Patents by Inventor Michael J. Labbe

Michael J. Labbe 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: 8437628
    Abstract: A process for heat treating selected portions of an integrally bladed rotor (IBR) having a plurality of blades, the process using an IBR on a fixture having a rotor engaging portion that moves the IBR into an environmental chamber. An IR heater is placed on one of the IBR blades and heat treated after air has been removed from the chamber and an inert gas is added. The IR heater is lifted from the blade and indexed to position another blade on the IBR. The process is repeated until all the IBR blades are heat treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Wangen Lin, James J. Moor, Thomas DeMichael, Herbert A. Chin, Melissa R. Hill, Michael J. Labbe
  • Patent number: 8141249
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for heat treating the welded area of a repaired gas turbine engine component uses first and second heating elements. The heating elements each include an insulating tube supported by a support rod and wrapped with a conducing wire. One of the heating elements is sized to fit inside a recess in the gas turbine engine component, adjacent to the welded area, while the second heating element is placed outside the recess, but also adjacent to the welded area, thereby heating the welded area from two sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas DeMichael, Michael J. Labbe, Steven R. Bissell
  • Patent number: 7977611
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing localized heat treatment of metal components are provided. In this regard, a representative method includes: identifying a portion of a metal component to which localized heat treatment is to be performed; shielding an area in a vicinity of the portion of the metal component; and directing electromagnetic energy in the infrared (IR) spectrum toward the portion of the metal component such that the portion is heated to a desired temperature and such that the area in the vicinity of the portion that is subjected to shielding does not heat to the temperature desired for the heat treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas DeMichael, Michael J. Labbe
  • Publication number: 20090094832
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for heat treating the welded area of a repaired gas turbine engine component uses first and second heating elements. The heating elements each include an insulating tube supported by a support rod and wrapped with a conducing wire. One of the heating elements is sized to fit inside a recess in the gas turbine engine component, adjacent to the welded area, while the second heating element is placed outside the recess, but also adjacent to the welded area, thereby heating the welded area from two sides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas DeMichael, Michael J. Labbe, Steven R. Bissell
  • Publication number: 20090020523
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing localized heat treatment of metal components are provided. In this regard, a representative method includes: identifying a portion of a metal component to which localized heat treatment is to be performed; shielding an area in a vicinity of the portion of the metal component; and directing electromagnetic energy in the infrared (IR) spectrum toward the portion of the metal component such that the portion is heated to a desired temperature and such that the area in the vicinity of the portion that is subjected to shielding does not heat to the temperature desired for the heat treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORP.
    Inventors: Thomas DeMichael, Michael J. Labbe