With Weight-balancing Means Patents (Class 416/144)
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Patent number: 7296976Abstract: A system for balancing a rotatable gas turbine engine component. The system includes two balance rings that are coupled to the component by mating splines on the respective item. Each of the rings has a mass asymmetry that is indexable relative to the primary component to achieve the imbalance correction.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2004Date of Patent: November 20, 2007Assignee: Rolls-Royce CorporationInventors: Douglas Michael Roever, Christopher John Norris
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Patent number: 7287958Abstract: A method, rotor assembly, and apparatus for ordering blades in a rotatable machine is provided. The rotor assembly includes a disk including a plurality of circumferentially-spaced blade root slots defined therein, and a plurality of blades, each blade including a root, a tip, and an airfoil therebetween, each blade positioned within a pre-determined slot based on a blade map, the blade map generated by a computer system configured to receive a geometric parameter measurement of each blade in a row of blades, determine a shape factor for the row of blades using the geometric parameter measurement of each blade, and determine a sequence map of each blade using the shape factor for the row of blades.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2005Date of Patent: October 30, 2007Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Thomas Richard Henning, John D. Mickol, Daniel E. Mollmann, Michael H. Schneider, Andrew Breeze-Stringfellow, Timothy J. Horejs
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Patent number: 7281896Abstract: An impeller includes a hub and at least one blade. In this case, the hub has at least one balancing portion disposed on hub and arranged with respect to a center of the hub. The balancing portion has at least one corner. The blades are disposed around the hub. In addition, a fan including the impeller is also provided. The impeller and the fan can enhance the rotation stability. As a result, the product reliability and lifetime can be increased. Furthermore, the impeller and the fan facilitate the balancing object to be separated from the tool at the corner.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2006Date of Patent: October 16, 2007Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Po-Hao Yu, Shun-Chen Chang, Wen-Shi Huang
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Patent number: 7234916Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for field balancing an assembly including a power turbine. The method includes coupling the power turbine to a load, identifying a first balancing plane that is aft of the power turbine, and identifying a second balancing plane that is forward of the power turbine. A balancing correction is determined at each of the first and second balancing planes. A balance weight is mounted at the first balancing plane based on the balancing correction determined for the first balancing plane, and a balance weight is mounted at the second balancing plane based on the balancing correction determined for the second balancing plane, wherein each balance weight at the second balancing plane is coupled to a respective bolt head without removing the bolt.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2004Date of Patent: June 26, 2007Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Michael J. Lee, Brian Edward Dix, Max Freedman, William Joseph Adelmann
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Patent number: 7165941Abstract: One aspect of the present invention concerns a process for mounting rotor blades to a rotor hub of a wind power installation in situ. In order to avoid high torques in the mechanical train of the wind power installation in the operation of mounting the rotor blades, a process according to one aspect of the invention includes the following steps: mounting a weight to at least one flange of the rotor hub; mounting the rotor blade in the installation situation; rotating the rotor hub into a predeterminable position; and exchanging the weight arranged on the flange of the rotor hub for a rotor blade by removing the weight and then mounting the rotor blade to the rotor hub.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2002Date of Patent: January 23, 2007Inventor: Aloys Wobben
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Patent number: 7108480Abstract: A method facilitates balancing a gas turbine rotor. The method includes providing a gas turbine rotor including a plurality of turbine blades, wherein at least one turbine blade includes a blade tip shroud that includes a leading edge and a trailing edge that is opposite the leading edge, and coupling a balance clip to the at least one turbine blade. The balance clip includes a first portion having a first length that enables the clip to extend between the tip shroud leading and trailing edges and includes a first hook that couples to the tip shroud leading edge, a shorter second portion that extends only partially from at least one of the tip shroud trailing and leading edges towards the opposite shroud edge, and a second hook that extends between the first and second portions and couples to at least one of the tip shroud leading and trailing edges.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2004Date of Patent: September 19, 2006Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Darek Zatorski, Marek Szrajer, Leszek Rzeszutek, John Edward Altman
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Patent number: 7097427Abstract: A helicopter main rotor blade balance weight retention system and assembly having a base plate (105), at least one support post (107) integral with the base plate and extending out perpendicularly from the base plate, a plurality of balance weights (109), a retaining nut plate (111), and one or more fastening bolts (113) for securing the balance weights to the base plate, and the base plate to the rotor blade. The balance weights (109) include apertures (117, 119) through which the support posts and the fastening bolts pass. The apertures through which the support posts pass are dimensioned such that the a snug fit is formed between the support posts and the balance weight; but the apertures through which the fastening bolts pass are dimensioned such that the threaded portions of the fastening bolts are not subjected to any shear loads from the balance weights due to the centrifugal force generated by the rotating rotor blades. The weight retention assembly is installed into pockets in the blade tip.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2002Date of Patent: August 29, 2006Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.Inventors: Norman Kuhns, Ajay Sehgal, Ernest Powell
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Patent number: 7090464Abstract: A method and apparatus for ordering blades in a rotatable machine is provided. The machine includes a plurality of blades that extend radially outwardly from a rotor. The method includes determining a moment weight of each blade in a row of blades, determining a geometric parameter of each blade in the same row of blades, and determining a mapping order of each blade using the moment weight and the geometric parameter. The apparatus includes a computer system that includes a software product code segment for minimizing imbalance in a bladed rotor wherein the segment is configured to receive a moment weight value for each blade to be installed in said rotor, receive a geometric parameter value for each blade to be installed in said rotor, calculate a blade location on the rotor based on the received values, and generate a blade map based on the calculated location.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2004Date of Patent: August 15, 2006Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Thomas Richard Henning, John Douglas Mickol, Daniel Edward Mollmann, Michael Harvey Schneider, Andrew Breeze-Stringfellow, Max Farson
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Patent number: 7063507Abstract: A balance adjusted fan mainly includes a hub, a shaft and a plurality of blades. The hub has a ring-wall and a top wall, and the shaft is connected to the top wall. The ring-wall has a plurality of socket holes that can be formed on the top edge, the bottom edge or the outside surface of the ring-wall. The blades are formed on the outside surface of the ring-wall. When the fan rotates in unbalance, at least a balance weight can be connected in one of the socket hole in an appropriate position that opposes to the heavier side of the hub to stabilize the rotation balance of the fan.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2004Date of Patent: June 20, 2006Inventor: Hsin-mao Hsieh
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Patent number: 7025570Abstract: An axial flow fan assembly is provided to prevent the backflow of fluid passing therethrough. The axial flow fan assembly includes a mounting panel having a through-hole to allow fluid flow, and an axial flow fan having a plurality of fan blades rotatably installed in the through-hole of the mounting panel to generate a suction force. A fan shroud connects outer ends of the plurality of fan blades to each other to guide the fluid flowing by the suction force, and includes a flange outwardly extended from the fan shroud to diminish the backflow of the fluid through a gap between the fan shroud and the through-hole of the mounting panel.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2003Date of Patent: April 11, 2006Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Sang Gyu Jung, Jae Man Joo, Seung Bae Lee
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Patent number: 6986637Abstract: A stub shaft for a turbine engine is described in which respective masses are positioned along the stub shaft in a balanced rotation relationship for normal rotation. One mass is positioned at the periphery of a shaft end rim such that upon failure of the stub shaft this mass is detached. Such displacement or detachment of the mass causes imbalance which creates vibration which in turn causes surge within a compressor associated with the stub shaft as well as possibly interference engagement with stable structure elements in order to limit turbine and/or compressor over speed.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2004Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: Rolls-Royce plcInventor: Todd M Coxhead
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Patent number: 6984110Abstract: Disclosed is a wind power generating apparatus in which windmill blades are mounted in a multi-stage fashion to a rotating shaft while being spaced apart from one another to efficiently generate wind power. Each windmill blade includes blade bodies mounted to the rotating shaft, and provided with wind pressure adjusting holes, wind pressure adjusting plates coupled to each blade body, and connected together to a wire, each wind pressure adjusting plate being slidable along guides respectively arranged at opposite sides of the associated wind pressure adjusting hole to adjust an opening degree of the wind pressure adjusting hole, elastic members each adapted to connect one end of the associated wire to the associated blade body, and winches each adapted to connect the other end of the associated blade body, the winches being mounted to a single shaft to simultaneously wind or unwind all wire.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2002Date of Patent: January 10, 2006Inventor: Keun-Suk Jang
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Patent number: 6976827Abstract: The present invention includes a rotor assembly comprising a shaft, a first component coaxially attached to the shaft for performing a first function in the rotor assembly and acting as a first counterbalance weight, and a second component coaxially attached to the shaft for performing a second function in the rotor assembly and acting as a second counterbalance weight, whereby the first and second counterbalance weights combine to balance the rotor assembly. The present invention also includes a method of balancing a rotor assembly having a shaft and a residual imbalance, the method comprising the steps of coaxially attaching a first component performing a first function and having a first counterbalance weight integral therewith onto the shaft, and coaxially attaching a second component performing a second function and having a second counterbalance weight integral therewith onto the shaft, so that the first and second components counter the residual imbalance.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2003Date of Patent: December 20, 2005Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.Inventors: Vittorio Bruno, Jason Araan Fish
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Patent number: 6942457Abstract: Fans according to some embodiments of the present invention include a spider, a central hub coupled to the spider, and two or more fan blades. One or more fan design features can be employed (alone or in combination) in the fans of the present invention, including the use of spider arms and/or fan blades having twisted shapes, spider lobes having cupped shapes, spiders and/or fan blades having thinner dimensions than conventional spider and fan blades in similarly-sized fans, fan blades having narrower widths, larger camber-to-chord ratios and/or tapering camber-to-chord ratios, and embossments located on the spider or the fan blades of the fan. In addition, pre-balanced spider assemblies can be employed as an alternative to balancing a fan after assembly.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2002Date of Patent: September 13, 2005Assignee: Revcor, Inc.Inventors: Donald R. Pennington, Richard G. Hext, III
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Patent number: 6931861Abstract: A gas turbine engine flanged shaft (120) is provided with a plurality of anti-score plates (6a, 6b) each of which has two openings which are aligned with corresponding apertures on the flange. Bolts (4) pass through the openings and apertures to attach the anti-score plates (6a, 6b) to the flange (2). The anti-score plates (6a, 6b) have different masses to facilitate shaft balancing.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2003Date of Patent: August 23, 2005Assignee: Rolls-Royce plcInventor: Stefan J Wagner
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Patent number: 6908284Abstract: The invention is based on an axial fan with a hub region (4, 27) for connecting the axial fan with a driven shaft (20) of an electrical drive (21), whereby the axial fan is statically balanced by means of a balancing weight (26). A flexurally soft connection is formed in the hub region (4, 27) between the axial fan (1) and the driven shaft (20) of an electrical drive (21).Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2002Date of Patent: June 21, 2005Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventor: Ludger Adrian
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Patent number: 6908285Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling a rotatable machine is provided. The machine includes a plurality of blades that extend radially outwardly from a rotor. The method includes determining a moment weight of each blade in a row of blades, determining a geometric parameter of each blade in the same row of blades, and determining a mapping order of each blade using the moment weight and the geometric parameter. The apparatus includes a computer system that includes a software product code segment for minimizing imbalance in a bladed rotor wherein the segment is configured to receive a moment weight value for each blade to be installed in said rotor, receive a geometric parameter value for each blade to be installed in said rotor, calculate a blade location on the rotor based on the received values, and generate a blade map based on the calculated location.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2003Date of Patent: June 21, 2005Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Thomas Richard Henning, Gert J. van der Merwe, William Carl Ruehr, Daniel Edward Mollmann
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Patent number: 6896475Abstract: A diffuser includes an opening along the diffuser wall for preventing or delaying boundary layer separation of the main flow. The opening may include a curved passageway having a curvature convex relative to the main flow for utilizing the Coanda effect. A gas turbine may include the diffuser with an opening and a centerbody with an opening, each for providing a secondary flow of fluid into the diffuser. The gas turbine may direct fluid from an upstream turbine stage to the opening. A steam turbine may include the diffuser and may situate the opening downstream the diffuser inlet but upstream the location of boundary separation.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2002Date of Patent: May 24, 2005Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Paolo Graziosi, Richard Edwin Warren, Jr., Thomas Frank Fric, Ramani Mani, Douglas Carl Hofer
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Patent number: 6893222Abstract: A turbine disk has an at least partially radially-extending first portion. An at least partially axially-extending circumferential flange has a root connecting the flange to the first portion. The flange extends to a rim and has a plurality of pairs of first and second weight-mounting fastener apertures. A plurality of first recesses are provided in the rim, each position between an associated first and second aperture of an associated one of the aperture pairs. A plurality of second recesses are provided in the rim each positioned between an adjacent two of the pairs.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2003Date of Patent: May 17, 2005Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventor: Mahdy A. Allam
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Publication number: 20040258526Abstract: A rotor assembly comprising: a rotor having an outer circumference and a longitudinal axis; and a plurality of magnet members secured to said outer circumference, each of said plurality of magnet members having a degree of curvature about said longitudinal axis, wherein a sum of said degrees of curvature is greater than 355.5 degrees.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2003Publication date: December 23, 2004Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Subhash M. Brahmavar, Peter B. Lytle, Kamron M. Wright
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Publication number: 20040253109Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for mounting rotor blades to a rotor hub of a wind power installation in situ.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2004Publication date: December 16, 2004Inventor: Aloys Wobben
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Publication number: 20040247439Abstract: An inertial structure for an exhaustion blower is essentially comprised of a base, a winding, a magnet, multiple blades and matching weights characterized by that each weight being placed in a space provided at the terminal of each blade to produce inertia when those blades rotate to increase torque, thus the greater wind shear volume for power saving.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2004Publication date: December 9, 2004Inventor: Jung-Chang Peng
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Patent number: 6808366Abstract: Multiple, timed three-lobed rotor that are more efficient yet uncomplicated and easy to produce. A rotor lobe with additional reaction surfaces near the tip to increase the angle of rotation that produces power. A “flow through” rotor having end plates that facilitate mounting more than one rotor on a common axis with rotationally varied timing and sequence, such that power delivery is smooth. A flow shielding and directing device that increases the efficiency of reaction surface rotors. Possibilities include replacement or augmentation of: existing electrical energy prime mover dynamos, air compressing, pumping, milling, and other power needs. The dynamo can be built using low-tech, low-cost materials and methods, and is inherently resistant to over speed and damage from periodically high velocity fluid flow.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2002Date of Patent: October 26, 2004Assignee: Vertical Wind Turbine Technologies, LLCInventor: George W. Sikes
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Patent number: 6726451Abstract: A mounting arrangement for a ceiling fan has one or more blades located in the same semicircle of rotation so as to produce a center of rotational gravity that lies outside the vertical axis of the rotating fan. A ceiling fan has a counter balancing stabilizing member located in another semicircle of rotation to stabilize the rotating weight of the blade(s) so that during operation of the fan, the center of rotational gravity lies on the fan's axis. A single bladed ceiling fan has a blade with an elongated arcuate body that tapers from one end to its other end. A stabilizing member depends from the blade. There is an opening in the stabilizing member for creating drag when the blade rotates. A cover is provided for covering the opening.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2002Date of Patent: April 27, 2004Inventor: Thomas C. Frampton
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Patent number: 6709226Abstract: To provide a vacuum pump used for semiconductor manufacturing, which has improved reliability and safety and in which damages to a pump casing, peripheral apparatuses, or the like are prevented from occurring by preventing the occurrence of rotor breakage due to corrosion. A balancer is provided in the outer circumferential surface of the rotor so as to face the inside of the gas passageway. A balancer main body is supported against the outer circumferential surface of a rotor through a fragile portion that is weak with respect to corrosive gasses, the fragile portion of the balancer is damaged by corrosion before any corrosive gas influence appears in rotor blades or the rotor, and the balancer falls off, thus forcibly causing an unbalanced state to appear in the rotor. The balancer thus possesses a function for balancing the rotor and a corrosion detecting function.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2002Date of Patent: March 23, 2004Assignee: BOC Edwards Technologies LimitedInventors: Yasushi Maejima, Yoshiyuki Sakaguchi
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Publication number: 20040042901Abstract: A rotor for a rotary wing aircraft includes a blade having a leading edge, and a trailing edge. The rotor has a leading edge tip extension at a tip of the blade and a weight within the leading edge tip extension. The rotor also includes a trailing edge tip extension extending from a selected point at an outboard portion of the blade to the tip of the blade, a leading edge of the extension extending rearward from the trailing edge of the blade.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2003Publication date: March 4, 2004Inventor: Jay W. Carter
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Patent number: 6672837Abstract: The present invention relates to a wind turbine with oscillation damping means provided at the nacelle and being designed for damping edgewise oscillations of the rotor blades in the rotational plane of the rotor. In particular, the invention relates to a wind turbine in which the oscillation damping means are provided at the end of the nacelle being opposite to the end from which the rotor extends and are designed for damping oscillations of the first eigenfrequency of the rotor blades in the rotational plane, especially oscillations being perpendicular to the rotational axis of the rotor. The damping means are advantageously designed to dampen oscillations of a frequency being substantially equal to the first eigenfrequency in the rotational plane of the at least one blade minus the frequency of rotation of the rotor. The oscillation damping means of the present invention are preferably capable of damping oscillations being substantially horizontal and substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2001Date of Patent: January 6, 2004Assignee: NEG Micon A/SInventors: Herman F. Veldkamp, Lars Risager, Flemming Rasmussen
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Patent number: 6648600Abstract: A turbine rotor can fix the heat resisting pipes provided in divided form per the disk member with simple structure for preventing wearing and damaging. The turbine rotor includes a coolant flow path formed through a plurality of disc shaped members respectively stacked across stacking planes in axial direction, a heat resisting pipe divided into a plurality of fractions adapted to be inserted into a portion of the coolant flow path defined in each disc shaped member, spot facing recesses each formed at opening portion of coolant flow path at the same side of the disc shaped member coaxially with the coolant flow path and having greater inner diameter than the opening portion, and ring shaped projecting portions formed at respective end portions of the fractions of the heat resisting pipe and engageable with respective spot facing recesses.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2002Date of Patent: November 18, 2003Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Yasuo Takahashi, Shinya Marushima, Shinichi Higuchi, Tsuyoshi Takano
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Patent number: 6574572Abstract: Determining adjustments for rotating blades includes measuring a plurality of vibration values corresponding to vibrations caused by the blades, providing coefficient of vibration data that corresponds to effects on vibration caused by adjustments to the blades, applying the coefficient of vibration data to the vibration values, and solving for possible values for the adjustments that may be applied to the blades, wherein the possible values for the adjustments are constrained to be greater than a first predetermined value or zero. The adjustments may include at least one of hub weights, blade tabs, PCR adjustments, and blade tip weight adjustments. Measuring vibrations may include obtaining signals from a plurality of accelerometers. Determining adjustments may also include performing an FFT on the vibration data, where the data indicating effects on vibration is provided in the frequency domain. Applying the data to the vibration values may be performed in the frequency domain.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2001Date of Patent: June 3, 2003Assignee: Simmonds Precision Products, Inc.Inventor: Eric Robert Bechhoefer
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Patent number: 6530747Abstract: A clamp (20, 50) for balancing can be mounted on the circumference of a rotating body (10) on a part (12) that tapers to a thin-walled end. The clamps (20, 50) has a U-shaped cross-sectional profile with at least one tip (28, 30) formed onto one leg (24, 26), which tip protrudes into the interior (36) of the U-shaped cross-sectional profile and extends in inclined fashion toward the connecting part (32) of the legs (24, 26).Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2001Date of Patent: March 11, 2003Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Ralf-Michael Schneider, Martin Huber, Cornelia Lula
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Patent number: 6527515Abstract: A rotor for rotary wing aircraft includes a number of features that reduce the collective forces required to control the pitch of the rotor. The spar caps of the spar become joined to one another at the same point where bonding begins between the blade and the spar. The tendency of blade to want to flatten out is minimized since the centrifugal force acting on the spar is located at or near the pitch change axis. Tip weights are located at or near the pitch change axis as well. In a preferred embodiment, the tip weights are located evenly in front of and behind the structural center of the inboard section of the spar. The blade of the rotor and the tip are not swept back.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2001Date of Patent: March 4, 2003Assignee: Cartercopter, L.L.C.Inventor: Jay W. Carter, Jr.
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Patent number: 6488472Abstract: A low-noise axial fan is provided with whirring sound minimized. The axial fan includes a plurality of blades arranged around a rotation axis at predetermined layout pitches. The blades are arranged at varied layout pitches. For instance, the layout pitch between the two adjacent blades may be different from the layout pitch between the remaining blades. This arrangement controls the whirring sound of the fan, which would be high in level if the blades were arranged at an equal layout pitch. A low-noise axial fan thus results.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2001Date of Patent: December 3, 2002Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Atsushi Miyazawa
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Patent number: 6457941Abstract: A one-piece fan rotor optimized for construction and safety performance criteria is provided. The rotor has a hub with a radial cross-section defined by an I-beam. A plurality of unequally-spaced rotor blades are disposed circumferentially around and extend radially outward from the hub. Each rotor blade has a root portion coupled to the hub with the root portion defined by a concave fillet circumventing the rotor blade. For rotational balance, at least one of the forward side and backside of the hub incorporates an axially extending pad. Methods are provided for controlling stress on the rotor and for balancing the rotor.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2001Date of Patent: October 1, 2002Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: John C. Larzelere, Dale W. Sisson, Jr., Craig S. LaMoy, Charles K. Atwell, Thomas W. Van Doren, Marh A. Huebner, Nicholas L. Tzortzinis
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Publication number: 20020131865Abstract: A one-piece fan rotor optimized for construction and safety performance criteria is provided. The rotor has a hub with a radial cross-section defined by an I-beam. A plurality of unequally-spaced rotor blades are disposed circumferentially around and extend radially outward from the hub. Each rotor blade has a root portion coupled to the hub with the root portion defined by a concave fillet circumventing the rotor blade. For rotational balance, at least one of the forward side and backside of the hub incorporates an axially extending pad. Methods are provided for controlling stress on the rotor and for balancing the rotor.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2001Publication date: September 19, 2002Inventors: John C. Larzelere, Dale W. Sisson, Craig S. LaMoy, Charles K. Atwell, Thomas W. Van Doren, Marh A. Huebner, Nicholas L. Tzortzinis
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Patent number: 6439850Abstract: A variable pitch fan in which the pitch of the fan blades is varied under control of a controller according to the speed of the fan. The controller is programmed to respond to increased fan speed by decreasing pitch of the fan blades. The variable pitch fan has a piston extending axially from a main shaft, about which main shaft a fan blade hub rotates. A pitch shifter is mounted on a cylinder, which itself is mounted on the piston. The pitch shifter is actuated by hydraulic fluid supplied through the main shaft to the cylinder. The piston is preferably axially stationary in relation to the main shaft. The cylinder is secured against rotational movement by cooperating out of round surfaces. Grease for the pitch shifter is supplied through the guide pin. One guide pin may be used for grease supply, while another may be used for excess grease return.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2000Date of Patent: August 27, 2002Assignee: Flexxaire Manufacturing Inc.Inventors: Jonathan E. McCallum, Brian J. Bruchal, Murray C. Gerwing
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Patent number: 6379112Abstract: The present invention relates to an array of flow directing elements for use in turbomachinery. The array comprises a plurality of flow directing elements arranged around a disk in a circular pattern having four quadrants. The flow directing elements in each quadrant are different in mass from the flow directing elements in each adjacent quadrant to reduce the tendency of the array to exhibit tuned absorbed behavior. Further, the number of flow directing elements in each quadrant are different from the number of flow directing elements in each adjacent quadrant to reduce stator vibration in the turbomachinery. Still further, centfrigual pull on the disk is equalized by assembling quadrants with lower flow directing element count from heavier flow directing elements.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2000Date of Patent: April 30, 2002Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventor: Matthew Montgomery
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Patent number: 6352407Abstract: A single-blade fan apparatus includes a blade assembly having a hub presenting a longitudinal aperture adapted for receipt on the fan apparatus, a single blade protruding radially from the hub in a first direction, and a counterweight body protruding radially from the hub in a second direction opposite the first direction. The hub, blade and counterweight body are formed of a unitary piece of aluminum, zinc or synthetic resin material. A method of constructing the blade assembly includes providing a mold including a hub cavity, a blade cavity protruding from the hub cavity in a first direction, and a counterweight-body cavity protruding radially from the hub in a second direction opposite the first direction, and fitting a removable mold insert in the blade cavity. The first mold insert fills a portion of the blade cavity remote from the hub cavity.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 1999Date of Patent: March 5, 2002Assignee: Emerson Electric, Co.Inventors: D. Lee Hill, Frank E. Cahill, Jimmy D. Vanfossan, Hamid Massali
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Publication number: 20010043863Abstract: A single-blade fan apparatus includes a blade assembly having a hub presenting a longitudinal aperture adapted for receipt on the fan apparatus, a single blade protruding radially from the hub in a first direction, and a counterweight body protruding radially from the hub in a second direction opposite the first direction. The hub, blade and counterweight body are formed of a unitary piece of aluminum, zinc or synthetic resin material. A method of constructing the blade assembly includes providing a mold including a hub cavity, a blade cavity protruding from the hub cavity in a first direction, and a counterweight-body cavity protruding radially from the hub in a second direction opposite the first direction, and fitting a removable mold insert in the blade cavity. The first mold insert fills a portion of the blade cavity remote from the hub cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 1999Publication date: November 22, 2001Inventors: D. LEE HILL, FRANK E. CAHILL, JIMMY D. VANFOSSAN, HAMID MASSALI
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Patent number: 6302650Abstract: A cooling fan assembly (10) includes a hubless polymer fan body molded around the perimetrical flange (20) of a metallic mounting hub (12). The fan body includes a circumferential ring (18) interlocked with the flange (20) and a plurality of fan blades (16) projecting outwardly from the ring (18). The fan body (14) is formed in an injection mold with molten polymer material being introduced into the mold at hot runner locations (25) disposed between the circumferential ring (18) and the root diameter (17) of the fan blades (16). At one face of the hubless fan (14), the circumferential ring (18) includes a plurality of uniformly spaced raised bosses (30). Each boss (30) defines a bore (31) configured to receive a balancing weight therein, preferably in the form of a balancing screw (35) threaded into the bore. The bosses (30) are interconnected by a stiffening ring (33) having a height substantially equal to the height (h) of the bosses (30).Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 1999Date of Patent: October 16, 2001Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventors: Eugene E. Williams, Jonathan B. Stagg
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Patent number: 6279420Abstract: A balance weight has first and second margins at right angles to one another with the second margin larger than the first margin. A balance weight groove in a rotor has outer and inner wall portions, with the outer wall portions spaced a distance less than the spacing between the inner wall portions. The balance weight has a central threaded opening receiving a screw and a driving slot in the upper face of the weight. An insertion tool is threaded to the balance weight to insert the balance weight through a turbomachinery access opening into the groove. The tool is rotated to locate the second margins below the outer wall portions of the groove. By inserting a driving tool through the insertion tool, the screw is rotated to lock the balance weight to the rotor and in the groove. Upon removal of the insertion and driving tools, a staking tool is inserted through turbine access opening to stake the balance weight and rotor and the screw and balance weight.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 1999Date of Patent: August 28, 2001Assignee: General Electric Co.Inventors: Victor John Knorowski, David Robert Skinner, Alexander Morson
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Patent number: 6190131Abstract: Coverplates are disposed to axially overlie end faces of the shanks of buckets and the dovetail connections of the buckets within turbine wheel slots. The coverplates have axially projecting angel wing seals. The coverplates also have balance weights on axial faces thereof opposite the angel wing seals to balance out any bending moments applied to the coverplate resulting from centrifugal forces when the turbine rotor is at speed. Thus, the centers of gravity of the coverplates are located close to or in the plane of the coverplates. A centering slot is provided along an inner face of each dovetail connection for the coverplates. Coverplate retention pins reside in wide sub-slots at the bases of the wheel slots. When the coverplates are secured against axial movement, the retention pins engage in the centering slots of the coverplate dovetails to prevent circumferential movement of the retention pins in the wide sub-slots.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 1999Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: General Electric Co.Inventor: Robert Edward Deallenbach
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Patent number: 6156090Abstract: An air cleaner includes a housing having an upper wall and side walls, an air filter mounted with respect to the housing, a fan including a vane-wheel having a plurality of vanes, a supporting plate extending substantially between at least two side walls for supporting the fan. An air flow directional member directs an air flow output from the fan. The vane is formed to have a winglike cross-section, and the vane-wheel includes not more than four vanes. The vane-wheel has a base plate and a shroud. Each of the base plate and the shroud is formed to have a reinforcement portion on its circumference. A U-shaped balance weight is attached to a flattened portion formed on the curled portion. The air cleaner of the present invention can reduce noise and vibration and improve efficiency of the fan.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 1998Date of Patent: December 5, 2000Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Techno Engineering Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tominori Ishikawa, Yuji Toyama, Makoto Yokoyama, Yoshihiro Takada, Keiichi Honma, Osamu Kawasaki, Masayosi Inoue, Kazunari Sugai, Jun Tazawa
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Patent number: 6123507Abstract: A single port pump impeller includes two pump vanes diverging arcuately and radially from a suction eye to form one open expanding chamber, and includes a blocking wall for closing the remaining, opposite expanding chamber. The two vanes are contained within parallel spaced apart shrouds. The shrouds include increased wall thickness regions to dynamically balance the impeller. The blocking wall can include a small aperture for providing a small stream of liquid to flow into the otherwise closed expanding chamber to prevent cavitation at a distal end of an adjacent vane. Alternately, the otherwise blocked expanding chamber can be filled with a solid material having substantially the same weight as the fluid being pumped, e.g., water, to prevent cavitation at the outside edge of one of the adjacent vanes.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 1998Date of Patent: September 26, 2000Assignee: Smith & Loveless, Inc.Inventor: Frank G. Weis
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Patent number: 6119834Abstract: A device for damping vibration of a vibrating structure, particularly a helicopter cyclic control system, comprises a straight tubular shaft having a metal weight retained within the inside bore of one end, the remainder of the shaft being unweighted, and two elastomeric lined mounting brackets for securing the unweighted portion of the shaft to the vibrating structure, the bracket closest to the unweighted shaft end holding the shaft end with a tighter fit than the other bracket.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 1999Date of Patent: September 19, 2000Inventor: Richard J. Lee
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Patent number: 6113350Abstract: A vertical-axle wind power machine comprises a vertical axle, a plurality of jointed radial arms, a plurality of counterbalanced oblique blades at the support points thereof, a friction-rewarding rotary speed multiplying transmission, and an automatic rotary speed regulating means to be performed by either a wind-operated or an alternative digital controlled rotary speed regulating device; the combination of which provides the oblique blades with great sensitivity to the alternation of lee wind and head wind for automatic swinging to the most efficient lee angle at upstanding and overturned positions to sail nearly three quarters and streamline against the head wind resistance for the remaining quarter every circle of rotation, is able to convert the centripetal and centrifugal component forces to the same torque direction of the tangential component force from the same blade by an eccentric-guided angular bracket means and a fork-rooted radial arm, is able to offset the friction loss in the rotary speed multType: GrantFiled: August 31, 1998Date of Patent: September 5, 2000Assignee: Stokwang Windpower Industrial Inc.Inventor: Hsun-Fa Liu
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Patent number: 5947686Abstract: Fan blade covers which are particularly useful for covering ceiling fan blades. The covers are easily removed and cleaned providing a safe means for cleaning ceiling fan blades. The covers are provided in numerous colors and decorative patterns allowing the selection of covers which match a room decor. The covers also comprise a balancing arrangement for the fan which includes a pocket positioned on the upper surface of the cover and a dispensing arrangement for dispensing and distributing deodorant throughout a room which includes a vented pocket for receiving a deodorant canister while the vented pocket and canister includes a visual deodorant depletion indicator.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 1998Date of Patent: September 7, 1999Inventor: Tina M. Keyes
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Patent number: 5927947Abstract: A method for dynamically balancing a centrifugal blower fan wheel is disclosed. The method includes the steps of determining an amount and location of change in the fan inlet ring of the blower wheel which is required to balance the blower wheel. Once this determination is made, the radial thickness of the inlet ring is increased at a predetermined location to provide the proper amount of balance to the blower wheel. A mold is described for accomplishing this method.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 1997Date of Patent: July 27, 1999Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventor: Monier Bibawy Botros
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Patent number: 5913661Abstract: A fan blade includes a metal airfoil having first and second opposite sides extending longitudinally between a root and a tip, and laterally between a leading edge and a trailing edge. The airfoil further includes a plurality of fine striations spaced laterally apart between the leading and trailing edges in the airfoil first side, and extending longitudinally between the root and the tip. A viscoelastic filler is bonded in the striations for damping torsional vibrations of the airfoil.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1997Date of Patent: June 22, 1999Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Josef Panovsky, Joseph T. Stevenson
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Patent number: 5800127Abstract: The method enables a fan rotor to be balanced by the addition of material in at least one selected position on the fan rotor. It is characterized in that the material is added by the application of one or more metal staples.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 1996Date of Patent: September 1, 1998Assignee: Industrie Magneti Marelli S.p.A.Inventors: Sergio D'Angelo, Marco Greco
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Patent number: 5711652Abstract: An electrically driven air pump having a pump mechanism in a first section of a housing and an electric motor in a second section of the housing in driving engagement with the pump mechanism. First and second end covers are sealingly secured on the housing. The electric motor is supported by elastomer rings in the housing. The pump mechanism has two axially spaced rotor wheels secured on the drive shaft of the motor and a stator wheel between the rotor wheels. The electric motor is balanced, in situ, in its mounted state by adjusting that one of the rotor wheels which is exposed in the housing prior to installation of the end cover on the first section of the housing. After the motor is balanced, the end cover is press fit on the housing and stator wheel to form air-tight, friction fit seal joints therebetween in which the engaged parts which are deformed elastically or plastically.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 1995Date of Patent: January 27, 1998Assignee: Pierburg AGInventors: Gunter Van De Venne, Rainer Peters, Klaus Muckelmann