Flow Confining Casing, Shroud Or Passage Patents (Class 416/177)
  • Patent number: 11805765
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are related to a centrifugal pump system including a cylinder with a cylinder bottom having a lower chamber, a cylinder body including a plurality of longitudinal channels, and a cylinder top with a plurality of spouts. The centrifugal pump system also has an annulus including a circular channel with an outlet. The centrifugal pump system is structured to transport fluid from below the cylinder bottom, through the cylinder lower chamber, through the plurality of longitudinal channels and the cylinder spouts before exiting the annulus outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Inventor: Bradley Toschlog
  • Patent number: 10557476
    Abstract: A mixed-flow fan includes a base including a bottom channel, an outer cover disposed on the base, a motor disposed on the base, a hub located between the outer case and the motor, and a blade connected to the hub. A main channel is formed between the outer cover and the hub, and is connected to the bottom channel. The main channel extends in the first direction, and the bottom channel extends in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Shih-Di Chen, Shun-Chen Chang
  • Patent number: 8998562
    Abstract: A hollow rotor core assembly for a wind turbine with at least one set of cylindrical stacks having a plurality of guiding vanes on the internal surface of the cylindrical stacks, having at least one set of air openings to accept airflow into the hollow rotor core for creating when in rotation a vortex inside the hollow rotor core, having at one end a partial blocking device as such to allow the exhaust of only a fraction of the peripheral portion of the vortex and to redirect the remaining central portion of the vortex towards the other end of the hollow rotor core where the bulk of the airflow will be exhausted from the hollow rotor core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Inventor: Horia Nica
  • Patent number: 8944767
    Abstract: A centrifugal boost pump inducer section includes a plurality of inducer main blades, and a plurality of splitter blades, each of which includes normal to the blade mean line cross sectional surfaces distributed over the length of the blades, the cross sectional surfaces defined as a set of R-coordinates, theta-coordinates and Z-coordinates relative to an impeller outer diameter set out in one set of tables. A centrifugal boost pump impeller section includes a plurality of impeller main blades, a plurality of primary splitter blades, and a plurality of secondary splitter blades, each of which includes normal to the blade mean line cross sectional surfaces distributed over the length of the blades, the cross sectional surfaces defined as a set of R-coordinates, theta-coordinates and Z-coordinates relative to an impeller outer diameter set out in another set of tables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Adrian L. Stoicescu, Steven A. Heitz
  • Patent number: 8918995
    Abstract: A method of repairing a damaged notch fillet radius of a turbine blade shroud includes a replacement notch fillet radius and a hardface nugget. The damaged notch fillet radius is blended out and a hardface structure positioned proximate the damaged notch fillet radius is removed. A replacement notch fillet radius is formed with weld filler and the hardface nugget is welded to at least a portion of the replacement notch fillet radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Timothy A. Milleville
  • Patent number: 8905706
    Abstract: The invention discloses at least one blade extending away from a beginning point and longitudinally along a central axis and approximating the shape of a spiral about said central axis. The blade comprises a beginning point disposed a first lateral distance away from the central axis and a terminating point disposed a second lateral distance away from the central axis, the second distance being greater than the first distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Inventors: Chris Bills, Donald Moriarty
  • Patent number: 8764399
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems, devices, and methods for transferring kinetic energy from a working fluid to mechanical energy. The claimed device comprises a housing, at least one fluid inlet, a rotor assembly with a plurality of closely related blades that are positioned to create at least one spiral pathway which is continuous for the length of the rotor assembly, a shaft connected to the rotor assembly, and at least one fluid outlet. The energy is transferred when a working fluid enters the fluid inlet, flows trough the spiral pathway in the rotor assembly's direction of rotation, and exits through the fluid outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Inventor: Robert W Linscott
  • Patent number: 8708643
    Abstract: A counter-rotatable fan turbine engine includes a counter-rotatable fan section, a worm gas generator, and a low pressure turbine to power the counter-rotatable fan section. The low pressure turbine maybe counter-rotatable or have a single direction of rotation in which case it powers the counter-rotatable fan section through a gearbox. The gas generator has inner and outer bodies having offset inner and outer axes extending through first, second, and third sections of a core assembly. At least one of the bodies is rotatable about its axis. The inner and outer bodies have intermeshed inner and outer helical blades wound about the inner and outer axes and extending radially outwardly and inwardly respectively. The helical blades have first, second, and third twist slopes in the first, second, and third sections respectively. A combustor section extends through at least a portion of the second section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Rollin George Giffin, Kurt David Murrow, Oladapo Fakunle
  • Patent number: 8689535
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are screw shaft turbine compressors having (i) a compressor section, (ii) a turbine section, (iii) a combustion section coupling to the compressor section and the turbine section, and (iv) a grooved shaft. The grooved shaft can include one or more grooves for providing fuel from the compressor section to the combustion section and for allowing exhaust to leave the combustion section and exit the turbine section. A method for generating different speed to torque ratios on the shaft and a system for generating torque on the shaft are further disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: John R. Jackson
  • Publication number: 20140050585
    Abstract: An impeller including: blades disposed in a circumferential direction of the impeller; a disk located close to a second end side of an axis of the impeller with respect to the blades, to which the blades are attached, and configured to be attached to a rotating shaft; and a shroud located close to a first end side of an axis of the impeller with respect to the blades, and to which the blades are attached. Flow passages are formed by the blades, the disk and the shroud. The blades, the shroud and a first portion of the disk close to the second end side of the axis of the impeller are integrated so as to form a first member. A second portion of the disk close to the first end side of the axis of the impeller forms a second member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Inventors: Daisuke Kawanishi, Akihiro Nakaniwa
  • Patent number: 8651800
    Abstract: An air induction system consisting of a cylindrical main flow tube, a helical vane disposed within the main flow tube, and, preferably, a noise absorbing perforated tube disposed within the main flow tube in concentric relation to the helical vane. The twist direction of the helical vane provides air flow rotation in the same direction of rotation as the turbine wheel. The helical vane causes noise reflection and enhancement of noise attenuation by the perorated tube and its adjoining one or more acoustic cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLP
    Inventor: Lei Li
  • Publication number: 20130236314
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a crosscurrent tacking portable hydrokinetic energy conversion hydrofoil useful for generating electricity in moderate velocity currents and especially useful for rapid deployment and removal from a land base, boat or dock. The device comprises a buoyant and ballasted semi-cylindrical shroud containing a turbine rotor, annular cylindrical wing, a linear expansion nozzle, an alternator with linkages to a turbine shaft, an insulated conductor cable and tether lines. Hydrofoil elements enable the device to tack into a stream and hold a stable position. A system using two tether lines, each with one end connected to the device are fed into a stream to a desired distance from a surface base and are subsequently individually tensioned and fixed to a point on the base, stabilizing the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Inventor: Fred John Feiler
  • Patent number: 8506244
    Abstract: A turbine apparatus is immersed in an ambient stream of a flowing fluid, such as water, so as to encapture a portion of the flowing fluid and extract power therefrom, before returning it back into the ambient stream, which may be a tidal flow of ocean water, or a relative flow of water behind a boat. The apparatus includes a converging intake duct with an inlet opening that faces forward into the ambient stream flow, a spiral volute casing that redirects the fluid into a spiral flow, a rotor arranged coaxially on the spiral axis, and an exhaust duct that diverges and curves from an exhaust inlet coaxial with the spiral axis to an exhaust outlet that opens rearwardly into the ambient flow. The rotor has a peripheral rotor inlet around the circumference of a first stage thereof and an axial rotor outlet at one axial end thereof, and is arranged with its rotor axis coinciding with the spiral axis oriented transverse to the ambient stream flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Inventors: George F McBride, Lyle E McBride
  • Patent number: 8425818
    Abstract: A pelletizing machine for forming pellets from extruded material includes an extruder having at least one exit port and a body defining a cutting chamber through which high-temperature liquid flows, flooding the cutting chamber. The exit port of the extruder opens into the cutting chamber, which includes a cutting section defining a flow path for liquid through the cutting section. A cutter in the cutting section of the cutting chamber is mounted for rotation about an axis generally perpendicular to the first direction and disposed for cutting the extruded material exiting the exit port into the pellets. The axis of rotation of the cutter is parallel to or coincident with the flow path of the cutting section. A method for forming pellets of thermoplastic material with a foaming agent is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Interplast Group Ltd.
    Inventors: Yi An Lin, Ming-Tsai Liang
  • Publication number: 20120306205
    Abstract: Inventive systems (e.g., turbines) for harnessing hydroelectric energy are described. The turbines, includes: (1) a central longitudinal shaft configured to mount and to rotate on a central axis perpendicular to a direction of fluid flow; (2) a plurality of arcing blades coupled with the shaft, the blades extending radially outwardly from the shaft, and the blades including an airfoil cross-section along a substantial length of the blades; and (3) a hydrodynamic cap covering a location where the arcing blades couple with the shaft such that in an operating state of the turbine, presence of the hydrodynamic cap reduces an amount of bypass area, which is area outside a region that is swept by the arcing blades.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: Lucid Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Rydell Cosby, Timothy P. Braun, Roderic Alan Schlabach, Igor Palley, Jacob J. Brenneman, Joshua T. Thomas
  • Patent number: 8206113
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for gradually converting marine wave energy into electricity. The energy reserve provided by wind power holds enough energy for the needs of the entire mankind. The invention provides an efficient means of putting this energy reserve to practical use. Mounted on a rotating power shaft is a pair of form parts, the convex and concave shape, especially the round-pointed open V-shape of which reverses its orientation by 180 degrees, i.e. turns from convex to concave, whenever the power shaft makes a rotation of 180 degrees. The circular motion of water occurring in a wave drives such a turbine effectively while the wave dies out. The pair of convex and concave form parts extends helically around the power shaft, whereby water currents in all directions, which come to contact with the pair of form parts, produce a rotative moment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Inventors: Seppo Ryynänen, Mikko Ryynänen
  • Publication number: 20110255976
    Abstract: In a manufacturing method for closed vane wheels having vanes (2, 2a) between which vane channels (3) are formed which have a predefined shape, openings for the vane channels are prepared by means of a program-controlled chip forming cutting apparatus in a blank in a chip forming cutting process. In the manufacturing method, in a further workstep, electrodes (11) of an apparatus for spark erosion or for electrochemical stock removal are additionally introduced into the openings and a part of the predefined shape of the vane channel (3) is manufactured by means of spark erosion or by means of electrochemical stock removal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: Sulzer Markets and Technology AG
    Inventor: Werner Jahnen
  • Patent number: 7934315
    Abstract: A method of repairing a damaged notch fillet radius of a turbine blade shroud includes a replacement notch fillet radius and a hardface nugget. The damaged notch fillet radius is blended out and a hardface structure positioned proximate the damaged notch fillet radius is removed. A replacement notch fillet radius is formed with weld filler and the hardface nugget is welded to at least a portion of the replacement notch fillet radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Timothy A. Milleville
  • Patent number: 7837431
    Abstract: In an impeller 11, an inlet portion and an outlet portion are provided at one end side and the other end side in the axial direction, respectively. An inlet 29 is formed in the lower part of the inlet portion, and an outlet is formed in the side face of the outlet portion. The inlet portion and the outlet portion are partitioned by a flange portion 40. The impeller 11 includes a primary vane 36 and a secondary vane 38. The primary vane 36 defines a spiral primary channel 35 that connects the inlet 29 and the outlet. The secondary vane 38 is formed in a shape that a part of the outer periphery of the outlet portion is gouged inward so as to define a secondary channel 37 connected to the primary channel 35 and extending circumferentially around the outer periphery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Shinmaywa Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Nishi, Chikara Takebe, Koichi Tamura, Yoichi Tamaki, Akihiro Ando, Arata Funasaka
  • Patent number: 7788896
    Abstract: A screw shaft turbine compressor comprising (i) a compressor section, (ii) a turbine section, (iii) a combustion section coupling to the compressor section and the turbine section, and (iv) a grooved shaft. The grooved shaft in one embodiment extends from a portion of the compressor section, through the combustion section, and to a portion of the turbine section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Inventor: John Jackson
  • Patent number: 7600963
    Abstract: Embodiments include apparatus and methods of fluid energy conversion. One embodiment relates to a tube for a fluid energy converter. The tube may include a generally cylindrical and hollow body having an interior surface, an exterior surface, and a longitudinal axis. Another embodiment includes a fluid energy converter having a longitudinal axis and a rotatable tube coaxial about the longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the rotatable tube converts kinetic energy in a fluid into rotating mechanical energy, or converts rotating mechanical energy into kinetic energy in a fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Viryd Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Donald C. Miller
  • Patent number: 7497657
    Abstract: A beam jet propeller is provided, especially a beam jet propeller which increases the friction force of the fluid by spiral or linear diversion protrusions or diversion grooves on the inner wall of a tube, such that original loose fluid can be twisted together into a beam shape under pressure/rotation/extrusion and form inter-tube pressure. The beam fluid may generate a strong propelling force. Meanwhile, because less air is included in this beam fluid, the bubble friction is smaller and acoustic noise is greatly decreased. The present invention does not adopt a traditional propeller as the propelling device, therefore, the cavitation due to Bernoulli theorem is not generated, and the problem of resistance force and drag force in the fluid is also eliminated. The propelling force is thus greatly increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Wisepoint Tech. Co. Ltd
    Inventor: Dave Wang
  • Patent number: 7455497
    Abstract: An improved high performance inducer for a pump assembly includes a set of primary blades and splitter blades to achieve a vapor-to-liquid ratio up to 1:1. Minimum back pressure is provided at the leading edge to aid in getting fluid into the blades where the vapor component of the pumped fluid is removed. A hub increases in diameter over the axial extent of the helical blades, thereby resulting in a decreasing depth of the blades between the inlet and outlet of the inducer. A substantial improvement in removing fluid from a storage reservoir is obtained resulting in a substantial savings in shipping costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Carter Cryogenics Company, LLC
    Inventor: JinKook Lee
  • Patent number: 7443671
    Abstract: A cooling fan comprising a housing that connects to a chassis that is operable to support an electronic component. An axial duct runs through the housing. A blade assembly is rotatably disposed within the duct and comprises a plurality of fan blades that extend radially from a hub to a fan diameter. The axial duct has a chord length at least equal to the fan diameter. A motor assembly is disposed within the axial duct and coupled to said blade assembly. The cooling fan provides a cooling capacity of at least 1.5 air horsepower per cubic inch volume of the cooling fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Wade D. Vinson, John P. Franz, Ronald D. Noblett, Joseph R. Allen
  • Patent number: 7090460
    Abstract: A side channel pump, preferably a vacuum pump, includes a driven rotor (16) and a fixed stator (14). The rotor (16) and the stator (14) define a pump channel circulating in a peripheral direction. Blades are fixed onto the rotor, protruding into the cross-section of the pump channel. The pump channel also includes a blade-free side channel (44). The pump channel (22) containing the side channel (44) extends in a helical manner around the rotor (16). The pump channel is advantageously not limited to the length of a winding but can have the length of substantially any number of uninterrupted windings. As a result, a high suction performance and a high compression ratio in the pump can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Leybold Vakuum GmbH
    Inventors: Heinrich Engländer, Peter Klingner, Ingo Seckel
  • Patent number: 6962479
    Abstract: A compound centrifugal and screw compressor comprising two separate sections. The first section is a conventional centrifugal compressor body 2 with a plurality of radial vanes 3 and 4 on the front face. The second section of the compressor is a screw type compressor with a plurality of helical vanes 6 mounted on a conical screw body 5; the helical vanes 6 are lesser in number than the short radial vanes 4 and the same in number as the long radial vanes 3, typically one quarter to one third, and mate up with longer radial vanes 3 at the extremity of the centrifugal 2 compressor rim. The conical screw body 5 is the same diameter as the outer rim of the centrifugal compressor and reduces down at the output end. The helical vanes each complete one full turn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Inventor: Adrian Alexander Hubbard
  • Patent number: 6910483
    Abstract: A double-ended variable speed blower for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) ventilation of patients includes two impellers in the gas flow path that cooperatively pressurize gas to desired pressure and flow characteristics. Thus, the double-ended blower can provide faster pressure response and desired flow characteristics over a narrower range of motor speeds, resulting in greater reliability and less acoustic noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: ResMed Limited
    Inventors: Geoffrey D. Daly, Alexander Virr, Stephen A. Lea, Dion Charles C. Martin, Nicholas J Reed, Larry Puckeridge, Timothy Tsun-Fai Fu
  • Patent number: 6890142
    Abstract: A turbine rotor has a spiral involute channel formed in a rotor disk. In one embodiment, the channel has an inlet near the center of the disk and an outlet near the periphery of the disk. Working fluid of the turbine enters the channel at the inlet and is directed along the channel where kinetic energy of the working fluid is transferred to the rotor by way of blades positioned within the channel. A series of rotors may be stacked together to form multiple, parallel flow paths through a turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Inventor: James G. Anneken
  • Patent number: 6881026
    Abstract: A screw compressor includes a housing and a screw rotor disposed in the housing and rotatable relative to the housing for compressing a refrigerant, the housing and the screw rotor having a rest condition, and an operating condition wherein at least one of the housing and the rotor deflect from the rest condition, and structure for at least one of reducing deflection from the rest condition and evenly distributing deflection from the rest condition when the rotor is in the operating condition, whereby clearance between the housing and the rotor is optimized in the operating condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Lifson, James William Bush, Mark Daniels, Reng Lin, William Rousseau, Tim Wagner, Donald Yannoscoli
  • Patent number: 6837684
    Abstract: An impeller for a pump used for pumping liquid substances, such as waste water, said impeller containing at least one flow channel of a spatially curved shape, wherein the flow channel is of an evenly curved shape and, in the final portion of the channel, the flow channel meets itself, or another channel if the impeller has more than one flow channel. By using the impeller of the invention, a very high efficiency is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Grundfos Management A/S
    Inventor: Lasse Ilves
  • Publication number: 20040081557
    Abstract: An impeller for a pump used for pumping liquid substances, such as waste water, said impeller containing at least one flow channel (2) of a spatially curved shape, wherein the flow channel is of an evenly curved shape and, in the final portion of the channel, the flow channel (2) meets itself, or another channel if the impeller has more than one flow channel. By using the impeller of the invention, a very high efficiency is achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventor: Lasse Ilves
  • Patent number: 6702553
    Abstract: A highly porous alumina material and a method for applying such material that is useful in the hot section of a jet aircraft engine. In order to manufacture the porous alumina, an aluminum-based metal/alumina material known in the art is first placed onto a metal alloy substrate. The aluminum-based metal is then dissolved using a solution that will not affect the alumina or the underlying substrate. The alumina is then washed with deionized water and dried. The resulting alumina has a porosity in the range of about 20% to about 45%. The alumina has globular interconnected surface features in the range of about 0.5 &mgr;m to about 20 &mgr;m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Mark D. Gorman
  • Patent number: 6499718
    Abstract: A fluent material containing and dispensing apparatus including a hopper having four sidewalls. A tube mounts to one of the sidewalls, and an auger extends from one end of the tube to the opposite end of the hopper, driving material in the hopper through the tube when the auger is rotated. A flexible hose is mounted to the underside of the tube and material in the tube pours into the hose, which can be kinked to slow or stop flow of material. A gap is formed between the outer surfaces of the auger and the tube wall. A radially inwardly extending flange can be mounted to the tube wall to slow the flow of material through the gap. Alternatively, a compressible sleeve can be mounted in the gap between the outer surfaces of the auger and the tube wall extending a substantial length of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Inventors: Damian L. Lang, Michael D. West
  • Patent number: 6474939
    Abstract: A cell for pumping a multiphase effluent includes two rotary parts (4-5), the first one (4) having a hydraulic wheel designed for transmitting kinetic energy to each of the multiphase effluent phases entering cell (1a-1b), and the second one (5), following the first, being an energy converting device designed for homogenizing the phases, transferring kinetic energy between the phases, entraining the lightest phase, converting kinetic energy into pressure and compressing the homogeneous effluent before it leaves the cell. All of the rotary parts of the cell are mounted on a common shaft (3) axially arranged inside a fixed housing (2) having an inlet and an outlet for the multiphase effluent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventor: Christian Bratu
  • Patent number: 6468029
    Abstract: A pump device for pumping a fluid having a housing which includes an inner wall to form a cavity. The device further includes an impeller rotatably mounted in the housing and residing in the cavity, wherein the impeller includes a cylindrical portion and first and second helixes that extend above the cylindrical portion. The first helix is adjacent the second helix such that the first and second helixes are interleaved with each other along a length of the impeller. The device also includes at least one inlet port formed in the housing for receiving fluid into the cavity, wherein upon rotation of the impeller, the fluid is caused to move in an axial direction and in a radial direction such that a centrifugal force is generated causing the fluid to move to the inner wall. A reaction force is then generated that causes the fluid to move back toward the impeller to increase friction between the impeller and the fluid to thereby increase the amount of fluid that is moved by the impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Inventor: George J. Teplanszky
  • Patent number: 6439834
    Abstract: The oil field tool motor is particularly suited for use in the oil well shaft environment wherein the temperature within the shaft can climb to nearly 400° F. and wherein the temperature within the motor can drop to nearly −400° F. when liquid nitrogen is intermittently fed therethrough. The motor incorporates a stator sleeve and guide bearings wherein rubber elements thereof, which cause seizure of the motor due to swelling of the rubber against rotating structures therewithin caused by the high ambient temperature and by impregnation by the liquid nitrogen, are replaced with identically sized and configured elements made of a material having a suitable level of lubricity, which material does not interact chemically with or absorb the nitrogen, and the physical characteristics of which are only minimally affected, if at all, by the ambient temperatures, eliminating seizure of the motor under these conditions of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Inventor: Arthur Whiting
  • Patent number: 6357997
    Abstract: A ribbon drive power generation system and method is disclosed. The system is equipped with an extended tube having an intake at a first end and an outlet at a second end. A ribbon formed of helical coils is mounted in the tube for rotation and the frequency of the coils increases from the first end to the second end of the tube. Moving water is directed into the first end, an axial component of momentum of the water is decreased via the rotating ribbon, and the rotation is used to induce electricity or drive an electrical generator. The scalability and modular nature of the present invention allow flexible implementation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Inventor: Jonathan B. Rosefsky
  • Patent number: 6273672
    Abstract: A compression or expansion two-phase helical mixed flow impeller (1) comprising one or more vanes (3) mounted on a boss, a cover (4) or fairing mounted on the outer part of the vanes, the assembly being arranged in a housing (2). The cover (4) has at least one of its ends corresponding to the inlet and/or the outlet of the impeller, a slop whose value is determined so as to limit leaks between the inlet and the outlet of the impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventor: Yves Charron
  • Patent number: 6158959
    Abstract: A pump impeller of a centrifugal or a half axial type meant to pump liquids, mainly sewage water. The pump impeller has a hub (4) provided with one or several vanes (5) the leading edges (6) of which being strongly swept backwards. The periphery (8) of the leading edge is displaced 125-195 degrees relative to its connection (7) to the hub (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Ulf Arbeus
  • Patent number: 6132172
    Abstract: An improved windmill includes a conical rotor unit, a frame for supporting the conical rotor unit and a base for supporting the frame. The conical rotor unit has a conical rotor with a plurality of spaced curved blades disposed thereon and a plurality of spaced slant blades located at an outer rim of the conical rotor. The conical rotor has small wind resistance and may rotate under low speed wind to generate rotor rotation. The frame is rotationable about the base to enable the conical rotor to capture wind from different directions. The conical rotor is heavier than conventional windmill rotor and may serve as a fly wheel to store kinetic energy for the windmill to produce steady rotation under different wind speed for a long period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Inventor: Wan-Tsai Li
  • Patent number: 6053700
    Abstract: A turbine 400 has a central duct 410 which accelerates fluid passing through it and a blade configuration which retards the flow of fluid near the tips of the turbine. This structure results in a vortex having a higher fluid pressure behind the tips of the turbine blades 408 and a lower fluid pressure behind the duct. In the present invention, this vortex is enhanced by (1) an increased acceleration of the fluid passing through the duct 410 and a deceleration of the fluid passing through the blades 408; and/or (2) by a fluid redirection device 850 for directing the fluid passing through the duct towards the outer diameter of the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Fosdick High-Tek Wind Turbines, Inc.
    Inventor: George A. Fosdick
  • Patent number: 6036443
    Abstract: A helical turbine assembly capable of providing high speed unidirectional rotation under a multidirectional ultra low-head fluid flow is disclosed. The assembly comprises an array of helical turbine units or modules arranged, vertically or horizontally, to harness, for example, water or wind power. Each turbine unit or module comprises a plurality of helical blades having an airfoil profile. The modules for wind power may be mounted to rotatable shafts supported by lightweight structures anchored by guy wires to the ground. The helical turbine can also a provide ship propulsion by utilizing the power of ocean waves. In a further embodiment, a cylindrical distributor is provided in the helical turbine to channel the fluid flow to the blades of the turbine, thereby increasing efficiency and power output. The helical turbine with distributor may be used to lift or lower a body either being submerged into a fast stream or dragged in the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Northeastern University
    Inventor: Alexander M. Gorlov
  • Patent number: 5997242
    Abstract: An hydraulic turbine includes a rotatable turbine runner. The turbine runner has a circumferential inlet for receiving a fluid and an axial outlet for discharging the fluid. The turbine runner also includes a conical-shaped hub rotatable about a central axis, the hub having a diameter that decreases in size from the inlet to the outlet, the conical-shaped hub including a base having a circumference adjacent the inlet and a surface sloping inwardly toward the central axis, the surface including a concave section facing the inlet when viewed in the meridional cross-section. The turbine runner also includes at least two helical turbine blades connected to the conical-shaped hub, each turbine blade having a leading edge adjacent to the inlet, a trailing edge adjacent to the outlet, a blade running length therebetween having a pitch, each turbine blade further including an outer edge, wherein each turbine blade winds at least halfway around the conical-shaped hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignees: Alden Research Laboratory, Inc., Northern Research & Engineering Corp
    Inventors: George E. Hecker, Willem Jansen
  • Patent number: 5878808
    Abstract: A rotating heat exchanger (10) has a first air turbine (16) connected to a first end of an axle (20). The second end of the axle (20) is connected to a second air turbine (18). A heat pipe (30, 40, 42, 44) extends from the first air turbine (16) to the second air turbine (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: McDonnell Douglas
    Inventors: Edward Thomas Rock, Lawrence Thomas Shafer
  • Patent number: 5694771
    Abstract: The variable speed drive mechanism includes an input member (17) and an output member (18), each rotatable within a housing (11) filled with fluid. The input and output members each have helical vanes (26) that are in a close running fit with sleeves (21, 22) within the housing. The amount of axial overlap of the sleeves with the helical vanes of either the input member or the output member is adjustable. Rotation of the input member causes the helical vanes of the input member to pump the fluid towards the helical valves of the output member, causing the output member to rotate. The ratio of the speed of the output member with respect to the input member is varied, by varying the axial length of overlap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Inventor: Craig Forrester
  • Patent number: 5527159
    Abstract: A rotary blood pump includes a pump housing for receiving a flow straightener, a rotor mounted on rotor bearings and having an inducer portion and an impeller portion, and a diffuser. The entrance angle, outlet angle, axial and radial clearances of blades associated with the flow straightener, inducer portion, impeller portion and diffuser are optimized to minimize hemolysis while maintaining pump efficiency. The rotor bearing includes a bearing chamber that is filled with cross-linked blood or other bio-compatible material. A back emf integrated circuit regulates rotor operation and a microcomputer may be used to control one or more back emf integrated circuits. A plurality of magnets are disposed in each of a plurality of impeller blades with a small air gap. A stator may be axially adjusted on the pump housing to absorb bearing load and maximize pump efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Richard J. Bozeman, Jr., James W. Akkerman, Gregory S. Aber, George A. Van Damm, James W. Bacak, Paul A. Svejkovsky, Robert J. Benkowski
  • Patent number: 5501574
    Abstract: A dynamic blood pump includes a rotating core member and rotating ring portion effective to pre-spin blood before the blood enteres helical pumping channels of the pump. The blood is pumped and further rotated as it moves axially along the helical channels toward a centrifugal section of the pump. At the centrifugal pumping section circumferential velocity differentials are also controlled to diminish damage to the blood. Outwardly of the centrifugal pumping section, a forced-vortex pumping section communicates the pumped blood to an exit port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventor: Donald A. Raible
  • Patent number: 5451137
    Abstract: A reaction turbine capable of providing high speed unidirectional rotation under a reversible ultra low head pressure and/or high velocity fluid flow is disclosed. The turbine comprises a working wheel with a plurality of airfoil-shaped blades mounted transversely to the direction of fluid flow for rotation in a plane parallel to the fluid flow. The blades are arranged in a helical configuration, a modification of a delta turbine, which ensures that a portion of the blades are always positioned perpendicular to the fluid pressure, thereby creating maximum thrust to spin the turbine and ensuring a continuous speed of rotation with no accelerations and decelerations. The skewed leading edges further reduce resistance to the turbine rotation. A channel having a rectangular cross-section may be provided to direct the fluid flow to the blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Northeastern University
    Inventor: Alexander M. Gorlov
  • Patent number: 5382092
    Abstract: A mixing apparatus includes a bottom ribbon blade adapted for viscous fluid contents. The mixing apparatus includes a vertically positioned mixing vessel including a cylindrical wall and a bottom wall disposed on a lower portion of the cylindrical wall wherein the bottom wall is of a semi-ellipsoid shape, dished shape, or circular cone shape with an obtuse apex angle and each of the convex surfaces of which is oriented downwardly. An impeller shaft is vertically and coaxially aligned within the mixing vessel and a helical ribbon blade is disposed within the mixing vessel in such a manner as to be rotated by a driving mechanism via the impeller shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Assignee: Shinko Pantec Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukimichi Okamoto, Masahiko Kikuchi, Kazutaka Takata, Hisayoshi Ito
  • Patent number: 5368438
    Abstract: A dynamic blood pump includes a rotating core member and rotating ring portion effective to pre-spin blood before the blood enteres helical pumping channels of the pump. The blood is pumped and further rotated as it moves axially along the helical channels toward a centrifugal section of the pump. At the centrifugal pumping section circumferential velocity differentials are also controlled to diminish damage to the blood. Outwardly of the centrifugal pumping section, a forced-vortex pumping section communicates the pumped blood to an exit port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventor: Donald A. Raible