Patents by Inventor Kevin L. Hines

Kevin L. Hines 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: 9068906
    Abstract: Turbine blade tip clearance is measured in a fully assembled turbine casing by mounting a non-contact displacement probe or sensor on a turbine blade that generates data indicative of sensor distance from the turbine casing that circumferentially surrounds the blade. The sensor is mounted on the blade with a sensor fixture, which includes a clamping mechanism and a sensor retention mechanism that retains and calibrates the sensor by selective movement of the sensor relative to the retention mechanism. Variations in sensor distance data are recorded when the turbine is operated in turning gear mode. Blade rotational position data are collected by a rotational position sensor. A data processing system correlates the distance and rotational position data with localized blade tip gap at angular positions about the turbine casing circumference. This method and apparatus facilitate assessment of turbine casing deformation impact on blade tip clearance and rotor/casing alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Mahmood K. Silieti, Kevin L. Hines, Abdullatif M. Chehab
  • Publication number: 20150090017
    Abstract: Turbine blade tip clearance is measured in a fully assembled turbine casing by mounting a non-contact displacement probe or sensor on a turbine blade that generates data indicative of sensor distance from the turbine casing that circumferentially surrounds the blade. The sensor is mounted on the blade with a sensor fixture, which includes a clamping mechanism and a sensor retention mechanism that retains and calibrates the sensor by selective movement of the sensor relative to the retention mechanism. Variations in sensor distance data are recorded when the turbine is operated in turning gear mode. Blade rotational position data are collected by a rotational position sensor. A data processing system correlates the distance and rotational position data with localized blade tip gap at angular positions about the turbine casing circumference. This method and apparatus facilitate assessment of turbine casing deformation impact on blade tip clearance and rotor/casing alignment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Mahmood K. Silieti, Kevin L. Hines, Abdullatif M. Chehab
  • Patent number: 8684669
    Abstract: A measuring assembly for use in a gas turbine engine includes an indicia portion that extends radially inwardly from an inner surface of a ring seal structure to a location radially inwardly from tips of blades mounted on a rotor. The indicia portion of the measuring assembly comprises a section that is abraded by the blades during rotational movement of the rotor to provide a visual indication of a distance between the tips of the blades and the inner surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Abdullatif M. Chehab, Kevin L. Hines, Barton M. Pepperman, Matthew D. Bogdan
  • Publication number: 20120207586
    Abstract: A measuring assembly for use in a gas turbine engine includes an indicia portion that extends radially inwardly from an inner surface of a ring seal structure to a location radially inwardly from tips of blades mounted on a rotor. The indicia portion of the measuring assembly comprises a section that is abraded by the blades during rotational movement of the rotor to provide a visual indication of a distance between the tips of the blades and the inner surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventors: Abdullatif M. Chehab, Kevin L. Hines, Barton M. Pepperman, Matthew D. Bogdan
  • Patent number: 5716336
    Abstract: An improved control for the movement of the foot in an ankle brace device. The control is adjustable to provide multiple positions of the foot simply by the pushing of a button or knob on a springing band to allow movement of the band between adjusted positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Inventors: Kevin L. Hines, Paul D. Van Gerpen, Ronald M. Russ