Patents by Inventor James M. Caldwell
James M. Caldwell 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: 7546684Abstract: A method for repairing a damaged portion of a combustor inner liner assembly. The method includes removing the combustor from a gas turbine engine. After inspecting the combustor to determine whether cracks exists in portions of the inner liner assembly, the method includes removing a cracked inner liner assembly from the combustor. Then the portion of the inner liner assembly, comprising a multi-hole panel region, an aft lip region, an aft seal flange region and an aft panel support leg are separated from the inner liner assembly. The multi-hole panel region and aft lip, where fatigue damage typically exists, along with the aft seal flange region, are discarded and a new aft lip region/aft seal flange region and multi-hole panel region are provided. The new parts are joined to the aft panel support leg and the inner liner assembly aft of forward bolt flange region after these parts are refurbished. The inner liner assembly is then reattached to the combustor and reassembled into the engine.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2004Date of Patent: June 16, 2009Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: James M. Caldwell, Edward John Emilianowicz, Gary Loveless
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Patent number: 7185433Abstract: A method for repairing a stationary turbine nozzle segment having at least one vane disposed between outer and inner structural bands includes providing an engine-run turbine nozzle segment having at least one vane disposed between outer and inner bands, wherein the outer band and the vanes are previously replaced components of the segment and the inner band is an original component of the segment; separating the inner band from the nozzle segment; repairing damage in the outer band and/or the vane; and joining the outer band and the vane to a newly manufactured replacement inner band segment. The replacement inner band segment includes: a structural inner band; and an integral structural collar adapted to receive an inner end of the at least one vane.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2004Date of Patent: March 6, 2007Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Matthew N. Miller, James W. Caddell, Jr., James M. Caldwell, Brian A. Norton
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Patent number: 6785961Abstract: A method for repairing a turbine nozzle segment having at least two vanes disposed between outer and inner bands includes the steps of separating the nozzle segment into a first singlet containing a repairable vane and a second singlet containing a non-repairable vane, and joining the first singlet to a newly manufactured singlet having a configuration that is similar to the second singlet.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1999Date of Patent: September 7, 2004Assignee: General Electric CorporationInventors: James W. Caddell, Jr., James M. Caldwell
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Patent number: 6782620Abstract: A method enables a portion of combustor dome assembly to be replaced. The dome assembly includes at least one dome cup including at least one swirl cup including a joint that defines a slot therein, and a deflector plate assembly that is coupled to, and extends downstream from, the swirl cup, such that a portion of the deflector plate assembly is securely fixed within the joint slot. The method comprises cutting through an interface formed between the deflector plate assembly and the joint slot, extending the cut substantially between the deflector assembly and the joint slot through the at least one dome cup, removing the deflector plate assembly from the combustor dome assembly, and coupling a replacement deflector plate assembly within the combustor dome assembly that extends aft from the portion of the combustor dome assembly that is upstream from the cut.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2003Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: James M. Caldwell, Edward J. Emilianowicz, Gary Scott Loveless
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Publication number: 20040143967Abstract: A method enables a portion of combustor dome assembly to be replaced. The dome assembly includes at least one dome cup including at least one swirl cup including a joint that defines a slot therein, and a deflector plate assembly that is coupled to, and extends downstream from, the swirl cup, such that a portion of the deflector plate assembly is securely fixed within the joint slot. The method comprises cutting through an interface formed between the deflector plate assembly and the joint slot, extending the cut substantially between the deflector assembly and the joint slot through the at least one dome cup, removing the deflector plate assembly from the combustor dome assembly, and coupling a replacement deflector plate assembly within the combustor dome assembly that extends aft from the portion of the combustor dome assembly that is upstream from the cut.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2003Publication date: July 29, 2004Inventors: James M. Caldwell, Edward J. Emilianowicz, Gary Scott Loveless
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Publication number: 20030215329Abstract: A method for repairing a turbine nozzle segment having at least two vanes disposed between outer and inner bands includes the steps of separating the nozzle segment into a first singlet containing a repairable vane and a second singlet containing a non-repairable vane, and joining the first singlet to a newly manufactured singlet having a configuration that is similar to the second singlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2001Publication date: November 20, 2003Inventors: James W. Caddell, James M. Caldwell
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Patent number: 6408610Abstract: A method of adjusting airflow through a plurality of cooling holes by depositing a thermal barrier coating on an exterior surface and/or an interior surface of the component by a physical vapor deposition process. The cooling holes are not masked. Thus, a portion of the thermal barrier coating partially obstructs airflow through the cooling holes and reduces airflow through the cooling holes. A predetermined pressure drop is developed across the cooling holes and airflow through the cooling holes is measured. The measured airflow is compared to a preselected range of desired cooling hole airflows and the steps of depositing the thermal barrier coating, developing the predetermined pressure drop, calculating airflow and comparing the measured airflow to the preselected range are repeated until the measured airflow is within the preselected range of desired cooling hole airflows.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2000Date of Patent: June 25, 2002Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: James M. Caldwell, Gilbert Farmer, Karl S. Fessenden, Xuenan Wang, Jerald M. Kauffman
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Patent number: 6141967Abstract: An apparatus for premixing fuel and air prior to combustion in a gas turbine engine, including: a linear mixing duct having a circular cross-section defined by a wall; a centerbody located along a central axis of the mixing duct and extending substantially the full length of the mixing duct, the centerbody having a plurality of orifices therein to inject fuel into the mixing duct with an axial velocity component; a fuel supply in flow communication with the centerbody orifices; an outer annular swirler located adjacent an upstream end of the mixing duct and including a plurality of circumferentially spaced vanes oriented so as to swirl air flowing therethrough in a first direction; an inner annular swirler located adjacent the mixing duct upstream end and including a plurality of circumferentially spaced vanes, the vanes having an outer radial portion having a leading edge and a trailing edge oriented so as to swirl air flowing therethrough in a second direction opposite the first swirl direction by the outerType: GrantFiled: January 9, 1998Date of Patent: November 7, 2000Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Paul R. Angel, James M. Caldwell, Narendra D. Joshi, Steven Marakovits, Kelley A. Foresman, Steven G. Goebel, Richard E. Warren, Jr.
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Patent number: 6071602Abstract: Articles for controlling the porosity and permeation of a web are provided using a curable thixotropic shear thinnable polymer composition that preferably encapsulates a plurality of fibers of the web and/or forms an internal layer within the web. Webs suitable for several different uses are featured, for example medical garments resistant to permeation by a virus or bacteria. The effective pore size of the web is controlled by regulating various factors such as the thickness of the polymer composition encapsulating the fibers and the thickness and placement of the internal polymer layer. Other factors include the polymer density, structure, and crosslinking orientation, as well as the diffusion, permeation and sorption of the polymer.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 1998Date of Patent: June 6, 2000Assignee: Nextec Applications, Inc.Inventor: James M. Caldwell
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Patent number: 5954902Abstract: Products and methods for controlling the porosity and permeation of a web are provided using a curable thixotropic shear thinnable polymer composition that preferably encapsulates a plurality of fibers of the web and/or forms an internal layer within the web. Webs suitable for several different uses are featured, for example medical garments resistant to permeation by a virus or bacteria. The effective pore size of the web is controlled by regulating various factors such as the thickness of the polymer composition encapsulating the fibers and the thickness and placement of the internal polymer layer. Other factors include the polymer density, structure, and crosslinking orientation, as well as the diffusion, permeation and sorption of the polymer.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: September 21, 1999Assignee: Nextec Applications, Inc.Inventor: James M. Caldwell
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Patent number: 5846604Abstract: Products and methods for controlling the porosity and permeation of a web are provided using a curable thixotropic shear thinnable polymer composition that preferably encapsulates a plurality of fibers of the web and/or forms an internal layer within the web. Webs suitable for several different uses are featured, for example medical garments resistant to permeation by a virus or bacteria. The effective pore size of the web is controlled by regulating various factors such as the thickness of the polymer composition encapsulating the fibers and the thickness and placement of the internal polymer layer. Other factors include the polymer density, structure, and crosslinking orientation, as well as the diffusion, permeation and sorption of the polymer.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: December 8, 1998Assignee: Nextec Applications, Inc.Inventor: James M. Caldwell
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Patent number: 5778676Abstract: An air fuel mixer is disclosed having a mixing duct, a shroud surrounding the upstream end of the mixing duct in which a fuel manifold is provided in flow communication with a fuel supply and control means, a set of inner and outer counter-rotating swirlers adjacent the upstream end of the mixing duct for imparting swirl to an air stream, a hub separating the inner and outer annular swirlers to allow independent rotation of the air stream, and a centerbody located axially along and substantially the full length of the mixing duct. In order to inject one type of fuel into the mixing duct, fuel is supplied to the outer annular swirlers which include hollow vanes with internal cavities, wherein the internal cavities of the outer swirler vanes are in fluid communication with the fuel manifold in the shroud. The outer swirler vanes further include a plurality of fuel passages therethrough in flow communication with the internal cavities.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 1996Date of Patent: July 14, 1998Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Narendra D. Joshi, Paul R. Angel, James M. Caldwell, Paul V. Heberling, Anthony J. Dean
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Patent number: 5698303Abstract: Products and methods for controlling the porosity and permeation of a web are provided using a curable thixotropic shear thinnable polymer composition that preferably encapsulates a plurality of fibers of the web and/or forms an internal layer within the web. Webs suitable for several different uses are featured, for example medical garments resistant to permeation by a virus or bacteria. The effective pore size of the web is controlled by regulating various factors such as the thickness of the polymer composition encapsulating the fibers and the thickness and placement of the internal polymer layer. Other factors include the polymer density, structure, and crosslinking orientation, as well as the diffusion, permeation and sorption of the polymer.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: December 16, 1997Assignee: Nextec Applications, Inc.Inventor: James M. Caldwell
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Patent number: 5680766Abstract: An air fuel mixer is disclosed having a mixing duct, a shroud surrounding the upstream end of the mixing duct in which a fuel manifold is provided in flow communication with a fuel supply and control means, a set of inner and outer counter-rotating swirlers adjacent the upstream end of the mixing duct for imparting swirl to an air stream, a hub separating the inner and outer annular swirlers to allow independent rotation of the air stream, and a centerbody located axially along and substantially the full length of the mixing duct. In order to inject one type of fuel into the mixing duct, fuel is supplied to the outer annular swirlers which include hollow vanes with internal cavities, wherein the internal cavities of the outer swirler vanes are in fluid communication with the fuel manifold in the shroud. The outer swirler vanes further include a plurality of fuel passages therethrough in flow communication with the internal cavities.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 1996Date of Patent: October 28, 1997Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Narendra D. Joshi, Paul R. Angel, James M. Caldwell, Paul V. Heberling, Anthony J. Dean
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Patent number: 5675971Abstract: An air fuel mixer is disclosed having a mixing duct, a shroud surrounding the upstream end of the mixing duct in which a fuel manifold is provided in flow communication with a fuel supply and control means, a set of inner and outer counter-rotating swirlers adjacent the upstream end of the mixing duct for imparting swirl to an air stream, a hub separating the inner and outer annular swirlers to allow independent rotation of the air stream, and a centerbody located axially along and substantially the full length of the mixing duct. In order to inject one type of fuel into the mixing duct, fuel is supplied to the outer annular swirlers which include hollow vanes with internal cavities, wherein the internal cavities of the outer swirler vanes are in fluid communication with the fuel manifold in the shroud. The outer swirler vanes further include a plurality of fuel passages therethrough in flow communication with the internal cavities.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 1996Date of Patent: October 14, 1997Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Paul R. Angel, James M. Caldwell, Paul V. Heberling, Anthony J. Dean, Narendra D. Joshi
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Patent number: 4693460Abstract: A garment portion loader utilizes a plurality of photo-electric sensors to determine the positions of garment portions at selected stations including a delivery assembly which supplies garment portions for loading, a pick-up assembly which removes garment portions from the delivery assembly and places them on an alignment conveyor, and an alignment assembly which aligns the garment portions with a pre-established standard relative to the alignment conveyor. A rejection assembly is provided to remove garments which are not properly aligned. The loader may be controlled by a microprocessor receiving input from the sensors and controlling the various assemblies.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 1986Date of Patent: September 15, 1987Assignee: Russell CorporationInventors: Fletcher D. Adamson, James M. Caldwell
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Patent number: 4666765Abstract: The present invention is directed to method for making silconecoated woven fabric substrates, and the products produced by such method. The method comprises the steps of applying a first liquid polysilicane elastomer to the substrate so as to form a base coat, curing the base coat, applying a second liquid polysilicane elastomer over the base coat so as to form a top coat, and curing the top coat. By specifically selecting the polysilicane elastomers as well as the substrate, and by further selecting the reaction parameters, a high strength, non-flammable, waterproof, self-cleaning, translucent and weather-resistant fabric is produced.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 1985Date of Patent: May 19, 1987Inventors: James M. Caldwell, Michael R. Lubitz, Eric J. Ruston
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Patent number: 4633604Abstract: A garment portion loader utilizes a plurality of photo-electric sensors to determine the positions of garment portions at selected stations including a delivery assembly which supplies garment portions for loading, a pick-up assembly which removes garment portions from the delivery assembly and places them on an alignment conveyor, a smoothing device which removes wrinkles from the garment portions when positioned on the conveyor, and an alignment assembly which aligns the garment portions with a pre-established standard relative to the alignment conveyor. A rejection assembly is provided to remove garments which are not properly aligned. The loader may be controlled by a microprocessor receiving input from the sensors and controlling the various assemblies.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 1985Date of Patent: January 6, 1987Assignee: Russell CorporationInventors: Fletcher D. Adamson, James M. Caldwell