Patents by Inventor Brock M. Lape

Brock M. Lape 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: 8495929
    Abstract: A tool for applying a bending or impact load to one or more conductors in a dynamoelectric machine is provided. The tool includes an elongate, substantially tubular handle having an opening at a first end, a second end opposed to the first end, and the handle has a handle axis. A head is connected to the second end of the handle, and includes a striking surface for applying impact loads, and an interchangeable tool socket located opposite to the striking surface. The head has a head axis oriented orthogonal to the handle axis. The interchangeable tool socket can accept one of a plurality of tool inserts and the tool inserts may be rotated generally around the head axis and locked in at least one position within the interchangeable tool socket so that the angle of each tool insert can be adjusted to user preferences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brock M. Lape, Jeffrey D. Evans
  • Patent number: 8346514
    Abstract: A method and system is provided for calculating a number of wedges for a slot in a dynamoelectric machine. The method includes the steps of providing a computer that is programmed to perform a method for calculating, which includes the steps of acquiring a length of the slot, acquiring a length of one or more wedges, and calculating a number of wedges required for the slot. The number of wedges required for the slot is displayed on a display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brock M. Lape, Benjamin A. Mancuso, Michael C. Villani
  • Patent number: 8235369
    Abstract: A cart system is provided for a coil of a dynamoelectric machine. The cart system includes one or more support rails disposed substantially horizontally, a plurality of lifting rails disposed substantially vertically, and connected at one end to the one or more support rails, and a plurality of coil clamps for applying a compressive force. The coil clamps are attached to the lifting rails in a removable manner. The coil of the dynamoelectric machine can be placed on the cart system and the coil clamps can be arranged on the lifting rails to apply a compressive force to the coil to facilitate a testing procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brock M. Lape, Jeffrey D. Evans, Richard A. Harby
  • Patent number: 8226071
    Abstract: A cart and detachable hangers system for transporting copper coils that may include: 1) a cart with a substantially rectangular structure that includes at least two opposing side rails and at least two opposing end rails; 2) a plurality of pockets disposed along a top surface of each of the two opposing side rails; and 3) a plurality of hangers, each of the hangers including two projections that are sized such that each may detachably engage one of the pockets. The hanger and the cart are sized such that the distance between the projections correspond approximately to the distance between the pocket on one upper side rail and the opposing pocket on the other upper side rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brock M. Lape, Karl R. Anderson, III, Yannick Lampron, Alain E. Limoges
  • Patent number: 8125114
    Abstract: A locking wedge for a slot of a dynamoelectric machine is provided. The locking wedge includes a main body extending in an axial direction. The main body has a top surface and a bottom surface with a greater surface area than the top surface, and a first end surface and a second end surface opposed to the first end surface. First and second locking slots extend in the axial direction into a portion of the main body. The first locking slot begins in the first end surface and the second locking slot begins in the second end surface. A first locking member is disposed to fit into the first locking slot, and a second locking member is disposed to fit into the second locking slot. The first and second locking members can be inserted into the first and second locking slots, respectively, to lock the locking wedge in the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brock M. Lape, Benjamin A. Mancuso, Michael C. Villani
  • Publication number: 20110198793
    Abstract: A cart system is provided for a coil of a dynamoelectric machine. The cart system includes one or more support rails disposed substantially horizontally, a plurality of lifting rails disposed substantially vertically, and connected at one end to the one or more support rails, and a plurality of coil clamps for applying a compressive force. The coil clamps are attached to the lifting rails in a removable manner. The coil of the dynamoelectric machine can be placed on the cart system and the coil clamps can be arranged on the lifting rails to apply a compressive force to the coil to facilitate a testing procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: Brock M. Lape, Jeffrey D. Evans, Richard A. Harby
  • Patent number: 7990012
    Abstract: A locking wedge for a slot of a dynamoelectric machine is provided. The locking wedge has a main body extending in an axial direction, and includes a top and a bottom surface. The bottom surface has a greater surface area than the top surface. A first end surface faces towards an axial-inward direction and a second end surface faces towards an axial-outward direction. A locking slot extends in the axial direction into a portion of the main body, and begins in the second end surface and extends axially inward. A locking member is disposed to fit into the locking slot, and is inserted into the locking slot to lock the locking wedge in the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brock M. Lape, Benjamin A. Mancuso, Michael C. Villani
  • Publication number: 20110154579
    Abstract: A tool for applying a bending or impact load to one or more conductors in a dynamoelectric machine is provided. The tool includes an elongate, substantially tubular handle having an opening at a first end, a second end opposed to the first end, and the handle has a handle axis. A head is connected to the second end of the handle, and includes a striking surface for applying impact loads, and an interchangeable tool socket located opposite to the striking surface. The head has a head axis oriented orthogonal to the handle axis. The interchangeable tool socket can accept one of a plurality of tool inserts and the tool inserts may be rotated generally around the head axis and locked in at least one position within the interchangeable tool socket so that the angle of each tool insert can be adjusted to user preferences.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventors: Brock M. Lape, Jeffrey D. Evans
  • Publication number: 20110121678
    Abstract: A locking wedge for a slot of a dynamoelectric machine is provided. The locking wedge includes a main body extending in an axial direction. The main body has a top surface and a bottom surface with a greater surface area than the top surface, and a first end surface and a second end surface opposed to the first end surface. First and second locking slots extend in the axial direction into a portion of the main body. The first locking slot begins in the first end surface and the second locking slot begins in the second end surface. A first locking member is disposed to fit into the first locking slot, and a second locking member is disposed to fit into the second locking slot. The first and second locking members can be inserted into the first and second locking slots, respectively, to lock the locking wedge in the slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventors: Brock M. Lape, Benjamin A. Mancuso, Michael C. Villani
  • Publication number: 20110095640
    Abstract: A locking wedge for a slot of a dynamoelectric machine is provided. The locking wedge has a main body extending in an axial direction, and includes a top and a bottom surface. The bottom surface has a greater surface area than the top surface. A first end surface faces towards an axial-inward direction and a second end surface faces towards an axial-outward direction. A locking slot extends in the axial direction into a portion of the main body, and begins in the second end surface and extends axially inward. A locking member is disposed to fit into the locking slot, and is inserted into the locking slot to lock the locking wedge in the slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Inventors: Brock M. Lape, Benjamin A. Mancuso, Michael C. Villani
  • Publication number: 20110098984
    Abstract: A method and system is provided for calculating a number of wedges for a slot in a dynamoelectric machine. The method includes the steps of providing a computer that is programmed to perform a method for calculating, which includes the steps of acquiring a length of the slot, acquiring a length of one or more wedges, and calculating a number of wedges required for the slot. The number of wedges required for the slot is displayed on a display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Inventors: Brock M. Lape, Benjamin A. Mancuso, Michael C. Villani
  • Patent number: 7770288
    Abstract: A tool is provided for driving a slide or wedge within a slot of an armature or field of a dynamoelectric machine. The armature or field includes a core, and the core includes one or more vent slots for facilitating ventilation of the armature or field. The tool includes a drive for applying a driving force, and a push block is connected to the drive. At least one guide rail is configured to cooperate with the push block. The drive operates on the push block to drive a slide or wedge. The at least one guide rail reduces deflection or skew of the push block during a driving operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brock M. Lape, Michael J. Bousquet, Kenneth J. Hatley, Richard M. Hatley, William G. Newman, Kenneth G. Troiano
  • Publication number: 20100162560
    Abstract: A method and system for removing a wedge within a slot of an armature or field of a dynamoelectric machine is provided. The armature or field includes a core. A saw includes a blade for cutting the wedge. At least one guide is used for guiding the saw along the slot during use. Using the saw to cut the wedge facilitates wedge removal. The wedge can be removed after the saw has cut it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Brock M. Lape, Gary L. Stewart, Michael J. Bousquet
  • Patent number: 7707710
    Abstract: A tool is disclosed for driving a slide under a wedge within a slot of an armature or field of a dynamoelectric machine. The tool comprises a frame including a pair of elongated rail members; a force application block located between the rail members; a drive connected to the frame, substantially intermediate opposite ends of the frame; a lead screw threadably engaged at one end with the force application block and connected at an opposite end to the drive such that the drive rotates the lead screw when actuated. Rotation of the lead screw causes axial movement of the force application block. The armature or field includes a core, and this core may have one or more vent slots for facilitating ventilation of the armature or field. A slot plate for locating the tool relative to the slide is present, and a portion of the slot plate extends into one or more vent slots. The slot plate establishes a reaction point for forces applied by the force application block to the stator slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brock M. Lape, Michael J. Bousquet, Kenneth J. Hatley, Richard M. Hatley, William G. Newman, Kenneth G. Troiano
  • Publication number: 20100052278
    Abstract: A cart and detachable hangers system for transporting copper coils that may include: 1) a cart with a substantially rectangular structure that includes at least two opposing side rails and at least two opposing end rails; 2) a plurality of pockets disposed along a top surface of each of the two opposing side rails; and 3) a plurality of hangers, each of the hangers including two projections that are sized such that each may detachably engage one of the pockets. The hanger and the cart are sized such that the distance between the projections correspond approximately to the distance between the pocket on one upper side rail and the opposing pocket on the other upper side rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventors: Brock M. Lape, Karl R. Anderson, III, Yannlck Lampron, Alain E. Limoges
  • Patent number: 7616012
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention can provide systems, methods, and apparatus for providing a capacitance paddle for measuring capacitance in a stator component such as a stator bar. In one embodiment, a system for measuring capacitance can include an output device operable to measure capacitance in an object. Furthermore, the system can include at least three contacts operable to mount to the object to be sensed. In addition, the system can include at least one conductive material operable to mount to the object to be sensed. Moreover, the system can include a compressible material adjacent to at least some of the at least three contacts and the at least one conductive material, wherein the compressible material can be compressed to permit the contacts to simultaneously contact the object to be sensed, and wherein the output device can output a measure of capacitance associated with the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brian David Feldman, Roderick Mark Lusted, Brock M. Lape
  • Publication number: 20090133712
    Abstract: A method for cleaning a generator coil, the method including the step of cleaning the generator coil with a vibratory tank cleaning system. The vibratory tank cleaning system may include means for inducing vibrations through a particulate medium. The vibratory tank cleaning system may include a vibratory tank that holds the particulate medium. The means for inducing vibrations through the particulate medium may be an actuator. In addition to the particulate medium, the vibratory tank also may hold water. In other embodiments, the vibratory tank may hold an acidic aqueous solution or a caustic aqueous solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventors: Brock M. Lape, Karl R. Anderson, III
  • Publication number: 20090031557
    Abstract: A tool is provided for driving a slide or wedge within a slot of an armature or field of a dynamoelectric machine. The armature or field includes a core, and the core includes one or more vent slots for facilitating ventilation of the armature or field. The tool includes a drive for applying a driving force, and a push block is connected to the drive. At least one guide rail is configured to cooperate with the push block. The drive operates on the push block to drive a slide or wedge. The at least one guide rail reduces deflection or skew of the push block during a driving operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: Brock M. Lape, Michael J. Bousquet, Kenneth J. Hatley, Richard M. Hatley, William G. Newman, Kenneth G. Troiano
  • Publication number: 20090031556
    Abstract: A tool is disclosed for driving a slide under a wedge within a slot of an armature or field of a dynamoelectric machine. The tool comprises a frame including a pair of elongated rail members; a force application block located between the rail members; a drive connected to the frame, substantially intermediate opposite ends of the frame; a lead screw threadably engaged at one end with the force application block and connected at an opposite end to the drive such that the drive rotates the lead screw when actuated. Rotation of the lead screw causes axial movement of the force application block. The armature or field includes a core, and this core may have one or more vent slots for facilitating ventilation of the armature or field. A slot plate for locating the tool relative to the slide is present, and a portion of the slot plate extends into one or more vent slots. The slot plate establishes a reaction point for forces applied by the force application block to the stator slide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: Brock M. Lape, Michael J. Bousquet, Kenneth J. Hatley, Richard M. Hatley, William G. Newman, Kenneth G. Troiano
  • Publication number: 20080278180
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention can provide systems, methods, and apparatus for providing a capacitance paddle for measuring capacitance in a stator component such as a stator bar. In one embodiment, a system for measuring capacitance can include an output device operable to measure capacitance in an object. Furthermore, the system can include at least three contacts operable to mount to the object to be sensed. In addition, the system can include at least one conductive material operable to mount to the object to be sensed. Moreover, the system can include a compressible material adjacent to at least some of the at least three contacts and the at least one conductive material, wherein the compressible material can be compressed to permit the contacts to simultaneously contact the object to be sensed, and wherein the output device can output a measure of capacitance associated with the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Brian David Feldman, Roderick Mark Lusted, Brock M. Lape