cylinder barrels. The at least one oil jacket channel extends between adjacent cylinder barrels of the plurality of cylinder barrels in the engine block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Cummins, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron S. Quinton, John Jerl Purcell, III, Nathaniel P. Hassall
  • Patent number: 9810116
    Abstract: An oil separator includes a housing into which mixed gas in which unburned gas and engine oil are mixed with each other is introduced from a crank case; a centrifuge mounted in the housing and generating centrifugal force to the mixed gas to thereby separate the engine oil from the mixed gas; and a filter separator mounted in the housing and filtering the engine oil in the mixed gas. Since the engine oil is primarily separated through the centrifuge and secondarily separated through the filter separator, engine oil separation efficiency is improved as compared to the related art, and the same amount of gas may be treated even with a small size as compared to the related art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Deog Byoung An
  • Patent number: 9810117
    Abstract: A muffler cutter is fitted to a tailpipe of a vehicular exhaust system, the muffler cutter includes an exhaust pipe, a plurality of through-holes formed in a side wall of the exhaust pipe, a tubular heat shield plate provided around the exhaust pipe coaxially with the exhaust pipe, and a sound-absorbing heat insulator provided between the exhaust pipe and the tubular heat shield plate. The sound-absorbing heat insulator is partially provided between the exhaust pipe and the tubular heat shield plate so as to have a curved shape. A closed space having a curved shape is formed between the exhaust pipe and the tubular heat shield plate in an area in which the sound-absorbing heat insulator is not provided. The distance between the exhaust pipe and the tubular heat shield plate in an area in which the closed space is formed is 1 to 50 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: NICHIAS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akinao Hiraoka, Isami Abe, Yoshifumi Fujita