Patents by Inventor Kenneth A. Ball

Kenneth A. Ball 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: 5248241
    Abstract: A component is provided with a relative undersize in an area to be subjected to increased stress, for instance, through temperature. The component is made of a hardenable steel. The undersize is overlaid with a non-hardenable steel thereby to provide the full size. A second layer on top of the first layer can be provided. When the second layer is metallurgically bonded in a manner that generates heat, it does not cause a heat affected zone in the base hardenable steel. Blades for steam turbines benefit from this procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Assignee: Southern California Edison Co.
    Inventors: Ralph J. Ortolano, Kenneth A. Ball, Richard E. Serpa, John P. Pepe, Patrick O. Smith
  • Patent number: 5183244
    Abstract: A tool for locating a predetermined number of turbine blades in relative operative position with each other includes a base with a space and walls with a space between them. Blades are located sequentially and adjacently. An arc of curvature is representative of the arc of curvature for a rotor for accommodating the blades ordinarily. When the blades are located, the curvature of the top conforms with the curvature of the rotor. The blades can then be adjusted and aligned such that when located in the rotor they will be accurately positioned. With a serrated root, the root is located near the plate and held with steeple screws. With a forked root, there is a post between the fork. A finger root is secured between sidewalls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1993
    Assignee: Southern California Edison
    Inventors: Ralph J. Ortolano, Kenneth A. Ball, Gary Bowman
  • Patent number: 5026032
    Abstract: A tool for locating a predetermined number of turbine blades in relative operative position with each other includes a base with a space and sidewalls with a space between them. Blades are located sequentially and adjacently between the sidewalls so that the blades are accurately and snugly located between the sidewalls. The top of the sidewalls has an arc of curvature representative of the arc of curvature for a rotor for accommodating the blades ordinarily. When the blades are located in the space, the curvature of the top of the sidewalls conforms with the curvature of the rotor. The blades can then be adjusted and aligned such that when located in the rotor they will be accurately positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1991
    Assignee: Southern California Edison
    Inventors: Ralph J. Ortolano, Kenneth A. Ball, Gary Bowman