Patents by Inventor Brian P. Arness

Brian P. Arness 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: 8403634
    Abstract: A retaining seal assembly for use in a gas turbine engine is provided. The retaining seal assembly comprises an outer retaining ring coupled to an aft end of a gas turbine engine combustor. A turbine nozzle is coupled to the outer retaining ring and comprises an outer band. The outer band comprises a leading edge and an opposing trailing edge that defines a slot. A retention seal comprises a first end positioned within the slot, a generally opposing second end that contacts the outer retaining ring, and a body extending between the first end and the second end. The body further comprises an insertion portion positioned within a passage formed in the outer band. The retention seal is fabricated from a resilient material and is configured to facilitate coupling the turbine nozzle to the outer retaining ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brian P. Arness, John E. Greene, Sze Bun B. Chan
  • Patent number: 8210821
    Abstract: A labyrinth seal that may include a first leg positioned about a high-pressure side of the dovetail tab, a second leg positioned about a low-pressure side of the dovetail tab, and a labyrinth chamber positioned between the first leg and the second leg. High-pressure fluid passing through the gap about the first leg expands within the labyrinth chamber so as to limit an amount of the high-pressure fluid that passes beyond the second leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brian P. Arness, Tara Easter McGovern, John D. Wardell, Omprakash Samudrala
  • Patent number: 8210820
    Abstract: A dovetail seal assembly for sealing a gap between a bucket dovetail and a rotor. The dovetail seal assembly may include a sealing slot positioned about the dovetail, a high-pressure supply hole in communication with the sealing slot, and a deformable seal positioned about the sealing slot and into the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brian P. Arness, John D. Ward
  • Publication number: 20110311353
    Abstract: A method for assembling a turbine nozzle assembly with respect to a combustor of a gas turbine engine is provided. The method includes coupling a radial outer retaining ring to an aft end of the combustor. A plurality of turbine nozzles is provided. Each turbine nozzle includes an inner band, a radially opposing outer band, and at least one vane extending between the inner band and the outer band. The outer band of each turbine nozzle is coupled to the outer retaining ring to define the turbine nozzle assembly. An inner retaining ring is positioned about an axis of the gas turbine engine and coupled to the inner band of each turbine nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventors: Brian P. Arness, John E. Greene, Sze Bun B. Chan
  • Patent number: 8038389
    Abstract: A turbine nozzle assembly and a method for assembling the turbine nozzle assembly with respect to a combustor of a gas turbine engine are provided. The method includes coupling a radial outer retaining ring to an aft end of the combustor. A plurality of turbine nozzles are provided. Each turbine nozzle includes an inner band, a radially opposing outer band, and at least one vane extending between the inner band and the outer band. The outer band of each turbine nozzle is coupled to the outer retaining ring to define the turbine nozzle assembly. An inner retaining ring is positioned about an axis of the gas turbine engine and coupled to the inner band of each turbine nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brian P. Arness, John E. Greene, Sze Bun B. Chan
  • Patent number: 8011894
    Abstract: A sealing system for sealing a gap between a dovetail tab of a bucket and a rotor. The sealing system may include a sealing slot positioned about the dovetail tab and a pivot plate positioned within the sealing slot. The sealing slot may include a pivot point and a rest ledge such that the pivot plate pivots about the pivot point and into the gap when the bucket rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brian P. Arness, Louis Veltre, Ariel Kelsey Coleman Harter, John D. Wardell
  • Publication number: 20100008783
    Abstract: A dovetail seal assembly for sealing a gap between a bucket dovetail and a rotor. The dovetail seal assembly may include a sealing slot positioned about the dovetail, a high-pressure supply hole in communication with the sealing slot, and a deformable seal positioned about the sealing slot and into the gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Brian P. Arness, John D. Ward
  • Publication number: 20100007092
    Abstract: A labyrinth seal that may include a first leg positioned about a high-pressure side of the dovetail tab, a second leg positioned about a low-pressure side of the dovetail tab, and a labyrinth chamber positioned between the first leg and the second leg. High-pressure fluid passing through the gap about the first leg expands within the labyrinth chamber so as to limit an amount of the high-pressure fluid that passes beyond the second leg.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Brian P. Arness, Tara Easter McGovern, John D. Ward, Omprakash Samudrala
  • Publication number: 20100008769
    Abstract: A sealing system for sealing a gap between a dovetail tab of a bucket and a rotor. The sealing system may include a sealing slot positioned about the dovetail tab and a pivot plate positioned within the sealing slot. The sealing slot may include a pivot point and a rest ledge such that the pivot plate pivots about the pivot point and into the gap when the bucket rotates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Brian P. Arness, Louis Veltre, Ariel Kelsey Coleman Harter, John D. Ward
  • Patent number: 7329093
    Abstract: First stage stator vanes for a turbine comprised airfoil profile substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z set forth in inches in Table I, which define a plurality of radially spaced profile sections forming the nominal profile. The Z coordinate values for each profile section are radial distances from the turbine axis to a portion of the surface of revolution about the axis containing the profile section. The X and Y values for each profile section are coordinate values which, when connected by smooth continuing arcs define the airfoil profile section along the surface of revolution portion. The radially spaced profile sections are joined smoothly with one another to form the nominal airfoil profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas W. Vandeputte, John E. Greene, Peter C. Selent, Linda J. Farral, Sze Bun Brian Chan, Brian P. Arness
  • Patent number: 5716192
    Abstract: A bowed airfoil is provided which includes a plurality of passages disposed between a pressure side wall and a suction side wall. The pressure and suction side walls extend widthwise between a leading edge and a trailing edge, and spanwise between inner and outer platforms. Passages extend spanwise between the inner and outer platforms. Ribs, each having a rib end, separate adjacent passages. Passage turns, each having an end wall, connect the passages. The end wall of each passage turn acutely converges with one of the side walls, and a first fillet extends between the acutely converging side wall and end wall. According to one embodiment, each rib end acutely converges with the other of the side walls, and a second fillet extends between the acutely converging side wall and rib end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: James S. Phillips, Brian P. Arness
  • Patent number: 5403156
    Abstract: A meter plate formed from a depending member extending from the root of a turbine blade just short of the edge of the bottom of the broach in the disk in the live rim area is cast integrally with the blade and serves to meter coolant flow from the on board injector to internally of the blade. The final dimension can be configured in the machining operation of the blade to attain the desired amount of coolant flow for internal blade cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Brian P. Arness, Wesley D. Brown