Patents by Inventor Robert L. Sponseller

Robert L. Sponseller 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: 5143512
    Abstract: A rotor disk for a gas turbine engine includes a central load-bearing web portion and a centrifugal pump portion located externally of the load-bearing web portion for pumping cooling air into an array of turbine blades. The pump portion includes an enlarged material section formed homogeneously with the web portion and extends axially forwardly and radially inwardly from the rim of the disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert J. Corsmeier, Robert L. Sponseller, James R. Reigel, Harvey M. Maclin
  • Patent number: 4171930
    Abstract: Both the disk and the blade retainer have a radially inward extending flange which axially abuts the other. A U-clip ring with its open side disposed radially outward is placed over the two flanges to hold them axially together and means is provided to maintain the U-clip ring in its holding position. In a preferred embodiment, the ring is constructed with its side farthest from the disk having a substantially greater radial height than that of the side closest the disk, and the circumferential length of the U-clip is so sized that there is a relatively small gap between its ends when it is in the installed position. With these features, the ring will remain in its assembled position without any other holding means. Removal can be effected by first radially moving one end of the ring inwardly with respect to the other and then axially moving it until it clears the other end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1979
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas A. Brisken, Robert L. Sponseller, Joseph R. West