Michael D Arnett

US Patent:

7771171, Aug 10, 2010

Filed:

Dec 14, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/638818

Inventors:

Patrick Mohr - Greer SC, US
Daniel Nowak - Greenville SC, US
Emilio Fernandez - Taylors SC, US
Michael Arnett - Simpsonville SC, US
David Williams - Seneca SC, US
Carlos Collado - Moore SC, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

F01D 5/22

US Classification:

416191, 416196 R, 416212 A, 416224

Abstract:

A system in a turbine engine for preventing wear on a tip shroud of a turbine blade that includes a pocket formed in a contact surface of the tip shroud and a plug that fits within the pocket and has a durable outer surface. The durable outer surface may include a cobalt-based hardfacing powder. The pocket may be machined out of the contact surface, and the plug may include a plug of predetermined size that fits snugly into the pocket. In some embodiments, the durable outer surface may substantially align with the contact surface after the plug is fitted into the pocket. In other embodiments, the durable outer surface may remain slightly raised from the contact surface after the plug has been fitted into the pocket.

US Patent:

8319148, Nov 27, 2012

Filed:

Aug 20, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/544494

Inventors:

Daniel Anthony Nowak - Greenville SC, US
Michael Douglas Arnett - Simpsonville SC, US
Srikanth Chandrudu Kottilingam - Simpsonville SC, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

B23K 26/00

US Classification:

21912176, 21912177, 21912185

Abstract:

A system and method for laser beam welding at least two adjacent superalloy components involves substantially simultaneous formation of a base weld with a first filler metal placed between the components and cap weld with second filler metal formed over the base weld. A shim is inserted between the components, which may optionally be formed with a groove along the joint surface. A filler wire is fed to a location over the given surface or within the optional groove. Two lasers or a laser and coupled beam splitter supply first and second laser beams that are applied at focal points separated by a predetermined distance (e. g. , 0. 05-1. 5 cm). The first laser beam is used to form a base weld with the first filler metal between the components, and the second laser beam is used to form a cap weld with the second filler metal on top of the base weld.

US Patent:

8371817, Feb 12, 2013

Filed:

Sep 15, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/559656

Inventors:

Gitahi Charles Mukira - Simpsonville SC, US
Daniel Anthony Nowak - Greenville SC, US
Michael Douglas Arnett - Simpsonville SC, US
Srikanth Chandrudu Kottilingam - Simpsonville SC, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

B64C 11/20
B64C 11/26

US Classification:

416213R, 416233, 2988921

Abstract:

A turbine bucket that includes a pressure side, a suction side opposite the pressure side, and a rib extending between the pressure side and the suction side. A tip cap is attached to the pressure side and the suction side and covers the rib. The tip cap includes a precipitation hardened material and a passage aligned with the rib. A method for assembling a turbine bucket having a pressure side and a suction side and a rib extending between the pressure side and suction side. The method includes receiving a tip cap made from a precipitation hardened material and having a passage in the tip cap. The method further includes locating the rib visually through the passage and aligning the passage with the rib. The method also includes welding the tip cap to the turbine bucket and to the rib.

US Patent:

20070221705, Sep 27, 2007

Filed:

Mar 24, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/389614

Inventors:

Michael Arnett - Simpsonville SC, US
Daniel Nowak - Greenville SC, US

International Classification:

A47J 36/02

US Classification:

228101000

Abstract:

Disclosed herein is a method of welding superalloy articles. A buttered layer is attached to a first article formed from a superalloy. A buttered layer is attached to a second article formed from a superalloy. Residual stresses are relieved between the buttered layer and the superalloy. Matching faying surfaces are established at the buttered layers of the articles. And, the faying surfaces of the articles are welded together to form a welded assembly, wherein after welding, a heat affected zone is within the buttered layers.

US Patent:

20070241169, Oct 18, 2007

Filed:

Apr 13, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/402858

Inventors:

Michael Arnett - Simpsonville SC, US
Daniel Nowak - Greenville SC, US
Jon Schaeffer - Simpsonville SC, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

B23K 31/02
B21D 39/00

US Classification:

228165000, 228119000, 228231000

Abstract:

A method of welding superalloy components comprising: (a) forming a weld prep groove at an interface of the components; (b) welding the components using a filler material at ambient temperature; (c) covering the filler material and adjacent surfaces of the components with a braze paste; and (d) heat treating the components, the heat treatment including a stress-relief cycle and a braze cycle. A similar process may be used to repair a crack in a nickel-based superalloy component.

US Patent:

20080011813, Jan 17, 2008

Filed:

Jul 17, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/487825

Inventors:

David Vincent Bucci - Simpsonville SC, US
Warren Martin Miglietti - Greenville SC, US
Michael Douglas Arnett - Simpsonville SC, US

International Classification:

B23K 31/02

US Classification:

228119

Abstract:

A process for repairing a metal component includes sintering a mixture comprising particles of a coating composition and particles of a brazing alloy to form a composite preform; disposing the composite preform on an uncoated surface of the metal component; and heating the preform to a temperature effective to form a brazed joint between the composite preform and the metal component.

US Patent:

20080105659, May 8, 2008

Filed:

Nov 2, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/591466

Inventors:

Michael D. Arnett - Simpsonville SC, US
Daniel A. Nowak - Greenville SC, US
Paul S. Dimascio - Greer SC, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

B23K 15/00

US Classification:

21912114

Abstract:

A method of welding superalloy components comprising: preheating one or more components to be welded to a target temperature of at least 1500OF in a vacuum chamber; welding the one or more preheated components in a weldment region utilizing an electron beam, while maintaining the target temperature until welding is completed.

US Patent:

20080182119, Jul 31, 2008

Filed:

Jan 30, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/668559

Inventors:

Michael Douglas Arnett - Simpsonville SC, US
Srikanth Chandrudu Kottilingam - Simpsonville SC, US
Gitahi Charles Mukira - Simpsonville SC, US
Gene Arthur Murphy - Pelzer SC, US
Daniel Anthony Nowak - Greenville SC, US

Assignee:

GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

B32B 15/01
B23K 11/14

US Classification:

428594, 219 93, 219 94

Abstract:

Disclosed is a projection welding method including providing a first metal substrate, a second metal substrate, and a projection material of separate construction from the first metal substrate and the second metal substrate, disposing the metal projection material between the first metal substrate and the second metal substrate, applying a current and pressure to at least one of the first metal substrate and the second metal substrate, melting the metal projection material via the application of the current and pressure, creating a weld between the first metal substrate and the second metal substrate via the melting, and fixedly associating the first metal substrate and the second metal substrate via the weld.