Robert A Bracken

US Patent:

6908279, Jun 21, 2005

Filed:

Nov 25, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/707167

Inventors:

Christopher Walter Sullivan - Ballston Spa NY, US
David Orus Fitts - Ballston Spa NY, US
Robert James Bracken - Niskayuna NY, US
Gregory Lee Landry - Glenburn ME, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

F01D009/02

US Classification:

415191, 4151995, 4152093, 2988922

Abstract:

A wedge-like nozzle radial loading pin, preferably formed from steel, that contacts the bottom of a reaction nozzle along a graduated, that is inclined or stepped, surface. This contact will secure the reaction nozzle radially inward against the retaining surface of the carrier dovetail with sufficient force to maintain the designed airfoil pre-twist.

US Patent:

7270512, Sep 18, 2007

Filed:

Aug 24, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/209624

Inventors:

Christopher Walter Sullivan - Ballston Spa NY, US
Robert James Bracken - Niskayuna NY, US
Jeffrey Robert Simkins - Rensselaer NY, US
Stephen Roger Swan - Clifton Park NY, US
David Orus Fitts - Ballston Spa NY, US
Ronald Wayne Korzun - Clifton Park NY, US
John Thomas Murphy - Niskayuna NY, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

F01D 9/00

US Classification:

4151995, 416215, 416212 R

Abstract:

The steampath for a steam turbine includes stacked stator rings each mounting inwardly directed nozzles and stacked rotor wheels each mounting outwardly directed buckets mounting blades. By alternately stacking the stator rings and rotor wheels, the nozzles and buckets of the various stages are interdigitated to form a steampath. Each bucket includes a blade and a root received in a generally complementary shaped groove on a wheel.

US Patent:

7287956, Oct 30, 2007

Filed:

Dec 22, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/017661

Inventors:

Robert James Bracken - Niskayuna NY, US
Sterling Ray Hathaway - Schenectady NY, US
David Orus Fitts - Ballston Spa NY, US
Ron W. Korzun - Clifton Park NY, US
Laurence Scott Duclos - Unity ME, US
William Edward Adis - Schenectady NY, US
Mark William Kowalczyk - Amsterdam NY, US
Bernard Arthur Couture - Schenectady NY, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

F01D 11/12

US Classification:

4151733, 4151734, 4151735, 4151736, 4151742, 4151744, 4151745, 415230, 415231

Abstract:

The turbine includes a diaphragm having a seal carrier mounted in opposition to seal teeth carried by the rotary component. The seal carrier includes a seal face having a coating of abradable material enabling the rotary component to abrade the material from the seal face. The seal carrier is removable from the diaphragm and is carried by an axial extension integral with or removable from the outer diaphragm ring. A spring may be interposed between the seal carrier and the stationary component.

US Patent:

7407370, Aug 5, 2008

Filed:

Nov 11, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/270925

Inventors:

Robert James Bracken - Niskayuna NY, US
John Thomas Murphy - Niskayuna NY, US
Stephen Swan - Clifton Park NY, US
Jeffrey Robert Simkins - Rensselaer NY, US
Clement Gazzillo - Schenectady NY, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

F01D 11/08

US Classification:

4151995, 4151741, 416244 A

Abstract:

Disclosed herein is a rotor assembly for a steam turbine including a stacked rotor section having rotor plates. The rotor plates include a main body portion having a plate shape and a first axial face and a second axial face opposite to the first axial face. The rotor plates also include an airfoil base surface at an outer radial edge of the main body portion. The rotor plates further include buckets which extend radially outward from the airfoil base surface. And the rotor plates yet further include a seal disposed to prevent steam exposure to the first and second axial faces.

US Patent:

7410345, Aug 12, 2008

Filed:

Apr 11, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/102729

Inventors:

Robert James Bracken - Niskayuna NY, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

F01D 9/04

US Classification:

416215, 416204 A, 415190

Abstract:

A retaining key for a turbine nozzle includes a key body having top and bottom surfaces, a pair of sides and a pair of ends including a forward end having a pair of horizontal shoulders on opposite sides of a center rib, the shoulders located substantially midway between the top and bottom surfaces such that the forward end has a substantially inverted T-shaped profile, and a rearward end having a first surface portion extending from and substantially perpendicular to the top surface and a second surface portion extending at an acute angle downwardly and toward the forward end and intersecting the bottom surface.

US Patent:

7497658, Mar 3, 2009

Filed:

Nov 11, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/270951

Inventors:

Robert James Bracken - Niskayuna NY, US
John Thomas Murphy - Niskayuna NY, US
Stephen Swan - Clifton Park NY, US
Jeffrey Robert Simkins - Rensselaer NY, US
Clement Gazzillo - Schenectady NY, US
David Orus Fitts - Ballston Spa NY, US
Mark William Kowalczyk - Amsterdam NY, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

F01D 9/04

US Classification:

415134, 415193, 4151995, 4152091, 4152092, 4152101

Abstract:

Disclosed herein is a stator assembly for a steam turbine. The stator assembly includes a stacked stator section and a retention device. The stacked stator section has a plurality of adjacently disposed stator plates. The retention device retains the adjacent stator plates proximate to each other.

US Patent:

7537430, May 26, 2009

Filed:

Nov 11, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/270950

Inventors:

Robert James Bracken - Niskayuna NY, US
John Thomas Murphy - Niskayuna NY, US
Stephen Swan - Clifton Park NY, US
Jeffrey Robert Simkins - Rennselaer NY, US
Clement Gazzillo - Schenectady NY, US
Ronald W. Korzun - Clifton Park NY, US
David Orus Fitts - Ballston Spa NY, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

F01D 9/04
F01D 5/06
F01D 5/28
F01D 5/30

US Classification:

4151995, 4151994, 4152161, 416189, 416198 A, 416201 R, 416215, 416219 R, 416224 A

Abstract:

Disclosed herein is a rotor assembly for a steam turbine. The steam turbine includes a retention portion having a stacked rotor section. The steam turbine further includes a first shaft end disposed at a first end of the retention portion. The steam turbine yet further includes a second shaft end disposed at a second end of the retention portion that is opposite to the first end of the retention portion.

US Patent:

7645117, Jan 12, 2010

Filed:

May 5, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/381799

Inventors:

Robert James Bracken - Niskayuna NY, US
David Orus Fitts - Ballston Spa NY, US
Sterling Hathaway - Schenectady NY, US
William Edward Adis - Scotia NY, US
Ronald Korzun - Clifton Park NY, US
Larry Duclos - Thorndike ME, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

F01D 11/08

US Classification:

4151733, 4151734, 4151737, 415191, 416208, 2988922

Abstract:

A rotary machine includes a rotor, a stationary machine casing extending around the rotor, and a bling assembly extending between the casing and the rotor. The machine also includes at least one rotor tip seal assembly and at least one shaft seal assembly. The seal assemblies have a groove configured to receive at least one seal ring band. A method of assembling a rotary machine is also provided. The method includes fabricating the bling assembly by providing two identical members comprising a mating surface and having a semi-circular profile. The method also includes coupling the two members together at their mating surfaces such that a circular ring is formed and such that the mating surfaces define a horizontal joint. The method further includes machining concentric, circular and annular radially inner and outer and airfoil portions within predetermined radial portions of the bling assembly. The method also includes forming at least one abradable layer over a plurality of seal ring bands and inserting the plurality of seal ring bands into the rotor tip and shaft seal ring grooves.