Patents by Inventor Gregory Thomas Foster

Gregory Thomas Foster 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: 20170175547
    Abstract: A cooling system according to an embodiment includes: a serpentine cooling circuit, the serpentine cooling circuit including a first leg extending in a first direction, a second leg extending in a second direction, and a turn fluidly coupling the first leg and the second leg; and an air feed cavity for supplying cooling air to the serpentine cooling circuit; wherein the first leg of the serpentine cooling circuit extends radially outward from and at least partially covers at least one central plenum of a multi-wall blade, and wherein the second leg of the serpentine cooling circuit extends radially outward from and at least partially covers a first set of near wall cooling channels of the multi-wall blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Aaron Ezekiel Smith, Gregory Thomas Foster, David Wayne Weber, Joseph Anthony Weber
  • Publication number: 20170173672
    Abstract: A core for a turbine airfoil casting according to an embodiment includes: a center plenum section; and a plurality of outer passage sections; wherein the center plenum section includes at least one boss extending outwardly from the center plenum to an outer profile of the core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Gregory Thomas Foster, David Wayne Weber, Michelle Jessica Iduate, Brendon James Leary, Joseph Anthony Weber
  • Publication number: 20170175576
    Abstract: A shroud segment for use in gas turbines, includes a body, leading edge, trailing edge, a first and second side edge, and a pair of opposed lateral sides between the leading and trailing edges and the first and second side edges. A first lateral side of the lateral sides interface with a cavity having a cooling fluid. A second lateral side interfaces with a hot gas flow path. A first channel disposed within the body includes a first and second end portion. A second channel is disposed within the body includes a third and fourth end portion. The first and second channels receive the cooling fluid from the cavity to cool the body. The first and fourth end portion have portions with free ends having a width greater than an adjacent portion coupled to the free end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Marc Lionel Benjamin, Gregory Thomas Foster, Benjamin Paul Lacy, Thomas James Brunt, San Jason Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20170175546
    Abstract: A cooling system according to an embodiment includes: a three-pass serpentine cooling circuit; and an air feed cavity for supplying cooling air to the three-pass serpentine cooling circuit; wherein the three-pass serpentine cooling circuit extends radially outward from and at least partially covers at least one central plenum and a first set of near wall cooling channels of a multi-wall blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Aaron Ezekiel Smith, Gregory Thomas Foster, David Wayne Weber, Joseph Anthony Weber
  • Publication number: 20170175549
    Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure provides for a turbine airfoil. The turbine airfoil may include a trailing edge having: a set of cooling channels having a first cooling channel fluidly connected to a second cooling channel; a first section having a first pin bank cooling arrangement, the first section fluidly connected to the first cooling channel; and a second section having a second pin bank cooling arrangement, the second section fluidly connected to the second cooling channel and being radially inward of the first section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: David Wayne Weber, Gregory Thomas Foster, Michelle Jessica Iduate, Brendon James Leary, Aaron Ezekiel Smith
  • Publication number: 20170175548
    Abstract: A cooling system according to an embodiment includes: a leading edge cooling circuit including a pressure side serpentine circuit and a suction side serpentine circuit; a first mid-blade cooling circuit including a suction side serpentine circuit; a second mid-blade cooling circuit including a pressure side serpentine circuit; a trailing edge cooling circuit; and at least one air feed for supplying cooling air to the leading edge cooling circuit, the first mid-blade cooling circuit, the second mid-blade cooling circuit, and the trailing edge cooling circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Aaron Ezekiel Smith, Gregory Thomas Foster
  • Patent number: 9669458
    Abstract: A core for forming micro channels within a turbine component is provided. The core includes a base comprising a first side and a second side; and a core assembly coupled to the second side. The core assembly further includes a plurality of channel members, wherein each channel member has a first end, a second end, and a channel body coupled to and extending between said first end and said second end. The channel body includes a channel shape configured to form the micro channels within the turbine component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Wayne Weber, Gregory Thomas Foster, Benjamin Paul Lacy, Aaron Ezekiel Smith, Dustin Michael Earnhardt
  • Patent number: 9638045
    Abstract: A cooling structure for a stationary blade is provided. The cooling structure may include a first chamber in an endwall of the stationary blade directing a first cooling fluid from the stationary blade to a first cooling circuit, and a second chamber in the endwall of the stationary blade directing a second cooling fluid from the stationary blade to a second cooling circuit different than the first cooling circuit. The first cooling fluid has a lower temperature than the second cooling fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Wayne Weber, Dustin Michael Earnhardt, Gregory Thomas Foster, Michelle Jessica Iduate
  • Patent number: 9562439
    Abstract: The present application and the resultant patent provide a turbine nozzle for a gas turbine engine. The turbine nozzle may include a first nozzle vane, a second nozzle vane, and a platform connecting the first nozzle vane and the second nozzle vane. The platform may include a first cooling passage and a separate second cooling passage defined therein. The first cooling passage may be configured to direct a first flow of cooling fluid in a first direction, and the second cooling passage may be configured to direct a second flow of cooling fluid in a second direction substantially opposite the first direction. The present application and the resultant patent further provide a method for cooling a turbine nozzle of a gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michelle Jessica Iduate, Gregory Thomas Foster, David Wayne Weber
  • Patent number: 9518475
    Abstract: In one example, an arcuate segment for a ring-shaped, rotary machine component such as a stator nozzle or bucket shroud, includes a segment body having an end face formed with a circumferentially-facing seal slot adapted to receive a seal extending between the segment body and a corresponding seal slot in an adjacent segment body to seal a radially-extending gap between the adjacent segment bodies. A cooling channel is provided in the segment body in proximity to the seal slot, and is adapted to be supplied with cooling air. A passage extends from the cooling channel into the seal slot, at a location where the cooling air can be supplied to the higher pressure area on the radially-outer side of the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Wayne Weber, Gregory Thomas Foster, Aaron Ezekiel Smith
  • Patent number: 9416670
    Abstract: A locking spacer assembly for securing adjacent rotor blades includes a first end piece having a platform portion and a root portion that define a first inner surface of the first end piece. The root portion defines a first projection and an opposing second projection of the first end piece. The first projection has an outer profile adapted to project into a first lateral recess of the attachment slot. The second projection has an outer profile adapted to project into a second lateral recess of the attachment slot. A second end piece fits between the first inner surface of the first end piece and a sidewall portion of the attachment slot and includes a platform portion and a root portion. A borehole extends continuously through the first end piece and the second end piece. A fastener configured to engage with a sidewall portion of the attachment slot extends through the borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Gregory Thomas Foster, Michael James Healy
  • Publication number: 20160169518
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus comprising: a reaction chamber positioned between a first turbine stage of a power generation system and a turbine stage of the power generation system, wherein the turbine stage comprises a turbine nozzle and a turbine blade row; a plurality of injectors positioned on a wall of the reaction chamber; and a conduit in fluid communication with the plurality of injectors, wherein the conduit delivers at least one of fuel from a fuel supply line to the reaction chamber through the plurality of injectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Lewis Berkley Davis, JR., Gregory Thomas Foster, Kaitlin Marie Graham, Krishnakumar Venkataraman, Stanley Kevin Widener
  • Publication number: 20160169524
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide injection systems for fuel and air. According to one embodiment, an injection system can include a mixing zone embedded within a surface of a turbine nozzle and positioned between a first outlet and a second outlet, the turbine nozzle separating a combustor of a power generation system from a turbine stage of the power generation system, wherein the first outlet is oriented substantially in opposition to the second outlet; a first injection conduit for delivering a carrier gas to the mixing zone through the first outlet; and a second injection conduit for delivering a fuel to the mixing zone through a second outlet; wherein the carrier gas and the fuel intermix within the mixing zone upon leaving the first injection conduit and the second injection conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Stanley Kevin Widener, Lewis Berkley Davis, JR., Gregory Thomas Foster, Kaitlin Marie Graham, Krishnakumar Venkataraman
  • Publication number: 20160169519
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide an apparatus including: an injector in fluid communication with an aft section of a reheat combustor in a power generation system, the aft section being positioned downstream of a combustion reaction zone in the reheat combustor, and positioned upstream of a turbine stage of the power generation system, wherein the turbine stage includes a turbine nozzle and a turbine blade row; and a conduit in fluid communication with the injector, wherein the conduit delivers at least one of a fuel from a fuel supply line and a carrier gas to the injector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Lewis Berkley Davis, JR., Gregory Thomas Foster, Kaitlin Marie Graham, Krishnakumar Venkataraman, Stanley Kevin Widener
  • Publication number: 20160169520
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus including: a first injector located on a surface of a turbine nozzle of a turbine stage positioned downstream of a reheat combustor, wherein the turbine stage includes the turbine nozzle and a turbine blade row; a second injector located on a wall of the reheat combustor; and at least one conduit in fluid communication with each of the first injector and the second injector, wherein the at least one conduit delivers at least one of a fuel from a fuel supply line and a carrier gas to an aft section of the reheat combustor through at least one of the first injector and the second injector, and wherein the aft section is positioned downstream of a combustion reaction zone in the reheat combustor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Lewis Berkley Davis, Jr., Gregory Thomas Foster, Kaitlin Marie Graham, Krishnakumar Venkataraman, Stanley Kevin Widener
  • Patent number: 9316109
    Abstract: A turbine shroud assembly includes an inner shroud portion comprising a body portion having a first circumferential edge, and a discourager extending circumferentially past the first circumferential edge of the body portion, wherein the discourager is integrally formed with the inner shroud portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Gregory Thomas Foster, Andres Jose Garcia-Crespo
  • Patent number: 9249917
    Abstract: A sealing member, a component including a sealing member, and a method of sealing a hole are disclosed. In an embodiment, the sealing member includes a plug member for occluding a hole in a wall of a passageway. The plug member includes at least one cooling feature disposed on a distal end of the plug member exposed to the passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gregory Thomas Foster, Dustin Michael Earnhardt, Michelle Jessica Rogers, David Wayne Weber
  • Publication number: 20150345300
    Abstract: A cooling structure for a stationary blade is provided. The cooling structure may include a first chamber in an endwall of the stationary blade directing a first cooling fluid from the stationary blade to a first cooling circuit, and a second chamber in the endwall of the stationary blade directing a second cooling fluid from the stationary blade to a second cooling circuit different than the first cooling circuit. The first cooling fluid has a lower temperature than the second cooling fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Wayne Weber, Dustin Michael Earnhardt, Gregory Thomas Foster, Michelle Jessica Iduate
  • Publication number: 20150218962
    Abstract: A core for forming micro channels within a turbine component is provided. The core includes a base comprising a first side and a second side; and a core assembly coupled to the second side. The core assembly further includes a plurality of channel members, wherein each channel member has a first end, a second end, and a channel body coupled to and extending between said first end and said second end. The channel body includes a channel shape configured to form the micro channels within the turbine component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Wayne Weber, Gregory Thomas Foster, Benjamin Paul Lacy, Aaron Ezekiel Smith, Dustin Michael Earnhardt
  • Patent number: 9096472
    Abstract: Methods of forming a ceramic component and a high temperature mold for use therewith are provided. The method includes providing a fixture having a receiving surface configured to receive an unfired ceramic component. The method includes applying a continuous high temperature membrane to a surface of the unfired ceramic component. The method includes covering the continuous high temperature membrane and unfired ceramic component with a high temperature loose media. The method includes heating the unfired ceramic component to a firing temperature. The high temperature mold includes the fixture and a support structure forming a compartment surrounding the fixture. The mold allows the high temperature loose media to be contained within the compartment and to cover the continuous high temperature membrane. The continuous high temperature membrane and high temperature loose media are evenly distributed over the uncured ceramic component and operable to provide constant pressure during processing using the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gregory Thomas Foster, Eric Richard Bonini