Patents by Inventor Daniel Michael Popa

Daniel Michael Popa 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).

  • Apparatus and methods for supporting a retractable packing ring
    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
  • Apparatus and methods for supporting a retractable packing ring
    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