Patents by Inventor Thomas Churbuck

Thomas Churbuck 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).

  • Turbine blade attachment lightening holes
    Patent number: 6957948
    Abstract: The present invention seeks to provide a turbine blade with increased creep capability for both uncooled and cooled turbine blades while generally maintaining operating stress levels at an interface region between the turbine blade and a turbine disk. A turbine blade is disclosed having an attachment, a neck, a platform, and an airfoil. Extending radially outward from the attachment, through the neck, and terminating radially inward of the platform is a plurality of first cavities. The turbine blade in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention is cast from a high density nickel base alloy with high temperature capability and improved creep capability. A plurality of first cavities are placed in the attachment and neck region to reduce excess weight of the turbine blade due to the higher density, greater creep capable alloy. Reducing the weight of the blade in this region provides increased creep capability in the turbine blade airfoil while maintaining operating stress levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Power Systems Mfg., LLC
    Inventors: Tom Brooks, Richard Seleski, Thomas Churbuck, Thomas E. Brew, Jr.
  • Turbine blade attachment lightening holes
    Publication number: 20050158174
    Abstract: The present invention seeks to provide a turbine blade with increased creep capability for both uncooled and cooled turbine blades while generally maintaining operating stress levels at an interface region between the turbine blade and a turbine disk. A turbine blade is disclosed having an attachment, a neck, a platform, and an airfoil. Extending radially outward from the attachment, through the neck, and terminating radially inward of the platform is a plurality of first cavities. The turbine blade in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention is cast from a high density nickel base alloy with high temperature capability and improved creep capability. A plurality of first cavities are placed in the attachment and neck region to reduce excess weight of the turbine blade due to the higher density, greater creep capable alloy. Reducing the weight of the blade in this region provides increased creep capability in the turbine blade airfoil while maintaining operating stress levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Publication date: July 21, 2005
    Inventors: Tom Brooks, Richard Seleski, Thomas Churbuck, Thomas Brew