Patents by Inventor Paul Lacy

Paul Lacy 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: 9669458
    Abstract: A core for forming micro channels within a turbine component is provided. The core includes a base comprising a first side and a second side; and a core assembly coupled to the second side. The core assembly further includes a plurality of channel members, wherein each channel member has a first end, a second end, and a channel body coupled to and extending between said first end and said second end. The channel body includes a channel shape configured to form the micro channels within the turbine component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Wayne Weber, Gregory Thomas Foster, Benjamin Paul Lacy, Aaron Ezekiel Smith, Dustin Michael Earnhardt
  • Patent number: 9624779
    Abstract: A thermal management article, a method for forming a thermal management article and a thermal management method are disclosed. Forming a thermal management article includes forming a duct adapted to be inserted into a groove on the surface of a substrate, and attaching the duct to the groove so that the top outer surface of the duct is substantially flush with the surface of the substrate. Thermal management of a substrate includes transporting a fluid through the duct of a thermal management article to alter the temperature of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Edward Schick, Srikanth Chandrudu Kottilingam, Benjamin Paul Lacy, Yan Cui, Brian Lee Tollison
  • Publication number: 20170101892
    Abstract: A turbine nozzle includes an airfoil that extends in span from an inner band to an outer band where the inner band and the outer band define inner and outer flow boundaries of the turbine nozzle. At least one of the inner band and the outer band define a first set of cooling channels and a second set of cooling channels formed beneath a gas side surface of the corresponding inner band or outer band. The inner band or the outer band further define a coolant distribution plenum that is in fluid communication with the first and second sets of cooling channels. The coolant distribution plenum provides a stream of coolant to at least one of the first set of cooling channels and the second set of cooling channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventors: Sandip Dutta, Benjamin Paul Lacy, Gary Michael Itzel, James William Vehr
  • Publication number: 20170101873
    Abstract: A process of producing a hot gas path turbine component. The process includes forming a void in a first ceramic matrix composite ply and forming a void in a second ceramic matrix composite ply. The second ceramic matrix composite ply is positioned on the first ceramic matrix composite ply such that the positioning aligns the voids to at least partially define a cavity in the component. A third ceramic matrix composite ply is positioned on the first ceramic matrix composite ply and the first ceramic matrix composite ply, the second ceramic matrix composite ply and the third ceramic matrix composite ply are densified to form a densified body. The cavity is present in the densified body. A ceramic matrix composite having cavities therein is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventors: Victor John MORGAN, Jacob John KITTLESON, Andres Jose GARCIA-CRESPO, Benjamin Paul LACY
  • Publication number: 20170101890
    Abstract: A turbine nozzle includes an airfoil that extends in span from an inner band to an outer band where the inner band and the outer band define outer flow boundaries of the turbine nozzle. The inner band includes a gas side surface that is at least partially covered by one or more inner plates. The inner band also includes a plurality of cooling channels formed within the gas side surface beneath the one or more inner plates. The outer band includes a gas side surface that is at least partially covered by one or more outer plates. The outer band comprises a plurality of cooling channels formed within the gas side surface beneath the one or more outer plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventors: Sandip Dutta, Benjamin Paul Lacy, Joseph Anthony Weber, Peter Galen Stevens
  • Publication number: 20170101891
    Abstract: A turbine nozzle includes an airfoil that extends in span from an inner band to an outer band where the inner band and the outer band define inner and outer flow boundaries of the turbine nozzle. At least one of the inner band and the outer band defines a plurality of cooling channels formed and a coolant discharge plenum beneath a gas side surface of the corresponding inner or outer band that is in fluid communication with the cooling channels. The coolant discharge plenum is formed within the inner band or the outer band downstream from the cooling channels and upstream from a plurality of coolant discharge ports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventors: Sandip Dutta, Benjamin Paul Lacy, Gary Michael Itzel, Stephen Paul Wassynger
  • Publication number: 20170067363
    Abstract: A cooling article and method of forming a cooling article are provided. The cooling article includes a body portion separating an inner region and an outer region, an aperture in the body portion, the aperture fluidly connecting the inner region and the outer region, and a reinforcing feature extending at least partially along the body portion, the reinforcing feature being oriented with respect to a build direction. The method includes forming a body portion defining an inner region and an outer region, forming at least one reinforcing feature concurrently with the forming of the body portion, the at least one reinforcing feature extending at least partially along the body portion, and forming an aperture in the body portion, the aperture fluidly connecting the inner region to the outer region. The forming the body portion, forming the aperture, and forming the at least one reinforcing feature comprises additive manufacturing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Inventors: Benjamin Paul LACY, Srikanth Chandrudu KOTTILINGAM, David Edward SCHICK
  • Publication number: 20170067636
    Abstract: A cooling article and method of forming a cooling article are provided. The cooling article includes a body portion separating an inner region and an outer region, an aperture in the body portion, the aperture fluidly connecting the inner region to the outer region, and a cooling feature extending away from an outer surface of the body portion. The cooling feature disturbs fluid flow in the outer region. The method of forming a cooling article includes forming a body portion defining an inner region and an outer region, forming an aperture in the body portion, the aperture fluidly connecting the inner region to the outer region, and forming a cooling feature extending away from an outer surface of the body portion. The cooling article is arranged and disposed for insertion within a hot gas path component of a turbine engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Inventors: Benjamin Paul LACY, Srikanth Chandrudu KOTTILINGAM, Sandip DUTTA, David Edward SCHICK
  • Publication number: 20170067699
    Abstract: An article and method of forming an article are provided. The article includes a body portion separating an inner region and an outer region, an aperture in the body portion, the aperture fluidly connecting the inner region and the outer region, and a baffle extending along at least a portion of an inner surface of the article, the baffle dividing the inner region into a plurality of sub-regions. The method of forming an article includes forming a body portion defining an inner region and an outer region, forming an aperture in the body portion, the aperture fluidly connecting the inner region to the outer region, and forming at least one baffle extending along at least a portion of an inner surface of the body portion, the at least one baffle dividing the inner region into a plurality of sub-regions. Also provided is a component including a cooling article disposed therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Inventors: Benjamin Paul LACY, Sandip DUTTA, David Edward SCHICK
  • Publication number: 20170044914
    Abstract: A system according to various embodiments includes: a cooling network within a turbine component, the cooling network including at least one passageway fluidly connected with a surface of the turbine component; a cooling fluid source for providing a cooling fluid to the cooling network; and a temperature-actuated flow modulating device fluidly connected with the cooling fluid source and the cooling network, the temperature-actuated flow modulating device configured to: detect an ambient air temperature proximate the turbine component; and control a flow of the cooling fluid to the cooling network based upon the detected ambient air temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2015
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: Carlos Miguel Miranda, Benjamin Paul Lacy, Slawomir Rubinsztajn
  • Patent number: 9567859
    Abstract: A turbine bucket may include a platform, an airfoil extending radially from the platform, and a number of cooling passages defined within the airfoil and near an outer surface of the airfoil. Each of the cooling passages may include a radially inner portion having a first cross-sectional area and at least one radially outer portion having a second cross-sectional area, wherein the first cross-sectional area may be greater than the second cross-sectional area. A method of cooling a turbine bucket used in a gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Benjamin Paul Lacy
  • Publication number: 20160363052
    Abstract: A cooling system for a hot gas path component includes a substrate having an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface defines at least one interior space. A passage is formed in the substrate between the outer surface and the inner surface. An access passage is formed in the substrate and extends from the outer surface to the inner space. The access passage is formed at a first acute angle to the passage and includes a particle collection chamber. The access passage is configured to channel a cooling fluid to the passage. Furthermore, the passage is configured to channel the cooling fluid therethrough to cool the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventors: Carlos Miguel Miranda, Benjamin Paul Lacy
  • Publication number: 20160363053
    Abstract: A hot gas path component includes a substrate having an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface of the substrate defines at least one interior space. At least a portion of the outer surface of the substrate includes a recess formed therein. The recess includes a bottom surface and a groove extending at least partially along the bottom surface of the recess. A cover is disposed within the recess and covers at least a portion of the groove. The groove is configured to channel a cooling fluid therethrough to cool the cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventors: Carlos Miguel Miranda, Srikanth Chandrudu Kottilingam, Benjamin Paul Lacy
  • Publication number: 20160363054
    Abstract: A method for providing micro-channels in a hot gas path component includes forming a first micro-channel in an exterior surface of a substrate of the hot gas path component. A second micro-channel is formed in the exterior surface of the hot gas path component such that it is separated from the first micro-channel by a surface gap having a first width. The method also includes disposing a braze sheet onto the exterior surface of the hot gas path component such that the braze sheet covers at least of portion of the first and second micro-channels, and heating the braze sheet to bond it to at least a portion of the exterior surface of the hot gas path component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventors: Carlos Miguel Miranda, Srikanth Chandrudu Kottilingam, Benjamin Paul Lacy
  • Publication number: 20160362985
    Abstract: A hot gas path component includes a substrate having an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface defines an interior space. The outer surface defines a pressure side surface and a suction side surface. The pressure and suction side surfaces are joined together at a leading edge and at a trailing edge. A first cooling passage is formed in the suction side surface of the substrate. It is coupled in flow communication to the interior space. A second cooling passage, separate from the first cooling passage, is formed in the pressure side surface. The second cooling passage is coupled in flow communication to the interior space. A cover is disposed over at least a portion of the first and second cooling passages. The interior space channels a cooling fluid to the first and second cooling passages, which channel the cooling fluid therethrough to remove heat from the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventors: Benjamin Paul Lacy, Srikanth Chandrudu Kottilingam, Carlos Miguel Miranda, Gary Michael Itzel
  • Publication number: 20160354839
    Abstract: Hybrid additive manufacturing methods include building a green state additive structure, wherein building the green state additive structure comprises iteratively binding together a plurality of layers of additive material using a binder, and joining the green state additive structure to a base structure to form a hybrid article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2015
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: David Edward Schick, Srikanth Chandrudu Kottilingam, Benjamin Paul Lacy, Steven Charles Woods, Steven John Barnell
  • Publication number: 20160354843
    Abstract: A hybrid additive manufacturing method comprises building an additive structure on a pre-sintered preform base, wherein building the additive structure comprises iteratively fusing together a plurality of layers of additive material with at least a first layer of additive material joined to the pre-sintered preform base, and wherein the pre-sintered preform base comprises an initial shape. The hybrid additive manufacturing method further comprises modifying the initial shape of the pre-sintered preform base comprising the additive structure into a modified shape comprising the additive structure, and, joining the pre-sintered preform base in its modified shape to a component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Benjamin Paul Lacy, Srikanth Chandrudu Kottilingam, David Edward Schick
  • Publication number: 20160354842
    Abstract: Additive manufacturing methods include iteratively fusing together a plurality of layers of additive material to build a brazeable additive structure. The additive material comprises a mixture comprising a base alloy and a second alloy and the second alloy comprises a sufficient amount of melting point depressant to have a lower melting temperature than the base alloy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2015
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: David Edward Schick, Srikanth Chandrudu Kottilingam, Yan Cui, Benjamin Paul Lacy
  • Publication number: 20160348512
    Abstract: A component for a turbine engine includes a substrate that includes a first surface, and an insert coupled to the substrate proximate the substrate first surface. The component also includes a channel. The channel is defined by a first channel wall formed in the substrate and a second channel wall formed by at least one coating disposed on the substrate first surface. The component further includes an inlet opening defined in flow communication with the channel. The inlet opening is defined by a first inlet wall formed in the substrate and a second inlet wall defined by the insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Carlos Miguel Miranda, Andrew Lee Trimmer, Srikanth Chandrudu Kottilingam, Benjamin Paul Lacy
  • Publication number: 20160348536
    Abstract: An article and method of forming an article are provided. The article includes a body portion separating an inner region and an outer region, an aperture in the body portion, the aperture fluidly connecting the inner region to the outer region, and a conduit extending from an outer surface of the body portion at the aperture and being arranged and disposed to controllably direct fluid from the inner region to the outer region. The method includes providing a body portion separating an inner region and an outer region, providing an aperture in the body portion, and forming a conduit over the aperture, the conduit extending from an outer surface of the body portion and being arranged and disposed to controllably direct fluid from the inner region to the outer region. The article is arranged and disposed for insertion within a hot gas path component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Benjamin Paul LACY, Gary Michael ITZEL, Srikanth Chandrudu KOTTILINGAM, Sandip DUTTA, David Edward SCHICK