Patents by Inventor Rebecca Evelyn Hefner

Rebecca Evelyn Hefner 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).

  • Publication number: 20120211943
    Abstract: A sealing device and a method for providing a seal between adjacent components in a turbine system are disclosed. The sealing device includes a seal plate configured to provide a seal between adjacent components, a wire mesh mounted to the seal plate, the wire mesh defining a plurality of voids, and a sealant impregnating the wire mesh such that at least a portion of the plurality of voids include the sealant therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Rebecca Evelyn Hefner, Canan Uslu Hardwicke, Victor John Morgan
  • Publication number: 20120189425
    Abstract: A system for reducing corrosion in a compressor includes a compressor blade having a corrosion potential. A sensor connected to the compressor blade generates a signal reflective of the corrosion potential. A power supply connected to the compressor blade at an electrical connection produces an electrical potential at the electrical connection. An electrolyte coats at least a portion of the sensor and the electrical connection. A method for reducing corrosion in a compressor includes sensing a corrosion potential of a compressor blade and generating a signal reflective of the corrosion potential. The method further includes generating an electrical potential at an electrical connection on the compressor blade and flowing an electrolyte over at least a portion of the compressor blade and the electrical connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas Michael Moors, Rebecca Evelyn Hefner, Jiangiang Chen
  • Publication number: 20120189435
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, an assembly for preventing fluid flow between turbine components includes a shim and a first woven wire mesh layer that includes a first surface coupled to a first side of the shim and a second surface of the woven wire mesh layer opposite the first surface. The assembly also includes a first outer layer coupled to the second surface of the woven wire mesh layer, where the first outer layer includes a high temperature non-metallic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Victor John Morgan, Rebecca Evelyn Hefner, Stephen Gerard Pope
  • Patent number: 8224595
    Abstract: A system and method for online monitoring of molten salt corrosion of a component of an apparatus is disclosed. First and second electrodes are electrically isolated from each other within the component and exposed to a corrosive operating environment of the apparatus. The first and second electrodes are electrically coupled such that when an electrical potential difference exists between the first and second electrodes an electrical current flows between the first electrode and the second electrode. The electrical potential difference between the first electrode and the second electrode is based at least in part on molten salt corrosion at the first electrode or the second electrode. At least one of the electrical potential difference or the electrical current flowing between the first electrode and second electrode is measured and analyzed such that a corrosion characteristic of the component can be predicted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Rebecca Evelyn Hefner, Paul Stephen DiMascio
  • Publication number: 20120177811
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a corrosion sensor includes spraying a non-conductive material on a substrate and spraying a conductive material at discrete locations on the substrate or on the non-conductive material. The method further includes spraying the non-conductive material around the discrete locations of the conductive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Rebecca Evelyn Hefner, Paul Stephen DiMascio
  • Publication number: 20120176147
    Abstract: A corrosion sensor includes a plurality of conductive portions and at least one non-conductive portion between adjacent conductive portions, wherein the at least one non-conductive portion has a dimension less than approximately 500 microns. A method for manufacturing a corrosion sensor includes applying a non-conductive material to a substrate and applying a conductive material to discrete locations on the non-conductive material. The method further includes applying a brazing material around each discrete location of the conductive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Rebecca Evelyn Hefner, Paul Stephen DiMascio
  • Publication number: 20120174396
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a corrosion sensor includes applying a first layer of non-conductive material to a substrate, writing a conductive material at discrete locations on the non-conductive material, and writing the conductive material at discrete locations on the previously written conductive material. The method further includes applying a second layer of non-conductive material over the conductive material and machining at least a portion of the second layer of non-conductive material to expose at least a portion of the conductive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Rebecca Evelyn Hefner, Paul Stephen DiMascio
  • Publication number: 20110284368
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, a system includes a gasifier that includes a shell made of a first material exposed to a gasification region inside the gasifier and a patterned anode layer coupled to the shell inside the gasifier. The patterned anode layer is made of a second material, and the patterned anode layer is configured to protect the shell from corrosion by condensing hot gas in the gasification region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: George Albert Goller, Paul Stephen Dimascio, Rebecca Evelyn Hefner
  • Publication number: 20110284367
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, a system includes a turbine engine component that includes a first material having a surface exposed to a fluid flow path and a sacrificial anode layer disposed on the surface. The sacrificial anode layer includes a second material that is electrochemically more active than the first material and the second material is configured to preferentially corrode to protect the first material from corrosion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: George Albert Goller, Paul Stephen Dimascio, Rebecca Evelyn Hefner
  • Publication number: 20110251721
    Abstract: A system and method for online monitoring of molten salt corrosion of a component of an apparatus is disclosed. First and second electrodes are electrically isolated from each other within the component and exposed to a corrosive operating environment of the apparatus. The first and second electrodes are electrically coupled such that when an electrical potential difference exists between the first and second electrodes an electrical current flows between the first electrode and the second electrode. The electrical potential difference between the first electrode and the second electrode is based at least in part on molten salt corrosion at the first electrode or the second electrode. At least one of the electrical potential difference or the electrical current flowing between the first electrode and second electrode is measured and analyzed such that a corrosion characteristic of the component can be predicted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Rebecca Evelyn Hefner, Paul Stephen DiMascio
  • Patent number: 7982474
    Abstract: A system and method for online monitoring of corrosion of a pressure vessel is disclosed. First and second electrodes may be isolated from each other in a wall of the pressure vessel and exposed to a corrosive environment within the pressure vessel. Additionally, the first and second electrodes may be electrically coupled such that, when an electrical potential difference exists between the electrodes, an electrical current flows between the first electrode and the second electrode. The electrical potential difference and/or the electrical current flowing between the electrodes may then be measured and analyzed to determine when to perform a corrective action on the pressure vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Rebecca Evelyn Hefner, Paul Stephen DiMascio, George Albert Goller