Patents by Inventor Kenneth Damon Black

Kenneth Damon Black 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: 8844107
    Abstract: A counter weight for installing and removing a lower portion of an inner casing of a turbine section generally includes a semi-annular main body having a first radially extending mating surface and a second radially extending mating surface. A radial gear rack extends radially outward from the main body. The radial gear rack includes a primary segment that extends a first angular distance between the first radially extending mating surface and the second radially extending mating surface of the main body. A secondary segment of the radial gear rack extends a second angular distance from the second radially extending mating surface of the main body. The secondary segment defines an at least partially linear inner surface and an outer arcuate surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Matthew Stephen Casavant, Kenneth Damon Black
  • Publication number: 20140271111
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine system having a combustion section and a turbine section is provided. The turbine section includes at least one turbine stage having a plurality of turbine blades coupled to a rotor and an inner casing circumferentially disposed about the plurality of turbine blades. The turbine section includes an outer casing circumferentially disposed about at least a portion of the inner casing. The inner casing and the outer casing define a cavity comprising a volume configured to facilitate the distribution of air within the cavity to cool an outer surface of the inner casing and an inner surface of the outer casing. The outer casing comprises at least one air inlet and the inner casing comprises at least one air outlet. At least one flange is provided within the cavity, and the at least one flange flanks the air inlet and at least one flow guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Henry Grady Ballard, JR., Ozgur Bozkurt, Kenneth Damon Black, Radu Ioan Danescu
  • Patent number: 8777566
    Abstract: A casing includes an inner shell and an outer shell that surrounds the inner shell and comprises a plurality of inflection points. An annular flange is between the inner shell and the outer shell, and a plurality of joints attach the inner shell to the annular flange. A connector is between the annular flange and the outer shell at each of the plurality of inflection points. A method for assembling a casing includes joining a plurality of curved sections to one another to generally define an arcuate inner shell and surrounding the arcuate inner shell with an outer shell. The method further includes attaching the arcuate inner shell to an annular flange at first attachment points and connecting the annular flange to the outer shell at second attachment points spaced approximately equidistantly from the first attachment points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Stephen Christopher Chieco, Henry Grady Ballard, Ian David Wilson, Martel Alexander McCallum, Kenneth Damon Black, Christopher Paul Cox
  • Publication number: 20140130342
    Abstract: A counter weight for installing and removing a lower portion of an inner casing of a turbine section generally includes a semi-annular main body having a first radially extending mating surface and a second radially extending mating surface. A radial gear rack extends radially outward from the main body. The radial gear rack includes a primary segment that extends a first angular distance between the first radially extending mating surface and the second radially extending mating surface of the main body. A secondary segment of the radial gear rack extends a second angular distance from the second radially extending mating surface of the main body. The secondary segment defines an at least partially linear inner surface and an outer arcuate surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Matthew Stephen Casavant, Kenneth Damon Black
  • Publication number: 20140109594
    Abstract: A deformable fastener assembly for use with a gas turbine engine. The deformable fastener may be used to fasten a component of the gas turbine that is subjected to high temperatures and thermal deformation, such as an impingement sleeve assembly, to a rigid portion, such as the inner turbine shell of the gas turbine engine. The deformable fastener assemblies may permit components to be fastened to a rigid portion of the gas turbine with a consistent load input to permit frictional transient sliding of the component relative to the rigid portion of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Matthew Stephen Casavant, Kenneth Damon Black
  • Publication number: 20140112759
    Abstract: A device for directing gas impingement to an inner casing of a gas turbine may include a plate configured for attachment to the outer surface of the inner casing. The plate has a first surface opposing the inner casing when the plate is attached to an area of the inner casing and a second surface opposite the first surface. The plate defines a plurality of holes through the plate from the first surface to the second surface. The holes are arranged with a predetermined non-uniform distribution in the plate corresponding to a desired preferential impingement pattern for providing non-uniform heat transfer from the area during operation of the gas turbine so as to control temperature of the inner casing across the area. Various options and modifications are possible. Related gas turbine assemblies are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Matthew Stephen Casavant, Kenneth Damon Black, David Martin Johnson, Radu Ioan Danescu
  • Publication number: 20140109590
    Abstract: Thermal control is provided for a gas turbine casing by supplying thermal control gas from a compressor to a space between an outer casing and an inner casing, and transferring the thermal control gas from the space through the opening in the inner casing via a plurality of holes defined through a plate attached to an outer surface of the inner casing. The holes are arranged with a predetermined non-uniform distribution corresponding to a desired preferential impingement pattern for providing non-uniform heat transfer. A gas turbine thermal control assembly includes structure providing preferential heat transfer from the inner casing during operation of the gas turbine via a thermal control gas flow path from radially outside of the inner casing into the interior of the gas turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Matthew Stephen Casavant, Kenneth Damon Black, David Martin Johnson, Radu Ioan Danescu
  • Publication number: 20140102290
    Abstract: A first adjustable stop on a jack member selectively adjusts an incline stop gap while a second adjustable stop on a support element selectively adjusts a decline stop gap. Stop surfaces on the first adjustable stop and the support element may define the incline stop gap, while stop surfaces on the second adjustable stop and the first adjustable stop may define the decline stop gap. A number of turns of a stop needed to effect a desired of adjustment may be determined using a pitch, lead, and/or number of starts of threads used to mount the stops.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Matthew Stephen Casavant, Kenneth Damon Black
  • Patent number: 8651809
    Abstract: A casing includes an inner shell and an outer shell that surrounds the inner shell and comprises a plurality of inflection points. An annular flange is between the inner shell and the outer shell, and a plurality of joints attach the inner shell to the annular flange. A connector is between the annular flange and the outer shell at each of the plurality of inflection points. A method for assembling a casing includes joining a plurality of curved sections to one another to generally define an arcuate inner shell and surrounding the arcuate inner shell with an outer shell. The method further includes attaching the arcuate inner shell to an annular flange at first attachment points and connecting the annular flange to the outer shell at second attachment points spaced approximately equidistantly from the first attachment points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Henry Grady Ballard, Jr., Ian David Wilson, Martel Alexander McCallum, Stephen Christopher Chieco, Kenneth Damon Black, Christopher Paul Cox
  • Publication number: 20140026414
    Abstract: A method and system adapted for removing one or more shells from an assembly of multiple annular shells, for example, turbine shells of a gas turbine engine. The method includes removing an upper shell positioned in an upper position relative to a lower shell of the assembly of multiple annular shells, and then positioning and securing a counterweight in the upper position and securing the counterweight to the lower shell as a replacement for the upper shell in the upper position. The counterweight and the lower shell are then rotated in unison until the lower shell is in the upper position and the counterweight is in a lower position previously occupied by the lower shell. Thereafter, the lower shell can be removed from the assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: James Bradford Holmes, Kenneth Damon Black, Christopher Paul Cox, Matthew Stephen Casavant, Bradley Edwin Wilson, Brett Darrick Klingler
  • Publication number: 20140017076
    Abstract: The present application and the resultant patent provide an example of a turbine casing. The turbine casing may include an outer shell, an inner shell, and a support arm supporting the inner shell within the outer shell. The inner shell and the support arm may include a scallop therein for reduced stress.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Bradley Edwin Wilson, Kenneth Damon Black
  • Publication number: 20140010646
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a turbine assembly includes a frame coupled to a ground surface, a bearing housing supporting a rotor bearing and a sleeve assembly attached to the frame and the bearing housing. The sleeve assembly includes an outer sleeve with a first flange on a first end that is positioned in an opening in the bearing housing and a second end that abuts the shim, an inner sleeve positioned within a portion of the outer sleeve and a bolt positioned within the inner sleeve and threadably coupled to the frame, wherein the bolt compressively loads the inner sleeve thereby loading a portion of the outer sleeve at the second end between the inner sleeve and the frame and wherein a first gap dimension is substantially maintained between the first flange and bearing housing as the bolt is preloaded and coupled to the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Khoa Cao, Kenneth Damon Black
  • Publication number: 20130330187
    Abstract: A turbine and a method of mitigating out-of-roundness effects at a turbine is disclosed. An inner turbine shell and an outer turbine shell of the turbine is provided. The inner turbine shell is coupled to the outer turbine shell using a ring insert. The ring insert is segmented into a plurality of ring insert segments that reduce a transfer of load from the outer turbine shell to the inner turbine shell to mitigate out-of-roundness of the inner turbine shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Steven Christopher Pisarski, Kenneth Damon Black
  • Publication number: 20130326875
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for rolling and aligning a casing of a gas turbine is disclosed. At least one jack having a roller at one end is positioned at a location to couple the roller to the casing. The casing is rolled within the turbine by rolling over the roller of the at least one jack. The roller is moved relative to the at least one jack to align the casing within the turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Kenneth Damon Black, Matthew Stephen Casavant, Brett Darrick Klingler
  • Publication number: 20130294883
    Abstract: A gas turbomachine includes a casing assembly surrounding a portion of the gas turbomachine and a counter-flow cooling system arranged within the casing. The counter-flow cooling system is configured and disposed to guide cooling fluid through the casing assembly in a first axial direction and return cooling fluid through the casing assembly in a second axial direction that is opposite the first axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Henry Grady Ballard, JR., Kenneth Damon Black, John David Memmer
  • Publication number: 20130064649
    Abstract: A piping assembly and a method for connecting an inner shell and an outer shell in a turbine system are disclosed. The piping assembly includes an inner fitting for connection to the inner shell and an outer fitting for connection to the outer shell. The piping assembly further includes an attenuation member extending between the inner fitting and the outer fitting and comprising an attenuation curve. The attenuation curve permits movement of the attenuation member in at least one of a longitudinal direction, a radial direction, or a tangential direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Kenneth Damon Black, Matthew Stephen Casavant
  • Publication number: 20130058779
    Abstract: In certain embodiments of the present disclosure a turbine casing assembly is described. The turbine casing assembly includes an inner casing and an outer casing surrounding the inner casing. The outer casing includes a first outer casing section and a second outer casing section that join together along a flange. Two bolts extend through the flange and join together the first outer casing section and the second outer casing section. A pin having a first segment having a first diameter and a second segment having a second diameter extends through the inner casing and the outer casing and supports the inner casing relative to the outer casing. The pin has a first diameter that is greater than the second diameter and is located between the two bolts along the axis of the flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Matthew Stephen Casavant, Kenneth Damon Black
  • Publication number: 20130058780
    Abstract: In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a turbine casing assembly is described. The turbine casing assembly includes an inner casing and an outer casing surrounding the inner casing. The outer casing has a first outer casing section and a second outer casing section that join together along a flange. A bolt extends through the flange and joins together the first outer casing section and the second outer casing section. The turbine casing assembly further includes a pin. The pin has a segment defining an opening therethrough. The pin extends through the inner casing and the outer casing and supports the inner casing relative to the outer casing. The bolt passes through the opening defined by the pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Matthew Stephen Casavant, Kenneth Damon Black
  • Patent number: 8292571
    Abstract: An inner shell for a rotating machine including at least one segment; and at least one complementary segment in operable communication with the at least one segment, the segments forming a support structure for a shroud ring; wherein the at least one segment and the at least one complementary segment are individually moved to change a set of dimensions defined by the at least one segment and the at least one complementary segment. A method for controlling a dimension of the shroud ring in a rotating machine is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Henry Grady Ballard, Jr., Bradley James Miller, Kenneth Damon Black
  • Patent number: 8251667
    Abstract: A retaining system is provided for circumferential entry rotor dovetails inserted into dovetail slot in a rotor. A plurality of rotor blade dovetails are circumferentially slidable into and along the dovetail slot, with each rotor blade dovetail having a neck and a pair of oppositely oriented lobes. A plurality of rail segments are circumferentially slid into channels in the dovetail slot between the dovetail lobes and the respective disk hoops. The rail segments define a first pressure face that engages against an outward pressure face of the dovetail lobes, and a second pressure face that engages against an inward pressure face of the respective disk hoop component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ian David Wilson, Kenneth Damon Black, Bradley Scott Carter