Patents by Inventor Christopher Walter Sullivan

Christopher Walter Sullivan 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: 8506245
    Abstract: A steam turbine apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, the steam turbine apparatus comprises: an exhaust shell portion including: a first section having a semi-circular cross-section; an exhaust section contiguous with the first section, the exhaust section including an intermediate-pressure exhaust outlet; and a second section having an oblate spherical cross-section including a substantially flattened portion, the second section configured to fluidly connect with the first section, wherein the first section and the second section form a continuous steam flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Yuexi Xiong, Edward Leo Kudlacik, Norman Douglas Lathrop, Christopher Walter Sullivan, David Ernest Welch
  • Publication number: 20120228862
    Abstract: An intermediate, temperature reducing flange is inserted between an external steam (process) connection flange and first pressure vessel, or outer shell of a turbine or a second pressure vessel, or inner shell of the turbine. The temperature reducing flange has an integral portion that is exposed to an internal turbine area that is at a lower temperature than the steam in the steam inlet port of the turbine. This portion provides for a cooling effect, thus isolating the outer shell of the turbine from the high temperature of the steam pipe. Isolating the highest temperature connections from the remainder of the outer shell allows use of lower cost alloys for the outer shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christopher Walter Sullivan, David Welch, Edward Kudlacik
  • Publication number: 20120006026
    Abstract: A steam turbine apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, the steam turbine apparatus comprises: an exhaust shell portion including: a first section having a semi-circular cross-section; an exhaust section contiguous with the first section, the exhaust section including an intermediate-pressure exhaust outlet; and a second section having an oblate spherical cross-section including a substantially flattened portion, the second section configured to fluidly connect with the first section, wherein the first section and the second section form a continuous steam flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Yuexi Xiong, Edward Leo Kudlacik, Norman Douglas Lathrop, Christopher Walter Sullivan, David Ernest Welch
  • Patent number: 7270512
    Abstract: The steampath for a steam turbine includes stacked stator rings each mounting inwardly directed nozzles and stacked rotor wheels each mounting outwardly directed buckets mounting blades. By alternately stacking the stator rings and rotor wheels, the nozzles and buckets of the various stages are interdigitated to form a steampath. Each bucket includes a blade and a root received in a generally complementary shaped groove on a wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christopher Walter Sullivan, Robert James Bracken, Jeffrey Robert Simkins, Stephen Roger Swan, David Orus Fitts, Ronald Wayne Korzun, John Thomas Murphy
  • Patent number: 6908279
    Abstract: A wedge-like nozzle radial loading pin, preferably formed from steel, that contacts the bottom of a reaction nozzle along a graduated, that is inclined or stepped, surface. This contact will secure the reaction nozzle radially inward against the retaining surface of the carrier dovetail with sufficient force to maintain the designed airfoil pre-twist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christopher Walter Sullivan, David Orus Fitts, Robert James Bracken, Gregory Lee Landry