Patents by Inventor Gregory Scott Means

Gregory Scott Means 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: 11105510
    Abstract: A method for assembling a combustor includes positioning an alignment tool in an axial channel of a combustor liner. The alignment tool includes a base and an alignment rod extending from the base. The method further includes positioning a cover plate around the combustor liner. A plurality of cooling holes are defined in the cover plate. The method further includes aligning the cover plate with the combustor liner by inserting the alignment rod through one of the plurality of cooling holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gregory Scott Means, Aaron Tellier
  • Publication number: 20200232644
    Abstract: A method for assembling a combustor includes positioning an alignment tool in an axial channel of a combustor liner. The alignment tool includes a base and an alignment rod extending from the base. The method further includes positioning a cover plate around the combustor liner. A plurality of cooling holes are defined in the cover plate. The method further includes aligning the cover plate with the combustor liner by inserting the alignment rod through one of the plurality of cooling holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventors: Gregory Scott Means, Aaron Tellier
  • Patent number: 10612785
    Abstract: A tool for repairing an out-of-round component such as a combustor body is disclosed. The tool includes a base including a first arcuate member; a second arcuate member; and a linear actuator coupling the second arcuate member to the base. The linear actuator moves the second arcuate member between a retracted position out of engagement with the out-of-round component and an extended position in which the first arcuate member and the second arcuate member engage an interior surface of the out-of-round component in an opposing relationship to force the out-of-round component into a more round state compared to an initial state of the out-of-round component. A related method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas Michael Merlau, Joseph Daniel Becker, Stuart Craig Hanson, Brian Michael Leinonen, Gregory Scott Means
  • Patent number: 10352571
    Abstract: A catalytic ignition system includes a gas fuel supply and a catalytic igniter that is in fluid communication with the gas fuel supply. The catalytic igniter comprises a metallic shell, a catalyst disposed within the metallic shell and a fuel tube that is oriented so as to direct a flow of gas fuel from the gas fuel supply across the catalyst and towards a downstream end of the metallic shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jonathan Dwight Berry, Gregory Scott Means
  • Patent number: 10072847
    Abstract: A method for repairing a bundled tube fuel injector includes removing a portion of a pre-mix tube, aligning a tube tip with the remaining portion pre-mix tube and fixedly connecting the tube tip to the pre-mix tube. The method may further include removing an aft plate and an outer shroud from the bundled tube fuel injector so as to expose the pre-mix tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gregory Scott Means, Steven Charles Woods, Mark Carmine Bellino, James Christopher Monaghan, Jonathan Dwight Berry, Patrick S. Riley
  • Publication number: 20180202664
    Abstract: A tool for repairing an out-of-round component such as a combustor body is disclosed. The tool includes a base including a first arcuate member; a second arcuate member; and a linear actuator coupling the second arcuate member to the base. The linear actuator moves the second arcuate member between a retracted position out of engagement with the out-of-round component and an extended position in which the first arcuate member and the second arcuate member engage an interior surface of the out-of-round component in an opposing relationship to force the out-of-round component into a more round state compared to an initial state of the out-of-round component. A related method is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas Michael Merlau, Joseph Daniel Becker, Stuart Craig Hanson, Brian Michael Leinonen, Gregory Scott Means
  • Publication number: 20170205071
    Abstract: A catalytic ignition system includes a gas fuel supply and a catalytic igniter that is in fluid communication with the gas fuel supply. The catalytic igniter comprises a metallic shell, a catalyst disposed within the metallic shell and a fuel tube that is oriented so as to direct a flow of gas fuel from the gas fuel supply across the catalyst and towards a downstream end of the metallic shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventors: Jonathan Dwight Berry, Gregory Scott Means
  • Publication number: 20160279734
    Abstract: Provided is a method for fabricating a component having a high temperature resistant surface. The method includes the steps of providing a metallic powder to a base material, heating the metallic powder to a temperature sufficient to join at least a portion of the metallic powder to form an initial layer, sequentially forming additional layers over the initial layer by heating a distributed layer of the metallic powder to a temperature sufficient to join at least a portion of the distributed layer of the metallic powder and join the formed additional layers to underlying layers, repeating the steps of sequentially forming the additional layers over a previously formed layer to form a formed portion of the component, and optionally removing the formed portion of the component and a portion of the base material. Also provided is a component having a high temperature resistant surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: David Edward SCHICK, Benjamin Paul LACY, Gregory Scott MEANS, Kassy Moy LUM, Steven John BARNELL
  • Patent number: 9423136
    Abstract: A bundled tube fuel injector includes a fuel distribution module, a tube bundle having a plurality of pre-mix tubes that extend in parallel downstream from the fuel distribution module and a support plate disposed substantially adjacent to the fuel distribution manifold. The plurality of pre-mix tubes extends through the support plate. A retention sleeve is coupled to the support plate at a first end. A second end of the retention sleeve includes a plurality of radially extending retention features that are circumferentially arranged around the second end. The bundled tube fuel injector also includes an aft plate having a retention collar. The retention collar is configured to engage with the retention features. The retention sleeve and the retention collar partially define a cartridge passage that extends through the bundled tube fuel injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark Carmine Bellino, James Christopher Monaghan, Johnie F. McConnaughhay, Steven Charles Woods, Gregory Scott Means
  • Patent number: 9423134
    Abstract: A bundled tube fuel injector includes a fuel plenum that is defined within the bundled tube fuel injector and a plurality of pre-mix tubes that extend downstream from the fuel plenum substantially parallel to one another. Each pre-mix tube includes an end portion and a radially extending end surface. The bundled tube fuel injector further includes a tube tip that is fixedly connected to the end portion of a corresponding pre-mix tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Steven Charles Woods, Gregory Scott Means, Mark Carmine Bellino, James Christopher Monaghan, Johnie F. McConnaughhay
  • Patent number: 9400112
    Abstract: A method for disassembling a bundled tube fuel injector includes decoupling an aft plate from a fuel distribution module of the bundled tube fuel injector, where the aft plate is disposed at a downstream end of the bundled tube fuel injector. The method also includes removing the aft plate from the bundled tube fuel injector to expose a portion of a plurality of pre-mix tubes so as to allow for inspection repair and/or replacement of one or more of the plurality of pre-mix tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark Carmine Bellino, James Christopher Monaghan, Johnie F. McConnaughhay, Steven Charles Woods, Gregory Scott Means
  • Patent number: 9383098
    Abstract: A combustor for a gas turbine generally includes a radial flow fuel nozzle having a fuel distribution manifold, and a fuel injection manifold axially separated from the fuel distribution manifold. The fuel injection manifold generally includes an inner side portion, an outer side portion, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced fuel ports that extend through the outer side portion. A plurality of tubes provides axial separation between the fuel distribution manifold and the fuel injection manifold. Each tube defines a fluid communication path between the fuel distribution manifold and the fuel injection manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Gregory Scott Means, Gregory Allen Boardman, Jonathan Dwight Berry
  • Publication number: 20160153663
    Abstract: A method for repairing a bundled tube fuel injector includes removing a portion of a pre-mix tube, aligning a tube tip with the remaining portion pre-mix tube and fixedly connecting the tube tip to the pre-mix tube. The method may further include removing an aft plate and an outer shroud from the bundled tube fuel injector so as to expose the pre-mix tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: Gregory Scott Means, Steven Charles Woods, Mark Carmine Bellino, James Christopher Monaghan, Jonathan Dwight Berry, Patrick S. Riley
  • Patent number: 9259807
    Abstract: A method for repairing a bundled tube fuel injector includes removing a portion of a pre-mix tube, aligning a tube tip with the remaining portion pre-mix tube and fixedly connecting the tube tip to the pre-mix tube. The method may further include removing an aft plate and an outer shroud from the bundled tube fuel injector so as to expose the pre-mix tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Gregory Scott Means, Steven Charles Woods, Mark Carmine Bellino, James Christopher Monaghan, Jonathan Dwight Berry, Patrick S. Riley
  • Publication number: 20150167984
    Abstract: A bundled tube fuel injector includes a fuel distribution module, a tube bundle having a plurality of pre-mix tubes that extend in parallel downstream from the fuel distribution module and a support plate disposed substantially adjacent to the fuel distribution manifold. The plurality of pre-mix tubes extends through the support plate. A retention sleeve is coupled to the support plate at a first end. A second end of the retention sleeve includes a plurality of radially extending retention features that are circumferentially arranged around the second end. The bundled tube fuel injector also includes an aft plate having a retention collar. The retention collar is configured to engage with the retention features. The retention sleeve and the retention collar partially define a cartridge passage that extends through the bundled tube fuel injector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mark Carmine Bellino, James Christopher Monaghan, Johnie F. McConnaughhay, Steven Charles Woods, Gregory Scott Means
  • Publication number: 20150165568
    Abstract: A method for repairing a bundled tube fuel injector includes removing a portion of a pre-mix tube, aligning a tube tip with the remaining portion pre-mix tube and fixedly connecting the tube tip to the pre-mix tube. The method may further include removing an aft plate and an outer shroud from the bundled tube fuel injector so as to expose the pre-mix tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gregory Scott Means, Steven Charles Woods, Mark Carmine Bellino, James Christopher Monaghan, Jonathan Dwight Berry, Patrick S. Riley
  • Publication number: 20150167981
    Abstract: A bundled tube fuel injector includes a fuel plenum that is defined within the bundled tube fuel injector and a plurality of pre-mix tubes that extend downstream from the fuel plenum substantially parallel to one another. Each pre-mix tube includes an end portion and a radially extending end surface. The bundled tube fuel injector further includes a tube tip that is fixedly connected to the end portion of a corresponding pre-mix tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Steven Charles Woods, Gregory Scott Means, Mark Carmine Bellino, James Christopher Monaghan, Johnie F. McConnaughhay
  • Publication number: 20150167556
    Abstract: A method for disassembling a bundled tube fuel injector includes decoupling an aft plate from a fuel distribution module of the bundled tube fuel injector, where the aft plate is disposed at a downstream end of the bundled tube fuel injector. The method also includes removing the aft plate from the bundled tube fuel injector to expose a portion of a plurality of pre-mix tubes so as to allow for inspection repair and/or replacement of one or more of the plurality of pre-mix tubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mark Carmine Bellino, James Christopher Monaghan, Johnie F. McConnaughhay, Steven Charles Woods, Gregory Scott Means
  • Publication number: 20140116054
    Abstract: A combustor for a gas turbine generally includes a radial flow fuel nozzle having a fuel distribution manifold, and a fuel injection manifold axially separated from the fuel distribution manifold. The fuel injection manifold generally includes an inner side portion, an outer side portion, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced fuel ports that extend through the outer side portion. A plurality of tubes provides axial separation between the fuel distribution manifold and the fuel injection manifold. Each tube defines a fluid communication path between the fuel distribution manifold and the fuel injection manifold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Gregory Scott Means, Gregory Allen Boardman, Jonathan Dwight Berry