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).

  • Patent number: 6790001
    Abstract: In a steam turbine high pressure end seal region, brush seals are provided between first and second pressure regions having a pressure drop in excess of the sealing capacity of an individual brush seal. To use brush seals between the first and second regions, one or more intermediate pressure regions are maintained at a substantially fixed predetermined pressure between the first and second pressure regions. Brush seals are interposed between adjacent pressure regions whereby the pressure drop between adjacent pressure regions is within the sealing capacity of the individual brush seal disposed between the adjacent pressure regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Norman Arnold Turnquist, Mark Edward Burnett, Christopher Edward Wolfe, Frederick George Baily, Daniel Richard Cornell
  • Publication number: 20040101403
    Abstract: In a steam turbine high pressure end seal region, brush seals are provided between first and second pressure regions having a pressure drop in excess of the sealing capacity of an individual brush seal. To use brush seals between the first and second regions, one or more intermediate pressure regions are maintained at a substantially fixed predetermined pressure between the first and second pressure regions. Brush seals are interposed between adjacent pressure regions whereby the pressure drop between adjacent pressure regions is within the sealing capacity of the individual brush seal disposed between the adjacent pressure regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventors: Norman Arnold Turnquist, Mark Edward Burnett, Christopher Edward Wolfe, Frederick George Baily, Daniel Richard Cornell
  • Patent number: 6695316
    Abstract: A rotary machine has stationary upper and lower housings with circumferential grooves and a rotatable component, as well as annular sealing segments movable toward and away from the rotating components between large and small clearance positions. To prevent circumferential displacement of the lower side segments by gravity forces and to enable the lowermost segment in the lower housing to move vertically between inner and outer clearance positions, the side segments of the lower housing are supported by brackets resting on a support surface forming part of the horizontal midline at the juncture of the upper and lower housings. Consequently, the gaps between the lower ends of the side segments and the opposite ends of the lower segment in the open position of the segments remains, enabling the lower segment to move radially vertically inwardly upon closing the seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Daniel Michael Popa, Richard Jon Chevrette, Christopher Edward Wolfe, George Horner Kirby, III
  • Patent number: 6692228
    Abstract: An insert assembly is provided for a rotary machine wherein the rotary machine comprises a rotor and a casing. The rotor comprises a generally longitudinally-extending axis. The casing is generally coaxially aligned with the axis. The casing circumferentially surrounds and is radially spaced apart from the rotor. The insert assembly comprises a channel circumferentially disposed on the rotor and an insert circumferentially disposed in such channel such that the insert assembly is configured to thermally isolate frictional heat from the rotor to the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Norman Arnold Turnquist, Christopher Edward Wolfe, Frederick George Baily, John Francis Nolan, George Ernest Reluzco
  • Patent number: 6669443
    Abstract: In a steam turbine, a combined brush and labyrinth seal is provided between a diaphragm web and a radially outwardly projecting platform between axially adjacent wheels on the rotor. The brush seal is located upstream of the labyrinth seal teeth. The platform has at least one and preferably a pair of flanges or fins projecting in opposite axial directions adjacent radial outer ends of the platform. Non-uniform heat distribution resulting from the frictional contact between the bristles of the brush seal and a sealing surface on the platform along the rotor surface affecting rotor dynamics is thereby eliminated or minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mark Edward Burnett, Christopher Edward Wolfe, Frederick George Baily, Norman Arnold Turnquist, Bruce William Brisson, David Alan Caruso
  • Patent number: 6651986
    Abstract: A rotary machine has a stationary component with circumferential grooves and a rotatable component, as well as annular packing or sealing ring segments movable toward and away from the rotating component. To prevent circumferential displacement of the lower side packing ring segments by gravity forces and enable the lowermost segment in the lower housing to be moved radially inwardly, the side segments of the lower housing are supported adjacent the casing midline in a manner preventing downward movement and enabling horizontal movement. In an exemplary embodiment, the lower side packing ring segment is elongated so as to extend above the horizontal joint of the housing and a key bar extends from a key bar groove in the housing to engage a corresponding groove in the segment. The key bar may be disposed to define a seal key for the horizontal joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Richard Jon Chevrette, David Robert Skinner, George Horner Kirby, II, Christopher Edward Wolfe
  • Publication number: 20030185675
    Abstract: An insert assembly is provided for a rotary machine wherein the rotary machine comprises a rotor and a casing. The rotor comprises a generally longitudinally-extending axis. The casing is generally coaxially aligned with the axis. The casing circumferentially surrounds and is radially spaced apart from the rotor. The insert assembly comprises a channel circumferentially disposed on the rotor and an insert circumferentially disposed in such channel such that the insert assembly is configured to thermally isolate frictional heat from the rotor to the insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Applicant: General Electric CRD
    Inventors: Norman Arnold Turnquist, Christopher Edward Wolfe, Frederick George Baily, John Francis Nolan, George Ernest Reluzco
  • Publication number: 20030141669
    Abstract: A rotary machine has a stationary component with circumferential grooves and a rotatable component, as well as annular packing or sealing ring segments movable toward and away from the rotating component. To prevent circumferential displacement of the lower side packing ring segments by gravity forces and enable the lowermost segment in the lower housing to be moved radially inwardly, the side segments of the lower housing are supported adjacent the casing midline in a manner preventing downward movement and enabling horizontal movement. In an exemplary embodiment, the lower side packing ring segment is elongated so as to extend above the horizontal joint of the housing and a key bar extends from a key bar groove in the housing to engage a corresponding groove in the segment. The key bar may be disposed to define a seal key for the horizontal joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Richard Jon Chevrette, David Robert Skinner, George Horner Kirby, Christopher Edward Wolfe
  • Patent number: 6589012
    Abstract: In a steam turbine, a combined brush and labyrinth seal is provided between a diaphragm web and a sealing surface on a rotatable component radially outwardly of the rotor surface. The contact between the brush seal and sealing surface lies along an axially upstream projecting flange of an annular platform such that heat generated by frictional contact between the bristles and the sealing surface has minimal effect on the rotor surface and hence rotor dynamics. A backup labyrinth seal is provided between the web and platform. Additionally, axially upstream projecting flanges are provided on the downstream buckets and which flanges are spaced radially outwardly of the rotor surface and lie in registration with the diaphragm web. Labyrinth teeth seal between the diaphragm web and the bucket flanges serving as a backup seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mark Edward Burnett, Christopher Edward Wolfe, Frederick George Baily, Norman Arnold Turnquist, Bruce William Brisson, David Alan Caruso
  • Publication number: 20030095865
    Abstract: In a steam turbine, a combined brush and labyrinth seal is provided between a diaphragm web and a radially outwardly projecting platform between axially adjacent wheels on the rotor. The brush seal is located upstream of the labyrinth seal teeth. The platform has at least one and preferably a pair of flanges or fins projecting in opposite axial directions adjacent radial outer ends of the platform. Non-uniform heat distribution resulting from the frictional contact between the bristles of the brush seal and a sealing surface on the platform along the rotor surface affecting rotor dynamics is thereby eliminated or minimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Inventors: Mark Edward Burnett, Christopher Edward Wolfe, Frederick George Baily, Norman Arnold Turnquist, Bruce William Brisson, David Alan Caruso
  • Patent number: 6558118
    Abstract: A steam turbine has a rotor mounting axially spaced rotor wheels having male dovetails for mounting a plurality of axially spaced buckets having female dovetails. A plurality of arcuate bridging members extend axially between the axially adjacent bucket dovetails at locations spaced radially outwardly of the surface of the rotor shaft. A diaphragm in radial opposition to the bridging member mounts a brush seal having bristles engaging the bridging member. The bridging member carries backup labyrinth seal teeth for sealing with the diaphragm. The friction generated by contact between the brush seal bristles and bridging members lies radially outwardly of the rotor whereby non-uniform distribution of heat about the rotor surface due to frictional contact with the brush seal is avoided, with consequent avoidance of rotor bowing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bruce William Brisson, Mark Edward Burnett, Frederick George Baily, David Alan Caruso, Norman Arnold Turnquist, Christopher Edward Wolfe
  • Publication number: 20030082049
    Abstract: A steam turbine has a rotor mounting axially spaced rotor wheels having male dovetails for mounting a plurality of axially spaced buckets having female dovetails. A plurality of arcuate bridging members extend axially between the axially adjacent bucket dovetails at locations spaced radially outwardly of the surface of the rotor shaft. A diaphragm in radial opposition to the bridging member mounts a brush seal having bristles engaging the bridging member. The bridging member carries backup labyrinth seal teeth for sealing with the diaphragm. The friction generated by contact between the brush seal bristles and bridging members lies radially outwardly of the rotor whereby non-uniform distribution of heat about the rotor surface due to frictional contact with the brush seal is avoided, with consequent avoidance of rotor bowing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2001
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: Bruce William Brisson, Mark Edward Burnett, Frederick George Baily, David Alan Caruso, Norman Arnold Turnquist, Christopher Edward Wolfe
  • Publication number: 20030059298
    Abstract: In a steam turbine, a combined brush and labyrinth seal is provided between a diaphragm web and a sealing surface on a rotatable component radially outwardly of the rotor surface. The contact between the brush seal and sealing surface lies along an axially upstream projecting flange of an annular platform such that heat generated by frictional contact between the bristles and the sealing surface has minimal effect on the rotor surface and hence rotor dynamics. A backup labyrinth seal is provided between the web and platform. Additionally, axially upstream projecting flanges are provided on the downstream buckets and which flanges are spaced radially outwardly of the rotor surface and lie in registration with the diaphragm web. Labyrinth teeth seal between the diaphragm web and the bucket flanges serving as a backup seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Mark Edward Burnett, Christopher Edward Wolfe, Frederick George Baily, Norman Arnold Turnquist, Bruce William Brisson, David Alan Caruso
  • Publication number: 20030057653
    Abstract: A rotary machine has stationary upper and lower housings with circumferential grooves and a rotatable component, as well as annular sealing segments movable toward and away from the rotating components between large and small clearance positions. To prevent circumferential displacement of the lower side segments by gravity forces and to enable the lowermost segment in the lower housing to move vertically between inner and outer clearance positions, the side segments of the lower housing are supported by brackets resting on a support surface forming part of the horizontal midline at the juncture of the upper and lower housings. Consequently, the gaps between the lower ends of the side segments and the opposite ends of the lower segment in the open position of the segments remains, enabling the lower segment to move radially vertically inwardly upon closing the seals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Daniel Michael Popa, Richard Jon Chevrette, Christopher Edward Wolfe, George Horner Kirby III
  • Patent number: 6517314
    Abstract: In a steam turbine, a combined brush and labyrinth seal is provided between a diaphragm web and axial projecting platforms on bucket dovetails at a location spaced radially outwardly of the outer diameter of the rotor. The downstream axially adjacent bucket dovetails also have platforms serving as complementary sealing surfaces to labyrinth teeth formed on the web. By locating the combined labyrinth and brush seal radially outwardly of the outer diameter of the shaft, thermal bowing of the rotor is eliminated. By providing backup labyrinth seals at the same radial location, axial thrust loads are eliminated in the event of brush seal failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mark Edward Burnett, Norman Arnold Turnquist, Christopher Edward Wolfe, Bruce William Brisson, Fredrick George Baily, David Alan Caruso
  • Patent number: 6460857
    Abstract: A brush seal segment includes a plurality of bristles disposed between a pair of backing plates. The bristles are welded to one another adjacent their proximal ends and to the edges of the backing plates remote from the bristle tips. An end plate is welded to the end faces of the backing plates at each of the opposite ends of the segment. Each end plate terminates at approximately one-half the length of the bristles along the end face to prevent the bristles from bending circumferentially and axially during handling while maintaining substantially uniform flexibility of the bristles throughout the entire length of the segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Norman Arnold Turnquist, Frederick George Baily, Christopher Edward Wolfe
  • Patent number: 6454270
    Abstract: A low leakage sealing system is provided between a steam pipe and a housing comprised of a pair of shells and a nozzle box movable relative to one another. The sealing system includes large and small diameter sealing rings engaging the pipe and shells or nozzle box and a secondary sealing element disposed between the sealing rings and one of the pipe and shells or nozzle box. The sealing elements comprise frustoconical elements having curved end surfaces forming primary seals with the sealing rings and the housing. In another form, the sealing system includes annular carrier elements having radially opening cavities for receiving sealing rings engageable with the pipe and housing, respectively. The carrier elements are axially spaced from a plurality of sealing rings to provide the low leakage sealing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Wei-Ming Chi, Norman Arnold Turnquist, Christopher Edward Wolfe, Mark Arne Florin, Mahmut Faruk Aksit
  • Patent number: 6439844
    Abstract: The adjoining edges of bucket covers are sealed one to the other. A brush seal projecting from a stationary shroud overlies the bucket covers. A joint at which the adjacent covers sealingly engage each other precludes radial outflow of high pressure fluid into bristles of the brush seal, preventing radial and axial deflection of the bristles and consequent failure of the bristles. The joints between the covers may comprise lap or tongue-and-groove joints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Norman Arnold Turnquist, Lawrence D. Willey, Christopher Edward Wolfe
  • Patent number: 6435513
    Abstract: A brush seal is comprised of arcuate seal segments having ends cut in a radial direction with bristles “canted” at an approximate 45° angle relative to radii of the segments, leaving triangular regions adjacent one end of each segment devoid of bristles at the segment interfaces. The brush seals are retrofit into conventional labyrinth seals with the backing plate for the bristles comprising a labyrinth tooth profile extending fully 360° about the seal, including those areas where bristles are not present. The sealing capacity is not substantially degraded, while affording significant sealing improvements over conventional labyrinth seals. Additionally, when retrofit into labyrinth seals with radial movement, the individual labyrinth seal segments are free to move radially independently of one another during transients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Robert Skinner, Bharat S. Bagepalli, Robert Harold Cromer, Osman Saim Dinc, Norman Arnold Turnquist, Christopher Edward Wolfe
  • Patent number: 6431827
    Abstract: A diaphragm has an annular groove formed of deep and shallow grooves with the deep groove opening into the shallow groove. A combination spill strip/brush seal is disposed in the groove. The brush seal comprises a pair of flexible bars secured to the proximal ends of the brush bristles by welding and is received in the shallow groove and a recess in an axial face of the spill strip. The spill strip has base portions extending into the deep groove. The combination spill strip/brush seal is secured in the annular groove by peening material of the diaphragm into the spill strip/brush seal combination. The brush seal may be used with different diameters of spill strips and diaphragm grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christopher Edward Wolfe, Norman Arnold Turnquist, Frederick George Baily, David Robert Skinner