Patents by Inventor Paul M. Colson

Paul M. Colson 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: 11117136
    Abstract: A method of upgrading a vertical spindle pulverizer includes the steps of removing a cover from a journal opening in a housing of the pulverizer to access a grinding zone of the pulverizer, removing a first journal assembly having a toroidal grinding roll from the pulverizer through the journal opening, removing a plurality of toroidal table segments from a grinding table of the pulverizer, installing a plurality of inclined bull ring segments on the grinding table, installing a second journal assembly having a conical grinding roll in the pulverizer, and replacing the cover over the journal opening. The inclined bull ring segments are configured to register with a grinding surface of the conical grinding roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Paul M. Colson, Douglas W. Crafts
  • Publication number: 20210276087
    Abstract: A heat exchange structure includes a primary heat exchange body with a first fluid channel fluidly separated from a second fluid channel by a barrier channel, an inlet manifold in fluid communication with the first fluid channel, and a secondary heat exchange body. The secondary heat exchange body is in fluid communication with the barrier channel, is arranged within the inlet manifold, and fluidly couples the barrier channel to the external environment. Fluid systems and heat exchange methods are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventor: Paul M. Colson
  • Publication number: 20210231378
    Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a first set of fins, a second set of fins, and an exterior wall. The first set of fins extend radially and are coaxial with each other. The first set of fins forms a first set of channels. The second set of fins extend radially and are coaxial with each other. The second set of fins forms a second set of channels. Channels of the first and second sets of channels are disposed in an alternating pattern in a circumferential direction of the heat exchanger. The first and second sets of fins are integrally formed together. A cross-sectional width of a channel of at least one of the first set of channels and the second set of channels increases as a radial distance from a centerline axis of the heat exchanger increases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventor: Paul M. Colson
  • Publication number: 20210229348
    Abstract: A method of building a heat exchanger includes forming the heat exchanger with layer-by-layer additive manufacturing. A first hollow annulus is formed. A body of the heat exchanger is formed to be integrally connected to and grown upwards from the first hollow annulus. The body includes an exterior wall and a heat exchanger core disposed within the exterior wall. The body defines an interior that is cylindrically shaped with an axis oriented parallel to a direction of gravity. The first annulus is disposed on a gravitational bottom of the body. A second hollow annulus is formed integrally connected to and grown upwards from a gravitational top of the body. Residual powder is removed from a bottom of the heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventor: Paul M. Colson
  • Publication number: 20210231376
    Abstract: A heat exchanger includes first and second fluid circuits. The first fluid circuit is formed by a first set of fins, a first inlet header, and a first outlet header. The first set of fins extend radially and are coaxial with each other. The first inlet header is fluidly connected to and is disposed on an upstream end of the first fins. The first outlet header is fluidly connected to and is disposed on a downstream end of the first fins. The second fluid circuit is formed by a second set of fins, a second inlet header, and a second outlet header. The second fins extend radially and are coaxial with each other. An annular shape of the second inlet header conforms to the circular shape of the first inlet header. An annular shape of the second outlet header conforms to the circular shape of the first outlet header.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventor: Paul M. Colson
  • Publication number: 20210231380
    Abstract: A pressure vessel includes a first wall defining a container and a second wall surrounding the container defining a cavity between the first wall and the second wall. The pressure vessel also includes a vent in the second wall providing fluid communication between the cavity and an outside of the second wall and matter positioned within the cavity configured to prevent flame from propagating through the cavity while providing thermal conductivity between the first wall and the second wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: Paul M. Colson, Eric Surawski, Murtuza Lokhandwalla, Thomas James Killen, Raffi O. Mangoyan
  • Publication number: 20210231391
    Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a central spar, a body, and a mounting arm. The central spar is disposed along an axial centerline of the heat exchanger. The body is disposed around the central spar. The body includes an exterior wall and heat exchanger core disposed within the exterior wall and integrally formed with the central spar. The mounting arm is integrally formed with and extends radially from the central spar. The mounting arm extends through a portion of the body and is integrally formed with the central spar via additive manufacturing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventor: Paul M. Colson
  • Publication number: 20210187845
    Abstract: A method of controlling powder in an additive manufacturing process includes solidifying a portion of a first layer of powder to form a first layer of a workpiece. A first topology indicative of the first layer of powder and the first layer of the workpiece is captured. The recoater is moved across the second layer of powder. Heights of portions of the recoater are varied while moving the recoater, based on the first topology captured, to avoid contact of the recoater with solidified portions of the first layer that could stress the portions of the recoater if the heights of the portions were not varied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventor: Paul M. Colson
  • Publication number: 20210102757
    Abstract: A pressure vessel includes a first container and a second container surrounding the first container and including a fluid port. The pressure vessel further includes a barrier space extending between the first container and the second container and a leak detection mechanism connected to the fluid port on the second container that is configured to detect a leak in the pressure vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Inventors: Paul M. Colson, Thomas James Killen, Leo J. Veilleux, JR.
  • Patent number: 10668476
    Abstract: Enclosures for vertical pulverizer systems are disclosed. The enclosure may include a vertically oriented cylindrical body forming an internal cavity. The enclosure may also include a cover positioned above the cylindrical body. The cover may have a curved surface. Additionally, the enclosure may include an inlet channel formed through the cover, where the inlet channel may be in fluid communication with the internal cavity of the cylindrical body, and an outlet channel formed through the cover, adjacent the inlet channel. Furthermore, the enclosure may include a base component positioned within the internal cavity of the cylindrical body, opposite the cover, the base component having a curved surface, a journal opening formed through the cylindrical body between the cover and the base component, and a journal opening cover coupled to the cylindrical body. The journal opening cover may cover the journal opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Paul M. Colson, Rory G. Eastman, Robert S. Prairie, Gregory R. Strich
  • Publication number: 20200061627
    Abstract: A method of upgrading a vertical spindle pulverizer includes the steps of removing a cover from a journal opening in a housing of the pulverizer to access a grinding zone of the pulverizer, removing a first journal assembly having a toroidal grinding roll from the pulverizer through the journal opening, removing a plurality of toroidal table segments from a grinding table of the pulverizer, installing a plurality of inclined bull ring segments on the grinding table, installing a second journal assembly having a conical grinding roll in the pulverizer, and replacing the cover over the journal opening. The inclined bull ring segments are configured to register with a grinding surface of the conical grinding roll.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: PAUL M. COLSON, DOUGLAS W. CRAFTS
  • Patent number: 10493462
    Abstract: A method of upgrading a vertical spindle pulverizer includes the steps of removing a cover from a journal opening in a housing of the pulverizer to access a grinding zone of the pulverizer, removing a first journal assembly having a toroidal grinding roll from the pulverizer through the journal opening, removing a plurality of toroidal table segments from a grinding table of the pulverizer, installing a plurality of inclined bull ring segments on the grinding table, installing a second journal assembly having a conical grinding roll in the pulverizer, and replacing the cover over the journal opening. The inclined bull ring segments are configured to register with a grinding surface of the conical grinding roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Paul M. Colson, Douglas W. Crafts
  • Publication number: 20180036739
    Abstract: Enclosures for vertical pulverizer systems are disclosed. The enclosure may include a vertically oriented cylindrical body forming an internal cavity. The enclosure may also include a cover positioned above the cylindrical body. The cover may have a curved surface. Additionally, the enclosure may include an inlet channel formed through the cover, where the inlet channel may be in fluid communication with the internal cavity of the cylindrical body, and an outlet channel formed through the cover, adjacent the inlet channel. Furthermore, the enclosure may include a base component positioned within the internal cavity of the cylindrical body, opposite the cover, the base component having a curved surface, a journal opening formed through the cylindrical body between the cover and the base component, and a journal opening cover coupled to the cylindrical body. The journal opening cover may cover the journal opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Inventors: Paul M. Colson, Rory G. Eastman, Robert S. Prairie, Gregory R. Strich
  • Patent number: 9857077
    Abstract: A head assembly for a pulverized coal nozzle includes removeable wear-resistant inserts having vanes. The vanes may be flat or curved to direct a stream of air and pulverized solid fuel particles from the inlet port toward the outlet port. The curved vanes curve in two dimensions to evenly distribute the stream of air and pulverized solid fuel away from the outer surfaces reducing wear and corrosion. The pipe elbow has a removable cover that allows for easy access. The vanes are attached to a wear-resistant replaceable liner thus allowing them to be easily removed and replaced. The wear-resistant liner may be made from several parts for ease of removal and replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Daniel J. Adam, Oliver G. Briggs, Thomas J. Campanelli, Paul M. Colson, Christopher D. Curl, Dai Q. Dau, Wendell H. Mills
  • Publication number: 20170361328
    Abstract: A method of upgrading a vertical spindle pulverizer includes the steps of removing a cover from a journal opening in a housing of the pulverizer to access a grinding zone of the pulverizer, removing a first journal assembly having a toroidal grinding roll from the pulverizer through the journal opening, removing a plurality of toroidal table segments from a grinding table of the pulverizer, installing a plurality of inclined bull ring segments on the grinding table, installing a second journal assembly having a conical grinding roll in the pulverizer, and replacing the cover over the journal opening. The inclined bull ring segments are configured to register with a grinding surface of the conical grinding roll.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: PAUL M. COLSON, DOUGLAS W. CRAFTS
  • Publication number: 20170023243
    Abstract: A head assembly for a pulverized coal nozzle includes removeable wear-resistant inserts having vanes. The vanes may be flat or curved to direct a stream of air and pulverized solid fuel particles from the inlet port toward the outlet port. The curved vanes curve in two dimensions to evenly distribute the stream of air and pulverized solid fuel away from the outer surfaces reducing wear and corrosion. The pipe elbow has a removable cover that allows for easy access. The vanes are attached to a wear-resistant replaceable liner thus allowing them to be easily removed and replaced. The wear-resistant liner may be made from several parts for ease of removal and replacement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Applicant: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Daniel J. Adam, Oliver G. Briggs, Thomas J. Campanelli, Paul M. Colson, Christopher D. Curl, Dai Q. Dau, Wendell H. Mills
  • Patent number: 9399222
    Abstract: An air flow control arrangement for a pulverizer includes an inner ring segment, an outer ring segment, a plurality of vanes, and a plurality of vanes. The inner and outer ring segments are adaptably configured in a spaced relation to each other. Further, the plurality of vanes is spaced apartly arranged between the inner and outer ring segments to form flow ducts. Furthermore, each wingtip of the plurality of wingtip is detachably attached to a respective vane of the plurality of vanes to be adaptably replaceable or changeable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventor: Paul M. Colson
  • Publication number: 20150362181
    Abstract: A head assembly for a pulverized coal nozzle includes removeable wear-resistant inserts having vanes. The vanes may be flat or curved to direct a stream of air and pulverized solid fuel particles from the inlet port toward the outlet port. The curved vanes curve in two dimensions to evenly distribute the stream of air and pulverized solid fuel away from the outer surfaces reducing wear and corrosion. The pipe elbow has a removable cover that allows for easy access. The vanes are attached to a wear-resistant replaceable liner thus allowing them to be easily removed and replaced. The wear-resistant liner may be made from several parts for ease of removal and replacement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Applicant: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Daniel J. Adam, Oliver G. Briggs, JR., Thomas J. Campanelli, Paul M. Colson, Christopher D. Curl, Dai Q. Dau, Wendell H. Mills
  • Patent number: 9151493
    Abstract: A head assembly 52,152 for a pulverized coal nozzle includes a turning vane 54 or a curved vane 154 disposed within a pipe elbow. The vanes 54,154 are angled relative to the inlet port and the outlet port of the pipe elbow to redirect a stream of air and pulverized solid fuel particles from the inlet port 60,160 toward the outlet port 62,162. The coal rope-breaking vane 56 is pivotable about an axis to adjust an angle of the vanes relative to a stream of air and pulverized solid fuel particles from the inlet port 60,160. An adjustment bar 66 may connect to the vanes 56 and extend outward through the pipe elbow to allow the vanes 56 to be adjusted while the pulverized solid fuel particles flow through the head assembly 52. The pipe elbow may further include inspection ports 68,168 and a removable cover 70,170. The vanes may be attached to the removable cover 70,170 thus allowing them to be easily removed and replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Daniel J. Adam, Oliver G. Briggs, Jr., Thomas J. Campanelli, Paul M. Colson, Christopher D. Curl, Dai Q. Dau, Wendell H. Mills
  • Patent number: 9151434
    Abstract: A head assembly 52, 152 for a pulverized coal nozzle includes removeable wear-resistant inserts having vanes 54, 151, 153. The vanes 54, 151, 153 may be flat or curved to direct a stream of air and pulverized solid fuel particles from the inlet port 60, 160 toward the outlet port 62, 162. The curved vanes 151, 153 curve in two dimensions to evenly distribute the stream of air and pulverized solid fuel away from the outer surfaces reducing wear and corrosion. The pipe elbow has a removable cover 70, 170 that allows for easy access. The vanes are attached to a wear-resistant replaceable liner 185 thus allowing them to be easily removed and replaced. The wear-resistant liner 185 may be made from several parts 187, 189 for ease of removal and replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Daniel J. Adam, Oliver G. Briggs, Jr., Thomas J. Campanelli, Paul M. Colson, Christopher D. Curl, Dai Q. Dau, Wendell H. Mills