Patents by Inventor James Walter Caddell
James Walter Caddell 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: 8244488Abstract: A thermal inspection system includes a fluid source configured to supply a warm flow and a cool flow, indirectly or directly, to internal passage(s) of a component. The system includes an imager configured to capture a time series of images corresponding to a transient thermal response of the component to the warm and cool flows. The system further includes at least one flow meter configured to measure the warm and cool flows supplied to the component and a processor operably connected to the imager. The processor determines the transient thermal response of the component around a transition time. The flow supplied to the component switches from the warm flow to the cool flow at the transition time. The processor compares the transient thermal response around the transition time with one or more baseline values or with an acceptable range of values to determine if the component meets a desired specification.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2010Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jason Randolph Allen, Jared Michael Crosby, Christopher Joseph Uhl, Michael Orlando Cimini, Bianca Mary McCartt, James Walter Caddell, Jared Reece Reynolds, Robert William Tait, Andrew Frank Ferro
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Publication number: 20110125423Abstract: A thermal inspection system includes a fluid source configured to supply a warm flow and a cool flow, indirectly or directly, to internal passage(s) of a component. The system includes an imager configured to capture a time series of images corresponding to a transient thermal response of the component to the warm and cool flows. The system further includes at least one flow meter configured to measure the warm and cool flows supplied to the component and a processor operably connected to the imager. The processor determines the transient thermal response of the component around a transition time. The flow supplied to the component switches from the warm flow to the cool flow at the transition time. The processor compares the transient thermal response around the transition time with one or more baseline values or with an acceptable range of values to determine if the component meets a desired specification.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2010Publication date: May 26, 2011Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Jason Randolph Allen, Jared Michael Crosby, Christopher Joseph Uhl, Michael Orlando Cimini, Bianca Mary McCartt, James Walter Caddell, Jared Reece Reynolds, Robert William Tait, Andrew Frank Ferro
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Patent number: 7137544Abstract: A welding apparatus includes a workpiece housing having a window therethrough and having a welding access therethrough for a welder to an interior of the workpiece housing. The workpiece housing is metallic with a heat insulation on an internal surface thereof. A lamp heat source is directed through the window and at the workpiece in the interior of the workpiece housing. A gas source delivers a controllable flow of a shielding gas to the interior of the workpiece housing. A temperature sensor senses a temperature of the workpiece within the interior of the workpiece housing. A feedback controller controls the power to the lamp heat source responsive to the temperature of the workpiece. To perform welding, the workpiece is placed into the interior of the workpiece housing so as to have its temperature sensed by the temperature sensor, and the gas source is operated to envelope the workpiece in the shielding gas.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2002Date of Patent: November 21, 2006Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: James Walter Caddell, Jr., Robert Dale Lawrence
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Patent number: 6905308Abstract: A method is provided for repairing a turbine nozzle segment having at least one vane disposed between outer and inner bands. The method includes separating the inner band from the nozzle segment, and joining the inner band to a newly manufactured replacement casting having an outer band and a vane. The replacement casting includes an airfoil stub. The airfoil stub is received in a recess formed in the inner band. Joining is completed by joining the airfoil stub to the inner band. The replacement casting may be modified from a newly manufactured singlet casting.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2002Date of Patent: June 14, 2005Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Michael Philip Hagle, Brian Alan Norton, James Walter Caddell, Jr.
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Patent number: 6793457Abstract: A method for repairing a turbine nozzle segment having at least one vane disposed between outer and inner bands includes separating the inner band from the nozzle segment, and joining the inner band to a newly manufactured replacement casting having an outer band and at least one vane. The replacement casting includes a mounting platform formed on one end of the vane and a boss formed on the mounting platform. A collar is joined to the inner band and has a slot formed therein. The boss is then inserted into the slot, and the mounting platform is received in a recess formed in the inner band. Joining is completed by joining the boss to the collar and the mounting platform to the inner band. The thickness of the collar is tapered in an axial direction, and a relief is formed in the collar to provide assembly clearance with adjacent components.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2002Date of Patent: September 21, 2004Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: James Walter Caddell, Matthew Nicklus Miller, Brian Alan Norton
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Publication number: 20040112940Abstract: A welding apparatus includes a workpiece housing having a window therethrough and having a welding access therethrough for a welder to an interior of the workpiece housing. The workpiece housing is metallic with a heat insulation on an internal surface thereof. A lamp heat source is directed through the window and at the workpiece in the interior of the workpiece housing. A gas source delivers a controllable flow of a shielding gas to the interior of the workpiece housing. A temperature sensor senses a temperature of the workpiece within the interior of the workpiece housing. A feedback controller controls the power to the lamp heat source responsive to the temperature of the workpiece. To perform welding, the workpiece is placed into the interior of the workpiece housing so as to have its temperature sensed by the temperature sensor, and the gas source is operated to envelope the workpiece in the shielding gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2002Publication date: June 17, 2004Inventors: James Walter Caddell, Robert Dale Lawrence
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Publication number: 20040096322Abstract: A method for repairing a turbine nozzle segment having at least one vane disposed between outer and inner bands includes separating the inner band from the nozzle segment, and joining the inner band to a newly manufactured replacement casting having an outer band and at least one vane. The replacement casting includes a mounting platform formed on one end of the vane and a boss formed on the mounting platform. A collar is joined to the inner band and has a slot formed therein. The boss is then inserted into the slot, and the mounting platform is received in a recess formed in the inner band. Joining is completed by joining the boss to the collar and the mounting platform to the inner band. The thickness of the collar is tapered in an axial direction, and a relief is formed in the collar to provide assembly clearance with adjacent components.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2002Publication date: May 20, 2004Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: James Walter Caddell, Matthew Nicklus Miller, Brian Alan Norton
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Publication number: 20040096323Abstract: A method is provided for repairing a turbine nozzle segment having at least one vane disposed between outer and inner bands. The method includes separating the inner band from the nozzle segment, and joining the inner band to a newly manufactured replacement casting having an outer band and a vane. The replacement casting includes an airfoil stub. The airfoil stub is received in a recess formed in the inner band. Joining is completed by joining the airfoil stub to the inner band. The replacement casting may be modified from a newly manufactured singlet casting.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2002Publication date: May 20, 2004Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Michael Philip Hagle, Brian Alan Norton, James Walter Caddell,
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Patent number: 6416278Abstract: A method for repairing a turbine nozzle segment having at least one vane disposed between outer and inner bands includes separating the inner band from the nozzle segment, and joining the inner band to a newly manufactured replacement casting having an outer band and at least one vane. The replacement casting includes a mounting platform formed on one end of the vane and a boss formed on the mounting platform. A collar is joined to the inner band and has a slot formed therein. The boss is then inserted into the slot, and the mounting platform is received in a recess formed in the inner band. Joining is completed by joining the boss to the collar and the mounting platform to the inner band.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2000Date of Patent: July 9, 2002Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: James Walter Caddell, Jr., James Michael Caldwell, Kenneth Morand Lieland, Glenn Herbert Nichols