Patents by Inventor Christopher Edward Wolfe
Christopher Edward Wolfe 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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Publication number: 20200166143Abstract: A seal assembly for a rotary machine includes a seal bearing face that opposes a rotating component of the machine and a slide device coupled with the seal bearing face. The slide device axially moves toward the rotating component responsive to pressurization of the rotary machine. The slide device includes cross-over ports and the seal bearing includes feed ports. The feed ports extend through the seal bearing face to form aerostatic portions of a film bearing between the seal bearing face and the rotating component. The seal bearing face and/or the rotating component has a non-planar surface that, during rotating motion of the rotating component relative to the face of the seal bearing face, forms aerodynamic portions of the film bearing.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2018Publication date: May 28, 2020Inventors: Quang Tue Nguyen Tran, Nathan Evan McCurdy Gibson, Rodrigo Rodriguez Erdmenger, Christopher Edward Wolfe, Steven Douglas Johnson, Antonio Guijarro Valencia
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Patent number: 10655489Abstract: An assembly for a turbomachine and a method for assembling a plurality of flow path components are presented. The assembly includes a plurality of flow path components disposed adjacent to one another, each flow path component having a forward surface, an aft surface, a pressure side surface, and a suction side surface. A seal channel is defined by the pressure side surface and the suction side surface of adjacent flow path components. The seal channel has an open forward end proximate to the forward surfaces and at least two rear ends proximate to the aft surfaces. The assembly includes a plurality of seal layers disposed within the seal channel such that one or more seal layers extend from the open forward end to a rear end and one or more other seal layers extend from the open forward end to another rear end.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2018Date of Patent: May 19, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Neelesh Nandkumar Sarawate, Christopher Edward Wolfe, Victor John Morgan, Jason Ray Gregg
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Publication number: 20200149638Abstract: A seal assembly that includes a rotatable seal component, a non-rotatable seal component, and a plurality of pairs of flexures. The non-rotatable seal component is disposed facing the rotatable seal component. The plurality of pairs of flexures is spaced apart from each other along a circumferential direction of the seal assembly. Each pair of the plurality of pairs of flexures has a center line and includes a first flexure and a second flexure disposed in a stressed condition such that a portion of the first flexure and a portion of the second flexure are in contact with each other. Further, the first end of the first flexure is inclined at a first angle relative to the center line and a first end of the second flexure is inclined at a second angle relative to the center line. Also, first end of the first flexure and a first end of the second flexure are coupled to each other and to the non-rotatable seal component.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2020Publication date: May 14, 2020Inventors: Deepak Trivedi, Christopher Edward Wolfe, Nathan EvanMcCurdy Gibson, Brian Joseph Prenger
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Publication number: 20200141254Abstract: A turbine shroud is disposed between stages of stationary turbine nozzles. The turbine shroud includes arcuate shroud segments sealingly engaged with one another. Each shroud segment includes a bottom panel with a radially inner surface and a radially outer surface and opposite ends. Each end includes an end face, an end cutback face spaced from the end face, and an intermediate surface extending between the end face and the end cutback face to define a recess. One or more seals overlap the recess of a circumferentially adjacent pair of shroud segments to produce a sealed joint.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2018Publication date: May 7, 2020Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Neelesh Nandkumar Sarawate, Christopher Edward Wolfe, John Patrick Pollinger
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Publication number: 20200141276Abstract: A turbine shroud is disposed about a row of rotating turbine blades. The turbine shroud includes arcuate shroud segments sealingly engaged with one another. Each shroud segment includes a bottom panel with a radially inner surface and a radially outer surface, a first end, and a second end. The first end includes a first end face, a first end cutback face spaced from the first end face, and an intermediate surface extending between the first end face and the end cutback face to define a recess. The second end includes a second end face, a second end cutback face spaced from the second end face, and a projecting surface extending between the second end face and the second end cutback face. The projecting surface of each shroud segment overlaps the recess of a circumferentially adjacent shroud segment to produce a sealed joint.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2018Publication date: May 7, 2020Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Christopher Edward Wolfe, Neelesh Nandkumar Sarawate
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Patent number: 10563772Abstract: A seal assembly, for example, a face seal assembly for a machine such as a turbomachine, and an associated method of operating the seal assembly in the machine are disclosed. The seal assembly includes a rotatable seal component, a non-rotatable seal component, and a plurality of pairs of flexures. The non-rotatable seal component is disposed facing the rotatable seal component. The plurality of pairs of flexures is spaced apart from each other along a circumferential direction of the seal assembly. Each pair of the plurality of pairs of flexures includes a first flexure and a second flexure disposed in a stressed condition such that a portion of the first flexure and a portion of the second flexure are in contact with each other. Further, an end of the first flexure and an end of the second flexure are coupled to each other and to the non-rotatable seal component.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2017Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Deepak Trivedi, Christopher Edward Wolfe, Nathan EvanMcCurdy Gibson, Brian Joseph Prenger
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Publication number: 20190323370Abstract: The subject matter described herein relate to a segmented piston seal system. The segmented piston seal includes a first semi-circular section (FSCS) that includes a first locking structure at opposite ends of the FSCS. The segmented piston seal includes a second semi-circular section (SSCS) that includes a second locking structure at opposite ends of the SSCS. The first and second locking structures are configured to lock the FSCS and the SSCS together to form a piston seal.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2018Publication date: October 24, 2019Inventors: Deepak Trivedi, Rahul Anil Bidkar, Xiaoqing Zheng, Christopher Edward Wolfe
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Publication number: 20190309794Abstract: A thrust bearing assembly for a machine includes a stator housing, a fluid film thrust bearing, and a ring bearing. The stator housing surrounds at least a segment of a rotor shaft and one or more runners on the rotor shaft that include a first runner surface and a second runner surface facing in opposite axial directions along the rotor shaft. The fluid film thrust bearing is axially held between a first stator surface of the stator housing and the first runner surface. The fluid film thrust bearing is configured to generate a fluid cushion that blocks the first runner surface from engaging the fluid film thrust bearing. The ring bearing is axially held between a second stator surface of the stator housing and the second runner surface. The ring bearing has an annular contact surface that engages the second runner surface to axially support the rotor shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2018Publication date: October 10, 2019Inventors: Christopher Edward Wolfe, Adolfo Delgado, Nathan Gibson, Deepak Trivedi, Bugra Ertas
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Patent number: 10422373Abstract: A thrust bearing assembly for a machine includes a stator housing, a fluid film thrust bearing, and a ring bearing. The stator housing surrounds at least a segment of a rotor shaft and one or more runners on the rotor shaft that include a first runner surface and a second runner surface facing in opposite axial directions along the rotor shaft. The fluid film thrust bearing is axially held between a first stator surface of the stator housing and the first runner surface. The fluid film thrust bearing is configured to generate a fluid cushion that blocks the first runner surface from engaging the fluid film thrust bearing. The ring bearing is axially held between a second stator surface of the stator housing and the second runner surface. The ring bearing has an annular contact surface that engages the second runner surface to axially support the rotor shaft.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2018Date of Patent: September 24, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Christopher Edward Wolfe, Adolfo Delgado, Nathan Gibson, Deepak Trivedi, Bugra Ertas
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Patent number: 10370927Abstract: A seal for a blind shear ram is configured to extend between a first carrier and a second carrier of the blind shear ram. The seal includes an outer layer configured to contact at least one of the first carrier and the second carrier to seal a wellbore when the blind shear ram is in a closed position. The outer layer has a first stiffness. The seal also includes an inner layer spaced from the outer layer. The inner layer has a second stiffness. The seal further includes an anti-extrusion structure extending between the inner layer and the outer layer. The anti-extrusion structure has a third stiffness greater than the first stiffness and the second stiffness. The outer layer covers the anti-extrusion structure.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2017Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Bodhayan Dev, Deepak Trivedi, Jamie Clay Gamble, Christopher Edward Wolfe, Gregory Ronald Gillette
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Publication number: 20190203606Abstract: An assembly for a turbomachine and a method for assembling a plurality of flow path components are presented. The assembly includes a plurality of flow path components disposed adjacent to one another, each flow path component having a forward surface, an aft surface, a pressure side surface, and a suction side surface. A seal channel is defined by the pressure side surface and the suction side surface of adjacent flow path components. The seal channel has an open forward end proximate to the forward surfaces and at least two rear ends proximate to the aft surfaces. The assembly includes a plurality of seal layers disposed within the seal channel such that one or more seal layers extend from the open forward end to a rear end and one or more other seal layers extend from the open forward end to another rear end.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2018Publication date: July 4, 2019Inventors: Neelesh Nandkumar Sarawate, Christopher Edward Wolfe, Victor John Morgan, Jason Ray Gregg
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Publication number: 20190145522Abstract: A seal assembly, for example, a face seal assembly for a machine such as a turbomachine, and an associated method of operating the seal assembly in the machine are disclosed. The seal assembly includes a rotatable seal component, a non-rotatable seal component, and a plurality of pairs of flexures. The non-rotatable seal component is disposed facing the rotatable seal component. The plurality of pairs of flexures is spaced apart from each other along a circumferential direction of the seal assembly. Each pair of the plurality of pairs of flexures includes a first flexure and a second flexure disposed in a stressed condition such that a portion of the first flexure and a portion of the second flexure are in contact with each other. Further, an end of the first flexure and an end of the second flexure are coupled to each other and to the non-rotatable seal component.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2017Publication date: May 16, 2019Inventors: Deepak Trivedi, Christopher Edward Wolfe, Nathan EvanMcCurdy Gibson, Brian Joseph Prenger
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Patent number: 10280777Abstract: A method and system including a circumferential seal assembly for sealing between components within a turbine is provided. A circumferential seal assembly is disposed in a slot extending circumferentially about an inner barrel. The seal assembly includes a first shim layer and at least one additional shim layer configured in an overlapping stacked configuration so as to stagger the end portions of each of the shim segments defined by the shim layers, relative to one another and circumferentially about the seal assembly. One or more cloth layers are configured wrapping about the first shim layer and the at least one additional shim layer to define a sealing member having a first sealing surface and a second sealing surface. The assembly further including a base plate, wherein the sealing member is disposed on an upper surface of the base plate to provide for sealing engagement between the components of the turbine.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2014Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Neelesh Nandkumar Sarawate, Norman Arnold Turnquist, Christopher Edward Wolfe
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Publication number: 20190063250Abstract: Coating systems for a cooled turbine blade tip, such as a metal turbine blade tip, are provided. The coating system includes an abrasive layer overlying the surface of the turbine blade tip. One or more buffer layers may additionally be disposed between an outer surface of the blade tip and the abrasive layer. The coated blade tip can be used with a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) shroud coated with an environmental barrier coating (EBC) to provide improved cooling to the tip so as to lengthen oxidation time of the abrasive layer and reduce blade tip wear. Methods are also provided for forming the cooled blade tip and applying the coating system onto the cooled turbine blade tip.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2017Publication date: February 28, 2019Inventors: Jinjie Shi, Dennis Paul Dry, Christopher Edward Wolfe, Andres Jose Garcia-Crespo, Yun Zhu
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Patent number: 10190431Abstract: A seal assembly for a rotary machine is provided. The seal assembly includes a plurality of seal segments disposed circumferentially intermediate to a stationary housing and a rotor, where each of the plurality of seal segments includes a stator interface element and a shoe plate movably supported by the stator interface element. The shoe plate includes one or more labyrinth teeth, a load-bearing surface, and one or more supply ports for facilitating supply of high pressure fluid toward the rotor. In one embodiment, the shoe plate also includes a radially extending portion that is in contact with a portion of the ring movably supported into the stator interface element. In another embodiment, each of the plurality of seal segments includes a plurality of overlapping spring-loaded leaf seal plates in contact with the stator interface element and the radially extending portion. Method of operating the seal segment is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2015Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Rahul Anil Bidkar, Christopher Edward Wolfe, Bugra Han Ertas, Adolfo Delgado Marquez, Nathan Evan McCurdy Gibson
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Publication number: 20180372229Abstract: A seal assembly for a rotary machine is provided. The seal assembly includes a plurality of seal segments disposed circumferentially intermediate to a stationary housing and a rotor, where each of the plurality of seal segments includes a stator interface element and a shoe plate movably supported by the stator interface element. The shoe plate includes one or more labyrinth teeth, a load-bearing surface, and one or more supply ports for facilitating supply of high pressure fluid toward the rotor. In one embodiment, the shoe plate also includes a radially extending portion that is in contact with a portion of the ring movably supported into the stator interface element. In another embodiment, each of the plurality of seal segments includes a plurality of overlapping spring-loaded leaf seal plates in contact with the stator interface element and the radially extending portion. Method of operating the seal segment is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2015Publication date: December 27, 2018Inventors: Rahul Anil Bidkar, Christopher Edward Wolfe, Bugra Han Ertas, Adolfo Delgado Marquez, Nathan Evan McCurdy Gibson
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Publication number: 20180306120Abstract: A seal assembly to seal a gas turbine hot gas path flow at an interface of a combustor liner and a downstream component, such as a stage one turbine nozzle, in a gas turbine. The seal assembly including a piston ring seal housing, defining a cavity, and a piston ring disposed within the cavity. The piston ring disposed circumferentially about the combustor liner. The piston ring is responsive to a regulated pressure to secure sealing engagement of the piston ring and outer surface of the combustor liner. The seal assembly includes at least one of one or more sectional through-slots, bumps or channel features to provide for a flow therethrough of a high-pressure (Phigh) bypass airflow exiting a compressor to the cavity. The high-pressure (Phigh) bypass airflow exerting a radial force on the piston ring.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2017Publication date: October 25, 2018Inventors: Jinjie Shi, Stephen Gerard Schadewald, Jason Paul Hoppa, Kirk Douglas Gallier, Christopher Edward Wolfe, Robert Proctor
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Patent number: 10094231Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a turbomachine that includes a first component and a second component coupled to another and a seal assembly between the two components. The seal assembly may include a first intersegment seal, a second intersegment seal, and a rope seal that are configured to block a flow of gas between the two components.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2015Date of Patent: October 9, 2018Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Bodhayan Dev, Neelesh Nandkumar Sarawate, Jason Edward Albert, Christopher Edward Wolfe
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Publication number: 20180283127Abstract: A seal for a blind shear ram is configured to extend between a first carrier and a second carrier of the blind shear ram. The seal includes an outer layer configured to contact at least one of the first carrier and the second carrier to seal a wellbore when the blind shear ram is in a closed position. The outer layer has a first stiffness. The seal also includes an inner layer spaced from the outer layer. The inner layer has a second stiffness. The seal further includes an anti-extrusion structure extending between the inner layer and the outer layer. The anti-extrusion structure has a third stiffness greater than the first stiffness and the second stiffness. The outer layer covers the anti-extrusion structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2017Publication date: October 4, 2018Inventors: Bodhayan Dev, Deepak Trivedi, Jamie Clay Gamble, Christopher Edward Wolfe, Gregory Ronald Gillette
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Publication number: 20180283560Abstract: A seal for a blind shear ram is configured to extend between a first carrier and a second carrier of the blind shear ram. The seal includes an elastic layer having a first elasticity. The elastic layer is configured to contact at least one of the first carrier and the second carrier to seal a wellbore when the first carrier and the second carrier are in a closed position. The seal also includes an anti-extrusion structure coupled to the elastic layer. The anti-extrusion structure has a second elasticity less than the first elasticity. The anti-extrusion structure includes a plurality of ribs spaced along a longitudinal axis of the anti-extrusion structure. The plurality of ribs define a plurality of spaces configured to receive portions of the elastic layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2017Publication date: October 4, 2018Inventors: Deepak Trivedi, Bodhayan Dev, Jamie Clay Gamble, Christopher Edward Wolfe, Gregory Ronald Gillette