Patents by Inventor Kristan B. Sears

Kristan B. Sears 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).

  • Systems and apparatus relating to steam turbine operation
    Patent number: 8425180
    Abstract: A steam turbine power plant that includes a first steam turbine, the steam turbine power plant including: a thrust piston operably connected to the first steam turbine via a shaft; and means for applying a supply of pressurized steam against the thrust piston such that the thrust piston applies a desired thrust force to the shaft. The desired thrust force may comprise a thrust force that partially balances a thrust force the first steam turbine applies to the shaft during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kristan B. Sears, Michael J. Bowman, John R. Powers
  • SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS RELATING TO STEAM TURBINE OPERATION
    Publication number: 20110158790
    Abstract: A steam turbine power plant that includes a first steam turbine, the steam turbine power plant including: a thrust piston operably connected to the first steam turbine via a shaft; and means for applying a supply of pressurized steam against the thrust piston such that the thrust piston applies a desired thrust force to the shaft. The desired thrust force may comprise a thrust force that partially balances a thrust force the first steam turbine applies to the shaft during operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventors: Kristan B. Sears, Michael J. Bowman, John R. Powers