Patents by Inventor Kenneth Damon Black

Kenneth Damon Black 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: 9422824
    Abstract: Thermal control is provided for a gas turbine casing by supplying thermal control gas from a compressor to a space between an outer casing and an inner casing, and transferring the thermal control gas from the space through the opening in the inner casing via a plurality of holes defined through a plate attached to an outer surface of the inner casing. The holes are arranged with a predetermined non-uniform distribution corresponding to a desired preferential impingement pattern for providing non-uniform heat transfer. A gas turbine thermal control assembly includes structure providing preferential heat transfer from the inner casing during operation of the gas turbine via a thermal control gas flow path from radially outside of the inner casing into the interior of the gas turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Matthew Stephen Casavant, Kenneth Damon Black, David Martin Johnson, Radu Ioan Danescu
  • Patent number: 9416679
    Abstract: A borescope assembly includes a first borescope plug comprising a first perimeter geometry portion. Also included is a second borescope plug comprising a second perimeter geometry portion distinct from the first perimeter geometry portion. Further included is a first borescope hole comprising a first hole geometry portion corresponding to the first perimeter geometry portion of the first borescope plug. Yet further included is a second borescope hole comprising a second hole geometry portion corresponding to the second perimeter geometry portion of the second borescope plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Kenneth Damon Black
  • Patent number: 9322334
    Abstract: A deformable fastener assembly for use with a gas turbine engine. The deformable fastener may be used to fasten a component of the gas turbine that is subjected to high temperatures and thermal deformation, such as an impingement sleeve assembly, to a rigid portion, such as the inner turbine shell of the gas turbine engine. The deformable fastener assemblies may permit components to be fastened to a rigid portion of the gas turbine with a consistent load input to permit frictional transient sliding of the component relative to the rigid portion of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Matthew Stephen Casavant, Kenneth Damon Black
  • Patent number: 9238971
    Abstract: A device for directing gas impingement to an inner casing of a gas turbine may include a plate configured for attachment to the outer surface of the inner casing. The plate has a first surface opposing the inner casing when the plate is attached to an area of the inner casing and a second surface opposite the first surface. The plate defines a plurality of holes through the plate from the first surface to the second surface. The holes are arranged with a predetermined non-uniform distribution in the plate corresponding to a desired preferential impingement pattern for providing non-uniform heat transfer from the area during operation of the gas turbine so as to control temperature of the inner casing across the area. Various options and modifications are possible. Related gas turbine assemblies are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Matthew Stephen Casavant, Kenneth Damon Black, David Martin Johnson, Radu Ioan Danescu
  • Publication number: 20150345332
    Abstract: A horizontal joint of a rotary machine barrel includes first and second section mating surfaces that extend axially adjacent to the joint, and a plurality of gaps and a plurality of tangs disposed axially along the first and second section mating surfaces, respectively. Each tang has an axially extending tang aperture defined therethrough. Each gap is sized and axially spaced to receive a corresponding tang. Additionally, the joint includes a plurality of mating surface segments defined along the first section mating surface. Each segment extends axially between a corresponding pair of gaps and has an axially extending segment aperture defined therethrough. The tang apertures and segment apertures align to form a generally continuous axial pin aperture when the second section mating surface is positioned against the first section mating surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Cox, Kenneth Damon Black, Mitchell Allan Merrill, Gregory Allan Crum
  • Publication number: 20150345336
    Abstract: A support assembly for externally adjusting an inner casing with respect to an outer casing for a turbomachine includes a carrier plate, a carrier block that is fixedly connected to the carrier plate, a restrictor block fixedly connected to the carrier plate, a rod coupled to the carrier plate, and a plate threadably connected to the rod. The carrier block includes an inclined side and a carrier side. The restrictor block includes a restrictor side and an inclined side. The restrictor side is generally oriented towards the carrier side. A vertical gap for receiving a support arm of an inner turbine casing is defined between the restrictor side and the carrier side. The plate may be rotated about the rod to cause simultaneous movement of the rod, the carrier plate, the carrier block and the restrictor block, thus adjusting the inner casing with respect to the outer casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Adaickalasamy, Pramod Akulu, Kenneth Damon Black
  • Patent number: 9200539
    Abstract: The present application and the resultant patent provide an example of a turbine casing. The turbine casing may include an outer shell, an inner shell, and a support arm supporting the inner shell within the outer shell. The inner shell and the support arm may include a scallop therein for reduced stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bradley Edwin Wilson, Kenneth Damon Black
  • Publication number: 20150330252
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a bearing housing of a turbine, wherein the bearing housing is configured to support a shaft of the turbine, and the bearing housing comprises at least one bearing housing ear configured to transfer a load of the bearing housing to an inlet housing of the turbine through a horizontal center line of the bearing housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventors: Maruthi Prasad Manchikanti, Kenneth Damon Black, Donald Earl Floyd, II, Gregory Allan Crum
  • Patent number: 9163649
    Abstract: A first adjustable stop on a jack member selectively adjusts an incline stop gap while a second adjustable stop on a support element selectively adjusts a decline stop gap. Stop surfaces on the first adjustable stop and the support element may define the incline stop gap, while stop surfaces on the second adjustable stop and the first adjustable stop may define the decline stop gap. A number of turns of a stop needed to effect a desired of adjustment may be determined using a pitch, lead, and/or number of starts of threads used to mount the stops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Matthew Stephen Casavant, Kenneth Damon Black
  • Patent number: 9140141
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a turbine assembly includes a frame coupled to a ground surface, a bearing housing supporting a rotor bearing and a sleeve assembly attached to the frame and the bearing housing. The sleeve assembly includes an outer sleeve with a first flange on a first end that is positioned in an opening in the bearing housing and a second end that abuts the shim, an inner sleeve positioned within a portion of the outer sleeve and a bolt positioned within the inner sleeve and threadably coupled to the frame, wherein the bolt compressively loads the inner sleeve thereby loading a portion of the outer sleeve at the second end between the inner sleeve and the frame and wherein a first gap dimension is substantially maintained between the first flange and bearing housing as the bolt is preloaded and coupled to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Khoa Cao, Kenneth Damon Black
  • Patent number: 9097123
    Abstract: A method and system adapted for removing one or more shells from an assembly of multiple annular shells, for example, turbine shells of a gas turbine engine. The method includes removing an upper shell positioned in an upper position relative to a lower shell of the assembly of multiple annular shells, and then positioning and securing a counterweight in the upper position and securing the counterweight to the lower shell as a replacement for the upper shell in the upper position. The counterweight and the lower shell are then rotated in unison until the lower shell is in the upper position and the counterweight is in a lower position previously occupied by the lower shell. Thereafter, the lower shell can be removed from the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Bradford Holmes, Kenneth Damon Black, Christopher Paul Cox, Matthew Stephen Casavant, Bradley Edwin Wilson, Brett Darrick Klingler
  • Patent number: 8992167
    Abstract: In certain embodiments of the present disclosure a turbine casing assembly is described. The turbine casing assembly includes an inner casing and an outer casing surrounding the inner casing. The outer casing includes a first outer casing section and a second outer casing section that join together along a flange. Two bolts extend through the flange and join together the first outer casing section and the second outer casing section. A pin having a first segment having a first diameter and a second segment having a second diameter extends through the inner casing and the outer casing and supports the inner casing relative to the outer casing. The pin has a first diameter that is greater than the second diameter and is located between the two bolts along the axis of the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Matthew Stephen Casavant, Kenneth Damon Black
  • Publication number: 20150086330
    Abstract: A turbine system is provided having a first turbine casing and a second turbine casing, the first and second turbine casings together defining an inner wall. The turbine system further includes a first attachment flange extending from a surface of the first turbine casing within the inner wall and a second attachment flange extending from a surface of the second turbine casing within the inner wall. The first attachment flange defines a first aperture and the second attachment flange defines a second aperture. A pin extends through the first aperture and into the second aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Khoa Dang Cao, Kenneth Damon Black
  • Publication number: 20150047358
    Abstract: An inner barrel member for a gas turbomachine includes a body having an outer surface, an inner surface and one or more radial flow splitters provided on the outer surface. The one or more radial flow splitters are configured and disposed to be arranged along a combustor centerline at a combustion flow outlet radially inwardly of a transition piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Carl Gerard Schott, Kenneth Damon Black, Matthew Stephen Casavant
  • Publication number: 20150040581
    Abstract: A borescope assembly includes a first borescope plug comprising a first perimeter geometry portion. Also included is a second borescope plug comprising a second perimeter geometry portion distinct from the first perimeter geometry portion. Further included is a first borescope hole comprising a first hole geometry portion corresponding to the first perimeter geometry portion of the first borescope plug. Yet further included is a second borescope hole comprising a second hole geometry portion corresponding to the second perimeter geometry portion of the second borescope plug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Kenneth Damon Black
  • Publication number: 20150037145
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine that includes: a flowpath defined through one of a compressor and a turbine; an inner casing defining an axially tilted outboard boundary of the flowpath, which, relative to the axial tilt, defines a converging direction in which the flowpath converges and a diverging direction in which the flowpath diverges; a row of rotor blades having outer tips that oppose the outboard boundary across a gap clearance defined therebetween; an outer casing concentrically arranged about the inner casing so to form an annulus therebetween; and a connection assembly that slidably connects the inner casing to the outer casing and includes a biasing means for axially preloading the inner casing in the converging direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Matthew Stephen Casavant, Kenneth Damon Black, Christopher Paul Cox
  • Patent number: 8915701
    Abstract: A piping assembly and a method for connecting an inner shell and an outer shell in a turbine system are disclosed. The piping assembly includes an inner fitting for connection to the inner shell and an outer fitting for connection to the outer shell. The piping assembly further includes an attenuation member extending between the inner fitting and the outer fitting and comprising an attenuation curve. The attenuation curve permits movement of the attenuation member in at least one of a longitudinal direction, a radial direction, or a tangential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kenneth Damon Black, Matthew Stephen Casavant
  • Publication number: 20140352313
    Abstract: A diffuser strut fairing includes a top portion, a bottom portion, a pressure side portion, a suction side portion, an inner surface and an outer surface. The pressure side portion and the suction side portion extend between the top portion and the bottom portion. The exhaust diffuser strut faring further includes a flow manifold that is at least partially defined between the pressure side portion and the suction side portion. A plurality of openings is disposed along the suction side portion and are in fluid communication with the flow manifold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Carl Gerard Schott, Douglas Frank Beadie, Kenneth Damon Black, Khoa Dang Cao
  • Publication number: 20140334925
    Abstract: A system for supporting a turbine nozzle includes an inner barrel having a forward end, an aft end and an outer surface that extends between the forward end and the aft end. A first fitting that extends through the outer surface is defined within the inner barrel. The system further includes a nozzle support ring that defines a second fitting that is complementary to the first fitting defined within the inner barrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Matthew Stephen Casavant, Kenneth Damon Black
  • Patent number: 8864459
    Abstract: In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a turbine casing assembly is described. The turbine casing assembly includes an inner casing and an outer casing surrounding the inner casing. The outer casing has a first outer casing section and a second outer casing section that join together along a flange. A bolt extends through the flange and joins together the first outer casing section and the second outer casing section. The turbine casing assembly further includes a pin. The pin has a segment defining an opening therethrough. The pin extends through the inner casing and the outer casing and supports the inner casing relative to the outer casing. The bolt passes through the opening defined by the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Matthew Stephen Casavant, Kenneth Damon Black