Patents by Inventor Wayne David Sullivan

Wayne David Sullivan 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: 11014205
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the installation or removal of turbine blades at a turbine blade base thereof. An apparatus according to the present disclosure can include: an operative head configured to engage an axial sidewall of a turbine blade base; and a mount removably coupled to a portion of a turbomachine assembly by a coupler, wherein the operative head is slidably coupled to the mount such that the operative selectively engages the axial sidewall of the turbine blade base, and wherein the operative head is shaped to impart an axial and a circumferential force against the turbine blade base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Hubert Karol Wojtowicz, Sandra Beverly Kolvick, Wayne David Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10280802
    Abstract: An apparatus for lifting an inner casing of a turbine includes a base, an arm, a guide roller, and an adjustment system. The arm has a first end and a second end, and is pivotally connected to the base intermediate the first end and the second end. The guide roller is operatively coupled to the first end of the arm to rotatably engage an exterior surface of the inner casing, and an adjustment system extending from the base and engaging the arm to change an angular position of the arm relative to the base and adjust a position of the guide roller relative to the exterior surface of the inner casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas Michael Merlau, Stuart Craig Hanson, Brett Darrick Klingler, Wayne David Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10273814
    Abstract: A tool for installing a turbomachine component in a first dovetail slot of a first component mount is provided. The tool may include a tool mount having a body for selective fixing in a second dovetail slot of a second component mount adjacent to the first component mount. The tool may also include a lever arm including a first portion, an intermediate pivot for pivotally engaging the tool mount, and a second portion for engaging the turbine component. Actuating the lever arm against the tool mount causes the second portion of the lever arm to install the turbomachine component into the first dovetail slot of the first component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sandra Beverly Kolvick, Jean-Philippe Guillard, James Bradford Holmes, Wayne David Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10265838
    Abstract: A tool for removing a component from a turbomachine is provided. The tool includes a body having a connection portion for engaging the component. The tool additionally includes a force section connected to the body and configured to transfer a force to the connection portion in a direction at an acute angle relative to longitudinal axis of a dovetail slot of a rotor wheel adjacent to the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sandra Beverly Kolvick, Stuart Craig Hanson, Wayne David Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20180126502
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the installation or removal of turbine blades at a turbine blade base thereof. An apparatus according to the present disclosure can include: an operative head configured to engage an axial sidewall of a turbine blade base; and a mount removably coupled to a portion of a turbomachine assembly by a coupler, wherein the operative head is slidably coupled to the mount such that the operative selectively engages the axial sidewall of the turbine blade base, and wherein the operative head is shaped to impart an axial and a circumferential force against the turbine blade base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventors: Hubert Karol WOJTOWICZ, Sandra Beverly KOLVICK, Wayne David SULLIVAN
  • Publication number: 20180066543
    Abstract: An apparatus for lifting an inner casing of a turbine includes a base, an arm, a guide roller, and an adjustment system. The arm has a first end and a second end, and is pivotally connected to the base intermediate the first end and the second end. The guide roller is operatively coupled to the first end of the arm to rotatably engage an exterior surface of the inner casing, and an adjustment system extending from the base and engaging the arm to change an angular position of the arm relative to the base and adjust a position of the guide roller relative to the exterior surface of the inner casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas Michael Merlau, Stuart Craig Hanson, Brett Darrick Klingler, Wayne David Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20170274510
    Abstract: A tool for removing a component from a turbomachine is provided. The tool includes a body having a connection portion for engaging the component. The tool additionally includes a force section connected to the body and configured to transfer a force to the connection portion in a direction at an acute angle relative to longitudinal axis of a dovetail slot of a rotor wheel adjacent to the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Inventors: Sandra Beverly Kolvick, Stuart Craig Hanson, Wayne David Sullivan
  • Patent number: 9713862
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a method of displacing a turbomachine component from position in a first slot of a turbomachine spacer disk. The method can include detachably affixing a mounting member of a displacement apparatus to a second slot in the gas turbomachine spacer disk using an attachment device, rotating a displacement arm of the displacement apparatus until the displacement arm contacts the turbomachine component, and displacing the turbomachine component from the position within the first slot by linearly actuating the displacement arm with a linear actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Bradford Holmes, James Robert Hollis, David Randolph Spracher, Wayne David Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20170191380
    Abstract: A tool for installing a turbomachine component in a first dovetail slot of a first component mount is provided. The tool may include a tool mount having a body for selective fixing in a second dovetail slot of a second component mount adjacent to the first component mount. The tool may also include a lever arm including a first portion, an intermediate pivot for pivotally engaging the tool mount, and a second portion for engaging the turbine component. Actuating the lever arm against the tool mount causes the second portion of the lever arm to install the turbomachine component into the first dovetail slot of the first component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Sandra Beverly Kolvick, Jean-Philippe Guillard, James Bradford Holmes, Wayne David Sullivan
  • Patent number: 9677428
    Abstract: A tool for removing a component from a turbomachine is provided. The tool includes a body having an alignment portion and a connection portion. The alignment portion defines a longitudinal axis and a cross sectional shape complementary to a slot defined in a rotor wheel of the turbomachine. When the tool is positioned in the slot, the connection portion is configured to contact the component. The tool additionally includes a force section connected to the body and configured to transfer a force to the connection portion in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the alignment portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Bradford Holmes, David Randolph Spracher, James Robert Hollis, Wayne David Sullivan
  • Patent number: 9636789
    Abstract: Various embodiments include methods adapted to displace turbomachine components from a location within a turbomachine. In some embodiments, a method of displacing a turbine bucket from a turbomachine wheel slot using a displacement apparatus, includes: detachably engaging an engagement arm of the displacement apparatus to the turbine bucket, the engagement arm attached to a linear actuator coupled to a body of the displacement apparatus, and the engagement arm adapted to be actuated in a first axial direction by the linear actuator; contacting the turbomachine wheel with at least two contacting portions of the body of the displacement apparatus; and displacing the turbine bucket from a position within a slot of the turbomachine wheel in the first axial direction by linearly actuating the engagement arm with the linear actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Bradford Holmes, James Robert Hollis, David Randolph Spracher, Wayne David Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20160332267
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a method of displacing a turbomachine component from position in a first slot of a turbomachine spacer disk. The method can include detachably affixing a mounting member of a displacement apparatus to a second slot in the gas turbomachine spacer disk using an attachment device, rotating a displacement arm of the displacement apparatus until the displacement arm contacts the turbomachine component, and displacing the turbomachine component from the position within the first slot by linearly actuating the displacement arm with a linear actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: James Bradford Holmes, James Robert Hollis, David Randolph Spracher, Wayne David Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20160271743
    Abstract: Various embodiments include methods adapted to displace turbomachine components from a location within a turbomachine. In some embodiments, a method of displacing a turbine bucket from a turbomachine wheel slot using a displacement apparatus, includes: detachably engaging an engagement arm of the displacement apparatus to the turbine bucket, the engagement arm attached to a linear actuator coupled to a body of the displacement apparatus, and the engagement arm adapted to be actuated in a first axial direction by the linear actuator; contacting the turbomachine wheel with at least two contacting portions of the body of the displacement apparatus; and displacing the turbine bucket from a position within a slot of the turbomachine wheel in the first axial direction by linearly actuating the engagement arm with the linear actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: James Bradford Holmes, James Robert Hollis, David Randolph Spracher, Wayne David Sullivan
  • Patent number: 9429041
    Abstract: Various embodiments include apparatuses adapted to displace components from a location within a turbomachine. In some embodiments an apparatus for displacing a component of a gas turbine from a first slot in a spacer disk includes a body including a mounting member configured to affixedly attach to a second slot of the spacer disk, a linear actuator coupled to the body and a displacement arm coupled to the linear actuator, the displacement arm actuatable in a first axial direction by the linear actuator to contact the component and displace the component relative to the first slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Bradford Holmes, James Robert Hollis, David Randolph Spracher, Wayne David Sullivan
  • Patent number: 9381602
    Abstract: Various embodiments include apparatuses adapted to displace turbomachine components from a location within a turbomachine. In some embodiments apparatuses for displacing a turbine bucket from a turbomachine wheel slot include a body having at least two contacting portions for contacting the turbomachine wheel, a linear actuator coupled to the body, and an engagement arm for engaging the turbine bucket, the engagement arm coupled to the linear actuator and adapted to be actuated in a first axial direction by the linear actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Bradford Holmes, James Robert Hollis, David Randolph Spracher, Wayne David Sullivan
  • Patent number: 9322504
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include apparatuses and systems used for the positioning of equipment. An apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can include a height adjustable table; a platform coupled to the height adjustable table; a tilt adjuster coupled to the platform, the tilt adjuster being configured to tilt the platform relative to the height adjustable table; an equipment support structure slidably connected to the platform, the equipment support structure being configured to support a piece of equipment; a drive mechanism coupled to the platform and configured to slidably move the equipment support structure across the platform; and a bracket coupled to the equipment support structure, wherein the bracket is configured to removably attach the piece of equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Alan Davi, Stuart Craig Hanson, Thomas Alan Mogle, II, Robert Joseph Rohrssen, Wayne David Sullivan, Jun Yang
  • Publication number: 20150328729
    Abstract: Various embodiments include apparatuses adapted to displace components from a location within a turbomachine. In some embodiments an apparatus for displacing a component of a gas turbine from a first slot in a spacer disk includes a body including a mounting member configured to affixedly attach to a second slot of the spacer disk, a linear actuator coupled to the body and a displacement arm coupled to the linear actuator, the displacement arm actuatable in a first axial direction by the linear actuator to contact the component and displace the component relative to the first slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Bradford Holmes, James Robert Hollis, David Randolph Spracher, Wayne David Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20150328728
    Abstract: Various embodiments include apparatuses adapted to displace turbomachine components from a location within a turbomachine. In some embodiments apparatuses for displacing a turbine bucket from a turbomachine wheel slot include a body having at least two contacting portions for contacting the turbomachine wheel, a linear actuator coupled to the body, and an engagement arm for engaging the turbine bucket, the engagement arm coupled to the linear actuator and adapted to be actuated in a first axial direction by the linear actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Bradford Holmes, James Robert Hollis, David Randolph Spracher, Wayne David Sullivan
  • Patent number: 9144866
    Abstract: Various embodiments include an apparatus for installing or removing a transition piece (TP) in a gas turbine. The apparatus can include: a control arm assembly sized to rest within an opening in the gas turbine; a guide system coupled to the control arm assembly, the guide system for transporting the TP within the opening in the gas turbine; and a counter balance coupled to the guide system, the counter balance for countering weight of the TP during the installing or the removing of the TP in the gas turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Bradford Holmes, James Robert Hollis, Wayne David Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20150260043
    Abstract: A tool for removing a component from a turbomachine is provided. The tool includes a body having an alignment portion and a connection portion. The alignment portion defines a longitudinal axis and a cross sectional shape complementary to a slot defined in a rotor wheel of the turbomachine. When the tool is positioned in the slot, the connection portion is configured to contact the component. The tool additionally includes a force section connected to the body and configured to transfer a force to the connection portion in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the alignment portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Bradford Holmes, David Randolph Spracher, James Robert Hollis, Wayne David Sullivan