General Electric Company

Khosrow Karim-Panahi

James H Terhune

Charles W Dillmann

Paul J Zimmerman

A clamped support system for a structure comprising a plurality of support piers in a predetermined array, supporting the structure; and at least two rigid reinforcing pads sandwiched about an elastomer layer, the plurality of support piers extending through the reinforcing pads and the elastomer layer.

Elastomeric seismic isolation of structures and components

A non-contact system and method for measuring torsional wave propagation along a rotating shaft as well as static angular deflection due to a constant applied torque. The relative twist angle between two cross-sectional portions of the rotating shaft separated by a predetermined distance is detected over time and then the axial variation of torque along the rotating shaft is determined as a function of relative twist angle. Detection is carried out electro-optically using a pair of photodetectors and bands of reflective marks adhered on the circumferential surfaces of the two cross-sectional portions. Axial variation of torque is determined by determining variations in the phase difference between pulse trains output by the photodetectors.

Rotating shaft vibration monitor

An ultrasonic parametric amplifier incorporates a duct having rigid cylindrical wall with a periodic inner surface that undulates sinusoidally in an axial direction, and an element for heating the external surface of the wall. The sinusoidal undulations of the periodic inner surface have a wavelength which is about half of the wavelength of the waves of ultrasonic energy propagating through a fluid filling the duct. The waves are amplified by synergistic interactions of the ultrasonic waves with the periodic duct walls when heat is added in a predetermined manner, thereby compensating for the exponential decrease in fluid temperature which would otherwise lead to detuning of the amplifier.

Growing community of inventors

Palo Alto, CA, United States of America

Khosrow Karim-Panahi