Patents by Inventor Graham David Sherlock

Graham David Sherlock 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: 9303515
    Abstract: A turbomachine diaphragm includes a sealing section having a first end portion that extends to a second end portion through an intermediate portion. At least one rail member includes a first end section that extends from the first end portion of the sealing section to a second end section through an intermediate section having an inner surface section and an outer surface section. The second end section includes a machined surface having a repair coupon mounting element. A repair coupon is mounted at the repair coupon mounting element and operatively connected to the at least one rail member. A method of repairing a turbomachine diaphragm is also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Anshuman Singh, Paul Lawrence Kalmar, Graham David Sherlock, Americo Zapata
  • Patent number: 8671585
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a nozzle segment for use within a turbine nozzle assembly. The method comprises providing a nozzle segment including an outer band, an inner band, and at least one vane extending there between, wherein at least one of the inner band and the outer band is formed with a transition piece groove defined therein, positioning an inspection tool in contact with the nozzle assembly such that the inspection tool is aligned relative to the nozzle segment using at least one datum, and verifying an alignment of each transition piece groove using the inspection tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Graham David Sherlock, Christopher Edward Thompson
  • Publication number: 20140064954
    Abstract: A turbomachine diaphragm includes a sealing section having a first end portion that extends to a second end portion through an intermediate portion. At least one rail member includes a first end section that extends from the first end portion of the sealing section to a second end section through an intermediate section having an inner surface section and an outer surface section. The second end section includes a machined surface having a repair coupon mounting element. A repair coupon is mounted at the repair coupon mounting element and operatively connected to the at least one rail member. A method of repairing a turbomachine diaphragm is also disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Anshuman Singh, Paul Lawrence Kalmar, Graham David Sherlock, Americo Zapata
  • Publication number: 20120023746
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a nozzle segment for use within a turbine nozzle assembly. The method comprises providing a nozzle segment including an outer band, an inner band, and at least one vane extending there between, wherein at least one of the inner band and the outer band is formed with a transition piece groove defined therein, positioning an inspection tool in contact with the nozzle assembly such that the inspection tool is aligned relative to the nozzle segment using at least one datum, and verifying an alignment of each transition piece groove using the inspection tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Graham David Sherlock, Christopher Edward Thompson
  • Patent number: 8051564
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a nozzle segment for use within a turbine nozzle assembly. The method comprises providing a nozzle segment including an outer band, an inner band, and at least one vane extending there between, wherein at least one of the inner band and the outer band is formed with a transition piece groove defined therein, positioning an inspection tool in contact with the nozzle assembly such that the inspection tool is aligned relative to the nozzle segment using at least one datum, and verifying an alignment of each transition piece groove using the inspection tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Graham David Sherlock, Christopher Edward Thompson
  • Patent number: 7862264
    Abstract: A method for forming an opening in two different turbine components is provided. The method includes coupling a clamp to a base and coupling the clamp to a clamp bar, wherein the clamp bar is moveable with respect to the base. A first bushing plate is selected based on a first turbine component being drilled and is removably coupled to the base. A bushing is removably coupled to at least one aperture extending through the first bushing plate. An opening is formed in the first turbine component. A second bushing plate is selected based on a second turbine component being drilled. The second turbine component is different from the first turbine component. The second bushing plate is removably coupled to the base. An opening is formed in the second turbine component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Graham David Sherlock, Lynn Charles Gagne, Larry Paul Wencil
  • Patent number: 7806655
    Abstract: A method for assembling a stator assembly for a turbine engine is provided. The method includes providing a blade with a base including an end wall having at least one hole defined therein and providing a shim having at least one aperture extending therethrough. The shim aperture is aligned with the end wall hole, and the shim is secured to the blade base end wall using a fastener. The fastener is inserted through the shim aperture in an interference fit within the end wall hole. The blade and the shim are coupled to a turbine casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lynn Charles Gagne, Graham David Sherlock, Kelvin Aaron, Thomas Robbins Tipton
  • Patent number: 7766726
    Abstract: An assembly is provided for cropping the trailing edge tip of a stator zero blade in-situ. The cropping assembly includes a base plate that is secured to the end of the compressor stator blade to be cropped; a removable, rotational guide block; and a drill that is mounted to the guide block and rotatable relative to the base plate to crop the trailing edge tip of a stator blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Graham David Sherlock, Lynn Charles Gagne
  • Patent number: 7735238
    Abstract: A measuring tool measures a trailing edge position of gas turbine nozzle. The tool includes a frame member attachable to at least one predefined reference point on the nozzle. At least one sliding member is slidable relative to the frame member and includes a measuring point engageable with the trailing edge. A position of the sliding member relative to the frame member is determinative of the trailing edge position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Graham David Sherlock, Paul Lawrence Kalmar
  • Patent number: 7735222
    Abstract: A tool capable of removing material is applied to a turbine wheel cooling slot. Material is removed from a selected portion of the cooling slot with the tool. And, stress concentrations are reduced within the slot through the removal of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Graham David Sherlock, Paul Lawrence Kalmar
  • Publication number: 20100024238
    Abstract: A measuring tool measures a trailing edge position of gas turbine nozzle. The tool includes a frame member attachable to at least one predefined reference point on the nozzle. At least one sliding member is slidable relative to the frame member and includes a measuring point engageable with the trailing edge. A position of the sliding member relative to the frame member is determinative of the trailing edge position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: Graham David Sherlock, Paul Lawrence Kalmar
  • Patent number: 7578164
    Abstract: A method for inspecting a turbine nozzle segment includes positioning the turbine nozzle segment on a base of a tool, with the outer forward face and the inner forward face of the turbine nozzle segment contacting a surface of the base. The outer wall is positioned between a first pedestal outer stand and a second pedestal outer stand of the tool, and the inner wall is positioned between a first pedestal inner stand and a second pedestal inner stand of the tool. At least one of a position, a depth and a width of a seal slot formed in a side edge of the outer wall and/or the inner wall is measured. At least one axial dimension of the turbine nozzle segment and at least one radial dimension of the turbine nozzle segment are measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Graham David Sherlock, Paul Lawrence Kalmar, Benjamin Erick Baker
  • Patent number: 7484928
    Abstract: A trailing edge coupon for the trailing edge of a airfoil of a turbine nozzle segment is welded to an airfoil section of the nozzle segment having a damaged trailing edge portion removed. The coupon includes film cooling holes spaced one from the other along a pressure side wall portion of the coupon and a plurality of radially spaced openings along the trailing edge. By welding the pressure and suction side edges of the coupon to the pressure and side edges of the remaining portion of the airfoil, the operating life of the nozzle is extended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brian Peter Arness, Graham David Sherlock, Joseph Leonard Moroso, Stewart William Beitz, Graydon Wayne Peters
  • Publication number: 20080206005
    Abstract: A method for forming an opening in two different turbine components is provided. The method includes coupling a clamp to a base and coupling the clamp to a clamp bar, wherein the clamp bar is moveable with respect to the base. A first bushing plate is selected based on a first turbine component being drilled and is removably coupled to the base. A bushing is removably coupled to at least one aperture extending through the first bushing plate. An opening is formed in the first turbine component. A second bushing plate is selected based on a second turbine component being drilled. The second turbine component is different from the first turbine component. The second bushing plate is removably coupled to the base. An opening is formed in the second turbine component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Graham David Sherlock, Lynn Charles Gagne, Larry Paul Wencil
  • Publication number: 20080206063
    Abstract: A method for assembling a stator assembly for a turbine engine is provided. The method includes providing a blade with a base including an end wall having at least one hole defined therein and providing a shim having at least one aperture extending therethrough. The shim aperture is aligned with the end wall hole, and the shim is secured to the blade base end wall using a fastener. The fastener is inserted through the shim aperture in an interference fit within the end wall hole. The blade and the shim are coupled to a turbine casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Lynn Charles Gagne, Graham David Sherlock, Kelvin Aaron, Thomas Robbins Tipton
  • Publication number: 20080166229
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a nozzle segment for use within a turbine nozzle assembly. The method comprises providing a nozzle segment including an outer band, an inner band, and at least one vane extending there between, wherein at least one of the inner band and the outer band is formed with a transition piece groove defined therein, positioning an inspection tool in contact with the nozzle assembly such that the inspection tool is aligned relative to the nozzle segment using at least one datum, and verifying an alignment of each transition piece groove using the inspection tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventors: Graham David Sherlock, Christopher Edward Thompson
  • Publication number: 20080115648
    Abstract: An assembly is provided for cropping the trailing edge tip of a stator zero blade in-situ. The cropping assembly includes a base plate that is secured to the end of the compressor stator blade to be cropped; a removable, rotational guide block; and a drill that is mounted to the guide block and rotatable relative to the base plate to crop the trailing edge tip of a stator blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Graham David Sherlock, Lynn Charles Gagne
  • Patent number: 7231724
    Abstract: A tool for measuring seal slot position includes a tool shaft having a longitudinal axis, a pin eccentrically disposed at one end of the tool shaft relative to the longitudinal axis, and a disk member disposed at an opposite end of the tool shaft that facilitates rotation of the tool shaft and pin in the seal slot. The tool provides for increased accuracy in measuring seal slot position such as turbine nozzle seal slot position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Graham David Sherlock, Paul Lawrence Kalmar, Christopher Edward Thompson