Patents by Inventor Michael Alan Hile
Michael Alan Hile 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: 11970946Abstract: A clearance control assembly for a gas turbine engine that defines an axial direction and a radial direction and includes a stage of rotor blades and a shroud hanger. The assembly includes a case configured to be positioned outward along the radial direction from the stage of rotor blades when installed in the gas turbine engine. The case is further configured to be engaged with the shroud hanger at a first location when installed in the gas turbine engine. The assembly also includes a baffle positioned outward along the radial direction from the case to define a chamber therebetween. The baffle has a forward end and an aft end. The forward end of the baffle is engaged with the case to form a first seal and the aft end of the baffle is engaged with the case to form a second seal. The baffle, the case, or both define an inlet to allow a fluid to enter the chamber and the case defines an outlet to allow the fluid to exit the chamber.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2021Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Travis J. Packer, James Hamilton Grooms, David Fasig, Richard William Jendrix, Scott Alan Schimmels, Bradford Alan Tracey, Michael Alan Hile, Thomas Ryan Wallace
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Patent number: 11846209Abstract: An apparatus and method for assembling an inducer assembly for inducing a rotation on an airflow passing within a turbine engine. The inducer assembly can provide a volume of fluid from a compressor section to a turbine section of the engine. The inducer assembly can include the combination of separate segments to form an annular inducer.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2022Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Christophe Jude Day, Kenneth Edward Seitzer, Michael Alan Hile, Thomas Alan Wall, Carol Anne Venn, Anthony Paul Greenwood
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Publication number: 20230038843Abstract: An apparatus and method for assembling an inducer assembly for inducing a rotation on an airflow passing within a turbine engine. The inducer assembly can provide a volume of fluid from a compressor section to a turbine section of the engine. The inducer assembly can include the combination of separate segments to form an annular inducer.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2022Publication date: February 9, 2023Inventors: Christophe Jude Day, Kenneth Edward Seitzer, Michael Alan Hile, Thomas Alan Wall, Carol Anne Venn, Anthony Paul Greenwood
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Publication number: 20230035302Abstract: A clearance control assembly for a gas turbine engine that defines an axial direction and a radial direction and includes a stage of rotor blades and a shroud hanger. The assembly includes a case configured to be positioned outward along the radial direction from the stage of rotor blades when installed in the gas turbine engine. The case is further configured to be engaged with the shroud hanger at a first location when installed in the gas turbine engine. The assembly also includes a baffle positioned outward along the radial direction from the case to define a chamber therebetween. The baffle has a forward end and an aft end. The forward end of the baffle is engaged with the case to form a first seal and the aft end of the baffle is engaged with the case to form a second seal. The baffle, the case, or both define an inlet to allow a fluid to enter the chamber and the case defines an outlet to allow the fluid to exit the chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2021Publication date: February 2, 2023Inventors: Travis J. Packer, James Hamilton Grooms, David Fasig, Richard William Jendrix, Scott Alan Schimmels, Bradford Alan Tracey, Michael Alan Hile, Thomas Ryan Wallace
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Patent number: 11466582Abstract: An apparatus and method for assembling an inducer assembly for inducing a rotation on an airflow passing within a turbine engine. The inducer assembly can provide a volume of fluid from a compressor section to a turbine section of the engine. The inducer assembly can include the combination of separate segments to form an annular inducer.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2020Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Christophe Jude Day, Kenneth Edward Seitzer, Michael Alan Hile, Thomas Alan Wall, Carol Anne Venn, Anthony Paul Greenwood
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Patent number: 10982564Abstract: An apparatus and system for mechanically connecting components are provided. The apparatus includes a mechanical connecting joint that includes a first joint member formed of a material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) value, the first joint member comprising a first sidewall, a second opposite sidewall, and a body extending therebetween. The mechanical connecting joint further includes a second joint member formed of a material having a second CTE value, the second CTE being less than the first CTE. The second joint member includes a first leg facing the first sidewall, a second leg facing the second sidewall, and a connecting member extending between the first leg and the second leg. A first gap is formed between the first joint member and the first leg and a second gap is formed between the first joint member and the second leg.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2018Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Inventors: Matthew Mark Weaver, Michael Alan Hile, Kathleen Elizabeth Albers
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Publication number: 20210062664Abstract: An apparatus and method for assembling an inducer assembly for inducing a rotation on an airflow passing within a turbine engine. The inducer assembly can provide a volume of fluid from a compressor section to a turbine section of the engine. The inducer assembly can include the combination of separate segments to form an annular inducer.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2020Publication date: March 4, 2021Inventors: Christophe Jude Day, Kenneth Edward Seitzer, Michael Alan Hile, Thomas Alan Wall, Carol Anne Venn, Anthony Paul Greenwood
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Patent number: 10787920Abstract: An apparatus and method for assembling an inducer assembly for inducing a rotation on an airflow passing within a turbine engine. The inducer assembly can provide a volume of fluid from a compressor section to a turbine section of the engine. The inducer assembly can include the combination of separate segments to form an annular inducer.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2016Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Christophe Jude Day, Kenneth Edward Seitzer, Michael Alan Hile, Thomas Alan Wall, Carol Anne Venn, Anthony Paul Greenwood
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Publication number: 20180230857Abstract: An apparatus and system for mechanically connecting components are provided. The apparatus includes a mechanical connecting joint that includes a first joint member formed of a material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) value, the first joint member comprising a first sidewall, a second opposite sidewall, and a body extending therebetween. The mechanical connecting joint further includes a second joint member formed of a material having a second CTE value, the second CTE being less than the first CTE. The second joint member includes a first leg facing the first sidewall, a second leg facing the second sidewall, and a connecting member extending between the first leg and the second leg. A first gap is formed between the first joint member and the first leg and a second gap is formed between the first joint member and the second leg.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2018Publication date: August 16, 2018Inventors: Matthew Mark Weaver, Michael Alan Hile, Kathleen Elizabeth Albers
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Publication number: 20180209284Abstract: An apparatus and method for assembling an inducer assembly for inducing a rotation on an airflow passing within a turbine engine. The inducer assembly can provide a volume of fluid from a compressor section to a turbine section of the engine. The inducer assembly can include the combination of separate segments to form an annular inducer.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2016Publication date: July 26, 2018Inventors: Christophe Jude Day, Kenneth Edward Seitzer, Michael Alan Hile, Thomas Alan Wall, Carol Anne Venn, Anthony Paul Greenwood
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Patent number: 9453422Abstract: A turbine disk and blade assembly comprises a turbine disk including a plurality of disk posts extending radially therefrom and a plurality of disk slots between adjacent disk posts. The turbine disk is of a first material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion. The assembly further comprises a plurality of turbine blades. One of the turbine blades is received in each disk slot. The turbine blades are of a second material having a second coefficient of thermal expansion. The assembly further comprises a plurality of seal plates, wherein one of the seal plates is positioned in each disk slot radially inward of the turbine blade. The seal plates are of a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion substantially similar to that of either the disk posts or the turbine blade.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2013Date of Patent: September 27, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Michael Alan Hile, Brian Agnew, James Hamilton Grooms, Richard William Jendrix
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Publication number: 20160169033Abstract: An apparatus and system for mechanically connecting components are provided. The apparatus includes a mechanical connecting joint that includes a first joint member formed of a material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) value, the first joint member comprising a first sidewall, a second opposite sidewall, and a body extending therebetween. The mechanical connecting joint further includes a second joint member formed of a material having a second CTE value, the second CTE being less than the first CTE. The second joint member includes a first leg facing the first sidewall, a second leg facing the second sidewall, and a connecting member extending between the first leg and the second leg. A first gap is formed between the first joint member and the first leg and a second gap is formed between the first joint member and the second leg.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2014Publication date: June 16, 2016Inventors: Matthew Mark Weaver, Michael Alan Hile, Kathleen Elizabeth Albers