Patents by Inventor Samuel Thomas Walter Francis

Samuel Thomas Walter Francis 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: 8922203
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward a system that includes a turbomachine blade monitoring system having an eddy current proximity probe assembly. The eddy current proximity probe assembly includes an eddy current proximity probe having a probe tip and a probe tip shroud disposed about the probe tip, wherein the probe tip shroud comprises a non-metallic material. The eddy current proximity probe is configured to provide a signal indicative of a presence of a turbomachine blade, wherein the eddy current proximity probe assembly is configured to be disposed within a turbomachine casing. The turbomachine blade monitoring system also includes a monitor coupled to the eddy current proximity probe assembly, wherein the monitor is configured to monitor a parameter of the turbomachine blade based on the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kristoffer Wayne Wickstead, Samuel Thomas Walter Francis, Jesse Lewis Hanna, Sherrie Ann Clark
  • Patent number: 8812254
    Abstract: Embodiments of methods and systems for monitoring stator winding vibration of a rotating electric machine are provided. According to one example embodiment, a system includes at least one sensor including at least one conductive sensor antenna deposited on a first side of at least one layer of a printed circuit board substrate and positioned to substantially face a stator winding, and a non-conductive shield mounted to an opposing side of the printed circuit board substrate and positioned to substantially face away from the stator winding. The system further includes an alternating current power source in communication with the sensor and operable to deliver current to the conductive sensor antenna. A signal processing unit may be in communication with the sensor, operable to measure a load on the sensor antenna and to transmit vibration data to a controller responsive to the load on the sensor antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Boris Leonid Sheikman, Dwayne Andrew Folden, Samuel Thomas Walter Francis
  • Publication number: 20130181699
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward a system that includes a turbomachine blade monitoring system having an eddy current proximity probe assembly. The eddy current proximity probe assembly includes an eddy current proximity probe having a probe tip and a probe tip shroud disposed about the probe tip, wherein the probe tip shroud comprises a non-metallic material. The eddy current proximity probe is configured to provide a signal indicative of a presence of a turbomachine blade, wherein the eddy current proximity probe assembly is configured to be disposed within a turbomachine casing. The turbomachine blade monitoring system also includes a monitor coupled to the eddy current proximity probe assembly, wherein the monitor is configured to monitor a parameter of the turbomachine blade based on the signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Kristoffer Wayne Wickstead, Samuel Thomas Walter Francis, Jesse Lewis Hanna, Sherrie Ann Clark
  • Publication number: 20120126829
    Abstract: A method for measuring a proximity of a component with respect to a microwave emitter is provided. The method comprises transmitting at least one microwave signal to the microwave emitter. At least one electromagnetic field is generated by the microwave emitter from the microwave signal. Moreover, the method comprises inducing a loading to the microwave emitter by an interaction between the component and the electromagnetic field, wherein at least one detuned loading signal representative of the loading is reflected within a data conduit from the microwave emitter. The detuned loading signal is received by at least one signal processing device. The signal processing device then measures the proximity of the component with respect to the microwave emitter based on the loading signal. An electrical output is generated by the signal processing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: Boris Leonid Sheikman, Dwayne Andrew Folden, Samuel Thomas Walter Francis, Steven YueHin Go
  • Publication number: 20100211334
    Abstract: Embodiments of methods and systems for monitoring stator winding vibration of a rotating electric machine are provided. According to one example embodiment, a system includes at least one sensor including at least one conductive sensor antenna deposited on a first side of at least one layer of a printed circuit board substrate and positioned to substantially face a stator winding, and a non-conductive shield mounted to an opposing side of the printed circuit board substrate and positioned to substantially face away from the stator winding. The system further includes an alternating current power source in communication with the sensor and operable to deliver current to the conductive sensor antenna. A signal processing unit may be in communication with the sensor, operable to measure a load on the sensor antenna and to transmit vibration data to a controller responsive to the load on the sensor antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Boris Leonid Sheikman, Dwayne Andrew Folden, Samuel Thomas Walter Francis