Patents by Inventor Michael F. Foster

Michael F. Foster 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).

  • Method of repairing a turbine blade
    Patent number: 6332272
    Abstract: A method for repairing a turbine blade (10) wherein the tip (16) of the blade is removed (41,43) and a replacement cap is attached by welding (49). The cap may consist of a plate (48) attached by welding and a squealer (54) formed by depositing weld material (52), as illustrated in FIG. 3. The plate and/or squealer may be formed from a material different from the material of the airfoil portion (42) of the blade in order to optimize the performance of the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignees: Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation, Chromalloy Gas Turbine Corporation
    Inventors: Zachary Sinnott, Kevin D. Smith, John E. Junkin, Kevin Updegrove, Michael F. Foster, Daniel Lovelace
  • Laser welding superalloy articles
    Patent number: 6054672
    Abstract: A process is provided for laser welding a nickel or cobalt based superalloy article to minimize cracking by preheating the entire weld area to a ductile temperature, maintaining such temperature during welding and solidification of the weld, with the welding utilizing a powder alloy feed and the speed of the laser controlled to less than 10 inches per minute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Chromalloy Gas Turbine Corporation
    Inventors: Michael F. Foster, Kevin J. Updegrove, Christopher A. Thurston, Dan L. Lovelace
  • Protective gas shroud for welding
    Patent number: 6037563
    Abstract: A protective gas shroud for welding is provided by: positioning an article into a chamber having an opening at the top to permit welding of the article; introducing argon into the body of the chamber to act as a protective gas shroud for the article during welding; introducing helium into the open top of the chamber to assist in maintaining a protective gas shroud around the article during welding; and welding the article within the protective gas shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Chromalloy Gas Turbine Corporation
    Inventors: Michael F. Foster, Thomas E. Knowles, Kevin Updegrove, Christopher A. Thurston
  • Methods for weld repairing hollow, air cooled turbine blades and vanes
    Patent number: 4726104
    Abstract: A mask particularly useful in the weld repair of air cooled gas turbine blades and vanes contains a mixture of ceramic particles in a liquid carrier. The mask is applied onto the surface of the blade or vane, and into the cooling holes. Following a sintering treatment, an inert, thermally stable, electrically nonconductive ceramic mask is produced, which is easily removed after welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1988
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Michael F. Foster, Thomas A. Ferguson