Patents by Inventor Michael Alan Smith

Michael Alan Smith 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: 9943920
    Abstract: A method for electro-chemical machining (ECM) is provided. Methods may include providing an ECM machine including a controller and a fixture configured for positioning an electrode for ECM, positioning the fixture in a selected dovetail slot of a plurality of dovetail slots in a turbine wheel, the turbine wheel being positioned in-situ in a turbomachine, the fixture positioning the electrode for ECM of a portion of the selected dovetail slot, applying an electrolyte solution between the selected dovetail slot and the electrode, and removing material from the portion of the selected dovetail slot by applying an electric potential to the electrode to create a potential gradient between the electrode and the portion of the selected dovetail slot. The machining may be repeated for each dovetail slot of the turbine wheel in-situ in the turbomachine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Daryl Paul Capriotti, John William Herbold, James Bradford Holmes, Michael Alan Smith, Andrew Lee Trimmer
  • Publication number: 20160279722
    Abstract: A method for electro-chemical machining (ECM) is provided. Methods may include providing an ECM machine including a controller and a fixture configured for positioning an electrode for ECM, positioning the fixture in a selected dovetail slot of a plurality of dovetail slots in a turbine wheel, the turbine wheel being positioned in-situ in a turbomachine, the fixture positioning the electrode for ECM of a portion of the selected dovetail slot, applying an electrolyte solution between the selected dovetail slot and the electrode, and removing material from the portion of the selected dovetail slot by applying an electric potential to the electrode to create a potential gradient between the electrode and the portion of the selected dovetail slot. The machining may be repeated for each dovetail slot of the turbine wheel in-situ in the turbomachine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Daryl Paul Capriotti, John William Herbold, James Bradford Holmes, Michael Alan Smith, Andrew Lee Trimmer
  • Patent number: 7607668
    Abstract: A caster-camber plate assembly has a fastener plate including fastening members. A lower adjustment plate has a first side face positioned adjacent a first side face of the fastener plate such that fastening members of the fastening plate extend therethrough. The lower adjustment plate is moveable with respect to the fastener plate along first and second translation axes. An upper adjustment plate has a first side face thereof positioned adjacent a second side face of the lower adjustment plate with the fastening members extending therethrough. The upper adjustment plate and the lower adjustment plate are jointly configured for allowing the upper adjustment plate to be moveable with respect to the fastener plate along the second translation axis. A plate interlocking structure accommodates relative movement between the adjustment plates along the first translation axis and effectively inhibits relative movement between the adjustment plates along the second translation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Maximum Motorsports
    Inventors: Luka Dugandzic, Charles Glenn Schwynoch, John David Fabry, Michael Alan Smith
  • Publication number: 20080303233
    Abstract: A caster-camber plate assembly has a fastener plate including fastening members. A lower adjustment plate has a first side face positioned adjacent a first side face of the fastener plate such that fastening members of the fastening plate extend therethrough. The lower adjustment plate is moveable with respect to the fastener plate along first and second translation axes. An upper adjustment plate has a first side face thereof positioned adjacent a second side face of the lower adjustment plate with the fastening members extending therethrough. The upper adjustment plate and the lower adjustment plate are jointly configured for allowing the upper adjustment plate to be moveable with respect to the fastener plate along the second translation axis. A plate interlocking structure accommodates relative movement between the adjustment plates along the first translation axis and effectively inhibits relative movement between the adjustment plates along the second translation axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventors: Luka Dugandzic, Charles Glenn Schwynoch, John David Fabry, Michael Alan Smith