Patents by Inventor Robert T. Brooks

Robert T. Brooks 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: 9845698
    Abstract: A belly band seal for use in a multi-stage turbomachine having plural rotor disks includes a seal strip positionable in a space between a pair of arms defined by opposing portions of adjoining rotors. The seal strip includes opposite edges for locating in respective slots in end faces of said pair of arms. The belly band seal further includes an anti-rotation structure disposed on a radially inner surface of the seal strip. The anti-rotation structure is configured as a cantilever having a pivoted end fixed to the radially inner surface and a free end comprising a radially inwardly extending engagement member for removably positioning in a radial recess in one of the arms. The cantilever is configured so as to urge the engagement member toward the radial recess by spring action. The radial recess is configured to constrain a tangential movement of the engagement member upon being positioned therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert T. Brooks, Manish S. Gurao
  • Patent number: 9771813
    Abstract: A transition duct system (100) for routing a gas flow from a combustor (102) to the first stage (104) of a turbine section (106) in a combustion turbine engine (108), wherein the transition duct system (100) includes one or more converging flow joint inserts (120) forming a trailing edge (122) at an intersection (124) between adjacent transition ducts (126, 128) is disclosed. The transition duct system (100) may include a transition duct (126, 128) having an internal passage (130) extending between an inlet (132, 184) to an outlet (134, 186) and may expel gases into the first stage turbine (104) with a tangential component. The converging flow joint insert (120) may be contained within a converging flow joint insert receiver (136) and disconnected from the transition duct bodies (126, 128) by which the converging flow joint insert (120) is positioned. Being disconnected eliminates stress formation within the converging flow joint insert (120), thereby enhancing the life of the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY, INC.
    Inventor: Robert T. Brooks
  • Publication number: 20170130595
    Abstract: A transition duct system (100) for routing a gas flow from a combustor (102) to the first stage (104) of a turbine section (106) in a combustion turbine engine (108), wherein the transition duct system (100) includes one or more converging flow joint inserts (120) forming a trailing edge (122) at an intersection (124) between adjacent transition ducts (126, 128) is disclosed. The transition duct system (100) may include a transition duct (126, 128) having an internal passage (130) extending between an inlet (132, 184) to an outlet (134, 186) and may expel gases into the first stage turbine (104) with a tangential component. The converging flow joint insert (120) may be contained within a converging flow joint insert receiver (136) and disconnected from the transition duct bodies (126, 128) by which the converging flow joint insert (120) is positioned. Being disconnected eliminates stress formation within the converging flow joint insert (120), thereby enhancing the life of the insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventor: Robert T. BROOKS
  • Publication number: 20160376902
    Abstract: A belly band seal for use in a multi-stage turbomachine having plural rotor disks includes a seal strip positionable in a space between a pair of arms defined by opposing portions of adjoining rotors. The seal strip includes opposite edges for locating in respective slots in end faces of said pair of arms. The belly band seal further includes an anti-rotation structure disposed on a radially inner surface of the seal strip. The anti-rotation structure is configured as a cantilever having a pivoted end fixed to the radially inner surface and a free end comprising a radially inwardly extending engagement member for removably positioning in a radial recess in one of the arms. The cantilever is configured so as to urge the engagement member toward the radial recess by spring action. The radial recess is configured to constrain a tangential movement of the engagement member upon being positioned therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Robert T. Brooks, Manish S. Gurao
  • Patent number: 9328664
    Abstract: An adjustable transition duct support system for a transition duct that channels hot gases from a combustor exit to a gas turbine inlet of a turbine engine. The adjustable transition duct support system includes an adjustable forward transition flexible support assembly in contact with a transition duct body, whereby the forward transition flexible support assembly may be formed from a base extending toward the transition duct body and first and second side support arms extending from the base to the transition duct body. The first and second side support arms may be formed from a plurality of flex plates spaced from each other with spacers that provide rigidity in circumferential and radial directions and flexibility in an axial direction. The number of flex plates used may be varied to accommodate different turbine engines. The adjustable transition duct support system may have natural frequencies for circumferential and radial modes above two engine orders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Keith W. Piersall, Yevgeniy Shteyman, Robert Angel, Ashley N. Girdich, Robert T. Brooks, James Alfonso, James Marshall
  • Publication number: 20150128609
    Abstract: An adjustable transition duct support system for a transition duct that channels hot gases from a combustor exit to a gas turbine inlet of a turbine engine. The adjustable transition duct support system includes an adjustable forward transition flexible support assembly in contact with a transition duct body, whereby the forward transition flexible support assembly may be formed from a base extending toward the transition duct body and first and second side support arms extending from the base to the transition duct body. The first and second side support arms may be formed from a plurality of flex plates spaced from each other with spacers that provide rigidity in circumferential and radial directions and flexibility in an axial direction. The number of flex plates used may be varied to accommodate different turbine engines. The adjustable transition duct support system may have natural frequencies for circumferential and radial modes above two engine orders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Keith W. Piersall, Yevgeniy Shteyman, Robert Angel, Ashley N. Girdich, Robert T. Brooks, James Alfonso, James Marshall
  • Patent number: 8721278
    Abstract: A flange connection for an exhaust section of a gas turbine engine. The flange connection includes a stub flange attached to an exhaust manifold. The stub flange has a first axial face for engagement with the axial face of a cylinder flange extending radially from an exhaust cylinder. A plate structure attached to the cylinder flange is configured to provide axial retention of the stub flange to the axial face of the cylinder flange. The plate structure includes a resilient beam portion extending radially inwardly and engaging a second axial face of the stub flange. The stub flange is retained between the cylinder flange and the beam portion of the plate structure in an interference fit to provide three degrees of freedom of the stub flange relative to the exhaust cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Yevgeniy Shteyman, James Marshall, Brian Micklos, Jonathan Leagon, Christopher Scogin, Brian H. Terpos, Robert T. Brooks, Scott Smith, Robert W. Spitzer, David Wiebe
  • Patent number: 8123228
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine augmentor has a centerbody within a gas flowpath from upstream to downstream. The augmentor has upstream and downstream shell sections, a downstream rim of the upstream shell section meeting an upstream rim of the downstream shell section shell section. A plurality of vanes are positioned in the gas flowpath outboard of the centerbody. An augmentor spray bar fuel conduit extends through the centerbody and a first of the vanes to deliver fuel to the centerbody. A seal is mounted to the spray bar and positioned in a recess extending from at least one of the downstream rim of the upstream shell section and upstream rim of the downstream shell section shell section. The seal has a first portion and a second portion engaging the first portion in a backlocked interfitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Marc J. Muldoon, Tor W. Sherwood, Meggan H. Harris-Miller, Robert T. Brooks
  • Publication number: 20120023968
    Abstract: A flange connection for an exhaust section of a gas turbine engine. The flange connection includes a stub flange attached to an exhaust manifold. The stub flange has a first axial face for engagement with the axial face of a cylinder flange extending radially from an exhaust cylinder. A plate structure attached to the cylinder flange is configured to provide axial retention of the stub flange to the axial face of the cylinder flange. The plate structure includes a resilient beam portion extending radially inwardly and engaging a second axial face of the stub flange. The stub flange is retained between the cylinder flange and the beam portion of the plate structure in an interference fit to provide three degrees of freedom of the stub flange relative to the exhaust cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Yevgeniy Shteyman, James Marshall, Brian Micklos, Jonathan Leagon, Christopher Scogin, Brian H. Terpos, Robert T. Brooks, Scott Smith, Robert W. Spitzer, David Wiebe
  • Publication number: 20110056706
    Abstract: A swellable packer (10) includes upper and lower end rings (20, 22) and elastomeric bodies (12, 14) spaced between the upper and lower end rings to expand and thereby close off an annulus about the downhole tubular. The elastomeric body may be positioned such that a slot (26) in the body receives a control line (28).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: TAM INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Robert T. Brooks
  • Patent number: 7871242
    Abstract: A rotational flow balance system includes an actuator system which controls operation of both a fan duct blocker ring and a modulated exhaust cooling ring through a kinematic system. The kinematic system is controlled by the single actuator system such that the modulated exhaust cooling ring will remain in a fixed position while the fan duct blocker ring can be moved to satisfy operational requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy A. Swanson, Carl T. Elving, Robert T. Brooks
  • Patent number: 7753131
    Abstract: A high temperature packer (10) force a tubular string in a well, and includes a packer mandrel (12) and an elastomeric packer body (14) positioned circumferentially about the mandrel. An upper packer head (16) and a lower packer head (18) are each positioned about the mandrel and secured to an end of the packer body. A connector (24) axially interconnects at least one of the upper packer head and lower packer head to the packer mandrel, and a temperature responsive member (30) maintains the connector in position to secure the packer head to the mandrel until the temperature in the well rises to a level such that the responsive member yields to allow the connector to release the packer head from the mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Tam International, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert T. Brooks
  • Publication number: 20100161287
    Abstract: A system and process for managing measurement data and generating production and engineering drawings from measurements obtained from a sample population parts to generates and parametrically update engineering and production drawings from measurement data of actual parts. The system and process provides efficient allocation of measurement resources to generate engineering drawings and models. The resources are allocated in a manner that eliminates and reduce time required for producing and generating usable engineering models and drawings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Marc R. Sauerhoefer, Robert T. Brooks
  • Patent number: 7699111
    Abstract: A float collar 10 includes a housing 12 and a generally sleeve-shaped elastomer 20. The lower plate 30 and an upper plate 32 are each supported on an elongate rod 22, and at least one of the plates is axially fixed relative to the tubular housing. The plate intended for exposure to fluid pressure includes a plurality of arcuate flow ports 34 for communication with the annulus between the tubular housing and the elastomer prior to swelling of the elastomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: TAM International, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert T. Brooks, Frank V. De Lucia
  • Publication number: 20100044028
    Abstract: A high temperature packer (10) force a tubular string in a well, and includes a packer mandrel (12) and an elastomeric packer body (14) positioned circumferentially about the mandrel. An upper packer head (16) and a lower packer head (18) are each positioned about the mandrel and secured to an end of the packer body. A connector (24) axially interconnects at least one of the upper packer head and lower packer head to the packer mandrel, and a temperature responsive member (30) maintains the connector in position to secure the packer head to the mandrel until the temperature in the well rises to a level such that the responsive member yields to allow the connector to release the packer head from the mandrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventor: Robert T. Brooks
  • Patent number: 7647775
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine fueling system includes a number of spray bars having conduits extending through associated vanes. A number of fuel injector nozzles are along each conduit. Each of the nozzles are positioned to discharge an associated fuel stream from one of the sides of the associated vane. A number of wear members are each mounted relative to the associated one of the nozzles for a range of motion relative thereto. The wear members movably cooperate with the associated vane to accommodate operating deflection and/or tolerances of the spray bars and vanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Marc J. Muldoon, Tor W. Sherwood, Meggan H. Harris, Robert T. Brooks
  • Publication number: 20090299687
    Abstract: A method of inspecting gas turbine engine rotor disks for reverse engineering includes establishing a plurality of datums for providing a local coordinate system, establishing rim face and primary rim slot data, manually verifying coordinate measuring machine probe indexing relative to probe locations on a rotor disk programming coordinate measuring machine probing of the primary rim slot as a function of the manually verified coordinate measuring machine probe indexing along a plurality of scan lines that are substantially parallel to each other, obtaining coordinate measuring machine probing data from coordinate measuring machine probing of a plurality of sample rotor disks, outputting dimension data as a function of average values of coordinate measuring machine probing data for the plurality of sample rotor disks, and outputting tolerance data as a function of dimension data value ranges for the plurality of sample rotor disks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Robert T. Brooks, Wayne D. Nye, Donald P. Oswald
  • Publication number: 20090260365
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine augmentor has a centerbody within a gas flowpath from upstream to downstream. The augmentor has upstream and downstream shell sections, a downstream rim of the upstream shell section meeting an upstream rim of the downstream shell section shell section. A plurality of vanes are positioned in the gas flowpath outboard of the centerbody. An augmentor spray bar fuel conduit extends through the centerbody and a first of the vanes to deliver fuel to the centerbody. A seal is mounted to the spray bar and positioned in a recess extending from at least one of the downstream rim of the upstream shell section and upstream rim of the downstream shell section shell section. The seal has a first portion and a second portion engaging the first portion in a backlocked interfitting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Marc J. Muldoon, Tor W. Sherwood, Meggan H. Harris, Robert T. Brooks
  • Patent number: 7578131
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine augmentor has a centerbody within a gas flowpath from upstream to downstream. The augmentor has upstream and downstream shell sections, a downstream rim of the upstream shell section meeting an upstream rim of the downstream shell section shell section. A plurality of vanes are positioned in the gas flowpath outboard of the centerbody. An augmentor spray bar fuel conduit extends through the centerbody and a first of the vanes to deliver fuel to the centerbody. A seal is mounted to the spray bar and positioned in a recess extending from at least one of the downstream rim of the upstream shell section and upstream rim of the downstream shell section shell section. The seal has a first portion and a second portion engaging the first portion in a backlocked interfitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Marc J. Muldoon, Tor W. Sherwood, Meggan H. Harris, Robert T. Brooks
  • Publication number: 20090188678
    Abstract: A float collar 10 includes a housing 12 and a generally sleeve-shaped elastomer 20. The lower plate 30 and an upper plate 32 are each supported on an elongate rod 22, and at least one of the plates is axially fixed relative to the tubular housing. The plate intended for exposure to fluid pressure includes a plurality of arcuate flow ports 34 for communication with the annulus between the tubular housing and the elastomer prior to swelling of the elastomer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventors: Robert T. Brooks, Frank V. De Lucia