Vanes Patents (Class 415/191)
  • Publication number: 20080145216
    Abstract: A turbine stage includes a stator nozzle having a row of vanes mounted between inner and outer bands. The inner band terminates in an ovate ledge converging aft from the vanes with radially outer and inner convex surfaces joined at a convex apex. The ovate ledge reduces aerodynamic losses at the rotary seal with a row of following turbine rotor blades.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: Kevin Samuel Klasing, Ching-Pang Lee, Scott David Hunter
  • Patent number: 7387490
    Abstract: A stator for the first phase of a low-pressure turbine has a series of blades each defined by coordinates of a discreet combination of points, in a Cartesian reference system (X, Y, Z) wherein the axis (Z) is a radial axis intersecting the central axis of the turbine. The profile of each blade is identified by means of a series of closed intersection curves between the profile itself and planes (X, Y) lying at distances (Z) from the central axis. Each blade has an average throat angle defined by the cosine arc of the ratio between the average throat length at mid-height of the blade and the circumferential pitch evaluated at the radius of the average throat point; the average throat angle ranges from 57° to 60°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Nuovo Pignone S.p.A.
    Inventor: Federico Noera
  • Publication number: 20080131271
    Abstract: A stator vane includes leading and trailing edges extending longitudinally between a root and a tip, the trailing edge having an exit swirl angle distribution such that the exit swirl angle has a maximum value at an intermediate radius location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Peter John Wood, Eric Andrew Falk, Lyle D. Dailey
  • Publication number: 20080118352
    Abstract: A method is provided for attaching a shim to at least one of a base of a stator vane unit and a ring segment of a ring segment assembly in a gas turbine compressor. The method includes providing a shim shaped to conform to an engaging face of the base of the stator vane unit or the segment ring of the segment ring assembly, with a predetermined thickness dimension; boring at least one hole, normal to the face of the shim and extending fully through the thickness dimension of the shim; positioning the shim on the engaging face of the at least one of the base of the stator vane unit and the segment ring of the segment ring assembly; and welding the shim to the engaging face of the at least one of the base of the stator vane unit and the ring segment of the stator ring assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Brian C. Wheeler, Lynn Charles Gagne, Kelvin R. Aaron, Thomas R. Tipton
  • Publication number: 20080118351
    Abstract: A stator vane of a turbo molecular pump suitable for reducing damage of the stator vane is provided. The stator vane (B) of a turbo molecular pump formed annular is formed by abutting a pair of stator vane halves (30,30). In this state, a gap (S) is formed in an inner rim portion (32).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Takeshi Akimoto, Shinji Kawanishi
  • Patent number: 7371046
    Abstract: A turbine airfoil may be a rotating blade having a single platform, or a stationary nozzle having a pair of platforms. The airfoil body has pressure and suction sidewalls extending between leading and trailing edges. A compound fillet is disposed between the airfoil body and at least one of the platforms. The compound fillet includes a concave first fillet having a first radius, and a concave second fillet having a second, greater radius. The second fillet extends from the leading edge downstream along the suction sidewall and terminates at a point upstream of the trailing edge. The second fillet may also extend downstream from the leading edge along the pressure sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ching-Pang Lee, Joseph Michael Guentert, James Robert Bailey
  • Patent number: 7354243
    Abstract: An axial compressor has at least one circumferential row of aerofoil members (30a, 30b, 30c) in which at least one of the two end walls (37) between adjacent blades is given a non-axisymmetric profile, defined by circumferentially-extending sinusoids at a number of axial positions (AA, BB, CC). Corresponding points on the successive sinusoids are joined by spline curves, so that the curvature of the end wall is smooth. This end-wall profiling modifies the boundary layer flow at the wall, reducing or eliminating the corner separation and reversed flow associated with known arrangements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce, PLC
    Inventor: Neil W. Harvey
  • Publication number: 20080080973
    Abstract: The invention relates to a suction stage (12) for a pump (10) with centrifugal wheel, the suction stage (12) comprising a rotational impeller (18) equipped with a hub (20) and arranged upstream of the centrifugal wheel (14), the suction stage (12) further comprising a diffuser (34) arranged between the impeller (18) and the centrifugal wheel (14), the diffuser (34) comprising a plurality of blades (36). The invention is characterised by the fact that the hub (20) has a downstream surface (20b) extending axially so as to converge toward the centrifugal wheel, and in that the blades (36) of the diffuser (34) have free ends, said blades protruding radially toward said downstream surface in such a way that the free ends of the blades make said downstream surface (20b) flush.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Applicant: SNECMA
    Inventors: Fabien Wahl, Jean-Michel N. Guyen Duc, Fabien Tessier, Sebastien Boufflert
  • Publication number: 20080080970
    Abstract: Within gas turbine engines is necessary to provide nozzle guide vanes between stages of the engine. These vanes are presented in vane segments and it is desirable to prevent leakage to retain engine operation efficiency as well as to avoid hot gas impingement on inappropriate parts of the engine. By use of anti-rotation blocks twisting between the segments can be prevented and therefore the segments retained in alignment. However, thermal distortion may open a chordal seal provided to inhibit gas flow leakage. By provision of chordal bumps it is possible to prevent forward rocking which will inhibit gaps between the chordal seal and an engaging support ring surface. Furthermore the anti-rotation blocks will generally incorporate appropriate mating surfaces to engage the chordal bumps across two or more vane segments to facilitate retention of vane segment alignment whilst achieving adjustment for thermal distortion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC.
    Inventors: Philip J. Cooke, Marcus McBride, Mark A. Halliwell
  • Patent number: 7347660
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of cross-wind turbines that are capable of providing high efficiencies over a wide range of wind velocities. An airfoil stator causes wind to accelerate along its surface and creates a low pressure area on the leading face of the rotor blade during the power stroke. A blocking stator blocks wind from impeding the movement of the rotor blades during the return cycle and directs wind onto the trailing face of the rotor blades during the power cycle. A large pressure differential is created between the leading face of the rotor blade and the trailing face of the rotor blade during the power cycle which creates a large amount of force that rotates the rotor blade about the central shaft. In some embodiments, gaps are provided between the inside edge of the rotor blade and a stationary shaft which vents wind collected by the rotor blade during certain portions of the rotation cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Terra Moya Aqua, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott J. Taylor, Ronald Taylor, Brad C. Cochran, David Banks
  • Publication number: 20080060359
    Abstract: An aerofoil assembly for the supply of fluid to a gas turbine engine, the aerofoil having a first part with a profile intended to provide a leading edge when located in a gas turbine engine, a second part with a profile intended to provide a trailing edge when located in a gas turbine engine, wherein the first part has features that engage with complementary features on the second part to form a releasable arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Gary Eadon, Andrew C. Graham
  • Patent number: 7341427
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine nozzle segment and process for producing such a nozzle segment to exhibit improved durability and aerodynamic performance. The process produces a nozzle segment having at least one vane between and interconnecting a pair of platforms. The nozzle segment is cast from a gamma prime-strengthened nickel-base superalloy, on whose surface is thermal sprayed an environmental coating formed of a MCrAlX-type coating material. The surface of the environmental coating is then worked to cause the coating to have a surface finish of less than 2.0 micrometers Ra. Cooling holes are then drilled in the nozzle segment, after which an oxidation-resistant coating is applied on the smoothed surface of the nozzle segment so as to maintain an outermost surface on the nozzle segment having surface finish of less than 2.0 micrometers Ra.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Andrew David Farmer, Bangalore Aswatha Nagaraj, Wenfeng Lu, Ching-Pang Lee, Joseph Michael Guentert
  • Publication number: 20080056893
    Abstract: A single stage high pressure turbine vane includes an airfoil having a profile substantially in accordance with at least an intermediate portion of the Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z set forth in Table 2. The X and Y values are distances, which when smoothly connected by an appropriate continuing curve, define airfoil profile sections at each distance Z. The profile sections at each distance Z are joined smoothly to one another to form a complete airfoil shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventors: Remo Marini, Sami Girgis
  • Publication number: 20080056894
    Abstract: A single stage low pressure turbine vane includes an airfoil having a profile substantially in accordance with at least an intermediate portion of the Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z set forth in Table 2. The X and Y values are distances, which when smoothly connected by an appropriate continuing curve, define airfoil profile sections at each distance Z. The profile sections at each distance Z are joined smoothly to one another to form a complete airfoil shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventors: Panagiota Tsifourdaris, Sami Girgis
  • Publication number: 20080056891
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a steam turbine nozzle box is provided, wherein the method includes forming an annular chamber defined by a radially outer wall and a radially inner wall and coupling a plurality of inlets in flow communication with the annular chamber such that steam is discharged from each of the plurality of inlets into the chamber at an oblique discharge angle with respect to an inlet axial centerline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventors: Michael Thomas Hamlin, David Alan Caruso, Charles T. O'Clair
  • Publication number: 20080056892
    Abstract: A radial diffuser comprises a housing, a plurality of diffuser vanes, and a plurality of integral service vanes. The housing includes an air inlet and an air outlet, and defines a radial section extending radially outward from the air inlet, an axial section extending axially to the air outlet, and a transition including a bend and extending between the radial and axial sections. The diffuser vanes are coupled to the housing, and are disposed in, and define diffusion flow passages. The integral service vanes are coupled to the housing, extend around the bend, and define transition flow passages, each in fluid communication with at least one diffusion flow passage. At least some of the integral service vanes include a service passage extending therethrough and configured to allow a service conduit to extend therethrough without crossing either a diffusion flow passage or a transition flow passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventors: Michael T. Barton, Harry L. Kington, Donald L. Palmer
  • Patent number: 7331756
    Abstract: An axial-flow fan unit that produces less noise is provided. Blades 19 are exposed from a venturi 29. The shape of each of the blades 19 is so defined that a space formed between at least an inner surface 28a of each of web leg sections 28A to 28C and an edge 19a of each of the blades 19 located in the radially outward direction of the blades 19 expands toward the ends of the web leg sections 28A to 28C (or web bodies 30A to 30C). With this arrangement, noise produced when the blades 19 rotate along the web leg sections 28A to 28C is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Sanyo Denki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michinori Watanabe, Toshiki Ogawara, Haruhisa Maruyama
  • Patent number: 7331752
    Abstract: A device and method for conversion of the energy of medium flows are provided. The proposed device and method ensure suppression of the vortex streams in the flow on the leg of its motion along the radially converging trajectories and concentration of the flow energy, which is expressed by the increase of its velocity and decrease of the summary area of the cross section of the converging trajectories. As the flow runs along the first system of helical trajectories the following takes place: the harmful secondary vortex jets continue attenuating, the degree of concentration of the flow energy increases and velocity components form in the flow, which correspond to natural vortex streams, for instance, tornadoes, whirlpools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Inventors Network GmbH
    Inventors: Gennady Iraklievich Kiknadze, Ivan Alexandrovich Gachechiladze
  • Patent number: 7331755
    Abstract: A method for assembling a vane sector for a gas turbine engine, the vane sector including an airfoil vane and a platform includes depositing a wear coating material onto a selected area of the platform, positioning the platform adjacent to the airfoil vane, and executing a brazing operation such that the airfoil vane is permanently coupled to the platform portion and such that the wear coating material is bonded across a predefined area of the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas Froats Broderick, Ronald Lance Galley, Clifford Earl Shamblen, David Edwin Budinger, Reed Roy Oliver, Roger Owen Barbe
  • Patent number: 7331754
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a nozzle box assembly including a torus, a steam path ring, and a bridge ring. The torus has a plurality of steam inlets and an annular steam outlet. The steam path ring has an annular steam inlet, the annular steam inlet has an inner diameter (ID) and an outer diameter (OD), the steam path ring is disposed downstream of the torus. The bridge ring has an annular steam inlet and an annular steam outlet, the annular steam outlet has an ID and an OD, the bridge ring is disposed between the torus and the steam path ring, the bridge ring annular steam outlet is adjacent to the steam path ring annular steam inlet, and the steam path ring annular steam inlet OD is greater than the bridge ring annular steam outlet OD and the steam path ring annular steam inlet ID is smaller than the bridge ring annular steam outlet ID.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Charles Thomas O'Clair, Jeyaruban Amirtharajah, Michael Earl Montgomery
  • Publication number: 20080038110
    Abstract: A turbine (40) for a turbocharger (10) has a turbine housing (41) defining a generally annular chamber (43) surrounding a turbine wheel (44), the chamber receiving exhaust gas for driving the turbine wheel. The chamber has dividing walls (46) that divide the chamber into a plurality of angular sectors (43a,43b), each fed with exhaust gas separately from the other sector(s). (52,53) located radially inwardly of the sectors for guiding flow into the turbine wheel include at least dividing vanes (52) that form extensions of the dividing walls (46) so as to extend the sector-division of the exhaust gas flow path all the way to the trailing edges of the dividing vanes. An axially slidable piston (48) is disposed radially inwardly of the sectors, and radially overlaps with the dividing vanes (52). The vanes either are mounted on fixed structure and are received in slots (49) in the piston, or are mounted on the piston and received in slots in fixed structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Quentin Roberts, Luciano Bernardini, Alain Lombard, Dominique Petitjean, Jeff Lotterman
  • Patent number: 7329091
    Abstract: A heat dissipation fan and a housing thereof. The heat dissipation fan includes a housing and a plurality of blades. The housing includes an outer frame, a base, and a plurality of air-guiding elements. The base is disposed in the outer frame, supporting the blades thereon. The air-guiding elements are disposed between the base and the outer frame, having a first curved surface, a second curved surface, and a bottom surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Cheng-Wei Yan, Tsu-Liang Lin, Wen-Shi Huang
  • Patent number: 7329092
    Abstract: Twelfth stage stator vanes for a compressor comprise airfoil profiles substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of Z, Y and Z set forth in inches in Table I, wherein the Z coordinate values are perpendicular distances from planes normal to a radius from the compressor centerline and containing the X and Y values with the Z value commencing at zero in the X, Y plane at a radial aerodynamic section of the airfoil. X and Y are coordinate values defining the airfoil profile at each distance Z. The X, Y and Z values may be scaled to provide a scaled-up or scaled-down airfoil section for each stator vane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christopher P. Keener, David J Stampfli
  • Patent number: 7329093
    Abstract: First stage stator vanes for a turbine comprised airfoil profile substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z set forth in inches in Table I, which define a plurality of radially spaced profile sections forming the nominal profile. The Z coordinate values for each profile section are radial distances from the turbine axis to a portion of the surface of revolution about the axis containing the profile section. The X and Y values for each profile section are coordinate values which, when connected by smooth continuing arcs define the airfoil profile section along the surface of revolution portion. The radially spaced profile sections are joined smoothly with one another to form the nominal airfoil profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas W. Vandeputte, John E. Greene, Peter C. Selent, Linda J. Farral, Sze Bun Brian Chan, Brian P. Arness
  • Patent number: 7322796
    Abstract: A method for forming a component for use in a gas turbine engine, such as a turbine vane construction is provided. The method broadly comprises the steps of: forming a first aerodynamic structure having a first platform with a leading edge and a trailing edge, and an edge with an airfoil suction side structure; forming a second aerodynamic structure having a second platform with a leading edge and a trailing edge, and an first edge with an airfoil pressure side structure; and joining the two structures together so that the airfoil suction side structure mates with the airfoil pressure side structure to form an airfoil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Edward F. Pietraszkiewicz, Om Parkash Sharma
  • Publication number: 20080014080
    Abstract: A blower for a vacuum cleaner has a diffuser with an increased efficiency by coupling the attack angle A of the diffuser vanes with the attack angle B of the return guide vanes where angle A is between 4° and 6° and angle B is between 6° and 20°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Inventor: Chuan Hui Fang
  • Publication number: 20070286719
    Abstract: A stator assembly having a windage cover for structure adjacent to a cavity bounded by rotating elements in a rotary machine is disclosed. Various construction details are developed for damping vibrations in the windage cover as the windage cover bounds a cavity having swirling high velocity gases that are capable of transmitting acoustic energy and kinetic energy to adjacent structure. In one detailed embodiment, the windage cover in the uninstalled condition has diverging arms that are resiliently compressed during installation to exert a frictional force on the adjacent structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2006
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Inventors: Paul W. Duesler, C. Vincent Loffredo, Matthew D. Nicolson, Richard J. Pawlaczyk
  • Publication number: 20070286718
    Abstract: Tenth stage stator vanes for a compressor comprise airfoil profiles substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of x, Y and Z set forth in inches in Table I, wherein the Z coordinate values are perpendicular distances from planes normal to a radius from the compressor centerline and containing the X and Y values with the Z value commencing at zero in the X, Y plane at a radial aerodynamic section of the airfoil. X and Y are coordinate values defining the airfoil profile at each distance Z. The X, Y and Z values may be scaled to provide a scaled-up or scaled-down airfoil section for each stator vane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John David Stampfli, Josef Scott Cummins
  • Patent number: 7303371
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas turbine. The aim of the invention is to provide an axial sealing between a vane ring and a moving blade ring, which has an excellent sealing effect, is easy to install and inexpensive to produce. For this purpose, a sealing element is used that extends across at least a fourth of the hot gas channel circumference. Preferably, said sealing element extends across approximately half the circumference and is inserted in grooves of the vane support and the vane platforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Iris Oltmanns, legal representative, Peter Tiemann, legally incapacitated
  • Publication number: 20070274826
    Abstract: The guide device for the diffusor at the compressor impeller outlet of a radial compressor has guide blades with stepped inlet edges. The step is implemented by setting back the hub-side inlet edge. This meridional stepping divides the guide blades into two component blades, of which the first component blade is made longer than the second component blade. The set-back of the inlet edge of the hub-side component blade and the associated superposition of the noise fields which are produced on the front and rear inlet edge of the diffusor leads to improvement of the acoustic properties of the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Applicant: ABB Turbo Systems AG
    Inventors: Janpeter Kuhnel, Heinz-Jurgen Feld, Christine Lindblom
  • Patent number: 7300247
    Abstract: An axial flow turbine provided with a stage composed of a turbine nozzle and a turbine rotor blade arranged in an axial flow direction. Both end portions of a nozzle blade of the turbine nozzle are supported by a diaphragm inner ring and a diaphragm outer ring, and a flow passage is formed to have its diameter expanded from an upstream stage to a downstream stage. In such axial flow turbine, trailing edges at ends of the nozzle blade supported by the diaphragm inner ring and the diaphragm outer ring are curved as a curvature to an outlet side, and an intermediate portion between the trailing edges is formed to be straight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Daisuke Nomura, Sakae Kawasaki, Akihiro Onoda, Kentaro Tani, Hiroshi Kawakami
  • Patent number: 7300246
    Abstract: A unitary component for retaining a vane ring in a gas turbine engine comprises a retaining plate portion to restrain axial vane movement, a retaining ring portion to restrain circumferential vane movement, and a baffle portion to split a cooling air flow between the vane and an adjacent rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Eric Durocher, John Walter Pietrobon
  • Patent number: 7293955
    Abstract: A gas compressor based on the use of a driven rotor having a compression ramp traveling at a local supersonic inlet velocity (based on the combination of inlet gas velocity and tangential speed of the ramp) which compresses inlet gas against a stationary sidewall. In using this method to compress inlet gas, the supersonic compressor efficiently achieves high compression ratios while utilizing a compact, stabilized gasdynamic flow path. Operated at supersonic speeds, the inlet stabilizes an oblique/normal shock system in the gasdyanamic flow path formed between the rim of the rotor, the strakes, and a stationary external housing. Part load efficiency is enhanced by the use of a pre-swirl compressor, and using a bypass stream to bleed a portion of the intermediate pressure gas after passing through the pre-swirl compressor back to the inlet of the pre-swirl compressor. Inlet guide vanes to the compression ramp enhance overall efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Ramgen Power Systrms, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn P. Lawlor, Mark A. Novaresi, Charles C. Cornelius
  • Patent number: 7291946
    Abstract: A damper for a stator assembly, the stator assembly comprising a stator segment and a seal mounted to the stator segment. The damper locates between the stator segment and the seal, and comprises: a medial section; and opposed arms extending from the medial section. The medial section engages one of the stator segment and the seal and the opposed arms engage the other of the stator segment and the seal. A method of making the damper, comprising the steps of: providing a sheet of material having a medial section and opposed arms extending from the medial section; forming a bend at the medial section so that the medial section can engage one of the stator segment and the seal; and forming a bend at each of the arms so that the arms can engage the other of the stator segment and the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Brian E. Clouse, Louis M. Cardoso
  • Patent number: 7290981
    Abstract: A vent fan is for directing a fluid along a vent pipe. The vent fan has a housing defining an inlet, an outlet and an internal space for a fluid flow path. A separating wall divides the internal space into an inlet and outlet chamber. The vent fan also includes first and second baffles to block the fluid flow from traveling into the outlet and inlet chambers respectively. The separating wall may also include at least one fin for directing the fluid flow towards a first passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Field Controls, LLC
    Inventor: Steven E. Guzorek
  • Patent number: 7258525
    Abstract: An arrangement for detachably fixing a guide blade segment that forms part of a transition channel of an aircraft gas turbine comprises high-pressure and low-pressure turbines. The arrangement has a groove-hook-type connection in the front area of the outer platform of the guide blade segment for its radial fixation and at least one pin that penetrates the hook-groove-type connection for securing it against rotation of the guide blade segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines GmbH
    Inventor: Alexander Boeck
  • Publication number: 20070177973
    Abstract: An inner shroud portion and an outer shroud portion dividedly formed per stationary blade are formed integrally with each stationary blade. A plurality of the stationary blades adjacent to each other in a circumferential direction are coupled together by a band member at the outer shroud portions. The inner shroud portions are held between seal holders which are formed as two divided members in the flowing direction of a working fluid, which are fastened by a bolt, and which have a length corresponding to the plurality of the stationary blades. The plurality of stationary blades, the inner and outer shroud portions, the band member, and the seal holders assembled in this manner constitute a unit. A plurality of the units are connected in the circumferential direction to constitute a stationary blade ring of an axial compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD
    Inventors: Naoyuki Seki, Taku Ichiryu
  • Patent number: 7249928
    Abstract: A turbine nozzle for a gas turbine engine includes a nozzle segment having an airfoil-shaped vane with a root, a tip, a leading edge, a trailing edge and opposed curved pressure and suction sides. An arcuate inner band segment is attached to the root of the vane. The inner band segment includes an inner flowpath surface bounded at forward and aft ends thereof by a forward-facing surface and an aft-facing surface, respectively. A convex curved blended corner is formed between the inner flowpath surface and the aft-facing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kevin Samuel Klasing, Scott Michael Carson
  • Publication number: 20070172349
    Abstract: An assembly of sectorized fixed compressors (50) for a turbomachine compressor, this assembly being made in a single piece and comprising two coaxial rings (20, 52) connected by radial airfoils (24), the outer ring comprising two annular mounting lugs (56, 66) on a casing of the compressor, at least one of these annular lugs being connected to the outer ring in a zone axially separate from the zone for connecting the leading edges (26) or trailing edges (28) of the airfoils to the outer ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: SNECMA
    Inventors: Olivier Abgrall, Yvon Cloarec
  • Patent number: 7246989
    Abstract: A cooling device includes a plurality of passages extending through outer platforms of turbine vane segments for directing cooling air in a choked flow condition towards a downstream turbine shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: David Glasspoole, Ricardo Trindade
  • Patent number: 7237387
    Abstract: The downstream end portions of the inner and outer walls of the combustion chamber of the gas turbine are pressed against the inner and outer platforms respectively of the vanes of the high pressure turbine nozzle and they extend thereover substantially to the downstream end of the platforms, and the means for mechanically connecting the turbine nozzle to the downstream end portions of the combustion chamber walls are formed by connection screws implanted in the airfoils of the vanes of the turbine nozzle, passing through holes formed in the end portions of the combustion chamber walls. Thus, the downstream end portions of the combustion chamber walls contribute to preventing leakage from the gas stream at the interface between the chamber and the nozzle, and also along the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Snecma
    Inventors: Caroline Aumont, Eric Conete, Mario De Sousa, Didier Hernandez
  • Patent number: 7234914
    Abstract: A compressor or pump employs principles of unsteady delayed stall to enhance the head increase produced by the compressor or pump. Plural airfoil-shaped lifting elements are spaced from each other in a cascade and the fluid is directed into the cascade by a device that varies a parameter of the flow relative to each lifting element in repeating cycles to cause the flow relative to each lifting element to begin to separate from the lifting element and then reattach thereto during each cycle. The cascade can comprise an axial flow impeller with plural impeller blades arranged around a hub capable of rotating on an axis. The device for varying the flow parameter can be a stator with a plurality of stator blades upstream of the impeller, or a second, counter-rotating axial flow impeller. In either case, the parameter is a flow angle at which the flow is directed to the downstream impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Continum Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Usab, Jr., Alan J. Bilanin
  • Patent number: 7220100
    Abstract: A turbine stage includes a row of airfoils joined to corresponding platforms to define flow passages therebetween. Each airfoil includes opposite pressure and suction sides and extends in chord between opposite leading and trailing edges. Each platform includes a crescentic ramp increasing in height from the leading and trailing edges toward the midchord of the airfoil along the pressure side thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ching-Pang Lee, Anna Tam, Kevin Richard Kirtley, Scott Henry Lamson
  • Patent number: 7217081
    Abstract: A seal for sealing a seal groove in a shroud of a turbine vane. The seal may include a cooling system configured to pass cooling fluids through a cooling fluid supply port in a shroud, through a cooling system in which the cooling fluids contact the shroud and the seal, and exhaust the fluids through a gap between adjacent turbine vanes. The seal may include an elongated cooling channel for channeling cooling fluids from a supply to an exhaust channel at a first end. The cooling system may remove heat from the turbine vane shroud, the seal, and other related components, thereby reducing the likelihood of premature failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Power Generation, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Scheurlen, Xubin E. Gu
  • Patent number: 7207773
    Abstract: A nozzle box includes a torus, bridge ring and nozzle ring portions wherein steam flowing generally circumferentially in the torus portion is redirected for flow generally axially by the bridge ring portion. The steam exiting the bridge ring portion flows into nozzles formed by adjacent partitions of the nozzle ring portion. Bridges in the bridge ring portion are tangentially leaned to exactly match the angle of inclination of the leading edges of the axially adjacent partitions at like circumferential locations. For strength purposes, there are two bridges for each partition. Every other bridge axially registers with the leading edge of the axially downstream partition matching its angle while remaining bridges are equally spaced between the aligned bridges. In this manner, the steam flow is straightened by the bridges to match the angle of the leading edge of the nozzle partitions with consequent reduction of passage area loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Charles Thomas O'Clair, Michael Thomas Hamlin
  • Patent number: 7204675
    Abstract: A cooled gas turbine vane includes a cast part and a longitudinal sleeve obtained by shaping metal sheet The cast part includes a longitudinal body provided with a longitudinal cavity having a first opening and a second opening at the ends The sleeve is mounted in the cavity by being firmly affixed to the wall of the first opening, and one end part of which being free to slide in the second opening forming a guide. The end part includes a part having constricted dimensions relative to the transverse dimensions of the guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Snecma Moteurs
    Inventor: Christophe Texier
  • Patent number: 7189050
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of cross-wind turbines that are capable of providing high efficiencies over a wide range of wind velocities. An airfoil stator causes wind to accelerate along its surface and creates a low pressure area on the leading face of the rotor blade during the power stroke. A blocking stator blocks wind from impeding the movement of the rotor blades during the return cycle and directs wind onto the trailing face of the rotor blades during the power cycle. A large pressure differential is created between the leading face of the rotor blade and the trailing face of the rotor blade during the power cycle which creates a large amount of force that rotates the rotor blade about the central shaft. In some embodiments, gaps are provided between the inside edge of the rotor blade and a stationary shaft which vents wind collected by the rotor blade during certain portions of the rotation cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Terra Moya Aqua, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott J. Taylor, Ronald Taylor, Brad C. Cochran, David Banks
  • Patent number: 7189059
    Abstract: A compressor includes an enhanced vaned shroud and is configured such that the flow area ratio is equivalent to that of a conventional, non-vaned shroud. The vaned shroud includes a plurality of airfoils that vary in thickness to obtain desired vibrational mode shapes and natural frequencies. A stiffening ring of limited axial extent is coupled to, and between, the airfoils, and the shroud is manufactured with a section of constant radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Barton, Donald L. Palmer, Mahmoud L. Mansour, Don F. Durschmidt, John A. Gunaraj, Mark D. Matwey, John A. Slovisky, Nick A. Nolcheff
  • Patent number: 7186077
    Abstract: In a compressor particularly of an exhaust gas turbocharger of an internal combustion engine having a compressor wheel rotatably supported in a compressor housing which includes a diffuser structure with an adjustable diffuser geometry comprising guide vanes pivotally supported, an adjustment ring is provided with engagement elements which engage forked end structures of the guide vanes at the outer ends of the guide vanes opposite the pivotal guide vane support so that the pivot position of the guide vanes can be adjusted by rotation of the adjustment ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler A G
    Inventors: Helmut Daudel, Paul Löffler, Stephan Schenkel, Joseph Spurk
  • Patent number: 7185433
    Abstract: A method for repairing a stationary turbine nozzle segment having at least one vane disposed between outer and inner structural bands includes providing an engine-run turbine nozzle segment having at least one vane disposed between outer and inner bands, wherein the outer band and the vanes are previously replaced components of the segment and the inner band is an original component of the segment; separating the inner band from the nozzle segment; repairing damage in the outer band and/or the vane; and joining the outer band and the vane to a newly manufactured replacement inner band segment. The replacement inner band segment includes: a structural inner band; and an integral structural collar adapted to receive an inner end of the at least one vane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Matthew N. Miller, James W. Caddell, Jr., James M. Caldwell, Brian A. Norton