Patents by Inventor Charles K. Christopherson

Charles K. Christopherson 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).

  • Part span shrouded fan blisk
    Patent number: 7758311
    Abstract: Including a disk, a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart airfoils extending radially outwardly from the disk, a plurality of shroud segments being disposed circumferentially between the plurality of airfoils and configured to attach to a corresponding airfoil of the plurality of airfoils and a plurality of wear surfaces, where at least one wear surface of the plurality of wear surfaces is configured and disposed to prevent excessive wear between the adjacent shroud segments. Each shroud segment of the plurality of shroud segments may be attached to a corresponding airfoil by weld connections to permit clearance during translation friction welding of the airfoil to the disk hub are located to avoid high stress areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kenneth Loehle, James A. Huffman, Charles K. Christopherson, Alan Glen Turner, Jeffrey F. Wessels, Gary Edward Trewiler, Peter J. Rock, Paul S. Manicke, Joseph Capozzi, Jeffrey Howard Nussbaum, Leslie M Pommer
  • Part span shrouded fan blisk
    Publication number: 20080089788
    Abstract: Including a disk, a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart airfoils extending radially outwardly from the disk, a plurality of shroud segments being disposed circumferentially between the plurality of airfoils and configured to attach to a corresponding airfoil of the plurality of airfoils and a plurality of wear surfaces, where at least one wear surface of the plurality of wear surfaces is configured and disposed to prevent excessive wear between the adjacent shroud segments. Each shroud segment of the plurality of shroud segments may be attached to a corresponding airfoil by weld connections to permit clearance during translation friction welding of the airfoil to the disk hub are located to avoid high stress areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Kenneth Loehle, James A. Huffman, Charles K. Christopherson, Alan Glen Turner, Jeffrey F. Wessels, Gary Edward Trewiler, Peter J, Rock, Paul S. Manicke, Joseph Capozzi, Jeffrey Howard Nussbaum, Leslie M. Pommer