Patents by Inventor James William Vehr
James William Vehr 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).
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Publication number: 20230016105Abstract: Various embodiments include a heat transfer device, a turbomachine casing and a related storage medium. In some cases, the device includes: a body having an outer surface and an inner cavity within the outer surface; at least one aperture extending through the body, the at least one aperture positioned to direct fluid from the inner cavity through the body to the outer surface; a first lip proximate a first end of the body, and a second lip proximate a second end of the body, the first lip and the second lip each extending radially outward from the outer surface relative to a direction of flow of the fluid through the inner cavity; and a plug coupled with the body, the plug for obstructing an end of the inner cavity, the plug positioned to redirect flow of the fluid from a first direction to a second, distinct direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2022Publication date: January 19, 2023Inventors: Robert Jamiolkowski, Karol Filip Leszczynski, Wojciech Grzeszczak, James William Vehr, Robert Jacek Zreda
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Publication number: 20200392853Abstract: A hot gas path component may include a body, and a passage for delivering a coolant extending through at least a part of the body to an exit area of the body and an end of each passage includes a loop. A metering structure may be in fluid communication with the passage and disposed upstream of the exit area. The metering structure may include a converging passage portion followed by a diverging passage portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2020Publication date: December 17, 2020Inventors: Benjamin Paul Lacy, Christopher Donald Porter, Ibrahim Sezer, James William Vehr
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Patent number: 10774656Abstract: An airport having an exterior wall including a plurality of spaced layers for improved cooling and lifetime is disclosed. The airfoil and exterior wall are made by additive manufacturing. The exterior wall includes an exterior layer, an intermediate layer, and an interior layer each separated from adjacent layers by a plurality of standoff members; a plurality of first cooling chambers between the exterior and intermediate layers, the chambers partitioned by a first partitioning wall; a plurality of second cooling chambers between in the intermediate and interior layers, the chambers partitioned by a second partitioning wall; a thermal barrier coating on the exterior layer; a plurality of impingement openings in the intermediate layer and a second plurality of impingement openings in the interior layer; and a plurality of cooling passages in the exterior layer. The exterior layer may also include plateaus on an exterior face through which the cooling passages extend.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2018Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Gary Michael Itzel, Jeffrey Clarence Jones, James William Vehr
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Publication number: 20190309634Abstract: An airport having an exterior wall including a plurality of spaced layers for improved cooling and lifetime is disclosed. The airfoil and exterior wall are made by additive manufacturing. The exterior wall includes an exterior layer, an intermediate layer, and an interior layer each separated from adjacent layers by a plurality of standoff members; a plurality of first cooling chambers between the exterior and intermediate layers, the chambers partitioned by a first partitioning wall; a plurality of second cooling chambers between in the intermediate and interior layers, the chambers partitioned by a second partitioning wall; a thermal barrier coating on the exterior layer; a plurality of impingement openings in the intermediate layer and a second plurality of impingement openings in the interior layer; and a plurality of cooling passages in the exterior layer. The exterior layer may also include plateaus on an exterior face through which the cooling passages extend.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2018Publication date: October 10, 2019Inventors: Gary Michael Itzel, Jeffrey Clarence Jones, James William Vehr
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Patent number: 10385727Abstract: A turbine nozzle includes an airfoil that extends in span from an inner band to an outer band where the inner band and the outer band define inner and outer flow boundaries of the turbine nozzle. At least one of the inner band and the outer band define a first set of cooling channels and a second set of cooling channels formed beneath a gas side surface of the corresponding inner band or outer band. The inner band or the outer band further define a coolant distribution plenum that is in fluid communication with the first and second sets of cooling channels. The coolant distribution plenum provides a stream of coolant to at least one of the first set of cooling channels and the second set of cooling channels.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2015Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Sandip Dutta, Benjamin Paul Lacy, Gary Michael Itzel, James William Vehr
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Publication number: 20180223673Abstract: A hot gas path component may include a body, and a passage for delivering a coolant extending through at least a part of the body to an exit area of the body. A metering structure may be in fluid communication with the passage and disposed upstream of the exit area. The metering structure may include a converging passage portion followed by a diverging passage portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2017Publication date: August 9, 2018Inventors: Benjamin Paul Lacy, Christopher Donald Porter, Ibrahim Sezer, James William Vehr
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Publication number: 20170350597Abstract: Various embodiments include a heat transfer device, a turbomachine casing and a related storage medium. In some cases, the device includes: a body having an outer surface and an inner cavity within the outer surface; at least one aperture extending through the body, the at least one aperture positioned to direct fluid from the inner cavity through the body to the outer surface; a first lip proximate a first end of the body, and a second lip proximate a second end of the body, the first lip and the second lip each extending radially outward from the outer surface relative to a direction of flow of the fluid through the inner cavity; and a plug coupled with the body, the plug for obstructing an end of the inner cavity, the plug positioned to redirect flow of the fluid from a first direction to a second, distinct direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2016Publication date: December 7, 2017Inventors: Robert Jamiolkowski, Karol Filip Leszczynski, Wojciech Grzeszczak, James William Vehr, Robert Jacek Zreda
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Patent number: 9771820Abstract: A turbine in a gas turbine engine that includes a stator blade and a rotor blade having a seal formed in a trench cavity. The trench cavity may include an axial gap defined between opposing inboard faces of the stator blade and rotor blade. The seal may include: a stator overhang extending from the stator blade toward the rotor blade so to include an outboard edge and an inboard edge and, defined therebetween, an overhang face; a rotor outboard face extending radially inboard from a platform edge, the rotor outboard face opposing at least a portion of the overhang face across the axial gap of the trench cavity; and a first axial projection extending from the rotor outboard face toward the stator blade. The stator overhang and the first axial projection of the rotor blade may be configured so to axially overlap.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2014Date of Patent: September 26, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Richard William Johnson, Kevin Richard Kirtley, David Richard Johns, James William Vehr, Andrew Paul Giametta
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Publication number: 20170101892Abstract: A turbine nozzle includes an airfoil that extends in span from an inner band to an outer band where the inner band and the outer band define inner and outer flow boundaries of the turbine nozzle. At least one of the inner band and the outer band define a first set of cooling channels and a second set of cooling channels formed beneath a gas side surface of the corresponding inner band or outer band. The inner band or the outer band further define a coolant distribution plenum that is in fluid communication with the first and second sets of cooling channels. The coolant distribution plenum provides a stream of coolant to at least one of the first set of cooling channels and the second set of cooling channels.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2015Publication date: April 13, 2017Inventors: Sandip Dutta, Benjamin Paul Lacy, Gary Michael Itzel, James William Vehr
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Patent number: 9464538Abstract: A shroud block segment for a gas turbine includes a main body having a leading portion, a trailing portion, a first side portion and an opposing second side portion that extend axially between the leading portion and the trailing portion. The main body further includes an arcuate combustion gas side, an opposing back side and a cooling chamber defined in the back side. A cooling plenum and an exhaust passage are defined within the main body where the exhaust passage provides for fluid communication out of the cooling plenum. An insert opening extends within the main body through the back side towards the cooling plenum. A cooling flow insert is disposed within the insert opening. The cooling flow insert comprises a plurality of cooling flow passages that provide for fluid communication between the cooling chamber and the cooling plenum.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2013Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Ibrahim Sezer, Anshuman Singh, Gary Michael Itzel, James William Vehr
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Patent number: 9382810Abstract: A system for removing heat from a gas turbine generally includes a plurality of stationary nozzles arranged in an annular array within the gas turbine. Each of the plurality of stationary nozzles may include a radially outer platform and a radially extending cooling passage. The radially extending cooling passage may have an inlet that extends generally axially and circumferentially across a portion of the radially outer platform. A closed loop cooling coil may extend continuously circumferentially around the radially outer platform of two or more of the plurality of stationary nozzles. The closed loop cooling coil may be disposed circumferentially across and outside of the inlet of the radially extending cooling passage of each of the two or more stationary nozzles, and a cooling medium may flow through the cooling coil and out of the gas turbine so as to remove heat from the gas turbine.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2012Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Benjamin Paul Lacy, Gregory Allan Crum, James William Vehr
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Publication number: 20160186665Abstract: A turbine in a gas turbine engine that includes a stator blade and a rotor blade having a seal formed in a trench cavity. The trench cavity may include an axial gap defined between opposing inboard faces of the stator blade and rotor blade. The seal may include: a stator overhang extending from the stator blade toward the rotor blade so to include an outboard edge and an inboard edge and, defined therebetween, an overhang face; a rotor outboard face extending radially inboard from a platform edge, the rotor outboard face opposing at least a portion of the overhang face across the axial gap of the trench cavity; and a first axial projection extending from the rotor outboard face toward the stator blade. The stator overhang and the first axial projection of the rotor blade may be configured so to axially overlap.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2014Publication date: June 30, 2016Inventors: Richard William Johnson, Kevin Richard Kirtley, David Richard Johns, James William Vehr, Andrew Paul Giametta
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Publication number: 20150345301Abstract: A rotor blade includes and airfoil. The airfoil includes pressure and suction side walls which extend radially outwardly from a platform in span from a root to a tip and between a leading edge and a trialing edge. The tip includes a tip floor, a plurality of coolant outlets and a tip rail having a pressure side and suction side portions that extend radially outwardly from the tip floor. Cooling passages are circumscribed within the airfoil and are in fluid communication with one or more of the coolant outlets. A baffle extends radially outwardly from and transversely across the tip floor from the pressure side portion to the suction side portion to define first and second tip pockets. A slot is disposed along the suction side portion of the tip rail to provide for fluid communication out of one of the first or second tip pockets, thereby reducing pressure within the corresponding tip pocket.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2014Publication date: December 3, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Xiuzhang James Zhang, James William Vehr, Haiping Wang
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Patent number: 9169733Abstract: A turbine airfoil assembly has an airfoil with an inner wall, an outer wall, a leading edge and a trailing edge. The airfoil has one or more chambers extending in a substantially chordwise direction of the airfoil. An insert has a plurality of impingement holes, and the insert is configured to be inserted within one of the chambers. The insert is configured to cool the airfoil via the plurality of impingement holes. A chambering element is attached only to the insert, the chambering element is configured to provide an increased cooling gas pressure inside a boundary area defined by the chambering element relative to an area outside the boundary area. A gap exists between the inner wall of the airfoil and the chambering element, and the gap allows cooling gas to exit the boundary area and enter the area outside the boundary area.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2013Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Onika Misasha Kerber, Gary Michael Itzel, James William Vehr, Evan Andrew Sewall
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Publication number: 20150007581Abstract: A shroud block segment for a gas turbine includes a main body having a leading portion, a trailing portion, a first side portion and an opposing second side portion that extend axially between the leading portion and the trailing portion. The main body further includes an arcuate combustion gas side, an opposing back side and a cooling chamber defined in the back side. A cooling plenum and an exhaust passage are defined within the main body where the exhaust passage provides for fluid communication out of the cooling plenum. An insert opening extends within the main body through the back side towards the cooling plenum. A cooling flow insert is disposed within the insert opening. The cooling flow insert comprises a plurality of cooling flow passages that provide for fluid communication between the cooling chamber and the cooling plenum.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2013Publication date: January 8, 2015Inventors: Ibrahim Sezer, Anshuman Singh, Gary Michael Itzel, James William Vehr
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Publication number: 20140286762Abstract: A turbine airfoil assembly has an airfoil with an inner wall, an outer wall, a leading edge and a trailing edge. The airfoil has one or more chambers extending in a substantially chordwise direction of the airfoil. An insert has a plurality of impingement holes, and the insert is configured to be inserted within one of the chambers. The insert is configured to cool the airfoil via the plurality of impingement holes. A chambering element is attached only to the insert, the chambering element is configured to provide an increased cooling gas pressure inside a boundary area defined by the chambering element relative to an area outside the boundary area. A gap exists between the inner wall of the airfoil and the chambering element, and the gap allows cooling gas to exit the boundary area and enter the area outside the boundary area.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2013Publication date: September 25, 2014Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Onika Misasha Kerber, Gary Michael Itzel, James William Vehr, Evan Andrew Sewall
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Patent number: 8651799Abstract: A turbine vane or blade segment includes at least one airfoil extending radially outwardly from a radially inner band. A plurality of cooling passages are formed in the radially inner band in fluid communication with an internal plenum in the airfoil and exiting the inner band via a plurality of exit holes in the one of the axially-extending side edges of the inner band. The plurality of exit holes are confined to a region along the one of the axially-extending side edges where static pressure PS along the one of the substantially axially-extending side edges lies in a pressure range substantially between the stage inlet total pressure PT and a pressure that is substantially about 1.5 times the dynamic pressure range ?PD, below the stage inlet total pressure.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2011Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Evan Andrew Sewall, James William Vehr, Frederic Woodrow Roberts, Jr.
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Publication number: 20140030073Abstract: A system for removing heat from a gas turbine generally includes a plurality of stationary nozzles arranged in an annular array within the gas turbine. Each of the plurality of stationary nozzles may include a radially outer platform and a radially extending cooling passage. The radially extending cooling passage may have an inlet that extends generally axially and circumferentially across a portion of the radially outer platform. A closed loop cooling coil may extend continuously circumferentially around the radially outer platform of two or more of the plurality of stationary nozzles. The closed loop cooling coil may be disposed circumferentially across and outside of the inlet of the radially extending cooling passage of each of the two or more stationary nozzles, and a cooling medium may flow through the cooling coil and out of the gas turbine so as to remove heat from the gas turbine.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2012Publication date: January 30, 2014Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Benjamin Paul Lacy, Gregory Allan Crum, James William Vehr
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Patent number: 8636463Abstract: Cooling channels through the interior of a machine component that include: a first set of cooling channels, the first set of cooling channels including a plurality of parallel channels that reside in a first plane; a second set of cooling channels, the second set of cooling channels including a plurality of parallel channels that reside in a second plane. Along a longitudinal axis, the cooling channels of the first and second set of cooling channels may include an alternating diverging-converging configuration, the alternating diverging-converging configuration creating a series of broader chamber sections connected by a series of narrower throat sections. The first set of cooling channels and the second set of cooling channels may be configured such that, when viewed from the side, a crisscrossing pattern with a plurality of intersections is formed.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2010Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: James William Vehr
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Publication number: 20120308399Abstract: A turbine vane or blade segment includes at least one airfoil extending radially outwardly from a radially inner band. The radially inner band is formed with substantially axially-extending side edges, and the at least one airfoil is formed with a leading edge, a trailing edge, a pressure side, a suction side, and an internal cooling plenum. The pressure side faces one of the substantially axially-extending side edges and the leading edge is located proximate to that one edge. A plurality of cooling passages are formed in the radially inner band in fluid communication with the internal plenum and exiting the inner band via a plurality of exit holes in the one of the substantially axially-extending side edges.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2011Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Evan Andrew SEWALL, James William VEHR, Frederic Woodrow ROBERTS, JR.