Patents by Inventor Bernard Arthur Couture
Bernard Arthur Couture 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: 9926800Abstract: A seal includes a housing having a back plate and a front plate. A supporting bristle layer is disposed adjacent to the back plate, and bristles in the supporting bristle layer have a first diameter. A sealing bristle layer is disposed adjacent to the supporting bristle layer, and bristles in the sealing bristle layer have a second diameter. A shielding/protecting bristle layer is disposed adjacent to the sealing bristle layer, and bristles in the shielding/protecting bristle layer have a third diameter. The second diameter is smaller than both the first diameter and the third diameter.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2016Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Xiaoqing Zheng, Bernard Arthur Couture, Jr., Michael John Bowman, William Edward Adis, Michael Dennis Mack, Kim James Clark
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Patent number: 9528384Abstract: A brush seal is provided having a brush housing having a back plate and a front plate, a first layer of bristles disposed adjacent to the back plate, where at least one of the first layer of bristles has a first diameter. A second layer of bristles are disposed adjacent to the first layer of bristles, and at least one of the second layer of bristles has a second diameter. A third layer of bristles are disposed adjacent to the second layer of bristles, and at least one of the third layer of bristles has a third diameter. The first diameter and the third diameter are larger than the second diameter.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2011Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Xiaoqing Zheng, Bernard Arthur Couture, Jr., Michael John Bowman, William Edward Adis, Michael Dennis Mack, Kim James Clark
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Publication number: 20160298482Abstract: A seal includes a housing having a back plate and a front plate. A supporting bristle layer is disposed adjacent to the back plate, and bristles in the supporting bristle layer have a first diameter. A sealing bristle layer is disposed adjacent to the supporting bristle layer, and bristles in the sealing bristle layer have a second diameter. A shielding/protecting bristle layer is disposed adjacent to the sealing bristle layer, and bristles in the shielding/protecting bristle layer have a third diameter. The second diameter is smaller than both the first diameter and the third diameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2016Publication date: October 13, 2016Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Xiaoqing Zheng, Bernard Arthur Couture, JR., Michael John Bowman, William Edward Adis, Michael Dennis Mack, Kim James Clark
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Patent number: 9121297Abstract: A brush seal for use between a rotating component and a stationary component in a turbomachine is disclosed. The brush seal according to embodiments of this invention include a set of bristles having a fixed end and a free end, wherein the fixed end is attached to the rotating component, and wherein the set of bristles are angled axially with respect to the rotating component.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2011Date of Patent: September 1, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Xiaoqing Zheng, William Edward Adis, Bernard Arthur Couture, Jr., Michael Dennis Mack, Kristan Brice Sears
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Patent number: 8925199Abstract: A method for fabricating a brush seal assembly comprising, bending a first plate member to a helical shape, bending a second plate member to a helical shape, securing the first plate member to a drum, winding a wire material around the drum and the first plate member, securing the second plate member to the drum, attaching the second plate member and the first plate member to the wire, and cutting the wire to define a bristle length.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2011Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: William Edward Adis, Bernard Arthur Couture, Jr., Marshall Gordon Jones, Michael Dennis Mack, Daniel Frederick Purdy
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Patent number: 8919780Abstract: A brush seal and brush seal segment for use in a rotary device are provided. In one embodiment, the invention provides a brush seal comprising: a plurality of brush seal segments, each segment including: an arcuate fence; an arcuate backplate substantially circumferentially coextensive with the arcuate fence, the arcuate backplate including a first end and a second end; and a plurality of brush seal bristles between the arcuate backplate and the arcuate fence, the plurality of brush seal bristles being angled with respect to a radial axis of the arcuate backplate and at least one of the first end and the second end of the arcuate backplate; and a static member to which at least one of the plurality of brush seal segments is affixed.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2012Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Xiaoqing Zheng, William Edward Adis, Bernard Arthur Couture, Jr., Michael Dennis Mack
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Patent number: 8888441Abstract: Systems and devices for sealing portions of a rotary machine are disclosed. In one embodiment, a seal assembly element includes: a head flange; an axial neck connected to the head flange, wherein the axial neck includes a mating flange extending circumferentially from a distal end of the seal assembly element, the mating flange configured to form a multidirectional seal with a recessed portion of a complementary seal assembly element; and a set of axial seal teeth connected to the axial neck.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2011Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Daniel Edward Jordy, William Edward Adis, Bernard Arthur Couture, Jr., Dexter Andrew Young
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Patent number: 8858166Abstract: Systems and devices for substantially fluidly isolating portions of a rotary machine are disclosed. In one embodiment, a seal assembly for a rotary machine includes: a complementary set of seal segments configured relative one another so as to form a substantially continuous body with butt gaps between the seal segments, the segments including: a head flange; and an axial neck connected to the head flange, wherein the axial neck extends radially inboard and includes an axial slot formed substantially there through; and at least one butt gap seal element, wherein the at least one butt gap seal element includes an axial flange and a radial flange, the axial flange disposed within the axial slots of adjacent seal segments; and the radial flange extending radially inboard from the axial slots to a proximity of the rotary machine substantially forming a barrier to axial flow through the butt gap.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2011Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Xiaoqing Zheng, Bernard Arthur Couture, Jr., Mehmet Demiroglu, Gregory Leonard Diantonio, Daniel Edward Jordy
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Patent number: 8568084Abstract: A system controls net thrust of a steam turbine having a stepped rotating shaft. A first leak off line fluidly couples a first stage of a turbine section to a packing near a stepped portion on the rotating shaft. A second leak off line fluidly couples a second stage of the turbine section that has a pressure different from the first stage to a step area immediately adjacent to the stepped portion, and a connection line fluidly couples the first leak off line to the second leak off line. The lines include control valves such that a controller can actively control the net thrust by regulating thrust pressure on the stepped portion using steam from the first and second stages of the turbine section. The controller may also prevent damage to an active retractable seal using the control valves.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2010Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Xiaoqing Zheng, Bernard Arthur Couture, Jr., Casey William Jones, Binayak Roy
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Patent number: 8480352Abstract: A system controls net thrust of a steam turbine having a stepped rotating shaft. A first leak off line fluidly couples a first stage of a turbine section to a packing upstream of a stepped portion on the rotating shaft. A second leak off line fluidly couples a second stage of the turbine section that is subsequent to the first stage to a step area upstream of the stepped portion, and a connection line fluidly couples the first leak off line to the second leak off line. The lines include control valves such that a controller can actively control the net thrust by regulating thrust pressure on the stepped portion using steam from the first and second stages of the turbine section. The controller may also prevent damage to an active retractable seal using the control valves.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2010Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Xiaoqing Zheng, Bernard Arthur Couture, Jr., Casey William Jones, Binayak Roy
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Publication number: 20130058765Abstract: Systems and devices for substantially fluidly isolating portions of a rotary machine are disclosed. In one embodiment, a seal assembly for a rotary machine includes: a complementary set of seal segments configured relative one another so as to form a substantially continuous body with butt gaps between the seal segments, the segments including: a head flange; and an axial neck connected to the head flange, wherein the axial neck extends radially inboard and includes an axial slot formed substantially there through; and at least one butt gap seal element, wherein the at least one butt gap seal element includes an axial flange and a radial flange, the axial flange disposed within the axial slots of adjacent seal segments; and the radial flange extending radially inboard from the axial slots to a proximity of the rotary machine substantially forming a barrier to axial flow through the butt gap.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2011Publication date: March 7, 2013Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Xiaoqing Zheng, Bernard Arthur Couture, JR., Mehmet Demiroglu, Gregory Leonard Diantonio, Daniel Edward Jordy
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Publication number: 20130034428Abstract: Systems and devices for sealing portions of a rotary machine are disclosed. In one embodiment, a seal assembly element includes: a head flange; an axial neck connected to the head flange, wherein the axial neck includes a mating flange extending circumferentially from a distal end of the seal assembly element, the mating flange configured to form a multidirectional seal with a recessed portion of a complementary seal assembly element; and a set of axial seal teeth connected to the axial neck.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2011Publication date: February 7, 2013Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Daniel Edward Jordy, William Edward Adis, Bernard Arthur Couture, JR., Dexter Andrew Young
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Publication number: 20120326392Abstract: A brush seal is provided having a brush housing having a back plate and a front plate, a first layer of bristles disposed adjacent to the back plate, where at least one of the first layer of bristles has a first diameter. A second layer of bristles are disposed adjacent to the first layer of bristles, and at least one of the second layer of bristles has a second diameter. A third layer of bristles are disposed adjacent to the second layer of bristles, and at least one of the third layer of bristles has a third diameter. The first diameter and the third diameter are larger than the second diameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2011Publication date: December 27, 2012Inventors: Xiaoqing Zheng, Bernard Arthur Couture, JR., Michael John Bowman, William Edward Adis, Michael Dennis Mack, Kim James Clark
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Publication number: 20120326393Abstract: A seal is provided having a bristle pack with a first layer of bristles and a second layer of bristles. The bristle pack has at least one segment end. The first layer of bristles is configured to substantially surround the second layer of bristles, and at least one of the first layer of bristles has a first diameter. The second layer of bristles are located substantially in a center portion of the bristle pack, and at least one of the second layer of bristles has a second diameter. The first diameter is larger than the second diameter, and the first layer of bristles located near the at least one segment end are configured to protect the second layer of bristles located near the at least one segment end.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2011Publication date: December 27, 2012Inventors: Xiaoqing Zheng, Bernard Arthur Couture, JR., Michael John Bowman, William Edward Adis, Michael Dennis Mack, Kim James Clark
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Patent number: 8328198Abstract: A brush seal and brush seal segment for use in a rotary device are provided. In one embodiment, the invention provides a brush seal comprising: a plurality of brush seal segments, each segment including: an arcuate fence; an arcuate backplate substantially circumferentially coextensive with the arcuate fence, the arcuate backplate including a first end and a second end; and a plurality of brush seal bristles between the arcuate backplate and the arcuate fence, the plurality of brush seal bristles being angled with respect to a radial axis of the arcuate backplate and at least one of the first end and the second end of the arcuate backplate; and a static member to which at least one of the plurality of brush seal segments is affixed.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2010Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: William Edward Adis, Xiaoqing Zheng, Bernard Arthur Couture, Michael Dennis Mack
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Publication number: 20120251303Abstract: A brush seal for use between a rotating component and a stationary component in a turbomachine is disclosed. The brush seal according to embodiments of this invention include a set of bristles having a fixed end and a free end, wherein the fixed end is attached to the rotating component, and wherein the set of bristles are angled axially with respect to the rotating component.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2011Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Xiaoqing Zheng, William Edward Adis, Bernard Arthur Couture, JR., Michael Dennis Mack, Kristan Brice Sears
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Patent number: 8250756Abstract: A compliant plate seal arrangement manufacturing method is provided. A compliant plate seal manufacturing method includes assembling a plurality of t-shims and a plurality of spacer shims into a straight weld fixture, thereby forming a shim pack having a front and rear end and sides, welding the sides of the shim pack to a top plate, removing a portion of the weld fixture, removing the plurality of spacer shims, shaping the shim pack into a target diameter, and applying a radial flow plate to the leaf pack.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2009Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: William Edward Adis, Bernard Arthur Couture, Jr., Hrishikesh Vishvas Deo, Sean Douglas Feeny, Michael Dennis Mack, Daniel Frederick Purdy, Norman Arnold Turnquist
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Patent number: 8162324Abstract: A method of assembling a turbomachine that includes a rotor and a stationary component is provided. The method includes coupling a housing to the stationary component using at least one biasing member, wherein the housing extending circumferentially about the rotor. The method also includes coupling at least one annular ring to the housing, and coupling a plurality of plate members to the housing such that the at least one annular ring extends from the housing towards the rotor and partially through the plurality of plate members.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2008Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Hrishikesh Vishvas Deo, Norman Arnold Turnquist, Frederick George Baily, Bernard Arthur Couture, Jr., Sean Douglas Feeny, William Edward Adis, Shorya Awtar
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Publication number: 20120086172Abstract: A brush seal and brush seal segment for use in a rotary device are provided. In one embodiment, the invention provides a brush seal comprising: a plurality of brush seal segments, each segment including: an arcuate fence; an arcuate backplate substantially circumferentially coextensive with the arcuate fence, the arcuate backplate including a first end and a second end; and a plurality of brush seal bristles between the arcuate backplate and the arcuate fence, the plurality of brush seal bristles being angled with respect to a radial axis of the arcuate backplate and at least one of the first end and the second end of the arcuate backplate; and a static member to which at least one of the plurality of brush seal segments is affixed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2010Publication date: April 12, 2012Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Xiaoqing Zheng, William Edward Adis, Bernard Arthur Couture, JR., Michael Dennis Mack
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Publication number: 20110318169Abstract: A system controls net thrust of a steam turbine having a stepped rotating shaft. A first leak off line fluidly couples a first stage of a turbine section to a packing near a stepped portion on the rotating shaft. A second leak off line fluidly couples a second stage of the turbine section that has a pressure different from the first stage to a step area immediately adjacent to the stepped portion, and a connection line fluidly couples the first leak off line to the second leak off line. The lines include control valves such that a controller can actively control the net thrust by regulating thrust pressure on the stepped portion using steam from the first and second stages of the turbine section. The controller may also prevent damage to an active retractable seal using the control valves.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2010Publication date: December 29, 2011Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Xiaoqing Zheng, Bernard Arthur Couture, JR., Casey William Jones, Binayak Roy