Patents by Inventor Steven Charles Woods

Steven Charles Woods 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: 20160354839
    Abstract: Hybrid additive manufacturing methods include building a green state additive structure, wherein building the green state additive structure comprises iteratively binding together a plurality of layers of additive material using a binder, and joining the green state additive structure to a base structure to form a hybrid article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2015
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: David Edward Schick, Srikanth Chandrudu Kottilingam, Benjamin Paul Lacy, Steven Charles Woods, Steven John Barnell
  • Patent number: 9423134
    Abstract: A bundled tube fuel injector includes a fuel plenum that is defined within the bundled tube fuel injector and a plurality of pre-mix tubes that extend downstream from the fuel plenum substantially parallel to one another. Each pre-mix tube includes an end portion and a radially extending end surface. The bundled tube fuel injector further includes a tube tip that is fixedly connected to the end portion of a corresponding pre-mix tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Steven Charles Woods, Gregory Scott Means, Mark Carmine Bellino, James Christopher Monaghan, Johnie F. McConnaughhay
  • Patent number: 9423136
    Abstract: A bundled tube fuel injector includes a fuel distribution module, a tube bundle having a plurality of pre-mix tubes that extend in parallel downstream from the fuel distribution module and a support plate disposed substantially adjacent to the fuel distribution manifold. The plurality of pre-mix tubes extends through the support plate. A retention sleeve is coupled to the support plate at a first end. A second end of the retention sleeve includes a plurality of radially extending retention features that are circumferentially arranged around the second end. The bundled tube fuel injector also includes an aft plate having a retention collar. The retention collar is configured to engage with the retention features. The retention sleeve and the retention collar partially define a cartridge passage that extends through the bundled tube fuel injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark Carmine Bellino, James Christopher Monaghan, Johnie F. McConnaughhay, Steven Charles Woods, Gregory Scott Means
  • Patent number: 9400112
    Abstract: A method for disassembling a bundled tube fuel injector includes decoupling an aft plate from a fuel distribution module of the bundled tube fuel injector, where the aft plate is disposed at a downstream end of the bundled tube fuel injector. The method also includes removing the aft plate from the bundled tube fuel injector to expose a portion of a plurality of pre-mix tubes so as to allow for inspection repair and/or replacement of one or more of the plurality of pre-mix tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark Carmine Bellino, James Christopher Monaghan, Johnie F. McConnaughhay, Steven Charles Woods, Gregory Scott Means
  • Publication number: 20160153663
    Abstract: A method for repairing a bundled tube fuel injector includes removing a portion of a pre-mix tube, aligning a tube tip with the remaining portion pre-mix tube and fixedly connecting the tube tip to the pre-mix tube. The method may further include removing an aft plate and an outer shroud from the bundled tube fuel injector so as to expose the pre-mix tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: Gregory Scott Means, Steven Charles Woods, Mark Carmine Bellino, James Christopher Monaghan, Jonathan Dwight Berry, Patrick S. Riley
  • Publication number: 20160102914
    Abstract: A plurality of substantially identical, thermally and/or atmospherically isolated modules can be employed to effect a treatment process. Each module can include a thermal system and/or atmospheric control system to effect a step of a treatment process, such as a heat treatment process for metal articles, particularly heat treatment and/or welding of parts made from so-called “super allows.” The module control systems can communicate and/or cooperate to carry out a process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: Steven Charles Woods, Ronald Lee Souther
  • Patent number: 9259807
    Abstract: A method for repairing a bundled tube fuel injector includes removing a portion of a pre-mix tube, aligning a tube tip with the remaining portion pre-mix tube and fixedly connecting the tube tip to the pre-mix tube. The method may further include removing an aft plate and an outer shroud from the bundled tube fuel injector so as to expose the pre-mix tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Gregory Scott Means, Steven Charles Woods, Mark Carmine Bellino, James Christopher Monaghan, Jonathan Dwight Berry, Patrick S. Riley
  • Patent number: 9249976
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a method for servicing a combustor cap assembly of a turbine includes determining a defect is present in a center ring of the cap assembly, the center ring being disposed within a plurality of vanes, removing the center ring from the cap assembly. The method also includes placing a replacement center ring in the cap assembly, wherein dimensions of the replacement center ring are substantially the same as the center ring that has been removed and brazing the replacement center ring to the plurality of vanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mark Carmine Bellino, Charles Van Buchan, Robert Wade Clifford, Daniel James Dorriety, Steven Charles Woods
  • Patent number: 9242313
    Abstract: A viewport assembly may allow viewing of a retort chamber while protecting the viewer from heat of the retort chamber through a high-temperature-resistant window in an end wall of the viewport assembly. An access port in the end wall may allow use of tools, such as a welding device. An insulated door between the viewport assembly and the retort chamber may enhance protection and heat retention. The assembly may enhance retention of inert atmosphere in the retort chamber as well as heat, facilitating work on superalloy articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Steven Charles Woods, Ronald Lee Souther
  • Publication number: 20160003479
    Abstract: A process of assembling a fuel nozzle end cover includes machining a base material of the fuel nozzle end cover, then positioning one or more ring inserts in contact with the base material, then welding the ring insert(s) to the base material to define one or more ledge features within the fuel nozzle end cover. The ring insert(s) have a net shape or near-net shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: Steven Charles WOODS, Mark Carmine BELLINO
  • Patent number: 9217335
    Abstract: A fixture and method for adjusting a workpiece are disclosed. The fixture includes a holding device engageable to a workpiece to secure the workpiece, and an adjustment device engageable to a projecting member of the workpiece and movable along a first axis and a second axis. Movement of the adjustment device along the first axis when engaged to the projecting member adjusts the projecting member along the first axis, and movement of the adjustment device along the second axis when engaged to the projecting member adjusts the projecting member along the second axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Eunice D. Reyes, Javier Garza, Charles Van Buchan, Blake Allen Fulton, Steven Charles Woods, Mark Carmine Bellino
  • Patent number: 9206702
    Abstract: A method for repairing a shroud tile of a gas turbine is disclosed. The method may generally include removing a portion of the shroud tile along at least one of a first side and a second side of the shroud tile and securing at least one side rail to the shroud tile in place of the removed portion of the shroud tile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mark Lawrence Hunt, Steven Charles Woods
  • Patent number: 9145792
    Abstract: A fixture assembly for securing at least one side rail to a shroud tile of a gas turbine is disclosed. The fixture assembly may include a first support member, a second support member, a first guide block and a second guide block. The first and second guide blocks may be formed from a material that has the same or a similar coefficient of thermal expansion as the material used to form at least one of the shroud tile and the at least one side rail. In addition, the first and second support members may be formed from a material that has a lower coefficient of thermal expansion than the material used to form the first and second guide blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mark Lawrence Hunt, Steven Charles Woods
  • Publication number: 20150167984
    Abstract: A bundled tube fuel injector includes a fuel distribution module, a tube bundle having a plurality of pre-mix tubes that extend in parallel downstream from the fuel distribution module and a support plate disposed substantially adjacent to the fuel distribution manifold. The plurality of pre-mix tubes extends through the support plate. A retention sleeve is coupled to the support plate at a first end. A second end of the retention sleeve includes a plurality of radially extending retention features that are circumferentially arranged around the second end. The bundled tube fuel injector also includes an aft plate having a retention collar. The retention collar is configured to engage with the retention features. The retention sleeve and the retention collar partially define a cartridge passage that extends through the bundled tube fuel injector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mark Carmine Bellino, James Christopher Monaghan, Johnie F. McConnaughhay, Steven Charles Woods, Gregory Scott Means
  • Publication number: 20150167983
    Abstract: A bundled tube fuel injector includes a fuel plenum defined within the bundled tube fuel injector and a plurality of pre-mix tubes that extend downstream from the fuel plenum substantially parallel to one another. Each pre-mix tube includes an end portion and a radially extending end surface. An additively manufactured tube tip is fixedly connected to the end portion of a corresponding pre-mix tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Johnie F. McConnaughhay, Steven Charles Woods, Mark Carmine Bellino, James Christopher Monaghan, Jonathan Dwight Berry
  • Publication number: 20150165568
    Abstract: A method for repairing a bundled tube fuel injector includes removing a portion of a pre-mix tube, aligning a tube tip with the remaining portion pre-mix tube and fixedly connecting the tube tip to the pre-mix tube. The method may further include removing an aft plate and an outer shroud from the bundled tube fuel injector so as to expose the pre-mix tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gregory Scott Means, Steven Charles Woods, Mark Carmine Bellino, James Christopher Monaghan, Jonathan Dwight Berry, Patrick S. Riley
  • Publication number: 20150167982
    Abstract: A bundled tube fuel injector includes an outer band that circumferentially surrounds a fuel plenum defined within the bundled tube fuel injector. The outer band includes a forward end portion that is axially separated from an aft end portion. A plurality of pre-mix tubes extends through the fuel plenum substantially parallel to one another. A first segment of the plurality of pre-mix tubes is circumferentially surrounded by the outer band. An outer shroud extends circumferentially around a second segment of the pre-mix tubes. The outer shroud includes a forward portion and an aft portion. The aft end portion of the outer band is coupled to the forward portion of the outer shroud via a plurality of fasteners for enhanced assembly and reparability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mark Carmine Bellino, James Christopher Monaghan, Johnie F. McConnaughhay, Steven Charles Woods
  • Publication number: 20150167556
    Abstract: A method for disassembling a bundled tube fuel injector includes decoupling an aft plate from a fuel distribution module of the bundled tube fuel injector, where the aft plate is disposed at a downstream end of the bundled tube fuel injector. The method also includes removing the aft plate from the bundled tube fuel injector to expose a portion of a plurality of pre-mix tubes so as to allow for inspection repair and/or replacement of one or more of the plurality of pre-mix tubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mark Carmine Bellino, James Christopher Monaghan, Johnie F. McConnaughhay, Steven Charles Woods, Gregory Scott Means
  • Publication number: 20150167981
    Abstract: A bundled tube fuel injector includes a fuel plenum that is defined within the bundled tube fuel injector and a plurality of pre-mix tubes that extend downstream from the fuel plenum substantially parallel to one another. Each pre-mix tube includes an end portion and a radially extending end surface. The bundled tube fuel injector further includes a tube tip that is fixedly connected to the end portion of a corresponding pre-mix tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Steven Charles Woods, Gregory Scott Means, Mark Carmine Bellino, James Christopher Monaghan, Johnie F. McConnaughhay
  • Publication number: 20140356056
    Abstract: A hybrid diffusion-brazing process and hybrid diffusion-brazed article are disclosed. The hybrid diffusion-brazing process includes providing a component having a temperature-tolerant region and a temperature-sensitive region, brazing a braze material to the temperature-tolerant region during a localized brazing cycle, then heating the component in a furnace during a diffusion cycle. The brazing and the heating diffusion-braze the braze material to the component, and the localized brazing cycle is performed independent of the diffusion cycle in the hybrid diffusion-brazing process. The hybrid diffusion-brazed article includes a component, and a braze material diffusion-brazed to the component with a filler material. The filler material has a melting temperature that is above a tolerance temperature of the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Liangde XIE, Ronald Lee SOUTHER, Mark Lawrence HUNT, Steven Charles WOODS