Blade Making Patents (Class 29/889.7)
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Patent number: 8075280Abstract: A method of making a composite blade that is attachable to a rotating shaft using a conventional metal blade attachment. A blade is formed from a composite material with a blade root at one end thereof. A metallic member having an external shape conforming to a conventional metal blade root is shaped with an interior cavity having an opening for receipt of the blade root. Before the composite material is fully cured, a bladder is formed into or is inserted into an end of the blade root and inflated, thereby forcing the composite material into intimate contact with the interior cavity of the metallic member, thereby ensuring a fret-free interface upon final curing of the composite material. The interior cavity of the metallic member may be shaped or surfaced to improve the load carrying capability there between.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2008Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.Inventor: William F. Jones
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Publication number: 20110299990Abstract: A turbine airfoil usable in a turbine engine and including a depth indicator for determining outer wall blade thickness. The airfoil may include an outer wall having a plurality of grooves in the outer surface of the outer wall. The grooves may have a depth that represents a desired outer surface and wall thickness of the outer wall. The material forming an outer surface of the outer wall may be removed to be flush with an innermost point in each groove, thereby reducing the wall thickness and increasing efficiency. The plurality of grooves may be positioned in a radially outer region of the airfoil proximate to the tip.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2010Publication date: December 8, 2011Inventors: John J. Marra, Allister W. James, Gary B. Merrill
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Publication number: 20110296685Abstract: In a gas turbine blade where a part of the ?? phase precipitation strengthened type Ni-based alloy base material is composed of a weld metal, the weld metal is a Ni-based alloy containing Ta from 4.8 to 5.3 wt. %, Cr from 18 to 23 wt. %, Co from 12 to 17 wt. %, W from 14 to 18 wt. %, C from 0.03 to 0.1 wt. %, Mo from 1 to 2 wt. %, and Al of 1 wt. % or less, in which the oxygen content is 0 to 30 ppm, the Ti content from 0 to 0.1 wt. %, and the Re content from 0 to 0.5 wt. %. A blade base metal is manufactured by the step of stripping, the step of solution heat treatment where the ?? phase is dissolved again, the step of welding in an inert gas chamber by a TIG method using a welding wire where the weld metal can be obtained, the step of HIP treatment at 1100° C. to 1150° C., and the step of an aging treatment at 835° C. to 855° C.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2011Publication date: December 8, 2011Inventors: Shinya Imano, Kunihiro Ichikawa, Hiroyuki Doi, Katsumi Tanaka
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Patent number: 8069563Abstract: A blade structure for a torque converter, produced by a process including the steps of: stamping a flat blank into a first annular plate that includes a first connecting ring portion, a second connecting ring portion, and a plurality of blades spaced from each other in a circumferential direction of the first and second connecting ring portions; bending the blades into a curved shape curved with respect to the first annular plate; bending the blades to be inclined by a predetermined angle with respect to the first and second connecting ring portions; and expanding the first annular plate outwardly in a radial direction thereof to thereby form a predetermined annular shape that has a larger radial dimension than the first annular shape and a larger circumferential distance between respective adjacent two of the blades than that in the first annular plate.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2008Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: JATCO LtdInventor: Kazumi Saitou
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Patent number: 8065799Abstract: A method of fabricating a turbomachine rotor disk is disclosed. In the method, a metal container is defined, made up of a plurality of parts that define between them at least one annular cavity, an insert made of composite material is positioned in the at least one cavity, the assembly is subjected to hot isostatic compacting, and a rotor disk is machined.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2007Date of Patent: November 29, 2011Assignee: SNECMAInventor: Adrien Fabre
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Patent number: 8061031Abstract: An impeller assembly is for a fluid machine, such as a compressor, and includes a first, main body and a second body. The main body includes a first section providing at least a substantial portion of either an impeller disc or an impeller cover and a second section spaced generally axially from the first section and providing a portion of the other one of the disc or the cover. A plurality of integrally formed blades extend between and connect the main body first and second sections such that the main body is generally of one piece construction. A plurality of flow channels are defined between the blades and a plurality of access openings extend into the flow channels. The second body provides a remainder of the disc or cover and is attachable to the main body to substantially form an impeller and to close all of the access openings.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2009Date of Patent: November 22, 2011Assignee: Dresser-Rand CompanyInventors: Andrew Jason Ranz, David C. Seib
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Patent number: 8056227Abstract: A turbine blade including a root section at an end of the turbine blade, a first airfoil section adjacent to the root section, and a tip section adjacent to the airfoil section and including a material block that is incongruous with the airfoil section. A midspan section may also include a material block. Each material block can be selectively machined to customize the length of the turbine blade and the position of a tip shroud connection or midspan connection. The turbine blade can be sized for retrofitting last stage blades of older turbines. A radial position of the root mounts for the turbine blade may also be adjusted to provide further customization.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2009Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Alan Richard DeMania, Alan Donn Maddaus, Steven Russell Pock
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Publication number: 20110274551Abstract: A production method enables use of ultrasonic forming but does not leave a bonding face in a final product. One cuts into a plate member having a first side face and a second side face from the first side face toward the second side face to form a slit that does not reach the second side face; seals lips of the slit to leave an opening; causes superplastic forming of the plate member by pressurizing the plate member in a mold with gas through the opening; and cuts out a portion including the sealed lips.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2010Publication date: November 10, 2011Applicant: IHI CorporationInventor: Takayuki Iwasaki
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Patent number: 8051565Abstract: A method of reducing crack propagation in an airfoil includes: providing an airfoil having a root spaced apart from a tip, spaced-apart leading and trailing edges, a suction side extending from the leading edge to the trailing edge, and an opposed pressure side extending from the leading edge and the trailing edge, supporting the airfoil against bending loads; and burnishing the airfoil using a burnishing element, so as to create at least one burnished section of residual compressive stress, the at least one burnished section being located adjacent the leading edge and spaced from the leading edge by an offset distance selected so as to avoid deformation of the leading edge.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2006Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Alberto Luna, Joshua Leigh Miller, William Terence Dingwell, Michael Jay Brunck, William Lee Imhoff, Paul Moncelle, Dale Robert Lombardo, Andrew Philip Woodfield
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Publication number: 20110268575Abstract: A spoke for a stator component for conducting a gas flow during operation includes at least two wall parts connecting a leading edge and a trailing edge of the spoke, and a middle portion between a first and a second end portion along a longitudinal extension. A first imaginary extension line from a first segment of the first wall part to a second segment of the second wall part and a second imaginary extension line from a second segment of the first wall part to a first segment of the second wall part are intersecting within the wall parts in the middle portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2008Publication date: November 3, 2011Inventors: Joachim Steffenburg-Nordenström, Henrik Gustavsson
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Patent number: 8046915Abstract: Method for making a composite containment casing having an integrated abradable system involving providing a mandrel having a pocket, positioning a sandwich structure into the pocket, applying at least one ply of a material about the mandrel having the pocket containing the sandwich structure therein to produce a containment casing preform, infusing a resin into the containment casing preform, curing the containment casing preform to produce a containment casing, and applying at least one abradable layer to the sandwich structure of the containment casing to produce the containment casing having the integrated abradable system.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2007Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ming Xie, Donald George Lachapelle
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Patent number: 8049132Abstract: A method of repairing a turbomachine blisk having at least one damaged zone by build-up of metal in the damaged zone using a laser build-up welding machine is disclosed. The method includes preparing the damaged zone by machining the damaged zone to obtain a zone of defined profile to be repaired, build-up welding of a start-of-run test piece that includes the defined profile using the laser build-up welding machine, checking geometric and metallurgical quality of the test piece, and build-up welding the zone to be repaired of the blisk using the laser build-up welding machine.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2006Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: SNECMA et SNECMA ServicesInventors: Bernard Bouet, Gerard Derrien, Stephane Michel Kerneis, Claude Andre Charles Pagnon, Eric Christian Jean Pinto
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Publication number: 20110262280Abstract: The invention relates to a rotor blade for wind energy installation, comprising at least one flange running in a longitudinal direction from a rotor blade root to a rotor blade tip, whereby a width of the flange decreases along the longitudinal direction. The invention also relates to a method for producing a rotor blade in that at least one flange with a width decreasing in the longitudinal direction is applied to a rotor blade inner wall, and to a laying assistance device for positioning strips of the flange.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2009Publication date: October 27, 2011Inventor: Matthias Schubert
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Publication number: 20110243722Abstract: A fixed vane section for a gas turbine engine includes an anti-rotation slot that receives a pin for maintaining a desired position while providing for movement encountered during operation. The example anti-rotation slot includes a compound radius on inner surfaces to reduce stresses encountered during operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2010Publication date: October 6, 2011Inventors: Richard M. Murphy, Matthew S. Gleiner
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Publication number: 20110223028Abstract: A blade of the wind turbine is prepared to be connected with the hub of the wind turbine. An extension unit is designed and prepared to elongate the blade. The extension unit is connected with the tip of the blade by a pressure, which is applied between the tip of the blade and the extension unit. The applied pressure is a low-pressure in relation to the ambient barometric pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2011Publication date: September 15, 2011Inventors: Jason Stege, Henrik Stiesdal, Martin Winther-Jensen
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Patent number: 8012299Abstract: The invention provides a method of manufacturing a wind turbine blade comprising a spar and at least one airfoil section, where both the spar and the airfoil section comprise an outer surface which forms part of an aerodynamically active surface of the blade. The method comprises steps of providing a support structure, placing the spar at the support structure, providing a clamp adapted to be fixed to the outer surface of both the spar and the airfoil section, arranging the airfoil section relative to the spar, fixing the clamp to the outer surface of the spar and the airfoil section, and assembling the at least one airfoil section an the spar by a process including adhesion.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2009Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/SInventor: Mark Hancock
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Publication number: 20110211964Abstract: In at least one implementation, a method of making a turbine blade may include providing a preform having a hollow cross-section, hydroforming the preform to form a turbine blade body comprising a shell that includes a continuous hollow portion along its interior, and providing a mounting portion attached to the body to mount the turbine blade to a hub. In one or more implementations of the method, the mounting portion may be provided during the step of hydroforming the preform and the mounting portion may be formed from the same preform as the turbine blade body.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2011Publication date: September 1, 2011Applicant: VARI-FORM, INC.Inventors: Martin L. Bliss, Trevor M. Clark, Jose U. Coelho, Timothy R. Flint, Blair J. Longhouse
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Patent number: 8006380Abstract: A method of replacing a damaged blade (12A) of an integrally bladed rotor assembly (10) including a disc (14) and a plurality of blades (12) extending outwardly from the disc (14) includes the steps of; removing the damaged blade (12A) to leave a blade stub (16) projecting from the disc (14); depositing a collar (22) of metal around the blade stub (16) at a position physically separated from the disc (14); attaching a replacement blade (12B) to the stub (16) by linear friction welding; and removing the collar (22). A body (20) of a material may be deposited between the disc (14) and the collar (22) to protect the disc (14) from damage.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2005Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: Rolls-Royce plcInventors: Martin Rawson, Andrew T Webster
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Patent number: 7998303Abstract: A method of assembling a wind turbine blade comprises providing a first blade segment comprising at least two first spar cap segments; providing a second blade segment comprising at least two second spar cap segments; inserting the second blade segment into the first blade segment wherein a spar cap cavity is formed between each set of corresponding first and second spar cap segments; injecting an adhesive into the spar cap cavities to bond the blade segments together, wherein a scarf joint is formed between each set of corresponding first and second spar cap segments.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2009Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Peggy Lynn Baehmann, Thomas Miebach, Eric John Telfeyan, Wendy Wen-Ling Lin, Chandra Sekher Yerramalli, Shu Ching Quek
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Publication number: 20110188990Abstract: New in-pipe hydroelectric turbine devices, systems, and methods offer the potential for less costly and greater energy output in many applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2011Publication date: August 4, 2011Inventor: Daniel FARB
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Patent number: 7988422Abstract: A wind turbine blade includes an upper shell member and a lower shell member defining an internal cavity therebetween. The shell members are joined with a bond paste along bond lines at the leading edge and trailing edge of the blade. A seal member is disposed between the upper and lower shell members at a designed width of the bond line along at least one of the trailing or leading edges. The seal member has a configuration such that excess flowable bond paste is prevented from migrating past the seal member and into the internal cavity upon mating the upper and lower shell members in assembly of the blade.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2010Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Robert Andrew Dixon
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Publication number: 20110182740Abstract: A sheath for a fan airfoil having a leading edge, a trailing edge, a tip, a root, a suction side and a pressure side includes a solid portion to wrap around the airfoil lead edge and over the airfoil tip and means for securing the solid portion to the airfoil.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2010Publication date: July 28, 2011Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Carl Brian Klinetob, Phillip Alexander, Allan J. Brockett
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Patent number: 7984547Abstract: A method is for manufacturing and/or repairing components, e.g., blades and blade segments, for gas turbines, e.g., for aircraft engines, by laser-powder build-up welding. Laser-powder build-up welding is performed using at least one substructure, the material build-up by a powder material occurring in the process of laser-powder build-up welding such that the or every substructure is at least in sections enclosed by the built-up powder material.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2004Date of Patent: July 26, 2011Assignee: MTU Aero Engines GmbHInventor: Erich Steinhardt
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Publication number: 20110171033Abstract: A power-generating wind turbine has a plurality of streamline-wing-shaped blades provided every predetermined angle around a rotation shaft, and the blades have lift coefficients of 1.0 or larger. Apertures are provided within a range of 55 to 95% from a front rim for a length of a chord on a rear face being the rotation shaft side to the chord. Thus, the turbine can be activated with a gentle breeze by drag on the apertures. Since the apertures are provided at a position of 55 to 95% for the chord length distant from the front rim of the rear face of the blade, in a high wind speed region where the turbine rotates by the lift of the blades, less disturbance of the wind flow is observed on the rear faces to be resistance, and thus high rotation torque can be obtained.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2008Publication date: July 14, 2011Inventor: Akio Hara
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Patent number: 7976282Abstract: A spar cap for a wind turbine rotor blade. The spar cap may include multiple preform components. The multiple preform components may be planar sheets having a swept shape with a first end and a second end. The multiple preform components may be joined by mating the first end of a first preform component to the second end of a next preform component, forming the spar cap.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2007Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jamie T. Livingston, Howard D. Driver, Sjef van Breugel, Thomas B. Jenkins, Jan Willem Bakhuis, Andrew J. Billen, Amir Riahi
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Patent number: 7977611Abstract: Systems and methods for providing localized heat treatment of metal components are provided. In this regard, a representative method includes: identifying a portion of a metal component to which localized heat treatment is to be performed; shielding an area in a vicinity of the portion of the metal component; and directing electromagnetic energy in the infrared (IR) spectrum toward the portion of the metal component such that the portion is heated to a desired temperature and such that the area in the vicinity of the portion that is subjected to shielding does not heat to the temperature desired for the heat treatment.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2007Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Thomas DeMichael, Michael J. Labbe
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METHOD AND COATING FOR PROTECTING AND REPAIRING AN AIRFOIL SURFACE USING MOLDED BOOTS, SHEET OR TAPE
Publication number: 20110158807Abstract: Disclosed is a field repairable airfoil structure such as a wing or a rotor blade and a method for repair and removal of erosion or impact damage to elastomeric coatings on surfaces such as the leading edge of the airfoil using special hand sandable coatings and preformed molded boots, preformed sheets or tapes with an optional topcoat applied thereto having higher sand erosion resistance.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2011Publication date: June 30, 2011Inventor: Shek C. Hong -
Publication number: 20110158788Abstract: The invention provides a sectional blade for a wind turbine. The blade comprises at least a first blade portion and a second blade portion extending in opposite directions from a joint. The first blade portion and the second blade portion are structurally connected by at least one spar bridge extending into both blade portions to facilitate joining of said blade portions.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2009Publication date: June 30, 2011Applicant: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/SInventors: Anton Bech, Paul Hibbard
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Patent number: 7966726Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a blade for a wind turbine, wherein the blade is made in one or more moulds; and wherein the blade has integrally moulded root bushings in the root of the blade for direct or indirect attachment to a hub in a wind turbine. The novel aspect of the invention is that the root bushings (203) in the root (201) of the blade are leveled by shortening of at least one of the root bushings prior to the blade being removed from a supporting mould (205). The invention further relates to a blade made in accordance with the method and a leveling unit (207) for leveling the root of the blade, wherein the leveling unit comprises means for mounting on a mould.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2006Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: LM Glasfiber A/SInventor: Karsten Schibsbye
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Publication number: 20110150662Abstract: A blade family for torque converters with a first blade having a first shape and flow guiding surface and a second blade having a second shape and flow guiding surface. The first surface is different from the second surface and the first shape is the same as a portion of the second shape, or the second shape is the same as a portion of the second shape. In an example embodiment of the invention, at least one of the first or second blades includes holes or slots. In an example embodiment of the invention, the first blade includes more material than the second blade. The first and second blades may have respective mounting tabs, with the second blade having fewer mounting tabs than the first blade. Other example aspects of the present invention broadly comprise a torque converter with a plurality of first and/or second blades from the blade family.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2010Publication date: June 23, 2011Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KGInventors: Michael Resh, Bhaskar Marathe, Cem Ersahin, Randy Keller
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Publication number: 20110138626Abstract: An installation system and a method for mounting a rotor blade to a hub on a wind turbine are disclosed. The method includes coupling a rotor and a stator together, the rotor rotatably connected to the hub. The method further includes rotating the stator in a first direction, wherein rotation of the stator causes the rotor and the hub to rotate in the first direction. The method further includes securing the hub to prevent rotation of the hub. The installation system includes a coupling device configured to releasably couple a stator and a rotor together and a securing device configured to releasably secure the hub. The installation system further includes at least one stator drive device operably connected to the stator, the stator drive device configured to rotate the stator between a first position and a second position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2010Publication date: June 16, 2011Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Suresh S. Tirumalai, Bharat Bagepalli, Kurt J. Goodwin
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Patent number: 7950121Abstract: A method for rounding edges of parts, in particular of turbo engines, is disclosed. An edge to the surfaces is rounded, the edge being created by at least two adjacent surfaces of the part. A blasting jet consisting mostly of abrasive particles is directed at its center approximately tangentially to the angle bisecting line between the surfaces at the edge and is moved at a defined rate of advance in relation to the part along the edge such that there is a defined removal of material of the part with rounding toward the surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2004Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: MTU Aero Engines GmbHInventor: Klemens Werner
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Publication number: 20110113627Abstract: A method of manufacturing a metal blading sector for low-pressure guide vanes of a turbomachine of which at least one blade includes an internal cavity configured to accept or communicate with a gas detection probe and at least one hole formed in the wall constituting a passage for gas from a low-pressure zone of the turbomachine toward the cavity and the probe through the fitting, into a casting mold, of a core corresponding to the cavity and the casting of a molten metal in the cavity of the casting mold. The core includes, for each hole for communication with the cavity, a protrusion penetrating the internal surface of the mold and constituting the only element holding the core in position in the casting mold.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2009Publication date: May 19, 2011Applicant: SNECMAInventors: Damien Alquier, Sebastien Digard Brou De Cuissart
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Publication number: 20110116934Abstract: A pumping element and method of turbomachinery design includes a blade having an incidence angle (?) and a blade angle (?), wherein a ratio of ?/? is less than approximately 0.3.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2009Publication date: May 19, 2011Inventors: Sen Y. Meng, Scott R. Sargent, Kevin J. Lunde
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Publication number: 20110110787Abstract: A method of fabricating a guide vane. The method produces a fiber preform by 3D weaving a single piece, the preform including a first portion extending along the longitudinal axis and constituting the preform for an airfoil of the vane, and at a longitudinal end of the first portion, a second portion constituting the preform for the platform of the vane, the second portion being produced as a first layer and a second layer facing the first layer and separated from the first layer by unlinking without cutting while producing the preform; folding the first and second layers such that each of them lies in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, substantially symmetrically to each other relative to the first portion, and such that a first region of the first layer covers a second region of the second layer in front of a front edge of the first portion; conforming the preform in a mold; and densifying the preform with a polymer matrix.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2009Publication date: May 12, 2011Applicant: SNECMAInventors: Olivier Belmonte, Jean Noel Mahieu, Xavier Millier
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Patent number: 7938625Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fiber-reinforced blade for a wind energy plant is presented, which blade is configured with at least a blade shell and means for conducting to a lightning current to an earth connection. Novel aspects of the method comprise that the blade is provided with segmented conductor means that are configured for conducting a lightning current outside the blade to the means for conducting to earth; and wherein the conductor means are distributed and secured at the external surface of the blade shell in such a manner that the conductor means are essentially flush with the external surface of the blade shell. When the segmented conductor means are distributed and attached at the external surface of the blade shell, the lightning current will not have to be conducted through the conductor means, but rather they are conducted in a ionised passage in the air above the conductor means.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2005Date of Patent: May 10, 2011Assignee: LM Glasfiber A/SInventors: Morten Dahl, Lars Tilsted Lilleheden, Lars Bo Hansen
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Publication number: 20110103953Abstract: A method of assembling an air distribution system for use in a rotor blade of a wind turbine wherein the rotor blade includes a sidewall extending from a blade root towards a blade tip. The method includes coupling a manifold to the sidewall, wherein the manifold extends from the blade root towards the blade tip and has a root end and an opposing tip end defining a passage from the root end to the tip end. A plurality of apertures is defined through the sidewall. The apertures provide flow communication between the passage and ambient air. A debris collector is coupled to the tip end of the manifold and is configured to collect debris flowing through the air distribution system.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2009Publication date: May 5, 2011Inventors: Wouter Haans, Jacob Johannes Nies
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Patent number: 7934315Abstract: A method of repairing a damaged notch fillet radius of a turbine blade shroud includes a replacement notch fillet radius and a hardface nugget. The damaged notch fillet radius is blended out and a hardface structure positioned proximate the damaged notch fillet radius is removed. A replacement notch fillet radius is formed with weld filler and the hardface nugget is welded to at least a portion of the replacement notch fillet radius.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2006Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventor: Timothy A. Milleville
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Publication number: 20110091326Abstract: The invention provides a sectional blade for a wind turbine. The blade comprises at least a first blade portion and a second blade portion extending in opposite directions from a joint. Further each blade portion comprises a spar section forming a structural member of the blade and running lengthways. The first blade portion and the second blade portion are structurally connected by at least one spar bridge extending into both blade portions to facilitate joining of said blade portions and the spar bridge joins the spar sections.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2009Publication date: April 21, 2011Applicant: Vestas Wind Systems A/SInventor: Mark Hancock
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Publication number: 20110091325Abstract: Wind turbine rotors are designed by means of computationally intensive algorithms, simulation tools and various models. These art methods, however, have not been successful in relating the blade mass directly to the aerodynamic, rotational dynamics and material parameters. Consequently, modelers are often grappling with discrepancies and ambiguities. Prior art generally constructs the empirical relation MR?R? where ? is given a value that ranges between 1.8 and 3, depending on who, and how the experimental data is presented and compared with theoretical or simulation results. The present invention derives for the first time a precise scaling law that relates the blade mass to the cubic power of R exactly. It is based on using a novel tool in the form of a set virtual air gear teeth that intermesh with the blade gear teeth, to link the actuator disc to the rotational dynamics and material properties of the blades.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2010Publication date: April 21, 2011Inventor: Sadeg M. Faris
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Publication number: 20110088261Abstract: A ducted fan gas turbine engine aerofoil is made by electron beam welding together at least two metal sheets (10) and (12) and electron beam welding that sub assembly via an end to a root that has been manufactured in a separate operation, and then heating the whole to a temperature that will convert the electron beam welds to diffusion bonds.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2010Publication date: April 21, 2011Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLCInventors: Ian J. Andrews, David Rugg, Michael J. Wallis
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Publication number: 20110085907Abstract: A helical auger turbine and hydrokinetic device for use with electrical generators for producing electricity. A helical turbine blade may be mounted on a central shaft, and a flange extending perpendicularly to an edge of the turbine blade. The helical auger may be a multi-section auger having radial sections covering a radial arc of between 45 degrees and 180 degrees, and that are rotational molded with identical center sections. The auger may have tapered end sections. The radial and end sections may be interlockingly mounted onto the central shaft to enable the complete transfer of torque captured by the helical auger by a moving fluid media, such as a tidal water flow, to the central shaft. The adjacent surfaces of the radial and end sections may be flush with one another to reduce disruptions of the moving fluid flowing over the completed helical auger and rotating the assembled helical auger.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2010Publication date: April 14, 2011Inventor: Winfield Scott Anderson
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Publication number: 20110081248Abstract: A sectional blade for a wind turbine comprising a first and a second blade section extending in opposite directions from a blade joint, and each blade section comprising a spar section forming a structural member of the blade. The blade sections are structurally connected by a spar bridge extending into the first and second blade sections to facilitate joining of the blade sections. The spar bridge comprises a stiffening member protruding from the spar bridge in a chord wise direction of the blade for increasing the edgewise stiffness of the blade, and wherein a part of the surface of the stiffening member is shaped to follow an inner surface contour of the blade. A method of manufacturing such a sectional blade is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2010Publication date: April 7, 2011Applicant: Vestas Wind Systems A/SInventor: Paul Hibbard
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Publication number: 20110076151Abstract: A method and system that includes generation of an energy beam. The energy beam may be generated from a focused energy source. Additionally, the energy beam may be directed towards a pre-sintered preform. The pre-sintered preform may be made of a braze material and may seal a hole that may be located in a turbine component.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2009Publication date: March 31, 2011Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Yan Cui, Srikanth Chandrudu Kottilingam, Gene Murphy
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Patent number: 7905016Abstract: A turbine airfoil system for forming a turbine airfoil that is usable in a turbine engine. The airfoil may be formed from a porous material shaped into an outer airfoil shape. The porous material may include an inner central spar capable of supporting the turbine airfoil an outer porous region and an outer coating. The porous material facilitates efficient cooling of the turbine airfoil.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2007Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.Inventors: Allister W. James, Douglas J. Arrell
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Publication number: 20110056078Abstract: A method of producing a rotor component or a stator component includes the steps of providing a disc-shaped element with a plurality of radially projecting and circumferentially spaced blades, an intermediate ring with an inner surface adapted for contacting tips of the blades, and an external ring with an inner surface adapted for contacting an outer surface of the intermediate ring, moving the intermediate ring co-axially in relation to the disc-shaped element to an operative position in which it is located radially outside the blades, and moving the external ring co-axially in relation to the intermediate ring to an operative position in which it is located radially outside the intermediate ring.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2007Publication date: March 10, 2011Inventors: Bengt Derehag, Staffan Brodin
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Patent number: 7900351Abstract: A method is provided for the production of gas turbine rotors with integrated blading. In a first step, rotating blades are produced. Subsequently, at least one of the produced rotating blade blanks is connected to the rotor bearing, then the or each of the rotating blade blanks connected to the rotor bearing are processed to form a nominal shape of the or each rotating blade. Consequently, the end contours of the gar turbine rotor with integrated balding are finely processed.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2004Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: MTU Aero Engines GmbHInventors: Christian Koehler, Klaus Murr, Waldemar Schauer
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Patent number: 7895746Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a wind turbine blade or a section of a wind turbine blade. The method includes, establishing a first part having a first wind turbine blade part in a first fixating unit, establishing a second part having a second wind turbine blade part in a second fixating unit, and positioning the first part in contact with, or in close proximity of, the second part. After this, a pressure below atmospheric pressure is established, forcing the first wind turbine blade part and the second wind turbine blade part against each other. The invention further relates to a wind turbine blade manufacturing facility, wind turbine blades as well as uses hereof.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2005Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/SInventors: Anton Bech, Poul Valsgaard
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Patent number: 7896986Abstract: An improved method of heat treating superalloys prior to welding includes subjecting only the portion of the component to be repaired to a localized heat treatment, leaving the remainder of the component untreated. The localized heat treatment permits the use of higher hold temperatures that are near, at, or above the Ni3(Al,Ti) solution temperature of the alloy. Such heat treatment prevents strain age cracking and also prevents recrystallization in areas that are not heat treated. Such localized heat treatment can be applied before and/or after welding, for material rejuvenation, pre-brazing, and post-brazing.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2004Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.Inventors: Srikanth C. Kottilingam, Peter J. Ditzel
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Publication number: 20110031759Abstract: A foam filling material for wind power generator blades is obtained by forming a foam filling composition containing a polymer and a foaming agent into a given shape so as to be positioned in an interior space of a wind power generator blade, and is capable of filling the interior space of the wind power generator blade by foaming.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2010Publication date: February 10, 2011Applicant: Nitto Denko CorporationInventors: Yoshiaki Mitsuoka, Takehiro Ui, Takuji Okeyui