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: 7771164
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Alan Manteiga, Clive Andrew Morgan, John Christopher Brauer, Todd Stephen Heffron
  • Patent number: 7578134
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Alan Manteiga, Duane Douglas Thomsen, Daniel Dale Brown, John Christopher Brauer
  • Publication number: 20080145218
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: John Alan Manteiga, Clive Andrew Morgan, John Christopher Brauer, Todd Stephen Heffron
  • Patent number: 7287959
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ching-Pang Lee, Aspi Rustom Wadia, John Christopher Brauer
  • Patent number: 7048496
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Proctor, James Patrick Dolan, John Christopher Brauer, Christopher Charles Glynn, Kenneth Martin Lewis
  • Patent number: 7007488
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Joseph Orlando, Thomas Ory Moniz, John Christopher Brauer, Ian Francis Prentice, Erich Alois Krammer, James Patrick Dolan, Robert Alan Frederick
  • Patent number: 6935837
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas Ory Moniz, Robert Joseph Orlando, John Christopher Brauer
  • Patent number: 6884028
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Christopher Brauer, Kenneth Martin Lewis, Fred Martin Heise
  • Publication number: 20040168443
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas Ory Moniz, Robert Joseph Orlando, John Christopher Brauer
  • Publication number: 20040086377
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Proctor, James Patrick Dolan, John Christopher Brauer, Christopher Charles Glynn, Kenneth Martin Lewis
  • Patent number: 6719296
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Christopher Brauer, Christopher Charles Glynn, Wu-Yang Tseng, Jerry Lynn Cabe
  • Publication number: 20040062643
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Christopher Brauer, Kenneth Martin Lewis, Fred Martin Heise
  • Publication number: 20040007823
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Christopher Brauer, Christopher Charles Glynn, Wu-Yang Tseng, Jerry Lynn Cabe