Patents by Inventor Byron Andrew Pritchard

Byron Andrew Pritchard 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: 10227930
    Abstract: A compressor assembly for a turbomachine includes a compressor wall including circumferentially spaced stator vanes defining at least one row of stator vanes. The at least one row of stator vanes defines at least one stator passage therein. Each stator vane includes a leading edge, an opposite trailing edge defining an axial chord distance, and a pressure side. The compressor assembly also includes, at least one bleed opening defined within the compressor wall and disposed adjacent the pressure side in the at least one stator passage within a range from approximately 20% the axial chord distance upstream of the leading edge to approximately 20% the axial chord distance downstream of the trailing edge. The compressor assembly further includes at least one bleed arm extending from the at least one bleed opening with at least a portion of compressor airflow extractable through the at least one bleed arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Swati Saxena, Ajay Keshava Rao, Rudolf Konrad Selmeier, Grover Andrew Bennett, Giridhar Jothiprasad, Corey Bourassa, Byron Andrew Pritchard
  • 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
  • Patent number: 10196982
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas turbine engine comprising a casing having a compressor section, combustion section and turbine section, axially arranged in a flow direction about a rotational axis of the engine. The engine includes a rotor located within the casing and rotatable about the rotational axis, including multiple sets of circumferentially arranged blades, with at least one set corresponding to the compressor section and another set corresponding to the turbine section. The engine also includes a set of vanes circumferentially arranged about the rotational axis and at a location upstream of the combustion section, with the vanes having a pressure side and a suction side. The engine further includes a cooling conduit extending from upstream of the combustion section to downstream of the combustion section, with an inlet located on the suction side of at least one of the vanes which allows cooling air to enter the inlet and is directed through the cooling conduit for cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mehmet Muhittin Dede, Satoshi Atsuchi, Byron Andrew Pritchard, Erich Alois Krammer, Giridhar Jothiprasad, Shourya Prakash Otta, Corey Bourassa
  • 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
  • Patent number: 10167725
    Abstract: An engine component for a turbine engine includes a particle collector having a substrate configured to retain at least some particles from a particle-laden stream passing through a portion of the engine. A fluid bypass around the substrate of the collector enables the particle-laden stream to bypass the substrate if the substrate is filled with particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Francis Manning, Victor Hugo Silva Correia, Jared Peter Buhler, Byron Andrew Pritchard, Jr., William Collins Vining, Corey Bourassa, Gregory Michael Laskowski, David Vickery Parker
  • Publication number: 20180371923
    Abstract: Methods for preparing slotted ceramic coatings and the resulting components comprising the same are provided. The methods and products include the incorporation of a coating system comprising a ceramic coating with cooling holes disposed throughout the ceramic coating and slots defined in the thermal barrier coating and disposed in relation to the cooling holes. The resulting ceramic coating has improved resistance to CMAS infiltration and improved compliance resulting in an increased life of the coated component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Curtis Alan Johnson, Hrishikesh Keshavan, Shankar Sivaramakrishnan, Byron Andrew Pritchard, JR., Hongqiang Chen, Bernard Patrick Bewlay
  • Publication number: 20180313225
    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: April 26, 2017
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    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
  • Publication number: 20180283209
    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: March 29, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    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: 20180258787
    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: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Nicole Jessica TIBBETTS, Bernard Patrick BEWLAY, Ambarish Jayant KULKARNI, Byron Andrew PRITCHARD, JR., Keith Anthony LAURIA, Michael Edward ERIKSEN
  • Publication number: 20180245477
    Abstract: A method for cleaning components of a gas turbine engine is presented. The method includes introducing a working fluid into a gas flow path or a cooling circuit defined by the one or more components of the gas turbine engine such that the working fluid impinges upon a surface of the one or more components of the gas turbine engine, wherein the working fluid includes a plurality of detergent droplets entrained in a flow of steam. A system for cleaning components of a gas turbine engine are also presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventors: Ambarish Jayant Kulkarni, Bernard Patrick Bewlay, Byron Andrew Pritchard, JR., Nicole Jessica Tibbetts, Michael Edward Eriksen, Eric John Telfeyan
  • Patent number: 10036319
    Abstract: A separator assembly for removing entrained particles from a fluid stream passing through a gas turbine engine includes a first particle separator for separating the fluid stream into a reduced-particle stream and a particle-laden stream, and emitting the particle-laden stream through a scavenge outlet. Another particle remover is fluidly coupled to the scavenge outlet to remove more particles from the air stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Carl Murray, Corey Bourassa, David Vickery Parker, Byron Andrew Pritchard, Jr., Jonathan Russell Ratzlaff, William Collins Vining, Erich Alois Krammer
  • Publication number: 20180156062
    Abstract: A method for inspecting a gas turbine engine using a maintenance tool includes assembling a plurality of rail segments of a rail system of the maintenance tool within a core air flowpath of the gas turbine engine. The gas turbine engine includes a compressor section, a combustion section, and a turbine section together defining at least in part the core air flowpath. The method also includes moving a maintenance head of the maintenance tool along the plurality of rail segments of the rail system to perform maintenance operations within the core air flowpath of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: Mehmet M. Dede, Byron Andrew Pritchard, Jr., Wayne Ray Grady, Ambarish Jayant Kulkarni
  • Publication number: 20180154392
    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: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    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: 20180156132
    Abstract: A maintenance tool for gas turbine engine includes a rail system having a plurality of rail segments insertable through one or more inspection holes of the gas turbine engine for assembly within a core air flowpath of the gas turbine engine. The maintenance tool additionally includes a maintenance head movable along the plurality of rail segments of the rail system for performing maintenance operations within the core air flowpath.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: Mehmet M. Dede, Byron Andrew Pritchard, JR., David Scott Diwinsky, Wayne Ray Grady, Marc Metz, Gary Lee Ward
  • Patent number: 9982598
    Abstract: A variable bleed valve includes a variable bleed valve door disposed in a bleed inlet in transition duct and rotatable about an axis at or near a forward end of door. Valve is operable to open and close a bleed slot open to a booster bleed flowpath located outwardly of transition duct and having an airflow restrictor. Airflow restrictor may be variable such as a flapper valve. Booster bleed flowpath may pass through a bifurcated bleed duct including an inner passage radially bound by spaced apart inner and middle bleed walls and an outer passage radially bound by middle bleed wall and an outer bleed wall. Airflow restrictor may include an outlet area smaller than an inlet area of inner passage. Door seals against middle bleed wall to open inner passage and against outer bleed wall to open both passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Byron Andrew Pritchard, Jr., Charles Daniel Califf, Peter John Wood, Raymond Gust Holm, Allan George van de Wall, Peter Alfred Pezzi
  • Publication number: 20180128177
    Abstract: A method of forming a hole in an engine component. The hole is formed through a wall defining first and second opposing surfaces. An inlet is located on the first surface and an outlet on the second surface where a passage connects the inlet and the outlet. Fluid is passed through the passage, emitted from the passage, and redirected upon existing the outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas George Holland, Mehmet Muhittin Dede, Ryan Nicholas Porter, Byron Andrew Pritchard, Jr., Jason Randolph Allen
  • Patent number: 9957816
    Abstract: An engine component with particulate mitigation features is provided. The engine component comprises an internal engine component surface having a cooling flow path on one side thereof and a second component adjacent to the first component. The second component, for example an insert, may have a plurality of openings forming an array wherein the openings extend through the second component at a non-orthogonal angle to the surface of the second component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ronald Scott Bunker, Jason Randolph Allen, Ryan Nicholas Porter, Byron Andrew Pritchard, Christopher Joseph Greenwell, Timothy Deryck Stone, Andrew Stephen Pritchard
  • Publication number: 20180094538
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for in situ cleaning of hot gas flowpath components of a turbine engine that form portions of a hot gas flowpath extending through the turbine. The hot gas flowpath components may include a layer of accumulated contaminants on first portions thereof that form a respective portion of the hot gas flowpath. The first portions may include a thermal battier coating (TBC), and the layer of accumulated contaminants may overlie the TBC and at least partially infiltrate into the TBC. The accumulated contaminants may include CaO—MgO—Al2O3-SiO2 (CMAS) partial melt. The methods may include introducing an acid-including detergent into the hot gas flowpath of the turbine engine and onto the hot gas flowpath components to clean the accumulated contaminants from the first surfaces of the components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Nicole Jessica TIBBETTS, Bernard Patrick BEWLAY, Byron Andrew PRITCHARD, JR., Brian Michael ELLIS, Michael Edward ERIKSEN, Keith Anthony LAURIA
  • Patent number: 9932854
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for in situ cleaning of hot gas flowpath components of a turbine engine that form portions of a hot gas flowpath extending through the turbine. The hot gas flowpath components may include a layer of accumulated contaminants on first portions thereof that form a respective portion of the hot gas flowpath. The first portions may include a thermal battier coating (TBC), and the layer of accumulated contaminants may overlie the TBC and at least partially infiltrate into the TBC. The accumulated contaminants may include CaO—MgO—Al2O3-SiO2 (CMAS) partial melt. The methods may include introducing an acid-including detergent into the hot gas flowpath of the turbine engine and onto the hot gas flowpath components to clean the accumulated contaminants from the first surfaces of the components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Nicole Jessica Tibbetts, Bernard Patrick Bewlay, Byron Andrew Pritchard, Brian Michael Ellis, Michael Edward Eriksen, Keith Anthony Lauria
  • Patent number: 9915176
    Abstract: A shroud assembly for a turbine engine includes a shroud having a front side confronting the blades of a turbine and a back side opposite the front side, a hanger configured to couple the shroud to with casing of the turbine, a cooling conduit extending through the hanger to supply a cooling fluid stream to the back side of the shroud, and a particle separator having a through passage forming part of the cooling conduit and a scavenge conduit branching from the through passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Carl Murray, Gregory Michael Laskowski, Corey Bourassa, Byron Andrew Pritchard, Jr., Curtis Walton Stover