Patents by Inventor Nirm Velumylum Nirmalan

Nirm Velumylum Nirmalan 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: 10697317
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine having an optical imaging system with a housing configured for mounting to a wall of the turbine engine, a hollow probe extending from the housing and having a longitudinal axis, and an image receiving device at an end of the hollow probe configured to receive at least one of a perspective or image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jeremy Clyde Bailey, Nirm Velumylum Nirmalan, Mohamed Sakami, Christopher Dale Mathias, Guanghua Wang, Ronald W. Ferree, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10533901
    Abstract: An imaging system includes a sight tube extending along a longitudinal axis of the imaging system and configured to extend through an access port. The sight tube includes a wall extending about the longitudinal axis and defining a cavity. The imaging system also includes a plurality of cooling channels extending through the sight tube. The plurality of cooling channels are configured to direct cooling fluid through the sight tube for cooling the imaging system. The plurality of cooling channels are formed in the sight tube such that at least one cooling channel of the plurality of cooling channels extends in a direction oblique to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Guanghua Wang, Nirm Velumylum Nirmalan, Mohamed Sakami, Thomas Charles Adcock, Jeffrey Jay Porubcan, James William Sears, Naveenan Thiagarajan, Bernard Bewlay, Jason Edward Dees, James DeLancey
  • Patent number: 10473528
    Abstract: An apparatus for insertion through an opening in an outer casing of a gas turbine engine and inspection of internal turbine components at elevated temperatures having an optical sight tube configured to optically communicate with an interior of gas turbine engine via a distal end disposed at the interior and a proximal end disposed exterior of the internal turbine components and defined by a first longitudinal wall, at least one lens at the distal end of the optical sight tube adjacent to the longitudinal wall; and at least one longitudinal cooling groove in the longitudinal wall for flowing a cooling medium from a location external to the turbine to cool the optical sight tube at a location at least adjacent the distal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mohamed Sakami, Nirm Velumylum Nirmalan, Jeremy Clyde Bailey
  • Publication number: 20180348070
    Abstract: An imaging system includes a sight tube extending along a longitudinal axis of the imaging system and configured to extend through an access port. The sight tube includes a wall extending about the longitudinal axis and defining a cavity. The imaging system also includes a plurality of cooling channels extending through the sight tube. The plurality of cooling channels are configured to direct cooling fluid through the sight tube for cooling the imaging system. The plurality of cooling channels are formed in the sight tube such that at least one cooling channel of the plurality of cooling channels extends in a direction oblique to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Guanghua Wang, Nirm Velumylum Nirmalan, Mohamed Sakami, Thomas Charles Adcock, Jeffrey Jay Porubcan, James William Sears, Naveenan Thiagarajan, Bernard Bewlay, Jason Edward Dees, James DeLancey
  • Patent number: 10132688
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a multi-spectral pyrometry system configured to receive a broad wavelength band radiation signal from a turbine component, to split the broad wavelength band radiation signal into multiple narrow wavelength band radiation signals, to determine emissivity of the turbine component based on the narrow wavelength band radiation signals, and to detect spall on a surface of the turbine component based on the emissivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jordi Estevadeordal, Guanghua Wang, Lucy Joelle Summerville, Nirm Velumylum Nirmalan
  • Patent number: 10094714
    Abstract: A temperature measurement system includes at least one temperature measurement probe. The at least one temperature measurement probe includes at least one hollow filament configured to emit thermal radiation in a predetermined and substantially continuous wavelength band at least partially representative of a temperature of the at least one hollow filament. The at least one hollow filament has a first diameter and a first emissivity. The at least one temperature measurement probe also includes at least one thin filament extending within at least a portion of the at least one hollow filament. The at least one thin filament is configured to emit thermal radiation in a predetermined and substantially continuous wavelength band at least partially representative of a temperature of the at least one thin filament. The at least one thin filament has a second emissivity and a second diameter less than the first diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Guanghua Wang, Bin Ma, James Peter DeLancey, K. M. K. Genghis Khan, Carlos Bonilla Gonzalez, Robert David Briggs, Nirm Velumylum Nirmalan
  • Publication number: 20170276550
    Abstract: A temperature measurement system includes at least one temperature measurement probe. The at least one temperature measurement probe includes at least one hollow filament configured to emit thermal radiation in a predetermined and substantially continuous wavelength band at least partially representative of a temperature of the at least one hollow filament. The at least one hollow filament has a first diameter and a first emissivity. The at least one temperature measurement probe also includes at least one thin filament extending within at least a portion of the at least one hollow filament. The at least one thin filament is configured to emit thermal radiation in a predetermined and substantially continuous wavelength band at least partially representative of a temperature of the at least one thin filament. The at least one thin filament has a second emissivity and a second diameter less than the first diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Inventors: Guanghua Wang, Bin Ma, James Peter DeLancey, K.M.K. Genghis Khan, Carlos Bonilla Gonzalez, Robert David Briggs, Nirm Velumylum Nirmalan
  • Publication number: 20170268376
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine having an optical imaging system with a housing configured for mounting to a wall of the turbine engine, a hollow probe extending from the housing and having a longitudinal axis, and an image receiving device at an end of the hollow probe configured to receive at least one of a perspective or image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Jeremy Clyde Bailey, Nirm Velumylum Nirmalan, Mohamed Sakami, Christopher Dale Mathias, Guanghua Wang, Ronald W. Ferree, JR.
  • Publication number: 20170234772
    Abstract: A turbine engine having an optical imaging system with a housing configured for mounting to a wall of the turbine engine, a camera located in the housing, a hollow probe extending from the housing and having a longitudinal axis, an image receiving device at an end of the hollow probe and communicably coupled with the camera, and method for operating same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2016
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Nirm Velumylum Nirmalan, Jeremy Clyde Bailey, Mohamed Sakami, David Lance Pennekamp, Brian Charles French
  • Publication number: 20170234734
    Abstract: An apparatus for insertion through an opening in an outer casing of a gas turbine engine and inspection of internal turbine components at elevated temperatures having an optical sight tube configured to optically communicate with an interior of gas turbine engine via a distal end disposed at the interior and a proximal end disposed exterior of the internal turbine components and defined by a first longitudinal wall, at least one lens at the distal end of the optical sight tube adjacent to the longitudinal wall; and at least one longitudinal cooling groove in the longitudinal wall for flowing a cooling medium from a location external to the turbine to cool the optical sight tube at a location at least adjacent the distal end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2016
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Mohamed Sakami, Nirm Velumylum Nirmalan, Jeremy Clyde Bailey
  • Patent number: 9599514
    Abstract: A multi-color pyrometry imaging system for a high-temperature asset includes at least one viewing port in optical communication with at least one high-temperature component of the high-temperature asset. The system also includes at least one camera device in optical communication with the at least one viewing port. The at least one camera device includes a camera enclosure and at least one camera aperture defined in the camera enclosure, The at least one camera aperture is in optical communication with the at least one viewing port. The at least one camera device also includes a multi-color filtering mechanism coupled to the enclosure. The multi-color filtering mechanism is configured to sequentially transmit photons within a first predetermined wavelength band and transmit photons within a second predetermined wavelength band that is different than the first predetermined wavelength band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jordi Estevadeordal, Nirm Velumylum Nirmalan, Nilesh Tralshawala, Jeremy Clyde Bailey
  • Patent number: 9528880
    Abstract: A temperature measurement system includes a plurality of filaments. The plurality of filaments are configured to emit thermal radiation in a relatively broad and substantially continuous wavelength band at least partially representative of a temperature of the plurality of filaments. A first and second portion of the filaments has a differing first and a second diameter and/or emissivity, respectively. The system also includes a detector array configured to generate electrical signals at least partially representative of the thermal radiation received from the filaments. The system further includes a controller communicatively coupled to the detector array configured to transform the first electrical signals to a first temperature indication at least partially as a function of the first diameter and/or first emissivity and transform the second electrical signals to a second temperature indication at least partially as a function of the second diameter and/or emissivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Guanghua Wang, Nirm Velumylum Nirmalan, Ronald Scott Bunker, Todd Garrett Wetzel, Robert Michael Zacharias, Shawn David Wehe, Robert David Briggs
  • Patent number: 9509923
    Abstract: A method for continuously monitoring the working condition of a heat recovery steam generator (“HRSG”) using infrared thermography, comprising the steps of identifying target locations inside the HRSG, positioning one or more infrared cameras to continuously monitor and record the temperature at each target location, generating continuous thermographic images corresponding to selected components and locations at each target locations, comparing the continuous thermographic images to corresponding, stored base line images and generating a set of comparative data reports in real time for each target location in order to predict the life span or potential failure of HRSG components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Achalesh Kumar Pandey, Nirm Velumylum Nirmalan, Manoharan Venugopal, David Lee Rogers, John Brandon Laflen, Lucy Summerville Giametta
  • Patent number: 9488467
    Abstract: A monitoring system for monitoring, in real time, a gap between a rotating portion and a stationary portion of a machine. The monitoring system includes an imaging device for forming a reference image of the gap and one or more next images of the gap, the imaging device including a portion disposed within the machine and a portion external to the machine. The system also includes an image processor coupled to the imaging device configured to monitor whether the gap is increasing or decreasing by comparing the reference image to the one or more next images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Krishnakumar PallikkaraGopalan, Joseph Vincent Pawlowski, Nirm Velumylum Nirmalan
  • Patent number: 9335215
    Abstract: A temperature measurement system includes at least one filament configured to emit thermal radiation in a relatively broad and substantially continuous wavelength band that is at least partially representative of a temperature of the at least one filament. The system also includes an optical system configured to receive at least a portion of the thermal radiation emitted from the filament. The optical system includes a wavelength splitting device configured to split the emitted thermal radiation into at least one relatively narrow wavelength band of thermal radiation. The optical system also includes a detector array configured to receive the at least one relatively narrow wavelength band of thermal radiation and to generate electrical signals at least partially representative of the received thermal radiation. The temperature measurement system further includes a controller communicatively coupled to the detector array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Guanghua Wang, Nirm Velumylum Nirmalan, Todd Garrett Wetzel, Ronald Scott Bunker, Robert Michael Zacharias, Shawn David Wehe, Robert David Briggs, Jonathan Edward Slepski
  • Patent number: 9046411
    Abstract: An optical sensor system includes a multi-color pyrometer in optical communication with a component. The pyrometer generates signals at least partially representative of radiation received from the component and from soot particles. The system includes at least one processing unit coupled to the pyrometer. The processing unit is programmed to receive the signals and distinguish portions of radiation received between at least two wavelength bands. The processing unit is also programmed to determine that a first portion of radiation within a first of the wavelength bands is representative of a temperature of soot particles and that a second portion of radiation within a second of the wavelength bands is representative of a temperature of the component. The processing unit is further programmed to filter out signals representative of the first portion of the radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Guanghua Wang, Anquan Wang, Nirm Velumylum Nirmalan, Jordi Estevadeordal, Sean Patrick Harper, Bradford Allen Lewandowski
  • Publication number: 20150049786
    Abstract: A temperature measurement system includes a plurality of filaments. The plurality of filaments are configured to emit thermal radiation in a relatively broad and substantially continuous wavelength band at least partially representative of a temperature of the plurality of filaments. A first and second portion of the filaments has a differing first and a second diameter and/or emissivity, respectively. The system also includes a detector array configured to generate electrical signals at least partially representative of the thermal radiation received from the filaments. The system further includes a controller communicatively coupled to the detector array configured to transform the first electrical signals to a first temperature indication at least partially as a function of the first diameter and/or first emissivity and transform the second electrical signals to a second temperature indication at least partially as a function of the second diameter and/or emissivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Guanghua Wang, Nirm Velumylum Nirmalan, Ronald Scott Bunker, Todd Garrett Wetzel, Robert Michael Zacharias, Shawn David Wehe, Robert David Briggs
  • Patent number: 8818684
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems, methods, and apparatus for detecting failure in gas turbine hardware. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method for detecting a failure in a gas turbine is provided. The method can include monitoring a parameter associated with the turbine, wherein the monitored parameter comprises at least one turbine bucket temperature, detecting an event associated with operation of the turbine, wherein the event is based at least in part on the monitored parameter, and initiating shutdown of the turbine upon detection of the event wherein the monitored parameter is above a predetermined value for at least a predetermined time duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Justin V. John, Nirm Velumylum Nirmalan, John Charles Intile, Scott William Szepek, Daniel Joseph Peczka, Bradley Steven Carey
  • Patent number: 8790006
    Abstract: A thermal measurement system that includes a light collection device and a detection system in communication with the device. The detection system includes two detection subsystems, wherein one subsystem is configured to detect light from a surface of an object, while the other subsystem is configured to detect light from the surface and a gas. The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiment(s), and it is recognized that equivalents, alternatives, and modifications, aside from those expressly stated, are possible and within the scope of the appending claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Hejie Li, Samhita Dasgupta, Edward Randall Furlong, Nirm Velumylum Nirmalan, Anquan Wang, Guanghua Wang, Stephen Thomas Walls, Lesley Ellen Brown
  • Publication number: 20140202130
    Abstract: A multi-color pyrometry imaging system for a high-temperature asset includes at least one viewing port in optical communication with at least one high-temperature component of the high-temperature asset. The system also includes at least one camera device in optical communication with the at least one viewing port. The at least one camera device includes a camera enclosure and at least one camera aperture defined in the camera enclosure, The at least one camera aperture is in optical communication with the at least one viewing port. The at least one camera device also includes a multi-color filtering mechanism coupled to the enclosure. The multi-color filtering mechanism is configured to sequentially transmit photons within a first predetermined wavelength band and transmit photons within a second predetermined wavelength band that is different than the first predetermined wavelength band.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Jordi Estevadeordal, Nirm Velumylum Nirmalan, Nilesh Tralshawala, Jeremy Clyde Bailey