Patents by Inventor Zachary Lane Walters

Zachary Lane Walters 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: 11099010
    Abstract: An alignment system and method for aligning the shaft centerline of rotating equipment positioned on opposing roller stands are provided. The system includes a laser transmission unit on the first stand and a target unit on the second stand. The laser transmission unit includes a laser that transmits a laser beam to a target on the target unit. When the laser beam contacts the center of the target, the roller stands are aligned. The system may be automated to detect the position of the laser beam relative to the target center and to adjust, as needed, the position of one of or both the roller stands using hydraulic cylinders coupled to a roller stand platform. The system and method reduce the time, effort, and manpower required to perform the alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jose Troitino Lopez, Robert Edward Huth, Zachary Lane Walters
  • Patent number: 10632577
    Abstract: Various embodiments include an apparatus for servicing a turbomachine, along with a related servicing method. In some cases, the apparatus includes: a system for servicing a turbomachine casing having adjacent segments joined with a set of threaded fasteners, the system including: a threaded fastener tensioning device sized to fit over ends of a threaded fastener in the set of threaded fasteners, the threaded fastener tensioning device including: a retention component for retaining a first end of the threaded fastener; and a tensioner for tensioning or de-tensioning a second end of the threaded fastener; and a mounting system coupled with the threaded fastener tensioning device, the mounting system for retaining the threaded fastener tensioning device proximate the adjacent segments of the turbomachine casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Maxwell Evan Miller, Robert Edward Huth, Zachary Lane Walters
  • Publication number: 20190390572
    Abstract: An alignment system and method for aligning the shaft centerline of rotating equipment positioned on opposing roller stands are provided. The system includes a laser transmission unit on the first stand and a target unit on the second stand. The laser transmission unit includes a laser that transmits a laser beam to a target on the target unit. When the laser beam contacts the center of the target, the roller stands are aligned. The system may be automated to detect the position of the laser beam relative to the target center and to adjust, as needed, the position of one of or both the roller stands using hydraulic cylinders coupled to a roller stand platform. The system and method reduce the time, effort, and manpower required to perform the alignment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jose Troitino Lopez, Robert Edward Huth, Zachary Lane Walters
  • Publication number: 20180333812
    Abstract: Various embodiments include an apparatus for servicing a turbomachine, along with a related servicing method. In some cases, the apparatus includes: a system for servicing a turbomachine casing having adjacent segments joined with a set of threaded fasteners, the system including: a threaded fastener tensioning device sized to fit over ends of a threaded fastener in the set of threaded fasteners, the threaded fastener tensioning device including: a retention component for retaining a first end of the threaded fastener; and a tensioner for tensioning or de-tensioning a second end of the threaded fastener; and a mounting system coupled with the threaded fastener tensioning device, the mounting system for retaining the threaded fastener tensioning device proximate the adjacent segments of the turbomachine casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Inventors: Maxwell Evan Miller, Robert Edward Huth, Zachary Lane Walters