Patents by Inventor Kirk G. O'Brien

Kirk G. O'Brien 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).

  • Publication number: 20070288295
    Abstract: A method and system for determining asset reliability is provided. The method includes receiving a request to evaluate a component from a requester. The component includes at least a portion of the asset that is operated by the requester. The method also includes acquiring current and historical component-specific data for the component and identifying factors from the current and historical component-specific data. The factors reflect events, the occurrence of which are known to have an effect on asset health. The method further includes determining a component-specific value for the component by applying the factors to a fleet-wide value assigned to a component class to which the component belongs. The method also includes presenting the component-specific value to the requester. The component-specific value is indicative of a potential event with respect to the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Kirk G. O'Brien, Robert Nold
  • Patent number: 5382856
    Abstract: A collector terminal and hydrogen seal assembly for insertion within a radial hole in a generator rotor and connectable to a conductor bar located within an axial bore formed in the rotor, the seal assembly comprising a substantially cylindrical terminal stud portion having threaded upper and lower sections and a smooth intermediate section; insulation wrapped about the intermediate section; a spacer block located between the seal elements and defining an annular space surrounding the insulation; and a conduit in the terminal stud adapted to introduce compressed air from outside the generator rotor to the annular space for testing the integrity of the seal elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Assignee: General Electric Co.
    Inventors: Richard J. Keck, Kirk G. O'Brien, Michael J. Bigelow
  • Patent number: 5065059
    Abstract: A high start/stop cyclic capability connector to interconnect the field coil poles in a rotating electric machine. The connector includes a U-shaped intermediate portion with parallel jaws which include extensions perpendicular to the faces of the jaws a distance significantly greater than the width of the jaws, and with connecting pads configured for matching connection to the field coils and orienting the connector such that start/stop inertial forces are applied in the radial direction which causes circumferential flexure of the connector, and flexure due to thermal cycling is in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1991
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Steven L. Adams, William L. Bird, Humphrey W. Chow, Kirk G. O'Brien, Paul C. Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 5039896
    Abstract: An improved connector for the main field coil of a rotating electric machine having high start/stop cyclic duty capability. The connector is generally L-shaped with the field coil connection portion being parallel to the axis of the machine and the centrifugal forces of the start/stop cycles being applied perpendicular to the field coil connection portion. Enlarged connection portions integral with the L-shaped central region are configured for connection to the field coil and a terminal including a cylindrical post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1991
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Steven L. Adams, William L. Bird, Humphrey W. Chow, Kirk G. O'Brien, Paul C. Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 4948996
    Abstract: Cooling means are provided for directly cooling the bore bus bars which connect a direct current exciter such as a bore pack exciter to the field of an electric power generator. Two bore bus bars are separated by an insulating sheet have a circular cross section, and are surrounded by an insulating cylinder. The bore bus bars include an axially extending slot adjacent the insulation to form passageways through which cooling gas flows to directly cool the bus bars and pass through the generator to the cooling unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1990
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James B. Archibald, Paul C. Rasmussen, Kirk G. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 4390806
    Abstract: A rotor for a large dynamoelectric machine possesses abrasion prevention material between certain of the laminations in the rotor winding. In particular, while the rotor windings may generally be wound in a series-connected fashion, the use of adjacent parallel winding conductors requires the use of an abrasion prevention material disposed between adjacently lying parallel-connected conductors. The use of this material eliminates copper galling and the undesirable formation of copper particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1983
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kirk G. O'Brien, John A. DeBrita