Patents by Inventor Toby Darkins

Toby Darkins 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: 8114799
    Abstract: A ceramic matrix composite with a ceramic matrix and a gradient layering of coating on ceramic fibers. The coating typically improves the performance of the composite in one direction while degrading it in another direction. For a SiC-SiC ceramic matrix composite, a BN coating is layered in a gradient fashion or in a step-wise fashion in different regions of the article comprising the ceramic. The BN coating thickness is applied over the ceramic fibers to produce varying desired physical properties by varying the coating thickness within differing regions of the composite, thereby tailoring the strength of the composite in the different regions. The coating may be applied as a single layer as a multi-layer coating to enhance the performance of the coating as the ceramic matrix is formed or infiltrated from precursor materials into a preform of the ceramic fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Suresh Subramanian, James Steibel, Douglas Carper, Toby Darkins, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20070240423
    Abstract: A gas turbine combustor includes a substantially cylindrical combustor liner located substantially concentrically within a flow sleeve, the combustor liner composed through a ceramic matrix composite material, a forward end of the combustor liner provided with a plurality of circumferentially arranged bolt holes. An inner metal ring is located about an outside surface of the forward end of the combustor liner, the inner metal ring provided with a second plurality of circumferentially spaced bolt holes, with a plurality of bolts extending through the first and second pluralities of bolt holes and secured by self-locking nuts. An outer metal ring is spaced radially outwardly of the inner metal ring, with a plurality of circumferentially spaced struts extending between the inner and outer rings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Publication date: October 18, 2007
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Bulman, Toby Darkins, Mark Schroder, John Lipinski
  • Publication number: 20060147688
    Abstract: A ceramic matrix composite with a ceramic matrix and a gradient layering of coating on ceramic fibers. The coating typically improves the performance of the composite in one direction while degrading it in another direction. For a SiC-SiC ceramic matrix composite, a BN coating is layered in a gradient fashion or in a step-wise fashion in different regions of the article comprising the ceramic. The BN coating thickness is applied over the ceramic fibers to produce varying desired physical properties by varying the coating thickness within differing regions of the composite, thereby tailoring the strength of the composite in the different regions. The coating may be applied as a single layer as a multi-layer coating to enhance the performance of the coating as the ceramic matrix is formed or infiltrated from precursor materials into a preform of the ceramic fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Publication date: July 6, 2006
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Suresh Subramanian, James Steibel, Douglas Carper, Toby Darkins
  • Publication number: 20060078429
    Abstract: A turbine engine shroud segment comprises a body including an outer surface away from which an integral attachment system projects. The attachment system comprises a plurality of at least two axially spaced apart circumferentially extending rows of discrete projection hook segments to interrupt a potential hoop stress path through the attachment system. Each projection hook segment includes a segment support surface aligned circumferentially and radially with other segment support surfaces in a row.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Publication date: April 13, 2006
    Inventors: Toby Darkins, Mary Alford, Mark Noe, Christopher Crissman
  • Publication number: 20050186878
    Abstract: A ceramic matrix composite laminate includes at least two directional, continuous ceramic fiber preform lamina each being formed of interwoven or braided fibers. A layer of non-woven mat includes a plurality of chopped ceramic fibers mixed with a bonding agent. The non-woven mat layer is interposed between adjacent directional, continuous ceramic fiber preform lamina to substantially eliminate inter-laminar gaps formed between the adjacent directional, continuous ceramic fiber preform lamina. The additional chopped fiber content improves the interlaminar mechanical and thermo-mechanical material properties of resulting ceramic matrix composite laminate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Publication date: August 25, 2005
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Timothy Kostar, Toby Darkins, Douglas Carper