With Inlet And Outlet Connections Patents (Class 415/112)
  • Patent number: 8956106
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided having a first zone with a fluid flow at a first pressure, and a second zone with a fluid flow at a second pressure. A sump cavity is provided in fluid communication with the first zone and a sump vent. An eductor system may be provided with a fluid flow path therethrough and in fluid communication with the second zone and the sump vent. The eductor system may be provided with an altitude sensing valve and may also be provided with gage pressure sensing valve. The eductor system may further be provided with a second gage pressure sensing valve and may also be provided with an orifice plate. The gage pressure sensing valves may react to the gage pressure of the second zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ning Fang, Benjamin Joseph Simpson, Duane Howard Anstead, Adam Mitchell Record, Donald James Welty
  • Patent number: 8915708
    Abstract: A turbocharger includes a turbine section, a compressor section and a bearing section. A turbine wheel and a compressor wheel are mounted on a shaft and the shaft is rotatably mounted in a bore of a housing. A lubrication system circulates lubricant through the bearing section. First and second spaced apart seals are positioned along the shaft. A recess is positioned between the first seal and the second seal to define an air buffer chamber. The air buffer chamber is provided with pressurized air to discourage lubricant leakage past the first seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Nan Yang, Jeff A. Jensen, Robert C. Griffith
  • Patent number: 8911202
    Abstract: A turbocharger rotating assembly includes a bearing; a shaft and turbine wheel assembly supported by the bearing; a seal ring disposed about the shaft; and a sleeve that supports the bearing and that includes a compressor end and a turbine end, a bore extending axially from the compressor end to the turbine end, a first counter bore that forms an axial face that axially locates the bearing in the bore, a second counter bore disposed axially between the first counter bore and the turbine end wherein the second counter bore comprises a seal surface that forms a lubricant and exhaust seal with the seal ring disposed about the shaft, and a securing feature to secure the sleeve with respect to a turbocharger housing. Various other examples of devices, assemblies, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Matthew Kocher, Corazon Maynigo, Glenn F. Thompson
  • Patent number: 8899912
    Abstract: A turbomachine is disclosed that has a main fluid flowpath extending axially along the turbomachine with a rotating shaft partly enclosed in a casing, wherein the rotating shaft and casing are moveable relative to each other and define a clearance opening about the rotating shaft, whereby the main fluid flowpath fluidly communicates with an outside region, and an annular seal body defining a fluid passage having a primary fluid inlet configured to receive a pressurized fluid, a fluid outlet disposed proximate to the clearance opening, and a convergent chamber interposed therebetween, wherein the convergent chamber is configured to accelerate the pressurized fluid out of the fluid outlet so as to create a local reduced pressure at the clearance opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventor: Inam Ul Haq
  • Patent number: 8888444
    Abstract: A steam seal system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the steam seal system includes: a low pressure steam turbine positioned on a shaft; a pair of end packings surrounding the shaft, each of the pair of end packings located proximate an axial end of the low pressure steam turbine along the shaft; and an pair of extraction conduits fluidly connected to the low pressure steam turbine and the shaft, the pair of extraction conduits connected to the shaft at a location axially outward of the pair of end packings and the low pressure steam turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Nestor Hernandez Sanchez, Kamlesh Mundra
  • Patent number: 8882447
    Abstract: This hydraulic machine (1) has a wheel (2) mounted to move in rotation relative to a stationary structure (9) and about a stationary axis of rotation (X2), the wheel (2) being designed to pass a forced flow (E) of water therethrough. A hydrostatic bearing (100), provided between firstly an element (111) constrained to rotate with the wheel (2) and, secondly a portion (91) of the stationary structure (9), is disposed between a first zone (Z1) of the machine, which zone is in fluid communication with the forced flow (E) and in which zone, during operation, a pressure prevails that is similar to the pressure of the forced flow, and a second zone (Z2) of the machine that is isolated from the forced flow by said bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Alstom Renewable Technologies
    Inventors: Yves Bouvet, Jean Francois Bertea
  • Patent number: 8882446
    Abstract: A bearing system for a rotor in rotating machines, such as compressors, pumps, turbines, expanders, has points of bearing and sealing for the rotor each being in the form of a combined bearing and sealing formed by a stator situated within a rotating machine house and surrounding the rotor. The stator is formed with a bore, whereby an annular clearance is created between stator and rotor, and the bore is having sectional area gradually increasing in the direction of larger pressure within the rotating machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Statoil Petroleum AS
    Inventor: Harald Underbakke
  • Publication number: 20140321972
    Abstract: Systems and methods for assuring a safe working condition of a dry gas seal when a pump/compressor is in a standstill condition. A small booster compressor is added to boost the pressure of an intermediate buffer gas injected into the chamber between a primary seal and a secondary seal of the dry gas seal. Control components detect when the barrier gas pressure drops below a preconfigured value and when detected, closes a valve in a line to a flare safe area and turns on the compressor. The boosted intermediate buffer gas, Nitrogen or dry air, slows the flow of untreated process gas through the primary seal of the dry gas seal and prevents icing of the primary seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: NUOVO PIGNONE S.P.A.
    Inventors: Carlo Del Vescovo, Donato Antonio Ripa, Maurizio Sciancalepore
  • Patent number: 8870521
    Abstract: A centrifugal pump for delivering hot fluids, having a contacting shaft seal, a seal housing (13) for the shaft seal (14), and a return line (8) for a partial flow of the delivered fluid, in which no delivered fluid is discharged out of the seal housing (13); a separate housing cover (9) is disposed between the seal housing (13) and the pump housing (1); there is a contact surface which minimizes heat transfer between the seal housing (13) and the housing cover (9); and the return line (8) is connected to the housing cover (9) and/or to the pump housing (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: KSB Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bernhard Brecht, Uwe Bruhns, Frank Sehr
  • Publication number: 20140314545
    Abstract: A system and method for sealing a shaft disposed for rotation within a casing, where two axially-spaced seal rings of an oil film seal extend around the shaft and define a clearance therebetween. Oil is pumped into the clearance from an oil reservoir and a portion of the oil is received in an annular port defined in the casing between an outer labyrinth seal and one of the axially-spaced seal rings. The oil mixes with a process gas to for an oil and gas mixture. A blower is in fluid communication with the annular port and circulates the oil and gas mixture to a trap where the oil is separated from the process gas and a separated process gas is returned back to the annular port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventor: Philippe Auber
  • Patent number: 8864442
    Abstract: An opposed-flow steam turbine having an HP section and an IP section connected by a shaft, with mid-span packing surrounding the shaft in a region between the HP and IP sections; and a steam conduit extending from the mid-span packing and through a shell of the turbine; the steam conduit incorporating a pressure tap for directly and continuously measuring pressure in the mid-span packing during operation of the steam turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Christopher M. Tomaso
  • Patent number: 8864441
    Abstract: A rocket engine turbopump with a main rotor shaft supporting a liquid oxygen impeller on a forward end and a turbine on an aft end, and with a multiple stage liquid hydrogen impeller in-between. Two hydrostatic bearings support the main rotor shaft such that the liquid oxygen impeller and the turbine are both overhung. A balancing piston is used to balance the main rotor shaft in an axial direction. This structure allows for the main rotor shaft to be of such a large diameter that the turbopump is capable of operating at around 70,000 rpm that can produce a liquid hydrogen outlet pressure of around 4,000 psia in a turbopump having a diameter of less than 10 inches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Florida Turbine Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Alex Pinera
  • Patent number: 8834095
    Abstract: A bearing support assembly for supporting a bearing assembly within a bearing compartment of a gas turbine engine includes a centering spring and a bearing support member integrally joined together to form a one piece structure. The centering spring connects to the bearing assembly and has a portion that extends conically relative to a centerline axis of the gas turbine engine. The bearing support member extends from the centering spring to connect to an engine case of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Todd A. Davis
  • Patent number: 8826637
    Abstract: In an arrangement for discharging oil-venting air (oil air) separated by a lubricating oil de-aeration system, kinetic energy of the oil-venting air (O) is increased to a static pressure which exceeds the exhaust-gas flow (A) pressure by a diffuser and the oil-venting air is then mixed with the exhaust-gas flow and discharged with the latter. The venting line (10) coming from the lubricating oil de-aeration system issues into a diffuser (13) which is integrated into the exhaust cone (9) enveloped by the exhaust-gas flow of the engine and whose oil-air outlet opening (14) is connected to the exhaust-gas flow either directly or via an attenuation chamber (18) provided in the exhaust cone. Provision is such made for discharging oil air from the engine to the atmosphere without contaminating visible engine parts and for obtaining a weight reduction due to the reduced length of the venting line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG
    Inventor: Robert Thies
  • Publication number: 20140238336
    Abstract: A power system, comprising a turbocharger, an oil sump, a supply passage, a return passage, and a turbocharger bypass passage. The supply passage is positioned fluidly between the turbocharger and the oil sump and is configured to supply oil to the turbocharger. The return passage is positioned fluidly between the turbocharger and the oil sump and is configured to return oil from the turbocharger to the oil sump. The turbocharger bypass passage is positioned fluidly between the supply passage and the return passage. The turbocharger bypass passage comprises a valve that is configured to be in a closed positioned when the turbocharger is in a normal operating mode, and in an open position when the turbocharger is in a failure mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: ROBERT J. MCMULLEN
  • Publication number: 20140234075
    Abstract: An exhaust gas turbocharger may include a shaft mounted in a bearing housing carrying a compressor wheel and a turbine wheel. The shaft may include a sealing bush arranged on the shaft in a rotationally fixed manner. The sealing bush together with a bearing housing cover may at least partially delimit an annular oil centrifuging space arranged coaxially to the sealing bush. The bearing housing cover may include a guiding nib located radially outside the sealing bush partially covering the sealing bush in axial direction. The guiding nib may be configured to guide oil separated in the oil centrifuging space onto the rotating sealing bush. The rotating sealing bush may be configured to direct the oil into the oil centrifuging space in response to centrifugal force creating an oil swirl.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Bosch Mahle Turbo Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Friedemann Weber, Thomas Berger, Thanh-Hung Nguyen-Schaefer, Christoph Butscher, Jasmin Hausser, Andreas Fath
  • Patent number: 8807921
    Abstract: A bearing foil assembly includes a top foil, an intermediate foil, and a bump foil. The bump foil is provided with corrugations at circumferentially spaced locations. The bump foil has an end that is bent radially outwardly from a center of the foil assembly. The top foil has a bent portion extending radially outwardly and adjacent to the bent end of the bump foil. A first radius of curvature is defined to a curved portion leading into the bent portion at a first end adjacent to the bent end. A second radius of curvature is defined at an end of the bent portion on an end opposed to the bent end. A ratio of the first radius of curvature to the second radius of curvature is between 0.6 and 10. A bearing assembly, a shaft sub-assembly, an air machine, and a method of assembling a bearing into an air machine are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Ronald M. Struziak
  • Patent number: 8801365
    Abstract: This hydraulic machine comprises a wheel supported by a shaft (5), the wheel and the shaft being able to rotate about a vertical axis (X5) while a radial hydrostatic or hydrodynamic bearing (100) is formed between, on the one hand, a radial peripheral surface (52) of the shaft and, on the other hand, an internal radial surface (102) of a member (101) that is fixed relative to the vertical axis. The bearing (100) extends between two edges (121, 122) which, in normal operation, constitute regions for the removal of a film of water formed in the bearing. At least one cavity (130) is created in the fixed member (101) and opens onto its internal radial surface (102) near a first edge (122) of the bearing. The machine comprises means (131, 132, 133) for placing the cavity (130) in fluidic communication with a volume (V1) situated outside the bearing near the second edge (121) of the bearing (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Alstom Renewable Technologies
    Inventors: Jean-Francois Bertea, Gerard Vuillerod
  • Publication number: 20140219777
    Abstract: A turbocharger includes: a turbocharger main body; a bearing hole formed in the turbocharger main body; a turbine shaft rotatably inserted into the bearing hole and having a turbine wheel provided on one end and a compressor wheel provided on the other end; a turbine-side bearing part and a compressor-side bearing part rotatably supporting the turbine shaft and disposed in the bearing hole on a relatively turbine wheel side and on a relatively compressor wheel side, respectively; a cooling oil passage provided radially outside the bearing hole in the turbocharger main body and configured to cool the turbocharger main body with lubricating oil circulated inside; a first oil duct configured to guide lubricating oil after lubricating the compressor-side bearing part to the cooling oil passage; and a second oil duct configured to guide lubricating oil after lubricating the turbine-side bearing part to the cooling oil passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: IHI Corporation
    Inventors: Yutaka UNEURA, Yuichi Daito, Tomohiro Inoue
  • Patent number: 8790072
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Weir Floway, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel E. Boldt
  • Patent number: 8784036
    Abstract: A cooling system for a turbocharger that has a cooling jacket in the bearing housing wherein air is bled from the area behind the compressor wheel and introduced into the cooling jacket, through which it circulates and then exits into the atmosphere. In addition, a pressure relief valve located behind the compressor wheel is set to open at a predetermined charge air pressure level to introduce additional cooling air into the cooling jacket and also acts to limit the maximum rotational speed of the turbocharger over the high-speed range of the engine on which the turbocharger is mounted. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, cooling air can be taken from the intake manifold system of a turbocharged engine downstream of an air-to-air aftercooler and ducted to the cooling jacket in the turbocharger bearing housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Inventor: William E. Woollenweber
  • Publication number: 20140186159
    Abstract: A bearing unit of a turbocharger may be disposed on an inner side of a space in a center housing and carry axial load of a rotary shaft connecting a turbine wheel, a compressor wheel, and an electric motor. The bearing unit may include a bearing body fastened to a side of the center housing and has a through-hole substantially at a center of the bearing body for fitting the rotary shaft fitted, and a coupling disposed on the through-hole and the rotary shaft, having a stepped portion in which the bearing body is inserted, and forming an oil chamber with the bearing body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicants: NEUROS CO., LTD., Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Kitae YEOM, Jaesik Yang, Sung Won Kim, Tae Won Hwang, Hong-Young Lee
  • Patent number: 8757959
    Abstract: A non-rotating compartment along an engine centerline of a tip turbine engine is defined between an inner support housing, an outer support housing and an aft housing. The non-rotating compartment provides a space that may be utilized for a multitude of engine accessories and components including an engine lubricating fluid system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Brian Merry, Lawrence Portlock
  • Patent number: 8757885
    Abstract: A bearing housing (1) of an exhaust-gas turbocharger, having a compressor-side housing flange (2), a central housing section (3) which is integrally connected to the housing flange (2) and in which is arranged a first partial section (4) of an oil chamber (5) which has an oil inlet (20) and an oil outlet (21), and a turbine-side housing section (6) which has a turbine-side housing flange (7) and in which is arranged a second partial section (8) of the oil chamber (5). The central and turbine-side housing sections (3, 6) are provided with an oil cooling duct (13; 13?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Johannes Hornbach, Martin Becker, Oliver Schumnig
  • Publication number: 20140169942
    Abstract: A water pump that minimizes defects in which cooling water flows externally is provided. The water pump is provided with a rotating shaft supported by a body via a bearing, an impeller that is disposed at one end of the rotating shaft, and a seal member that is disposed between the impeller and the bearing. A drain passage that sandwiches the seal member and communicates with a space formed on the opposite side of the impeller is formed in the body, and a reservoir is formed downstream from the drain passage. At an upper position of a wall portion that forms the reservoir, a drain hole is formed, and a water-absorbing planar member is positioned in the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Junya Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8740549
    Abstract: A lubrication system for turbocharger(s) ensures continuous lubrication of bearings and shaft of the turbocharger with lubricant retention during start and shut down of turbocharger-associated systems thereby enhancing the performance and turbocharger life. A shaft and bearings are lubricated by introducing pressurized lubricating oil through an oil inlet passage in the bearing housing and after lubricating, the lubricant returns to the engine oil sump located below the turbocharger through the oil outlet passage. A valve in the oil inlet pipe line permits lubricant flow to the bearings during engine running, and when the engine stops and oil pressure falls below the valve opening pressure, the valve shuts and traps the lubricant in oil inlet pipe that is above the valve. The oil outlet pipe retains sufficient lubricant in the bearing housing which lubricates the shaft and bearings post engine shutdown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd
    Inventors: Kishor Raut Shashank, Sharad Shete Manoj
  • Patent number: 8727699
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a damping system for rotating machinery such as gas turbine engines. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for damping systems. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application shall become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Kent Vetters, Timothy Hoffmann, Steven Arlen Klusman
  • Patent number: 8714905
    Abstract: A pressure-balancing device for balancing pressure in at least one bearing enclosure of a turbojet, the enclosure including a mechanism feeding the bearing with lubricating liquid, an air intake, at least one sealing system placed between the stator and the rotor in front of and/or behind the bearing, a recovery mechanism recovering the lubricating liquid, and a removal mechanism removing the mixture of air and of traces of lubricating liquid towards a venting circuit. Downstream from the bearing enclosure and in the venting circuit, the balancing device includes a regulator system regulating the air removal flow rate, thereby enabling the flow rate to be variable as a function of the speed of the engine, to remain non-zero, and, at high speeds, to be lower than when the regulator system is not included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Ion Fintescu, Laurent Gille, Jean-Pierre Mourlan
  • Publication number: 20140099188
    Abstract: Oil sump seal pressurization apparatus for turbine engines are disclosed. An example oil sump seal pressurization apparatus may include a non-rotating oil sump housing a bearing; an oil seal isolating an interior of the oil sump; a passage arranged to supply pressurization air to an outward side of the oil seal; a drain arranged to allow draining of oil and venting of at least some of the pressurization air, the drain being positioned axially between the passage and the oil seal; a wide discourager tooth disposed on the shaft and extending radially outward towards a non-rotating land, which may be disposed axially between the passage and the drain, the wide discourager tooth being spaced apart from the land in a radial direction by a gap, the wide discourager tooth including an upper surface; and/or an adjacent tooth disposed on the shaft and extending radially outward from the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
  • Patent number: 8678741
    Abstract: An oil cooled runner, for a rotary seal between an engine case and a shaft rotationally mounted to the case, includes an annular runner ring having a platform with a radially outer seal engagement surface and a radially inner surface, and an oil distributor having a radially inner portion in communication with a source of liquid lubricant and an outer lubricant casting cone with a rim disposed radially inwardly from the inner surface of the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventor: Alexander Yurievich Olennikov
  • Patent number: 8678750
    Abstract: A specialty pump and heat exchange system having a fluid pump driven by a gear assembly. The fluid pump has a pump casing and an inboard head that form a fluid passageway when connected together. The gear assembly uses lubricant in the transmission and that lubricant is cooled by being pumped from the gear assembly through a lubricant passageway in the inboard head and then recycled back to the gear assembly for further use. In addition to cooling the lubricant, the system warms the fluid pump and/or fluid passing through the fluid pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: W. S. Darley + Co.
    Inventor: Douglas W. Seitz
  • Patent number: 8668432
    Abstract: A hearing arrangement which has a double-row rolling-body bearing, in particular an angular ball bearing for a turbocharger. The rolling-body bearing has at least one outer ring and at least one inner ring between which an intermediate space for two rows of rolling bodies is formed. For reliable and disruption-free lubrication, the rolling-body bearing has a central feed opening formed on the outer ring, and at least one outlet opening, lying opposite the central feed opening, on the inner ring for a lubricant. In the vicinity of each of the rows of rolling bodies, at least one feed opening is provided on the inner ring for feeding the lubricant to the rolling bodies so that the lubricant is injected via the inner ring, and the centrifugal force during the operation of the bearing is utilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Wilhelm Sebald, Ernst Masur
  • Patent number: 8657559
    Abstract: A method and device for reducing wear in a water turbine (1) comprising a turbine housing (2) and an impeller (4), and where between the turbine housing (2) and the impeller (4) is arranged a seal (16, 18), and where the method comprises supplying cleaned water to the seal (16, 18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Dynavec AS
    Inventor: Ole Gunnar Dahlhaug
  • Patent number: 8651801
    Abstract: A seal monitoring and control system for a gas lubricated non-contacting seal includes various sensors providing signals to a programmable logic control system. The control system is disposed to determine a presence of an anomalous operating condition of the seal, for example, based on phase, relative position of rotor to stator or other signals in combination provided by the various sensors to provide an output signal, which in one embodiment performs at least one mitigating process to correct the anomalous operating condition by adjusting at least one operating parameter of the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: John Crane Inc.
    Inventors: Elhanafi A. Shamseldin, Joe Delrahim, Paul A. Hosking, Joseph L. Savio, Vladimir Bakalchuk
  • Publication number: 20130323018
    Abstract: An expansion turbine, comprising: a case having an inlet and an outlet for a working fluid; at least one stator (3) installed inside the case; at least one rotor (2) installed inside the case and rotating around a respective revolution axis (X-X); a short-pipe (4) constrained to the case; a mechanical unit (5) installed inside the short-pipe (4). The mechanical unit (5) comprises a bushing (7) and a shaft (6) rotatably installed inside the bushing (7). The shaft (6) is connected to the rotor (2) in removable manner and the whole mechanical unit (5) inclusive of the shaft (6) is extractable from the short-pipe (4) in a unitary form from the side opposite to said rotor (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: EXERGY S.P.A.
    Inventor: Claudio Spadacini
  • Patent number: 8596954
    Abstract: A compressor is disclosed having a shaft seal assembly and system that allows a high-pressure compressor to settle-out at a lower pressure level during shutdown. The seal assembly may be disposed about a portion of the shaft and define a blow-down seal chamber, the seal assembly including one or more gas seals in fluid communication with the blow-down seal chamber. A blow-down line is communicably coupled to the blow-down seal chamber to reference the blow-down seal chamber to a low pressure reference, such as a separate centrifugal compressor, or the like. Referencing the blow-down seal chamber to the low pressure reference reduces the required sealing pressure of the one or more gas seals. A valve may be disposed in the blow-down line and configured to regulate a flow of process gas leakage through the blow-down line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventors: Manoj K. Gupta, Jose L. Gilarranz, Steven Nove, Kenneth Devito
  • Patent number: 8568084
    Abstract: A system controls net thrust of a steam turbine having a stepped rotating shaft. A first leak off line fluidly couples a first stage of a turbine section to a packing near a stepped portion on the rotating shaft. A second leak off line fluidly couples a second stage of the turbine section that has a pressure different from the first stage to a step area immediately adjacent to the stepped portion, and a connection line fluidly couples the first leak off line to the second leak off line. The lines include control valves such that a controller can actively control the net thrust by regulating thrust pressure on the stepped portion using steam from the first and second stages of the turbine section. The controller may also prevent damage to an active retractable seal using the control valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Xiaoqing Zheng, Bernard Arthur Couture, Jr., Casey William Jones, Binayak Roy
  • Patent number: 8550773
    Abstract: A steam turbine having an exhaust-steam casing for directing an exhaust-steam mass flow, a shaft bearing for mounting a turbine shaft, and at least two bearing struts, by means of which the shaft bearing is fastened to the exhaust-steam casing, is characterized according to the invention in that each of the at least two bearing struts has a cooling cavity arranged in the respective bearing strut for directing a coolant, and the cooling cavities of the at least two bearing struts are connected in a fluidically conductive manner via a closed-off connecting cavity in the region of the shaft bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Henning Almstedt, Stefan Essink, Norbert Pieper, Mark-Andre Schwarz, Kais Sfar
  • Patent number: 8540478
    Abstract: A multistage high-pressure pump according to the present invention includes a rotational shaft (1), impellers (3) secured to the rotational shaft, a casing (2) configured to house the impellers therein, a mechanical seal (20), a seal chamber (25) that houses the mechanical seal therein, an oil reservoir (30) configured to store oil therein, an oil supply line (26) providing fluid communication between the oil reservoir (30) and the seal chamber (25), an oil pump (31) configured to pressurize the oil from the oil reservoir (30) and supply the oil to the seal chamber (25), a pressure retaining mechanism (32, 34, 35) configured to retain pressure of the oil in the seal chamber (25), and an oil outlet line (27) for discharging the oil from the seal chamber (25). The pressure of the oil in the seal chamber (25) is higher than pressure of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventor: Akio Teragaki
  • Publication number: 20130205745
    Abstract: A lubrication device including a bypass valve with an inlet connected to a feed circuit, a first outlet to be connected to elements to be lubricated, and a second outlet connected to a bypass circuit. The valve includes a valve member slidable between first and second positions, and separating a cavity into first and second chambers. The first chamber is connected to the inlet. In the first position, a fluid flow passage from the first chamber to the second chamber is open, and from the first chamber to the first outlet is closed. In the second position, a fluid flow passage from the first chamber to the first outlet is open, and from the first chamber to the second outlet is closed. At least in the second position, the valve member separates the chambers in substantially leaktight manner, while the second chamber remains in fluid flow communication with the second outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: TURBOMECA
    Inventors: Sébastien Detry, Yannick Cazaux, Olivier Pierre Descubes
  • Patent number: 8506240
    Abstract: A free-surface liquid transfer apparatus for rotating machinery includes a rotating member. The rotating member includes a main shaft defining a hollow inner cavity, an outer cylindrical wall defining a hollow annular cavity in fluid communication with the hollow inner cavity through a plurality of orifices formed on the main shaft, and a slinger formation in fluid communication with the hollow annular cavity through a plurality of radial slots formed through the slinger formation. A central axis of the main shaft, a central axis of the hollow annular cavity, and a central axis of the slinger formation are collinear, and the slinger formation is configured to transmit working fluid received through the plurality of radial slots outward as a continuous film having both tangential and radial velocity components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Mark F. Franzen, Robert Scott Downing
  • Publication number: 20130195609
    Abstract: A centrifugal compressor includes a rotor assembly with a shaft and a plurality of impellers, bearings located at ends of the shaft and configured to support the rotor assembly, a sealing mechanism disposed between the rotor assembly and the bearings, and a gas bearing disposed between the plurality of impellers for supporting the shaft and receiving a working gas from an impeller downstream from a location of the gas bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventors: Gabriele Mariotti, Massimo Camatti, Bugra Han Ertas, Sergio Palomba
  • Patent number: 8480352
    Abstract: A system controls net thrust of a steam turbine having a stepped rotating shaft. A first leak off line fluidly couples a first stage of a turbine section to a packing upstream of a stepped portion on the rotating shaft. A second leak off line fluidly couples a second stage of the turbine section that is subsequent to the first stage to a step area upstream of the stepped portion, and a connection line fluidly couples the first leak off line to the second leak off line. The lines include control valves such that a controller can actively control the net thrust by regulating thrust pressure on the stepped portion using steam from the first and second stages of the turbine section. The controller may also prevent damage to an active retractable seal using the control valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Xiaoqing Zheng, Bernard Arthur Couture, Jr., Casey William Jones, Binayak Roy
  • Patent number: 8459932
    Abstract: A bearing device of a gas turbine power generation equipment provides damping vibration of a shaft and lubricates and cools the bearing main body. The bearing devices have sleeves provided on the outer circumference sides of the bearing main bodies and bearing housings holding the respective sleeves via O-rings while each forming an annular clearance passage between each of the outer circumferences of the sleeves and a corresponding one of the bearing housings. The bearing housing has a feed-water hole communicating with the clearance passage and adapted to feed water thereto. The sleeve has a lead water hole communicating with the clearance passage and is adapted to lead water to the bearing main body, and a discharge hole which communicates with the clearance passage and is adapted to discharge water therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Susumu Nakano, Tomoaki Inoue, Tadaharu Kishibe, Hiroyuki Shiraiwa
  • Patent number: 8449245
    Abstract: A vertically mountable shaft and bearing assembly includes a thermally insulated housing that protects the shaft, bearing(s), and lubricant from overheating due to a surrounding process fluid that is above 65° C. This allows a bearing to be located near the shaft's distal end, thereby reducing shaft and bearing size requirements. The housing also serves as a reservoir for bearing lubricant that can be cooled by a lubricant cooling system normally used for processes at much lower temperatures. The lubricant can be circulated by an impeller that is actuated by the shaft or driven separately. The thermal insulation, can include vacuum, air, and/or a thermally insulating material. Additional rolling element and/or journal bearings can be included. Lubricant within the shaft housing can be pressurized, for example by pressurized gas or by filling the lubricant above the surrounding process fluid level. The shaft can operate a process fluid pump impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Flowserve Management Company
    Inventor: Paul E Griggs
  • Patent number: 8449199
    Abstract: An assembly for a turbocharger and a method of assembling a turbocharger are disclosed. Such an assembly can include an elongate pin having a tapered part and a protrusion at one end of the pin. The elongate pin is configured to be inserted within a housing opening and a cartridge opening such that the taper of the body portion of the pin mates with the taper of the housing opening. The cartridge opening is configured as to mate with the pin such that the pin substantially restricts the bearing cartridge from surging and rolling but substantially permits all other movements of the bearing cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Precision Turbo & Engine Rebuilders, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel J. Barlog
  • Patent number: 8418458
    Abstract: A bearing housing of a rotor shaft support assembly of a turbocharger core mounts to and closes a forward end of a cavity that both receives and discharges exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine. A turbine rotor operatively coupled to a rotor shaft and a compressor rotor of an associated turbocharger rotor assembly rotates within a turbine rotor shroud portion of an associated turbine nozzle cartridge assembly, wherein the rotor shaft is rotationally supported by at least one bearing within the bearing housing. The turbine nozzle cartridge assembly provides for directing exhaust gases from the cavity through a peripheral inlet leading to a plurality of vanes between forward and aft walls, through the turbine rotor shroud portion, and then through a nozzle exhaust portion incorporating an external sealing surface on an aft portion thereof that cooperates with a sealing element where the exhaust gases are discharged from the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Williams International Co., L.L.C.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Williams, Mark E. Suchezky
  • Patent number: 8398363
    Abstract: A device for sealing a bearing housing, which holds lubricating oil, from which a rotor supported inside the housing of an exhaust gas turbocharger is guided into a compressor housing, loadable by a mass flow of a charger. The device includes a fixed partition with a wall extension, a sealing disk fastened on a shaft of the rotor, a separating gap arranged between the sealing disk and the wall extension, and a drip device connected to an oil-collecting channel and directs lubricating oil collected in the oil-collecting channel into an oil drain by gravity. The drip device includes a drain-off surface for lubricating oil, which has a large axial distance from a rotating sealing disk which delimits the separating gap. Lubricating oil which can penetrate into the separating gap is guided into an oil drain of the bearing housing without interacting with the sealing disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: ABB Turbo Systems AG
    Inventors: Gerd Mundinger, Joel Schlienger, Matthias Kies, Patrick Aberle
  • Patent number: 8388303
    Abstract: A gas turbine having a rotor which includes a turbine rotor, a shaft and a compressor rotor, the turbine rotor having at least one rotor disk and a rotor cone leading from the or a rotor disk to the shaft, the downstream end of the shaft being rotatably supported in a bearing having a bearing chamber, the interior space of the shaft being designed as a flow channel for bearing-chamber sealing air, and the space surrounding the rotor cone upstream of the same being designed as a flow space for cooling air is disclosed. In the region of the rotor connection, the shaft exhibits an expanded portion, at whose upstream end, openings are provided to allow cooling air to enter, and, at whose downstream end, openings are provided to allow cooling air to exit into the space between the bearing chamber and the rotor cone, a wall separating the streams of the cooling air and of the sealing air in the shaft interior from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines GmbH
    Inventors: Wilfried Weidmann, Moritz Wirth
  • Patent number: 8366390
    Abstract: A lubrication system and wind turbine are provided having one or more input ports in a component and one or more output ports in the component. An expandable lubrication receptacle is connected to the one or more output ports, and the expandable lubrication receptacle is configured for receiving a lubrication medium from the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Aquiles Tiscareño, Elias Marquez, Francisco Corona