Patents Issued in June 11, 2019
  • Patent number: 10316816
    Abstract: A hydraulic water wheel assembly and system where optimum results are obtained based upon factors such as the height of the channel, the distance between water wheels, the diameter of the discs, and the number, size, dimensions, and arrangement of the wing blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: HeliosAltas Corp.
    Inventors: Phillip Chauvin, Michael Thomas Carroll, Giovanni Pedrazzini
  • Patent number: 10316817
    Abstract: A manufacturing method is described for a wind turbine blade, where layers of fiber material are laid up in a mold to form a portion of the blade structure. The fiber layers are infused with a resin which is subsequently cured to form the hardened blade structure. Some of the layers of fiber material are arranged so that a portion of the layers are kept resin-free during the infusion and curing steps, so that the fiber layer extends freely out from the external surface of the blade, preferably at the blade trailing edge, to provide a flexible blade trailing edge to reduce blade operational noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: LM WP PATENT HOLDING A/S
    Inventors: Michael Klitgaard, Christian Frank Andersen, Morten Ravn, Casper Skovby, Simon Berg Bojesen, Peter Baek
  • Patent number: 10316818
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method for manufacturing a thermoset component having a weldable thermoplastic interface. The method includes forming a polymerized thermoplastic component having a removable protective layer on a portion thereof. Another step includes placing a plurality of dry plies and the thermoplastic component into a mold of the thermoset component with the removable protective layer facing an outer surface of the thermoset component mold. Thus, the method further includes co-infusing the dry plies and thermoplastic component with a resin material so as to form the thermoset component having a weldable thermoplastic interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christopher Daniel Caruso, Aaron A. Yarbrough, Daniel Alan Hynum
  • Patent number: 10316819
    Abstract: A turbine pinwheel has blades mounted with the outer edges curved to respond to the wind transverse to the axis like a vertical axis turbine while the blades inner edges are twisted to respond to the wind parallel to the axis like a horizontal axis turbine. With two rotor subassemblies mounted on the same shaft the pinwheel spins the same direction regardless of the direction of the wind in relation to the pinwheel axis. Each rotor subassembly may be made from a single sheet of material cut to a specific shape and formed to create the pinwheel blades and blade supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Inventor: Daniel Edmiston
  • Patent number: 10316820
    Abstract: A wind turbine system to provide electrical power in areas not connected to the electrical power grid. The wind turbine system includes a frame and a rotatable shaft supported by the frame. A ring and idler gear assembly is coupled to the rotatable shaft. An upper rotor assembly is coupled to the rotatable shaft. The upper rotor assembly is configured to rotate in a first direction and thereby to rotate the rotatable shaft in a first direction. A lower rotor assembly is coupled to the ring and idler gear assembly. The lower rotor assembly is configured to rotate in a second direction which is opposite of the first direction and thereby to rotate the rotatable shaft in the first direction via the ring and idler gear assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Inventor: Robert R. West
  • Patent number: 10316821
    Abstract: A vertical axis wind turbine system having a vertical mast with one or more turbine units supported thereon. The turbine units are of modular construction for assembly around the foot of the mast; are vertically moveable along the height of the mast by a winch system; and are selectively interlocking with the mast to fix the turbine units in parked positions. The turbine system and each turbine unit includes a network of portals and interior rooms for the passage of personnel through the system, including each turbine unit. The electrical generators, and other sub-components, in the turbine units are of modular construction that permits the selective removal and replacement of component segments, including the transport of component segments through the portals and interior rooms of the turbine system while the turbine units remain supported on the mast. The electrical generators are also selectively convertible between AC generators and DC generators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: VERT NOVA, LLC
    Inventors: Jorge Aranovich, Frank W Cooper, Jr., José Jorge Gayarre Villoria
  • Patent number: 10316822
    Abstract: A method for overspeed monitoring of a wind turbine may generally include monitoring an actual rotor speed of the wind turbine while the wind turbine is operating at a current speed setpoint and referencing a dynamic overspeed setting for the wind turbine. The method may also include determining a final overspeed setting to be applied for the wind turbine based on a comparison between the dynamic overspeed setting and a predetermined overspeed setting for the wind turbine. In addition, the method may include comparing the actual rotor speed of the wind turbine to the final overspeed setting, and when the actual rotor speed is equal to or exceeds the final overspeed setting, initiating a control action to adjust an operation of the wind turbine in a manner that reduces the actual rotor speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Till Hoffmann, Hartmut Scholte-Wassink, Andreas Joergens, Thomas Joseph Fischetti
  • Patent number: 10316823
    Abstract: Groups of wind turbines at a wind farm are controlled based on detection of volant animal swarms. A risk score is defined for each of a plurality of wind turbine groups of the wind farm at a default risk score based on predetermined data. A respective operational parameter is set for each wind turbine of each of the wind turbine groups based on the respective risk score. The presence of a volant animal swarm is detected in a region associated with a given one of the wind turbine groups via a volant animal detection system. The risk score of the given one wind turbine group and an adjacent wind turbine group is changed from the default risk score to temporary risk scores in response to detection of the volant animal swarm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: INVENTUS HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Janine E. Bacquie, Hector K. Lopez
  • Patent number: 10316824
    Abstract: A camber changing wing for a vertical axis wind turbine includes a main body, a pivoting slat, a first beam member, and a second beam member. The main body has front, rear, top and bottom portions. The pivoting slat is disposed adjacent to the front portion. The pivoting slat has a leading edge, and a top and bottom sides. Each of the beam members has a front end, a rear end, and a pivot point. The front end of the first beam member is coupled to the top side of the pivoting slat. The front end of the second beam member is coupled to the bottom side of the pivoting slat. The first beam member is rotatably attached to the top portion of the main body at the pivot point. The second beam member is rotatably attached to the bottom portion of the main body at the pivot point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Scharf Energy LLC
    Inventor: Doyle E. Watkins
  • Patent number: 10316825
    Abstract: A non-air compressed gas-based energy storage and recovery system and method include receiving a quantity of non-air compressible gas and removing contaminants therefrom utilizing a separator/filter then powering a compressor to volumetrically compress the compressible gas. The gas is passed through a cooler to reduce the gas temperature and increase its density and is transferred to a storage vessel. The stored gas is then routed to a heater to increase the temperature of the gas and the gas is expanded in an expander to drive the expander and an electrical generator operably connected thereto in order to generate electric power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Inventor: Sebastiano Giardinella
  • Patent number: 10316826
    Abstract: A drive system of a wind turbine includes a transmission gear configured to be connected to a wind rotor shaft, the transmission gear having a first planetary gear set and a second planetary gear set, and a generator downstream of the transmission gear. The transmission gear and the generator are mounted in sliding bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Matthias Deicke, Stefan Tenbrock
  • Patent number: 10316827
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for reducing electrical arcs caused by lightning strikes in a rotor blade of a wind turbine. The rotor blade includes a lightning protection system with at least one lightning receptor connected to at least one conductor and a conduit assembly. The conduit assembly has one or more conduit members configured to route the conductor of the lightning protection system from a first blade location to a second blade location so as to maximize a distance between the conductor and one or more conductive rotor blade components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jamie T. Livingston, Bruce Clark Busbey
  • Patent number: 10316828
    Abstract: This actuator includes: a holder; a slider; a wire; and a pair of electrode units. The slider is slidably held by the holder. The wire is a member that is locked at the slider, the wire causing the slider to slide by contracting in at least a line length direction when being energized. One end of the wire is bonded to one of the electrode units, and the other end of the wire is bonded to the other of the electrode units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroto Kawaguchi, Tomoko Katsuhara, Yasuhiro Watanabe
  • Patent number: 10316829
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a modular actuator system including at least two shaft elements arranged parallel to each other and extending in a first direction, at least two blade elements mounted on each shaft element in different horizontal levels substantially perpendicular to the first direction, with all blade elements mounted on one of the shaft elements being fixedly secured thereto, whereas at least one of the blade elements mounted on another shaft element can rotate around the axis of this other shaft element, and at least three SMA wires to connect the blade elements with each other and a fixed position, with power being supplied to one of the SMA wires leading to a rotation of all blade elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: SMR Patents S.à.r.l.
    Inventor: Romeo Wieczorek
  • Patent number: 10316831
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a valve assembly for a variable swash plate compressor. Since an opening hole of a suction reed is enlarged toward a suction port of a valve plate and refrigerant is also introduced into a cylinder bore through the opening hole when the suction port is opened, performance of a compressor may be enhanced by an increase in flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: HANON SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Sang Woo Bae, Eun Gi Son, Je Su Yun, Se Young Song, Young Seop Yoon, Sung Myung Lee, Hew Nam Ahn, Seung Taek Lim
  • Patent number: 10316832
    Abstract: In one aspect, there is provided a damper control system for a reciprocating pump assembly according to which control signals are sent to electromagnets. In another aspect, there is provided a method of dampening vibrations in a pump drivetrain according to which a beginning of torque variation is detected and at least a portion of the torque variation is negated. In another aspect, signals or data associated with pump characteristics are received from sensors, torque characteristics and damper response voltages per degree of crank angle are calculated, and control signals are sent to electromagnets. In another aspect, a damper system includes a fluid chamber configured to receive a magnetorheological fluid; a flywheel disposed at least partially within the fluid chamber and adapted to be operably coupled to a fluid pump crankshaft; and a magnetic device proximate the flywheel. The magnetic device applies a variable drag force to the flywheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: S.P.M. Flow Control, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph H. Byrne
  • Patent number: 10316833
    Abstract: A non-linear power equation may be solved in linear form by locking one or more variables and iteratively solving to accurately and quickly estimate optimized power solutions for hydroelectric power stations. Additionally, these iterative calculations may provide for long term water resource planning and more accurate estimation models. Further, such optimized power solutions may be usable to create accurate and timely water management models for the operation and planning of hydroelectric power stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Avista Corporation
    Inventors: Clint Kalich, Xin Shane
  • Patent number: 10316834
    Abstract: A peristaltic pump includes a cam shaft, first and second pinch-valve cams, first and second pinch-valve cam followers, a plunger cam, a plunger-cam follower, a tube receiver, a spring-cam plunger, a position sensor, and a processor. The plunger cam is coupled to the cam shaft. The plunger-cam follower is configured to engage the plunger cam. The spring-biased plunger is coupled to the plunger-cam follower where expansion of the plunger cam along a radial angle intersecting the plunger-cam follower as the cam shaft rotates pushes the plunger cam to disengage the spring-biased plunger from the tube and a spring coupled to the spring-biased plunger biases the spring-biased plunger to apply the crushing force to the tube. The position sensor is operatively coupled to the spring-biased plunger and is configured to determine a position of the spring-biased plunger. The processor estimates fluid flow using the position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, John M. Kerwin, Colin H. Murphy, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Michael J. Slate, Michael S. Place, Larry B. Gray
  • Patent number: 10316835
    Abstract: In a method of an embodiment, a pressure sensor is selected from first and second pressure sensors according to a set flow rate. A measurable maximum pressure of the second pressure sensor is higher than a measurable maximum pressure of first pressure sensor. The target pressure of a chamber is determined according to the set flow rate. Until the pressure of the chamber reaches the target pressure after gas is started to be output from the flow rate controller to the chamber at an output flow rate according to the set flow rate and a pressure controller provided between the chamber and an exhaust apparatus is closed, the pressure of the chamber is measured by the selected pressure sensor. The output flow rate of the flow rate controller is determined from a rate of rise of the pressure of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Jun Yamashima, Shinichiro Hayasaka, Toshihiro Tsuruta, Hiroshi Fujii, Junichi Akiba, Naoya Jami, Naotsugu Hoshi
  • Patent number: 10316836
    Abstract: The invention concerns a pumping device that includes a pump having a pumping chamber with a variable volume, an inlet that communicates with the pumping chamber and a valve, an outlet that communicates with the pumping chamber and a valve, and an actuator adapted to change the volume of the pumping chamber. A fluidic pathway in the pumping device includes the inlet, the pumping chamber, the outlet, and a downstream line situated downstream of the outlet valve. The pumping device also includes a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure between the valves of the pathway, and a processing means for processing the received pressure data from the pressure sensor. The invention also concerns a method for detecting a dysfunction in the pumping device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: DEBIOTECH S.A.
    Inventors: Eric Chappel, Niklaus Schneeberger, Frédéric Neftel
  • Patent number: 10316837
    Abstract: A piston seal assembly is disclosed comprising a seal and a seal energizer which supports the seal. The piston seal assembly comprises one component that is designed to position the seal energizer in a fixed axial position within the piston groove. In one embodiment, the seal energizer has the shape of a split ring with at least one of its lateral surfaces shaped to position the energizer in a fixed position within a piston groove. In other embodiments the piston seal assembly comprises a spacer that is positioned next to the seal energizer within the piston groove and is designed to position the seal energizer in a fixed axial position. The piston seal assembly can comprise a seal that has a portion which protrudes between the seal energizer and the piston groove wall such that it positions the seal energizer in a fixed axial position within the piston groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: WESTPORT POWER INC.
    Inventors: Timothy S. Coleman, Kamal Hatami Aghdam
  • Patent number: 10316838
    Abstract: An apparatus for reducing or eliminating gas lock in a downhole pump is provided. The apparatus has a ported bushing connecting to an upper standing valve at a first, uphole end and connecting to a lower standing valve at a second, downhole end. The apparatus also has one or more vents. In one embodiment, the apparatus is coupled downhole of a traveling valve of a downhole pump such that, on each upstroke, the one or more vents of the apparatus draw liquid from the annulus between the pump and the tubing into the passage between the upper and lower standing valves for opening the upper standing valve to accumulate liquid in the pump barrel below the traveling valve. The accumulation of liquid in the pump barrel below the traveling valve breaks gas lock and opens the traveling valve, ensuring the operation of pumping liquid from downhole to surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: DOWNING INNOVATIONS, LLC
    Inventor: Donald R. Downing
  • Patent number: 10316839
    Abstract: A pump plunger is disclosed. The plunger may include a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end. The plunger may also include a body portion extending between the proximal end and a second transition datum, and additionally include a transition section extending between a first transition datum and the second transition datum. The transition section may have a non-linear geometric profile. A first shoulder portion may be positioned adjacent to the transition section that may extend between the second transition datum and a third datum. The third datum may be positioned radially inward of the second transition datum. The plunger may also include a tip portion positioned adjacent to the first shoulder portion that may extend between the third datum and a fourth datum positioned at the distal end. The fourth datum may be positioned radially inward of the third datum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron M. Brown, Alan R. Stockner
  • Patent number: 10316840
    Abstract: A rotary device for use with a fluid includes a housing, a rotor, a ring, and at least one vane. The housing includes a tubular surface defining, in part, a tubular volume. The housing is segregated into at least a pumping zone positioned between first and second working zones. The first working zone is configured to receive a fluid and the second working zone is configured to output the fluid. The rotor is mounted for rotation about a rotation axis. The rotor includes a body mounted within the tubular volume. The body includes a plurality of slots. The ring is at least indirectly coupled to the housing by way of a bearing. The at least one vane is associated with one slot of the plurality of slots. The at least one vane is connected at least indirectly to the ring and configured to rotate within the tubular volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: WindTrans Systems Ltd
    Inventors: Dan Patterson, Andrew Masse
  • Patent number: 10316841
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a compressor that includes a corrosion-resistant film formed on the surface of a casing having a complicated shape. A compressor pumps gas in a compression chamber formed by a casing, the casing is made of cast iron, and a layer made of a mixture of iron nitride and a compound of iron, nitrogen, and carbon and an oxide layer made of triiron tetraoxide are formed on the surface of the casing. Accordingly, since the corrosion resistance of the casing, which includes a film formed by a gas soft-nitriding treatment and an oxidation treatment, is improved, the generation of rust is suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to provide a compressor in which galling or sticking caused by rust occurs less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukiko Ikeda, Masakatsu Okaya, Yuuichi Yanagase
  • Patent number: 10316842
    Abstract: To provide an air compressor capable of achieving energy saving. The air compressor is provided with a compressor body compressing air with injecting oil into a compression chamber; an air-pressure-operated intake throttle valve provided on an intake side of the compressor body; a separator provided on a delivery side of the compressor body and separating, from the compressed air delivered from the compressor body, a liquid contained in the compressed air; a compressed air system supplying the compressed air separated by the separator to a supply destination; an air release system connected to a primary side of a check valve in the compressed air system; an air-pressure-operated air release valve provided in the air release system; and an air-pressure operation circuit having a solenoid-operated three-way valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ryusuke Oshiro
  • Patent number: 10316843
    Abstract: A scroll compressor according to the present invention includes a casing, an orbiting member provided within the casing and performing an orbiting motion, a non-orbiting member forming a compression chamber together with the orbiting member, the compression chamber having a suction chamber, an intermediate pressure chamber and a discharge chamber, a communication passage communicating inside and outside of the compression chamber with each other, an opening/closing valve assembly provided outside the non-orbiting member within the casing and opening and closing the communication passage, and a switching valve assembly provided within the casing and operating the opening/closing valve assembly, whereby a facilitated fabrication, improved valve responsiveness and a relaxed restriction for a specification of a valve can be achieved, and also an over-compression can be prevented by an installation of a check valve, and an assembling efficiency can be improved by installing two valve assemblies outside the non-orb
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Honggyun Jin, Sangwoo Joo
  • Patent number: 10316844
    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: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Shenzhen Zhongke Zheng'an Science & Technology Partnership Enterprise (limited partnership)
    Inventor: Luyi Wang
  • Patent number: 10316845
    Abstract: The invention is directed to reducing pressure-reduction time while preventing foaming in an oil-separation device during capacity control of a compressor, and to avoid startup congestion. This oil-supply-type compressor includes a main body, an oil-separation device, and an air-discharge passage for discharging compressed air during capacity control of the compressor. The air-discharge passage includes passages having large and small flow volumes, and when compressed air is discharged from the passage to the atmosphere during capacity control, the pressure in the oil-separation device is discharged using the large-flow-volume passage, until the pressure reaches or falls below a restarting-possible pressure, which is the pressure at which startup congestion does not occur when the compressor main body is restarted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Kado, Ryusuke Oshiro
  • Patent number: 10316846
    Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for a cutter/grinder system that can be engaged with a pump. The cutter/grinder system can comprise an axial cutting operation and a radial cutting operation, comprising a rotary cutter that has both radial and axial cutting edges. The rotating cutter can be operably engaged with a stationary cutter apparatus, non-movably engaged with a pump, where the stationary cutter apparatus comprises both an axial cutting operation and a radial cutting operation, comprising both radial and axial cutting edges. The system can facilitate reduction of a size of solids that may be entrained in a target fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Eco-Flo Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason Davis
  • Patent number: 10316847
    Abstract: A pump (1, 100) has a pump housing (2) with an intake opening (3) and an outlet opening (4). A drivable impeller (5) is arranged in the pump housing (2) and conveys a fluid from the intake opening (3) toward the outlet opening (4). A valve element (10) is provided in the pump housing (2) and can be set by an actuator (15, 115) to set the fluid flow that is conveyed by the pump (1, 100). The setting of the valve element (10) can be influenced by a magnetorheological braking element (17, 117).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Thomas Geffert
  • Patent number: 10316848
    Abstract: A method of operating a system (16) for pumping a fluid, which system comprises: a pump (17) for pumping the fluid; and a variable speed motor (20) for driving the pump (17). The method comprises the steps of: identifying a first system parameter (PI); identifying a second system parameter (P2) which is a function of the torque of the pump; setting a target value (P10) for a first system parameter; monitoring the first system parameter (PI); establishing a target value (P20) for the second system parameter based on the difference between the target value and the measured value of the first system parameter; monitoring the second system parameter; and regulating the rotational speed of the pump such that the difference between the monitored value and the target value of the second system parameter is minimized. A system for implementing the method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: FMC Kongsberg Subsea AS
    Inventors: Helge Grøtterud, Terje Hollingsæter
  • Patent number: 10316849
    Abstract: A method for detecting faults or operational parameters in a pump assembly by use of a handheld communication device is described. The pump assembly includes an electric motor and a pump, wherein the pump assembly or electric motor has at least one rotating shaft The method comprises the steps of: a) contactless measuring a sound signal emanating from the pump assembly by use of a microphone connected to or implemented in the handheld communication device, b) processing the measured sound signal, and c) recognising one or more sound emanating condition including any possible faults by way of the processed sound signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: GRUNDFOS HOLDING A/S
    Inventors: Flemming Munk, Casper Lyngesen Mogensen, Jan Carøe Aarestrup
  • Patent number: 10316850
    Abstract: In a ceiling fan in which root portions of blades are attached to a support portion to be rotary driven, a fall preventing member having a loop portion formed by a wire rod is provided, a through hole of which the loop portion of the fall preventing member penetrates is provided on the root portions of the blades, the support portion is provided with an engaging portion which is engageable with the loop portion of the fall preventing member, the loop portion of the fall preventing member is disposed to be engageable with the engaging portion of the support portion, the loop portion is engaged with the engaging portion of the support portion when an attachment part of the support portion and the blades is broken, and the blades are supported on the support portion through the loop portion of the fall preventing member in a state in which inner edges of the root portions of the blades are positioned on an outside of an outer edge of the support portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignees: PANASONIC MANUFACTURING MALAYSIA BERHAD, PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kiminobu Yamamoto, Kee Cheng Ng, Boon Hooi Teo, Hiroyuki Kuramochi
  • Patent number: 10316851
    Abstract: A quick connection device includes a female socket forming an electrical fixture. The female socket includes a cavity receiving a first electrical connector connected to an electrical grid. The quick connection device also includes a male plug including a second electrical connector and having a complementary shape to the female socket cavity. The male plug is able to change from an unlocked position in which the male plug can be inserted into the female socket, to a locked position in which the male plug is fixed to the female socket and the second electrical connector cooperates with the first electrical connector. The quick connection device also includes an electrical conductor extending through the male plug. The second electrical connector includes structure arranged to bear the weight of the electrical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Inventors: Sonia Heiniger, Johan Cosandey, Charles Humbert
  • Patent number: 10316852
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: HANON SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Chan Joo Maeng, Hong Hee Jeong, Jeong Eun Lee, Youn Woo Lim, Sang Ho Oh
  • Patent number: 10316853
    Abstract: To design the rotor (6, 6?, 6?, 6??, 60, 60?) as compressible in the radial direction in a fluid pump, in particular for microinvasive medical use, said rotor is configured as stretchable in its longitudinal direction (16) by push elements and pull elements acting axially on it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: ECP ENTWICKLUNGSGESELLSCHAFT MBH
    Inventor: Thomas Toellner
  • Patent number: 10316854
    Abstract: A shaft has an axis, an outer surface, an inner surface and is arranged to rotate in a first circumferential direction. The shaft comprises a first set of equally circumferentially spaced apertures extending through the shaft between the outer and inner surfaces of the shaft. A second set of equally circumferentially spaced apertures extends through the shaft between the outer and inner surfaces of the shaft. The first and second sets of apertures are arranged in first and second planes arranged perpendicularly to the axis of the shaft. The second plane is spaced axially downstream from the first plane. Each aperture in the second set of apertures is circumferentially displaced in a second circumferential direction from a circumferential mid position between the two apertures in the first set of apertures to reduce the stresses in the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Martin T Bentley
  • Patent number: 10316855
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a fan and a first drive shaft connected to the fan. A fan drive gear box connects the first drive shaft to a second drive shaft and is configured to allow the first drive shaft to rotate at a different speed than the second drive shaft. The gas turbine engine also includes a sprag clutch disposed circumferentially around the first shaft and connected to the first drive shaft. The sprag clutch is configured to allow rotation of the first drive shaft and the fan in a first direction while prohibiting rotation of the fan and the first drive shaft in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Jacob Peter Mastro
  • Patent number: 10316856
    Abstract: A casing for use in a turbofan engine is provided. The casing includes an inner hub including a first fluid opening defined at bottom dead center of the casing. The casing also includes an intermediate casing positioned radially outward from the inner hub, an outer casing positioned radially outward from the intermediate casing, and struts spaced circumferentially about the inner hub and extending between the inner hub and the outer casing. The struts include a first strut and a second strut positioned on opposing sides of bottom dead center of the casing such that a first fluid sump is defined between the inner hub, the intermediate casing, and the first and second struts. At least one of said first and second struts includes a flow channel extending therethrough such that a fluid flow path is defined from the first fluid opening, through the first fluid sump, and through the flow channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brandon Wayne Miller, Andrew Michael Tompkins, Daniel Alan Niergarth
  • Patent number: 10316857
    Abstract: A fan of a turbine engine, the fan including a fan disk provided with blades on its periphery, the blades being pivotally mounted on the disk around a pivoting axis and having a center of gravity, and a pitch change mechanism for the blades, each blade being configured so that its center of gravity is positioned on or at a small distance from a fictitious plane which passes through the pivoting axis of the blade and which is perpendicular to the axis of revolution of the fan when the blade is in a minimum drag position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Nils Edouard Romain Bordoni, Michel Gilbert Roland Brault, Romain Guillaume Cuvillier, Guillaume Patrice Kubiak, Arnaud Nicolas Negri, Nathalie Nowakowski
  • Patent number: 10316858
    Abstract: There is provided a compressing apparatus housing including: an inner housing unit configured to house at least a portion of an impeller unit; an outer housing unit including an inner housing receiving unit configured to receive at least a portion of the inner housing unit; and an intermediate housing unit provided between the inner housing unit and the outer housing unit and configured to form a flow path together with at least one of the inner housing unit and the outer housing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Hanwha Techwin Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jongjae Cho, Yeonhwa Cho, Bonggun Shin, Kangsoo Im
  • Patent number: 10316859
    Abstract: A turbocharger includes ported shroud compressor housing disposed about compressor wheel having air inlet passage extending axially along and circumferentially about a longitudinal axis, volute base portion operably adjacent to compressor wheel, contour that encircles and complementarily matches compressor wheel, inducer including ring and plurality of extending members, inlet section extending from volute base portion, and recirculation cavity formed in volute base portion and inlet section with recirculation slot and inlet slot for reentry of airflow into inlet section. The ring has inner wall surface defining first section extending axially along longitudinal axis proximate to compressor wheel, second section extending from first section radially away from longitudinal axis, and third section extending from second section radially away from and along longitudinal axis and distal to compressor wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Craig Harris, Daniel Pruitt, David Ledger, Paul Edmonds
  • Patent number: 10316860
    Abstract: A centrifugal fan includes: a casing including an upper casing, a lower casing, and struts disposed between the upper casing and the lower casing; and an impeller that is provided in the casing, the impeller having an annular shroud, a plurality of blades, and a main plate, wherein the main plate of the impeller has an inclined surface between an inner circumference side and an outer circumference side of the impeller, and wherein the inner circumference side of the impeller is located at an upward position in an axial direction of the impeller, and the outer circumference side of the impeller is located at an downward position in the axial direction of the impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiya Fujimoto, Kiyohisa Nara, Tetsuya Seki
  • Patent number: 10316861
    Abstract: A liner assembly for placement between a mounting foot of a platform and a case of a gas turbine engine includes first and second annular liner segments configured to move independently of each other. The first annular liner segment is configured to be mounted on at least a portion of a radially outward surface of the mounting foot. The first annular liner segment includes a first flat portion and a first curved portion extending from a first end of the first annular liner segment. The second annular liner segment is configured to be mounted on at least a portion of a radially inward surface of the mounting foot. The second annular liner segment includes a second flat portion and a second curved portion extending from a first end of the second annular liner segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Freeman, Colin G. Amadon
  • Patent number: 10316862
    Abstract: A fan comprises a hub and at least one blade coupled to the hub. The blade comprises an inlet portion and an outlet portion. The inlet portion is defined by a longitudinal axis, an inlet edge, and a portion of a distal edge. The outlet portion is defined by the longitudinal axis, an outlet edge, and another portion of the distal edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignees: Regal Beloit Corporation Management (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Marathon Electric India PVT. LTD., Regal Beloit Corporation (Wuxi) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shawn You, Umesh M. Sawarkar, ShunRui Wu
  • Patent number: 10316863
    Abstract: A jet pump (10) comprising a tubular body (12), a first injection duct (14) which opens into the body (12) via a first outlet nozzle (18), a second injection duct (16) which opens into the body (12) via a second outlet nozzle (20) which surrounds the first outlet nozzle (18), the downstream end (20a) of the second outlet nozzle (20) being situated axially level with the downstream end (18a) of the first outlet nozzle (18), wherein the upstream end (18b) of the first nozzle (18) comprises an axial orifice (30) centered on the main axis of the body (12), and in that the jet pump (10) is configured for either plugging or not plugging the axial orifice (30) of the first outlet nozzle (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Melaine Tanguy Euzenat, Gilles Yves Aouizerate
  • Patent number: 10316864
    Abstract: Devices for producing vacuum using the Venturi effect have a housing defining a suction chamber, a motive passageway converging toward the suction chamber, a discharge passageway diverging away from the suction chamber, and a suction passageway in fluid communication with the suction chamber. A solenoid valve is positioned in the suction passageway and has an elongate sealing member received inside a coil, a first seal seat at a first end of the coil, and a second seal seat at the second end of the coil. The elongate sealing member is translatable within the coil between the first seal seat and the second seal seat, which define an open position and a closed position. Within the suction chamber, a motive exit of the motive passageway is generally aligned with and spaced apart from a discharge entrance of the discharge passageway to define a Venturi gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Dayco IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: David E. Fletcher, Brian M. Graichen, James H. Miller, Keith Hampton
  • Patent number: 10316865
    Abstract: An ejector has a nozzle, a body, a passage defining member and a drive portion. The body has a refrigerant suction port and a pressure increasing portion. A nozzle passage is defined between an inner surface of the nozzle and an outer surface of the passage defining member and has a minimum sectional area portion, a tapered portion, and an expansion portion. The minimum sectional area portion has a smallest passage sectional area. The tapered portion is located upstream of the minimum sectional area portion in a refrigerant flow direction and has a passage sectional area decreasing toward the minimum sectional area portion gradually. The expansion portion is located downstream of the minimum sectional area portion in the refrigerant flow direction and has a passage sectional area increasing gradually. The passage defining member has a groove that is recessed to increase the passage sectional area of the nozzle passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Yokoyama, Haruyuki Nishijima, Etsuhisa Yamada, Ryota Nakashima, Yoshiaki Takano, Kazunori Mizutori, Yorito Kohara, Hiroshi Shintani
  • Patent number: 10316866
    Abstract: A hydraulic excavator is equipped with: an arm cylinder driven by a hydraulic working fluid from a hydraulic pump; a meter-out passage through which the hydraulic working fluid discharged from the arm cylinder flows; a control valve controlling the hydraulic fluid flow rate of the meter-out passage; a pressure sensor detecting a load acting on the arm cylinder; a pressure sensor detecting an operation amount of an operation device operating the arm cylinder; and a controller. The controller alternatively selects a normal operation mode in which the opening area of the control valve is controlled based on an actuator load and the operation amount, and a substitution operation mode in which the opening area of the control valve is controlled based on the operation amount. When the substitution operation mode is selected, a delivery flow rate of the hydraulic pump is further increased as compared with the normal operation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Amano, Shinya Imura, Ryouhei Yamashita, Shinji Nishikawa