Patents by Inventor Robert I. Ackerman

Robert I. Ackerman 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: 6464457
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine arcuate segment has an arcuate band segment, at least one tab and an arcuate rail segment spaced axially apart from the tab and located along an axial end of the band segment. The tab and the arcuate rail segment extend radially away from the band segment and a space is located between the tab and the rail segment. A tab aperture extends entirely through the tab. The rail segment has a rail aperture entirely therethrough. A leaf seal and a spring are disposed within the space to bias the leaf seal against the aft rail. In an exemplary embodiment, a spring aperture extends entirely through the spring, a seal aperture extends entirely through the leaf seal, and a headless pin is disposed in the apertures such that the leaf seal and the spring are radially restrained by the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Clive A. Morgan, Todd S. Heffron, Eric J. Wienholts, Robert I. Ackerman, John P. Heyward
  • Patent number: 5584651
    Abstract: A shroud includes a panel having leading and trailing edges and inner and outer surfaces extending therebetween. A cooling passage extends through the panel from adjacent the leading edge to an intermediate location and is generally parallel to the inner and outer surfaces. The cooling passage has an inlet for receiving cooling air from adjacent the panel outer surface, a plurality of spaced apart turbulators disposed adjacent to the panel inner surface, and an outlet disposed at the leading edge for discharging the cooling air from the passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Edward F. Pietraszkiewicz, David A. Frey, Robert I. Ackerman, Carl D. Wright
  • Patent number: 5211536
    Abstract: The invention comprises the use of a split retaining ring cooperating with an inner nozzle support member to retain nozzle segments and a stationary seal without the use of threaded fasteners. Elimination of bolt heads from the rotor/stator cavity reduces windage losses and enables a shortening of the inner nozzle band overhang, reducing the requirement for high pressure cooling and cavity purge air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert I. Ackerman, Alan Walker, Ronald E. Schlechtweg