Kevin W Raabe

Title: Kevin W. Raabe and Gas Turbine Combustor Heat-Shield Innovation.

Introduction

Kevin W. Raabe is an inventor associated with Cincinnati, Ohio, and General Electric Company. His patent work addresses the demanding thermal and acoustic conditions inside gas turbine combustors.

Latest Patents

The supplied information identifies one patent for Raabe: “Gas Turbine Combustor Heat Shield of Casted Super Alloy.” The invention concerns a heat shield for a multistage gas turbine combustor, particularly a middle stage positioned between radially inward and outward stages. Its design uses centerbodies to isolate the middle stage from the other combustor stages.

The heat shield consists of an annular array of single-crystal superalloy segments. The segments’ primary and secondary crystal orientations are controlled to balance resistance to thermally induced stresses with resistance to stresses caused by high acoustic energy. This balance is especially relevant to combustors operating with lean fuel-to-air ratios. The supplied data lists 1 patent for Raabe.

Career Highlights

Raabe’s listed patent reflects work on materials and component design for gas turbine engines. By addressing both thermal durability and acoustic loading, the invention focuses on a key engineering challenge in combustor operation.

Collaborations

The supplied information names Daniel Dale Brown and Marlin S. Brueggert as Raabe’s coworkers. Their inclusion provides context for the professional environment associated with his work at General Electric Company.

Conclusion

Kevin W. Raabe’s documented invention applies controlled crystal orientations in superalloy heat-shield segments to improve their ability to withstand the combined stresses found in gas turbine combustors.