Patents Examined by Eric Linderman
  • Patent number: 9631815
    Abstract: A system includes a turbine combustor that includes a head end portion having a head end chamber, a combustion portion having a combustion chamber disposed downstream from the head end chamber, a cap disposed between the head end chamber and the combustion chamber, and a flow distributor configured to distribute at least one of an exhaust flow, an oxidant flow, an oxidant-exhaust mixture, or any combination thereof circumferentially around the head end chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignees: General Electric Company, ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Carolyn Ashley Antoniono, William Lawrence Byrne, Elizabeth Angelyn Fadde
  • Patent number: 9611862
    Abstract: The invention relates to a secondary air system for a compressor of centrifugal or mixed type including a rotor presenting an axis of rotation, said compressor being adapted to compress an oxidizer gas. The secondary air system includes an oxidizer gas bleed system arranged in the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: TURBOMECA
    Inventors: Christophe Michel Georges Marcel Brillet, Jerome Yves Felix Gilbert Porodo, Laurent Pierre Tarnowski
  • Patent number: 9599022
    Abstract: A modular fuel nozzle tip for a gas turbine engine includes a body defining one or more fuel conveying passages extending therethrough, an annular cap having a radially inner shoulder surface interfacing with the peripheral end surface of the body to define a plurality of air channels extending through the head portion of the modular fuel nozzle tip. At least two fasteners fasten the annular cap to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Honza Stastny, Bhawan B Patel, John Greer, Parthasarathy Sampath
  • Patent number: 9598981
    Abstract: An integrated single-piece exhaust system (SPEX) with modular construction that facilitates design changes for enhanced aerodynamics, structural integrity or serviceability. The SPEX defines splined or curved exhaust path surfaces, such as a series of cylindrical and frusto-conical sections that mimic curves. The constructed sections may include: (i) a tail cone assembly fabricated from conical sections that taper downstream to a reduced diameter; or (ii) an area-ruled cross section axially aligned with one or more rows of turbine struts; or both features. Modular inner and outer diameter inlet lips enhance transitional flow between the last row blades and the SPEX, as well as enhance structural integrity. Modular strut collars have large radius profiles between the SPEX annular inner diameter and outer diameter flow surfaces, for enhanced airflow and constant thickness walls for uniform heat transfer and thermal expansion. Scalloped mounting flanges enhance structural integrity and longevity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Anil L. Salunkhe, John A. Orosa, Yevgeniy Shteyman, Lijuan Han, Matthew J. Delisa, III, Daniel F. Riveros
  • Patent number: 9599343
    Abstract: A fuel nozzle for use in a turbine engine is provided. The fuel nozzle includes at least one premixer tube including a tube wall and a plurality of perforations defined therein and extending through the tube wall. The plurality of perforations are configured to channel a flow of air therethrough. The fuel nozzle also includes a liquid fuel plenum positioned upstream from the premixer tube, and at least one fuel injector coupled in flow communication with the liquid fuel plenum and the at least one premixer tube. The at least one fuel injector is configured to channel a flow of liquid fuel from the liquid fuel plenum into the premixer tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bassam Sabry Mohammad Abd El-Nabi, Gregory Allen Boardman
  • Patent number: 9555871
    Abstract: A sandwich structure includes a first skin, a second skin, a first hinge member, and a second hinge member. The first hinge member may be movably coupled to the first skin and a first skin joint. The second hinge member may be movably coupled to the second skin and second skin joint. The first hinge member and the second member may be movably coupled to one another and a member joint located between the first and second skin joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Grip, John J. Brown
  • Patent number: 9534537
    Abstract: A system is disclosed one form of which is an aircraft that includes a pod capable of housing a work providing device. The pod can also include a thermal conditioning system and a power generation device that can be powered from the work providing device. The pod can provide thermal conditioning services and power services to a payload aboard the aircraft. In one non-limiting form the payload is a directed energy member that can be cooled using the thermal conditioning system and powered using the power generation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Gagne, Rigoberto J. Rodriguez, William L. Siegel, John R. Arvin
  • Patent number: 9500135
    Abstract: A fuel feed circuit for an aeroengine, the circuit including a high-pressure pumping system for delivering fuel at high pressure to combustion chamber injectors, the high-pressure pumping system including first and second positive displacement gear pumps driven simultaneously by the engine. A hydraulic switch member is interposed between respective outlets of the pumps, which makes it possible, in one state, to combine outlet flows from the two pumps to deliver fuel at high pressure to the combustion chamber injectors, and in another state, to discharge some or all of outlet flow from the first pump to a low-pressure feed line, an electrical control member serving to cause the hydraulic switch member to pass from one state to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Nicolas Alain Bader, Regis Michel Paul Deldalle, Laurent Gilbert Yves Hodinot, Nicolas Potel
  • Patent number: 9470153
    Abstract: A compression pump for an engine is provided. The pump may include a first pump impeller operatively coupled to a main shaft of the engine, a first inlet configured to at least partially receive bypass airflow, and a first outlet configured to direct compressed air to a thermal management system. The first pump impeller may be rotatably fixed about a common axis of the compression pump. Additionally the compression pump may extend radially to one exterior side of the engine. Furthermore the compression pump can be coupled to the main shaft of the engine by an engine towershaft. A first intake manifold may be coupled to a first inlet of the compression pump and a first discharge manifold may be couple to a first outlet of the compression pump which may have one or more heat exchangers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Jorn A. Glahn, Brian D. Merry, Christopher M. Dye
  • Patent number: 9458855
    Abstract: A unique compressor includes a rotating compressor blade having a blade tip; a compressor case having a blade track disposed opposite the blade tip; and a tip clearance control system including a fluid impingement structure. This structure has a plurality of openings to impinge a fluid received from a diffuser onto the compressor case. The tip clearance control system is configured to control a clearance between the blade tip and the blade track by impinging the fluid onto the compressor case and modulating the same with a valve in fluid communication with the diffuser. A further form includes a unique gas turbine engine having a compressor with a compressor blade tip, a compressor case disposed opposite the blade tip, and a fluid impingement structure having openings to impinge a fluid onto the case. Also included are other apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for compressor blade tip clearance control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas David Dierksmeier, Steven Lester Grant, James Christopher Muskat
  • Patent number: 9435690
    Abstract: A flame sensor apparatus is provided including a sensor assembly for sensing characteristics of a flame within a combustion chamber. The flame sensor apparatus further includes an electrical assembly that is electrically remote from the sensor assembly. In addition, a cable assembly extends between the sensor assembly and the electrical assembly. The cable assembly can convey the characteristics of the flame from the photodiode to the electrical assembly. The cable assembly is included as part of a sealed array filled with an inert gas. In addition, a method of sensing characteristics of a flame is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Alan Rex Hoffman, Fred Yu-Feng Chou, Frederick Louis Glesius
  • Patent number: 9429071
    Abstract: A flow control device generates counter-rotating vortices in the boundary layer of the flow in a supersonic inlet diffuser for an aircraft turbine engine. The flow control device comprises a flap attached to the duct wall for selective deployment, wherein it extends into the boundary layer, and retraction, wherein it lies substantially flush with the duct wall. In one embodiment an actuating mechanism comprising one or more shape-memory alloy wires moves the flap between two stable positions. In another embodiment the deployment height of the flap can be controlled as desired, preferably using a shape-memory alloy actuating mechanism. Typically, an array of plural flow control devices is disposed in the inlet duct for selective actuation according to a predetermined schedule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: CONTINUUM DYNAMICS, INC.
    Inventors: Todd R. Quackenbush, Robert M. McKillip, Jr., Pavel V. Danilov
  • Patent number: 9416969
    Abstract: A combustion system for a gas turbine engine including a combustor assembly comprising a combustor basket having a downstream terminal end, and a transition duct extending downstream from the combustor basket and having an upstream end located adjacent to the downstream terminal end of the combustor basket. A coupling is provided comprising an inlet ring adapter including a cylindrical sleeve extending downstream of the upstream end of the transition duct in overlapping relation to an inner surface of the transition duct. A spring clip assembly is mounted to the terminal end of the combustor basket. The spring clip assembly extends into engagement with and forms a seal on the cylindrical sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Adam J. Weaver, Lashanda N. Oliver, Daniel W. Garan, Ashtad Kotwal
  • Patent number: 9409650
    Abstract: An aircraft nacelle includes: a thrust reverse device having movable cowls, and a supporting structure to support the thrust reverser device. The supporting structure includes: a base body extending along a longitudinal direction of the nacelle and made from a composite material, and a wall of the base body forming an unclosed cross section having an open portion to provide access to an inner surface of the supporting structure from outside, and a plurality of reinforcements which is made from a composite material, and attached on the inner surface along the longitudinal direction. In particular, the reinforcements are integrated in the inner surface of the supporting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: AIRCELLE
    Inventors: Alexandre Bellanger, Florent Bouillon, Laurent Dubois
  • Patent number: 9410484
    Abstract: A cover (54, 54A-B) enclosing with clearance (65) an acoustic damping resonator (24) on a working gas path liner (22) of a gas turbine component (28). The cover includes a coolant inlet chamber (56, 56B) with a top wall (58, 58B) that is closer to the liner than a top wall (32) of the resonator, and extends upstream from the resonator relative to the working gas flow (48). Compressed air (26) surrounds the cover at a higher pressure than the working gas and flows (44) into and through the coolant inlet chamber, then through holes (34) in the resonator, then exits through holes (38) the liner into the working gas. The coolant inlet chamber directs the flow of compressed air over a weld (50) of the upstream wall (40) of the resonator to cool it. The cover may be formed as a box (57) or a sleeve (69).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Reinhard Schilp
  • Patent number: 9404389
    Abstract: The present application provides a passive control valve actuator cooling system to provide a flow of cooling air to a control valve actuator used with a gas turbine engine. The passive control valve actuator cooling system may include a turbine enclosure with a negative pressure therein, a radiation shield with a number of radiation shield outlets and the control valve actuator positioned therein, and a cooling air line extending from outside of the turbine enclosure to the radiation shield such that the negative pressure within the turbine enclosure pulls the flow of cooling air into and through the radiation shield so as to cool the control valve actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Dean Matthew Erickson, Martin Lopez, Jose Francisco Aguilar
  • Patent number: 9404395
    Abstract: A system for use in a combined cycle power plant including gas and steam turbines includes a single kettle boiler and a valve system. The valve system is operated such that feedwater from a first source passes into the kettle boiler during certain operating conditions, whereas feedwater from a second source passes into the kettle boiler during other operating conditions, wherein the first and second sources have feedwater under different pressures. Rotor cooling air extracted from a compressor section of the gas turbine is cooled with the feedwater in the kettle boiler, wherein at least a portion of the feedwater is evaporated in the kettle boiler by heat transferred to the feedwater from the rotor cooling air to create steam, wherein the valve system is operated to selectively deliver the steam to a first or second steam receiving unit depending on the operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Gerald J. Feller, John H. Copen
  • Patent number: 9399952
    Abstract: A method for assembling a nozzle and an exhaust case of a turbomachine is disclosed. The exhaust case includes a hub and an outer ferrule connected to each other by a plurality of arms. The nozzle is attached to the outer ferrule of the exhaust case substantially at the trailing edges of the arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Mario Cesar De Sousa, Baghdad Achbari, Luc Henri Claude Daguenet, Benoit Debray
  • Patent number: 9394803
    Abstract: An engine comprises a fan configured to produce propulsive thrust from a fan discharge air stream. A bypass duct is located between a cowl and an engine core, the bypass duct is fluidly coupled to the fan. The bypass duct contains the air stream created by the fan. A pump system provides the air to an environmental control system. The pump system comprises an impeller having an inlet for receiving the air from the duct and an outlet for discharging the air to the environmental control system. An intake manifold is configured to receive the air from the bypass duct and to deliver the air to the inlet. A single discharge manifold is configured to deliver the air from the outlet to the environmental control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Jorn A. Glahn, Brian D. Merry, Christopher M. Dye
  • Patent number: 9395085
    Abstract: In a communicating structure between combustors that generates combustion gas inside pipe pieces and a turbine portion that generates a rotational driving force by making the combustion gas sequentially pass through a turbine stage formed of turbine stator vanes and turbine rotor blades, at least some of the first-stage turbine stator vanes closest to the combustor among the turbine stator vanes are disposed downstream of sidewalls of one pipe piece and another pipe piece that are adjacent to each other, and the distance from leading edges of the first-stage turbine stator vanes disposed downstream of the sidewalls of the pipe pieces to end portions of the sidewalls closer to the turbine portion is equal to or less than a spacing between an internal surface of the sidewall of the one pipe piece and an internal surface of the sidewall of the other pipe piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HITACHI POWER SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Rosic Budmir, Yasuro Sakamoto, Sumiu Uchida, Eisaku Ito, Tsuyoshi Kitamura, Satoshi Hada, Sosuke Nakamura