Fluid Biased, Movable Or Resilient Portion Patents (Class 415/113)
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Patent number: 8727699Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 14, 2010Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignees: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Kent Vetters, Timothy Hoffmann, Steven Arlen Klusman
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Patent number: 8721263Abstract: A centrifugal pump includes at least one impeller (4) and at least one sealing arrangement arranged between the impeller (4) and a housing wall. The sealing arrangement seals a suction side of the impeller (4) with respect to a pressure side of the impeller (4). The sealing arrangement including a seal (12) fastened on the impeller (4) in a rotationally fixed manner.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2009Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Grundfos Management a/sInventor: Jorgen Schmidt
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Patent number: 8657573Abstract: A circumferential sealing arrangement is disclosed herein. The circumferential sealing arrangement includes a seal runner operable to be fixed to a structure for concurrent rotation with the structure about an axis. The circumferential sealing arrangement also includes a housing that encircles the seal runner or is encircled by the seal runner. The circumferential sealing arrangement also includes a primary seal element at least partially disposed in the housing. The primary seal element includes a first surface cooperating with a second surface of the seal runner to form a circumferential seal between the primary seal element and the seal runner. The circumferential sealing arrangement also includes a secondary seal element positioned between the housing and the primary seal element on a first side of the primary seal element along the axis of rotation. A second side of the primary seal element along the axis of rotation opposite the first side seals against the housing.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2010Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Rolls-Royce CorporationInventor: John Munson
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Patent number: 8568084Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 23, 2010Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Xiaoqing Zheng, Bernard Arthur Couture, Jr., Casey William Jones, Binayak Roy
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Patent number: 8568081Abstract: An electrical submersible pumping system having a pump, a motor, a shaft connecting the pump and motor. Coaxially stacked rotating impellers and stationary diffusers are coaxially housed within the pump. Radial ports are formed in a hub of the diffusers that direct fluid pressurized by an impeller to a cavity formed on the shroud of the impeller. Axial ports are formed in the shrouds of the impellers that direct fluid from the cavity to a fluid flow passage within the impeller. Strategic placement and sizing of the radial and axial ports balances thrust forces exerted onto the impeller.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2010Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Baojun Song, David Chilcoat
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Patent number: 8540479Abstract: An active retractable seal assembly for use between rotating and non-rotating turbo machinery components including: a plurality of seal rings mounted to the non-rotating component, the seal rings movable toward and away from the rotating component between respective closed and open positions as a function of pressure drop across the seal rings, wherein the seal rings are normally in the open position; and a fluid bypass circuit for directing fluid around one or more of the plurality of seal rings to reduce the pressure drop across the one or more of the seal rings, thereby causing the one or more seal rings to move towards the open position under the action of spring(s) or actuator(s).Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2007Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Shorya Awtar, Timothy R. Kemp, Kurt N. Laurer, Frederick G. Baily
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Patent number: 8480352Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 23, 2010Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Xiaoqing Zheng, Bernard Arthur Couture, Jr., Casey William Jones, Binayak Roy
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Patent number: 8443514Abstract: A maintenance method of a gas turbine unit, having a first stator element provided with first connecting holes contemplates replacing a second stator element, provided with second connecting holes and connected to the first stator element by means of coupling pins insertable into the first and the second connecting holes, with a third spare stator element provided with third connecting holes; and coupling the first stator element to the third spare stator element by means of eccentric coupling pins and eccentric bushes, each of which is selectively insertable in the first and the third connecting holes.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2008Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: Ansaldo Energia S.p.A.Inventor: Gianluigi Bertino
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Patent number: 8342796Abstract: Damping systems and engines including the damping systems are provided. In one embodiment, and by way of example only, the damping system includes a rotor, a bearing assembly mounted to the rotor, a spring cage disposed around the bearing assembly, an axially-extending housing surrounding the spring cage, a first squeeze film damper formed between the bearing assembly and the spring cage, and a second squeeze film damper formed between the spring cage and the axially-extending housing.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2008Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Douglas Spencer, Mohsiul Alam, Griff Kinsinger
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Patent number: 8312702Abstract: An oil recovery device is disclosed. The oil recovery device includes two bearing supports mounted on an inter-turbine casing, a first bearing and a second bearing mounted on the bearing supports, a low-pressure turbine journal mounted rotating with respect to the inter-turbine casing, a fixed ferrule, and an oil passage provided in the low-pressure turbine journal making it possible to discharge the oil inside the fixed ferrule. The ferrule is preferentially widened from the end at which the oil is discharged.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2009Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Assignee: SNECMAInventors: Jacques René Bart, Serge René Morreale, Jean-Luc Soupizon
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Patent number: 8292508Abstract: A bearing arrangement includes a bearing outer element that defines a first plurality of races opening radially inwardly, a bearing inner element that defines a second plurality of races opening radially outwardly, and a bearing middle element defining a third plurality of races at its radially outer surface thereof and a fourth plurality of races at its radially inner surface thereof. Rolling elements are receivable in the races. The bearing middle element includes an axial protrusion at least at one end thereof that can be received in a housing with respect to which the bearing outer and inner elements are rotatable.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2009Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: NSK CorporationInventors: David Earl Spieth, Kevin Lueschen, Michael Gregory Mshar, Mark A. Thorpe
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Patent number: 8186938Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprising a rotor and a stator which define first, second and third cavities; the rotor and stator define a seal therebetween and which is located for sealing between the second and third cavities, the rotor comprises an aperture through which a gas flow passes from the first cavity to the second cavity characterized in that the seal comprises a deflector that extends axially over at least a portion of the aperture to deflect at least a part of the gas towards the rotor.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2008Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLCInventors: Colin Young, Guy David Snowsill, Paul William Ferra, Clive Peter Gravett
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Publication number: 20120128466Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for lubricating a turbomachine comprising at least one enclosure, called non-ventilated, with members to be lubricated and an air-oil mixture, said enclosure being closed and pressurized using dynamic pressure seals supplied with compressed air to create an airflow from the outside toward the inside of the enclosure, said enclosure comprising an outlet for conveying the air-oil mixture toward an air/oil separator, said separator being provided with an suction function favoring the flow of the air-oil mixture between the enclosure and the separator, characterized in that the lubrication system comprises additional suction means.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2011Publication date: May 24, 2012Applicant: Techspace Aero S.A.Inventors: Nicolas Raimarckers, Albert Cornet, Steve Houziaux, Bruno Servais, Geoffroy Ricardou
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Patent number: 8177475Abstract: A seal assembly for deflecting contaminated fluid flowing through the seal assembly from an upstream space to a downstream space includes an annular housing, at least one vent hole peripherally disposed on the annular housing, a first set of seals disposed within the annular housing adjacent to the downstream space, the first set of seals having an inclined surface to deflect the flow of contaminated fluid through the at least one vent hole, and a second set of seals mounted on the shaft, disposed within the annular housing, adjacent to the first set of seals and adjacent to the upstream space. The second set of seals may have larger inside diameter than the first set of seals. The seal assembly may prevent contaminated fluid from entering an air bearing cooling circuit, thereby preventing bearing wear, erosion and failure.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2008Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.Inventors: Fidel Manalo Joco, Marshall Saville, Alan Kang
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Patent number: 8157502Abstract: Pump (1) comprising a rotary shaft (30), a bearing housing (80) that is fixed relative to the rotary shaft, at least one rolling bearing (70) the inner ring (71) of which is connected to the said rotary shaft and the outer ring (76) of which is able to slide in this housing along the axis of rotation of the rotary shaft. The bearing housing (80) comprises a shoulder (81) situated on one side of this bearing and able rigidly to prevent translational movement of the outer ring (76) along the axis of rotation, and a deformable elastic device (100) fixed to the housing on the other side of the bearing (70) so that the bearing lies between the shoulder and the elastic device.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2007Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: SNECMAInventors: Emmanuel Edeline, Charles Marciquet, Laurent Fabbri, Fabien Wahl
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Publication number: 20120051887Abstract: The present invention provides a pump comprising a regenerative pumping mechanism. A rotor of the pump has a generally disc-shaped pump rotor mounted on an axial driveshaft for rotation relative to a stator, the pump rotor having rotor formations disposed in a surface and defining at least a portion of a flow path for pumping gas from an inlet to an outlet. The rotor formations are formed between the pump rotor and the stator of the pumping mechanism. The pump rotor and the stator comprise an axial gas bearing arrangement for controlling axial clearance between the rotor and the stator during pump operation. Thus, this configuration of pump provides a gas bearing disposed on the rotor which enables an improved control of axial clearance between the pump's rotor and stator components.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2010Publication date: March 1, 2012Applicant: Edwards LimitedInventor: Nigel Paul Schofield
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Patent number: 8096774Abstract: The invention relates to a turbocharger (15) comprising a bearing housing (7) which mounts a rotor shaft (12) and has a bearing-housing oil space (13); comprising a compressor housing which is connected to the bearing housing (7) and has a compressor space (14); and comprising a sealing device (20) which is provided for sealing the bearing-housing oil space (13) relative to the compressor space (14) and which has a sealing ring (1) which is arranged in a fixed position in the bearing housing (7) and has two end faces (17, 17?) which interact with associated end faces (10) and (11) of a disc (9) and a sealing bush (16) which are fastened to the rotor shaft (12), wherein the sealing ring (1) is arranged with axial play on the rotor shaft (12) between the disc (9) and the sealing bush (16); and air-delivery devices (2, 3) oriented in opposition are arranged in the end faces (17, 17?) of the sealing ring (1).Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2006Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignees: BorgWarner Inc., KACO GmbH + Co. KGInventors: Dirk Frankenstein, Markus Schwerdtieger, Bruno Ferling
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Publication number: 20120003076Abstract: A method for assembling a rotating machine includes providing a rotating element including a plurality of rotor wheels. The method also includes positioning the rotating element such that at least a portion of a stationary portion extends at least partially about the rotating element. The method further includes assembling an interstage seal mechanism including coupling at least a portion of a first hook device to the rotating element, and also including coupling at least a portion of a second hook device to the first hook device. The first hook device and the second hook device are radially inboard of at least a portion of the stationary portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2010Publication date: January 5, 2012Inventors: Josef Scott Cummins, Ian David Wilson
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Publication number: 20110318163Abstract: In a centrifugal compressor, for the purpose of preventing the positions of a diaphragm and a head flange in a radial direction from moving with respect to a casing, suppressing the generation of an unstable fluid force in a seal and the contact of the seal with a rotor to prevent the unstable vibration of the rotor and enabling an efficient and stable operation even on high-pressure conditions, there is provided a barrel-shaped centrifugal compressor including a casing, a diaphragm located in the casing to define a flow channel, and a head flange attached to the end of the casing by a shear key, wherein in the inner peripheral surface of the casing and the outer peripheral surface of abutment portions of the diaphragm and the head flange in which they are abutted on the inner peripheral surface of the casing, sliding key grooves which are vertical to the surfaces are provided at least two portions in a peripheral direction, and sliding keys are provided in the key grooves.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2011Publication date: December 29, 2011Inventors: Yohei Magara, Kazuyuki Yamaguchi, Mitsuhiro Narita, Haruo Miura, Naohiko Takahashi, Akira Endo
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Publication number: 20110318164Abstract: The means of sealing the compressor wheel with respect to the bearing housing includes an annular sealing element which forms a sealing boundary face with a shaft edge and to which a spring force is applied in the direction of the shaft edge. The external spring force neither compensates or amplifies the pressure forces acting on the sealing element, irrespective of the direction of the difference in pressure. As a result, the sealing of the oil space in the bearing housing of the exhaust gas turbocharger with respect to the shaft is not influenced, or is influenced only to a small degree, by the pressure fluctuations in the wheel back space of the compressor.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2011Publication date: December 29, 2011Applicant: ABB Turbo Systems AGInventors: Adrian Kopp, Christoph Häge, Martin Thiele
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Patent number: 8083472Abstract: A gas turbine engine (10) comprising a first turbine (19) and a first compressor (13) mounted on a first shaft (26) and a bearing arrangement (52, 34) supporting the shaft (26), the bearing arrangement is subject to a total end load and comprises a fixed bearing (34), a load share bearing (52) and a bearing end load management system (50) that is capable of applying a variable load to the load share bearing to manage total end load between the bearings. The bearing end load management system comprises a static diaphragm (54) that defines part of a chamber (56) and that is coupled to the load share bearing whereby increased pressurization of the chamber loads the diaphragm which in turn increases the proportion of the total end load on the load share bearing.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2008Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLCInventor: Alan R. Maguire
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Patent number: 8083468Abstract: A high-speed turbomachine includes a magnetic bearing (22, 23) and a retainer bearing for mounting the rotor. The retainer bearing is embodied as a sliding bearing (26, 27) and encompasses a bearing shell (28) at the stator end, a bearing shaft (20) at the rotor end, and an intermediate bushing (30) between the bearing shell (28) and the bearing shaft (20). The intermediate bushing (30) is spaced apart from both the bearing shaft (20) and the bearing shell (28) by a circular gap (33, 34). The intermediate bushing (30) is rotatable relative to the bearing shell (28) and the bearing shaft (20). As a result of this design, the sliding bearing (26) is provided with two pairs of sliding surfaces, onto which all occurring dynamic forces are distributed such that wear is significantly reduced, thus allowing sliding bearings to be used as retainer bearings in a magnetically mounted high-speed turbomachine.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2006Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: Oerlikon Leybold Vacuum GmbHInventor: Roland Blumenthal
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Patent number: 8083469Abstract: A bearing lubrication system for a high temperature bearing, such as in a small gas turbine engine for a UAV, in which the bearing and lubricant requires a long shelf life, where the bearing includes a solid lubricant movable within a chamber formed within a housing and located adjacent to the bearing. The solid lubricant is biased by a spring toward the bearing and abuts against a runner that rotates along with the rotor shaft during engine operation. A cooling air passage opens into a space formed between the bearing and the solid lubricant to supply cooling air through the bearing. When the engine operates, heat is transferred through the runner to the solid lubricant to melt the lubricant. Rubbing of the runner against the biased solid lubricant will also melt the lubricant. The melting lubricant is carried by the cooling air through the bearing to provide both cooling and lubrication for the bearing.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2009Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: Florida Turbine Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Alex Pinera
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Patent number: 7938616Abstract: A dynamic sealing system between two coaxial rotary shafts respectively comprising an inner shaft and an outer shaft. Connected to the inner shaft, the system comprises a sectorized annular assembly of wipers that are movable under the effect of centrifugal force, and an annular receptacle for liquid arranged in the inside surface of the outer shaft.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2007Date of Patent: May 10, 2011Assignee: SNECMAInventors: Laurent Gille, Serge Rene Morreale
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Patent number: 7905495Abstract: A circumferential sealing arrangement is disclosed herein. The circumferential sealing arrangement includes a structure operable to rotate about an axis and having a first surface facing radially outward. The circumferential sealing arrangement also includes a static housing circumscribing the rotatable structure. The circumferential sealing arrangement also includes at least one seal element connected to the static housing and having a second surface facing radially inward. The circumferential sealing arrangement also includes a seal runner rotatable with the structure and having a third surface facing radially outward. The third surface cooperates with the second surface to form a circumferential seal between the static housing and the rotatable structure. A radial gap is defined between the first surface of the rotatable structure and a fourth surface of the seal runner facing radially inward and opposing the first surface.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2007Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignee: Rolls-Royce CorporationInventor: John Munson
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Publication number: 20100316485Abstract: In a turbocharger with an oil thrower 36 arranged between a bearing portion 31 for support of a turbine shaft 5 in a bearing housing 3 and an impeller 6 in front thereof, a seal plate 44 facing a front portion outer periphery of the oil thrower 36 for prevention of oil from leaking from the bearing portion 31 to the impeller 6 and being integral with the bearing housing 3 to be positioned at a back of the impeller 6, an oil-thrower facing part 39 formed in the bearing housing 3 to face a rear portion outer periphery of said oil thrower to provide an oil sump 40, the seal plate 44 is in the form of press-fit plate 47, a diameter of the press-fit plate 47 being smaller than an outer diameter of the impeller 6 and being at least equal to a minimum working bore diameter for machining of an outer periphery 42 of the oil-thrower facing part 39 or machining of oil discharge openings 41 provided in the oil-thrower facing part 39.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2008Publication date: December 16, 2010Applicant: IHI CorporationInventor: Yoshimitsu Matsuyama
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Publication number: 20090246004Abstract: A seal gas recovery method including introducing a first seal gas stream to a first mechanically coupled booster/expander assembly, where the first booster/expander assembly includes a first booster, a first expander, a first shaft that mechanically couples the first booster and the first expander, and a first seal on the first shaft. The method further includes removing at least a portion of a first recoverable gas stream from the first seal, where the first recoverable gas stream includes at least a portion of a first process leak gas stream and at least a portion of a first seal gas vent stream. The method further includes introducing a second seal gas stream to a second expander assembly, where the expander assembly includes a second expander, a second shaft, and a second seal on the second shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2008Publication date: October 1, 2009Applicant: Air Liquide Process and Construction Inc.Inventor: Nathalie P. Schmitt
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Publication number: 20090212501Abstract: Self-balancing face seals and gas turbine engine systems involving such seals are provided. In this regard, a representative self-balancing face seal assembly includes: a rotatable seal runner having a first seal runner face and an opposing second seal runner face; a first face seal operative to form a first seal with the first seal runner face, the first face seal being one of a hydrostatic seal and a hydrodynamic seal; and a second face seal operative to form a second seal with the second seal runner face, the first face seal being one of a hydrostatic seal and a hydrodynamic seal.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2008Publication date: August 27, 2009Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORP.Inventors: Jorn A. Glahn, Peter M. Munsell
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Publication number: 20090208322Abstract: Gas turbine engine systems and methods involving full ring outer air seals are provided. In this regard, a representative blade outer air seal assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a continuous, annular seal body formed of ceramic matrix composite (CMC) material.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2008Publication date: August 20, 2009Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORP.Inventor: Michael G. McCaffrey
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Patent number: 7549834Abstract: An actuation pressure control system effects actuation of adjustable seal segments between stationary and rotating turbomachinery members. At least one actuator is coupled with each of the adjustable seal segments and controls a position of the seal segments, respectively. A pressure system is disposed within the turbomachinery that measures or estimates ambient pressure representing an actuator back pressure acting against the actuator. A pressure regulator via a controller pressurizes the actuator to a level sufficient for a desired seal operation and controls actuator pressure based on the actuator back pressure.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2006Date of Patent: June 23, 2009Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Darrin Glen Kirchhof, William Charles Below, Mark Edward Burnett, Frederick George Baily, Shorya Awtar, Norman Arnold Turnquist
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Patent number: 7549836Abstract: A bearing seal assembly includes a pair segmented circumferential or a carbon ring seals to contain oil in the bearing compartments of a gas turbine engine or other mechanical device. The pair of seals, an oil-side seal and an air-side seal, are axially-spaced between the oil and the air in the housing. Air at an elevated pressure is introduced between the seals. This elevated air pressure urges the seals axially apart from one another and radially inward to improve the seal. A backup seal is provided adjacent either the oil-side seal or the air-side seal. In the event of failure of either the oil-side seal or the air-side seal which results in the loss of air pressure, the backup seal will provide at least a minimum level of seal between the oil compartment and the air in the housing.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2006Date of Patent: June 23, 2009Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: James H. Anderson, Harrison R. Picard
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Patent number: 7547185Abstract: An output shaft air/oil separator system comprises an outer housing, an oil passage, a spline shaft having a cavity formed therein that communicates with the oil passage, an output shaft disposed at least partially within the spline shaft cavity that has a first section spaced apart from an inner surface of the spline shaft to form a gap therebetween in communication with the spline shaft cavity and a second section contacting at least a portion of the spline shaft inner surface, a housing cavity defined by at least a portion of an outer surface of the spline shaft and the outer housing, an annular groove formed in the spline shaft communicating with the spline shaft cavity, and at least one port extending between the spline shaft inner and outer surfaces in communication with the annular groove and the housing cavity.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2005Date of Patent: June 16, 2009Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: William L. Giesler, Brent L. Bristol, Michael J. Burns, Tina Marie Hynes
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Publication number: 20090107106Abstract: Gas turbine engine systems involving hydrostatic face seals are provided. In this regard, representative compressor assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a compressor having a hydrostatic seal formed by a seal face and a seal runner.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2007Publication date: April 30, 2009Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORP.Inventors: Peter M. Munsell, Jorn A. Glahn
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Patent number: 7484927Abstract: Disclosed herein is a packing ring assembly including a packing ring segment, a bar, a cover plate, and a spring. The packing ring segment has an axial slot. The bar is disposed within the slot. The cover plate is disposed along an outer periphery of the packing ring segment. And, the spring is compressed between the bar and the cover plate.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2006Date of Patent: February 3, 2009Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Richard J. Chevrette, Flor Rivas, Frederick G. Baily, William E. Adis, Mark E. Kelly, Bernard A. Couture, Kurt N. Laurer
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Patent number: 7445424Abstract: In a gas turbine engine having a rim cavity formed between a rotor disk and a stator, and a brush seal or other seal member providing an airflow seal between the stator and a side plate of the rotor disk, a thermally responsive valve device is located in the bypass passage of the stator to form a parallel air flow path with the brush seal. As the brush seal wears and the leakage airflow around the worn brush seal increases, the air flow temperature in the rim cavity would decrease. The thermally responsive valve device would detect the decreasing airflow temperature, and reduce the airflow passing through the bypass passage in order to prevent the temperature of the rim cavity from decreasing. The temperature responsive valve device makes use of a bimetallic valve member that regulates airflow based upon temperature.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2006Date of Patent: November 4, 2008Assignee: Florida Turbine Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Todd A. Ebert, Alex Pinera, Antonio Negron
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Patent number: 7427186Abstract: A shaft mounted to rotate with respect to another fixed or rotary element of a rotary engine to which the shaft is connected by at least one bearing, it being possible for the engine to operate in at least two different operating speeds, the shaft comprising a connection to the bearing that has a state of stiffness that varies with engine operating speed. The connection comprises a squirrel cage comprising at least two points of attachment, one to the bearing and one to the shaft, between which points there extends a flexible portion, the shaft comprises an actuator able to adopt at least two positions for controlling the state of stiffness of the squirrel cage, the actuator comprises a piston designed to be displaced by oil pressure in a chamber formed between the piston and shaft from a rigid state of stiffness position to a soft state of stiffness position.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2005Date of Patent: September 23, 2008Assignee: SNECMAInventors: Valerio Gerez, Edouard Joseph Jadczak, Florian Poinsot-Berthelot
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Patent number: 7338252Abstract: A pump for the transporting of fluids and/or of mixtures of fluids includes a housing (1) and at least one restrictor gap seal which is provided in the housing (1) to reduce the pressure in a restrictor gap along a rotatable part (2) of the pump, wherein the restrictor gap seal is formed as a brush seal arrangement (8). The brush seal arrangement (8) contains one or more individual brush seals (8?) which include as sealing members a plurality of sealingly arranged fibers, bristles and/or wires (8a) which are distributed and fastened in ring form and whose free ends extend towards the surface to be sealed.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2002Date of Patent: March 4, 2008Assignee: Sulzer Pumpen AGInventor: Paul Meuter
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Patent number: 7334799Abstract: A sealing device has a seal ring and a cylindrical bellows portion connected to the seal ring. The cylindrical bellows portion has a corrugated outer surface. A turbocharger utilizing the sealing device has a turbine wheel connected to a shaft and a compressor wheel connected to the shaft. The sealing device is sealingly engaged with the shaft. The sealing device provides a seal between a bearing housing of the turbocharger and either a turbine housing or a compressor housing.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2002Date of Patent: February 26, 2008Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Stephen J. O'Hara
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Patent number: 7284951Abstract: A method of delivering a fluid containing at least one (meth)acrylic monomer by a pump in which a pump cavity and drive compartment are separated by a separator compartment filled with a barrier medium at elevated pressure and that is sealed with double-acting slide ring packings.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2003Date of Patent: October 23, 2007Assignee: BASF AktiengesellschaftInventors: Volker Diehl, Dimitrios Markopoulos, Juergen Schroeder, Michael Blechschmitt
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Patent number: 7118324Abstract: A CO2 compressor for an air conditioner of a motor vehicle is suggested having a sealing device, assigned to the driveshaft of the CO2 compressor, which is implemented as a sliding ring. The CO2 compressor features a lubrication device, in which the sealing device is supplied a lubricant flow effected by centrifugal forces.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2000Date of Patent: October 10, 2006Assignee: LuK Fahrzeug-Hydraulik GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Jan Hinrichs, Peter Kuhn, Frank Obrist
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Patent number: 7112033Abstract: A sanitary centrifugal pump with a hygienic mechanical seal flushing system. The pump has a housing with a pumping chamber defined therein. An impeller is at least partially contained in the housing and is connected to a shaft for rotation. The rotation of the impeller creates a first liquid flow path through the pumping chamber between the inlet port and the outlet port, and the first liquid flow path creates a high pressure area in the pumping chamber. The pump includes additional seal flushing passages by which liquid is delivered to the seal cavity from the pumping chamber and returned back to the pumping chamber, to cool and flush at least a portion of the mechanical seal in the seal cavity.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2004Date of Patent: September 26, 2006Assignee: Wright Pumps, Inc.Inventor: Thomas M. Holdorf
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Patent number: 7108266Abstract: A seal assembly including a rotatable seal head subassembly also includes a fan that rotates with the seal head assembly, with the fan drawing air through a pump housing for purposes of cooling.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2003Date of Patent: September 19, 2006Assignee: Freudenberg-NOK General PartnershipInventor: John C. Dahlheimer
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Patent number: 7014419Abstract: A passive ATS lubrication system is provided that includes a starter housing, a receptacle and two valves. The starter housing is adapted to couple to a gearbox assembly and includes a supply opening and an exhaust opening that are each configured to provide fluid communication between the gearbox assembly and the starter housing. The receptacle is coupled to the starter housing proximate the supply opening to thereby define a reservoir. The first valve is disposed within the reservoir and configured to open or close the supply opening in response to a pressure differential between the starter housing and the gearbox assembly. The second valve is coupled to the starter housing proximate to the exhaust opening and configured to open or close the exhaust opening in response to the pressure differential between the starter housing and the gearbox assembly.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2004Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.Inventors: Gary A. Farnsworth, Larry K. Ball, Kellan P. Geck, Todd A. Langston
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Patent number: 6976679Abstract: An inter-fluid brush seal assembly and associated method are provided. The seal assembly defines a gas passage for supplying gas to interfaces with a rotatable member. At least one of the interfaces is defined by a brush seal, and the flow of the gas through the interfaces can prevent the flow of fluid through the assembly, thereby sealing the assembly and preventing the fluid from passing therethrough. The gas and the fluid can be drained from the assembly through one or more drains.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2003Date of Patent: December 20, 2005Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: James D. Goss, Jozsef L. Moharos, Dean J. Nunez
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Patent number: 6884026Abstract: At least one shroud segment, floating axially independently of adjacent turbine engine shroud assembly members, includes a segment body comprising a radially outer surface and a radially outwardly projecting segment support that includes an axial support wall surface therein. The assembly includes a shroud hanger in axial juxtaposition with the segment support, and at least one axial support projection from the shroud hanger into the segment support at the support wall surface. The support projection supports the shroud segment releasably at the support wall surface sufficiently to enable relative axial movement of the shroud segment on the support projection independently of the shroud hanger and adjacent engine members.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2002Date of Patent: April 26, 2005Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Christopher Charles Glynn, Mary Ellen Alford, Mark Eugene Noe, Toby George Darkins, Jr.
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Patent number: 6884022Abstract: An improved diesel engine water pump includes three main features that aid in extending the maintenance-free life of the pump. The impeller shaft is carried by tapered roller shaft support bearings of which the impeller bearing has a floating outer race that is urged axially by a preload spring to provide a prescribed axial preload that maintains concentricity of the shaft with the axis and prolongs bearing life. An improved oil seal combines an oil slinger, a stationary deflector and a lip oil seal with a return passage to the engine to more effectively limit oil leakage from the pump. An improved water seal includes pressurized water jets fed from the pump volute that flush wear particles from the water seal surface and increase water seal life. Further details of these features are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2003Date of Patent: April 26, 2005Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Randal K. Albright, Thomas J. Kane, John R. Zagone, Werner C. Duerr
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Patent number: 6802689Abstract: Abnormality in an amount of a working gas leaked from between a rotating ring adapted to rotate with a rotor and a stationary ring of a turbo fluid machine is detected by a pressure switch and a flow meter, which are provided in a primary seal vent line, the working gas leaking from sealing surfaces of the labyrinth seal and the secondary dry gas seal, together with a purge gas purged to the space from outside is discharged outside the machine from a flow passage via a space. When abnormality generates in the secondary dry gas seal, a control valve provided in the purge gas line operates to secure a flow rate in the purge gas line, so that a flow rate detected by the flow meter provided in the purge gas line increases, and thus abnormality in the secondary dry gas seal is detected.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2002Date of Patent: October 12, 2004Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventor: Hideto Nogiwa
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Patent number: 6769865Abstract: A turbine nozzle includes hollow nozzle vanes mounted between outer and inner bands. The inner band includes an integral skirt around the perimeter thereof. A backing sheet of a honeycomb seal is mounted to the skirt to define a cavity therein. The inner band includes supply apertures for providing cooling air into the cavity, and the skirt includes forward and aft purge holes for discharging the cooling air therefrom. During operation, the air channeled through the cavity cools the backside of the inner band and is then discharged through the purge holes.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2002Date of Patent: August 3, 2004Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jeffrey Allen Kress, Robert Alan Frederick
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Patent number: 6712580Abstract: A structure of a water pump is provided without increasing the cost thereof, or without enlarging the size to improve the durability of the water pump. A seal apparatus having a seal ring 13 and a slinger 14 in combination to prevent foreign matter from progressing into the rolling bearing 6a. The amount of compression &dgr; of the second seal lip 23, which occurs when the tip edge of the second seal lip 23 of the seal ring 13 comes in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the outer-diameter-side cylindrical section 26 that is formed at the outer peripheral edge of the slinger 14, is at least {fraction (1/10)} and up to {fraction (7/10)} the height of the second seal lip 23 in the free state. In addition, the roughness of a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the outer-diameter-side cylindrical section 26 which the tip edge of the second seal lip 23 comes in sliding contact with is from 0.2 &mgr;m to 2.0 &mgr;m in the arithmetic mean Ra, or is from 0.8 &mgr;m to 8.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2002Date of Patent: March 30, 2004Assignee: NSK Ltd.Inventor: Masamichi Iketani
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Patent number: 6695576Abstract: A pump is disclosed that comprises: (1) a support structure including a body having an annular end in which an opening is defined, and a volute connected to the said end of the body so as to define a pumping chamber therewith; (2) a bladed rotor disposed in the chamber and connected to a shaft which is mounted rotatably in the body and extends through the opening; and (3) a first and a second annular sealing member which are carried by the structure and which encircle the shaft in a leaktight manner. A lubrication chamber containing a lubricating grease is defined between the sealing members and the shaft. A first sealing ring, closer to the rotor, has an inner portion which forms at least one sealing lip which bears on the shaft, and a circular portion disposed outside the lip and having a substantially U-shaped cross-section with its convex side facing the rotor.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2002Date of Patent: February 24, 2004Assignee: Plaset S.p.A.Inventors: Sergio Rosso, Giorgio Morra