Patents by Inventor Robert Michael Zirin

Robert Michael Zirin 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: 10507902
    Abstract: An aerodynamic dome component that is placed in front of a wind turbine hub includes an outer ring, a central axle disposed relative to the outer ring, a plurality of radially extending tensioning members and a skin-like covering. The plurality of radially extending tensioning members are coupled to the outer ring at a first end and to the central axle at a second end. The outer ring, the plurality of radially extending tensioning members and the central axle together form an underlying dome support structure. The skin-like covering is configured to envelop at least a portion of the underlying dome support structure to form at least a portion of the aerodynamic dome component and define a front dome portion. The skin-like covering enveloping at least a portion of the underlying dome support structure may further define a rear dome portion, wherein the rear dome portion is configured downwind from the front dome portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Fulton Jose Lopez, Daniel Jason Erno, Peggy Lynn Baehmann, Robert Michael Zirin
  • Patent number: 10132290
    Abstract: A deployable aerodynamic component configured to be mounted to a wind turbine. The wind turbine includes at least one rotor blade. The deployable aerodynamic component configured to be positioned in front of an inner portion of the at least one rotor blade, and is structurally configured to cover a substantial portion of the inner portion of the at least one rotor blade in a wind direction during deployment of the deployable aerodynamic component and to allow the passage therethrough of an incoming wind when non-deployed. Further described is a wind turbine including the above-described deployable aerodynamic component and method for aerodynamic performance enhancement of an existing wind turbine, wherein the method includes mounting the above-described deployable aerodynamic component to a wind turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Dmitry Floryovych Opaits, Seyed Gholamali Saddoughi, Grover Andrew Bennett, Matthew Patrick Boespflug, Stephen Bertram Johnson, Peggy Lynn Baehmann, Fulton Jose Lopez, Daniel Jason Erno, Robert Michael Zirin, Anurag Gupta
  • Patent number: 9925991
    Abstract: An apparatus for lifting and moving an axle of a rail vehicle includes a frame, a pair of rollers rotatably mounted to the frame to movably support the frame on a railroad track rail, and a pair of wedges mounted to the frame having mutually opposed ramped faces. The pair of wedges adjustable along the frame between a first position in which the ramped faces bracket, but do not contact, a rail vehicle wheel that rests on the track rail, and a second position in which the ramped faces engage the circumference of the wheel to support the wheel at a height above the railroad track rail. The apparatus further includes at least one jacking device for urging the wedges toward one another from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Suyu Hou, Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, Bret Dwayne Worden, Robert Michael Zirin, Jingjun Zhang, Dennis Richter
  • Publication number: 20160311519
    Abstract: An aerodynamic dome component that is placed in front of a wind turbine hub includes an outer ring, a central axle disposed relative to the outer ring, a plurality of radially extending tensioning members and a skin-like covering. The plurality of radially extending tensioning members are coupled to the outer ring at a first end and to the central axle at a second end. The outer ring, the plurality of radially extending tensioning members and the central axle together form an underlying dome support structure. The skin-like covering is configured to envelop at least a portion of the underlying dome support structure to form at least a portion of the aerodynamic dome component and define a front dome portion. The skin-like covering enveloping at least a portion of the underlying dome support structure may further define a rear dome portion, wherein the rear dome portion is configured downwind from the front dome portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventors: Fulton Jose Lopez, Daniel Jason Erno, Peggy Lynn Baehmann, Robert Michael Zirin
  • Publication number: 20160185367
    Abstract: An apparatus for lifting and moving an axle of a rail vehicle includes a frame, a pair of rollers rotatably mounted to the frame to movably support the frame on a railroad track rail, and a pair of wedges mounted to the frame having mutually opposed ramped faces. The pair of wedges adjustable along the frame between a first position in which the ramped faces bracket, but do not contact, a rail vehicle wheel that rests on the track rail, and a second position in which the ramped faces engage the circumference of the wheel to support the wheel at a height above the railroad track rail. The apparatus further includes at least one jacking device for urging the wedges toward one another from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: SUYU HOU, AJITH KUTTANNAIR KUMAR, BRET DWAYNE WORDEN, ROBERT MICHAEL ZIRIN, JINGJUN ZHANG, DENNIS RICHTER
  • Publication number: 20160040650
    Abstract: A deployable aerodynamic component configured to be mounted to a wind turbine. The wind turbine includes at least one rotor blade. The deployable aerodynamic component configured to be positioned in front of an inner portion of the at least one rotor blade, and is structurally configured to cover a substantial portion of the inner portion of the at least one rotor blade in a wind direction during deployment of the deployable aerodynamic component and to allow the passage therethrough of an incoming wind when non-deployed. Further described is a wind turbine including the above-described deployable aerodynamic component and method for aerodynamic performance enhancement of an existing wind turbine, wherein the method includes mounting the above-described deployable aerodynamic component to a wind turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Dmitry Floryovych Opaits, Seyed Gholamali Saddoughi, Grover Andrew Bennett, Matthew Patrick Boespflug, Stephen Bertram Johnson, Peggy Lynn Baehmann, Fulton Jose Lopez, Daniel Jason Erno, Robert Michael Zirin, Anurag Gupta
  • Patent number: 9249776
    Abstract: An aerodynamic dome structure that is placed in front of a wind turbine hub includes a plurality of arcuate panels. The arcuate panels are interconnected to form a dome-shaped structure. A plurality of arcuate radial spar supports may be employed to support the arcuate panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Peggy Lynn Baehmann, Fulton Jose Lopez, Ian David Wilson, Robert Michael Zirin
  • Patent number: 9228740
    Abstract: An annular injector is described. The injector includes a first bayonet assembly and a second bayonet assembly each including a terminal end and a tip end. The second bayonet assembly is configured to be concentrically coupled at least partially about the first bayonet assembly. An outer diameter of the first bayonet assembly and an inner diameter of the second bayonet assembly vary at the tip end to define a first substantially annular nozzle. The first bayonet assembly includes a maximum outer diameter that is greater than a minimum inner diameter of the second bayonet assembly and at least a portion of at least one of the first bayonet assembly and the second bayonet assembly extends from the tip end to the terminal end. The injector includes a third bayonet assembly configured to be concentrically coupled at least partially about the second bayonet assembly to define a second substantially annular nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Saunders Stevenson, Robert Michael Zirin, Raymond Douglas Steele, Constantin Bugescu, Roger Ma, David R. Matthews, Kenneth M. Sprouse
  • Publication number: 20150233342
    Abstract: An aerodynamic dome structure that is placed in front of a wind turbine hub includes a plurality of arcuate panels. The arcuate panels are interconnected to form a dome-shaped structure. A plurality of arcuate radial spar supports may be employed to support the arcuate panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Peggy Lynn Baehmann, Fulton Jose Lopez, Ian David Wilson, Robert Michael Zirin
  • Patent number: 9103326
    Abstract: A bedplate assembly of a wind turbine is provided. The bedplate assembly includes a rotor shaft with a first end coupled to a rotatable hub of the wind turbine via a rotor flange and a second end coupled to a gearbox. The bedplate assembly also includes a bedplate support frame coupled to the gearbox and to the rotor shaft for supporting the gearbox. The bedplate support frame includes a torque arm support device for supporting torque arms of the gearbox. The bedplate support frame also includes a circular support for housing a shaft support bearing for supporting the rotor shaft at the first end. Further, the bedplate support frame includes a cross-structure located under the rotor shaft, wherein the cross-structure comprises one or more arms connected internally to a first side wall and a second side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Daniel Jason Erno, Fulton Jose Lopez, Robert Michael Zirin
  • Patent number: 8866362
    Abstract: An electrical machine stator is disclosed that includes a stack of laminations configured to be assembled together so as to define at least one stator tooth. The stack of laminations may include a plurality of nesting laminations and a plurality of shim laminations. Each nesting lamination may include a first edge section, a second edge section and a middle section extending between the first and second edge sections. At least one of the first edge section and the second edge section of each nesting lamination may be configured to be engaged against at least one of the first edge section and the second edge section of an adjacent nesting lamination when the stack of laminations is assembled together. Additionally, at least one shim lamination may be disposed between each pair of adjacent nesting laminations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bharat Bagepalli, Robert Michael Zirin, Randy Scott Longtin
  • Patent number: 8860287
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to wind power generation systems having a segmented stator with a structural element and a plurality of coils. The wind power generation systems also include a rotor adapted to be rotated by wind to induce current in the plurality of coils and a lamination stack having a plurality of lamination plates disposed about the plurality of coils and a dovetail recess formed in the lamination stack. The wind power generation systems also include a dovetail bar adapted to be received by the dovetail recess and adjusted by a bolt to engage the lamination stack and the structural element of the segmented stator to form a torque transfer interface. Torque is adapted to be transferred from the lamination stack to the segmented stator via friction at the interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Randy Scott Longtin, Robert Michael Zirin, Kiruba Sivasubramaniam Haran
  • Publication number: 20140124604
    Abstract: An annular injector is described. The injector includes a first bayonet assembly and a second bayonet assembly each including a terminal end and a tip end. The second bayonet assembly is configured to be concentrically coupled at least partially about the first bayonet assembly. An outer diameter of the first bayonet assembly and an inner diameter of the second bayonet assembly vary at the tip end to define a first substantially annular nozzle. The first bayonet assembly includes a maximum outer diameter that is greater than a minimum inner diameter of the second bayonet assembly and at least a portion of at least one of the first bayonet assembly and the second bayonet assembly extends from the tip end to the terminal end. The injector includes a third bayonet assembly configured to be concentrically coupled at least partially about the second bayonet assembly to define a second substantially annular nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Inventors: John Saunders Stevenson, Robert Michael Zirin, Raymond Douglas Steele, Constantin Bugescu, Roger Ma, David R. Matthews, Kenneth M. Sprouse
  • Patent number: 8662408
    Abstract: An annular injector is described. The injector includes a first bayonet assembly and a second bayonet assembly each including a terminal end and a tip end. The second bayonet assembly is configured to be concentrically coupled at least partially about the first bayonet assembly. An outer diameter of the first bayonet assembly and an inner diameter of the second bayonet assembly vary at the tip end to define a first substantially annular nozzle. The first bayonet assembly includes a maximum outer diameter that is greater than a minimum inner diameter of the second bayonet assembly and at least a portion of at least one of the first bayonet assembly and the second bayonet assembly extends from the tip end to the terminal end. The injector includes a third bayonet assembly configured to be concentrically coupled at least partially about the second bayonet assembly to define a second substantially annular nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Saunders Stevenson, Robert Michael Zirin, Raymond Douglas Steele, Constantin Bugescu, Roger Ma, David R. Matthews, Kenneth M. Sprouse
  • Publication number: 20140037456
    Abstract: A bedplate assembly of a wind turbine is provided. The bedplate assembly includes a rotor shaft with a first end coupled to a rotatable hub of the wind turbine via a rotor flange and a second end coupled to a gearbox. The bedplate assembly also includes a bedplate support frame coupled to the gearbox and to the rotor shaft for supporting the gearbox. The bedplate support frame includes a torque arm support device for supporting torque arms of the gearbox. The bedplate support frame also includes a circular support for housing a shaft support bearing for supporting the rotor shaft at the first end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Daniel Jason Erno, Fulton Jose Lopez, Robert Michael Zirin
  • Patent number: 8550957
    Abstract: A planetary gear system and a method. The planetary gear system includes a carrier body configured to receive planet gears, at least one pin received by the carrier body, and flex means positioned between the carrier body and the at least one pin. The method includes preparing the carrier, upon which a plurality of planet gears is mounted through planet pins, and providing flex means between the planet pins and the carrier, the flex means configured to enable movement of the planet pins in response to a force directed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Daniel Jason Erno, Fulton Jose Lopez, Darren Lee Hallman, Erik Karl Jacobson, Robert Michael Zirin, Munishwar Ahuja, Stephen Bertram Johnson
  • Patent number: 8492951
    Abstract: A stator assembly includes a segmented stator having stator portions. Each stator portion includes a support structure and dovetails, each coupled to the support structure by adjustable elements. The stator portion also includes stator laminations, where each of the laminations has openings to engage with the dovetails. Connectors are provided to connect the stator portions of the segmented stator together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Michael Zirin, Murtuza Lokhandwalla, Kiruba Sivasubramaniam Haran, Richard Nils Dawson, Mark John DeBlock
  • Patent number: 8456048
    Abstract: A stator assembly includes a segmented stator having stator portions. Each stator portion includes stator laminations having stator windings, spacer plates having a portion embedded within the stator laminations, and structural plates having a portion embedded within the stator laminations. The portion of each of the spacer plates and each of the structural plates has notch-like structures that create openings to allow a cooling medium to flow between the notch-like structures to provide radial cooling of the stator windings. Connectors are provided to connect the stator portions of the segmented stator together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Murtuza Lokhandwalla, Jay Zhiqiang Cao, William Dwight Gerstler, Kiruba Sivasubramaniam Haran, Robert Michael Zirin, Xiaochun Shen
  • Publication number: 20130099504
    Abstract: An electrical machine stator is disclosed that includes a stack of laminations configured to be assembled together so as to define at least one stator tooth. The stack of laminations may include a plurality of nesting laminations and a plurality of shim laminations. Each nesting lamination may include a first edge section, a second edge section and a middle section extending between the first and second edge sections. At least one of the first edge section and the second edge section of each nesting lamination may be configured to be engaged against at least one of the first edge section and the second edge section of an adjacent nesting lamination when the stack of laminations is assembled together. Additionally, at least one shim lamination may be disposed between each pair of adjacent nesting laminations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Bharat Bagepalli, Robert Michael Zirin, Randy Scott Longtin
  • Publication number: 20130099503
    Abstract: An electrical machine stator is disclosed that includes a stack of laminations configured to be assembled together so as to define at least one stator tooth. Each lamination may include an inner edge, an outer edge and first and second side edges extending at least partially between the inner and outer edges so as to define at least a portion of the at least one tooth. Additionally, each lamination may define a nesting feature between the first and second side edges, wherein the nesting feature of each lamination is engaged against the nesting feature of an adjacent lamination when the stack of laminations is assembled together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Bharat Bagepalli, Robert Michael Zirin, Randy Scott Longtin, Kiruba Sivasubramaniam Haran, Jan Erich Hemmelmann, Francesco Papini, Alexander Fiseni