Patents by Inventor Paul Evan Zimpelmann

Paul Evan Zimpelmann 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).

  • Methods and apparatus for sealing gas turbine engine variable nozzles
    Patent number: 6471469
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine variable geometry exhaust nozzle including a seal system that facilitates extending a useful life of the engine variable geometry system is described. The seal system includes a backbone and an attachment assembly. The attachment assembly frictionally engages the backbone to secure the attachment assembly to the backbone. The attachment assembly includes a plurality of clamp sub-assemblies and base sheet fabricated from a ceramic matrix composite material. The clamp sub-assemblies are clamped through openings extending through the base sheet, such that a predetermined amount of preload force is applied to the base sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Jay Toffan, Paul Evan Zimpelmann, David Jay Harris
  • Methods and apparatus for sealing gas turbine engine variable nozzles
    Publication number: 20020064455
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine variable geometry exhaust nozzle including a seal system that facilitates extending a useful life of the engine variable geometry system is described. The seal system includes a backbone and an attachment assembly. The attachment assembly frictionally engages the backbone to secure the attachment assembly to the backbone. The attachment assembly includes a plurality of clamp sub-assemblies and base sheet fabricated from a ceramic matrix composite material. The clamp sub-assemblies are clamped through openings extending through the base sheet, such that a predetermined amount of preload force is applied to the base sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Inventors: Michael Jay Toffan, Paul Evan Zimpelmann, David Jay Harris