Including Thermal Expansion Joint Patents (Class 415/134)
  • Patent number: 10428833
    Abstract: The present application relates to an axial turbomachine low-pressure compressor stator. The stator includes an outer annular casing made of organic matrix composite materials. The stator also has groups of vanes having an outer shroud, several rows of stator vanes spaced axially from one another, and segments of inner shrouds at the inner ends of the vanes. The rows of stator vanes are aligned along the circumference of the casing. Each outer shroud is pressed against the inside of the casing so it can be fastened by means of attachment pins. The outer shroud, and the rows of vanes of said group forming a one-piece assembly. The device of the present application reduces the number of vane attachment elements to a few attachment portions distributed on the shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: SAFRAN AERO BOOSTERS SA
    Inventor: Jean-François Cortequisse
  • Patent number: 10428692
    Abstract: A fairing assembly is provided which is located between a frame hub and an engine casing. The assembly provides for use of a metallic structure in combination with a light weight low alpha material in order to improve engine efficiency and performance. Relative growth between the dissimilar materials is compensated for by a flexible bracket which provides biasing force on one of the assembly components in a cold engine condition as well as allowing for growth at the high temperature operating conditions of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Walter Parry, Christopher Charles Glynn, John Creighton Schilling
  • Patent number: 10408080
    Abstract: A clearance control ring for a clearance control system of a gas turbine engine includes a contoured radial outer portion that defines a multiple of fins and a multiple of slots. A clearance control system of a gas turbine engine includes a clearance control ring with a radial inner portion from which a contoured radial outer portion extends. The contoured radial outer portion defines a multiple of fins and a multiple of slots. A blade outer air seal assembly with a clearance control ring land which receives the radial inner portion. A method of controlling a radial tip clearance within a gas turbine engine includes tailoring a multiple of fins and a multiple of slots of a clearance control ring for both steady state and transient clearance operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Philip R. Rioux, Neil L. Tatman
  • Patent number: 10408089
    Abstract: The annulus is bound by an inner hub wall and an outer casing and includes a support structure, the support structure bearing the inner hub wall; at least one spigot passing through the hub wall and at least one strut arranged to pass through the spigot of the inner hub wall and across the annulus. The strut has a first end having an abutment arm extending to form an abutment shoulder. Alignable holes pass through the abutment arm and the spigot and these holes are configured to receive a cross pin which is in turn configured to fit snugly through the holes. The configuration is such that, the abutment rim and abutment shoulder are located radially inwardly of the holes and cross pin and outside of the annulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Stephen McDonagh
  • Patent number: 10392950
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine arcuate segment includes arcuate flange with anti-chording means extending away from annular wall. Anti-chording means may include insert in or bonded to flange and made of different alpha material than the annular wall. Anti-chording means may be heating means for heating flange. Heating means includes hot air inlet to and an outlet from a circumferentially extending heating flow passage embedded in flange and may further include a cold air inlet to heating flow passage. Heating flow passage may be a serpentine heating flow passage with an undulating heating flowpath. A turbine nozzle segment includes one or more airfoils extending radially between inner and outer arcuate band segments and forward and aft outer flanges extending radially from the outer arcuate band segment include anti-chording means. An arcuate turbine shroud segment includes forward and aft shroud rail segments with anti-chording means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Victor Hugo Silva Correia, Brian Kenneth Corsetti, Mark Broomer
  • Patent number: 10370989
    Abstract: The invention relates to a guide vane segment for a gas turbine comprising at least one radially outer shroud and one radially inner shroud, which extend along a respective arc and together form an annular segment, wherein, in the radial direction between the outer shroud and the inner shroud, a plurality of guide vanes are arranged adjacent to one another in the peripheral direction and are joined to the inner shroud and to the outer shroud in a material-bonded manner and, in particular, are joined in a one-piece manner, wherein, in an axial lengthwise direction, the outer shroud comprises an axially front end wall element and an axially rear end wall element in such a way that the outer shroud and the two end walls form a tub-like profile in lengthwise section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines AG
    Inventors: Markus Schlemmer, Manfred Feldmann, Rudolf Stanka, Oliver Thiele, Bernd Kislinger, Manuel Hein
  • Patent number: 10364707
    Abstract: Component retention assemblies and flowpath assemblies are provided. An exemplary retention assembly comprises a flange attached to a support structure, a retention ring received in a flange groove, and an attachment bracket comprising a component of a gas turbine engine. A first segment of the attachment bracket is axially disposed between the flange and a support structure first portion, and a second segment of the attachment bracket is radially disposed between the flange and a support structure second portion. The flange axially loads and the retention ring radially loads the attachment bracket into the support structure. An exemplary flowpath assembly comprises a retention assembly including a flange attached to a casing, a retention ring, and a CMC attachment bracket comprising a plurality of CMC components. The flange axially loads the attachment bracket into an axial stop, and the retention ring radially loads the attachment bracket into the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Aaron Michael Dziech
  • Patent number: 10309248
    Abstract: A variable geometry system turbocharger includes an annular heat shield plate which shields heat from a turbine wheel side. The heat shield plate is integrally provided at a central part of a side surface of a bearing housing opposed to a back surface of a turbine disk. A first seal ring is provided between an inner peripheral surface of a first nozzle ring and an outer peripheral surface of the heat shield plate. A second seal ring is provided between an inner peripheral surface of a second nozzle ring and an outer peripheral surface of a protrusion of a turbine housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: IHI Corporation
    Inventors: Takafumi Ueda, Akira Iwakami
  • Patent number: 10309232
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a shaft defining an axis of rotation and a fan driving turbine configured to drive the shaft. The fan driving turbine comprises a plurality of stages that are spaced apart from each other along the axis. Each stage includes a turbine disk comprised of a disk material and a plurality of turbine blades comprised of a blade material. The disk material and the blade material for one of the plurality of stages is selected based on a location of the one stage relative to the other stages of the plurality of stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Frederick M. Schwarz, Daniel Bernard Kupratis
  • Patent number: 10301957
    Abstract: An assembly includes a case structure, a seal interfacing with the case structure, a first pin, and a main pin hole on one of the seal and the case structure. The first pin extends through the main pin hole and is fixed relative to the other of the seal and the case structure. The assembly also includes a second pin and a secondary pin hole on one of the seal and the case structure. The second pin extends through the secondary pin hole. A cross-sectional gap area between the second pin and the secondary pin hole is greater than a cross-sectional gap area between the first pin and the main pin hole. Also included is a bolt hole on one of the seal and the case structure. The bolt hole is circumferentially located between the main pin hole and the secondary pin hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan Lemoine, Steven J. Bauer
  • Patent number: 10280836
    Abstract: A second nozzle shaft of each variable nozzle has an outer diameter smaller than that of a first nozzle shaft. The first nozzle shaft is integrally formed on a first side surface of each variable nozzle. A portion is provided on a second side surface of each variable nozzle. The portion encloses the second nozzle shaft, and can contact a second nozzle ring. An inner nozzle flange and an outer nozzle flange which can contact a first nozzle ring are integrally formed on base sides of the first nozzle shaft on a blade surface and a blade surface of each variable nozzle, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: IHI Corporation
    Inventors: Takafumi Ueda, Akira Iwakami, Yukio Takahashi
  • Patent number: 10280793
    Abstract: A component for a gas turbine engine according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a platform, an airfoil that extends from the platform, and an insert positioned such that a first portion of the insert extends relative to a surface of the platform and a second portion extends inside the airfoil. A standoff supports the insert above the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ky H. Vu
  • Patent number: 10253644
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes first and second structures secured to one another at a bolted flange joint. A seal is supported by a third structure. A cover is arranged over the bolted flange joint and discrete from the first and second structures. The cover provides a seal land that engages the piston seal and protects the first structure from the adverse thermal environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan Edward LeBlanc, Jordan T. Wall, Matthew E. Bintz
  • Patent number: 10247040
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a turbine having a plurality of vanes, a plurality of blades, a turbine shroud arranged around the vanes and blades, and a turbine case arranged around the turbine shroud. The turbine shroud is sized to block combustion products from passing over the blades without pushing the blades to rotate. The turbine shroud includes a runner arranged around the blades and a carrier arranged around the runner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc., Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce E. Varney, Jack D. Petty, Daniel K. Vetters, Eugene Clemens
  • Patent number: 10227887
    Abstract: A fluid machine with variable vanes includes: a case, a plurality of vanes arranged along a circumferential direction of the case; a transmission ring rotatably provided in the case and configured to rotate with respect to the case; a transmission member provided on the transmission ring; and a driving assembly detachably attached to the case and including: a driving shaft; and a connection member connected to the transmission member through a through hole of the case provided at a position corresponding to the transmission member and configured to rotate together with the driving shaft, wherein the connection member is disengageably engaged with the transmission member such that the driving assembly is disconnected from the case through the through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: HANWHA POWER SYSTEMS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Paul Lemke, Karl Wygant
  • Patent number: 10215043
    Abstract: A method of limiting circumferential rotation of a split-ring seal for use in a gas turbine engine includes inserting a retention block through a slot in a flange of a support structure and into a groove configured to hold a split-ring seal, and engaging an end of a split-ring seal in the groove with a surface of the retention block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Treat, Nicholas W. Kantany, Andrew D. Burdick, Michael C. Pezzetti, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10202851
    Abstract: A rotor for a radial compressor is provided. An axial shaft of the radial compressor includes longitudinal axial shaft segments. The rotor includes rotor discs, which are placed adjacent to one another, and which extend along a longitudinal axis of the radial compressor. The rotor discs include the respective axial shaft segments and impellers. A coupling means is provided to couple the rotor discs with one another. The coupling means permits reversible axial splitting of the axial shaft into the respective axial shaft segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: SIEMENS NEDERLAND N. V.
    Inventor: Jan Slotman
  • Patent number: 10184354
    Abstract: A heat shield includes a first end configured to connect to an inner engine case at an inner connecting point, and a second end configured to connect to an outer engine case at an outer connecting point. The heat shield also includes a bulge extending in an aft direction from a radially upstream portion. A compressor section and a gas turbine engine including the heat shield are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Philip Robert Rioux, Nicholas R. Leslie, Neil L. Tatman
  • Patent number: 10138749
    Abstract: A seal assembly includes a seal arc segment defining first and second seal supports. A carriage defines first and second support members with the first support member supporting the seal arc segment in a first ramped interface and the second support member supporting the seal arc segment in a second ramped interface such that the seal arc segment is circumferentially moveable with respect to the carriage. The seal assembly includes an anti-rotation interface in which the seal arc segment and the carriage are engaged. The anti-rotation interface restricts circumferential movement of the seal arc segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Michael G. McCaffrey
  • Patent number: 10138752
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine clearance control system includes a cooling air passage extending from a cooling air inlet port to a cooling air outlet port. The cooling air inlet port and outlet port are formed within an external surface of a compressor casing of a compressor and are also axially spaced on the external surface of the compressor casing. The cooling air passage extends from the cooling air inlet port radially inwardly to at least one of a flange joint, a radially outer surface of a compressor casing ring, and a radially outer surface of a connector case. The cooling air passage further extends aftward along the radially outer surfaces of the connector case and the compressor casing ring. The cooling air passage further extends radially outward to the cooling air outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Jan Christopher Schilling
  • Patent number: 10126069
    Abstract: A three-dimensional heat transfer device includes a vapor chamber and at least one heat pipe. The vapor chamber has a first plate and a second plate opposite to each other, and a first capillary structure is disposed on an inner surface of the first plate. A second capillary structure is disposed in the heat pipe, the second capillary structure has a contact portion extending out of the heat pipe and exposed therefrom. The heat pipe is vertically inserted through the second plate. The contact portion extends into the vapor chamber and is connected to the first capillary structure, so that the first and second capillary structures communicate with each other. Therefore, an overall three-dimensional heat transfer effect can be achieved, and a desired optimized heat dissipation effect is obtained when the vapor chamber collaborates with the heat pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: COOLER MASTER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chien-Hung Sun, Lei-Lei Liu, Xiaomin Zhang
  • Patent number: 10077679
    Abstract: Provided is a turbine housing that comprises: a scroll unit; a flat annular cover (6) that is disposed in a state where one end face abuts a flanged portion (20a) of the scroll unit and that is welded to the flanged portion (20a); an annular seal portion (4) that extends from a basal end (4a) welded to the inner circumferential side of the other end face of the annular cover (6) to the distal end (4b) disposed further to the exterior than the basal end (4a) in the radial direction and that comprises a member that can be elastically deformed; and a plurality of threaded bushings (16) that are each welded in a plurality of locations on the outer circumferential side of the other end face of the annular cover (6) and that have fastening holes (16a) for fastening bolts (40) inserted along the direction of the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Daigo Watanabe, Nariaki Seike
  • Patent number: 10018051
    Abstract: An insert element fastens to an annular segment body of a turbine of a gas turbine. The annular segment body has a recess on a hot-gas side. The insert element is designed to cover the recess and has a concave front side and a rear side having at least one shaped portion for positioning on the annular segment body. An annular segment has the insert element, a gas turbine has the insert element, and a mounting method mounts the insert element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Fathi Ahmad, Michael Händler, Kevin Kampka, Christian Kowalski, Christian Kowalzik, Nihal Kurt, Stefan Schmitt, Peter Schröder
  • Patent number: 9982821
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a double wall pipe assembly may comprise a coupling, a first pipe, a second pipe, a first piloted flange and second piloted flange. The coupling may define a minor diameter receivable slot and a major diameter receivable slot. The double wall pipe may be configured to conduct a fluid. The double wall pipe operatively coupled to the coupling. The double wall pipe may comprise a first pipe, a second pipe, a first piloted flange, and a second piloted flange. The second pipe may be sleeved over the first pipe. The first piloted flange may be operatively coupled to the first pipe. The first piloted flange may be installable in the minor diameter receivable slot. The second piloted flange may be coupled to the second pipe. The second piloted flange may be installable in the major diameter receivable slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory Scheiferstein, Steven Dill
  • Patent number: 9957833
    Abstract: A turbomachine stage, particularly a turbine stage or a compressor stage of a gas turbine, is disclosed. The turbomachine stage has a, conical in particular, housing in which is arranged a moving vane arrangement with multiple moving vanes which have an exterior shroud band with at least one radial sealing flange. The sealing flange has a recess arrangement with at least one radial recess in which, centrally in particular, a radial projection is arranged. There is arranged on the housing a sensor arrangement with at least one capacitive sensor for detecting a radial clearance to a peripheral surface of the sealing flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines AG
    Inventors: Florian Gerbl, Juergen Gruendmayer, Martin Stadlbauer, Ernst Trassl
  • Patent number: 9957980
    Abstract: The present application relates to a stator of an axial turbomachine compressor. The stator includes a circular wall, such as an internal shroud, with a guiding surface in order to guide the primary flow of the turbomachine. The stator further includes a circular row of stator vanes, each of them including an airfoil which extends radially in the primary flow of the turbomachine, and a securing portion. The securing portion of the vane includes a lattice which has rods and which is secured and/or sealed in the shroud in order to fix the vanes to the shroud via the lattices. The stator includes a joint of abradable material which is arranged inside the internal shroud, and in which the lattice is secured in order to ensure retention, a fixing between the vane and the internal shroud. The vane is produced by means of additive production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: SAFRAN AERO BOOSTERS SA
    Inventor: Eric Englebert
  • Patent number: 9945245
    Abstract: Multiple guide claws are formed integrally on a right side surface of a first nozzle ring of a variable nozzle unit and radially at intervals in a circumferential direction. Each guide claw has a guide groove with a U-shaped cross section, which is formed by lathe turning. A projecting portion is formed at an inner edge portion on the right side surface of the first nozzle ring. The projecting portion is formed on base portions of the multiple guide claws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: IHI Corporation
    Inventors: Tomohiro Inoue, Takao Asakawa, Kenichi Segawa
  • Patent number: 9932851
    Abstract: An improved system, apparatus and method for controlling vane angles in a gas turbine engine, and more specifically, for correcting vane angle error in a gas turbine engine. An active synchronization ring comprises a plurality of micro-actuators coupled to the synchronization ring to correct distortion in the synchronization ring. The micro-actuators apply a bending moment to the synchronization ring to cancel or compensate for synchronization ring distortion. The micro-actuators may be controlled open loop or closed loop. Strain sensors measure ring distortion and provide signals to the controller for closed loop control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce NOrth American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael P. Dougherty
  • Patent number: 9879555
    Abstract: Respective seals (54, 78) for the upper and lower spans (48A, 48B) of an exit frame (48) of a turbine combustion system transition piece (28). Each seal has a first strip (55, 79) and a second strip (66, 88) of a sealing material. The two strips of each seal are attached together along a common edge. The second strip is flexible, generally parallel to the first strip, and has a bead (72, 90) along its free edge. This forms a spring clamp that clamps a rail (68, 86) of the exit frame between the bead and the first strip of each seal. A tab extends axially aft from the first strip of each seal for insertion into a circumferential slot (58, 82) in a turbine inlet support structure (52, 76), thus sealing the transition piece (46) to the turbine inlet for efficient turbine operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Moehrle, Andrew R. Narcus, John Carella, Jean-Max Millon Sainte-Claire
  • Patent number: 9863265
    Abstract: Shroud assemblies and shrouds for gas turbine engines are provided. A shroud includes a shroud body which includes a forward surface, a rear surface axially spaced from the forward surface, an inner surface extending between the forward surface and the rear surface, and an outer surface extending between the forward surface and the rear surface and radially spaced from the inner surface. The shroud further includes a forward flange extending from the outer surface of the shroud body, and a rear flange extending from the outer surface of the shroud body, the rear flange axially spaced from the forward flange. The shroud further includes a rib disposed between and in contact with the forward flange and the rear flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: David Scott Stapleton
  • Patent number: 9845698
    Abstract: A belly band seal for use in a multi-stage turbomachine having plural rotor disks includes a seal strip positionable in a space between a pair of arms defined by opposing portions of adjoining rotors. The seal strip includes opposite edges for locating in respective slots in end faces of said pair of arms. The belly band seal further includes an anti-rotation structure disposed on a radially inner surface of the seal strip. The anti-rotation structure is configured as a cantilever having a pivoted end fixed to the radially inner surface and a free end comprising a radially inwardly extending engagement member for removably positioning in a radial recess in one of the arms. The cantilever is configured so as to urge the engagement member toward the radial recess by spring action. The radial recess is configured to constrain a tangential movement of the engagement member upon being positioned therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert T. Brooks, Manish S. Gurao
  • Patent number: 9822649
    Abstract: An integrated combustor and stage one nozzle in a gas turbine includes a combustion chamber that receives premixed fuel and air from at least one fuel nozzle group at separate axial locations. The combustion chamber includes a liner and a transition piece that deliver hot combustion gas to the turbine. The stage one nozzle, the liner and the transition piece are integrated into a single part. At least one of the axial locations of the one or more fuel nozzle groups includes a plurality of small scale mixing devices that concentrate heat release and reduce flame length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Lewis Berkley Davis, Jr., Willy Steve Ziminsky, Kevin Weston McMahan, Ronald James Chila, Sergey Anatolievich Meshkov
  • Patent number: 9803646
    Abstract: A fan of the present disclosure includes a housing, an air guiding device, and a fan blade, where the an guiding device and the fan blade are arranged in the housing, and the an guiding device is used to guide air. The air guiding device includes a fixed ring. A limiting-position device is arranged in the fan, and is structured and arranged to limit and fix the air guiding device, which makes the air guiding device not shake and firmly fixes the air guiding device in the housing of the fan, further makes the air guiding device maintain a normal working state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Inventor: Qiwu Li
  • Patent number: 9739176
    Abstract: A turbomachine includes: a stator-side housing having: a plurality of stator-side guide vane supports fastened to the stator-side housing, stator-side guide vanes fastened to the stator-side guide vane supports, and axially spaced guide vane rings; and a rotor having a plurality of rotor-side moving blades. At least two guide vane supports are jointly fastened to and centered on a flange of the stator-side housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: MAN Diesel & Turbo SE
    Inventors: Emil Aschenbruck, Jaman El Masalme, Michael Blaswich
  • Patent number: 9695706
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may include a variable nozzle turbocharger having a variable nozzle mechanism. The variable nozzle mechanism has a unison ring and a drive arm. The unison ring adjusts a degree of opening of variable nozzles having nozzle vanes through rotation of the unison ring. The unison ring has a first fit-engagement groove. The first fit-engagement groove has a closing side surface of a concave arcuate shape and an opening side surface of a convex arcuate shape facing the closing side surface with a fixed groove width therebetween. A drive arm has a first fit-engagement portion engaged with the first fit-engagement groove so that the first fit-engagement portion is rotatable and movable in the radial direction of the unison ring. The first fit-engagement portion has a closing side contact surface of a convex arcuate shape that is able to contact the closing side surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Uesugi, Hiroaki Ikegami
  • Patent number: 9650913
    Abstract: A turbocharger is provided that includes a turbine housing including a gas inlet passage. A turbine wheel has a plurality of blades and is arranged in the turbine housing. A bearing housing is connected to the turbine housing. A shaft is rotatably supported in the bearing housing and connected to the turbine wheel. A shroud is arranged in surrounding relation to at least a portion of the turbine wheel, the shroud being arranged in spaced relation from and not in contact with the turbine housing. A fastening system secures the shroud relative to the bearing housing. The fastening system is configured to fracture when a force is exerted on the shroud corresponding to at least a portion of the turbine wheel contacting the shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Richard E. Annati, Gary W. Powers, Jeffrey W. McCormack, Matthew J. Frick
  • Patent number: 9631517
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine component comprises a frame and a fairing. The frame comprises a monolithic ring-strut-ring structure. The fairing comprises a multi-segment ring-strut-ring structure that is assembled around the frame. A method of assembling the frame and fairing comprises positioning a plurality of shroud segments within a frame and joining the plurality of shroud segments to each other so that the fairing is trapped within the frame. In one embodiment, the fairing comprises a plurality of outer diameter shroud segments, a plurality of inner diameter shroud segments, a plurality of strut segments, and stiffening features connected to the plurality of strut segments to strengthen the fairing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jason David Liles, Charles T. Ruby
  • Patent number: 9567914
    Abstract: Discrete bleed behind stator vane platform is provided. The discrete bleed behind stator vane platform relates to a system for bleeding off a working fluid from an inner volume (Vi) of a turbo-machine. The system includes a vane carrier with an annular rail and a vane device comprising at least one vane element, a vane platform and a vane root. The vane element is mounted to the vane platform and the vane root is mounted to the annular rail. A first annular cavity is formed between the vane platform and the annular rail, wherein an annular gap is formed between an edge of the vane platform and the vane carrier such that a part of the working fluid of the turbo-machine is bleedable through the annular gap into the first annular cavity. A second annular cavity is formed between the vane root, the annular rail and the vane carrier, wherein at least one inlet hole is formed into the annular rail for coupling the first annular cavity and the second annular cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Philip Twell
  • Patent number: 9556750
    Abstract: A structure in a gas turbine engine comprises a spar and a CMC component adjoining the spar and separated from the spar by a cavity supplied by cooling air. At least one rope seal is installed in the cavity within a groove made in the spar to thus compartmentalize the cavity and control the flow of cooling air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc., Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Ted J. Freeman, David J. Thomas
  • Patent number: 9518474
    Abstract: A composite annular shroud supported by a support assembly including at least one ring and at least partially disposed within the ring. The shroud is biased against and in sealing engagement with an inner flange of the ring. A three ring assembly includes the inner ring disposed radially inwardly of a middle ring disposed radially inwardly of an outer ring and the shroud at least partially disposed within the inner ring. At least three clocking pins extend radially inwardly from the middle ring through slots in the inner ring into notches in the shroud. The middle ring may be an aft end of a support ring fixedly connected to an engine backbone. Mounting pins may be press fitted into pin holes in the middle ring and extend radially outwardly from the middle ring through radial holes in the outer ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jason David Shapiro, Jared Peter Buhler, Brian Kenneth Corsetti
  • Patent number: 9482238
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pump, in particular a centrifugal pump (1), with a pump housing (2), wherein a motor shaft (5), which is connected to a pump impeller (6) arranged in the pump housing (2), extends through a shaft passage (4) in a rear wall (3) of the pump housing (2) and is mounted in the rear wall (3) by a mechanical seal arrangement (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Herborner Pumpentechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Sascha Korupp, Lars Runte, Felix Hees
  • Patent number: 9359909
    Abstract: An exhaust-gas turbocharger (1) having a compressor (2); a turbine (3) which has a turbine housing (4); a bearing housing (5) which has a compressor-side flange and a turbine-side flange (6); a VTG cartridge (7) which has an adjusting ring (8); and an adjusting shaft (9) which is guided through the turbine-side flange (6) of the bearing housing (5), which has an inner lever (10) which engages into the adjusting ring (8) of the VTG cartridge (7), and which has an outer lever (11, 11?, 11?, 11??) which is connected to an actuating element (12) of an actuator (13), wherein the outer lever (11, 11?, 11?, 11??) has an open rounded fastening receptacle (14) into which an associated shaft portion (15) of the adjusting shaft (9) engages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Leif Heidingsfelder, Thomas Ramb, Ralf Christmann, Nermin Osmanovic
  • Patent number: 9308576
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a turbocharger (1) with variable turbine geometry (VTG), having a turbine housing (2) with a feed duct (9) for exhaust gases; a turbine rotor (4) which is rotatably mounted in the turbine housing (2); and a guide grate (18) which surrounds the turbine rotor (4) radially at the outside, which has a blade bearing ring (6), which has a multiplicity of guide blades (7) which have in each case one blade shaft (8) mounted in the blade bearing ring (6), which has an adjusting ring (5) operatively connected to the guide blades (7) via associated blade levers (20) fastened to the blade shafts (8) at one of the ends thereof, each blade lever (20) having at the other end a lever head (23) which can be placed in engagement with an associated engagement recess (24) of the adjusting ring (5), and which has a stop (25) at least for setting the minimum throughflow through the nozzle cross sections formed by the guide blades (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Ramb, Uwe Knauer, Leif Heidingsfelder, Urban Radke
  • Patent number: 9260971
    Abstract: Providing a turbine rotor in which the rotational inertia of the turbine rotor can be reduced without changing the geometry of the blade part, whereas the turbine rotor is provided with the rear side surface so that the stress concentration appearing at the root part regarding the hub part on the rear surface side is constrained in order that the strength and the durability of the turbine rotor can be enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Toyotaka Yoshida, Katsuyuki Osako, Takao Yokoyama, Motoki Ebisu
  • Patent number: 9206705
    Abstract: In a sealing device which seals between an outside space between an outer side in the radial direction of an external diffuser which has a tubular shape and forms an exhaust channel through which combustion gas rotating a rotor of a gas turbine passes in the inner side in the radial direction and an outside member which is disposed outside the external diffuser with an interval between them in the radial direction, and the exhaust channel by an end of the external diffuser, a first seal plate group and a second seal plate group in which a plurality of seal plates, which extend to the outer side in the radial direction from the end of the tubular external diffuser and reach the outside member, are laminated in contact with each other, and a spacer which maintains the first seal plate group and the second seal plate group with an interval in an axial direction in which a rotational axis of the rotor extends are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HITACHI POWER SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Shinya Hashimoto, Norikazu Tezuka, Kazuharu Hirokawa
  • Patent number: 9115600
    Abstract: A turbine section of a turbine engine includes rotatable structure, an outer casing disposed about the rotatable structure, and an inner casing disposed about the rotatable structure and suspended radially inwardly from the outer casing. Rotation of the rotatable structure during operation drives at least one of a compressor and a generator. The inner casing defines a hot gas flow path through which hot combustion gases pass during operation. The inner casing comprises a plurality of wall sections. Each wall section includes a panel having an inner portion and an outer portion opposed from and affixed to the inner portion. The inner portion at least partially defines the hot gas flow path and the inner portion is radially spaced from the outer portion such that a substantially fluid tight chamber is formed therebetween. The fluid tight chamber reduces thermal energy transfer from the inner portion to the outer portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: David J. Wiebe
  • Patent number: 9115601
    Abstract: A rotating machine has a barrel casing and at least one component carrier disposed therein. The component carrier is aligned and supported within the barrel casing using a plurality of carrier alignment fixtures which have alignment shafts that extend through the barrel casing to the component carrier. Each alignment shaft has an eccentric key pin extending from a distal end thereof and an alignment key rotatably-mounted to each eccentric key pin. The alignment keys mate with corresponding keyway slots defined on the component carrier such that when the carrier alignment fixtures are rotated axially, the corresponding alignment keys bias against the keyway slot and shift the position of the component carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventors: William C. Maier, Patrice LeConte, George M. Lucas
  • Publication number: 20150125271
    Abstract: A thermal actuator for a rotating shaft shutdown seal that has a piston with a portion of its axial length enclosed within a cylinder shell with a material, such as a fusible link that changes state or deforms above a given temperature, interposed between a closed end of the cylinder and one end of the piston. The piston is spring biased toward the material and moves toward the closed end of the cylinder when the given temperature is reached and the deformation or change of state of the material makes room for the piston to move toward the closed end. Movement of the piston is transferred through a piston rod to activate the seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: John W. Conrad, Lyman J. Petrosky
  • Patent number: 9017015
    Abstract: A turbomachine includes an inner casing component having a first end that extends to a second end and a seal member. An outer casing component is coupled to the inner casing component. The annular outer casing component includes a first end portion that extends to a second end portion and a seal element that aligns with the seal member of the annular inner casing component to form a seal passage. A seal is arranged in the seal passage. The seal includes a first end section that extends to a second end section through an intermediate zone. The first end section includes a recessed portion and the second end section includes a connecting portion. The connecting portion is configured and disposed to nest within the recessed portion to form a substantially continuous seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Matthew Stephen Casavant, David Martin Johnson
  • Publication number: 20150107223
    Abstract: A turbine exhaust case has an outer housing to be secured within a gas turbine engine and a central hub. Struts extend between the outer housing and the central hub. The struts are formed at least in part of a first material. The central hub is formed at least in part of a second material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Daryl B. Mountz, Theodore W. Kapustka, Glenn Levasseur, Marcus Borg, Joakim Berglund, Anders Svahn, Johan Ockborn, Bengt Pettersson