Michael E Benjamin

US Patent:

7841368, Nov 30, 2010

Filed:

Jul 30, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/182469

Inventors:

Marie Ann McMasters - Mason OH, US
Michael A. Benjamin - Cincinnati OH, US
Alfred Mancini - Cincinnati OH, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

F16L 11/00

US Classification:

138115, 138117, 138109

Abstract:

A unitary conduit for transporting a fluid is described, the conduit comprising a body and a flow passage located within the body, the flow passage having an inlet end and an exit end, wherein the flow passage and the body have a unitary construction. In another embodiment, a unitary conduit has a flow passage wherein the cross sectional shape of the flow passage changes from a first cross sectional shape to a second cross sectional shape. In another embodiment, the exterior contour of the body generally conforms to the interior contour of the flow passage. In another embodiment, the flow passage branches to a plurality of sub-passages.

US Patent:

8171734, May 8, 2012

Filed:

Aug 29, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/200956

Inventors:

Marie Ann McMasters - Mason OH, US
Michael A. Benjamin - Cincinnati OH, US
Alfred Mancini - Cincinnati OH, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

F02C 1/00

US Classification:

60748

Abstract:

A unitary swirler is disclosed, comprising a body having a swirler axis, and a plurality of vanes arranged in a circumferential direction around the swirler axis, wherein the swirler has a unitary construction. In one embodiment, the unitary swirler has a rim located coaxially with the swirler axis, and a wall extending between a portion of the rim and a portion of the hub. In another embodiment, the unitary swirler has an adaptor having a passage that is configured to direct a flow of air towards at least some of the plurality of vanes.

US Patent:

8210211, Jul 3, 2012

Filed:

Jul 30, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/182485

Inventors:

Marie Ann McMasters - Mason OH, US
Michael A. Benjamin - Cincinnati OH, US
Alfred Mancini - Cincinnati OH, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

F16L 11/00

US Classification:

138115, 138117, 138109, 138177

Abstract:

A method for fabricating a unitary conduit is disclosed the method comprising the steps of determining three-dimensional information of the unitary conduit having at least one flow passage, converting the three-dimensional information into a plurality of slices that each define a cross-sectional layer of the unitary conduit, and successively forming each layer of the unitary conduit by fusing a metallic powder using laser energy. A unitary conduit is disclosed, comprising a body and a flow passage, wherein the flow passage and the body have a unitary construction, and made by using a rapid manufacturing process.

US Patent:

8336313, Dec 25, 2012

Filed:

Jul 30, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/182500

Inventors:

Marie Ann McMasters - Mason OH, US
Michael A. Benjamin - Cincinnati OH, US
Alfred Mancini - Cincinnati OH, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

F02C 7/22

US Classification:

60742, 60734, 60737, 60740, 60746, 2394164, 239423, 239424

Abstract:

A unitary distributor is disclosed, comprising at least one main flow passage located within a distributor ring body, the main flow passage having an arcuate portion oriented in a circumferential direction around a distributor axis. Exemplary embodiments of a unitary distributor having an annular ring located at the axially forward end of the distributor ring body are disclosed. A fuel distributor is disclosed, comprising a fuel conduit and a distributor wherein the fuel distributor has a unitary construction.

US Patent:

8387391, Mar 5, 2013

Filed:

Dec 17, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/971676

Inventors:

Nayan Vinodbhai Patel - Liberty Township OH, US
Michael Anthony Benjamin - Cincinnati OH, US
Duane Douglas Thomsen - Lebanon OH, US
Alfred Albert Mancini - Cincinnati OH, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schnectady NY

International Classification:

F02C 1/00

US Classification:

60740

Abstract:

A gas turbine engine fuel nozzle assembly includes a pilot fuel injector tip substantially centered about a centerline axis in an annular pilot inlet to a pilot mixer. A cross over arm extends across inlet to tip. Arm includes an arm fairing surrounding at least one fuel transfer tube to tip. A pilot nose cap is at an upstream end of tip. At least one of the cross over arm and the pilot nose cap includes a rounded forebody followed by a straight afterbody. Rounded forebody of pilot nose cap includes a substantially rounded dome extending forwardly from a rounded nose base and straight afterbody includes a substantially cylindrical nose afterbody parallel to a pilot nose centerline normal to nose base. An arm fairing surrounding fuel transfer tubes to tip includes rounded leading and trailing edges and a rectangular middle section therebetween having flat first and second sides.

US Patent:

8555645, Oct 15, 2013

Filed:

Jul 21, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/176898

Inventors:

Beverly Stephenson Duncan - West Chester OH, US
Michael Anthony Benjamin - Cincinnati OH, US
George Chia-Chun Hsiao - West Chester OH, US
Hukam Chand Mongia - West Chester OH, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

F02C 7/22

US Classification:

60737, 60740

Abstract:

A fuel nozzle centerbody is provided that includes a cylindrical cross-sectional area, and a baffle co-axially aligned within the centerbody. The baffle includes a plurality of circumferentially-spaced apertures configured to channel an airflow radially outward such that the channeled airflow impinges a centerbody inner surface.

US Patent:

20090255102, Oct 15, 2009

Filed:

Apr 6, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/418901

Inventors:

Marie Ann McMasters - Mason OH, US
Michael A. Benjamin - Cincinnati OH, US
Alfred Mancini - Cincinnati OH, US

International Classification:

B23P 6/00

US Classification:

2940218

Abstract:

A method of repairing a fuel nozzle is disclosed comprising the steps of preparing a damaged component for repair; directing thermal energy towards a substrate; directing a stream of powder material; and depositing the powder material onto the substrate.

US Patent:

20090255116, Oct 15, 2009

Filed:

Apr 6, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/418889

Inventors:

Marie Ann McMasters - Mason OH, US
Michael A. Benjamin - Cincinnati OH, US
Alfred Mancini - Cincinnati OH, US

International Classification:

B23P 6/00
B23P 15/04

US Classification:

298891, 298892

Abstract:

A method of repairing a fuel nozzle is disclosed comprising the steps of forming a pilot assembly; installing into a repair bore; inserting a primary adaptor into a repair bore such that the primary adaptor is in flow communication with a pilot flow passage and the pilot assembly; and coupling the primary adaptor to a distributor and the new pilot assembly.