Patents by Inventor Aaron Gregory Winn

Aaron Gregory Winn has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10221710
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention include turbine nozzles and systems employing such nozzles. Various particular embodiments include a turbine nozzle having: an airfoil having: a suction side; a pressure side opposing the suction side; a leading edge spanning between the pressure side and the suction side; and a trailing edge opposing the leading edge and spanning between the pressure side and the suction side; and at least one endwall connected with the airfoil along the suction side, pressure side, trailing edge and the leading edge, the at least one endwall including a non-axisymmetric contour proximate a junction between the endwall and the leading edge of the airfoil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Aaron Gregory Winn, George Andrew Gergely, Mary Virginia Holloway, Paul Kendall Smith
  • Patent number: 9988916
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a cooling structure for a stationary blade, including: an endwall coupled to a radial end of an airfoil; a chamber positioned within the endwall and radially displaced from a radially outer end of the trailing edge of the airfoil, wherein the chamber includes a pair of opposing chamber walls, one of the pair of opposing chamber walls being positioned proximal to the pressure side surface of the airfoil and the other of the pair of opposing chamber walls being positioned proximal to the suction side surface and the trailing edge of the airfoil, and wherein the cooling fluid in the chamber is in thermal communication with least a portion of the endwall positioned proximal to the pressure side surface and the trailing edge of the airfoil; and a plurality of thermally conductive fixtures positioned within the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Aaron Gregory Winn, George Andrew Gergely, Mary Virginia Holloway, Paul Kendall Smith
  • Publication number: 20170226880
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention include turbine nozzles and systems employing such nozzles. Various particular embodiments include a turbine nozzle having: an airfoil having: a suction side; a pressure side opposing the suction side; a leading edge spanning between the pressure side and the suction side; and a trailing edge opposing the leading edge and spanning between the pressure side and the suction side; and at least one endwall connected with the airfoil along the suction side, pressure side, trailing edge and the leading edge, the at least one endwall including a non-axisymmetric contour proximate a junction between the endwall and the leading edge of the airfoil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Inventors: Aaron Gregory Winn, George Andrew Gergely, Mary Virginia Holloway, Paul Kendall Smith
  • Publication number: 20170016339
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a cooling structure for a stationary blade, including: an endwall coupled to a radial end of an airfoil; a chamber positioned within the endwall and radially displaced from a radially outer end of the trailing edge of the airfoil, wherein the chamber includes a pair of opposing chamber walls, one of the pair of opposing chamber walls being positioned proximal to the pressure side surface of the airfoil and the other of the pair of opposing chamber walls being positioned proximal to the suction side surface and the trailing edge of the airfoil, and wherein the cooling fluid in the chamber is in thermal communication with least a portion of the endwall positioned proximal to the pressure side surface and the trailing edge of the airfoil; and a plurality of thermally conductive fixtures positioned within the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: Aaron Gregory Winn, George Andrew Gergely, Mary Virginia Holloway, Paul Kendall Smith
  • Patent number: 9133724
    Abstract: A turbomachine component includes a body having a first end that extends to a second end. One of the first and second ends includes a mounting element, and a mounting component. A cover plate is arranged at the one of the first and second ends to establish an interface region. The cover plate includes a mounting member configured to align with the mounting element, and a mounting portion configured to align with the mounting element. A fastener member is configured and disposed to cooperate with the mounting element and the mounting member to constrain the cover plate to the body along at least two axes with the interface region being devoid of a metallurgical bond.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Aaron Gregory Winn, Niranjan Gokuldas Pai, Michael Gordon Sherman
  • Patent number: 9039350
    Abstract: The present application provides an impingement cooling system for use with a contoured surface. The impingement cooling system may include an impingement plenum and an impingement plate with a linear shape facing the contoured surface. The impingement surface may include a number of projected area thereon with a number of impingement holes having varying sizes and varying spacings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Aaron Gregory Winn
  • Patent number: 9011078
    Abstract: The present application provides a seal carrier for use about a number of flow orifices of a platform of a turbine nozzle. The seal carrier may include an inner surface facing the platform with the inner surface having a number of slots therein aligning with the flow orifices of the platform and an opposed outer surface with a seal positioned about the outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Aaron Gregory Winn, Robert Walter Coign
  • Patent number: 9011079
    Abstract: The present application provides a compartmentalized cooling system for providing a cooling flow in a turbine with a flow of combustion gases therein. The compartmentalized cooling system may include a turbine nozzle and a cooling baffle. The turbine nozzle may include an airfoil insert and a nozzle outer sidewall. The cooling baffle may include a high pressure cooling passage in communication with the airfoil insert in a first circuit and an impingement plate positioned about the nozzle outer sidewall in a second circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Walter Coign, Gregory Thomas Foster, Ravichandran Meenakshisundaram, Glen Arthur MacMillan, Aaron Gregory Winn
  • Patent number: 8944751
    Abstract: The present application provides an inner nozzle platform. The inner nozzle platform may include a platform cavity, an impingement plenum positioned within the platform cavity, a retention plate positioned on a first side of the impingement plenum, and a compliant seal positioned on a second side of the impingement plenum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Aaron Gregory Winn, Robert Walter Coign, James Stewart Phillips, Thomas Robbins Tipton, Gregory Thomas Foster, Ravichandran Meenakshisundaram, Niranjan Gokuldas Pai
  • Patent number: 8876485
    Abstract: The present application provides a turbine nozzle including an airfoil shape. The airfoil shape may have a nominal profile substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z set forth in Table 1. The Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z are non-dimensional values from 0% to 100% convertible to dimensional distances in inches by multiplying the Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z by a height of the airfoil in inches. The X and Y values are distances in inches which, when connected by smooth continuing arcs, define airfoil profile sections at each distance Z. The airfoil profile sections at Z distances may be joined smoothly with one another to form a complete airfoil shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ross James Gustafson, Aaron Gregory Winn
  • Patent number: 8864445
    Abstract: The present application provides a method of installing an impingement cooling assembly in an inner platform of an airfoil of a turbine nozzle. The method may include the steps of positioning an insert within a cavity of the airfoil, positioning a core exit cover about an opening of the cavity, positioning an impingement plenum within a platform cavity, inserting an unfixed spoolie through an assembly port of the impingement plenum and into an airflow cavity of the insert, and closing the assembly port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Walter Coign, Aaron Gregory Winn
  • Publication number: 20130175357
    Abstract: The present application provides an inner nozzle platform. The inner nozzle platform may include a platform cavity, an impingement plenum positioned within the platform cavity, a retention plate positioned on a first side of the impingement plenum, and a compliant seal positioned on a second side of the impingement plenum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Aaron Gregory Winn, Robert Walter Coign, James S. Phillips, Thomas Robbins Tipton, Gregory Thomas Foster, Ravichandran Meenakshisundaram, Niranjan Gokuldas Pai
  • Publication number: 20130177447
    Abstract: The present application provides a method of installing an impingement cooling assembly in an inner platform of an airfoil of a turbine nozzle. The method may include the steps of positioning an insert within a cavity of the airfoil, positioning a core exit cover about an opening of the cavity, positioning an impingement plenum within a platform cavity, inserting an unfixed spoolie through an assembly port of the impingement plenum and into an airflow cavity of the insert, and closing the assembly port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert Walter Coign, Aaron Gregory Winn
  • Publication number: 20130177408
    Abstract: A turbomachine component includes a body having a first end that extends to a second end. One of the first and second ends includes a mounting element, and a mounting component. A cover plate is arranged at the one of the first and second ends to establish an interface region. The cover plate includes a mounting member configured to align with the mounting element, and a mounting portion configured to align with the mounting element. A fastener member is configured and disposed to cooperate with the mounting element and the mounting member to constrain the cover plate to the body along at least two axes with the interface region being devoid of a metallurgical bond.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Aaron Gregory Winn, Niranjan Gokuldas Pai, Michael Gordon Sherman
  • Publication number: 20130177396
    Abstract: The present application provides an impingement cooling system for use with a contoured surface. The impingement cooling system may include an impingement plenum and an impingement plate with a linear shape facing the contoured surface. The impingement surface may include a number of projected area thereon with a number of impingement holes having varying sizes and varying spacings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Aaron Gregory Winn
  • Publication number: 20130177383
    Abstract: A device for sealing a gas path in a turbine includes a first shroud segment and a slot in a surface of the first shroud segment. A barrier extends inside the slot, and a bypass channel in the slot provides fluid communication between the barrier and the slot to the gas path in the turbine. A method for sealing a gas path in a turbine includes placing a barrier between a first slot in a first shroud segment and a second slot in a second shroud segment and flowing a fluid between the barrier and the first slot to the gas path in the turbine, wherein the fluid flows through a first bypass channel in the first slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Aaron Gregory Winn, Kevin Thomas McGovern, Ravichandran Meenakshisundaram
  • Publication number: 20130177420
    Abstract: The present application provides a seal carrier for use about a number of flow orifices of a platform of a turbine nozzle. The seal carrier may include an inner surface facing the platform with the inner surface having a number of slots therein aligning with the flow orifices of the platform and an opposed outer surface with a seal positioned about the outer surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Aaron Gregory Winn, Robert Walter Coign
  • Publication number: 20130177384
    Abstract: The present application provides a compartmentalized cooling system for providing a cooling flow in a turbine with a flow of combustion gases therein. The compartmentalized cooling system may include a turbine nozzle and a cooling baffle. The turbine nozzle may include an airfoil insert and a nozzle outer sidewall. The cooling baffle may include a high pressure cooling passage in communication with the airfoil insert in a first circuit and an impingement plate positioned about the nozzle outer sidewall in a second circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert Walter Coign, Gregory Thomas Foster, Ravichandran Meenakshisundaram, Glen Arthur MacMillan, Aaron Gregory Winn
  • Publication number: 20130136589
    Abstract: The present application provides a turbine nozzle including an airfoil shape. The airfoil shape may have a nominal profile substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z set forth in Table 1. The Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z are non-dimensional values from 0% to 100% convertible to dimensional distances in inches by multiplying the Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z by a height of the airfoil in inches. The X and Y values are distances in inches which, when connected by smooth continuing arcs, define airfoil profile sections at each distance Z. The airfoil profile sections at Z distances may be joined smoothly with one another to form a complete airfoil shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Ross James Gustafson, Aaron Gregory Winn