Separate Means Upstream And Downstream Of Blade Set Patents (Class 415/149.1)
  • Patent number: 11572839
    Abstract: A turbomachine for an aircraft extending axially along an axis X comprising a primary flow path in which an air stream flows intended for the combustion chamber and a secondary flow path in which an air stream flows intended for propulsion, the compressor comprising a plurality of first variable bypass valves, a plurality of second variable bypass valves, the turbomachine comprising a first control system configured to control the movement of the plurality of first variable bypass valves and a second control system configured to control the movement of the plurality of second variable bypass valves, the first control system and the second control system being separate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Mathieu Daniel Marie Van Gansen, Lise Jeanne Bernadette Guillot
  • Patent number: 11480110
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for estimating and using a dead zone at closing of a flap (P1) of a discharge valve (VBV1) of a turbomachine, in which the actual position of the actuator (V1) is measured for a setpoint signal for closing the flap (P1), a static angle is determined from the actual position, a closing dead zone is determined from the static angle, corresponding to the fact that the joint (J1) remains compressed and seals the closing of the orifice (O1), the dead zone is recorded and the signal (SC1) for controlling the actuator (V1) is generated by the computer as a function of the dead zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Sébastien Jean Fernand Deneuve, Jérôme Pascal Laurent Patrick Tronche
  • Patent number: 10907495
    Abstract: A unshrouded vane assembly for an unducted propulsion system includes a plurality of vanes which have non-uniform characteristics configured to generate a desired vane exit swirl angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Andrew Breeze-Stringfellow, Darek Tomasz Zatorski, Richard David Cedar
  • Patent number: 10844863
    Abstract: The centrifugal compressor includes an impeller configured to feed a fluid suctioned from one side to an outside in a radial direction by rotating about an axis, and a flow path provided between the impellers adjacent to each other in the direction of an axis and configured to guide the fluid discharged from an impeller on the upstream side to an impeller on the downstream side. The flow path includes a diffuser flow path, a return bend portion, and a guide flow path. Further, the centrifugal compressor further includes return vanes extending across the return bend portion and the guide flow path in the flow path and provided in intervals in a circumferential direction, and the radial positions of the leading edges of the return vanes in the flow paths adjacent in the direction of the axis are different from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES COMPRESSOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shuichi Yamashita
  • Patent number: 10794396
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a turbomachine and a fan rotatable by the turbomachine. The fan includes a plurality of fan blades. The gas turbine engine also includes an outer nacelle surrounding the plurality of fan blades and including an inner wall, the inner wall of the outer nacelle including a plurality of pre-swirl contours positioned forward of the fan blades of the fan along an axial direction and extending inwardly along a radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Christopher James Kroger, Trevor Wayne Goerig, Tsuguji Nakano, Jeffrey Donald Clements
  • Patent number: 10724435
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a turbomachine and a fan rotatable by the turbomachine. The fan includes a plurality of fan blades. The gas turbine engine also includes an outer nacelle surrounding the plurality of fan blades and a plurality of part-span inlet guide vanes cantilevered from the outer nacelle at a location forward of the plurality of fan blades along the axial direction. Each of the plurality of inlet guide vanes defines an inner end along the radial direction and it is unconnected with an adjacent part-span inlet guide vane at the inner end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Co.
    Inventors: Christopher James Kroger, Brandon Wayne Miller, Trevor Wayne Goerig, David William Crall, Tsuguji Nakano, Jeffrey Donald Clements, Bhaskar Nanda Mondal
  • Patent number: 10544791
    Abstract: There is a method for controlling a centrifugal compressor (22) having an inlet (24), an outlet (26), an impeller (54) mounted for rotation about an impeller axis (502), a motor (52) coupled to the impeller to drive the impeller about the impeller axis (502), and a variable inlet guide vane (56) array (55) controllable for movement between a relatively closed first condition and a relatively open second condition. A lift value is determined (304). An allowable guide vane condition based upon the lift value is determined (306). The guide vane array is closed (308) to the determined allowable guide vane condition. The impeller is accelerated (312) to an operational speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Tathagata De
  • Patent number: 9970461
    Abstract: A compressor unit is disclosed comprising at least a first motor driving in rotation at least one impeller of a compression stage, having at the outlet of the impeller a diffuser designed to centrifugally channel the gases coming from the impeller, and having a centripetal return channel downstream of the diffuser. The return channel includes at least one movable blade portion that, when moved, can vary a tangential component of the speed of the gases coming from the return channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Thermodyn SAS
    Inventors: Gilles Nawrocki, Pascal Gaudez
  • Patent number: 9908170
    Abstract: A blade for a compressor rotor including a blade root at a first end of the blade connected to the compressor rotor and a blade tip extending from second end of the blade. The blade tip extends up to 20% of a span of the blade from the second end towards the first end. The blade tip is disposed such that a first segment of the blade tip defines a positive dihedral angle and a second segment of the blade tip defines a negative dihedral angle. The positive and negative dihedral angles defining a twist of the blade tip relative to the face of the blade, wherein the blade remains untwisted along the span from outside of the blade tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignees: INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, BOMBAY, PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Bhaskar Roy, Pradeep M. Amboor, Chaitanya V. Halbe, Hong Yu, Peter Townsend
  • Patent number: 9784365
    Abstract: A variable vane assembly for a gas turbine engine having an actuating system including a rotatable face gear and a respective pinion engaged to and extending transversely from the end of each of the moveable vanes. The teeth of each pinion define land surfaces angled with respect to adjacent ones of the land surfaces of the teeth of the face gear meshed therewith. A smallest axial distance between the adjacent land surfaces of the meshed pinion and face gear teeth define a backlash of the actuating system. At least one shim has a thickness adjusting an axial distance between the pinion and the face gear to set the backlash to a predetermined value. An engine with a compressor with a variable vane assembly and a method of adjusting angular variance in an actuating system for variable vanes are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Andrew Marshall, Gilles Durocher
  • Patent number: 9759234
    Abstract: A turbine engine has at least two successive annular rows of stationary vanes, e.g. formed by the vanes of a nozzle and by an annular row of casing arms arranged downstream from the nozzle Each casing arm extends substantially in a radial plane passing between the trailing edges of two adjacent stationary vanes of the nozzle, and the pitch between these two stationary vanes is greater than the pitch between the other stationary vanes of the nozzle, in such a manner that the wakes formed at the trailing edges of these two stationary vanes pass respectively on either side of the corresponding casing arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Olivier Stephane Domercq, Vincent Paul Gabriel Perrot, Hanna Reiss, Jean-Francois Rios
  • Patent number: 9638518
    Abstract: A device and method for measuring the rotational position of a rotating feature, the device employing rotary to linear magnification. A connecting member is operatively connected to the rotating feature, the connecting member extending through one or more structural layers of an enclosure. An arm is operatively connected to the connecting member and located outside the enclosure. A target is arranged with respect to a position sensor, with the position sensor configured to measure the linear position of the target with respect to the position sensor. A cable is connected to the arm at an attachment point, the cable also being connected to the target. One or more pulleys are arranged to control the path of the cable between the attachment point on the arm and the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Francis P. Marocchini, Gregory DiVincenzo, Mike R. Lyon
  • Patent number: 9243648
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system includes an inlet guide vane assembly. The inlet guide vane assembly includes a plurality of inlet guide vanes disposed in a radial pattern around a central axis and configured to rotate about axes orthogonal to the central axis. The inlet guide vane assembly also includes a plurality of vane shafts, each connected to a respective inlet guide vane and configured to rotate with the respective inlet guide vane about the respective orthogonal axis. The inlet guide vane assembly further includes a drive shaft directly connected to one of the vane shafts and configured to directly cause rotation of the vane shaft to which it is directly connected and to indirectly cause rotation of the remaining vane shafts in the plurality of vane shafts. In addition, the inlet guide vane assembly includes a rotary actuator connected to the drive shaft and configured to cause rotation of the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Clemons, Mark R. Sabin, Thomas E. Gerber
  • Patent number: 9206677
    Abstract: A pump having an insert between an impeller and diffuser, where the insert includes an annulus that is in communication with fluid flow passages in the impeller and diffuser. The passages and annulus define a fluid flow path through the pump. Vanes are provided in the annulus that can pivot and vary the cross sectional area of the fluid flow path. Regulating the fluid flow path area alters the flow rate where the pump operates at its maximum efficiency. Thus by monitoring flow through the pump, the vanes can be adjusted so the flow rate of maximum efficiency corresponds to the actual flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Baojun Song, David Chilcoat
  • Patent number: 8909454
    Abstract: A compression system includes a compressor with adjustable inlet guide vanes (IGVs) and variable stator vanes (VSVs) that are adjustable independently of each other. IGV and VSV control units produce respective IGV and VSV reference commands responsive to respective first and second inputs that may be responsive to measured properties of the compression system. The second input may be provided by a model of the compressor or of the compression system responsive to measured properties. The second input may particularly be an estimate of a property not directly observable, such as stall margin or efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Karl Dean Minto
  • Publication number: 20140328673
    Abstract: A steam turbine control device has first and second valves, first and second valve controllers, and a valve control adjuster. The first valve is provided in a first steam supply path connected to a steam turbine. The second valve is provided in a second steam supply path connected to a lower-pressure side of the steam turbine while bypassing the first valve from on the first steam supply path. The first valve controller controls an opening degree of the first valve based on flow rate information A designating a flow rate of steam to be sent to the steam turbine. The second valve controller controls an opening degree of the second valve based on the flow rate information A. The valve control adjuster adds adjustment to control of the opening degree of the second valve by the second valve controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Tomoharu TAMAOKI
  • Publication number: 20140126996
    Abstract: A fluid turbine apparatus for use with a turbine comprising a convergent section, a fluid turbine section adjacent to an outlet of the convergent section, and a divergent section adjacent to the fluid turbine section. The fluid enters through the convergent section and exits through the divergent section. The convergent and divergent sections are constructed using a modular grid-like structure supporting retractable wall panels. The internal vacuum created by the diffuser and the wind shear stresses on the convergent and divergent sections can be limited. Configurations of the convergent and divergent sections can be adjusted to suit prevailing wind velocities. Barriers of rotating deflectors are used to increase the effective area of the convergent and divergent sections during low wind conditions. Horizontally mounted aerodynamic deflectors may be used to decrease wind shear and drag on the divergent section, the turbine section, and on side walls of the convergent section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: ORGANOWORLD INC
    Inventor: Frédéric Churchill
  • Publication number: 20130315717
    Abstract: A device for adjusting the angle of vanes of an outlet vane device of a compressor and to a method of assembling such a device is provided. The device includes multiple angularly adjustable vanes, each of which is mounted on a shaft in a housing. Each shaft has a lever which is guided using a slotted guide arranged on an adjusting ring such that the angular adjustment of the outlet vane device is coupled to an inlet vane device of the compressor, the vanes are first mounted onto the respective shaft, rollers are mounted on the respective lever, the slotted guides are mounted onto the adjusting ring, and the adjusting ring is mounted onto the inlet vane device. The shafts are mounted in the housing, and the levers are mounted onto the respective shaft. The inlet vane device is then mounted into the housing, the rollers being introduced into the respective slotted guide, whereby the angular adjustment is coupled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Inventor: Jan Weule
  • Patent number: 8506237
    Abstract: A turbomachine that includes a radial-flow impeller and one or more of a variety of features that enhance the performance of machinery in which the turbomachine is used. For example, when the turbomachine is used in a dynamometer, the features enhance the useful shaft horsepower range of the dynamometer. One of the features is a variable-restriction intake that allows for adjusting flow rate to the impeller. Other features include a unique impeller shroud and a shroud guide each movable relative to the impeller. Yet another feature is an exhaust diffuser that facilitates an increase in the range of shaft power and the reduction of deleterious vibration and noise. The turbomachine can also include a unique impeller blade configuration that cooperates with the adjustable intake and the exhaust diffuser to enhance flow through the turbomachine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Concepts ETI, Inc.
    Inventors: David Japikse, Kevin D. Fairman, Tsuguji Nakano, Douglas M. DeBenedictis, Frederick L. Zink, Daniel V. Hinch
  • Publication number: 20130022449
    Abstract: A turbomachine that includes a radial-flow impeller and one or more of a variety of features that enhance the performance of machinery in which the turbomachine is used. For example, when the turbomachine is used in a dynamometer, the features enhance the useful shaft horsepower range of the dynamometer. One of the features is a variable-restriction intake that allows for adjusting flow rate to the impeller. Other features include a unique impeller shroud and a shroud guide each movable relative to the impeller. Yet another feature is an exhaust diffuser that facilitates an increase in the range of shaft power and the reduction of deleterious vibration and noise. The turbomachine can also include a unique impeller blade configuration that cooperates with the adjustable intake and the exhaust diffuser to enhance flow through the turbomachine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: CONCEPTS ETI, INC.
    Inventors: David Japikse, Kevin D. Fairman, Tsuguji Nakano, Douglas M. DeBenedictis, Frederick L. Zink, Daniel V. Hinch
  • Publication number: 20120269613
    Abstract: A system adjusts positions of gas turbine inlet guide vanes (IGVs) and variable stator vanes (VSVs). The system includes a hydraulic power unit providing a supply of hydraulic fluid, an IGV servo in fluid communication with the hydraulic power unit, and a VSV servo in fluid communication with the hydraulic power unit. An IGV cylinder set is provided in fluid communication with the hydraulic power unit via the IGV servo and is connected to the IGVs. The IGV cylinder set effects displacement of the IGVs between a closed position and a fully open position. A VSV cylinder set is provided in fluid communication with the hydraulic power unit via the VSV servo. The VSVs include multiple stages linked together with a torque shaft. The VSV cylinder set is connected to the torque shaft, and the VSV cylinder set effects simultaneous displacement of the stages of the VSVs between a closed position and a fully open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventors: Jeffrey Patrick Mills, Jeffrey Mark Ruddy
  • Patent number: 8286425
    Abstract: An energy conversion system, including a wave chamber, and a turbine wheel coupled to a shaft and fluidly coupled with the wave chamber. The energy conversion system may also include a first radial flow passage fluidly coupled with the wave chamber and the turbine wheel, and first vanes disposed at least partially in the first radial flow passage, each of the first vanes being compliantly mounted and pivotal between first and second positions, the first vanes being configured to allow a motive fluid to flow in a first radial direction through the first radial flow passage when the first vanes are in the first position, and the first vanes being configured to substantially prevent the motive fluid from flowing through the first radial flow passage in a second radial direction when the second vanes are in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventor: William C. Maier
  • Patent number: 8172500
    Abstract: The invention relates to a turbine, in particular of an exhaust-gas turbocharger, comprising a turbine rotor which is supported rotatable in a housing, and to which at least one guide vane apparatus forming a radial inlet channel for a medium driving the turbine rotor is allocated, wherein the guide vane apparatus comprises a guide vane mounting ring with a plurality of guide vanes which radially surround the turbine rotor and which are located within the inlet channel, as well as a guide vane cover ring, and wherein the inlet channel is axially bounded by the guide vane mounting ring and the guide vane cover ring, and the guide vane cover ring abuts with a front side facing away from the inlet channel against a support area of the housing. The invention provides that the housing (5) comprises in the support area (15) at least one recess (17) which is open-edged towards the guide vane cover ring (9), and through which the medium can flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Bosch Mahle Turbo Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Claus Fleig, Matthias Stein, Andreas Wengert
  • Patent number: 8133012
    Abstract: Sectional profiles close to a tip 124 and a part between a midportion 125 and a hub 123 are shifted to the upstream of an operating fluid flow in a sweep direction. Accordingly, an S shape is formed in which the tip 124 and the part between the midportion 125 and the hub 123 protrude. As a result, it is possible reduce various losses due to shook, waves, thereby forming a transonic airfoil having an excellent aerodynamic characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naonori Nagai, Junji Iwatani
  • Patent number: 8100631
    Abstract: A fluid-type absorption dynamometer that includes a rotary impeller and one or more of a variety of features that enhance the shaft-horsepower range for which the dynamometer can be used. One of these features is a variable restriction intake that allows a user to adjust the flow of fluid to the impeller. Other features are a unique impeller shroud and shroud guide that are each movable relative to the impeller to allow a user to adjust flow characteristics at the exhaust and blade regions of the impeller. Yet another feature is a set of exhaust baffles that facilitate an increase in the range of shaft power ratings of the device and the reduction of deleterious vibration and noise. The dynamometer also includes impeller blades having a unique configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Concepts ETI, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas M. DeBenedictis, Kevin D. Fairman, Daniel V. Hinch, David Japikse, Tsuguji Nakano, Frederick L. Zink
  • Patent number: 8070416
    Abstract: A turbocharger (10) for an internal combustion engine includes a compressor (12) having an impellor (16) disposed in a compressor chamber (18). The compressor chamber (18) receives fluid flow. A flow regulation mechanism (30) is disposed in the compressor (12) and includes a diffuser cover (32) and a recirculation gate (36). The diffuser cover (32) is moveably disposed in a diffuser passage (34) from a first position permitting fluid flow through the diffuser passage to a second position at least partially impeding the fluid flow. The recirculation gate (36) is moveably disposed in the compressor chamber (18) from a first position closing a recirculation groove (48) to a second position opening the recirculation groove to fluid communication with the compressor chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Gottemoller, Terry G. Wood
  • Patent number: 8016548
    Abstract: A water supply tunnel secondary purpose turbine electric power generator system includes: a.) a water supply subsystem with a water source at an elevation that is at least 300 feet above the mean altitude of a community, that includes a gravity fed underground water tunnel being located, at least in part, upstream from the community, and, at least in part, being located under the community. There is a plurality of riser conduits in the community connected to the gravity fed underground water tunnel, delivering water from the water source to the community at a pressure that is at least 100 psi in excess of desired water pressure delivered to community water lines; b.) water valving subsystems connected to each of the riser conduits and one of each including at least one safety valve, to lower water pressure of the delivered water; and, c.) a power generating turbine subsystem, including at least one water driven turbine located in at least one of the water supply subsystem and water valving subsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Inventor: Mark R. Ziegenfuss
  • Publication number: 20110135443
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for collecting and concentrating an airstream for converting into mechanical or electrical energy, includes an elongated housing structure, including an airstream inlet chamber, a central chamber, and an airstream outlet chamber, and an ancillary airstream injector sub-system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Peter J. Cucci, Francis X. Smollon
  • Publication number: 20110135441
    Abstract: A compressor performance adjustment system includes a compressor chassis defining an inlet passageway, a diffuser passageway coupled to the inlet passageway, and a return passageway extending from the diffuser passageway. At least one inlet vane is located in the inlet passageway. At least one diffuser vane is located in the diffuser passageway. At least one return vane is moveably coupled to the compressor chassis and located in the return passageway. The return vanes may be adjusted without disassembling the compressor chassis in order to adjust the flow incident on compressor components and adjust the performance of a compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: DRESSER-RAND COMPANY
    Inventors: James M. Sorokes, William C. Maier
  • Patent number: 7871243
    Abstract: A containment system comprises at least one passage obstructer extending from a housing inlet cover through a diffuser passage and into a housing back cover. The passage obstructer includes a fastener portion, such as a bolt, and an obstructing portion extending from and integral to a shaft of the fastener portion. The diameter of the obstructing portion is less than the diameter of the shaft, allowing the obstructing portion to bend upon impact with a burst impeller fragment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Robert P. Chen, Terry Morris, Deborah A. Osborne
  • Patent number: 7518865
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to an apparatus providing real time adaptive active fluid flow cooling, for cooling an electronic system, an electronic system utilizing the same, and a method for providing real time adaptive active fluid flow cooling. The electronic system consists of a circuit board having a heat generating component, a heat dissipating element mounted to the heat generating component and an apparatus for providing real time adaptive active flow cooling. The apparatus consisting of a plurality of active cooling devices that remove heated air or fluid with ambient air or fluid by propelling an fluid flow stream in a first direction toward the heat dissipating element, and where at least one active cooling device contained in the plurality of active cooling devices propels an fluid flow stream in a second direction toward the heat dissipating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William James Anderl, Cary Michael Huettner
  • Publication number: 20090087301
    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: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventor: Wayne F. Krouse
  • Publication number: 20090084907
    Abstract: A vehicle, particularly a VTOL air vehicle, includes a duct carried by the vehicle frame with the longitudinal axis of the duct perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle frame; a propeller rotatably mounted within the duct about the longitudinal axis of the duct to force an ambient fluid therethrough from its inlet at the upper end of the duct through its exit at the lower end of the duct, and thereby to produce an upward lift force applied to the vehicle, and a plurality of spaced vanes mounted to and across the inlet and exit ends of the duct about axes substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the duct and selectively operational to produce a desired horizontal control force in addition to the lift force applied to the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: URBAN AERONAUTICS LTD.
    Inventor: Raphael Yoeli
  • Publication number: 20080314047
    Abstract: Cooling systems for an aircraft are provided. In an embodiment, a system includes an engine nacelle, an engine, a bypass duct, and a heat exchanger. The engine nacelle includes an airflow inlet. The engine is housed in the engine nacelle in flow communication with the airflow inlet. The bypass duct extends between the engine nacelle and the engine is in flow communication with the airflow inlet. The bypass duct includes an outer wall and an opening formed therein. The heat exchanger is integrated with the engine and is disposed over the opening of the bypass duct outer wall between the bypass duct outer wall and the engine nacelle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Morris G. Anderson, William E. Alford, Michael L. Trego, Ron Haugland, David K. Winstanley
  • Patent number: 7278818
    Abstract: A turbomachine for low-temperature applications has a housing, a rotor shaft disposed in the housing, an impeller disposed on one shaft end of the rotor shaft, to which a cold gas is applied, and an electrical machine integrated into the housing. During operation of the turbomachine, a cold zone (K) forms within the housing, in the impeller-side end, and a warm zone (W) forms at the end facing away from the impeller. The housing has at least two compressed gas connectors for a compressed gas, of which one connector is disposed in the cold zone (K), and the other is disposed in the warm zone (W). A control device establishes the flow-through direction for the compressed gas based on temperatures in the cold and warm zones, and controls valve devices on the compressed gas connectors accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Energas GmbH
    Inventor: Werner Bosen
  • Patent number: 7011494
    Abstract: A variable vane arm is disclosed having dual retention capability to ensure vanes of a gas turbine engine remain connected to the vane arm even under surge loads or when fastener preload, or the entire fastener, is lost. The variable vane arm further provides a surge slot to facilitate rotation of the vane even when the vane is operating under surge or otherwise excessively high pressure conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: David O. Kies, Phillip E. Alexander, Joshua D. Brumbaugh
  • Patent number: 6939101
    Abstract: A windmill. A wind intake section has wind guide plates, a wind inlet defined between two adjoining wind guide plates, and a wind inlet opening and closing device placed at the wind inlet. The wind inlet opening and closing device is opened by the wind flowing through the wind inlet into the windmill and closed by the wind flowing through the wind inlet out of the windmill. A power generating section is disposed to rotate rotors by the wind introduced into the windmill through the wind intake section and thereby generate electricity. A wind exhaust section has a wind outlet, and a wind outlet opening and closing device placed at the wind outlet. The wind outlet opening and closing device is opened by the wind flowing through the wind outlet out of the windmill and closed by the wind flowing through the wind outlet into the windmill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Inventors: Young-Sil Yu, Byung-Soo Yu
  • Patent number: 6824347
    Abstract: A valve for reducing fluid pressure in a fluid distribution network uses the energy released from the fluid to generate power. The valve includes a housing, a turbine disposed within the housing, a fluid reservoir, and a flow control device operable to generate a turbine inlet flow having a flow velocity from an inlet flow having a fluid pressure. The turbine receives the turbine inlet flow, which rotates the turbine to generate power. The fluid reservoir collects the flow of fluid discharged from the turbine and generates a valve discharge flow having a desired fluid pressure that is less than the fluid pressure of the inlet fluid. Thus, the energy from the inlet flow is used to generate power. Furthermore, the power generated by the turbine can be independent of the fluid pressure of the valve discharge flow. Consequently, the valve can provide a consistent reduction in fluid pressure and/or flow rate in a distribution network while the turbine generates power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Inventor: Michael A. Maloney
  • Publication number: 20040234372
    Abstract: A stator vane assembly for a turbomachine comprising a plurality of circumferentially arranged stator vanes (32), the axial position of the stator vanes (32) and/or the pitch angle circumferentially between adjacent stator vanes (32) is varied circumferentially around the stator vane assembly. The stator vane assembly reduces the pressure distortion upstream of the fan outlet stator vanes (32), reduces the circumferential pressure variation and this reduces blade forced response excitation, noise generation and aerodynamic losses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventor: Shahrokh Shahpar
  • Patent number: 6599083
    Abstract: A cooling system for cooling a housing of a turbo-machine comprising a feeder air line connected to the feeder air connection of the housing, a waste air line connected to the waste air connection of the housing, a recirculating air line, a fan position in the feeder air line, and means for changing feeder air temperature including a controller to control the air flow in the air lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Alstom (Switzerland) Ltd
    Inventors: Andreas Belzner, Fred Boehm, Burkhard Josuhn-Kadner
  • Publication number: 20030035720
    Abstract: The invention relates to a valve arrangement (1), in particular for a power plant. A housing (2) contains a shut-off valve (3) for shutting off a fluid flow, a control valve (4) for controlling the fluid flow through a housing outlet (8) and a bypass valve (5) for controlling the fluid flow through a bypass (13). This bypass (13) branches off from the housing (2) between the shut-off valve (3) and the control valve (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventors: Ralf Gerdes, Roger Padfield, Franz Suter
  • Patent number: 6375412
    Abstract: The present invention is for the efficient transfer of mechanical power through a fluid medium. The various embodiments of the present invention exploit the natural physical properties of fluids to create a more efficient means of driving fluids as well as transferring power from propelled fluids. The present invention employs an impeller assembly in a variety of applications including hydroelectric turbines, fluid turbines, turbine transmissions and pumps of various types. The multi-disk impeller assembly having a central cavity, a specialized central hub design and reinforcing backing plates contribute to greater efficiency and less turbulence, friction and noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Inventor: Daniel Christopher Dial
  • Patent number: 6270313
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a cooling system for temperature control, e.g., removing heat from electronic circuits. The cooling system includes a fan and an airflow guiding system where the guiding system includes an inlet air duct for guiding the airflow to the fan. The inlet air duct includes turbulence reduction grid for separating the air duct into a plurality of isolated flow path whereby the air turbulence is reduced. In a preferred embodiment, the airflow guiding system further includes an outlet duct for incorporating the fan therein wherein the outlet portion and the fan are directed to a direction different from the inlet air duct for guiding the airflow to the fan. In another preferred embodiment, the outlet duct and the fan are directed to a direction perpendicular to the inlet air duct for guiding the airflow to the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Te-Tsai Chuang, Kuo-Cheng Lin