Patents by Inventor Brad Wilson VanTassel
Brad Wilson VanTassel 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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Publication number: 20210123348Abstract: An embodiment of an independent cooling circuit for selectively delivering cooling fluid to a component of a gas turbine system includes: at least one coolant feed channel fluidly coupled to a supply of cooling fluid; and an interconnected circuit of cooling channels, including: an interconnected circuit of cooling channels embedded within an exterior wall of the component; an impingement plate; and a plurality of feed tubes connecting the impingement plate to the exterior wall of the component and fluidly coupling a supply of cooling fluid to the interconnected circuit of cooling channels; wherein the cooling fluid flows through the plurality of feed tubes into the interconnected circuit of cooling channels only in response to a formation of a breach in the exterior wall of the component that exposes at least one of the cooling channels.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2019Publication date: April 29, 2021Inventors: Matthew Troy Hafner, Lyndsay Marie Kibler, Brad Wilson VanTassel, Benjamin Paul Lacy, Zachary John Snider, Christopher Donald Porter, Srikanth Chandrudu Kottilingam
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Patent number: 10989068Abstract: Turbine shrouds for turbine systems are disclosed. The turbine shrouds may include a unitary body including a forward and aft end, an outer surface facing a cooling chamber formed between the unitary body and a turbine casing of the turbine system, and an inner surface facing a hot gas flow path. The shrouds may also include a first cooling passage extending within the unitary body, and a plurality of impingement openings formed through the outer surface of the unitary body to fluidly couple the first cooling passage to the cooling chamber. Additionally, the shrouds may include a second cooling passage and/or a third cooling passage. The second cooling passage may extend adjacent the forward end and may be in fluid communication with the first cooling passage. The third cooling passage may extend adjacent the aft end, and may be in fluid communication with the first cooling passage.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2018Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Travis J Packer, Benjamin Paul Lacy, Ibrahim Sezer, Zachary John Snider, Brad Wilson VanTassel
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Patent number: 10989070Abstract: A turbine having a stationary shroud ring formed about rotor blades. The stationary shroud ring may include an inner shroud segment. The inner shroud segment may include a cooling configuration that includes a crossflow channel. The crossflow channel may extend lengthwise between an upstream end and a downstream end, and, therebetween, include a junction point that divides the crossflow channel lengthwise into upstream and downstream sections, with the upstream section extending between the upstream end and the junction point, and the downstream section extending between the junction point and the downstream end. The crossflow channel may have a cross-sectional flow area that varies lengthwise such that a cross-sectional flow area of the upstream section decreases between the upstream end and the junction point, and a cross-sectional flow area of the downstream section increases between the junction point and the downstream end.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2018Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Brad Wilson VanTassel, Evan Andrew Sewall, Joseph Anthony Weber, Travis J Packer, Joseph Daniel Franzen, Jr., Bryan David Lewis
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Publication number: 20210087979Abstract: A vane of a turbine system is provided. The vane includes: an internal cavity configured to receive a flow of cooling fluid; a variable thickness wall adjacent the internal cavity; and an impingement plate separating the variable thickness wall from the internal cavity, the impingement plate including a plurality of apertures for directing the cooling fluid into an impingement cavity and against the variable thickness wall, wherein the impingement plate is configured to follow a contour of the variable thickness wall.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2019Publication date: March 25, 2021Inventors: Travis J Packer, Brad Wilson VanTassel, William Scott Zemitis
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Patent number: 10815807Abstract: A turbine of a gas turbine engine that includes a stationary shroud ring having inner shroud segments circumferentially stacked about a hot gas path. The inner shroud segments may include a first inner shroud segment that includes: a cooling configuration having cooling channels configured to receive and direct a coolant through an interior of the first inner shroud segment, where each of the cooling channels extends lengthwise between a first end and a second end that includes an outlet formed through an exterior surface of the first inner shroud segment; a circumferential edge; a slot formed in the circumferential edge; and a sealing member positioned within the slot. The outlet of at least one of the cooling channels may be positioned within the slot.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2018Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Brad Wilson VanTassel, Steven Paul Byam, Joseph Anthony Weber, Evan Andrew Sewall, Travis J Packer
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Patent number: 10760451Abstract: A flow mixing lobe for an exhaust diffuser includes a first flange member having a first leading end, a first trailing end, and an intermediate portion extending therebetween. A second flange member includes a second leading end, a second trailing end, and an intermediate section extending therebetween. A first leg portion includes a first end extending from the first flange member, and a second end. A second leg portion has a first end portion extending from the second flange member, and a second end portion. A wing member is arranged between the first and second leg portions at respective ones of the second end and second end portions. The wing member includes a flow conditioning surface having a non-linear profile extending between the second end and the second end portion.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2015Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Damian Wolff, Karol Filip Leszczynski, Ajay Gangadhar Patil, Michael Todd Summers, Brad Wilson Vantassel
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Patent number: 10738651Abstract: A turbine that includes an inner shroud segment having a cooling configuration in which interior channels are configured to receive and direct a coolant. The cooling configuration may include a pair of counterflowing crossflow channels in which a first crossflow channel extends side-by-side with a neighboring second crossflow channel; and a feed and outlet channel configuration comprising neighboring feed and outlet channels. The feed channel may connect at a first connection to an upstream end of the first crossflow channel and the outlet channel may connect at a second connection to a downstream end of the second crossflow channel. The feed channel may extend in an inner radial direction from an inlet to the first connection. The outlet channel may extend in an outer radial direction from the second connection to an outlet. The feed channel may include a section that undercuts the outlet channel.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2018Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Brad Wilson VanTassel, Joseph Anthony Weber, Bryan David Lewis, Travis J Packer
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Publication number: 20200149134Abstract: A composition of matter includes from about 16 to about 20 wt % chromium, greater than 6 to about 10 wt % aluminum, from about 2 to about 10 wt % iron, less than about 0.04 wt % yttrium, less than about 12 wt % cobalt, less than about 1.0 wt % manganese, less than about 1.0 wt % molybdenum, less than about 1.0 wt % silicon, less than about 0.25 wt % carbon, about 0.03 wt % boron, less than about 1.0 wt % tungsten, less than about 1.0 wt % tantalum, about 0.5 wt % titanium, about 0.5 wt % hafnium, about 0.5 wt % rhenium, about 0.4 wt % lanthanide elements, and the balance being nickel and incidental impurities. This nickel-based superalloy composition may be used in superalloy articles, such as a blade, nozzle, a shroud, a splash plate, a squealer tip of the blade, and a combustor of a gas turbine engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2018Publication date: May 14, 2020Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Yan Cui, Michael Douglas Arnett, Matthew Joseph Laylock, Brian Lee Tollison, Brad Wilson VanTassel
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Patent number: 10640849Abstract: A composition of matter includes from about 16 to about 20 wt % chromium, greater than 6 to about 10 wt % aluminum, from about 2 to about 10 wt % iron, less than about 0.04 wt % yttrium, less than about 12 wt % cobalt, less than about 1.0 wt % manganese, less than about 1.0 wt % molybdenum, less than about 1.0 wt % silicon, less than about 0.25 wt % carbon, about 0.03 wt % boron, less than about 1.0 wt % tungsten, less than about 1.0 wt % tantalum, about 0.5 wt % titanium, about 0.5 wt % hafnium, about 0.5 wt % rhenium, about 0.4 wt % lanthanide elements, and the balance being nickel and incidental impurities. This nickel-based superalloy composition may be used in superalloy articles, such as a blade, nozzle, a shroud, a splash plate, a squealer tip of the blade, and a combustor of a gas turbine engine.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2018Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Yan Cui, Michael Douglas Arnett, Matthew Joseph Laylock, Brian Lee Tollison, Brad Wilson VanTassel
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Patent number: 10550710Abstract: A turbine shroud segment including: a target exterior surface and target interior region; and a cooling configuration having first and second channel types. The first channel type includes: an inlet and outlet; a target section extending through the target interior region; lateral ports spaced lengthwise between first and second ends of the target section; and a path within the target interior region offset from the target exterior surface by a minimum offset. The second channel type includes: dead-ends disposed at first and second ends; lateral ports connecting to lateral ports of the first channel type; and a path through the target interior region that is variable between valleys and peaks. The second channel type resides closer to the target exterior surface at the valleys than at the peaks. At each of the valleys, the second channel type resides within the minimum offset.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2018Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Brad Wilson VanTassel, Evan Andrew Sewall, Travis J Packer
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Publication number: 20200025026Abstract: Turbine shrouds for turbine systems are disclosed. The turbine shrouds may include a unitary body including a forward and aft end, an outer surface facing a cooling chamber formed between the unitary body and a turbine casing of the turbine system, and an inner surface facing a hot gas flow path. The shrouds may also include a first cooling passage extending within the unitary body, and a plurality of impingement openings formed through the outer surface of the unitary body to fluidly couple the first cooling passage to the cooling chamber. Additionally, the shrouds may include a second cooling passage and/or a third cooling passage. The second cooling passage may extend adjacent the forward end and may be in fluid communication with the first cooling passage. The third cooling passage may extend adjacent the aft end, and may be in fluid communication with the first cooling passage.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2018Publication date: January 23, 2020Inventors: Travis J Packer, Benjamin Paul Lacy, Ibrahim Sezer, Zachary John Snider, Brad Wilson VanTassel
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Patent number: 10519873Abstract: An air bypass system for a gas turbine engine includes a nozzle for a gas turbine engine. The air bypass system includes the nozzle having an inner band, an outer band, and an airfoil extending between the inner band and the outer band. The airfoil defines an internal passage. A diaphragm includes an inner wall, a first rail, and a second rail, which collectively define a diaphragm cavity. The first rail defines a first rail aperture. A manifold is positioned in the diaphragm cavity. The manifold and the diaphragm collectively define a manifold chamber in fluid communication with the first rail aperture. A tube extends through the internal passage defined by the airfoil and into the diaphragm cavity. The tube is in fluid communication with the manifold chamber. Compressed air flows through the tube into the manifold chamber and exits the chamber through the first rail aperture.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2016Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Brad Wilson VanTassel, Peter Paul Pirolla
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Publication number: 20190368378Abstract: A turbine that includes an inner shroud segment having a cooling configuration in which interior channels are configured to receive and direct a coolant. The cooling configuration may include a pair of counterflowing crossflow channels in which a first crossflow channel extends side-by-side with a neighboring second crossflow channel; and a feed and outlet channel configuration comprising neighboring feed and outlet channels. The feed channel may connect at a first connection to an upstream end of the first crossflow channel and the outlet channel may connect at a second connection to a downstream end of the second crossflow channel. The feed channel may extend in an inner radial direction from an inlet to the first connection. The outlet channel may extend in an outer radial direction from the second connection to an outlet. The feed channel may include a section that undercuts the outlet channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2018Publication date: December 5, 2019Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Brad Wilson VanTassel, Joseph Anthony Weber, Bryan David Lewis, Travis J Packer
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Publication number: 20190368377Abstract: A turbine having a stationary shroud ring formed about rotor blades. The stationary shroud ring may include an inner shroud segment. The inner shroud segment may include a cooling configuration that includes a crossflow channel. The crossflow channel may extend lengthwise between an upstream end and a downstream end, and, therebetween, include a junction point that divides the crossflow channel lengthwise into upstream and downstream sections, with the upstream section extending between the upstream end and the junction point, and the downstream section extending between the junction point and the downstream end. The crossflow channel may have a cross-sectional flow area that varies lengthwise such that a cross-sectional flow area of the upstream section decreases between the upstream end and the junction point, and a cross-sectional flow area of the downstream section increases between the junction point and the downstream end.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2018Publication date: December 5, 2019Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Brad Wilson VanTassel, Evan Andrew Sewall, Joseph Anthony Weber, Travis J Packer, Joseph Daniel Franzen, JR., Bryan David Lewis
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Publication number: 20190368365Abstract: A turbine shroud segment including: a target exterior surface and target interior region; and a cooling configuration having first and second channel types. The first channel type includes: an inlet and outlet; a target section extending through the target interior region; lateral ports spaced lengthwise between first and second ends of the target section; and a path within the target interior region offset from the target exterior surface by a minimum offset. The second channel type includes: dead-ends disposed at first and second ends; lateral ports connecting to lateral ports of the first channel type; and a path through the target interior region that is variable between valleys and peaks. The second channel type resides closer to the target exterior surface at the valleys than at the peaks. At each of the valleys, the second channel type resides within the minimum offset.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2018Publication date: December 5, 2019Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Brad Wilson VanTassel, Evan Andrew Sewall, Travis J. Packer
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Publication number: 20190368364Abstract: A turbine of a gas turbine engine that includes a stationary shroud ring having inner shroud segments circumferentially stacked about a hot gas path. The inner shroud segments may include a first inner shroud segment that includes: a cooling configuration having cooling channels configured to receive and direct a coolant through an interior of the first inner shroud segment, where each of the cooling channels extends lengthwise between a first end and a second end that includes an outlet formed through an exterior surface of the first inner shroud segment; a circumferential edge; a slot formed in the circumferential edge; and a sealing member positioned within the slot. The outlet of at least one of the cooling channels may be positioned within the slot.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2018Publication date: December 5, 2019Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Brad Wilson VanTassel, Steven Paul Byam, Joseph Anthony Weber, Evan Andrew Sewall, Travis J. Packer
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Patent number: 10458342Abstract: A system for controlling a gas turbine power plant includes a plurality of sensors configured to transmit signals indicative of one or more operating parameters of the gas turbine, and a control system in electronic communication with each sensor. The control system is configured to compute cumulative wear for one or more hardware components of the gas turbine based at least in part on the signals. Instructions are inputted into the control system which indicates a desired operational mode for the gas turbine. The control system may then compute a hardware consumption rate based at least in part on the cumulative wear. The hardware consumption rate may then be displayed to an operator via a display device. The operator may use the hardware consumption rate to determine potential economic impact of operating the gas turbine at the desired operational mode.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2014Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Rex Allen Morgan, James Tyson Balkcum, III, Stephen R. Watts, Harold Lamar Jordan, Jr., Brad Wilson VanTassel
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Patent number: 10378383Abstract: Various embodiments of the disclosure include an alignment apparatus for assembly alignment and load sharing. The alignment apparatus may include: an alignment pin including a first end and an opposing, second end, wherein the first end is configured to couple with a first hole in a first turbine nozzle diaphragm and the second end is configured to couple with a second hole in a second, adjacent turbine nozzle diaphragm. Embodiments of the disclosure may also include a turbine and a combined-cycle power plant. The turbine may include: a first nozzle diaphragm; and a second, adjacent nozzle diaphragm, wherein the first diaphragm is directly coupled to the second diaphragm. The combined-cycle power plant may include: a steam turbine; a gas turbine; a first nozzle diaphragm within the gas turbine; a second, adjacent nozzle diaphragm within the gas turbine; and an alignment pin coupling the first diaphragm directly to the second diaphragm.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2017Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Martin James Jasper, Ajay Gangadhar Patil, Brad Wilson VanTassel
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Publication number: 20180326546Abstract: A component has an edge extending in a first direction. The component includes a filler disposed in the component. The filler has at least a first portion and a second portion. The first portion extends in a second direction from the edge into the component. The second portion of the filler extends from the first portion in a third direction. The second direction is substantially orthogonal to the first direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2016Publication date: November 15, 2018Inventors: Cem Murat EMINOGLU, Cody FORD, Brad Wilson VANTASSEL
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Patent number: 10047613Abstract: A gas turbine component is provided. The gas turbine component includes an airfoil having a leading edge, a trailing edge, a suction side extending from the leading edge to the trailing edge, and a pressure side extending from the leading edge to the trailing edge opposite the suction side. The gas turbine component also includes a thermal barrier coating applied to the airfoil pressure side such that an uncoated margin is defined on the pressure side at the trailing edge.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2015Date of Patent: August 14, 2018Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Cody Jermaine Ford, Brad Wilson VanTassel