Access Opening Through Portion Of Casing Or Cover Patents (Class 415/201)
  • Patent number: 7458768
    Abstract: An adapter to permit borescope access inside a gas turbine engine including a compressor stator having a plurality of compressor stator segments comprises a body portion defining a bore extending longitudinally therethrough from a first end to be disposed adjacent to outside surfaces of adjacent compressor stator segments to a second end to be disposed adjacent to inside surfaces of adjacent compressor stator segments. The bore permits a borescope to enter therethrough. The adapter further comprises an attachment portion for circumferentially coupling at least one compressor stator segment to an outer casing of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: David P. Dube, Brian E. Clouse
  • Patent number: 7435050
    Abstract: There is provided a turbine engine component, such as a duct pipe, comprising an annular flange, at least one element, such as two duct pipe halfs, to be mated to the flange, and mating system for joining the at least one element to the flange. The mating system includes a first annular groove in the flange, which groove has two opposed planar wall portions for preventing axial movement of the at least one element relative to the flange. In a preferred embodiment, the mating system also includes a second annular groove in the flange. A sealing element is positioned within the second annular groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: David A. Welch
  • Patent number: 7431567
    Abstract: A wind turbine (100) comprising an electrical generator (108) that includes a rotor assembly (112). A wind rotor (104) that includes a wind rotor hub (124) is directly coupled to the rotor assembly via a simplified connection. The wind rotor and generator rotor assembly are rotatably mounted on a central spindle (160) via a bearing assembly (180). The wind rotor hub includes an opening (244) having a diameter larger than the outside diameter of the central spindle adjacent the bearing assembly so as to allow access to the bearing assembly from a cavity (380) inside the wind rotor hub. The spindle is attached to a turret (140) supported by a tower (136). Each of the spindle, turret and tower has an interior cavity (172, 176, 368) that permits personnel to traverse therethrough to the cavity of the wind rotor hub. The wind turbine further includes a frictional braking system (276) for slowing, stopping or keeping stopped the rotation of the wind rotor and rotor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Northern Power Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Bevington, Garrett L. Bywaters, Clint C. Coleman, Daniel P. Costin, William L. Danforth, Jonathan A. Lynch, Robert H. Rolland
  • Publication number: 20080226445
    Abstract: A turbomachine exhaust case (10) having an annular groove (18) perforated with an orifice (22) in which there is mounted a drain (36), which is formed by a tubular cylindrical body (38), for discharging liquids retained in this groove (18), which drain comprises a skirt (40), formed at one end of the cylindrical body (38), for fastening the drain (36) by crimping in the orifice (22) in the groove (18) of the case (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: SNECMA
    Inventors: Nicolas POMMIER, Christian Rene Schnell
  • Patent number: 7326031
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine is provided with a dirt separator placed in a path of the radially outer cooling air flow, and includes a radially outer leg that defines a space to capture dirt or other impurities. An access port is provided in a turbine engine case in an area adjacent to the dirt separator. The access port has two openings at a tangent to the centerline of the gas turbine engine covered by access port covers which can be removed to allow a cleaning tool to have access through the access port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Lisa O'Neill, Richard Silverman, Barry Beckwith, Edward F. Pietraszkiewicz
  • Patent number: 7290980
    Abstract: A furnace blower apparatus has a tubular housing that is connected between a heating furnace and an exhaust flue of the furnace. The housing has an interior bore containing a fan assembly for drawing air through the furnace burner chamber on operation of the fan assembly. The housing includes a panel that is removably mounted to a side wall of the housing. The fan assembly is mounted to an interior surface of the panel, whereby the fan assembly can be removed from the interior of the housing by removing the panel from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Jakel Incorporated
    Inventors: William Stuart Gatley, Jr., Joan Teresa Richter, Michael Lynn Kennedy
  • Patent number: 7190088
    Abstract: The process of attaching turbines to water mains, water towers, sewage lines, aqueducts, and various pipelines so as to capture the kinetic energy of pressurized fluid traveling through these mediums and changing the kinetic energy to electric energy by means of a generator and conducting this new electricity to the nearest power substation by means of a conduction pipe. By consumer demand for utilities such as water and sewage to be taken to and away from homes and businesses, these consumers will be making their own electricity that they will then buy back from the utility companies. With more and more people buying homes and starting businesses, there will be many new utility consumers on top of the already existing consumers, which means that the potential and scope of using the process for making cleanly generated electricity is limitless and universal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Inventor: Robert Eric Heidel
  • Patent number: 7077627
    Abstract: A fan assembly comprising a casing having an inlet and an outlet for fluid circulation through the casing, and a closeable opening to allow access to an interior of the casing. A rotor induces fluid circulation in the casing. A motor is connected to the rotor so as to actuate the rotor. A carriage supports the motor and the rotor, the carriage being operatively mounted to a track so as to be displaceable between an operating position of the fan assembly, in which the rotor is positioned in the casing for inducing fluid circulation in the casing, and a maintenance position of the fan assembly, in which the rotor is out of the casing for maintenance, wherein the rotor is displaced between the operating position and the maintenance position through the closeable opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Inventor: Minel Kupferberg
  • Patent number: 6994517
    Abstract: A furnace blower apparatus has a tubular housing that is connected between a heating furnace and an exhaust flue of the furnace. The housing has an interior bore containing a fan assembly for drawing air through the furnace burner chamber on operation of the fan assembly. The housing includes a panel that is removably mounted to a side wall of the housing. The fan assembly is mounted to an interior surface of the panel, whereby the fan assembly can be removed from the interior of the housing by removing the panel from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Jakel Incorporated
    Inventors: William Stuart Gatley, Jr., Rex Allen Rothgangel, Joan Teresa Richter, Michael Lynn Kennedy
  • Patent number: 6884032
    Abstract: A water pump having a housing with an opening defined by an axial inner retention surface and a radial outer surface. A plug formed of sheet metal includes a radial closure portion surrounded by a continuous axial flange adapted to be press fitted into the inner retention surface of the housing. Before assembly, an adhesive is applied to either the axial flange of the plug or the inner retention surface of the housing. The plug is then pressed into the housing so that the flange of the plug engages the inner retention surface of the housing. After the adhesive sets, a water tight seal is formed between the plug and the housing adequate to hold pressurized coolant within the housing of the water pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Nader A. Messih, Ernest C. Ionescu
  • Patent number: 6799943
    Abstract: A centrifugal pump (10) having a pump housing (40) that defines a substantially axial inlet port (32), a substantially radial inlet port (34) and an outlet port (30). An impeller (42) is rotatable within an impeller chamber (58) defined by the housing and is operative to pump fluid from one or both of the inlet ports to the outlet port when the impeller is rotated. A removable cleanout assembly (82) located within and forming part of the axial port includes a structure for supporting a wear plate (76) that is positioned axially adjacent the impeller. The cleanout assembly includes an inlet opening adapted to be configured as an axial inlet port to the pump. The cleanout assembly is removable in order to provide access to the impeller for service or cleaning. Either the axial port or the radial port can serve as an inlet or, alternately, both ports can serve concurrently as inlets to the pump. Mounting flanges (88) associated with each inlet port are adapted to connect to inlet conduits or a cap member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: The Gorman-Rupp Company
    Inventors: Donald W. Racer, Michael L. Keith
  • Patent number: 6585484
    Abstract: An air handler enclosure having a pivotal door panel covers an access opening leading to a blower inside the enclosure. The door panel is held in engagement with the enclosure when the panel is fully open or closed. The panel can completely disengage the enclosure if the panel is first pivoted to an intermediate position between the fully open and fully closed positions. However, the weight of the panel itself urges the panel to remain engaged with the enclosure as the panel pivots through the intermediate position, which helps prevent the panel from disengaging the enclosure unintentionally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Rosenthal, Timothy J. Lawlor, Sr., Thomas F. Byrne, James T. Vershaw, Timothy W. Storm
  • Publication number: 20030091425
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved fluid handling system including an improved collection trough and pump assembly. A centrifugal pump is mounted in the path of cutting fluid that needs to be pumped from a collection system and discharged. A wide and narrow inlet mouth lies very low on the factory floor enabling the centrifugal pump to be mounted right on the floor and not within the floor. An optional vacuum system provides suction within the centrifugal pump that aids in priming the pump at start up and in removing air from a pump chamber within the pump, thus allowing more efficient pumping to take place. An impeller rotates within the pump creating a vortex within the pump chamber which facilitates movement of dirty cutting fluid including metal particles to be pumped through to a discharge outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Applicant: Steven McEwen
    Inventors: Stephen N. McEwen, Richard A. Hallett
  • Publication number: 20030077169
    Abstract: An air handler enclosure having a pivotal door panel covers an access opening leading to a blower inside the enclosure. The door panel is held in engagement with the enclosure when the panel is fully open or closed. The panel can completely disengage the enclosure if the panel is first pivoted to an intermediate position between the fully open and fully closed positions. However, the weight of the panel itself urges the panel to remain engaged with the enclosure as the panel pivots through the intermediate position, which helps prevent the panel from disengaging the enclosure unintentionally.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2001
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventors: David J. Rosenthal, Timothy J. Lawlor, Thomas F. Byrne, James T. Vershaw, Timothy W. Storm
  • Publication number: 20030021678
    Abstract: A device which can be utilized to temporarily seal substantially any opening on a turbine which is being assembled or repaired. The foreign material exclusion device of the present invention advantageously maintains fail-safe integrity of desired portions of a turbine. Protection of the sensitive areas of a turbine prevents possible hazardous malfunctions or explosions of a turbine. The foreign material exclusion device is substantially elastic or resilient and can be compressed to fit into a desired opening and can be reexpanded to provide a snug fit about an opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Applicant: Advanced Pneumatics Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Joseph Nolfi, Mario Michael Nolfi, Stephen William Orosz
  • Publication number: 20020115036
    Abstract: An apparatus for evacuating liquid condensation from pipe systems which is particularly applicable to exhaust pipe systems in high efficiency furnaces. The apparatus forms a junction sleeve between two pipes and has drainage channels which prevent condensate liquid from flowing from one pipe into the other pipe. A thermoplastic rubber composition of the apparatus dampens noise and vibration in the pipe system. External grooves provide locating features for mounting clamps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2001
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventor: Leslie Alan Lyons
  • Patent number: 6375410
    Abstract: A frangible cover is provided for a recess in a containment case for turbofan engine blade removal and access. The recess provided in the containment case allows outward radial movement of the engine fan blade when the engine fan blade is to be removed from the containment case. The present invention proposes a frangible component to cover the recess. A plurality of initiation points, notched in the frangible cover at intersections of surfaces encourages brittle fracture of the frangible component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brian Ellis Clouse, Robert Armstrong Morse
  • Publication number: 20020028137
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a blower that improves the P-Q characteristic and reduces noise. An apparatus according to the present invention is a blower that sucks air inside through slits (6) provided in an annular wall (2), wherein the blade thickness near a blade end s is progressively reduced toward the front end, and the location F of the maximum thickness gradually moves back toward a blade trailing edge side u2 so as to make the blade advance angle near the front end larger than in other locations. In addition, the width of a slit is made wider in sections near a spacer than in other sections. Alternatively, notches are provided in the outer perimeter of annular plates near the spacers so as to reduce the radial length of the annular plates. This arrangement improves the P-Q characteristic and reduces noise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyasu Fujinaka, Shigeru Otsuka
  • Patent number: 6322321
    Abstract: A nozzle chamber warming-up structure comprises a ring mounted about a rotor of the turbine and defines an annular space surrounding the rotor. The annular spaced is divided by dividing walls into a plurality of steam chambers distributed circumferentially about the rotor, including first ad second upper steam chambers and at least one lower steam chamber. The dividing wall have holes such that steam supplied into the first upper steam chamber flows through the hole in one of the dividing walls into the one or more lower steam chambers, and then flows through The hole in another of the dividing walls into the second upper steam chamber. The steam that flows circumferentially around the ring and warms up the nozzle chamber uniformly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryotaro Magoshi, Takashi Nakano
  • Patent number: 6322318
    Abstract: A blower module which is sufficiently quiet to be placed in occupied buildings and not require the construction of a separate blower building; each blower module is a cylinder having conic drip cap on its top, a positive displacement blower, typically, a rotary piston or Roots type blower, and electric or otherwise powered motor to drive the blower, a labyrinth passage outlet silencer, and a labyrinth passage inlet silencer; and the blower module being shaped for sanitation, mechanical containment, noise abatement and stacking one blower on top of another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Inventor: Paul T. Radosevich
  • Patent number: 6318961
    Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide an axial-flow turbine having an improved efficiency. In addition, the assembly and dismantling possibilities are to be extended. According to the invention, this is achieved in that the parting seam (17) between the outer ring (12) of the nozzle ring (15) and the cover (8) is arranged on the moving-blade side of an imaginary plane (20) passing through the center of the gap width (19) of the axial gap (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri AG
    Inventor: Bent Phillipsen
  • Patent number: 6312217
    Abstract: A plurality of mounting holes 28 are bored in gas discharge channel 9a of turbine shroud 9 disposed on the inner periphery of turbine housing 1 on the opposite side to bearing housing. Screw holes 29 are constructed corresponding to mounting holes 28, in annular holder 12a formed in cover 12 so that gas discharge channel 9a can be inserted. Screw holes 29 are slightly offset from mounting holes 28 in the gas discharging direction. Stopping screws 30 with taper pins 30a tapered at tips thereof are screwed into screw holes 29, thereby taper pins 30a are inserted into mounting holes 28. Thus, the effects of thermal deformation of the turbine housing are prevented from directly acting on the turbine shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Ishikawajima-harima Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukio Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20010031198
    Abstract: A frangible cover is provided for a recess in a containment case for turbofan engine blade removal and access. The recess provided in the containment case allows outward radial movement of the engine fan blade when the engine fan blade is to be removed from the containment case. The present invention proposes a frangible component to cover the recess. A plurality of initiation points, notched in the frangible cover at intersections of surfaces encourages brittle fracture of the frangible component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Publication date: October 18, 2001
    Inventors: Brian Ellis Clouse, Robert Armstrong Morse
  • Patent number: 6270316
    Abstract: A pump with suction and delivery openings along the same axis, easy to dismantle, and consisting of a body (12), with an impeller (24) to which an actuator means (16) is connected, the body being provided on one side with a suction opening (19) and on the other with a delivery opening (20) positioned along the same axis, the body of the pump (12) having a cover (18) easily removable from below, since the body is placed on a raised base (13) open on one side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Termomeccanica S.p.A.
    Inventor: Massimo Precetti
  • Patent number: 6114773
    Abstract: A new hydraulic turbine assembly for deriving extra energy out of a conventional hydroelectric power generating system by incorporating a second turbine generator at the inlet from the reservoir. The inventive device includes a vertical water inlet pipe being extended into the water reservoir of a dam to deliver water to the conventional hydroelectric generating system. The vertical water inlet pipe has a water inlet point being positioned in the water reservoir to create an inlet free vortex formation. An outer housing tube having an inlet cone for collecting water from said inlet free vortex formation and an outlet draft in fluid communication with the vertical water inlet pipe to permit water to pass through the outer housing tube to the vertical water inlet pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Inventor: Paul S. Kouris
  • Patent number: 6019575
    Abstract: A turbine (18) of a gas turbine engine includes erosion energy dissipaters (44) which comprise of a plurality of inlet orifices (46) and a large diameter outlet orifice (48). The erosion energy dissipater reduces erosion of associated structure due to impingement of particulates entrained in airstreams. Various construction details are described to provide cooling air containing entrained particulates to the high pressure turbine case of a gas turbine engine without eroding the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Andrew P. Boursy
  • Patent number: 5988976
    Abstract: Scrolls separable radially, to enable cleaning and polishing of the inner surfaces of the throat area, are disclosed. In one of the embodiments, an inner structure of the scroll intrudes into the throat area for selectively reducing the area, in order that flow, pump head, and speed can be matched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Philip Anthony Mayleben
  • Patent number: 5961277
    Abstract: There is provided an inspection device and method for inspecting a pump having a casing defining an internal surface and a plurality of radially spaced diffuser vanes arranged within the casing. The inspection device includes an image providing apparatus for providing a remote picture of surfaces of the vanes and the internal surface of the casing, and a maneuverable carrier apparatus for carrying the image providing apparatus, which is sufficiently manoeuvrable to pass into a space defined between adjacent diffuser vanes and beyond.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Eskom
    Inventors: Philippe Rubbers, Nicolaas Stephanus Kruger
  • Patent number: 5913658
    Abstract: A turbine includes a plurality of inner shell sections mounting first and second stage nozzle and shroud portions. An outer housing surrounds the inner shell sections and includes at least two outer shell sections overlying the inner shell sections. The inner shell sections are releasably connected to one another and the outer shell sections are releasably connected to one another. Upon removing an outer shell section, an access opening is provided through which an uppermost inner shell section is removed. Rollers are provided between the lower outer and inner shell sections so that the lower inner shell section is rotated into the access opening and can be removed through the access opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: General Electric Co.
    Inventors: Brendan F. Sexton, Hans M. Knuijt, Sacheverel Q. Eldrid, Albert Myers, Kyle E. Coneybeer, David Martin Johnson, Iain R. Kellock
  • Patent number: 5813829
    Abstract: Manual rotation of a turbomachine rotor in order to bring the blades of the rotor one by one in front of an endoscope to check the blades is effected by a shaft which is rotatably connected to the rotor and which may be, for example, a shaft of the auxiliary equipment of the turbomachine, the shaft being manually rotatable by a driving shaft which is mounted in an opening in the casing housing the shaft and which is engageable with the shaft by self-disengaging coupling, a seal being provided between the driving shaft and the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Societe Nationale d'Etude et de Construction de Moteurs d'Aviation "Snecma"
    Inventor: Patrice Mazzotta
  • Patent number: 5573378
    Abstract: A nose cone on the fan of a gas turbine engine contains access holes that provide access to cap screws that hold the nose cone on the fan hub. The cap screws extend through an internal flange on the nose cone. A spring clip extends from the flange in a configuration that covers the access hole and holds the cap screw in the flange as the nose cone is installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: William K. Barcza
  • Patent number: 5545010
    Abstract: Trim balancing of rotating components in the past has increased manufacturing cost. In many past applications, the time and energy required to trim balance rotating components required partial disassembly of an outer case or structure member. The present trim balancing system allows the gas turbine engine to be balanced with the outer case in situ. Access to a rotating component from the exterior of the case is made possible by a compressor air flow path and a pair of holes. The balancing can be accomplished by adding or removing weights or plugs to a band assembled on the rotating component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Solar Turbines Incorporated
    Inventors: Philip J. Cederwall, Garrett P. Prins, Vern V. Leuven
  • Patent number: 5431534
    Abstract: A removable inspection hole plug for sealing a plurality of inspection holes formed in a double-walled enclosure is disclosed in which individual sealing units are disposed in each of the inspection holes, with the individual sealing units linked together by a link rod pivotally attached to each of the sealing units. A seal is provided on each of the sealing units which slideably engages a wall defining the inspection hole and the link rod may be attached to the sealing units by a ball and socket swivel joint. One of the sealing units is attached to a housing which is, in turn, removably attached to the enclosure such that the sealing unit may undergo limited axial movement relative to the housing. This accommodates differential thermal expansion between the walls of the enclosures and also facilitates removal of the inspection hole plug by merely unfastening the housing from the enclosure and removing the housing along with the sealing units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: (S.N.E.C.M.A.) Societe National d'Etude et de Construction de Moteurs d'Aviation
    Inventor: Jean-Louis Charbonnel
  • Patent number: 5362204
    Abstract: In a gas turbine having a blade carrier (2) which is suspended coaxially in a turbine casing (3), both the turbine casing and the blade carrier are provided with a horizontal junction plane. An exhaust gas casing (5), whose bounding walls consist essentially of an annular inner part on the hub side and an annular outer part (7), is gastightly connected by means of an annular flange (7A) to an annular flange (3A) of the turbine casing (3). Between the annular flanges a two-part separating ring (13) having at least one conically extending face (13A) is disposed. The angle of the conically extending face (13A) has a self-locking effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri Ltd.
    Inventors: Kamil Matyscak, Traugott Schmid
  • Patent number: 5269649
    Abstract: Pre-rotational swirl controller for rotary pumps having a flow duct enclosed by a casing and a plurality of guide vanes located substantially radially within it. Each of these has two bearings, i.e. one on a hub located centrally and one on a trunnion which passes through the casing and which is also acted upon by an adjusting device. The guide vanes can be radially assembled through the casing because, for each guide vane, there is a removal slot which is closed by a cap which carries the seal and the bearing for the guide-vane trunnion, these being designed so as to be tolerant of alignment errors. A self-locking setting gear with a large transmission ratio and a through drive shaft is provided for the adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: Halberg Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Ludwig Kiefer, Jorg Low, Horst Lottermoser, Kurt Muller
  • Patent number: 5232341
    Abstract: A pump impeller assembly comprises a pump journal, an impeller fixed to one end of the pump journal, and a pulley fixed to the other end of the pump journal. The pump impeller assembly further comprises a pump bearing including an outer race surrounding the pump journal with the pump journal being adapted to rotate with respect to the outer race. The pump impeller assembly includes a support plate fixed to the outer race and lying in a radial plane with respect to the pump journal. The support plate has a plurality of locking tabs adjoining its peripheral edge. The locking tabs are circumferentially spaced apart from one another with respect to the pump journal. The locking tabs are adapted to interlock with locking lugs formed on the inner surface of a pump housing wherein the locking lugs are adjacent to a pulley opening in the pump housing through which the pulley extends and are circumferentially spaced apart from one another with respect to the pulley opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Richard K. Shier, Robert J. White, Brent R. Behrman, Craig A. Diem, Cynthia A. Stuvel
  • Patent number: 5222862
    Abstract: A pressure relief diaphragm is associated with a turbine housing and is operable to relieve excessive pressure within the turbine housing to prevent damage to turbine blades. The pressure relief diaphragm includes a safety housing having a mounting flange thereon arranged to mate with a turbine flange so that the safety housing is positioned over a relief opening in the turbine housing. A first solid, frangible solid disc covers the relief opening in the turbine housing and has a peripheral portion interposed between the mounting flange on the safety housing and the turbine flange. A second solid disc is positioned in the relief opening in the turbine flange in abutting contact with the first solid disc. A first plurality of bolts secures the mounting flange on the safety housing to the turbine flange. Spring washers associated with the first plurality of bolts maintain the positional relationship between the safety housing and the turbine flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: John C. Groenendaal, Jr., Kuo P. Huang
  • Patent number: 5185941
    Abstract: A blower cleanout door assembly including a door panel pivotally connected to a blower housing for supporting a blower assembly including a blower wheel and motor for swinging movement of the door panel between a closed position covering a blower wheel opening in the housing with the blower wheel within the housing for operation and an open position in which the blower wheel is swung exteriorly of the blower housing out through the blower wheel opening for ease of cleaning the blower wheel and blower interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: Challenge Industries
    Inventor: Anthony A. Dongelmans
  • Patent number: 5152662
    Abstract: An inspection access feature suitable for use in an inspection aperture in the casing of a gas turbine engine. The feature comprises a body portion which locates in the aperture and a removable plug portion which locates in an aperture extending through the body portion. The plug portion prevents the leakage of gases from a gas passage within the casing. If the plug portion is inadvertently not fitted, gas leakage from the casing is prevented by a pivoted flap which pivots to block the aperture through the body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1992
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Roy T. Hirst, Gerard Sharkey
  • Patent number: 5141394
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for aligning and supporting vane segments in the turbine section of a gas turbine. According to the invention, the vane segments are supported and aligned to an inner cylinder. The apparatus features a plate, having threaded holes, which is fixed to the inner cylinder. A threaded plug, having an eccentric hole, is threaded into each threaded hole in the plate. A pin, having flats and a chamfer formed at one end, is inserted into the eccentric hole in the plug. At assembly, the plug is rotated in the threaded hole and the pin is rotated in the eccentric hole until the pin enters a slot in the inner shroud of the vane segment. The pin supports and aligns the vane segment by bearing against a side of the slot. The plug is locked in place by a nut threaded onto the plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1992
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: John P. Donlan
  • Patent number: 5085513
    Abstract: An apparatus for mixing powder and liquid together continuously comprises a housing (1) which has a conical surface (16), and a rotor (7) which is journalled for rotation in the housing and which has a conical surface (9). The housing has provided therein a liquid inlet (20) through which liquid is delivered to a gap between the conical housing and rotor surfaces, and a powder inlet (12) through which powder is delivered to the upper surface (8a) of the rotor. As the rotor rotates, a liquid film is formed on the conical housing surface while, at the same time, powder is thrown onto the liquid film with the aid of rotor-carried guide vanes (10). The mixture is worked and pressed out through an outlet (30) by wing-like elements (11) carried by the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1992
    Inventor: Nemo Ivarson
  • Patent number: 5066193
    Abstract: The disclosure is related to centrifugal water pumps and consists of a union of lateral suction and support covers with the water pump housing by a plurality of non-screwing pressure elements and of an external gasket adjustment mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1991
    Assignee: Bombas Auriferas & Equipos Mineros B.A.E M., C.A.
    Inventors: Mariano Travanti Corinti, Giovanni Nepi Campitelli
  • Patent number: 5049031
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system for facilitating the removal of the lantern ring and packing in pump assemblies. Previously a steel hook was used to scrape away the worn packing. The present invention provides a series of cables extending through the lantern ring which permit the lantern ring and packing to be easily pulled out when replacement is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: Zee Impeller Breaker Inc.
    Inventors: William Mintenko, Frank Protz
  • Patent number: 5044883
    Abstract: A water pump for an internal combustion engine is provided comprising a pump holder and a pump block. The pump block includes a pump mount having a shaft passing therethrough terminating in an impeller. The pump block is mounted to the holder via a quick release, bayonet type coupling with the pump mounted sealed to the holder. A snap fitting locking ring locks the block to the holder and prevents disconnecting the coupling by blocking reverse rotation of the block relative to said holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Inventor: Ludwig Neueder
  • Patent number: 4979872
    Abstract: The support structure for the bearing compartment for a gas turbine engine includes eight radial tie bolts connected with the clevis wherein the outer diameter clevis is connected to the mount ring with an accessible bolt for easy assembly and disassembly. The tie bolts, while preloaded in tension, can accept compressive loads during severe loading operation conditions. The turbine exhaust case housing the tie bolts and bearing compartment are designed to facilitate cooling and maintainability at reduced costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1990
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Richard S. Myers, Perry P. Sifford
  • Patent number: 4976585
    Abstract: A system for the rapid balancing of revolving shafts, in particular, the revolving shaft of a gas turbine. The system comprises two mutually adjacent bores provided in the stator of the turbine, which can be closed by relevant plugs, and which are collimated on the screw-threaded bores of the rotor. The system also comprises a special rigid rod for elastically holding a screw-threaded balancing mass, and for causing it to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1990
    Assignee: Nuovopignone-Industrie Meccaniche e Fonderia S.p.A.
    Inventors: Vasco Mezzedimi, Franco Frosini
  • Patent number: 4955789
    Abstract: A duplex turbine replacement unit to up-grade an obsolete or worn out quad turbine unit and thereby obtain enhanced power plant operational and output efficiencies, while at the same time providing a turbine profile and method of installation wherein the duplex turbine replacement unit hereof conveniently adapts to utilizing the existing draft tube discharge floor holes as originally provided for the replaced quad turbine unit draft tube discharges thereby eliminating the extensive and expensive civil engineering site modification and re-work that would otherwise be necessary with conventional commercially available up-grading replacement turbine units, in addition to also providing a turbine replacement unit having an internally housed and protected wicket gate adjustment mechanism which thereby substantially reduces the hazard of damage thereto by entrained debris in the turbine water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1990
    Assignee: American Hydro Corporation
    Inventors: Selim A. Chacour, William H. Colwill
  • Patent number: 4932836
    Abstract: A pump having a heat exchanger including a rotating baffle sleeve secured to the pump shaft. A seal baffle on the rotating baffle sleeve extends over the pump seal assembly cartridge. A cooling cylinder containing circulating component cooling water is suspended within the rotating baffle sleeve and defines a flow passageway therein for cooling heated product water, before the product water contacts the shaft seal. A seal injector distributor ring uniformly distributes seal injection water to the seal. A thermal shield in the heat exchanger reduces thermal stresses in the heat exchanger. A slotted or grooved keyway spacer ring facilitates replacement and alignment of a hydrostatic bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1990
    Assignee: BW/IP International, Inc.
    Inventor: Clark S. Boster
  • Patent number: 4927323
    Abstract: A radical flow mechanism is provided having a symmetric housing assembly defining a hollow rotor chamber. A symmetric shaft and rotor assembly is supported for rotation in the rotor chamber. A plurality of radial flow paths are defined by the rotor and the housing assembly. The assembled module may be powered by a pressurized motive fluid that flows radially inward to rotate the rotor. Alternatively, the rotor may be driven by an external power source so that a working fluid increases in potential energy as it moves centrifugally outward. The assembled module is symmetric about the rotor member so that the rotor can be orientated for either direction of rotation and so that power takeoff or power connection can be to either side of the module. Also, the module is constructed so that the seals are located at an interface having a low pressure differential and the bearings are located adjacent an area encouraging heat dissipation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1990
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventor: Robert R. Kimberlin
  • Patent number: 4900342
    Abstract: A quick connect, disconnect connection between elements of a blower-filter system which makes use of adjacent compatible VELCRO strips on each element to be connected and a VELCRO tape which joins the two parts together by use of the VELCRO strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1990
    Inventor: Charles W. Spengler