Patents by Inventor Dominick Joseph Werther

Dominick Joseph Werther 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: 8905712
    Abstract: A support bar for a steam turbine nozzle assembly is disclosed. In one embodiment, the support bar includes a hook-shaped portion for engaging a lip portion of a steam turbine diaphragm, wherein the steam turbine support bar is configured to non-affixedly join a steam turbine casing to the steam turbine diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Steven Sebastian Burdgick, Prashant Prabhakar Sankolli, Dominick Joseph Werther
  • Patent number: 8834113
    Abstract: An alignment member for a turbine diaphragm segment is disclosed. The alignment member is configured to span radially across a portion of the turbine diaphragm segment and an adjacent turbine casing segment. The alignment member can include: a main body having a first aperture for aligning with a first corresponding aperture in one of the turbine diaphragm segment or the turbine casing segment; and a flange extending from the main body, the flange including a second aperture for aligning with a portion of the other of the turbine diaphragm segment or the turbine casing segment, the alignment member for adjusting a position of the turbine diaphragm segment relative to the adjacent turbine casing segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Carl Joseph Schaus, Steven Sebastian Burdgick, Dominick Joseph Werther
  • Patent number: 8684697
    Abstract: A steam turbine nozzle airfoil with integral inner and outer sidewalls is engaged with an inner ring and an outer ring in a nozzle assembly. Previous designs required large clearances between radial surfaces to permit simultaneous circumferential loading of the inner and outer sidewall into the inner and outer rings. The inventive arrangement provides for breech loading of the inner sidewall into the inner ring which allows near line-to-line radial contact on the hooks between the rings and the integral sidewalls of the Singlet nozzle airfoil. Tighter radial clearance overcome problems with loose assembly such as movement during welding, gaps leading to stress risers and performance issues associated with nozzle throat control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Dominick Joseph Werther, Steven Sebastian Burdgick
  • Patent number: 8591180
    Abstract: A steam turbine nozzle assembly having a flush aperture is disclosed. In one embodiment, the steam turbine nozzle assembly includes a diaphragm assembly comprising: an inner diaphragm ring segment; an outer diaphragm ring segment; a static nozzle blade positioned between the inner diaphragm ring segment and the outer diaphragm ring segment; and a first cavity between the static nozzle blade and one of the inner diaphragm ring segment or the outer diaphragm ring segment; wherein the one of the inner diaphragm ring segment or the outer diaphragm ring segment includes a first aperture fluidly connected with the first cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Peter Anderson, Steven Sebastian Burdgick, Mark Edward Burnett, Dominick Joseph Werther
  • Patent number: 8562292
    Abstract: A steam turbine singlet nozzle airfoil with integral outer sidewall is engaged with an inner ring and an outer ring in a nozzle assembly. The interface of the outer sidewall with the outer ring may include a plurality of mechanical hooks on one or both of the upstream face and the outer radial face of the outer sidewall that engage with complimentary structures on the outer ring. The outer interface may further include low energy welds along limited distances of one or both of the upstream or downstream interface of the outer sidewall and the outer ring. An inner radial end of the singlet nozzle airfoil is pinned into position and fastened to the inner ring. Without a need for high heat welds, distortion of the airfoil and the steam flow path and the associated rework is eliminated and stage performance is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Steven Sebastian Burdgick, Dominick Joseph Werther
  • Publication number: 20130022453
    Abstract: An alignment member for a turbine diaphragm segment is disclosed. The alignment member is configured to span radially across a portion of the turbine diaphragm segment and an adjacent turbine casing segment. The alignment member can include: a main body having a first aperture for aligning with a first corresponding aperture in one of the turbine diaphragm segment or the turbine casing segment; and a flange extending from the main body, the flange including a second aperture for aligning with a portion of the other of the turbine diaphragm segment or the turbine casing segment, the alignment member for adjusting a position of the turbine diaphragm segment relative to the adjacent turbine casing segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Carl Joseph Schaus, Steven Sebastian Burdgick, Dominick Joseph Werther
  • Publication number: 20120148395
    Abstract: A steam turbine nozzle airfoil with integral inner and outer sidewalls is engaged with an inner ring and an outer ring in a nozzle assembly. Previous designs required large clearances between radial surfaces to permit simultaneous circumferential loading of the inner and outer sidewall into the inner and outer rings. The inventive arrangement provides for breech loading of the inner sidewall into the inner ring which allows near line-to-line radial contact on the hooks between the rings and the integral sidewalls of the Singlet nozzle airfoil. Tighter radial clearance overcome problems with loose assembly such as movement during welding, gaps leading to stress risers and performance issues associated with nozzle throat control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Dominick Joseph Werther, Steven Sebastian Burdgick
  • Publication number: 20120141260
    Abstract: A steam turbine singlet nozzle airfoil with integral outer sidewall is engaged with an inner ring and an outer ring in a nozzle assembly. The interface of the outer sidewall with the outer ring may include a plurality of mechanical hooks on one or both of the upstream face and the outer radial face of the outer sidewall that engage with complimentary structures on the outer ring. The outer interface may further include low energy welds along limited distances of one or both of the upstream or downstream interface of the outer sidewall and the outer ring. An inner radial end of the singlet nozzle airfoil is pinned into position and fastened to the inner ring. Without a need for high heat welds, distortion of the airfoil and the steam flow path and the associated rework is eliminated and stage performance is improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventors: Steven Sebastian Burdgick, Dominick Joseph Werther
  • Publication number: 20120087788
    Abstract: A steam turbine nozzle assembly having a flush aperture is disclosed. In one embodiment, the steam turbine nozzle assembly includes a diaphragm assembly comprising: an inner diaphragm ring segment; an outer diaphragm ring segment; a static nozzle blade positioned between the inner diaphragm ring segment and the outer diaphragm ring segment; and a first cavity between the static nozzle blade and one of the inner diaphragm ring segment or the outer diaphragm ring segment; wherein the one of the inner diaphragm ring segment or the outer diaphragm ring segment includes a first aperture fluidly connected with the first cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: James Peter Anderson, Steven Sebastian Burdgick, Mark Edward Burnett, Dominick Joseph Werther
  • Publication number: 20110250063
    Abstract: A support bar for a steam turbine nozzle assembly is disclosed. In one embodiment, the support bar includes a hook-shaped portion for engaging a lip portion of a steam turbine diaphragm, wherein the steam turbine support bar is configured to non-affixedly join a steam turbine casing to the steam turbine diaphragm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Steven Sebastian Burdgick, Prashant Prabhakar Sankolli, Dominick Joseph Werther
  • Publication number: 20110200430
    Abstract: Steam turbine nozzle segments with conical interfaces are disclosed. In one embodiment a steam turbine static nozzle blade includes: an airfoil; an inner sidewall integral with a first side of the airfoil; and an outer sidewall integral with a second side of the airfoil; the inner sidewall and the outer sidewall each including: a pressure side having an arcuate concave surface extending substantially an entire length of the sidewall; and a suction side having an arcuate convex surface extending substantially the entire length of the sidewall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Steven Sebastian Burdgick, Jason Paul Mortzheim, Dominick Joseph Werther