Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Ernest G. Cusick
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Patent number: 8337139Abstract: A method and system for increasing the efficiency of a turbomachine having an extraction system is provided. The extraction system may have multiple extraction ports from which the working fluid of the turbomachine is extracted to meet extraction load requirements of an independent process. The method and system may enable a control system to optimally determine the which extraction ports to draw the working fluid from for meeting the extraction load requirement. The optimal location may be determined by utilizing the data on the load requirement, where the extraction load requirement may be operationally distinct from the turbomachine load.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2009Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Nestor Hernandez Sanchez, David A. Stasenko
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Patent number: 8317467Abstract: An exhaust hood for an axial steam turbine that includes a radial channel, downstream from the normal flow pattern. The radial channel guides the exhaust steam flow in upper half of the hood in the flow momentum direction. Due to this pattern of flow direction, vortex generation in upper exhaust hood is reduced and increased flow diffusion results. The geometric arrangement can eliminate the outer casing of the exhaust hood over the axial length of the turbine inner casing, allowing the turbine inner casing to be supported directly by a foundation for the steam turbine.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2009Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Prakash B. Dalsania, Joshy John
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Patent number: 8320427Abstract: The introduction of spray formed metals into critical applications in the aircraft engine and power generation industries has been hampered by the possibility of erosion of oxide particles from a crucible lining or pouring nozzle in conventional spray forming equipment. These oxide particles may become inclusions that limit low-cycle fatigue life of parts. Use of a cold-walled induction guide (CIG) with an electrical insulation layer between copper CIG elements and the liquid metal offers a means of delivering ceramic-free alloys to a spray system with improved efficiency. CIG design options facilitated by a new oven-brazed fabrication technique resolve induction coil environmental isolation issues, correct thermal strain tolerance problems, facilitate dual frequency induction designs, allow improved electrical coupling efficiency and thermal efficiency, result in improved melt flow initiation, and facilitate disassembly without damage from the solidified melt.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2009Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: William T. Carter, Russell S. Miller, Howard R. Hart, Jr.
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Patent number: 8317464Abstract: A reverse flow tolerant brush seal arrangement for restricting the transfer of a pressurized fluid between a first and a second chamber along a moving shaft. Opposing backing plates are provided to stiffen brush bristle alignment on the moving shaft. Differential pressure between the chambers is aided by spring biasing to seat axial movement of a sliding brush seal against one of the opposing backing plates for stiffening to maintain a design clearance with a shaft being sealed.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2010Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Rakesh V. Alamsetty, William E. Adis, Mahendra S. Mehra, Nestor Hernandez Sanchez, Rajasekar Natarajan, Akshay A. Datye
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Patent number: 8310403Abstract: An antenna attachment scheme is provided, according to one aspect of the invention, for mounting an antenna to a meter. The antenna attachment scheme comprises a housing mountable to a meter. The housing comprises a top surface; an open-end; and a side surface. The side surface of the housing comprising a mounting surface for the antennae to the housing.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2010Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Rathindra Nahar
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Patent number: 8286430Abstract: An exhaust system for a double flow steam turbine providing a separate external exhaust path from an upper section of a turbine outlet of a first turbine section to a first condenser and a separate external exhaust path from a lower section the turbine outlet of the first turbine section to the first condenser. A separate external exhaust path from an upper section of a turbine outlet of a second turbine section and a separate external exhaust path from a lower section of the turbine outlet of the second turbine section is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2009Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Roy P. Swintek, Dale W. Ladoon, James E. Olson
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Patent number: 8273416Abstract: A coating system and process for protecting component surfaces exposed to sulfur-containing environments at elevated temperatures. The coating system includes a sulfidation-resistant overlay coating that is predominantly niobium or molybdenum.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2011Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: David A. Helmick, Yuk-Chiu Lau, David Vincent Bucci
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Patent number: 8268032Abstract: A gasket and sealing system are described herein. One aspect of the invention is a gasket for providing a seal between a first object and a second object. The gasket comprises a base portion for sealing engagement with the first object at a first location and a deflectable portion extending from the base portion. The deflectable portion has an end portion initially spaced from the first object. The deflectable portion is engageable with the second object for sealing therebetween upon engagement with and movement of the second object towards the first object. The end portion is engageable with the first object at a second location upon the second object being further moved towards the first object.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2008Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: William K. Eyers, Gordon T. Ayshford, Christina Goodrick-Meech, Beverley Dunstan, Ian H. Sutherland
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Patent number: 8253061Abstract: A welding method and apparatus for welding workpieces together by conducting a forward hybrid welding process on a joint region that includes a weld seam defined by and between faying surfaces of the workpieces, and then conducting an aft hybrid welding process on the joint region. The forward hybrid welding process simultaneously causes a forward laser beam and a forward electric arc to travel along the joint region, which in combination penetrates the weld seam and forms a weld pool that solidifies to form a weldment. The aft hybrid welding process utilizes an aft electric arc and an aft laser beam to produce a second weld pool that remelts and mixes with the weldment. On cooling, a weld joint is formed that is capable of deeply penetrating the weld seam of the joint region.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2010Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Daniel Anthony Nowak, Srikanth Chandrudu Kottilingam
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Patent number: 8251659Abstract: An insert and method for altering a through-hole in a body, such as a steam balance hole in a steam turbine rotor wheel. The insert has a body with oppositely-disposed first and second ends, a flange radially extending from the second end of the body, and an outer surface at a perimeter of the body between the first end and the flange. A first bore within the body defines a first opening at the first end, and the first bore and outer surface of the body cooperate to define therebetween a wall capable of being plastically deformed in a radially outward direction. A second bore within the body communicates with the first bore and has a smaller cross-section than the first bore. The installation method entails installing the insert in a through-hole and flaring the wall to clamp the axial thickness of the body between the flange and flared wall of the insert.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2008Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Nicholas Tisenchek, Frederick George Baily, John Matthew Sassatelli, James Royce Howes
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Patent number: 8235663Abstract: A method, system and article adapted for ultrasonic inspection of the article. The article is disk-shaped and has axially-oriented slots circumferentially spaced from each other at a periphery of the article, with members secured at the periphery of the article such that each member has a retention feature that extends into and engages a corresponding one of the slots so as to secure the members to the slots. Cavities are defined by and between the slots and radially-inward extremities of the retention features within the slots. The inspection method and system entail the use of at least one ultrasonic transducer placed within at least a first of the cavities defined by a first of the slots. The transducer is configured and oriented to perform a diagnostic technique on the article by emitting an ultrasonic signal that intersects an interior surface of a second of the slots immediately adjacent the first slot.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2008Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Curtis Wayne Rose, Robert Falsetti, Gary Lamberton
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Patent number: 8221053Abstract: An arrangement and method adapted for providing a stiffened lower exhaust hood for a steam turbine. Sidewalls of the lower exhaust hood may taper inward between a horizontal joint and an inlet to a condenser for the steam turbine, providing an enhanced flow path for the exhaust steam. Stiffening of the sidewalls may be provided by stiffening bends, stiffening curvature, and external stiffening beams on the wall plate of the sidewalls of the lower exhaust hood, permitting reduction or elimination of structural supports within the exhaust hood, which degrade exhaust steam flow.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2009Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Daniel R. Predmore, Edward J. Sharrow, Kumar Navjot
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Patent number: 8221054Abstract: An arrangement and method adapted for providing a reinforced lower exhaust hood for a steam turbine. Double-wall sidewalls and endwalls for a lower exhaust hood include an outer corrugated wall joined to an inner plate wall. The enhanced strength provided by the corrugation provides reduced deformation of the lower exhaust hood and allows reduction of structural complexity and improved aero-performance within the lower exhaust hood.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2009Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Hayagreeva K V Rao, Kumar Navjot
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Patent number: 8215917Abstract: An article of manufacture having a nominal profile substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z set forth in TABLE A. X and Y are distances in inches which, when connected by smooth continuing arcs, define airfoil profile sections at each distance Z in inches. The profile sections at the Z distances can be joined smoothly with one another to form a complete airfoil shape.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2010Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Christopher Edward LaMaster, Kelvin Rono Aaron
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Patent number: 8196280Abstract: A fixture assembly and inspection method by which the internal diameter and/or concentricity of a segmented annular seal can be readily inspected and optionally measured prior to final installation. The fixture assembly has at least two fixture segments supported on a base, by which an annular fixture housing is defined having an outer rim and a groove with a cross-sectional shape corresponding to a cross-sectional shape of the annular seal. The fixture assembly further includes a device or apparatus for assessing at least one dimensional characteristic of the annular seal when installed in the groove of the fixture housing and as the assessing device/apparatus travels along the interior circumference of the fixture housing.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2010Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Anthony Constantine Thermos, Ronald Ralph Cairo, Mehmet Demiroglu, Nitin Bhate
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Patent number: 8196276Abstract: A multi-functional rotary turning and positioning apparatus and method for performing multiple service operations on a turbomachinery rotor while the rotor remains continuously supported with the apparatus. The apparatus includes a platform, a rotary headstock mounted to the platform, a spindle coupled to and rotatably supported by the headstock and adapted for coupling to a turbomachinery rotor, bearing pedestals mounted to the platform and adapted for rotatably supporting the rotor, at least one motor for turning the spindle at least two different rotational speed ranges, equipment mountable to the platform for performing multiple service operations on the rotor, and equipment for controlling the rotational speed and position of the spindle for the purpose of performing the service operation with the operating equipment.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2008Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: John Matthew Sassatelli, Mark Edward Burnett, Engelbert Paauwe, Aaron Paauwe, Lawrence Michael Grycko, Jeffrey Paul Cutler, Carter Steven Cook
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Patent number: 8192168Abstract: An article of manufacture having a nominal profile substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z set forth in TABLE A. X and Y are distances in inches which, when connected by smooth continuing arcs, define airfoil profile sections at each distance Z in inches. The profile sections at the Z distances can be joined smoothly with one another to form a complete airfoil shape.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2008Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Eric R. Bonini, Thomas R. Tipton, Bruce C. Busbey, Christopher E. LaMaster, Jamie D. Lumpkin
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Patent number: 8186418Abstract: An apparatus and method for casting an alloy using a unidirectional casting technique. The apparatus includes a mold adapted to contain a molten quantity of an alloy, a primary heating zone adapted to heat the mold and the molten alloy therein to a temperature above the liquidus temperature of the alloy, a cooling zone adapted to cool the mold and molten alloy therein to a temperature below the solidus temperature of the alloy and thereby yield the unidirectionally-solidified casting, and an insulation zone between the primary heating zone and the cooling zone. The apparatus also has a secondary heating zone separated from the insulation zone by the primary heating zone. The secondary heating zone maintains the mold and the molten alloy therein at a temperature below the liquidus temperature of the alloy. The temperatures within the primary and secondary heating zones are individually set and controlled.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2010Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Shan Liu, Jon Conrad Schaeffer, Ganjiang Feng, Stephen Joseph Balsone
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Patent number: 8186963Abstract: An article of manufacture having a nominal profile substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z set forth in TABLE A. X and Y are distances in inches which, when connected by smooth continuing arcs, define airfoil profile sections at each distance Z in inches. The profile sections at the Z distances can be joined smoothly with one another to form a complete inlet guide vane airfoil shape.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2010Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Christopher Edward LaMaster, Venkata Siva P. Chaluvadi, Donald Joseph Kasperski
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Patent number: 8172541Abstract: An airfoil component and method for producing the component. The component has root and airfoil portions, the latter having an airfoil tip and oppositely-disposed concave and convex surfaces that converge at leading and trailing edges of the airfoil portion. The airfoil portion has at least one stiffener between first and second walls thereof that define the concave and convex surfaces, respectively. The stiffener defines multiple internal cavities within the airfoil portion that extend in the span-wise direction of the airfoil portion. A polymeric material fills at least one of the internal cavities and is bonded to the airfoil portion only at an extremity of the internal cavity nearer the root portion, and not to the stiffener or to the first and second walls of the airfoil portion, to define an internal damping member that provides a vibratory damping effect to the airfoil portion.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2009Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Ronald Ralph Cairo