Patents by Inventor Thomas Foster

Thomas Foster 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: 20160169524
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide injection systems for fuel and air. According to one embodiment, an injection system can include a mixing zone embedded within a surface of a turbine nozzle and positioned between a first outlet and a second outlet, the turbine nozzle separating a combustor of a power generation system from a turbine stage of the power generation system, wherein the first outlet is oriented substantially in opposition to the second outlet; a first injection conduit for delivering a carrier gas to the mixing zone through the first outlet; and a second injection conduit for delivering a fuel to the mixing zone through a second outlet; wherein the carrier gas and the fuel intermix within the mixing zone upon leaving the first injection conduit and the second injection conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Stanley Kevin Widener, Lewis Berkley Davis, JR., Gregory Thomas Foster, Kaitlin Marie Graham, Krishnakumar Venkataraman
  • Publication number: 20160169518
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus comprising: a reaction chamber positioned between a first turbine stage of a power generation system and a turbine stage of the power generation system, wherein the turbine stage comprises a turbine nozzle and a turbine blade row; a plurality of injectors positioned on a wall of the reaction chamber; and a conduit in fluid communication with the plurality of injectors, wherein the conduit delivers at least one of fuel from a fuel supply line to the reaction chamber through the plurality of injectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Lewis Berkley Davis, JR., Gregory Thomas Foster, Kaitlin Marie Graham, Krishnakumar Venkataraman, Stanley Kevin Widener
  • Patent number: 9316109
    Abstract: A turbine shroud assembly includes an inner shroud portion comprising a body portion having a first circumferential edge, and a discourager extending circumferentially past the first circumferential edge of the body portion, wherein the discourager is integrally formed with the inner shroud portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Gregory Thomas Foster, Andres Jose Garcia-Crespo
  • Patent number: 9249917
    Abstract: A sealing member, a component including a sealing member, and a method of sealing a hole are disclosed. In an embodiment, the sealing member includes a plug member for occluding a hole in a wall of a passageway. The plug member includes at least one cooling feature disposed on a distal end of the plug member exposed to the passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gregory Thomas Foster, Dustin Michael Earnhardt, Michelle Jessica Rogers, David Wayne Weber
  • Publication number: 20150345300
    Abstract: A cooling structure for a stationary blade is provided. The cooling structure may include a first chamber in an endwall of the stationary blade directing a first cooling fluid from the stationary blade to a first cooling circuit, and a second chamber in the endwall of the stationary blade directing a second cooling fluid from the stationary blade to a second cooling circuit different than the first cooling circuit. The first cooling fluid has a lower temperature than the second cooling fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Wayne Weber, Dustin Michael Earnhardt, Gregory Thomas Foster, Michelle Jessica Iduate
  • Publication number: 20150218962
    Abstract: A core for forming micro channels within a turbine component is provided. The core includes a base comprising a first side and a second side; and a core assembly coupled to the second side. The core assembly further includes a plurality of channel members, wherein each channel member has a first end, a second end, and a channel body coupled to and extending between said first end and said second end. The channel body includes a channel shape configured to form the micro channels within the turbine component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Wayne Weber, Gregory Thomas Foster, Benjamin Paul Lacy, Aaron Ezekiel Smith, Dustin Michael Earnhardt
  • Patent number: 9096472
    Abstract: Methods of forming a ceramic component and a high temperature mold for use therewith are provided. The method includes providing a fixture having a receiving surface configured to receive an unfired ceramic component. The method includes applying a continuous high temperature membrane to a surface of the unfired ceramic component. The method includes covering the continuous high temperature membrane and unfired ceramic component with a high temperature loose media. The method includes heating the unfired ceramic component to a firing temperature. The high temperature mold includes the fixture and a support structure forming a compartment surrounding the fixture. The mold allows the high temperature loose media to be contained within the compartment and to cover the continuous high temperature membrane. The continuous high temperature membrane and high temperature loose media are evenly distributed over the uncured ceramic component and operable to provide constant pressure during processing using the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gregory Thomas Foster, Eric Richard Bonini
  • Patent number: 9072430
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining the location of a radio-opaque marker embedded in an excised specimen includes a radio-opaque marker including an energy beacon that can be embedded in the specimen, an energy beacon controller, at least three detectors, a signal processing component, and a display device. An associated method is disclosed. A method for evaluating a radiographically labeled excised specimen involves determining the location of a radio-opaque marker embedded in the excised specimen, anatomically sectioning the excised specimen, macro-optically segmenting the sectioned specimen into an adipose tissue component, a fibrous tissue component, and an epithelial tissue component, and microscopically examining at least one of the tissue components. An associated apparatus is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER
    Inventors: Andrew Berger, Thomas Foster, Rebecca Wilson, James Zavislan
  • Publication number: 20150184530
    Abstract: The present application and the resultant patent provide a turbine nozzle for a gas turbine engine. The turbine nozzle may include a first nozzle vane, a second nozzle vane, and a platform connecting the first nozzle vane and the second nozzle vane. The platform may include a first cooling passage and a separate second cooling passage defined therein. The first cooling passage may be configured to direct a first flow of cooling fluid in a first direction, and the second cooling passage may be configured to direct a second flow of cooling fluid in a second direction substantially opposite the first direction. The present application and the resultant patent further provide a method for cooling a turbine nozzle of a gas turbine engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michelle Jessica Iduate, Gregory Thomas Foster, David Wayne Weber
  • Publication number: 20150184519
    Abstract: A turbine blade having an airfoil defined by a concave shaped pressure side outer wall and a convex shaped suction side outer wall that connect along leading and trailing edges and, therebetween, form a radially extending chamber for receiving the flow of a coolant. The turbine blade may further include a rib configuration that partitions the chamber into radially extending flow passages. The rib configuration may include a camber line rib having a wavy profile. The wavy profile may include at least one back-and-forth ā€œSā€ shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gregory Thomas Foster, Lisa Anne Wichmann, Brian Denver Potter, Aaron Ezekiel Smith
  • Publication number: 20150184520
    Abstract: A turbine blade that includes an airfoil and a radially extending chamber therein for a coolant. The turbine blade may also include a rib configuration that partitions the chamber into radially extending flow passages. The rib configuration may include: a camber line rib that defines a near-wall flow chamber; and traverse ribs extending between the camber line rib and one of the outer walls so to divide the near-wall flow chamber into successively stacked flow passages that each include a segment of the camber line rib. The segment of the camber line rib of one of the flow passages may have a narrowing profile that includes a profile that narrows from opposing ends toward a neck disposed therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brian Denver Potter, Gregory Thomas Foster
  • Publication number: 20150133852
    Abstract: In accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment, a syringe device, method and system for delivering a therapeutic amount of ozone are disclosed. A sterility case can enclose a syringe portion and can maintain sterility while the syringe device is interfaced to an ozone generator. A valvably-controlled fluid channel can extend from the barrel of the syringe through the case. Conducting elements can be attached to the case and can breach the case. The conductive elements can be connected to electrodes. The electrodes can be attached to the syringe. The syringe portion can be filled with oxygen gas via the valvably-controlled fluid channel. An electric current can be provided to the conductive elements from an ozone generator resulting in a corona discharge from at least one electrode. A therapeutic amount of ozone gas can be produced from the oxygen gas and the syringe delivered into the sterile field without compromise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: Minimus Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. HOOPER, Thomas FOSTER, Noel HENSON
  • Publication number: 20150118022
    Abstract: In one example, an arcuate segment for a ring-shaped, rotary machine component such as a stator nozzle or bucket shroud, includes a segment body having an end face formed with a circumferentially-facing seal slot adapted to receive a seal extending between the segment body and a corresponding seal slot in an adjacent segment body to seal a radially-extending gap between the adjacent segment bodies. A cooling channel is provided in the segment body in proximity to the seal slot, and is adapted to be supplied with cooling air. A passage extends from the cooling channel into the seal slot, at a location where the cooling air can be supplied to the higher pressure area on the radially-outer side of the seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Wayne WEBER, Gregory Thomas Foster, Aaron Ezekiel Smith
  • Patent number: 9011079
    Abstract: The present application provides a compartmentalized cooling system for providing a cooling flow in a turbine with a flow of combustion gases therein. The compartmentalized cooling system may include a turbine nozzle and a cooling baffle. The turbine nozzle may include an airfoil insert and a nozzle outer sidewall. The cooling baffle may include a high pressure cooling passage in communication with the airfoil insert in a first circuit and an impingement plate positioned about the nozzle outer sidewall in a second circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Walter Coign, Gregory Thomas Foster, Ravichandran Meenakshisundaram, Glen Arthur MacMillan, Aaron Gregory Winn
  • Publication number: 20150101346
    Abstract: A locking spacer assembly for securing adjacent rotor blades includes a first end piece having a platform portion and a root portion that define a first inner surface of the first end piece. The root portion defines a first projection and an opposing second projection of the first end piece. The first projection has an outer profile adapted to project into a first lateral recess of the attachment slot. The second projection has an outer profile adapted to project into a second lateral recess of the attachment slot. A second end piece fits between the first inner surface of the first end piece and a sidewall portion of the attachment slot and includes a platform portion and a root portion. A borehole extends continuously through the first end piece and the second end piece. A fastener configured to engage with a sidewall portion of the attachment slot extends through the borehole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gregory Thomas Foster, Michael James Healy
  • Publication number: 20150098808
    Abstract: A method and system for sealing between components within a gas turbine is provided. A first recess defined in a first component receives a seal member. A second recess defined in a second component adjacent the first component also receives the seal member. The first and second recesses are located proximate a hot gas path defined through the gas turbine, and define circumferential paths about the turbine axis. The seal member includes a sealing face that extends in a direction substantially parallel to the turbine axis. The seal member also includes a plurality of seal layers, wherein at least one of the seal layers includes at least one stress relief region for facilitating flexing of the first seal member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Victor John Morgan, Gregory Thomas Foster, Neelesh Nandkumar Sarawate, David Wayne Weber
  • Patent number: 8998565
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus configured to seal with a turbine blade stage of a gas turbine. The apparatus includes an outer shroud coupled to an inner shroud and configured to circumferentially surround the turbine blade stage. The inner shroud is configured to circumferentially surround the turbine blade stage to seal with the turbine blade stage and includes an attachment element configured to be inserted into the outer shroud to couple the inner shroud to the outer shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gregory Thomas Foster, Andres Jose Garcia-Crespo
  • Patent number: 8961471
    Abstract: In accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment, a syringe device, a method and a system for delivering a therapeutic amount of ozone are disclosed. A sterility case can enclose a syringe portion and can maintain sterility while the syringe device is interfaced to an ozone generator. A valvably-controlled fluid channel can extend from a barrel of the syringe portion through the case. Conducting elements can be attached to the case and can breach the case. The conductive elements can be connected to electrodes. The electrodes can be attached to the syringe portion. The syringe portion can be filled with oxygen gas via the valvably-controlled fluid channel. An electric current can be provided to the conductive elements from the ozone generator resulting in a corona discharge from at least one of the electrodes. The therapeutic amount of ozone can be produced from the oxygen gas and the syringe portion delivered into a sterile field without compromise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Minimus Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Hooper, Thomas Foster, Noel Henson
  • Publication number: 20150037165
    Abstract: A turbine blade is provided and includes pressure and suction surfaces connected to define an interior through which coolant is passable and first and second pedestal arrays, each of the first and second pedestal arrays including pedestals respectively coupled to radially outboard portions of respective interior faces of one of the pressure and suction surfaces. The pedestals of the first pedestal array are separated from pedestals of the second pedestal array by gaps respectively defined therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mark Andrew Jones, Bradley Taylor Boyer, Robert Alan Brittingham, Gregory Thomas Foster, Christopher William Kester
  • Patent number: 8944751
    Abstract: The present application provides an inner nozzle platform. The inner nozzle platform may include a platform cavity, an impingement plenum positioned within the platform cavity, a retention plate positioned on a first side of the impingement plenum, and a compliant seal positioned on a second side of the impingement plenum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Aaron Gregory Winn, Robert Walter Coign, James Stewart Phillips, Thomas Robbins Tipton, Gregory Thomas Foster, Ravichandran Meenakshisundaram, Niranjan Gokuldas Pai