For Adjustment Of Runner, Shaft, Vane Or Blade Patents (Class 415/48)
  • Patent number: 11629729
    Abstract: A pump, in particular for a fluid circuit in a vehicle, for example a coolant pump with a multi-part housing that has a pump chamber, wherein an impeller is arranged in the pump chamber, wherein the pump chamber is bounded by a pump housing and a further housing part of the multi-part housing, wherein the pump housing and the further housing part each have a flange surface that rest against one another, and wherein one of the two flange surfaces has at least one annular groove and the other of the two flange surfaces has at least one circumferential web which engages in the annular groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Hella GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Theodor Hueser, Ciprian Ionel Ivanut, Thorsten Wille-Riess
  • Patent number: 11624297
    Abstract: A turbine exhaust unit supporting device that supports a turbine exhaust unit is provided. The turbine exhaust unit supporting device installed at a rear side of a turbine casing to support a turbine exhaust unit through which exhaust gas passing through a turbine is discharged, the supporting device includes a casing supporting block unit installed on an outer circumferential surface of the turbine casing, an exhaust unit supporting block unit spaced apart from the casing supporting block unit and installed on an outer circumferential surface of the turbine exhaust unit, and a rotary coupler including a first end rotatably coupled to the casing supporting block unit and a second end rotatably coupled to the exhaust unit supporting block unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Inventors: Young Do Lee, Young Chan Yang
  • Patent number: 11085319
    Abstract: A system for controlling gas turbine engine rotor blades tip clearance is described. A rotor is mounted to an engine shaft, supported by a thrust bearing, for rotation within a gas path shroud circumscribing blades of the rotor, the gas path shroud having a non-cylindrical shape in the vicinity of the rotor blades. A rotary actuator is associated with the thrust bearing and configured for axial translation of the thrust bearing, to thereby axially translate the engine shaft and the rotor blades relative to the gas path shroud. This translation is configured to vary the blade tip clearance of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Timothy Redford, David Menheere, Richard Kostka
  • Patent number: 10927700
    Abstract: A variable geometry assembly for modulating a fluid flow in a turbomachine is disclosed. The assembly comprises a first ring having a plurality of first wedge-shaped elements and having an axis, and a second ring having a plurality of second wedge-shaped elements and having an axis. The second ring is substantially coaxial to the first ring. The second wedge-shaped elements co-act with the first wedge-shaped elements. Flow passages are defined between pairs of sequentially arranged first wedge-shaped elements and second wedge-shaped elements. The first ring and the second ring are angularly displaceable one with respect to the other. Moreover, the first ring and the second ring are configured to move axially with respect to one another when the first ring and the second ring are angularly displaced one with respect to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: NUOVO PIGNONE TECNOLOGIE SRL
    Inventor: Federico Florindo
  • Patent number: 10731654
    Abstract: A coolant pump for an internal combustion engine. The coolant pump includes a delivery duct, a drive shaft, a coolant pump impeller arranged on the drive shaft to rotate therewith and to convey a coolant, and an adjustable control slide which controls a throughflow cross-section of an annular gap arranged between an outlet of the coolant pump impeller and the surrounding delivery duct. The control slide comprises a first pressure chamber arranged on a side of the control slide facing away from the coolant pump impeller and a second pressure chamber arranged opposite thereto. A control pump includes a control pump impeller arranged at the drive shaft to rotate therewith. A connecting duct fluidically connects the flow duct to the second pressure chamber. A pressure duct fluidically connects the flow duct outlet to the first pressure chamber. A valve opens and closes a throughflow cross-section of the pressure duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: PIERBURG GMBH
    Inventors: Stephan Zielberg, Michael-Thomas Benra, Andreas Burger, Martin Nowak, Stefan Rothgang
  • Patent number: 10662881
    Abstract: A method for operating a gas turbine plant having a compressor and a turbine, where a limit value of a guide blade adjustment for the compressor of the gas turbine is identified depending on at least one drive shaft speed of the gas turbine plant. For the at least one drive shaft speed, a maximum allowable turbine entry temperature corresponding to the limit value of the guide vane adjustment for the compressor or a maximum allowable temperature for the turbine of the gas turbine, which is dependent on the turbine entry temperature, is identified. The gas turbine is operated in consideration of the identified maximum allowable turbine entry temperature or the identified maximum allowable temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rebecca Dierkes, Thorsten Engler, Markus Gorynski, Ansgar Sternemann
  • Patent number: 9206744
    Abstract: A system includes a gas turbine engine, which includes a compressor configured to generate compressed air and a turbine. The turbine includes a stationary component and a conduit configured to convey the compressed air from the compressor to the stationary component in a forward direction. The gas turbine engine also includes a flow control device coupled to the conduit. The conduit is configured to convey a gas path air from the stationary component in a reverse direction opposite from the forward direction when the flow control device is in a startup mode. The gas turbine engine also includes a shaft coupled to the compressor and the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Jaime Javier Maldonado, Sandip Dutta
  • Patent number: 9175576
    Abstract: A turbomachine, particularly a steam turbine, is provided. The turbomachine includes a machine housing and a shaft, which is guided through and guided out of the machine housing, at least on one side, wherein at least one annular gap present between the shaft and the machine housing is sealed by way of a shaft sealing assembly, wherein the shaft sealing assembly includes at least one radial double seal having two pairs of sealing surface pairs, which are spaced apart substantially radially and between which an annular sealing liquid chamber is formed, which can be supplied with sealing liquid via a sealing liquid feed line, wherein each sealing surface pair has an annular rotating sealing surface and an annular non-rotating sealing surface, which are arranged substantially axially opposite of each other and prestressed with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Dirk Grieshaber
  • Patent number: 9163557
    Abstract: A turbocharger, comprising: at least one of a turbine housing, a bearing housing and a turbine wheel, wherein the turbine wheel is rotatably mounted about an axis and includes a guide apparatus with a plurality of guide vanes rotatably mounted in pivot bearings on a guide vane support, wherein the guide vanes influence the flow in a flow channel of the turbine housing; and a spring element, which moveably loads the guide apparatus in an axial direction against a wall of the turbine housing, and wherein the disc springs seal a displacement chamber provided with a displacement mechanism of the guide apparatus against the flow channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Bosch Mahle Turbo Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dirk Blümmel, Claus Fleig, Matthias Stein, Andreas Wengert
  • Patent number: 9127564
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the disclosure, an annular seal generally includes a hollow member having two ends and an inner surface. The hollow member has a number of depressions formed in and extending around its inner surface. Each of the depressions having a depth that is a function of its distance from one of the two ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventor: Dara W. Childs
  • Publication number: 20150110595
    Abstract: A method for adjusting a barometric cell may include coupling the barometric cell to a control device via an actuating rod. The actuating rod may be movably mounted on a charging device in any desired position. The method may include applying a freely selectable pressure to the barometric cell so as to bring the actuating rod into contact with a stop, adjusting the barometric cell until a sensor registers a predefined value, and fixing the barometric cell on the charging device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Jochen Schaeflein, Andreas Gail, Cgristian Rothe, Stefan Landerer, Anatolij Martens, Jochen Laubender, Stefan Bedoe, Christian Peschke, Jens Kreth, Alina Krause
  • Publication number: 20150063979
    Abstract: A fan frame and a fan having temperature detecting element are provided. The fan frame includes a body and a circuit board. The body includes an inlet. The circuit board is installed around the inlet of the body. The temperature detecting element traverses the inlet. The first wire electrically connects the first contact end and the first external contact terminal. The second wire electrically connects the second contact end and the second external contact terminal. At least one of the first wire and the second wire includes a plurality of bending sections. By utilizing the bending sections of the first wire or the second wire, the length of the first wire or the second wire can be increased. Therefore, the influence in the temperature detecting element caused by the circuit board can be lowered and the error of the detecting temperature can be decreased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: MING-SHENG WANG, YUNG-HUI WU, SZU-YING TU
  • Patent number: 8905705
    Abstract: An omni-directional air flow device, for example, a fan or a vent associated with a fan, comprises a swivel control point providing almost a spherical range of motion of the air flow device so that air may flow in any direction. The omni-directional air flow device may comprise a user input device for receiving a program for controlling movement of the air flow device through a pre-determined path within the spherical range of motion and for controlling air flow velocity as the air flow device follows the pre-determined path. Moreover, the device may further comprise a controller and memory for storing data representing the pre-determined path and varying air flow velocities along the path. When provided with temperature and humidity sensors coupled to the processor, the processor may calculate a comfort index and adjust the pre-determined path or air flow velocity accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Inventor: Norial P. Bain
  • Patent number: 8909454
    Abstract: A compression system includes a compressor with adjustable inlet guide vanes (IGVs) and variable stator vanes (VSVs) that are adjustable independently of each other. IGV and VSV control units produce respective IGV and VSV reference commands responsive to respective first and second inputs that may be responsive to measured properties of the compression system. The second input may be provided by a model of the compressor or of the compression system responsive to measured properties. The second input may particularly be an estimate of a property not directly observable, such as stall margin or efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Karl Dean Minto
  • Patent number: 8740548
    Abstract: A compressor variable stator vane arrangement comprises at least one stage of variable stator vanes. A speed sensor measures the rotational speed of the compressor rotor. A pressure sensor measures the outlet pressure of the compressor. A second pressure sensor, a temperature sensor and a third pressure sensor measure the total inlet pressure, the temperature and the ambient pressure at the inlet of the gas turbine engine. A processor determines a target operating line as a function of ambient pressure and total inlet pressure. The target operating line is defined to ensure the gas turbine engine operates simultaneously at both the minimum required compressor speed and the minimum required compressor outlet pressure when commanded to idle to minimize idle thrust and fuel burn. The processor determines if the operating point of the compressor, defined in terms of corrected outlet pressure and corrected rotational speed of the compressor rotor is above or below the target operating line of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: Arthur L. Rowe, Marc Pons Perez, Cerith Davies
  • Patent number: 8696303
    Abstract: A feathering device for the fan blades of a turboprop engine that includes at least one set of fan blades with adjustable orientation is provided. The assembly is attached in rotation to a rotating cowling connected to a turbine rotor. Each blade is coupled, for the adjustment of its orientation, to a control ring that is movable between two extreme positions, one of which corresponds to feathering of the blades. Mechanical parts are able to extend elastically as a result of a rise in their temperature, these mechanical parts being positioned facing the control ring so as to be able to exert a thrust force on the ring in order to put it in a position to feather the blades when they expand. A device to cause a rise in the temperature of the mechanical parts so as to expand them is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventor: Francois Gallet
  • Patent number: 8689552
    Abstract: A centrifugal compressor is provided with: a housing which houses a compressor wheel therein; a spiral scroll arranged in an outer periphery of the compressor wheel; and a diffuser portion provided as a path space communicating with the scroll from an outlet side of the compressor wheel and formed by a compressor housing and a center housing. The centrifugal compressor is also provided with a movable vane which is movable between a projecting position where the movable vane projects from the compressor housing and a housing position where the movable vane houses in a housing portion provided in compressor housing, and an actuator which drives the movable vane between the projecting position and the housing position. The actuator is provided in the center housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akitoshi Iwata
  • Patent number: 8657558
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and products are disclosed for improving the airflow exiting a blower that has one or more adjustable guide vanes that are affixed to the blower at one or more pivot points located in an outlet of the blower that include: determining a rotational speed of an impeller in the blower and adjusting a position of at least one of the adjustable guide vanes in dependence upon the rotational speed of the impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael S. June, Jason A. Matteson, Mark E. Steinke
  • Patent number: 8651798
    Abstract: A kinetic hydropower generation system has a turbine and a generator coupled to the turbine. An underwater intake nozzle assembly is fluidly coupled to the turbine. For one embodiment, an underwater tower nozzle may be fluidly coupled between the turbine and the underwater intake nozzle assembly. The underwater intake nozzle assembly may include a collector and a converging nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Sheer Wind, Inc.
    Inventor: Daryoush Allaei
  • Patent number: 8641361
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and products are disclosed for improving the airflow exiting a blower that has one or more adjustable guide vanes that are affixed to the blower at one or more pivot points located in an outlet of the blower that include: determining a rotational speed of an impeller in the blower and adjusting a position of at least one of the adjustable guide vanes in dependence upon the rotational speed of the impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael S. June, Jason A. Matteson, Mark E. Steinke
  • Patent number: 8608428
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a submersible centrifugal pump assembly comprising an impeller suspended in the end of a drive shaft, and driven in rotation relative to an impeller seat which is stationary in normal operation and which defines an axial intake for liquid to be transported by the impeller in rotation. The pump assembly is characterized in that the impeller seat is journalled in a pump housing for limited rotational movements in opposite directions of rotation relative to the pump housing, and in rotation controlled in guide means for limited linear displacements in opposite axial directions relative to the impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Xylem IP Holdings LLC
    Inventor: Patrik Andersson
  • Publication number: 20130294885
    Abstract: A fluid turbine apparatus for use with a turbine comprising a convergent section, a fluid turbine section adjacent to an outlet of the convergent section, and a divergent section adjacent to the fluid turbine section. The fluid enters through the convergent section and exits through the divergent section. The convergent and divergent sections are constructed using a modular grid-like structure supporting retractable wall panels. The internal vacuum created by the diffuser and the wind shear stresses on the convergent and divergent sections can be limited. Configurations of the convergent and divergent sections can be adjusted to suit prevailing wind velocities. Barriers of rotating deflectors are used to increase the effective area of the convergent and divergent sections during low wind conditions. Horizontally mounted aerodynamic deflectors may be used to decrease wind shear and drag on the divergent section, the turbine section, and on side walls of the convergent section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: ORGANOWORLD INC.
    Inventor: Frederic Churchill
  • Patent number: 8491253
    Abstract: A turbine is operatively connected to load structure, to transmit rotary drive thereto, with two-phase flow nozzle receiving pressurized flow to rotate the turbine, the nozzle structure configured to expand flow consisting of two or more of the following phases: i) gas ii) liquid iii) gas and liquid mixture iv) supercritical gas and liquid mixture, and with efficient conversion of enthalpy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Energent Corporation
    Inventors: Lance G. Hays, Phillip R. Welch
  • Publication number: 20130101391
    Abstract: A self-adjusting device (25) for controlling the clearance (C), especially in the radial direction, between rotating and stationary components (21, 23) of a thermally loaded turbo machine, changes clearance (C) in a linear and/or non-linear way during transition of the machine between standstill and steady-state operation. Simple and effective control can be achieved, even in the case of a nonlinear variation of the clearance during transitional operation, by the self-adjusting device (25) including at least two different driving elements (A, B) to move the rotating and fixed components (21, 23) relative to each other in order to change the clearance (C) between them, and by the different driving elements (A, B) being configured to be activated at different times during the transition of the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: ALSTOM Technology Ltd.
    Inventor: ALSTOM Technology Ltd.
  • Publication number: 20120269613
    Abstract: A system adjusts positions of gas turbine inlet guide vanes (IGVs) and variable stator vanes (VSVs). The system includes a hydraulic power unit providing a supply of hydraulic fluid, an IGV servo in fluid communication with the hydraulic power unit, and a VSV servo in fluid communication with the hydraulic power unit. An IGV cylinder set is provided in fluid communication with the hydraulic power unit via the IGV servo and is connected to the IGVs. The IGV cylinder set effects displacement of the IGVs between a closed position and a fully open position. A VSV cylinder set is provided in fluid communication with the hydraulic power unit via the VSV servo. The VSVs include multiple stages linked together with a torque shaft. The VSV cylinder set is connected to the torque shaft, and the VSV cylinder set effects simultaneous displacement of the stages of the VSVs between a closed position and a fully open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventors: Jeffrey Patrick Mills, Jeffrey Mark Ruddy
  • Patent number: 8257021
    Abstract: A gas-turbine engine includes stator vanes (1) angularly variable about their longitudinal axes by actuating elements in order to control airflow supplied to downstream rotor blades (6). The actuating elements are arranged in the most confined downstream stages of the compressors and/or turbines, with these stages being exposed to high temperatures, so that stable and efficient operation is ensured. The actuating elements (8) fixed to the inner or the outer casing (4, 12) are made of a material expanding, contracting or deforming in dependence of the temperature and transmit the respective deformation to the swivellably borne stator vanes (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Rolls Royce Deutschland Ltd Co KG
    Inventor: Stuart Lee
  • Patent number: 8240991
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for operating a wind turbine is disclosed. For operating the wind turbine a set of operational data points are sensed via a sensing module. The set of operational data points may include bending stress values. Based on the bending stress values, a load scenario indicator value may be computed. Further, based on the set of operational data points a loading threshold value may be obtained. At least one operating parameter of the wind turbine is changed if the load scenario indicator value exceeds the loading threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Matthijs Leonardus Gerardus Boerlage, Leonardo Cesar Kammer
  • Patent number: 8177476
    Abstract: A system, in certain embodiments, includes a magnetic actuator configured to adjust a radial clearance between a housing and rotary blades via translational movement along a rotational axis. The system includes a controller configured to engage the magnetic actuator to adjust the radial clearance in response to feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Philip L. Andrew, James M. Fogarty
  • Patent number: 8172529
    Abstract: Operations of a turbine to generate energy from a relatively slow fluid flow, such as wind and water, are described. The turbine has a plurality of foils rotating about a central axis at a rotational velocity, each of the foils having a length and a foil axis parallel to the length and the central axis with each of the foils rotatable about its foil axis. From determinations of a velocity of the fluid flow, and angular location of each foil and the rotational velocity about the central axis, an attack angle of each foil is controlled with respect to the direction of fluid flow about the foil axis responsive to the velocity of the fluid flow, the angular location of the foil and the rotational velocity as the foil rotates about the central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Lonestar Inventions LP
    Inventor: Osman Ersed Akcasu
  • Patent number: 8109722
    Abstract: A turbine for use with a turbine generator, the turbine including at least one turbine blade for positioning in a flowpath, a hub mounting the at least one turbine blade, and a rotatable shaft in operational communication with the hub via a hinge assembly, an axis of the hub being independent of an axis of the shaft. The hinge assembly is disposed between the shaft and the hub and configured to adjust an angle therebetween. A controller assembly is configured to adjust at least one operational characteristic of the hinge assembly during turbine operation. In one embodiment the operational characteristic is a teeter angle of the hinge assembly. In one embodiment operational characteristic is a stiffness or damping force. Methods for using and controlling a fluid turbine are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Nordic Windpower Ltd.
    Inventors: Charles R. Gamble, Steve Taber
  • Patent number: 8043054
    Abstract: A monitoring system for a wind turbine includes at least one acoustic sensor configured to measure an acoustic emission generated by at least one component of the wind turbine, and a control system configured to calculate at least one wear characteristic of the component based on the measured acoustic emission. The wear characteristic includes at least one of a current amount of wear on the component, a rate of wear on the component, and a predicted amount of wear on the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mallikarjuna Reddy D, Sujan Kumar Pal, Narasimhamurthy Raju Nadampalli
  • Patent number: 8043045
    Abstract: Actuators utilising shape memory alloy materials are known with regard to gas turbine engines. Such shape memory alloys have been used with respect to deformation provided in vanes and blades as well as nozzle elements in order that variations can be made in engine configuration dependent upon thermal cycling. Unfortunately, pedestals in order to provide spacing between the shape memory alloy and an antagonistic bias has resulted in uneven stress distribution as well as a higher thermal mass for the shape memory alloy. An uneven stress distribution will limit operational life whilst a higher thermal mass will result in slower reaction times. By separation of the shape memory alloy or material from its antagonistic bias through use of a slide element, a reduction in thermal mass is achieved and, more importantly, stress differentiation across the actuator is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Daniel Clark, John R Webster
  • Patent number: 8021103
    Abstract: A pressure activated flow path seal for a steam turbine is disclosed. In one embodiment a gap closure component is located about a rotary component and the stationary component of the steam turbine. A pressure differential activates the gap closure component to seal or reduce the radial clearance of a steam leakage path between the rotary component and the stationary component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Fred Thomas Willett, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20110215582
    Abstract: A wind turbine unit for generating electricity in a confined space includes a pair of sails carried at either end of a pair of spaced, axially aligned rotatable arms mounted to the drive shaft of an electrical generator. As the prevailing wind strikes the sails in opposite directions, one of the sails is moved to a vertical position while the other sail is moved to a horizontal position. The wind incident on the then vertical sail causes the arms to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the generator and the sails are alternatively raised and lowered between a vertical and a horizontal position so that one of the sails is vertical while the other is horizontal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventor: Jorge Parera
  • Patent number: 8007228
    Abstract: A wind guiding cover, mounted on a fan, includes a rotating ring and a plurality of slats. The rotating ring is pivoted to the fan, and has an opening for an air flow generated by the fan to pass through. The rotating ring has a weight portion for offsetting the center of gravity of the rotating ring and normally maintaining the rotating ring at a static equilibrium position. The slats are pivoted to the rotating ring and arranged at the opening. When the fan operates, the slats are lifted by the air flow to open the opening. When the fan stops operating, the slats cover the opening under the gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Inventec Corporation
    Inventor: Chen-Ho Wang
  • Patent number: 7950901
    Abstract: A system and method provide a proactive mechanism to control pitching of the blades of a wind turbine to compensate for rotor imbalance during normal operation by pitching the blades individually or asymmetrically, based on turbulent wind gust measurements in front of the rotor, determined before it reaches the rotor blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Corneliu Barbu, Parag Vyas
  • Publication number: 20110058930
    Abstract: A pump/motor includes a stator (10) having an interior profile surface and a rotor having an exterior profile surface. The stator tube is formed from the sheet metal spiral round to generate an interior profile, with an adjacent edge of the spiral wound sheet being secured together. Substantially uniform thickness elastomeric layer (20) form down interior surface of the stator tube. A rotor (30) is rotatable within the stator tube and the elastomeric layer of an operation of pump/motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: Robbins & Myers Energy Systems L.P.
    Inventor: Iain R. Belcher
  • Patent number: 7811048
    Abstract: A turbine-intake tower for delivering wind to a turbine has a hollow support column, an intake nozzle assembly rotatably coupled to the support column, and a tower nozzle disposed within the support column. The intake nozzle assembly is configured to receive and to accelerate wind. The tower nozzle is configured to receive the wind from the intake nozzle assembly and to further accelerate the wind received from the intake nozzle assembly for delivery to the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Quality Research, Development & Consulting, Inc.
    Inventor: Daryoush Allaei
  • Patent number: 7766601
    Abstract: A vertical-axis wind turbine which has a central rotary tower upon which are fixed substantially vertical blades. The blades are capable of rotating and moving radially relative to the central tower, the movement of each blade being independently controlled based on the conditions to which it is constantly subjected so as to optimize the overall performance of the wind turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Vimak
    Inventor: Firmiliano M. Vida Marques
  • Publication number: 20100111669
    Abstract: Variable phase turbine apparatus comprising, in combination a rotatably driven load structure, defining an axis, confinement means forming a fluid flow passage extending generally axially and adjacent said load structure, a turbine operatively connected to said load structure, to transmit rotary drive thereto, two-phase flow nozzle means receiving pressurized flow via said passage, and directing flow of fluid from said passage, expanded in the nozzle means, at the turbine to rotate the turbine, the nozzle means configured to expand flow consisting of two or more of the following phases: v) gas vi) liquid vii) gas and liquid mixture viii) supercritical gas and liquid mixture, and with efficient conversion of enthalpy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Lance G. Hays, Phillip R. Welch
  • Publication number: 20100104416
    Abstract: A thermally-activated flow clearance reduction for a steam turbine is disclosed. In one embodiment a gap closure component is located about a rotary component and a stationary component of the steam turbine. A temperature differential activates the gap closure component to seal or reduce the radial clearance of the steam flow path between the rotary component and the stationary component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Fred Thomas Willett, JR.
  • Patent number: 7686572
    Abstract: A pump for the drawing-in of a fluid, including at least one centrifugal wheel having a fluid inlet edge and a fluid outlet edge, the pump further including an axial balancing system with a high-pressure flow space defined between the housing and an upstream face of the centrifugal wheel. The axial balancing system further includes a device for substantially increasing the hydrostatic pressure of the fluid circulating in the high-pressure flow space during operation of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Fabien Wahl, Francois Danguy, Stephane Laffite, Philippe Bourdin
  • Publication number: 20090256359
    Abstract: A wind power installation module comprising wind turbines arranged on a support body, each of the wind turbines comprises a rotor with a certain number of blades, a stator supporting the rotor in such a way that the rotor may rotate on the turbine axis for generating electric energy and a shroud extending circumferentially around the stator and the rotor and supporting the stator so as to define an air channel of a certain air channel diameter at an inlet portion of the shroud. The shroud has a maximum outer diameter such that the air channel diameter is comprised in the range from 0.82 to 0.9 times the maximum outer diameter. Furthermore, the shroud has a length in direction of the turbine axis that is comprised in the range from 0.1 to 0.25 times the outer diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: MMI TRUST HOLDING S.A.
    Inventors: Alexander Bruk, Vladislav Reger, Franc Smidt
  • Publication number: 20090245997
    Abstract: (A1) A turbofan engine control system is provided for managing a fan operating line. The engine (10) includes a spool having a turbine housed in a core nacelle (12). A turbofan (20) is coupled to the spool (14). A fan nacelle (34) surrounds the turbofan and core nacelle and provides a bypass flow path having a nozzle exit area (40). A controller (50) is programmed to effectively change the nozzle exit area in response to an undesired turbofan stability margin which may result in a stall or flutter condition. In one example, the physical nozzle exit area is increased at the undesired stability condition in which the airflow into the engine creates a destabilizing pressure gradient at the inlet side of the turbofan. A turbofan pressure ratio, turbofan pressure gradient, low spool speed and throttle position are monitored to determine the undesired turbofan stability margin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: Wayne Hurwitz, Glenn Levasseur
  • Publication number: 20090097962
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for effectively removing ice that may have formed on gas turbine engine compressor inlet guide vanes and/or preventing, or at least inhibiting, reformation of ice on gas turbine engine compressor inlet guide vanes after the ice has been removed. A determination is made as to whether flow through the compressor is below a predetermined flow value. If the flow through the compressor is below the predetermined flow value, then the inlet guide vanes are repeatedly moved between at least two predetermined positions to remove ice and/or prevent, or at least inhibit, reformation of ice on the inlet guide vanes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Darrell R. Williams
  • Publication number: 20090087301
    Abstract: A multidirectional hydrokinetic power generating turbine has an impeller housing with one or more impellers disposed within the impeller housing, one or more adjustable ducts pivotally connected to the impeller housing, and a plurality of duct leafs disposed about the one or more ducts. The plurality of duct leafs articulate and cause the one or more adjustable ducts to converge and diverge to selectively disposing a fluid about the one or more impellers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventor: Wayne F. Krouse
  • Publication number: 20090060707
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for effectively removing ice that may have formed on gas turbine engine compressor inlet guide vanes and/or preventing, or at least inhibiting, reformation of ice on gas turbine engine compressor inlet guide vanes after the ice has been removed. A determination is made as to whether actual inlet guide vane position differs from the commanded inlet guide vane position by a predetermined amount. If so, then the inlet guide vanes are repeatedly commanded to move in at least two predetermined directions to remove ice that may have formed on the inlet guide vanes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Darrell R. Williams
  • Publication number: 20080240902
    Abstract: A method for detecting rubbing between components in a steam turbine, the method includes: sensing a temperature at a plurality of locations on a casing of the steam turbine; comparing the sensed temperatures of the plurality of locations; detecting the rubbing between the components if one of the plurality of locations has a higher sensed temperature than the sensed temperature at the other plurality of locations, and reporting the rub as being at a location near the one of the plurality of locations having the higher sensed temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Gregory Edward Cooper
  • Patent number: 7422414
    Abstract: An IGV opening command is set based on an IGV opening A set by an exhaust gas temperature control section, an IGV opening B set by a compressor surge protective control section, and an IGV opening C set by an exhaust gas pressure protective control section. The value of the IGV opening A, or the value of the IGV opening B, whichever is higher, is selected, the higher selected value, or the value of the IGV opening C, whichever is lower, is selected, and the lower selected value is set as the IGV opening command (gas turbine back pressure rise avoidance priority mode). Alternatively, the value of the IGV opening A, or the value of the IGV opening C, whichever is lower, is selected, the lower selected value, or the value of the IGV opening B, whichever is higher, is selected, and the higher selected value is set as the IGV opening command (compressor surge avoidance priority mode). Alternatively, a switcher switches between these modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kentaro Fujii, Kozo Toyama
  • Patent number: 7393179
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for permitting free rotation of turbine nozzle vanes, while minimizing or eliminating leakage on the vane side-walls. The device incorporates a plurality of nozzle vanes arranged around the circumference of a radial or mixed inflow turbine. Each of the nozzles is individually attached to a rod positioned perpendicular to the flow direction. The nozzle rods in the circumferential array protrude through a movable annular back-wall, and are rotated by a linkage or gear. Between discrete movements of the vane mechanism, a bellows device is used to provide pressure-actuated force in the movable back-wall, thereby clamping the nozzle between the two surfaces. Prior to rotating the nozzles, pressure within the bellows interior is decreased via venting to cause a retraction of the back wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Brayton Energy, LLC
    Inventors: James B. Kesseli, Ward H. Robinson, Antoine H. Corbeil