Patents by Inventor Charles Vaughan Spanos

Charles Vaughan 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: 9032599
    Abstract: A component removal apparatus for use with a turbine engine is provided. The apparatus includes a main body and at least one alignment member that extends from the main body, wherein the alignment member is configured to position the apparatus relative to at least a portion of a component of the turbine engine. At least one leg member extends outwardly from at least one end portion of the main body. At least one lifting member is coupled to the leg member and is configured to apply a force to the leg member and/or the main body to facilitate the removal of the component from the turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Charles Vaughan Spanos, Randall Stephen Corn, John William Herbold
  • Patent number: 8978262
    Abstract: Various embodiments include alignment apparatuses and associated methods for use on a turbine (e.g., a gas turbine). In various particular embodiments, an apparatus for aligning an unfixed inlet guide vane (IGV) adjacent a fixed IGV in a gas turbine. In some cases the apparatus includes: a first wedge member for interfacing with the fixed IGV; a second wedge member movably coupled with the first wedge member, the second wedge member for interfacing with the unfixed IGV; and an adjustment apparatus coupled to the first wedge member and the second wedge member, the adjustment apparatus for modifying a position of the second wedge member relative to the first wedge member to actuate movement of the unfixed IGV relative to the fixed IGV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Charles Vaughan Spanos, Jason Matthew Clark, John William Herbold
  • Publication number: 20150040394
    Abstract: A remote turbine component replacement apparatus for a turbine assembly includes an arm having a first end and a second end, the first end configured to be positioned at a user accessible region and the second end configured to extend to a remote location of the turbine assembly, the remote location in close proximity with a turbine material zone to be removed. Also included is a base portion proximate the second end, the base portion configured to engage a turbine component located at the remote location. Further included is a material removal tool disposed proximate the base portion. Yet further included is a debris removal component disposed proximate the base portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Charles Vaughan Spanos, John William Herbold, John Lovendahl Schultz
  • Patent number: 8826520
    Abstract: This disclosure describes embodiments of an apparatus for use to extract a rotor from a generator. The apparatus can include a central mount element that secures to the end of the rotor. A pair of support members coupled to the sides of the central mount element. The support members can include a load bearing element that permits travel of the apparatus on a surface, e.g., a platform proximate to the turbine generator. During implementation, the apparatus is configured to direct pulling forces along the center axis of the rotor to restrict movement of the rotor and, in particular, limit rotation of the rotor that can result in inadvertent contact with the stator or other parts of the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Charles Vaughan Spanos, Charles Van Buchan, James Bradford Holmes
  • Publication number: 20140144034
    Abstract: Various embodiments include alignment apparatuses and associated methods for use on a turbine (e.g., a gas turbine). In various particular embodiments, an apparatus for aligning an unfixed inlet guide vane (IGV) adjacent a fixed IGV in a gas turbine. In some cases the apparatus includes: a first wedge member for interfacing with the fixed IGV; a second wedge member movably coupled with the first wedge member, the second wedge member for interfacing with the unfixed IGV; and an adjustment apparatus coupled to the first wedge member and the second wedge member, the adjustment apparatus for modifying a position of the second wedge member relative to the first wedge member to actuate movement of the unfixed IGV relative to the fixed IGV.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Charles Vaughan Spanos, Jason Matthew Clark, John William Herbold
  • Publication number: 20140112727
    Abstract: A cutting tool locating device for a forming an opening in a gear includes a guide member configured and disposed to be fixedly connected to gear mounted to a shaft, and an alignment puck moveably mounted to the guide member. The alignment puck includes a bushing configured and disposed to align with a recess formed in the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Charles Vaughan Spanos, Randall Stephen Corn, John William Herbold, James Bradford Holmes
  • Publication number: 20130202417
    Abstract: A component removal apparatus for use with a turbine engine is provided. The apparatus includes a main body and at least one alignment member that extends from the main body, wherein the alignment member is configured to position the apparatus relative to at least a portion of a component of the turbine engine. At least one leg member extends outwardly from at least one end portion of the main body. At least one lifting member is coupled to the leg member and is configured to apply a force to the leg member and/or the main body to facilitate the removal of the component from the turbine engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventors: Charles Vaughan Spanos, Randall Stephen Corn, John William Herbold