Patents by Inventor Byron Andrew Pritchard, Jr.

Byron Andrew Pritchard, Jr. 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: 11027317
    Abstract: A cleaning system and method uses a tank holding a fluid detergent and an equipment assembly formed from a plurality of discrete components joined together. One or more ultrasound transducers remove one or more deposits on the equipment assembly by generating and propagating high frequency ultrasound waves into the fluid detergent while the equipment assembly is in contact with the fluid detergent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Nicole Tibbetts, Bernard Patrick Bewlay, Sean Robert Keith, Byron Andrew Pritchard, Jr., Brian Kalb, Evan Jarrett Dolley, Andrew James Jenkins, Alistair Searing, Stephen Francis Rutkowski
  • Patent number: 11028727
    Abstract: A turbine engine cleaning system includes a foaming nozzle. The foaming nozzle includes a wall having a thickness between an outer surface of the wall and an inner surface of the wall. The outer surface of the wall is configured to contact a detergent in which the foaming nozzle is configured to be disposed. The inner surface of the wall surrounds an inner plenum of the foaming nozzle, and the inner plenum is configured to receive an aerating gas. The foaming nozzle also includes a first row of first through holes fluidly coupled to, and extending between, a first row of first through hole inlets at the inner surface of the wall and a first row of first through hole outlets at the outer surface of the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ambarish Jayant Kulkarni, Keith Anthony Lauria, Michael Edward Eriksen, Nicole Jessica Tibbetts, Bernard Patrick Bewlay, Byron Andrew Pritchard, Jr., Shantanu M. Sane
  • Publication number: 20210131305
    Abstract: A coated component of a gas turbine engine includes a substrate defining a surface, a thermal barrier coating deposited on the surface of the substrate, a region of the component where the thermal barrier coating has spalled from the substrate, a layer of environmental contaminant compositions formed on one or more of the thermal barrier coating or the region of the component where the thermal barrier coating has spalled from the substrate in response to an initial exposure of the component to high operating temperatures of the gas turbine engine, and a thermal barrier coating (TBC) restoration coating deposited at least on the region of the component where there thermal barrier coating has spalled from the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Hrishikesh Keshavan, Ambarish Jayant Kulkarni, Margeaux Wallace, Byron Andrew Pritchard, JR., Almed M. Elkady, Atanu Saha, Mamatha Nagesh, Bernard Patrick Bewlay
  • Publication number: 20200400037
    Abstract: A method of cleaning a component within a turbine that includes disassembling the turbine engine to provide a flow path to an interior passageway of the component from an access point. The component has coked hydrocarbons formed thereon. The method further includes discharging a flow of cleaning solution towards the interior passageway from the access point, wherein the cleaning solution is configured to remove the coked hydrocarbons from the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Robert Millhaem, Nicole Jessica Tibbetts, Byron Andrew Pritchard, JR., Bernard Patrick Bewlay, Keith Anthony Lauria, Ambarish Jayant Kulkarni, Mark Rosenzweig, Martin Matthew Morra, Timothy Mark Sambor, Andrew Jenkins
  • Patent number: 10871082
    Abstract: A turbine system includes a foam generating assembly having an in situ foam generating device at least partially positioned within the fluid passageway of the turbine engine, such that the in situ foam generating device is configured to generate foam within the fluid passageway of the turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Ambarish Jayant Kulkarni, Byron Andrew Pritchard, Jr., Bernard Patrick Bewlay, Michael Edward Eriksen, Nicole Jessica Tibbetts
  • Publication number: 20200248583
    Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure include a meta-stable detergent based foam generating device of a turbine cleaning system includes a manifold configured to receive a liquid detergent and an expansion gas, a gas supply source configured to store the expansion gas, and one or more aerators fluidly coupled with, and between, the gas supply source and the manifold. Each aerator of the one or more aerators comprises an orifice through which the expansion gas enters the manifold, and wherein the orifice of each aerator is sized to enable generation of a meta-stable detergent based foam having bubbles with bubble diameters within a range of 10 microns (3.9×10?4 inches inches) and 5 millimeters (0.2 inches), having a half-life within a range of 5 minutes and 180 minutes, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: Ambarish Jayant Kulkarni, Bernard Patrick Bewlay, Byron Andrew Pritchard, JR., Nicole Jessica Tibbetts, Michael Edward Eriksen, Stephen Wilton
  • Patent number: 10731508
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems of generating flows of detergent through a turbine engine to effectuate cleaning of components thereof. The methods include introducing a foamed, acid-including detergent with a pH range of between 2 and 7 into a gas flowpath of the turbine engine. The methods also include creating a pressure differential in an aft portion of the gas flowpath with respect to a forward portion of the gas flowpath to generate a flow of the detergent therethrough. The methods further include creating a pressure differential in a forward portion of the gas flowpath with respect to an aft portion of the gas flowpath to generate a counterflow of the detergent therethrough. The flow and counterflow of the detergent through the gas flowpath interact with components of the turbine engine having foreign material thereon to at least partially remove the foreign material therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Nicole Jessica Tibbetts, Bernard Patrick Bewlay, Ambarish Jayant Kulkarni, Byron Andrew Pritchard, Jr., Keith Anthony Lauria, Michael Edward Eriksen
  • Patent number: 10724437
    Abstract: A particle separator system for use with a turbomachine is provided. The particle separator system includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a main separator body extending between the first and second ends, the main separator body including at least one step configured to cause a fluid flow to turn up to 180 degrees, and at least one transversely oriented cyclone separator disposed within the main separator body and defining at least one of a swirling cylinder, a bent cylinder, and a conical volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Satoshi Atsuchi, Byron Andrew Pritchard, Jr., Corey Bourassa, Erich Alois Krammer
  • Publication number: 20200224552
    Abstract: A method of repairing a component of a gas turbine engine in situ, wherein the component includes a deposit, includes directing a flow of gas, which may be an oxygen-containing gas, to the deposit of the component; and heating the component including the deposit while the component is installed in the gas turbine engine and for a duration sufficient to substantially remove the deposit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Robert Millhaem, Andrew Crispin Graham, Byron Andrew Pritchard, JR., David Scott Diwinsky, Jeremy Clyde Bailey, Michael Edward Eriksen, Ambarish Jayant Kulkarni
  • Publication number: 20200141325
    Abstract: A vapor-based system and method for treating one or more components of a gas turbine engine. The system includes a treatment compound contained in a storage vessel. The storage vessel being operably coupled to a delivery module. The delivery module delivering the treatment compound at one or more locations of the gas turbine engine such that the treatment compound is a vapor when exposed to an engine air-path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: Liangde Xie, Ambarish Jayant Kulkarni, Byron Andrew Pritchard, JR., Matthew Charles Sabo
  • Patent number: 10569309
    Abstract: A cleaning system and method uses a tank holding a fluid detergent and an equipment assembly formed from a plurality of discrete components joined together. One or more ultrasound transducers remove one or more deposits on the equipment assembly by generating and propagating high frequency ultrasound waves into the fluid detergent while the equipment assembly is in contact with the fluid detergent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Nicole Tibbetts, Bernard Patrick Bewlay, Sean Robert Keith, Byron Andrew Pritchard, Jr., Brian Kalb, Evan Jarrett Dolley, Andrew James Jenkins, Alistair Searing, Stephen Francis Rutkowski
  • Publication number: 20200009620
    Abstract: A cleaning system and method uses a tank holding a fluid detergent and an equipment assembly formed from a plurality of discrete components joined together. One or more ultrasound transducers remove one or more deposits on the equipment assembly by generating and propagating high frequency ultrasound waves into the fluid detergent while the equipment assembly is in contact with the fluid detergent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Inventors: Nicole Tibbetts, Bernard Patrick Bewlay, Sean Robert Keith, Byron Andrew Pritchard, JR., Brian Kalb, Evan Jarrett Dolley, Andrew James Jenkins, Alistair Searing, Stephen Francis Rutkowski
  • Patent number: 10428683
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method for in-situ cleaning one or more components of a gas turbine engine using an abrasive gel detergent. More specifically, the gel detergent includes a plurality of abrasive particles suspended in a gel composition. Further, the abrasive particles include organic material. Moreover, the gel composition is formed of a mixture of detergent particles dissolved in a gel reactant. Thus, the method includes injecting the gel detergent into at least a portion of the gas turbine engine at a predetermined pressure. In addition, the method includes allowing the gel detergent to flow across or within one or more of the components of the gas turbine engine so as to clean one or more of the components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Edward Eriksen, David E. Caldwell, Nicole Jessica Tibbetts, Ambarish Jayant Kulkarni, Byron Andrew Pritchard, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10364701
    Abstract: A coated component, along with methods of its formation, restoration, and use, is provided. The coated component may include a substrate defining a surface; a thermal barrier coating on the surface of the substrate; a layer of environmental contaminant compositions (e.g., CMAS) on the thermal barrier coating; and a chemical barrier coating on the layer of environmental contaminant compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Hrishikesh Keshavan, Byron Andrew Pritchard, Jr., Shankar Sivaramakrishnan, Julie Marie Chapman, Ambarish Jayant Kulkarni, Bernard Patrick Bewlay, Mehmet M. Dede, Larry Steven Rosenzweig
  • Publication number: 20190203610
    Abstract: A turbine system includes a foam generating assembly having an in situ foam generating device at least partially positioned within the fluid passageway of the turbine engine, such that the in situ foam generating device is configured to generate foam within the fluid passageway of the turbine engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Ambarish Jayant Kulkarni, Byron Andrew Pritchard, JR., Bernard Patrick Bewlay, Michael Edward Eriksen, Nicole Jessica Tibbetts
  • Patent number: 10323539
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for in-situ (e.g. on-wing) cleaning of gas turbine engine components. The method includes injecting a dry cleaning medium into the gas turbine engine at one or more locations. The dry cleaning medium includes a plurality of abrasive microparticles. Thus, the method also includes circulating the dry cleaning medium through at least a portion of the gas turbine engine such that the abrasive microparticles abrade a surface of the one or more components so as to clean the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bernard Patrick Bewlay, Brian Alan Kalb, Nicole Jessica Tibbetts, Ambarish Jayant Kulkarni, Byron Andrew Pritchard, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20190153890
    Abstract: A wash system for a gas turbine engine includes a foam generating device configured for receiving and aerating a flow of wash fluid to generate a flow of foamed wash fluid having particular foam characteristics. The flow of foamed wash fluid passes through a distribution manifold where it is selectively directed through a plurality of wash lines to desired portions of the gas turbine engine. The wash system further includes a controller configured for manipulating the foam characteristics of the flow of foamed wash fluid and using the distribution manifold to selectively direct the flow of foamed wash fluid to desired portions of the gas turbine engine for optimal cleaning and improved engine efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Michael Edward Eriksen, Keith Anthony Lauria, Ambarish Jayant Kulkarni, Byron Andrew Pritchard, JR., David Geoffrey Dauenhauer, Bernard Patrick Bewlay, Nicole Jessica Tibbetts
  • Publication number: 20190107005
    Abstract: A turbine engine cleaning system includes a foaming nozzle. The foaming nozzle includes a wall having a thickness between an outer surface of the wall and an inner surface of the wall. The outer surface of the wall is configured to contact a detergent in which the foaming nozzle is configured to be disposed. The inner surface of the wall surrounds an inner plenum of the foaming nozzle, and the inner plenum is configured to receive an aerating gas. The foaming nozzle also includes a first row of first through holes fluidly coupled to, and extending between, a first row of first through hole inlets at the inner surface of the wall and a first row of first through hole outlets at the outer surface of the wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Inventors: Ambarish Jayant Kulkarni, Keith Anthony Lauria, Michael Edward Eriksen, Nicole Jessica Tibbetts, Bernard Patrick Bewlay, Byron Andrew Pritchard, JR., Shantanu M. Sane
  • Patent number: 10227891
    Abstract: A wash system for a gas turbine engine includes a foam generating device configured for receiving and aerating a flow of wash fluid to generate a flow of foamed wash fluid having particular foam characteristics. The flow of foamed wash fluid passes through a distribution manifold where it is selectively directed through a plurality of wash lines to desired portions of the gas turbine engine. The wash system further includes a controller configured for manipulating the foam characteristics of the flow of foamed wash fluid and using the distribution manifold to selectively direct the flow of foamed wash fluid to desired portions of the gas turbine engine for optimal cleaning and improved engine efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Edward Eriksen, Keith Anthony Lauria, Ambarish Jayant Kulkarni, Byron Andrew Pritchard, Jr., David Geoffrey Dauenhauer, Bernard Patrick Bewlay, Nicole Jessica Tibbetts
  • Publication number: 20190003388
    Abstract: A particle separator system for use with a turbomachine is provided. The particle separator system includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a main separator body extending between the first and second ends, the main separator body including at least one step configured to cause a fluid flow to turn up to 180 degrees, and at least one transversely oriented cyclone separator disposed within the main separator body and defining at least one of a swirling cylinder, a bent cylinder, and a conical volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventors: Satoshi Atsuchi, Byron Andrew Pritchard, JR., Corey Bourassa, Erich Alois Krammer