Patents by Inventor Derek Ray Wilson

Derek Ray Wilson 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: 8539810
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a method for calibrating a torque measurement for a rotatable object is disclosed, wherein the method includes coupling the rotatable object to a structure, the structure including a member extending along a length of a surface of the rotatable object, coupling the rotatable object to an adapter and applying a known torque to the rotatable object via the adapter. The method also includes measuring a first rotational displacement via a first sensor coupled to the member at a first axial location of the rotatable object, measuring a second rotational displacement via a second sensor coupled to the member at a second axial location of the rotatable object and determining first and second angular displacements of the rotatable object based on the first and second rotational displacements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Peter Ping-Liang Sue, Lawrence Brown Farr, II, Derek Ray Wilson
  • Patent number: 8508320
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods for providing a translating telemetry stationary antenna. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for automatically aligning a stationary antenna with a corresponding rotor antenna. The method provides for mounting a stationary antenna with respect to a rotor antenna associated with a rotor. The method includes mounting a stationary antenna to an inner circumference of a support frame, mounting a plurality of radial air bearings to the support frame for maintaining radial alignment of the stationary antenna with respect to the rotor antenna, and mounting a plurality of axial air bearings to the support frame for maintaining axial alignment of the stationary antenna with respect to the rotor antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Derek Ray Wilson, R. David Jones, Donald Shaw, Raymond Lavigne
  • Publication number: 20120210767
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a method for calibrating a torque measurement for a rotatable object is disclosed, wherein the method includes coupling the rotatable object to a structure, the structure including a member extending along a length of a surface of the rotatable object, coupling the rotatable object to an adapter and applying a known torque to the rotatable object via the adapter. The method also includes measuring a first rotational displacement via a first sensor coupled to the member at a first axial location of the rotatable object, measuring a second rotational displacement via a second sensor coupled to the member at a second axial location of the rotatable object and determining first and second angular displacements of the rotatable object based on the first and second rotational displacements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Peter Ping-Liang Sue, Lawrence Brown Farr, II, Derek Ray Wilson
  • Publication number: 20120128468
    Abstract: A method for assembling a sensor assembly for use with a turbomachine is provided. The method includes providing a cover that includes a first portion and a second portion that extends from the first portion. A cavity is defined within the first portion. Moreover, a sensing device that is configured to measure at least one variable of a component of the turbomachine is inserted into the cavity. The second portion is removably coupled to a surface of the turbomachine component such that the cover securely couples the sensing device to the turbomachine component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: Kurt Kramer Schleif, Kevin Leon Bruce, Shawn Carrol Yates, Leissner Ferdinand Poth, III, Derek Ray Wilson
  • Publication number: 20120116723
    Abstract: A system for transmitting data from a rotating component includes sensors on the rotating component, wherein each of the sensors detects at least one characteristic of the rotating component and transmits a signal reflective of the characteristic. Data slip rings are in communication with the sensors, and a signal conditioning circuit between the sensors and the data slip rings converts each of the signals from the sensors into a digital signal. A method for transmitting data from a rotating component includes sensing a characteristic of the rotating component using sensors and generating a signal from each of the sensors reflective of the characteristic of the rotating component. The method further includes converting each of the signals to a digital signal and transferring each of the digital signals from the rotating component through a plurality of data slip rings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Donald W. Shaw, Clay Jeremiah Schile, Derek Ray Wilson, Michael Allen Ball
  • Publication number: 20110165840
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods for providing a translating telemetry stationary antenna. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for automatically aligning a stationary antenna with a corresponding rotor antenna. The method provides for mounting a stationary antenna with respect to a rotor antenna associated with a rotor. The method includes mounting a stationary antenna to an inner circumference of a support frame, mounting a plurality of radial air bearings to the support frame for maintaining radial alignment of the stationary antenna with respect to the rotor antenna, and mounting a plurality of axial air bearings to the support frame for maintaining axial alignment of the stationary antenna with respect to the rotor antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Derek Ray Wilson, R. David Jones, Donald Shaw, Raymond Lavigne