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).

  • Patent number: 11970946
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Travis J. Packer, James Hamilton Grooms, David Fasig, Richard William Jendrix, Scott Alan Schimmels, Bradford Alan Tracey, Michael Alan Hile, Thomas Ryan Wallace
  • Patent number: 11846209
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christophe Jude Day, Kenneth Edward Seitzer, Michael Alan Hile, Thomas Alan Wall, Carol Anne Venn, Anthony Paul Greenwood
  • Publication number: 20230038843
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Christophe Jude Day, Kenneth Edward Seitzer, Michael Alan Hile, Thomas Alan Wall, Carol Anne Venn, Anthony Paul Greenwood
  • Publication number: 20230035302
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: Travis J. Packer, James Hamilton Grooms, David Fasig, Richard William Jendrix, Scott Alan Schimmels, Bradford Alan Tracey, Michael Alan Hile, Thomas Ryan Wallace
  • Patent number: 11466582
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christophe Jude Day, Kenneth Edward Seitzer, Michael Alan Hile, Thomas Alan Wall, Carol Anne Venn, Anthony Paul Greenwood
  • Patent number: 10982564
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Inventors: Matthew Mark Weaver, Michael Alan Hile, Kathleen Elizabeth Albers
  • Publication number: 20210062664
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: Christophe Jude Day, Kenneth Edward Seitzer, Michael Alan Hile, Thomas Alan Wall, Carol Anne Venn, Anthony Paul Greenwood
  • Patent number: 10787920
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christophe Jude Day, Kenneth Edward Seitzer, Michael Alan Hile, Thomas Alan Wall, Carol Anne Venn, Anthony Paul Greenwood
  • Publication number: 20180230857
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Matthew Mark Weaver, Michael Alan Hile, Kathleen Elizabeth Albers
  • Publication number: 20180209284
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Inventors: Christophe Jude Day, Kenneth Edward Seitzer, Michael Alan Hile, Thomas Alan Wall, Carol Anne Venn, Anthony Paul Greenwood
  • Patent number: 9453422
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Alan Hile, Brian Agnew, James Hamilton Grooms, Richard William Jendrix
  • Publication number: 20160169033
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Matthew Mark Weaver, Michael Alan Hile, Kathleen Elizabeth Albers