Hollow Patents (Class 416/232)
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Publication number: 20120237356Abstract: The present invention provides a wind turbine blade of hybrid material composition, wherein the blade comprises a structural box mainly made of a epoxy based prepreg and a shell manufactured by resin infusion technique using polyester or vinylester, and the box and the shell are bonded using an adhesive that is not a polyester, a vinylester and an epoxy. The present invention also provides a method for producing such a blade.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2010Publication date: September 20, 2012Applicant: Suzhou Red Maple Wind Blade Mould Co., Ltd.Inventor: Gabriel Mironov
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Patent number: 8267665Abstract: A rotor blade including a root attachable to a rotor hub. The blade includes a tip and one or more channels aligned within the blade generally between the root and the tip. Each channel has a sealed first end and a second end vented to outside the blade. The channel(s) are vented to one or more exterior surfaces of the blade through one or more apertures in the exterior surface(s).Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2008Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Blaine K. Rawdon, Arthur G. Powell, John C. Vassberg
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Publication number: 20120230825Abstract: The invention relates to a gas turbine blade (10), in particular a compressor blade and/or turbine blade for a turbomachine, wherein the gas turbine blade (10) comprises at least one receptacle (18) for the form-fitting arrangement of a connecting element, by means of which a mechanical load can be introduced into gas turbine blade (10). The invention further relates to a shrouding band segment (16) for arrangement on a gas turbine blade (10), a connection system having a gas turbine blade (10) and having a connecting element, a method for connecting a gas turbine blade (10) to a connecting element, and a rotor for a turbomachine having a rotor disk (12) joined to a blade ring or having a rotor ring joined to a blade ring.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2010Publication date: September 13, 2012Applicant: MTU AERO ENGINES GMBHInventors: Frank Stiehler, Hans Peter Borufka, Patrick Prokopczuk
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Patent number: 8262364Abstract: A wind turbine blade includes an upper shell member and a lower shell member defining an internal cavity therebetween. The shell members are joined with a bond paste along bond lines at the leading edge and trailing edge of the blade. A seal member is disposed between the upper and lower shell members at a designed width of the bond line along at least one of the trailing or leading edges. The seal member comprises a dam on each of the lower and upper shell members that overlap in a mated configuration of the shell members.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2011Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Robert Andrew Dixon
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Publication number: 20120219426Abstract: The present disclosure provides a blade for a wind turbine. The wind turbine has an axis about which in use the blade rotates. The blade is arranged for orientation along the axis and has a predetermined twisted shape. The blade has a first and an opposite second side portion. The first and second side portions have edges and are coupled together at the edges. The first and second side portions are shaped such that a blade body is formed that is shaped such that maintaining the predetermined twisted shape of the blade is facilitated.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2010Publication date: August 30, 2012Applicant: WINDWORKS ENGINEERING LIMITEDInventor: Azad Hessamodini
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Patent number: 8251658Abstract: A turbine rotor blade with a spar and shell construction, and a tip cap that includes a row of teeth and slots extending from a bottom side that engage with similar shaped teeth and slots on a tip end of the spar to secure the tip cap to the spar against radial displacement. The tooth on the trailing edge end of the tip cap is aligned perpendicular to the pressure side wall of the blade in the trailing edge region in order to minimize stress due to the teeth wanting to bend under high centrifugal loads. To reduce stress, some of the teeth include a cutback to shorten the teeth in places where high stress levels would occur.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2009Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: Florida Turbine Technologies, Inc.Inventors: William B Diggs, Keith D Kimmel
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Publication number: 20120213642Abstract: A segmented wind rotor blade for a wind turbine generator system and the assembling method thereof are disclosed. The segmented wind rotor blade includes a blade root section adjacent to a hub and at least one radial blade. Main girders are embedded inside both the blade root section and the radial blades. The blade root section and each radial blade are connected end to end through the main girders connecting one by one. The effects of great connection intensity and less aerodynamic loss can be realized by the segmented wind rotor blade.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2010Publication date: August 23, 2012Applicant: SINOVEL WIND GROUP CO., LTD.Inventors: Weifeng Wang, Baonian Jin, Zuohui Liu, Qun Dang, Shuai Wang
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Patent number: 8245400Abstract: A method for assembling a modular wind turbine rotor blade, includes aligning a first blade module and a second blade module such that a first receptacle of the first blade module and a second receptacle of the second blade module are co-axial; and forming a detachable mechanical connection between a first inlay of the first blade module and a second inlay of the second blade module using a threaded fastener that extends into the first receptacle and into the second receptacle.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2011Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ronny Stam, Andreas Starke, Bart Veldkamp, Jendrik Meyer
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Patent number: 8241004Abstract: Within hollow structures, such as blade structures in a gas turbine engine, traditionally rigid girdered reinforcement has been utilised to define structure and shape. Such rigid definition can inhibit utilisation of damping fillers within the hollow structure. By providing a web former comprising spaced bond areas suspended upon angled interconnecting membranes a hollow structure is achieved which is flexible and can be used in conjunction with a damping filler to achieve desired performance. The web former supports skins defining the shape and takes some load such that the damping filler does not separate within the hollow structure.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2009Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: Rolls-Royce, PLCInventor: Oliver Michael Strother
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Patent number: 8231330Abstract: A turbine rotor blade with a row of exit slots adjacent to a trailing edge region of the airfoil that extends from the platform to the blade tip, where the row of exit slots is formed into three groups that include an upper span group, a mid-span group and a lower span group. The upper span group discharges film cooling air upward with respect to the airfoil chordwise direction, the mid-span group discharges along the chordwise direction, and the lower span group discharges in a direction downward with respect to the chordwise direction. Each exit slot is formed with a plurality of metering inlet holes that discharge into a first diffusion section and then a second diffusion section.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2009Date of Patent: July 31, 2012Assignee: Florida Turbine Technologies, Inc.Inventor: George Liang
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Patent number: 8225506Abstract: A method of manufacturing a component, the method including the steps of: providing a component having a first portion, which first portion defines a cavity, characterized by; identifying a first frequency response of the first portion and/or the entire component, and introducing material into the cavity to achieve an adjusted frequency response of the first portion and hence a desired frequency response of the component.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2008Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLCInventors: Nigel J.D. Chivers, Keith C. Goldfinch
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Patent number: 8197185Abstract: A turbine airfoil arrangement for a gas turbine engine includes an airfoil having an inlet and an exit, the inlet configured to receive a cooling gas flow operable to cool at least part of an other airfoil; and a passage disposed in the airfoil and fluidly coupled to the inlet and the exit, the exit being configured to pass at least some of the cooling gas flow to the other airfoil.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2008Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: Rolls-Royce CorporationInventors: John Alan Weaver, Tony Alan Lambert, James Sellhorn
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Patent number: 8178183Abstract: The present invention relates to a flexible and drapeable core material for use in a laminate or a sandwich construction comprising at least one exterior of an at least partially permeable material, which exterior forms at least one space into which a filler of freely movable, separate objects is filled. The spaces may be shaped like channels, form a square-shaped pattern or a pattern adapted to the shape of the laminate. The invention further relates to a laminate or a sandwich construction and a blade for a wind turbine featuring such core material and use and manufacture of laminates or sandwich constructions featuring the core material. Moreover the invention relates to a method of manufacturing a core material for use in a laminate or a sandwich construction comprising the steps of forming at least one space from an at least partially permeable material and filling filler into the space.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2006Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: LM Glasfiber A/SInventor: Torben Krogsdal Jacobsen
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Patent number: 8171633Abstract: A multi segment wind turbine blade comprises at least two blade segments. A first blade segment comprises an outer skin, a bulkhead, and first alignment brackets removably coupled to the outer skin of the first blade segment. A first portion of a flange of the bulkhead is bonded to the first blade segment and a second portion of the flange of the bulkhead projects out from the first blade segment. A second blade segment comprises an outer skin and second alignment brackets removably coupled to the outer skin of the first blade segment. The first and second alignment brackets are alignable upon the outer side of the second blade segment being inserted over the second portion of the flange of the bulkhead.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2007Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert Michael Zirin, Wendy Wen-Ling Lin, Youdong Zhou, Shu Ching Quek, Grama Praveen, Bowden Kirkpatrick, Jamie Thomas Livingston, Peggy Lynne Baehmann
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Patent number: 8152467Abstract: A blade of a fluid-flow machine has at least one cavity 2 arranged in the blade 1, with the cavity 2 connecting to a fluid supply, and at least one outlet opening 3 connecting the cavity 2 to a flow path, in which the blade 1 is arranged. The outlet opening 3 is of a nozzle-type design and essentially inclined in a direction of a main flow extending longitudinally to a corresponding surface of the blade 1. The outlet opening 3 extends over at least a part of the blade 1 height and the outlet opening 3 forms a step in a contour of the blade 1 profile, with a fluid jet issuing from the outlet opening 3 essentially tangentially attaching onto the blade surface.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2008Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KGInventor: Volker Guemmer
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Patent number: 8142164Abstract: A method for assembling a rotor blade for use with a wind turbine. The method includes providing a blade sidewall at least partially defining a cavity extending from a blade root towards a blade tip of the rotor blade, the blade sidewall having a leading edge and a trailing edge. A structural support assembly is positioned at least partially within the cavity and extends from the blade root towards the blade tip. The structural support assembly includes a root end and an opposing tip end. At least one support member is coupled to the blade sidewall and to the structural support assembly.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2009Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Kavala Venkateswara Rao, Mohamad Sultan
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Patent number: 8137611Abstract: A method of processing solid core ceramic matrix composite articles. The method improves the physical characteristics of the article by forming the airfoil using a co-processing method wherein a refractory ceramic is cast against a preformed ceramic matrix composite (CMC) shell. In one aspect, the shell is continuous to help prevent delaminations. In another aspect, the shell is open. In one embodiment, the article includes a split line. The split line helps the article to be less susceptible to damage caused from internal strain.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2005Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.Inventors: Gary B. Merrill, Christian X. Campbell, Thomas Barrett Jackson
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Patent number: 8133008Abstract: An axial flow fluid apparatus axially provided with a plurality of blade rows having a plurality of blades arranged around a shaft is provided. A fluid passage for jetting a fluid to a downstream velocity defect region resulting from a blade is formed in at least one of blades constituting a blade row installed on the upstream side of the plurality of blade rows so as to lead from a positive pressure surface to a negative pressure surface or a trailing edge.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2007Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: IHI CorporationInventor: Naoki Tsuchiya
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Patent number: 8105030Abstract: Cooled airfoils and gas turbine engine systems involving such airfoils are provided. In this regard, a representative cooled airfoil includes: an exterior surface defining a leading edge, a trailing edge, a suction side and a pressure side; an interior surface defining an interior cavity; trenches in the exterior surface oriented spanwise along the leading edge; and cooling holes communicating between the interior cavity and the trenches such that cooling air provided to the interior cavity flows from the interior cavity though the cooling holes into the trenches, the cooling holes having exterior apertures located in the trenches and interior apertures located at the interior surface.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2008Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: William Abdel-Messeh, Michael F. Blair, Atul Kohli, Justin D. Piggush
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Patent number: 8105045Abstract: Wind turbine blade includes a first blade part and a second blade part, the blade parts being bonded by bonding means forming a bond. To reduce peel stresses of the bond and reduce the risk of crack formation, an edge portion of the bond is covered by a low elastic modulus adhesive joint bridging a gap between the first blade part and the second blade part.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2008Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/SInventor: Ian Stewart
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Patent number: 8096769Abstract: Dampers (56, 76, 96) are utilized with regard to mounting arrangements (50, 70, 90) in gas turbine engines (10) in order to facilitate cooling. It is known to provide slotted upper surface or cottage roof dampers to enhance cooling effect. However, cooling efficiency cannot be optimized and improving cooling effectiveness particularly between the parts of a mounting arrangement can be difficult without detrimental reductions in overall efficiency of a gas turbine engine (10) incorporating such a mounting. By provision of impingement jets (54, 75, 94) which extend through the damper (56, 76, 96) into slots (51, 71, 91) which define an upper surface of the damper (56, 76, 96) improvements in cooling efficiency can be achieved. The slots (51, 71 91) are typically closed to reduce requirements with respect to pressure differentials. However, open ended slots (51, 71, 91) with impingement jets (54, 74, 94) can also be provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2009Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLCInventors: Ian Tibbott, Caner H. Helvaci
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Publication number: 20110318190Abstract: A wind turbine blade includes an upper shell member and a lower shell member defining an internal cavity therebetween. The shell members are joined with a bond paste along bond lines at the leading edge and trailing edge of the blade. A seal member is disposed between the upper and lower shell members at a designed width of the bond line along at least one of the trailing or leading edges. The seal member comprises a dam on each of the lower and upper shell members that overlap in a mated configuration of the shell members.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2011Publication date: December 29, 2011Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventor: Robert Andrew Dixon
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Patent number: 8083491Abstract: A wind turbine blade (11) having an aerodynamic profile with a leading edge (13), a trailing edge (15) and suction and pressure sides (17, 19) between the leading edge (13) and the trailing edge (15), wherein the pressure side (19) includes a modified zone (31) shaped for reducing the negative lift coefficient which is done whether attaching a device (33) such as a stall strip to the blade (11) or attaching or inserting into the blade (11) a deformable device and actuator means for providing the shape and size changes in it.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2009Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: Gamesa Innovation & Technology, S.L.Inventors: Luis Miguel Garcillan Rueda, Michael Friedrich, Enrique Gomez De Las Heras Carbonell
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Patent number: 8083489Abstract: A hybrid fan blade for a gas turbine engine is provided that includes an airfoil and a composite panel. The airfoil has a first side and a second side orientated opposite the first side. The first and second sides extend between a tip, a base, a leading edge and a trailing edge. The airfoil includes a plurality of cavities disposed in the first side of the airfoil, which cavities extend inwardly toward the second side. The cavities collectively form an opening. At least one rib is disposed between the cavities. A shelf is disposed around the opening. The composite panel is attached to the shelf first mounting surface and to the rib, and is sized to enclose the opening. The first composite panel is a load bearing structure operable to transfer loads to the airfoil and receive loads from the airfoil.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2009Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Daniel V. Viens, Vincent C. Nardone, Peter G. Smith, James R. Strife, Foster P. Lamm
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Turbine airfoil with dual wall formed from inner and outer layers separated by a compliant structure
Patent number: 8079821Abstract: A turbine airfoil usable in a turbine engine with a cooling system and a compliant dual wall configuration configured to enable thermal expansion between inner and outer layers while eliminating stress formation is disclosed. The compliant dual wall configuration may be formed a dual wall formed from inner and outer layers separated by a compliant structure. The compliant structure may be configured such that the outer layer may thermally expand without limitation by the inner layer. The compliant structure may be formed from a plurality of pedestals positioned generally parallel with each other. The pedestals may include a first foot attached to a first end of the pedestal and extending in a first direction aligned with the outer layer, and may include a second foot attached to a second end of the pedestal and extending in a second direction aligned with the inner layer.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2009Date of Patent: December 20, 2011Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.Inventors: Christian X. Campbell, Jay A. Morrison -
Patent number: 8079820Abstract: A blade module of a modular rotor blade comprising a hollow fiber composite body which extends along a longitudinal blade axis and at least one inlay located at or near a longitudinal end of the fiber composite body is provided. The inlay includes a receptacle which is adapted to receive a threaded fastener and an anchoring portion anchored to the fiber composite body. Further, a modular wind turbine rotor blade which includes at least two blade modules and a method for assembling a modular wind turbine rotor blade are provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2008Date of Patent: December 20, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ronny Stam, Andreas Starke, Bart Veldkamp, Jendrik Meyer
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Publication number: 20110305581Abstract: An improved ceiling fan vane structure minimizes the weight of vanes to reduce to loads and achieve a power saving effect without affecting the structural strength of the vanes. The structural design includes the vanes, each being formed by combining a plurality of laminated plates, in which a middle laminated plate has a hollow slot, and a hollow chamber is created after the vanes are formed. The hollow chamber is maintained hollow or filled with a lightweight material such as glass fiber, cotton, or foam to achieve the effect of reducing the weight of the vanes, so that when a motor of the fan is operated to drive the vanes to rotate and produce air turbulence, the lightweight vanes can reduce the load of the motor to improve its operation efficiency, and achieve the effects of saving power and extending the lifespan of the motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2010Publication date: December 15, 2011Inventor: Yu Shih-Chung
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Patent number: 8075278Abstract: The torsional rigidity of a wind turbine blade affects the twist response of the blade induced by bending moments within the blade. By including regions having a lower modulus of rigidity than the remainder of the blade shell, the torsional rigidity of the blade shell can be decreased, and the twist response thereby increased. In blades having a single shear web, this twist response may be more pronounced. The regions of low modulus may comprise additional shell panels, or thick regions of low modulus joining material.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2009Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Inventor: Michael D. Zuteck
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Publication number: 20110299995Abstract: A blade joint for joining a first blade segment and a second blade segment, each having an aerodynamic profile, in a rotor blade is disclosed. The blade joint includes a first joint segment and a second joint segment each having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a thickness therebetween. The outer surface of each joint segment has an aerodynamic profile. The first joint segment and the second joint segment each further have a joint interface end, a blade interface end, and a length therebetween. The joint interface end of the first joint segment and the joint interface end of the second joint segment are configured to couple the first joint segment and second joint segment together.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2010Publication date: December 8, 2011Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventor: Dirk Jan Kootstra
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Patent number: 8061964Abstract: The specification discloses a rotating turbine tower. The tower rotates to maintain the turbine facing into the wind. This allows structure optimization. The tower structure is comprised of a leading edge and a trailing edge, with joining panels between the edge structures. The tower edges are the main structural components of the tower. The separation of the edges tapers to follow the bending moment on the tower, reducing the need to taper material thickness. The tapering shape of the tower structure matches the primary edgewise moment distribution. The tower can be assembled on site from components, thereby facilitating transportation to the tower site. The material properties and shape can be selected based upon the tower maintaining a near constant orientation with the wind. This can save weight and costs. The tower architecture can be of differing shapes such as a triangle or a structure tapering at each end.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2009Date of Patent: November 22, 2011Inventor: Michael Zuteck
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Patent number: 8061997Abstract: The present invention relates to a blade made of composite, comprising a vane formed of woven filaments impregnated with a thermosetting resin with a protective element in the region of the leading edge of the vane comprising a part in the form of a rigid strip, said strip being secured to the vane. The blade is characterized in that at least one layer of a viscoelastic material is at least partially interposed between said rigid strip and the vane so as to form, with the protective element, a means of damping the vibrations of the vane.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2008Date of Patent: November 22, 2011Assignee: SNECMAInventors: Son Le Hong, Jean-Pierre Francois Lombard
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Publication number: 20110268576Abstract: A blade is presented. The blade includes a proximal end and a distal end, and a pronounced camber running between the proximal end to the distal end, wherein the pronounced camber is located in proximity to a trailing edge and on a suction side of the blade, and an amplitude of the pronounced camber at a location varies between about 0.7% to about 1.4% of a chord's length of a cross-section of the blade at said location.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2011Publication date: November 3, 2011Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Jaikumar Loganathan, Subhrajit Dey, Anurag Gupta
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Patent number: 8047800Abstract: A wind turbine blade includes an upper shell member and a lower shell member with an internal cavity therebetween. The shell members are joined at leading and trailing edges of the blade with a bond paste along a bond line having a designed width. A barrier is disposed within the internal cavity between the upper and lower shell members along at least one of the leading or trailing edges and prevents movement of the bond paste into the internal cavity beyond the width of the bond line. The barrier includes a wall that is substantially impermeable to the bond paste and a support member that extends from the wall to the leading or trailing edge of the blade. The support member locates the wall at the bond line and the wall has a shape and resiliency so as to be engaged against the upper and lower shell members within the internal cavity.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2010Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Jacob Johannes Nies
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Patent number: 8047799Abstract: A wind turbine blade includes an upper shell member and a lower shell member with an internal cavity therebetween. The shell members are joined at leading and trailing edges of the blade with a bond paste along a bond line having a designed width. A sleeve is disposed within the internal cavity between the upper and lower shell members along at least one of the leading or trailing edges, with the bond paste contained within the sleeve. The sleeve has a closed end that is impermeable to the bond paste and opposite sides that are permeable to air and permeable to the bond paste. The bond past adheres to the upper and lower shell members through the sleeve sides and the closed end of the sleeve defines the design width of the bond line in the internal cavity.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2010Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Jacob Johannes Nies
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Publication number: 20110260008Abstract: A fluid flow control device for an aerofoil comprises an aerofoil-tip body of aerofoil shape, coupling apparatus adapted to couple one end of the body to an aerofoil, and a passive tip blowing assembly. The passive tip blowing assembly is provided at the other end of the aerofoil-tip and comprises a housing defining a fluid chamber and a vane of aerofoil shape. The fluid chamber extends along part of the chord-length of the body and has a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The vane is arranged along the chord of the aerofoil-tip, with its leading edge at the inlet and its trailing edge at the outlet. The aerofoil section of the aerofoil-tip has a higher camber than that of the aerofoil, which turns fluid flow across the low pressure side of the aerofoil towards the aerofoil-tip, so that the fluid flow mirrors the fluid flow across the high pressure side of the aerofoil.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2011Publication date: October 27, 2011Inventor: John Jaycott Smith
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Patent number: 8043065Abstract: A wind turbine rotor blade includes first and second shell components joined together at a trailing edge of the blade. Each shell component includes a forward edge. At least one leading edge segment is joined to the shell components and aligned along a longitudinal length of the blade. The leading edge segment has an open-ended cross-sectional profile defined by an arcuate skin having first and second longitudinal edges and first and second end faces. The longitudinal edges of the leading edge segment are joined to the forward edge of the first shell component at a first bond line, and joined to the forward edge of the second shell component at a second bond line. The leading edge of the blade between the first and second bond lines is a continuous unbroken surface between the bond lines.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2009Date of Patent: October 25, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Steven Alan Kyriakides
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Patent number: 8038408Abstract: A composite blade (26) comprises a three-dimensional arrangement of reinforcing fibres (58) and a matrix material (60) infiltrated around the three-dimensional arrangement of woven reinforcing fibres (60). The three-dimensional arrangement of woven reinforcing fibres (58) defines a plurality of cavities (56) within the aerofoil (28). The composite blade (26) comprises an aerofoil portion (38) and a root portion (36). The aerofoil portion (38) comprises a leading edge (44), a trailing edge (46), a concave pressure surface wall (50), a convex suction surface wall (52) and a tip (48). The aerofoil portion (36) comprises a plurality of webs (54) extending between, and being secured to, the concave pressure surface wall (50) and the convex suction surface wall (52) to produce a Warren girder structure. The three-dimensional arrangement of woven reinforcing fibres (58) are arranged to produce the concave pressure surface wall (50), the convex suction surface wall (52) and the plurality of webs (54).Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2005Date of Patent: October 18, 2011Assignee: Rolls-Royce plcInventor: Alison J. McMillan
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Patent number: 8033790Abstract: A multiple piece turbine airfoil having an outer shell with an airfoil tip that is attached to a root with an internal structural spar is disclosed. The root may be formed from first and second sections that include an internal cavity configured to receive and secure the one or more components forming the generally elongated airfoil. The internal structural spar may be attached to an airfoil tip and place the generally elongated airfoil in compression. The configuration enables each component to be formed from different materials to reduce the cost of the materials and to optimize the choice of material for each component.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2008Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.Inventor: Steven J. Vance
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Patent number: 8020296Abstract: A method for the production of secondary fluid ducts for a turbomachine, especially for fluid supply or fluid removal to/from a flow-wetted surface of the turbomachine, with the secondary fluid ducts being produced by an electrochemical machining process.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2006Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KGInventors: Volker Guemmer, Andreas Scholz
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Publication number: 20110206531Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for efficient low-cost wind energy improvements using passive circulation control including, for instance, a fixed-pitch blade having a hub mountable end, a tip end, a blade body between the hub mountable end and the tip end of the fixed-pitch blade, and a channel interior to the blade body having an one or more ingress ports and one or more egress ports, according to one embodiment. For example, the one or more egress ports may be configured as a slit or a series of slits near the trailing edge so as to vent air out of the slit or slits at an angle to the local air flow traversing the blades airfoil.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2011Publication date: August 25, 2011Applicant: Desktop AeronauticsInventors: Laurel A. Kroo, Ilan Kroo
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Patent number: 7993106Abstract: A core, for use in a casting mould to form a cavity in a cast component such as a blade or vane of a gas turbine engine. The core has a relatively fragile thin-walled region. A bead is formed along a lateral edge of the thin-walled portion in order to reduce cracking or other damage in the thin-walled portion.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2007Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLCInventor: Sean A. Walters
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Patent number: 7993105Abstract: A hollow fan blade for a gas turbine engine provides improved resistance to buckling without adding wall thickness. The hollow fan blade includes a pressure side wall and a suction side wall separated and supported by ribs. In the present invention, each wall segment between each adjacent pair of ribs is straight, not curved. At least some of the adjacent walls segments extend at non-parallel angles relative to one another to form the airfoil shape to the hollow fan blade. The resulting fan blade side walls have faceted surfaces, rather than a continuous smooth, curved surface. The straight wall segments between adjacent ribs can withstand higher compressive forces without buckling. As a result, the wall thickness can be reduced.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2005Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Michael A. Weisse, William R. Graves, Stephen Bret Bonarrigo
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Patent number: 7988412Abstract: Disclosed is a coating for gas turbine components including at least one material having vibration-damping properties. Further disclosed is an airfoil of a gas turbine having damped vibrational characteristics including an airfoil substrate and a coating applied to the airfoil substrate including at least one material having vibration-damping properties. A method of damping vibration of a gas turbine component includes applying a coating including at least one material having damping properties to the turbine component.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2007Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Canan Uslu Hardwicke, John McConnell Delvaux, Bradley Taylor Boyer, James William Vehr
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Publication number: 20110182744Abstract: A method of forming a hollow component with an internal structure from first and second panels includes the step of forming at least one protrusion on a surface of at least one of the first and second panels by a material deposition process. The first and second panels are assembled into a preform the panels being oriented such that each panel defines an interior and an exterior facing surface, with the at least one protrusion extending from an exterior facing surface of a panel. The preform is expanded against a die, such that the at least one protrusion is transferred from the exterior surface of a panel to the interior surface of a panel so as to define an internal structure. Forming the at least one protrusion may include encapsulating an elongate member on the surface of a panel by a material deposition process.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2011Publication date: July 28, 2011Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLCInventors: OLIVER MICHAEL STROTHER, DEAN GWYNFRYN JONES
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Patent number: 7976280Abstract: A turbine bucket including a bucket airfoil having a hollow tip shroud, the hollow tip shroud having a hollow core having a nominal profile substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z set forth in Table I, in inches, wherein the shape of the core is defined by the cloud of points listed which are distributed around each surface of the shroud, and the complete hollow portion of the tip shroud could be constructed by defining smooth sheet surfaces through the listed points.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2007Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert Alan Brittingham, Linda Jean Farral, James Zhang, Charles Malinowski
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Patent number: 7967565Abstract: A turbine rotor blade made from a spar and a shell each having an airfoil cross sectional shape and each formed from a high temperature exotic material and formed by a wire EDM process to form a thin wall shell from Molybdenum and the spar from Waspalloy or IN100 in order to form a turbine blade that requires very low amounts of cooling air while allowing for high temperature use above what nickel super alloys can be exposed to. The spar and shell are secured to the platform by a bolt passing through the widest section of the hollow spar and connected at one end to a tip cap and to the other end to the platform and root piece of the blade.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2009Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: Florida Turbine Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Keith D Kimmel, Jack W. Wilson, Jr.
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Publication number: 20110142668Abstract: A wind turbine blade includes a leading edge and a trailing edge. The blade has an upper shell member and a lower shell member, with each of the shell members having a forward edge bonded at the leading edge of the blade and a rearward edge. A rigid bond cap is pre-formed into a designed size and shape of the trailing edge of the blade. The bond cap includes oppositely oriented leg members bonded to the respective rearward edges of the shell members so as to be essentially flush with the upper and lower shell members. The rigid bond cap defines at least a portion of the trailing edge of the blade and a primary external bonding bridge between the upper and lower shell members at the rearward edges.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2010Publication date: June 16, 2011Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventor: Kavala Venkateswara Rao
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Patent number: 7942640Abstract: A method and apparatus to facilitate protecting wind turbine blades from lightning damage include a turbine blade for use with a wind turbine, wherein the turbine blade includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall. The second sidewall is coupled to the first sidewall along a leading edge and along an axially-spaced trailing edge such that a cavity is defined between the first and second sidewalls. A relief system is coupled to at least one of the first and second sidewalls. The relief system is configured to discharge flow from the cavity when a pressure within the cavity exceeds a predetermined threshold. A method for assembling the same is described.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2009Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Vijaykumar Muppayya Hiremath, Kavala Venkateswara Rao
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Patent number: 7931443Abstract: A turbomachine with a row of blades in which the blades are structured such that the blades can untwist at higher rotational speeds in order to provide optimal aerodynamics at different rotational speeds. Each blade is formed with a thin slot between the pressure side wall and the suction side wall so that stresses from centrifugal forces occurring during high rotations will not pass from adjacent walls and allow for the blade to untwist more than a solid blade. Each blade is formed from a fiber laminated composite material with the fibers oriented at different directions to form different stiffness in each direction so that a desired untwist can occur based upon a given blade mass and rotational speed. A thin sheet of a slippery material can be placed within the thin slot and between the adjacent airfoil walls to allow slippage between the adjacent walls and to promote damping for the blade.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2007Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Assignee: Florida Turbine Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Brian Potter, Alfred P. Matheny
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Publication number: 20110083417Abstract: A cooling system for an open rotor gas turbine engine is provided. The system comprises an engine exhaust, and a row of open rotor propeller blades located rearwardly of the exhaust such that hot exhaust gases impinge on the propeller blades. Each blade has an internal cooling network through which cooling air flows to cool the blade in respect of the hot exhaust gases. Each blade also has one or more intakes which provide cooling air to the cooling network. The or each intake is located radially outwardly of the position of impingement of the hot exhaust gas on the blade.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2010Publication date: April 14, 2011Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLCInventor: Timothy P. KEATING