Patents by Inventor Nicholas Simon Graham

Nicholas Simon Graham 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: 10030734
    Abstract: A load coupling device for a power train including: a rotatable shaft; a first flange on a first end of the shaft, wherein the first flange is adapted to couple to a first rotating shaft of at a torque producing turbine or a torque driven electrical generator; a second flange on an opposite end of the shaft, wherein the shaft is adapted to couple to a second rotating shaft of the other of the turbine and the generator, and an annular ring extending radially outward from the first flange, wherein the mass of the annular ring is selected to shift a torsional natural frequency of the power train away from an operational condition of the power train. Trim masses may be added to make fine adjustments to the torsional natural frequency of the power train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Nicholas Simon Graham, Raymond Andrew Vincent, George Kaliope, Paul Stukenborg
  • Patent number: 9518610
    Abstract: Load couplings, power trains, and methods for adjusting torsional natural frequencies of power trains are provided. In one embodiment, a load coupling includes a first flange, a second flange, and a shaft extending between the first flange and the second flange. The load coupling further includes an annular ring extending radially outward from one of the first flange, the second flange, or the shaft, the annular ring including a plurality of bore holes defined therein, each of the plurality of bore holes including a first opening. The load coupling further includes a first cap connected within one of the plurality of bore holes proximate the first opening, the first cap deformable such that an interference fit is created with the one of the plurality of bore holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Raymond Andrew Vincent, Nicholas Simon Graham, John Herbert Dimmick, Richard Francis Gutta
  • Patent number: 9145923
    Abstract: A load coupling for adjusting torsional natural frequency of a power train includes a first flange having a plurality of annularly arranged connecting holes, a second flange having a plurality of annularly arranged connecting holes and a shaft that extends between the first flange and the second flange. A threaded bore hole is defined within one of the first flange or the second flange radially outward from the plurality of connecting holes. A first threaded plug is seated within the threaded bore hole. The first threaded plug includes a turning end that is axially separated from a contact end. A second threaded plug is seated within the threaded bore hole. The second threaded plug includes a turning end that is axially separated from a contact end. The contact end of the first threaded plug is axially loaded against the contact end of the second threaded plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Nicholas Simon Graham, Raymond Andrew Vincent, Roberto Anthony Nunez, William Patrick Giffin
  • Publication number: 20150010347
    Abstract: A load coupling for adjusting torsional natural frequency of a power train includes a first flange having a plurality of annularly arranged connecting holes, a second flange having a plurality of annularly arranged connecting holes and a shaft that extends between the first flange and the second flange. A threaded bore hole is defined within one of the first flange or the second flange radially outward from the plurality of connecting holes. A first threaded plug is seated within the threaded bore hole. The first threaded plug includes a turning end that is axially separated from a contact end. A second threaded plug is seated within the threaded bore hole. The second threaded plug includes a turning end that is axially separated from a contact end. The contact end of the first threaded plug is axially loaded against the contact end of the second threaded plug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Nicholas Simon Graham, Raymond Andrew Vincent, Roberto Anthony Nunez, William Patrick Giffin
  • Publication number: 20140356047
    Abstract: Load couplings, power trains, and methods for adjusting torsional natural frequencies of power trains are provided. In one embodiment, a load coupling includes a first flange, a second flange, and a shaft extending between the first flange and the second flange. The load coupling further includes an annular ring extending radially outward from one of the first flange, the second flange, or the shaft, the annular ring including a plurality of bore holes defined therein, each of the plurality of bore holes including a first opening. The load coupling further includes a first cap connected within one of the plurality of bore holes proximate the first opening, the first cap deformable such that an interference fit is created with the one of the plurality of bore holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Raymond Andrew Vincent, Nicholas Simon Graham, John Herbert Dimmick, Richard Francis Gutta
  • Publication number: 20140251074
    Abstract: A load coupling device for a power train including: a rotatable shaft; a first flange on a first end of the shaft, wherein the first flange is adapted to couple to a first rotating shaft of at a torque producing turbine or a torque driven electrical generator; a second flange on an opposite end of the shaft, wherein the shaft is adapted to couple to a second rotating shaft of the other of the turbine and the generator, and an annular ring extending radially outward from the first flange, wherein the mass of the annular ring is selected to shift a torsional natural frequency of the power train away from an operational condition of the power train. Trim masses may be added to make fine adjustments to the torsional natural frequency of the power train.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Nicholas Simon Graham, Raymond Andrew Vincent, George Kaliope, Paul Stukenborg
  • Patent number: 8732927
    Abstract: A load coupling device for a power train including: a rotatable shaft; a first flange on a first end of the shaft, wherein the first flange is adapted to couple to a first rotating shaft of at a torque producing turbine or a torque driven electrical generator; a second flange on an opposite end of the shaft, wherein the shaft is adapted to couple to a second rotating shaft of the other of the turbine and the generator, and an annular ring extending radially outward from the first flange, wherein the mass of the annular ring is selected to shift a torsional natural frequency of the power train away from an operational condition of the power train. Trim masses may be added to make fine adjustments to the torsional natural frequency of the power train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Nicholas Simon Graham, Raymond Andrew Vincent, George Kaliope, Paul Stukenborg
  • Patent number: 8434964
    Abstract: A coupling includes a first portion configured for connection to a first shaft and having a first portion flange and a second portion configured for connection to a second shaft and having a second portion flange. The coupling also includes an isolating member disposed between the first portion flange and the second portion flange and that is formed of ceramic and electrically isolates the first portion from the second portion. The coupling also includes one or more connecting members passing through the first portion flange, the second portion flange, and the isolating member and holding the first portion flange and the second portion flange in a fixed relationship to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Nicholas Simon Graham, Ronald Ralph Cairo, Thomas Joseph Farineau, William Patrick Rusch
  • Publication number: 20130071180
    Abstract: A load coupling device for a power train including: a rotatable shaft; a first flange on a first end of the shaft, wherein the first flange is adapted to couple to a first rotating shaft of at a torque producing turbine or a torque driven electrical generator; a second flange on an opposite end of the shaft, wherein the shaft is adapted to couple to a second rotating shaft of the other of the turbine and the generator, and an annular ring extending radially outward from the first flange, wherein the mass of the annular ring is selected to shift a torsional natural frequency of the power train away from an operational condition of the power train. Trim masses may be added to make fine adjustments to the torsional natural frequency of the power train.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Nicholas Simon GRAHAM, Raymond Andrew Vincent, George Kaliope, Paul Stukenborg
  • Publication number: 20120241279
    Abstract: A load coupling for transmitting a torque load between a first shaft and a second shaft is disclosed. The load coupling may generally include a first shaft segment configured to be fixedly attached to the first shaft and a second shaft segment configured to be fixedly attached to the second shaft. The second shaft segment may be frictionally fit within the first shaft segment such that a frictional interface is defined between the first and second shaft segments. Additionally, the frictional interface may be configured such that the first and second shaft segments rotationally disengage when the torque load exceeds a torque threshold and rotationally reengage when the torque load is reduced to or below the torque threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Nicholas Simon Graham, Paul Stephen DiMascio, David Vincent Bucci
  • Publication number: 20110311304
    Abstract: A coupling includes a first portion configured for connection to a first shaft and having a first portion flange and a second portion configured for connection to a second shaft and having a second portion flange. The coupling also includes an isolating member disposed between the first portion flange and the second portion flange and that is formed of ceramic and electrically isolates the first portion from the second portion. The coupling also includes one or more connecting members passing through the first portion flange, the second portion flange, and the isolating member and holding the first portion flange and the second portion flange in a fixed relationship to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Nicholas Simon Graham, Ronald Ralph Cairo, Thomas Joseph Farineau, William Patrick Rusch
  • Publication number: 20110311305
    Abstract: A transfer device includes a first portion having a first portion flange and a second portion having a second portion flange. The device also includes one or more isolating members disposed at least partially within the second portion flange and at least partially between the first portion flange and the second portion flange, the one or more isolating members electrically isolating the first portion from the second portion. The device also includes a fastener passing through one of the one or more isolating members, the first portion flange and the second portion flange and holding the first portion flange and the second portion flange in a fixed relationship to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Ronald Ralph Cairo, Nicholas Simon Graham
  • Patent number: 8006983
    Abstract: A method for assembling a seal assembly is provided. The method includes coupling a first ring within a vessel, coupling a second ring within the vessel, and coupling a first seal layer between the first ring and the second ring such that the first seal layer contacts at least the first ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Steven Craig Russell, Nicholas Simon Graham, Kelsey Elizabeth Beach, James Michael Storey
  • Patent number: 7827651
    Abstract: A quick-release paint roller having a roller cover that can be removed from a handle assembly without requiring the user to apply a force directly to the roller cover. The paint roller includes a tube-shaped roller cover having an outer surface of paint absorbing material and a rotatably mounted roller core. When the actuator is in the release position, the roller mounting device is free of the latching mechanism, thus permitting the roller core and roller cover to be removed from the handle assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Zibra, LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Simon Graham, Michael James Marchese, III, Michael Patrick Duffy, Edward Reynolds
  • Publication number: 20090166975
    Abstract: A method for assembling a seal assembly is provided. The method includes coupling a first ring within a vessel, coupling a second ring within the vessel, and coupling a first seal layer between the first ring and the second ring such that the first seal layer contacts at least the first ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Steven Craig Russell, Nicholas Simon Graham, Kelsey Elizabeth Beach, James Michael Storey
  • Publication number: 20080276400
    Abstract: A quick-release paint roller having a roller cover that can be removed from a handle assembly without requiring the user to apply a force directly to the roller cover. The paint roller includes a tube-shaped roller cover having an outer surface of paint absorbing material and a rotatably mounted roller core. When the actuator is in the release position, the roller mounting device is free of the latching mechanism, thus permitting the roller core and roller cover to be removed from the handle assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: Zibra, LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Simon Graham, Michael James Marchese, III, Michael Patrick Duffy, Edward Reynolds