US3856432A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-governing turbine speed limiter
Assignee: United States Department of the Army
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Filing: 1973-09-27
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Granted: 1974-12-24
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Expires: 1993-09-27
Abstract
Abstract A turbine speed limiter is inserted in the central portion of a turbine rotor for limiting the turbine speed at a predetermined RPM. The limiter consists of six leaves, which are folded around a conical hub at the center of the rotor. When a predetermined rotational speed of the rotor is acheived, centrifugal forces will cause the leaves to unfold and block the entrance channels of adjacently positioned turbine blades. If the leaves are fabricated from a resilient material, they will fold back toward the hub when the turbine rotor slows down.
Inventors
- 👤 C Campagnuolo
- 👤 P Curto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 03:48
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01D; F01D21/00; F01D21/02; F01D7/00; F01D7/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
In a turbine rotor having a support plate mounting turbine blades around the periphery, a speed limiting device comprising: a hub centrally mounted on the support plate; movable means movably connected to the hub, the movable means having a first position whereat they overlay the hub to remain in non-interferring relationship with air flow through passageways between blades, the movable means responding to centrifugal force acting thereon when a predetermined rotational speed of the rotor is exceeded, said response resulting in movement of the movable means for the blockage of at least one of the passageways; whereby an increase of turbine rotor speed is averted; and wherein the hub is a conical member having the twofold function of serving as a retainer for the movable means as well as spilling flow of a high inlet ram velocity over the blades when the movable means move to the blockage position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
In a turbine rotor having a support plate mounting turbine blades around the periphery, a speed limiting device comprising: a hub centrally mounted on the support plate; movable means movably connected to the hub, the movable means having a first position whereat they overlay the hub to remain in non-interferring relationship with air flow through passageways between blades, the movable means responding to centrifugal force acting thereon when a predetermined rotational speed of the rotor is exceeded, said response resulting in movement of the movable means for the blockage of at least one of the passageways; whereby an increase of turbine rotor speed is averted; and wherein the hub is a conical member having the twofold function of serving as a retainer for the movable means as well as spilling flow of a high inlet ram velocity over the blades when the movable means move to the blockage position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
144 words
In a turbine rotor having a support plate mounting turbine blades around the periphery, a speed limiting device comprising: a hub centrally mounted on the support plate; and movable means movably connected to the hub, the movable means having a first position whereat they overlay the hub to remain in non-interferring relationship with air flow through passageways between blades, the movable means responding to centrifugal force acting thereon when a predetermined rotational speed of the rotor is exceeded, said response resulting in movement of the movable means for the blockage of at least one of the passageways; whereby an increase of turbine rotor speed is averted; and wherein the movable means comprises at least one leaf having a surface conforming to the shape of the hub for maintaining the leaf in juxtaposition with the hub when the rotor speed is below the predetermined speed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
144 words
In a turbine rotor having a support plate mounting turbine blades around the periphery, a speed limiting device comprising: a hub centrally mounted on the support plate; and movable means movably connected to the hub, the movable means having a first position whereat they overlay the hub to remain in non-interferring relationship with air flow through passageways between blades, the movable means responding to centrifugal force acting thereon when a predetermined rotational speed of the rotor is exceeded, said response resulting in movement of the movable means for the blockage of at least one of the passageways; whereby an increase of turbine rotor speed is averted; and wherein the movable means comprises at least one leaf having a surface conforming to the shape of the hub for maintaining the leaf in juxtaposition with the hub when the rotor speed is below the predetermined speed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The structure set forth in claim 1 wherein the movable means comprises at least one leaf having a surface conforming to the shape of the hub for maintaining the leaf in juxtaposition with the hub when the rotor speed is below the predetermined speed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
The subject matter defined in claim 1 wherein the movable means comprises a plurality of individual leaves articulating from a central body mounted to the hub, each leaf having a curvature conforming to the shape of the hub for maintaining the leaf in juxtaposition with the hub when the rotor speed is below the predetermined speed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The structure as set forth in claim 4 wherein the length of each leaf is sufficient to extend radially outward, when the predetermined speed is exceeded, to block the radially inward entrance of a corresponding passageway.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The subject matter as recited in claim 5 wherein the number of leaves is equal to one half the number of turbine blades.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
The subject matter of claim 4 wherein each leaf is so fabricated to cause unfolding of each leaf to a blockage position when the rotor speed exceeds the predetermined speed, the leaf remaining in the unfolded position even after the rotor speed decreases below the predetermined speed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
52 words
The subject matter of claim 4 wherein each leaf is fabricated from a resilient material to permit the unfolding of each leaf to a blockage position when the predetermined speed is exceeded, and to permit the refolding of each leaf onto the hub when the rotor speed falls below the predetermined speed.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-23 | 1978-06-24 | 1978-12-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-23 | 1982-06-24 | 1982-12-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-23 | 1986-06-24 | 1986-12-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |