Including Traction Motor Of Turbine Type Driven By Fluid Product Of Combustion Patents (Class 180/301)
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Patent number: 11305629Abstract: A vehicle includes a turbine engine. The turbine engine is mounted on a frame member on a front side of the vehicle and has a turbine engine body and an exhaust pipe coupled to a rear side of the turbine engine body in a front-rear direction of the vehicle. A fragile part configured to be crushed more easily than another part of the exhaust pipe is formed in the exhaust pipe on the turbine engine body side.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2019Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATIONInventor: Wataru Kato
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Patent number: 11220959Abstract: A transmission device drives a fuel pump for a turbomachine using a drive shaft of said turbomachine. The transmission includes a planet reduction gearing with three elements: a central planet gear, an outer ring gear and a planet carrier. A first of the three elements connects to the drive shaft and a second of the three elements couples to a shaft of the pump. The three elements can be rotated about a shaft of the reduction gearing. First electrical means rotatably drive the third element to modify a rotational speed ratio between the first and second elements. Second electrical means are coupled to the first or the second element. The first and second electrical means are arranged to transfer electrical power reversibly from one to the other.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2018Date of Patent: January 11, 2022Assignees: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES, SAFRAN ELECTRICAL & POWERInventors: Huguette De Wergifosse, Eric De Wergifosse
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Patent number: 11161388Abstract: A refrigeration system for cooling a refrigeration compartment. The refrigeration system comprises a cooling reservoir for cooling refrigerant in a first loop using energy recovered from an engine exhaust stream and a refrigeration circuit comprising a compressor drivable by an internal combustion motor, the compressor circulating refrigerant in a second loop. The refrigeration system comprises at least one heat exchanger in communication with the first and second loops to receive cooled refrigerant, and at least one blower for forcing air over the at least one heat exchanger. A controller selectively activates the internal combustion motor based on a temperature of the cooling reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2017Date of Patent: November 2, 2021Assignee: ENERMOTION INC.Inventors: John Hamilton Stannard, Jack W. MacDonnell, Julian Kenney, Mehrdad Taheri
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Patent number: 10477731Abstract: A liquid-cooled radiator includes liquid-cooled boards, a condenser, a driver, a coolant conduit assembly, and a mounting bracket. The liquid-cooled boards and the condenser are mounted on the mounting bracket. The driver is coupled to the liquid-cooled boards and the condenser through the coolant conduit assembly. The coolant conduit assembly includes a main conduit, a diverting block, and a sub-conduit. The diverting block is mounted to the mounting bracket. The liquid-cooled boards are coupled to the diverting block in parallel through the sub-conduit. The condenser, the driver, and the diverting block are coupled together through the main conduit. The driver drives coolant from the condenser to flow through the diverting block and the sub-conduit to the liquid-cooled boards, flow through the sub-conduit and the diverting block to the main conduit, and then flow from the main conduit to the condenser to be condensed.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2019Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Assignee: CHAMP TECH OPTICAL (FOSHAN) CORPORATIONInventors: Meng Fu, Qiao-Long Chen, Lin-Wei Liu
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Patent number: 10435141Abstract: The invention is a drive system for rotating a wheel of an aircraft landing gear. The drive system includes a motor operable to rotate a drive pinion via a drive path, and a driven gear adapted to be mounted to the wheel. The drive system has a first configuration in which the drive pinion is capable of meshing with the driven gear to permit the motor to drive the driven gear via the drive path. The drive path has a plurality of shafts rotatable about respect shaft axes, including an output shaft. The output shaft is operable to pivot about the axis of rotation of another shaft axis spaced from the output shaft axis. Also, an aircraft landing gear having a wheel and the drive system, where the driven gear of the drive system is mounted to the wheel.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2014Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITEDInventors: Arnaud Didey, Fraser Wilson
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Patent number: 10252607Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for economically using compressed air as automobile power source, comprising: a compressed air power device, which includes automobile air storage tubes (1) to store a sufficient amount of high-pressure compressed air and a cylinder-combined engine consisting of the first and second cylinders (9)(10), and which can make full use of the compressed air to produce driving power; a mechanism to produce, store and provide high-pressure compressed air, which includes a boiler-type high-pressure compressed air producing and storing device, abbreviated as boiler-type HCAPS device (4), to be able to use electricity during periods of low energy demand (off-peak) such as at night simultaneously recovering the by-produced heat for central heating, and pressurizing and inflating into the automobile air storage tubes (1) during daytimes; brake energy recovery and regeneration devices, which include a spring reserving-releasing device and/or a compressed air reserving-releaType: GrantFiled: May 30, 2016Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Inventor: Lifeng Wang
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Patent number: 9821905Abstract: The invention provides a drive system for rotating a wheel of an aircraft landing gear. The drive system includes a motor operable to rotate a drive pinion, and a driven gear adapted to be mounted to the wheel. The drive system has a first configuration in which the drive pinion is capable of meshing with the driven gear to permit the motor to drive the driven gear and a second configuration in which the drive pinion is not capable of meshing with the driven gear. The drive system includes a linear positioning actuator for moving the drive pinion relative to the driven gear. The positioning actuator has a first end and a second end, the first end having a pivotal connection with a pivot axis spaced at a fixed distance from an axis of rotation of the driven gear, and the second end having a pivotal connection with a pivot axis spaced at a fixed distance from an axis of rotation of the drive pinion.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2015Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITEDInventor: Arnaud Didey
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Patent number: 9777698Abstract: A vehicle propulsion system comprises at least two motors. Combustion occurs upstream of a first motor, and a second motor is downstream of said first motor. The first motor is a turbine that drives a primary propulsion element to effect propulsion and a compressor to effect compression. The second motor is an expansion device whose incoming gases arrive from said first motor. The first motor and the second motor intercommunicate energy via electrical, electromagnetic, and/or mechanical means.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2013Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Inventor: Daniel Keith Schlak
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Patent number: 9670857Abstract: A method of controlling torque output of a power-plant during launch of a vehicle having a transmission with a manually-operated clutch is disclosed. The power-plant torque is varied based on clutch pedal and throttle pedal positions using a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control logic in an electronic fuel control system. The method includes setting power-plant idle speed, detecting clutch engagement without application of the throttle pedal, and raising power-plant torque after clutch engagement is detected. In each PID feedback loop, the method includes detecting actual power-plant speed and a rate of change in actual power-plant speed, and adjusting the raised power-plant torque in response to the determined rate of change in actual power-plant speed.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2015Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Krishnendu Kar, Leon Cribbins, Thomas Weglarz
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Patent number: 9663080Abstract: A method, carried out in a controller of a motor vehicle having a plurality of wheels, to counteract an undesired influence on the motor vehicle. The method comprises determining, during a braking recuperation process, the undesired influence that is caused by the braking recuperation process and counteracting the determined undesired influence using a vehicle system that affects torques present at one or more wheels of the plurality of vehicle wheels.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2015Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: Ford Global TechnologiesInventor: Martin Saeger
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Patent number: 9404389Abstract: The present application provides a passive control valve actuator cooling system to provide a flow of cooling air to a control valve actuator used with a gas turbine engine. The passive control valve actuator cooling system may include a turbine enclosure with a negative pressure therein, a radiation shield with a number of radiation shield outlets and the control valve actuator positioned therein, and a cooling air line extending from outside of the turbine enclosure to the radiation shield such that the negative pressure within the turbine enclosure pulls the flow of cooling air into and through the radiation shield so as to cool the control valve actuator.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2013Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Dean Matthew Erickson, Martin Lopez, Jose Francisco Aguilar
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Patent number: 8960358Abstract: A speed-based system for controlling a pump displacement to control a pump flow rate of a hydraulic pump in a vehicle, such as a hybrid. The system includes a plurality of sensors, a controller, and a hydraulic pump. The controller is configured to receive data from the sensors, ascertain a speed of the vehicle, determine a target pump displacement, and transmit the target pump displacement. The target pump displacement is less than a predetermined maximum value when the speed of the vehicle is greater than a first predefined threshold, and equal to the predetermined maximum value when the speed of the vehicle is less than or equal to the first predefined threshold. The hydraulic pump is configured to ascertain an actual pump displacement, receive the target pump displacement from the controller, and alter the actual pump displacement to the target pump displacement.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2013Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Michael Sowards, Brian Leslie, Frank Kachinski
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Patent number: 8646564Abstract: A vehicle auxiliary power unit includes a turbine to provide a turbine output, a fuel-fired burner that provides a heat source for the turbine, and a heat exchanger that receives the turbine output. The heat exchanger generates a heat exchanger output to produce a predetermined output condition such as heating/cooling a cabin compartment, heating an exhaust component to a desired temperature, and/or heating an engine block, for example.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2010Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: Faurecia Emissions Control Technologies, USA, LLCInventors: Navin Khadiya, Wilbur H. Crawley, III
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Publication number: 20130333973Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention relates to a valve apparatus that is designed to help protect users of liquefied propane gas (“LPG”) powered equipment from being injured while using, connecting, or disconnecting a coupler that connects an LPG supply line to an LPG container. The valve apparatus may, for example, prevent LPG from escaping into the environment while the supply line is being, or after it has been, disconnected.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2013Publication date: December 19, 2013Inventor: David Cormack
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Patent number: 8397680Abstract: An engine system includes a medium which chemically repeats storage and release of hydrogen to provide an engine system where CO2 emissions can be suppressed and system efficiency is excellent. The engine system includes a hydrogen supply device for producing hydrogen rich gas from a medium which chemically repeats the storage and release of hydrogen, and drives an engine using the hydrogen rich gas produced in the hydrogen supply device as one of the fuels. This engine system is characterized by comprising a waste heat supply device for supplying waste heat of the engine to hydrogen supply device, a generator which generates electricity by power of the engine, an energy storage device for storing electric power produced by the generator, and a motor for converting electric power discharged from the energy storage device into power.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2008Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Atsushi Shimada, Takao Ishikawa, Masatoshi Sugimasa
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Patent number: 8387731Abstract: A combined hybrid drive and brake system for use with a rotatably driven mechanism includes a hybrid drive system that is adapted to decelerate a rotatably driven mechanism, accumulate the energy resulting from such deceleration, and use the accumulated energy to subsequently accelerate the rotatably driven mechanism. A brake system is adapted to decelerate the rotatably driven mechanism. A control apparatus is responsive to a request for braking torque for decelerating the rotatably driven mechanism by either (1) the hybrid drive system operating alone, (2) the brake system operating alone, or (3) both the hybrid drive system and the brake system operating in combination.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2008Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Parker-Hannifin CorporationInventor: Steven C. Rink
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Patent number: 8235150Abstract: A pneumatic hybrid turbo transmission for reduced energy consumption is disclosed. A pneumatic hybrid turbo transmission configured as a multi-purpose unit (MPU). The MPU recovers energy from the cooling system, exhaust system, ram pressure and the breaking system. The MPU unit is an automatic transmission, supercharger, air compressor for other uses, and starter for the engine using a multi-purpose unit that will eliminate the need for a torque converter or clutch, flywheel, catalytic converter, starter and supercharger. The MPU reduces pollution to near zero and reduces the aerodynamic drag coefficient on the vehicle. The MPU uses two or more in-line compressors to transfer power from the power source, such as an internal combustion engine (ICE) to a turbine or multi-stage turbine that acts as an automatic transmission. The pneumatic hybrid turbo transmission system uses plug-in power as a second source of power.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2009Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Inventor: Rez Mustafa
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Patent number: 8020659Abstract: A hydrostatically driven vehicle has an engine operating a variable displacement propel pump, a displacement of which can vary based on an angle of a rotating swashplate, such that a fluid flow impelled by the pump transfers power to at least one propel motor rotating a wheel of the vehicle. An electronic controller of the vehicle senses an operating parameter of the system, for example, the angle of the rotating swashplate or the direction and speed of rotation of the propel motor with a sensor to yield an actual signal, and relays the actual signal to an electronic controller. The controller determines a desired angle for the rotating swashplate based on the control signal, and compares it to the actual signal from the sensor. Motion of the vehicle is stalled when the angle signal differs from the desired angle by a predetermined extent and for a predetermined period.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2007Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Eric J Schultz, John Marsolek, Corwin E. Storer
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Patent number: 7841432Abstract: A hybrid electro-hydraulic drive system is provided for a vehicle and comprises a hydraulic transmission including a first hydraulic machine and at least one second hydraulic machine drivingly connected to drive wheels of the motor vehicle for driving thereof, an electric motor/generator operatively connected to the first hydraulic machine, and at least one energy storage device operable to store and release a hydraulic fluid energy or an electrical energy. The second hydraulic machine is a reversible hydraulic pump/motor unit capable to function both as a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor. The energy storage device is operatively connected to either the hydraulic transmission or the electric motor/generator. In a retarding mode the hydraulic transmission and/or the electric motor/generator retard the vehicle, while in a driving mode they supply a supplementary power to the drive wheels to assist propulsion of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2005Date of Patent: November 30, 2010Assignee: Bosch Rexroth CorporationInventors: Alfred Edmund Lynn, Kenric Rose, Simon John Baseley, James A Duggan
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Publication number: 20100181138Abstract: A vehicle auxiliary power unit includes a turbine to provide a turbine output, a fuel-fired burner that provides a heat source for the turbine, and a heat exchanger that receives the turbine output. The heat exchanger generates a heat exchanger output to produce a predetermined output condition such as heating/cooling a cabin compartment, heating an exhaust component to a desired temperature, and/or heating an engine block, for example.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2010Publication date: July 22, 2010Inventors: Navin Khadiya, Wilbur H. Crawley, III
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Patent number: 7559394Abstract: A power system includes a device configured to store pressurized fuel. An air motor having an air motor output member is in fluid communication with the storage device, and is configured to transfer the mechanical energy of the fuel to the air motor output member. A chemical energy conversion system is in fluid communication with the air motor to receive fuel therefrom. The chemical energy conversion system is configured to convert the chemical energy of the fuel to another form of energy, such as mechanical energy or electrical energy.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2006Date of Patent: July 14, 2009Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Rodney B. Rask, Sherif H. El Tahry, Paul M. Najt
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Patent number: 7306063Abstract: A power control unit for electric vehicle which can easily detach the high voltage cables even if the motor room is deformed, for example, by head-on collision and/or rear-end collision of the vehicle, which is difficult to be deformed, which can make small, and which can avoid an influence of heat generated by the reactor is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2005Date of Patent: December 11, 2007Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hideki Morita, Tomoya Yamagishi
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Patent number: 7185496Abstract: A synchronizing stationary clutch system for compression braking in a two spool gas turbine engine is provided by the present invention. The synchronizing stationary clutch system allows the two shafts of a two spool gas turbine engine to be reliably coupled at any given speed of either shaft. This coupling ability is useful to a gas turbine engine functioning in a land vehicle for the purpose of slowing the forward momentum of a rolling vehicle. The clutch system may also allow the use of auxiliary power from an electrical motor to start the engine.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2004Date of Patent: March 6, 2007Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.Inventor: Christopher J. Herlihy
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Patent number: 6907947Abstract: A power control unit for electric vehicle which can easily detach the high voltage cables even if the motor room is deformed, for example, by head-on collision and/or rear-end collision of the vehicle, which is difficult to be deformed, which can make small, and which can avoid an influence of heat generated by the reactor is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2002Date of Patent: June 21, 2005Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hideki Morita, Tomoya Yamagishi
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System and method for recovering potential energy of a hydrogen gas fuel supply for use in a vehicle
Publication number: 20020162698Abstract: A system 10 is provided for recovering the potential energy of a hydrogen gas fuel supply within a fuel cell powered vehicle 14. The system 10 includes a conventional storage tank 16 which receives and stores hydrogen gas at a relatively high pressure, an energy conversion unit or assembly 18, a compressor unit or assembly 20, pressure regulators 22, 24, a valve 26, an electrical charge storage device or battery 28, a controller 30, vehicle sensors 32 and electrical switches or switching module 34. The system 10 selectively channels pressurized hydrogen gas through energy conversion unit 18 which lowers the pressure of the hydrogen gas and generates electricity. Controller 30 causes the generated electricity to be selectively communicated to compressor 20, electrical accessories 72, and/or to battery 28 by use of switching module 34, based upon vehicle attribute data received from sensors 32.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2001Publication date: November 7, 2002Inventors: Keith Andrew Oglesby, Kurt David Osborne, Woong-Chul Yang -
Patent number: 6202782Abstract: A vehicle driving method and hybrid propulsion system are disclosed. In the vehicle driving method and hybrid propulsion system, a heat engine is intermittently operated to provide a first power output and hot exhaust. A heat recovery unit containing thermal storage means is utilized to recover and store waste of hot exhaust, thereby enabling continuous production of motive gases during non-operation period of the heat engine. An expansion turbine is coupled to the heat engine and expands the motive gases to produce a second power output in a continuous fashion. The vehicle is driven by the first and second power outputs. A control unit operates the heat engine in an on/off mode to intermittently supply the hot exhaust to heat recovery unit, thereby providing remarkable fuel economy with reduced pollutants.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 1999Date of Patent: March 20, 2001Inventor: Takefumi Hatanaka
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Patent number: 5901809Abstract: A compressor including a chamber having a standing acoustical wave therein, the wave having at least first and second velocity nodes, the first velocity node having a smaller cross-sectional area than the second velocity node, a high pressure inlet adapted to receive relatively high pressure gas, an inlet mechanism operably connected to the high pressure inlet and to the chamber, the inlet mechanism being associated with the first velocity node and adapted to supply pulses of the relatively high pressure gas to the chamber at a predetermined rate, at least one outlet valve associated with the second velocity node of the chamber and adapted to allow gas at a relatively low pressure to pass therethrough, and a low pressure inlet operably connected to the chamber.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 1997Date of Patent: May 11, 1999Inventor: Andrew Berkun
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Patent number: 5826673Abstract: An electric propulsion system for a vehicle having an electric drive motor. A generator supplies electric current to the motor. A dual shaft turbine engine having a compressor and a gasifier coupled with a first shaft and a power turbine, flywheel and generator coupled to a second shaft provide electric current to the electric drive motor. The first and second drive shafts are uncoupled and are allowed to spin independently of one another. Exhaust gases from the gasifier turn the power turbine, thus the turning power turbine turns the generator and flywheel as a unit.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 1997Date of Patent: October 27, 1998Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Bradford Bates, Richard C. Belaire, Craig Hammann Stephan
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Patent number: 5762156Abstract: An electric propulsion system for a vehicle having an electric drive motor. A generator supplies electric current to the motor. A dual shaft turbine engine having a compressor and a gasifier coupled with a first shaft and a power turbine, flywheel and generator coupled to a second shaft provide electric current to the electric drive motor. The first and second drive shafts are uncoupled and are allowed to spin independently of one another. Exhaust gases from the gasifier turn the power turbine, thus the turning power turbine turns the generator and flywheel as a unit.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 1995Date of Patent: June 9, 1998Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Bradford Bates, Richard C. Belaire, Craig Hammann Stephan
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Patent number: 5191766Abstract: A hybrid engine is disclosed which utilizes the heat from the exhausted combustion gases of an internal combustion engine to generate steam externally of the cylinders of the engine. The steam is used to power turbines which may be effectively connected to augment the power supplied by the internal combustion engine or to act as a power transfer medium. The device includes a modified exhaust manifold which incorporates one way valves and water injection ports to enable steam pressurization within the manifold. Steam spent in the turbines is condensed and returned to the system with exhaust gases being vented to atmosphere subsequent to the utilization of their previously wasted heat energy for power production.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 1991Date of Patent: March 9, 1993Inventor: Frank L. Vines
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Patent number: 4470261Abstract: At a low part load, and at idling of a vehicle machinery it is difficult to obtain a good fuel economy and acceptable emission rates. The amount of work for driving the compressor and the auxiliary apparatuses is considerable in a gas turbine, and in view of the conditions mentioned the combustor of the gas turbine is provided with two burners, of which one is dimensioned for a fuel quantity which merely corresponds to "spare-flame" operation. An auxiliary motor is included in the machinery and keeps together with the "spare-flame" burner, the main rotor of the gas turbine running at idling and part-load. The auxiliary motor may be an electric motor.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 1981Date of Patent: September 11, 1984Assignee: AB VolvoInventors: Sven-Olof Kronogard, Clas-Olof Kronogard, Hakan Kronogard
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Patent number: 4349080Abstract: A drive unit for land vehicles, especially track-laying vehicles armored on all sides. The drive unit has a gas turbine consisting of a gas generator and a useful turbine connected subsequent thereto which acts upon a drive axle by way of a drive or transmission. The gas turbine is arranged above the transmission, with the longitudinal axis thereof extending in direction of the vehicle longitudinal axis. The air inlet is provided near the upper wall, and the exhaust gas outlet is provided in the vicinity of the rear wall of the vehicle. The arrangement of the drive unit for a land vehicle permits the smallest possible construction and allows the installation of as many devices serving a military purpose as possible. Provision is also made for auxiliary devices to be operated independently of the traveling drive.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 1979Date of Patent: September 14, 1982Assignee: Klockner-Humboldt-Deutz AktiengesellschaftInventor: Heinz Brockmann
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Patent number: 4336856Abstract: A turbo-flywheel-powered vehicle has as the flywheel the rotor of a gas driven drag turbine, which rotor has a mass distribution such that the radius of gyration is at least 0.7 times the radius of the rotor, a combustion can for producing propellant fluid and delivering it to the drag turbine, a rotary air compressor mounted to rotate as a unit with the rotor and having conduit means for conducting compressed air to the combustion can and drive means for coupling the motor to the rolling stock of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 1979Date of Patent: June 29, 1982Assignee: Joseph Gamell Industries, Inc.Inventor: Joseph A. Gamell
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Patent number: 4294596Abstract: An air-filter apparatus for use with gas-turbine and like engines, wherein the filter is formed as a continuous moving blanket-like belt. There is also provided a continuous cleaning system which includes rotating brushes engaging the filter blanket to loosen the foreign matter captured therein, and a cleaning fluid applicator which allows a vacuum-cleaning device to separate the foreign matter as the filter blanket continuously passes over the intake portion of the engine.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 1980Date of Patent: October 13, 1981Inventor: Dan Taverez
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Patent number: 4290268Abstract: An auxiliary kinetic energy recovery system is provided for a vehicle with a rotary sliding vane engine including a compressor, a combustion chamber and a motor in which the braking is done by connecting the rotor of the compressor to a wheel and braking rotation of the rotor by controlling the gas flow through the rotary sliding vane compressor, such as by varying the outlet to increase the pressure ratio. This eliminates the conventional friction brakes. The compressed air generated during braking is fed to a surge tank for later use in operating the vehicle engine, thus recovering a portion of the kinetic energy of the vehicle. Additional amounts of kinetic energy are recovered by means of a closed circuit compressible gas circulating system which comprises an auxiliary compressor actuated by the same shaft as that attached to the engine compressor.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 1978Date of Patent: September 22, 1981Assignee: Purification Sciences, Inc.Inventor: Frank E. Lowther
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Patent number: 4183420Abstract: A pump or generator is connected to the drive shaft of a vehicle to induce a braking effect not provided by the twin shaft gas turbine powering the vehicle. The output of the pump or generator is stored and used to drive the compressor of the turbine in place of fuel during coasting and/or idling of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 1978Date of Patent: January 15, 1980Assignee: Nissan Motor Company, LimitedInventor: Keijiro Kinoshita