Patents by Inventor Michael John Franks
Michael John Franks 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).
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Publication number: 20230265769Abstract: A shroud hanger assembly (30) or shroud assembly is provided for dimensionally incompatible components wherein the assembly includes a multi-piece hanger (32), for example having a forward hanger portion (34) and a rearward hanger portion (36). A cavity (46) is formed between the parts; wherein a shroud (50) may be positioned which is formed of a low coefficient of thermal expansion material. The hanger (32) and shroud (50) may be formed of the same material or differing materials in order to better match the thermal growth between the hanger and the shroud. When the shroud (50) is positioned within the hanger opening or cavity (46), one of the forward (34) and rearward hanger (36) portions may be press fit or otherwise connected into the other of the forward (34) and rearward (36) hanger portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2023Publication date: August 24, 2023Inventors: Jason David Shapiro, Jan Christopher Schilling, Michael John Franks
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Patent number: 11668207Abstract: A shroud hanger assembly or shroud assembly is provided for dimensionally incompatible components wherein the assembly includes a multi-piece hanger, for example having a forward hanger portion and a rearward hanger portion. A cavity is formed between the parts; wherein a shroud may be positioned which is formed of a low coefficient of thermal expansion material. The hanger and shroud may be formed of the same material or differing materials in order to better match the thermal growth between the hanger and the shroud. When the shroud is positioned within the hanger opening or cavity, one of the forward and rearward hanger portions may be press fit or otherwise connected into the other of the forward and rearward hanger portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2015Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jason David Shapiro, Jan Christopher Schilling, Michael John Franks
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Patent number: 10465558Abstract: A shroud hanger assembly or shroud assembly is provided for components which may be formed of materials having differing coefficient thermal expansion. The assembly includes a multi-piece hanger including a shroud positioned in a cavity between a first hanger portion and a second hanger portion. A shroud may be formed of a low coefficient of thermal expansion material which may have a differing coefficient thermal expansion than the material defining the shroud hanger. The shroud is deflected by an axial force acting between the hanger and the shroud which also forms a seal. The seal compensates for differing rates of thermal growth between the shroud and the hanger throughout the engine operating envelope.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2015Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jason David Shapiro, Michael John Franks, David Scott Stapleton
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Patent number: 10309244Abstract: A shroud and shroud hanger are provided wherein at least the shroud is formed of ceramic matrix composite material. The shroud and hanger extend in a circumferential direction. A generally C-shaped clip extends radially to retain the hanger and shroud together.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2014Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jason David Shapiro, Roger Lee Doughty, Michael John Franks
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Patent number: 10196937Abstract: A composite duct panel assembly is provided. The composite duct panel assembly includes a composite duct panel having a curved cross-section in a circumferential direction and a width based on the panel including a portion of a circumference of an annular bypass duct. In one embodiment, at least two adjacent corners of the panel are greater than 90°. In one embodiment, the panel includes a circumferential flange along a circumferential edge and an axial flange along an axial edge, and the assembly further includes a corner bracket coupled to the panel, the circumferential flange, and the axial flange. The corner bracket includes a flange corner having an approximate 90° angle, the flange corner extending the axial flange and the circumferential flange to an intersection at a corner of the panel.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2015Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: John Joseph Wunsch, Michael John Franks, Danielle Marie Greenfield, Michael Stephens Bodey, Randall Maurice Prather
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Patent number: 9726043Abstract: A shroud apparatus for a gas turbine engine includes: an annular metallic hanger; a shroud segment disposed inboard of the hanger, comprising low-ductility material and having a cross-sectional shape defined by opposed forward and aft walls, and opposed inner and outer walls, the walls extending between opposed first and second end faces, wherein the inner wall defines an arcuate inner flowpath surface; and a retainer mechanically coupled to the hanger which engages the shroud segment to retain the shroud segment to the hanger while permitting movement of the shroud segment in a radial direction.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2011Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Michael John Franks, Jason David Shapiro, Samuel Ross Rulli, Roger Lee Doughty
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Publication number: 20170198607Abstract: A shroud hanger assembly or shroud assembly is provided for dimensionally incompatible components wherein the assembly includes a multi-piece hanger, for example having a forward hanger portion and a rearward hanger portion. A cavity is formed between the parts; wherein a shroud may be positioned which is formed of a low coefficient of thermal expansion material. The hanger and shroud may be formed of the same material or differing materials in order to better match the thermal growth between the hanger and the shroud. When the shroud is positioned within the hanger opening or cavity, one of the forward and rearward hanger portions may be press fit or otherwise connected into the other of the forward and rearward hanger portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2015Publication date: July 13, 2017Inventors: Jason David SHAPIRO, Jan Christopher SCHILLING, Michael John FRANKS
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Publication number: 20170191448Abstract: A composite duct panel assembly is provided. The composite duct panel assembly includes a composite duct panel having a curved cross-section in a circumferential direction and a width based on the panel including a portion of a circumference of an annular bypass duct. In one embodiment, at least two adjacent corners of the panel are greater than 90°. In one embodiment, the panel includes a circumferential flange along a circumferential edge and an axial flange along an axial edge, and the assembly further includes a corner bracket coupled to the panel, the circumferential flange, and the axial flange. The corner bracket includes a flange corner having an approximate 90° angle, the flange corner extending the axial flange and the circumferential flange to an intersection at a corner of the panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2015Publication date: July 6, 2017Inventors: John Joseph Wunsch, Michael John Franks, Danielle Marie Greenfield, Michael Stephens Bodey, Randall Maurice Prather
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Publication number: 20170114670Abstract: A shroud hanger assembly or shroud assembly is provided for components which may be formed of materials having differing coefficient thermal expansion. The assembly includes a multi-piece hanger including a shroud positioned in a cavity between a first hanger portion and a second hanger portion. A shroud may be formed of a low coefficient of thermal expansion material which may have a differing coefficient thermal expansion than the material defining the shroud hanger. The shroud is deflected by an axial force acting between the hanger and the shroud which also forms a seal. The seal compensates for differing rates of thermal growth between the shroud and the hanger throughout the engine operating envelope.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2015Publication date: April 27, 2017Inventors: Jason David SHAPIRO, Michael John FRANKS, David Scott STAPLETON
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Publication number: 20160312639Abstract: A shroud and shroud hanger are provided wherein at least the shroud is formed of ceramic matrix composite material. The shroud and hanger extend in a circumferential direction. A generally C-shaped clip extends radially to retain the hanger and shroud together.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2014Publication date: October 27, 2016Inventors: Jason David SHAPIRO, Roger Lee DOUGHTY, Michael John FRANKS
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Patent number: 9175579Abstract: A shroud segment for a gas turbine engine, the shroud segment constructed from a composite material including reinforcing fibers embedded in a matrix, and having a cross-sectional shape defined by opposed forward and aft walls, and opposed inner and outer walls, the walls extending between opposed first and second end faces, wherein the inner wall defines an arcuate inner flowpath surface; and wherein a compound fillet is disposed at a junction between first and second ones of the walls, the compound fillet including first and second portions, the second portion having a concave curvature extending into the first one of the walls.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2012Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Michael John Franks, Jason David Shapiro, Samuel Ross Rulli, Roger Lee Doughty, Joshua Brian Jamison
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Publication number: 20130156550Abstract: A shroud apparatus for a gas turbine engine includes: an annular metallic hanger; a shroud segment disposed inboard of the hanger, comprising low-ductility material and having a cross-sectional shape defined by opposed forward and aft walls, and opposed inner and outer walls, the walls extending between opposed first and second end faces, wherein the inner wall defines an arcuate inner flowpath surface; and a retainer mechanically coupled to the hanger which engages the shroud segment to retain the shroud segment to the hanger while permitting movement of the shroud segment in a radial direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2011Publication date: June 20, 2013Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Michael John Franks, Jason David Shapiro, Samuel Ross Rulli, Roger Lee Doughty
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Publication number: 20130156556Abstract: A shroud segment for a gas turbine engine, the shroud segment constructed from a composite material including reinforcing fibers embedded in a matrix, and having a cross-sectional shape defined by opposed forward and aft walls, and opposed inner and outer walls, the walls extending between opposed first and second end faces, wherein the inner wall defines an arcuate inner flowpath surface; and wherein a compound fillet is disposed at a junction between first and second ones of the walls, the compound fillet including first and second portions, the second portion having a concave curvature extending into the first one of the walls.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2012Publication date: June 20, 2013Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Michael John Franks, Jason David Shapiro, Samuel Ross Rulli, Roger Lee Doughty, Joshua Brian Jamison
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Patent number: 8123463Abstract: A method of manufacturing a blade is provided. The method includes providing a plurality of first plies, each of the first plies sized to extend substantially the length of a span of the blade and providing a plurality of second plies, each of the second plies sized to extend only partially the length of the span of the blade. The method also includes layering the plurality of first plies and the plurality of second plies in a mold such that the plurality of second plies is interspersed throughout the plurality of first plies to spread apart the plurality of first plies to facilitate increasing a cross-sectional area of the blade and bonding the plurality of first plies to the plurality of second plies to facilitate forming a structural core of the blade.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2008Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Nicholas Joseph Kray, Tod Davis, Christopher Lee McAfee, Michael John Franks, Kevin Lee Kirkeng, David Crall
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Publication number: 20100028594Abstract: A method of manufacturing a blade is provided. The method includes providing a plurality of first plies, each of the first plies sized to extend substantially the length of a span of the blade and providing a plurality of second plies, each of the second plies sized to extend only partially the length of the span of the blade. The method also includes layering the plurality of first plies and the plurality of second plies in a mold such that the plurality of second plies is interspersed throughout the plurality of first plies to spread apart the plurality of first plies to facilitate increasing a cross-sectional area of the blade and bonding the plurality of first plies to the plurality of second plies to facilitate forming a structural core of the blade.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2008Publication date: February 4, 2010Inventors: Nicholas Joseph Kray, Tod Davis, Christopher Lee McAfee, Michael John Franks, Kevin Lee Kirkeng, David Crall