Patents by Inventor Charles V. Spanos
Charles V. Spanos 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: 9038253Abstract: A system for lifting a first casing section relative to a second casing section is disclosed. The system may generally include a guide member configured to be coupled to the second casing section so as to generally extend lengthwise in a lift direction of the first casing section and a sleeve member configured to be coupled to the first casing section. The sleeve member may be movably disposed on the guide member such that the sleeve member is displaced along a length of the guide member as the first casing section is lifted in the lift direction.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2011Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: John William Herbold, Randall Stephen Corn, James Bradford Holmes, Charles V. Spanos
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Patent number: 8910357Abstract: A tool for removing a pin from a casing is disclosed. The tool may generally include a rod configured to be coupled to a portion of the pin, a sleeve received on the rod and a flange member received on the sleeve. The flange member may be received on the sleeve such that the flange member is movable in a radial direction relative to the sleeve. Additionally, the tool may include a collar configured to be radially engaged between the flange member and the rod when the flange member is moved radially outwardly relative to the sleeve.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2011Date of Patent: December 16, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Charles V. Spanos, Charles Van Buchan, John William Herbold
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Patent number: 8881584Abstract: An apparatus and method for a more time efficient measurement of backlash in one or more variable guide vanes of a gas turbine system are provided. A mounting structure, with an indicator attached thereto, may be provided. Further, a guide structure may be provided to allow the mounting structure to be moved adjacent to two or more variable guide vanes without moving the guide structure.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2013Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Charles V. Spanos, John William Herbold, Andrew Thomas Hynous
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Publication number: 20140260573Abstract: An apparatus and method for a more time efficient measurement of backlash in one or more variable guide vanes of a gas turbine system are provided. A mounting structure, with an indicator attached thereto, may be provided. Further, a guide structure may be provided to allow the mounting structure to be moved adjacent to two or more variable guide vanes without moving the guide structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Charles V. Spanos, John William Herbold, Andrew Thomas Hynous
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Patent number: 8789866Abstract: A system for supporting a shaft inside a turbine includes a support member having load and counterweight portions. A fulcrum is between the load and counterweight portions, and the load portion is configured to fit inside the turbine. Nests are connected to the support member between the load and counterweight portions, and the nests are configured to rigidly connect the shaft to the support member. A counterweight is connected to move along the support member only on the counterweight portion of the support member. A method for supporting a shaft inside a turbine includes inserting a support member inside the turbine and connecting the shaft to the support member. The method further includes connecting a crane to a fulcrum on the support member, lifting the support member and shaft with the crane, and moving a counterweight on the support member to change a horizontal angle of the support member.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2011Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Charles V. Spanos, John William Herbold
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Patent number: 8777202Abstract: A tool is disclosed for adjusting a seal. The tool includes an engagement block. The engagement block defines a slot configured to capture a portion of the seal. The tool further includes an impact surface connected to the engagement block, and a hammer head movable along a strike axis with respect to the engagement block and configured for striking the impact surface. Striking of the impact surface with the hammer head can cause movement of the seal.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2011Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: John William Herbold, Charles V. Spanos
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Patent number: 8757962Abstract: A system and method for adjusting a shroud block in a casing are disclosed. The system includes a crane, an engagement device mounted to the shroud block, and a hoist connecting the engagement device and the crane. Actuation of the hoist can cause movement of the shroud block along a shroud hook of the casing. The method includes mounting an engagement device to the shroud block, and actuating a hoist connected to the engagement device. Actuation of the hoist can cause movement of the shroud block along a shroud hook of the casing.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2011Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: John William Herbold, Randall Stephen Corn, Charles V. Spanos
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Patent number: 8671536Abstract: An apparatus for installing a turbine casing including a first drive subassembly and a member coupled to the first drive subassembly configured for engaging a first segment of the turbine casing. The apparatus may also include a second member coupled to the second drive subassembly configured for engaging the first segment of the turbine casing. The apparatus may be provided with a first retainer connected to the first member and configured for engaging a second segment of the turbine casing, and a second retainer connected to the second member and configured for engaging the second segment of the turbine casing.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2012Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Charles V. Spanos, John William Herbold, Kevin Scott Peterson
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Publication number: 20130232788Abstract: An apparatus for installing a turbine casing including a first drive subassembly and a member coupled to the first drive subassembly configured for engaging a first segment of the turbine casing. The apparatus may also include a second member coupled to the second drive subassembly configured for engaging the first segment of the turbine casing. The apparatus may be provided with a first retainer connected to the first member and configured for engaging a second segment of the turbine casing, and a second retainer connected to the second member and configured for engaging the second segment of the turbine casing.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2012Publication date: September 12, 2013Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Charles V. Spanos, John William Herbold, Kevin Scott Peterson
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Publication number: 20130028699Abstract: A system for supporting a shaft inside a turbine includes a support member having load and counterweight portions. A fulcrum is between the load and counterweight portions, and the load portion is configured to fit inside the turbine. Nests are connected to the support member between the load and counterweight portions, and the nests are configured to rigidly connect the shaft to the support member. A counterweight is connected to move along the support member only on the counterweight portion of the support member. A method for supporting a shaft inside a turbine includes inserting a support member inside the turbine and connecting the shaft to the support member. The method further includes connecting a crane to a fulcrum on the support member, lifting the support member and shaft with the crane, and moving a counterweight on the support member to change a horizontal angle of the support member.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2011Publication date: January 31, 2013Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Charles V. Spanos, John William Herbold
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Publication number: 20120317772Abstract: A system and method for adjusting a shroud block in a casing are disclosed. The system includes a crane, an engagement device mounted to the shroud block, and a hoist connecting the engagement device and the crane. Actuation of the hoist can cause movement of the shroud block along a shroud hook of the casing. The method includes mounting an engagement device to the shroud block, and actuating a hoist connected to the engagement device. Actuation of the hoist can cause movement of the shroud block along a shroud hook of the casing.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2011Publication date: December 20, 2012Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: John William Herbold, Randall Stephen Corn, Charles V. Spanos
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Publication number: 20120301291Abstract: A tool for removing a pin from a casing is disclosed. The tool may generally include a rod configured to be coupled to a portion of the pin, a sleeve received on the rod and a flange member received on the sleeve. The flange member may be received on the sleeve such that the flange member is movable in a radial direction relative to the sleeve. Additionally, the tool may include a collar configured to be radially engaged between the flange member and the rod when the flange member is moved radially outwardly relative to the sleeve.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2011Publication date: November 29, 2012Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Charles V. Spanos, Charles Van Buchan, John William Herbold
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Publication number: 20120292859Abstract: A tool is disclosed for adjusting a seal. The tool includes an engagement block. The engagement block defines a slot configured to capture a portion of the seal. The tool further includes an impact surface connected to the engagement block, and a hammer head movable along a strike axis with respect to the engagement block and configured for striking the impact surface. Striking of the impact surface with the hammer head can cause movement of the seal.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2011Publication date: November 22, 2012Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: John William Herbold, Charles V. Spanos
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Publication number: 20120272496Abstract: A system for lifting a first casing section relative to a second casing section is disclosed. The system may generally include a guide member configured to be coupled to the second casing section so as to generally extend lengthwise in a lift direction of the first casing section and a sleeve member configured to be coupled to the first casing section. The sleeve member may be movably disposed on the guide member such that the sleeve member is displaced along a length of the guide member as the first casing section is lifted in the lift direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2011Publication date: November 1, 2012Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: John William Herbold, Randall Stephen Corn, James Bradford Holmes, Charles V. Spanos