IP Library Granted Patent US 12,553,349
Granted Patent B2
US 12,553,349 · App. 18/343,987 · Granted Feb 17, 2026

Vibration dampening system including resonant-tuned elongated body for damper element(s) for turbine component

Inventors: Zachary John Snider (Pelzer, SC); John McConnell Delvaux (Fountain Inn, SC)
Assignee: GE Infrastructure Technology LLC
F01D5/16F05D2260/96
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,553,349
App. No.
18/343,987
Granted
Feb 17, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A vibration dampening system includes damper element(s) in a body opening of a turbine component. A resonant-tuned elongated body extends through the damper element(s) in the body opening. The elongated body is configured to resonate at a predefined resonant frequency, such as the same resonant frequency as turbine component at the body opening, to generate a force against the damper element(s) in the body opening. The damper element(s) have a surface in contact with the body opening and/or elongated body.

Claims (40)

1 . A vibration dampening system for dampening vibrations in a turbine component configured to be installed in a first body opening of the turbine component, the vibration dampening system comprising:

one or more damper elements in the first body opening;

a first resonant-tuned elongated body extending through an opening in the one or more damper elements in the first body opening, wherein the first resonant-tuned elongated body is configured to resonate at a first predefined resonant frequency, whereby the first resonant-tuned elongated body generates a force against the one or more damper elements in the first body opening; and

wherein each of the one or more damper elements in the first body opening has a surface in contact with at least one of the first body opening and the first resonant-tuned elongated body,

wherein the one or more damper elements in the first body opening includes a first plurality of stacked washers having a first outer dimension and a second plurality of stacked washers having a second outer dimension, wherein the first outer dimension and the second outer dimension are different,

wherein the first outer dimension matches an inner dimension of the first body opening, and the second outer dimension is smaller than the inner dimension of the first body opening, and

wherein the first plurality of stacked washers has a first inner dimension, and the second plurality of stacked washers has a second inner dimension, wherein the first inner dimension is larger than an outer dimension of the first resonant-tuned elongated body and the second inner dimension matches the outer dimension of the first resonant-tuned elongated body.

2 . The vibration dampening system of claim 1 , wherein the first resonant-tuned elongated body includes at least one of the following characteristics of the first resonant-tuned elongated body selected to generate the first predefined resonant frequency during operation of the turbine component: a length, at least one outer dimension, an outer dimension taper along a length thereof, a wall thickness of at least one location, a material, at least one attachment location to the turbine component, at least one attachment type to the turbine component, and a number of the elongated bodies.

3 . The vibration dampening system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more damper elements in the first body opening includes the first plurality of stacked washers and the second plurality of stacked washers arranged along a portion of the first resonant-tuned elongated body; and wherein a closure member is installed in the first body opening to prevent removal of the one or more damper elements.

4 . The vibration dampening system of claim 1 , wherein the turbine component includes a second body opening, and the vibration dampening system further comprises:

one or more damper elements in the second body opening;

a second resonant-tuned elongated body extending through an opening in the one or more damper elements in the second body opening, wherein the second resonant-tuned elongated body is configured to resonate at a second predefined resonant frequency, whereby the second resonant-tuned elongated body generates a force against the one or more damper elements in the second body opening; and

wherein each of the one or more damper elements in the second body opening has a surface in contact with at least one of the second body opening and the second resonant-tuned elongated body.

5 . The turbine component of claim 1 , wherein the first predefined resonant frequency matches a resonant frequency of the turbine component at the first body opening.

6 . A turbine component, comprising:

a body having a first body opening defined therein; and

a vibration dampening system for dampening vibrations in the body and configured to be installed in the first body opening, the vibration dampening system including:

one or more damper elements in the first body opening;

a first resonant-tuned elongated body extending through an opening in the one or more damper elements in the first body opening, wherein the first resonant-tuned elongated body is configured to resonate at a first predefined resonant frequency; and

wherein each of the one or more damper elements in the first body opening has a surface in contact with at least one of the first body opening and the first resonant-tuned elongated body,

wherein the one or more damper elements in the first body opening includes a first plurality of stacked washers having a first outer dimension and a second plurality of stacked washers having a second outer dimension, wherein the first outer dimension and the second outer dimension are different,

wherein the first outer dimension matches an inner dimension of the first body opening, and the second outer dimension is smaller than the inner dimension of the first body opening, and

wherein the first plurality of stacked washers has a first inner dimension, and the second plurality of stacked washers has a second inner dimension, wherein the first inner dimension is larger than an outer dimension of the first resonant-tuned elongated body and the second inner dimension matches the outer dimension of the first resonant-tuned elongated body.

7 . The turbine component of claim 6 , wherein the first resonant-tuned elongated body includes at least one of the following characteristics of the first resonant-tuned elongated body selected to generate the first predefined resonant frequency during operation: a length, at least one outer dimension, an outer dimension taper along a length thereof, a wall thickness at at least one location, a material, at least one attachment location to the turbine blade, at least one attachment type to the turbine blade, and a number of the elongated bodies.

8 . The turbine component of claim 6 , wherein the one or more damper elements in the first body opening includes the first plurality of stacked washers and the second plurality of stacked washers arranged together along a portion of the first resonant-tuned elongated body; and wherein a closure member is installed in the first body opening to prevent removal of the one or more damper elements.

9 . The turbine component of claim 6 , wherein the turbine component includes a second body opening, and the vibration dampening system further comprises:

one or more damper elements in the second body opening;

a second resonant-tuned elongated body extending through an opening in the one or more damper elements in the second body opening, wherein the second resonant-tuned elongated body is configured to resonate at a second predefined frequency, whereby the second resonant-tuned elongated body generates a force against the one or more damper elements in the second body opening; and

wherein each of the one or more damper elements in the second body opening has a surface in contact with at least one of the second body opening and the first resonant-tuned elongated body.

10 . The turbine component of claim 6 , wherein the first predefined resonant frequency matches a resonant frequency of the turbine component at the first body opening.

11 . A method, comprising:

selecting a frequency of concern for a turbine component in operation at a body opening defined therein;

configuring a resonant-tuned elongated body to be positioned in the body opening to have a predefined resonant frequency that is same as the frequency of concern of the turbine component at the body opening;

positioning the resonant-tuned elongated body through an opening in one or more damper elements; and

positioning the resonant-tuned elongated body with the one or more damper elements in the body opening,

wherein the one or more damper elements in the body opening has a surface in contact with at least one of the body opening and the resonant-tuned elongated body,

wherein the one or more damper elements in the first body opening includes a first plurality of stacked washers having a first outer dimension and a second plurality of stacked washers having a second outer dimension, wherein the first outer dimension and the second outer dimension are different,

wherein the first outer dimension matches an inner dimension of the first body opening, and the second outer dimension is smaller than the inner dimension of the first body opening, and

wherein the first plurality of stacked washers has a first inner dimension, and the second plurality of stacked washers has a second inner dimension, wherein the first inner dimension is larger than an outer dimension of the first resonant-tuned elongated body and the second inner dimension matches the outer dimension of the first resonant-tuned elongated body.

12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the configuring the resonant-tuned elongated body includes selecting at least one of the following characteristics of the resonant-tuned elongated body to generate the first predefined resonant frequency during operation of the turbine component: a length, at least one outer dimension, an outer dimension taper along a length thereof, a wall thickness of at least one location, a material, at least one attachment location to the turbine blade, at least one attachment type to the turbine blade, and a number of the elongated bodies.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 29, 2023
From: SNIDER, ZACHARY JOHN; DELVAUX, JOHN MCCONNELL
To: GE INFRASTRUCTURE TECHNOLOGY LLC
Reel/Frame 064114/0170 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20250003341A1 · Jan 2, 2025
References Cited (50)
US 1833751A · Kimball · 1931 [cited by examiner]
US 1833754A · Paget · 1931 [cited by examiner]
US 2412615A · Alan · 1946 [cited by examiner]
US 2999669A · Mcginnis · 1961 [cited by examiner]
US 4475722A · Paton et al. · 1984 [cited by applicant]
US 4738437A · Paton et al. · 1988 [cited by applicant]
US 5165860A · Stoner · 1992 [cited by examiner]
US 5356264A · Watson · 1994 [cited by examiner]
US 5568749A · Liposky · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 5820343A · Kraft et al. · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 6283707B1 · Chin · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 6929451B2 · Gregg · 2005 [cited by examiner]
US 8292583B2 · Marra · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 8915718B2 · Dolansky et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 9267380B2 · Houston et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 9657717B2 · Ollgaard et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 10151204B2 · Houston et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 10808788B2 · Seeley et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 11187089B2 · Wondrasek et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 11371358B2 · Chakrabarti et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 11473431B2 · Greenberg et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 11976565B2 · Snider et al. · 2024 [cited by applicant]
US 20030202883A1 · Davis · 2003 [cited by examiner]
US 20050200062A1 · Maurer et al. · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 20060280606A1 · Busbey · 2006 [cited by examiner]
US 20100008778A1 · Patrick · 2010 [cited by examiner]
US 20100253114A1 · Ohmiya et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20110038734A1 · Marra · 2011 [cited by examiner]
US 20130276457A1 · Houston et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130280045A1 · Dolansky et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20180291976A1 · Seeley et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 20200291794A1 · Greenberg et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 20210172325A1 · Wondrasek · 2021 [cited by examiner]
US 20210254478A1 · Chakrabarti · 2021 [cited by examiner]
US 20220307375A1 · Chakrabarti et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 20240035384A1 · Snider et al. · 2024 [cited by applicant]
CN 108561487A · 2018 [cited by applicant]
GB 2071775A · 1981 [cited by applicant]
JP S59150904A · 1984 [cited by applicant]
JP 2006143087A · 2006 [cited by applicant]
JP 2007137288A · 2007 [cited by applicant]
JP 2014084676A · 2014 [cited by applicant]
Non-Final Office Action in U.S. Appl. No. 18/343,953, mailed Jun. 20, 2024, 31 pages. [cited by applicant]
Notice of Allowance and Fees Due dated Feb. 5, 2025 for U.S. Appl. No. 18/343,953, 5 pages. [cited by applicant]
Final Office Action in U.S. Appl. No. 18/343,953, mailed Nov. 4, 2024, 15 pages. [cited by applicant]
Non-Final Office Action in U.S. Appl. No. 18/343,966, mailed Oct. 1, 2024, 22 pages. [cited by applicant]
Final Office Action dated Mar. 5, 2025 for related U.S. Appl. No. 18/343,966, 19 pages. [cited by applicant]
Extended European Search Report from European Patent Application No. 24180137.2 dated Sep. 16, 2024, 10 pages. [cited by applicant]
Extended European Search Report from European Patent Application No. 24180121.6 dated Sep. 16, 2024, 9 pages. [cited by applicant]
Notice of Allowance and Fees Due dated May 30, 2025 for U.S. Appl. No. 18/343,966, 7 pages. [cited by applicant]