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Example 1
BUTTERFLY VALVES
U.S. patents 4,964,431 (1990);4,967,778 (1990); 5,000,213 (1991); 5,005,804 (1991); 5,029,599 (1991);
5,067,506 (1991); 5,102,097 (1992); 5,113,910 (1992); and earlier ones
PROBLEM ADDRESSED reduced torque butterfly valves for fluid control
TECHNICAL APPROACH a number of torque reduction innovations involving alteration of area distribution
of valve plate about its pivot axis in response to orientation-dependent fluid dynamic flow forces: (1)
translation of plate with respect to axis, (2) extensible wings from plate, (3) change of pivot axis location,
(4) flow-modification from protrusions, (5) exposure of hole in plate
flow
translation
wings
protrusions
hole exposure
POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS fluid control in transportation systems, oil and process pipelines, and
manufacturing
BENEFITS reduction in weight, size and cost from use of smaller actuators; reduction in valve failures due to
reduced torque loads
June 11, 1998
Example 1
REGULATED BI-DIRECTIONAL DC-TO-DC VOLTAGE CONVERTER
U.S. patents 5,140,509 (1992); 5,255,174 (1993)
PROBLEM ADDRESSED compact device for increasing or decreasing DC voltages
TECHNICAL APPROACH uses pulse width modulation from semiconductor rectifiers and transistors in
bridge and boost circuits with a single transformer and inductor for transforming and demodulating
voltage pulses
Bridge converter Transformer Boost converter
POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS aerospace power distribution, electric vehicle voltage conversion, electric
utility low loss DC transmission, solar power modules
BENEFITS size, weight and cost savings from shared and dual use of components, low electromagnetic
interference
June 11, 1998
Example 1
STABLE PASSIVE COMPOSITE MAGNETIC BEARINGS
U.S. patents 5,270,601 (1993); 5,196,748 (1993)
PROBLEM ADDRESSED bearings with low loss, spatial stability, rigidity, and high load capacity
TECHNICAL APPROACH (1) composite material comprising granules of Type II superconducter and
granules of rare-earth permanent magnets distributed in a tough polymeric binder, with stability
provided by Type II pinning of magnetic field lines and rigidity and load capacity by magnet granules
(2) additional spatial stability provided by high gradients of opposing alternating polarity magnets
N
S
Opposing support magnets
S
N
Composite of magnetic and superconductor granules
POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS rotor and thrust support in machinery, levitation for high speed
transportation
BENEFITS easily machinable bearings with high load capacity, rigid alignment and longitudinal stability,
long life, and low parasitic power loss
June 10, 1998
Example 2
LIQUID DENSITY MEASUREMENT
U.S. patent 5,237,853 (1993)
PROBLEM ADDRESSED determination of liquid density
TECHNICAL APPROACH use of a fluidic oscillator in combination with a pressure divider and a
differential pressure transducer: density of liquid proportional to the differential pressure across the
oscillator divided by the square of the oscillation frequency
Processor
Fluidic oscillator
dP transducer
pressure
divider
POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS detection of air in oil in transportation systems and in manufacturing
processes; detection of contaminant liquids in fluids; determination of fluid mass in storage tanks from
liquid level measurements
BENEFITS relatively light-weight and low-volume measurement apparatus; reduction of measuring device
weight by over 90% by use of differential pressure transducer in place of precision pressure regulator
June 12, 1998
MECHANICALLY IMPROVED HEAT EXCHANGERS
Example 3
U.S. patents 5,181,561 (1993); 5,183,106 (1993)
PROBLEM ADDRESSED strong and leak-resistant fluid heat exchangers
TECHNICAL APPROACH (1) integral short-length ferrules on a stiffener plate; (2) corner members which
interlock with extensions of header bars
Stiffener plate with ferrules
Interlocking corner supports
POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS reliable heat exchangers in vibration-prone environments
BENEFITS low mechanical stress concentrations, ease of manufacture
.
June 12, 1998