Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080309019 | SEALING ASSEMBLY FOR ROTARY MACHINES - A sealing assembly is provided. The sealing assembly includes a foil disposed circumferentially around a rotating component and configured to provide primary sealing to the rotating component between high pressure and low pressure sides and a spring system disposed adjacent to the foil. The spring system includes a plurality of features to facilitate foil surface to follow excursions of the rotating component, wherein the plurality of features provide secondary sealing from the high pressure to the low pressure sides between the foil and a stationary component. | 12-18-2008 |
20080310576 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING COOLANT LEVEL AND FLOW VELOCITY IN A NUCLEAR REACTOR - A boiling water reactor includes a reactor pressure vessel having a feedwater inlet for the introduction of recycled steam condensate and/or makeup coolant into the vessel, and a steam outlet for the discharge of produced steam for appropriate work. A fuel core is located within a lower area of the pressure vessel. The fuel core is surrounded by a core shroud spaced inward from the wall of the pressure vessel to provide an annular downcomer forming a coolant flow path between the vessel wall and the core shroud. A probe system that includes a combination of conductivity/resistivity probes and/or one or more time-domain reflectometer (TDR) probes is at least partially located within the downcomer. The probe system measures the coolant level and flow velocity within the downcomer. | 12-18-2008 |
20090074589 | Cooling Circuit for Enhancing Turbine Performance - In a gas turbine having a compressor discharge casing, a cooling circuit diverts compressor discharge air toward a high pressure packing (HPP) circuit. The cooling circuit includes an inlet pipe that receives compressor discharge air. One or several cooled cooling air pipes are in fluid communication with the inlet pipe via a pipe manifold, which distributes the discharge air across the cooled cooling air pipes. A seal is disposed upstream of an entrance to the HPP circuit to limit flow into the HPP circuit, and a second seal is disposed downstream of the HPP circuit at turbine wheelspace to limit ingestion and thus the purge flow air required. The circuit serves to reduce required purge flow in the HPP circuit so that an amount of compressor discharge air can be put back to the main flow path, thereby improving turbine performance. | 03-19-2009 |
20100143101 | COMPLIANT FOIL SEAL FOR ROTARY MACHINES - A compliant foil seal comprises a bottom foil configured to be located circumferentially around at least a portion of a rotor, and one or more upper foils configured to cooperate with a stator to position the bottom foil to compliantly face the rotor and be located between the stator and the rotor. A compliant foil seal assembly and a rotary machine are also presented. | 06-10-2010 |
20100270747 | NON-METALLIC BRUSH SEAL - The invention provides, in one aspect, a brush seal comprising brush seal bristles made up of component brush seal filaments. The component brush seal filaments comprise a polyether ketone comprising structural units derived from a diaryl ketone and a diphenolic compound and having a glass transition temperature in excess of 100° C. In a particular embodiment, the component brush seal filaments comprise PEEK. The novel brush seals provided by the present invention present a number of advantages over conventional non-metallic brush seals comprising KEVLAR filaments, such as enhanced friction characteristics and greater stability to fluid lubricants comprising groups reactive with the amide moieties present in aramid filaments such as KEVLAR. | 10-28-2010 |
20110133475 | SUPPORT TOWER FOR USE WITH A WIND TURBINE AND SYSTEM FOR DESIGNING SUPPORT TOWER - A lattice tower for use with a wind turbine. The lattice tower includes at least one support extending from a supporting surface. At least one cross-support member is coupled to the support to form the lattice tower. A reinforcement assembly is coupled to the support to transfer at least a portion of a bending load and a torsional load induced to the support to the reinforcement assembly to facilitate reducing a local distortion of the support. | 06-09-2011 |
20110135445 | PRESSURE BALANCED LOW-FRICTION SEAL - A pressure balance seal includes a sealing surface facing an inward radial direction, and a stator interface comprising at least one surface interfacing with a stator. The pressure balance seal further includes a friction reducing feature. The friction reducing feature includes a cavity on the sealing surface. The cavity is configured to receive a fluid such that a normal force acting on the pressure balance seal is counterbalanced by a force generated by a pressure of the fluid. | 06-09-2011 |
20110142673 | WIND TURBINE BLADES WITH AERODYNAMIC VORTEX ELEMENTS - A wind turbine blade had a suction side surface and a pressure side surface. A plurality of vortex elements are formed on at least one of the suction side or the pressure side surfaces. The vortex elements have an upwardly inclined wind face and a downwardly inclined slip face, with the wind face and slip face meeting at a generally open-ended U-shaped ridge that defines side horns. The side horns decrease in height from a forward most portion of the ridge to the suction side surface or pressure side surface. | 06-16-2011 |
20110210233 | REINFORCEMENT SYSTEM FOR WIND TURBINE TOWER - A reinforcement system and a method for reinforcing a tower of a wind turbine are disclosed. The method includes providing a tower, the tower comprising at least one generally cylindrical tower section, the at least one tower section having an exterior wall and an interior wall defining a height and a thickness therebetween. The method further includes performing a structural analysis of the tower to identify potential load limiting locations and, after performing the structural analysis, mounting at least one reinforcing member to the interior wall of the at least one tower section to reinforce the at least one tower section at the potential load limiting locations. | 09-01-2011 |
20110210513 | NON-METALLIC BRUSH SEAL - A rotary machine comprises a housing, a rotor that is rotatably disposed within the housing and having an axis about which the rotor may spin, and a seal disposed upon the housing. The seal comprises a support disposed on the housing and a plurality of flexible non-metallic bristles that extend from the housing and engage the rotor, such that the seal provides a barrier to fluid flow between a first region located in a first axial direction from the seal and a second region located in an opposite axial direction from the first region. The first region is filled with a bearing liquid and the second region is filled with a process fluid. | 09-01-2011 |
20110223039 | PUMP ASSEMBLY AND METHOD - A pump assembly comprises a centrifugal pump configured to pump a multiphase fluid, a suction conduit in fluid communication with the centrifugal pump, and a discharge conduit in fluid communication with the centrifugal pump. The pump further comprises an eductor comprising one or more motive nozzles disposed within the suction conduit. Wherein the one or more motive nozzles are configured to introduce a motive fluid into the suction conduit and toward the centrifugal pump along a suction direction roughly co-directional with the suction conduit toward the centrifugal pump. A method and a pump assembly for pumping a multiphase fluid are also presented. | 09-15-2011 |
20110283652 | Modular Tower and Methods of Assembling Same - A tower assembly for use with a modular tower is provided. The tower assembly includes a plurality of assembly panels each including a pair of opposing circumferential edges, and, a plurality of connectors for use in coupling adjacent assembly panels of the plurality of assembly panels to one another, each connector of the plurality of connectors including an outer flange, an inner flange, and a spacer extending therebetween, the outer flange is spaced a distance from the inner flange such that a first slot and a second slot are defined between the outer and inner flanges, each of the first and the second slots is sized to receive one of the assembly panel circumferential edges therein to enable the adjacent assembly panels to be coupled to one another. | 11-24-2011 |
20120131877 | FRICTION DAMPING BOLT CONNECTION FOR A WIND TOWER LATTICE STRUCTURE - A wind turbine lattice tower structure includes a plurality of structural members connected together to define an open lattice tower, with the structural members including vertical leg members and diagonal braces extending between the vertical leg members. Pairs of the diagonal braces form cross braces having an intersection point therebetween. A damping bolt connection assembly is provides at the intersection point of the cross braces and is configured to attach the cross braces together at the intersection point while providing for relative movement of each individual cross brace along a defined longitudinal section of the other respective cross brace. | 05-31-2012 |
20130105027 | ARTICLES COMPRISING A HYDRATE-INHIBITING SILICONE COATING | 05-02-2013 |
20130223964 | TOWER-BASED PLATFORM SYSTEM FOR LIFTING COMPONENTS ATOP A WIND TURBINE TOWER - A system and associated method are provided for lifting tower-top components from ground level to atop a wind turbine tower. A platform assembly is configured at least partially around a base of the wind turbine tower. Lifting cables are connected to the platform assembly and run to the top of the wind turbine tower and back down to ground. The platform assembly has a forward loading portion configured for securement of a tower-top component intended to be lifted to atop the wind turbine tower, wherein the platform assembly is engaged around the wind turbine tower and lifted by the cables to a position adjacent the top of the wind turbine tower for transfer of the tower-top component. | 08-29-2013 |
20130264775 | SEALING ASSEMBLY FOR ROTARY MACHINES - A sealing assembly is provided. The sealing assembly includes a foil disposed circumferentially around a rotating component and configured to provide primary sealing to the rotating component between high pressure and low pressure sides and a spring system disposed adjacent to the foil. The spring system includes a plurality of features to facilitate foil surface to follow excursions of the rotating component, wherein the plurality of features provide secondary sealing from the high pressure to the low pressure sides between the foil and a stationary component. | 10-10-2013 |
20140119933 | WIND TURBINE ROTOR BLADE WITH FABRIC SKIN AND ASSOCIATED ATTACHMENT METHOD - A rotor blade for a wind turbine includes an internal support structure including a plurality of fixed, spaced support members extending in a chord-wise and span-wise direction and defining a generally aerodynamic contour of the rotor blade. A plurality of the support members have an outer surface with a longitudinally extending slot defined therein. A plurality of fabric strips are attached over the internal support structure in a tensioned state and define an aerodynamic outer skin. The fabric strips extend over and are attached to the support members with a longitudinally extending insert member that presses the fabric strips into the slot and lockingly engages within the slot. | 05-01-2014 |
20140119937 | WIND TURBINE ROTOR BLADE WITH FABRIC SKIN AND ASSOCIATED METHOD FOR ASSEMBLY - A rotor blade for a wind turbine includes an internal support structure extending span-wise from a blade root to a blade tip. A plurality of ribs are fixed to and spaced along the internal support structure, with each rib extending in a generally chord-wise direction and having a generally aerodynamic blade contour. A plurality of chord-wise oriented fabric strips are affixed to the ribs in a tensioned state, wherein the fabric strips define an aerodynamic outer skin of the rotor blade. | 05-01-2014 |
20140301846 | SYSTEM FOR REDUCING VIBRATION IN A WIND TURBINE - A system for reducing vibration in a wind turbine includes a mass structure having at least one hole extending therethrough; a rod having a top threaded portion, an upper level stop disposed on or below the threaded portion, and a fixed lower level stop disposed below the upper level stop. The mass structure has a designed weight and shape that, in combination with the adjustable axial distance between the upper level stop and the lower level stop, is designed to provide a properly tuned system for a particular frequency. A base having an aperture designed for receipt of the lower level stop therein is configured for attachment to a component of the wind turbine. | 10-09-2014 |
20150247334 | LATTICE TOWER COVERING FOR A WIND TURBINE - The present subject matter is directed to a lattice tower covering and/or assembly for a wind turbine. The lattice tower assembly includes a plurality of structural members connected together to define an open lattice tower. The structural members include a plurality of supports and a plurality of inner and outer cross-support members. The inner and outer cross-support members are connected between the supports so as to define one or more openings. The lattice tower assembly also includes a tower covering having one or more panel elements retained in position between the supports. Further, the panel elements are configured with an exterior side of the outer cross-support members so as to cover at least a portion of one or more of the openings. In addition, the lattice tower covering includes a surface area defined by the plurality of supports and the one or more panel elements. | 09-03-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080305340 | MULTI-RESIN COMPOSITE ARTICLES AND SYSTEM AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE - A method for manufacturing a multi-resin composite article is provided. The method comprises providing at least one fiber preform in a mold; injecting a plurality of resins into the at least one fiber preform at a plurality of locations on the at least one fiber preform; and forming at least one transition region along a mutual contact surface between the resins. Each of the at least one transition regions is defined by a gradual transition in composition from one of the resins to another of the resins. A multi-resin composite article is also provided. The article comprises: at least one fiber preform; a plurality of resins, wherein the at least one fiber preform is infused with the resins; and at least one transition region extending along a mutual contact surface between respective ones of the resins. A system for manufacturing such a multi-resin composite article is also provided. | 12-11-2008 |
20100240804 | IN-SITU POLYMERIZED NANOCOMPOSITES - Disclosed herein is a method of making a polymer composite composition comprising blending a polymeric material precursor with nanoparticles, wherein each nanoparticle comprises a substrate and a coating composition disposed on the substrate; and polymerizing the polymeric material precursor to form a polymeric material, wherein the nanoparticles are dispersed within the polymeric material to form a polymer composition. | 09-23-2010 |
20100249277 | CURED COMPOSITE COMPOSITION - In one aspect, the present invention provides a cured composite composition comprising (a) a fiber component; and (b) an organic composition. The organic composition comprises a cured epoxy continuous phase and a nanoparticulate thermoplastic block copolymeric discontinuous phase. The nanoparticulate thermoplastic block copolymeric discontinuous phase has a domain size distribution in a range from about 1 nanometer to about 500 nanometers, and the discontinuous phase is substantially uniformly distributed throughout the cured composite composition. Articles and method of making the cured composite compositions are also provided. | 09-30-2010 |
20110075320 | Dielectric Film, Associated Article and Method - An article having a cyanoresin dielectric film is described. The cyanoresin dielectric film includes nanostructures of a toughening material. A method of forming such a cyanoresin dielectric film is also described. A capacitor having a cyanoresin dielectric film is presented. | 03-31-2011 |
20120081833 | ELECTRONIC DEVICES CONTAINING POLYETHERIMIDE COMPONENTS - One embodiment of this invention is directed to an electronic article, formed in part from a polyetherimide resin having a repeating unit of formula I: | 04-05-2012 |
20120107551 | POLYETHERIMIDE STITCHED REINFORCING FABRICS AND COMPOSITE MATERIALS COMPRISING THE SAME - In one aspect, the present invention provides a preform, comprising: (a) a reinforcing fabric layer; and (b) a polyetherimide fiber incorporated into the reinforcing fabric layer as a stitch thread material. The reinforcing fabric layer comprises less than about 10% by weight polyetherimides. In another aspect, the present invention provides an uncured and a cured composite composition comprising the perform. Articles and method of making the cured composite compositions are also provided. | 05-03-2012 |
20120108132 | Composite Compositions - In one embodiment, the present invention provides a preform. The preform includes (a) a reinforcing fabric layer; and (b) a thermoplastic block copolymer fiber incorporated into the reinforcing fabric layer. The thermoplastic block copolymer includes methylmethacrylate structural units and is substantially soluble in an uncured epoxy resin and substantially insoluble in a corresponding cured epoxy resin. An uncured composite composition, a cured composite, and a method of making the cured composite are also provided. | 05-03-2012 |
20120108699 | Composite Compositions - In one embodiment, the present invention provides an uncured composite composition. The uncured composite composition includes an uncured resin and a triaxial braid. The triaxial braid includes a longitudinal axis, a first bias fiber extending in a first bias direction at a first bias angle to the longitudinal axis, a second bias fiber extending in a second bias direction at a second bias angle to the longitudinal axis, and an axial fiber extending in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis; wherein the first bias fiber, the second bias fiber, and the axial fiber have a substantially same tow size, and the tow size is in a range of from about 1 k to about 11 k. A cured composite and a method of making the cured composite are also provided. | 05-03-2012 |
20120138223 | UV-IR COMBINATION CURING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE FOR WIND BLADE MANUFACTURE AND REPAIR - A UV-IR combination curing system and method for manufacture and repair of composite parts, such as for use in wind blade manufacture and repair. The system and method utilize UV and IR dual radiation sources to cure glass fiber reinforced laminates containing a photo initiator. The UV and IR dual radiation sources can be configured as discrete stand-alone UV and IR lamps used in a side by side configuration, a plurality of UV lamps with thermal IR radiation, a combined UV/IR lamp, or other forms of light sources providing both UV and IR radiation. To achieve high glass transition and complete curing of thick laminates, the IR radiation source is initially turned on to heat the laminate to close to 40° C-100° C. before the UV radiation source is turned on. The IR radiation source can be turned off after UV radiation source is activated. | 06-07-2012 |
20120305172 | POLYMER COMPOSITE MATERIALS AND PROCESSES THEREFOR - Processes for fabricating polymer composite materials that contain a polymer matrix, reinforcement fabrics, and particles of a filler material. The processes include spraying the particles of the filler material on at least two articles that each comprise at least one of the reinforcement fabrics to form particle-laden articles. The particle-laden articles are stacked to form a stacked structure, and a resin present within the stacked structure is then cured to form a laminate polymer composite material. The process can be employed in the fabrication of at least a portion of an aircraft engine nacelle, for example, the inlet lip of a fan nacelle. | 12-06-2012 |
20120308369 | LAMINATE THERMAL INSULATION BLANKET FOR AIRCRAFT APPLICATIONS AND PROCESS THEREFOR - A thermal insulation blanket for an aircraft engine, and processes for producing the thermal insulation blanket to have low thermal conductivity and high temperature capability. The thermal insulation blanket has a layered construction that includes an aerogel insulation material, a composite layer disposed at a first surface of the aerogel insulation material, and a backing layer disposed at an opposite surface of the aerogel insulation material so that the aerogel insulation material is encapsulated between the composite and backing layers. The composite layer contains a resin matrix material reinforced with a fiber reinforcement material. | 12-06-2012 |
20130240118 | UV-IR COMBINATION CURING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE FOR WIND BLADE MANUFACTURE AND REPAIR - A UV-IR combination curing system and method for manufacture and repair of composite parts, such as for use in wind blade manufacture and repair. The system and method utilize UV and IR dual radiation sources to cure glass fiber reinforced laminates containing a photo initiator. The UV and IR dual radiation sources can be configured as discrete stand-alone UV and IR lamps used in a side by side configuration, a plurality of UV lamps with thermal IR radiation, a combined UV/IR lamp, or other forms of light sources providing both UV and IR radiation. To achieve high glass transition and complete curing of thick laminates, the IR radiation source is initially turned on to heat the laminate to close to 40° C.-100° C. before the UV radiation source is turned on. The IR radiation source can be turned off after UV radiation source is activated. | 09-19-2013 |
20140077420 | UV Curing System and Method For Wind Blade Manufacture And Repair - A UV curing system and method for manufacture and repair of composite parts, such as for use in wind blade manufacture and repair is disclosed. The system and method utilize UV as the single radiation source to cure laminates such as glass fiber reinforced laminates containing a photo initiator. The use of Co naphthenate or phenoxyethyl methacrylate in the curing of thick laminates produces high glass transition and complete curing of thick laminates. The addition of cobalt naphthenate and phenoxyethyl methacrylate shows no significant reduction on the bonding strength. | 03-20-2014 |
20140333160 | THERMAL CONDUCTOR FOR USE IN AN ELECTRIC MACHINE AND METHOD OF FORMING THE SAME - An electric machine includes a housing, a stator core positioned within the housing, a wire wound about the stator core to form a plurality of end-turns that extend from an end of the stator core, and a thermal conductor positioned between the plurality of end-turns and the housing. The thermal conductor includes a substrate and a thermally conductive coating formed on a surface of the substrate. The thermally conductive coating includes a thermally conductive, dielectric material configured to transfer heat from the plurality of end-turns to the substrate. | 11-13-2014 |
20150035405 | SLOT LINER FOR AN ELECTRIC MACHINE - A slot liner is provided for a stator and/or a rotor of an electric machine and includes a body configured to be received within a stator slot of the stator and/or within a rotor slot of the rotor. The body extends a length from a first end to an opposite second end and a width from a first edge to an opposite second edge. The body includes an inner segment and first and second outer segments that extend along the length of the body. The first and second outer segments flank the inner segment such that the inner segment extends between the first and second outer segments along the length of the body. The inner segment includes at least one different material than the first and second outer segments such that a thermal conductivity of the inner segment is greater than a thermal conductivity of the first and second outer segments. | 02-05-2015 |
20150155070 | INSULATION FOR ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS - Embodiments of an insulation for electrical components are provided herein. In one embodiment an insulation for an electrical component may include a filler dispersed throughout a polymer matrix, the filler comprising a talc containing nanoclay and boron nitride. In one embodiment, an insulating tape for an electrical component may include a substrate and an insulation disposed atop the substrate, the insulation comprising a filler dispersed throughout a polymer matrix, the filler comprising a talc containing nanoclay and boron nitride. In one embodiment, a stator bar may include a conductive core and an insulating tape disposed atop one or more surfaces of the conductive core, the insulating tape comprising a substrate and an insulation disposed atop the substrate, the insulation comprising a filler dispersed throughout a polymer matrix, the filler comprising a talc containing nanoclay and boron nitride. | 06-04-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120263826 | ENCAPSULATION SYSTEM FOR PROTECTION OF PROBIOTICS DURING PROCESSING - Comestible products, for example beverage products, are disclosed containing encapsulated probiotic bacteria having resistance to subjection to at least thermal and acidic conditions. Beverage products include at least one aqueous liquid and capsules comprising a gelled mixture of alginate and denatured protein, and probiotic bacteria entrapped within the gelled mixture. The average particle size of the capsules is optionally less than 1000 microns (μm) in diameter, such as less than 500 μm in diameter. Methods are provided for making such encapsulated probiotics by providing a mixture comprising sodium alginate, denatured protein and active probiotic cells, and combining the mixture with a divalent cation to initiate cold gelation of the sodium alginate and denatured protein to form a second mixture. The second mixture is passed through an opening having a diameter of less than 1000 μm to form capsules. The weight ratio of protein to alginate is from 1:1 to 9:1. | 10-18-2012 |
20130078336 | Stabilized Edible Emulsions, Methods of Preparation, and Beverages - Stable, edible delivery systems for water miscible or water soluble materials, and aqueous food products such as beverages incorporating such delivery systems are provided. The disclosed delivery systems may be used to isolate a substance otherwise having an unacceptable taste in the food product or to protect a sensitive material in the food, e.g., an ingredient prone to degradation. Methods for producing the delivery systems and aqueous dispersions are also disclosed. | 03-28-2013 |
20130129868 | Protein Precipitate Comprising Minerals and Method for the Manufacture Thereof - Edible precipitate is disclosed binding one or more minerals that are stable in acidic aqueous systems. The precipitate may be utilized in acidic food products. The precipitate comprises at least one mineral and a layer around the at least one mineral wherein the layer comprises protein precipitate. Methods of producing the precipitate are also disclosed. | 05-23-2013 |
20130224335 | Stabilized Edible Emulsions, Acidification Methods of Preparation, and Beverages - Stable, edible delivery systems for water miscible or water soluble materials, and aqueous food products such as beverages incorporating such delivery systems are provided. The disclosed delivery systems may be used to isolate a substance otherwise having an unacceptable taste in the food product or to protect a sensitive material in the food, e.g., an ingredient prone to degradation. Methods for producing the delivery systems and aqueous dispersions are also disclosed, wherein an acidification agent lowers the pH of the emulsion particles core during and/or after emulsification. | 08-29-2013 |
20130323379 | NATURAL CLOUDING SYSTEM FOR BEVERAGE APPLICATIONS - A natural clouding system is provided, which includes a natural oil, a natural emulsifier, a natural acid, a natural aqueous component, and a natural preservative including ethanol, glycerin, or combinations thereof. The natural clouding system contains only natural components. A beverage product, such as a beverage or beverage concentrate or other product, is also provided, which includes at least one beverage component and a natural clouding system. The beverage product optionally contains only natural components. In addition, a method is provided for preparing a natural clouding system. | 12-05-2013 |