Patents by Inventor Derek Bird

Derek Bird 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).

  • Method or restoring turbine vane attachment systems in a turbine engine
    Patent number: 8074866
    Abstract: A system and method for repairing turbine vane attachment systems in a turbine engine. In at least one embodiment, the invention may be directed to a system and method for repairing wear on a diaphragm hook fit configured to attach diaphragm airfoils, such as stationary turbine vanes, to a combustion turbine case. The restoration system may be formed from a carriage assembly having an assortment of material processing implements usable to build up material in the worn locations of the turbine vane attachment system to reestablish a diaphragm hook fit within the specified tolerances. The restoration system may be configured so that the restoration process may occur without removing a rotor assembly, which can reduce the repair time by about two weeks. Thus, use of the restoration system can result in a significant time and cost savings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Derek Bird
  • SYSTEM FOR RESTORING TURBINE VANE ATTACHMENT SYSTEMS IN A TURBINE ENGINE
    Publication number: 20110185570
    Abstract: A system and method for repairing turbine vane attachment systems in a turbine engine. In at least one embodiment, the invention may be directed to a system and method for repairing wear on a diaphragm hook fit configured to attach diaphragm airfoils, such as stationary turbine vanes, to a combustion turbine case. The restoration system may be formed from a carriage assembly having an assortment of material processing implements usable to build up material in the worn locations of the turbine vane attachment system to reestablish a diaphragm hook fit within the specified tolerances. The restoration system may be configured so that the restoration process may occur without removing a rotor assembly, which can reduce the repair time by about two weeks. Thus, use of the restoration system can result in a significant time and cost savings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Inventor: Derek Bird
  • System for restoring turbine vane attachment systems in a turbine engine
    Publication number: 20070077148
    Abstract: A system and method for repairing turbine vane attachment systems in a turbine engine. In at least one embodiment, the invention may be directed to a system and method for repairing wear on a diaphragm hook fit configured to attach diaphragm airfoils, such as stationary turbine vanes, to a combustion turbine case. The restoration system may be formed from a carriage assembly having an assortment of material processing implements usable to build up material in the worn locations of the turbine vane attachment system to reestablish a diaphragm hook fit within the specified tolerances. The restoration system may be configured so that the restoration process may occur without removing a rotor assembly, which can reduce the repair time by about two weeks. Thus, use of the restoration system can result in a significant time and cost savings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2005
    Publication date: April 5, 2007
    Inventor: Derek Bird