Patents by Inventor Christopher Edward Thompson

Christopher Edward Thompson 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: 20140193664
    Abstract: Recoating process and recoated turbine blade are disclosed. The recoating process includes providing a coated turbine blade, then removing a portion of the thermal barrier coating system to form a partially-stripped turbine blade, then applying a bond recoat to the stripped region of the partially-stripped turbine blade; and then applying a thermal barrier recoat to the bond recoat to form a recoated turbine blade. The recoated turbine blade comprises the bond coating portion abutting the bond recoat, the thermal barrier coating portion abutting the thermal barrier recoat, and the stepped configuration. The coated turbine blade has a thermal barrier coating system positioned on a substrate. The partially-stripped turbine blade has a stripped region, a bond coating portion, a thermal barrier coating portion, and a stepped configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Christopher Edward THOMPSON, John D. WARD, JR., Mark Lawrence HUNT, Jonathan Matthew LOMAS, Gareth William David LEWIS, Michael Anthony DEPALMA, III
  • Publication number: 20140139831
    Abstract: A visual inspection device for inspecting interior passages of a system is disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the visual inspection device includes a visual inspection tool and a tube having a lumen disposed therein, the visual inspection tool being disposed at a distal end of the tube. A plurality of actuators are disposed along an axial extent of an exterior of the tube, and a locomotor is disposed on an exterior of the tube. A locator for tracking a location of the visual inspection tool is also provided as part of the visual inspection device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Matthew Stephen Gutschow, Thomas James Batzinger, Christopher Edward Thompson
  • Patent number: 8671585
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a nozzle segment for use within a turbine nozzle assembly. The method comprises providing a nozzle segment including an outer band, an inner band, and at least one vane extending there between, wherein at least one of the inner band and the outer band is formed with a transition piece groove defined therein, positioning an inspection tool in contact with the nozzle assembly such that the inspection tool is aligned relative to the nozzle segment using at least one datum, and verifying an alignment of each transition piece groove using the inspection tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Graham David Sherlock, Christopher Edward Thompson
  • Publication number: 20120023746
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a nozzle segment for use within a turbine nozzle assembly. The method comprises providing a nozzle segment including an outer band, an inner band, and at least one vane extending there between, wherein at least one of the inner band and the outer band is formed with a transition piece groove defined therein, positioning an inspection tool in contact with the nozzle assembly such that the inspection tool is aligned relative to the nozzle segment using at least one datum, and verifying an alignment of each transition piece groove using the inspection tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Graham David Sherlock, Christopher Edward Thompson
  • Patent number: 8051564
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a nozzle segment for use within a turbine nozzle assembly. The method comprises providing a nozzle segment including an outer band, an inner band, and at least one vane extending there between, wherein at least one of the inner band and the outer band is formed with a transition piece groove defined therein, positioning an inspection tool in contact with the nozzle assembly such that the inspection tool is aligned relative to the nozzle segment using at least one datum, and verifying an alignment of each transition piece groove using the inspection tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Graham David Sherlock, Christopher Edward Thompson
  • Publication number: 20080166229
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a nozzle segment for use within a turbine nozzle assembly. The method comprises providing a nozzle segment including an outer band, an inner band, and at least one vane extending there between, wherein at least one of the inner band and the outer band is formed with a transition piece groove defined therein, positioning an inspection tool in contact with the nozzle assembly such that the inspection tool is aligned relative to the nozzle segment using at least one datum, and verifying an alignment of each transition piece groove using the inspection tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventors: Graham David Sherlock, Christopher Edward Thompson
  • Patent number: 7231724
    Abstract: A tool for measuring seal slot position includes a tool shaft having a longitudinal axis, a pin eccentrically disposed at one end of the tool shaft relative to the longitudinal axis, and a disk member disposed at an opposite end of the tool shaft that facilitates rotation of the tool shaft and pin in the seal slot. The tool provides for increased accuracy in measuring seal slot position such as turbine nozzle seal slot position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Graham David Sherlock, Paul Lawrence Kalmar, Christopher Edward Thompson