Patents by Inventor Lee Alan Blanton
Lee Alan Blanton 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).
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Patent number: 8449260Abstract: Composite load-bearing rotating rings suitable for use in fan sections of gas turbine engines, and processes for their fabrication. Such a ring has at least a first portion defining an integral abutment surface adapted to abut and retain hardware of a rotating machine, at least a second portion defining an integral flange adapted to secure the ring to a support structure of the rotating machine, and an insert. Each of the first and second portions and the insert contains a polymer matrix material and a fibrous reinforcement material, and the fibrous reinforcement material within the insert is oriented predominantly in a circumferential direction of the ring for carrying both circumferential and radial loads during rotation of the ring.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2009Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ming Xie, Scott Francis Neis, Steven Todd Slusher, Lee Alan Blanton
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Patent number: 8333558Abstract: A containment case comprises a composite core, with an inner surface, and at least one ceramic layer integrated with the composite core. The at least one ceramic layer is bonded to the inner surface of the composite core with a resin. In another embodiment, a containment case comprises a composite core, with an inner surface, and a hybrid material comprising at least one ceramic material and at least one non-ceramic material. The hybrid material is disposed on the inner surface of the composite core. The hybrid material is bonded to the inner surface of the composite core with a resin. A method of fabricating a containment case includes the steps of disposing one or more layers of ceramic fabric on an inner surface of a composite core, infusing the composite core and the one or more layers of ceramic fabric with resin, and curing the resin.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2008Date of Patent: December 18, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Scott Roger Finn, Deepali Bhate, Curt Brian Curtis, Stephen Mark Whiteker, Qi Zhu, Lee Alan Blanton, Edward Atwood Rainous
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Publication number: 20120312924Abstract: A leading edge structure for use in an aerospace vehicle includes a body having a flowpath surface which defines a leading edge adapted to face an air flow during operation, and an opposed inner surface. The body is segmented into a plurality of portions having varying thermal properties and/or mechanical discontinuities, so as to promote stress concentrations in ice attached to the flowpath surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2012Publication date: December 13, 2012Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Edward Atwood Rainous, Barry Lynn Allmon, Jeffre Gerry Loewe, William Clarke Brooks, Lee Alan Blanton, Courtney James Tudor, Vicky Showalter Budinger
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Patent number: 8245981Abstract: A leading edge structure for use in an aerospace vehicle includes a body having a flowpath surface which defines a leading edge adapted to face an air flow during operation, and an opposed inner surface. The body is segmented into a plurality of portions having varying thermal properties and/or mechanical discontinuities, so as to promote stress concentrations in ice attached to the flowpath surface.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2008Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Edward Atwood Rainous, Barry Lynn Allmon, Jeffre Gerry Loewe, William Clarke Brooks, Lee Alan Blanton, Courtney James Tudor, Vicky Showalter Budinger
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Patent number: 8079773Abstract: A method facilitates assembling a turbine engine casing. A first casing section is positioned radially outward from a turbine engine. The first casing includes a first flange having an outer end portion, an inner end portion, and a body therebetween. At least a portion of the outer end portion has a partial frusto-conical cross-sectional profile. A second casing section including a second flange is positioned adjacent the first casing section such that a mating surface of the second flange is positioned substantially flush against a first flange mating surface. Each respective mating surface is opposite a respective load-bearing surface. A fastener is inserted through an opening in the first and second flanges to couple casing sections together such that a portion of a load-bearing surface extending over the first flange outer end portion facilitates distributing loading induced therein substantially equally across the load bearing surface.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2005Date of Patent: December 20, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Lee Alan Blanton
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Patent number: 7992823Abstract: A leading edge structure for use in an aerospace vehicle includes a body having a flowpath surface which defines a leading edge adapted to face an air flow during operation; and a metallic icephobic plating comprising nickel applied to at least a portion of the flowpath surface.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2008Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Edward Atwood Rainous, Barry Lynn Allmon, Jeffre Gerry Loewe, William Clarke Brooks, Lee Alan Blanton, Courtney James Tudor, Vicky Showalter Budinger
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Publication number: 20110103726Abstract: Composite load-bearing rotating rings suitable for use in fan sections of gas turbine engines, and processes for their fabrication. Such a ring has at least a first portion defining an integral abutment surface adapted to abut and retain hardware of a rotating machine, at least a second portion defining an integral flange adapted to secure the ring to a support structure of the rotating machine, and an insert. Each of the first and second portions and the insert contains a polymer matrix material and a fibrous reinforcement material, and the fibrous reinforcement material within the insert is oriented predominantly in a circumferential direction of the ring for carrying both circumferential and radial loads during rotation of the ring.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2009Publication date: May 5, 2011Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Ming (NMN) Xie, Scott Francis Neis, Steven Todd Slusher, Lee Alan Blanton
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Patent number: 7867566Abstract: A method for fabricating a reinforced matrix composite comprising the step of providing a composite preform having a fibrous structure and applying matrix material onto the preform in locations along the preform. A barrier material is applied to at least a portion of the coated preform to direct the flow of matrix material into the preform. The composite preform is heated to a temperature sufficient to render the matrix material viscous and insufficient to cure the matrix material. The pressure to the interior of the composite preform is reduced, while the pressure to the barrier material is increased. The temperature is maintained to flow the matrix material into the composite preform and to force gases from the fibrous structure. The composite preform is then cured and cooled to form a reinforced matrix composite having a low void content and a substantially uniform matrix distribution.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2007Date of Patent: January 11, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Lee Alan Blanton, Gregory Joseph Meibers, Robert Paul Fairbanks, Stephen Mark Whiteker, Richard Thomas Price, Matthew Bernard Buczek, Warren Rosal Ronk
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Patent number: 7749927Abstract: Tethered flange corners including at least one ply of barrier fibers and at least one fiber tow wrapped about the barrier fibers. Also included are flanges having a tethered corner containing at least one ply of barrier fibers, at least one fiber tow wrapped about the barrier fibers, at least one ply of filler fibers applied over the fiber tow, and at least one ply of flange fibers applied over the filler fibers. Additionally included are articles incorporating a composite structure having a flange with a tethered corner containing at least one ply of barrier fibers and at least one fiber tow wrapped about the barrier fibers.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2006Date of Patent: July 6, 2010Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Lee Alan Blanton, Curt Brian Curtis, Frank Worthoff
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Publication number: 20090272850Abstract: A leading edge structure for use in an aerospace vehicle includes a body having a flowpath surface which defines a leading edge adapted to face an air flow during operation, and an opposed inner surface. The body is segmented into a plurality of portions having varying thermal properties and/or mechanical discontinuities, so as to promote stress concentrations in ice attached to the flowpath surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2008Publication date: November 5, 2009Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Edward Atwood Rainous, Barry Lynn Allmon, Jeffre Gerry Loewe, William Clarke Brooks, Lee Alan Blanton, Courtney James Tudor, Vicky Showalter Budinger
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Publication number: 20090272095Abstract: A leading edge structure for use in an aerospace vehicle includes a body having a flowpath surface which defines a leading edge adapted to face an air flow during operation; and a metallic icephobic plating comprising nickel applied to at least a portion of the flowpath surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2008Publication date: November 5, 2009Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Edward Atwood Rainous, Barry Lynn Allmon, Jeffre Gerry Loewe, William Clarke Brooks, Lee Alan Blanton, Courtney James Tudor, Vicky Showalter Budinger
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Publication number: 20090226310Abstract: A containment case comprises a composite core, with an inner surface, and at least one ceramic layer integrated with the composite core. The at least one ceramic layer is bonded to the inner surface of the composite core with a resin. In another embodiment, a containment case comprises a composite core, with an inner surface, and a hybrid material comprising at least one ceramic material and at least one non-ceramic material. The hybrid material is disposed on the inner surface of the composite core. The hybrid material is bonded to the inner surface of the composite core with a resin. A method of fabricating a containment case includes the steps of disposing one or more layers of ceramic fabric on an inner surface of a composite core, infusing the composite core and the one or more layers of ceramic fabric with resin, and curing the resin.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2008Publication date: September 10, 2009Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Scott Roger Finn, Deepali Bhate, Curt Brian Curtis, Stephen Mark Whiteker, Qi Zhu, Lee Alan Blanton, Edward Atwood Rainous
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Publication number: 20090142496Abstract: A method for fabricating a reinforced matrix composite comprising the step of providing a composite preform having a fibrous structure and applying matrix material onto the preform in locations along the preform. A barrier material is applied to at least a portion of the coated preform to direct the flow of matrix material into the preform. The composite preform is heated to a temperature sufficient to render the matrix material viscous and insufficient to cure the matrix material. The pressure to the interior of the composite preform is reduced, while the pressure to the barrier material is increased. The temperature is maintained to flow the matrix material into the composite preform and to force gases from the fibrous structure. The composite preform is then cured and cooled to form a reinforced matrix composite having a low void content and a substantially uniform matrix distribution.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2007Publication date: June 4, 2009Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Lee Alan Blanton, Gregory Joseph Meibers, Robert Paul Fairbanks, Stephen Mark Whiteker, Richard Thomas Price, Matthew Bernard Buczek, Warren Rosal Ronk
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Patent number: 7431978Abstract: A reinforced matrix composite containment duct for gas turbine engines comprising a reinforced matrix composite containment duct having high strength integral flanges and pre-stressed reinforcing fibers, the reinforced matrix composite having uniform distribution of matrix material; and the reinforced matrix composite having less than or equal to 2.5% void space.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2004Date of Patent: October 7, 2008Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Lee Alan Blanton, Gregory Joseph Meibers, Robert Paul Fairbanks, Stephen Mark Whiteker, Richard Thomas Price, Warren Rosal Ronk
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Publication number: 20080156419Abstract: Continuous debulking methods involving providing a spool of fabric, heating the fabric to produce a heated fabric while concurrently transferring the heated fabric to a composite structure forming tool, wrapping the heated fabric about the composite structure forming tool, applying resin to the heated fabric to obtain a resin rich fabric surface, applying a subsequent ply of heated fabric to the resin rich fabric surface to obtain an impregnated composite material, and debulking and cooling the impregnated composite to obtain a composite structure preform.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2006Publication date: July 3, 2008Inventors: Lee Alan Blanton, Curt Brian Curtis, David Scott Miller, Robert Paul Fairbanks
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Publication number: 20080160122Abstract: Continuous debulking systems including in combination a spool for providing a fabric, a heating apparatus for heating the fabric as the fabric is unrolled from the spool to produce a heated fabric, a composite structure forming tool for wrapping the heated fabric thereabout, a resin applicator for applying resin to the heated fabric as the heated fabric is wrapped about the composite structure forming tool to produce a resin rich fabric surface to which a subsequent ply of heated fabric is applied to produce an impregnated composite material, and a pressure roller for concurrently debulking and cooling the impregnated composite material to produce a composite structure preform.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2006Publication date: July 3, 2008Inventors: Lee Alan Blanton, Curt Brian Curtis, David Scott Miller, Robert Paul Fairbanks
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Publication number: 20080160314Abstract: Tethered flange comers including at least one ply of barrier fibers and at least one fiber tow wrapped about the barrier fibers. Also included are flanges having a tethered corner containing at least one ply of barrier fibers, at least one fiber tow wrapped about the barrier fibers, at least one ply of filler fibers applied over the fiber tow, and at least one ply of flange fibers applied over the filler fibers. Additionally included are articles incorporating a composite structure having a flange with a tethered corner containing at least one ply of barrier fibers and at least one fiber tow wrapped about the barrier fibers.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2006Publication date: July 3, 2008Inventors: Lee Alan Blanton, Curt Brian Curtis, Frank Worthoff
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Publication number: 20080157418Abstract: Methods for fabricating a composite structure with a flange having a tethered corner involving providing a composite structure forming tool including a first endplate and a second endplate and having a composite structure formed thereabout, applying at least one ply of barrier fibers about the composite structure adjacent to the first endplate of the composite structure forming tool, and wrapping at least one fiber tow about the barrier fibers.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2006Publication date: July 3, 2008Inventors: Lee Alan Blanton, Curt Brian Curtis, Frank Worthoff
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Publication number: 20080152853Abstract: A method for fabricating a turbine engine composite containment casing is provided. The method comprising impregnating a plurality of fiber-reinforced layers with a resin to form a preform, heating the preform to a first temperature, applying a vacuum to the preform, varying an amount of pressure applied to the preform when the temperature reaches the first temperature, heating the preform from the first temperature to a second temperature at a first temperature rate, and heating the preform from the second temperature to a third temperature at a second temperature rate to facilitate curing of the preform.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2006Publication date: June 26, 2008Inventors: Lee Alan Blanton, Stephen Mark Whiteker, Matthew Bernard Buczek, Warren Ronk, Curt Brian Curtis, David Scott Miller
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Publication number: 20080116334Abstract: Methods for fabricating a composite structure having at least one mounting flange involving providing a composite structure forming tool having a first endplate and a second endplate, fabricating a composite structure preform about the tool, the composite structure preform having at least one mounting flange preform circumferentially oriented thereabout, placing at least one extended flange shoe having a first side and a second side circumferentially about the composite structure preform so that the first side lies adjacent to the first endplate, removeably coupling the first endplate to the first extended flange shoe, placing at least one flange shoe circumferentially about the composite structure preform adjacent to the second end of the extended flange shoe, removeably coupling the flange shoe to the extended flange shoe to form a cavity about the mounting flange preform, and curing the composite structure preform having the at least one mounting flange preform to obtain a composite structure having at leaType: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2006Publication date: May 22, 2008Inventors: Ming Xie, Lee Alan Blanton, Curt Brian Curtis, Lori Renee McGrath, Paul Edward Wilkerson