With Lubricating, Sealing, Packing Or Bearing Means Having Internal Working Fluid Connection (e.g., Fluid Or Fluid Biased Seal, Etc.) Patents (Class 415/110)
  • Publication number: 20140119883
    Abstract: A liner wall insert is provided for a compressor rotor stage of a gas turbine engine. Several liner wall inserts are provided radially outboard of the tips of the rotor blades. The liner wall inserts have bleed flow channels formed therein. The bleed flow channels are arranged to remove flow from a trailing edge region of the stage and re-inject the bleed flow at an upstream region. The re-injected bleed flow alters the flow field around the tips of the rotor blades, for example the tip leakage flow. Thus, the bleed flow is used to improve the efficiency of the compressor rotor stage, and thus of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE DEUTSCHLAND LTD & CO KG
    Inventor: Daniel KEMPF
  • Publication number: 20140119887
    Abstract: A rotational component for a gas turbine engine includes at least one passage with a semi-spherical end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: United Technologies Corporation
  • Publication number: 20140112757
    Abstract: A clearance control device including a segment having a passage to deliver fluid towards a component rotating past the segment. Also a fluid flow device having a first fluid path coupled to the passage and a second fluid path that is decoupled from the passage. A first plasma generator is located in the fluid flow device that directs fluid towards the first fluid path; a second plasma generator is located in the fluid flow device that directs fluid towards the second fluid path; and a control arrangement is configured to alternately energise the first and second plasma generators at an energising frequency to deliver fluid to the passage at a frequency coincident with the passing frequency of the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Marko BACIC, Timothy John SCANLON, Ronald William DANIEL
  • Publication number: 20140099187
    Abstract: An exemplary turbine engine assembly includes a first shaft that is rotatably driven by a second shaft of a gas turbine engine, a compressor hub driven by the second shaft, the compressor hub within a compressor section of the gas turbine engine, an epicyclic gear train that is driven by the first shaft, and a common attachment point that secures the first shaft and the compressor hub to the second shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: William G. Sheridan, Michael E. McCune
  • Publication number: 20140050560
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for lubricating an expansion machine, which method comprises: supplying of an operating medium which contains a lubricant by a vaporizer; separating of at least part of the lubricant from the operating medium which contains a lubricant and is supplied by the vaporizer; and supplying of the operating medium, which is depleted by the separation of the at least one part of the lubricant from the lubricant, to the expansion machine. Furthermore, a device is provided having a vaporizer which is configured for vaporizing an operating medium which contains a lubricant and for supplying it to an expansion machine, and having a lubricant separating device which is configured for separating at least one part of the lubricant from the operating medium which contains the lubricant and is supplied by the vaporizer to the expansion machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: Orcan Energy GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Schuster, Richard Aumann, Andreas Sichert
  • Publication number: 20140044520
    Abstract: A molten metal pump assembly (10) and method to fill complex molds with molten metal, such as aluminum. The pump assembly includes an elongated shaft (16) connecting a motor (14) to an impeller (22). The impeller is housed within a chamber (18) of a base member such that rotation of the impeller draws molten metal into the chamber at an inlet (48) and forces molten aluminum through an outlet (50). A first bearing (36) is adapted to support the rotation of the impeller at a first radial edge (32) and a second bearing (38) is adapted to support the rotation of the impeller at a second radial edge. A bypass gap (60) is interposed between the second bearing and the second radial edge. Molten metal leaks through the bypass gap at a predetermined rate to manipulate a flow rate and a head pressure of the molten metal such that precise control of the flow rate is achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: PYROTEK, INC.
    Inventor: Jon Tipton
  • Publication number: 20140030062
    Abstract: A method for temporarily sealing a turbocharger compressor outlet and the seal for doing same are disclosed. The seal may include a layer of lubricant, a cover, and a layer of heat-shrink material. The seal creates a temporary water-tight seal around a turbocharger compressor outlet preventing damage to the inside of the turbocharger while the turbocharger is not in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR, INC.
    Inventors: Rhett Ringenberger, Jeffrey A. Wagner
  • Publication number: 20140030063
    Abstract: A shaft seal insert for the shaft seal of a turbomachine extending along a rotational axis includes:—a rotor part attachable on a shaft of a rotor,—a stator part insertable into a stator receiving area, and—a dry gas seal having a rotating seal element attached to the rotor part and a fixed seal element attached to the stator part to seal an intermediate space between the two seal elements, which lie opposite each other on a sealing surface extending radially and in the circumferential direction. A labyrinth seal is provided on a high-pressure side in a serial arrangement with the dry gas seal to seal the intermediate space, having a fixed and rotating labyrinth seal parts. The fixed labyrinth seal part is part of the stator part or is fixed thereto. The rotating labyrinth seal part is part of the rotor part or is fixed thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventor: Gesinus Mateman
  • Publication number: 20140020403
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a sealing device includes seal fins provided on an inner circumferential surface of a stationary body or an outer circumferential surface of a rotating body so as to be adjacent to each other in an axial direction of the rotating body in a gap between the outer circumferential surface of the rotating body and the inner circumferential surface of the stationary body. The device further includes at least one opening member provided on the inner circumferential surface of the stationary body, the opening member being provided at a position between seal fins adjacent to each other in the axial direction, and having holes opened on a side of the inner circumferential surface of the stationary body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventors: Tomohiko TSUKUDA, Yuki MIMURA, Akihiro ONODA, Naoki SHIBUKAWA, Iwataro SATO, Kazutaka TSURUTA
  • Publication number: 20140023482
    Abstract: A turbine according to an embodiment includes: a formation object member; a facing member; and a seal part. A formation object member is one of a static part and a rotation part. A facing member is the other of the static part and the rotation part. A seal part at the formation object member is configured to reduce combustion gas leaking between the formation object member and the facing member. The seal part including a ceramics layer. The ceramics layer has a heat conductivity lower than that of the formation object member, and has a concave and convex shape at a surface thereof. The ceramics layer is not in contact with the facing member, or has hardness higher than that of the facing member so that the facing member is preferentially abraded when the facing member and the ceramics layer are in contact with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventors: Kunihiko Wada, Satoru Kuboya, Daizo Saito, Hideyuki Maeda, Nobuhiro Okizono, Iwataro Sato, Kazutaka Tsuruta, Naoyuki Okamura
  • Publication number: 20140010631
    Abstract: A compressor intake mixer system for internal combustion gas engines having a compressed charge bypass system comprises a bypass charge and fuel pre-mixer connected in line with the charge bypass system to reduce pressure gradient between the high pressure bypass charge and the low pressure fuel. A single volume main mixer is connected to the compressor inlet downstream of the pre-mixer to mix the flow of premixed charge and air and provide a mixed gas to the compressor inlet. Thus a need for a separate volume for a fuel mixer and a bypass mixer is eliminated and a single volume is provided at the compressor inlet. The locational constraint of necessarily locating the volumes at the compressor inlet is also obviated by providing a pre-mixer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: CUMMINS INC.
    Inventor: Prasad Ramdas Khedekar
  • Publication number: 20130336766
    Abstract: A rotating system (1), such as a gear system or a bearing supporting system, for a wind turbine is disclosed. The rotating system (1) comprises a housing (2) arranged to substantially enclose the rotating system (1), said housing (2) defining a lubricant drain (5) towards the exterior of the housing (2), and a rotating part (3) accommodated in an interior part of the housing (2) in a manner which allows rotational movements of the rotating part (3) relative to the housing (2), and in such a manner that lubricant can be contained between the housing (2) and the rotating part (3). The housing (2) and/or the rotating part (3) is/are arranged to provide a pumping action forcing lubricant arranged in an interior part of the housing (2) towards the lubricant drain (5) during rotational movements of the rotating part (3) relative to the housing (2). Excess lubricant is quickly and efficiently removed from the rotating part (3) and led to the lubricant drain (5). Thereby a slip stream of lubricant is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S
    Inventors: Thomas Korsgaard Nielsen, Simon Schjøtt, Jens Demtröder
  • Publication number: 20130336764
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for lubricating a transmission (1) and a bearing (1?), in particular a rotor bearing in a wind turbine. The transmission (1) and the bearing (1?) are each associated with at least one lubrication circuit (3, 5) of the device. and a lubricating medium flows in each circuit during the operation of the device. The device has a heat exchanging device (7, 59, 61) for transferring heat between the lubrication circuit (3) of the transmission (1) and the lubrication circuit (5) of the bearing (1?), and the beat exchanging device (7, 59, 61) at least partially compensates for a difference between the temperature of the lubricating medium in the lubrication circuit (3) of the transmission (1) and the temperature of the lubricating medium in the lubrication circuit (5) of the bearing (1?) by means of heat compensation during the operation of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventor: Armin Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20130336765
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a crankshaft (1) for an alternative compressor comprising a main shaft (21) connected to an eccentric pin (2) by means of a peripheral flange (3) containing a lubricating hole (24) extending through said eccentric pin (2) and through at least part of the body of main shaft (21), one of the edges of said hole (24) being on the cylindrical surface (2a) of said eccentric pin (2). With this type of hole, the present invention allows for the use of shafts having extremely low diameters (and, as result, with low viscous loss), even with high eccentricities, whereby an excellent capacity of oil pumping and mechanical strength is maintained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL S.A.
    Inventors: Adilson Luiz Manke, Laerte Capestrini
  • Publication number: 20130330169
    Abstract: The invention relates to a water turbine or water pump or other hydraulic machine that comprises a stationary and a revolving component. The invention also comprises a sealing gap that is disposed between the stationary and revolving components, which is sealed by a labyrinth seal and through which a leakage flow for cooling or lubricating the seal will flow during operation of the hydraulic machine. The invention also provides a connection on the sealing gap for its evacuation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: VOITH PATENT GMBH
    Inventor: Manfred Stummer
  • Patent number: 8596959
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine has an oil tube for delivering oil through a high temperature zone of the engine to an engine component for cooling and lubrication. An insulation tube surrounds the oil tube and extends in a substantial length of the oil tube. The opposed ends of the insulation tube are integrally and sealingly connected to respective end portions of the oil tube to form a dead air annulus between the oil tube and the insulation tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Eric Durocher, John Watson
  • Publication number: 20130315708
    Abstract: A nozzle feature for sealing leakage in a gas turbine engine having a plurality of nozzle segments within the turbine engine which includes a radially inner band, a radially outer band, at least one vane disposed between the radially inner and outer bands, the radially inner band having a first tab formed in said inner band extending radially downwardly from at least one of first and second circumferential ends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Inventor: Jacob Romeo Rendon
  • Publication number: 20130280038
    Abstract: Various aspects of the technology provide for reducing noise and vibration in a pressure exchanger for high pressure fluid handling equipment such as a desalination system, by disposing grooves between a seal surface and a port. The groove reduces a hammer effect in moving high pressure fluid to a low pressure port and moving low pressure fluid to a high pressure port. Reduction in the hammer effect, in addition to reducing noise, reduces vibration that can cause deterioration of high pressure fluid handling equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: Jeremy Martin, Shervin Nadershahi, James Arluck
  • Patent number: 8562294
    Abstract: A sealing member has a first portion. The first portion has a central axis, a first peripheral surface extending in a direction parallel to the central axis, and a central aperture. A first wall portion of a groove has a recess communicated with the first opening of the first channel. The recess has a second peripheral surface complementary to the first peripheral surface of the first portion of the sealing member. The first portion of the sealing member moves radially toward and away from the rotational axis as the first peripheral surface of the sealing member defines and maintains a first sealing contact with the second peripheral surface of the recess. The sealing member moves radially outwardly and thereby makes a second sealing contact surrounding the second opening of the second channel to establish a communication between the first and second openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Makoto Gouda, Yoshihiro Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 8556516
    Abstract: A compressor bearing cooling inlet plate has a mount plate, and a boss extending forwardly from the mount plate. The boss includes a plurality of grooves extending axially into the boss to define flow passages for cooling air from an outer peripheral surface of the cooling inlet plate to an inner bore. The grooves extend for a width between side walls, at angles that are not directly radially inwardly toward a center axis of the cooling plate. There is a plurality of widths across the plurality of grooves. A compressor bearing assembly, a motor driven compressor for use in a nitrogen generation system, and a method of installing a compressor bearing cooling inlet plate are all also disclosed and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Craig M. Beers, Seth E. Rosen
  • Publication number: 20130251507
    Abstract: Disclosed is an EPDM composition for molding sealing materials, containing a plasticizer; the plasticizer being a paraffinic oil or naphthenic oil in which the absolute value of the difference between its SP value (solubility parameter; determined by Small's formula) and the SP value of EPDM is 0.3 (cal/cm3)1/2 or less; and the composition being free of an ether ester plasticizer. The EPDM composition for molding sealing materials has the following excellent effects. Because a paraffinic oil or naphthenic oil that is compatible with EPDM and has an absolute value of the difference between its SP value and the SP value of EPDM of 0.3 (cal/cm3)1/2 or less is used as the plasticizer, a peroxide crosslinked product of the EPDM composition does not form defects that cause the starting point of blisters even when it is subjected to extraction by being brought into contact with HFO-1234yf.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI
    Inventors: Takuya Yamanaka, Masahiro Suzuki, Takayuki Kato, Takahiro Hoshida, Masato Takamatsu, Shuichi Yasuda
  • Publication number: 20130209226
    Abstract: Disclosed is a pump for conveying a pump having a pump rotor rotatably supported about an axis of rotation in a pump stator in the operating state and a rotor shaft is arranged in a shaft leadthrough such that a lubricating film of a lubricating fluid formed from the pump fluid can be formed in a ring gap between the rotor shaft and the shaft leadthrough; and wherein a separation device is provided at the rotor shaft by which a predefinable quantity of an ingredient can be separated from the pump fluid by means of a centrifugal force for providing the lubricating fluid at the ring gap in the operating state, wherein a recirculation device is provided so that a gas can be recirculated with the aid of the separation device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: Sulzer Pumpen A.G.
    Inventor: Sulzer Pumpen A.G.
  • Patent number: 8506239
    Abstract: A gas turbine is provided. The gas turbine includes at least one rotor, having rotor blades arranged on the periphery of rotor disks in a plurality of radial planes, and a tie-bolt extending along slots in the rotor disks and holding the rotor disks together as a unit. At least one annular spacer for fixing the position of the tie-bolt in relation to the center line of the rotor disks is also provided. The spacer includes through-openings that are arranged radially in relation to the tie-bolt or to its center line and that extend coaxially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Francois Benkler, Ulrich Ehehalt, Harald Hoell, Walter Loch, Peter-Andreas Schneider
  • Publication number: 20130202405
    Abstract: Coating and method for providing a self-lubricated coating on a substrate. The method includes spraying with an inert gas at least a layer of liquid metal on the substrate; adding a compound to the liquid metal while being sprayed on the substrate; forming a porous layer on the substrate that includes the metal and the compound, where the porous layer has plural pores; heating the porous layer to open the pores; flooding the open pores with a greasing substance such that part of the greasing substance is stored in one or more pores; and cooling the porous layer to close the pores and trap the greasing substance inside the pores.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: NUOVO PIGNONE S.P.A.
    Inventor: Ion Savu
  • Publication number: 20130195618
    Abstract: Underwater compressor arrangement and underwater process fluid conveying arrangement outfitted therewith. The underwater compressor arrangement has a housing, a turbocompressor with a compressor rotor, and a rotary drive unit with a drive rotor. The turbocompressor and rotary drive unit are arranged in the housing, and the compressor rotor is in rotationally driving connection with the drive rotor. The housing is hermetically sealed with the exception of operating connections for the turbocompressor and rotary drive unit, The compressor rotor is rotatably supported in the housing by a rolling element bearing arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: MAN Diesel &Turbo SE
    Inventors: George Kleynhans, Roger Suter, Claude Stalder
  • Publication number: 20130183138
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for supplying oil at different temperatures to different locations within a wind turbine gearbox, wherein oil is pumped from a common oil sump to the different locations via a common header. The different gear box locations are divided into at least two groups, wherein each of said groups receives inlet oil at a respective inlet oil temperature. A first temperature control device is disposed between the common header and the first group, and a second temperature control device is disposed between the common header and the second group of gearbox locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Stephen Bertram Johnson, Priyangu Chunilal Patel
  • Publication number: 20130167580
    Abstract: In a compressor, a single refrigerant of hydrofluoroolefin having a double bond of carbon or a mixed refrigerant containing hydrofluoroolefin and hydrofluorocarbon having no double bond of carbon is used, and moreover a refrigerating machine oil containing an additive for suppressing deterioration of the refrigerating machine oil and an antiwear agent is used, the compressor including a sliding portion which is exposed to the mixed refrigerant and the refrigerating machine oil and which has a hardness of 47-55 HRC. Thus, decomposition and polymerization of the refrigerant and the refrigerating machine oil can be inhibited (i.e., occurrence of sludge can be inhibited), and antiwear property of sliding portions, e.g. vane and piston, of the compressor can be maintained. As a result, reliability of the compressor and the refrigerating cycle apparatus using the compressor can be ensured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshinori Ishida, Noboru Iida, Shingo Oyagi, Shigehiro Sato
  • Publication number: 20130170953
    Abstract: A vehicular power transmitting system including an oil pump constructed to sufficiently reduce a required drive torque. A high-pressure-port discharge amount of first and second high-pressure passages of the oil pump is determined such that an amount of consumption of working oil of relatively high pressure can be afforded only by the high-pressure-port discharge amount, during steady-state running of a vehicle in which engine speed is not lower than a predetermined threshold value corresponding to a predetermined lowest target input shaft speed of a continuously variable transmission for its shifting control. The pressure of the working oil discharged from first and second low-pressure discharge passages is kept at a predetermined low level, and the required drive torque of the oil pump is sufficiently reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, AISIN AW CO., LTD., JTEKT Corporation, TOYOOKI KOGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yusuke Ogata, Yoshihiro Mizuno, Haruhiko Shibata, Hidenobu Yamaguchi, Fumitake Suzuki, Masahiko Suzuki, Masashi Hattori, Naoki Okoshi, Kenichi Mori, Masahiro Ito
  • Publication number: 20130129479
    Abstract: A turbocharger casing including a first casing part, wherein an oil line starts at a first opening on an outer side of the first casing part, runs through the first casing part and opens out at a second opening of a substantially hollow-cylindrical bearing receptacle of the first casing part. Such turbocharger casings of the prior art are produced in a complicated manner by a sand casting process and therefore give rise to high production costs. The teaching is to arrive, without functional losses, at a simple-to-produce and cost-effective turbocharger casing by the turbocharger casing having a second casing part attached to the first casing part and by both casing parts together forming a cooling water line provided for cooling the bearing receptacle. It is thus possible to arrive at a lightweight turbocharger casing by conventional machining production methods and joining technique, and this turbocharger casing can be produced cost-effectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Klaus Daut, Richard Haschke, Richard Baier
  • Publication number: 20130115048
    Abstract: A turbine system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the turbine system includes a transition duct. The transition duct includes an inlet, an outlet, and a passage extending between the inlet and the outlet and defining a longitudinal axis, a radial axis, and a tangential axis. The outlet of the transition duct is offset from the inlet along the longitudinal axis and the tangential axis. The transition duct further includes an interface member for interfacing with a turbine section. The turbine system further includes a convolution seal contacting the interface member to provide a seal between the interface member and the turbine section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: James Scott Flanagan, Jeffrey Scott LeBegue, Kevin Weston McMahan, Daniel Jackson Dillard, Ronnie Ray Pentecost
  • Publication number: 20130108489
    Abstract: A rotary pump including an impeller rotatable within a housing. A load is imposed on the impeller as it rotates, in a direction that is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation and wherein the load stabilises the motion of the impeller. The load may be achieved by magnetically biasing the impeller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: Thoratec Corporation
    Inventor: Thoratec Corporation
  • Publication number: 20130084161
    Abstract: A variable-nozzle turbocharger includes a turbine housing and a center housing, and a generally annular nozzle ring and an array of vanes rotatably mounted to the nozzle ring such that the vanes can be pivoted about their axes for regulating exhaust gas flow to the turbine wheel. The vanes extend between the nozzle ring and an opposite wall formed by an insert in the turbine housing. A vane sealing member is supported on the insert, and has a portion disposed between distal ends of the vanes and the insert. This portion of the vane sealing member is configured to be contacted by the distal ends of the vanes when the vanes are in the closed position, while a clearance exists between the portion of the vane sealing member and the distal ends of the vanes when the vanes are in the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Chris Groves, Lionel Toussaint, Peter Davies, Pierre Barthelet
  • Publication number: 20130078080
    Abstract: A mid-turbine frame is disposed between high and low pressure turbine assemblies. A secondary air system is defined in the mid-turbine frame (MTF) to provide cooling to the turbine section of the engine. The secondary air system may be used to cool and pressurize seals to assist with oil retention in bearing cavities. The temperature gain of the secondary air may be reduced by flowing the secondary air through one or more external lines and then generally radially inwardly through air passages defined in the MTF.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Inventors: Eric Durocher, Pierre-Yves Legare, Alessandro Ciampa
  • Publication number: 20130078079
    Abstract: A seal assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a carbon seal and a seal plate. The seal plate has a contact face configured to slidably engage the carbon seal. The seal plate has a surface disposed on an opposing side of the seal plate from the contact face. The surface forms a portion of a single passage that extends an entire length of the seal plate. The continuous cooling provided by single passage along the seal plate allows for a more uniform temperature profile along the contact face of seal plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Todd M. LaPierre, Eric Charles Mundell
  • Patent number: 8403630
    Abstract: A fluid flow machine has a main flow path, in which at least one row of blades (1) is arranged, and a shroud (2), which is embedded in a recess (3) of a component, with the component and the blades (1) being in relative rotational movement to each other. The assembly forming the shroud includes at least one internal chamber (7) which is suppliable with fluid from a source. The at least one internal chamber (7) is connected to the main flow path surrounding the blades (1) or to a cavity (9) surrounding the shroud (2) via at least one outlet (8) which is arranged on one side of the shroud (2). The shape of the outlet (8) and the shape of the outlet opening are such that a fluid barrier jet is generated at the outlet (8), which stops recirculation of fluid through the shroud cavity (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG
    Inventor: Volker Guemmer
  • Publication number: 20130071229
    Abstract: A device for plugging an axially-aligned bore in a shaft of a gas turbine engine comprises a plug. A sealing body of the plug is sealingly received in a bore of the shaft. Legs project from the sealing body and are displaceable between a normally contracted position in which the legs are radially inward relative to a periphery of the bore, and a deployed position in which the legs project radially outward and engage with shaft projections within the bore of the shaft. A wedge is operatively engaged to the plug for movement of the wedge relative to the plug. The wedge comprises a portion in operative contact with the legs of the plug unit to displace the legs between positions as a response to movement of the wedge. A gas turbine engine and a method for plugging a shaft are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventor: Marcin Rejman
  • Patent number: 8397506
    Abstract: Techniques for generating power are provided. Such techniques involve a thermodynamic system including a housing, a turbine positioned in a turbine cavity of the housing, a compressor positioned in a compressor cavity of the housing, and an alternator positioned in a rotor cavity between the turbine and compressor cavities. The compressor has a high-pressure face facing an inlet of the compressor cavity and a low-pressure face on an opposite side thereof. The alternator has a rotor shaft operatively connected to the turbine and compressor, and is supported in the housing by bearings. Ridges extending from the low-pressure face of the compressor may be provided for balancing thrust across the compressor. Seals may be positioned about the alternator for selectively leaking fluid into the rotor cavity to reduce the temperature therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Inventors: Steven A. Wright, Robert L. Fuller
  • Publication number: 20130045078
    Abstract: A bearing assembly for supporting a drive shaft of a pump is structured with a cylindrical body having an internal cavity filled with a lubricant, a sealing element arrangement positioned at one or both ends of the cylindrical body and a pressure equalization element that functions to equalize the pressure differential that exists between an area within the cylindrical body and outside of the cylindrical body to improve the operating life of the sealing arrangement and the bearing assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: Weir Floway, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel E. Boldt
  • Patent number: 8371800
    Abstract: A segment of a component for use in a gas turbine includes a leading edge; a trailing edge; a pair of opposed lateral sides between the leading and trailing edges; and a seal slot provided in each lateral side. The seal slot includes a surface having a channel extending in an axial direction defined from the leading edge to the trailing edge, at least one inlet to the channel, and at least one outlet from the channel. The at least one outlet is spaced downstream from the at least one inlet in the axial direction. The segment may be an inner shroud segment or a nozzle segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ravichandran Meenakshisundaram, Yang Liu
  • Publication number: 20130028708
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems methods, and apparatus for sealing a bucket dovetail in a turbine. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for sealing a gap between a bucket dovetail and a rotor wheel slot. The method can include providing a bucket tab associated with a bucket dovetail, wherein the bucket tab is configured to accept a seal tab; configuring the bucket tab and the seal tab to engage at least one dimension upon insertion of the seal tab into the bucket tab; and sealing a gap between the bucket dovetail and a rotor wheel slot with the seal tab; wherein at least a portion of the seal tab changes as a function of temperature for further sealing gap between the bucket dovetail and the rotor wheel slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Srinivasa Govardhan Jayana
  • Publication number: 20130022445
    Abstract: An air induction system for a power source including a first compressor and a second compressor is disclosed. The air induction system includes an air feed passageway that directs compressed air from the second compressor to an area between a compressor wheel and a center housing in the first compressor to reduce oil consumption in the first compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: Perkins Engines Company Limited
    Inventors: Tom W. Carlill, Ian Pink
  • Patent number: 8353158
    Abstract: A turbocharger bearing housing defines a bore in which the turbocharger shaft is mounted for rotation in journal bearings. Lubricating oil is delivered to the journal bearings and a residue is retained in reservoirs in which the journal bearings are located. Two fluid retaining members are disposed around the shaft, each forming a wall of the reservoir and being sealed to the bearing housing. The lubricating fluid reservoir is provided between the fluid retaining members to a depth that at least partially immerses the journal bearings even when the oil supply is interrupted. This ensures that there is sufficient oil to lubricate the bearings at engine start-up, thereby reducing the risk of wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Cummins Turbo Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Matthew J Purdey, Mohammed Hanif Khan
  • Patent number: 8353671
    Abstract: A fan with pressurizing structure includes a rotor having a main body, blades spaced on the main body, a magnetic body annularly mounted in the main body, and a shaft axially connected to an inner side of the main body; a frame having a sleeve and at least one bearing rotatably received in the sleeve, and an opposing end of the shaft being inserted into the bearing; a stator assembly fitted around the sleeve and including silicon steel plates and a base plate; and a plurality of first pressurizing sections selectively provided on one of the base plate and an end face of the magnetic body. With the first pressurizing sections, deposition of moisture and salt fog in the sleeve and the rotor can be prevented to avoid corroded and damaged bearing and rotor shaft, and the service life of the whole fan is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Asia Vital Components Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bor-Haw Chang, Shu-Fan Liu, Chang-Hsien Liu
  • Patent number: 8353686
    Abstract: A rotary pump including an impeller rotatable within a housing. A load is imposed on the impeller as it rotates, in a direction that is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation and wherein the load stabilizes the motion of the impeller. The load may be achieved by magnetically biasing the impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Thoratec Corporation
    Inventor: Martin Christopher Cook
  • Patent number: 8307626
    Abstract: A pump system for lubricating a bearing in a gear system includes an auxiliary pump connected to the gear system. The auxiliary pump is fluidically connected to the bearing through an auxiliary supply passage and to a reservoir through an auxiliary scavenge passage. An auxiliary valve is fluidically connected to the auxiliary supply passage for transferring liquid from the auxiliary pump to the bearing when a pressure in the auxiliary supply passage downstream of the auxiliary valve is less than a particular threshold and for transferring liquid from the auxiliary pump to the reservoir when the pressure in the auxiliary supply passage downstream of the auxiliary valve is greater than the particular threshold. A method for circulating liquid is also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: William G. Sheridan
  • Publication number: 20120263574
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a pump including a pump chamber, a shaft at least partially positioned in the pump chamber, an impeller coupled to the shaft, and a seal coupled to the shaft. The pump also includes a wet seal chamber with a first fluid. The wet seal chamber can include a bladder that compresses to compensate for volumetric expansion of the first fluid. The wet seal chamber substantially prevents fluid from contacting the seal in order to prolong a life of the seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventors: Doug Goulet, Jeff Hermes
  • Publication number: 20120207584
    Abstract: An exhaust liner assembly including an interface between moveable parts includes a seal liner having a plurality of slots. The size of each slot varies with the circumferential position of the liner assembly to provide a stable cavity pressure within the interface to create a stable barrier about the entire circumference of the exhaust liner assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Lavin, Michael J. Murphy
  • Patent number: 8206082
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a packing seal has a plurality of lands that align with annular teeth. Each land has opposite axial sides relative to a rotational axis of a rotary component. Each land also has a recess in at least one of the opposite sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Nestor Hernandez Sanchez, Dhaval Ramesh Bhalodia
  • Publication number: 20120137650
    Abstract: A fluid impingement arrangement comprising a supply manifold and at least one nozzle exit coupled to the supply manifold. The nozzle exit is arranged as a Coanda surface having a restriction and has at least one static pressure tapping that cross-connects two regions of the restriction to induce passive oscillation in a fluid jet passing through the nozzle exit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Zahid M. HUSSAIN, Christopher T.J. SHEAF, Andrew J. MULLENDER, David MACMANUS, Brian A. HANDLEY
  • Patent number: 8172503
    Abstract: A turbomachine has a shaft mounted in a shaft housing, and a rotor in a rotor housing at one end of the shaft, for compression, expansion, or transport of a working gas. The shaft is mounted by hydrostatic, gas-lubricated bearings that have a connector to a compressed gas line that is connected with a pressure region of the turbomachine. A portion of the gas that is passed from the pressure region is applied to the bearing. The shaft is mounted so that the bearing effect is at least extensively independent of the rotational speed of the shaft, thereby guaranteeing support of the shaft during startup of the turbomachine, and good rigidity and low sensitivity to pressure surge stresses. The pressure in the connector to the compressed gas line is at least 5 bar greater than the pressure in the region of the ventilation connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Energas GmbH
    Inventors: Heiko Sandstede, Werner Bosen