Patents by Inventor Andrew Joseph Colletti
Andrew Joseph Colletti 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).
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Patent number: 11506058Abstract: A component according to the disclosure may include a body having an aperture therein for receiving one of a turbomachine shaft or a lathe chuck, wherein in response to the body being coupled to the lathe chuck, the aperture is oriented substantially axially relative to an axis of rotation of the body with the lathe chuck; and a flange coupled to and in direct axial contact with the body, the flange including a surface that extends axially relative to the axis of rotation of the body, wherein the surface of the flange comprises a matingly engageable face configured to contact an axially aligned surface during operation of the component and having a sanding indentation thereon, wherein a surface roughness of the surface of the flange is less than a surface roughness of a remainder of the component.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2017Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Andrew Joseph Colletti, Bruce John Badding, Bryan Edward Williams
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Patent number: 11098729Abstract: A method of modifying a compressor wheel includes forming a stake-receiving feature having a reconditioned surface on a radial face of an axial slot in a rim of the compressor wheel. The forming includes removing stake marks in the radial face. A gas turbine wheel assembly includes a gas turbine wheel rotatable about an axis of a turbine and blades. A radial face of an axial slot in the gas turbine wheel includes a stake-receiving feature having a reconditioned surface. Material displaced at the reconditioned surface by staking axially retains a blade in the axial slot. A method of mounting a blade to a gas turbine wheel includes staking the base of the blade in the axial slot by displacing material at a reconditioned surface of a stake-receiving feature on a radial face of the axial slot to axially retain the base of the blade in the axial slot.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2016Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Andrew Joseph Colletti, Bryan Edward Williams
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Patent number: 10627208Abstract: A system and method for testing rotor stack assemblies having a plurality of rotor disks is disclosed. A measurement system for measuring at least one electrical characteristic of the plurality of rotor disks is used with a computer electronically connected to the measurement system for capturing data from the measurement system. Software associated with the computer transforms the data into output used to determine flange joint contact topography in the plurality of rotor disks.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2017Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Michael E. Friedman, Jonathan Tilley, Brian Patrick Senkiw, Bryan Williams, Andrew Joseph Colletti
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Patent number: 10610963Abstract: The present disclosure relates to treating the surface of one or more blade structures. A surface treatment tool according to the disclosure can include a laser emitter configured for substantial perpendicular alignment with a target surface of a blade structure, the blade structure being mounted on a rotor; and a controller communicatively coupled to the laser emitter, wherein the controller adjusts an energy output and a pulse time of the laser emitter to sublimate a contaminant from the target surface of the blade structure.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2017Date of Patent: April 7, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Andrew Joseph Colletti, Alexander Regan Fannin, Jonathan Matthew Lomas
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Publication number: 20190262969Abstract: A component according to the disclosure may include: a rotatable body having an aperture therein for receiving one of a turbomachine shaft or a lathe chuck, wherein the aperture is oriented substantially axially relative to an axis of rotation of the rotatable body; and a flange coupled to and in direct axial contact with the body, the flange including a surface that extends axially relative to the axis of rotation of the body, wherein the surface of the flange comprises a matingly engageable face configured to contact an axially aligned surface during operation of the component, the matingly engageable face having a burnishing indentation thereon, wherein a surface roughness of the surface of the flange is less than a surface roughness of a remainder of the flange, and wherein a compressive stress of the surface of the flange is greater than a compressive stress of the remainder of the component.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2019Publication date: August 29, 2019Inventors: Andrew Joseph Colletti, Bryan Edward Williams
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Patent number: 10384326Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide surface treatment tools, methodologies, and/or repaired turbomachine components. A surface treatment tool according to the present disclosure can include a lathe assembly having a lathe chuck for receiving a component thereon, wherein the lathe chuck rotates the component about a first axis of rotation, and wherein the component includes an exposed axial target surface; and a sander or burnishing tool coupled to the lathe assembly and including a sanding or burnishing surface thereon, coupled to a drive system, wherein the sanding or burnishing surface rotates about a second axis of rotation substantially non-parallel with the first axis of rotation, such that the sanding or burnishing surface selectively contacts the target surface of the component to yield a polished target surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2015Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Andrew Joseph Colletti, Bruce John Badding, Bryan Edward Williams
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Patent number: 10190947Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, components, and methods for visual creep inspection of rotating components, such as those in a gas turbine. A component is provided with an external surface and an axis of rotation. The external surface has a circumference and a plurality of three dimensional reference marks forming a reference pattern along the circumference. An optical data capture device generates a data signal based on the plurality of three dimensional reference marks. A data analysis system processes the data signal to calculate a deviation in spacing of the reference pattern along the circumference and determines a strain or creep measurement.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2016Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Andrew Joseph Colletti, Bryan Joseph Germann, Gregory Lee Hovis
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Publication number: 20180333804Abstract: The present disclosure relates to treating the surface of one or more blade structures. A surface treatment tool according to the disclosure can include a laser emitter configured for substantial perpendicular alignment with a target surface of a blade structure, the blade structure being mounted on a rotor; and a controller communicatively coupled to the laser emitter, wherein the controller adjusts an energy output and a pulse time of the laser emitter to sublimate a contaminant from the target surface of the blade structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2017Publication date: November 22, 2018Inventors: Andrew Joseph Colletti, Alexander Regan Fannin, Jonathan Matthew Lomas
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Publication number: 20180321025Abstract: A system and method for testing rotor stack assemblies having a plurality of rotor disks is disclosed. A measurement system for measuring at least one electrical characteristic of the plurality of rotor disks is used with a computer electronically connected to the measurement system for capturing data from the measurement system. Software associated with the computer transforms the data into output used to determine flange joint contact topography in the plurality of rotor disks.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2017Publication date: November 8, 2018Inventors: Michael E. Friedman, Jonathan Tilley, Brian Patrick Senkiw, Bryan Williams, Andrew Joseph Colletti
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Patent number: 10005139Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include portable milling tools and methods for milling components. In an embodiment, a portable milling tool can be provided for a component including a plurality of dovetail slots therein, each of the plurality of dovetail slots being oriented substantially axially relative to a rotation axis of the component. The portable milling tool can include: a mounting plate configured to engage the component; a tool-aligning member slidably coupled to the mounting plate and extending along a chordal axis relative to the rotation axis of the component; and a milling head extending axially from the tool-aligning member to a selected one of the plurality of dovetail slots, such that sliding movement of the tool-aligning member relative to the mounting plate moves the milling head along the chordal axis to contact a selected one of the plurality of dovetail slots.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2015Date of Patent: June 26, 2018Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Bryan Edward Williams, Charles Van Buchan, Andrew Joseph Colletti
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Publication number: 20180156694Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, components, and methods for visual creep inspection of rotating components, such as those in a gas turbine. A component is provided with an external surface and an axis of rotation. The external surface has a circumference and a plurality of three dimensional reference marks forming a reference pattern along the circumference. An optical data capture device generates a data signal based on the plurality of three dimensional reference marks. A data analysis system processes the data signal to calculate a deviation in spacing of the reference pattern along the circumference and determines a strain or creep measurement.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2016Publication date: June 7, 2018Inventors: Andrew Joseph Colletti, Bryan Joseph Germann, Gregory Lee Hovis
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Publication number: 20180073365Abstract: A component according to the disclosure may include a body having an aperture therein for receiving one of a turbomachine shaft or a lathe chuck, wherein in response to the body being coupled to the lathe chuck, the aperture is oriented substantially axially relative to an axis of rotation of the body with the lathe chuck; and a flange coupled to and in direct axial contact with the body, the flange including a surface that extends axially relative to the axis of rotation of the body, wherein the surface of the flange comprises a matingly engageable face configured to contact an axially aligned surface during operation of the component and having a sanding indentation thereon, wherein a surface roughness of the surface of the flange is less than a surface roughness of a remainder of the component.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2017Publication date: March 15, 2018Inventors: Andrew Joseph Colletti, Bruce John Badding, Bryan Edward Williams
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Patent number: 9909595Abstract: A compressor has a plurality of stages, and each of the stages includes a wheel. Each wheel is configured to receive one or more rotor blades. The compressor includes a patch ring mounted on a first rotor wheel. The first rotor wheel has a first rabbet machined therein, and the patch ring is located on the first rabbet. A second rotor wheel is located upstream from the first rotor wheel. The second rotor wheel has a second rabbet machined therein, and the second rabbet is configured to be located opposite to the first rabbet. The second rabbet has a second fillet located between axial and radial surfaces of the second rabbet. The patch ring has a radial height greater than or equal to a radial height of the second fillet.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2015Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Andrew Joseph Colletti, Bryan Edward Williams
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Publication number: 20180038381Abstract: A method of modifying a compressor wheel includes forming a stake-receiving feature having a reconditioned surface on a radial face of an axial slot in a rim of the compressor wheel. The forming includes removing stake marks in the radial face. A gas turbine wheel assembly includes a gas turbine wheel rotatable about an axis of a turbine and blades. A radial face of an axial slot in the gas turbine wheel includes a stake-receiving feature having a reconditioned surface. Material displaced at the reconditioned surface by staking axially retains a blade in the axial slot. A method of mounting a blade to a gas turbine wheel includes staking the base of the blade in the axial slot by displacing material at a reconditioned surface of a stake-receiving feature on a radial face of the axial slot to axially retain the base of the blade in the axial slot.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2016Publication date: February 8, 2018Inventors: Andrew Joseph COLLETTI, Bryan Edward WILLIAMS
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Patent number: 9879536Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide surface treatment tools, methodologies, and/or treated turbomachine components. A surface treatment tool according to the present disclosure can include a lathe assembly having a lathe chuck for receiving a component thereon, wherein the lathe chuck rotates the component about a first axis of rotation, and wherein the component includes an exposed axial target surface; and a sander or burnishing tool coupled to the lathe assembly and including a sanding or burnishing surface thereon, coupled to a drive system, wherein the sanding or burnishing surface is oriented along a second axis substantially non-parallel with the first axis of rotation, such that the sanding or burnishing surface selectively contacts the target surface of the component to yield a polished target surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2015Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Andrew Joseph Colletti, Bruce John Badding, Bryan Edward Williams
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Patent number: 9839998Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a control system including: a power wrench; and a controller operatively connected to the power wrench, wherein the controller is configured to perform actions including: directing an operative head of the power wrench to turn in response to a pressure-angle derivative of the operative head being below a predetermined threshold, defining an origin at an angular position of the operative head where the pressure-angle derivative of the operative head exceeds the predetermined threshold, directing the operative head to turn by an angular step in response to: the pressure-angle derivative of the operative head exceeding the predetermined threshold, and an angular differential of the operative head being less than a target value; and directing the operative head to cease turning in response to the angular differential of the operative head being approximately equal to or greater than the target value.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2015Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Andrew Joseph Colletti, Srinivas Ravi, Minhajuddin Syed
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Patent number: 9733195Abstract: A system for inspecting surfaces of rotor blades for a surface characteristic. The system may include an assembly having a movable arm and, mounted on the movable arm, a scanner. A row of rotor blades may be positioned near the assembly for inspection. The row of rotor blades may include a plurality of the rotor blades circumferentially spaced about a center axis. The row of rotor blades and the assembly may be moved relative to the other so as to index the row of rotor blades relative to the assembly.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2015Date of Patent: August 15, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Andrew Joseph Colletti
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Publication number: 20170198592Abstract: Methods for mounting a turbine subcomponent to a turbine component are disclosed, including positioning a retaining portion of the turbine subcomponent along a positioning path into association with an emplacement of the turbine component. The retaining portion is orthogonally interlocked with the emplacement relative to the positioning path. The retaining portion and the emplacement define at least one interface extending along the positioning path. The retaining portion is welded to the emplacement along the at least one interface, forming at least one weld.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2016Publication date: July 13, 2017Inventors: Andrew Joseph Colletti, Bryan Edward Williams, Charles Van Buchan
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Publication number: 20170173759Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide surface treatment tools, methodologies, and/or repaired turbomachine components. A surface treatment tool according to the present disclosure can include a lathe assembly having a lathe chuck for receiving a component thereon, wherein the lathe chuck rotates the component about a first axis of rotation, and wherein the component includes an exposed axial target surface; and a sander or burnishing tool coupled to the lathe assembly and including a sanding or burnishing surface thereon, coupled to a drive system, wherein the sanding or burnishing surface rotates about a second axis of rotation substantially non-parallel with the first axis of rotation, such that the sanding or burnishing surface selectively contacts the target surface of the component to yield a polished target surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2015Publication date: June 22, 2017Inventors: Andrew Joseph Colletti, Bryan Edward Williams
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Publication number: 20170176342Abstract: A system for inspecting surfaces of rotor blades for a surface characteristic. The system may include an assembly having a movable arm and, mounted on the movable arm, a scanner. A row of rotor blades may be positioned near the assembly for inspection. The row of rotor blades may include a plurality of the rotor blades circumferentially spaced about a center axis. The row of rotor blades and the assembly may be moved relative to the other so as to index the row of rotor blades relative to the assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2015Publication date: June 22, 2017Inventor: Andrew Joseph Colletti