Patents by Inventor Konrad Roman Weeber

Konrad Roman Weeber 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: 8141234
    Abstract: A method for magnetizing a rotor of an electrical machine is provided. The method includes assembling an array of non-magnetized anisotropic permanent magnet segments around a rotor spindle encased in a metallic ring. The method also includes determining multiple optimal magnetization orientation directions of the non-magnetized anisotropic permanent magnet segments. Further, the method includes positioning the assembled non-magnetized anisotropic permanent magnet segments around the rotor spindle such that the optimal magnetization orientation directions of the anisotropic permanent magnet segments are aligned with multiple flux lines produced by a magnetization fixture. Finally, the method includes energizing the magnetization fixture for magnetizing the segments via a pulse direct current for an optimal duration of the pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Charles Michael Stephens, Konrad Roman Weeber, Steven Joseph Galioto, Ralph James Carl, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20110315230
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel motor-compressor systems and methods useful for handling acid gas, by-produced produced in large quantities from natural gas refining. In one embodiment, a novel motor-compressor system comprises first compressor; a pressure vessel configured to receive a compressed gas from the first compressor; a heat exchanger coupled to the pressure vessel configured to cool the compressed gas and provide a cooled compressed gas; and an electric motor housed within the pressure vessel, wherein the electric motor is mechanically coupled to the first compressor, and wherein the pressure vessel is configured to receive at least a portion of the cooled compressed gas from the heat exchanger and contact the electric motor. The methods and systems described herein are particularly useful in acid gas re-injection operations where large quantities of acid gas are subjected to compression at high pressure and leakage prevention is critical.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Konrad Roman Weeber, Massimo Camatti
  • Publication number: 20110088249
    Abstract: A method for magnetizing a rotor of an electrical machine is provided. The method includes assembling an array of non-magnetized anisotropic permanent magnet segments around a rotor spindle encased in a metallic ring. The method also includes determining multiple optimal magnetization orientation directions of the non-magnetized anisotropic permanent magnet segments. Further, the method includes positioning the assembled non-magnetized anisotropic permanent magnet segments around the rotor spindle such that the optimal magnetization orientation directions of the anisotropic permanent magnet segments are aligned with multiple flux lines produced by a magnetization fixture. Finally, the method includes energizing the magnetization fixture for magnetizing the segments via a pulse direct current for an optimal duration of the pulse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Charles Michael Stephens, Konrad Roman Weeber, Steven Joseph Galioto, Ralph James Carl, JR.
  • Publication number: 20110049109
    Abstract: A process of forming an encapsulated magnet assembly is provided, the process comprising welding a second portion of a housing cover formed of a non-magnetic material to a first portion of a housing cover formed of a magnetic material to provide a welded housing cover and subsequently heat-treating the welded housing cover at a temperature effective to relieve weld stress; disposing a magnet within a housing comprising at least one wall formed of the non-magnetic material and defining at least one aperture; and welding the heat treated welded housing cover to the housing such that the second portion of the housing cover is fixedly attached to the housing wall to hermetically seal the aperture. In one embodiment, the magnet of the encapsulated magnet assembly is a permanent magnet, and in an alternate embodiment an electromagnet. In one embodiment the encapsulated magnet assembly is a component of a stator-rotor assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Konrad Roman Weeber, Jeremy Daniel Van Dam, Mohamed Ahmed Ali
  • Publication number: 20110043063
    Abstract: The present invention provides an encapsulated magnet assembly, comprising (a) a magnet disposed within a housing, said housing comprising at least one wall and defining at least one aperture; and (b) a housing cover; the housing cover comprising a first portion made of a magnetic material and a second portion made of a non-magnetic material, wherein the housing cover is configured to hermetically seal said aperture, the first portion being fixedly attached to the second portion wherein a point of attachment is heat treated; and wherein the housing wall is formed of the non-magnetic material and is fixedly attached to the second portion of the housing cover. In one embodiment, the magnet of the encapsulated magnet assembly is a permanent magnet, and in an alternate embodiment an electromagnet. In one embodiment the encapsulated magnet assembly is a component of a stator-rotor assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Konrad Roman Weeber, Jeremy Daniel Van Dam, Mohamed Ahmed Ali
  • Publication number: 20110023288
    Abstract: Rotor and stator assemblies that utilize magnetic bearings for supporting the rotor shaft during operation can be suitably used in corrosive environments, such as sour gas. The rotor and stator assemblies include NACE compliant magnetic bearing arrangements for sour gas applications. One embodiment includes a stator assembly that comprises a stator sleeve formed of a magnetic material, a sleeve extender coaxial to the stator sleeve formed of a non-magnetic material fixedly attached to each end of the stator sleeve, wherein a point of attachment is heat treated, and a wall formed of the non-magnetic material fixedly attached to the sleeve extender configured to hermetically house a stator and form the encapsulated stator assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Konrad Roman Weeber, Mohamed Ahmed Ali, Mohammad Ehteshami, Ravindra Gadangi, Ramgopal Thodla, Jeremy Daniel Van Dam
  • Publication number: 20100327537
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system including a motor comprising a rotor, a stator and a sealing assembly having at least one joint and a monolithic ceramic separator. Each joint of the sealing assembly is a chemical bond joint, and the monolithic ceramic separator is disposed in a gap between the rotor and the stator of the motor such that the sealing assembly hermetically isolates the rotor and the stator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Curtis Alan Johnson, Myles Standish Peterson, II, Jeremy Daniel Vandam, Timothy James Yosenick, Konrad Roman Weeber, John Russell Yagielski, Wayne Charles Hasz, Martin Mathew Morra
  • Patent number: 7847454
    Abstract: Rotor and stator assemblies that utilize magnetic bearings for supporting the rotor shaft during operation can be suitably used in corrosive environments, such as sour gas. The rotor and stator assemblies include NACE compliant magnetic bearing arrangements for sour gas applications. One embodiment includes a stator assembly that comprises a stator sleeve formed of a magnetic material, a sleeve extender coaxial to the stator sleeve formed of a non-magnetic material fixedly attached to each end of the stator sleeve, wherein a point of attachment is heat treated, and a wall formed of the non-magnetic material fixedly attached to the sleeve extender configured to hermetically house a stator and form the encapsulated stator assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Konrad Roman Weeber, Mohamed Ahmed Ali, Mohammad Ehteshami, Ravindra Gadangi, Ramgopal Thodla, Jeremy Daniel Van Dam
  • Patent number: 7811068
    Abstract: A compressor assembly for use in transporting natural gas is provided. The assembly includes a natural gas compressor comprising at least one stage of compression, a permanent magnet-type super-synchronous motor coupled to the natural gas compressor for powering said compressor, and a housing, the compressor positioned within the housing, and the compressor configured to facilitate increasing a pressure of natural gas being transmitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Konrad Roman Weeber, Christopher Anthony Kaminski, Yu Wang, James Michael Fogarty, Ralph James Carl, Jr., Charles Michael Stephens
  • Patent number: 7768173
    Abstract: A stator for an electrical machine includes teeth assembled from a plurality of stacked laminations mounted on a cylindrical protective surface thereby forming a plurality of slots. The stator also includes an armature winding assembled within the teeth by inserting components of the armature winding into the plurality of stator slots from positions external to the teeth in a manner that facilitates mitigating potential for coil distortion. The armature winding includes a plurality of coils that each include an end winding. The stator further includes a segmented yoke inserted around the armature winding in a manner that facilitates mitigating a potential for disturbing the end winding of the coils. Independently assembling the stator components in this manner facilitates varying a thickness and/or the number of heat conducting laminations between the yoke and teeth that subsequently facilitates heat transfer from the armature winding to an outer pressure casing of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christopher Anthony Kaminski, Blake Weldon Wilson, James Michael Fogarty, Emil Donald Jarczynski, John Russell Yagielski, Konrad Roman Weeber
  • Patent number: 7709988
    Abstract: An electrical machine to facilitate transporting fluids through a pipeline is provided. The electrical machine includes a rotor assembly that further includes an array of magnets configured to generate a distributed magnetic field. The rotor assembly has corrosion-resistant features that facilitates mitigating deleterious effects to the rotor assembly while being exposed to aggressive and harsh fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christopher Anthony Kaminski, Charles Michael Stephens, James Michael Fogarty, Jeremy Daniel Van Dam, John Russell Yagielski, Konrad Roman Weeber
  • Publication number: 20090309431
    Abstract: A stator for an electrical machine includes teeth assembled from a plurality of stacked laminations mounted on a cylindrical protective surface thereby forming a plurality of slots. The stator also includes an armature winding assembled within the teeth by inserting components of the armature winding into the plurality of stator slots from positions external to the teeth in a manner that facilitates mitigating potential for coil distortion. The armature winding includes a plurality of coils that each include an end winding. The stator further includes a segmented yoke inserted around the armature winding in a manner that facilitates mitigating a potential for disturbing the end winding of the coils. Independently assembling the stator components in this manner facilitates varying a thickness and/or the number of heat conducting laminations between the yoke and teeth that subsequently facilitates heat transfer from the armature winding to an outer pressure casing of the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: Christopher Anthony Kaminski, Blake Weldon Wilson, James Michael Fogarty, Emil Donald Jarczynski, John Russell Yagielski, Konrad Roman Weeber
  • Patent number: 7579724
    Abstract: A stator for an electrical machine includes teeth assembled from a plurality of stacked laminations mounted on a cylindrical protective surface thereby forming a plurality of slots. The stator also includes an armature winding assembled within the teeth by inserting components of the armature winding into the plurality of stator slots from positions external to the teeth in a manner that facilitates mitigating potential for coil distortion. The armature winding includes a plurality of coils that each include an end winding. The stator further includes a segmented yoke inserted around the armature winding in a manner that facilitates mitigating a potential for disturbing the end winding of the coils. Independently assembling the stator components in this manner facilitates varying a thickness and/or the number of heat conducting laminations between the yoke and teeth that subsequently facilitates heat transfer from the armature winding to an outer pressure casing of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christopher Anthony Kaminski, Blake Weldon Wilson, James Michael Fogarty, Emil Donald Jarczynski, John Russell Yagielski, Konrad Roman Weeber
  • Publication number: 20090113999
    Abstract: Test methods for testing rotor and stator assemblies that utilize magnetic bearings prior to installation. The test method generally includes operating the rotor and stator assembly prior to installation in a test atmosphere at a pressure greater than 2 bar. The test atmosphere can be formed of air, an inert gas, or an expanded cryogenic gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: William Dwight Gerstler, Mohamed Ahmed Ali, Bruce William Brisson, Mohammad Ehteshami, Ravindra Gadangi, Konrad Roman Weeber
  • Patent number: 7508101
    Abstract: An electrical machine to facilitate transporting fluids through a pipeline is provided. The machine includes a stator, a rotor magnetically coupled to the stator, and a housing enclosing the rotor and the stator. The housing includes a wall that facilitates channeling a first fluid at a first pressure through a portion of the housing. The machine also includes a stator enclosure defined by at least one wall that facilitates maintaining a second fluid within the stator enclosure. The stator enclosure is positioned within the electric machine housing. The stator enclosure has at least one wall that substantially isolates the second fluid from the first fluid such that only the second fluid is in flow communication with the stator. The stator enclosure has at least one wall that facilitates heat transfer from the second fluid to the first fluid. At least a portion of at least one of the stator enclosure walls is configured to facilitate equalizing the first pressure and the second pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christopher Anthony Kaminski, Blake Weldon Wilson, James Michael Fogarty, Emil Donald Jarczynski, William Dwight Gerstler, John Russell Yagielski, Konrad Roman Weeber
  • Publication number: 20090009012
    Abstract: A magnetizer for a rotor of an electrical machine is provided. The magnetizer includes a magnetizing yoke and coils wound around the magnetizing yoke. The magnetizing yoke includes multiple pole-pieces extending therefrom, and at least some of the pole-pieces include a cobalt alloy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Charles Michael Stephens, Christopher Anthony Kaminski, Konrad Roman Weeber, John Russell Yagielski
  • Patent number: 7466046
    Abstract: A method of operating a high speed machine, wherein the method includes providing at least one heteropolar generator that includes a stator, a rotor, and at least one stationary superconducting field coil therein. The method also includes coupling at least one cryogenic refrigeration system to the at least one stationary superconducting field coil, wherein the at least one cryogenic refrigeration system is coupled in flow communication with only the at least one stationary superconducting field coils to facilitate reducing an operating temperature of the at least one stationary superconducting field coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Konrad Roman Weeber, Kiruba Sivasubramaniam
  • Publication number: 20080219834
    Abstract: Rotor and stator assemblies that utilize magnetic bearings for supporting the rotor shaft during operation can be suitably used in corrosive environments, such as sour gas. The rotor and stator assemblies include NACE compliant magnetic bearing arrangements for sour gas applications. In one embodiment, a rotor shaft assembly for a magnetic bearing arrangement comprises a rotor shaft formed of a ferromagnetic material comprising a plurality of rotor laminations disposed on the rotor shaft; and a barrier layer formed on selected exposed surfaces of the rotor shaft, wherein the barrier layer is effective to resist corrosion relative to the surface without the barrier layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Glen David Merfeld, Mohamed Ahmed Ali, Bruce William Brisson, Mohammad Ehteshami, Ravindra Gadangi, William Dwight Gerstler, Eugenio Giorni, Patricia Chapman Irwin, Ramgopal Thodla, Jeremy Daniel Van Dam, Konrad Roman Weeber
  • Publication number: 20080218008
    Abstract: Rotor and stator assemblies that utilize magnetic bearings for supporting the rotor shall during operation can be suitably used in corrosive environments, such as sour gas. The rotor and stator assemblies include NACE compliant magnetic bearing arrangements for sour gas applications. One embodiment includes the use of barrier layers disposed on selected exposed surfaces of the rotor shaft assembly and/or stator assembly. Also disclosed are processes for forming encapsulated stators that exhibit improved corrosion resistance, as well as corrosion resistant materials for backup bearing races and landing sleeves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Farshad Ghasripoor, Mohamed Ahmed Ali, Bruce William Brisson, Mohammad Ehteshami, William Dwight Gerstler, Patricia Chapman Irwin, Vasanth Srinivasa Kothnur, Ramgopal Thodla, Jeremy Daniel Van Dam, Konrad Roman Weeber
  • Publication number: 20080218015
    Abstract: Rotor and stator assemblies that utilize magnetic bearings for supporting the rotor shaft during operation can be suitably used in corrosive environments, such as sour gas. The rotor and stator assemblies include NACE compliant magnetic bearing arrangements for sour gas applications. One embodiment includes a stator assembly that comprises a stator sleeve formed of a magnetic material, a sleeve extender coaxial to the stator sleeve formed of a non-magnetic material fixedly attached to each end of the stator sleeve, wherein a point of attachment is heat treated, and a wall formed of the non-magnetic material fixedly attached to the sleeve extender configured to hermetically house a stator and form the encapsulated stator assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Konrad Roman Weeber, Mohamed Ahmed Ali, Mohammad Ehteshami, Ravindra Gadangi, Ramgopal Thodla, Jeremy Daniel Van Dam