Patents by Inventor Frank Maichle

Frank Maichle 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: 8070421
    Abstract: A sealing interface for a component in a turbine machine, wherein a plug is mechanically affixed within an entrance passage of an aperture. The plug is secured in place within the entrance passage through deformation of an inner end of the plug to cause the plug to mechanically engage a groove formed adjacent the entrance passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Dalton, Frank Maichle, Rex A. Smith, Matthew Gent, Stuart Bishop, George Obranic
  • Patent number: 7967568
    Abstract: Introducing a plurality of geometrically shaped members (27) into a cooling passage (16) of a gas turbine airfoil (10) will effectively reduce the cross-sectional flow area while simultaneously retaining a sufficiently thick external contour desired for proper gas path aerodynamic behavior. Small cooling sub-passages (18a, 18b) formed around the geometric members will create a preferentially higher coolant flow rate and heat transfer coefficient at the cooled surface (14) when compared to the interior of the cavity. The geometric shapes may be metal or ceramic spheres retained in the cooling cavity by a retaining structure such as a screen grid (30) or perforated plate (32). The openings (34) in the retaining structure may be unevenly distributed to preferentially allow more coolant to enter the cavity proximate the cooled walls. The size/shape of the geometrically shaped members may be varied to achieve a desired heat transfer coefficient along the cooled wall surface (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Dalton, Tilmann Auf Dem Kampe, Frank A. Maichle, Rex A. Smith, Stuart P. Bishop, Stefan Irmisch
  • Publication number: 20090246006
    Abstract: A sealing interface for a component in a turbine machine, wherein a plug is mechanically affixed within an entrance passage of an aperture. The plug is secured in place within the entrance passage through deformation of an inner end of the plug to cause the plug to mechanically engage a groove formed adjacent the entrance passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: SIEMENS POWER GENERATION, INC.
    Inventors: John P. Dalton, Frank Maichle, Rex A. Smith, Matthew Gent, Stuart Bishop, George Obranic
  • Publication number: 20090081029
    Abstract: Introducing a plurality of geometrically shaped members (27) into a cooling passage (16) of a gas turbine airfoil (10) will effectively reduce the cross-sectional flow area while simultaneously retaining a sufficiently thick external contour desired for proper gas path aerodynamic behavior. Small cooling sub-passages (18a, 18b) formed around the geometric members will create a preferentially higher coolant flow rate and heat transfer coefficient at the cooled surface (14) when compared to the interior of the cavity. The geometric shapes may be metal or ceramic spheres retained in the cooling cavity by a retaining structure such as a screen grid (30) or perforated plate (32). The openings (34) in the retaining structure may be unevenly distributed to preferentially allow more coolant to enter the cavity proximate the cooled walls. The size/shape of the geometrically shaped members may be varied to achieve a desired heat transfer coefficient along the cooled wall surface (17).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: SIEMENS POWER GENERATION, INC.
    Inventors: John P. Dalton, Tilmann Auf Dem Kampe, Frank A. Maichle, Rex A. Smith, Stuart P. Bishop, Stefan Irmisch