Patents by Inventor Brian Dudley Dorrel

Brian Dudley Dorrel 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: 8291557
    Abstract: A method for repairing a turbine blade for a gas turbine engine is provided. The method includes securing the blade into a clamping fixture, obtaining a zero reference from a gauging surface on the clamping fixture, coupling the clamping fixture to a grinding machine, and grinding the blade based on the zero reference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Matthew Powers, Brian Dudley Dorrel
  • Publication number: 20100293786
    Abstract: A method for repairing a turbine blade for a gas turbine engine is provided. The method includes securing the blade into a clamping fixture, obtaining a zero reference from a gauging surface on the clamping fixture, coupling the clamping fixture to a grinding machine, and grinding the blade based on the zero reference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventors: John Matthews Powers, Brian Dudley Dorrel
  • Patent number: 7328496
    Abstract: An apparatus for aligning a gas turbine engine blade including an airfoil and a dovetail is provided. The apparatus includes at least one locator pin configured to engage a serration formed on the blade dovetail, a locator block supporting said locator pin where said locator block comprises at least one groove sized to receive said locator pin therein, and a slide block assembly for engaging a dovetail surface opposite the serration where said slide block assembly is configured to position the blade dovetail against said locator pin. The apparatus also includes a base member comprising a platform comprising an end plate, a bottom surface, and an opposite upper surface for supporting said slide block assembly and said locator block, said slide block assembly is slidably coupled to said platform upper surface, said platform upper surface defining a slotted opening extending through said bottom surface, said opening configured to receive the blade airfoil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Matthew Powers, Brian Dudley Dorrel
  • Patent number: 6820468
    Abstract: A fixture for holding a gas turbine engine blade having an airfoil extending outward from a shank and a dovetail extending inward from the shank for attaching the blade to a disk of the engine. The dovetail includes at least one pair of protrusions extending fore and aft along opposite sides of the blade. Each of the protrusions including a pressure face generally facing the airfoil of the blade for engaging the disk to retain the blade in the disk during operation of the engine. The fixture includes a support for receiving the dovetail and a clamp mounted adjacent the support for movement between a clamped position in which the clamp engages the dovetail to hold the dovetail against the support and a released position in which the clamp disengages the dovetail to permit removal of the blade from the fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Matthew Powers, Brian Dudley Dorrel
  • Publication number: 20020136637
    Abstract: A fixture for holding a gas turbine engine blade having an airfoil extending outward from a shank and a dovetail extending inward from the shank for attaching the blade to a disk of the engine. The dovetail includes at least one pair of protrusions extending fore and aft along opposite sides of the blade. Each of the protrusions including a pressure face generally facing the airfoil of the blade for engaging the disk to retain the blade in the disk during operation of the engine. The fixture includes a support for receiving the dovetail and a clamp mounted adjacent the support for movement between a clamped position in which the clamp engages the dovetail to hold the dovetail against the support and a released position in which the clamp disengages the dovetail to permit removal of the blade from the fixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventors: John Matthew Powers, Brian Dudley Dorrel