Patents by Inventor James Robert Hollis

James Robert Hollis 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: 9713862
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a method of displacing a turbomachine component from position in a first slot of a turbomachine spacer disk. The method can include detachably affixing a mounting member of a displacement apparatus to a second slot in the gas turbomachine spacer disk using an attachment device, rotating a displacement arm of the displacement apparatus until the displacement arm contacts the turbomachine component, and displacing the turbomachine component from the position within the first slot by linearly actuating the displacement arm with a linear actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Bradford Holmes, James Robert Hollis, David Randolph Spracher, Wayne David Sullivan
  • Patent number: 9677428
    Abstract: A tool for removing a component from a turbomachine is provided. The tool includes a body having an alignment portion and a connection portion. The alignment portion defines a longitudinal axis and a cross sectional shape complementary to a slot defined in a rotor wheel of the turbomachine. When the tool is positioned in the slot, the connection portion is configured to contact the component. The tool additionally includes a force section connected to the body and configured to transfer a force to the connection portion in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the alignment portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Bradford Holmes, David Randolph Spracher, James Robert Hollis, Wayne David Sullivan
  • Patent number: 9636789
    Abstract: Various embodiments include methods adapted to displace turbomachine components from a location within a turbomachine. In some embodiments, a method of displacing a turbine bucket from a turbomachine wheel slot using a displacement apparatus, includes: detachably engaging an engagement arm of the displacement apparatus to the turbine bucket, the engagement arm attached to a linear actuator coupled to a body of the displacement apparatus, and the engagement arm adapted to be actuated in a first axial direction by the linear actuator; contacting the turbomachine wheel with at least two contacting portions of the body of the displacement apparatus; and displacing the turbine bucket from a position within a slot of the turbomachine wheel in the first axial direction by linearly actuating the engagement arm with the linear actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Bradford Holmes, James Robert Hollis, David Randolph Spracher, Wayne David Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20160332267
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a method of displacing a turbomachine component from position in a first slot of a turbomachine spacer disk. The method can include detachably affixing a mounting member of a displacement apparatus to a second slot in the gas turbomachine spacer disk using an attachment device, rotating a displacement arm of the displacement apparatus until the displacement arm contacts the turbomachine component, and displacing the turbomachine component from the position within the first slot by linearly actuating the displacement arm with a linear actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: James Bradford Holmes, James Robert Hollis, David Randolph Spracher, Wayne David Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20160271743
    Abstract: Various embodiments include methods adapted to displace turbomachine components from a location within a turbomachine. In some embodiments, a method of displacing a turbine bucket from a turbomachine wheel slot using a displacement apparatus, includes: detachably engaging an engagement arm of the displacement apparatus to the turbine bucket, the engagement arm attached to a linear actuator coupled to a body of the displacement apparatus, and the engagement arm adapted to be actuated in a first axial direction by the linear actuator; contacting the turbomachine wheel with at least two contacting portions of the body of the displacement apparatus; and displacing the turbine bucket from a position within a slot of the turbomachine wheel in the first axial direction by linearly actuating the engagement arm with the linear actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: James Bradford Holmes, James Robert Hollis, David Randolph Spracher, Wayne David Sullivan
  • Patent number: 9429041
    Abstract: Various embodiments include apparatuses adapted to displace components from a location within a turbomachine. In some embodiments an apparatus for displacing a component of a gas turbine from a first slot in a spacer disk includes a body including a mounting member configured to affixedly attach to a second slot of the spacer disk, a linear actuator coupled to the body and a displacement arm coupled to the linear actuator, the displacement arm actuatable in a first axial direction by the linear actuator to contact the component and displace the component relative to the first slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Bradford Holmes, James Robert Hollis, David Randolph Spracher, Wayne David Sullivan
  • Patent number: 9381602
    Abstract: Various embodiments include apparatuses adapted to displace turbomachine components from a location within a turbomachine. In some embodiments apparatuses for displacing a turbine bucket from a turbomachine wheel slot include a body having at least two contacting portions for contacting the turbomachine wheel, a linear actuator coupled to the body, and an engagement arm for engaging the turbine bucket, the engagement arm coupled to the linear actuator and adapted to be actuated in a first axial direction by the linear actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Bradford Holmes, James Robert Hollis, David Randolph Spracher, Wayne David Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20150328729
    Abstract: Various embodiments include apparatuses adapted to displace components from a location within a turbomachine. In some embodiments an apparatus for displacing a component of a gas turbine from a first slot in a spacer disk includes a body including a mounting member configured to affixedly attach to a second slot of the spacer disk, a linear actuator coupled to the body and a displacement arm coupled to the linear actuator, the displacement arm actuatable in a first axial direction by the linear actuator to contact the component and displace the component relative to the first slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Bradford Holmes, James Robert Hollis, David Randolph Spracher, Wayne David Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20150328728
    Abstract: Various embodiments include apparatuses adapted to displace turbomachine components from a location within a turbomachine. In some embodiments apparatuses for displacing a turbine bucket from a turbomachine wheel slot include a body having at least two contacting portions for contacting the turbomachine wheel, a linear actuator coupled to the body, and an engagement arm for engaging the turbine bucket, the engagement arm coupled to the linear actuator and adapted to be actuated in a first axial direction by the linear actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Bradford Holmes, James Robert Hollis, David Randolph Spracher, Wayne David Sullivan
  • Patent number: 9144866
    Abstract: Various embodiments include an apparatus for installing or removing a transition piece (TP) in a gas turbine. The apparatus can include: a control arm assembly sized to rest within an opening in the gas turbine; a guide system coupled to the control arm assembly, the guide system for transporting the TP within the opening in the gas turbine; and a counter balance coupled to the guide system, the counter balance for countering weight of the TP during the installing or the removing of the TP in the gas turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Bradford Holmes, James Robert Hollis, Wayne David Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20150260043
    Abstract: A tool for removing a component from a turbomachine is provided. The tool includes a body having an alignment portion and a connection portion. The alignment portion defines a longitudinal axis and a cross sectional shape complementary to a slot defined in a rotor wheel of the turbomachine. When the tool is positioned in the slot, the connection portion is configured to contact the component. The tool additionally includes a force section connected to the body and configured to transfer a force to the connection portion in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the alignment portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Bradford Holmes, David Randolph Spracher, James Robert Hollis, Wayne David Sullivan
  • Patent number: 8910374
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a service apparatus for a turbomachine. The service apparatus can include: a frame for coupling to an opening in the turbomachine; a bridge member operably coupled to the frame and spanning a width of the frame, the bridge member being substantially movable along a length of the frame; and a crane member operably coupled to the bridge member, the crane member being substantially movable along the width of the frame, wherein the crane member includes at least one attachment device for attaching to an object within the turbomachine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Alan Davi, James Robert Hollis, Sean Cornelius O'Meara, Wayne David Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20140165397
    Abstract: Various embodiments include an apparatus for installing or removing a transition piece (TP) in a gas turbine. The apparatus can include: a control arm assembly sized to rest within an opening in the gas turbine; a guide system coupled to the control arm assembly, the guide system for transporting the TP within the opening in the gas turbine; and a counter balance coupled to the guide system, the counter balance for countering weight of the TP during the installing or the removing of the TP in the gas turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: James Bradford Holmes, James Robert Hollis, Wayne David Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20140165359
    Abstract: Various embodiments include alignment systems for turbines. In various particular embodiments, an apparatus for aligning an end of a transition piece (TP) with an outlet of a combustor component is disclosed. The apparatus can include: a mount configured to attach to the combustor component proximate the outlet; a hinge component pivotably connected to the mount, the hinge component having an axis of motion substantially perpendicular with a primary axis of the combustor component; a dummy transition piece (dummy TP) component fixedly attached to the hinge component for pivoting with the hinge component; and an adjustment apparatus having a first end fixedly attached to the dummy TP, and a second end with an actuatable adjustment member for modifying a position of the dummy TP.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: James Bradford Holmes, James Robert Hollis, Wayne David Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20140096354
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a service apparatus for a turbomachine. The service apparatus can include: a frame for coupling to an opening in the turbomachine; a bridge member operably coupled to the frame and spanning a width of the frame, the bridge member being substantially movable along a length of the frame; and a crane member operably coupled to the bridge member, the crane member being substantially movable along the width of the frame, wherein the crane member includes at least one attachment device for attaching to an object within the turbomachine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Alan Davi, James Robert Hollis, Sean Cornelius O'Meara, Wayne David Sullivan