Patents by Inventor John William Herbold
John William Herbold 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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Patent number: 11022147Abstract: An inlet guide vane removal assembly includes a support frame with a support plate. At least one force device is coupled to the support plate. A puller bracket is attached to the at least one force device. The puller bracket has an open-ended slot defined therethrough, and a plurality of flanges positioned to engage an installed inlet guide vane. When the force device is actuated, the puller bracket is displaced relative to the support frame to facilitate removing the inlet guide vane.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2016Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Piotr Hubert Wojciechowski, John William Herbold, Szymon Perkowski
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Patent number: 10662808Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning an inner surface of a slot includes a first block segment that has an outer perimeter that conforms to and fits inside the inner surface of the slot. A first cleaning pad is connected to the first block segment and extends beyond at least a portion of the outer perimeter of the first block segment.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2016Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Jason Matthew Clark, James Bradford Holmes, John William Herbold
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Patent number: 10472990Abstract: Various embodiments include apparatuses for performing maintenance on a gas turbine (GT) nozzle, along with related methods. One apparatus can include: a nozzle engagement sled for releasably engaging the nozzle, the nozzle engagement sled including: a sled body; a locking member coupled with the sled body, the locking member sized to complement a slot in the nozzle; a sled slot within a side of the sled body, the sled slot for engaging a rail within the GT; and at least one wheel for transporting the sled body within the GT.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2016Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Andrew James Fisher, John William Herbold, Thomas Alan Mogle, II
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Patent number: 10414005Abstract: An apparatus and method for servicing a combustion liner in a combustion case of a turbine is provided. The apparatus includes an elongated bar having a handle at one end and a force applying member at an opposing end of the elongated bar. An attachment member is configured for attachment to a flange of the combustion case. The attachment member is also configured for pivotal attachment to the elongated bar. The apparatus is configured to apply a radially outward force on a downstream portion of the combustion liner when a radially inward force is applied to the handle.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2014Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Adrian Adam Klejc, Stuart Craig Hanson, John William Herbold, James Bradford Holmes, Sandra Beverly Kolvick, Thomas Alan Mogle, II, Robert Edward Huth, Lukasz Sajdak
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Publication number: 20190271330Abstract: An inlet guide vane removal assembly includes a support frame with a support plate. At least one force device is coupled to the support plate. A puller bracket is attached to the at least one force device. The puller bracket has an open-ended slot defined therethrough, and a plurality of flanges positioned to engage an installed inlet guide vane. When the force device is actuated, the puller bracket is displaced relative to the support frame to facilitate removing the inlet guide vane.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2016Publication date: September 5, 2019Inventors: Piotr Hubert Wojciechowski, John William Herbold, Szymon Perkowski
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Patent number: 10215057Abstract: A rotor turning system for turning a rotor is provided. The system may include a rotary driver including a rotating drive shaft. A removable rotor grasping element is configured to frictionally grasp at least a portion of an exterior circumference of a portion of the rotor. A drive linkage couples the rotating drive shaft to the rotor grasping element to impart a torque to the rotor with the rotor grasping element to turn the rotor. A rotor grasping element is also provided for grasping a substantially smooth exterior surface of a rotor to allow for turning of the rotor. A related method is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2015Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Lukasz Sajdak, Anthony Paul Curran, John William Herbold, Michal Wojciech Wnuk
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Patent number: 9988906Abstract: A turbomachine rotor blade milling machine system includes a fixture having a body including first and second opposing surfaces and a slot. The fixture is configured and disposed to connect with first and second rotor blade sections mounted in a rotor wheel. A mounting system includes at least one mounting element coupled to one of the first and second opposing surfaces of the body at the slot. A milling machine is coupled to the one of the first and second opposing surfaces through the at least one mounting element. The milling machine includes a cutter and is configured and disposed to form an opening extending axially through a dovetail portion of a third rotor blade section arranged between the first and second rotor blade sections.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2015Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Jason Matthew Clark, John William Herbold, James Bradford Holmes
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Publication number: 20180128129Abstract: Various embodiments include apparatuses for performing maintenance on a gas turbine (GT) nozzle, along with related methods. One apparatus can include: a nozzle engagement sled for releasably engaging the nozzle, the nozzle engagement sled including: a sled body; a locking member coupled with the sled body, the locking member sized to complement a slot in the nozzle; a sled slot within a side of the sled body, the sled slot for engaging a rail within the GT; and at least one wheel for transporting the sled body within the GT.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2016Publication date: May 10, 2018Inventors: Andrew James Fisher, John William Herbold, Thomas Alan Mogle, II
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Patent number: 9943920Abstract: A method for electro-chemical machining (ECM) is provided. Methods may include providing an ECM machine including a controller and a fixture configured for positioning an electrode for ECM, positioning the fixture in a selected dovetail slot of a plurality of dovetail slots in a turbine wheel, the turbine wheel being positioned in-situ in a turbomachine, the fixture positioning the electrode for ECM of a portion of the selected dovetail slot, applying an electrolyte solution between the selected dovetail slot and the electrode, and removing material from the portion of the selected dovetail slot by applying an electric potential to the electrode to create a potential gradient between the electrode and the portion of the selected dovetail slot. The machining may be repeated for each dovetail slot of the turbine wheel in-situ in the turbomachine.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2015Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Daryl Paul Capriotti, John William Herbold, James Bradford Holmes, Michael Alan Smith, Andrew Lee Trimmer
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Publication number: 20180051593Abstract: A rotor turning system for turning a rotor is provided. The system may include a rotary driver including a rotating drive shaft. A removable rotor grasping element is configured to frictionally grasp at least a portion of an exterior circumference of a portion of the rotor. A drive linkage couples the rotating drive shaft to the rotor grasping element to impart a torque to the rotor with the rotor grasping element to turn the rotor. A rotor grasping element is also provided for grasping a substantially smooth exterior surface of a rotor to allow for turning of the rotor. A related method is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2015Publication date: February 22, 2018Inventors: Lukasz Sajdak, Anthony Paul Curran, John William Herbold, Michal Wojciech Wnuk
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Publication number: 20170356338Abstract: An apparatus and system for assembling a combustor comprises a push bar including a first end portion that is laterally opposed from a second end portion. A first alignment block and a second alignment block are adjustably coupled to the push bar. A first threaded rod extends through the push bar proximate to the first end portion and a second threaded rod extends through the push bar proximate to the second end portion. The first alignment block and the second alignment block extend outwardly from an aft side of the push bar and are positioned between the first threaded rod and the second threaded rod. The installation tool includes a first nut and a second nut for applying axial force to the push bar.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2016Publication date: December 14, 2017Inventors: Ramvineeth Nitta, John William Herbold
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Patent number: 9816398Abstract: A turbine shroud block removal apparatus. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a first base plate including a first armature. The first base plate may be releasably coupled to a first shroud block. The apparatus also may also include a second base plate including a second armature. The second base plate may be releasably coupled to a second shroud block positioned adjacent the first shroud block. Additionally, the apparatus may include an actuator coupled to the first armature of the first base plate and the second armature of the second base plate. The actuator may change a distance between the first shroud block and the second shroud block.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2013Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Lukasz Sajdak, John William Herbold, Philippe Monfort-Moros, Charles Vaughn Spanos, Michal Wojciech Wnuk
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Patent number: 9777600Abstract: Various embodiments include approaches for installing a flow sleeve relative to a gas turbine transition piece. Some embodiments include an apparatus for coupling a gas turbine transition piece with a flow sleeve, the installation apparatus having: a radially inner ring; a plurality of expander segments extending radially outward from the radially inner ring, the plurality of expander segments each having an axially ramped segment sized to gradually expand the flow sleeve to couple with the gas turbine transition piece as the flow sleeve is moved along the plurality of expander segments; and a circumferentially disposed space separating each pair of adjacent expander segments in the plurality of expander segments.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2015Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Joseph Daniel Becker, John William Herbold
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Patent number: 9617913Abstract: Combustor maintenance assemblies, tools and methods for manipulating cross-fire tubes in combustor assemblies are provided. A tool includes a base and an arm pivotally connected to the base. The arm includes an effort portion and a load portion, the load portion extendable into a passage defined by the compressor discharge casing. The tool further includes a contact member extending from the load portion to contact the cross-fire tube. The contact member includes a head end for contacting a second end of the cross-fire tube, and a joint disposed between the head end and the load portion, the joint allowing movement of the head end relative to the load portion. The arm is movable such that the contact member contacts the cross-fire tube and applies a force to the cross-fire tube generally along a longitudinal axis of the cross-fire tube.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2014Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Joshua Michael Oden, Ulrich Werner Neumann, John William Herbold
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Publication number: 20170028516Abstract: An apparatus and method for servicing a combustion liner in a combustion case of a turbine is provided. The apparatus includes an elongated bar having a handle at one end and a force applying member at an opposing end of the elongated bar. An attachment member is configured for attachment to a flange of the combustion case. The attachment member is also configured for pivotal attachment to the elongated bar. The apparatus is configured to apply a radially outward force on a downstream portion of the combustion liner when a radially inward force is applied to the handle.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2014Publication date: February 2, 2017Inventors: Adrian Adam KLEJC, Stuart Craig HANSON, John William HERBOLD, James Bradford HOLMES, Sandra Beverly KOLVICK, Thomas Alan MOGLE, II, Robert Edward HUTH, Lukasz SAJDAK
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Publication number: 20160375498Abstract: A tool for drilling, tapping, and back spot facing at least one hole in a turbomachine includes a servo motor cutting device configured for use with a cutting tool. A drill unit skid is adapted to engage a hook fit slot in a case of the turbomachine, and for supporting the servo motor cutting device, and the drill unit skid including hook fit slides. The hook fit slides guide the drill unit skid along the hook fit slot and act as a stop in a radial direction with respect to the turbomachine. A laser positioning device detects the position of the cutting tool. A micro switch stops the servo motor cutting device when the micro switch activates. The servo motor cutting device rotates the cutting tool to create the hole, while a rotor of the turbomachine is left in place during drilling, tapping and back spot facing.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2016Publication date: December 29, 2016Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: James Bradford Holmes, John William Herbold, Randall Stephen Corn
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Publication number: 20160356182Abstract: Various embodiments include approaches for installing a flow sleeve relative to a gas turbine transition piece. Some embodiments include an apparatus for coupling a gas turbine transition piece with a flow sleeve, the installation apparatus having: a radially inner ring; a plurality of expander segments extending radially outward from the radially inner ring, the plurality of expander segments each having an axially ramped segment sized to gradually expand the flow sleeve to couple with the gas turbine transition piece as the flow sleeve is moved along the plurality of expander segments; and a circumferentially disposed space separating each pair of adjacent expander segments in the plurality of expander segments.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2015Publication date: December 8, 2016Inventors: Joseph Daniel Becker, John William Herbold
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Publication number: 20160319696Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning an inner surface of a slot includes a first block segment that has an outer perimeter that conforms to and fits inside the inner surface of the slot. A first cleaning pad is connected to the first block segment and extends beyond at least a portion of the outer perimeter of the first block segment.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2016Publication date: November 3, 2016Inventors: Jason Matthew Clark, James Bradford Holmes, John William Herbold
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Publication number: 20160279722Abstract: A method for electro-chemical machining (ECM) is provided. Methods may include providing an ECM machine including a controller and a fixture configured for positioning an electrode for ECM, positioning the fixture in a selected dovetail slot of a plurality of dovetail slots in a turbine wheel, the turbine wheel being positioned in-situ in a turbomachine, the fixture positioning the electrode for ECM of a portion of the selected dovetail slot, applying an electrolyte solution between the selected dovetail slot and the electrode, and removing material from the portion of the selected dovetail slot by applying an electric potential to the electrode to create a potential gradient between the electrode and the portion of the selected dovetail slot. The machining may be repeated for each dovetail slot of the turbine wheel in-situ in the turbomachine.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2015Publication date: September 29, 2016Inventors: Daryl Paul Capriotti, John William Herbold, James Bradford Holmes, Michael Alan Smith, Andrew Lee Trimmer
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Publication number: 20160160689Abstract: A turbine shroud block removal apparatus. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a first base plate including a first armature. The first base plate may be releasably coupled to a first shroud block. The apparatus also may also include a second base plate including a second armature. The second base plate may be releasably coupled to a second shroud block positioned adjacent the first shroud block. Additionally, the apparatus may include an actuator coupled to the first armature of the first base plate and the second armature of the second base plate. The actuator may change a distance between the first shroud block and the second shroud block.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2013Publication date: June 9, 2016Inventors: Lukasz Sajdak, John William Herbold, Philippe Monfort-Moros, Charles Vaughn Spanos, Michal Wojciech Wnuk