Patents by Inventor Kirk Douglas Gallier

Kirk Douglas Gallier 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: 11927111
    Abstract: A blade for a turbine engine with a wall separating a cooling fluid flow and a hot gas fluid flow and having a heated surface along which the hot gas fluid flow flows and a cooled surface facing the cooling fluid flow. A plurality of cooling holes each having a passage extending between an inlet at the cooled surface and an outlet at the heated surface. The outlet extending between an upstream end and a downstream end with respect to the hot gas fluid flow to define a distance, the passage defining a centerline forming a first angle (?) with the heated surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jonathan Michael Rausch, Zachary Daniel Webster, Kevin Robert Feldmann, Andrew David Perry, Kirk Douglas Gallier, Daniel Endecott Osgood
  • Publication number: 20240066588
    Abstract: A casting core used in the manufacture of a cast engine component for a turbine engine, the cast engine component having a first area, a second area, a fluid passage wall separating the first area and the second area, and a connecting fluid passage extending through the fluid passage wall and interconnecting the first area and the second area. The connecting fluid passage having a turn with a radius (R). The casting core having a first core and a second core. The first core and the second core being defined by a set of geometric characteristics having a first minimum equivalent diameter (D1eqmin) of the first core and a second minimum equivalent diameter (D2eqmin) of the second core. A first flexible geometry factor (FGF1) being equal to: ( D ? 1 eq ? min D ? 2 eq ? min ) ? ( R D ? 2 eq ? min ) .
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2022
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Daniel Endecott Osgood, Zachary Daniel Webster, Craig Alan Gonyou, Daniel Lee Durstock, Kevin R. Feldmann, Kirk Douglas Gallier, William C. Herman, Nicholas Charles Gentilli
  • Patent number: 11898460
    Abstract: A turbine engine includes an engine core extending along an engine centerline and includes a compressor section, a combustor, and a turbine section in serial flow arrangement. A temperature sensor is provided within the engine and configured to detect a gas temperature within the engine core. A set of blades is circumferentially arranged in the turbine section. A blade in the set of blades includes an outer wall bounding an interior, a cooling conduit within the interior, and a plurality of film holes fluidly coupled to the cooling conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jonathan Michael Rausch, Zachary Daniel Webster, Kevin Robert Feldmann, Andrew David Perry, Kirk Douglas Gallier, Daniel Endecott Osgood
  • Patent number: 11846207
    Abstract: A nozzle assembly for a gas turbine engine and methods for assembling a nozzle assembly are provided. In one example aspect, the nozzle assembly includes an outer wall and an inner wall radially spaced from the outer wall. The outer wall defines a plurality of mounting openings spaced circumferentially from one another. The inner wall defines a plurality of mounting openings spaced circumferentially from one another. The mounting openings defined by the inner wall are positioned circumferentially between adjacent mounting openings defined by the outer wall. The nozzle assembly includes vanes that are inserted through the mounting openings of the outer wall in a radially inward direction and vanes that are inserted through the mounting openings of the inner wall in a radially outward direction in an alternating manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Alan Frey, Jeffrey Douglas Rambo, Alexander Martin Sener, Kirk Douglas Gallier
  • Publication number: 20230399954
    Abstract: A turbine engine includes an engine core extending along an engine centerline and includes a compressor section, a combustor, and a turbine section in serial flow arrangement. A temperature sensor is provided within the engine and configured to detect a gas temperature within the engine core. A set of blades is circumferentially arranged in the turbine section. A blade in the set of blades includes an outer wall bounding an interior, a cooling conduit within the interior, and a plurality of film holes fluidly coupled to the cooling conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2022
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Inventors: Jonathan Michael Rausch, Zachary Daniel Webster, Kevin Robert Feldmann, Andrew David Perry, Kirk Douglas Gallier, Daniel Endecott Osgood
  • Publication number: 20230399955
    Abstract: A turbine engine includes an engine core extending along an engine centerline and includes a compressor section, a combustor, and a turbine section in serial flow arrangement. One or more blades in the compressor or turbine sections has an internal cooling conduit with at least one of a bend or a terminal end. A plurality of cooling holes are provided in the blade, with each hole having an inlet fluidly coupled to the cooling conduit and an outlet opening onto an exterior of the blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2023
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Inventors: Jonathan Michael Rausch, Zachary Daniel Webster, Kevin Robert Feldmann, Andrew David Perry, Kirk Douglas Gallier, Daniel Endecott Osgood
  • Publication number: 20230399953
    Abstract: A blade for a turbine engine with a wall separating a cooling fluid flow and a hot gas fluid flow and having a heated surface along which the hot gas fluid flow flows and a cooled surface facing the cooling fluid flow. A plurality of cooling holes each having a passage extending between an inlet at the cooled surface and an outlet at the heated surface. The outlet extending between an upstream end and a downstream end with respect to the hot gas fluid flow to define a distance, the passage defining a centerline forming a first angle (?) with the heated surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2022
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Inventors: Jonathan Michael Rausch, Zachary Daniel Webster, Kevin Robert Feldmann, Andrew David Perry, Kirk Douglas Gallier, Daniel Endecott Osgood
  • Publication number: 20230175405
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for an engine component for a turbine engine. The engine component having an outer wall defining an interior and extending between a root and a tip to define a radial direction, a tip wall spanning the first side and second sides to close the interior at the tip. A tip rail extending from the tip wall and having an inner tip rail surface, an outer tip rail surface extending from at least one of the first or the second side, and radially terminating in an upper tip rail surface connecting the inner tip rail surface and the outer tip rail surface. A tip rim formed in at least one of the outer surface or the inner tip rail surface and spaced from the upper tip rail surface in the radial direction, and multiple cooling passages formed in the outer wall and fluidly coupling the at least one cooling conduit to the tip rim at corresponding passage outlets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2022
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Zachary Daniel Webster, Daniel Endecott Osgood, Kirk Douglas Gallier
  • Patent number: 11598216
    Abstract: Airfoils for gas turbine engines are provided. In one embodiment, an airfoil formed from a ceramic matrix composite material includes opposite pressure and suction sides extending radially along a span and defining an outer surface of the airfoil. The airfoil also includes opposite leading and trailing edges extending radially along the span. The pressure and suction sides extend axially between the leading and trailing edges. The leading edge defines a forward end of the airfoil, and the trailing edge defining an aft end of the airfoil. Further, the airfoil includes a trailing edge portion defined adjacent the trailing edge at the aft end of the airfoil; a plenum defined within the airfoil forward of the trailing edge portion; and a cooling passage defined within the trailing edge portion proximate the suction side. Methods for forming airfoils for gas turbine engines also are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kirk Douglas Gallier, Darrell Glenn Senile, John Calhoun
  • Patent number: 11591966
    Abstract: Features and methods for modulating a flow of cooling fluid to gas turbine engine components are provided. In one embodiment, an airfoil is provided having a flow modulation insert for modulating a flow of cooling fluid received in a cavity of a body of the airfoil. In another embodiment, a shroud is provided comprising a cooling channel for a flow of cooling fluid and an insert that varies in position to modulate the flow of cooling fluid through the cooling channel. In yet another embodiment, a method for operating a gas turbine engine having a cooling circuit for cooling one or more components of the gas turbine engine comprises increasing power provided to the engine and decreasing power provided to the engine to modulate a position of a flow modulation insert located in the cooling circuit and thereby modulate the flow of cooling fluid through the cooling circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Charles Groves, II, Kirk Douglas Gallier, Charles William Craig, III
  • Patent number: 11560803
    Abstract: An engine component for a turbine engine having a working airflow separated into a cooling airflow and a combustion airflow, the engine component comprising a wall defining an interior and having an outer surface over which flows the combustion airflow, the outer surface defining a first side and a second side. The engine component further comprising at least one cooling conduit provided in the interior and having conduit sidewalls and a set of cooling passages formed in the wall and fluidly coupling the at least one cooling conduit to the outer surface, at least one of the cooling passages in the set comprising a primary cooling passage portion and a secondary cooling passage portion. A diffusion slot located in the primary cooling passage portion and an impingement zone fluidly coupled to the diffusion slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Daniel Endecott Osgood, Kirk Douglas Gallier, Zachary Daniel Webster, Gregory Terrence Garay, Daniel Lee Durstock, Ricardo Caraballo
  • Patent number: 11519277
    Abstract: An airfoil for a turbine engine having a working airflow separated into a cooling airflow and a combustion airflow, the airfoil comprising a wall defining an interior and having an outer surface over which flows the combustion airflow, the outer surface defining a first side and a second side extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge to define a chord-wise direction; at least one cooling conduit located within the interior and fluidly coupled to the cooling airflow. A primary cooling passage having at least one inlet fluidly coupled to the at least one cooling conduit, a primary outlet on the outer surface. A passage connecting the at least one inlet to the primary outlet, the passage separated into a first portion and a second portion. The primary outlet spaced from the trailing edge a predetermined distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Daniel Endecott Osgood, Kirk Douglas Gallier, Gregory Terrence Garay, Zachary Daniel Webster, Daniel Lee Durstock, Ricardo Caraballo
  • Patent number: 11512599
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for an engine component for a turbine engine having a working airflow separated into a cooling airflow and a combustion airflow. The engine component including a wall defining an interior and having an outer surface. A tip wall spanning first and second sides of the wall to close the interior. A tip rail extending from the tip wall and having an inner tip rail surface, which in combination with the tip wall, at least partially bounds a region defining a plenum. A rim formed in at least one of the outer surface and inner tip rail surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Zachary Daniel Webster, Daniel Endecott Osgood, Kirk Douglas Gallier
  • Publication number: 20220356815
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine having a rotor blade stage with a plurality of circumferentially spaced rotors, a nozzle stage adjacent the rotor blade stage and including an outer nozzle end, at least one stop, and a shroud. The shroud having a forward end positioned radially outward from the circumferentially spaced rotor blades, and an aft end axially aft of the forward end. The at least one stop confronting at least a portion of the outer nozzle end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Kirk Douglas Gallier, Charles William Craig, III
  • Patent number: 11486259
    Abstract: An engine component for a turbine engine comprising a wall defining an interior and having an outer surface over which flows the combustion airflow. The outer surface defining a first side and a second side extending between an upstream edge and a downstream edge and extending between a root and a tip. At least one cooling conduit provided in the interior and having conduit sidewalls; a set of cooling passages with at least one of the cooling passages in the set comprising: a first cooling passage portion having a surface outlet opening on the surface; a second cooling passage portion, intersecting the first cooling passage portion, and having an inlet fluidly coupled to the cooling conduit and an intermediate outlet fluidly connecting the second cooling passage portion to the first cooling passage at the intersection. The cooling passage comprising at least one fillet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Daniel Endecott Osgood, Kirk Douglas Gallier, Zachary Daniel Webster, Gregory Terrence Garay, Nicholas William Rathay, Daniel Lee Durstock
  • Publication number: 20220341339
    Abstract: A nozzle assembly for a gas turbine engine and methods for assembling a nozzle assembly are provided. In one example aspect, the nozzle assembly includes an outer wall and an inner wall radially spaced from the outer wall. The outer wall defines a plurality of mounting openings spaced circumferentially from one another. The inner wall defines a plurality of mounting openings spaced circumferentially from one another. The mounting openings defined by the inner wall are positioned circumferentially between adjacent mounting openings defined by the outer wall. The nozzle assembly includes vanes that are inserted through the mounting openings of the outer wall in a radially inward direction and vanes that are inserted through the mounting openings of the inner wall in a radially outward direction in an alternating manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: David Alan Frey, Jeffrey Douglas Rambo, Alexander Martin Sener, Kirk Douglas Gallier
  • Publication number: 20220333490
    Abstract: An airfoil for a turbine engine having a working airflow separated into a cooling airflow and a combustion airflow, the airfoil comprising a wall defining an interior and having an outer surface over which flows the combustion airflow, the outer surface defining a first side and a second side extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge to define a chord-wise direction; at least one cooling conduit located within the interior and fluidly coupled to the cooling airflow. A primary cooling passage having at least one inlet fluidly coupled to the at least one cooling conduit, a primary outlet on the outer surface. A passage connecting the at least one inlet to the primary outlet, the passage separated into a first portion and a second portion. The primary outlet spaced from the trailing edge a predetermined distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: Daniel Endecott Osgood, Kirk Douglas Gallier, Gregory Terrence Garay, Zachary Daniel Webster, Daniel Lee Durstock, Ricardo Caraballo
  • Patent number: 11441436
    Abstract: Flow path assemblies and methods for forming such flow path assemblies for gas turbine engines are provided. For example, a flow path assembly for a gas turbine engine has a boundary structure, an airfoil, and a locking feature. The boundary structure and the airfoil are formed from a composite material. The boundary structure defines an opening and a cutout proximate the opening, and the airfoil is sized to fit within the opening of the boundary structure. The locking feature is received within the cutout defined by the boundary structure to interlock the airfoil with the boundary structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Alan Frey, Kirk Douglas Gallier, Daniel Patrick Kerns, Brandon ALlanson Reynolds
  • Patent number: 11359494
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for an engine component for a turbine engine comprising an outer wall having an outer surface and bounding an interior, the outer wall defining a pressure side and a suction side, extending axially between a leading edge and a trailing edge to define a chord-wise direction, and extending radially between a root and a tip to define a span-wise direction, at least one cooling supply conduit provided in the interior, and at least one cooling passage fluidly coupling the at least one cooling supply conduit to the outer surface of the outer wall, the at least one cooling passage comprising an outlet opening onto the outer surface along the leading edge, an inlet fluidly coupled to the at least one cooling supply conduit, and a curved passage defining a curvilinear centerline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Daniel Endecott Osgood, Kirk Douglas Gallier, Daniel Lee Durstock, Zachary Daniel Webster, Gregory Terrence Garay
  • Patent number: 11352887
    Abstract: An airfoil for a gas turbine engine is provided that includes a first portion formed from a first plurality of plies of a ceramic matrix composite material and defining an inner surface of the airfoil, as well as a second portion formed from a second plurality of plies of a ceramic matrix composite material and defining an outer surface of the airfoil. The first portion and the second portion define a non-line of sight cooling aperture extending from the inner surface to the outer surface of the airfoil. In one embodiment, a surface angle that is less than 45° is defined between a second aperture and the outer surface. A method for forming an airfoil for a gas turbine engine also is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Kirk Douglas Gallier