With Heating, Cooling Or Thermal Insulation Means Patents (Class 416/95)
  • Patent number: 7043146
    Abstract: An all season fan with heated circulating blades includes heating elements mounted in slots defined in the rear surface of the fan blades for heating of air blown outwardly therefrom. Resilient biasing devices such as a bow springs are mounted in the fan blades extending over the slots to retain the heating elements in the slots. Electrically conductive ball bearings are included to facilitate rotation of the fan blade and hub while simultaneously providing electrical power to the heating elements during fan rotation. At least two bearings each individually maintain separate electrically conductive abutment respect to two separate conductive rings mounted in an insulating insert within the fan hub. Each ring is electrically conductive with respect to one end of each heating element for heating thereof during fan rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Inventor: Solomon Semaza
  • Patent number: 6984103
    Abstract: A turbine blade includes an airfoil having pressure and suction sidewalls extending between leading and trailing edges, and from root to tip. A dovetail is joined to the airfoil root at a platform. Three internal cooling circuits extend in span inside the airfoil, and each circuit includes a respective inlet channel commencing in axially adjacent alignment in the dovetail. The inlet channels twist together from the dovetail, through the platform, and into the airfoil behind the leading edge in transverse adjacent alignment across the sidewalls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ching-Pang Lee, Steven Robert Brassfield, Chander Prakash
  • Patent number: 6935840
    Abstract: A rotor assembly for a gas turbine engine, having a rotor member with axially spaced-apart front and rear end portions. A thermal shield is located axially downstream of the rear end portion of the rotor for thermally shielding the same from the hot surrounding environment. The thermal shield includes a rear coverplate and an axial gap between the rear coverplate and the rear end portion of the rotor member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Giuseppe Romani, Paul Stone
  • Patent number: 6893210
    Abstract: First stage turbine buckets have internal core profiles substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z set forth Table I wherein X and Y values are in inches and the Z values are non-dimensional values convertible to Z distances in inches by multiplying the Z values by the height of the airfoil in inches. The X and Y values are distances which, when connected by smooth continuing arcs, define internal core profile sections at each distance Z. The profile sections at each distance Z are joined smoothly to one another to form a complete internal core profile. The X, Y and Z distances may be scalable as a function of the same constant or number to provide a scaled up or scaled down internal core profile. The nominal internal core profile given by the X, Y and Z distances lies within an envelope of ±0.050 inches in directions normal to any internal core surface location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Xiuzhang James Zhang, Anthony Aaron Chiurato, Rachel Kyano Black
  • Patent number: 6877324
    Abstract: A turbine rotor includes a plurality of moving blades having cooling paths through which a refrigerant flows inside, a plurality of wheels having the moving blades mounted in the outer periphery thereof and at least one spacer member installed between the wheels. The spacer member has a plurality of flow paths through which a refrigerant flows after cooling the moving blades. The plurality of flow paths have flow paths interconnecting to the cooling paths in the moving blades on a first wheel adjacent the spacer member and interconnecting to a space formed on a side wall surface with which a second wheel adjacent the spacer member and the spacer member are in contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryou Akiyama, Shinya Marushima, Manabu Matsumoto, Tsuyoshi Takano
  • Patent number: 6832893
    Abstract: A passively cooled blade platform for a gas turbine rotor adapted for rotation about an axis within a stationary coolant fluid. The platform has a radially outer surface defining an annular gas path, a radially inner surface in flow communication with the coolant fluid, a leading edge, and a trailing edge. The inner surface includes at least one cooling flow channel in the inner surface. Each channel has a flow path from a channel inlet to a channel outlet, preferably with a tangential component at the inlet opposite to the direction of rotation and an axial component at the outlet. The flow channels are defined by ribs or pedestals extending radially inwardly from the platform inner surface to direct cooling fluid flow and create turbulence to dissipate heat from the platform on exposure to cooling fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Andre Chevrefils, Que Dan Pham
  • Patent number: 6787947
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for ventilating a high pressure turbine rotor which comprises a turbine disk and an upstream end plate. A first circuit for cooling blades delivers a first air flow via main injectors and holes formed in the end plate. A second cooling circuit delivers a second air flow through a discharge baffle situated downstream from the compressor, a fraction of this second flow serving to cool the upstream top face of the end plate through a second baffle situated beneath the main injectors. A branch connection is provided between the first circuit and the enclosure situated downstream from the second baffle and it delivers a third flow which is set into pre-rotation by additional injector means formed in the form of inclined bores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: SNECMA Moteurs
    Inventors: Sylvie Coulon, Gérard Stangalini, Jean-Claude Taillant, Gérard Adam
  • Publication number: 20040165986
    Abstract: Twisted blades for outdoor air conditioner condensers and heat pumps that improve airflow efficiency to minimize operating power requirements. The blades can run at approximately 850 rpm to produce approximately 1930 cfm of air flow using approximately 110 Watts of power from an 8-pole motor with an improved diffuser assembly. Using an OEM 6-pole ⅛ hp motor produced approximately 2610 cfm with approximately 145 Watts of power while running the blades at approximately 1100 rpm. Power savings were approximately 24% (40 to 50 Watts) over the conventional configuration with increased air flow. Embodiments of two, three, four and five blades can be equally spaced apart from one another about hubs. Additionally, a novel noise reduction configuration can include asymmetrically mounted blades such as five blades asymmetrically mounted about the hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventors: Danny S. Parker, John Sherwin, Bart Hibbs
  • Patent number: 6769874
    Abstract: A permanent magnet alternator (PMA) includes a stator which rotates with a propeller shaft and a rotor which is mounted within the stator and rotates with a gas turbine engine output shaft. The rotor is driven at the relatively high speed of the turbine output shaft while the stator is driven at a relatively slow speed of the propeller shaft as reduced by an in-line gearbox. The great difference in speed between the propeller shaft and the turbine output shaft results in a compact PMA which provides significant electrical power output. As the stator of the PMA rotates with the propeller shaft, power is supplied directly to the rotating hub and blades without the heretofore necessary slip ring and associated electrical transmission components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand
    Inventor: David Arel
  • Patent number: 6752596
    Abstract: On the rotor, between each blade and the member for linking with the hub, an electrical connecting cable comprises a first section of which one part is held above that one of the two blade pins which is the pivot pin about which the blade can be folded by pivoting, once the other blade pin has been removed. This holding is provided by a cradle formed in a cable support connected to the pivot pin, and by a collar articulated to one edge of the cradle and which can be folded down into the closed position onto the opposite edge of the cradle, to which this collar can be connected detachably by at least one detachable retaining element. The section of cable is manually released from the collar and from the cradle before the removal of the removable pin, which precedes folding, so that this section of cable deforms naturally, following the pivoting of the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Eurocopter
    Inventors: Jean Mondet, Stéphane Mazet
  • Patent number: 6746204
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuo Takahashi, Shinya Marushima, Shinichi Higuchi, Tsuyoshi Takano
  • Patent number: 6735956
    Abstract: A turbine blade and assembly for use in a gas turbine engine are provided. The turbine blade has a root portion adapted for mounting to a rotor, and an airfoil portion extending from the root portion. A cooling air inlet duct is provided and adapted to communicate with the cooling air plenum when installed to the rotor. The air inlet duct has an inlet scoop portion adapted to extend into the cooling air plenum and an inlet scoop aperture oriented and adapted to capture cooling air from the cooling air plenum as a consequence of turbine rotation when the blade is mounted to the rotor. Scooped air is provided to a cooling air channel defined in an airfoil portion of the blade for the purpose of cooling the blade. The engine optionally includes a bearing gallery cooling air jacket in communication with the low pressure compressor stage for the purpose of cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Romani
  • Patent number: 6682307
    Abstract: A turbomachine, in particular a gas turbine, includes a rotor which extends along an axis of rotation. The rotor includes a circumferential face, which is defined by the outer radial boundary surface of the rotor, and a receiving structure. Additionally, it includes a first rotor blade and a second rotor blade, which each have a blade root and a blade platform. The blade platform of the first rotor blade and the blade platform of the second rotor blade adjoin one another, and a space is formed between the blade platforms and the circumferential face. A sealing system is provided on the circumferential face in the space, the sealing system including a labyrinth sealing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Peter Tiemann
  • Patent number: 6647730
    Abstract: In a turbine engine, low temperature air is diverted from a low pressure section of the compressor section of the engine to cool the high pressure turbine of the engine. Low pressure air is diverted from the compressor section, and its pressure is thereafter increased. Preferably, the pressure is increased in an intermediate cavity in the engine, where rotational energy of the diverted air is converted to static pressure by way of an obstruction that converts dynamic head of the air in the cavity into static pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventor: Xiaoliu Liu
  • Patent number: 6644920
    Abstract: A method of forming a curved cooling channel into a gas turbine component such as a turbine blade uses an electrode in the form of a helix. The electrode is driven to rotate around the central rotational axis of the helix and axially along the central rotational axis. A turbine blade for a gas turbine component is provided with at least one helical cooling channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Alstom (Switzerland) Ltd
    Inventors: Alexander Beeck, Bernhard Weigand
  • Patent number: 6640546
    Abstract: A wall structure for a gas turbine engine component is provided which comprises a wall having a first side facing a flow of hot gases and a second side exposed to a source of cooling fluid. The wall has a plurality of holes formed therethrough, and an outer layer disposed on the first side. The holes greatly increase the wetted surface area of the wall exposed to cooling flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ching-Pang Lee, Melvin Robert Jackson, Stephen Joseph Ferrigno, Ji-Cheng Zhao
  • Patent number: 6638639
    Abstract: High efficiency, thin-walled turbine components such as turbine blade airfoils comprise a superalloy substrate covered by a thin skin. The thin skin may be bonded to the inner spar structure of a turbine blade airfoil by a transient liquid phase bonding process. The inner spar preferably comprises a cast single crystal nickel base superalloy. The thin skin may comprise a single crystal or polycrystalline nickel base superalloy or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Burke, Paula D. Freyer, Mohan A. Hebbar, Brij B. Seth, Gary W. Swartzbeck, Thomas Walter Zagar
  • Patent number: 6637208
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine including in-line intercooling wherein compressor intercooling is achieved without removing the compressor main flow airstream from the compressor flowpath is described. In an exemplary embodiment, a gas turbine engine suitable for use in connection with in-line intercooling includes a low pressure compressor, a high pressure compressor, and a combustor. The engine also includes a high pressure turbine, a low pressure turbine, and a power turbine. For intercooling, fins are located in an exterior surface of the compressor struts in the compressor flowpath between the outlet of the low pressure compressor and the inlet of the high pressure compressor. Coolant flowpaths are provided in the compressor struts, and such flowpaths are in flow communication with a heat exchanger. In operation, air flows through the low pressure compressor, and compressed air is supplied from the low pressure compressor to the high pressure compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Michael W. Horner
  • Patent number: 6638012
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement of guide vane platforms forming the inner contour of the flow channel in an axial-throughflow gas turbine and to a method for reducing the gap losses and for the improved cooling of the wall segments. In order to avoid the disadvantages of the generic solutions, particularly to achieve reduced thermal stress on the stator housing and on the connected vane platforms and subsequently to introduce the cooling air expended for this purpose into the flow channel in such a way that the gap losses of the shrouds of the moving blades are reduced, it is proposed, according to the invention, by dispensing with heat shields, to form the inner contour of the flow channel 13 at least predominantly by means of the guide vane platforms 9 and 10 and to arrange the transitional regions 16 between the platforms 9 and 10 within the cavity 12 formed by the continuous sealing ribs 3 and 4 of the shroud 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Alstom (Switzerland) Ltd
    Inventor: Igor Bekrenev
  • Publication number: 20030185675
    Abstract: An insert assembly is provided for a rotary machine wherein the rotary machine comprises a rotor and a casing. The rotor comprises a generally longitudinally-extending axis. The casing is generally coaxially aligned with the axis. The casing circumferentially surrounds and is radially spaced apart from the rotor. The insert assembly comprises a channel circumferentially disposed on the rotor and an insert circumferentially disposed in such channel such that the insert assembly is configured to thermally isolate frictional heat from the rotor to the insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Applicant: General Electric CRD
    Inventors: Norman Arnold Turnquist, Christopher Edward Wolfe, Frederick George Baily, John Francis Nolan, George Ernest Reluzco
  • Publication number: 20030182954
    Abstract: Novel twisted blades with an air foil for use with air conditioner condensers and heat pumps that provide improved airflow efficiency to minimize operating power requirements having an overall diameter across the blades being approximately 19 inches, and approximately 27.6 inches. The blades (AC-A) can run at approximately 840 rpm to produce approximately 2200 cfm of air flow using approximately 110 Watts of power from an 8-pole motor. Using an OEM 6-pole ⅛ hp motor produced approximately 2800 cfm with approximately 144 Watts of power while running the blades at approximately 1100 rpm. Power savings were 25% (50 W) over the conventional configuration. A second version of the fan (AC-B) with some refinements to the flow geometry produced a similar air flow while using only 131 W of power at 1100 rpm. Power savings were 32% (62 W) over the conventional configuration. Embodiments can include two, three, four and five blades equally spaced apart from one another about hubs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventors: Danny S. Parker, Bart Hibbs, John Sherwin
  • Publication number: 20030180145
    Abstract: A system for providing power and communication signals to a device associated with a rotating component on an aircraft includes a communication strategy that allows power and command signals to be propagated along the same conductors. A stationary controller provides power and command signals to a controller that is supported for rotation with the rotating device. Only two slip rings are required to communicate power and command signals between the stationary and rotating controllers. Synchronous modulation preferably is used for sending the command signals to avoid interference from noise inherent in slip ring electrical couplings. A multi-zone propeller deicing heater is one example device that is controllable using the inventive approach.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventor: Joshua I. Goldberg
  • Patent number: 6612810
    Abstract: Wind turbine blade comprises a first (1) and a second (2) electric conductor extending in the longitudinal direction of the blade (25), and one or more electric heating elements (4) for heating the surface of the blade. The heating elements (4) are connected to the first and the second electric conductor. At its tip the wind turbine blade (25) is provided with a lightning receptor 5 for catching lightning, and the lightning receptor (5) is electrically connected to a third (3) conductor earthed so as to be able to carry the current from a stroke of lightning to the earth. The first and the second conductor are connected to the lightning receptor through spark gaps adjacent said lightning receptor and connected to earth through spark gaps adjacent the blade root.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: LM Glasfiber A/S
    Inventors: Kaj Olsen, Flemming Møller Larsen, Peter Grabau, John Ellermann Jespersen
  • Patent number: 6607354
    Abstract: A messaging system for a rotating airfoil system is provided that includes a stationary structural member supporting a shaft that is rotatable about an axis. An airfoil assembly is supported by the shaft. A first arcuate coil assembly is supported on the structural member and is arranged at least partially about the shaft. A second arcuate coil assembly is supported on the airfoil assembly adjacent to the first arcuate coil assembly and is rotatable relative thereto. One of the coil assemblies provides a magnetic field having an inductance with an electronic message. The inductance of the one coil assembly produces a voltage containing the message in the other coil assembly. The message may be demodulated from the voltage. In this manner, messages may be sent to and from airfoil assembly systems such as blade heaters and blade pitch actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand
    Inventors: Robert D. Klapatch, Joshua I. Goldberg
  • Patent number: 6572334
    Abstract: The cap plate has an axially recessed region with a shoulder. The gas guiding ring half shells have a respective projecting rib. A retaining ring consisting of two retaining ring halves abuts with its first leg in the shoulder and is connected by means of fillister head screws to the cap plate. The gas guiding ring half shells are positioned with respect to the cap plate with clearance fit in the radial and axial direction. The ribs have a spacing in the peripheral direction at the separation place of the gas guiding ring half shells in order to form gaps. At the same location, the first leg of the retaining ring halves is interrupted for the formation of recesses aligned with the gaps. Fixing wedges are inserted in the region of the gaps and of the recesses and are screwed to the cap plate. These fixing wedges transfer the tangential forces from the gas guiding ring half shells to the retaining ring halves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Alstom (Switzerland) Ltd
    Inventors: Daniel Hediger, Ernoe Stefan
  • Patent number: 6568192
    Abstract: A turbine rotor includes a plurality of moving blades having cooling paths through which a refrigerant flows inside, a plurality of wheels having the moving blades mounted in the outer periphery thereof and at least one spacer member installed between the wheels. The spacer member has a plurality of flow paths through which a refrigerant flows after cooling the moving blades. The plurality of flow paths have flow paths interconnecting to the cooling paths in the moving blades on a first wheel adjacent the spacer member and interconnecting to a space formed on a side wall surface with which a second wheel adjacent the spacer member and the spacer member are in contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryou Akiyama, Shinya Marushima, Manabu Matsumoto, Tsuyoshi Takano
  • Publication number: 20030021685
    Abstract: A base material (2) with a cooling air hole (1) is disclosed, means being present which prevent particles (5), which are located in the cooling air (4) which flows through the cooling air hole (1) during the operation of the cooling air hole (1), from closing the cooling air hole (1). In this arrangement, the means can consist in the edge of the cooling air hole (1) being uneven or having a ridge (3) or the cooling air hole (1) being star-shaped, ellipsoidal or linear or the cooling air hole (1) being circular and having lateral slots (7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventors: Reinhard Fried, Ulrich Rathmann
  • Publication number: 20030021686
    Abstract: The invention relates to a moving turbine blade comprising a blade profile (1) with inner cooling which extends out from a blade platform (2) adjoined by a blade foot (4), said blade foot engaging with a turbine disk (3) and having a radial cross-section with an area (5) whose width (6′) increases towards the blade platform (2). The aim of the invention is to configure a moving turbine blade of this type in such a way as to enable the moving blade profile to be lengthened. To this end, the blade foot (4) has a hollowed-out section (7) which opens out in the direction facing away from the platform, which comes to a dead end on the platform side and which has a widened cross section in the area (5) of the blade foot (4) whose width (6) increases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventors: Dirk Anding, Michael Strassberger, Peter Tiemann
  • Patent number: 6503056
    Abstract: The heating apparatus and method for the nose fairing of a rotating blade assembly has an electrical generator connected to a heating element attached to the interior of the forward end of the nose fairing. The electrical generator has a rotor with conductor windings attached to the aft end of the rotating blade assembly hub housing. The stator of the electrical generator is attached opposite the rotor on the support structure for the hub housing with stator magnets spaced from and opposite the rotor windings. When the hub housing is rotated by for example airflow through the blades of the rotating blade assembly the rotor moves relative to the stator thereby creating an induced current in the windings. This converts the rotational energy to electrical energy to power the heater to heat the nose fairing to inhibit the formation of ice thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Steven R. Eccles, Wayne G. Schindler
  • Patent number: 6499938
    Abstract: The life of a downstream part disposed in a hot gas stream having a cooling medium injected into the stream through multiple orifices in a first upstream part is enhanced by changing the location, configuration or direction of flow of the cooling medium through the orifices. This change alters the temperature distribution of the flow field, affecting the second downstream part thereby enhancing its life. Properties of the cooling medium may also be changed, i.e., temperature and/or mass flow, to alter the temperature distribution of the flow field affecting the second downstream part to enhance its part life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: David Samuel Pesetsky
  • Fan
    Publication number: 20020192075
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fan for producing a fluid flow, particularly an air flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventor: Volker Block
  • Publication number: 20020182059
    Abstract: A centripetal-flow airbleed system for a gas-turbine engine including an annular support affixed to first and second disks of a compressor of the engine and having a plurality of peripherally spaced orifices defined along the radius thereof, a plurality of airbleed tubes each mounted in a substantially radial manner in one of the orifices of the annular support, and a vibration reduction device for reducing vibrations of the airbleed tubes. The device includes a plurality of damping tubes each mounted in one of the orifices of the annular support. The radially inner end of the damping tube encloses a portion of the airbleed tube and delimits an annular space defined therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Didier Rene Andre Escure, Patrick Didier Michel Lestoille, Gerard Gabriel Miraucourt, Pascal Didier Vareille
  • Patent number: 6485261
    Abstract: On the rotor, between each blade integral with its folding mount and the member for linking with the hub, an electrical connecting cable comprises a first section of which one part is held, in any position of the blade about the folding axis, above the mount and the radially outer end of the link member on which the mount pivots, in an off-centered position with respect to the folding axis and on the side towards which the blade is designed to be folded. This holding is provided by a cable support tied to the folding pivot and on which an arm, receiving the held part of this section of cable, is mounted in cantilever manner on the folding side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Eurocopter
    Inventors: Jean Mondet, Stëphane Mazet
  • Patent number: 6481965
    Abstract: On the rotor, between each blade and the member for linking with the hub, an electrical connecting cable comprises a first section of which one part is held above that one of the two blade pins which is the detachable pin whose withdrawal allows the folding of the blade by pivoting about the other blade pin forming a pivot pin, by a holding arrangement tied to this detachable pin, in the flight position of the blade. This section of cable is released from its holding arrangement before the withdrawal of the latter and of the detachable blade pin, which precedes the folding, in such a way that this section of cable deforms naturally on following the pivoting of the blade. After deployment of the blade, a part of the section of cable is again held in the holding arrangement, in the flight position of the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Eurocopter
    Inventors: Nicolas Certain, Eric Coisset
  • Publication number: 20020154999
    Abstract: The heating apparatus and method for the nose fairing of a rotating blade assembly has an electrical generator connected to a heating element attached to the interior of the forward end of the nose fairing. The electrical generator has a rotor with conductor windings attached to the aft end of the rotating blade assembly hub housing. The stator of the electrical generator is attached opposite the rotor on the support structure for the hub housing with stator magnets spaced from and opposite the rotor windings. When the hub housing is rotated by for example airflow through the blades of the rotating blade assembly the rotor moves relative to the stator thereby creating an induced current in the windings. This converts the rotational energy to electrical energy to power the heater to heat the nose fairing to inhibit the formation of ice thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Applicant: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven R. Eccles, Wayne G. Schindler
  • Patent number: 6464455
    Abstract: In a turbine having a rotor and a plurality of stages, each stage comprising a row of buckets mounted on the rotor for rotation therewith; and wherein the buckets of at least one of the stages are cooled by steam, the improvement comprising at least one axially extending cooling steam supply conduit communicating with an at least partially annular steam supply manifold; one or more axially extending cooling steam feed tubes connected to the manifold at a location radially outwardly of the cooling steam supply conduit, the feed tubes arranged to supply cooling steam to the buckets of at least one of the plurality of stages; the manifold extending radially beyond the feed tubes to thereby create a debris trap region for collecting debris under centrifugal loading caused by rotation of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Ian David Wilson
  • Patent number: 6464172
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for heating a variable pitch propeller mechanism for turbo-prop aircraft is provided. Using the apparatus and method it is possible to perform inspection, troubleshooting and maintenance on hydraulic variable pitch propeller mechanisms that are located in a cold environment, without damaging the seals that are in a non-compliant condition due to being cold. The method and apparatus facilitate the performance of such inspection, troubleshooting and maintenance without the need for relocating the aircraft to a hanger and waiting a number of hours for the variable pitch propeller mechanism to reach a suitable temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Inventor: Steven F. Schneidewind
  • Publication number: 20020127103
    Abstract: Described is a cooled gas turbine blade with a shroud (2) in which a cooling channel system (K) is provided, which is closed off radially to the gas turbine blade with a cover plate (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventors: Alexander Beeck, Reinhard Fried, Markus Oehl
  • Patent number: 6443699
    Abstract: Bushings are provided in counterbores for wheels and spacers for supporting thermal medium cooling tubes extending axially adjacent the rim of the gas turbine rotor. The retention system includes a retaining ring disposed in a groove adjacent an end face of the bushing and which retaining ring projects radially inwardly to prevent axial movement of the bushing in one direction. The retention ring has a plurality of circumferentially spaced tabs along its inner diameter whereby the ring is supported by the lands of the tube maintaining its bushing retention function, notwithstanding operation in high centrifugal fields and rotation of the ring in the groove into other circular orientations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Thomas Charles Mashey
  • Patent number: 6428272
    Abstract: Rotor disk stress is reduced in a bolted joint for connecting adjacent rotor disks in a gas turbine engine. The bolted joint includes a bolt hole formed in the first rotor disk and a tube disposed in the bolt hole such that a channel is defined between the tube and the bolt hole. A bolt is disposed in the tube such that a gap is defined between the bolt and the tube. The gap thermally insulates the bolt from hot fluid in the channel. A first passage provides fluid communication between the channel and a forward cavity, and a second passage provides fluid communication between the channel and an aft cavity. Hot fluid passing through the channel reduces thermal gradients in the first rotor disk. The tube thermally shields the bolt from the hot fluid to minimize differential thermal growth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jason Francis Pepi, Todd Alan Ebert
  • Patent number: 6428270
    Abstract: In a multi-stage turbine wherein at least one turbine wheel supports a row of buckets for rotation, and wherein the turbine wheel is located axially between first and second annular fixed arrays of nozzles, a cooling air circuit for purging a wheelspace between the turbine wheel and the second fixed annular array of nozzles comprising a flowpath through a shank portion of one or more buckets connecting a wheelspace between the turbine wheel and the first fixed annular array of nozzles with the wheelspace between the turbine wheel and the second fixed annular array of nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sal Albert Leone, Sacheverel Quentin Eldrid, Douglas Arthur Lupe
  • Patent number: 6422817
    Abstract: A closed internal cooling circuit for a gas turbine bucket includes axial supply and return passages in the dovetail of the bucket. A first radial outward supply passage provides cooling medium to and along a passageway adjacent the leading edge and then through serpentine arranged passageways within the airfoil to a chamber adjacent the airfoil tip. A second radial passage crosses over the radial return passage for supplying cooling medium to and along a pair of passageways along the trailing edge of the airfoil section. The last passageway of the serpentine passageways and the pair of passageways communicate one with the other in the chamber for returning spent cooling medium radially inwardly along divided return passageways to the return passage. In this manner, both the leading and trailing edges are cooled using the highest pressure, lowest temperature cooling medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Ariel C. P. Jacala
  • Publication number: 20020090295
    Abstract: In a cooling structure for a gas turbine, cooling air diffusion holes are formed from inner surface to outer surface of a platform so as to open from high pressure side blade surface of a moving blade offset in a direction toward low pressure side blade surface of adjacent moving blade confronting the high pressure side blade surface, in a direction of primary flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Shunsuke Torii, Jun Kubota, Yasuoki Tomita, Hiroyuki Aoki, Masamitsu Kuwabara
  • Patent number: 6416282
    Abstract: A rotor for a gas turbine comprises a multiplicity of rotor blades of which each comprises a blade airfoil, a blade root and a platform arranged between blade airfoil and blade root and each of which, together with the blade root, is pushed into an axial location slot, which is arranged on the outer periphery of a rotor disk, and is releasably retained there in such a way that hollow spaces are formed between the platform and the peripheral surface of the rotor disk, and each of which is supplied, for cooling purposes, with cooling air through at least one cooling air supply passage extending in the rotor disk and emerging into the location slot, which cooling air is fed through the blade root to within the blade airfoil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Alstom
    Inventors: Alexander Beeck, Herbert Brandl, Hartmut Haehnle, Beat von Arx
  • Patent number: 6416281
    Abstract: A method for cooling the flow in radial gaps formed between rotors and stators of turbomachines, which method is improved with regard to its cooling effect. In addition, a simple, cost-effective and robust arrangement for realizing the method is to be specified. According to the invention, this is achieved in that a first cooling fluid is admitted to a stator part adjacent to the radial gap and a second, gaseous cooling fluid is introduced into the radial gap. To this end, either at least one recess is formed in the interior of the stator part adjacent to the radial gap or at least one cavity is arranged at the stator part. The recess or the cavity is connected to both a feed line and a discharge line for the first cooling fluid. In addition, at least one feed passage as well as a discharge device for the second cooling fluid are arranged at the radial gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri AG
    Inventors: Joachim Bremer, Michajlo Bothien, Jürg Greber, Ulf Christian Müller, Dirk Wunderwald, Helmut Gieszauf
  • Patent number: 6416276
    Abstract: A rotor (1) of a turbomachine comprises a basic rotor element (2) and a multiplicity of rotor blades (3, 3′, 3″, 3′″). The rotor blades (3, 3′, 3″, 3′″) are arranged in a distributed manner in at least one row on the circumference of the basic rotor element (2). An area for a row of guide vanes is furthermore provided in front of and/or behind the row of rotor blades. A heat shield element (4) or a plurality of heat shield elements (4′, 4′, 4′″) lined up on the circumference of the rotor (1) is arranged in such a way between the basis rotor element (2) and the rotor blades (3, 3′, 3″, 3′″) of the row of rotor blades that the basic rotor element (2) is completely covered in the areas of the row of rotor blades and the row of guide vanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Alstom (Switzerland) Ltd
    Inventors: Robert Marmilic, Uy-Liem Nguyen, Ulrich Waltke
  • Publication number: 20020085909
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement of guide vane platforms forming the inner contour of the flow channel in an axial-throughflow gas turbine and to a method for reducing the gap losses and for the improved cooling of the wall segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventor: Igor Bekrenev
  • Publication number: 20020081200
    Abstract: On the rotor, between each blade integral with its folding mount and the member for linking with the hub, an electrical connecting cable comprises a first section of which one part is held, in any position of the blade about the folding axis, above said mount and the radially outer end of the link member on which the mount pivots, in an off-centered position with respect to the folding axis and on the side towards which the blade is designed to be folded. This holding is provided by a cable support tied to the folding pivot and on which an arm, receiving the held part of this section of cable, is mounted in cantilever manner on the folding side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventors: Jean Mondet, Stephane Mazet
  • Publication number: 20020081199
    Abstract: Rotor disk stress is reduced in a bolted joint for connecting adjacent rotor disks in a gas turbine engine. The bolted joint includes a bolt hole formed in the first rotor disk and a tube disposed in the bolt hole such that a channel is defined between the tube and the bolt hole. A bolt is disposed in the tube such that a gap is defined between the bolt and the tube. The gap thermally insulates the bolt from hot fluid in the channel. A first passage provides fluid communication between the channel and a forward cavity, and a second passage provides fluid communication between the channel and an aft cavity. Hot fluid passing through the channel reduces thermal gradients in the first rotor disk. The tube thermally shields the bolt from the hot fluid to minimize differential thermal growth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventors: Jason Francis Pepi, Todd Alan Ebert
  • Publication number: 20020081201
    Abstract: On the rotor, between each blade and the member for linking with the hub, an electrical connecting cable comprises a first section of which one part is held above that one of the two blade pins which is the pivot pin about which the blade can be folded by pivoting, once the other blade pin has been removed. This holding is provided by a cradle formed in a cable support connected to the pivot pin, and by a collar articulated to one edge of the cradle and which can be folded down into the closed position onto the opposite edge of the cradle, to which this collar can be connected detachably by at least one detachable retaining element. The section of cable is manually released from the collar and from the cradle before the removal of the removable pin, which precedes folding, so that this section of cable deforms naturally, following the pivoting of the blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventors: Jean Mondet, Stephane Mazet