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: 20150013345
    Abstract: A shroud segment for a casing of gas turbine includes a body configured for attachment to the casing proximate a localized critical process location within the casing. The body has a leading edge, a trailing edge, and two side edges. The critical process location is located between the leading edge and the trailing edge when the body is attached to the casing. A cooling passage is defined in the body along one of the side edges with one of an inlet or an outlet proximate the critical process location. The cooling passage is configured large enough to cool the one side edge adjacent the cooling passage to a desired level during operation of the gas turbine. The critical process locations may be related to temperatures, pressures or other measurable features of the gas turbine environment when in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Christopher Donald Porter, Gregory Thomas Foster, Aaron Ezekiel Smith, David Wayne Weber, Michelle J. Rogers
  • Patent number: 8926269
    Abstract: A seal carrier for a seal used between rotating and non-rotating components includes an arcuate sheet metal seal carrier body formed to include a stepped, conical configuration wherein an inner diameter at a forward end is larger than the diameter at an aft end, with plural stepped sections defined by alternating radial and axial portions between the forward end and the aft end. Each axial portion is adapted to carry a seal element, preferably a honeycomb seal. Mounting flanges are provided at the forward end and the aft end of the arcuate sheet metal seal carrier body to enable attachment to the non-rotating component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Daniel Jackson Dillard, Gregory Thomas Foster, Niranjan Gokuldas Pai
  • Publication number: 20140338772
    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: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gregory Thomas Foster, Dustin Michael Earnhardt, Michelle Jessica Rogers, David Wayne Weber
  • Patent number: 8845272
    Abstract: A turbine shroud includes a body having a plurality of sides. A first inward facing groove is defined by a first side of the body, and a first seal covers the first inward facing groove to define a first fluid passage in the first inward facing groove along the first side of the body. A first inlet port through the first seal fluid communication through the first seal into the first fluid passage. A method for forming a turbine shroud includes forming an inner surface and forming an outer surface opposed to the inner surface, wherein the outer surface is configured for exposure to a hot gas path. The method further includes defining a first slot in the inner surface and extending a first seal across the first slot to define a first fluid passage in the first slot along the inner surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Wayne Weber, Gregory Thomas Foster
  • Patent number: 8684683
    Abstract: A turbine nozzle attachment assembly includes an outer turbine component (a shroud or a turbine shell) formed with a circumferential groove open in a forward-facing axial direction; a nozzle segment including a vane extending between inner and outer bands, the outer band provided with an upstanding annular hook formed with a hook element extending in an aft-facing axial direction and received in the circumferential groove. The upstanding annular hook and hook element are formed with a circumferentially-oriented slot. An anti-rotation block is located in the circumferentially-oriented slot, and an anti-tipping plate having a circumferential width greater than a corresponding circumferential width of the circumferentially-oriented slot substantially covers a forward face of the anti-rotation block. The anti-rotation block and the anti-tipping plate are fastened directly to the outer turbine component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas James Brunt, Robert Walter Coign, Gregory Thomas Foster
  • Publication number: 20140070457
    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: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Gregory Thomas FOSTER, Eric Richard BONINI
  • Patent number: 8647055
    Abstract: Shroud assembly for use in a turbine, having an outer shroud having a side proximate to flow of operative fluid of the turbine, the side having a boss and an outer shroud aperture extending through the boss. An inner shroud is located between the side of the outer shroud proximate to the flow of operative fluid and the operative fluid flow of the turbine, the inner shroud having an inner shroud aperture which is dimensioned to fit over the boss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gregory Thomas Foster, Robert Coign, Kevin McGovern, David Weber
  • Publication number: 20130315719
    Abstract: A turbine shroud cooling assembly for a gas turbine system includes an inner shroud component disposed within a turbine section of the gas turbine system and proximate a hot gas path therein, wherein the inner shroud component includes a base portion in direct contact with the hot gas path. Also includes is a rib protruding radially away from the base portion and disposed proximate at least one cavity configured to receive a cooling flow from a cooling source, wherein the cooling flow passes through the main passage of the rib for cooling the inner shroud component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Michelle Jessica Rogers, Gregory Thomas Foster
  • Publication number: 20130266435
    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: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Gregory Thomas Foster, Andrés Jose Garcia-Crespo
  • Patent number: 8486342
    Abstract: In accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment, a syringe, method and system for delivering a therapeutic amount of ozone are disclosed. An exemplary syringe can have a gas chamber and one or more electrodes. A portion of at least one electrode can be within the gas chamber. Alternatively, singularly or in conjunction, one or both electrodes can be attached to the outside of an exemplary syringe. One or more electrical contact points can be outside the gas chamber. Each electrical contact point can be connected to an electrode. Oxygen gas can provided within the gas chamber of the exemplary syringe. A medical ozone generator can be connected to the syringe via the electrical contact points. Corona discharge can be effectuated via the electrodes, which can result in an amount of ozone gas can being produced from the oxygen gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Minimus Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Hooper, Thomas Foster, Noel Henson
  • Publication number: 20130177384
    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: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert Walter Coign, Gregory Thomas Foster, Ravichandran Meenakshisundaram, Glen Arthur MacMillan, Aaron Gregory Winn
  • Publication number: 20130175357
    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: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Aaron Gregory Winn, Robert Walter Coign, James S. Phillips, Thomas Robbins Tipton, Gregory Thomas Foster, Ravichandran Meenakshisundaram, Niranjan Gokuldas Pai
  • Publication number: 20130066258
    Abstract: In accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment, a syringe, method and system for delivering a therapeutic amount of ozone are disclosed. An exemplary syringe can have a gas chamber and one or more electrodes. A portion of at least one electrode can be within the gas chamber. Alternatively, singularly or in conjunction, one or both electrodes can be attached to the outside of an exemplary syringe. One or more electrical contact points can be outside the gas chamber. Each electrical contact point can be connected to an electrode. Oxygen gas can provided within the gas chamber of the exemplary syringe. A medical ozone generator can be connected to the syringe via the electrical contact points. Corona discharge can be effectuated via the electrodes, which can result in an amount of ozone gas can being produced from the oxygen gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventors: David M. HOOPER, Thomas Foster, Noel Henson
  • Publication number: 20130058764
    Abstract: A seal carrier for a seal used between rotating and non-rotating components includes an arcuate sheet metal seal carrier body formed to include a stepped, conical configuration wherein an inner diameter at a forward end is larger than the diameter at an aft end, with plural stepped sections defined by alternating radial and axial portions between the forward end and the aft end. Each axial portion is adapted to carry a seal element, preferably a honeycomb seal. Mounting flanges are provided at the forward end and the aft end of the arcuate sheet metal seal carrier body to enable attachment to the non-rotating component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Daniel Jackson DILLARD, Gregory Thomas FOSTER, Niranjan Gokuldas PAI
  • Publication number: 20120325003
    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: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER
    Inventors: Andrew Berger, Thomas Foster, Rebecca Wilson, James Zavislan
  • Patent number: 8337768
    Abstract: In accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment, a syringe, method and system for delivering a therapeutic amount of ozone are disclosed. An exemplary syringe can have a gas chamber and one or more electrodes. A portion of at least one electrode can be within the gas chamber. Alternatively, singularly or in conjunction, one or both electrodes can be attached to the outside of an exemplary syringe. One or more electrical contact points can be outside the gas chamber. Each electrical contact point can be connected to an electrode. Oxygen gas can provided within the gas chamber of the exemplary syringe. A medical ozone generator can be connected to the syringe via the electrical contact points. Corona discharge can be effectuated via the electrodes, which can result in an amount of ozone gas can being produced from the oxygen gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Inventors: David M. Hooper, Thomas Foster, Noel Henson
  • Publication number: 20120297792
    Abstract: A turbomachine includes a nozzle. The nozzle includes an end portion and an airfoil portion. A diaphragm is mounted to the end portion of the nozzle in a wheel space portion of the turbomachine. The diaphragm includes an external surface and an internal surface. The diaphragm also includes at least one thermocouple well receiving portion formed in one of the external surface and the internal surface. A thermocouple well is mounted in the at least one thermocouple well receiving portion. The thermocouple well includes a first end exposed to the wheel space portion of the turbomachine and a second end exposed at the internal surface of the diaphragm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Daniel Jackson Dillard, Gregory Thomas Foster, George Martin Gilchrist, III
  • Patent number: 8303245
    Abstract: A turbine shroud assembly is disclosed, the shroud assembly including an outer shroud, at least one inner shroud attached to the outer shroud, and at least one discourager enclosed within the inner shroud. The discourager prevents the hot gas or steam in the turbine from having a direct line of access to the outer shroud. In one embodiment, one inner shroud is provided for the shroud assembly, with one discourager enclosed within the inner shroud, the discourager positioned offset from the inner shroud so as to extend past the inner shroud and into an inner shroud of a neighboring shroud assembly. In another embodiment, a plurality of inner shrouds are provided, each inner shroud enclosing a discourager, the discouragers being adjacent to each other within the inner shrouds and positioned offset from the inner shrouds so as to cover a gap between the inner shrouds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gregory Thomas Foster, Andres Jose Garcia Crespo, Herbert Chidsey Roberts
  • Publication number: 20120263582
    Abstract: Shroud assembly for use in a turbine, having an outer shroud having a side proximate to flow of operative fluid of the turbine, the side having a boss and an outer shroud aperture extending through the boss. An inner shroud is located between the side of the outer shroud proximate to the flow of operative fluid and the operative fluid flow of the turbine, the inner shroud having an inner shroud aperture which is dimensioned to fit over the boss.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gregory Thomas Foster, Robert Coign, Kevin McGovern, David Weber
  • Publication number: 20120260670
    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: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Gregory Thomas Foster, Andres Jose Garcia-Crespo