Patents by Inventor Gregory Allan Crum
Gregory Allan Crum 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).
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Patent number: 10047633Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a bearing housing of a turbine, wherein the bearing housing is configured to support a shaft of the turbine, and the bearing housing comprises at least one bearing housing ear configured to transfer a load of the bearing housing to an inlet housing of the turbine through a horizontal center line of the bearing housing.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2015Date of Patent: August 14, 2018Assignees: General Electric Company, Exxon Mobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Maruthi Prasad Manchikanti, Kenneth Damon Black, Donald Earl Floyd, II, Gregory Allan Crum
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Patent number: 9664067Abstract: A seal retaining assembly includes a first segment coupled to a first structure. Also included is a recess of the first segment, the recess defined by a first and second wall, the first wall defining a first wall aperture, the second wall defining a second wall aperture. Further included is a second segment having a tab disposed within the recess in fitted contact with the first and second wall to retain the second segment to the first segment in a radial direction, the tab defining a tab aperture, the first and second segment defining an axial gap therebetween, the first wall aperture, the second wall aperture and the tab aperture are aligned to form a passage. Yet further included is a flex seal within the axial gap. Also included is a pin in the passage to fix the second segment to the first segment in axial and circumferential directions.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2014Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Karol Filip Leszczynski, Christopher Warren Childs, David Matthew Clarida, Gregory Allan Crum, Mitchel Merck, Alexander Maxim Libers
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Patent number: 9382810Abstract: A system for removing heat from a gas turbine generally includes a plurality of stationary nozzles arranged in an annular array within the gas turbine. Each of the plurality of stationary nozzles may include a radially outer platform and a radially extending cooling passage. The radially extending cooling passage may have an inlet that extends generally axially and circumferentially across a portion of the radially outer platform. A closed loop cooling coil may extend continuously circumferentially around the radially outer platform of two or more of the plurality of stationary nozzles. The closed loop cooling coil may be disposed circumferentially across and outside of the inlet of the radially extending cooling passage of each of the two or more stationary nozzles, and a cooling medium may flow through the cooling coil and out of the gas turbine so as to remove heat from the gas turbine.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2012Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Benjamin Paul Lacy, Gregory Allan Crum, James William Vehr
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Publication number: 20160102578Abstract: A seal retaining assembly includes a first segment coupled to a first structure. Also included is a recess of the first segment, the recess defined by a first and second wall, the first wall defining a first wall aperture, the second wall defining a second wall aperture. Further included is a second segment having a tab disposed within the recess in fitted contact with the first and second wall to retain the second segment to the first segment in a radial direction, the tab defining a tab aperture, the first and second segment defining an axial gap therebetween, the first wall aperture, the second wall aperture and the tab aperture are aligned to form a passage. Yet further included is a flex seal within the axial gap. Also included is a pin in the passage to fix the second segment to the first segment in axial and circumferential directions.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2014Publication date: April 14, 2016Inventors: Karol Filip Leszczynski, Christopher Warren Childs, David Matthew Clarida, Gregory Allan Crum, Mitchel Merck, Alexander Maxim Libers
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Patent number: 9273569Abstract: A lifting fixture assembly adapted for shipping and/or lifting includes a lower turbine casing having two horizontal joint flanges adapted to engage mating flanges on an upper-turbine casing. The horizontal joint flanges are provided with plural bolt holes used for securing the upper turbine casing to the lower turbine casing. A plurality of cross-beams extend transversely across the lower turbine casing, removably secured to said horizontal joint flanges, using selected ones of the existing bolt holes.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2013Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jason Allen Seale, Gregory Allan Crum, Netaji Haribhau Mane
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Publication number: 20150345332Abstract: A horizontal joint of a rotary machine barrel includes first and second section mating surfaces that extend axially adjacent to the joint, and a plurality of gaps and a plurality of tangs disposed axially along the first and second section mating surfaces, respectively. Each tang has an axially extending tang aperture defined therethrough. Each gap is sized and axially spaced to receive a corresponding tang. Additionally, the joint includes a plurality of mating surface segments defined along the first section mating surface. Each segment extends axially between a corresponding pair of gaps and has an axially extending segment aperture defined therethrough. The tang apertures and segment apertures align to form a generally continuous axial pin aperture when the second section mating surface is positioned against the first section mating surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2014Publication date: December 3, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Christopher Paul Cox, Kenneth Damon Black, Mitchell Allan Merrill, Gregory Allan Crum
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Publication number: 20150330252Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a bearing housing of a turbine, wherein the bearing housing is configured to support a shaft of the turbine, and the bearing housing comprises at least one bearing housing ear configured to transfer a load of the bearing housing to an inlet housing of the turbine through a horizontal center line of the bearing housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2015Publication date: November 19, 2015Inventors: Maruthi Prasad Manchikanti, Kenneth Damon Black, Donald Earl Floyd, II, Gregory Allan Crum
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Patent number: 8876448Abstract: A shipping fixture for a turbine lower casing includes a frame having a substantially rectangular shape including a pair of elongated, laterally-spaced side beams and a pair of transverse end beams. A first lateral support structure extends between the side beams at a first location corresponding to a first vertically-oriented joint between the turbine compressor casing section and the turbine combustor casing section; and a second lateral support structure includes support blocks mounted on the side beams at a second location corresponding to a second vertically-oriented joint between the turbine combustor casing section and the turbine stage casing section.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2013Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: John Raymond Hess, Netaji Haribhau Mane, Gregory Allan Crum, Jason Allen Seale, David William Hogg
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Publication number: 20140193252Abstract: A lifting fixture assembly adapted for shipping and/or lifting includes a lower turbine casing having two horizontal joint flanges adapted to engage mating flanges on an upper-turbine casing. The horizontal joint flanges are provided with plural bolt holes used for securing the upper turbine casing to the lower turbine casing. A plurality of cross-beams extend transversely across the lower turbine casing, removably secured to said horizontal joint flanges, using selected ones of the existing bolt holes.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2013Publication date: July 10, 2014Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jason Allen SEALE, Gregory Allan CRUM, Netaji Haribhau MANE
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Publication number: 20140030073Abstract: A system for removing heat from a gas turbine generally includes a plurality of stationary nozzles arranged in an annular array within the gas turbine. Each of the plurality of stationary nozzles may include a radially outer platform and a radially extending cooling passage. The radially extending cooling passage may have an inlet that extends generally axially and circumferentially across a portion of the radially outer platform. A closed loop cooling coil may extend continuously circumferentially around the radially outer platform of two or more of the plurality of stationary nozzles. The closed loop cooling coil may be disposed circumferentially across and outside of the inlet of the radially extending cooling passage of each of the two or more stationary nozzles, and a cooling medium may flow through the cooling coil and out of the gas turbine so as to remove heat from the gas turbine.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2012Publication date: January 30, 2014Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Benjamin Paul Lacy, Gregory Allan Crum, James William Vehr
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Patent number: 8083471Abstract: An apparatus to support a rotor of a turbine engine disposed upon a support surface is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing, a rotor support bearing disposed within the housing, and a support leg in operable communication with the housing and in direct structural connection with the support surface.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2007Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Kenneth Damon Black, Gregory Allan Crum, Scott Michael Elam
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Patent number: 7914254Abstract: A impingement cooling system for heavy duty turbines that includes a manifold affixed to a casing of the heavy-duty turbine, wherein the manifold includes a plurality of impingement holes in the surface of the manifold and a blower that provides air flow across the plurality of impingement holes of the manifold to cool the casing of the heavy-duty turbine to control the clearance between a tip of a turbine blade and a shroud of the heavy-duty turbine.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2007Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Dean Matthew Erickson, Mitch Mircea Orza, Jason Seale, Hua Zhang, Gregory Allan Crum
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Publication number: 20100272558Abstract: An apparatus to support a rotor of a turbine engine disposed upon a support surface is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing, a rotor support bearing disposed within the housing, and a support leg in operable communication with the housing and in direct structural connection with the support surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2007Publication date: October 28, 2010Inventors: Kenneth Damon Black, Gregory Allan Crum, Scott Michael Elam
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Patent number: 7414413Abstract: A blade tip clearance probe holder including: a first housing in operable communication with a first feature of a casing for a rotary machine; a spring rod assembly in operable communication with the first housing; an electrical capacitance clearance meter in operable communication with the spring rod assembly; and a second housing in operable communication with the first housing wherein the second housing initiates a preload on the spring rod assembly and wherein the electrical capacitance clearance meter maintains a constant spatial relationship with a second feature of the casing for the rotary machine.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2005Date of Patent: August 19, 2008Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Gregory Allan Crum, Joseph Kirzhner, Kenneth D. Black, Jason Seale
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Publication number: 20080193278Abstract: A impingement cooling system for heavy duty turbines that includes a manifold affixed to a casing of the heavy-duty turbine, wherein the manifold includes a plurality of impingement holes in the surface of the manifold and a blower that provides air flow across the plurality of impingement holes of the manifold to cool the casing of the heavy-duty turbine to control the clearance between a tip of a turbine blade and a shroud of the heavy-duty turbine.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2007Publication date: August 14, 2008Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Dean Matthew Erickson, Mitch Mircea Orza, Jason Seale, Hua Zhang, Gregory Allan Crum
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Patent number: 7090462Abstract: A compressor bleed air manifold includes annular outer flanges on opposite sides of the generally annular manifold plenum. The outer and inner flange geometries may be circumferentially tailored to produce optimal case stiffness and thermal response for blade-to-case clearances. The inner flanges are secured to one another by an inner bolt circle radially adjacent the flow path thereby improving the case stiffness, out of roundness and eliminating unsupported sections of the flowpath along an outer diameter thereof. The flanges of the outer bolt circle seal the plenum. The compressor bleed air manifold and the compressor casing load path are thereby isolated from one another.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2004Date of Patent: August 15, 2006Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Nicholas Francis Martin, Gregory Allan Crum, Martel Alexander McCallum
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Patent number: 6983607Abstract: A method to ventilate a rotary machine housed in a compartment having a ventilation air inlet and air exhaust, a variable speed ventilation fan and a temperature sensor, wherein the method includes: sensing a temperature level of the rotary machine; applying the sensed machine temperature level to a controller for the fan; drawing ventilation flow through the compartment and over the machine; determining whether the sensed machine temperature level is above a desired temperature level of the rotary machine, wherein the desired temperature level is determined by the controller, and the controller setting an operational condition of the fan to increase the ventilation flow through the compartment if the sensed machine temperature level is above the desired temperature level.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2003Date of Patent: January 10, 2006Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Gerald Wilson Grove, Mark David D'Ambruoso, Michael John Barno, William Andrew Parker, David Martin Johnson, Gregory Allan Crum, Stephen Chiaco
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Patent number: 6450763Abstract: A method of replacing an inlet guide vane from a lower inlet casing of a compressor, the lower inlet casing adapted to be secured to an upper inlet casing at a horizontal joint, and after removal of the upper half of the inlet casing but with a rotor of the compressor remaining in place, wherein the inlet guide vane is supported between radially inner and outer walls of the lower inlet casing, and further wherein the inlet guide vane is formed with an integral stem that extends radially through the outer wall and supports a drive gear on its outer end that engages an annular gear rack, the method including a) removing the gear on the radially outer end of the integral stem of the inlet guide vane; b) shearing the inlet guide vane into two cut portions; c) removing the cut portions from inside the lower inlet casing; and d) replacing the inlet guide vane by a modified inlet guide vane having a two-piece stem assembly that enables installation without removal of the rotor.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2000Date of Patent: September 17, 2002Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Gregory Allan Crum, Lynn Charles Gagne, William Earl Dixon
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Patent number: 6131910Abstract: Brush seals are retrofitted into existing turbine labyrinth seal rings to create a fail-safe seal design at locations wherever labyrinth seals are currently used, including interstage shaft seals, rotor end seals, bucket (or blade) tip seals and spill strips. Brush seals, per se, when used in place of labyrinth seals, can result in considerable span reductions of steam turbines, or machines with more turbine stages for a given span. Application to end packings results in the potential elimination of gland sealing/exhauster systems. Brush seal life can be improved by retrofitting brush segments to labyrinth seal segments that are either spring-backed, or use pressure loads to obtain design clearances only after steady state operating conditions are achieved. The brush seals are provided with backing plates shaped like labyrinth teeth, resulting in a fail-safe design.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 1997Date of Patent: October 17, 2000Assignee: General Electric Co.Inventors: Bharat S. Bagepalli, R. Paul Chiu, Robert Harold Cromer, Gregory Allan Crum, Osman Saim Dinc, Anthony Holmes Furman, Paul Thomas Marks, Rudolf Matthias Markytan, David Robert Skinner, Norman Arnold Turnquist, Christopher Edward Wolfe