Patents by Inventor Michael Edward Eriksen
Michael Edward Eriksen 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).
-
Publication number: 20240076998Abstract: A turbine system includes a foam generating assembly having an in situ foam generating device at least partially positioned within the fluid passageway of the turbine engine, such that the in situ foam generating device is configured to generate foam within the fluid passageway of the turbine engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2023Publication date: March 7, 2024Inventors: Ambarish Jayant Kulkarni, Byron Andrew Pritchard, Bernard Patrick Bewlay, Michael Edward Eriksen, Nicole Jessica Tibbetts
-
Publication number: 20240011413Abstract: A method of repairing a component of a gas turbine engine in situ, wherein the component includes a deposit, includes directing a flow of gas, which may be an oxygen-containing gas, to the deposit of the component; and heating the component including the deposit while the component is installed in the gas turbine engine and for a duration sufficient to substantially remove the deposit.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2023Publication date: January 11, 2024Inventors: Michael Robert Millheam, Andrew Crispin Graham, Byron Andrew Pritchard, JR., David Scott Diwinsky, Jeremy Clyde Bailey, Michael Edward Eriksen, Ambarish Jayant Kulkarni
-
Patent number: 11702955Abstract: A method of repairing a component of a gas turbine engine in situ, wherein the component includes a deposit, includes directing a flow of gas, which may be an oxygen-containing gas, to the deposit of the component; and heating the component including the deposit while the component is installed in the gas turbine engine and for a duration sufficient to substantially remove the deposit.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2020Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignees: General Electric Company, Oliver Crispin Robotics LimitedInventors: Michael Robert Millhaem, Andrew Crispin Graham, Byron Andrew Pritchard, Jr., David Scott Diwinsky, Jeremy Clyde Bailey, Michael Edward Eriksen, Ambarish Jayant Kulkarni
-
Patent number: 11702956Abstract: A turbine system includes a foam generating assembly having an in situ foam generating device at least partially positioned within the fluid passageway of the turbine engine, such that the in situ foam generating device is configured to generate foam within the fluid passageway of the turbine engine.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2020Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ambarish Jayant Kulkarni, Byron Andrew Pritchard, Jr., Bernard Patrick Bewlay, Michael Edward Eriksen, Nicole Jessica Tibbetts
-
Patent number: 11591928Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure include a meta-stable detergent based foam generating device of a turbine cleaning system includes a manifold configured to receive a liquid detergent and an expansion gas, a gas supply source configured to store the expansion gas, and one or more aerators fluidly coupled with, and between, the gas supply source and the manifold. Each aerator of the one or more aerators comprises an orifice through which the expansion gas enters the manifold, and wherein the orifice of each aerator is sized to enable generation of a meta-stable detergent based foam having bubbles with bubble diameters within a range of 10 microns (3.9×10?4 inches inches) and 5 millimeters (0.2 inches), having a half-life within a range of 5 minutes and 180 minutes, or a combination thereof.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2020Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ambarish Jayant Kulkarni, Bernard Patrick Bewlay, Byron Andrew Pritchard, Jr., Nicole Jessica Tibbetts, Michael Edward Eriksen, Stephen Wilton
-
Patent number: 11415019Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure include a meta-stable detergent based foam generating device of a turbine cleaning system includes a manifold configured to receive a liquid detergent and an expansion gas, a gas supply source configured to store the expansion gas, and one or more aerators fluidly coupled with, and between, the gas supply source and the manifold. Each aerator of the one or more aerators comprises an orifice through which the expansion gas enters the manifold, and wherein the orifice of each aerator is sized to enable generation of a meta-stable detergent based foam having bubbles with bubble diameters within a range of 10 microns (3.9×10?4 inches) and 5 millimeters (0.2 inches), having a half-life within a range of 5 minutes and 180 minutes, or a combination thereof.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2015Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Ambarish Jayant Kulkarni, Bernard Patrick Bewlay, Byron Andrew Pritchard, Jr., Nicole Jessica Tibbetts, Michael Edward Eriksen, Stephen Wilton
-
Publication number: 20220252010Abstract: Systems and methods for removing heat are provided. For example, a system comprises a support apparatus and a cooling apparatus, including a suction device for forcing air through a gas turbine engine, disposed on the support apparatus, which is moveable with respect to the engine to position the cooling apparatus in contact with an engine exhaust. A nozzle in operative communication with the suction device may force air through the engine. Further, the support apparatus may comprise a lift device, an angle adjustment mechanism, and a nozzle support element disposed on a longitudinal slide rail for adjusting a height, an angle, and a longitudinal position of the nozzle. A method of removing heat from a gas turbine engine after shutdown comprises positioning a cooling apparatus adjacent an exhaust; sealing the cooling apparatus to the exhaust; and operating a suction device of the cooling apparatus to move air through the engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2021Publication date: August 11, 2022Inventors: Michael Robert Millhaem, Byron Andrew Pritchard, JR., Michael Edward Eriksen
-
Patent number: 11313246Abstract: A wash system for a gas turbine engine includes a core turning assembly having a motor configured to be mechanically coupled to the gas turbine engine. The rotor of the core turning assembly is further configured to rotate one or more components of a compressor section or a turbine section of the gas turbine engine at a rotational speed greater than two (2) revolutions per minute and less than five hundred (500) revolutions per minute during washing operations of the gas turbine engine.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2016Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Michael Edward Eriksen, Ethan Patrick O'Connor
-
Publication number: 20220056812Abstract: A method for cleaning components of a gas turbine engine is presented. The method includes introducing a working fluid into a gas flow path or a cooling circuit defined by the one or more components of the gas turbine engine such that the working fluid impinges upon a surface of the one or more components of the gas turbine engine, wherein the working fluid includes a plurality of detergent droplets entrained in a flow of steam. A system for cleaning components of a gas turbine engine are also presented.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2021Publication date: February 24, 2022Inventors: Ambarish Jayant Kulkarni, Bernard Patrick Bewlay, Byron Andrew Pritchard, JR., Nicole Jessica Tibbetts, Michael Edward Eriksen, Eric John Telfeyan
-
Patent number: 11174751Abstract: A method for cleaning components of a gas turbine engine is presented. The method includes introducing a working fluid into a gas flow path or a cooling circuit defined by the one or more components of the gas turbine engine such that the working fluid impinges upon a surface of the one or more components of the gas turbine engine, wherein the working fluid includes a plurality of detergent droplets entrained in a flow of steam. A system for cleaning components of a gas turbine engine are also presented.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2017Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ambarish Jayant Kulkarni, Bernard Patrick Bewlay, Byron Andrew Pritchard, Jr., Nicole Jessica Tibbetts, Michael Edward Eriksen, Eric John Telfeyan
-
Publication number: 20210254499Abstract: A turbine system includes a foam generating assembly having an in situ foam generating device at least partially positioned within the fluid passageway of the turbine engine, such that the in situ foam generating device is configured to generate foam within the fluid passageway of the turbine engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2020Publication date: August 19, 2021Inventors: Ambarish Jayant Kulkarni, Byron Andrew Pritchard, Jr., Bernard Patrick Bewlay, Michael Edward Eriksen, Nicole Jessica Tibbetts
-
Patent number: 11053813Abstract: A turbine engine cleaning system includes a foam generator configured to generate foam, from a liquid detergent, to clean a turbine engine. The turbine engine cleaning system also includes an effluent capture and detergent regeneration sub-system having an inlet configured to receive an effluent from the turbine engine, processing components configured to process the effluent to regenerate a liquid detergent, and an outlet fluidly coupled with the foam generator to enable transport of the liquid detergent from the effluent capture and detergent regeneration sub-system to the foam generator.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2017Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Nicole Jessica Tibbetts, Rob Ray Anthony, Brian William Pfeiffer, Michael Edward Eriksen, Keith Anthony Lauria, Bernard Patrick Bewlay, Ambarish Jayant Kulkarni
-
Patent number: 11028727Abstract: A turbine engine cleaning system includes a foaming nozzle. The foaming nozzle includes a wall having a thickness between an outer surface of the wall and an inner surface of the wall. The outer surface of the wall is configured to contact a detergent in which the foaming nozzle is configured to be disposed. The inner surface of the wall surrounds an inner plenum of the foaming nozzle, and the inner plenum is configured to receive an aerating gas. The foaming nozzle also includes a first row of first through holes fluidly coupled to, and extending between, a first row of first through hole inlets at the inner surface of the wall and a first row of first through hole outlets at the outer surface of the wall.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2017Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ambarish Jayant Kulkarni, Keith Anthony Lauria, Michael Edward Eriksen, Nicole Jessica Tibbetts, Bernard Patrick Bewlay, Byron Andrew Pritchard, Jr., Shantanu M. Sane
-
Patent number: 10871082Abstract: A turbine system includes a foam generating assembly having an in situ foam generating device at least partially positioned within the fluid passageway of the turbine engine, such that the in situ foam generating device is configured to generate foam within the fluid passageway of the turbine engine.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2018Date of Patent: December 22, 2020Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Ambarish Jayant Kulkarni, Byron Andrew Pritchard, Jr., Bernard Patrick Bewlay, Michael Edward Eriksen, Nicole Jessica Tibbetts
-
Patent number: 10807738Abstract: One example aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a method for enhancing a maintenance operation routine. The method includes receiving, at one or more processors, engine history data. The method includes comparing, at the one or more processors, the received engine history data to expected engine history data. The method includes determining, at the one or more processors, an expected effectiveness of a plurality of maintenance operation types based on the comparison. The method includes selecting, at the one or more processors, one of the plurality of maintenance operation types based on the determinations. The method includes transmitting, at the one or more processors, a signal indicative of a notification of the selected maintenance operation type.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2017Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: David Geoffrey Dauenhauer, Ronald Matthew DiMuro, Peter Andrew Flynn, Michael Edward Eriksen
-
Publication number: 20200248583Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure include a meta-stable detergent based foam generating device of a turbine cleaning system includes a manifold configured to receive a liquid detergent and an expansion gas, a gas supply source configured to store the expansion gas, and one or more aerators fluidly coupled with, and between, the gas supply source and the manifold. Each aerator of the one or more aerators comprises an orifice through which the expansion gas enters the manifold, and wherein the orifice of each aerator is sized to enable generation of a meta-stable detergent based foam having bubbles with bubble diameters within a range of 10 microns (3.9×10?4 inches inches) and 5 millimeters (0.2 inches), having a half-life within a range of 5 minutes and 180 minutes, or a combination thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2020Publication date: August 6, 2020Inventors: Ambarish Jayant Kulkarni, Bernard Patrick Bewlay, Byron Andrew Pritchard, JR., Nicole Jessica Tibbetts, Michael Edward Eriksen, Stephen Wilton
-
Patent number: 10731508Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems of generating flows of detergent through a turbine engine to effectuate cleaning of components thereof. The methods include introducing a foamed, acid-including detergent with a pH range of between 2 and 7 into a gas flowpath of the turbine engine. The methods also include creating a pressure differential in an aft portion of the gas flowpath with respect to a forward portion of the gas flowpath to generate a flow of the detergent therethrough. The methods further include creating a pressure differential in a forward portion of the gas flowpath with respect to an aft portion of the gas flowpath to generate a counterflow of the detergent therethrough. The flow and counterflow of the detergent through the gas flowpath interact with components of the turbine engine having foreign material thereon to at least partially remove the foreign material therefrom.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2017Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Nicole Jessica Tibbetts, Bernard Patrick Bewlay, Ambarish Jayant Kulkarni, Byron Andrew Pritchard, Jr., Keith Anthony Lauria, Michael Edward Eriksen
-
Publication number: 20200224552Abstract: A method of repairing a component of a gas turbine engine in situ, wherein the component includes a deposit, includes directing a flow of gas, which may be an oxygen-containing gas, to the deposit of the component; and heating the component including the deposit while the component is installed in the gas turbine engine and for a duration sufficient to substantially remove the deposit.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2020Publication date: July 16, 2020Inventors: Michael Robert Millhaem, Andrew Crispin Graham, Byron Andrew Pritchard, JR., David Scott Diwinsky, Jeremy Clyde Bailey, Michael Edward Eriksen, Ambarish Jayant Kulkarni
-
Patent number: 10428683Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method for in-situ cleaning one or more components of a gas turbine engine using an abrasive gel detergent. More specifically, the gel detergent includes a plurality of abrasive particles suspended in a gel composition. Further, the abrasive particles include organic material. Moreover, the gel composition is formed of a mixture of detergent particles dissolved in a gel reactant. Thus, the method includes injecting the gel detergent into at least a portion of the gas turbine engine at a predetermined pressure. In addition, the method includes allowing the gel detergent to flow across or within one or more of the components of the gas turbine engine so as to clean one or more of the components.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2016Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Michael Edward Eriksen, David E. Caldwell, Nicole Jessica Tibbetts, Ambarish Jayant Kulkarni, Byron Andrew Pritchard, Jr.
-
Patent number: 10385723Abstract: A system and method for cleaning an installed gas turbine engine is provided. The system may include a controller on an engine core, wherein the engine core defines a primary gas path and includes at least one airfoil extending into the primary gas path. The method may include initiating a cleaning program and directing a cleaning fluid toward the engine core in response to the initiation of the cleaning program. The method may further include initiating delivery of the cleaning fluid as a non-vaporized liquid within the primary gas path to the engine core.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2016Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Peter Andrew Flynn, Michael Edward Eriksen, Lloyd Eric Rawson