Specific Casing Or Vane Material Patents (Class 415/200)
  • Publication number: 20110142606
    Abstract: A pump for transferring molten metal includes an intake tube, a motor, a rotor positioned at least partially within the bottom end of the intake tube, a rotor shaft positioned at least partially in the intake tube, the rotor shaft having a first end attached to the motor and a second end attached to the rotor. An overflow conduit is attached to the intake tube. The pump does not include a pump housing and preferably does not include a superstructure, so it is relatively small, light and portable. In use, the motor drives the rotor shaft and rotor to generate a flow of molten metal upward into the intake tube and into the overflow conduit where it is discharged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventor: Paul V. Cooper
  • Publication number: 20110135457
    Abstract: A molten metal pumping device is disclosed that comprises a pump base including at least one input port, a pump chamber, a chamber wall, and a discharge leading to an output port. A rotor is retained within the chamber and is connected to a rotor shaft. The rotor is a dual-flow (or mixed-flow) rotor, directing molten metal both into the chamber and out of the chamber, where it ultimately exits through the discharge. The dual-flow rotor has a recess to permit high amounts of molten metal to enter the pump chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventor: Paul V. Cooper
  • Patent number: 7950234
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention are directed to a ring seal segment having a base portion and a frame portion. The base portion and the frame portion are a unitary structure. The frame portion is made of four unitary side walls: a forward wall, an aft wall and a pair of transverse side walls. The side walls can be arranged in a rectangular configuration. At least a part of the base portion can be coated with a thermal insulating material. A ring seal segment according to aspects of the invention is well suited to withstand the expected operational loads in the turbine section. The transverse side walls can provide bending strength to the base and can strengthen the forward and aft side walls. Transition regions between the side walls and the base portion are strengthened by three perpendicular planes that cooperate to provide structural strength to the ring seal segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: David Charles Radonovich, Douglas Allen Keller, Jay Alan Morrison, Malberto Fernandez Gonzalez, Anthony L. Schiavo
  • Patent number: 7950899
    Abstract: A modular fan inlet case includes a center ring, an outer ring, and a plurality of struts each coupled at a first end to the center ring, and at a second end to the outer ring. A plurality of shell members are each configured to be removably coupled to a corresponding strut. Preferably, the plurality of shell members each define a longitudinal groove for being received onto the corresponding strut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Frank J. Euvino, Jr., David R. Lyders
  • Publication number: 20110123323
    Abstract: An assembly for use in a gas turbine engine has an underlying metal sheet, and at least one ceramic matrix composite tile attached to the underlying metal sheet with at least one fastener assembly. The panel fastener assembly includes a fastener having a threaded portion extending rearwardly from a head, which has a frustoconical surface facing the threaded portion. The frustoconical surface is received in a frustoconical bore in the ceramic matrix composite panel. A bushing is positioned on an opposed side of the metal sheet from the ceramic matrix composite panel. The bushing has a flange extending away from the metal sheet. A sleeve is received about the threaded portion of the fastener, and extends away from the panel, beyond the metal sheet. The sleeve has a lip extending radially outwardly toward the flange on the bushing, such that the flange on the bushing extends beyond a space defined between the lip and a seating surface on the bushing. A wave spring is received within the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventors: Jose E. Ruberte Sanchez, Mitchell Aaron Riccione, Jocelyn Charis Glispin
  • Publication number: 20110116915
    Abstract: A turbomachine comprising a rotor, an inner housing, and an outer housing is proposed. The inner housing is arranged around the rotor and the outer housing is arranged around the inner housing, An encapsulation is arranged around the inner housing. An annular channel and holes into a chamber are provided between the encapsulation and the inner-housing outer surface, and steam flows out again via holes which are situated in the encapsulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventor: Andreas Ulma
  • Publication number: 20110116912
    Abstract: A turbine component has an airfoil extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge, and has an outer surface. A coating includes at least two discontinuous areas that are spaced from each other such that there is an area of uncoated surface between the discontinuous areas of coating. In addition, a method of providing such a coating is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas McCall, Michael L. Miller, David J. Hiskes, Scott C. Lile
  • Publication number: 20110097194
    Abstract: A radial compressor for a turbo charger has a housing with an inflow passage and a spiral passage. A compressor wheel is supported rotatably in the housing. The housing has at least two housing parts between which a cavity is formed. At least one opening is provided in the inflow passage, wherein the at least one opening fluidically connects the cavity with the inflow passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: MANN+HUMMEL GMBH
    Inventors: Hedwig Schick, Robert Hanisch
  • Publication number: 20110097201
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a steam turbine outer casing that can be at least partially cast out of a first material and has a plurality of support regions adapted to support an inner casing. The outer casing can be at least one support region that has a metal insert, made of a second material, with a flaring portion for retaining the metal insert in the casting of the outer casing. The second material has a greater hot strength than the first material. The support region can include a guide for limiting the movement of the inner casing in the outer casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Silvia GAFNER, Ludwig BOXHEIMER
  • Patent number: 7931446
    Abstract: Turbine blades, including airfoils, of aviation or industrial gas turbine engines are treated with boron to improve surface hardness and/or durability. Both stainless steel components and titanium components may be treated with boron. Elemental boron is diffused into the surface of the blade or other component, forming FeB and Fe2B in stainless steel components and titanium boride in titanium components. This treatment produces components with increased resistance to erosion caused by airborne particles and pollutants, extending the life of the components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: X-Treme Aerospace Inc.
    Inventors: William D. Hurst, Glenn E. Cauthren
  • Patent number: 7927068
    Abstract: An impeller includes a hub, and a plurality of blades supported by the hub, the blades being arranged in at least two blade rows. The impeller has a deployed configuration in which the blades extend away from the hub, and a stored configuration in which at least one of the blades is radially compressed, for example by folding the blade towards the hub. The impeller may also have an operational configuration in which at least some of the blades are deformed from the deployed configuration upon rotation of the impeller when in the deployed configuration. The outer edge of one or more blades may have a winglet, and the base of the blades may have an associated indentation to facilitate folding of the blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignees: Thoratec Corporation, The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventors: Mark W. McBride, Thomas M. Mallison, Gregory P. Dillon, Robert L. Campbell, David A. Boger, Stephen A. Hambric, Robert F. Kunz, James P. Runt, Justin M. Walsh, Boris Leschinsky
  • Publication number: 20110081238
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine stator vane has a sheet metal body with a pressure surface and a suction surface extending chordwise from a leading edge to a trailing edge. The sheet metal body has opposed pressure and suction side trailing end portions that meet at a joint upstream from the trailing edge of the airfoil. The pressure and suction surfaces of the sheet metal body are parallel to one another between the joint and the trailing edge, thereby forming a straight non-tapering trailing edge section from the joint to the trailing edge of the airfoil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Eric DUROCHER, Jean Fournier
  • Publication number: 20110076140
    Abstract: Disclosed is a housing for the nacelle of a wind turbine, comprising a support structure (15) composed of tubes and braces, preferably made of metal, especially steel, or plastic, especially fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP), and covering segments (2, 3, 4) which are fastened to said support structure (15). The housing is characterized in that the covering elements (2, 3, 4) have a coating surface made of plastic, especially FRP, and are self-supporting. Such a housing for the nacelle of a wind turbine can be manufactured with little effort from inexpensively produced parts and is easy to assemble. In particular, said housing combines the advantages of previously known structures that are self-supporting as a whole and the paneling of a support structure comprising parts that are not self-supporting without having the disadvantages thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventors: Martina Elsenheimer, Markus Becker
  • Patent number: 7914256
    Abstract: Articles having a body including a composite material having at least one toughened region and at least one untoughened region, the toughened region containing a toughening agent selected from the group consisting of polymers, nano fibers, nano particles, and combinations thereof where the toughened region includes a toughened resin having a fracture toughness of at least about 1.0 MPa-m1/2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ming Xie, Donald George LaChapelle, Stephen Craig Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20110061394
    Abstract: A method of heat treating an Ni-base superalloy article is disclosed. The method includes hot-working an article comprising an NiCrMoNbTi superalloy comprising, in weight percent, at least about 55 Ni to produce a hot-worked microstructure; solution treating the article at a temperature of about 1600° F. to about 1750° F. for about 1 to about 12 hours to form a partially recrystallized warm-worked microstructure; and cooling the article. The method also includes precipitation aging the article at a first precipitation aging temperature of about 1300° F. to about 1400° F. for a first duration of about 4 hours to about 12 hours; cooling the article to a second precipitation aging temperature; precipitation aging the article at a second precipitation aging temperature of about 1150° F. to about 1200° F. for a second duration of about 4 hours to about 12 hours; and cooling the article from the second precipitation aging temperature to an ambient temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: JEFFREY ALLEN HAWK, ROBIN CARL SCHWANT
  • Publication number: 20110064569
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a nickel-base alloy for forging or rolling contains, in weight %, carbon (C): 0.05 to 0.2, silicon (Si) 0.01 to 1, manganese (Mn): 0.01 to 1, cobalt (Co): 5 to 20, iron (Fe): 0.01 to 10, chromium (Cr): 15 to 25, and one kind or two kinds or more of molybdenum (Mo), tungsten (W) and rhenium (Re), with Mo+(W+Re)/2: 8 to 25, the balance being nickel (Ni) and unavoidable impurities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masayuki YAMADA, Kiyoshi Imai, Kuniyoshi Nemoto, Shigekazu Miyashita, Takeo Suga
  • Patent number: 7900458
    Abstract: The present invention provides near-surface cooled airfoils that can be made with near-surface cooling passages that are completely free of any leachable or otherwise sacrificial material in the recessed portion of the outer surface of the core. The turbine airfoil comprises a metallic core or substrate having an outer surface and one or a plurality of recessed portions of the outer surface; an intermediate metallic skin or foil having a back surface and a top surface, the back surface of the intermediate skin being bonded to the outer surface of the core such that the recessed portion(s) is sufficiently enclosed so as to form at least one or more near-surface cooling passages or pathways; and at least one or more metallic coatings of a high temperature-resistant metallic material deposited on a top surface of the intermediate skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Allister W. James, Anand A. Kulkarni
  • Publication number: 20110052383
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine fan section includes first and second composite layers providing a generally cylindrical case. Axially spaced apart rings are arranged between the first and second composite layers and form reinforcing ribs that provide a fan containment area axially between the rings. A belt is arranged over and spans the fan containment area between the reinforcing ribs. A fan blade has a tip in proximity to the first composite layer without any intervening structural support between the tip and the first composite layer, which provides a fan blade rub resistant surface. A method of manufacturing a fan containment case includes wrapping at least one first composite layer around a mandrel. Axially spaced apart rings are arranged circumferentially about the first composite layer. At least one second composite layer is wrapped around the rings and first composite layer to provide reinforcing ribs at the rings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventor: Darin S. Lussier
  • Publication number: 20110052384
    Abstract: A turbine shroud includes a ceramic shroud ring configured to surround a plurality of turbine rotor blades, a plurality of slots circumferentially distributed around the ceramic shroud ring, a forward metallic support ring, a plurality of tabs attached to a forward edge of the forward metallic support ring configured to engage a turbine support case, and a plurality of tabs attached to an aft edge of the forward metallic support ring received by the slots of the ceramic shroud ring. Only two axially extending radial surfaces of each of the tabs attached to the aft edge of the forward metallic support ring are configured to contact the slots of the ceramic shroud ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jun Shi, Kevin E. Green, Gregory E. Reinhardt
  • Publication number: 20110052382
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a fan including a plurality of circumferentially spaced rotatable blades, and a fan casing for containing fragments of fan blades in the event of blade release, the fan casing having a shell surrounding the blades and circumscribing a containment zone of the fan. The shell is made of a fiber reinforced polymer composite material which includes nanoparticles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventor: Kin-Leung Cheung
  • Publication number: 20110038732
    Abstract: The disclosed composite airfoil includes a three-dimensional composite core extending longitudinally and having a chord-wise direction. The core has a core in-plane thickness extending between opposing sides in a through-plane direction generally perpendicular to the chord-wise and longitudinal directions. A composite skin covers the opposing sides and has an exterior surface providing an airfoil contour. The skin includes a total skin in-plane thickness corresponding to a sum of thicknesses through the skin in the through-plane direction from each of the opposing sides to their adjoining exterior surface. A sum of the core in-plane and total skin in-plane thicknesses at a central portion of the composite airfoil is a total in-plane thickness. The total skin in-plane thickness at the central portion is less than 50% of the total in-plane thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventors: Brian P. Huth, Phillip Alexander, Carl Brian Klinetob, Michael Parkin, Rajiv A. Naik
  • Publication number: 20110038723
    Abstract: A turbine housing for a turbine is provided. The turbine housing includes a wall cladding on an inner wall of the turbine housing. In a region of joint flanges, the wall cladding is arranged and embodied such that the wall cladding reduces convective heat transfer and thermal radiation in a region of the joint flanges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventors: Klaus Lochner, Matthias Strauch
  • Publication number: 20110038722
    Abstract: A fluid intake assembly adapted for use with a turbo-machine is provided. The fluid intake assembly provides an efficient fluid inlet assembly including a casing adapted to guide fluid into the turbo-machine. The casing includes an inner wall, the inner wall having a lining of a resin infused composite material. A method of producing a fluid intake assembly for use with a turbo-machine is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventor: Philip Twell
  • Patent number: 7887288
    Abstract: A turbine blade or vane is provided. The turbine blade or vane includes an airfoil portion, a root portion arranged below the airfoil portion, a dove tail shaped securing portion arranged below the root portion have a surface including subregions that have locally different compressive residual stresses, and a convexly curved sub region arranged on the surface and adjacent to the concavely curved sub region. The concavely curved region has higher compressive residual stresses than the convexly curved region, and the level of the compressive residual stress in the concavely curved region is at least 30% of the component base material yield strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Walter David
  • Publication number: 20110014038
    Abstract: A wind turbine comprises a turbine shroud and optionally an ejector shroud. The turbine shroud and/or the ejector shroud include a skeleton support structure, with a skin covering at least a portion of the turbine shroud and/or ejector shroud skeleton. In other embodiments, leading and trailing edges of the turbine shroud and/or ejector shroud are made of a rigid material and are not covered by the skin of the shroud.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: FloDesign Wind Turbine Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Werle, William Scott Keeley, Thomas J. Kennedy, III, Walter M. Presz, JR., Robert Dold
  • Publication number: 20110008157
    Abstract: In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a turbine stator component includes a first endwall; a second endwall; a first stator airfoil coupled between the first and second endwalls; and a second stator airfoil adjacent to the first airfoil and coupled between the first and second endwalls. The first stator airfoil has first crystallographic primary and secondary orientations. The second stator airfoil has second crystallographic primary and secondary orientations, the first crystallographic primary and secondary orientations being different from the second crystallographic primary and secondary orientations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Mark C. Morris, Harry Lester Kington, James Neumann
  • Publication number: 20110008156
    Abstract: A composite nozzle segment includes one or more airfoils extending radially between arcuate radially outer and inner band segments having band plies curved about a centerline axis, an outer chordal seal line on an outer aft flange of the outer band segment, and thickened areas in corners of the outer aft flange along pressure and suction side edges of the outer band segment. The thickened areas may be thickest at the pressure and suction side edges and thinnest near a middle of the outer band segment. The thickened areas taper off from an aft end of the thickened area towards a forward flange of the outer band segment. Insert plies may be disposed between some of the band plies within the thickened areas may be grouped together in a discrete group or be interspersed with some of the band plies. The insert plies may have triangular shapes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventors: Ian Francis Prentice, Mark Eugene Noe
  • Publication number: 20110008158
    Abstract: A housing of a turbo charger has a turbine housing and a bearing housing. A cooling jacket is formed of at least one or more shell elements that are fixed to the outside of the housing and that form therewith a cavity into which a coolant can be introduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Raf Boening, Harmut Claus, Robert Vetter
  • Patent number: 7866942
    Abstract: This invention relates to a Dry Running Flexible Impeller Pump and Method of Manufacture that is specifically designed to provide a flexible impeller pump that is capable of being run dry for extended periods of time without damaging the impeller. The pump's housing and end plates are coated with a low friction industrial coating to limit the heat of friction created by the flexible impeller while in use. Additionally the flexible impeller is cast from a pre-molding silicone substrate that contains no mold release and is cast in a mold that is treated with a low friction industrial coating and is cast without mold release. Once the flexible impeller is removed from the mold it is cleaned with alcohol, baked in a vacuum at a temperature of at least 100° C., and then coated with a Paralene N coating by vacuum deposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Inventor: Mark R. Harvie
  • Publication number: 20110002779
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a machine structural element from a molded composite material includes manufacturing of an abradable layer made integrally from the material of the element. The method consists in adding a filler material to the resin at the surface to be made abradable, the filler material being able to disintegrate, such as e.g. transitioning to vapor phase, during the heat treatment of polymerizing the resin in order to create porosity inside the layer. The porosity thus created provides the relevant surface with properties of abradability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventor: Laurent Schuster
  • Publication number: 20100322760
    Abstract: A ceramic matrix composite (CMC) airfoil assembled from a pressure side wall (42) and a suction side wall (52) joined by interlocking joints (18, 19) at the leading and trailing edges (22, 24) of the airfoil to produce a tapered thin trailing edge. The trailing edge (24) is thinner than a combined thicknesses of the airfoil walls (42, 52). One or both of the interlocking joints (18, 19) may be formed to allow only a single direction of assembly, as exemplified by a dovetail joint. Each joint (18, 19) includes keys (44F, 54F, 56F, 46F) on one side and respective keyways (44K, 54K, 56K, 46K) on the other side. Each keyway may have a ramp (45) that eliminates indents in the airfoil outer surface that would otherwise result from the joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Inventors: Jay A. Morrison, Anthony L. Schiavo
  • Patent number: 7850424
    Abstract: An intermediate-pressure turbine is divided into a high-temperature, high-pressure side high-temperature, intermediate-pressure turbine section 11a and a low-temperature, low-pressure side low-temperature, intermediate-pressure turbine section 11b, the component members of the high-temperature, intermediate-pressure turbine section 11a are formed of austenitic heat-resistant steels or Ni-based alloys, and the high-temperature, intermediate-pressure turbine section 11a is operated by steam having a temperature of 650° C. or more. Other turbines are mainly formed of ferritic heat-resistant steels. Thus, a steam turbine power plant having high thermal efficiency and being economical can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Seiko Takahashi, Ryuichi Ishii, Yoichi Tsuda, Nobuo Okita, Katsuya Yamashita, Yukio Shinozaki, Masafumi Fukuda, Takeo Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7850423
    Abstract: High-temperature steam at 620° C. or higher is introduced to a reheat steam turbine 100, and a turbine rotor 113 of the reheat steam turbine 100 includes: a high-temperature turbine rotor constituent part 113a positioned in an area extending from a nozzle 114a on a first stage to a moving blade 115a on a stage where temperature of the steam becomes 550° C. and made of a corrosion and heat resistant material; and low-temperature turbine rotor constituent parts 113b connected to and sandwiching the high-temperature turbine rotor constituent part 113a and made of a material different from the material of the high-temperature turbine rotor constituent part 113a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Katsuya Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20100310362
    Abstract: A turbine housing for a turbine wheel of an exhaust gas turbocharger, is formed from a casting material and comprises at least two flow chambers that are separated from each other by a flow separator. The flow separator is embodied as a separate insert especially as a sheet metal part or a cast part, that is embedded into a wall region of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: Daimler AG
    Inventor: Siegfried Botsch
  • Patent number: 7837438
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a vane assembly formed by a forward airfoil segment and an aft airfoil segment. The aft segment is made of metal and can define the trailing edge of the vane assembly. The forward segment can be made of ceramic, CMC or metal. The forward and aft segments cannot be directly joined to each other because of differences in their rates of thermal expansion and contraction. The forward and aft segments can be positioned substantially proximate to each other so as to form a gap therebetween. In one embodiment, the gap can be substantially sealed by providing a coupling insert or leaf springs in the gap. A separate metal aft segment can take advantage of the beneficial thermal properties of the metal to improve cooling efficiency at the trailing edge without limiting the rest of the vane to being made out of metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Christian X. Campbell
  • Patent number: 7832983
    Abstract: This invention is directed to nacelles and nacelle components for use in aircraft engines. The nacelles and components comprise composite material containing carbon fiber. The carbon fiber comprises from 0.1 to 20 percent by weight nanoreinforcement material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignees: Goodrich Corporation, Rohr, Inc.
    Inventors: Teresa M. Kruckenberg, Valerie A. Hill
  • Patent number: 7824152
    Abstract: A mounting arrangement (10) for a multivane segment (12) of ceramic matrix composite (CMC) composition positioned between outer and inner metallic rings (14, 16). Selected ones of the vanes (18a) of the multivane segment surround internal struts (24) joining the outer and inner rings. Spring members (26, 28) accommodate differential thermal growth between the multivane segment and the outer and inner rings, and a compliant material (30) seals against gas leakage around the segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Jay A. Morrison
  • Patent number: 7819625
    Abstract: A pattern of depressions (36) in a sealing surface (34) on a CMC wall (32) of gas turbine ring segment (30) allows minimum clearance against turbine blades tips, and thus maximizes working gas sealing. An array of depressions (36) on the surface (34) increases abradability of the surface (34) by blade tip contact during zero clearance conditions and reduces blade tip damage. The depressions (36) are unconnected, preventing bypass of the working gas around the blade tips. A desired abradable surface geometry may be formed in a stacked laminate wall construction (40-43, 52) by staggered laminate edge profiles (50, 52) or by machining of depressions (36, 54) after construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary B. Merrill, Steven J. Vance
  • Publication number: 20100266396
    Abstract: This disclosure features a transfer pump for pumping molten metal having a riser with a reusable socket. The pump includes a motor, support structure above a molten metal bath, a motor driven shaft and an impeller on an end of the shaft rotatable in a base. A riser made of refractory material extends from a transfer opening in the base to the support structure. The riser has a passageway for molten metal along a length of the riser. A clamp has a first clamp portion fixedly connected to the support structure and a second clamp portion that is pivotable with respect to the first clamp portion. A fastener is used to open and close the clamp. Sections of a split socket each have a flange and a body portion. The socket is received in the clamp such that the flanges of the socket are disposed above the clamp, and when the clamp is closed the socket holds the riser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventor: Bruno H. Thut
  • Publication number: 20100247303
    Abstract: A nozzle for a turbine includes a duct member having a substantially uniform wall thickness. Nozzles made of different materials can be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Herbert Chidsey Roberts, III
  • Patent number: 7802963
    Abstract: A pivot ring arrangement for a stage of variable stator vanes (VSVs) (38) in a gas turbine engine comprises a plurality of segments (12) secured in a segment carrier (22). The segments are injection molded from self-lubricating material, obviating the need for separate bushes for the VSV spindles (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Clive R Holland, David M Lambert
  • Patent number: 7785068
    Abstract: A method of fabricating an exhaust hood is provided for use with a turbine engine. The method includes providing an upper shell casing wherein the upper shell casing is fabricated from a composite material, and coupling the upper shell casing to a lower shell casing such that a turbine is housed within the exhaust hood, the shell casing is fabricated from a composite material. A turbine assembly is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Hayagreeva Rao K V, Prashant Shukla, Adi Narayana Namburi, Chinniah Thiagarajan
  • Patent number: 7780401
    Abstract: An ice strike sheathing ring (4) including several fiber compound layers for the fan casing of an aircraft gas turbine features breaking points (7) at a certain regular distance, so that, in case of destruction of the ice strike sheathing ring due to extreme ice strike, fragments of small size will be produced which together with the engine airflow will pass the exit guide vanes downstream of the fan without blocking the engine airflow or reducing engine thrust. With fiber compound layers enclosing a cavity or a core, the breaking points designed as slots (9) and/or assembly holes (8) are located in the inner wall (20) of the ice strike sheathing ring facing the engine airflow, while the outer wall (21) of the ice strike sheathing ring adjoining the fan casing is firmly attached to the latter via an adhesive film and a threaded safety connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG
    Inventors: Olaf Lenk, Uwe Dickert
  • Publication number: 20100209235
    Abstract: In one aspect, a method for assembling an outlet guide vane is provided. The method includes providing an outlet guide vane frame having a first side and a second side. The outlet guide vane includes a radially inward flange coupled to a radially outward flange by a leading edge. A trailing edge is coupled to the radially inward flange and the radially outward flange aft of the leading edge. A cavity is defined between the radially inward flange, the radially outward flange, the leading edge, and the trailing edge. A first and a second mating surface circumscribe the cavity on the first and second sides respectively. The method further includes coupling a filler portion within the cavity wherein the filler portion includes a third side and a fourth side, coupling a first skin to the third side and the first mating surface, and coupling a second skin to the fourth side and the second mating surface, wherein at least one of the first skin and the second skin are fabricated from a composite material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: Dong-Jin Shim, Scott Finn, Apostolos Pavlos Karafillis, William Howard Hasting, Arjan Hegeman
  • Publication number: 20100202873
    Abstract: In one embodiment a transition section for a turbine engine is provided that includes one or more components constructed of a ceramic matrix composite. The transition section may fluidly connect a high-pressure turbine and a low-pressure turbine within the gas turbine engine. The transition section may include a transition duct and a variable area turbine nozzle. One or both of the transition duct and the variable area turbine nozzle may be constructed of the ceramic matrix composite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Philip L. Andrew
  • Publication number: 20100202876
    Abstract: Provided is a steam turbine facility capable of suppressing the possibility of vibration occurrence and a drastic increase in facility cost, thereby realizing an increase in size of the facility, even if steam conditions of 650° C. or higher are adopted. In a steam turbine facility including a high-pressure turbine, an intermediate-pressure turbine, and a low-pressure turbine, the intermediate-pressure turbine is separated into a first intermediate-pressure turbine on a high-temperature and high-pressure side and a second intermediate-pressure turbine on a low-temperature and low-temperature side, at least any one of the rotors and casings of the steam-introduction-side turbines into which steam with a temperature of 650° C. or higher is introduced is formed from Ni-based alloy, and at least any one of the overall rotors and the overall casings of the turbines are constructed by joining together a plurality of rotor members or casing members by welding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventors: Shin Nishimoto, Yoshinori Tanaka, Tatsuaki Fujikawa, Ryuichi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7771160
    Abstract: A ceramic shroud assembly suitable for use in a gas turbine engine comprises a metal clamp ring shrink fitted around a ceramic shroud ring and an insulating and compliant interlayer. The interlayer is positioned between the metal clamp ring and the ceramic shroud ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Shi, Shaoluo L. Butler, Kevin E. Green
  • Publication number: 20100196147
    Abstract: A vane frame for a turbomachine and a method for minimizing the weight of a vane frame. The vane frame includes an inner shroud made up of a plurality of inner shroud segments, an outer shroud circumscribing the inner shroud and made up of a plurality of outer shroud segments, and guide vanes structurally interconnecting the inner and outer shrouds. The guide vanes include a plurality of first guide vanes between and connecting first pairs of the inner and outer shroud segments, and a plurality of second guide vanes between and connecting second pairs of the inner and outer shroud segments. The first and second guide vanes are formed of different first and second materials, respectively, with the first material having lower strength, modulus, and/or density than the second material. The structural interconnection between the inner and outer shrouds is dominated by the second guide vanes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Jan C. Schilling
  • Publication number: 20100192589
    Abstract: Conventionally, cavities and cracks are filled with a solder metal which forms brittle phases with a subsequently applied coating, which have a negative effect on the mechanical properties. According to the invention, the components which form brittle phases are removed from the solder metal. The above is achieved, whereby a second material is applied which reacts with said component and which is removed again with the brittle phases, before the coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventors: Reiner Anton, Christian Bähr, Brigitte Heinecke, Michael Ott
  • Patent number: 7766617
    Abstract: A turbine airfoil or a substrate exposed to a high temperature environment having a plurality of modular formed cooling circuits with diffusion chambers and cooling holes for each module. Each module includes diffusion chambers and transpiration cooling holes and is placed on the airfoil substrate and a refractory material is formed over the modules. The modules are then leached away leaving the diffusion chambers and cooling holes formed between the substrate and the refractory coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Florida Turbine Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: George Liang