Specific Casing Or Vane Material Patents (Class 415/200)
  • Patent number: 6200092
    Abstract: A turbine nozzle includes ceramic outer and inner bands, with a ceramic vane forward segment integrally joined thereto. A ceramic vane aft segment has opposite ends trapped in complementary sockets in the bands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Angelo V. Koschier
  • Patent number: 6196794
    Abstract: The gas turbine stator vane structure comprising a plurality of vanes 13, an outer platform 11 and an inner platform 12 is formed by integrally connecting a plurality of units 2 in a circle with fiber-reinforced prepreg tapes 10, 10′ each wound around and fused to an outside surface of the outer platform 11 and an inside surface of the inner platform 12. Each of the units 2 is constituted by (a) a core 3 composed of a laminate of fiber-reinforced prepregs and integrally having a web 31 for constituting a vane 13, and flanges 32, 33 integrally connected to both ends of the web 31 for constituting outer and inner platform pieces 21, 22; and (b) a skin layer 4 integrally molded around the core 3. The core 3 is at least partially exposed through windows of the skin layer 4 on both of an outside surface of the outer platform piece 21 and an inside surface of the inner platform piece 22, and fused to the fiber-reinforced prepreg tapes 10, 10′.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Keizo Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 6193469
    Abstract: A high toughness heat-resistant steel, a turbine rotor formed of this steel and a method of producing the turbine rotor are described. The heat-resistant steel has a composition consisting essentially of: 0.05 to 0.30 wt % C, 0 to 0.20 wt % Si, 0 to 1.0 wt % Mn, 8.0 to 14.0 wt % Cr, 0.5 to 3.0 wt % Mo, 0.10 to 0.50 wt % V, 2.0 to 5.0 wt % Ni, 0.01 to 0.50 wt % Nb, 0.01 to 0.08 wt % N, 0.001 to 0.020 wt % B, balance Fe and unavoidable impurities. The steel has excellent characteristics in not only tensile strength and toughness at a relatively low temperature condition of a steam turbine such as high/low pressure combined type one but also creep rupture strength at a high temperature condition of this turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yoichi Tsuda, Ryuichi Ishii, Masayuki Yamada
  • Patent number: 6190124
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine seal system includes a rotating member having an abrasive tip disposed in rub relationship to a stationary, abradable seal surface. The abrasive tip comprises a zirconium oxide abrasive coat having a columnar structure that is harder than the abradable seal surface such that the abrasive tip can cut the abradable seal surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Melvin Freling, Dinesh K. Gupta, Ken Lagueux, Jeanine T. DeMasi-Marcin
  • Patent number: 6174132
    Abstract: A steam turbine in which principal components to be exposed to high temperatures are all made of ferritic steel, whereby the temperatures of main steam and reheat steam can be increased to 610-660 (° C.). The rotor shaft (23 in FIG. 1) of the steam turbine is made of ferritic forged steel whose 100,000-hour creep rupture strength is at least 15 (kg/mm2) at the service temperature of the rotor shaft. Likewise, the casing (18) is made of ferritic cast steel whose 100,000-hour creep rupture strength is at least 10 (kg/mm2). The steam turbine of high thermal efficiency can be applied to a steam-turbine power plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Shiga, Ryo Hiraga, Takeshi Onoda, Nobuo Shimizu, Norio Yamada, Mitsuo Kuriyama, Kishio Hidaka, Shigeyoshi Nakamura, Yutaka Fukui, Toshio Fujita
  • Patent number: 6174128
    Abstract: A fuel pump has a motor with a shaft extending therefrom and an impeller fitted thereon for pumping fuel from a fuel tank to an internal combustion engine. A pumping chamber, which encases the impeller, is comprised of a cover channel and a bottom channel formed in a pump cover and a pump bottom, respectively. The impeller has a plurality of radially extending vanes on an outer circumference separated by partitions of shorter radial length. The partitions are comprised of substantially quarter-circle shaped arcuate portions extending from the outer circumference of the impeller to a diverging portion, preferably to a substantially flat top with rounded corners. Fluid active vane grooves thus formed circumferentially between the vanes and axially between the partitions which reduce fuel vortices angular acceleration within the pumping chamber thus increasing pump efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Dequan Yu
  • Patent number: 6164903
    Abstract: A ceramic turbine inlet vane(s) is resiliently mounted to stator portions (10) and (15) of a gas turbine engine by outer and inner resilient mounts (20) and (25). The resilient mounts each include springs, which accommodate varying rates of radial and axial thermal expansion between the vane and adjacent metallic stator structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Konstantino Kouris
  • Patent number: 6158958
    Abstract: A centrifugal pump includes an impeller which is attached to a drive shaft, a multipart pump housing which is partly made of plastic material and contains an intake chamber positioned on the drive side of the impeller and a spiral-shaped pressure chamber, a bearing support disposed in the region of the intake chamber being made of metallic material, and the pump housing is provided with an intake flange on the drive side and a housing cover in the region of the pressure chamber. In order to reduce weight and manufacturing cost, the intake chamber is bounded on the one hand by the bearing support and on the other hand by a housing part which is made of plastic material and surrounds the bearing support to which it is connected, preferably so as to be detachable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: TCG Unitech Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Siegfried Heer
  • Patent number: 6158984
    Abstract: An implantable rotary blood pump including a rotor mounted for rotation within a pump housing. The rotor has a shaft portion and an impeller carried by the shaft portion. A rotor motor is provided, with a motor including a plurality of permanent magnets carried by the impeller and motor stators on opposite sides of the impeller. Structural members are provided between the impeller and stators to provide structural support and hermetical sealing. The structural members comprise biocompatible, corrosion resistant, electrically non-conducting ceramic material, which alleviate eddy current losses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Kriton Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Hengchu Cao, David M. Lancisi
  • Patent number: 6158957
    Abstract: The invention is a process for removing ceramic thermal barrier layers from gas turbine engine hardware. A combination of chemical and mechanical steps are used to remove the thermal barrier coating from the substrate without removing the bond coat from the substrate. The process leaves the bond coat on the substrate in condition to receive a repair ceramic thermal barrier coating. The process includes a caustic solution treatment in an autoclave under controlled conditions followed by a mechanical abrasion process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: John J. Marcin, Stephen D. Murray, Keith D. Sheffler
  • Patent number: 6152691
    Abstract: A nonmetallic pump for pumping molten metal includes a base with an impeller chamber, at least one molten metal inlet opening to the base, at least one molten metal outlet opening from the base, and an impeller connected to one end of a motor driven shaft and rotatable in the impeller chamber. The base includes a shell portion and a one-piece insert formed of nonmetallic heat-resistant material disposed in the impeller chamber. The insert includes a generally circular bore in which the impeller is disposed and a wall extending so as to form a spiral-shaped volute opening around the bore. An egress channel extends from the volute opening toward the molten metal outlet opening. Also included are methods for making the insert and base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Inventor: Bruno H. Thut
  • Patent number: 6149380
    Abstract: The invention provides a novel hardwall fan case for encasing the radial periphery of a forward fan in a gas turbine engine. The fan case includes a rigid annular fan case shell spaced a selected radial distance from the tips of the fan blades, thus defining an annular internal air path surface of the fan case. The shell has a rigid hardwall fore section generally parallel to the blade tips and coated with a fore layer of abradable material. The fore section serves as a hardwall to limit the radial movement of fan blades deflecting under bird strike conditions and thereby to control the erosion of fan case linings. Limiting the radial blade deflection thus maintains the resulting fan tip clearance within acceptable limits. Uncontrolled or excessive erosion of fan case linings during bird strike conditions has in the past led to potentially catastrophic engine surge conditions where highly aerodynamically loaded fans are used that are very sensitive to enlarged tip clearances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Stanislaw Kuzniar, Czeslaw Wojtyczka
  • Patent number: 6146092
    Abstract: A centrifugal blower assembly for a heat exchanger system of an automotive vehicle is described. The centrifugal blower assembly includes a diffuser section interposed between the centrifugal blower housing and a heat exchanger housing in the heat exchanger system. The diffuser section has a pair of non-linear, curved side walls which allow for expansion of the air flowing therethrough to minimize air flow separation against the side walls of the diffuser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Monier Bibawy Botros, Dennis Anthony Vermette
  • Patent number: 6146094
    Abstract: Reduction of air resistance which acts on the conventional motor-driven blower is limited because crushed protrusions are formed on the surface of the plate of the impeller of the conventional motor-driven blower, and this air resistance is a significant impediment to an increase of the operating speed of the motor-driven blower. Thus, an impeller is provided which comprises a front plate having a suction opening, a back plate disposed opposite to the front plate, and a plurality of blades disposed between the front plate and the back plate. At least either the front plate or the back plate is formed integrally with the blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Obana, Kiyomi Nakamura, Masahisa Inagaki, Yasuhisa Aono, Hisanori Okamura, Hisao Suka, Fumio Jyoraku
  • Patent number: 6129514
    Abstract: A compact steam turbine power-generation plant has a compact steam turbine that operates at a high temperature in a range of 600 to 660.degree. C. Ferrite based heat resisting steels provide for thermal efficiency. The main steam temperature and the reheated steam temperature can be set in a range of 600 to 660.degree. C. by making the main parts exposed to the high temperature atmosphere, such as the rotor shaft, from ferrite based forged steels and cast steels and by making a final stage blade of a low pressure turbine from a martensite steel. The final stage blade is made from a ferrite based forged steel having a tensile strength of 120 kgf/mm.sup.2 or more; the rotor shaft is made from a ferrite based forged steel having a 10.sup.5 h creep rupture strength of 11 kgf/mm.sup.2 or more; and the inner casing is made from a ferrite based cast steel having a 10.sup.5 h creep rupture strength of 10 kgf/mm.sup.2 or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Shiga, Takeshi Onoda, Shigeyoshi Nakamura, Yutaka Fukui
  • Patent number: 6126395
    Abstract: An impeller includes a vane component integrally molded with a plurality of vanes having predetermined tilt angles that change continuously from a central portion of rotation, and a bottomed cylindrical component formed with a rotating shaft body, so that the vanes have an ideal shape with tilt angles that match the rotational peripheral velocity. For this purpose, the impeller of an axial fan serves as a rotor arranged to be rotatable with respect to a stator fixed to a main body of the axial fan. The impeller includes a bottomed cylindrical component formed by injection molding from a predetermined resin material such that a shaft body axially supported by a rotary bearing of the main body is formed at a central portion of rotation thereof, and a vane component formed by injection molding from a predetermined resin material such that a plurality of vanes are equidistantly formed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Copal
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Shingai
  • Patent number: 6126386
    Abstract: A pump has a rotor made of synthetic resin in a fixed housing which are adjacently arranged while forming a gap between the housing and the rotor to force-feed a medium containing water moisture, in which the rotor is made of a resol-type synthetic resin so that a dimensional change rate of the rotor is 0.15% or less for a medium having a moisture content rate of 10 wt % or less, whereby a sufficient pump performance can be obtained while relatively increasing the degree of freedom of the moisture content rate of the medium to reduce the corrosiveness of the medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Kohyama, Toshihiro Kameda, Tetsuhiro Okada, Hideharu Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 6123504
    Abstract: A steam turbine includes a rotor shaft, movable blades assembled on the rotor shaft, fixed blades for guiding inflow of steam to the moving blades, and an inner casing for holding the fixed blades. The rotor shaft and at least a first stage of the movable blades are made of high-strength martensitic steel comprising 0.05-0.20(%) of C, at most 0.15(%) of Si, 0.3-0.7(%) of Mn, 9.5-13(%) of Cr, 0.3-0.7(%) of Ni, 0.05-0.35(%) of V, 0.02-0.15(%) of Nb, 0.01-0.06(%) of N, 0.05-0.5(%) of Mo, 1.0-3.5(%) of W, 2-10(%) of Co and 0.0005-0.03(%) of B and at least 78(%) of Fe (the percentages being given in terms of weight). The inner casings is made of martensitic cast steel comprising 0.06-0.16(%) of C, at most 0.5(%) of Si, at most 1(%) of Mn, 0.2-1.0(%) of Ni, 8-12(%) of Cr, 0.05-0.35(%) of V, 0.01-0.15(%) of Nb, 0.01-0.1(%) of N, at most 1.5% of Mo, 1-4(%) of W and 0.0005-0.03(%) of B and at least 85(%) of Fe (the percentages being given in terms of weight).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Shiga, Ryo Hiraga, Takeshi Onoda, Nobuo Shimizu, Norio Yamada, Mitsuo Kuriyama, Kishio Hidaka, Shigeyoshi Nakamura, Yutaka Fukui, Toshio Fujita
  • Patent number: 6123505
    Abstract: A stator for a hydrodynamic torque converter which is produced by injection molding with axially drawn dies. The stator hub has stator blades produced by use of a thermoplastic material to fill the dies in the injection molding process. The stator blades are positioned relative to one another on the stator hub in such a way that the flow outlet of every stator blade is arranged at an offset of only the width of a gap relative to the flow inlet of the subsequent stator blade in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Christoph Sasse, Uwe Dehrmann
  • Patent number: 6120242
    Abstract: A low pressure turbine shroud includes an arcuate backsheet having opposite mounting rails for engaging a surrounding annular case. The backsheet includes a thicker blade containment shield extending between the rails in a unitary construction. And, a honeycomb rub strip is fixedly joined to the backsheet between the rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael T. Bonnoitt, Robert P. Czachor
  • Patent number: 6113347
    Abstract: A blade containment system for turbomachinery includes an annular casing having an interior surface with an abrasive surface texture that is capable of dulling sharp comers and edges of impacting fan blades so as to reduce the ability of the fan blade to pierce the containment casing. The textured surface can be produced by either a plurality of protuberances attached thereto or a plurality of sharp dimples formed therein. The protuberances can be in the form of sawtooth steps, sharp spikes or pieces of a hard material impregnated in the textured surface. In one preferred embodiment, the textured surface is formed on a plurality of tiles secured to the interior surface of the containment casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: James M. Forrester
  • Patent number: 6113349
    Abstract: A turbine assembly having a turbine stator, a ceramic inner shroud, and a first spring. The stator has a longitudinal axis and an outer shroud block with opposing and longitudinally outward facing first and second sides. The first side has a longitudinally outward projecting first ledge and has a first side portion located radially outward of the first ledge. The ceramic inner shroud has a first hook portion longitudinally and radially surrounding the first ledge. The first spring is attached to one of the first side portion and the first hook portion and unattachedly and resiliently contacts the other of the first side portion and the first hook portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bharat Sampathkumaran Bagepalli, Gregory Scot Corman, Anthony John Dean, Paul Stephen DiMascio, Massoud Mirdamadi
  • Patent number: 6109873
    Abstract: A shield 40 for use in processing a flow directing assembly 10, such as a stator vane or rotor blade, is disclosed. Various construction details are developed for the shield. The shield has two sides 52, 56 and at least two tabs 56, 58 which each extend from one of the sides and through the other side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Theodore Brooks, Harvey Richard Toppen
  • Patent number: 6106226
    Abstract: A rotating shaft for pumping or degassing hydrogen from molten metal comprising a motor connected to the upper end of a hollow shaft. An impeller is connected to the lower end of the shaft in the molten metal. The shaft is telescopically housed within a heat resistant shield shaft. The shield is clamped in a state of longitudinal compression to prevent tensile forces from damaging the shield as the impeller is being rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Alphatech, Inc.
    Inventor: Jorge A. Morando
  • Patent number: 6102657
    Abstract: A centrifugal pump for use in whirlpool bath systems has an offset inlet chamber configured to provide a smooth transition from inlet to impeller which is suitable for one-step injection molding using two opposed molding cores that may be removed from the inlet in opposite directions. The chamber has a double "D" profile with opposite flattened side surfaces. The cross-sectional area of the chamber decreases progressively between a larger offset inlet aperture and a smaller, centered entrance to the impeller. This configuration improves pumping efficiency while reducing noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Hydrabaths, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip E. Chalberg, Patrick B. Healy
  • Patent number: 6095756
    Abstract: This invention relates to high-Cr precision casting materials containing carbon, silicon, manganese, chromium, nickel, vanadium, niobium, nitrogen, molybdenum, tungsten, cobalt and optionally boron in specific weight proportions, the balance being iron and incidental impurities, as well as turbine blades made by a precision casting process using these materials. Thus, the present invention provides high-Cr precision casting materials which are capable of precision casting and, moreover, have excellent high-temperature strength, as well as inexpensive and highly reliable turbine blades made by using these casting materials and such turbine blades also having lighter weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akitsugu Fujita, Masatomo Kamada, Hiroshi Yokota, Mitsuyoshi Tsuchiya, Yoshinori Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6092989
    Abstract: A compressor for a gas turbine, comprises a rotor including a plurality of rotor parts, and blades for a plurality of stages implanted in the rotor parts, the rotor part in which the blades for at least two of the stages are implanted is made of a Ni--Cr--Mo--V low alloy steel, and the Ni--Cr--Mo--V low alloy steel has substantially an entire bainite microstructure comprising, in weight percent, C of 0.15-0.40%, Si not more than 0.1%, Mn not more than 0.5%, Ni of 1.5-2.5%, Cr of 0.8-2.5%, Mo of 0.8-2.0%, V of 0.1-0.35% and the balance being substantially Fe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Siga, Hajime Toriya, Yutaka Fukui
  • Patent number: 6082960
    Abstract: Side-channel centrifugal pump in sectional construction, the stage packs of which comprise a suction connector (6), a pressure connector (7), a vane (10) and a casing shell element (8, 9). In order to reduce the structural complexity, the suction and pressure connectors (6, 7) are formed as sheet-metal parts and are disposed in an annular casing shell element (8, 9). The centering of the suction and pressure connectors (6, 7) is expediently effected from the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Sterling Fluid Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Fandrey, Gudrun Schulz
  • Patent number: 6082965
    Abstract: An apparatus for moving a stream of molten metal in a bath of molten metal having a housing and steel alloy legs to prevent the housing from rising in the molten metal. The steel legs are protected by tubular shields made of a heat resistant material. The shields each has a lower end attached to the housing and has an inner diameter that is larger than the leg's outer diameter to accommodate the thermoexpansion of the leg. Inert gas is introduced in the space between the steel leg and the shield to form an oxygen-free environment around the leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Alphatech, Inc.
    Inventor: Jorge A. Morando
  • Patent number: 6077615
    Abstract: A Co-base alloy including, by weight, 0.03-0.10% C, not more than 1.0% Si, not more than 1.0% Mn, 20-30% Cr, 15-23% Ni, 3-10% W, 5-10% Ta and 0.05-0.7% Zr, is used as a welding material. A gas turbine nozzle has a crack repaired with a multi-layer weld using the Co-base alloy and a gas turbine for power generation employs the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masami Yada, Takao Funamoto, Takamitsu Nakazaki, Kei Kobayashi, Norio Yokoba, Nobuyuki Iizuka, Kazuhiko Kumata
  • Patent number: 6074169
    Abstract: A high and low pressure sides integrating steam turbine having high and low pressure sides integrating steam turbine blades, each made of a martensite steel including 8-13 wt % Cr, and having a blade length of 33 inches or more for 60 Hz power generation and 40 inches for 50 Hz power generation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Siga, Takeshi Onoda, Shigeyoshi Nakamura, Ryo Hiraga
  • Patent number: 6074166
    Abstract: The pump is formed by pump housing defining a pump housing cavity and a column housing defining an elongated cavity. The front of the column housing is coupled to the rear of the pump housing cavity. A shaft axially from the rear of the column housing cavity into the pump housing cavity. An impeller is connected to the front of the shaft for rotation in the pump housing cavity for moving liquid from the front inlet through an outlet transverse to the axis. The impeller has vanes on its front and rear sides. A baffle is fixedly secured to the front of the column housing around the shaft and has vanes on its rear side for preventing liquid rearward of the baffle in the column housing cavity from rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Inventor: Pieter J. H. Moddemeijer
  • Patent number: 6071074
    Abstract: An apparatus for moving a stream of molten metal in a bath of molten metal having a pumping member, a pump housing, a power device, a connecting element to connect the power device to drive the pumping member in motion, and a shielding element rotatably mounted on the pump housing and drivingly connected to pumping member. The connecting element comprises a pumping shaft having an upper end connected to the power device, and a lower end drivingly connected to the shielding element to rotate the pumping member when the power device is actuated. The shaft and the shielding element have a first and a second coefficient of thermal expansion, respectively. The shaft is telescopically disposed in the shielding element out of contact with the molten metal and formed a chamber between the shaft and the shielding element sufficient to permit thermal expansion of the shaft without imposing a radial thermal stress on the shielding element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Alphatech, Inc.
    Inventor: Jorge A. Morando
  • Patent number: 6059533
    Abstract: A vibration damped turbo-machine blade includes a shot peened metallic substrate which provides a shape for the blade. Carried on the metallic substrate and bonded to an outer surface of this substrate is a singular ceramic coating of a damping material. The substrate may be made of forged titanium, and the coating may be made of a ceramic material including cobalt at a weight percentage of from about 13% to about 21%, with the balance of the ceramic material being substantially all tungsten carbide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Stoker, Stan Pollitt, Terry Morris, Bob Chen, Ramish Doshi
  • Patent number: 6059524
    Abstract: The invention is a penetration resistant turbine engine fan casing (12) for containing separated fragments of a fan blade (16). The casing includes a penetration susceptible support case (14), a penetrable covering (32) circumscribing an impact zone (I) of the support case and an optional, but highly recommended collapsible support covering (34) circumscribing the case but axially offset from the impact zone. A containment covering (36) circumscribes both the penetrable covering (32) and the support covering (34). In a preferred embodiment, the coverings are aromatic polyamide fiber fabrics and the support covering is a collapsible cellular array. In operation, a detached fragment of a fan blade penetrates through the case (14) and the penetrable covering (32), and is plastically deformed by the penetrable covering to reduce the fragment's potential for damaging the containment covering (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Mark W. Costa, Andrew S. Foose, Nathan D. Korn, Jan B. Kowza, Wendy P. Lopardi, Douglas A. Welch
  • Patent number: 6059523
    Abstract: The present invention is addressed to a multiple layer blade burst control system for use in turbine engines. The system utilizes a first inner containment ring and a second outer containment ring separated by a layer of thin ductile material. The inner containment ring and outer containment ring are each mounted to an engine housing by the use of a plurality of supporting legs. The first inner containment ring and the second outer containment ring each have complementary ribs and grooves on their respective inner and outer surfaces, so that when broken blades or blade fragments strike the inner surface of the inner containment ring, this ring absorbs the transfer of energy and moves towards the second containment ring. The movement of the inner containment ring also deforms the thin ductile material which creates an additional energy transfer. The system may also be utilized without the thin ductile layer, and a set of intermeshing protrusions and recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Mario Modafferi, Reha Gomuc
  • Patent number: 6053696
    Abstract: An impact resistance fiber composite shell for supporting an elastic containment belt after impact with a radially propelled broken fan blade of a gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Inc.
    Inventor: Paul David Denton Roberts
  • Patent number: 6044810
    Abstract: A fan assembly for a work machine includes a fan housing which has a fan guard and a fan shroud defined therein. The fan housing includes a rotationally molded, hollow exterior shell structure. The exterior shell structure is filled with a filler material so as to enhance the structural rigidity and stiffness of the fan housing. The fan assembly of the present invention utilizes fewer components relative to fan assemblies which have heretofore been designed thereby decreasing costs and assembly time associated with the work machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: David G. Surridge
  • Patent number: 6030176
    Abstract: A structural member is provided for an exhaust-gas connection of a turbomachine, in particular a steam turbine, and a turbomachine bearing disposed in the exhaust-gas connection. The structural member is cast in one piece and has a connection part and/or a bearing part for accommodating the bearing as well as a supporting arm configuration with at least one supporting arm. A pipe conduit which is cast into the structural member leads through a connection part, a supporting arm and a bearing part. A set of at least two such structural members form an exhaust-gas connection and a frame for the bearing of the turbomachine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Heinrich Oeynhausen
  • Patent number: 6019576
    Abstract: A non-metallic pump for pumping molten metal includes a motor, a shaft having one end connected to the motor and an impeller connected to the other end of the shaft. A base has a chamber in which the impeller is rotatable. Structure is used to removably insert the base into a bath of molten metal. The impeller includes stirrer openings which are configured and arranged to enable the impeller to cause solid matter in the molten metal to move toward an upper surface of the bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Inventor: Bruno H. Thut
  • Patent number: 6012900
    Abstract: In a pumping system, a PEEK composite material may be applied to wear areas on internal components. Typically, the internal component provides a metallic substrate which is prepared with a metallic bonding layer arc sprayed onto its surface, at least at the wear area. A powderized PEEK composite material is heated and propelled against the substrate and bonding layer by a high velocity oxy fuel technique. This uniformly coats the substrate providing a durable wear surface for prolonging component life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Inventors: Steven C. Kennedy, Thiam Hock Francis Tan, Michael L. Taylor, Boon Hee Tan
  • Patent number: 6000906
    Abstract: A stator assembly of a gas turbine engine includes first and second annular metal stator rims. The stator rims, positioned in parallel, include a plurality of ceramic blades therebetween, each ceramic blade having a rounded nose and a flattened and tapered tail. Each ceramic blade further includes an opening for receiving a mounting pin. The mounting pin mounts between the first and second annular stator rims, clamping and containing the ceramic airfoil therebetween in a position relative to an axis of the turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventor: Barry S. Draskovich
  • Patent number: 5975845
    Abstract: A centripetal turbine (1) comprises a housing (3) and a turbine wheel (4) mounted within the housing (3) and having turbine blades (5). The housing (3) defines an annular inlet passageway (7) arranged around a portion of the turbine wheel (4), and an outlet passageway (8) which has a generally cylindrical portion arranged around a portion of the turbine wheel (4). The housing (3) also defines a curved annular shoulder (9) curving radially outwards from the generally cylindrical portion of the outlet passageway (8) to the annular inlet passageway (7). The radially outer edge of each turbine blade (5) has a first portion (11) adjacent the generally cylindrical portion of the outlet passageway (8), and a second curved portion (12) adjacent the curved annular shoulder (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Holset Engineering Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenneth Ball
  • Patent number: 5961284
    Abstract: A steam turbine has main components such as rotor shaft exposed to high temperature and intermediate pressure, which are made of a ferritic steel and the main steam temperature and the re-heat steam temperature are 610.degree. C. to 660.degree. C., and a steam turbine power plant employs the turbine. Further, the rotating blades are made of only a martensitic steel or a combination of the martensitic steel and a Ni base alloy, the turbine rotor is made of a ferritic forged steel having a creep rupture strength at the operating temperature for 100 thousands hours of above 15 kg/mm.sup.2, and the casing is made of a ferritic cast steel having a creep rupture strength at the operating temperature for 100 thousands hours of above 10 kg/mm.sup.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuo Kuriyama, Masao Shiga, Kishio Hidaka, Shigeyoshi Nakamura, Yutaka Fukui, Ryo Hiraga, Nobuo Shimizu, Masao Kawakami
  • Patent number: 5961281
    Abstract: A turbocharger for an internal combustion engine having a housing wall member located on an inner periphery of a metal compressor housing and facing a curved profile portion of the compressor impeller. The housing wall member is separately formed of a resin such as polyphenylene sulfide and integrally held and secured to the compressor housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Ojima, Tatsuhiko Oshino
  • Patent number: 5961285
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing bottom dross from molten zinc contained in a coating pot includes a pump, a traversing carriage for positioning the inlet of the pump in a desired horizontal location and a slide mechanism for positioning the inlet of the pump in a desired vertical location. The pump is moved in horizontal and vertical direction to remove the accumulated bottom dross. The bottom dross contained in molten zinc is pumped into a V-shaped channel and allowed to flow into either a removable basket or into a pre-melt pot. The pump of the present invention is a pedestal, centrifugal graphite pump powered by an air motor. The pump has a housing enclosing an impeller. The distance between the impeller and the inner wall of the housing is sufficiently large to avoid plugging by the bottom dross but sufficiently small to permit pumping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: AK Steel Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Meneice, Steven L. Boston
  • Patent number: 5951243
    Abstract: A system and device for pumping molten metal that reduces bearing member fractures comprises a pump having a pump chamber including a first bearing surface, a rotor having a second bearing surface that aligns with the first bearing surface. The second bearing surface is formed by a plurality of spaced bearing pins attached to the rotor. Each bearing pin has an outer surface preferably substantially flush with the outer perimeter of the rotor. The pins are comprised of a heat resistent material that is harder than the material comprising the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Inventor: Paul V. Cooper
  • Patent number: 5947684
    Abstract: A turbomachinery includes an attachment structure of an impeller to a rotational shaft which does not incur looseness even when it is subjected to temperature cycles, and which can be obtained without increasing manufacturing costs. The rotational shaft has the impeller at an end portion thereof. A cylindrical member is provided concentrically of the rotational shaft at the end portion for holding the impeller. The impeller is fitted inside the cylindrical member by shrink fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kato, Shuichiro Honda
  • Patent number: 5947682
    Abstract: A pump housing and manufacturing method therefor includes a primary molding for injecting halves of the pump housing and a secondary molding for assembling the primary molds to each other to be installed to the interior of a secondary metal mold and secondarily-molding the outer surface of the pump housing without requiring core fabrication, installation and removal steps of the injection molding. Thus, the core fabrication and core removal steps heretofore required for an inlet or undercut are unnecessary for enabling swift mass production and lowering difficulty of working to make the quality consistent and decrease inferior products, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Daewoo Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sung-Dai Moon
  • Patent number: 5938403
    Abstract: A water machinery runner, which is highly reliable and is so excellent in wear and corrosion resistances that it can be used even under conditions where sediment is contained in a fluid includes crown 21, band 22 and blade 23 of a water machinery runner 2 to be rotated by a working fluid or a fluid flowing in a passage. The elements of the machinery runner are coated on at least portions of their individual surfaces with a first surface film containing a metal, as selected from the group consisting of Ni, Cr and Co, and a chromium carbide, and a second surface film containing a metal, as selected from the group consisting of Ni, Cr and Co, and a tungsten carbide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryoji Okada, Kazuo Niikura, Keiji Taguchi, Kiyohito Tani