Plural And Arcuately Or Circularly Arranged Around Runner Axis Patents (Class 415/159)
  • Publication number: 20010010798
    Abstract: Rotary apparatus (17) for a gas turbine engine (10) comprises a rotor assembly (63) and first and second stator assemblies (55, 59) mounted coaxially with respect to each other. The first stator assembly (55) is upstream of the second stator assembly (59), and the second stator assembly (59) is upstream of the rotor assembly (63). The rotor assembly (63) comprises an annular array (64) of rotor blades (66), and each stator assembly (55, 59) comprises an annular array (56, 60) of stator vanes (58, 62). Each vane (58, 62) has a leading edge and a trailing edge. The stator assemblies (55, 59) are circumferentially translatable relative to each other between a first condition in which each of the vanes (62) of the second stator assembly (59) is substantially aerodynamically aligned with a respective one of the vanes (58) of the first stator assembly (55), and a second condition in which the vanes (58,62) of the first and second stator assemblies (55, 59) are out of aerodynamic alignment with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventors: Geoffrey M. Dailey, Martin G. Rose
  • Patent number: 6220031
    Abstract: An exhaust gas turbocharger for an internal-combustion engine, whose exhaust gas turbine has a rotor disk with at least one semiaxial and one radial flow inlet cross-section, and is provided with a variable turbine geometry for the variable adjustment of at least one flow inlet cross-section. Furthermore, a compressor is provided in the intake system of the internal-combustion engine. In order to improve the efficiency of the exhaust gas turbocharger in a wide operating range, the ratio of the compressor outlet diameter to the average turbine inlet diameter can be variably adjusted according to the adjustment of the variable turbine geometry between a minimal value and a maximal value, the minimal value being lower than 1.1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Helmut Daudel, Siegfried Sumser
  • Patent number: 6162013
    Abstract: An arrangement to regulate the flow of steam extracted intermediately from a steam turbine and to induce a steam flow, between separate turbine parts, in a direction that is essentially axial with respect to the rotational direction of the turbine rotor. The steam turbine consists of two turbine parts separated by a partition wall and has an intermediate steam extraction outlet located between the first turbine part and the partition wall. Steam may pass between the two turbine parts through a passage, within the partition wall, having an externally controlled valve used to regulate the steam flow. The valve is configured to reduce the external force needed to control its position. Together, the valve and passage are configured to minimize the pressure loss and turbulence of the steam flow as it passes between the two turbine parts so that the steam flow pressure on the second turbine part is maximized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: ABB Stal AB
    Inventor: Lars Kallberg
  • Patent number: 6126385
    Abstract: A wind turbine for generating power comprising one or more blades mounted to a shaft for rotational movement in response to an airflow, a housing having a generally central longitudinal axis, the housing surrounding the one or more blades and the shaft, wherein the housing includes an inlet opening and an outlet opening, and an adjustable scoop operably associated with the housing to alter the airflow entering the inlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Inventor: John S. Lamont
  • Patent number: 6092984
    Abstract: A method is provided for extending the system life of variable geometry components, including variable geometry rings, in an engine system by minimizing relative motion incurred from engine vibrations. Initially, the variable geometry rings are de-tuned from resonant engine vibrations. Damping is then introduced to absorb the impact from the relative motion incurred by engine vibrations and to minimize transmission of the relative motion through the variable geometry components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Mark J. Bouyer
  • Patent number: 6071073
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a turbine inlet casing has several steps. Providing a prismatic block having an upstream face, a downstream face, and a central axis perpendicular to the upstream and downstream faces. Cutting a circular shaft clearance opening through the block, concentric with the central axis. Cutting an inlet plenum through the block along the central axis. The inlet plenum is positioned towards an outer edge of the block. Cutting one or more distribution ports through the block along the central axis. These ports begin close to the inlet plenum and end at annular segments which are concentric with the central axis and at a radial position coincident with the turbine flowpath. The annular ends (of the distribution ports) are spaced circumferentially apart from each other. Cover plates are attached to the upstream and/or downstream faces of the block over the passages and ports. Connecting holes are made between the inlet plenum and the distribution ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventor: William C. Maier
  • Patent number: 6050775
    Abstract: A radial-flow exhaust-gas turbocharger turbine is provided with a row of adjustable guide blades which are rotatable via adjusting shafts mounted in a casing. The guide blades are each provided with sealing discs on their longitudinal sides running at right angles to the adjusting-shaft axes. The diameter of the sealing discs is a multiple of the thickness of the guide blades. The sealing discs which are located on the side remote from the adjusting shafts form bearing points for the guide blades in the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Erdmann, Siegfried Sumser
  • Patent number: 6039534
    Abstract: An inlet guide vane assembly for a centrifugal compressor includes a guide vane housing having an inlet side for receiving a fluid passing through the compressor at a first flow angle, an outlet side remote from the inlet side and a central axis extending between the inlet and outlet sides of the housing. The assembly has a first set of inlet guide vanes pivotally mounted within the guide vane housing, between the inlet side and the outlet side thereof, for impinging upon the fluid passing through the housing. The assembly includes a second set of inlet guide vanes pivotally mounted within the guide vane housing, between the first set of inlet guide vanes and the outlet side of the housing, for impinging upon the fluid passing through the housing after the fluid has passed through the first set of inlet guide vanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Northern Research and Engineering Corp
    Inventors: George S. Stoner, Peter M. Schoonmaker
  • Patent number: 6015259
    Abstract: A ring support system for use in a variable pipe diffuser. The ring support mechanism includes at least three axle shafts and at least three roller bearings rotatably mounted to the axle shafts, an inner ring having a groove disposed in the outside diameter, and an outer ring having a corresponding groove disposed in the inside diameter. The at least three axle shafts are circumferentially mounted in the outer ring such that the rollers are positioned partially within the groove of the outer cylinder such that the roller bearings define a diameter nearly equal to the outside diameter of the inner ring. The inner ring is positioned within the at least three roller bearings such that the at least three roller bearings are in axial sliding contact with the groove of the inner ring and in rolling contact with the groove of the inner ring. The ring support system provides rotational and axial support of the inner ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Vishnu M. Sishtla, Kenneth A. Wright
  • Patent number: 5927943
    Abstract: A turbine with the improved inlet casing in accordance with the present invention includes a shaft which extends along and rotates about a central axis. The turbine also includes at least one rotor wheel which is mounted on and extends radially outward from the shaft to a radially outermost periphery. A plurality of buckets are arrayed circumferentially around the rotor wheel at the radially outermost periphery. A housing surrounds the rotor wheel and the stationary flow path component. A plurality of nozzle vanes are circumferentially arrayed in the stationary flow path component which is axially spaced from the buckets of the rotor wheel. The nozzle vanes are configured to direct fluid against an upstream side of the buckets and effect rotation of the rotor wheel. Inlet fingers are formed in the housing, with each of the inlet fingers defining a substantially straight passage between the turbine inlet or a control system and the nozzle vanes of the first stationary flow path component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventor: William C. Maier
  • Patent number: 5868552
    Abstract: A variable geometry turbine in which a turbine wheel is mounted to rotate about a pre-determined axis within a housing. A sidewall is displaceable relative to the housing to control the width of a gas flow passage defined adjacent the wheel between the first surface defined by the sidewall and the second surface defined by the housing. The sidewall is mounted in the sidewall cavity within the housing on axially displaceable rods extending parallel to the rotation axis of the wheel. A yoke is pivotally supported within the housing and defines arms each of which extends into engagement with a respective sidewall support rod. The yoke is pivoted relative to the housing to control the position of the sidewall relative to the housing. The yoke is located within a yoke chamber defined by the housing, and lubricant is delivered to the yoke chamber to lubricate both the bearing upon which the yoke is pivotally mounted in the housing and surfaces which interengage the yoke and the sidewall support rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Holset Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter Stuart McKean, David Michael Moulson
  • Patent number: 5799927
    Abstract: A radial rotary slide valve for controlling a steam flow rate in a steam turbine, includes an immobile fixed ring and a rotary ring which is disposed concentrically on the latter in such a way as to be rotatable into an angular position that can be varied through the use of a servo motor. The rotary ring has first control profiles which correspond to corresponding second control profiles belonging to the fixed ring in such a way that control slots situated between the control profiles can be varied for opening or closing. The rotary ring is divided into a top part and a bottom part by a joint in the region of a joint in the casing. In order to optimize the play required for sliding between the fixed ring and the rotary ring, the top part of the rotary ring and the bottom part of the rotary ring can be connected to one another by a suitable connecting device for varying the distance between at least two opposing half-ring ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: ABB Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Richard Geist
  • Patent number: 5692879
    Abstract: Device for controlling pivoting blades or variable pitch blades (3) in a turbine in which the control ring (10) rotates under the effect of an angled cam (15) controlled by a system with a connecting rod (22) and crank (21). This system imposes a non-linear rotation law between the blades (3) and the crank (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Societe Nationale d'Etude et de Construction De Moteurs d'Aviation SNECMA
    Inventor: Jean-Louis Charbonnel
  • Patent number: 5683225
    Abstract: A turbine nozzle for a gas turbine engine subassembly having an axial turbine. The turbine nozzle airfoil-shaped vanes are fixedly attached to one or both of the annular inner and outer casings. Apparatus is provided to vary the vane airflow passage area between the casings and between the pressure side of one vane and the suction side of an adjacent vane. The apparatus varies the area near at least the pressure side of the one vane. Various embodiments of the apparatus include: a small pivotable flap pivotally attached to the outer casing and positioned near the pressure side of the one vane; a small movable flap attached to the outer casing to be movable along the pressure side of the one vane, and a plug member insertable into and withdrawable from the vane airflow passage through the outer casing near at least the pressure side of the one vane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Joseph Orlando, Lawrence Wayne Dunbar
  • Patent number: 5409351
    Abstract: A steam turbine includes a rotary slide for controlling steam throughput, particularly in combination with a steam offtake. The rotary slide has control slits formed therein. A stationary channel body has channel inlets formed therein with which the control slits cooperate for increasingly opening and closing the channel inlets depending on a direction of rotation of the rotary slide at the time. At least one roller bearing race is disposed between the stationary channel body and the rotary slide outside the vicinity of the control slits and the channel inlets, for reducing rotational friction. At least one of the control slits and at least one of the channel inlets is disposed at each of at least two separate orbits. One of the channel inlets is opened while others of the channel inlets to be opened remain closed, upon rotation of the rotary slide in a corresponding direction of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignee: ABB Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Richard Geist
  • Patent number: 5383763
    Abstract: A steam turbine includes a rotary slide for controlling steam throughput, particularly in combination with a steam offtake. The rotary slide has control slits formed therein for that purpose. A stationary channel body has channel inlets formed therein. The control slits and the channel inlets cooperate with each other for increasingly opening and closing the channel inlets depending on a direction of rotation of the rotary slide at the time. The channel body has at least an adapter part in which the channel inlets are formed and a basic part having steam channels formed therein being required for conducting steam and in particular leading to nozzles. The channel inlets connect the control slits with the steam channels and are defined in accordance with an intended control characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignee: ABB Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Dieter Henkelmann
  • Patent number: 5362202
    Abstract: The adjustment of the play separating the stators and the rotor is effected automatically and jointly with adjustment of the phase angle of the stators. For each startor, at least one slug is used, the slug being mounted for sliding in an oblique groove of a bush integral with the stator. A bush, groove and slug arrangement can also be provided for an adjustable stop on the starter to adjust the play between a free extremity of the rotor blade and the adjustable stop on the stator. Pivoting of each stator provokes a systematic modification of the play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Assignee: Societe Nationale d'Etude et de Construction de Moteurs d'Aviation "SNECMA"
    Inventors: Patrick R. J. Derouet, Philippe M. Paris
  • Patent number: 5224820
    Abstract: In a turbomachine in which the stator includes at least one stage of pivole blades and a ring which is movable axially to operate the levers which rotate the blades, the ring is moved by varying the pressure of gas which is contained in sealed chambers and which exerts a force between the movable ring and another fixed ring. This arrangement enables a better distribution of the forces to be achieved than purely mechanical movement control systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Assignee: Societe Nationale d'Etude et de Construction de Moteurs d'Aviation
    Inventors: Christophe Brichet, Jean-Louis Charbonnel, Gerard G. Miraucourt, Jacky Naudet, Jean-Francois Van De Voorde
  • Patent number: 5215434
    Abstract: Apparatus for the support and adjustment of stator blades of a gas turbine, in which an adjusting ring is connected to the stator blades by adjustment levers disposed outside the turbine housing. The adjusting ring is supported for rotation in the circumferential direction on a support ring, which has elastic resilience in the radial direction, the support ring being suspended on and centered in a movable manner on radial pins fixed in an outer housing of the turbine. The connection of the adjusting ring and the support ring is achieved by a ball-bearing which is pre-stressed. When the adjusting ring is displaced circumferentially, the stator blades are pivoted around suspension shafts by levers fixed to the shafts and connected to the adjusting ring for universal pivotal movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1993
    Assignee: MTU Motoren-und-Turbinen Union Munchen GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Greune, Helmut Gross, Georg Zotz
  • Patent number: 5096374
    Abstract: A vane controller for a plurality of vanes disposed in a fluid conduit has vane shafts connected to the vanes and extending radially and spaced circumferentially around the conduit, and a control ring outside the conduit and movable circumferentially and connected to said vane shafts by levers to cause the vane shafts to rotate in unison to adjust the vane position. To reduce friction, the control ring is movable both circumferentially and axially and is preferably spaced from the conduit wall. A spherical bearing on the ring slidably receives a pin carried by each lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Haruki Sakai, Hisashi Nishkawa
  • Patent number: 5061152
    Abstract: Each blade of a stage of variably settable stator blades in a compressor of gas turbine engine is supported at its outer end by a journal which is rotatably mounted in a radial bore in a parallelepipedic journal box of trapezoidal section mounted in a housing of complementary shape formed between connected upstream and downstream rings of the outer casing of the compressor. The blade is held radially in the journal box by two parallel pins arranged longitudinally through the box so as to engage in a peripheral groove extending at least partly around the journal of the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Assignee: Societe Nationale d'Etude et de Construction de Moteurs d'Aviation
    Inventor: Daniel J. Marey
  • Patent number: 4978280
    Abstract: A variable guide vane arrangement includes a control ring located in a fixed axial position and an operating lever having a first end and a second end which is secured to the control ring with the first end positioned between two flanges and secured thereto by a pin; the second end is connected to a portion which fits into a bore and is slidable with respect thereto to vary the length of the operating lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1990
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventor: Henry Tubbs
  • Patent number: 4880351
    Abstract: Disclosed is a turbine comprising a turbine wheel, a turbine scroll passage defined in a turbine casing around the turbine wheel for introduction of gas to the turbine wheel, and an axial central passage defined in the turbine casing for ejection of gas from the turbine wheel, wherein: a plurality of variable nozzles are arranged outside of a throat section having a locally minimum cross section which is defined in the turbine casing around the turbine wheel. The variable nozzles may be defined by fixed vanes and moveable vanes which cooperate with each other in such a manner that each of the moveable vanes and the corresponding fixed vane define a substantially smooth and continuous airfoil. The moveable vanes may be pivotally supported by a back plate of the casing while the fixed vanes may be integrally provided with a fixed vane member having a disk portion which defines a surface opposing the inner surface of the back plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1989
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuo Inoue, Osamu Kubota, Shunji Yano, Fusao Tateishi, Etsuo Noda, Koji Yamaguchi, Tsuneo Endo
  • Patent number: 4867635
    Abstract: The invention relates to variable guide vane arrangements for axial flow compressors of aircraft gas turbine engines. The variable guide vane arrangement comprises a plurality of stator vanes rotatably mounted in a stator structure of the compressor. A control ring surrounds and is normally coaxially with the compressor axis, and a plurality of operating levers extend from the control ring to their respective stator vane. The control ring is movable laterally with respect to the axis of the compressor so that the stator vanes in a first half of the compressor are rotated in one direction so that the first half of the compressor operates at a higher pressure ratio and the stator vanes in a second half of the compressor are rotated in the opposite direction so that the second half of the compressor operates at a lower pressure ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1989
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventor: Henry Tubbs
  • Patent number: 4826399
    Abstract: A support arrangement for a unison ring in a system for varying the angles of attack of compressor vanes in an axial flow gas turbine engine compressor. The support arrangement includes a plurality of struts which provide radial support for the unison ring on the compressor case and a corresponding plurality of eccentric washers disposed between platforms on the struts and an overhanging flange on the unison ring. When the washers are rotated, the positions of the struts are adjusted radially and when the washers and struts are clamped to the unison ring, forces are reacted between the struts and the unison rings through the washers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Lucas R. Perez
  • Patent number: 4741665
    Abstract: A guide vane for turbo-engines has a stationary vane section and a movable vane section with a gap between the two sections. The gap is covered on one side by a flexible band connected along its tape edges to the vane sections. The other side of the gap is covered by an elastic connected to the stationary vane section along one band edge while the other band edge overlaps part of the movable vane section to permit free relative movement between the elastic band (7) and the movable vane section. A plurality of such guide vanes are mounted at the radially outer end of their position adjustment member to an outer housing ring while the radially inner vane end or at least the radially inner end of the movable vane is free. A common position adjustment ring is connected to all adjustment members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1988
    Assignee: MTU Motoren- und Turbinen-Union Muenchen GmbH
    Inventor: Hagen Hanser
  • Patent number: 4729715
    Abstract: A supercharger for an internal combustion engine has a turbine driven compressor. The turbine is driven by the exhaust gases and is mounted in a volute casing. The volute casing has an internal flow passage which has an inlet and the passage is arranged to receive and discharge a flow of motive gases. The passage is partly defined by one or more movable wall members. The or each wall member is movable to vary the passage area whilst allowing the whole of the flow of motive gas to flow through the passage. Two movable wall members can be provided operated by a common linkage and the volute casing can have two inlets to receive the exhaust gases from separate manifolds of an internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1988
    Inventor: Geoffrey L. Wilde
  • Patent number: 4728259
    Abstract: A turbine, particularly for a sprinkler system, comprises a rotor mounted on a shaft so as to be rotatable about a rotor axis and having a plurality of curved vanes attached to the wheel rim, a variable nozzle and a control device for control of the flow of water through the turbine. The control device is mounted in a ring shaped space, is a part of the nozzle and a part of the wall of the ring shaped space and the control device controls the size of both an annular clearance between the turbine wheel and the control device and the cross section of the nozzle so that the cross section of the nozzle and the annular clearance are correlated with each other. Advantageously the control device may be a broad surface curved plate mounted on a pivot shaft so as to be pivotable partly between two parallel walls of a fixed part of the nozzle formed by the turbine housing and shaped to follow the radius of curvature of the outer periphery of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1988
    Assignee: Rohren- und Pumpenwerk Rudolf Bauer Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventors: Wilhelm Wolfbauer, Franz D. Podesser
  • Patent number: 4719758
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device for changing the flow direction of an airflow entering the suction-side opening of a compressor of an exhaust gas turbo-charger of an internal combustion engine. The airflow is deflected into the rotational direction of the compressor impeller by means of a guide device located in the induction duct upstream of the inlet opening. In order to achieve required flow through a mechanically simply producible guide device, a bypass duct which has an annular space branches off from the induction duct upstream of the compressor to the guide device. The annular space surrounds the induction duct in the region of the suction-side opening of the compressor. Nozzle-shaped openings are provided in a common partition between the annular space and the induction duct and a shut-off valve is located in the induction duct between these openings and the point where the bypass duct branches off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Siegfried Sumser
  • Patent number: 4579507
    Abstract: A combustion turbine engine having an improved variable-area turbine stator assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1986
    Assignee: The Garrett Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. Corrigan, Paul R. Dodge
  • Patent number: 4497171
    Abstract: A combustion turbine engine having an improved variable-area turbine stator assembly defining a flow path for motive fluid. The stator assembly includes a multitude of guide vane members which are movable into and out of the motive fluid flow path to respectively decrease and increase the effective fluid flow area defined thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1985
    Assignee: The Garrett Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. Corrigan, Paul R. Dodge
  • Patent number: 4470256
    Abstract: A fluid compressor including a rotating impeller and apparatus inhibiting fluid surging. The surge inhibiting apparatus includes a multitude of guide vanes circumscribing an inlet of the compressor. Movement of the guide vanes with respect to fluid flowing to the compressor is effective to inhibit fluid surging. A combustion turbine including such a fluid compressor, and a vehicle powered by such an engine are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1984
    Assignee: The Garrett Corporation
    Inventor: Donald L. Palmer
  • Patent number: 4430043
    Abstract: A variable stator vane operating mechanism for a gas turbine engine includes a plurality of unison rings 21,22 and 23 each connected by a drag link 18,19 and 20 respectively to a pivoting beam 14. The unison rings are connected to each of vanes 10 in a stator vane row by first arms 24. In order to minimize side loads on the unison rings by the drag links during pivoting of the beam, the beam is connected at its free end to a second arm 30 which is pivotable about an axis 28 by means of a torque tube 26 or other suitable actuator, and the length of the second arm 30 between the axis 28 and its point of connection 44 to the beam is made as nearly as possible equal to the length of the first arms 24. By this means the fore and aft movement of the beam can be matched to the fore and aft movement of the unison rings, or at least in the case of one of them, and the drag links remain substantially in the plane of the unison rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1984
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Limited
    Inventors: Ronald W. Knight, Clive E. Olive
  • Patent number: 4373859
    Abstract: In a turbomachine having a cylindrical casing, a stage of adjustable vane assemblies including vanes rotatable on the casing and actuating arms rotatable with the vanes, a unison ring around the casing, and bearing means between each actuating arm and the unison ring operative to rotate each arm in unison with the unison ring while permitting relative radial thermal growth of the vanes and arms incident to temperature changes during machine operation, a support system for the unison ring including three radially inwardly directed attachment nodes on the unison ring and three Bowden cable assemblies on the casing between the attachment nodes, the Bowden cable assemblies having push-pull elements capable of force transmission only lengthwise pivotally connected to each attachment node with ends directed generally tangent to a circle defined by the cable assemblies so that net forces exerted by the push-pull elements to support the unison ring are directed tangent to the circle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1983
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Glenn W. Thebert
  • Patent number: 4314791
    Abstract: This invention relates to a variable stator cascade for axial-flow turbines of gas turbine engines, especially for high-pressure turbines, where the turbine nozzle vanes are each pivotally arranged about an axis of rotation and are cooled when in operation. The inner and outer rings of the variable stator cascade are formed of interlocking inner and outer ring segments which provide circumferential sealing action where each turbine nozzle vane is pivotally arranged and disconnectably connected by respective root and tip side pivot pins in association with each respective inner and outer ring segments. A continuous inner stator ring, is centrally located at inner ring segments of the stator cascade by means of teeth and a slot-and-key arrangement whereby each outer ring segment arranged at the turbine casing cooperates with the vane attachment assembly to radially guide the nozzle vane and associated inner ring segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1982
    Assignee: Motoren- und Turbinen-Union Munchen GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Weiler
  • Patent number: 4232514
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine has a power turbine driven by gas flow across a nozzle arrangement that includes a partial admission gate valve therein that is movable into and out of overlying relationship with a limited number of vanes of the nozzle in order to control power output therefrom during part load operation of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1980
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: James H. Flatt
  • Patent number: 4231703
    Abstract: Disclosed is a variable guide vane arrangement for use in a high-load compressor having at least one axial-flow stage in turbomachines including gas turbine engines, comprising a plurality of guide vanes positioned radially adjacent one another about a circumference in the axial flow stage of the compressor, each vane having a low-pressure and a high-pressure side during operation; a plurality of generally disk shaped turntable members, each of the vanes being secured at its outer end to one of the turntable members and each of the turntable members being rotatably mounted about the circumference, the diameter of each of the turntable members being greater than the spacing between adjacent guide vanes; and each of the turntable members being generally round and having a cut-out portion on the side adjacent to the low-pressure side of the guide vane secured thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1980
    Assignee: Motoren- und Turbinen-Union Muenchen GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Weiler
  • Patent number: 4214851
    Abstract: An integrally cast structural cooling air manifold for a gas turbine engine being of generally annular shape and having two concentric thin walls defining a plenum therebetween. Each of the walls is provided with embossments through which aligned radial holes are bored to furnish support for a stage of rotatable vane trunnions. A series of circumferentially spaced inlet ports on the outer wall distribute cooling air into the plenum, from which it is routed to the vane airfoil portions to perform cooling functions by means of passages which commumnicate with the plenum via openings in the vane trunnions. Thus, the manifold performs the dual functions of distributing coolant to the vanes and supporting the vane trunnions in the manner of a turbine frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1980
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Eugene N. Tuley, Delmer H. Landis, Jr., Paul W. Lozier
  • Patent number: 4214852
    Abstract: A turbine assembly is provided by which a variable area turbine vane may be cantilever mounted from an outer structural frame and further supported by an inner structural frame. The vane includes an inner trunnion about which is installed an inner band sector to partially define a flow path through the turbine. The band sector is provided with a hole which receives the trunnion. Once the vane is cantilevered from the outer frame and the band sector installed, an inner annular frame is slid under the vane trunnion to align a hole in the frame with the trunnion. A generally cylindrical trunnion extension is inserted through the frame hole and over the end of the trunnion, and then attached to the trunnion through a bolted connection. The extension is journaled for rotation within the inner structural frame hole. Passageways are provided to route cooling air from the vane into the structural frame to provide cooling of the band sector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1980
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Eugene N. Tuley, Delmer H. Landis, Jr., Paul W. Lozier
  • Patent number: 4187032
    Abstract: A hydraulic cylinder and piston mechanism which acts on opposing levers with a fulcrum bar interposed to prestress a shear lever bolt of a gate restraining mechanism of a hydraulic turbine without reacting on any other component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1980
    Assignee: Allis-Chalmers Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas R. Schucker
  • Patent number: 4044750
    Abstract: A mechanically or electrically actuated barbeque blower that may be removably secured to the rolled upper edge of a barbeque fire box or other desired portion of the barbeque unit to generate a draft in a desired direction that is of material assistance in igniting all of the charcoal briquettes in the fire box, as well as maintaining the briquettes in a glowing heat-emitting condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1977
    Inventor: Kenneth H. Zeigler
  • Patent number: 4018191
    Abstract: A rotary internal combustion engine that includes a housing that defines an elliptical cavity in which a rotor is disposed. The rotor slidably supports a number of circumferentially spaced, radially disposed blades, with each pair of blades defining a chamber therebetween. The rotor is so rotatably supported in the cavity that the ratio of the intake chamber volume may be adjusted so that there is a minimum residual pressure on exhaust gases and the efficiency of the engine is increased as a result thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1975
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1977
    Inventor: L. Babcock Lloyd