Patents by Inventor Daniel Gerard Menzel

Daniel Gerard Menzel 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).

  • Using thermal imaging to prevent loss of steam turbine efficiency by detecting and correcting inadequate insulation at turbine startup
    Patent number: 7090393
    Abstract: The invention involves the use of thermal imaging equipment to take infrared images of a steam turbine during start-up. The exterior temperatures developed from the infrared images are correlated with turbine vibration data to determine which insulation temperature patterns reflect insulation poor enough to cause packing seal teeth to rub and the turbine to vibrate during operation or shut-down. From the thermal images and vibration data, control limits are developed for insulation surface temperature. Insulation is added, before the steam turbine is shut down, in accordance with the obtained data and control limits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Forrest Loy, Daniel Gerard Menzel
  • Using thermal imaging to prevent loss of steam turbine efficiency by detecting and correcting inadequate insulation at turbine startup
    Publication number: 20040114660
    Abstract: The invention involves the use of thermal imaging equipment to take infrared images of a steam turbine during start-up. The exterior temperatures developed from the infrared images are correlated with turbine vibration data to determine which insulation temperature patterns reflect insulation poor enough to cause packing seal teeth to rub and the turbine to vibrate during operation or shut-down. From the thermal images and vibration data, control limits are developed for insulation surface temperature. Insulation is added, before the steam turbine is shut down, in accordance with the obtained data and control limits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: David Forrest Loy, Daniel Gerard Menzel