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).

  • Patent number: 7546684
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James M. Caldwell, Edward John Emilianowicz, Gary Loveless
  • Patent number: 7185433
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Matthew N. Miller, James W. Caddell, Jr., James M. Caldwell, Brian A. Norton
  • Patent number: 6785961
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Caddell, Jr., James M. Caldwell
  • Patent number: 6782620
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James M. Caldwell, Edward J. Emilianowicz, Gary Scott Loveless
  • Publication number: 20040143967
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventors: James M. Caldwell, Edward J. Emilianowicz, Gary Scott Loveless
  • Publication number: 20030215329
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventors: James W. Caddell, James M. Caldwell
  • Patent number: 6408610
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James M. Caldwell, Gilbert Farmer, Karl S. Fessenden, Xuenan Wang, Jerald M. Kauffman
  • Patent number: 6141967
    Abstract: 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 outer
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Paul R. Angel, James M. Caldwell, Narendra D. Joshi, Steven Marakovits, Kelley A. Foresman, Steven G. Goebel, Richard E. Warren, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6071602
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Nextec Applications, Inc.
    Inventor: James M. Caldwell
  • Patent number: 5954902
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Nextec Applications, Inc.
    Inventor: James M. Caldwell
  • Patent number: 5846604
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Nextec Applications, Inc.
    Inventor: James M. Caldwell
  • Patent number: 5778676
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Narendra D. Joshi, Paul R. Angel, James M. Caldwell, Paul V. Heberling, Anthony J. Dean
  • Patent number: 5698303
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Nextec Applications, Inc.
    Inventor: James M. Caldwell
  • Patent number: 5680766
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Narendra D. Joshi, Paul R. Angel, James M. Caldwell, Paul V. Heberling, Anthony J. Dean
  • Patent number: 5675971
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Paul R. Angel, James M. Caldwell, Paul V. Heberling, Anthony J. Dean, Narendra D. Joshi
  • Patent number: 4693460
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1987
    Assignee: Russell Corporation
    Inventors: Fletcher D. Adamson, James M. Caldwell
  • Patent number: 4666765
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1987
    Inventors: James M. Caldwell, Michael R. Lubitz, Eric J. Ruston
  • Patent number: 4633604
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1987
    Assignee: Russell Corporation
    Inventors: Fletcher D. Adamson, James M. Caldwell