Patents by Inventor Christopher David Suttles

Christopher David Suttles 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).

  • Shaft sealing system for steam turbines
    Patent number: 9540942
    Abstract: A shaft sealing system and method are disclosed for a high or intermediate pressure turbine section having a rotating member including a shaft and a stationary member surrounding the rotating member and defining a steam flow path. The shaft sealing system comprises at least one seal disposed about each of a first end and a second end of the shaft; and a connection line for conducting steam from the first turbine section to a downstream portion of the turbine. The downstream portion of the turbine is one of a low pressure section and a condenser, and has a lower pressure than both of the first turbine section and ambient pressure conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Xiaoqing Zheng, Daniel Robert Coffey, Guoqiang Lu, John Richard Powers, Steven Paul Scarlata, Christopher David Suttles
  • Methods and systems for sealing a rotary machine using a segmented seal ring
    Patent number: 9291066
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic face seal ring for use in a rotary machine includes a support ring having at least two support ring segments and a radially-extending, first face. The support ring is configured to releasably couple to an inner surface of an outer casing of the rotary machine. The face seal ring also includes a sealing ring substantially concentric with the support ring. The sealing ring includes at least two sealing ring segments and a radially-extending, second face. The sealing ring is releasably coupled to the support ring such that the first face is mated against the second face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Xiaoqing Zheng, Roderick Mark Lusted, Azam Mihir Thatte, Christopher David Suttles
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SEALING A ROTARY MACHINE USING A SEGMENTED SEAL RING
    Publication number: 20150132116
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic face seal ring for use in a rotary machine includes a support ring having at least two support ring segments and a radially-extending, first face. The support ring is configured to releasably couple to an inner surface of an outer casing of the rotary machine. The face seal ring also includes a sealing ring substantially concentric with the support ring. The sealing ring includes at least two sealing ring segments and a radially-extending, second face. The sealing ring is releasably coupled to the support ring such that the first face is mated against the second face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Xiaoqing Zheng, Roderick Mark Lusted, Azam Mihir Thatte, Christopher David Suttles
  • SHAFT SEALING SYSTEM FOR STEAM TURBINES
    Publication number: 20130270775
    Abstract: A shaft sealing system and method are disclosed for a low pressure turbine section having a rotating member including a shaft and a stationary member surrounding the rotating member and defining a steam flow path. The shaft sealing system comprises at least one seal disposed about each of a first end and a second end of the shaft; and a connection line for conducting steam from the first turbine section to a downstream portion of the turbine. The downstream portion of the turbine has a lower pressure than both of the first turbine section and ambient pressure conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Daniel Robert Coffey, Guoqiang Lu, John Richard Powers, Steven Paul Scarlata, Christopher David Suttles, Xiaoqing Zheng
  • SHAFT SEALING SYSTEM FOR STEAM TURBINES
    Publication number: 20130272872
    Abstract: A shaft sealing system and method are disclosed for a high or intermediate pressure turbine section having a rotating member including a shaft and a stationary member surrounding the rotating member and defining a steam flow path. The shaft sealing system comprises at least one seal disposed about each of a first end and a second end of the shaft; and a connection line for conducting steam from the first turbine section to a downstream portion of the turbine. The downstream portion of the turbine is one of a low pressure section and a condenser, and has a lower pressure than both of the first turbine section and ambient pressure conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Xiaoqing Zheng, Daniel Robert Coffey, Guoqiang Lu, John Richard Powers, Steven Paul Scarlata, Christopher David Suttles