Patents by Inventor Glenn Herbert Nichols

Glenn Herbert Nichols 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: 7588412
    Abstract: A cooled shroud assembly for a gas turbine engine having a longitudinal centerline includes at least one arcuate shroud segment surrounding a row of rotating turbine blades. The shroud segment has a forward flange, an aft flange defining an axially-facing aft edge, and an inwardly-facing flowpath surface, and the shroud segment lacks cooling holes for cooling the aft flange or the aft edge. At least one stationary turbine nozzle is disposed axially next to the shroud segment and includes an airfoil-shaped airfoil and an arcuate outer band disposed at a radially outer end of the airfoil and positioned axially adjacent to the shroud. At least one cooling hole is formed in the outer band in fluid communication with a source of cooling air. The cooling hole is positioned so as to direct a flow of cooling air against the shroud segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Glenn Herbert Nichols, Duane Allan Busch
  • Patent number: 7452183
    Abstract: A shroud assembly is provided for a gas turbine engine having a temperature at a hot operating condition substantially greater than at a cold assembly condition thereof. The shroud assembly includes at least one arcuate shroud segment adapted to surround a row of rotating turbine blades. The shroud segment has an arcuate, axially extending mounting flange. A shroud hanger includes an arcuate, axially-extending hook. A dimension of one of the shroud segments and the shroud hanger are selected to produce a preselected dimensional relationship therebetween at the hot operating condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Anthony Ruthemeyer, Glenn Herbert Nichols, Ching-Pang Lee
  • Patent number: 7448846
    Abstract: A shroud segment is adapted to surround a row of rotating turbine blades in a gas turbine engine. The shroud segment includes: an arcuate, axially extending first mounting flange having a first radius of curvature, and an arcuate, axially extending first overhang having a second radius of curvature. The overhang is disposed parallel to and radially inboard of the first mounting flange so that a first groove is defined between the first mounting flange and the first overhang. The first and second radii of curvature are substantially different from each other. The shroud segment may attached to a supporting structure or shroud hanger to form a shroud assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Anthony Ruthemeyer, Glenn Herbert Nichols, Ching-Pang Lee
  • Patent number: 7442004
    Abstract: A C-clip for a gas turbine engine includes an arcuate outer arm having a first radius of curvature; an arcuate, inner arm having a second radius of curvature which is substantially greater than the first radius of curvature; and an arcuate extending flange connecting the outer and inner arms. The flange, the outer arm, and the inner arm collectively define a generally C-shaped cross-section. A shroud assembly includes a shroud segment with a mounting flange, and a shroud hanger with an arcuate hook disposed in mating relationship to the mounting flange. An arcuate C-clip having inner and outer arms overlaps the hook and the mounting flange. The shroud segment and the C-clip are subject to thermal expansion at the hot operating condition. A dimension of one of the shroud segment and the C-clip are selected to produce a preselected dimensional relationship therebetween at the hot operating condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Anthony Ruthemeyer, Glenn Herbert Nichols, Ching-Pang Lee
  • Patent number: 7438520
    Abstract: A shroud assembly is provided for a gas turbine engine that has a temperature at a hot operating condition substantially greater than at a cold assembly condition thereof. The shroud assembly includes: at least one arcuate shroud segment adapted to surround a row of rotating turbine blades which has an arcuate, axially extending mounting flange; a shroud hanger having an arcuate, axially-extending hook disposed in mating relationship to the mounting flange; and an arcuate C-clip having inner and outer arms overlapping the hook and the mounting flange. The curvatures of the mounting flange and the inner arm of the C-clip are selected so as to define a matched interface therebetween. Their curvatures are substantially greater that the curvature of the hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Anthony Ruthemeyer, Glenn Herbert Nichols, Ching-Pang Lee
  • Patent number: 7387488
    Abstract: A cooled turbine shroud includes an arcuate flow path surface adapted to surround a row of rotating turbine blades, and an opposed interior surface; a forward overhang defining an axially-facing leading edge, an outwardly-extending forward wall and an outwardly-extending aft wall; opposed first and second sidewalls, wherein the forward and aft walls and the sidewalls define an open shroud plenum; at least one leading edge cooling hole extending from the shroud plenum to the leading edge; and at least one sidewall cooling hole extending from the plenum to one of the sidewalls. The flow path surface is free of cooling holes and may include a protective coating applied thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Glenn Herbert Nichols, Kurt Grover Brink, Ching-Pang Lee
  • Patent number: 7229246
    Abstract: A compliant seal assembly for a rotating machine is provided. The seal assembly includes a static member, a movable member and a biasing member. The static member is rigidly fixed to the machine at its fore and aft ends. The movable portion has a first sealing surface configured to seal against a rotating member and a rear surface, which may be exposed to a fluid pressure to urge the first sealing surface toward a sealing position with the rotating member. The static and the movable members further include sealing surfaces at their fore, aft and end faces to seal against leakage of gas between the static and the movable members. The biasing member is configured to support the movable member on the static member and to urge the movable member away from the sealing position so as to reduce force on the rotating member during contact of the rotating member with the first sealing surface of the movable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Farshad Ghasripoor, Shorya Awtar, Norman Arnold Turnquist, Biao Fang, Carl Anthony Flecker, III, James William Stegmaier, Glenn Herbert Nichols, James Charles Przytulski, Kurt Grover Brink, Richard Cohen Lykins, Jeffrey Reid Thyssen, Mahmut Faruk Aksit
  • Patent number: 6612808
    Abstract: An article, for example a turbine engine component such as a shroud, airfoil, etc., comprises a wall having a first wall surface subject to a first temperature, for example from the flow stream of the engine. The wall includes a second wall surface, substantially opposite the first wall surface, for exposure to a cooling fluid, for example cooling air. The second wall surface includes a plurality of adjacent ribs protruding from the second wall surface to facilitate transfer of heat from the second wall surface. The ribs comprise a plurality of elongated rib portions each spaced apart one from another across a gap between rib portions, the gaps having a gap length in the range of about 0.002-0.05″.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ching-Pang Lee, Glenn Herbert Nichols
  • Publication number: 20030099541
    Abstract: An article, for example a turbine engine component such as a shroud, airfoil, etc., comprises a wall having a first wall surface subject to a first temperature, for example from the flow stream of the engine. The wall includes a second wall surface, substantially opposite the first wall surface, for exposure to a cooling fluid, for example cooling air. The second wall surface includes a plurality of adjacent ribs protruding from the second wall surface to facilitate transfer of heat from the second wall surface. The ribs comprise a plurality of elongated rib portions each spaced apart one from another across a gap between rib portions, the gaps having a gap length in the range of about 0.002-0.05″.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventors: Ching-Pang Lee, Glenn Herbert Nichols
  • Patent number: 6416278
    Abstract: A method for repairing a turbine nozzle segment having at least one vane disposed between outer and inner bands includes separating the inner band from the nozzle segment, and joining the inner band to a newly manufactured replacement casting having an outer band and at least one vane. The replacement casting includes a mounting platform formed on one end of the vane and a boss formed on the mounting platform. A collar is joined to the inner band and has a slot formed therein. The boss is then inserted into the slot, and the mounting platform is received in a recess formed in the inner band. Joining is completed by joining the boss to the collar and the mounting platform to the inner band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Walter Caddell, Jr., James Michael Caldwell, Kenneth Morand Lieland, Glenn Herbert Nichols