Including Casing Part Selectively Movable Relative To Fixed Support Patents (Class 415/126)
  • Patent number: 9845700
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present disclosure is a unique active seal system. The active seal system includes a rotor and a stationary seal component disposed adjacent to the rotor. The rotor has a rotating seal component and a first electrical generator element. The stationary seal component has a second electrical generator element and a piezoelectric portion in electrical communication with the second electrical generator element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas D. Dierksmeier
  • Patent number: 9752450
    Abstract: An assembly is provided for a turbine engine with an axial centerline. This turbine engine assembly may include a blade outer air seal segment, a linkage and an actuation device. The linkage may include a shaft and a head, where the shaft is connected to the blade outer air seal segment and extends radially outward to the head. The actuation device may include a sloped slide block located radially within and engaged with the head. The actuation device may be configured to laterally translate the sloped slide block and thereby radially move the blade outer air seal segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Duguay, Timothy M. Davis
  • Patent number: 9605549
    Abstract: Disclosed is an adjustable stationary blade ring of a turbomachine, whose stationary blades are each supported in a bearing body onto which an inner ring, which is divided into two half rings and acts as a seal carrier, is pushed without deformation, viewed in the circumferential direction, as well as a method for assembling a stationary blade ring of this type and a turbomachine having a stationary blade ring of this type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines AG
    Inventor: Werner Humhauser
  • Patent number: 9551281
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprises a hot section module which includes at least one electric probe assembly surrounded by an immediate environment having a local ambient temperature. The at least one electric probe assembly includes an electric probe having a probe body, and a conduit surrounding at least a portion of the probe body. In operation, the conduit carries a fluid flowing at a temperature lower than the local ambient temperature. The at least portion of the probe body is embedded in the fluid inside the conduit. The fluid thermally insulates the probe body from the local ambient temperature of the immediate environment around the at least one electric probe assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Guy Lefebvre, John Pietrobon
  • Patent number: 9551358
    Abstract: An air moving unit, an HVAC system and an enclosed plug fan unit are disclosed. In one embodiment, the air moving unit includes: (1) a plug fan with a blower wheel and (2) a circulation enclosure. The circulation enclosure includes: (2A) a back side and (2B) a front side having an inlet orifice corresponding to an intake area of the plug fan, the front side coupled to top, left and right sides that extend therefrom to the back side to form the circulation enclosure, wherein the blower wheel is located within the circulation enclosure and the plug fan is mechanically coupled to at least one side thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Harold Gene Havard, Jr., Geoffrey Curtis, Miguel Montemayor, Randal Poirier
  • Patent number: 9488190
    Abstract: A pump for immersion in a fluid reservoir has an extensible body and a fluid conduit. The length of the pump may be varied in order to accommodate a variety of reservoir fluid heights. The pump may be pivotable relative to at least a portion of a frame in order that the entrance angle may be adjusted. The pump has a bottom housing with a bottom inlet and at least two, preferably at least three, tangential fluid outlets that are upwardly angled towards the conduit. The outlets may be merged with the fluid conduit. An impeller within the housing is shaped to transfer fluid tangentially and upwardly within the housing to co-operate with the upward angle of the outlets. These features reduce fluid pressure loss and thereby increase fluid flow rate through the pump for a given input power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Nuhn Industries Limited
    Inventor: Ian Nuhn
  • Patent number: 9441500
    Abstract: A steam turbine casing position adjusting apparatus capable of employing a compact low-resolution actuator is provided. A steam turbine casing position adjusting apparatus 40 includes turbine casings 21 and 37, a rotor 23, and actuators 14 and 15 that move the turbine casings 21 and 37 in the axial direction. The actuators 14 and 15 are disposed radially outside outer peripheries forming the turbine casings 21 and 37 .
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Takumi Hori, Megumu Tsuruta, Shin Asano, Tamiaki Nakazawa, Ryokichi Hombo
  • Patent number: 9364779
    Abstract: The method and equipment relates to the measurement of deflections of filter sectors in a disc filter. The filter discs in the disc filter are constituted by a number of filter sectors, and the distance between a position fixed relative to the filter, most commonly the scraper itself, and the filter surface is conventionally measured by manual measurement methods. The equipment is instead used that has a measuring head with a quick-release coupling for its mounting fixed in the filter, and a position sensor in the measuring head that measures the distance between the measurement arrangement and the surface of the filter disc in order to form momentary measurement results. The momentary measurement results are transferred by a data transfer link from the measurement arrangement to a data collection unit PC that has a memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Valmet AB
    Inventor: Nicholas Rowe
  • Patent number: 9345369
    Abstract: A waste receiving apparatus such as a toilet has a body having an interior and an upper waste receiving opening. A bagging material storage area holds the bag supply of continuous bag material to receive waste introduced through the waste receiving opening. A motor is provided for rotating accumulated waste relative to the bag supply. A fan is provided for pressurizing and/or depressurizing an interior of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Dry Flush LLC
    Inventors: Rod Livingston, Robert Roczynski
  • Patent number: 9335615
    Abstract: A light source device includes a light source, a reflector that reflects light emitted from the light source, a light source housing accommodating the light source and the reflector and including a plurality of introduction ports through which cooling air is introduced, and a plurality of outlet ports communicating with the plural corresponding introduction ports, the outlet ports through which the introduced cooling air goes out, and an opening and closing device opening and closing the plural introduction ports. The plural introduction ports are disposed around a center shaft of the opening and closing device. The plural outlet ports are disposed along an opening of the reflector. The opening and closing device has a rotating member which rotates in accordance with the position of the light source device to selectively open and close the plural introduction ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Yasushi Tateno
  • Patent number: 9308810
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle is retrofitted with an electric motor attached to a drive wheel to convert the vehicle into an electric vehicle. The automotive vehicle has at least one axle mounted drive wheel and the electric motor is coaxially mounted on this axle to rotate the drive wheel. An accelerator mechanism is operably connected to the electric motor to be manipulated to increase and decrease the revolutions of the drive wheel when power is provided to electric motor by an energy storage device carried by the vehicle. My electric vehicle may include a control unit for operation of the vehicle in a first mode where the internal combustion engine provides power to the drive wheel and a second mode where the electric motor provides power to the drive wheel. My kit includes the electric motor, the accelerator mechanism, and the control unit with instructions for retrofitting a conventional automotive vehicle in accordance with my method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Inventor: Tarek Kurdy
  • Patent number: 9285663
    Abstract: A light source device includes a holder for holding a lamp unit, a duct member placed over the holder, a flow path formed between the holder and the duct member, a plurality of port groups disposed in the holder, each port group including ports for connecting the inside of a reflector of the lamp unit to the flow path, and a plate member disposed in each port group and configured to selectively open/close ports included in each port group. The plurality of port groups is located around the center axis of a light-emitting tube of the lamp unit, and the plate member rotates under its own weight to open some of the ports included in the port group while closing the other ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: NEC Display Solutions, Ltd.
    Inventor: Eisuke Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20150132838
    Abstract: A ventilation unit is arranged to effect flow reversal, according to two opposite directions, of a gas flow generated by a fan without reversing the rotation direction of the fan. The ventilation unit includes a fan, at least a first piping arrangement through which a gas flow is intended to pass in one of the two possible directions depending on whether it is blown or sucked by the fan, and a switching assembly arranged between the fan and the first piping arrangement, at least a switching device being provided in the switching assembly and being movable between two positions for selectively and alternately connecting the first piping arrangement to a delivery duct and to a suction duct of the fan, so as to allow the passage of a gas flow in a direction or in the opposite direction within the first piping arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Pietro Paolo Cella Mazzariol, Gian Francesco Galanzino, Alessandro Avonto
  • Publication number: 20150125270
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine nacelle includes a first annular portion that is stationary and adapted for partially surrounding an engine core. The first annular portion includes a fore pylon connecting portion. A rail is coupled to the fore pylon connecting portion and extending in the aft direction from the first annular portion. A second annular portion, aft of the first annular portion and coupled to the rail, is movable along an engine core centerline between a closed position and at least one open position. The second annular portion is configured to engage with the first annular portion when the second annular portion is in the closed position, thereby providing access to the engine core. A guide pin extends forward from the second annular portion. A locking mechanism is disposed within the first annular portion for engaging the guide pin when the second annular portion is in the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Jesse M. Chandler
  • Patent number: 9022731
    Abstract: The present document describes a centrifugal ceiling fan. The fan comprises a casing, a motor and a centrifugal propeller. The casing comprises an upper surface comprising an air inlet and a lower surface comprising an air outlet. In an embodiment, the lower surface has a round bowl-like shape including a plurality of openings defining the air outlet. The propeller comprises a shaft and a plurality of blades provided around the shaft. The blades may be curved to push the air in all directions between a first direction substantially perpendicular to the rotation shaft and a second direction substantially parallel to the rotation shaft in order to evenly ventilate the room. The fan may include a heating element for heating the air as it exits from the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Inventor: Alessandro Seccareccia
  • Patent number: 9004855
    Abstract: The invention relates to a nacelle including an air intake upstream from the jet engine (1), a medium section surrounding the fan of the jet engine (1), and a downstream section. The nacelle further includes at least one pair of mobile cowlings (3) provided on both sides of a vertical longitudinal symmetry plane of the nacelle and hinged essentially parallel to a longitudinal axis (A) of the nacelle so they can be opened to provide access to the jet engine (1). The mobile cowlings (3) are paired by fastening means (8) so that they can be hinged on each other about separate or overlapping axes (6). Each mobile cowling (3) comprises permanent connection means or means (14, 15) for connecting it temporarily by rotation and in closed position to a fixed structure (7) of the nacelle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Aircelle
    Inventors: Guy Bernard Vauchel, Xavier Cazuc
  • Publication number: 20150086337
    Abstract: A system for mounting a motorized cassette to a watercraft body comprises a mounting assembly configured to releasably secure the system to the watercraft body, a housing, a tiller, and a motorized cassette. The housing includes a receiving space and the motorized cassette is configured to be at least partially inserted into the receiving space. Manipulation of the tiller causes rotation of the housing relative to the mounting assembly such that the tiller can be used to steer the watercraft body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventor: Mike R. Railey
  • Publication number: 20150071766
    Abstract: Systems and devices configured to reduce thermal design clearances (e.g., between stationary nozzles connected to the inner casing and rotor buckets connected to the rotor) in turbines by actively controlling casing movements and/or locations during turbine operation are disclosed. In one embodiment, a clearance management system includes: a first inner casing support arm shaped to connect to an inner casing of a turbine and extend through an outer casing of the turbine; a seal system disposed about the first inner casing support arm and configured to connect to the outer casing; and a set of actuators disposed on a turbine foundation of the turbine and connected to the first inner casing support arm, the set of actuators located external to the outer casing and configured to adjust a position of the inner casing relative to the outer casing via manipulation of the first inner casing support arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Karimulla Shaik Sha, Prakash Rajagopal, Xiaoqing Zheng
  • Patent number: 8967951
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a turbine assembly includes a first static structure and a second static structure radially outward of the first static structure. The assembly also includes a support member placed in a recess of the second static structure, wherein the support member includes first and second curved surfaces to contact the first and second static structures, respectively, and wherein the support member includes a biasing structure to retain the support member in the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Brett Darrick Klingler
  • Patent number: 8956109
    Abstract: A nacelle, a part of which is the fairing device, surrounds a gas turbine engine and a support pylon on an aircraft fuselage. The pylon extends into a substantially horizontal plane of symmetry containing the longitudinal axis of the propulsion power unit, and includes a central compartment that is open on the top and on the bottom and provided for housing devices. The pylon is attached to the fuselage by a distal edge extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the propulsion power unit. The fairing device includes an upper half-cowl (2) and a lower half-cowl substantially symmetrical relative to the plane of symmetry, and lockable therebetween, in a closed position. The upper half-cowl and lower half-cowl are individually pivotably mounted on the distal edge of the pylon such that, in an open position, access is provided at the same time to the engine and to the central compartment of the pylon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventor: Sebastien Regard
  • Patent number: 8951006
    Abstract: The invention relates to a nacelle for a turbojet, of the type comprising a downstream structure having an outer structure (6) that defines, together with an inner concentric structure (9) for surrounding the downstream portion of the turbojet, an annular flow channel (8), characterised in that a portion at least of said inner structure (9) is mounted so as to be capable of a translation movement along the longitudinal axis of the nacelle so that it can move between a working position, in which the inner structure acts as a casing for the downstream portion of the turbojet, and a maintenance position in which the inner structure exposes said downstream portion of the turbojet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Aircelle
    Inventors: Guy Bernard Vauchel, Nicolas Hillereau, Jerome Collier, Pierre-Alain Chouard, Guillaume Lefort
  • Patent number: 8926275
    Abstract: A centrifugal pump includes an electric motor, an impeller driven by the motor and a pump housing having an impeller chamber, an inlet in communication with the impeller chamber via an opening, and first and second outlets in communication with the impeller chamber. The impeller chamber has an interference structure which forms first and second flow channels in communication with the first and second outlets. The interference structure directs the fluid in the impeller chamber to flow through the first outlet via the first flow channel when the impeller rotates in a first direction or to flow through the second outlet via the second flow channel when the impeller rotates in the opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Johnson Electric S.A.
    Inventors: Awade Badafem, Min Li
  • Patent number: 8905705
    Abstract: An omni-directional air flow device, for example, a fan or a vent associated with a fan, comprises a swivel control point providing almost a spherical range of motion of the air flow device so that air may flow in any direction. The omni-directional air flow device may comprise a user input device for receiving a program for controlling movement of the air flow device through a pre-determined path within the spherical range of motion and for controlling air flow velocity as the air flow device follows the pre-determined path. Moreover, the device may further comprise a controller and memory for storing data representing the pre-determined path and varying air flow velocities along the path. When provided with temperature and humidity sensors coupled to the processor, the processor may calculate a comfort index and adjust the pre-determined path or air flow velocity accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Inventor: Norial P. Bain
  • Patent number: 8894358
    Abstract: A clearance control arrangement includes first and second components defining a clearance therebetween. The first component includes a surface portion having at least a layer of material that changes thickness when actuated. The clearance control arrangement also includes an actuator to actuate the layer of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventor: Marko Bacic
  • Patent number: 8894377
    Abstract: A personal motorized cooling fan designed to retract and fold into a vertical tower for economy of shipping, storage and desk space. Each fan blade includes a blade portion and a root portion that rides in a race that guides the blades as they splay during rotation. When the fan is turned on, the rotation of the shaft and therefore race, combined with centrifugal force, causes the blades to splay forming a radial array. A protective cage including an array of longitudinal members expands in a fan-like manner. The cage is engaged with ribbons of stretch fabric that retract and fold along with the cage and blades after use. The entire assembly folds tidily into a slender tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Inventor: Jeffrey Alan Greenberg
  • Patent number: 8897009
    Abstract: A parallel redundant fan system includes at least first and second fans located adjacent each other. Each fan includes: (i) a fan housing defining a fan chamber in which an impeller is supported for rotation about an axis of rotation; (ii) a first chamber outlet in communication with the fan chamber and defined by an opening in a first wall of the fan housing; (iii) a second chamber outlet in communication with the fan chamber and defined by an opening in a second wall of the fan housing; and, (iii) first and second backflow prevention dampers respectively associated with the first and second chamber outlets. The first and second dampers respectively include first and second damper plates that selectively pivot from their closed positions toward their opened positions against the closing force of respective first and second counterweights in response to exhaust air flow pressure exerted thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Janes, Eric J. Hartsell, Gabriel Gheorghe Cioara
  • Patent number: 8894357
    Abstract: A fan module includes a bracket, a mounting plate, and a fan fixed to the mounting plate. A first side of the mounting plate is pivotably attached to the bracket. A second side of the mounting plate can be fixed to different positions on the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yang Liu, Lei Liu
  • Publication number: 20140328671
    Abstract: A bladeless fan assembly is provided which includes a housing having an air inlet and an air outlet. A blower is located within the housing, and includes a motor for driving an air stream between the air inlet and air outlet of the housing. A directional scoop is affixed to the housing at the air outlet. The directional scoop including a first end, connected to the housing at the air inlet, and a second open end opposite the first end. The first end and second open end of the directional scoop define a longitudinal length “L” of the directional scoop having a longitudinal axis “X.” The directional scoop is arcuate is shape, being curved along the longitudinal axis between the first and the second open end, and about the longitudinal axis to define an open channel along the length of the directional scoop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventor: Carlos Ojeda
  • Patent number: 8879252
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of cooling electronic components when replacing a cooling device in an information technology system are disclosed. The apparatus may include first and second cooling device trays that may be slidably mounted within an information technology system. The cooling device trays may include one or more cooling devices that are movably mounted to the cooling device trays. The apparatus may pivot one or more of the cooling devices when a pivot member contacts a fixed member with the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel P Kelaher, William M. Megarity, John P Scavuzzo
  • Patent number: 8870529
    Abstract: A turbine assembly is provided. The turbine assembly includes an inner turbine casing and an outer turbine casing radially outward from the inner turbine casing, the outer turbine casing including an aperture extending therethrough and a support assembly extending through the aperture, the support assembly externally adjustable outside of the outer turbine casing to adjust the inner turbine casing relative to the outer turbine casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Matthew Stephen Casavant, Bradley Edwin Wilson
  • Patent number: 8845287
    Abstract: A nacelle for a turbojet engine is provided that includes an air intake upstream from the turbojet engine, a middle section intended to surround a fan of the turbojet engine and its case, and a downstream section. The middle section is made from at least one aerostructure capable of ensuring external aerodynamic continuity of the nacelle, and the aerostructure is rigidly bound, so as to be able to be taken apart, to at least one surrounding fixed structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Aircelle
    Inventors: Hervé Hurlin, Nicolas Dezeustre, Olivier Kerbler, François Gallet, Bertrand Desjoyeaux
  • Patent number: 8840364
    Abstract: A system includes a turbomachine platform including a first docking guide. The turbomachine platform supports a turbomachine skid, and the skid includes a second docking guide. The first docking guide is configured to interface with the second docking guide in order to guide the turbomachine skid between a docked position and an undocked position relative to other equipment supported by the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jordan Scott Warton, Robert Allen Baten
  • Patent number: 8834101
    Abstract: An improved mechanical seal assembly is provided for hydro transport applications and other similar applications, such as large high pressure slurry pumps. This mechanical seal is used in large scale pumps having an axially adjustable shaft to accommodate high wear applications by maintaining suitable pump performance. The improved seal is a cartridge seal that includes a stationary seal adapter which is mounted to a pump casing and has a static gasket sealingly contacting a movable gland which non-rotatably supports the stationary seal rings of a mechanical seal. Additional seal rings are rotatably supported on the shaft wherein these rotatable and non-rotatable seal components are movable axially with the shaft to improve pump performance in high-wear conditions. The gland and non-rotatable seal rings are supported on and move with a bearing housing, along with the shaft and its seal rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Flowserve Management Company
    Inventor: James A Monnot
  • Patent number: 8814512
    Abstract: An apparatus for a gas turbine engine comprises a spool lock for locking a compressor spool and a lift for removing a rotor from the compressor spool. The spool lock comprises an outer ring configured for attachment to a compressor case of the gas turbine engine, an inner ring configured to support a compressor spool within the compressor case, and a web extending between the outer ring and the inner ring. The lift comprises a beam configured for attachment to a flange of the gas turbine engine, a support strut configured to support the beam above the compressor spool, and a hoist configured to support the rotor for removal from the compressor spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Torgrim Skaustein, Jorgen Albriktsen
  • Publication number: 20140212274
    Abstract: A device for axial locking of a moving part in rotation with respect to a reference part, includes a downstream locking wedge provided with lugs laid out such that the downstream locking wedge can be placed in: a first angular position in which the downstream locking wedge may be translated axially with respect to the moving part, a second angular position in which the lugs axially immobilise the downstream locking wedge with respect to the moving part; an upstream locking wedge able to prevent the rotation of the downstream locking wedge with respect to the moving part; and a stop segment able to immobilise axially the upstream locking wedge against the downstream locking wedge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventors: Olivier Lefebvre, Philippe Bourdin, Marc Jolly
  • Patent number: 8790076
    Abstract: A centerline suspension arrangement (42) for a turbine (40). A turbine inner casing (44) is supported within an outer casing (46) via a support member (60) that includes an inner portion (62) contacting the inner casing and an outer portion (66) extending into a slot (68) formed in the outer casing. The support member is slid into an axially oriented slot (64) formed in the inner casing and is body bound therein with respect to radial movements, with the support member and the inner casing slot including opposed vertical support surfaces (82, 90) and a pair of oppositely facing opposed horizontal support surfaces (80, 88 and 86, 92). Thus, dead weight and operating loads from the inner casing are reacted through the support member and into the outer casing without the necessity for any bolting or other fastener attachment in the design load path between the support member and the inner casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Demag Delaval Turbomachinery, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel Golinkin, Russell V. Caggiano, Timothy Ewer, Gennaro J. DiOrio, Michael J. Lipski
  • Patent number: 8757962
    Abstract: A system and method for adjusting a shroud block in a casing are disclosed. The system includes a crane, an engagement device mounted to the shroud block, and a hoist connecting the engagement device and the crane. Actuation of the hoist can cause movement of the shroud block along a shroud hook of the casing. The method includes mounting an engagement device to the shroud block, and actuating a hoist connected to the engagement device. Actuation of the hoist can cause movement of the shroud block along a shroud hook of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John William Herbold, Randall Stephen Corn, Charles V. Spanos
  • Publication number: 20140161593
    Abstract: An augmentor assembly for a gas turbine engine includes an alignment assembly disposed along an axis having a base and a plate. The base includes a plurality of grooves. The plate includes a plurality of flanges in mating engagement to the plurality of grooves. A first component and a second component are attached to the alignment assembly. The mating engagement of the plurality of grooves and the plurality of flanges is arranged to provide incremental adjustment to define a position of the first component relative to the second component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: United Technologies Corporation
  • Publication number: 20140161594
    Abstract: A portable blower capable of improving safety is provided. The blower is placed on a setting surface by support of the leg and is capable of holding an inclined position at a plurality of inclined angles to the setting surface. In addition, the blower includes a housing having an intake port and a discharge port opened on a lower surface and an upper surface thereof, respectively, an air passage connecting the intake port and the discharge port which are provided in the housing, and a blowing fan, and the outdoor air flows into the air passage from the intake port by driving of the blowing fan and is sent forth from the discharge port passing through the blowing fan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kota Kurihara, Yoshifumi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8717764
    Abstract: A fan module is detachably mounted in a chassis. The chassis includes a sidewall defining a locking slot. The fan module includes a bracket including a base plate defining a first through slot, a fan fixed to the base plate, a fan duct fixed to the base plate beside the fan, and a locking member. The fan duct includes a side plate defining a second through slot. The locking member is fixed to the fan duct. The locking member includes a locking portion extending through the second through slot of the fan duct and the first through slot of the bracket to lock into the locking slot of the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zheng-Heng Sun
  • Patent number: 8678753
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a fluid flow is disclosed herein. The apparatus includes first and second spaced walls defining opposite sides of a first fluid passageway extending along a first axis. At least one of the first and second walls is cantilevered along the first axis and includes a distal end moveable relative to the first axis. The distal end of the at least one wall is moveable in response to changes in the flow temperature to passively vary a size of the first fluid passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventor: Kevin Farrell
  • Patent number: 8671536
    Abstract: An apparatus for installing a turbine casing including a first drive subassembly and a member coupled to the first drive subassembly configured for engaging a first segment of the turbine casing. The apparatus may also include a second member coupled to the second drive subassembly configured for engaging the first segment of the turbine casing. The apparatus may be provided with a first retainer connected to the first member and configured for engaging a second segment of the turbine casing, and a second retainer connected to the second member and configured for engaging the second segment of the turbine casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Charles V. Spanos, John William Herbold, Kevin Scott Peterson
  • Patent number: 8672606
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a compressor having first annular connection structure at a forward end portion of an air inlet housing of the compressor. The gas turbine engine may also include intake ducting having second annular connection structure adjacent a central passage of the intake ducting. The first annular connection structure and the second annular connection structure may form at least part of an interface between the air inlet housing and the intake ducting during operation of the gas turbine engine. The first and second annular connection structures may have shapes allowing the first annular connection structure to be moved through and beyond the second annular connection structure in a forward direction, the forward direction being opposite a direction of compressed air flow in the compressor during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Solar Turbines Inc.
    Inventors: Gabriel James Glynn, Charles Cornelius, Ian Trevor Brown, Daniel James Doll, Jason Michael Robertson
  • Patent number: 8662830
    Abstract: An adjustable support apparatus for a steam turbine nozzle assembly is disclosed. In one embodiment, a steam turbine apparatus includes: a diaphragm segment having a horizontal joint surface and an angled ledge below the horizontal joint surface, the angled ledge configured to receive a complementary angled portion of a wedge member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Prashant Prabhakar Sankolli, James Peter Anderson, Jason Paul Mortzheim
  • Publication number: 20140056695
    Abstract: An easy-access blower assembly is disclosed. The blower assembly includes a blower enclosure, and a blower slider assembly mounted to the blower enclosure. The blower slider assembly has slider rails, each with a moveable rail and a stationary rail, a blower mounting plate coupled to each moveable rail of the slider rails, and a blower motor and fan assembly mounted to the blower mounting plate wherein the blower motor and fan assembly is adapted to slide out of the blower enclosure. Blower slider assemblies and methods of servicing a blower motor and fan assembly are also provided, as are other aspects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: SIEMENS INDUSTRY, INC.
    Inventors: Todd Robert Locker, JR., Matthew W. Riggle
  • Publication number: 20140050562
    Abstract: An adjustable delivery volume rotary pump, including: first and second housing structures; a delivery chamber comprising a first chamber wall formed by the first housing structure, a second chamber wall formed by the second housing structure, a fluid inlet in a low-pressure region and a fluid outlet in a high pressure region; a pump wheel rotatable about a rotational axis in the delivery chamber; and a pressing device for generating pressing force. The second housing structure can be moved relative to the first housing structure from a first to a second position, against the pressing force. In the second position, a gap exists between the first and the second chamber walls and fluid can escape from the delivery chamber by bypassing the inlet and the outlet, or a circulation of the fluid which reduces the delivery rate of the rotary pump arises in the gap within the delivery chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: Schwabische Huttenwerke Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Claus Welte, Uwe Meinig
  • Patent number: 8646251
    Abstract: An exemplary gas turbine engine assembly includes a fan casing within a nacelle, a variable area fan nozzle. A controller is operable to move the variable area fan nozzle to influence a discharge airflow area associated with the variable area fan nozzle in response to an airfoil flutter condition. A gear train reduces a rotational speed of a fan in the gas turbine engine relative to another portion of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: William E. Rosenkrans, Robert J. Morris
  • Patent number: 8641363
    Abstract: A turbocharger having a turbine with a wastegate, and a compressor including a compressor housing, a compressor wheel, and a wastegate actuator. The turbine wheel includes blades defining an inlet. The compressor housing has an inlet wall leading to the inlet, and a shroud wall surrounding the blades. The actuator includes a base that is integral with the inlet wall, and an electric motor that is attached to the base. The shroud wall forms a first port that is in direct fluid communication with the actuator chamber, and the inlet wall forms a second port that is in direct fluid communication with the actuator chamber. Air from the first port to passes through the actuator housing and out the second port. This airflow convectively cools the working components of the actuator, while the connection of the motor to the inlet wall conductively cools the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew C. Love, Nicolas Devulder
  • Publication number: 20140030057
    Abstract: An aircraft turbofan engine variable area fan nozzle (VAFN) is disclosed that has a forward end that is continuously supported within a circumferential recess in the wall of the nacelle in front of it. During operation, the VAFN translates back and forth but always has its front end within the recess. Relatively simple seals help seal the recess against the VAFN. An array of openings with aft facing vanes, termed an aft cascade, is built into the VAFN. The openings are hidden within the recess when the VAFN is in the forward-most positions, and they are exposed to allow air to flow from the bypass duct through the cascade when the VAFN is in aft positions. The aft cascades can have different airflow directions based on their locations around the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy Gormley
  • Publication number: 20140017069
    Abstract: A fan assembly includes a base and a body mounted on the base for movement relative thereto between an untilted position and a tilted position. The fan assembly also includes an air outlet and an interior passage for conveying air to the air outlet, and which extends about an opening through which air from outside the fan assembly is drawn by air emitted from the air outlet. A brake and a stationary rail are disposed on the upper surface of the base, and a rail is connected to the lower surface of the body and located between the brake and the stationary rail. The brake is urged by a spring or other resilient member towards the stationary rail to urge the rail of the body against the stationary rail to maintain the body in a tilted position by means of friction between the rails.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventor: Laurent James PETERS