Patents by Inventor Somesh J. Ghunakikar

Somesh J. Ghunakikar 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: 11982207
    Abstract: A method for repairing a tip portion of a turbine component having a structural defect is provided. The method includes removing a damaged section in turbine component with a structural defect in a tip portion of the turbine component. A pre-sintered preform is provided including a first portion having a first composition and a second portion having a second composition. The pre-sintered preform is configured to mate with an upper surface of a remaining portion of the turbine component. The method also includes applying the pre-sintered preform to the upper surface, wherein the PSP comprises a superalloy material and a braze material. The PSP and the remaining portion of the turbine component are subjected to a brazing process to melt the braze material and fill in the structural defect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Atul L. Navale, James A. Yarbrough, Somesh J. Ghunakikar, Ivan F. Oliver Vargas
  • Publication number: 20220145765
    Abstract: A method for repairing a tip portion of a turbine component having a structural defect is provided. The method includes removing a damaged section in turbine component with a structural defect in a tip portion of the turbine component. A pre-sintered preform is provided including a first portion having a first composition and a second portion having a second composition. The pre-sintered preform is configured to mate with an upper surface of a remaining portion of the turbine component. The method also includes applying the pre-sintered preform to the upper surface, wherein the PSP comprises a superalloy material and a braze material. The PSP and the remaining portion of the turbine component are subjected to a brazing process to melt the braze material and fill in the structural defect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Atul L. Navale, James A. Yarbrough, Somesh J. Ghunakikar, Ivan F. Oliver Vargas
  • Patent number: 10760422
    Abstract: A pre-sintered preform (114) and a repair process (100) utilizing the pre-sintered preform (114) are disclosed, each of which result in a brazement (116) comprising a replacement protective coating (118) deposited on a component surface (110). The protective coating (118) exhibits excellent temperature and oxidation resistance, improved adhesion to superalloy surfaces, and reduced depletion over a service life of the associated component (102).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Somesh J. Ghunakikar, James A. Yarbrough, Mark A. Garcia
  • Publication number: 20200049012
    Abstract: A pre-sintered preform (114) and a repair process (100) utilizing the pre-sintered preform (114) are disclosed, each of which result in a brazement (116) comprising a replacement protective coating (118) deposited on a component surface (110). The protective coating (118) exhibits excellent temperature and oxidation resistance, improved adhesion to superalloy surfaces, and reduced depletion over a service life of the associated component (102).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Somesh J. Ghunakikar, James A. Yarbrough, Mark A. Garcia
  • Patent number: 10392938
    Abstract: A pre-sintered preform (114) and a repair process (100) utilizing the pre-sintered preform (114) are disclosed, each of which result in a brazement (116) comprising a replacement protective coating (118) deposited on a component surface (110). The protective coating (118) exhibits excellent temperature and oxidation resistance, improved adhesion to superalloy surfaces, and reduced depletion over a service life of the associated component (102).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Somesh J. Ghunakikar, James A. Yarbrough, Mark A. Garcia
  • Patent number: 9873171
    Abstract: A method for holding a sintering filler material during a brazing/sintering operation for repairing a damaged area of a component wherein the component is in either a bonding face down position, bonding face vertical position or bonding face up position. The method includes providing a wire mesh and attaching the wire mesh to the component in a location corresponding to the damaged area. Further, the method includes forming a gap between the wire mesh and the component. Moreover, the sintering filler material may be inside the wire mesh or both inside and outside the wire mesh in order to secure the sintering filler material to the damaged area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Hang Li, Mark A. Garcia, Somesh J. Ghunakikar, William J. Lowe
  • Publication number: 20170057024
    Abstract: A method for holding a sintering filler material during a brazing/sintering operation for repairing a damaged area of a component wherein the component is in either a bonding face down position, bonding face vertical position or bonding face up position. The method includes providing a wire mesh and attaching the wire mesh to the component in a location corresponding to the damaged area. Further, the method includes forming a gap between the wire mesh and the component. Moreover, the sintering filler material may be inside the wire mesh or both inside and outside the wire mesh in order to secure the sintering filler material to the damaged area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Hang Li, Mark A. Garcia, Somesh J. Ghunakikar, William J. Lowe
  • Publication number: 20160279740
    Abstract: A method of braze repair of a base alloy component that includes a braze thermal cycle including a specially chosen peak braze temperature holding time segment and a purposely selected subsequent diffusion heat treatment segment. A multi-layer braze filler material structure used for the braze repair of a base alloy component including at least a first superalloy layer and a single mixture layer. The single mixture layer including at least a braze alloy and a second superalloy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Hang Li, Somesh J. Ghunakikar, William J. Lowe, Mark A. Garcia
  • Patent number: 9254537
    Abstract: A process for repairing combined heavy erosion and thermal fatigue cracks and/or other defects, such as large cracks, in a high temperature superalloy component, such as a vane in a turbine section of a gas turbine engine, that does not require mechanical grinding to prepare the defect site. The process includes depositing a loose finely granulated superalloy powder or a low viscosity superalloy slurry in the crack up to a suitable level and then depositing a superalloy putty layer on the superalloy powder or slurry at the top of the crack A braze putty layer is then deposited over the superalloy putty layer and the component is sintered in a vacuum furnace to harden the superalloy putty and powder or slurry to repair the defect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Hang Li, Mark A. Garcia, Somesh J. Ghunakikar, William J. Lowe
  • Publication number: 20150360328
    Abstract: A method for holding a sintering filler material during a brazing/sintering operation for repairing a damaged area of a component wherein the component is in either a bonding face down position, bonding face vertical position or bonding face up position. The method includes providing a wire mesh and attaching the wire mesh to the component in a location corresponding to the damaged area. Further, the method includes forming a gap between the wire mesh and the component. Moreover, the sintering filler material may be inside the wire mesh or both inside and outside the wire mesh in order to secure the sintering filler material to the damaged area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventors: Hang Li, Mark A. Garcia, Somesh J. Ghunakikar, William J. Lowe
  • Publication number: 20150174707
    Abstract: A process for repairing combined heavy erosion and thermal fatigue cracks and/or other defects, such as large cracks, in a high temperature superalloy component, such as a vane in a turbine section of a gas turbine engine, that does not require mechanical grinding to prepare the defect site. The process includes depositing a loose finely granulated superalloy powder or a low viscosity superalloy slurry in the crack up to a suitable level and then depositing a superalloy putty layer on the superalloy powder or slurry at the top of the crack A braze putty layer is then deposited over the superalloy putty layer and the component is sintered in a vacuum furnace to harden the superalloy putty and powder or slurry to repair the defect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventors: Hang Li, Mark A. Garcia, Somesh J. Ghunakikar, William J. Lowe
  • Patent number: 8215915
    Abstract: A blade closing key system includes a first key piece and a second key piece. The first key piece includes a first finger and an elongated alignment plate. The second key piece includes a second finger and a key slot. The key pieces are installed in a cavity collectively formed by a notch in a blade root and a slot in a rotor disc. The first and second fingers are bent toward each other and engage each other at their ends. Simultaneously, at least a portion of the alignment plate is received in the key slot. During engine operation, the engagement between the alignment plate and the key slot keeps the first and second key pieces aligned. Thus, regardless of the width of either of the two key pieces or the width of the cavity, the fingers remain constantly engaged during engine operation, minimizing the potential for blade liberation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip F. Souers, Mahmood K. Silieti, Somesh J. Ghunakikar, James A. Chonody
  • Publication number: 20100290914
    Abstract: A blade closing key system includes a first key piece and a second key piece. The first key piece includes a first finger and an elongated alignment plate. The second key piece includes a second finger and a key slot. The key pieces are installed in a cavity collectively formed by a notch in a blade root and a slot in a rotor disc. The first and second fingers are bent toward each other and engage each other at their ends. Simultaneously, at least a portion of the alignment plate is received in the key slot. During engine operation, the engagement between the alignment plate and the key slot keeps the first and second key pieces aligned. Thus, regardless of the width of either of the two key pieces or the width of the cavity, the fingers remain constantly engaged during engine operation, minimizing the potential for blade liberation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventors: Philip F. Souers, Mahmood K. Silieti, Somesh J. Ghunakikar, James A. Chonody