Patents by Inventor Kurt A. Kramer

Kurt A. Kramer 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: 20210132254
    Abstract: A system is provided with a measurement system having a light source, a light sensor, and a controller coupled to the light source and the light sensor. The controller is configured to determine a clearance between a rotor and a casing at least partially based on an interruption of light transmitted from the light source to the light sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Kurt Kramer Schleif, Andrew David Ellis
  • Publication number: 20210123814
    Abstract: Thermocouples for high temperature applications are provided. A thermocouple includes a vessel formed from a dielectric material, the vessel defining a first chamber and a second chamber, the first chamber and second chamber in fluid communication. The thermocouple further includes a first thermoelement disposed in the first chamber, the first thermoelement formed from a first thermoelectric material. The thermocouple further includes a second thermoelement disposed in the second chamber, the second thermoelement formed from a second thermoelectric material different from the first thermoelectric material, and wherein the second thermoelement is a liquid at operating conditions of the thermocouple.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Inventors: Kurt Kramer Schleif, Andrew David Ellis
  • Patent number: 10976220
    Abstract: A wireless sensor antenna system for a turbomachine including a rotating blade including a passive sensor is disclosed. The wireless sensor antenna system includes an antenna extending continuously along a circumferential interior surface of a casing of the turbomachine that surrounds the rotating blade. The antenna is configured to receive a return wireless signal from the passive sensor. A power transmission element extends along the at least portion of the circumferential interior surface of the casing to power the passive sensor by emitting an electromagnetic signal to power the passive sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kurt Kramer Schleif, Mario Joseph Arceneaux
  • Patent number: 10921113
    Abstract: A system is provided with a measurement system having a light source, a plurality of light sensors, and a controller coupled to the light source and the plurality of light sensors. The controller is configured to monitor one or more parameters between a rotor and a casing at least partially based on an interruption or a transmission of light from the light source to the plurality of light sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kurt Kramer Schleif, Andrew David Ellis
  • Patent number: 10908050
    Abstract: A method for determining an arrival-time of a rotor blade in a turbine engine that includes the steps of: having an RF reader attached to a stationary surface in the turbine engine; having an RF tag attached to a first region of the rotor blade; having a reference RF tag attached to a rotating structure near the RF tag; in relation to a first revolution of the rotor blade occurring during the operation of the turbine engine, collecting an arrival-time for each of the RF tag and the reference RF tag with the RF reader via an RF monitoring process; comparing the arrival-time of the RF tag to the arrival-time of the reference RF tag to determine an arrival-time test result for the first region of the rotor blade for the first revolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kurt Kramer Schleif, Michael Allen Ball, Mario Joseph Arceneaux, Andrew David Ellis, Vincent Carmona
  • Patent number: 10908049
    Abstract: A method for determining an arrival-time of a rotor blade that includes attaching an RF reader to a stationary surface and an RF tag to the rotor blade. Strength-of-signal data points are collected via an RF monitoring process that includes: emitting an RF signal from the RF reader; receiving the RF signal at the RF tag and emitting a return RF signal by the RF tag in response thereto; receiving the return RF signal at the RF reader; measuring a signal strength of the return RF signal as received by the RF reader; and determining the strength-of-signal data point as being equal to the measured signal strength. The RF monitoring process is repeated until multiple strength-of-signal data points are collected. A maximum strength-of-signal is determined from the multiple strength-of-signal data points, and the arrival-time for the rotor blade is determined as being a time that corresponds to the maximum strength-of-signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kurt Kramer Schleif, Michael Allen Ball, Mario Joseph Arceneaux, Andrew David Ellis, Vincent Carmona
  • Publication number: 20200392868
    Abstract: A casing for a turbomachine is disclosed. The casing includes a casing body including an interior surface and an exterior surface. At least one sensor is coupled relative to the interior surface of the body, the at least one sensor at most only partially extending through the body. A communications lead is operatively coupled to the at least one sensor, and extends circumferentially along the interior surface of the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventors: Kurt Kramer Schleif, Mario Joseph Arceneaux, Michael Allen Ball, Andrew David Ellis, Robert David Jones, Donald Shaw
  • Publication number: 20200392867
    Abstract: A mounting member for a sensor for a turbomachine having an axis is disclosed. The mounting member includes a body configured to mount to a portion of a circumferential interior surface of a casing of the turbomachine. An opening extends through a radially inner surface of the body, and is configured to position the sensor facing radially inward relative to the axis. A passage in the body extends longitudinally through the body to route a communications lead of the sensor circumferentially relative to the circumferential interior surface of the casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventors: Kurt Kramer Schleif, Robert David Jones, Michael Allen Ball, Andrew David Ellis, Mario Joseph Arceneaux, Donald Shaw
  • Publication number: 20200393328
    Abstract: A wireless sensor antenna system for a turbomachine including a rotating blade including a passive sensor is disclosed. The wireless sensor antenna system includes an antenna extending continuously along a circumferential interior surface of a casing of the turbomachine that surrounds the rotating blade. The antenna is configured to receive a return wireless signal from the passive sensor. A power transmission element extends along the at least portion of the circumferential interior surface of the casing to power the passive sensor by emitting an electromagnetic signal to power the passive sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventors: Kurt Kramer Schleif, Mario Joseph Arceneaux
  • Publication number: 20200391332
    Abstract: A mounting system for a tool for machining a half-shell casing of a turbomachine is disclosed. The mounting system includes a base frame including a mounting element configured to fixedly mount the base frame to the half-shell casing, wherein the base frame spans at least a portion of the half-shell casing. A tool mount includes a first end pivotally coupled to the base frame to pivot about a pivot axis that is substantially parallel relative to an axis of the half-shell casing, and a second end configured to couple to and position the tool for machining the half-shell casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventors: Kurt Kramer Schleif, Cale Brittain, Andrew David Ellis, Robert David Jones
  • Patent number: 10774680
    Abstract: An optical sensor for a rotating blade stage of a turbomachine is disclosed. The optical sensor includes a housing to be mounted relative to a circumferential interior surface of a casing of the turbomachine. Optical fiber(s) are operatively coupled to the housing for communicating: an optical signal for sending toward the rotating blade stage and a return optical signal reflected by the rotating blade stage, through the casing. An optical signal redirecting element is configured to redirect the optical signal from optical fiber(s) inwardly toward the rotating blade stage relative to the casing, and redirect the return optical signal reflected by the rotating blade stage into the at least one optical fiber. Optical fiber(s) have a longitudinal shape configured to follow the circumferential interior surface of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kurt Kramer Schleif, Michael Allen Ball, Andrew David Ellis
  • Publication number: 20200165934
    Abstract: A method for determining an arrival-time of a rotor blade that includes attaching an RF reader to a stationary surface and an RF tag to the rotor blade. Time-of-flight data points are collected via an RF monitoring process that includes: emitting an RF signal from the RF reader and recording a first time; receiving the RF signal at the RF tag and emitting a return RF signal by the RF tag in response thereto; receiving the return RF signal at the RF reader and recording a second time; and determining the time-of-flight data point as being the duration occurring between the first time and the second time. The RF monitoring process is repeated until multiple time-of-flight data points are collected. A minimum time-of-flight is determined from the multiple time-of-flight data points, and the arrival-time for the rotor blade is determined as being a time that corresponds to the minimum time-of-flight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kurt Kramer Schleif, Michael Allen Ball, Mario Joseph Arceneaux, Andrew David Ellis, Vincent Carmona
  • Publication number: 20200166431
    Abstract: A method for determining an arrival-time of a rotor blade that includes attaching an RF reader to a stationary surface and an RF tag to the rotor blade. Strength-of-signal data points are collected via an RF monitoring process that includes: emitting an RF signal from the RF reader; receiving the RF signal at the RF tag and emitting a return RF signal by the RF tag in response thereto; receiving the return RF signal at the RF reader; measuring a signal strength of the return RF signal as received by the RF reader; and determining the strength-of-signal data point as being equal to the measured signal strength. The RF monitoring process is repeated until multiple strength-of-signal data points are collected. A maximum strength-of-signal is determined from the multiple strength-of-signal data points, and the arrival-time for the rotor blade is determined as being a time that corresponds to the maximum strength-of-signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kurt Kramer Schleif, Michael Allen Ball, Mario Joseph Arceneaux, Andrew David Ellis, Vincent Carmona
  • Publication number: 20200166432
    Abstract: A method for determining an arrival-time of a rotor blade in a turbine engine that includes the steps of: having an RF reader attached to a stationary surface in the turbine engine; having an RF tag attached to a first region of the rotor blade; having a reference RF tag attached to a rotating structure near the RF tag; in relation to a first revolution of the rotor blade occurring during the operation of the turbine engine, collecting an arrival-time for each of the RF tag and the reference RF tag with the RF reader via an RF monitoring process; comparing the arrival-time of the RF tag to the arrival-time of the reference RF tag to determine an arrival-time test result for the first region of the rotor blade for the first revolution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kurt Kramer Schleif, Michael Allen Ball, Mario Joseph Arceneaux, Andrew David Ellis, Vincent Carmona
  • Patent number: 10641720
    Abstract: The present application thus provides a thermal barrier coating spallation detection system for a gas turbine. The thermal barrier coating spallation detection system may include a hot gas path component with a phosphor layer and a thermal barrier coating, a stimulant radiation source, and an optical device such that the optical device directs stimulant radiation at the thermal barrier coating and receives emission radiation. A change in the received emission radiation indicates spallation of the thermal barrier coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Andrew David Ellis, Kurt Kramer Schleif, Zachary John Snider
  • Publication number: 20190376411
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a blade monitoring system is provided. The blade monitoring system includes a processor. The processor is configured to receive a sensor signal from a sensor configured to observe a blade of the turbomachinery, and to derive a measurement based on a marking disposed on the blade of the turbomachinery, wherein the marking comprises a continuous feature. The processor is also configured to display the measurement to an operator of the turbomachinery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Inventors: Michael Allen Ball, Kurt Kramer Schleif
  • Publication number: 20190376410
    Abstract: Systems and methods include a blade monitoring system. The blade monitoring system includes a processor. The processor is configured to receive a sensor signal from a sensor configured to observe a blade of the turbomachinery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Inventors: Kurt Kramer Schleif, Michael Allen Ball
  • Publication number: 20190107499
    Abstract: The present application thus provides a thermal barrier coating spallation detection system for a gas turbine. The thermal barrier coating spallation detection system may include a hot gas path component with a phosphor layer and a thermal barrier coating, a stimulant radiation source, and an optical device such that the optical device directs stimulant radiation at the thermal barrier coating and receives emission radiation. A change in the received emission radiation indicates spallation of the thermal barrier coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Inventors: Andrew David Ellis, Kurt Kramer Schleif, Zachary John Snider
  • Patent number: 10207356
    Abstract: An extension arm for attachment to a resistance welding hand piece is disclosed. The extension arm may include an elongated main body extending between a first end and a second end. The first end of the elongated main body may be attachable to the hand piece such that the second end of the elongated main body is spaced apart from the hand piece. The extension arm also may include an electrode extending from the second end of the elongated main body. The electrode may be in electrical communication with the hand piece by way of at least one electrical pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Howard Syck, Kurt Kramer Schleif
  • Patent number: 10180079
    Abstract: Methods and systems for communicating a signal between a rotating antenna and a plurality of stationary antennae based on an axial displacement of the rotating antenna are provided. In one example, the method can include obtaining one or more measurements of an axial displacement of the rotating antenna from one or more axial displacement sensors. The method can further include determining a selected stationary antenna from the plurality of stationary antennae based at least in part on the measurements of an axial displacement of the rotating antenna. The method can further include activating the selected stationary antenna to communicate a signal with the rotating antenna. The method can further include communicating a signal between the rotating antenna and the selected stationary antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kurt Kramer Schleif, Donald W. Shaw