Including Casing Part Selectively Movable Relative To Fixed Support Patents (Class 415/126)
  • Patent number: 8272835
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprising of a turbine blade, an adjustable casing, and a clearance control arrangement. The clearance control arrangement further comprises an actuator operatively connected to a piston within a cylinder wherein the piston divides the cylinder by a sealing engagement with a wall of the cylinder into a first volume and a second volume. The first volume is operatively connected to a first piezo electric pump that increases a pressure in the first volume, and the second volume is operatively connected to a second piezo electric pump that increases a second pressure in the second volume, such that the relative displacement of the piston is determined by a pressure balance between the first and second pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventor: Colin D. Smith
  • Publication number: 20120237338
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a variable throat device for an air compressor, which is disposed in an air suction passage of an air compressor, and may secure reliable flow control by changing a cross-sectional area of the passage through application of force to the passage, significantly reduce a possibility of unsteady flow by suppressing generation of a vortex in an air stream, secure a desired flow rate without pressure loss in the air stream, and reduce fatigue load applied to a compressor impeller through stabilization of suction flow in order to achieve significant reduction of vibration of the impeller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventor: JAE HYUNG LEE
  • Patent number: 8257027
    Abstract: An exhaust-driven turbocharger for a motor vehicle may include a bearing housing and a turbine housing, which are mounted in the bearing house by means of a common shaft. A guide vane cage surrounds the turbine wheel. The guide vane cage may have at least two arms. The arms may be used to help secure the guide vane cage between the bearing housing and the turbine housing such that it can move in the radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Bosch Mahle Turbo Systems GmbH & Co. KG.
    Inventors: Patric Hoecker, Florian Rentz
  • Patent number: 8257019
    Abstract: A wind energy systems includes a shroud for each turbine. The shroud is adapted to direct and accelerate wind towards the turbine. A strong adaptable support assembly is provided for securing turbines to a structure. An air glide yaw assembly facilitates rotational movement of the structure allowing the turbines to face oncoming wind. The turbine blades are optimized for use with a shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Green Energy Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark L. Cironi, John W. Fedor
  • Patent number: 8251645
    Abstract: A fan with concealed oscillating mechanism includes a main housing, a first driving motor, a second driving motor and a curved link gear all located inside the main housing, and a set of blades located outside the main housing and connected to a rotating shaft of the first driving motor. The first driving motor has a connecting rod rotatably received in a receiving tube provided in the main housing. The second driving motor is located behind and connected to the first driving motor, and has a rotating shaft being perpendicular to that of the first driving motor. The curved link gear is connected at an end to the second rotating shaft and at another end to the main housing, such that when the second driving motor operates, the first driving motor is brought to oscillate while the set of blades stably rotates to thereby change the direction of produced airflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Inventor: Steven Yu
  • Patent number: 8235651
    Abstract: The purpose of the invention is to protect, in a horizontal axis wind turbine with an exhaust aperture for exhausting air from within the nacelle, the exhaust aperture and the internal structures from storm winds through facing the exhaust aperture away from the storm wind, even when storm winds are received from all directions relative to the nacelle. A rotary duct is attached to the nacelle so as to be able to rotate freely in the yaw direction, and is rotated in the yaw direction in accordance with changes in the wind direction. The exhaust aperture is provided at a position that changes direction depending on the rotation of the rotary duct in the yaw direction. By rotating the rotary duct in the yaw direction so that the exhaust aperture will face the downwind side in accordance with changes in the wind direction, the exhaust aperture can be faced away from storm winds, even when storm winds are received from all directions in relation to the nacelle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Fuji Jikogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shigeo Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8231338
    Abstract: A turbine is provided and includes a turbine shell including shrouds at multiple stages thereof, and constraining elements, disposed at least at first through fourth substantially regularly spaced perimetrical locations around the turbine shell, which are configured to concentrically constrain the shrouds of the turbine shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Henry Grady Ballard, Jr., Fred Thomas Willett, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20120167588
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a unique compressor. Another embodiment of the present invention is a unique gas turbine engine. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for blade tip clearance control for compressors and gas turbine engine compressors. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: Douglas David Dierksmeier, Steven Lester Grant, James Christopher Muskat
  • Publication number: 20120171010
    Abstract: A removable steam inlet assembly and lifting fixture for a steam turbine are provided to facilitate lifting of the upper exhaust hood of the steam turbine. The removable steam inlet assembly is detached from the steam inlet of the turbine inner casing for the lift and mounted to the upper exhaust hood with a lifting fixture. Detaching and removal of the steam inlet assembly substantially lowers the clearance height for the lift, allowing lower turbine building height with significant cost savings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventor: Richard Jon Chevrette
  • Patent number: 8210792
    Abstract: A method and system for harvesting wind energy. The system may include a wind turbine disposed subjacent to a roof assembly of building. A plurality of conduits are adjacent to and extending below the wind turbine, wherein each of the plurality of conduits defines a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion defines a larger cross-sectional area than the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: University of Miami
    Inventor: Alexander B. Suma
  • Patent number: 8212187
    Abstract: A heater with 360° rotation of a heated air stream is provided. The device includes a housing, a motor, an impeller, a heating element, an air stream deflector and a rotational engine. More specifically, the device is directed toward a portable space heater having an outward radial projection of a heated air stream in combination with 360° rotational movement for reducing air temperature stratification and uneven heating problems in a room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Lasko Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: William E. Lasko
  • Publication number: 20120156007
    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: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventor: Marko BACIC
  • Patent number: 8202047
    Abstract: A fan module latching device includes a bezel, a base adapted for enclosing a fan, and a handle assembly rotatably retained between the bezel and the base. The handle assembly has a rearwardly depending cam member and a frontwardly extending handle for actuating the handle assembly between a neutral position and an actuated position. A module latch, attached to the base, includes a cam follower and at least one latching tab, the cam follower engaging the cam member such that when the handle assembly is in the neutral position the latching tab is extended outwardly with respect to the base and when the handle assembly is in the actuated position the latching tab is retracted inwardly with respect to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: John P. Franz, Belgie B. McClelland
  • Patent number: 8197193
    Abstract: An air distribution blower housing has an adjustable restriction in the interior of the blower housing. The adjustable restriction has the configuration of a rectangular plate. One edge of the plate is connected by a pivoting connection to an interior wall of the blower housing in the air flow path from the blower housing. The plate can be pivoted about the pivot connection through a plurality of adjusted angular positions of the plate in the air flow path. In each adjusted position of the plate, the length of the plate extends from the pivot connection in the air flow direction. A sliding connection is provided between the plate and at least one side wall of the blower housing. The sliding connection selectively holds the plate in its adjusted angular position and also provides a visual indication on the exterior of the blower housing of the adjusted angular position of the plate inside the blower housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Unico, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig S. Messmer
  • Patent number: 8186941
    Abstract: A swing structure for a ceiling fan includes a reduction motor disposed with a driving wheel having its center fixed with a connecting rod. An intermediate aluminum ring is mounted on the outer circumference of the weight center of a fan motor, having a swing spindle provided with at least one first bearing, and a threading spindle disposed at the other end set therein with a second bearing. The swing spindle has one end connected with the connecting rod. The swing velocity of the ceiling fan is controlled by the reduction motor not affected by different rotating velocities of the fan motor. A hanging tube has its lower ends respectively fixed with the swing spindle and the threading spindle and its upper end secured on a support base, enabling a ceiling fan in stalled at different angles and still able to swing smoothly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Air Cool Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Huo-Cheng Lai
  • Patent number: 8186934
    Abstract: Provision of panels within casings can cause problems where retaining bolts require apertures in the casings, which in turn may reduce the structural strength of that casing. By providing a ring within the casing and appropriate retainer elements secured to that ring, which elements in turn appropriately present panels, it is possible to provide a casing assembly which avoids the necessity of drilling or otherwise forming holes in the casing. Dam elements can be provided at each end of the assembly to prevent axial movement and therefore retain panel position within the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventor: Neil Humphries
  • Patent number: 8182226
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved built-in swing mechanism of a rotary fan. The mechanism includes a ball-and-socket support frame, arranged onto front wall of the main casing corresponding to the axle center of a drive motor and provided with a spherical supporting surface and a through-hole. A spherical abut seat is fastened at a front end of the drive motor is provided with a spherical abut surface that couples with the spherical supporting surface. A punch hole is placed at the center of spherical abut surface for the penetration of the axle center. A crank linkage element is assembled between rear end of the drive motor and the rear wall of the main casing. The first end of the crank linkage element can be driven to enable the oscillation of the second end. The second end is assembled at a rotary pivot corresponding to the main casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: King Jih Enterprise Corp.
    Inventor: Chiao Fu
  • Patent number: 8182207
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a turbine which includes an outer shell, an inner shell connected to and surrounded by the outer shell in generally concentric relation therewith, at least one turbine rotor housed within the inner shell, a plurality of nozzles and shrouds carried by the inner shell, a plurality of connecting elements engaging between the inner and outer shells aligning the inner shell about the rotor, and at least one compliant support. Embodiments of the present disclosure also relates a method of configuring the securing arrangement between the inner shell and the outer shell of a turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Henry G. Ballard, Jr., Scott E. Ellis
  • Publication number: 20120121379
    Abstract: A tower type vertical axle windmill includes a tower portion. The tower portion has a plurality of layers and a plurality of wind turbines and a computer is used to open and close the walls of the tower portion. Each of the wind turbines includes a seat portion, an energy output assembly and a rudder assembly. The seat portion can carry other components. A circular platform is disposed on the base portion of the energy output assembly and is supported by bearings to enable it to turn around. A flywheel is disposed on the outmost portion of the blade module and can store the energy extracted from the wind and enhance the balance of the windmill. In addition, an output axle is connected with the circular platform and a generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventor: Chuy-Nan Chio
  • Publication number: 20120107085
    Abstract: The present invention provides control for airflow to a wind turbine that allows a wind turbine to operate cost effectively and efficiently in a wide range of speeds and a variety of ambient conditions. A system has a housing, a wind turbine assembly located within an interior space of the housing, and at least one moveable shutter or deflector. The wind turbine assembly includes a shaft, a plurality of air foils or turbine blades, and a plurality of spars supporting the plurality of air foils or turbine blades rotatably around the shaft. At least one movable shutter or deflector is coupled to the housing and adjustably positioned relative to the open sides of the housing to be able to move between different positions to partially or fully cover each open side depending upon the wind speed of the ambient wind.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: Total Energy Renewable Power Systems, LLC
    Inventors: William Paul McCowan, John Spence Hayes Chapman, JR., Donald George Myers
  • Patent number: 8157509
    Abstract: A turbine diffuser is disclosed. The turbine diffuser includes a diffuser segment having a forward end and an aft end with a flange disposed at the aft end of the diffuser segment. The diffuser segment is joinable to an adjacent diffuser segment via the flange, which includes a seal retainer that is securedly connectable in a radial direction with a seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kenneth Damon Black, Scott Michael Elam, Prashant Kantappa Patil
  • Patent number: 8152453
    Abstract: A fan system comprises a fan, a bracket configured to mount to a ceiling structure, and a mounting assembly coupling the fan with the bracket. The mounting assembly comprises a fan mounting assembly secured to the fan; and a bracket mounting assembly secured to the bracket. The mounting assembly includes an elongate member extending between the fan mounting assembly and the bracket mounting assembly. The fan mounting assembly is configured to permit adjustment of the orientation of the fan axis about two axes that are perpendicular to the fan axis. The bracket mounting assembly is configured to permit adjustment of the orientation of the elongate member axis about two axes that are perpendicular to the elongate member axis. The bracket mounting assembly permits self-adjustment of the mounting assembly, to re-position the center of gravity of the fan system underneath the bracket after the fan axis orientation has been adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Delta T Corporation
    Inventor: Richard A. Oleson
  • Patent number: 8152452
    Abstract: A conditioning unit can allow the blower to be easily translated from a first operable position in the conditioning unit to a second operable position external to the conditioning unit. The translation of the blower does not require the disconnection of the blower and, accordingly, does not require that the blower be disconnected and reconnected to the control system. Such capability can facilitate the installation of the conditioning unit into a variety of applications and allows the purchaser to customize the blower location based on the desired performance. The ability to customize the installation of the conditioning unit without requiring disconnection and reconnection of the blower can reduce the cost and expense associated with the installation into differing applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Liebert Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel J. Schutte, Gary A. Helmink, David W. Douglas, Benedict J. Dolcich, Anfu Zhong, Gang Xu, Lewis Marton, Luis A. Anjos, Peter M. Buckingham
  • Patent number: 8128346
    Abstract: A fan with concealed 360-degree oscillating mechanism includes a main housing; a pivot member vertically, pivotally and turnably mounted in the housing; a first driving motor having a forward first rotary shaft and horizontally, pivotally and turnably mounted in the pivot member; an oscillating mechanism assembled between the first driving motor and a rear end face of the main housing, and having a first end driving an opposing second end to rotate eccentrically; and a set of blades fixedly connected to the first rotary shaft to locate in front of the main housing. With the first driving motor pivotally connected to the pivot member and eccentrically connected to the oscillating mechanism, the set of blades can be oscillated 360 degrees while being rotated by the first driving motor; and parts inside the main housing undertake force evenly to enable stable operation of the fan and reduced stress fatigue of the oscillating mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Inventor: Steven Yu
  • Patent number: 8128340
    Abstract: A stacked pump arrangement for mixed-media flow includes a first, self-priming, centrifugal pump with a volute having an inlet and an outlet and a second straight centrifugal pump mounted to an upper portion of the first centrifugal pump, the second straight centrifugal pump also having a volute with an inlet and an outlet. A transition chamber is connected, at one end, to the first centrifugal pump volute outlet and is connected, at another end, to the second straight centrifugal pump volute inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Gorman-Rupp, Co.
    Inventors: Donald W. Racer, Michael L. Keith
  • Patent number: 8123469
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydraulic pump (10) hydraulic portion body (1) capable of cooperating with a pump electric motor body (1c), said hydraulic portion body (1) including a pre-filter body (1a) comprising: an upper portion (2), and a lower portion (3), and said upper portion (2) and lower portion (3) of said pre-filter body being independent of each other and mounted in a sealed (6a) removable attachment (6b, 6c), the orientation of both of said upper portions (2) and lower portion (3) of the pre-filter body relatively to each other being adjustable in rotation relatively to each other according to several positions, preferably in at least 3 different positions, still preferably at least 4 different positions, still preferably according to any position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Gatech
    Inventor: Gerard Andrei
  • Patent number: 8123458
    Abstract: A stacked pump arrangement for mixed-media flow includes a first, self-priming, centrifugal pump with a volute having an inlet and an outlet and a second straight centrifugal pump mounted to an upper portion of the first centrifugal pump, the second straight centrifugal pump also having a volute with an inlet and an outlet. A transition chamber is connected, at one end, to the first centrifugal pump volute outlet and is connected, at another end, to the second straight centrifugal pump volute inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: The Gormann-Rupp Co.
    Inventors: Donald Racer, Michael L. Keith
  • Publication number: 20120045315
    Abstract: A fan assembly for creating an air current includes an air outlet mounted on a stand. The stand includes a base and a body tiltable relative to the base. The fan assembly has a center of gravity located so that when the base is located on a substantially horizontal support surface, the projection of the center of gravity on the support surface is within the footprint of the base when the body is in a fully tilted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventor: Peter David GAMMACK
  • Publication number: 20120045316
    Abstract: A fan assembly for creating an air current includes an air outlet mounted on a stand. The stand includes a base and a body tiltable relative to the base. The fan assembly has a center of gravity located so that when the base is located on a substantially horizontal support surface, the projection of the center of gravity on the support surface is within the footprint of the base when the body is in a fully tilted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventor: Peter David GAMMACK
  • Patent number: 8120198
    Abstract: A wind power turbine has a fixed assembly; a mobile assembly fitted to the fixed assembly to rotate about an axis with respect to the fixed assembly; and a locking device for making the mobile assembly and the fixed assembly integral with each other; the locking device has at least one groove formed on the fixed assembly or the mobile assembly and coaxial with the axis, and angular locking means that can be activated to pressure engage the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Wilic S.AR.L.
    Inventors: Otto Pabst, Matteo Casazza, Emmanuele Gelmini
  • Patent number: 8118541
    Abstract: A multi-functional air circulation system includes a bottom base, a flow-splitting base, a filter and a main engine. The bottom base has a lower flow-guiding surface, a net, and a space used to contain diverse improving agents. The flow-splitting base is fixed on the bottom base, including an inner flow-guiding surface to rush air flow generated by a blade member down to the bottom base. The filter is laid at an exit of the inner flow-guiding surface, composed of two filter bases forming a room between them for containing aromatic powder, etc. The main engine includes a motor having its shaft fixed with a blade member, and a control system. The motor is installed in a rear shell combined with a front shell. Air is sucked in through the rear shell to run through an ornamental shell and the flow-splitting base to enter a room. The main engine and the bottom base can also be assembled to work independently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignees: Jih-I Ou, Hern Juei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jih-I Ou, Ching-Shu Huang
  • Publication number: 20120039705
    Abstract: A fan assembly for creating an air current includes an air outlet mounted on a stand. The stand includes a base and a body tiltable relative to the base. The fan assembly has a center of gravity located so that when the base is located on a substantially horizontal support surface, the projection of the center of gravity on the support surface is within the footprint of the base when the body is in a fully tilted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventor: Peter David GAMMACK
  • Patent number: 8113768
    Abstract: A mid-turbine frame assembly includes a mid-turbine frame, a ring structure and a plurality of actuated struts. The ring structure surrounds the mid-turbine frame, and has an interior surface and an exterior surface. The actuated struts connect the ring structure to the mid-turbine frame. The actuated struts are strain actuated so that the actuated struts reposition the ring structure in response to a strain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Nagendra Somanath, Keshava B. Kumar, Christopher M. Dye
  • Patent number: 8105012
    Abstract: An adjustable bleed apparatus and method for bleeding air to or from the impeller inlet region of a centrifugal compressor through a segmented annular bleed slot. An annular support member, connected to the fixed intake casing, supports a downstream annular shroud segment and an upstream annular shroud segment such that the downstream end of the downstream shroud segment is unconstrained. The spaced-apart distance between the shroud segments defines an annular bleed slot, which is segmented by bridge members. The connections between the shroud segments and the annular support member are configured such that the spaced apart distance of the annular bleed slot is adjustable. The connections between the annular support member and the fixed intake casing are configured such that the running clearance between the downstream shroud segment and the impeller is adjustable independently from the width of bleed slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Opra Technologies B.V.
    Inventor: Atte Anema
  • Patent number: 8099962
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine has a casing component, such as a mid turbine frame system, which includes an outer case surrounding a spoke or strut casing. Load transfer spokes of the spoke casing are detachably connected to the outer case and radially extend between the outer case and an inner case of the spoke casing. A bearing housing is supported by the inner case of the spoke casing. An arrangement for radially centring the bearing within the outer case is provided, the arrangement including at least three radial locators mounted to the outer case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Eric Durocher, John Pietrobon, Lam Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8102068
    Abstract: A buoyant hydro turbine(31) for capturing and utilizing energy in the currents of flowing water. A driven component(33) produces electricity or other energy is coupled to and supported by a buoyant rotor(64), increasing efficiency and eliminating the need for an independent supporting structure. Tethered in flowing water, the current(71) rotates the rotors(32) and transfers rotatable energy to the central driven component(33) where electricity or other mechanical work is produced. A number of embodiments are adapted for optimizing and maintaining positioning in a stream of moving water. Additional embodiments optimizing the efficiency and effectiveness of the turbine in capturing and utilizing the current's kinetic energy as well as hydrostatic pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Inventor: Brent Lee Gutekunst
  • Publication number: 20120012424
    Abstract: An adjustable fan support frame for positioning an electric fan on a step ladder, scissor lift or other elevated working platform. The fan support frame may be configured for four-point attachments to be ladder or other elevated working platform. The fan may be attached to the frame by a pair of attachment arms with pivot joints, which may include an adjustable friction member to permit the fan to be rotated about the attachment arms and then fixed in a given orientation. The pivot arms may be similarly attached to the frame with pivot joints which may also be configured with friction members for controllable positioning of the arms with respect to the support frame. The frame may be supported by diagonal brace members coupled to the frame by a pivot joint and attached to the ladder or other elevated working platform via an attachment surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventor: Anthony Walker Bowman
  • Patent number: 8087875
    Abstract: A multidirectional hydrokinetic power generating turbine has an impeller housing with one or more impellers disposed within the impeller housing, one or more adjustable ducts pivotally connected to the impeller housing, and a plurality of duct leafs disposed about the one or more ducts. The plurality of duct leafs articulate and cause the one or more adjustable ducts to converge and diverge to selectively disposing a fluid about the one or more impellers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Inventor: Wayne F. Krouse
  • Patent number: 8087899
    Abstract: An electric fan has a driving assembly, a stand and an impeller assembly being connected to and being driven by the driving assembly. The driving assembly has a positioning panel having multiple indentations and two connectors being formed on the positioning panel. The stand is mounted into the driving assembly and around the connector of the driving assembly and has at least two resilient positioning protrusions engage two of the indentations of the driving assembly. With the at least two positioning protrusions engaging different indentations, the driving assembly and the impeller assembly are pivoted and are held in different angles. Therefore, the angle of the impeller assembly is easily adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Inventor: Ching-Feng Hsu
  • Patent number: 8083051
    Abstract: A bulk materials pump feeder having a housing and a rotating drive rotor for transferring material from an inlet to an outlet of the housing. The drive rotor has a hub. Drive disks extend away from the hub toward a housing inner wall. Three structural features of the feeder reduce the tendency of material to jam between the drive rotor and the housing or other stationary parts. First, the distance between the circumferential edges of the drive disks and the housing inner wall increases from the inlet to the outlet in the direction of rotation of the drive rotor. Second, a low-friction brush seal disposed on the periphery of the drive disks seals the area between the periphery of the drive disks and the inner wall. Finally, a materials scraper having a flexible tip is mounted in the housing and extends into the drive rotor between the drive disks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: K-Tron Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy R. Baer, James T. Foley
  • Patent number: 8072756
    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: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Janes, Eric J. Hartsell, Gabriel Gheorghe Cioara
  • Patent number: 8052379
    Abstract: A fan assembly for creating an air current includes an air outlet mounted on a stand. The stand includes a base and a body tiltable relative to the base. The fan assembly has a center of gravity located so that when the base is located on a substantially horizontal support surface, the projection of the center of gravity on the support surface is within the footprint of the base when the body is in a fully tilted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventor: Peter David Gammack
  • Patent number: 8043074
    Abstract: A blood pump device comprises a housing having a blood inflow port and a blood outflow port, an impeller having a magnetic body or bodies and rotated in a non-contact state in relation to the inside surface of the housing to feed blood, an impeller rotating torque generating section for attracting the impeller from the outside of the housing and rotating the impeller, and a non-contact type bearing mechanism enabling the rotation in the non-contact state of the impeller inside the housing. An impeller fixing member is detachably mounted to the housing and prevents the impeller from moving inside the housing, whereby the impeller can be prevented from moving inside the housing before use, and damage to the impeller or the housing inside surface can be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Saho Tada
  • Patent number: 8037684
    Abstract: There is provided a variable flow turbocharger comprising a turbine chamber (22) within which a turbine (14) is mounted for rotation, an inlet passageway (20) arranged around the turbine chamber (22) for introducing exhaust gas into the turbine chamber (22), and an outlet passageway (24) extending from the turbine chamber (22) for discharging the exhaust gas. There is provided a movable wall member (16a) whose position relative to the turbine (14) is adjustable to vary the geometry of the turbine chamber (22) at an outlet side of the turbine (14) close to the outlet passageway (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Dominique Petitjean
  • Publication number: 20110250054
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (9) for controlling the maintenance actuators (7a, 7b) of the cowlings of a turbojet engine nacelle of an aircraft, that comprises a first stage (12) to be connected to an electric power network (10) of the aircraft, at least one second power stage (13a, 13b) including converters of a first DC voltage from the first stage (12) into a second DC voltage for powering at least one maintenance actuator (7a, 7b) connected downstream from the device (9), a control means (14) for the first and second stages (12, 13a, 13b), and a means (15) for establishing a communication between the control means (14) and at least one control housing (16a, 16b) so that a user can control the operation of the actuators, the control means being arranged so as to carry out switching operations between a first operation mode in which the second stage(s) (13a, 13b) are powered, and a second standby mode in which the second stage(s) (13a, 13b) are not powered by the first stage (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: AIRCELLE
    Inventor: David Pereira
  • Publication number: 20110250055
    Abstract: A ring diffuser for an axial turbomachine is provided. The ring diffuser includes an outer wall and an inner wall coaxial thereto, between which a diffuser channel extends in a ring shape along an axial extension from an inflow-side end diverging to an outflow-side end, wherein the inner wall and the outer wall each include a wall surface bounding the diffuser channel. In order to specify a diffuser channel that is tailored to an inflow that is uneven along the circumference and that facilitates a particularly efficient conversion of kinetic energy into static energy, a rotationally asymmetric wall surface bounding the diffuser channel on the inlet side is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventors: Christian Cornelius, Bernhard Küsters, Ulrich Waltke
  • Publication number: 20110232282
    Abstract: The flow path of exhaust gas to the turbine wheel (70) of a twin volute turbocharger is influenced by the shape and size of the nozzle formed by the shape (22) of the divider wall (21) and the shape of the flow passage determined by the walls (85, 86) of the turbine housing. By moving the walls (85, 86) toward, or away from the divider wall, the flow of exhaust gas through the nozzle, to the turbine wheel (70) can be modulated, which thus modulates the turbocharger boost pressure. The invention also applies to single volute turbines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: BORGWARNER INC.
    Inventors: Paul Anschel, Rajmohan Chandramohanan
  • Publication number: 20110229309
    Abstract: A ram air turbine (RAT) includes a movable turbine support structure that is prevented from moving to a stowed position by a stow abort mechanism when turbine blades are not locked in a desired position. The stow abort mechanism includes a pawl that is driven by a cam on a release lever. The release lever is movable in response to a position of a release pin that prevents rotation of a turbine drive shaft from a desired orientation that locks the turbine blades in a desired position required for stowage. Disengagement of the release pin causes the stow abort mechanism to maintain a position where the pawl blocks movement to the deployed position. Engagement of the release pin to prevent rotation results in movement of the pawl to a position that provides for movement to the stowed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventor: David Everett Russ
  • Publication number: 20110229301
    Abstract: A turbine bucket tip clearance control system includes a rotor assembly having a rotor supporting a plurality of axially spaced wheels, each wheel mounting an annular row of buckets, the annular row of buckets on at least one of the plurality of axially-spaced wheels having a radially outer tip shroud provided with at least one seal tooth. A stator assembly includes a radially inwardly facing, axially-stepped surface, formed with radially inner and outer seal surfaces connected by a shoulder. The stator assembly and rotor assembly are moveable axially relative to each other, enabling selective positioning of the at least one seal tooth radially opposite one of the radially inner and outer seal surfaces to thereby selectively alter a clearance gap between the at least one seal tooth and the radially inward facing axially-stepped surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Harold Edward MILLER
  • Patent number: 8002517
    Abstract: Sensors (32, 52, 72) for determining a gap between a conductive member (34, 54, 74) such as a blade in a gas turbine engine and a seal segment (31, 51) are known to use capacitive variants in order to create an electrical signal indicative of the gap width. Thermal disparities can create problems with regard to sensor aging and accuracy. By creating a sensor incorporating a metal rod (33, 53, 74) typically integrally formed or associated with the seal segment (31, 51) and coupled through inductive coupling loops (35, 36; 55, 56; 75) it is possible to create a tuned circuit with a Q value which is more stable and therefore acceptable with regard to producing more accurate results at elevated temperatures with less problems with regard to thermal disparities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: Anthony G. Razzell, Lee Mansfield, Leo V. Lewis