Patents by Inventor Kenneth J. Robertson

Kenneth J. Robertson 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: 7458770
    Abstract: The present invention provides a steam turbine that has upper and lower halves of diaphragm. The steam turbine of the present invention also provides an adjustable support bar attached to at least the upper half or the lower half of the diaphragm. The adjustable support bar of the present invention has a screw therein such that the adjustable support bar can raise or lower the upper half or the lower half of the diaphragm without removing each half of the diaphragm. Also provided are methods for adjusting and supporting a vertical position of the upper half and the lower half of the diaphragm at a horizontal split line in a steam turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas Patrick Russo, Kenneth J. Robertson, Steven Sebastian Burdgick
  • Patent number: 5743711
    Abstract: The turbine includes inner and outer rings and partitions mechanically connected therebetween. In one form, the partitions have connecting elements at tip and root portions of the vanes which are received in complementary grooves in the outer and inner rings, respectively. The partitions in one form are stacked against one another and secured by end lugs at the diaphragm joints. In another form, the partitions are pinned to the outer and inner rings with spaces between the connecting elements to avoid accumulation of tolerances. In a third form, the partitions are applied against the outer and inner rings in an axial direction and retainer plates are bolted to the outer and inner rings to secure the partitions in the diaphragm assembly. In all cases, the diaphragm is formed without welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: General Electric Co.
    Inventors: Maurice D. Fournier, David C. Gonyea, George Reluzco, Kenneth J. Robertson, John P. McGrane
  • Patent number: 5586864
    Abstract: A nozzle diaphragm for a turbine includes an outer ring having a groove formed along its inner surface for receiving a first locator ring, an inner web having a groove formed along its outer surface for receiving a second locator ring and partitions circumferentially spaced one from the other and connected to the outer ring and inner web. The locator rings have slots opening into the flow region for receiving tenons formed on the ends of the partitions. By precisely locating the tenons and slots, the aerodynamic characteristics of the partitions can be set during fabrication without the need for expensive and time-consuming fixtures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Victor J. Knorowski, George Reluzco, Kenneth J. Robertson, Paul L. Adamkoski