Abstract: A fan control method, apparatus, and system, so as to implement speed regulation and rotation direction control on a four-wire system counter-rotating fan with a conventional four-wire fan interface by using a PWM control bus. The method provided by the embodiments of the present invention includes: receiving a first fan regulation and control signal sent by a system control module; converting the first fan regulation and control signal to a forward-rotating control signal, a counter-rotating control signal, or a rotation direction switchover control signal according to a duty cycle range of the first fan regulation and control signal and a current rotation direction of the fan; and sending a control signal obtained by the conversion to a fan driving module, so that the fan driving module drives, according to the control signal obtained by the conversion, the fan to operate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements in the art of operating large heat chambers so as to reduce both the time and the cost required for heating materials. More specifically, the modified heat chamber of the present invention provides a programmable control mechanism capable of significantly reducing areas with temperature variations or hot and cold spots. A programmable heat chamber leads to significant reductions in the required processing time and in the cost of the required energy.

Abstract: A method of controlling the angular orientation of at least one variable fluidfoil. The method includes the steps of receiving detected fluidfoil angular orientation data for the at least one fluidfoil; receiving a fluidfoil angular orientation demand; generating a modified angular orientation demand by modifying the fluidfoil angular orientation demand before it is used to control adjustment of the at least one fluidfoil, the modification being performed using the detected fluidfoil angular orientation data; and outputting the modified demand and controlling the at least one fluidfoil angular orientation in accordance with the modified demand.

Abstract: A blower fan unit includes a housing, a fan, a support unit to support the housing rotatably, and a exhaust tube projecting from the outlet, the exhaust tube producing a reaction force by guiding the airflow toward an upstream side of movement of the peripheral surface synchronized with rotation of the housing, the reaction force rotating the housing toward a downstream side of the movement of the peripheral surface of the housing, a stopper being positioned on a movement path of the exhaust tube that moves with the rotation of the housing to stop the rotation of the housing by blocking movement of the exhaust tube, and a switch mechanism to switch blocking and restarting of the movement of the exhaust tube using the stopper.

Abstract: Disclosed is a motor which uses a hydrostatic force to generate a torque which repeats cyclically owing to a displacement of the center of gravity of a cyclic unit. Float bodies (116) are subjected to a buoyant force in a fluid (134), which buoyant force causes an upward movement (146) of the float bodies and drives these into an upper position. The upward movement drives a drive element. The upward movement furthermore causes air to be forced from upper segments (102a, 102d) of a deformable element (100) into lower segments (102b, 102c), and as a result the center of gravity of the cyclic units which comprise the float bodies (116) and the deformable element (100) is raised above an axis of rotation (106). When the float bodies (116) have passed into the upper position thereof, said elevated center of gravity position permits a rotation of the cyclic units into the initial position thereof.

Abstract: A method for reducing a turbine clearance between a plurality of rotor blades of a turbine engine and a shroud of the turbine engine is provided. Said method includes determining, with a flight operation controller, that an airplane is in a first flight condition, wherein the first flight condition is associated with a first turbine clearance and a first engine responsiveness level, determining, with the flight operation controller, that the airplane is in a second flight condition, adjusting an engine responsiveness level from the first engine responsiveness level to a second engine responsiveness level based on determining the airplane is in the second flight condition, and adjusting the turbine clearance from the first turbine clearance to a second turbine clearance based on the engine responsiveness level.

Abstract: A molten metal pump assembly (10) and method to fill complex molds with molten metal, such as aluminum. The pump assembly includes an elongated shaft (16) connecting a motor (14) to an impeller (22). The impeller is housed within a chamber (18) of a base member such that rotation of the impeller draws molten metal into the chamber at an inlet (48) and forces molten aluminum through an outlet (50). A first bearing (36) is adapted to support the rotation of the impeller at a first radial edge (32) and a second bearing (38) is adapted to support the rotation of the impeller at a second radial edge. A bypass gap (60) is interposed between the second bearing and the second radial edge. Molten metal leaks through the bypass gap at a predetermined rate to manipulate a flow rate and a head pressure of the molten metal such that precise control of the flow rate is achieved.

Abstract: Apparatus, including a pumping system, is provided featuring a pump and a control circuit. The pump has an impeller housing configured with a slit at the top for trapped air to leave the impeller housing once the pump has been submerged. The control circuit is configured to cycle the pump on and off for a predetermined number of cycles so that the trapped air will float to the top and be expelled out the slit when the pump is cycled off. The control circuit is configured to leave the pump on after the predetermined number of cycles.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling clearance between the tips of blades of a turbine rotor in a gas turbine airplane engine and a turbine ring of a casing surrounding the blades. A valve is controlled to act on a flow rate and/or a temperature of air directed against the casing. The valve is of the on/off type for switching between an open state and a closed state in a determined reaction time, the valve control module including a corrector for determining a first binary control signal that can take a first value corresponding to an open state and a second value corresponding to a closed state of the valve. The corrector includes a time-delay module for determining a binary control signal, with the duration between two successive changes of state in the control signal being not less than the reaction time of the valve.

Abstract: An actuating device includes: at least one first elongated member having a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE); and at least one second elongated member having a second CTE different from the first CTE, the second elongated member being nested within the first elongated member, the device being configured to displace a portion of the device a selected distance along a major axis of the device based on a relationship between the first CTE and the second CTE in response to a change in temperature.

Abstract: A turbine assembly for a turbocharger includes a variable nozzle formed by a sliding half-collar piston. A first-stage nozzle has a plurality of first vanes supported by a first nozzle ring and extending axially therefrom. A second-stage nozzle has a second nozzle ring connected to the ends of the first vanes, and a plurality of second vanes extending axially therefrom. The piston regulates flow through the second-stage nozzle, while the first-stage nozzle remains open when the piston is fully closed. The second nozzle ring at least partially divides the first vanes from the second vanes. The half-collar piston includes recesses that receive the second vanes and only partially surround the girth of each second vane.

Abstract: A fan array fan section in an air-handling system includes a plurality of fan units arranged in a fan array and positioned within an air-handling compartment. One preferred embodiment may include an array controller programmed to operate the plurality of fan units at peak efficiency. The plurality of fan units may be arranged in a true array configuration, a spaced pattern array configuration, a checker board array configuration, rows slightly offset array configuration, columns slightly offset array configuration, or a staggered array configuration.

Abstract: A fan array fan section in an air-handling system includes a plurality of fan units arranged in a fan array and positioned within an air-handling compartment. One preferred embodiment may include an array controller programmed to operate the plurality of fan units at peak efficiency. The plurality of fan units may be arranged in a true array configuration, a spaced pattern array configuration, a checker board array configuration, rows slightly offset array configuration, columns slightly offset array configuration, or a staggered array configuration.

Abstract: A control for changing direction of air flow through a cooling core in response to an external signal and a purge signal includes a logic circuit and a relay assembly. The logic circuit generates a fan control signal based on the external signal, which causes the fan to turn on and operate in a cooling mode and generate an air flow through the cooling core in a first direction, or operate in a neutral mode with reduced or no air flow through the cooling core. The logic circuit also includes at least one timer that internally generates the purge signal, which is then transmitted by the logic circuit to the relay assembly. The purge signal overrides the fan control signal and causes the fan to operate in a purge mode, which causes air flow through the cooling core in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: A method for draining condensate off a compressed-gas system that traps condensate that collects during operation of the compressed-gas system, draws off collected condensate through an outlet, connects a trap volume and a purging device to the outlet, connects a collection chamber to the outlet, detects the presence of condensate in the collection chamber by at least one sensor, connects control electronics to the sensor, controls a valve arrangement by the control electronics that either shuts the purging device so that no condensate can escape through it or opens the purging device each time the condensate level rises and the sensor changes over from indicating “no condensate” to indicating “condensate present”, starts the timer circuit and on expiry of the time defined by the timer circuit, opens the valve until the sensor indicates “no condensate” thereupon closing the purging device with the valve.

Abstract: An interface apparatus permits microprocessor-based control of an air compressor having no microprocessor-based control capabilities. The interface apparatus includes a signal converter for permitting bi-directional communication between the interface apparatus and a microprocessor-based air compressor sequencer. A processor has a predetermined logic routine which processes sequencer communication commands into electrical signals which control the operation of the compressor. The processor communicates with the signal converter. At least one AC switch selectively switches a predetermined AC voltage, on and off, in response to the logic routine. The at least one AC switch communicates with the processor. An AC voltage sensor communicates with the processor. At least one control signal is outputted from the interface apparatus to the air compressor. At least one status signal is inputted to the interface apparatus from the air compressor.

Abstract: The method controls gas flow in an axial flow compressor in which the flow at one or more chosen station in the direction of flow through the compressor is sensed at a series of circumferentially spaced positions. Flow variations above a predetermined limit are evaluated to initiate a response if a disturbance above a predetermined acceptable level is detected. When such a disturbance is detected, higher pressure gas bled from downstream is injected at a station to supplement the main gas flow. An incipient rotating stall cell will appear as a variation occurring sequentially at the circumferentially spaced positions. By responding to such a condition with a pressure injection, it is found possible to suppress both rotating stall and surge conditions in the compressor before this disturbance develops fully. The same method can be arranged to counter steady state distortion.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of controlling gas flow in an axial flow compressor, in which the flow at least at one chosen station in the direction of flow through the compressor is sensed at a series of circumferentially spaced positions. Flow variations above a predetermined limit are evaluated to give an actuating response if the variations indicate a disturbance above a predetermined acceptable level is present. When such a disturbance is detected, high pressure flow bled from the exit end of the compressor is injected at said station to supplement the main gas flow there. An incipient rotating stall cell will appear as a variation occurring sequentially at the circumferentially spaced positions. By responding to such a condition with a pressure injection flow, it is found possible to suppress both rotating stall and surge conditions in the compressor before the disturbance develops fully.

Abstract: A water actuated outdoor fan which includes a plurality of radiating blades for creating a current of air, and a water turbine for converting the kinetic energy of moving water to mechanical power to operate the plurality of radiating blades.

Abstract: A multi-purpose fan including an electrically driven fan blade assembly, a heating coil positioned in the front of the blade assembly and rotatable air directing means which in use causes a gyratory exeunt air current. The fan also includes a micro-processor operatively associated with temperature sensors and control means to effect automated use of the fan in either a cooling or a heating mode.

Abstract: A fail-safe system is used in a control unit for opening and closing guide vanes of a pump-turbine apparatus operable in both of pump operation mode and turbine operation mode. The fail-safe system has a wire carried by a rotatable sheave adapted for transmitting an information concerning an opening degree of the guide vanes, a weight suspended from one end of the wire, an operation rod disposed below and in alignment with the weight in the direction of action of the force of gravity, and a change-over valve adapted to be switched by the operation rod. When the wire is cut off accidentally, the weight drops onto the operation rod to depress the latter to switch the change-over valve so that a servo-motor is switched to make the guide vanes close at predetermined rates of change of the opening degree in respective operation modes.

Abstract: A steam generation system employing a flash tank feeding low-pressure steam to a compressor controls surges in the compressor by calculating the amount of steam generated based on the temperature change and flow of water passing through the flash tank and modulates the flow rate in order to maintain the steam flow above a surge limit. If increasing the water flow rate is incapable of producing enough steam to avoid surges, a recycle control recycles steam from the output of the compressor back to the flash tank. A further embodiment of the invention permits using an auxiliary source of low-pressure steam to augment the steam produced in the flash tank while maintaining the total steam flow at a level sufficient to avoid surges. The steam flow may alternatively be derived from the differential pressure between outlet and inlet of the compressor.

Abstract: A timing valve is responsive to certain hydraulic rotor speed input signals so as to schedule increased temperatures of air to a turbine shroud support in accordance with the thermal time constants of the rotor. Clearance between the rotor and the shroud is thereby minimized during both transient and steady-state operating conditions. Temperatures are incrementally increased by selectively combining air from the compressor fifth and ninth stage bleed manifolds. Under certain operating conditions, the timing valve is pre-empted and air is provided at a predetermined temperature level as a function of rotor speed only.

Abstract: Cooling airflow to the shroud support apparatus is varied in response to both rotor speed and elapsed time above a predetermined level by the selective use and mixture of two air sources at different temperatures. For steady-state operation, each of four different operating modes has its prescribed cooling air delivery mode such that, generally, as the engine speed and cycle temperatures increase, so does that of the cooling air. For transient operation, a timer is employed to sequence the desired cooling air delivery modes in such a manner as to maintain optimum rotor-to-shroud clearances during the transient period.