Patents Issued in May 30, 2023
  • Patent number: 11661886
    Abstract: A turbocharger includes a variable nozzle unit, a bearing housing, a circular heat shield plate located between a turbine impeller and the bearing housing, and a water chamber formed in the bearing housing. The heat shield plate is fixed by being pressed against the variable nozzle unit by a disc spring and is radially aligned by being fitted into the bearing housing by a fitting portion. The heat shield plate includes a fitting surface formed in the fitting portion and an inner peripheral heat shield portion projecting radially inward from the fitting surface and located with an axial gap between the inner peripheral heat shield portion and the bearing housing. At least a part of the water chamber exists at the same radial position as a radial position of the fitting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Inventor: Katsunori Hayashi
  • Patent number: 11661887
    Abstract: A variable geometry inlet system of an aircraft engine includes an inlet duct. The inlet duct includes at least first and second sections moveable between extended and retracted positions such that the inlet duct defines a variable axial length of an inlet passage for selective flight conditions. The inclusion of acoustic treatment may assist in controlling noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Michel Labrecque, Vincent Couture-Gagnon, Richard Ullyott
  • Patent number: 11661888
    Abstract: A heat exchanger which may be used in an engine, such as a vehicle engine for an aircraft or orbital launch vehicle. is provided. The heat exchanger may be configured as generally drum-shaped with a multitude of spiral sections, each containing numerous small diameter tubes. The spiral sections may spiral inside one another. The heat exchanger may include a support structure with a plurality of mutually axially spaced hoop supports, and may incorporate an intermediate header. The heat exchanger may incorporate recycling of methanol or other antifreeze used to prevent blocking of the heat exchanger due to frost or ice formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Reaction Engines Ltd.
    Inventors: Alan Bond, Richard Varvill
  • Patent number: 11661889
    Abstract: Aircraft propulsion systems include a fan shaft connected to a fan, the fan shaft defining a centerline axis of the aircraft propulsion system, one or more offset cores arranged at an angle to the centerline axis, the one or more offset cores each comprising a hydrogen burning combustor, a centerline cavity defined along the centerline axis, and a heat exchanger arranged within the centerline cavity. In operation, a portion of air is directed from the fan into the centerline cavity to provide a first working fluid to the heat exchanger within the centerline cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Marc J. Muldoon, Joseph B. Staubach
  • Patent number: 11661890
    Abstract: A rotor, a turbine, and a gas turbine including the same are provided. The rotor includes a pair of disks rotating about an imaginary central axis and arranged parallel to each other in an axial direction, a replaceable self-locking sealing assembly interposed between the pair of disks, and a fastening section disposed on the sealing assembly to fasten the sealing assembly to the disks. The disk includes a sealing slot disposed on an opposite surface to another adjacent disk and a head slot disposed outward from the sealing slot with respect to a radial direction of the to disk. The sealing assembly includes a main body with one end inserted into the sealing slot through the head slot from an outside of the disk and a sealing head disposed on another end of the main body to be seated on an inner wall of the head slot to restrict the main body from being moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: DOOSAN ENERBILITY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jong Seon Kim, Yong Hyun Lim, Geon Hwan Cho, Ali Ihsan Yurddas, Alpcan Uckan, Bora Yazgan, Ercan Akcan, Erdem Gorgun, Ertugrul Tolga Duran, Sadik Hazer, Serdar Taze, Serhan Güler, Mahmut Faruk Aksit
  • Patent number: 11661891
    Abstract: A component susceptible to the formation of deposits, such as a component of a hydrocarbon system in a gas turbine engine. The component includes a substrate having a surface susceptible to the formation of a deposit thereon. A shape memory alloy coating is formed on the surface of the substrate. The shape memory alloy coating is a plurality of particles formed on the surface, and each particle of the plurality of particles is formed from a shape memory alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Narayanan Janakiraman, Paul Mathew, Sreerama Prasad Ramaswamy, Hiranya Nath, Ravindra Shankar Ganiger
  • Patent number: 11661892
    Abstract: A planetary gear box for a gas turbine engine, has a planet carrier with a carrier element and a planet gear. The planet gear is mounted rotatably via a plain bearing on the carrier element. An oil feed pocket is provided in the region of an outer side of the carrier element, via which feed pocket oil can be passed into a bearing gap between the outer side of the carrier element and an inner side of the planet gear. In the circumferential region of a main load direction of the plain bearing, the carrier element is formed with at least one channel carrying transmission oil. The channel extends in the carrier element radially inside the outer side of the carrier element, extending in the axial direction of the carrier element, and includes a cross section closed with respect to the bearing gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignees: ROLLS-ROYCE DEUTSCHLAND LTD & CO KG, ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Stephan Uhkötter, Rens Douma, Uwe Kracht, Mark Binnington
  • Patent number: 11661893
    Abstract: A method of servicing a gas turbine engine, the method including preparing the gas turbine engine for service; installing a shaft protection cover to an aft end of a fan shaft of the gas turbine engine; installing an oil collector drum at least partially around a gearbox of the gas turbine engine; and removing at least a portion of the gearbox from the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: GE AVIO S.R.L.
    Inventors: Andrea Depalma, Antonio Giuseppe D'Ettole, Roberto Maddaleno, Matteo Renato Usseglio
  • Patent number: 11661894
    Abstract: An example gas turbine engine includes a propulsor assembly consisting of a fan module and a fan drive turbine module, an epicyclic gear train, a high spool and a low spool. A weight of the propulsor assembly is less than 40% of a total weight of a gas turbine engine. The high spool includes an outer shaft, a high pressure turbine and a high pressure compressor. The low spool includes an inner shaft, a low pressure turbine and a low pressure compressor. The inner shaft drives the propulsor through the gear train to drive the propulsor. A weight of the propulsor is greater than a weight of the low pressure turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Frederick M. Schwarz, Gabriel L. Suciu
  • Patent number: 11661895
    Abstract: A distributed control system for a turbomachine and method of operating the distributed control system are provided. In one aspect, a distributed control system includes a central controller and a distributed controller communicatively coupled thereto. The distributed controller has one or more associated local actuators and one or more associated local sensors. The actuators and the sensors are communicatively coupled with the distributed controller. If a communication link between the central controller and the distributed controller becomes faulty, the distributed controller enters an autonomous safety mode. In this mode, the distributed controller uses a combination of its own associated local sensors and past commands received from the central controller to autonomously govern its associated local actuators to maintain safe operation of the turbomachine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: General Electric Comapny
    Inventor: Jessie Thorup
  • Patent number: 11661896
    Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for evaluating incoming air to an engine, industrial controller including engine controls, valves and solenoids, for concentrations of explosive or combustible gases or vapors, and actuating process control including but not limited to shutting down an engine or other industrial process to control an outcome including the prevention of an overspeed condition when pre-set or calculated elevated gas or vapor concentrations are detected. In some embodiments industrial control including engine shutdown may be achieved conventionally via an electronic kill signal, a shutdown of the fuel injector, carburetor or fuel pump, and in emergency conditions by the shutoff of incoming air to an air intake, turbocharger, or other air delivery systems. Decisions based on explosive gas or vapor concentrations and species and the use of networking to allow additional systems to take action before explosive gases or vapors reach said other valve-sensor devices can provide additional safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Gas Activated Systems
    Inventor: Michael A. Bryan
  • Patent number: 11661897
    Abstract: An active purge system (APS) according to a driving state of a hybrid vehicle includes an active purge unit (APU) configured to pressurize a vaporized gas generated in a fuel tank of the hybrid vehicle and supply the pressurized vaporized gas to an intake pipe, and a control unit configured to control the APU, where the control unit gradually controls a processing amount of the vaporized gas according to the driving state of the hybrid vehicle. The processing amount of the vaporized gas is gradually controlled using the APS according to the driving state of the hybrid vehicle, particularly, a number of places at which slip occurs in a power transmission system of the hybrid vehicle so that degradation of driving ability due to the occurrence of slip is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Young-Kyu Oh, Keum-Jin Park
  • Patent number: 11661898
    Abstract: Evaporative emission purge control systems and methods use a cost factor to incentivize operation of an internal combustion at torques favorable for purge. An evaporative emission control system is configured to collect fuel vapor. A controller determines whether an operating speed of the internal combustion engine is within a target purge region that is bounded by a lower speed threshold and an upper speed threshold of the internal combustion engine. When the operating speed of the internal combustion engine is within the target purge region, the controller applies a cost factor to operating points for the internal combustion engine, and based on the cost factor, the operating points are set to include an operating torque for the internal combustion engine to generate an intake pressure of the internal combustion engine at a level below atmospheric pressure for a purge of the evaporative emission control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Yiran Hu, Kee Y Kim, Jacob Kyle Lobbestael
  • Patent number: 11661899
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnostics of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) components including an EGR pressure sensor. In one example, a method for an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system of a vehicle comprises diagnosing an excessive EGR flow rate via an MAP-MAF strategy, the MAP-MAF strategy including estimating an EGR flow rate based on a difference between an output of a manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor of the vehicle and an output of a mass airflow (MAF) sensor of the vehicle; and in response to stable intrusive conditions being met, intrusively commanding an EGR valve of the EGR system to a closed position to confirm the diagnosed excessive EGR flow rate. If the excessive flow is detected after the EGR valve is commanded to the closed position, a diagnostic code may be set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Edward Doemer, Sumanth Reddy Dadam, Patrick Edward Smithberger, Adam Krach, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Bill Courtney
  • Patent number: 11661900
    Abstract: A method for monitoring a fuel supply system in an internal combustion engine includes the steps of: recording a first pressure value in the fuel supply system in a region of the fuel supply system associated with a pre-filter and upstream of a low pressure pump; recording a second pressure value in the fuel supply system downstream of the low pressure pump in a region of the fuel supply system associated with a primary filter; monitoring the first pressure value and the second pressure value for an error state of the fuel supply system; and recognizing the error state only if the error state is plausible on a basis of both the first pressure value and the second pressure value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Solutions GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Kottke, Robby Auer, Thilo Kreeb, Martin Hähnlen
  • Patent number: 11661901
    Abstract: To provide a mechanism that can further improve security of an electronic key installed in a vehicle interior. There is provided a housing device configured to store an electronic key configured to perform wireless communication with an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle, the housing device comprising: a housing formed by using a material that shields a first signal transmitted by the in-vehicle device; a trigger signal reception antenna configured to receive a trigger signal transmitted by a portable device carried by a user; and a control mechanism configured to control whether or not to enable the first signal to reach an inside of the housing based on the trigger signal, wherein the second signal transmitted by the electronic key that has received the first signal is used to control a control target device installed in the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO
    Inventor: Masanori Kosugi
  • Patent number: 11661902
    Abstract: Methods and systems for flex fuel engines that have both port fuel injection and direct injection. Operating an engine system includes determining a percent of ethanol in a fuel and determining whether the percent of ethanol is greater than a predetermined threshold. When the percent of ethanol is greater than the predetermined threshold, fuel is supplied only through the direct injection injectors. When the percent of ethanol is not greater than the predetermined threshold, fuel is supplied through a combination of the direct injection injectors and port fuel injection injectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: J. Michael Gwidt, Jeffrey M Hutmacher
  • Patent number: 11661903
    Abstract: A one-piece piston blank of near-net shape wherein the piston blank has a flange disposed opposite a skirt, the flange being spin-bendable to form a cooling channel with reduced preliminary removal of material relative to conventional forged piston blanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: KS KOLBENSCHMIDT US, INC.
    Inventors: David J. Boye, Bryan Quinn, Joseph Stojkov, Joshua Cota, Scott D. Bailey
  • Patent number: 11661904
    Abstract: Cylinder cover for an internal combustion engine, comprising a cylinder head, a cylinder head cover, an intermediate flange arranged between the cylinder head and the cylinder head cover, a plurality of fasteners for fastening the cylinder head cover and the intermediate flange to the cylinder head. The plurality of fasteners comprising a first fastener having a first head with internal threads, and a first shaft with first external threads, and a second fastener comprising a second head, and a second shaft with second external threads. The first fastener fastens the intermediate flange to the cylinder head and the second fastener fastens the cylinder head cover to the intermediate flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: FLEETGUARD FILTERS PRIVATE LIMITED
    Inventors: Rohan Turior, Satyasheel Milind Borwankar, Ajay Nehra, Aditya R Pujari, Sachin P Shirode
  • Patent number: 11661905
    Abstract: A two-dimensional variable area plug (2D VAP) nozzle assembly for a high-speed flight vehicle. In one embodiment, a 2D VAP nozzle assembly comprises a nozzle including a plurality of sidewalls; a plug body within the nozzle, the plug body abutting at least two of the plurality of sidewalls; a first convergent flap hingedly connected to at least one of the plurality of sidewalls; and a second convergent flap hingedly connected to at least one of the plurality of sidewalls. In one embodiment, the nozzle assembly includes only a first convergent flap and a second convergent flap, without diverging flaps. The 2D VAP nozzle assembly has a simplified design with reduced sidewall length, which results in reduced manufacturing and maintenance costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Florida Turbine Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Ress, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11661906
    Abstract: An integrated propulsion system according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a fan section, a gas turbine engine, a geared architecture, a nacelle assembly and a mounting assembly. The nacelle assembly includes a fan nacelle and an aft nacelle, the fan nacelle arranged at least partially about a fan and the engine, and the fan nacelle arranged at least partially about a core cowling to define a bypass flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher A. Eckett, Gabriel L. Suciu
  • Patent number: 11661907
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a vortex hybrid motor are described herein. In some embodiments, the vortex hybrid motor may include a combustion zone defined by a fuel core and/or motor housing. The combustion zone may include an upper zone and a central zone that each contribute to thrust created by the vortex hybrid motor. In some embodiments, an injection port configuration is described that includes a proximal injection port that may be controlled for modulating a delivery of an amount of oxidizer for adjusting an oxidizer-to-fuel ratio. In some embodiments, a fuel core configuration is described that provides radially varying gradients of fuel in order to achieve desired thrust profiles. In some embodiments, the fuel core may include a support structure and/or a proximal end of a nozzle of the vortex hybrid motor may extend into the fuel core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Sierra Space Corporation
    Inventors: Martin Chiaverini, Patrick Satyshur, Christopher St. Clair
  • Patent number: 11661908
    Abstract: A hybrid airbreathing rocket engine module (70) comprises an air intake arrangement (62) configured to receive air and a heat exchanger arrangement (63) configured to cool air from the air intake arrangement (62); a compressor (64) configured to compress air from the heat exchanger arrangement (63); and one or more thrust chambers (65). The air intake arrangement (62), the compressor (64), the heat exchanger arrangement (63), and the one or more thrust chambers (65) are arranged generally along an axis (69) of the engine module (70). The heat exchanger arrangement (63) is arranged between the compressor (64) and the one or more thrust chambers (65).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Reaction Engines Limited
    Inventors: Richard John Parker, Richard Anthony Varvill
  • Patent number: 11661909
    Abstract: A rotary detonation rocket engine generator system can include an axial drive shaft operably coupleable to an electrical generator. At least one support arm is radially coupled to the axial drive shaft and has corresponding rotary detonation rocket engines. An air-fuel mixing chamber receives ambient air and fuel to form an air-fuel mixture and deliver the air-fuel mixture to an annular combustion chamber. At least one pulse detonation combustion chamber is in fluid communication with the annular combustion chamber to receive an oxidizer and fuel to form an oxidizer-fuel mixture. The at least one pulse detonation combustion chamber creates a detonation wave that travels along the at least one pulse detonation chamber to the annular combustion chamber and ignites the air-fuel mixture as the detonation wave travels around the annular combustion chamber to generate thrust force that causes rotation of the axial drive shaft to drive the electrical generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Inventor: Donald Gene Taylor
  • Patent number: 11661910
    Abstract: A mixing tube with multiple shapes is provided, allowing additional injection of gas in order to keep the flow detached from the second shape in an ascent phase and to bring about, in a descent phase, a controlled detachment as a result of the change of slope between the two shapes. A propulsion nozzle for an engine of a spacecraft or aircraft is provided including such a mixing tube and a method for controlling the speed transition of the propulsion gases in such a nozzle in accordance with the altitude. Also, a method is provided for vectorising the thrust in such a nozzle by radial and asymmetrical injection of gas and a control method which prevents re-attachment of the jet to the second shape of such a propulsion nozzle for an engine of a spacecraft when it is in the take-off or landing phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignees: CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE, UNIVERSITE D'ORLEANS, UNIVERSITE D'EVERY-VAL D'ESSONNE
    Inventors: Luc Leger, Vladeta Zmijanovic, Mohamed Sellam, Amer Chpoun
  • Patent number: 11661911
    Abstract: Provided is an evaporated fuel treatment device configured to adsorb and desorb an evaporated fuel originating in a fuel tank. A first adsorption chamber is arranged in a flow passage. A second adsorption chamber is connected to the first adsorption chamber, and is arranged, in the flow passage, closer to an atmosphere port with respect to the first adsorption chamber. A first adsorption layer is arranged within the first adsorption chamber, and adsorbs the evaporated fuel. A second adsorption layer is arranged within the second adsorption chamber, and adsorbs the evaporated fuel. A sectional area of the second adsorption layer perpendicular to a direction in which the evaporated fuel flows through the second adsorption layer being larger than a sectional area of the first adsorption layer perpendicular to a direction in which the evaporated fuel flows through the first adsorption layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: FUTABA INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takuya Nakagawa, Masahito Hosoi, Tamami Ina
  • Patent number: 11661912
    Abstract: An engine operable in a premixed combustion system and a diffusion combustion system. The engine includes a main fuel injection valve, a pilot fuel injection valve, a liquid fuel tank, a main fuel supply path, a pilot fuel supply path, a pilot fuel filter, a pilot fuel high-pressure pump, a pilot fuel tank, and a pilot fuel supply pump. The pilot fuel tank stores pilot fuel sent from the pilot fuel high-pressure pump and not injected by the pilot fuel injection valve. This pilot fuel is sent to an automatic backwash filter and a pilot fuel filter while not passing through the liquid fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Yanmar Power Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Nishimura, Koichi Hirose
  • Patent number: 11661913
    Abstract: A fuel pump includes a pump housing with a pumping chamber an inlet valve bore. An inlet valve selectively provides and prevents fluid communication between an inlet of the fuel pump and the pumping chamber. The inlet valve includes an inner housing received within the inlet valve bore such that an outer periphery of the inner housing is sealed to an inner periphery of the inlet valve bore. An outer housing circumferentially surrounds the inner housing. An annular chamber is defined radially between the inner housing and the outer housing and axially between the outer housing and the pump housing. A sealing ring is located within the annular chamber such that the sealing ring is compressed axially against the pump housing and the outer housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies IP Limited
    Inventors: Brandon Kaswer, Joseph G. Spakowski, Robert Merkov
  • Patent number: 11661914
    Abstract: Systems and methods for starting an engine that may be started via two different electric machines are described. In one example, the method reserves an amount of torque that is based on a torque capability of a belt integrated starter/generator and the engine is started with the reserved torque if engine starting torque is greater than a torque capability of the belt integrated starter/generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Adam Banker, Jeffrey Doering
  • Patent number: 11661915
    Abstract: A system for starting an engine of a vehicle has a fuel injector injecting fuel into a closed intake port to form an air fuel mixture. The system also includes an actuator rotating a crankshaft in a first direction to open the intake port by moving a piston within a cylinder coupled to the crankshaft. A combustion chamber defines between the cylinder and the port receiving the air fuel mixture through the intake port. The actuator rotates the crankshaft in a second direction to close the intake port. A spark plug ignites the air fuel mixture to start the engine. The engine also includes many other disclosed features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen J. Crain, Trevor F. Rhodes
  • Patent number: 11661916
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are wave energy harnessing devices including a first movable device configured to translate in response to a level change in a water body, a first float gear configured to rotate in in response to translation of the first movable device, a first input shaft rotatably driven by the first float gear in response to rotation of the first float gear, an output shaft restricted to rotation in a first direction, and a pair of one-way clutches coupled to the first input shaft and the output shaft and configured to operatively couple the first input shaft to the output shaft in response to rotation of the first input shaft either in the first direction or in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: LDI CONSULTING INC.
    Inventors: Filippo D. Padula, Michael A. Schwartz, Hugo Freitas Pimentel
  • Patent number: 11661917
    Abstract: It is about an omnidirectional generator apparatus, capable of translating the push of a fluid from any direction in the vertical, horizontal or diagonal plains to rotational movement on a unique axis. This rotational movement can be translated to electric energy by known means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: O-INNOVATIONS LTD.
    Inventor: Nicolás Gonzalo Orellana Olguín
  • Patent number: 11661918
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a wind turbine rotor blade assembly comprising a rotor blade and a noise reducer (70) configured on the rotor blade. The noise reducer (70) comprises a plurality of aligned spine members (72), each spine member having a length and comprising a first section (74) extending along a first part of the length of the spine member, and a second section (76) extending along a second part of the length of the spine member, wherein the first section (74) has a higher stiffness than the second section (76).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: LM WIND POWER A/S
    Inventor: Carlos Arce León
  • Patent number: 11661919
    Abstract: A method for controlling a wind turbine connected to an electrical grid includes receiving, via a controller, a state estimate of the wind turbine. The method also includes determining, via the controller, a current condition of the wind turbine using, at least, the state estimate, the current condition defining a set of condition parameters of the wind turbine. Further, the method includes receiving, via the controller, a control function from a supervisory controller, the control function defining a relationship of the set of condition parameters with at least one operational parameter of the wind turbine. Moreover, the method includes dynamically controlling, via the controller, the wind turbine based on the current condition and the control function for multiple dynamic control intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Frederick Wilson Wheeler, Dayu Huang, George Theodore Dalakos, Ameet Shridhar Deshpande, Su Liu, Dhiraj Arora, Siyun Wang
  • Patent number: 11661920
    Abstract: A wind turbine control unit includes an upsampling module that receives a first control signal that includes a current control sample value and a predicted control trajectory. The upsampling module also calculates a second control signal in dependence on the current control sample value and the predicted control trajectory. The second control signal has a higher frequency than the first control signal. The upsampling module further outputs the second control signal for controlling an actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S
    Inventors: Tobias Gybel Hovgaard, Keld Hammerum, Kasper Zinck
  • Patent number: 11661921
    Abstract: A power generation system includes a flotation assembly configured to float in water and a first harnessing assembly coupled to the flotation assembly and disposed in an airflow above the water. The first harnessing assembly is configured to harness the airflow to create a first rotational energy. The system also includes a second harnessing assembly coupled to the flotation assembly and disposed in the water. The second rotational assembly is configured to harness movement of the water to create a second rotational energy. The flotation assembly also includes a generating module to convert the first and second rotational energies into electrical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: ForceGenie, LLC
    Inventor: Bradford O. Russell
  • Patent number: 11661922
    Abstract: Disclosed is a support element for a lightning protection system of a wind turbine blade comprising: a first surface configured to face towards the suction side or the pressure side of the wind turbine blade; a second surface opposite the first surface; a root side surface configured to face towards the root of the wind turbine blade; and a tip side surface configured to face towards the tip of the wind turbine blade; wherein the first surface comprises a first receptor base recess configured to receive a first receptor base for coupling with a first receptor of the lightning protection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: LM WIND POWER INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGY II APS
    Inventors: Mathilde Aubrion, Boas Eiriksson
  • Patent number: 11661923
    Abstract: A lift system mountable in a nacelle of a wind turbine has a mounting interface removably securable to a generator in the nacelle of the wind turbine, and a knuckle boom rotatably and removably mounted on the mounting interface. The knuckle boom has an extendable boom arm having a translatable boom section slidably mounted on the boom arm. Modularity of the lift system permits lifting components of the lift system up to the nacelle using an existing service crane of the wind turbine, and rapidly dismounting the knuckle boom to permit closing doors of the nacelle in the event of inclement weather without dismounting all of the lift system components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: LiftWerx Holdings Inc.
    Inventor: Glen D. Aitken
  • Patent number: 11661924
    Abstract: A lock for preventing rotation of a rotor of a wind turbine has a rotatable lock pin, a pin support supportable in a nacelle of the wind turbine and a mechanism for rotating the lock pin. The pin support has a hub-facing face proximate a rotor hub. The rotatable lock pin is rotatably mounted on the pin support. The lock pin has a cammed portion extending away from the hub-facing face toward the hub. The lock pin inserted into a complementary rotor lock aperture on the rotor hub when the pin support is supported in the nacelle. Rotation of the lock pin causes engagement of an exterior surface of the cammed portion with an interior surface of the rotor lock aperture to immobilize the lock pin against the interior surface to prevent relative motion between the lock pin and the aperture to prevent rotation of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Liftwerx Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Glen D. Aitken, Hubert Boter
  • Patent number: 11661925
    Abstract: This disclosure includes various embodiments of apparatuses for encapsulating and stopping a flowing mass of fluid (e.g., liquid such as water, or gas such as air) to extract the kinetic energy from the mass, and for exhausting the mass once stopped (spent mass, from which kinetic energy has been extracted). This disclosure also includes various embodiments of systems comprising a plurality of the present apparatuses coupled together and/or one or more of the present apparatuses in combination with one or more flow resistance modifiers (FRMs). This disclosure also includes various embodiments of methods of extracting kinetic energy from a flowing mass of fluid (e.g., liquid such as water, or gas such as air) by stopping the mass, and for exhausting the mass once stopped (spent mass, from which kinetic energy has been extracted). This disclosure also includes embodiments of mechanical energy-storage or accumulation devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Inventor: Gregory A. M. Brown
  • Patent number: 11661926
    Abstract: A geothermal power plant related maintenance support system comprises: a thermodynamic calculation module for determining performance of specified geothermal power plant components; a plurality of. embedded sensors, each of which is embedded in a different geothermal power plant location and adapted to sense a corresponding real-time geothermal power plant parameter; a plurality of environmental sensors adapted to sense ambient conditions in the vicinity of the geothermal power plant; and a processor in data communication with each of said embedded sensors and environmental sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: ORMAT TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Rachel Huberman, Evgeni Bulgakov, Hilel Legmann
  • Patent number: 11661927
    Abstract: A driving device includes a first driving element and a first flexible structure. The first driving element includes a first wire extending in a first direction and includes a shape memory alloy. The first flexible structure has a certain width in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and when the first wire contracts in the first direction, the first flexible structure has a height increasing in a third direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction. The driving device further includes a second driving element including a second wire and a second flexible structure, the second wire extending in the first direction and including a shape memory alloy. The second flexible structure has a certain width in the second direction, and when the second wire contracts in the first direction, the second flexible structure has a height increasing in the third direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignees: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., AJOU UNIVERSITY INDUSTRY-ACADEMIC COOPERATION FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Bongsu Shin, Jesung Koh, Hongseok Lee, Dongjin Kim, Baekgyeom Kim
  • Patent number: 11661928
    Abstract: A piston pump and a piston motor are provided. The piston pump includes a cylinder body, a piston, a main shaft, an end cover, and an oil dispensing mechanism. The oil dispensing mechanism includes an oil suction mechanism and an oil discharging mechanism. A roller is mounted on the piston, and the roller is rotatablely connected to the piston. A driving wheel is arranged on the main shaft, and the driving wheel is mounted in cooperation with the main shaft or is integrally formed with the main shaft. A driving groove is formed on the driving wheel, and a roller-path surface of the driving groove is a curved surface. The size of the driving groove is adapted to the size of an outer circle of the roller. The main shaft rotates to drive the driving wheel to rotate to further drive the piston to move along the cylinder bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: QINGDAO ACME INNOVATION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Dewei Zhu
  • Patent number: 11661929
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a suction valve apparatus for use in being directly connected to a surgical suction tubing and a surgical suction tip, and thus, allowing a user to stop, or shut off, a flow of suction with the use of a single hand. The present invention pertains to a thumb-activated shut-off valve apparatus for use in easily and efficiently stopping and starting a flow of suction during surgical operations. The suction valve apparatus of the present invention generally comprises a ball valve member, an O-ring, a housing member, and a handle switch member, wherein said ball valve member, said housing member, said O-ring, and said handle switch member cooperate to be able to stop or start a flow of suction from a surgical suction tube and a surgical suction tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Inventors: John H. Campbell, Angela Guidry Sobiesk
  • Patent number: 11661930
    Abstract: A pulsation damper for a condensate pump comprising a housing defining a fluid chamber having a liquid inlet connectable to an outlet of the condensate pump, an air inlet, and a liquid outlet, wherein the air inlet includes a one-way valve configured to selectively introduce air into the housing to maintain a first air pocket within the fluid chamber as liquid flows through the fluid chamber, wherein the liquid outlet is located outside the first air pocket, and wherein the air pocket is configured to dissipate pulsations within liquid entering the housing at the liquid inlet prior to the liquid discharging via the liquid outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Aspen Pumps Limited
    Inventors: Gary Haffenden, Christopher Forshaw, Christopher Gee
  • Patent number: 11661931
    Abstract: A cryopump includes a cryopanel, a main body, and a baffle plate. The cryopanel is connected to a refrigerator. The main body accommodates the cryopanel. The baffle plate is located in a gas inlet of the main body. The baffle plate includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes a center of the baffle plate and a first hole extending through the baffle plate. The second portion includes an edge of the baffle plate and a second hole extending through the baffle plate. The second portion has a greater conductance than the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Ulvac Cryogenics Incorporated
    Inventors: Shunichi Sekiguchi, Junichi Yasuda, Wenguan Piao, Yoshinobu Murayama
  • Patent number: 11661932
    Abstract: A housing structure for a device to be mounted on a vehicle is provided with which strength for withstanding a collision can be ensured. An electric compressor (1), which is a device to be mounted on a vehicle, is equipped with a device main body (10), and a cylindrical housing (13) provided in a vehicle and on the inside of which the device main body (10) is accommodated. A protruding portion (20) protruding radially outward is formed on a cylindrical part (15) constituting the housing (13). A cross section of the protruding portion (20) orthogonal to an axial line (15L) of the cylindrical part (15) presents an arc-like shape or a substantially arc-like shape protruding outward in the radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES THERMAL SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Tamaki, Ichiro Yogo
  • Patent number: 11661933
    Abstract: A vibration suppressing piping member suppresses vibration caused by a pulsating discharged gaseous fluid. The piping member includes a tubular portion and flange portions at both ends of the tubular portion. A bent portion is formed between the two flange portions. The two flange portions are directly connected to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: KOBELCO COMPRESSORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshio Yano, Hirokazu Shukuin
  • Patent number: 11661934
    Abstract: A clamping device includes at least one clamp-in unit for clamping in at least one flexible-tube delivery element of a delivery device, wherein, for a delivery of a medium, a drive force is exertable on said flexible-tube delivery element by a drive unit of the delivery device, when the flexible-tube delivery element is arranged in the clamp-in unit, the clamp-in unit is configured to clamp the flexible-tube delivery element so that it is curved as a whole, and includes at least one clamping element, which includes a convex abutment element realizing an abutment surface for the flexible-tube delivery element, wherein the clamp-in unit includes at least the clamping element, which has at least one angled clamping surface, and which includes at least one adhesive element that is arranged on the clamping surface of the clamping element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: QONQAVE GMBH
    Inventors: Lars Redschlag, Alois Krutzenbichler, Raymond Ritschka, Jochen Baumann
  • Patent number: 11661935
    Abstract: A piezoelectric blower includes a valve unit, a pump unit, a controller, and an outer housing. The valve unit includes a plurality of ejection holes and film holes. The pump unit includes a plurality of communication holes and suction holes. The outer housing covers the valve unit and the pump unit with a gap between the outer housing and each of the valve unit and the pump unit. Thus, the outer housing forms vent passages between the outer housing and the valve unit and between the outer housing and the pump unit. The inlet communicates with the vent passage. The outlet communicates with the vent passage. At least one of the inlet and the outlet is displaced from a central axis of the pump chamber. The ejection holes, the film holes, the communication holes, and the suction holes are symmetric about the central axis of the pump chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nobuhira Tanaka, Daisuke Kondo, Hiroaki Wada