Patents by Inventor Randy Joseph Tobe

Randy Joseph Tobe 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: 12129800
    Abstract: A fuel nozzle valve includes a fuel nozzle valve liner having a channel with an opening for allowing fuel to flow therethrough and a seat. A plunger has a stud and a base substantially perpendicular to the stud, the plunger being configured to move relative to the fuel nozzle valve liner to seal or to open the opening of the fuel nozzle valve. The fuel nozzle valve further includes a metal resilient member configured to contact the base of the plunger and the seat of the fuel nozzle valve liner to seal the opening of the fuel nozzle valve when the plunger is moved to seal the fuel nozzle valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Christopher E. Wolfe, Alfred A. Mancini, Randy Joseph Tobe
  • Publication number: 20230313742
    Abstract: A fuel nozzle valve includes a fuel nozzle valve liner having a channel with an opening for allowing fuel to flow therethrough and a seat. A plunger has a stud and a base substantially perpendicular to the stud, the plunger being configured to move relative to the fuel nozzle valve liner to seal or to open the opening of the fuel nozzle valve. The fuel nozzle valve further includes a metal resilient member configured to contact the base of the plunger and the seat of the fuel nozzle valve liner to seal the opening of the fuel nozzle valve when the plunger is moved to seal the fuel nozzle valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2022
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Christopher E. Wolfe, Alfred A. Mancini, Randy Joseph Tobe
  • Patent number: 10196983
    Abstract: A fuel nozzle configured to channel fluid towards a combustion chamber is provided. The fuel nozzle includes a stem having a central passageway and at least one fuel tube disposed within the passageway. The fuel tube includes an outlet end portion having inner and outer walls separated by a cavity defined by a fixed aft face. The inner wall defines a central bore for delivering fuel to the combustion chamber. Further, the fuel nozzle includes an outer heat shield tube concentrically aligned with the outlet end portion of the fuel tube. The heat shield tube includes a circumferential outer wall having an aft face that stops upstream of the fixed aft face of the fuel tube. Thus, during operation, the heat shield tube is configured to thermally expand by sliding against the outer wall of the fuel tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Michael Cadman, Thomas Ryan Wallace, Brian Matthias Schaldach, Randy Joseph Tobe
  • Publication number: 20170122564
    Abstract: A fuel nozzle configured to channel fluid towards a combustion chamber defined within a gas turbine engine is provided. The fuel nozzle includes a first hollow tube and a second hollow tube concentrically aligned with the first hollow tube and defining a gap therebetween. The first hollow tube has a central passageway configured to channel fuel therethrough. The second hollow tube is typically in contact with compressor discharge gases and is therefore at a higher temperature than the first hollow tube. Thus, the fuel nozzle includes at least one detached or free spacer retained within the gap so as to minimize heat transfer between the first and second hollow tubes. Accordingly, the detached spacer(s) is un-joined or free within the gap where thermal energy transfer is disadvantageous.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: John Michael Cadman, Ronald D. Redden, Brian Matthias Schaldach, Randy Joseph Tobe
  • Publication number: 20170122212
    Abstract: A fuel nozzle configured to channel fluid towards a combustion chamber is provided. The fuel nozzle includes a stem having a central passageway and at least one fuel tube disposed within the passageway. The fuel tube includes an outlet end portion having inner and outer walls separated by a cavity defined by a fixed aft face. The inner wall defines a central bore for delivering fuel to the combustion chamber. Further, the fuel nozzle includes an outer heat shield tube concentrically aligned with the outlet end portion of the fuel tube. The heat shield tube includes a circumferential outer wall having an aft face that stops upstream of the fixed aft face of the fuel tube. Thus, during operation, the heat shield tube is configured to thermally expand by sliding against the outer wall of the fuel tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: John Michael Cadman, Thomas Ryan Wallace, Brian Matthias Schaldach, Randy Joseph Tobe