Patents by Inventor Dennis R. Ahl

Dennis R. Ahl 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: 6631858
    Abstract: A nozzle box includes first and second nozzle box halves which are bolted together. Each nozzle box half includes a nozzle ring segment that carries nozzles along its entire 180° arc, so that when the nozzle box halves are joined together a nozzle box is formed with no discontinuities of nozzles around its 360° circumference. The nozzles carried on each nozzle ring segment communicate with inlet ports, and associated passages which are perpendicular to the nozzle box exit plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Farineau, Michael T. Hamlin, Robert W. Hausler, Charles T. O'Clair, Mark E. Braaten, Dennis R. Ahl, James Maughan
  • Patent number: 6290232
    Abstract: A rotor shaft of a steam turbine is provided with a dovetail-shaped groove. A plurality of inserts are received in the groove through an entry slot at a predetermined circumferential location. Each insert has a sealing surface which, when all inserts are disposed in the groove, form a continuous sealing surface about the rotor shaft. Pins are employed to retain the final insert and, hence, all inserts in the groove by connecting the final insert either to the rotor shaft or to adjacent inserts. In this manner, heat generated by the brush seal bristles bearing on proud portions of the rotor sealing surface is substantially uniformly distributed about the inserts prior to any heat transfer to the rotor. To the extent heat is transferred to the rotor, the temperature distribution is substantially uniform whereby bowing of the rotor due to differential circumferential heating by brush seal contact with proud portions of the rotor is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Co.
    Inventors: George E. Reluzco, Thomas J. Farineau, Lawrence E. Rentz, Dennis R. Ahl
  • Patent number: 5601403
    Abstract: The diaphragm modification includes providing ring segments having radial outward projecting tenons for reception in dovetail grooves of the diaphragm bore. Seal strips extend about the outer face of the segment rings for engaging the diaphragm bore and crush pins are disposed around the sides of the tenons to provide close tolerance fit between the dovetail hooks of the diaphragm, thus accommodating any out-of-roundness or eccentricity of the diaphragm extant through prior use. Bolts are applied in tapped openings of the segment rings and diaphragm to facilitate securement of the segment rings and diaphragm and the segments 34 are seal-welded to the diaphragm. New packing ring segments are provided in the dovetail grooves along the radial inner face of the segment rings to complete the stage sealing between the diaphragm and reduced diameter rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: General Electric Co.
    Inventors: Shawn W. Galbraith, William V. Coll, Dennis R. Ahl, Keith E. Seconde
  • Patent number: 5524340
    Abstract: The diaphragm modification includes providing ring segments having radial outward projecting tenons for reception in dovetail grooves of the diaphragm bore. Seal strips extend about the outer face of the segment rings for engaging the diaphragm bore and crush pins are disposed around the sides of the tenons to provide close tolerance fit between the dovetail hooks of the diaphragm, thus accommodating any out-of-roundness or eccentricity of the diaphragm extant through prior use. Bolts are applied in tapped openings of the segment rings and diaphragm to facilitate securement of the segment rings and diaphragm and the segments 34 are seal-welded to the diaphragm. New packing ring segments are provided in the dovetail grooves along the radial inner face of the segment rings to complete the stage sealing between the diaphragm and reduced diameter rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Co.
    Inventors: Shawn W. Galbraith, William V. Coll, Dennis R. Ahl, Keith E. Seconde