Patents by Inventor Frederic Woodrow ROBERTS

Frederic Woodrow ROBERTS 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: 20230193765
    Abstract: A filter for an airfoil of a vane of a turbomachine is disclosed. The filter includes a mounting member for mounting to an endwall of the vane. The mounting member has a first flow exit opening defined therethrough for fluid communication with a cooling circuit of the airfoil. A screen frame is coupled to the mounting member to support a wire screen around the first flow exit opening, and a first wire screen is positioned over the screen frame. The screen frame has an exterior shape supporting the wire screen in a manner incapable of having a horizontal surface regardless of a circumferential position of the airfoil around an axis of the turbomachine. A related turbine vane and turbine system are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2022
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Kathen Thomas KOTAY, Frederic Woodrow ROBERTS, JR.
  • Patent number: 11525397
    Abstract: A gas turbine component includes an ejection circuit for removing debris from cooling air flowing through a gas turbine component. The gas turbine component includes: an impingement insert and a debris ejection circuit. The impingement insert, which is disposed within a cavity in the component, includes an end wall and distribution holes for directing cooling air against a wall of the cavity. The debris ejection circuit includes: a bypass aperture defined in the end wall, which fluidly couples an interior of the impingement insert and an end section of the cavity; and an ejection channel, which fluidly couples the end section of the cavity to the wheelspace cavity or the hot gas path. A pressure differential between the interior of the impingement insert and the wheelspace cavity or hot gas path directs debris in the cooling air through the bypass aperture and the ejection channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brendon James Leary, Frederic Woodrow Roberts, Jr., Ibrahim Sezer, Tyler Christopher Henson
  • Patent number: 11415001
    Abstract: A gas turbine component includes a turbine component having an outer wall and an internal cooling passage; a cooling air supply hole through the outer wall in fluid communication with the internal cooling passage; and a filter mound disposed over the cooling air supply hole. The filter mound includes a filter mound wall projecting from the turbine component and defining an interior of the filter mound. At least one hole in the filter mound wall extending through the filter mound wall is configured to permit cooling air supply to pass therethrough while blocking debris from passing through the interior of the filter mound and clogging the cooling air supply hole in fluid communication with the internal cooling passage. The turbine component and the filter mound are formed during manufacturing of the turbine component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brendan James Leary, Frederic Woodrow Roberts, Jr., Tyler Christopher Henson
  • Publication number: 20220065165
    Abstract: A gas turbine component includes an ejection circuit for removing debris from cooling air flowing through a gas turbine component. The gas turbine component includes: an impingement insert and a debris ejection circuit. The impingement insert, which is disposed within a cavity in the component, includes an end wall and distribution holes for directing cooling air against a wall of the cavity. The debris ejection circuit includes: a bypass aperture defined in the end wall, which fluidly couples an interior of the impingement insert and an end section of the cavity; and an ejection channel, which fluidly couples the end section of the cavity to the wheelspace cavity or the hot gas path. A pressure differential between the interior of the impingement insert and the wheelspace cavity or hot gas path directs debris in the cooling air through the bypass aperture and the ejection channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2020
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Brendon James Leary, Frederic Woodrow Roberts, JR., Ibrahim Sezer, Tyler Christopher Henson
  • Patent number: 10865654
    Abstract: A turbine shroud assembly including an outer shroud arranged within a turbine and further comprising opposed extending portions. The turbine shroud assembly further including an inner shroud shielding the outer shroud from a gas flowing along a gas path within the turbine during operation of the turbine and comprising opposed first and second arcuate portions extending around and in direct contact with a corresponding extending portion of the outer shroud for supporting the inner shroud from the outer shroud. The turbine shroud assembly further including a spline seal extending between the first and second arcuate portions and positioned between the inner shroud and the outer shroud. The turbine shroud assembly further including at least one of the inner shroud, the outer shroud and the spline seal including at least one protrusion for maintaining positive retention of the spline seal during non-operation of the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Matthew Troy Hafner, Frederic Woodrow Roberts, Jr., Glenn Curtis Taxacher
  • Patent number: 10415406
    Abstract: The present application provides a turbine nozzle including an airfoil shape. The airfoil shape may have a nominal profile substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z set forth in Table I. The Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z are non-dimensional values from 0% to 100% convertible to dimensional distances in inches by multiplying the Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z by a height of the airfoil in inches. The X and Y values, when connected by smooth continuing arcs, define airfoil profile sections at each distance Z. The airfoil profile sections at Z distances may be joined smoothly with one another to form a complete airfoil shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Neil Ristau, Russell DeForest, Frederic Woodrow Roberts, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10280801
    Abstract: A turbine component including an outer shroud arranged within a turbine and including opposed extending portions. An inner shroud shields the outer shroud from a gas flowing along a gas path within the turbine during its operation and including opposed first and second arcuate portions extending around and in direct contact with a corresponding extending portion of the outer shroud. A first pin and second pin have a respective first end and second end. The first arcuate portion having a first engagement region for engaging the first end, and second arcuate portion having a second engagement region for engaging the second end. In response to engagement of the first engagement region and the first end of the first pin, and engagement of the second engagement region and the second end of the second pin, the inner shroud is prevented from twisting relative to the outer shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Matthew Troy Hafner, Frederic Woodrow Roberts, Jr., Glenn Curtis Taxacher
  • Publication number: 20180363508
    Abstract: A turbine component including an outer shroud arranged within a turbine and including opposed extending portions. An inner shroud shields the outer shroud from a gas flowing along a gas path within the turbine during its operation and including opposed first and second arcuate portions extending around and in direct contact with a corresponding extending portion of the outer shroud. A first pin and second pin have a respective first end and second end. The first arcuate portion having a first engagement region for engaging the first end, and second arcuate portion having a second engagement region for engaging the second end. In response to engagement of the first engagement region and the first end of the first pin, and engagement of the second engagement region and the second end of the second pin, the inner shroud is prevented from twisting relative to the outer shroud.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Matthew Troy HAFNER, Frederic Woodrow ROBERTS, JR., Glenn Curtis TAXACHER
  • Publication number: 20180363485
    Abstract: A turbine shroud assembly including an outer shroud arranged within a turbine and further comprising opposed extending portions. The turbine shroud assembly further including an inner shroud shielding the outer shroud from a gas flowing along a gas path within the turbine during operation of the turbine and comprising opposed first and second arcuate portions extending around and in direct contact with a corresponding extending portion of the outer shroud for supporting the inner shroud from the outer shroud. The turbine shroud assembly further including a spline seal extending between the first and second arcuate portions and positioned between the inner shroud and the outer shroud. The turbine shroud assembly further including at least one of the inner shroud, the outer shroud and the spline seal including at least one protrusion for maintaining positive retention of the spline seal during non-operation of the turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Matthew Troy HAFNER, Frederic Woodrow ROBERTS, JR., Glenn Curtis TAXACHER
  • Publication number: 20180340438
    Abstract: A turbomachine includes a compressor, a combustor, and a turbine. The turbine includes a nozzle, a shroud, and an axial cavity defined between the nozzle and the shroud. The nozzle includes an inner platform, an outer platform spaced apart from the inner platform along a radial direction, and an airfoil extending therebetween. The outer platform extends axially between a forward sidewall and an aft sidewall. The nozzle also includes an aft hook radially outward of the outer platform and axially forward of the aft sidewall of the outer platform. The shroud includes a forward end adjacent to the aft sidewall of the outer platform. A sealing interface is positioned within the cavity, radially outward of the outer platform of the nozzle and axially forward of the aft sidewall of the outer platform of the nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Frederic Woodrow Roberts, JR., Sivaraman Vedhagiri
  • Publication number: 20180320537
    Abstract: The present application provides a turbine nozzle including an airfoil shape. The airfoil shape may have a nominal profile substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z set forth in Table I. The Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z are non-dimensional values from 0% to 100% convertible to dimensional distances in inches by multiplying the Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z by a height of the airfoil in inches. The X and Y values, when connected by smooth continuing arcs, define airfoil profile sections at each distance Z. The airfoil profile sections at Z distances may be joined smoothly with one another to form a complete airfoil shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Neil Ristau, Russell DeForest, Frederic Woodrow Roberts, JR.
  • Patent number: 10012091
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide components for hot gas path (HGP) components and methods of forming the same. A structure according to the present disclosure can include: an HGP component extending radially from a rotor axis of a turbomachine, the HGP component including a tapered edge; a plurality of first passages in fluid communication with a preliminary cooling zone of the HGP component, and extending through a sidewall positioned between the preliminary cooling zone and the tapered edge; and a plurality of second passages extending through at least the tapered edge, wherein each of the plurality of second passages is in fluid communication with the flow path for the operative fluid and at least one passage of the plurality of first passages, and wherein at least one of the plurality of second passages is radially displaced from each passage of the plurality of first passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Victor John Morgan, George Andrew Gergely, Frederic Woodrow Roberts, Jr., Aaron Ezekiel Smith
  • Patent number: 9945244
    Abstract: A turbine shroud assembly is disclosed including an inner shroud having a surface adjacent to a hot gas path, an outer shroud, and a biasing apparatus. The biasing apparatus is arranged and disposed to bias the inner shroud in a direction away from the hot gas path, loading the inner shroud to the outer shroud. In another embodiment, the biasing apparatus is a springless biasing apparatus including at least one bellows, at least one thrust piston, or a combination of at least one bellows and at least one thrust piston. A method for loading the turbine shroud assembly is disclosed including biasing the inner shroud having a surface adjacent to a hot gas path in a direction away from the hot gas path toward the outer shroud, wherein biasing the inner shroud includes a biasing force exerted by the biasing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Frederic Woodrow Roberts, Victor John Morgan, Matthew Troy Hafner
  • Patent number: 9903218
    Abstract: A turbine shroud assembly is disclosed including an inner shroud having a surface adjacent to a hot gas path, an outer shroud, a damper block disposed between the inner shroud and the outer shroud, a first biasing apparatus, and a second biasing apparatus. The first biasing apparatus provides a first biasing force to the inner shroud, biasing the inner shroud a first deflection distance in a direction toward the hot gas path and away from the outer shroud. The second biasing apparatus provides a second biasing force to the damper block, biasing the damper block a second deflection distance in a direction toward the hot gas path and away from the outer shroud. The second deflection distance is greater than the first deflection distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Matthew Troy Hafner, Victor John Morgan, Frederic Woodrow Roberts
  • Patent number: 9784116
    Abstract: A turbine shroud assembly includes a plurality of arcuate shroud block assemblies annularly arranged to form a shroud segment. The plurality of shroud block assemblies includes a first shroud block assembly having a shroud block and a second shroud block assembly having a shroud block. The first shroud block assembly includes a seal interface member and a shroud seal. The seal interface member has a side portion that is adjacent to a radial side surface of the first shroud block. The second shroud block assembly includes a seal interface member and a shroud seal. The seal interface member has a side portion that is adjacent to a radial side surface of the second shroud block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Matthew Troy Hafner, Victor John Morgan, Frederic Woodrow Roberts, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9771819
    Abstract: Various embodiments include gas turbine seals and methods of forming such seals. In some cases, a turbine includes: a first arc segment adjacent to a second arc segment, each arc segment including an end surface and radially facing surfaces extending from opposite ends of the end surface; a slot located between the end surfaces of the first arc segment and the second arc segment; and a first seal disposed in the slot, the first seal contacting the first arc segment at the end surface and extending over the radially facing surfaces of the first arc segment, the first seal including: a shim contacting the first arc segment; a laminate material over the shim and covering the shim; and a conforming material coupling the laminate material to the shim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Victor John Morgan, Frederic Woodrow Roberts, Jr., Brad Wilson VanTassel
  • Patent number: 9719420
    Abstract: A process of producing a ceramic matrix composite gas turbine component and a ceramic matrix composite gas turbine component are provided. The process includes modifying a surface of the ceramic matrix composite gas turbine component to produce a modified surface with a surface roughness of less than 6 micrometers. The modifying is selected from the group of techniques consisting of applying unreinforced matrix plies to the surface, vapor depositing silicon on the surface, honing the surface, applying braze paste to the surface, and combinations thereof. The component includes a modified surface including a surface roughness of less than 6 micrometers. The modified surface being selected from the group consisting of unreinforced matrix plies applied to a surface of the ceramic matrix composite gas turbine component, silicon vapor deposited on the surface, a honed surface, a braze paste applied to the surface, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Paul Stephen DiMascio, Victor John Morgan, Jason Robert Parolini, Glenn Curtis Taxacher, Frederic Woodrow Roberts, Jr., Jacob John Kittleson, John McConnell Delvaux
  • Patent number: 9709275
    Abstract: A casing for a turbo-machine at least partially defines a flow path for a working fluid through or around one or more of a compressor section, a combustor assembly, or a turbine section. The casing defines an inner surface and the inner surface defines a plurality of debris routing channels. The plurality of debris routing channels are configured to route debris in a working fluid within the casing towards a debris collection mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Peter de Diego, Herbert Chidsey Roberts, III, Frederic Woodrow Roberts, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20170167283
    Abstract: Various embodiments include gas turbine seals and methods of forming such seals. In some cases, a turbine includes: a first arc segment adjacent to a second arc segment, each arc segment including an end surface and radially facing surfaces extending from opposite ends of the end surface; a slot located between the end surfaces of the first arc segment and the second arc segment; and a first seal disposed in the slot, the first seal contacting the first arc segment at the end surface and extending over the radially facing surfaces of the first arc segment, the first seal including: a shim contacting the first arc segment; a laminate material over the shim and covering the shim; and a conforming material coupling the laminate material to the shim.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: Victor John Morgan, Frederic Woodrow Roberts, JR., Brad Wilson VanTassel
  • Publication number: 20170051627
    Abstract: A turbine shroud assembly is disclosed including an inner shroud having a surface adjacent to a hot gas path, an outer shroud, a damper block disposed between the inner shroud and the outer shroud, a first biasing apparatus, and a second biasing apparatus. The first biasing apparatus provides a first biasing force to the inner shroud, biasing the inner shroud a first deflection distance in a direction toward the hot gas path and away from the outer shroud. The second biasing apparatus provides a second biasing force to the damper block, biasing the damper block a second deflection distance in a direction toward the hot gas path and away from the outer shroud. The second deflection distance is greater than the first deflection distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: Matthew Troy HAFNER, Victor John MORGAN, Frederic Woodrow ROBERTS