Patents by Inventor Gregory Thomas Foster

Gregory Thomas Foster 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: 20180112534
    Abstract: A turbine airfoil for a rotating blade or stationary nozzle vane includes an airfoil body including a leading edge and a trailing edge. A coolant supply passage extends within the airfoil body and a coolant return passage extends within the airfoil body, with each passage having respective a supply and return connection passage to an exterior surface of the airfoil body. A seat in the exterior surface of the airfoil body receives a cover that includes a trench on an interior surface thereof to fluidly connect the return connection passage and the supply connection passage and form a coolant passage for the airfoil body. Various arrangements of cooling circuits may be created with the cover that allow for reuse of the coolant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Inventors: Zachary John Snider, Gregory Thomas Foster, Srikanth Chandrudu Kottilingam
  • Publication number: 20180112540
    Abstract: An edge coupon for an airfoil is provided. The coupon includes: a coupon body including: a coolant feed; an outward leg extending toward an edge of the coupon and fluidly coupled to the coolant feed; a return leg extending away from the edge of the coupon and radially offset from the outward leg along a radial axis of the coupon; a turn for fluidly coupling the outward leg and the return leg; a collection passage fluidly coupled to the return leg; and a coupling region configured to mate with an airfoil body of the airfoil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Inventors: Robert Frank Hoskin, David Wayne Weber, Gregory Thomas Foster
  • Patent number: 9938836
    Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure provides for a turbine airfoil. The turbine airfoil may include a trailing edge having: a set of cooling channels having a first cooling channel fluidly connected to a second cooling channel; a first section having a first pin bank cooling arrangement, the first section fluidly connected to the first cooling channel; and a second section having a second pin bank cooling arrangement, the second section fluidly connected to the second cooling channel and being radially inward of the first section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Wayne Weber, Gregory Thomas Foster, Michelle Jessica Iduate, Brendon James Leary, Aaron Ezekiel Smith
  • Patent number: 9932838
    Abstract: A cooling system according to an embodiment includes: a three-pass serpentine cooling circuit; and an air feed cavity for supplying cooling air to the three-pass serpentine cooling circuit; wherein the three-pass serpentine cooling circuit extends radially outward from and at least partially covers at least one central plenum and a first set of near wall cooling channels of a multi-wall blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Aaron Ezekiel Smith, Gregory Thomas Foster, David Wayne Weber, Joseph Anthony Weber
  • Patent number: 9926788
    Abstract: A cooling system according to an embodiment includes: a serpentine cooling circuit, the serpentine cooling circuit including a first leg extending in a first direction, a second leg extending in a second direction, and a turn fluidly coupling the first leg and the second leg; and an air feed cavity for supplying cooling air to the serpentine cooling circuit; wherein the first leg of the serpentine cooling circuit extends radially outward from and at least partially covers at least one central plenum of a multi-wall blade, and wherein the second leg of the serpentine cooling circuit extends radially outward from and at least partially covers a first set of near wall cooling channels of the multi-wall blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Aaron Ezekiel Smith, Gregory Thomas Foster, David Wayne Weber, Joseph Anthony Weber
  • Patent number: 9909427
    Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure provides for a turbine airfoil. The turbine airfoil may include a trailing edge having: a set of cooling channels having a first cooling channel fluidly connected to a second cooling channel; a first section having a first pin bank cooling arrangement, the first section fluidly connected to the first cooling channel; a second section having a second pin bank cooling arrangement, the second section fluidly connected to the second cooling channel and being radially inward of the first section; and a pressure side panel having a third pin bank cooling arrangement, the pressure side panel fluidly connected to the first cooling channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Aaron Ezekiel Smith, Gregory Thomas Foster, Michelle Jessica Iduate, Brendon James Leary, David Wayne Weber
  • Publication number: 20180051575
    Abstract: A cooling circuit according to an embodiment includes: a cooling circuit for a multi-wall blade, the cooling circuit including: a pressure side cavity with a surface adjacent a pressure side of the multi-wall blade; a suction side cavity with a surface adjacent a suction side of the multi-wall blade; a central cavity disposed between the pressure side and suction side cavities, the central cavity including no surfaces adjacent the pressure and suction sides of the multi-wall blade; a first leading edge cavity with surfaces adjacent the pressure and suction sides of the multi-wall blade; and at least one impingement opening for fluidly coupling the first leading edge cavity with a second leading edge cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Inventors: David Wayne Weber, Gregory Thomas Foster, Michelle Jessica Iduate, Lana Maria Osusky
  • Publication number: 20180051574
    Abstract: A cooling circuit according to an embodiment includes: a cooling circuit for a multi-wall blade, the cooling circuit including: a pressure side cavity with a surface adjacent a pressure side of the multi-wall blade; a suction side cavity with a surface adjacent a suction side of the multi-wall blade; a central cavity disposed between the pressure side and suction side cavities, the central cavity including no surfaces adjacent the pressure and suction sides of the multi-wall blade; a first leading edge cavity with surfaces adjacent the pressure and suction sides of the multi-wall blade; and at least one impingement opening for fluidly coupling the leading edge cavity with a second leading edge cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Inventors: David Wayne Weber, Gregory Thomas Foster, Lana Maria Osusky
  • Patent number: 9879547
    Abstract: A turbine blade that includes an airfoil and a radially extending chamber therein for a coolant. The turbine blade may also include a rib configuration that partitions the chamber into radially extending flow passages. The rib configuration may include: a camber line rib that defines a near-wall flow chamber; and traverse ribs extending between the camber line rib and one of the outer walls so to divide the near-wall flow chamber into successively stacked flow passages that each include a segment of the camber line rib. The segment of the camber line rib of one of the flow passages may have a narrowing profile that includes a profile that narrows from opposing ends toward a neck disposed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brian Denver Potter, Gregory Thomas Foster
  • Publication number: 20170328211
    Abstract: A turbine blade includes an airfoil defined by a pressure side outer wall and a suction side outer wall connecting along leading and trailing edges and form a radially extending chamber for receiving a coolant flow. A rib configuration may include: a leading edge transverse rib connecting to the pressure side outer wall and the suction side outer wall and partitioning a leading edge passage from the radially extending chamber. The rib configuration may also include a first center transverse rib connecting to the pressure side outer wall and the suction side outer wall and partitioning an intermediate passage from the radially extending chamber directly aft of the leading edge passage. The intermediate passage is defined by the pressure side outer wall, the suction side outer wall, the leading edge transverse rib and the first center transverse rib, and thus spans airfoil between its outer walls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventors: Brendon James Leary, Gregory Thomas Foster, II, Michelle Jessica Iduate, David Wayne Weber
  • Publication number: 20170328220
    Abstract: An internal rib for a blade airfoil has a concave surface defined to ensure durability and provide desired heat transfer. A concave surface faces a pressure side or suction side outer wall. A width is between a first end and a second end, and a depth is a length of a normal depth line between a midpoint of the concave surface and an intersection point of the depth line with the pressure or suction side outer wall. An irregular arc is defined within an arc angle centered at the intersection point, the irregular arc has a first arc radius equivalent to the depth at the midpoint of the concave surface and a second arc radius where the arc angle intersects the concave surface equivalent to a product of the depth and a shape factor. The shape factor has a substantially linear relationship with the aspect ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventors: David Wayne Weber, Gregory Thomas Foster, Michelle Jessica Iduate, Brendon James Leary, Jacob Charles Perry, II
  • Publication number: 20170328219
    Abstract: A blade includes an airfoil defined by a pressure side outer wall and a suction side outer wall connecting along leading and trailing edges and forming a radially extending coolant receiving chamber. A rib partitions the radially extending chamber into a first passage on a first side of the rib and an adjacent second passage on an opposing second side of the rib. Each passage is enclosed at an end of the radially extending chamber by an end member of the radially extending chamber. A turn opening is defined in an end of the rib through which the coolant passes between the first passage and the second passage within the end member of the radially extending chamber. A bulbous projection extends along the end of the rib and on opposing radially extending sides of the turn opening to reduce stress in the rib and/or connecting fillets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventors: Brendon James Leary, Elisabeth Kraus Black, Gregory Thomas Foster, Michelle Jessica Iduate, Jacob Charles Perry, II
  • Publication number: 20170328218
    Abstract: A blade includes an airfoil defined by a pressure side outer wall and a suction side outer wall connecting along leading and trailing edges and form a radially extending chamber for receiving a coolant flow. A rib configuration may include: a leading edge transverse rib connecting the pressure side outer wall and the suction side outer wall and partitioning the radially extending chamber into a leading edge passage within the leading edge of the airfoil and a central passage adjacent to the leading edge passage. One or both camber line ribs connect to a corresponding pressure side outer wall and suction side outer wall at a point aft of the leading edge transverse rib causing the central passage to extend towards one or both of the pressure side outer wall and the suction side outer wall, resulting in a flared center cavity aft of the leading edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventors: Brendon James Leary, Gregory Thomas Foster, Michelle Jessica Iduate, David Wayne Weber
  • Patent number: 9759081
    Abstract: A method and system for sealing between components within a gas turbine is provided. A first recess defined in a first component receives a seal member. A second recess defined in a second component adjacent the first component also receives the seal member. The first and second recesses are located proximate a hot gas path defined through the gas turbine, and define circumferential paths about the turbine axis. The seal member includes a sealing face that extends in a direction substantially parallel to the turbine axis. The seal member also includes a plurality of seal layers, wherein at least one of the seal layers includes at least one stress relief region for facilitating flexing of the first seal member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Victor John Morgan, Gregory Thomas Foster, Neelesh Nandkumar Sarawate, David Wayne Weber
  • Patent number: 9695696
    Abstract: A turbine blade is provided and includes pressure and suction surfaces connected to define an interior through which coolant is passable and first and second pedestal arrays, each of the first and second pedestal arrays including pedestals respectively coupled to radially outboard portions of respective interior faces of one of the pressure and suction surfaces. The pedestals of the first pedestal array are separated from pedestals of the second pedestal array by gaps respectively defined therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mark Andrew Jones, Bradley Taylor Boyer, Robert Alan Brittingham, Gregory Thomas Foster, Christopher William Kester
  • Publication number: 20170175541
    Abstract: A cooling system according to an embodiment includes: a pin fin bank cooling circuit; and an air feed cavity for supplying cooling air to the pin fin bank cooling circuit; wherein the pin fin bank cooling circuit extends radially outward from and at least partially covers at least one central plenum of a multi-wall blade and a first set of near wall cooling channels of the multi-wall blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: David Wayne Weber, Gregory Thomas Foster, Gary Michael Itzel, Brendon James Leary, Joseph Anthony Weber
  • Publication number: 20170175545
    Abstract: A cooling system for a turbine bucket including a multi-wall blade and a platform. A cooling circuit for the multi-wall blade includes: an outer cavity circuit and a central cavity for collecting cooling air from the outer cavity circuit; a platform core air feed for receiving the cooling air from the central cavity; and an air passage for fluidly connecting the platform core air feed to a platform core of the platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Gregory Thomas Foster, Elisabeth Kraus Black, Michelle Jessica Iduate, Brendon James Leary, Jacob Charles Perry, II, David Wayne Weber
  • Publication number: 20170175574
    Abstract: A shroud segment for use in gas turbines, includes a body, leading edge, trailing edge, a first and second side edge, and a pair of opposed lateral sides between the leading and trailing edges and the first and second side edges. A first lateral side of the lateral sides interface with a cavity having a cooling fluid. A second lateral side interfaces with a hot gas flow path. A first channel disposed within the body includes a first and second end portion. A second channel is disposed within the body includes a third and fourth end portion. The first and second channels receive the cooling fluid from the cavity to cool the body. The first and fourth end portion have hook-shaped portions with free ends having a width greater than an adjacent portion coupled to the free end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Marc Lionel Benjamin, Gregory Thomas Foster, Thomas James Brunt
  • Publication number: 20170175580
    Abstract: A shroud segment that includes a body including a leading edge, a trailing edge, a first side edge, a second side, and a pair of opposed lateral sides. A first lateral side is configured to interface with a cavity having a cooling fluid, and a second lateral side is oriented toward a hot gas flow path. The shroud segment includes a first channel disposed within the body having a first end portion and a second end portion and a second channel disposed within the body having a third end portion and a fourth end portion. The first and second channels are configured to receive the cooling fluid from the cavity to cool the body. The first end portion and the fourth end portion each include a hook-shaped portion having a free end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Marc Lionel Benjamin, Benjamin Paul Lacy, Gregory Thomas Foster, San Jason Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20170175550
    Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure provides for a turbine airfoil. The turbine airfoil may include a trailing edge having: a set of cooling channels having a first cooling channel fluidly connected to a second cooling channel; a first section having a first pin bank cooling arrangement, the first section fluidly connected to the first cooling channel; a second section having a second pin bank cooling arrangement, the second section fluidly connected to the second cooling channel and being radially inward of the first section; and a pressure side panel having a third pin bank cooling arrangement, the pressure side panel fluidly connected to the first cooling channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Aaron Ezekiel Smith, Gregory Thomas Foster, Michelle Jessica Iduate, Brendon James Leary, David Wayne Weber