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: 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
  • Publication number: 20220128236
    Abstract: A seal assembly to seal a gas turbine hot gas path flow at an interface of a combustor liner and a downstream component, such as a stage one turbine nozzle, in a gas turbine. The seal assembly including a piston ring seal housing, defining a cavity, and a piston ring disposed within the cavity. The piston ring disposed circumferentially about the combustor liner. The piston ring is responsive to a regulated pressure to secure sealing engagement of the piston ring and outer surface of the combustor liner. The seal assembly includes at least one of one or more sectional through-slots, bumps or channel features to provide for a flow therethrough of a high-pressure (Phigh) bypass airflow exiting a compressor to the cavity. The high-pressure (Phigh) bypass airflow exerting a radial force on the piston ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2022
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Jinjie Shi, Robert Proctor, Jason Paul Hoppa, Stephen Gerard Schadewald, Christopher Edward Wolfe, Kirk Douglas Gallier
  • Patent number: 11306617
    Abstract: Shrouds and shroud segments for gas turbine engines are provided. In one embodiment, a shroud segment for a gas turbine engine having a rotor blade stage and a nozzle stage is provided. The shroud segment comprises a forward end defining an outer wall of the rotor blade stage and an aft end defining an outer wall of the nozzle stage. The aft end defines at least a portion of an opening therethrough for receipt of a nozzle, and the forward end and the aft end form a single, continuous component. In another embodiment, a gas turbine engine is provided, having a shroud with a forward end positioned near a leading edge of a plurality of rotor blades of a rotor blade stage and an aft end positioned near a trailing edge of a plurality of nozzles of a nozzle stage. Methods of assembling a gas turbine engine also are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kirk Douglas Gallier, Charles William Craig, III
  • Publication number: 20220090504
    Abstract: A rotor blade for a gas turbine engine includes a structural member formed from a metallic material. The structural member, in turn, includes a base portion, a spar, and a tip cap, with the base portion at least partially forming a root of the rotor blade and a shank of the rotor blade. Furthermore, the structural member includes a fairing formed from a composite material. The fairing is, in turn, coupled to the structural member such that the fairing forms at least a portion of an airfoil of the rotor blade and a platform of the rotor blade. Additionally, the fairing including a first fairing panel and a second fairing panel in contact with the first fairing panel at a first split line and a second split line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Matthew Mark Weaver, Kirk Douglas Gallier
  • Patent number: 11268394
    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 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Alan Frey, Jeffrey Douglas Rambo, Alexander Martin Sener, Kirk Douglas Gallier
  • Patent number: 11221140
    Abstract: A seal assembly to seal a gas turbine hot gas path flow at an interface of a combustor liner and a downstream component, such as a stage one turbine nozzle, in a gas turbine. The seal assembly including a piston ring seal housing, defining a cavity, and a piston ring disposed within the cavity. The piston ring disposed circumferentially about the combustor liner. The piston ring is responsive to a regulated pressure to secure sealing engagement of the piston ring and outer surface of the combustor liner. The seal assembly includes at least one of one or more sectional through-slots, bumps or channel features to provide for a flow therethrough of a high-pressure (Phigh) bypass airflow exiting a compressor to the cavity. The high-pressure (Phigh) bypass airflow exerting a radial force on the piston ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Jinjie Shi, Stephen Gerard Schadewald, Jason Paul Hoppa, Kirk Douglas Gallier, Christopher Edward Wolfe, Robert Proctor
  • Publication number: 20210285332
    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 13, 2020
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: David Alan Frey, Jeffrey Douglas Rambo, Alexander Martin Sener, Kirk Douglas Gallier
  • Patent number: 11085315
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of sealing for an engine component between two surfaces arranged in spaced relationship to define a gap. A groove located is located in one of the two surface for receiving a seal having a body with a multi-faceted cross-sectional shape defining multiple seal facets. At least one of the multiple seal facets contacts one or both of the two surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kirk Douglas Gallier, David Alan Frey
  • Patent number: 11047240
    Abstract: CMC components having microchannels and methods for forming microchannels in CMC components are provided. For example, a method for forming microchannels in a CMC component comprises laying up a plurality of body plies for forming a body of the CMC component; laying up a microchannel ply on the plurality of body plies that has at least one void therein for forming at least one microchannel; laying up a cover ply on the microchannel ply to define an outer layer of the CMC component; and processing the laid up body plies, microchannel ply, and cover ply to form the CMC component. In another embodiment, the method comprises applying an additive matrix to the body plies to define at least one microchannel. In still other embodiments, the method comprises machining at least one microchannel in the plurality of body plies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Alan Frey, Kirk Douglas Gallier, Herbert Chidsey Roberts
  • Patent number: 11021961
    Abstract: An aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a rotor assembly for a turbine engine. The rotor assembly includes an airfoil assembly and a hub to which the airfoil assembly is attached. A wall assembly defines a first cavity and a second cavity between the airfoil assembly and the hub. The first cavity and the second cavity are at least partially fluidly separated by the wall assembly. The first cavity is in fluid communication with a flow of first cooling fluid and the second cavity is in fluid communication with a flow of second cooling fluid different from the first cooling fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey Douglas Rambo, Kirk Douglas Gallier, Brandon Wayne Miller, Craig Alan Gonyou, Kevin Robert Feldmann, Justin Paul Smith
  • Patent number: 10934858
    Abstract: A turbine blade is described herein, the turbine blade including a blade root, a blade tip, and an airfoil extending between the blade root and the blade tip. The airfoil has opposite pressure and suction sides extending between a forward leading edge and an aft trailing edge of the airfoil, and a maximum thickness located between the leading edge and the trailing edge. The blade tip includes a winglet extending laterally outward from at least one of the pressure side and the suction side from a leading point between the leading edge and the maximum thickness aftward to a trailing point between the maximum thickness and the trailing edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Eric Joseph Schroeder, Paul Hadley Vitt, Timothy John Swenson, Kirk Douglas Gallier, Aspi Rustom Wadia
  • Publication number: 20210040859
    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: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: Daniel Endecott Osgood, Kirk Douglas Gallier, Daniel Lee Durstock, Zachary Daniel Webster, Gregory Terrence Garay
  • Publication number: 20210017907
    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: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Robert Charles Groves, II, Kirk Douglas Gallier, Charles William Craig, III
  • Publication number: 20210010380
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of sealing for an engine component between two surfaces arranged in spaced relationship to define a gap. A groove located is located in one of the two surface for receiving a seal having a body with a multi-faceted cross-sectional shape defining multiple seal facets. At least one of the multiple seal facets contacts one or both of the two surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Kirk Douglas Gallier, David Alan Frey
  • Publication number: 20200378268
    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: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: David Alan Frey, Kirk Douglas Gallier, Daniel Patrick Kerns, Brandon ALlanson Reynolds
  • Publication number: 20200332666
    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: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Kirk Douglas Gallier, Darrell Glenn Senile, John Calhoun
  • Publication number: 20200318831
    Abstract: A seal assembly to seal a gas turbine hot gas path flow at an interface of a combustor liner and a downstream component, such as a stage one turbine nozzle, in a gas turbine. The seal assembly including a piston ring seal housing, defining a cavity, and a piston ring disposed within the cavity. The piston ring disposed circumferentially about the combustor liner. The piston ring is responsive to a regulated pressure to secure sealing engagement of the piston ring and outer surface of the combustor liner. The seal assembly includes at least one of one or more sectional through-slots, bumps or channel features to provide for a flow therethrough of a high-pressure (Phigh) bypass airflow exiting a compressor to the cavity. The high-pressure (Phigh) bypass airflow exerting a radial force on the piston ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Inventors: Jinjie Shi, Stephen Gerard Schadewald, Jason Paul Hoppa, Kirk Douglas Gallier, Christopher Edward Wolfe, Robert Proctor
  • Patent number: 10794289
    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: August 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Charles Groves, II, Kirk Douglas Gallier, Charles William Craig, III
  • Patent number: 10746035
    Abstract: Flow path assemblies and methods for forming such flow path assemblies for gas turbine engines are provided. For example, a method for assembling an airfoil with a boundary structure to form a flow path assembly is provided. The method includes machining an opening into the boundary structure. The opening is sized to receive an airfoil or other component. The method also includes machining a cutout into the boundary structure proximate the opening. A locking feature is inserted into the cutout. When the airfoil is inserted into the opening, the locking feature interlocks the airfoil with the boundary structure. To seal the airfoil with the boundary structure, the airfoil is pressed against or into the boundary structure. When the airfoil is pressed, the locking feature is compressed such that a seal is formed between the airfoil and the boundary structure to seal the flow path assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Alan Frey, Kirk Douglas Gallier, Daniel Patrick Kerns, Brandon ALlanson Reynolds
  • Publication number: 20200182059
    Abstract: An aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a rotor assembly for a turbine engine. The rotor assembly includes an airfoil assembly and a hub to which the airfoil assembly is attached. A wall assembly defines a first cavity and a second cavity between the airfoil assembly and the hub. The first cavity and the second cavity are at least partially fluidly separated by the wall assembly. The first cavity is in fluid communication with a flow of first cooling fluid and the second cavity is in fluid communication with a flow of second cooling fluid different from the first cooling fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: Jeffrey Douglas Rambo, Kirk Douglas Gallier, Brandon Wayne Miller, Craig Alan Gonyou, Kevin Robert Feldmann, Justin Paul Smith