Patents by Inventor Charles Van Buchan

Charles Van Buchan 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).

  • Publication number: 20230408092
    Abstract: An integrated combustor nozzle includes a combustion liner that extends radially between an inner liner segment and an outer liner segment. The combustion liner includes a forward end portion, an aft end portion, a first side wall, and a second side wall. The integrated combustor nozzle further includes an impingement cooling apparatus positioned within the cavity. The impingement cooling apparatus includes a flange. The impingement cooling apparatus further includes a plurality of impingement members that each extend from a respective opening defined in the flange to a respective closed end. Each impingement member defines a plurality of impingement apertures that direct air to impinge upon one of the first side wall and the second side wall. The impingement cooling apparatus further includes stand-offs extending from each impingement member of the plurality of impingement members. The stand-offs space apart each impingement member of the plurality of impingement members from surrounding surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Jonathan Dwight Berry, Clay Thomas Griffis, Keith Cletus Belsom, Charles Van Buchan
  • Patent number: 10005139
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include portable milling tools and methods for milling components. In an embodiment, a portable milling tool can be provided for a component including a plurality of dovetail slots therein, each of the plurality of dovetail slots being oriented substantially axially relative to a rotation axis of the component. The portable milling tool can include: a mounting plate configured to engage the component; a tool-aligning member slidably coupled to the mounting plate and extending along a chordal axis relative to the rotation axis of the component; and a milling head extending axially from the tool-aligning member to a selected one of the plurality of dovetail slots, such that sliding movement of the tool-aligning member relative to the mounting plate moves the milling head along the chordal axis to contact a selected one of the plurality of dovetail slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bryan Edward Williams, Charles Van Buchan, Andrew Joseph Colletti
  • Patent number: 9943950
    Abstract: A threaded pin remover for a threaded pin in an interference fit in a structure is provided. The threaded pin remover includes a housing. A pin grasper is slidably mounted in the housing and includes: a first end configured to couple to a linear actuator for slidably moving the pin grasper between an extended position relative to the housing and a retracted position relative to the housing. A second end of the pin grasper includes a pin grasping collet configured to, in the retracted position relative the housing, engage with a portion of the housing to cause grasping of the exposed portion of the threaded pin by the pin grasping collet to release the threaded pin from the interference fit, allowing removing of the threaded pin from the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Charles Van Buchan, Melissa Jones Bush
  • Publication number: 20170198592
    Abstract: Methods for mounting a turbine subcomponent to a turbine component are disclosed, including positioning a retaining portion of the turbine subcomponent along a positioning path into association with an emplacement of the turbine component. The retaining portion is orthogonally interlocked with the emplacement relative to the positioning path. The retaining portion and the emplacement define at least one interface extending along the positioning path. The retaining portion is welded to the emplacement along the at least one interface, forming at least one weld.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: Andrew Joseph Colletti, Bryan Edward Williams, Charles Van Buchan
  • Publication number: 20170173708
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include portable milling tools and methods for milling components. In an embodiment, a portable milling tool can be provided for a component including a plurality of dovetail slots therein, each of the plurality of dovetail slots being oriented substantially axially relative to a rotation axis of the component. The portable milling tool can include: a mounting plate configured to engage the component; a tool-aligning member slidably coupled to the mounting plate and extending along a chordal axis relative to the rotation axis of the component; and a milling head extending axially from the tool-aligning member to a selected one of the plurality of dovetail slots, such that sliding movement of the tool-aligning member relative to the mounting plate moves the milling head along the chordal axis to contact a selected one of the plurality of dovetail slots.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Bryan Edward Williams, Charles Van Buchan, Andrew Joseph Colletti
  • Publication number: 20170056980
    Abstract: A first aspect of the invention provides for a fixture for securing a component to be drilled. The fixture may comprise: a support structure positioning the component thereon; a template substantially surrounding the component configured to locate a position on the component that is to be drilled, the template being positioned on the support structure and having at least one hole therethrough; and a centering device positioned on the support structure configured to center the component within the template.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Tiffany Marie Craig, Charles Van Buchan
  • Patent number: 9404559
    Abstract: Fixtures, maintenance assemblies, and methods for maintaining a wind turbine gearbox are provided. The gearbox includes a sun pinion and a bull gear surrounding the sun pinion. The sun pinion and the bull gear each define a central aperture therethrough and have a central axis. The gearbox further includes a casing, at least a portion of the casing coupled to the bull gear. The fixture includes a frame member and a shaft extending from the frame member. The shaft is insertable through the central aperture of the sun pinion. The fixture further includes an attachment mechanism removably attachable to the sun pinion. Upon attachment of the attachment mechanism to the sun pinion, the fixture is configured for moving the sun pinion along the central axis of the sun pinion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Charles Van Buchan, Gregory Thomas, Forrest Christopher Hach, Richard Arland Ohl, Jr., Cody Gregory
  • Publication number: 20160176031
    Abstract: A threaded pin remover for a threaded pin in an interference fit in a structure is provided. The threaded pin remover includes a housing. A pin grasper is slidably mounted in the housing and includes: a first end configured to couple to a linear actuator for slidably moving the pin grasper between an extended position relative to the housing and a retracted position relative to the housing. A second end of the pin grasper includes a pin grasping collet configured to, in the retracted position relative the housing, engage with a portion of the housing to cause grasping of the exposed portion of the threaded pin by the pin grasping collet to release the threaded pin from the interference fit, allowing removing of the threaded pin from the structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: Charles Van Buchan, Melissa Jones Bush
  • Patent number: 9260978
    Abstract: A system for heating a stator segment includes a first frame member, a plurality of arms extending radially from the first frame member, and a heater releasably connected to each arm. The system further includes a biasing element for biasing each heater away from the first frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Bradford Holmes, Charles Van Buchan, Jason Matthew Clark
  • Patent number: 9249976
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a method for servicing a combustor cap assembly of a turbine includes determining a defect is present in a center ring of the cap assembly, the center ring being disposed within a plurality of vanes, removing the center ring from the cap assembly. The method also includes placing a replacement center ring in the cap assembly, wherein dimensions of the replacement center ring are substantially the same as the center ring that has been removed and brazing the replacement center ring to the plurality of vanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mark Carmine Bellino, Charles Van Buchan, Robert Wade Clifford, Daniel James Dorriety, Steven Charles Woods
  • Patent number: 9217335
    Abstract: A fixture and method for adjusting a workpiece are disclosed. The fixture includes a holding device engageable to a workpiece to secure the workpiece, and an adjustment device engageable to a projecting member of the workpiece and movable along a first axis and a second axis. Movement of the adjustment device along the first axis when engaged to the projecting member adjusts the projecting member along the first axis, and movement of the adjustment device along the second axis when engaged to the projecting member adjusts the projecting member along the second axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Eunice D. Reyes, Javier Garza, Charles Van Buchan, Blake Allen Fulton, Steven Charles Woods, Mark Carmine Bellino
  • Patent number: 9027243
    Abstract: A method of replacing a wind turbine blade includes suspending the wind turbine blade from support hub of a wind turbine, connecting one or more cable climbing members between the support hub and the wind turbine blade, and lowering the one or more cable climbing members and the wind turbine blade from the support hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ulrich Werner Neumann, Charles Van Buchan, Blake Allen Fulton, Vishan Rashmi Kulasekera, Bradley Graham Moore, Esat Sadi Yenigun
  • Patent number: 8931184
    Abstract: A method for dimensionally inspecting a component of a gas turbine system is provided. The method includes disposing the component on a fixture for stabilizing the component. Also included is probing a first datum location of the component with a coordinate measurement machine for establishing a first datum point. Further included is probing at least one location of the component with the coordinate measurement machine to determine at least one measurement relative to the first datum point. Yet further included is displaying the at least one measurement in an output report.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Blake Allen Fulton, James Carroll Baummer, Mark Carmine Bellino, Matthew Paul Berkebile, Charles Van Buchan, Eunice Delia Reyes
  • Patent number: 8910357
    Abstract: A tool for removing a pin from a casing is disclosed. The tool may generally include a rod configured to be coupled to a portion of the pin, a sleeve received on the rod and a flange member received on the sleeve. The flange member may be received on the sleeve such that the flange member is movable in a radial direction relative to the sleeve. Additionally, the tool may include a collar configured to be radially engaged between the flange member and the rod when the flange member is moved radially outwardly relative to the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Charles V. Spanos, Charles Van Buchan, John William Herbold
  • Patent number: 8826520
    Abstract: This disclosure describes embodiments of an apparatus for use to extract a rotor from a generator. The apparatus can include a central mount element that secures to the end of the rotor. A pair of support members coupled to the sides of the central mount element. The support members can include a load bearing element that permits travel of the apparatus on a surface, e.g., a platform proximate to the turbine generator. During implementation, the apparatus is configured to direct pulling forces along the center axis of the rotor to restrict movement of the rotor and, in particular, limit rotation of the rotor that can result in inadvertent contact with the stator or other parts of the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Charles Vaughan Spanos, Charles Van Buchan, James Bradford Holmes
  • Publication number: 20140109407
    Abstract: A method of replacing a wind turbine blade includes suspending the wind turbine blade from support hub of a wind turbine, connecting one or more cable climbing members between the support hub and the wind turbine blade, and lowering the one or more cable climbing members and the wind turbine blade from the support hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Ulrich Werner Neumann, Charles Van Buchan, Blake Allen Fulton, Vishan Rashmi Kulasekera, Bradley Graham Moore, Esat Sadi Yenigun
  • Publication number: 20140073477
    Abstract: Fixtures, maintenance assemblies, and methods for maintaining a wind turbine gearbox are disclosed. The gearbox includes a sun pinion and a bull gear surrounding the sun pinion. The sun pinion and the bull gear each define a central aperture therethrough and have a central axis. The gearbox further includes a casing, at least a portion of the casing coupled to the bull gear. The fixture includes a frame member and a shaft extending from the frame member. The shaft is insertable through the central aperture of the sun pinion. The fixture further includes an attachment mechanism removably attachable to the sun pinion. Upon attachment of the attachment mechanism to the sun pinion, the fixture is configured for moving the sun pinion along the central axis of the sun pinion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Inventors: Charles Van Buchan, Gregory Thomas, Forrest Christopher Hach, Richard Arland Ohl, JR., Cody Gregory
  • Publication number: 20140017021
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing retaining material proximate to a fastener on a surface is disclosed. The apparatus has a cavity dimensioned for receiving at least a portion of the fastener and has a non-abrasive face at its distal end. The apparatus also has a plurality of cutting inserts that are disposed proximate to the non-abrasive face and that each extend at least partially beyond the non-abrasive face while at least a portion of the non-abrasive face remains exposed to the surface. The cutting inserts are configured to rotate around the fastener to remove the retaining material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mark Carmine Bellino, Charles Van Buchan, Heath Michael Ostebee
  • Publication number: 20140000111
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a method for servicing a combustor cap assembly of a turbine includes determining a defect is present in a center ring of the cap assembly, the center ring being disposed within a plurality of vanes, removing the center ring from the cap assembly. The method also includes placing a replacement center ring in the cap assembly, wherein dimensions of the replacement center ring are substantially the same as the center ring that has been removed and brazing the replacement center ring to the plurality of vanes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark Carmine Bellino, Charles Van Buchan, Robert Wade Clifford, Daniel James Dorriety, Steven Charles Woods
  • Publication number: 20130298369
    Abstract: A fixture and method for adjusting a workpiece are disclosed. The fixture includes a holding device engageable to a workpiece to secure the workpiece, and an adjustment device engageable to a projecting member of the workpiece and movable along a first axis and a second axis. Movement of the adjustment device along the first axis when engaged to the projecting member adjusts the projecting member along the first axis, and movement of the adjustment device along the second axis when engaged to the projecting member adjusts the projecting member along the second axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Eunice D. Reyes, Javier Garza, Charles Van Buchan, Blake Allen Fulton, Steven Charles Woods, Mark Carmine Bellino