Patents by Inventor Wilbert B. Rethage

Wilbert B. Rethage 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: 7038770
    Abstract: A virtual-tight-wire system is provided for determining a centerline in a large rotary machine (10). The virtual-tight-wire system includes a columnar light source (30) that is positioned at one end of the rotary machine (10). A columnar beam of light (32) is emitted from the light source (30) toward light receivers (26) in a first and second centering tool (24). The beam of light (32) is adjusted to impact the center of the light receivers (26). Once the beam (32) has been aligned, the beam acts as a virtual tight-wire for identifying a centerline of the rotary machine (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Power Generation, Inc.
    Inventors: Waheed A. Abbasi, Wilbert B. Rethage
  • Patent number: 5133220
    Abstract: Apparatus for examining an elongated cylindrical body having an axial bore, such a rotor shaft, which apparatus includes an energy transducer which is supported by a drive rod to be advanced within the bore while obtaining readings indicative of the physical condition of the body, a drive unit supporting the rod, and a fixture for supporting the drive unit in order to center the drive rod within the bore, the fixture being supported by the body and including a mechanism for adjusting the fixture in order to establish the desired axial alignment of the drive rod. The fixture is provided with an arrangement for supporting a calibration block which is used for calibration of the apparatus, the arrangement being adjustable relative to the fixture to bring the calibration block into a desired position relative to the transducer when the drive unit is mounted on the fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1992
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: James W. Alford, Mark W. Fischer, Patricia A. Bosco, Alan A. Marfin, Vincent Berryman, Jr., Paul Guenther, William B. Lutz, Wilbert B. Rethage
  • Patent number: 5105658
    Abstract: An inspection system inspects the interior of the stator of an electric generator for the existence of several problems. The inspection apparatus is mounted on a carriage that travels along the slots defined by the stator. An indexer is mounted to the rotor of the generator and can travel around the circumference of the rotor to deliver the carriage to the desired slot. An indexer plate is mounted to the indexer and can be registered with the desired slot to insure that the carriage can enter the slot from the indexer. An associated motor controller disables the motor if an electrical fault is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Hamedo A. Jaafar, Karl A. Katzor, Wilbert B. Rethage, Gerard A. Pompa, George F. Dailey, Paul Guenther
  • Patent number: 4970890
    Abstract: An inspection system inspects the interior of the stator of an electric generator for the existence of several problems. The inspection apparatus is mounted on a carriage that travels along the slots defined by the stator. An indexer is mounted to the rotor of the generator and can travel around the circumference of the rotor to deliver the carriage to the desired slot. An indexer plate is mounted to the indexer and can be registered with the desired slot to insure that the carriage can enter the slot from the indexer. An associated motor controller disables the motor if an electrical fault is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Hamedo A. Jaafar, Karl A. Katzor, Wilbert B. Rethage, Gerard A. Pompa, George F. Dailey, Paul Guenther
  • Patent number: 4889000
    Abstract: An inspection system inspects the interior of the stator of an electric generator for the existence of several problems. The inspection apparatus is mounted on a carriage that travels along the slots defined by the stator. An indexer is mounted to the rotor of the generator and can travel around the circumference of the rotor to deliver the carriage to the desired slot. An indexer plate is mounted to the indexer and can be registered with the desired slot to insure that the carriage can enter the slot from the indexer. An associated motor controller disables the motor if an electrical fault is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1989
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Hamedo A. Jaafar, Karl A. Katzor, Wilbert B. Rethage, Gerard A. Pompa, George F. Dailey, Paul Guenther
  • Patent number: 4827435
    Abstract: A blade pitch measurement apparatus comprises first means for providing an indication of the instantaneous angular position of the rotor relative to a reference location and second means for providing an indication of the passage of a tenon through a selected location about the rotor. A third means is operatively coupled to and responsive to the indications provided by the first and second means for providing an indication of the angular position of each tenon and for computing blade pitch. A method of measuring blade pitch is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Gerald I. Marron, Wilbert B. Rethage