Including Casing Part Selectively Movable Relative To Fixed Support Patents (Class 415/126)
  • Patent number: 7997869
    Abstract: A fan includes a frame and a motor having (i) a motor structure that is movable in relation to the frame in a path of movement, and (ii) an output shaft that is rotatable in relation to the motor structure. The fan further includes at least one fan blade coupled to the output shaft so that rotation of the output shaft causes rotation of the at least one fan blade. Also, the fan includes a first housing portion defining a first cavity and a second housing portion defining a second cavity. The second housing portion is movable in relation to the first housing portion. One of the first housing portion and the second housing portion is fixed in relation to the frame. The other of the first housing portion and the second housing portion is fixed in relation to the motor structure. The first cavity of the first housing portion and the second cavity of the second housing portion collectively define a space in which the motor structure is positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Fanimation, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Frampton, Peter S. Jenkins
  • Publication number: 20110182713
    Abstract: A blower fan unit includes a housing, a fan, a support unit to support the housing rotatably, and a exhaust tube projecting from the outlet, the exhaust tube producing a reaction force by guiding the airflow toward an upstream side of movement of the peripheral surface synchronized with rotation of the housing, the reaction force rotating the housing toward a downstream side of the movement of the peripheral surface of the housing, a stopper being positioned on a movement path of the exhaust tube that moves with the rotation of the housing to stop the rotation of the housing by blocking movement of the exhaust tube, and a switch mechanism to switch blocking and restarting of the movement of the exhaust tube using the stopper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Shinichi KOBAYASHI
  • Patent number: 7980055
    Abstract: A gas turbine including an exhaust diffuser with a flow splitter located between the inner wall and outer wall defining the exhaust gas flow path. In one aspect the flow splitter being moveable independent of the walls defining the exhaust gas flow path to allow for differing thermal movement between the components. In one form a structural member extends from a wall and is coupled to the flow splitter. The wall can have an opening for the through which the structural member is allowed to pass. In some forms a plurality of structural members can be coupled to the flow splitter. In other forms the flow splitter can be independently movable relative to the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventor: John William Lindenfeld
  • Patent number: 7976266
    Abstract: A power system includes a gas turbine engine. The gas turbine engine may include a first portion, a second portion, and a longitudinal axis. The power system may also include a first moveable support engaged to the first portion of the gas turbine engine. The first moveable support may be operable to at least partially constrain movement of the first portion of the gas turbine engine during operation of the gas turbine engine. Additionally, the first moveable support may be operable to at least partially support the first portion of the gas turbine engine as the first portion of the gas turbine engine is moved away from the longitudinal axis independently of the second portion of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Solar Turbines Inc
    Inventors: Ian Trevor Brown, Daniel James Doll
  • Patent number: 7976272
    Abstract: A compressor for a turbine engine includes an inflatable bleed valve that selectively bleeds core airflow from the compressor. The bleed valve has an inlet leading from the compressor and a passageway leading from the inlet. An inflatable valve selectively obstructs the passageway based upon a controlled supply of high pressure air to the inflatable valve. The supply of high pressure air may be compressed core airflow from an area downstream of the inlet to the bleed valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Lawrence E. Portlock, Brian Merry
  • Patent number: 7972108
    Abstract: A turbine for a hydroelectric power plant intended to equip a water stream at the level of a very low head lower than 10 meters, and preferably from 1 to 5 meters, comprising a helix-shaped wheel, the ratio between the kinetic energy of the water flow coming out of the wheel and the potential energy of the head being smaller than 20%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Inventor: Jacques Fonkenell
  • Publication number: 20110147533
    Abstract: A morphing duct of a ducted fan for a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) vehicle is configured to change shape as function of the flight mode of the vehicle to improve the thrust per unit energy input for the ducted fan. Additionally, the morphing duct may be configured to change shape to change the flight path of the VTOL vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Emray Goossen, Paul Alan Cox, Patrick O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20110129334
    Abstract: The present invention which relates to the field of offshore wind turbine installation technology, discloses a wind turbine holding and lifting system for a movable operating platform above water. The wind turbine holding and lifting system comprises a door-type installation frame, a wind turbine lifting device and enclasping means for clamping the wind turbine tower, the door-type installation frame including a first leg, a second leg and no less than one beam fixed between the first and second legs, the wind turbine lifting device being attached to the door-type installation frame with its lifting end connected to the wind turbine tower. The wind turbine holding and lifting system with such a structure is available for a movable operating platform above water, the enclasping means and the wind turbine lifting device of the wind turbine holding and lifting system being capable of completely constraining the wind turbine such that the assembled wind turbine can be fixed in a wind turbine installation state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: Sany Electric Co., LTD.
    Inventors: Jialiang Wu, Xinming Wang, Yanlin Li, Junlei Bai
  • Publication number: 20110116909
    Abstract: A fan (100) has a fan housing (110). The latter has an air entrance opening (120) and an air exit opening (130). It further has a swivel joint arrangement (180) having at least one swivel joint (145, 147, 155, 157, 165, 167, 175, 177) that is arranged on a joint carrier (188; 188?); at least one non-return flap (140, 150, 160, 170) that is journaled rotatably by means of the at least one swivel joint (145, 147, 155, 157, 165, 167, 175, 177) and, in its closed position, at least partly closes off the air exit opening (130); and at least one elastic return member (142, 152, 162, 172) that is associated with the at least one non-return flap (140, 150, 160, 170) and urges it toward its closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: Norbert Weisser, Marcel Paffendorf, Wolfgang Laufer, Jürgen Herr, Stefan Mayer
  • Patent number: 7940525
    Abstract: An air-cooled electronic device includes a device housing having a bottom surface, and a motorized fan having a fan housing having a mounting hole, and having a hook projection secured to the bottom surface, the hook projection shaped and dimensioned to engage the mounting hole, and having an abutment, with the abutment, the hook and the mounting hole being arranged to secure the fan housing in a position without screws, rivets, or other hardware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Alcatel Lucent
    Inventor: Fabien Létourneau
  • Patent number: 7922443
    Abstract: A portable air blower includes a blower fan, a drive unit for driving the blower fan, a casing for covering at least the blower fan and having a side wall with an air intake opening defined therein, and a covering unit for covering the air intake opening. The covering includes an air intake grille fitted to the casing and operable to permit an air to pass therethrough into the air intake opening, but to block foreign matters off therefrom, and a protective shroud held in overlapping relation with the air intake grille for covering the air intake grille on one side of the air intake grille opposite to the air intake opening. The air intake grille has an outermost area having a circumferential edge, which is positioned substantially radially inwardly of an outer peripheral edge of the protective shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tsuneyoshi Yuasa
  • Publication number: 20110070070
    Abstract: A fan apparatus includes a blower defining an air outlet at a lateral side thereof, an annular guiding rail and a fastener connecting the blower with the guiding rail. The guiding rail defines an annular groove therein. One end of the fastener is received and slidable in the groove of the guiding rail, whereby the fastener can slide in the groove along a circumferential direction of the guiding rail. The other end of the fastener is connected with the blower, and thus the blower is rotatable with respect to the guiding rail such that an orientation of the air outlet of the blower can be easily regulated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicants: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD, HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: ZHEN-XING YE
  • Patent number: 7905448
    Abstract: In an annular torsional rigid static component for an aircraft engine, the component includes at least one arrangement for mounting the engine to an aircraft. The mounting arrangement comprises a body formed in a composite material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Volvo Aero Corporation
    Inventors: Anders Sjunnesson, Henrik Karlsson, Mathias Andersson
  • Patent number: 7874793
    Abstract: Control of blade clearance gaps between rotating turbine blades and an associated casing in a gas turbine engine is important in order to maintain operational efficiency. It is desirable to achieve accurate gap control but previous passive and scheduled thermal gap adjustment systems have been relatively course. By provision of a winding through which a specific electrical current is passed in order to create electro-magnetic force for displacement of an armature associated with a seal forming part of the casing it is possible to adjust the gap between that seal and a tip part of a rotating blade assembly. Normally a blade gap monitoring technique is used in association with specific operational requirements with respect to the gap by the control in order to determine the electrical current presented to the winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Anthony G Razzell, John R Webster, Geraint W Jewell
  • Publication number: 20100290894
    Abstract: A blower fan unit includes a housing, an impeller, an outlet, and a positioning mechanism. The impeller is mounted in the housing. The impeller rotates around a rotation center axis and generates an air current in a centrifugal direction from the rotation center axis. An outlet is formed in the housing and located in a centrifugal direction from the rotation center axis. A positioning mechanism is connected to the housing and makes the position of the housing change along the rotation center axis at each angular position around the rotation center axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Motohiro TAKEMAE, Shinichi Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20100239419
    Abstract: A closure device for a casing having at least one access opening wherein the closure device includes a cover member movably disposed within an interior chamber of the casing so as to be slidably displaceable along or in the direction of a casing central axis between an open and a closed position, the cover member being spaced at least partially axially from the access opening in the open position so as to permit access to the interior chamber and generally extending across and substantially obstructing the at least one access opening in the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: DRESSER-RAND CO.
    Inventors: William C. Maier, Daniel J. Griffin
  • Publication number: 20100226753
    Abstract: A fan assembly includes a device for creating an air flow and an air outlet for emitting the air flow. The air outlet is mounted on a stand for conveying the air flow to the air outlet. The fan assembly also includes a tilt mechanism for tilting the air outlet relative to at least part of the stand. The tilt mechanism comprises a flexible hose defining, at least in part, an air passage through the tilt mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: James DYSON, Ian John Brough
  • Publication number: 20100221101
    Abstract: Using flow deflection devices (FDD) or foils as part of wind and other turbines can add greatly to their performance, but designing the devices so that they fit together and on the turbines raises the need for new designs. This patent addresses the problem and describes solutions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventor: Daniel Farb
  • Publication number: 20100201132
    Abstract: A wind-driven electric plant comprises an inlet shell shaped as a circle and a circular outer shell. Inside the circular shell, provision is made of a coaxially arranged turbine. Kinematically coupled with the turbine is a mechanism for the conversion of mechanical energy. The outer shell is eccentrically mounted relative to the inlet shell. A value of eccentricity is not less than 0.01 and not more than 0.24 of the dia. of a circle defining the inside surface of the outer shell in its minimal cross section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventor: Ovchinnikov Alexandr Ivanovich
  • Patent number: 7758299
    Abstract: A wind turbine for generating electricity is configured as a drum with a housing that has adjustable shutters to control the amount of wind reaching the turbine blades. Alternatively, the turbine blades can be pivotably mounted and opened and closed using a cam follower, cam track system to minimize wind exposure to downstream turbine blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Inventor: Frank Jarecki
  • Patent number: 7748945
    Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a turbine against leakage of a working fluid comprising at least one radially displaceable sealing ring, coaxially disposed about a rotating member of the turbine from a stationary member of the turbine, which sealing ring undergoes radial displacements that are coupled to radial displacements of the rotating member, such that a design radial clearance is substantially maintained without damage to the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Inventor: Jerry Wayne Johnson
  • Patent number: 7740443
    Abstract: A row of turbine blades is surrounded by a turbine shroud. The shroud is supported by a turbine case having a pair of radially outwardly extending rails. The rails are perforate for channeling therethrough control air to control thermal radial movement of the case, and in turn radial position of the shroud supported therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kenneth Edward Seitzer, Wojciech Sak, Zhifeng Dong, Robert Paul Ziegler, William Lee Herron
  • Patent number: 7736125
    Abstract: A wind generator having removable change-out bearings includes a rotor and a stator, locking bolts configured to lock the rotor and stator, a removable bearing sub-assembly having at least one shrunk-on bearing installed, and removable mounting bolts configured to engage the bearing sub-assembly and to allow the removable bearing sub-assembly to be removed when the removable mounting bolts are removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bharat Sampathkumaran Bagepalli, Patrick Lee Jansen, Aniruddha Dattatraya Gadre
  • Patent number: 7731477
    Abstract: An insulated enclosure apparatus for use with an exhaust fan such as an attic fan which includes an upper frame through which air can exhaust and a lower frame for receiving air passing thereinto. The outer portion of the frame includes an upper frame and the lower frame that are each formed as two-piece units. Vertically extending panels extending therebetween to house the fan. A pivot axle is attached to the undersurface of each of the two doors for facilitating automatic opening and closing responsive to whether the fan is operating. Limit pins are included to restricted the distance of movement of the doors when opened. Gaskets can be attached along the door edges for sealing thereof to the upper frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventor: Thomas W. Erni
  • Patent number: 7713020
    Abstract: A method and apparatus (10) for extracting energy from flowing fluids using a diffuser (11) which has side walls (14) formed from a series of aerofoil section members (15) with gaps (29) provided between the leading and trailing ends of the members (15) to allow introduction of fluid from outside of the diffuser (11) into the diffuser flow passage (16) such that increased energy can be extracted from the flowing fluid by a prime mover (20) located in the flow passage (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Inventors: Aaron Davidson, Craig Colin Hill
  • Patent number: 7699580
    Abstract: A stable portable air moving device capable of generating an air stream elevated above a support surface allowing the air stream to be directed as desired by the user is provided. The device includes an air blower assembly located within an elongate housing generating an exhaust air stream that exits the elongate housing at an elevation above the air blower assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Lasko Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Lasko, Paul W. Orr
  • Publication number: 20100083668
    Abstract: One aspect relates to a hybrid propulsive technique, comprising providing a flow of a working fluid through at least a portion of an at least one jet engine. The hybrid propulsive technique comprises extracting energy from the working fluid that is at least partially converted into electrical power, and converting at least a portion of the electrical power to a torque. The hybrid propulsive technique also comprises rotating an at least one independently rotatable compressor stator at least partially responsive to the converting the at least a portion of the electrical power to the torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventors: Glenn B. Foster, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K.Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Clarence T. Tegreene, Thomas Allan Weaver, Lowell L. Wood, JR., Victoria Y.H. Wood
  • Publication number: 20100080691
    Abstract: Disclosed is a seal for a turbomachine including at least one fixed component located proximate to a rotating component of the turbomachine defining a clearance therebetween. At least one magnet is located at the at least one fixed component. The at least one magnet is, when activated, capable of moving the at least one fixed component thereby adjusting the clearance between the fixed component and the rotating component. Further disclosed is a turbomachine utilizing the seal and a method for adjusting a position of at least one fixed component of a turbomachine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael Alan Davi, David Andrew Stasenko
  • Patent number: 7677864
    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 and have a compliant edge configured to deflect or compress when presented with pinched material rather than jamming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: K-Tron Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy R. Baer, James T. Foley, Glenn Meredith
  • Publication number: 20100054921
    Abstract: A turbine engine is disclosed. A blade ring is surrounded by a housing wall, the housing wall being configured as an outer ring, and delimits therewith a gap, the gap being adjustable by deformation of the outer ring. The outer ring is concentrically surrounded by an adjusting element, opposite faces of the outer ring and the adjusting element having the contour of a truncated cone, and rolling bodies being positioned between the outer ring and the adjusting element, the rolling bodies being put at an oblique angle in relation to the axial direction in the radial direction and in the peripheral direction, making it possible for the adjusting element to be rotated in relation to the outer ring while simultaneously adjusting the gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: MTU Aero Engines GmbH
    Inventor: Joachim Wulf
  • Publication number: 20100054911
    Abstract: A system for adjusting a clearance in a gas turbine including a turbine rotor and a plurality of buckets is disclosed. The system includes: a shroud assembly including at least one shroud segment, the at least one shroud segment being disposed in an interior of a turbine shell; and an elongated member extending from the turbine shell. The at least one shroud segment is attached to an end of the elongated member, the elongated member configured to move in response to a temperature change to move the shroud segment and change a clearance between the shroud segment and at least one of the plurality of buckets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Ian David Wilson, Bradley James Miller, Eric Scicchitano
  • Patent number: 7661923
    Abstract: The invention provides a casing, equipment unit, fan unit and electronic equipment capable of easily implementing assembling, disassembling, attaching and so forth without using fixture components, tools, and so forth. The structure is made up of casing sections, hinge parts and a coupling part. The casing sections are made up of not less than two sections and enclosing a hosing space, and members for securing the housing space thereby. The hinge parts are members coupled with the casing sections and supporting each casing section. That is, not less than two casing sections couple the edge parts of each casing section, and bendably support each casing section. The coupling part is a member for restraining the casing sections positionally and maintaining and fixing the housing space. That is, the coupling parts detachably couple each casing section to hold the housing space on each casing section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Naofumi Kosugi
  • Publication number: 20100021286
    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: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nagendra Somanath, Keshava B. Kumar, Christopher M. Dye
  • Publication number: 20100014959
    Abstract: An aerator includes a duct (50) defining a chamber in which a portion of the inner surface defines a spherical segment, a profiled body (60) with a holding device (62), and a ring (52) having an outer surface defining a portion of a sphere having the same radius as the spherical segment of the chamber and bearing the profiled body (60) in the duct (50) while allowing the rotational movement thereof relative to the duct (50) and the translation movement thereof relative to the ring (22), wherein the profiled body (60) can assume a closing position when in contact with the duct. The profiled body (60) is provided with a member (70) for limiting the translation stroke when the translation axis of the body (60) is very inclined. Application in automotive vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: FAURECIA INTERIEUR INDUSTRIE
    Inventors: Loys Azzouz, Tony Ercolano, Pierre Guerreiro
  • Publication number: 20100008764
    Abstract: A turbofan engine includes a fan variable area nozzle having a multiple of vents through a fan nacelle and a sleeve system movable relative to the vents by an actuator system. The fan variable area nozzle changes the effective area of the fan nozzle exit area to permit efficient operation at predefined pressure ratios. The vents include a grid structure which directs and smoothes the airflow therethrough as well as to reduce noise generation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventors: Constantine Baltas, Joseph R. Hauser
  • Publication number: 20100003125
    Abstract: With regard to gas turbine engines it is necessary to maintain clearance between a rotating blade assembly and a casing to maintain efficiency. Thermal expansion and other factors are transients mean it is advantageous to provide active adjustment. By utilisation of piezo electric pumps 51, 52 operable at relatively high predetermined temperatures with a piston 54 and a cylinder 53 to cause displacement of an actuator 58 rapid adjustment is achieved. The cylinder 53 is divided into a first volume 55 and a second volume 56 so that each piezo electric pump 51, 52 can pressurise one volume 55, 56. A pressure balance is created across the piston 54 in order to position the associated actuator 58. A vent valve 67 can be used to effectively suspend the pressure balance across the piston 54 between the volumes 55, 56 for rapid displacement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventor: Colin D. Smith
  • Patent number: 7611328
    Abstract: A mounting apparatus is provided for securing a fan. The fan has four corner portions projecting from two opposite sides thereof, the corner portions each define a mounting hole therethrough. The mounting apparatus includes a bracket for securing the fan therein, and two locking members. The two locking members each comprise a pivoting portion and a positioning portion spaced from the pivoting portion. The pivoting portion and the positioning portion respectively form a pivoting post and a positioning stub to respectively engage two of the mounting holes of one side of the fan, the fan and the two locking members are secured within the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wen-Tang Peng, Zhe Zhang, Xiao-Yang Liu
  • Patent number: 7600961
    Abstract: Fluid transfer controllers (FTCs) having a rotor assembly with multiple rotor blade sets coupled to a hub component of the rotor assembly and further having barrier components forming passages for routing fluid through the multiple rotor blade sets are provided. More specifically, the FTCs include passages for routing fluid along one side of a dividing structure to which a first set of rotor blades is attached and subsequently along the opposite side of the dividing structure to which a second set of rotor blades is attached. The dividing structure may be the hub component of the rotor assembly or a partition separating different levels of rotor blades within the rotor assembly. In some cases, the FTCs may be configured to route fluid from the first rotor blade set to a thermal energy alteration device and further route fluid from the thermal energy alteration device to the second rotor blade set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Macro-Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Shaaban A. Abdallah
  • Patent number: 7591632
    Abstract: The invention relates to a side channel compressor, comprising a housing shell and a running wheel. The running wheel is mounted to be rotatable with respect to the housing shell to provide two annular sealing areas between the housing shell and the running wheel. The housing shell between the first and the second sealing area can be made of one piece. The gap dimensions of the first and second sealing areas can be adjusted by means of a disc spring/nut system or a wobble means. A fan impeller may be fixed on the motor shaft, and the housing shell can comprise cooling ribs, wherein the cooling ribs are arranged and formed such that the air conveyed by the fan impeller sweeps through the cooling ribs. One of the annular sealing areas can include a dead volume chamber. The housing shell may be a casting or a machined extruded profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Inventors: Martin Baecke, Peter Hartung, Iugo Müller
  • Patent number: 7585149
    Abstract: A fan system includes a rotatable axial flow fan unit, a fan shroud unit adjacent to the fan unit and capable of surrounding at least a portion of an outer periphery of the fan unit; and an actuator coupled to one of the units and operable to move said one of the units with respect to the other of the units, thereby varying immersion of the fan unit within the shroud unit. The actuator may be coupled to the shroud unit and is operable to move the shroud unit with respect to the fan unit. A control unit controls the actuator to vary fan immersion as a function of sensed parameter signals, and thereby maximizes fan efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Andrey Valeryevich Skotrikov, Ronnie Franklin Burk
  • Patent number: 7581922
    Abstract: A turbine casing structure having an outer casing, and an inner casing disposed in the outer casing, comprising: a bush disposed in a concave portion formed in the inner casing; an eccentric shaft inserted into a communication hole formed in the outer casing, and having a front end disposed in contact with the bush; and a fixing member disposed in engagement with the eccentric shaft, and fixed to the outer casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Morimoto, Taichi Ozaki
  • Patent number: 7580260
    Abstract: A fan bay and fan coupling apparatus include a chassis including a plurality of fan bay locating features and a plurality of fan connectors. A fan bay includes a plurality of chassis locating features and defines a plurality of fan assembly housings, wherein the chassis locating features on the fan bay are engageable with the fan bay locating features on the chassis. A plurality of fan assemblies each include a fan, wherein a fan assembly is located in each of the fan assembly housings, whereby the engagement of the chassis locating features on the fan bay with the fan bay locating features on the chassis allows the alignment and coupling of the plurality of fan assemblies with respective fan connectors on the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventor: Stephen Figuerado
  • Patent number: 7575409
    Abstract: An active blade clearance control system for a gas turbine engine. The clearance between the tip of a rotatable blade and an inner surface of a blade track is adjusted by moving the blade track relative to the tip of the blades. A split control ring is manipulated to adjust tension therein and a resulting force is transmitted to an inner member. The plurality of blade tracks are coupled to the inner member and move in response to the force transmitted from the split control ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Allison Advanced Development Company
    Inventors: Douglas David Dierksmeier, Tab Michael Heffernan
  • Patent number: 7572112
    Abstract: A drive mounting apparatus and method for mixing assemblies, such as a side-entry mixer, that can move the drive of a mixer between a closed position and an open position, and by doing so, can provide an access opening through which maintenance operations can be executed inside the mixer. The apparatus has a bearing housing and a pivoting mounting door. The drive is mounted to the pivoting mounting door, and the pivoting mounting door can move between an open and closed position relative to the bearing housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: SPX Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen L. Markle
  • Patent number: 7568884
    Abstract: A blowing mechanism for a column type electric fan comprises an impeller, a driving motor, a tube-like air ducting assembly, and a swing mechanism. The driving motor is mounted onto a supporting plate attached to the fan's housing. A micromotor of the swing mechanism is fixed onto a connecting disc-like part of the housing. The air ducting assembly comprises an inlet, an outlet, and a flow guiding plate and a flow deflecting plate connected between the top part and the bottom parts of the housing. An upper supporting shaft for the impeller is rotatably attached to the housing through a bearing, and a lower supporting shaft for the impeller is connected to an output shaft of the driving motor. The air ducting assembly is movably carried on the bearing rollers, the disposed on the supporting plate. A link rod of the swing mechanism is movably connected to a rocker extending from the air ducting assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Inventor: Su-Tim Fok
  • Publication number: 20090053044
    Abstract: The present invention is a turbocharger unit (10) incorporating variable turbine geometry. The unit (10) has a turbine for receiving exhaust gases from an engine having a turbine wheel (14) located inside a turbine housing (12), and an intermediate housing (24) connected to the turbine housing (12), having a recessed portion (28). A spring member is located in the recessed portion (28), and a heat shield (32) for receives apply force from the spring member. There is also a cartridge (36) for providing variable turbine geometry located between a first disk (34) and a second disk (40) in the turbine housing (12); the second disk (40) is held in contact with the turbine housing (12) by a contoured sleeve (26). The apply force received by the heat shield (32) from the spring member transfers through the first disk (34), the cartridge (36), and the second disk (40), locating the cartridge (36) in proximate relationship to the turbine wheel (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Ward
  • Patent number: 7476075
    Abstract: A rotary pump 10, e.g. a centrifugal slurry pump, has a main casing 12 housing an impeller 18 rotatable in an impeller cavity 16 defined between end liners 25, 28 and a peripheral main casing portion 24. The end liner 28, at a suction end of the impeller, is slidingly sealed via an annular seal 32 against the main casing portion 24. A radially inner, axially outwardly extending tubular portion 36 integral with the end liner 28 is aligned with a stationary tubular inlet portion 40. Seats 38, 44 respectively on the tubular portions 36, 40 oppose each other over a bridge cavity accommodating an annular bridge 50 which is expansible to allow the end liner 28 to be adjusted axially to close any gap with the impeller 18 caused by wear. Two variations of the annular bridge 50 are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Weir Minerals Africa (Proprietary) Limited
    Inventor: Siegfried Geldenhuys
  • Patent number: 7465147
    Abstract: Portable power generating devices are provided for converting potential energy from flowing water, water current, blowing air or air current to mechanical and/or electrical energy. The potential energy is converted to a rotational movement, and the rotational energy is communicated to power conversion units for conversion, wherein the rotational movement is converted to mechanical, electrical or some other useable or useful energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Natural Forces, LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Platt, Eric E. Platt
  • Patent number: 7458770
    Abstract: The present invention provides a steam turbine that has upper and lower halves of diaphragm. The steam turbine of the present invention also provides an adjustable support bar attached to at least the upper half or the lower half of the diaphragm. The adjustable support bar of the present invention has a screw therein such that the adjustable support bar can raise or lower the upper half or the lower half of the diaphragm without removing each half of the diaphragm. Also provided are methods for adjusting and supporting a vertical position of the upper half and the lower half of the diaphragm at a horizontal split line in a steam turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas Patrick Russo, Kenneth J. Robertson, Steven Sebastian Burdgick
  • Patent number: 7438519
    Abstract: An improved slurry pump sealing system that employs a mechanical seal assembly fixed for axial movement with a bearing housing that moves axially to adjust pump impeller clearance. The relative relationship between the seal components remains unchanged regardless of the axial position of the shaft, impeller, and bearing housing. A contraction assembly with interconnecting members contracts to accommodate the reduction of the distance between the pump casing and shaft bearing housing on adjustment of pump impeller-to-casing clearance. In one embodiment the contraction assembly is a telescoping arrangement. In other embodiments, bellows are employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: John Crane Inc.
    Inventor: Jorge E. Torres-Reyes