Patents by Inventor Lester E. Cole

Lester E. Cole 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: 5540547
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for damping the vibrations of circumferentially extending and generally cantilevered tubing segments of a cooling manifold of a gas turbine engine which is disposed in a generally concentric relationship with and attached to an annular engine casing. The vibration damping means comprises a plurality of clip elements, with each clip element being attached to a pair of axially adjacent ones of the tubing segments at a location proximate free ends of the tubing segments which engage an axially extending manifold plenum in slip joint connections. Each clip element comprises first and second arcuate retainers connected by an arcuate spacer section which establishes the proper axial spacing between the retainers. At least one of the retainers engages the corresponding tubing segments in an interference fit, with each retainer establishing an interference fit in a preferred embodiment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Lester E. Cole