Patents by Inventor Robert L'Heureux

Robert L'Heureux 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).

  • Apparatus and methods for automatically inspecting dovetails on turbine rotors
    Patent number: 6857330
    Abstract: A scanner assembly for dovetail inspection of the wheels of a turbine rotor includes a series of circumferentially pivotally connected links: a motor link, transmission links, an encoder link, an adjustable link, free links and a base link mounting a transducer. The motor link mounts a motor for driving rollers on the transmission links and rotating the scanner assembly about the rotor shaft. The encoder link mounts an encoder for determining the circumferential position of the transducer about the shaft. The adjustable link enables the assembly to be tightened or loosened about the rotor shaft. The free links and base link complete the circular scanner assembly about the shaft. A single scan for a full 360° investigates the plurality of hooks on the side of the wheel opposite the transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas Francis Murphy, Robert Martin Roney, Jr., Robert L'Heureux, Denis Labrecque
  • Apparatus and methods for automatically inspecting dovetails on turbine rotors
    Publication number: 20030221497
    Abstract: A scanner assembly for dovetail inspection of the wheels of a turbine rotor includes a series of circumferentially pivotally connected links: a motor link, transmission links, an encoder link, an adjustable link, free links and a base link mounting a transducer. The motor link mounts a motor for driving rollers on the transmission links and rotating the scanner assembly about the rotor shaft. The encoder link mounts an encoder for determining the circumferential position of the transducer about the shaft. The adjustable link enables the assembly to be tightened or loosened about the rotor shaft. The free links and base link complete the circular scanner assembly about the shaft. A single scan for a full 360° investigates the plurality of hooks on the side of the wheel opposite the transducer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas Francis Murphy, Robert Martin Roney, Robert L'Heureux, Denis Labrecque