Patents by Inventor Randall Stephen Corn

Randall Stephen Corn 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: 9559571
    Abstract: A system and methods for disassembling a rotary machine are provided. The rotary machine includes a casing having a plurality of arcuate channels. The system includes a reaction bridge that is configured to couple to the casing of the rotary machine such that the reaction bridge is moveable along a length of the casing. The reaction bridge includes a front support and a rear support that is substantially parallel to the front support. Each of the supports includes a first leg, a second leg, and a support beam extending therebetween. A force device including an actuator and an engaging rod extending therefrom is coupled to the reaction bridge. The force device is configured to apply a force substantially tangentially to a segment positioned in one of the casing arcuate channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Randall Stephen Corn, Douglas Anthony Serieno
  • Publication number: 20160375498
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Bradford Holmes, John William Herbold, Randall Stephen Corn
  • Patent number: 9038253
    Abstract: A system for lifting a first casing section relative to a second casing section is disclosed. The system may generally include a guide member configured to be coupled to the second casing section so as to generally extend lengthwise in a lift direction of the first casing section and a sleeve member configured to be coupled to the first casing section. The sleeve member may be movably disposed on the guide member such that the sleeve member is displaced along a length of the guide member as the first casing section is lifted in the lift direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John William Herbold, Randall Stephen Corn, James Bradford Holmes, Charles V. Spanos
  • Patent number: 9032599
    Abstract: A component removal apparatus for use with a turbine engine is provided. The apparatus includes a main body and at least one alignment member that extends from the main body, wherein the alignment member is configured to position the apparatus relative to at least a portion of a component of the turbine engine. At least one leg member extends outwardly from at least one end portion of the main body. At least one lifting member is coupled to the leg member and is configured to apply a force to the leg member and/or the main body to facilitate the removal of the component from the turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Charles Vaughan Spanos, Randall Stephen Corn, John William Herbold
  • Patent number: 8984730
    Abstract: A system for rotating a turbine shell includes a first platform and a first trunnion rotatably connected to the first platform. A second platform is separated from the first platform, and a second trunnion is separated from the first trunnion and rotatably connected to the second platform. The system further includes structure for rotating the first trunnion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Bradford Holmes, Randall Stephen Corn
  • Patent number: 8807885
    Abstract: A method and a machining kit for machining a bore hole into a shroud block are disclosed. The method includes designating a location of the bore hole on an exterior surface of the shroud block, positioning the shroud block in a machining device, securing the shroud block in the machining device, and machining the bore hole in the shroud block. The machining device includes a locating tool, a machining tool, a platform, a securing device, and a radial support. The radial support is configured to mate with a radial exterior surface of the shroud block such that a machining axis of the machining device may be aligned with a radial axis of the shroud block during positioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John William Herbold, Paul L. Kalmar, Randall Stephen Corn, James Bradford Holmes
  • Patent number: 8757962
    Abstract: A system and method for adjusting a shroud block in a casing are disclosed. The system includes a crane, an engagement device mounted to the shroud block, and a hoist connecting the engagement device and the crane. Actuation of the hoist can cause movement of the shroud block along a shroud hook of the casing. The method includes mounting an engagement device to the shroud block, and actuating a hoist connected to the engagement device. Actuation of the hoist can cause movement of the shroud block along a shroud hook of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John William Herbold, Randall Stephen Corn, Charles V. Spanos
  • Publication number: 20140150248
    Abstract: A system and methods for disassembling a rotary machine are provided. The rotary machine includes a casing having a plurality of arcuate channels. The system includes a reaction bridge that is configured to couple to the casing of the rotary machine such that the reaction bridge is moveable along a length of the casing. The reaction bridge includes a front support and a rear support that is substantially parallel to the front support. Each of the supports includes a first leg, a second leg, and a support beam extending therebetween. A force device including an actuator and an engaging rod extending therefrom is coupled to the reaction bridge. The force device is configured to apply a force substantially tangentially to a segment positioned in one of the casing arcuate channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Randall Stephen Corn, Douglas Anthony Serieno
  • Patent number: 8726502
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for servicing a turbine are disclosed. Various embodiments of the invention include an apparatus adapted to service a turbine, where that apparatus includes: a base member fixedly mountable on an inlet of the turbine; an adjustment system mounted on the base member; a machining device operably connected to a first end of the adjustment system; and a control member operably connected to a second end of the adjustment system, the control member adapted to modify a position of the machining device to service a portion of the turbine inside the inlet of the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jason Matthew Clark, Randall Stephen Corn
  • Publication number: 20140112727
    Abstract: A cutting tool locating device for a forming an opening in a gear includes a guide member configured and disposed to be fixedly connected to gear mounted to a shaft, and an alignment puck moveably mounted to the guide member. The alignment puck includes a bushing configured and disposed to align with a recess formed in the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Charles Vaughan Spanos, Randall Stephen Corn, John William Herbold, James Bradford Holmes
  • Patent number: 8677591
    Abstract: A system and methods for disassembling a machine is provided. The machine includes a casing including a plurality of arcuate channels defined therein. The system includes a reaction bridge configured to couple to a casing, the reaction bridge including a first leg, a second leg and a support beam extending therebetween, a force device including an actuator and a connecting rod extending therefrom, wherein the force device is coupled to the reaction bridge support beam. The force device is configured to apply a force to an end of a segment positioned in one of the casing channels. The system also includes a clevis assembly coupled to the connecting rod, wherein the clevis assembly is configured to engage the segment to facilitate removal of the segment from the rotary machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Randall Stephen Corn, Douglas Anthony Serieno
  • Patent number: 8602390
    Abstract: A jacking mechanism for industrial equipment includes an insert securable in a casing hole of a first casing half of an item of industrial equipment and a jacking bolt insertable in the insert. The jacking bolt includes a jacking bolt thread meshable with an insert thread and a bearing tip secured to the jacking bolt. Advancing the jacking bolt through the insert brings the bearing tip into contact with a second casing half thus moving the first casing half relative to the second casing half. A jacking system for industrial equipment includes a plurality of jacking mechanisms configured to evenly change a gap between the first casing half and the second casing half.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John William Herbold, Randall Stephen Corn
  • Publication number: 20130202417
    Abstract: A component removal apparatus for use with a turbine engine is provided. The apparatus includes a main body and at least one alignment member that extends from the main body, wherein the alignment member is configured to position the apparatus relative to at least a portion of a component of the turbine engine. At least one leg member extends outwardly from at least one end portion of the main body. At least one lifting member is coupled to the leg member and is configured to apply a force to the leg member and/or the main body to facilitate the removal of the component from the turbine engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventors: Charles Vaughan Spanos, Randall Stephen Corn, John William Herbold
  • Publication number: 20130199009
    Abstract: A system for rotating a turbine shell includes a first platform and a first trunnion rotatably connected to the first platform. A second platform is separated from the first platform, and a second trunnion is separated from the first trunnion and rotatably connected to the second platform. The system further includes structure for rotating the first trunnion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: James Bradford Holmes, Randall Stephen Corn
  • Publication number: 20130199008
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for servicing a turbine are disclosed. Various embodiments of the invention include an apparatus adapted to service a turbine, where that apparatus includes: a base member fixedly mountable on an inlet of the turbine; an adjustment system mounted on the base member; a machining device operably connected to a first end of the adjustment system; and a control member operably connected to a second end of the adjustment system, the control member adapted to modify a position of the machining device to service a portion of the turbine inside the inlet of the turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Jason Matthew Clark, Randall Stephen Corn
  • Publication number: 20120317772
    Abstract: A system and method for adjusting a shroud block in a casing are disclosed. The system includes a crane, an engagement device mounted to the shroud block, and a hoist connecting the engagement device and the crane. Actuation of the hoist can cause movement of the shroud block along a shroud hook of the casing. The method includes mounting an engagement device to the shroud block, and actuating a hoist connected to the engagement device. Actuation of the hoist can cause movement of the shroud block along a shroud hook of the casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: John William Herbold, Randall Stephen Corn, Charles V. Spanos
  • Publication number: 20120272496
    Abstract: A system for lifting a first casing section relative to a second casing section is disclosed. The system may generally include a guide member configured to be coupled to the second casing section so as to generally extend lengthwise in a lift direction of the first casing section and a sleeve member configured to be coupled to the first casing section. The sleeve member may be movably disposed on the guide member such that the sleeve member is displaced along a length of the guide member as the first casing section is lifted in the lift direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: John William Herbold, Randall Stephen Corn, James Bradford Holmes, Charles V. Spanos
  • Publication number: 20120132872
    Abstract: A jacking mechanism for industrial equipment includes an insert securable in a casing hole of a first casing half of an item of industrial equipment and a jacking bolt insertable in the insert. The jacking bolt includes a jacking bolt thread meshable with an insert thread and a bearing tip secured to the jacking bolt. Advancing the jacking bolt through the insert brings the bearing tip into contact with a second casing half thus moving the first casing half relative to the second casing half. A jacking system for industrial equipment includes a plurality of jacking mechanisms configured to evenly change a gap between the first casing half and the second casing half.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: John William Herbold, Randall Stephen Corn
  • Publication number: 20120087752
    Abstract: A method and a machining kit for machining a bore hole into a shroud block are disclosed. The method includes designating a location of the bore hole on an exterior surface of the shroud block, positioning the shroud block in a machining device, securing the shroud block in the machining device, and machining the bore hole in the shroud block. The machining device includes a locating tool, a machining tool, a platform, a securing device, and a radial support. The radial support is configured to mate with a radial exterior surface of the shroud block such that a machining axis of the machining device may be aligned with a radial axis of the shroud block during positioning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: John William Herbold, Paul L. Kalmar, Randall Stephen Corn, James Bradford Holmes
  • Patent number: 7916311
    Abstract: A method for inspecting blade tip clearance between at least one rotor blade and a case spaced radially outward from the rotor blade is provided. The method includes inserting a probe into an aperture defined in the case and emitting electromagnetic energy into the case using the probe. The method also includes detecting electromagnetic energy reflected from a blade tip portion of the rotor blade and determining a blade tip clearance defined between the blade tip and the case based on the detected electromagnetic energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Randall Stephen Corn, George Frederick Frey, Andrew Thomas Hynous, Gregory M. Valente