Patents Issued in April 24, 2018
  • Patent number: 9951611
    Abstract: A telemetry system with a plurality of controllers and telemetry systems, where the controllers are configured to obtain information from one or more sensors and transmit that information on one or more of the plurality of telemetry systems. The configuration of a controller may be changed so as to change which information is transmitted on a given telemetry system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Evolution Engineering Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron W. Logan, David A. Switzer, Jili Liu, Justin C. Logan
  • Patent number: 9951612
    Abstract: Downhole assemblies including a plurality of tubular members extendable within a wellbore and defining a through bore. A telemetry device is positioned within a wall of one of the plurality of tubular members and has a secondary flow path defined therethrough and a valve element engageable with a valve seat provided at an upper end of the secondary flow path. The secondary flow path extends between an inlet and an outlet, both of which fluidly communicate with the through bore and are defined in the one of the plurality of tubular members. A flow restrictor is located within the through bore and is axially positioned between the inlet and the outlet of the secondary flow path. The valve element is actuatable to control fluid flow through the secondary flow path to selectively generate a fluid pressure pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: William Brown-Kerr, Bruce Hermann Forsyth McGarian
  • Patent number: 9951613
    Abstract: Solid particles are colored with a cationic dye and at least three calibration standards having different known mass concentrations of the colored particles are prepared. A digital analysis of the images of the calibration standards is carried out based on an additive RGB color model and intensity distribution profiles of red, green and blue colors are obtained for each calibration standard. A single norm function is selected to characterize quantitatively changes in the red, green and blue colors in all calibration standards. A single calibration curve is obtained by comparing values of the selected norm function for each calibration standard with a known mass concentration of the colored particles in this calibration standard. A suspension of the colored solid particles is injected through a porous medium sample and the sample is split into two parts along a suspension flow direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dmitry Nikolaevich Mikhailov, Nikita Llyich Ryzhikov, Alexander Alexandrovich Burukhin, Vladislav Vladimirovich Zhvik, Anastasiya Viktorovna Gabova
  • Patent number: 9951614
    Abstract: In relation to a cut and pull operation, a nuclear tool may be used for evaluating the composition of materials located behind a pipe lining the wellbore. More specifically, a downhole method may include emitting gamma rays into the pipe and the material from a source of a nuclear tool disposed in the wellbore; detecting gamma radiation scattered back from the pipe and the material with a detector of the nuclear tool; determining a high-energy range and a low-energy range for the gamma radiation; measuring count rates of the gamma radiation in the high-energy range (CRH) and the low-energy range (CRL); performing an analysis of (1) the CRH relative to (2) the CRL; and determining a compositional equivalent for the material based on the analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Yike Hu, Weijun Guo
  • Patent number: 9951615
    Abstract: A mining machine including a frame, a cutting head moveably coupled to the frame and pivotable about an axis that is substantially perpendicular to a first mine surface, and a first actuator for stabilizing the frame relative to the first mine surface. The first actuator is coupled to the frame and includes a first end extendable in a first direction to engage the first mine surface. The extension of the first actuator is automatically controlled based on measurements of at least one indicator of the force between the first actuator and the first mine surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Joy MM Delaware, Inc.
    Inventors: Colin Anthony Wade, Jacobus Ignatius Jonker
  • Patent number: 9951616
    Abstract: A method for controlling an automated drilling process on a work machine includes the steps of obtaining, from at least one input, data determining operations of the work machine; generating reference data based on the data determining previous operations of the work machine in substantially the same area; detecting a region of interest in the reference data; and controlling, in response to the work machine or its drilling process approaching a point corresponding to the region of interest in the reference data, the work machine to provide an operator with an option to manually assist the operations of the work machine at the point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: SANDVIK MINING AND CONSTRUCTION OY
    Inventors: Jarkko Uotila, Petri Nurminen, Jari Talasniemi
  • Patent number: 9951617
    Abstract: A boring machine comprises a forward section, a rear section, an articulation point, a parallel link mechanism, an input component, an articulation point position computer, and a jack controller. The parallel link mechanism includes a plurality of thrust jacks that change the position of the forward section with respect to the rear section. The articulation point position computer computes the position of the articulation point on the basis of the control inputs received by the input component, and the positions of the center line and center point of the rear section and the center point of the forward section. The jack controller controls the stroke amounts of the thrust jacks to produce movement corresponding to a curve generated from the positions of the center point of the rear section, the articulation point, and the center point of the forward section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventor: Toyoshi Kuramoto
  • Patent number: 9951618
    Abstract: A system for preventing fluid from entering a walled structure includes a support structure configured for fixing to at least one surface of the walled structure; and a barrier apparatus attachable and anchorable to the support structure, the barrier apparatus including a fluid retention member configured for intercepting a fluid entering the walled structure, and a collar for holding the fluid retention member against an interior surface of the walled structure, proximate the opening. As fluid enters the barrier apparatus, the pressure increases against the interior surface of the fluid retention member, pressing it against the walled structure. The collar in combination with the fluid retention member to which it is attached acts like a gasket to tighten a seal between the barrier apparatus and the walled structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Inventor: Jorge O. Moreno
  • Patent number: 9951619
    Abstract: Disclosed are rotary positive displacement machines capable of acting as an engine and as a pump, serving to improve the profile of working members of helical rotary engines, compressors and pumps. An actuator is comprised of a pair of rotors having engaged helical teeth. The rotors are disposed in chambers which encircle both. The working areas of the profiles of the teeth in an engaged pair are delineated in cross-section by portions of a cycloidal curve for one rotor and by arcs of circumferences which are eccentrically offset from the axis of the second rotor. Such a profile of teeth produces an eccentrically cycloidal engagement capable to work efficiently at very high rotor rotation speeds. The presence of power contact and low sensitivity to gearwheel skews allow for working with nonhomogeneous media, including those containing solid inclusions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: ZAO “Technology Market”
    Inventor: Viktor V. Stanovskoi
  • Patent number: 9951620
    Abstract: A working fluid turbo comprising an enclosed housing; an intake port; an exhaust port; at least two sets of a plurality of disks within the housing; and a shaft connected to at least one set of the at least two sets of plurality of disks. The at least two sets of a plurality of disks has a first set of disks aligned with the intake port and a second set of disks aligned with the exhaust port. The shaft connects to at least one set of the at least two sets of disks. The first set of disks and the second set of disks each include an end plate with X-shaped walls that forms an X-shaped disk shaft, whereby the X-shaped disk shaft allows the working fluid to move between solid disks and holed disks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Inventor: David A Shoffler
  • Patent number: 9951621
    Abstract: A rotor disc configured to reduce the likelihood of fractures developing in spindle bolts in gas turbine engines is disclosed. The spindle bolts extend axially through the rotor disc to retain the rotor assembly in place in the gas turbine engine. The rotor disc may be formed from a rotor disc body having a plurality of circumferentially positioned spindle bolt holes sized to house a spindle bolts within each spindle bolt hole. One or more relief channels, which also may be referred to as scallops, may extend radially outward from one of the spindle bolt holes. The relief channels may foster removal of condensation and debris from the space between the spindle bolt and the surface forming the spindle bolt hole and may be configured to discourage the ingress of air through the relief channel and into space between the spindle bolt and the surface forming the spindle bolt hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Manish S. Gurao, Kevin M. Light, Zafir A. M. Abdo
  • Patent number: 9951622
    Abstract: A system paints the external and internal faces of a splayed end of a hollow shaft, with a rotary paint bench. This splayed end includes an end support face and an opposite support face. The system includes a fixing ring applied against the end support face and a counter-ring applied against the opposite support face as well as a fixing device, an end hub fixed to the fixing ring in line with the splayed end, and including a running belt suitable for resting on two rollers of the bench, a hollow external hub including two half-hubs delimiting a running belt suitable for resting on two rollers of the bench, and fixed to the counter-ring while surrounding the splayed end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Damien Potelle, Jacques Boulogne, Mathieu Meugnier
  • Patent number: 9951623
    Abstract: A blade cascade for a gas turbine, which has a first group with at least two, in particular at least three, first blade arrangements of the same type to one another, on which first element arrangements that are identical to one another and have at least one first element are movably mounted; and a second group with at least two, in particular at least three, second blade arrangements, which are of the same type to one another and are of different type from the first blade arrangements, on which second element arrangements, which are identical to one another and have at least one second element are movably mounted, wherein first and second element arrangements are different from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: MTU AERO ENGINES AG
    Inventors: Andreas Hartung, Frank Stiehler, Martin Pernleitner
  • Patent number: 9951624
    Abstract: A fastener assembly includes a first component including a first fastener opening that has a cylindrical portion and a conical portion. A second component includes a second fastener opening. A fastener for extending through the first fastener opening and the second fastener opening and a clinch nut for attaching to the fastener is included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alexander Broulidakis, Jonathan Lemoine, Joseph J. Sedor, Patrick Michael Nadeau
  • Patent number: 9951625
    Abstract: A turbine wheel for a turbine engine, comprising a disk carrying blades each having a platform, carrying an impeller connected by a stilt to a root. Each blade comprises an upstream radial wall and a downstream radial wall extending inwards from the platform of the blade. The roots of the blades are engaged into slots on the periphery of the disk, so that the radial walls of the blades and the platforms of the blades are circumferentially arranged end-to-end, and define inter-blade cavities radially inside the platforms, each accommodating an inter-blade sealing and vibration damping member. At least one member comprises an elastically deformable element configured so as to be elastically prestressed against the walls of a cavity in the member mounting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Sébastien Serge Francis Congratel, Maurice Guy Judet
  • Patent number: 9951626
    Abstract: A blade for a rotating machine, particularly for a gas turbine engine, has a leading edge and a trailing edge joined by pressure and suction surfaces. The trailing edge has a serrated form including a first periodic variation and a second periodic variation of higher frequency and lower amplitude than the first periodic variation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Mathieu Gruber, Philip Joseph, Mahdi Azarpeyvand
  • Patent number: 9951627
    Abstract: The impeller is provided with: a disc section equipped with a tube section, the grip section of which is fixed by thermal deformation to a rotation shaft that is rotated around the axis line, and a main disc body, which is provided on the other end in the axial direction from the grip section and which extends outward in the radial direction of the rotation shaft; and blade sections that protrude from the main disc body in the axial direction. The disc section is provided with a hoop stress-limiting section, the tube section of which extends further towards the other end in the axial direction than the main disc body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignees: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES COMPRESSOR CORPORATION, MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Nobuyori Yagi, Daisuke Hirata
  • Patent number: 9951628
    Abstract: Wind turbine (1) comprising a rotor (2) around a rotation shaft (3), having a plurality of blades (4) at a distance around the rotation shaft (3), in which the blades (4) can drive the rotor (2); a cavity (10) which extends between the ends (15) of the blades (4) closest to the rotation shaft (3); a plurality of vanes (5) around the rotor (2) for guiding wind to the blades (4), in which the vanes (5) extend from the ends (14) of the blades (4) furthest from the rotation shaft (3) to a second end (16) of the vanes (5). The vanes (5) and blades (4) merge into each other at the same curvature mathematically tangentially in a plane at right angles to the rotation shaft (3) and the curvature of the vanes (5) is described by a part of a logarithmic spiral.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Inventor: Geert Devisch
  • Patent number: 9951629
    Abstract: An airfoil according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a suction sidewall and a pressure sidewall, each sidewall extending spanwise from an airfoil base and extending chordwise between a leading edge and a trailing edge. A tip wall extends chordwise from the leading edge to the trailing edge and joining respective outer spanwise ends of the suction and pressure sidewalls. A tip leakage control channel is recessed into the tip wall, the tip leakage control channel including a control channel floor that extends between a first control channel vane sidewall and a second control channel vane sidewall established by a corresponding tip leakage control vane. An internal cooling cavity is disposed between the suction sidewall and the pressure sidewall and a channel cooling aperture feeds airflow from the internal cooling cavity to the tip leakage control channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark F. Zelesky, Andrew S. Aggarwala
  • Patent number: 9951630
    Abstract: The present inventions incorporate self-healing mechanisms into current and future EBC systems. Such approaches have the potential to form environmental protection materials (i.e. thermally grown silicate compositions) in-situ to enable the ability to provide environmental protection to SiC based ceramics even in the event that cracks or voids form from within the EBC layer. In this disclosure, novel, self-healing EBC systems are disclosed along with coating synthesis techniques required to deposit the materials, microstructures and architectures. This research is anticipated to result in a thermal/environmental barrier coating system (T/EBC) that provides improved durability over current coatings. These advancements will aid the use of Si-based ceramics in a range of high temperature applications such a gas turbine engines and heat exchangers. These advances will not only benefit military engines, but also commercial and industrial engines requiring greater performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Inventor: Derek Hass
  • Patent number: 9951631
    Abstract: A rotor blade for a turbomachine, including an airfoil (1) for flow deflection, a blade root (2) for attachment to a rotor of the turbomachine, an inner platform (3) between the airfoil and the blade root, and at least one pocket (4, 5) defined by two axially spaced walls (4.1, 4.2; 5.1, 5.2) extending from the side of the platform opposite the airfoil toward the blade root. A first (4.1, 5.1) of these walls has an outer side (4.1A, 5.1A) that faces away from the pocket and, in at least one cross section perpendicular to a radial longitudinal axis of the rotor blade, slopes outwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines AG
    Inventors: Krzysztof Skura, Marcin Kozdras, Lukasz Sosnowka, Manfred Feldmann, Manfred Schill
  • Patent number: 9951632
    Abstract: Hybrid bonded turbine rotors and methods for manufacturing the same are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: David R Waldman, Don Mittendorf, Mark C. Morris, Michael Vinup
  • Patent number: 9951633
    Abstract: A transition duct defining an airflow pathway between a low pressure compressor and a high pressure compressor of a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The transition duct may comprise an inner wall and an outer wall located radially outward of the inner wall with respect to a central axis of the gas turbine engine. It may further comprise a first bend configured to turn the airflow radially inward with respect to the central axis, and a turning vane located at the first bend between the inner wall and the outer wall. The turning vane may be configured to assist the first bend in turning the airflow radially inward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Wesley K. Lord
  • Patent number: 9951634
    Abstract: A component for a gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a body having circumferential sides between a forward face and an aft face, each of the circumferential sides defining a mate face, an attachment member extending from the body, and a transition member adjacent to the body and the attachment member. The transition member and the body define a slot configured to receive a seal member. The transition member is sloped inwardly from one of the circumferential sides. A method of fabricating a gas turbine engine component is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Carson A. Roy Thill, Russell E. Keene, Paul M. Lutjen
  • Patent number: 9951635
    Abstract: A blade row group arrangeable in a main flow path of a fluid-flow machine and including N adjacent member blade rows firmly arranged relative to one another both in the meridional direction and in the circumferential direction is provided. Here, a front member blade row with front blades having a leading edge and a trailing edge as well as a rear member blade row with rear blades having a leading edge and a trailing edge are provided, and the blade row group has two main flow path boundaries. It is provided that the profile of the blades of the member blade rows is firmly connected at at least one of the two main flow path boundaries to a base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE DEUTSCHLAND LTD & CO KG
    Inventor: Volker Guemmer
  • Patent number: 9951636
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for connection between two enclosures of a turbomachine, for enabling the circulation of a coolant between said enclosures, via said connection device, said connection device comprising an outer tube (2) having an opening (3) extending along the entire length of said outer tube (2), and also comprising an inner tube (6) extending inside the outer tube (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Jean Pierre Mareix, Emmanuel Berche, Jean Luc Bacha, Tangi Brusq
  • Patent number: 9951637
    Abstract: A rotary machine includes a machine rotor, a machine stator, a labyrinth seal disposed between the machine rotor and the machine stator, a dry gas seal disposed between the machine rotor and the machine stator, the dry gas seal being disposed downstream of the labyrinth seal, the labyrinth seal including a labyrinth seal rotor, and, a labyrinth seal stator, the labyrinth seal stator having a cavity containing a heat transfer medium configured to transfer heat between the labyrinth seal stator and a zone adjacent the labyrinth seal stator to cool or heat a pressurized process fluid before the process fluid bears against the dry gas seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Inventors: Matteo Berti, Stefano Bresciani, Ravindranath Ps, Lorenza Sassolini, Alessandro Ciani
  • Patent number: 9951638
    Abstract: A shaped rim cavity wing includes an upper surface and a lower surface. The lower surface has a geometric shape to control the separation of airflow as it passes around the lower surface to the top surface. A point of maximum extent defines the boundary between the upper surface and the lower surface, wherein the point of maximum extent defines a corner that that separates airflow from the shaped rim cavity rim and creates a flow re-circulation adjacent to the top surface of the shaped rim cavity wing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Eric A. Grover
  • Patent number: 9951639
    Abstract: Vane assemblies for gas turbine engines and methods for assembling vane assemblies are disclosed. The vane assemblies may include at least one shroud having at least one vane-receiving portion, at least one vane having at least one end portion received in the vane-receiving portion, and at least one sealing member having an uncompressed cross-section that is substantially circular. The sealing member(s) are disposed between and in contact with the end portion of the vane and the vane-receiving portion of the shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Richard Ivakitch, Andreas Eleftheriou, David Denis, David Menheere
  • Patent number: 9951640
    Abstract: A structure providing compliance and sealing between ceramic or ceramic composite (CMC) part and a metallic part has an interface component for centering the CMC part in the metallic part, thus reducing thermal stress motion of the CMC component. In gas turbine engine applications, the structure comprises a CMC blade track inserted in a clip placed within a metallic hanger. The clip provides for radial compliance and secures controlled leakage of cooling air required to ensure that acceptable temperatures are maintained for the metallic structures. A washer is positioned adjacent to the clip provide for axial orientation of the blade track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: William I. Westphal, Clayton C. Smith
  • Patent number: 9951641
    Abstract: A method of making a rub strip includes resin transfer molding an arcuate composite structure. The resin transfer molding step includes inserting a honeycomb core into a mold cavity having an arcuate base so that the honeycomb core assumes an arcuate shape. The resin transfer molding step further includes directing liquid resin into the mold cavity to form the composite structure comprising the liquid resin and the honeycomb core, and curing the liquid resin for a sufficient period of time. The resin transfer molding step further includes removing the composite structure from the mold. The method further includes repeating the resin transfer molding step until a sufficient number of arcuate composite structures are produced. The method further includes coupling a plurality of the arcuate composite structures together to form the rub strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: CTL Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Simeon Copple, Nathan Sizemore, Tyler Weber, Joseph Fackey
  • Patent number: 9951642
    Abstract: An abradable material includes a matrix material defining pockets of fluid. The abradable material also includes an outer surface configured to be coupled to an interior surface of a fan case such that in response to the outer surface being coupled to the fan case, the abradable material is positioned circumferentially about an axis The abradable material also includes an inner surface defining a circumferential ridge and a circumferential groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: William Bogue
  • Patent number: 9951643
    Abstract: An active clearance control system of a gas turbine engine includes an actuation cylinder, a puller engaged with an air seal segment and damped with respect to the actuation cylinder, and a full-hoop thermal control ring that at least partially supports the air seal segment. The puller may move the air seal segment between an extended radially contracted BOAS position and a retracted radially expanded BOAS position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Brian Duguay
  • Patent number: 9951644
    Abstract: Provided is a gas turbine capable of achieving high-speed startup of the gas turbine through quick operation control of an ACC system during startup of the gas turbine, improving the cooling efficiency of turbine stationary components, and quickly carrying out an operation required for cat back prevention during shutdown of the gas turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignees: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD., TOHOKU ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Satoshi Mizukami, Tatsuo Ishiguro, Junichiro Masada, Kazumasa Takata, Yuya Fukunaga, Hiroki Takahashi, Masaki Satoh, Yoshiaki Nishimura, Norio Oogai, Souji Hasegawa, Masato Hayashi
  • Patent number: 9951645
    Abstract: A fan containment system for fitment around an array of radially extending fan blades mounted on a hub in an axial gas turbine engine. The fan containment system comprises an annular casing element for encircling an array of fan blades. An annular fan track liner is positioned substantially coaxial to the annular casing element. A hook projects in a generally radially inward direction from the annular casing element and is positioned axially forward of an array of fan blades when the fan containment system is fitted around said fan blades. Tabs protrude from the hook in a generally rearward direction and are spaced circumferentially along the hook. Fasteners connect the fan track liner to the tabs. The fasteners are configured so as to permit movement of the fan track liner towards the annular casing element when the fan track liner is impacted by a released fan blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Dale Edward Evans, Ewan Fergus Thompson
  • Patent number: 9951646
    Abstract: An on-line wash system for a compressor including: a nozzle including a flow passage for wash liquid, wherein the flow passage is configured to be coupled to a source of a wash liquid and includes a discharge outlet arranged to project the wash liquid into a stream of working fluid for the turbomachine; an electrode proximate to the flow passage of the nozzle, wherein the electrode is configured to form an electrical field sufficient to charge the wash liquid flowing through the passage and the charge applied to the wash liquid is of a first polarity, and a surface of the compressor charged with the first polarity, wherein the surface is exposed to the stream of working fluid and downstream of the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Doug Scott Byrd, Gilbert Otto Kraemer, Hua Zhang, Jianmin Zhang, Valery Ivanovich Ponyavin
  • Patent number: 9951647
    Abstract: A system for in situ cleaning of internal components of a gas turbine engine may generally include a plug assembly defining a fluid passageway that is configured to be installed within an access port of the engine such that the fluid passageway defines a flow path between inner and outer casings of the engine. The plug assembly may include an inner sleeve at least partially defining the fluid passageway and an outer sleeve configured to receive a portion of the inner sleeve. The system may also include a fluid conduit configured to be coupled between a fluid source positioned external to the gas turbine engine and an inlet end of the plug assembly for supplying a cleaning fluid to the plug assembly. The cleaning fluid may be directed through the fluid passageway and may then be expelled from the plug assembly into the interior of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Lloyd Eric Rawson
  • Patent number: 9951648
    Abstract: A method for designing a stage for an axial turbomachine having a guide blade ring and a rotor blade ring arranged downstream of the guide blade ring is provided. The method includes: profiling a guide blade ring having guide blades arranged regularly over the circumference of the guide blade ring in accordance with basic aerodynamic and mechanical conditions; moving at least one profile section of at least one of the guide blades in the circumferential direction in such a way that the pitch angle for the at least one guide blade and a guide blade arranged adjacent thereto varies over the blade height in such a way that during operation of the axial turbomachine the departing flow formed downstream of the guide blade ring is irregularly formed over the circumference of the axial turbomachine, such that the vibration excitation of the rotor blades of the rotor blade ring is low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Christoph Hermann Richter, Heinrich Stuer
  • Patent number: 9951649
    Abstract: A valve mount comprises a first mounting plate securable to an existing part of a gas turbine engine, a second mounting plate secured to a valve, and at least a pair of fastener assemblies on opposed sides of the valve for securing the first and second mounting plates together. A vibration isolator is disposed between the first and second mounting plates to absorb some of the energy that is being transferred from the valve to the structure of the engine during a predetermined operating phase of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventor: Michael Fryer
  • Patent number: 9951650
    Abstract: The invention relates to a turbomachine bearing support (1) supporting at least one bearing and extending according to a longitudinal principal axis of the turbomachine and comprising: a truncated part (11) having a diameter increasing from upstream to downstream; a flange part (12) which extends from the truncated part (11) as far as the bearing (5, 6) to which it is fixed by an axial flange (121), and having at its downstream end a radial internal flange (17) fixed to an oil inlet cover defining with the bearing (5, 6) an oil inlet container (170); oiled air clearance ducts (71) projecting downstream relative to the flange part (12) and on the oil inlet container (170) and to the other side upstream of the flange part (12) directly radially externally relative to the axial flange (121).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Frederic Noel, Benoit Argemiro Matthieu Debray, Mario Cesar De Sousa, Gregory Ghosarossian-Prillieux, Nicolas Pommier
  • Patent number: 9951651
    Abstract: A bearing, such as a rolling bearing, is mounted on a support mobile in translation and includes a lubrication mechanism. The lubrication mechanism includes at least one pipe delivering a lubricant, linked to a lubricant supply source, and at least partially engaging in the support mobile in translation to deliver the lubricant from the mobile support along an internal channel to the bearing, passing through an inner ring of the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Caroline Frantz, Dominik Igel, Nadege Hugon, Augustin Curlier
  • Patent number: 9951652
    Abstract: A nacelle is disclosed. The nacelle may include an inner fixed structure (“IFS”) comprising a first half, the first half comprising a central barrel portion, wherein the first half includes a first member that extends radially outward from the central barrel portion and a second member that extends radially outward from the central barrel portion radially opposite the first member, a first support structure overlaid by a first composite material that extends axially along a confluence between the central barrel portion and the first member, the first support structure configured to contact a second half comprising a second central barrel portion, and a second support structure overlaid by a second composite material that extends axially along the confluence between the central barrel and the second member, the second support structure configured to contact the second half.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: ROHR, INC.
    Inventors: Song Chiou, Christian Soria
  • Patent number: 9951653
    Abstract: A method for assembling a variable geometry turbomachine with a bearing housing, an adjacent turbine housing, a turbine wheel rotating in the turbine housing about a turbine axis; an inlet passage upstream of the turbine wheel between inlet surfaces of first and second wall members, one wall member moveable along the turbine axis to vary the inlet passage size; vanes across the inlet passage connected to a first wall member; an array of vane slots defined by the second wall member to receive the vanes for relative movement between the wall members; the second wall member comprising a shroud defining vane slots; the second wall member supported by a support member retained by a mounting feature; the mounting feature being one of the bearing housings, the turbine housing, or the actuation element; and the shroud is fixed to the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Cummins Turbo Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Robert L. Holroyd
  • Patent number: 9951654
    Abstract: The present application relates to a stator blade sector configured to be fixed to a housing of an axial turbomachine, the sector having a plurality of blades with platforms juxtaposed, so as to describe an arc of a circle. At least one of the platforms comprises on its outer face a fixing screw and at least one other platform has no fixing screws, the platforms being fixed together at their adjacent edges. The application also relates to a stator or portion of stator having a housing forming a generally circular wall and blade sectors arranged along the wall. The housing includes several parts connected to each other by longitudinal flanges. Platforms with no fixing screws are located opposite the flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: SAFRAN AERO BOOSTERS SA
    Inventor: Jean-François Cortequisse
  • Patent number: 9951655
    Abstract: An oil tank mounting system for use on a structure of a turbine engine, includes three mounts with each mount configured to constrain the oil tank with a different number of degrees of freedom of movement. A first mount may have fix the oil tank in one degree of freedom, a second mount may fix the oil tank in two degrees of freedom, and a third mount may fix the oil tank in three degrees of freedom. This allows limited rotational and expansion movement while coupling the oil tank to the engine. The mount attachments may be embodied in rubber, with pins, or with spherical joints in a variety of configurations. Frangible pins may be used to absorb energy but still retain the oil tank in the event of a high energy event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Todd A. Davis, Mark Ronski, David Allen Stachowiak
  • Patent number: 9951656
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a gas turbine system, wherein the gas turbine system includes a compressor, a combustor, a heat recovery steam generator, a scrubber, a direct contact cooler. The method includes introducing the scrubbing fluid discharged from the scrubber into the direct contact cooler, contacting the scrubbing fluid in the direct contact cooler with the exhaust gas discharged from the heat recovery steam generator in order to remove a portion of nitrogen oxide therefrom; feeding the exhaust gas discharged from the direct contact cooler into the compressor. With the technical solution of the present invention, nitrogen oxide in the exhaust gas is reduced to a certain extent by means of used scrubbing fluid from the scrubber. This solution may improve the efficiency in reduction of nitrogen oxide with a simple and feasible manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: ANSALDO ENERGIA IP UK LIMITED
    Inventors: Wuyin Wang, Vasileios Stefanis, Julie Clavier, Mirco Colombo, Felix Guethe
  • Patent number: 9951657
    Abstract: A module for a thermal power plant for condensing expelled vapors and cooling turbine effluent from the drained turbine includes a first unit designed to condense expelled vapors as well as a second unit designed to cool the turbine effluent, condensate from the first unit being transferable to the second unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Peter Bergmann, Rachid Dhima, Svea Guntermann, Bernd Leu, Kakhi Naskidashvili, Stefan Riemann
  • Patent number: 9951658
    Abstract: A system includes an oxidant compressor and a gas turbine engine. The gas turbine engine includes a combustor section having a turbine combustor, a turbine driven by combustion products from the turbine combustor, and an exhaust gas compressor driven by the turbine. The exhaust gas compressor is configured to compress and route an exhaust flow to the turbine combustor and the oxidant compressor is configured to compress and route an oxidant flow to the turbine combustor. The gas turbine engine also includes an inlet oxidant heating system configured to route at least one of a first portion of the combustion products, or a second portion of the exhaust flow, or any combination thereof, to an inlet of the oxidant compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignees: General Electric Company, ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Vahid Vaezi, Franklin F. Mittricker, Richard A. Huntington
  • Patent number: 9951659
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided with an expander, a condenser, a pump, and a heater in sequential fluid communication in a thermodynamic cycle containing a working fluid. The thermodynamic cycle is provided for waste heat recovery in the vehicle. A heat pipe contains a phase change material and has a condenser region and an evaporative region. The evaporative region is in thermal contact with a recirculating fluid of a vehicle system. The heater provides thermal contact between the working fluid and the condenser region of the heat pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Shiguang Zhou
  • Patent number: 9951660
    Abstract: A front plate 26 that covers a front end of a housing body is formed from a disk-shaped plate member 41 having in a middle thereof a fitting hole 41a and a cylindrical member 42 having at inner end part thereof a reduced diameter stepped-shaped fitting portion 42a that is fitted to the fitting hole 41a. Stopper portions 44 are formed by crimping a top end side of the fitting portion 42a fitted to the fitting hole 41a, and both of the plate member 41 and the cylindrical member 42 are connected and fixed together by the stopper portions 44 engaging with stopper grooves 43 that are formed at an inner end side hole edge of the fitting hole 41a in a pressed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Seijiro Narita, Kotaro Watanabe