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).

  • Patent number: 9038253
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John William Herbold, Randall Stephen Corn, James Bradford Holmes, Charles V. Spanos
  • Patent number: 8910357
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Charles V. Spanos, Charles Van Buchan, John William Herbold
  • Patent number: 8881584
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Charles V. Spanos, John William Herbold, Andrew Thomas Hynous
  • Publication number: 20140260573
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Charles V. Spanos, John William Herbold, Andrew Thomas Hynous
  • Patent number: 8789866
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Charles V. Spanos, John William Herbold
  • Patent number: 8777202
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John William Herbold, Charles V. Spanos
  • Patent number: 8757962
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John William Herbold, Randall Stephen Corn, Charles V. Spanos
  • Patent number: 8671536
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Charles V. Spanos, John William Herbold, Kevin Scott Peterson
  • Publication number: 20130232788
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Charles V. Spanos, John William Herbold, Kevin Scott Peterson
  • Publication number: 20130028699
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Charles V. Spanos, John William Herbold
  • Publication number: 20120317772
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: John William Herbold, Randall Stephen Corn, Charles V. Spanos
  • Publication number: 20120301291
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Charles V. Spanos, Charles Van Buchan, John William Herbold
  • Publication number: 20120292859
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: John William Herbold, Charles V. Spanos
  • Publication number: 20120272496
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: John William Herbold, Randall Stephen Corn, James Bradford Holmes, Charles V. Spanos