Patents by Inventor Charles Alan Bulgrin
Charles Alan Bulgrin 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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Patent number: 11861270Abstract: An improved manufacturing method includes virtually aligning scanned virtual vane components that are virtual electronic counterparts of separately manufactured and three-dimensionally scanned physical vane components used in gas turbine engines. The improved method performs virtual alignments for any of various possible virtual combinations of the virtual vane components to predict how their physical counterparts would likely behave in combination with each other before those physical counterparts are inseparably combined. One or more optimal virtual combinations are identified, in turn indicating optimal physical combinations to select to form physical vanes incorporated into one or more gas turbine engines, in turn improving the quality of the vanes and ultimately engine performance.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2020Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE CORPORATIONInventors: Charles Alan Bulgrin, Bradley W. Burkett
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Publication number: 20230158612Abstract: The disclosure describes example techniques and assemblies for joining a first component and a second component. The techniques may include positioning the first and second component adjacent to each other to define a joint region between adjacent portions of the first component and the second component. The techniques may also include inserting a solid retainer material into the joint region through an aperture in one of the first component or the second component to form a mechanical interlock between the first component and the second component and sealing the aperture to retain the solid retainer material within the joint region. The solid retainer material includes at least one of a metal, a metal alloy, or a ceramic.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2023Publication date: May 25, 2023Inventors: Charles Alan Bulgrin, Matthew T. Kush, Rusty M. Gamer, Carl R. Russo
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Publication number: 20230033578Abstract: The disclosure describes example techniques and assemblies for joining a first component and a second component. The techniques may include positioning the first and second component adjacent to each other to define a joint region between adjacent portions of the first component and the second component, the joint region being coated with an adhesion resistant coating. The techniques may also include positioning a braze material in the joint region, heating the braze material to form an at least softened material, and cooling the at least softened material to form a mechanical interlock including the braze material in the joint region joining the first and second components. The braze material does not metallurgically bond to the joint surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2022Publication date: February 2, 2023Inventors: Charles Alan Bulgrin, Carl R. Russo, Joseph Peter Henderkott, Matthew T. Kush, Greg Lopshire
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Patent number: 11565352Abstract: The disclosure describes example techniques and assemblies for joining a first component and a second component. The techniques may include positioning the first and second component adjacent to each other to define a joint region between adjacent portions of the first component and the second component. The techniques may also include inserting a solid retainer material into the joint region through an aperture in one of the first component or the second component to form a mechanical interlock between the first component and the second component and sealing the aperture to retain the solid retainer material within the joint region. The solid retainer material includes at least one of a metal, a metal alloy, or a ceramic.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2019Date of Patent: January 31, 2023Assignee: Rolls-Royce CorporationInventors: Charles Alan Bulgrin, Matthew T. Kush, Rusty M. Garner, Carl R. Russo
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Patent number: 11338396Abstract: The disclosure describes example techniques and assemblies for joining a first component and a second component. The techniques may include positioning the first and second component adjacent to each other to define a joint region between adjacent portions of the first component and the second component, the joint region being coated with an adhesion resistant coating. The techniques may also include positioning a braze material in the joint region, heating the braze material to form an at least softened material, and cooling the at least softened material to form a mechanical interlock including the braze material in the joint region joining the first and second components. The braze material does not metallurgically bond to the joint surface.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2019Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE CORPORATIONInventors: Charles Alan Bulgrin, Carl R. Russo, Joseph Peter Henderkott, Matthew T. Kush, Greg Lopshire
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Publication number: 20210334427Abstract: An improved manufacturing method includes virtually aligning scanned virtual vane components that are virtual electronic counterparts of separately manufactured and three-dimensionally scanned physical vane components used in gas turbine engines. The improved method performs virtual alignments for any of various possible virtual combinations of the virtual vane components to predict how their physical counterparts would likely behave in combination with each other before those physical counterparts are inseparably combined. One or more optimal virtual combinations are identified, in turn indicating optimal physical combinations to select to form physical vanes incorporated into one or more gas turbine engines, in turn improving the quality of the vanes and ultimately engine performance.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2020Publication date: October 28, 2021Applicant: Rolls-Royce CorporationInventors: Charles Alan Bulgrin, Bradley W. Burkett
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Publication number: 20210146485Abstract: The disclosure describes example techniques and assemblies for joining a first component and a second component. The techniques may include positioning the first and second component adjacent to each other to define a joint region between adjacent portions of the first component and the second component. The techniques may also include inserting a solid retainer material into the joint region through an aperture in one of the first component or the second component to form a mechanical interlock between the first component and the second component and sealing the aperture to retain the solid retainer material within the joint region. The solid retainer material includes at least one of a metal, a metal alloy, or a ceramic.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2019Publication date: May 20, 2021Inventors: Charles Alan Bulgrin, Matthew T. Kush, Rusty M. Garner, Carl R. Russo
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Patent number: 10933466Abstract: A method for fabricating a cast component with a cooling channel is provided. The method includes forming a shell mold over a pattern-ceramic matrix composite (CMC) elongated core arrangement to define a cavity in the shell mold. The pattern-CMC elongated core arrangement includes a pattern-forming material with a CMC elongated core disposed therein. The pattern-forming material in the cavity is replaced with metal via a casting process to form the cast component with the CMC elongated core disposed therein defining the cooling channel. The CMC elongated core is removed from the cast component to open the cooling channel for fluid communication.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2017Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE CORPORATIONInventors: Charles Alan Bulgrin, Carl R. Russo, Matthew T. Kush
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Publication number: 20190275617Abstract: The disclosure describes example techniques and assemblies for joining a first component and a second component. The techniques may include positioning the first and second component adjacent to each other to define a joint region between adjacent portions of the first component and the second component, the joint region being coated with an adhesion resistant coating. The techniques may also include positioning a braze material in the joint region, heating the braze material to form an at least softened material, and cooling the at least softened material to form a mechanical interlock including the braze material in the joint region joining the first and second components. The braze material does not metallurgically bond to the joint surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2019Publication date: September 12, 2019Inventors: Charles Alan Bulgrin, Carl R. Russo, Joseph Peter Henderkott, Matthew T. Kush, Greg Lopshire
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Publication number: 20170326635Abstract: A method for fabricating a cast component with a cooling channel is provided. The method includes forming a shell mold over a pattern-ceramic matrix composite (CMC) elongated core arrangement to define a cavity in the shell mold. The pattern-CMC elongated core arrangement includes a pattern-forming material with a CMC elongated core disposed therein. The pattern-forming material in the cavity is replaced with metal via a casting process to form the cast component with the CMC elongated core disposed therein defining the cooling channel. The CMC elongated core is removed from the cast component to open the cooling channel for fluid communication.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2017Publication date: November 16, 2017Applicant: Rolls-Royce CorporationInventors: Charles Alan Bulgrin, Carl R. Russo, Matthew T. Kush
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Patent number: 8118548Abstract: A turbomachine includes a casing defining a hot gas path, and a shroud member attached to the casing. The shroud member is spaced from the casing to define a gap. The shroud member includes a first end having a first hook member provided with a first sealing surface and a second end including a second hook member provided with a second sealing surface. At least one of the first and second sealing surfaces includes a plurality of labyrinth seal elements that reduce air leakage through the gap into the hot gas path.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2008Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Tagir Robert Nigmatulin, Charles Alan Bulgrin, Iain Robertson Kellock, Ralph Chris Bruner
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Patent number: 8083475Abstract: The present application provides an angel wing seal for a turbine bucket. The angel wing seal may include a first wing with a sinusoidally-shaped outer edge and a number of wing teeth positioned thereon.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2009Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Charles Alan Bulgrin, Ariel Caesar-Prepena Jacala, Gary Michael Itzel, Ralph Chris Bruner
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Patent number: 8066475Abstract: A uniquely configured rotating seal tooth is used in conjunction with commonly used labyrinth-type seals that provide a seal between a rotating component and a stationary component. The uniquely configured rotating seal tooth produces a compression mechanism to counter leakage flow through the labyrinth of seal teeth, thereby lessening the pressure gradient that drives leakage and reversing the direction of some of the leakage flow.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2007Date of Patent: November 29, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Charles Alan Bulgrin, Ralph Chris Bruner, Robert Craig Akin
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Patent number: 8002515Abstract: Disclosed is a shroud for a turbomachine including at least one support structure and at least one inner shroud disposed at a gas path of a turbomachine. The at least one inner shroud and the at least one support structure have at least one gap therebetween. The at least one gap alternates between at least one restrictive gap and at least one unrestrictive gap and is capable of creating at least one pressure loss mechanism to reduce a hot gas flow in the at least one gap. Further disclosed is a turbomachine and a method for reducing ingestion of hot gas in a turbomachine.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2008Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Iain Robertson Kellock, Charles Alan Bulgrin, Tagir Robert Nigmatulin, Ralph Chris Bruner
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Publication number: 20100178159Abstract: The present application provides an angel wing seal for a turbine bucket. The angel wing seal may include a first wing with a sinusoidally-shaped outer edge and a number of wing teeth positioned thereon.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2009Publication date: July 15, 2010Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Charles Alan Bulgrin, Ariel Caesar-Prepena Jacala, Gary Michael Itzel, Ralph Chris Bruner
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Publication number: 20100068041Abstract: A turbomachine includes a casing defining a hot gas path, and a shroud member attached to the casing. The shroud member is spaced from the casing to define a gap. The shroud member includes a first end having a first hook member provided with a first sealing surface and a second end including a second hook member provided with a second sealing surface. At least one of the first and second sealing surfaces includes a plurality of labyrinth seal elements that reduce air leakage through the gap into the hot gas path.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2008Publication date: March 18, 2010Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Tagir Robert Nigmatulin, Charles Alan Bulgrin, Iain Robertson Kellock, Ralph Chris Bruner
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Publication number: 20100061848Abstract: Disclosed is a shroud for a turbomachine including at least one support structure and at least one inner shroud disposed at a gas path of a turbomachine. The at least one inner shroud and the at least one support structure have at least one gap therebetween. The at least one gap alternates between at least one restrictive gap and at least one unrestrictive gap and is capable of creating at least one pressure loss mechanism to reduce a hot gas flow in the at least one gap. Further disclosed is a turbomachine and a method for reducing ingestion of hot gas in a turbomachine.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2008Publication date: March 11, 2010Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Iain Robertson Kellock, Charles Alan Bulgrin, Tagir Robert Nigmatulin, Ralph Chris Bruner
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Publication number: 20090058013Abstract: A uniquely configured rotating seal tooth is used in conjunction with commonly used labyrinth-type seals that provide a seal between a rotating component and a stationary component. The uniquely configured rotating seal tooth produces a compression mechanism to counter leakage flow through the labyrinth of seal teeth, thereby lessening the pressure gradient that drives leakage and reversing the direction of some of the leakage flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2007Publication date: March 5, 2009Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Charles Alan Bulgrin, Ralph Chris Bruner, Robert Craig Akin
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Patent number: 7448850Abstract: A closed loop inner shroud assembly for a gas turbine. The shroud assembly may include a shroud body, a cover plate, an inlet though the cover plate to the shroud body, a serpentine passageway through the shroud body, and an outlet from the shroud body to the cover plate.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2006Date of Patent: November 11, 2008Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Charles Alan Bulgrin, Iain Robertson Kellock, Stephen William Tesh, Tagir Nigmatulin