Patents by Inventor James Michael Kostrubanic

James Michael Kostrubanic 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: 10436047
    Abstract: A method of repairing a diaphragm of a rotary machine includes removing an initial steam path from the diaphragm. The initial steam path includes a plurality of initial partitions. Each initial partition is associated with an original trailing edge profile and an original axial length. The method also includes coupling a replacement steam path to the diaphragm. The replacement steam path includes a plurality of replacement partitions. Each replacement partition has a replacement axial length that is greater than the original axial length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Michael Kostrubanic, Joseph Paul Turley, Rory Todd Hersom, Ronald Roy Patterson, Sheldon Dirk Westwood, Kurt Neal Laurer
  • Publication number: 20170051618
    Abstract: A method of repairing a diaphragm of a rotary machine includes removing an initial steam path from the diaphragm. The initial steam path includes a plurality of initial partitions. Each initial partition is associated with an original trailing edge profile and an original axial length. The method also includes coupling a replacement steam path to the diaphragm. The replacement steam path includes a plurality of replacement partitions. Each replacement partition has a replacement axial length that is greater than the original axial length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: James Michael Kostrubanic, Joseph Paul Turley, Rory Todd Hersom, Ronald Roy Patterson, Sheldon Dirk Westwood, Kurt Neal Laurer
  • Patent number: 9227277
    Abstract: This disclosure describes embodiments of a method of repairing a diaphragm found in a turbine, and a diaphragm assembly resulting from the same, that does not require welds in between the partitions. The method inserts a replacement part in place of certain machine-removed portions of the existing partitions on the diaphragm. The replacement part includes coupons that work in combination with the remaining portions of the partitions to form the aerodynamic shape of the original partitions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Matthew Sassatelli, James Michael Kostrubanic, Joseph Paul Turley, Sheldon Dirk Westwood
  • Patent number: 9068459
    Abstract: A turbine diaphragm airfoil, a turbine diaphragm assembly employing such an airfoil, and a method of repair are described. In one embodiment, a turbine diaphragm airfoil includes: a composite airfoil body which includes a pressure side and a suction side, the composite airfoil including: a leading edge section forming a portion of each of the pressure side and the suction side; and a trailing edge section integral with the leading edge section, the trailing edge section including: a prefabricated member affixed to the leading edge section, the prefabricated member forming a remainder of the pressure side of the composite airfoil body; and a weld or braze section contacting the leading edge section and the prefabricated member, the weld or braze section forming a remainder of the suction side of the composite airfoil body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Matthew Sassatelli, James Michael Kostrubanic, Christopher Charles Krosky, Sheldon Dirk Westwood
  • Publication number: 20140044536
    Abstract: This disclosure describes embodiments of a method of repairing a diaphragm found in a turbine, and a diaphragm assembly resulting from the same, that does not require welds in between the partitions. The method inserts a replacement part in place of certain machine-removed portions of the existing partitions on the diaphragm. The replacement part includes coupons that work in combination with the remaining portions of the partitions to form the aerodynamic shape of the original partitions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Matthew Sassatelli, James Michael Kostrubanic, Joseph Paul Turley, Sheldon Dirk Westwood
  • Publication number: 20130230403
    Abstract: A turbine diaphragm airfoil, a turbine diaphragm assembly employing such an airfoil, and a method of repair are described. In one embodiment, a turbine diaphragm airfoil includes: a composite airfoil body which includes a pressure side and a suction side, the composite airfoil including: a leading edge section forming a portion of each of the pressure side and the suction side; and a trailing edge section integral with the leading edge section, the trailing edge section including: a prefabricated member affixed to the leading edge section, the prefabricated member forming a remainder of the pressure side of the composite airfoil body; and a weld or braze section contacting the leading edge section and the prefabricated member, the weld or braze section forming a remainder of the suction side of the composite airfoil body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: John Matthew Sassatelli, James Michael Kostrubanic, Christopher Charles Krosky, Sheldon Dirk Westwood