Patents by Inventor Douglas Gerard Konitzer

Douglas Gerard Konitzer 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).

  • Publication number: 20220080495
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of forming a cast component and a method of forming a casting mold. The method is performed by connecting at least one wax gate component to a ceramic core-shell mold. The ceramic core-shell mold includes at least a first core portion, a first shell portion, and a second shell portion, wherein the first shell portion is adapted to interface with at least the second shell portion to form at least one first cavity between the core portion and the first and second shell portions. The core-shell mold may be inspected and assembled prior to connection of the wax gate component. At least a portion of the ceramic core-shell mold and the wax gate component is coated with a second ceramic material. The wax gate component is then removed to form a second cavity in fluid communication with the first cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Xi Yang, Michael Cole, Michael Brown, Gregory Terrence Garay, Tingfan Pang, Brian David Przeslawski, Douglas Gerard Konitzer
  • Publication number: 20220040754
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of forming a cast component and a method of forming a casting mold. The method is performed by connecting at least one wax gate component to a ceramic core-shell mold. The ceramic core-shell mold includes at least a filter, first core portion, a first shell portion, and at least one first cavity between the core portion and the first shell portion. The core-shell mold may manufactured using an additive manufacturing process and may include an integrated ceramic filter. At least a portion of the ceramic core-shell mold and the wax gate component is coated with a second ceramic material. The wax gate component is then removed to form a second cavity in fluid communication with the first cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventors: Xi Yang, Michael Cole, Michael Brown, Gregory Terrence Garay, Tingfan Pang, Brian David Przeslawski, Douglas Gerard Konitzer
  • Patent number: 11235491
    Abstract: Integrated core-shell investment casting molds include a filament structure corresponding to a cooling hole pattern in the surface of the turbine blade, stator vane, or shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Xi Yang, Michael Cole, Michael Brown, Gregory Terrence Garay, Tingfan Pang, Brian David Przeslawski, Douglas Gerard Konitzer
  • Patent number: 11235378
    Abstract: Integrated core-shell investment casting molds include a filament structure corresponding to a cooling hole pattern in the surface of the turbine blade, stator vane, or shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Xi Yang, Michael Cole, Michael Brown, Gregory Terrence Garay, Tingfan Pang, Brian David Przeslawski, Douglas Gerard Konitzer
  • Patent number: 11192172
    Abstract: A method of forming a cast component and a method of forming a casting mold. The method is performed by connecting at least one wax gate component to a ceramic core-shell mold. The ceramic core-shell mold includes at least a first core portion, a first shell portion, and a second shell portion, wherein the first shell portion is adapted to interface with at least the second shell portion to form at least one first cavity between the core portion and the first and second shell portions. The core-shell mold may be inspected and assembled prior to connection of the wax gate component. At least a portion of the ceramic core-shell mold and the wax gate component is coated with a second ceramic material. The wax gate component is then removed to form a second cavity in fluid communication with the first cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Xi Yang, Michael Cole, Michael Brown, Gregory Terrence Garay, Tingfan Pang, Brian David Przeslawski, Douglas Gerard Konitzer
  • Patent number: 11179816
    Abstract: Methods of manufacturing or repairing a turbine blade or vane are described. The airfoil portions of these turbine components are typically manufactured by casting in a ceramic mold, and a surface made up of the cast airfoil and at the least the ceramic core serves as a build surface for a subsequent process of additively manufacturing the tip portions. The build surface is created by removing a top portion of the airfoil and the core, or by placing an ultra-thin shim on top of the airfoil and the core. The overhang projected by the shim is subsequently removed. These methods are not limited to turbine engine applications, but can be applied to any metallic object that can benefit from casting and additive manufacturing processes. The present disclosure also relates to finished and intermediate products prepared by these methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gregory Terrence Garay, Mark Kevin Meyer, Douglas Gerard Konitzer, William Thomas Carter
  • Patent number: 11173542
    Abstract: A method of forming a cast component and a method of forming a casting mold. The method is performed by connecting at least one wax gate component to a ceramic core-shell mold. The ceramic core-shell mold includes at least a filter, first core portion, a first shell portion, and at least one first cavity between the core portion and the first shell portion. The core-shell mold may be manufactured using an additive manufacturing process and may include an integrated ceramic filter. At least a portion of the ceramic core-shell mold and the wax gate component is coated with a second ceramic material. The wax gate component is then removed to form a second cavity in fluid communication with the first cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Xi Yang, Michael Cole, Michael Brown, Gregory Terrence Garay, Tingfan Pang, Brian David Przeslawski, Douglas Gerard Konitzer
  • Patent number: 11154956
    Abstract: Methods of manufacturing or repairing a turbine blade or vane are described. The airfoil portions of these turbine components are typically manufactured by casting in a ceramic mold, and a surface made up of the cast airfoil and at the least the ceramic core serves as a build surface for a subsequent process of additively manufacturing the tip portions. The build surface is created by removing a top portion of the airfoil and the core, or by placing an ultra-thin shim on top of the airfoil and the core. The overhang projected by the shim is subsequently removed. These methods are not limited to turbine engine applications, but can be applied to any metallic object that can benefit from casting and additive manufacturing processes. The present disclosure also relates to finished and intermediate products prepared by these methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gregory Terrence Garay, Mark Kevin Meyer, Douglas Gerard Konitzer, William Thomas Carter
  • Publication number: 20210308747
    Abstract: Integrated core-shell investment casting molds that provide tongue or groove structures corresponding, respectively, to groove or tongue structures in the surface of the turbine blade or stator vane, including in locations that are otherwise inaccessible provide a pathway to restrict cooling flow between turbine blades to the flowpath.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Gregory Terrence Garay, Meredith Dubelman, Xi Yang, Tingfan Pang, Michael Scott Cole, Brian David Przeslawski, Douglas Gerard Konitzer, Nicole Barba, Kirk Gallier, Brian Keith
  • Patent number: 11130170
    Abstract: Integrated core-shell investment casting molds that provide tongue or groove structures corresponding, respectively, to groove or tongue structures in the surface of the turbine blade or stator vane, including in locations that are otherwise inaccessible provide a pathway to restrict cooling flow between turbine blades to the flowpath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Gregory Terrence Garay, Meredith Dubelman, Xi Yang, Tingfan Pang, Michael Scott Cole, Brian David Przeslawski, Douglas Gerard Konitzer, Nicole Barba, Kirk Gallier, Brian Keith
  • Publication number: 20210260651
    Abstract: A method for producing a dispersion strengthened material is presented. The method includes exposing a plurality of first metal particles to a suspension of dispersoid forming particles to form metal particles having the dispersoid forming particles thereon. The metal particles having the dispersoid forming particles there are subjected to an energy process to form a dispersion strengthened material. Also provided is a method of manufacturing a dispersion strengthened material or metal component that contains nano-sized dispersoids in a metal-based matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: Douglas Gerard Konitzer, Andrew Ezekiel Wessman
  • Publication number: 20210229163
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of forming a cast component and a method of forming a casting mold. The method is performed by connecting at least one wax gate component to a ceramic core-shell mold. The ceramic core-shell mold includes at least a filter, first core portion, a first shell portion, and at least one first cavity between the core portion and the first shell portion. The core-shell mold may manufactured using an additive manufacturing process and may include an integrated ceramic filter. At least a portion of the ceramic core-shell mold and the wax gate component is coated with a second ceramic material. The wax gate component is then removed to form a second cavity in fluid communication with the first cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: Xi Yang, Michael Cole, Michael Brown, Gregory Terrence Garay, Tingfan Pang, Brian David Przeslawski, Douglas Gerard Konitzer
  • Patent number: 10974312
    Abstract: A method of forming a cast component and a method of forming a casting mold is provided. The method is performed by connecting at least one wax gate component to a ceramic core-shell mold. The ceramic core-shell mold includes at least a filter, a first core portion, a first shell portion, and at least one first cavity between the core portion and the first shell portion. The ceramic core-shell mold may be manufactured using an additive manufacturing process and may include an integrated ceramic filter. At least a portion of the ceramic core-shell mold and the wax gate component is coated with a second ceramic material. The wax gate component is then removed to form a second cavity in fluid communication with the first cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Xi Yang, Michael Cole, Michael Brown, Gregory Terrence Garay, Tingfan Pang, Brian David Przeslawski, Douglas Gerard Konitzer
  • Publication number: 20210069777
    Abstract: Methods for creating a cast component, along with the resulting cast components, are provided. The method may provide for a controlled grain structure in the resulting cast component. The methods may include heating at least a first portion mold under controlled conditions, such as when the first portion of the mold is buried in a ceramic powder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Brian David Przeslawski, Manuel Acosta, Douglas Gerard Konitzer, Joshua Leigh Miller, Adegboyega Masud Makinde
  • Patent number: 10814395
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing machine includes a heated gas circulation system for regulating the temperature of additive powder throughout a powder bed and parts formed therein. The additive manufacturing machine includes a build platform defining a plurality of perforations and a heated gas supply that provides a flow of heated air into a distribution manifold and through the plurality of perforations and the powder bed to minimize temperature gradients within the powder bed which might otherwise result in distortion, thermal stresses, or cracking in the finished part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Richard Barnhart, Douglas Gerard Konitzer, Rajendra Madhukar Kelkar
  • Patent number: 10814428
    Abstract: A method for producing a layered object includes irradiating a surface layer of the object with an energy beam to create an interaction zone on the surface layer. The method also includes providing relative motion between the energy beam and the surface layer so as to control the interaction between the energy beam and the surface layer. The method also includes introducing feedstock into the interaction zone so that the feedstock melts and forms a hot solidified surface after leaving the interaction zone. The method also includes applying mechanical energy to the hot solidified surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Douglas Gerard Konitzer
  • Publication number: 20200290117
    Abstract: Methods for creating a cast component, along with the resulting cast components, are provided. The method may include heating a mold having a cavity therein; supplying a first molten metal material into the cavity of the mold such that the first molten metal material is directed to a first portion of the cavity of the mold; supplying a second molten metal material into the cavity of the mold such that the second molten metal material is directed to a second portion of the cavity of the mold, wherein the first molten metal material is compositionally different than the second molten metal material; and thereafter, allowing the first molten metal material and the second molten metal material to form the cast component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Inventors: Douglas Gerard Konitzer, Brian David Przeslawski, Joshua Leigh Miller
  • Publication number: 20200277862
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for minimizing engine weight for a turbine engine by utilizing one or more discrete protuberances disposed on an engine component wall. The wall can have a nominal thickness to decrease engine weight while the protuberances can provide increased discrete thicknesses for providing one or more cooling holes. The increased thickness at the protuberances provides for an increased thickness to provide sufficient length to increase cooling hole effectiveness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Inventors: Douglas Gerard Konitzer, Scott Ronald Bunker, Robert David Briggs
  • Publication number: 20200276676
    Abstract: Methods of manufacturing or repairing a turbine blade or vane are described. The airfoil portions of these turbine components are typically manufactured by casting in a ceramic mold, and a surface made up of the cast airfoil and at the least the ceramic core serves as a build surface for a subsequent process of additively manufacturing the tip portions. The build surface is created by removing a top portion of the airfoil and the core, or by placing an ultra-thin shim on top of the airfoil and the core. The overhang projected by the shim is subsequently removed. These methods are not limited to turbine engine applications, but can be applied to any metallic object that can benefit from casting and additive manufacturing processes. The present disclosure also relates to finished and intermediate products prepared by these methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Inventors: Gregory Terrence Garay, Mark Kevin Meyer, Douglas Gerard Konitzer, William Thomas Carter
  • Patent number: 10717130
    Abstract: Methods of manufacturing or repairing a turbine blade or vane are described. The airfoil portions of these turbine components are typically manufactured by casting in a ceramic mold, and a surface made up of the cast airfoil and at the least the ceramic core serves as a build surface for a subsequent process of additively manufacturing the tip portions. The build surface is created by removing a top portion of the airfoil and the core, or by placing an ultra-thin shim on top of the airfoil and the core. The overhang projected by the shim is subsequently removed. These methods are not limited to turbine engine applications, but can be applied to any metallic object that can benefit from casting and additive manufacturing processes. The present disclosure also relates to finished and intermediate products prepared by these methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gregory Terrence Garay, Mark Kevin Meyer, Douglas Gerard Konitzer, William Thomas Carter