Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm K. Scott O'Brian
  • Patent number: 6821564
    Abstract: Apparatus and method to improve vapor phase diffusion coating of articles. The apparatus provides a barrier to segregate the portion of the article requiring coating from the portion of the article not requiring coating. The fixture is reusable, being unaffected by the coating gases. The fixture reduces the exposure of the coating gases with the portion of the article not requiring coating. By use of an optional seal, the portion of the article not requiring coating can be isolated from the coating gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Nripendra Nath Das, Raymond William Heidorn, Thomas Edward Mantkowski, Patricia Ann Charles
  • Patent number: 6755482
    Abstract: A cutting machine for cutting depressions in a road surface. The cutting machine includes a rotatable cutting drum connected with a drive device for rotating the cutting drum and an engaging device for moving the cutting drum out of and into contact with the road surface. The drive device includes a gear box with a flywheel located on the input side of the gear box and the cutting drum comprises a plurality of cutting teeth, the teeth removably retained to the cutting drum to effectively cut the road surface and includes a means for anchoring a tooth shank to a tooth holder permanently affixed to said cutting drum. A power unit that moves the cutting drum along the road surface is provided with a detector for continuously detecting a distance that the cutting drum is moved by the power unit and for generating a signal indicative of the distance moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Surface Preparation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: H. Matthew Johnson
  • Patent number: 6740185
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a method of manufacturing a preform for a RTM molding process that will increase both the handling capability of the preform and the final part quality. The invention consists of applying a patterned discontinuous layer of liquid resin over at least one side of a layer of reinforcing fibers. The resin film can consist of a homogeneous liquid, an aqueous dispersion or a melted resin applied at an elevated temperature. In one embodiment, there is present a roller having a patterned surface. Liquid resin is applied to the surface of the patterned roller via a second roller. The layer of reinforcing fibers is passed by the roller in such a fashion that the resin from the pattern on the surface of the roller is transferred to the layer of reinforcing fibers. The contact of the roller with the layer of reinforcing fibers is sufficient to force some of the resin into the fibers themselves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Jack Wilbur Baldwin
  • Patent number: 6720034
    Abstract: A heat-rejection coating is applied to a metallic component of a gas turbine engine, preferably made of a nickel-base superalloy. A component surface is preferably pre-treated, as by polishing the component surface, thereafter pre-oxidizing the component surface, and thereafter applying a ceramic barrier coating onto the component surface. A reflective-coating mixture is air sprayed onto the pre-treated component surface. The reflective-coating mixture includes a metallic pigment, such as platinum, gold, palladium, and alloys thereof, and a reflective-coating-mixture carrier. The component with the reflective-coating mixture sprayed thereon is fired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Andrew Jay Skoog, Jane Ann Murphy, John Frederick Ackerman, Paul Vincent Arszman, Bryan Thomas Bojanowski, Timothy Ray Lattire
  • Patent number: 6711931
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for accurately and repeatably positioning metallic parts having variable length extrusions and shaped sheet metal in a modular die system that forms a joggle in the metallic parts. The apparatus of the present invention includes a standard joggle die system that is currently in use in the art. The apparatus further includes a movable back gage assembly that works in combination with the joggle die system to allow an operator to accurately position the workpiece between the joggle dies at a preselected position. The back gage assembly is movable in both the horizontal and vertical directions. The back gage assembly moves into a stored position away from the working area of the dies to permit the joggle to be formed in the workpiece. The back gage assembly can then move back into the working area to accurately position the next workpiece without the need for further adjustments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Patrick Calder, Albert Randy Wolfe
  • Patent number: 6708519
    Abstract: A compression device for use in a HVAC&R system that includes a compressor for compressing vaporized refrigerant having a compressor inlet and compressor outlet for directing compressed refrigerant downstream along a first conduit to a condenser. An accumulator is provided for preventing liquid refrigerant from reaching the compressor. The accumulator has an accumulator inlet for receiving refrigerant along a second conduit from an upstream evaporator and an accumulator outlet in fluid communication with the compressor inlet for receiving vaporized refrigerant therein. The accumulator and compressor are integrally connected thereto so that the accumulator and compressor may be installed into a refrigerant recycling system by connecting the compressor outlet with the first conduit and connecting the accumulator inlet with the second conduit. A desiccant is disposed inside the accumulator between the accumulator inlet and outlet for removing moisture from the refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Bristol Compressors, Inc.
    Inventors: David T. Monk, John K. Narney, II
  • Patent number: 6528118
    Abstract: A process for creating microgrooves within or adjacent to a TBC layer applied to a gas turbine engine component such as a blade or vane. The process includes the steps of applying a bond coat to the surface of the substrate. A wire mesh is placed a predetermined distance above the bond coat surface. With the wire mesh in position, about 0.002 inches of an inner TBC is applied over the bond coat. The wire in the wire mesh causes a shadow effect as the TBC is applied, so that there are variations in the thickness of the applied TBC, forming micro channels. The wire mesh is removed and an additional outer TBC layer is applied over the inner TBC layer, and the variations in thickness are bridged by the continued deposition of the columnar TBC over the inner TBC layer, forming the microgrooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ching-Pang Lee, Ramgopal Darolia, Robert Edward Schafrik