Patents Assigned to General Electric
  • Patent number: 11987008
    Abstract: A method of additively manufacturing a three-dimensional object may be performed using an irradiation sequence that is based at least in part on a predicted location of one or more fume plumes emitted from the powder material when irradiated by a plurality of energy beams. An exemplary method may include determining, with a computing device, an irradiation sequence for selectively consolidating powder material using an energy beam system of an additive manufacturing machine, and providing control commands, from the computing device to the energy beam system, configured to cause the energy beam system to emit a plurality of energy beams to selectively consolidate the powder material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignees: General Electric Company, Concept Laser GmbH, GE Additive Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Benedikt Roidl, Kishore Ramakrishnan, Changjin Yoon, Andrey I. Meshkov, Peter Pontiller-Schymura
  • Patent number: 11988159
    Abstract: An aircraft that includes a hybrid-electric propulsion system is provided. In one aspect, the hybrid-electric propulsion system includes at least one propulsor that includes a gas turbine engine and an electric machine mechanically coupled with a spool of the gas turbine engine. When idle operation is commanded, electrical power is provided to the electric machine to cause the electric machine to apply torque to the spool and fuel provided to the engine can be reduced. Thus, the electric machine is controlled to provide a power assist to maintain the engine at the commanded idle speed whilst reducing fuel consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gregory L. Detweiler, Thomas William Brown, Robert Charles Hon, Alan Gregory Murphy
  • Patent number: 11988099
    Abstract: An unducted thrust producing system, includes a rotating element, a stationary element. An inlet may be located forward or aft of the rotating element and the stationary element. An exhaust may be located forward, aft, or between the rotating element and the stationary element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Darek Tomasz Zatorski, Jeffrey Hamel, Andrew Breeze-Stringfellow
  • Patent number: 11988096
    Abstract: A seal assembly for a rotary machine, such as a turbine engine, may include a seal rotor comprising a rotor face, a seal slider comprising a slider face, a seal stator, wherein the seal slider is slidably coupled to the seal stator, and wherein the slider face and the rotor face define a primary seal. The seal slider may be configured to slidably engage and retract the slider face with respect to the rotor face. The seal assembly may further include a secondary seal disposed between the seal slider and the seal stator. The secondary seal may be configured to compress and rebound and/or to expand and rebound, over at least a portion of a range of motion of the seal slider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignees: General Electric Company, General Electric Deutschland Holding GmbH
    Inventors: Ravindra Shankar Ganiger, Neelesh Nandkumar Sarawate, Rahul Anil Bidkar, Narendra Anand Hardikar, Kevin Randall McManus, Steven Douglas Johnson, Prateek Jalan, Antonio Guijarro Valencia, Julius John Montgomery, Rodrigo Rodriguez Erdmenger, Jose Maria Rey Villazon
  • Patent number: 11988109
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for an engine component for a turbine engine. The engine component having an outer wall defining an interior and extending between a root and a tip to define a radial direction, a tip wall spanning the first side and second sides to close the interior at the tip. A tip rail extending from the tip wall and having an inner tip rail surface, an outer tip rail surface extending from at least one of the first or the second side, and radially terminating in an upper tip rail surface connecting the inner tip rail surface and the outer tip rail surface. A tip rim formed in at least one of the outer surface or the inner tip rail surface and spaced from the upper tip rail surface in the radial direction, and multiple cooling passages formed in the outer wall and fluidly coupling the at least one cooling conduit to the tip rim at corresponding passage outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Zachary Daniel Webster, Daniel Endecott Osgood, Kirk Douglas Gallier
  • Patent number: 11988095
    Abstract: A seal assembly for a component of a turbomachine and method of assembly thereof is provided. The seal assembly includes at least one mating face positioned adjacent to the component and a seal coupled to the mating face. The seal includes an outer shell defining an interior space; an inner matrix filling the interior space comprising a plurality of unit cells comprising one or more metamaterials, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of unit cells are identical, and wherein the plurality of unit cells are repeated throughout the inner matrix; and one or more support struts extending throughout the inner matrix. The method of building the seal assembly may include selecting a first material for the outer shell and selecting the one or more metamaterials for the inner matrix based on the first material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Deepak Trivedi, Rahul Anil Bidkar, Uttara Vijay Kumar
  • Publication number: 20240157640
    Abstract: A recoat assembly for an additive manufacturing system includes a base member movable in a first lateral direction and a second lateral direction opposite the first lateral direction, a powder spreading member coupled to the base member, and a containment mechanism. The base member includes a primary containment housing at least partially encapsulating the powder spreading member. The containment mechanism is positionable into a first position when the base member is moving in the first lateral direction, and positionable into a second position different from the first position when the base member is moving in the second lateral direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2023
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Vadim Bromberg, John Sterle, Joshua Tyler Mook, Samantha Jo Rowe
  • Publication number: 20240157643
    Abstract: A build material escapement assembly for an additive manufacturing system includes a retaining plate for coupling the build material escapement assembly to the additive manufacturing system. A base having a plurality of ports is disposed beneath the retaining plate, and a support frame is disposed within the base. A diaphragm is disposed around the base, and a retractable plate is disposed between the support frame and the diaphragm. A top plate is further coupled to the retractable plate through the diaphragm and a plurality of connectors are coupled to the plurality of ports of the base. The base, support frame, diaphragm, retractable plate, and top plate define a cavity, and the top plate is movable between a retracted position by applying a negative pressure and an extended position by applying positive pressure to the cavity via the plurality of connectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2023
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Sterle, Vadim Bromberg
  • Publication number: 20240159471
    Abstract: A heat exchanger is provided that can include furcating unit cells coupled with each other. Each of the unit cells can be elongated along an axis and include a sidewall that defines annular ring openings on opposite ends of the unit cell along the axis. The sidewall also can define undulating annular rings between the annular ring openings and axially separated from each other along the axis. The sidewall can further define angled openings into the unit cell both above and below each of the undulating annular rings. At least a first opening of the annular ring openings and the angled openings can be configured to be an inlet to receive a first fluid into the unit cell and at least a second opening of the annular ring openings and the angled openings configured to be an outlet through which the first fluid exits the unit cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2023
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: William Dwight Gerstler, Daniel Jason Erno, Michael Thomas Kenworthy, Jeffrey Douglas Rambo, Nicolas Kristopher Sabo
  • Publication number: 20240157647
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a fluid containment system, comprising a body having a set of panels and seals that define an interior cavity. One or more fluid supply sources are fluidly coupled to the interior cavity; the one or more fluid supply sources provide at least one fluid to the interior cavity. A sensor is positioned within the interior cavity, and the sensor is configured to detect a threshold lower explosive limit (LEL) of a vapor within the interior cavity. The vapor is formed from an evaporated portion of the at least one fluid within the interior cavity. A controller is communicatively coupled to the sensor, and the controller is configured to provide control signals for directing fluid movement of the at least one fluid based on one or more signals received from the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2023
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Alex W. Ariapad, Vadim Bromberg
  • Publication number: 20240157821
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a power electronic energy conversion system comprising a first energy storage device configured to store DC energy and a first voltage converter configured to convert a second voltage from a remote power supply into a first charging voltage configured to charge the first energy storage device. The apparatus also includes a first controller configured to control the first voltage converter to convert the second voltage into the first charging voltage and to provide the first charging voltage to the first energy storage device during a charging mode of operation and communicate with a second controller located remotely from the power electronic energy conversion system to cause a second charging voltage to be provided to the first energy storage device during the charging mode of operation to rapidly charge the first energy storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2024
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Dean King, Robert Louis Steigerwald
  • Publication number: 20240157646
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to additive manufacturing systems, components therein, and methods for their use. The additive manufacturing system comprises a powder material handling system comprising a virgin powder inlet. The virgin powder inlet is coupled to a virgin powder drum and configured to receive a virgin powder from the virgin powder drum. The additive manufacturing system further comprises a liquid material handling system comprising a binder inlet. The binder inlet is coupled to a binder drum and configured to receive a binder from the binder drum. The additive manufacturing system also comprises an additive manufacturing machine coupled to the powder material handling system and the liquid material handling system. The additive manufacturing machine receives the virgin powder and the binder from the powder material handling and liquid material handling systems and is configured to manufacture a work product using the virgin powder and the binder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2023
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Vadim Bromberg, Victor Fulton, Carlos H. Bonilla, Joshua Tyler Mook, Anthony Charlebois, Ryan William Van Deest, Cassidy C. Shibiya, Timothy Francis Andrews, Alex W. Ariapad, Mathieu Roy, Patrick Leduc, Simon Houle, Jean-Francois Cadorette, Patrick Gauthier, Jay Matthew Lang
  • Patent number: 11982205
    Abstract: An airfoil for a turbine engine having a spar assembly. The spar assembly including a composite spar, a metallic hub, and a composite body. The metallic hub can receive a portion of the composite spar at an interior surface to define an overlapping region. The composite body is located at the overlapping region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Nitesh Jain, Abhijeet Jayshingrao Yadav, Balaraju Suresh, Nicholas Joseph Kray
  • Patent number: 11982497
    Abstract: A system for heat exchange and leak detection is generally provided, the system including a heat exchanger including a first wall defining a first passage containing a first fluid. A leak detection enclosure containing a leak detection medium is defined between the first wall and a second wall surrounding the first wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brandon Wayne Miller, Nicholas Taylor Moore, Daniel Alan Niergarth, Jeffrey Douglas Rambo, Hendrik Pieter Jacobus de Bock, William Dwight Gerstler
  • Patent number: 11981419
    Abstract: The variable pitch propeller assembly includes a hub. The variable pitch propeller assembly also includes a plurality of propeller blade assemblies spaced circumferentially about the hub. Each of the plurality of propeller blade assemblies configured to rotate a respective propeller blade. The variable pitch propeller assembly also includes a hydraulic fluid port assembly integrally formed and including at least three hydraulic fluid ports configured to receive respective flows of hydraulic fluid from a stationary hydraulic fluid transfer sleeve. The variable pitch propeller assembly also includes a pitch actuator assembly coupled in flow communication with at least three hydraulic fluid ports through respective hydraulic fluid transfer tubes. The pitch actuator coupled to the plurality of propeller blade assemblies to selectively control a pitch of the propeller blades. The pitch actuator assembly includes a travel stop configured to limit a rotation of at least one of the pitch actuator assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Daniel Alan Niergarth, Darek Tomasz Zatorski, Christopher James Kroger
  • Patent number: 11984259
    Abstract: An electrical generator and method for operating the same are provided. Accordingly, the generator includes a non-rotatable component supporting a field winding assembly and a rotatable component oriented to rotate relative thereto. The generator also includes an armature winding assembly fixedly coupled to the rotatable component so as to rotate therewith during operation of the generator. The generator also includes a resistive assembly fixedly coupled to the rotatable component so as to rotate therewith during the operation of the generator. The resistive assembly electrically couples at least two separate phase windings of the armature winding assembly. The resistive assembly is also configured to introduce a resistance into the armature winding assembly in response to an electrical fault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: General Electric Renovables EspaƱa, S.L.
    Inventors: Nidhishri Tapadia, David Allan Torrey
  • Patent number: 11982645
    Abstract: A system includes a sensor comprising a sensor bonding layer disposed on a surface of the sensor, wherein the sensor bonding layer is a metallic alloy. An inlay includes a planar outer surface, wherein the inlay may be disposed on a curved surface of a structure. A structure bonding layer may be disposed on the planar outer surface of the inlay, wherein the structure bonding layer is a metallic alloy. The sensor bonding layer is coupled to the structure bonding layer via a metallic joint, and the sensor is configured to sense data of the structure through the metallic joint, the structure bonding layer, and the sensor bonding layer. The inlay comprises at least one of a modulus of elasticity, a shape, a thickness, and a size configured to reduce strain transmitted to the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joseph Alfred Iannotti, Christopher James Kapusta, David Richard Esler
  • Patent number: 11980965
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing system includes a build platform and at least two laser heads. Each laser head includes at least one laser device, an optical sensor, and a computing device. The build platform includes a plurality of calibration marks. The laser device is configured to generate a laser beam. The laser beam is directed toward the plurality of calibration marks and the build platform. The optical sensor is configured to detect a scattering signal of the laser beam generated by reflecting off of the plurality of calibration marks and the build platform. The computing device is configured to receive the scattering signal from the optical sensor. The computing device is configured to align the laser heads such that the scattering signal aligns with the plurality of calibration marks and such that the laser heads align with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Xiaolei Shi
  • Patent number: 11982236
    Abstract: A titanium-based component having a high heat capacity surface. The high heat capacity surface prevents or inhibits titanium fires. The component is titanium-based, forming the substrate, and includes a high heat capacity surface overlying the titanium substrate. A diffusion barrier is intermediate the titanium-based substrate and the high heat capacity surface. The diffusion barrier is non-reactive with both the titanium-based substrate and the high heat capacity surface. The system eliminates the formation of detrimental phases due to diffusion between the applied high heat capacity surface and the titanium substrate. The high heat capacity material has a coefficient of thermal expansion compatible with the coefficient of thermal expansion of the titanium-based substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Alan Glenn Turner, Andrew Philip Woodfield, Leonardo Ajdelsztajn, Laura Cerully Dial
  • Patent number: 11981081
    Abstract: A powder removal assembly includes a build module comprising module sidewalls and a moveable build plate slidably coupled to the module sidewalls, and an extraction housing removably engaged with the module sidewalls of the build module and defining a turbulence chamber between the build module and the extraction housing. The extraction housing includes one or more sidewalls comprising one or more sidewall fluid flow channels extending through the one or more sidewalls and a top wall coupled to the one or more sidewalls, wherein the one or more sidewall fluid flow channels extend from a position proximate a base of the one or more sidewalls to the top wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Stefaan Van Nieuwenhove, Sultan Shair, Thomas Kluge, Alexander Hofmann, Rene Hertha, Alex W. Ariapad, Hojjat Nasr, Johannes Hornof, Nikolaus Mroncz