Patents by Inventor John Christopher Brauer
John Christopher Brauer 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: 7771164Abstract: A method of assembling a turbine includes positioning a turbine nozzle against a forward inner nozzle support extending from a rotor assembly, and coupling a cover to the forward inner nozzle support. The method also includes inserting a tab that extends from the cover within at least one aperture defined in the turbine nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2006Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: John Alan Manteiga, Clive Andrew Morgan, John Christopher Brauer, Todd Stephen Heffron
-
Patent number: 7578134Abstract: A method for assembling a gas turbine engine is provided. The method includes providing a combustor liner support including a first portion formed with a plurality of circumferentially-spaced recessed areas, and a second portion extending from the first portion. The method also includes coupling the combustor liner support within a combustor such that during engine operations cooling air is channeled through the plurality of recessed areas to facilitate cooling the combustor liner support.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2006Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: John Alan Manteiga, Duane Douglas Thomsen, Daniel Dale Brown, John Christopher Brauer
-
Publication number: 20080145218Abstract: A method of assembling a turbine includes positioning a turbine nozzle against a forward inner nozzle support extending from a rotor assembly, and coupling a cover to the forward inner nozzle support. The method also includes inserting a tab that extends from the cover within at least one aperture defined in the turbine nozzle.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2006Publication date: June 19, 2008Inventors: John Alan Manteiga, Clive Andrew Morgan, John Christopher Brauer, Todd Stephen Heffron
-
Patent number: 7287959Abstract: A turbine airfoil includes opposite pressure and suction sidewalls, and extends in chord between opposite leading and trailing edges and in span from a root to an outer tip cap. The tip cap bridges the sidewalls, and a flute extends chordally along the pressure sidewall and below the tip cap.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2005Date of Patent: October 30, 2007Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ching-Pang Lee, Aspi Rustom Wadia, John Christopher Brauer
-
Patent number: 7048496Abstract: A rotor system for a gas turbine engine is provided having an outer rotor which includes an annular outer spool that comprises at least one ring portion of increased thickness with respect to the remainder of the outer spool, attached to a relatively thinner, axially extending arm portion. A plurality of outer turbine blades are attached to the ring portion of the outer spool and extend radially inwardly into a working gas flowpath of the engine. A casing surrounds the outer spool and defines an annular cavity between the casing and the outer spool, which is sealed by forward and aft brush seals at the forward and aft ends thereof. At least one inlet port is formed through the casing for admitting a flow of cooling air to the annular cavity. Means are provided for directing this cooling air flow to the ring portion of the outer spool.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2002Date of Patent: May 23, 2006Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert Proctor, James Patrick Dolan, John Christopher Brauer, Christopher Charles Glynn, Kenneth Martin Lewis
-
Patent number: 7007488Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a compressor powered by a turbine. The turbine includes a nozzle having vanes extending between outer and inner bands. Each vane includes an internal cooling plenum and a bypass tube extending through the bands. First and second manifolds surround the outer band and are disposed in flow communication with the plenums and bypass tubes, respectively. A bleed circuit joins the compressor to the manifolds for providing pressurized air thereto. A control valve modulates airflow to the first manifold and in turn through the cooling plenums of the vanes.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2004Date of Patent: March 7, 2006Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert Joseph Orlando, Thomas Ory Moniz, John Christopher Brauer, Ian Francis Prentice, Erich Alois Krammer, James Patrick Dolan, Robert Alan Frederick
-
Patent number: 6935837Abstract: A method enables a gas turbine engine including a first rotor assembly and a second rotor assembly coupled in axial flow communication downstream from the first rotor assembly to be assembled. The method comprises coupling an upstream end of an extension duct to an outlet of the first rotor assembly, wherein the extension duct includes a plurality of panels coupled circumferentially, and coupling a downstream end of the extension duct to an inlet of the second rotor assembly using at least one fish mouth seal.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2003Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Thomas Ory Moniz, Robert Joseph Orlando, John Christopher Brauer
-
Patent number: 6884028Abstract: A blade retention assembly is provided that comprises: a disk, a plurality of blades, each having a dovetail disposed in one of an array of slots formed in the outer periphery of the disk, an annular inner retainer attached to the disk, and a plurality of arcuate blade retainers, the blade retainers being secured to the inner retainer by a hooked rabbet joint. A blade retainer is also provided, comprising an arcuate body having a planar inner face having an arcuate depression formed therein defining a sealing lip, and an aft face disposed opposite the inner face which has an arcuate rim formed therein.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2002Date of Patent: April 26, 2005Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: John Christopher Brauer, Kenneth Martin Lewis, Fred Martin Heise
-
Publication number: 20040168443Abstract: A method enables a gas turbine engine including a first rotor assembly and a second rotor assembly coupled in axial flow communication downstream from the first rotor assembly to be assembled. The method comprises coupling an upstream end of an extension duct to an outlet of the first rotor assembly, wherein the extension duct includes a plurality of panels coupled circumferentially, and coupling a downstream end of the extension duct to an inlet of the second rotor assembly using at least one fish mouth seal.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2003Publication date: September 2, 2004Inventors: Thomas Ory Moniz, Robert Joseph Orlando, John Christopher Brauer
-
Publication number: 20040086377Abstract: A rotor system for a gas turbine engine is provided having an outer rotor which includes an annular outer spool that comprises at least one ring portion of increased thickness with respect to the remainder of the outer spool, attached to a relatively thinner, axially extending arm portion. A plurality of outer turbine blades are attached to the ring portion of the outer spool and extend radially inwardly into a working gas flowpath of the engine. A casing surrounds the outer spool and defines an annular cavity between the casing and the outer spool, which is sealed by forward and aft brush seals at the forward and aft ends thereof. At least one inlet port is formed through the casing for admitting a flow of cooling air to the annular cavity. Means are provided for directing this cooling air flow to the ring portion of the outer spool.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2002Publication date: May 6, 2004Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert Proctor, James Patrick Dolan, John Christopher Brauer, Christopher Charles Glynn, Kenneth Martin Lewis
-
Patent number: 6719296Abstract: A face seal assembly is provided having an annular seal body mounted in an axially moveable relationship to a seal support structure. A piston ring is disposed between the annular seal body and the seal support structure forming a secondary seal. A first locator spring, which is an annular wave spring, is disposed between said seal support structure and the piston ring to urge the piston ring in an axial direction. Optionally, a second locator spring, also a wave spring, may be disposed between the piston ring and the seal support structure for urging the piston ring in a radial direction.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2002Date of Patent: April 13, 2004Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: John Christopher Brauer, Christopher Charles Glynn, Wu-Yang Tseng, Jerry Lynn Cabe
-
Publication number: 20040062643Abstract: A blade retention assembly is provided that comprises: a disk, a plurality of blades, each having a dovetail disposed in one of an array of slots formed in the outer periphery of the disk, an annular inner retainer attached to the disk, and a plurality of arcuate blade retainers, the blade retainers being secured to the inner retainer by a hooked rabbet joint. A blade retainer is also provided, comprising an arcuate body having a planar inner face having an arcuate depression formed therein defining a sealing lip, and an aft face disposed opposite the inner face which has an arcuate rim formed therein.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2002Publication date: April 1, 2004Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: John Christopher Brauer, Kenneth Martin Lewis, Fred Martin Heise
-
Publication number: 20040007823Abstract: A face seal assembly is provided having an annular seal body mounted in an axially moveable relationship to a seal support structure. A piston ring is disposed between the annular seal body and the seal support structure forming a secondary seal. A first locator spring, which is an annular wave spring, is disposed between said seal support structure and the piston ring to urge the piston ring in an axial direction. Optionally, a second locator spring, also a wave spring, may be disposed between the piston ring and the seal support structure for urging the piston ring in a radial direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2002Publication date: January 15, 2004Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: John Christopher Brauer, Christopher Charles Glynn, Wu-Yang Tseng, Jerry Lynn Cabe