Patents by Inventor Alan Rex Hoffman

Alan Rex Hoffman 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: 10361013
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for flame sensing within a turbine. A sensor assembly, an electrical assembly and a cable assembly extending therebetween. A photodiode generates an electrical signal and the electrical assembly determines a characteristic. An inner conductor electrically connects the photodiode to the electrical assembly. A first insulating layer, with mineral insulation material, surrounds the inner conductor. An inner sheath, with electrically conductive material, surrounds the first insulating layer. A second insulating layer, with mineral insulation material, surrounds the inner sheath. An outer sheath, with an electrically conductive, metal material, surrounds the second insulating layer. The cable assembly is configured for use up to about 300 degrees Celsius or greater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Troy David Hazelton, Frederick Louis Glesius, John Patrick Doyle, Alan Rex Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20170345529
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for flame sensing within a turbine. A sensor assembly, an electrical assembly and a cable assembly extending therebetween. A photodiode generates an electrical signal and the electrical assembly determines a characteristic. An inner conductor electrically connects the photodiode to the electrical assembly. A first insulating layer, with mineral insulation material, surrounds the inner conductor. An inner sheath, with electrically conductive material, surrounds the first insulating layer. A second insulating layer, with mineral insulation material, surrounds the inner sheath. An outer sheath, with an electrically conductive, metal material, surrounds the second insulating layer. The cable assembly is configured for use up to about 300 degrees Celsius or greater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Troy David Hazelton, Frederick Louis Glesius, John Patrick Doyle, Alan Rex Hoffman
  • Patent number: 9773584
    Abstract: A cable assembly for a flame sensor apparatus includes an inner conductor electrically connected to a photodiode that generates a current. The inner conductor transmits the current from the photodiode. A first insulating layer circumferentially surrounds the inner conductor. The first insulating layer includes a mineral insulation material. An inner sheath circumferentially surrounds the first insulating layer. The inner sheath includes an electrically conductive material. A second insulating layer circumferentially surrounds the inner sheath. The second insulating layer includes a mineral insulation material. An outer sheath circumferentially surrounds the second insulating layer. The outer sheath includes an electrically conductive material. The cable assembly is for use in temperatures up to about 300 degrees Celsius or greater. A method of attaching a cable assembly for a flame sensor apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Troy David Hazelton, Frederick Louis Glesius, John Patrick Doyle, Alan Rex Hoffman
  • Patent number: 9435690
    Abstract: A flame sensor apparatus is provided including a sensor assembly for sensing characteristics of a flame within a combustion chamber. The flame sensor apparatus further includes an electrical assembly that is electrically remote from the sensor assembly. In addition, a cable assembly extends between the sensor assembly and the electrical assembly. The cable assembly can convey the characteristics of the flame from the photodiode to the electrical assembly. The cable assembly is included as part of a sealed array filled with an inert gas. In addition, a method of sensing characteristics of a flame is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Alan Rex Hoffman, Fred Yu-Feng Chou, Frederick Louis Glesius
  • Publication number: 20160148723
    Abstract: A cable assembly for a flame sensor apparatus includes an inner conductor electrically connected to a photodiode that generates a current. The inner conductor transmits the current from the photodiode. A first insulating layer circumferentially surrounds the inner conductor. The first insulating layer includes a mineral insulation material. An inner sheath circumferentially surrounds the first insulating layer. The inner sheath includes an electrically conductive material. A second insulating layer circumferentially surrounds the inner sheath. The second insulating layer includes a mineral insulation material. An outer sheath circumferentially surrounds the second insulating layer. The outer sheath includes an electrically conductive material. The cable assembly is for use in temperatures up to about 300 degrees Celsius or greater. A method of attaching a cable assembly for a flame sensor apparatus is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Troy David Hazelton, Frederick Louis Glesius, John Patrick Doyle, Alan Rex Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20130318994
    Abstract: A flame sensor apparatus is provided including a sensor assembly for sensing characteristics of a flame within a combustion chamber. The flame sensor apparatus further includes an electrical assembly that is electrically remote from the sensor assembly. In addition, a cable assembly extends between the sensor assembly and the electrical assembly. The cable assembly can convey the characteristics of the flame from the photodiode to the electrical assembly. The cable assembly is included as part of a sealed array filled with an inert gas. In addition, a method of sensing characteristics of a flame is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Alan Rex Hoffman, Fred Yu-Feng Chou, Frederick Louis Glesius