Patents Assigned to General Electric
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR A RAIL VEHICLE INCLUDING A SOURCE OF GASEOUS NATURAL GAS
    Publication number: 20140033738
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for supplying gaseous natural gas to a rail vehicle. In one embodiment, a method of receiving fuel for use by a first vehicle comprises sending a request from the first vehicle to a remote liquid fuel container to convert a portion of the fuel in the liquid fuel container that is in a first, liquid phase from the first, liquid phase to a second, gaseous phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ronald Gene BILLIG, Taral SHAH
  • LEAK PLUGGING IN COMPONENTS WITH FLUID FLOW PASSAGES
    Publication number: 20140034144
    Abstract: A method for repairing a component with a leak are disclosed. In an embodiment, a component having at least one fluid flow path with a leak therein is provided. The component may be made of a first material. A second material may be introduced into the fluid flow path, and propelled into the location of the leak in the flow path. Once there, the second material is melted and solidified, forming a plug that occludes the leak.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Yan Cui, Srikanth Chandrudu Kottilingam, Dechao Lin, Brian Lee Tollison
  • METHODS FOR APPLYING FIXED IMAGES TO ELECTROCHEMICAL DEVICES
    Publication number: 20140037857
    Abstract: A method for applying a fixed image onto at least one surface of a component in an electrochemical device is described. The component is usually formed of an alumina material. An image-forming material is first applied onto the component surface in its green state. The mark or image is applied in a desired pattern by an additive process, such as direct-write or screen-printing. The component is then heated at a sintering temperature sufficient to ensure conversion from the green state into a fired ceramic state. The sintering temperatures are also sufficient to fix the image upon the surface of the component. The image can be read by the human eye, or by various machine-readable techniques. Related methods for monitoring the location and status of a ceramic electrochemical cell component during its manufacture and during other processing steps are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mark Allen Cheverton, Neil Anthony Johnson
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROTECTION OF GAS TURBINE HOT GAS PATH AND ROTOR PARTS FROM THERMAL DISTRESS
    Publication number: 20140039704
    Abstract: A system for operating a gas turbine includes a controller configured to: receive input from a plurality of sensors that sense parameters of the gas turbine during operation; run a first model of the operation of the gas turbine from one or more of the parameters; determine one or more unmeasured variables of the operation from the first model; run a second model of process variables from one or more of the sensed parameters and one or more of the unmeasured variables; determine differences between the process variables and associated boundaries; and adjust one or more effectors of the gas turbine to maintain a predetermined margin between the process variables and hardware physical limits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Valerie Suzanne VERNET, Michael James FEDOR
  • ULTRASONIC PROBE
    Publication number: 20140036633
    Abstract: An array of ultrasonic transducers is formed on a piezoelectric polymer foil. Ultrasonic transducer electrodes are formed on a first side of the foil and a ground layer is formed on a second side of the foil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventor: York Oberdoerfer
  • HEATER ASSEMBLY FOR AN APPLIANCE
    Publication number: 20140034631
    Abstract: A heater assembly for an appliance is provided. The heater assembly includes a housing and a thermostat. The housing defines an aperture. The thermostat includes a probe that is positioned adjacent the aperture. The aperture can increase the accuracy of temperature measurements by the thermostat and hinder unnecessary tripping of the thermostat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Alexander Daniel James, Stephen Bernard Froelicher, Richard Dustin Henderson, Ionelia Silvia Prajescu
  • SELF-LOCKING FIXTURE
    Publication number: 20140035214
    Abstract: The present invention provides a self-locking fixture for adjustably positioning a work piece relative to a machine. The self-locking fixture may include a first base, a work piece holder slideably connected to the first base, and a first resistance element for resisting the work piece holder sliding relative to the first base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Zheng Huang
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING IN-FLIGHT WEATHER DATA
    Publication number: 20140039733
    Abstract: A method for providing one or more aircraft with weather data during flight includes generating a weather model using a source of weather data. The weather model incorporates flight operations information and performance requirements. The method includes generating a weather message from the weather model. The weather message is generated in a format that is compatible with the aircraft. The method also includes transmitting the weather message to the aircraft during flight of the aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Liling Ren, Joel Kenneth Klooster, Harold Woodruff Tomlinson, JR.
  • Intelligent Level Transition Systems and Methods for Transformerless Uninterruptible Power Supply
    Publication number: 20140036555
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) to transition between three- or higher-level operation and two-level operation in a neutral-point-clamped (NPC) inverter. In an example, a UPS system includes an NPC inverter and a controller. The NPC inverter may supply power to a load. The controller may control the inverter to operate in a three-level mode or higher when the load is substantially balanced and to operate in a two-level mode when the load is substantially unbalanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Yashomani Y. Kolhatkar, Silvio Colombi, Marco Piemontesi, Lauro Strozzi, M N Lakshmi Prasad
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR POWERING A RAIL VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20140033946
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for supplying gaseous natural gas and electrical energy to a rail vehicle. In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving natural gas at an engine on board a rail vehicle during engine operation, stopping the engine in response to an engine shutdown request, and receiving electrical energy from off board the rail vehicle to power the rail vehicle for at least a period while the engine is stopped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ronald Gene BILLIG, Taral SHAH
  • ELECTROCHEMICAL MACHINING TOOLS AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20140034513
    Abstract: An electrochemical machining tool and method capable of rounding sharp edges that may be prone to cracking, for example, edge regions of cooling slots within dovetail slots of turbine wheels. The electrochemical machining tool includes an electrode and is secured to the component. The electrode of the electrochemical machining tool is inserted into a first slot, an electrolyte solution is applied between the electrode of the electrochemical machining tool and a second slot that intersects the first slot, an electrical potential is applied to the electrode and the turbine wheel to create a potential gradient between the electrode and the edge of the second slot, and material is removed from the edge of the second slot by displacing the electrode about and along the edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Bradford Holmes, Andrew Lee Trimmer, Seung-Woo Choi
  • METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DISSOLVED GAS ANALYSIS
    Publication number: 20140036954
    Abstract: A method for dissolved gas analysis is presented. The method includes the steps of irradiating a fluid with electromagnetic radiation; and determining a concentration of a gas as a function of a temperature change of the fluid in response to the irradiation. A device for such an analysis of dissolved gases in a fluid, and a system having such device are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sandip Maity, Nagapriya Kavoori Sethumadhavan, Shashank Sinha
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AN OPC UA SERVER
    Publication number: 20140040431
    Abstract: A system includes an OPC UA server having a memory configured to provide an address space arranged into a plurality of reference nodes, in which each reference node is associated with data stored in a data source. The system further includes a processor configured to receive an OPC UA client request for the data associated with a particular reference node. The processor is also configured to request and receive from the data source the data associated with the particular reference node. The processor is further configured to reply to the OPC UA client request with the data received from the data source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Dattaraj Jagdish Rao, Ronald Ray Larson, Katrina Marie Griffith, Stephen Daniel Tynor
  • Hybrid Air Plasma Spray and Slurry Method of Environmental Barrier Deposition
    Publication number: 20140037969
    Abstract: A bond layer may be applied to the substrate of an article and a first layer may be applied to the bond layer by thermal spray. A second layer may be applied above the first layer by slurry coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Joshua Lee Margolies, Herbert Chidsey Roberts, Don Mark Lipkin, Glen Harold Kirby, Nicholas Edward Antolino
  • TURBOMACHINE EXHAUST DIFFUSER
    Publication number: 20140037439
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a turbomachine exhaust diffuser. In some embodiments, the turbomachine diffuser includes an inlet, an outlet opposing the inlet along a primary axis of the turbomachine diffuser, and a diffuser region between the inlet and the outlet. The diffuser region can include: a radially outer wall and a radially inner wall opposing the radially outer wall. The radially inner wall can include: a first section including a substantially uniform slope, and a second section continuous with the first section, the second section having a non-uniform slope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Prakash Bavanjibhai Dalsania, Antanu Sadhu
  • Fuel-Air Mixer For Use With A Combustor Assembly
    Publication number: 20140033722
    Abstract: A fuel-air mixer for use with a combustor is provided. The fuel-air mixer includes an outer ring, an intermediate hub disposed coaxially within the outer ring such that a first plenum is formed therebetween, and an inner hub disposed coaxially within the intermediate hub such that a second plenum is formed therebetween. A first swirler including a plurality of first swirler vanes is positioned between the outer ring and the intermediate hub, wherein the first swirler is configured to rotate fluid flowing therethrough in a first direction. A second swirler including a plurality of second swirler vanes is positioned between the intermediate hub and the inner hub, wherein the second swirler is configured to rotate fluid flowing therethrough in a second direction. A plurality of fuel injection conduits are also defined within the fuel-air mixer for channeling fuel to the first and second plenums.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Ahmed A. Abdel-Hafez, Ahmed Mostafa EL Kady, Nan Zong, Richard Bradford Hook, JR., Steven Handelsman
  • ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS AND RELATED METHODS
    Publication number: 20140038038
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell is presented. The electrochemical cell includes an elongated ion-conducting separator defining at least a portion of a first compartment; a positive electrode composition disposed in the first compartment, the positive electrode composition comprising at least one electroactive metal, at least one alkali metal halide, and at least one electrolyte. A positive current collector is further disposed in the first compartment such that a portion of the positive current collector extends into the positive electrode composition, and a primary dimension of the extended portion of the positive current collector is less than about 20% of a primary dimension of the first compartment. A related method for the preparation of an electrochemical cell is also presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael Alan Vallance, Brandon Alan Bartling
  • CASTING METHODS AND MOLDED ARTICLES PRODUCED THEREFROM
    Publication number: 20140037981
    Abstract: A method comprising introducing a first casting material into a casting mold; applying directional solidification to the first casting material in the casting mold; introducing a second casting material into the casting mold, the second casting material having a different chemical composition than the first casting material; applying directional solidification to the second casting material in the casting mold; and forming a molded article, wherein the molded article comprises a first region
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Yan Cui, David Vincent Bucci, Ganjiang Feng, Srikanth Chandrudu Kottilingam, Dechao Lin
  • MOBILE APPLICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20140035723
    Abstract: Systems and methods of the invention relate to authorize a driver to enter and/or exit a distribution center. A device associated with the driver communicates a request to enter and/or exit the distribution center in which a remote authentication component verifies in order to issue a confirmation. An interchange manager can grant access for exit and/or entry to the driver based on receipt of the confirmation via the device. Moreover, the device can request services from the distribution center as well as, or in the alternative receive message(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Adam A. ALFAR, Sean L. CAHILL, Edward F. MCQUILLAN
  • WASHING MACHING APPLIANCE WITH A DRAIN PUMP
    Publication number: 20140033443
    Abstract: A washing machine appliance is provided. The washing machine appliance includes a wash basket rotatably mounted within a wash tub and a drain pump for removing liquid from the wash tub. During a spin cycle of the washing machine appliance, the drain pump may be activated during an acceleration portion of the spin cycle. Further, the drain pump may be operated at a first duty cycle for a first portion of a dwell step of the spin cycle and at a second duty cycle for a second portion of the dwell step of the spin cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Joshua David Flesch