Patents Examined by L. J. Casaregola
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Patent number: 7296413Abstract: A power generating system having a liquid natural gas (LNG) vaporization circuit and an energy generating circuit. The LNG vaporization circuit includes a heat exchange assembly and a heating tower connected to the heat exchange assembly. The LNG vaporization circuit also includes a LNG vessel connected to the heat exchange assembly. The energy generating circuit includes a gas turbine connected to the heating tower along with a first electrical generator connect to the gas turbine.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2004Date of Patent: November 20, 2007Assignee: Marley Cooling Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Glenn S. Brenneke, Jason Stratman, Ohler L. Kinney, Jr., Eldon F. Mockry, Gregory P. Hentschel, Darrin Ray Clubine, Jidong Yang
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Patent number: 7296398Abstract: A method for assembling a gas turbine engine that includes providing a first fan assembly configured to rotate in a first rotational direction, rotatably coupling a second fan assembly to the first fan assembly, wherein the second fan assembly is configured to rotate in a second rotational direction that is opposite the first rotational direction, coupling a first shaft to the first fan assembly and to a first turbine rotor that is configured to rotate in a first rotational direction, coupling a second shaft coupled to the second fan assembly and to a second turbine rotor that is configured to rotate in a second rotational direction that is opposite the first rotational direction, and coupling a lubrication system to the gas turbine engine such that a lubrication fluid is channeled through the first shaft to lubricate at least one of the first and second fan assemblies.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2004Date of Patent: November 20, 2007Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Thomas O. Moniz, Anant P. Singh, Daniel M. Allen, Donald R. Bond
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Patent number: 7293414Abstract: A closed cycle recuperator microturbine and an open cycle heat generating system for supplying heat for driving the turbine includes a pair of valves fluidly connected to the compressor inlet and compressor outlet for bleeding air therefrom when the microturbine engine is operating in the lower power operating envelope of the operating conditions of the microturbine engine while the open cycle heat generating system maintains the thermodynamic conditions of the microturbine engine operating substantially a constant value whereby the fuel consumption of the microturbine engine is enhanced during the low power conditions. The microturbine engine serves to power an electric generator and a ECU heater.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2005Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Assignee: Florida Turbine Technologies, Inc.Inventor: David J. Huber
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Patent number: 7293415Abstract: In a method for operating a gas turbine centre in the vicinity of the group nominal full-load conditions, the cooling of the working fluid before and/or during the compression is set in such a way that the respectively attainable full-load power is above the current power. Rapid power demands can therefore be rapidly satisfied by an increase in the turbine inlet temperature or by opening an adjustable inlet guide vane row, whereas the control of the cooling effect, which has a tendency to be more sluggish, is employed to adjust the full-load operating point.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2005Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Assignee: ALSTOM Technology LtdInventors: Jürgen Hoffmann, Tom Alexander Odin McKay, Nikolaus Herbert Kurz, Tobias Spitzmüller
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Patent number: 7293400Abstract: A method of monitoring a physical parameter comprises receiving a sensor signal representative of an actual value from each of a plurality of sensors. The method further comprises calculating confidence value for each sensed value and a weighted average of actual values of the sensor signal by weighting each sensed value by the respective confidence value. The weighted average is used to determine a corresponding value of the sensed parameter.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2004Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Avinash Vinayak Taware, Teeporn Paul Tanpitukpongse, Andrew Todd Lehmann, Kenneth Paul Meiners, Steven Keith Handelsman, Richard Bradford Hook, Michael Richard Durling, Peter Thomas Harrison, William Lee Barrow
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Patent number: 7290386Abstract: A method for assembling a gas turbine engine that includes providing a low-pressure turbine inner rotor that includes a first plurality of turbine blade rows configured to rotate in a first direction, and rotatably coupling a low-pressure turbine outer rotor to the inner rotor, wherein the outer rotor includes a second plurality of turbine blade rows that are configured to rotate in a second direction that is opposite the first rotational direction of the inner rotor and such that at least one of the second plurality of turbine blade rows is coupled axially forward of the first plurality of turbine blade rows.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2004Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert Joseph Orlando, Thomas Ory Moniz
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Patent number: 7287369Abstract: A method for extending a nozzle for a rocket engine is described, in which at least one second region of the contour of the nozzle is arranged as an extension of a first region of the contour of the nozzle. This extension of the first region by the second region occurs at an altitude at which the contour of the open jet of the rocket engine substantially corresponds to the contour of the second region. Also described is a corresponding extendible nozzle for a rocket engine.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2002Date of Patent: October 30, 2007Assignee: EADS Space Transportation GmbHInventors: Gerald Hagemann, Michael Terhardt
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Patent number: 7287368Abstract: In a fluid system for a gas turbine engine, oil is supplied from an oil tank (10) by a constant displacement pump (12) to lubricate engine components (18). The oil is supplied to the components (18) via a heat exchanger (16) in which oil and fuel are placed in direct heat exchange relationship. The flow of oil to the components (18) is controlled by recirculating a proportion of the oil flow through a bypass (20). The bypass (20) regulates the flow of oil to the components (18) so that the amount of heat transferred to the fuel in the heat exchanger (16) is controlled. At low engine powers a greater proportion of the oil flows through the bypass (20) to reduce the oil flow to the components (18). This reduces the heat transferred to the fuel in the heat exchanger (16) and so prevents overheating of the fuel.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2004Date of Patent: October 30, 2007Assignee: Rolls-Royce plcInventors: Mark J Tumelty, Christopher J Ellans
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Patent number: 7287382Abstract: An end cover for a gas turbine combustor that eliminates the use of braze joints within the plate portion of the end cover is disclosed. The end cover comprises a plate and a plurality of fluid inlets with the fluid inlets directing fluids to first and second manifolds machined into the end cover. The fluids within the end cover are kept separate proximate each of the plurality of first openings by a wall that is integrally formed from a portion of the end cover plate.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2004Date of Patent: October 30, 2007Inventor: John Henriquez
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Patent number: 7287383Abstract: The invention relates to a burner ring for turbofan jet engines. The ring includes an upstream annular envelope which forms a channel which is open axially in the downstream direction, and a manifold for injecting fuel into the channel. The ring includes multiple sectors connected together. Each sector has a fuel inlet which is connected to the fuel injection manifold. Part of the upstream annular envelope is in the core flow. Each sector has a connector which receives the fuel inlet and a ventilation duct which extends through the channel and upstream of the injection manifold. Each sector is fitted with an inlet for a bypass air, which air is then emitted by the ventilation duct to cool the injection manifold. A sector of downstream annular envelope is arranged downstream of the injection manifold to protect this manifold.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2004Date of Patent: October 30, 2007Assignee: SNECMA MoteursInventors: Jacques Bunel, Jacques Roche, Bien-Aimé Rakotondrainibe, Stéphane Touchaud
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Patent number: 7284364Abstract: A passive exhaust system is described that provides effective infrared signature suppression without affecting radar cross-section while maintaining stable function in crosswinds. A passive exhaust system may include an array of ducts with each duct having a primary and secondary nozzle. Central ducts draw in ambient cooling air to create a thick cooling film along exterior surfaces and cause plume dilution, stabilize the plume flow in a crosswind, and prevent heating of visible surfaces. Visible surfaces may incorporate radar absorbing materials and may be inclined at an angle or fabricated with a diffuse surface to prevent specular reflection. Visible surfaces may be constructed from or covered with low infrared emissivity materials. A variable passive flow controller ensures a sufficient velocity exhaust flow.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2004Date of Patent: October 23, 2007Assignee: Northrop Grumman Ship Systems, Inc.Inventor: James L. Means
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Method and apparatus for detecting the presence of flame in the exhaust path of a gas turbine engine
Patent number: 7281382Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the exhaust path of a gas turbine engine for the presence of unwanted flames downstream from the main combustion chamber(s). The system is comprised of an Electro-Optics Module containing sensors and associated processing electronics as well as collection and transmitting optics, which relay the radiant energy generated by a flame event to the sensors. The information generated by the sensors is directly related to the time based intensity of the flame event, which can suggest problems associated with the condition of combustion related engine components. This information can then be used by the engine owner/operator to assess the condition of the engine and determine the more efficient required maintenance schedule.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2003Date of Patent: October 16, 2007Assignee: Vibro-Meter, Inc.Inventors: Jonathon Plimpton, Leo Jubinville, Edward Duckless -
Patent number: 7278266Abstract: A method of monitoring and controlling the combustion dynamics of a gas turbine engine system is provided. The system includes at least one gas turbine that includes at least one combustor can. The method includes receiving a signal from a gas turbine engine sensor that is indicative of combustion dynamics in at least one of the combustor cans, processing the received signal to determine a probability of lean blowout for at least one combustor can, and controlling the gas turbine engine system to facilitate reducing a probability of a lean blowout (LBO) event using the determined probability of lean blowout.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2004Date of Patent: October 9, 2007Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Avinash Vinayak Taware, Minesh Ashok Shah, Ajai Singh, Willy Steve Ziminsky, Pingchuan Wu
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Patent number: 7278267Abstract: A steam turbine plant partially utilizes a hydrocarbon fuel such as an LNG as a fuel to improve the efficiency of the plant. A steam turbine plant includes a boiler, a steam turbine, a feedwater system, and a superheating combustor. The boiler generates steam, and the steam turbine is driven by the steam generated in the boiler. The feedwater system recovers the steam exhausted from the steam turbine and supplies the steam to the boiler as a feedwater. The superheating combustor is provided between the boiler and the steam turbine, wherein fuel originated from hydrocarbon fuel and oxidizer are mixed with the steam generated in the boiler and combusted in the superheating combustor to increase the temperature of the steam.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2005Date of Patent: October 9, 2007Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Masahiko Yamada, Katsuya Yamashita, Koichi Goto, Takao Nakagaki
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Patent number: 7278255Abstract: Disclosed is a gas turbine power generating system capable of achieving a high output power and a high power generating efficiency under conditions with a small amount of supplied water and less change in design of a gas turbine. A fine water droplet spraying apparatus (11) is disposed in a suction air chamber (22) on the upstream side of an air compressor (2), and a moisture adding apparatus (7) for adding moisture to high pressure air supplied from the compressor (2) is disposed. A regenerator (5) for heating the air to which moisture has been added by using gas turbine exhaust gas as a heat source is also provided. With this configuration, there can be obtain an effect of reducing a power for the compressor (2) and an effect of increasing the output power due to addition of moisture to air (20) for combustion. Further, since the used amount of fuel is reduced by adopting a regenerating cycle, the power generating efficiency is improved.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2006Date of Patent: October 9, 2007Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Shigeo Hatamiya, Masahiko Yamagishi, Osamu Yokomizo, Yoshiki Noguchi, Moriaki Tsukamoto
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Patent number: 7275361Abstract: In a control system for a gas turbine engine that uses the outlet pressure of the turbine as an importation control parameter, when the high pressure sensor for detecting the outlet pressure of the turbine is found to be faulty, it is determined if an estimated value of the outlet pressure of the compressor is normal or not, and substitute the output value of the high pressure sensor with the estimated value if the estimated value is normal and with the inlet pressure of the fan or a value proportional thereto if the estimated value is not normal. Thereby, the control system is given with such a substitute value for the output of the high pressure sensor in case of a failure of the high pressure sensor that would prevent any abrupt changes in the behavior of the engine and allow the engine to be operated in a stable manner.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2005Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hironori Muramatsu, Yukinobu Sugitani
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Patent number: 7269957Abstract: A gas turbine combustion liner is disclosed having an alternate interface region between it and a transition duct where the cooling effectiveness along the aft end of the combustion liner is improved, resulting in extended component life, while utilizing a simpler combustion liner geometry. The region of the combustion liner proximate its second end comprises a plurality of spring seals that seal against a transition duct while admitting a cooling fluid to pass into a passage, formed between the combustion liner and spring seals, that feeds a plurality of cooling holes located in the combustion liner proximate the liner second end. Depending on the cooling requirements, the cooling holes can be angled both axially and circumferentially to maximize the cooling effectiveness.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2004Date of Patent: September 18, 2007Inventors: Vincent C. Martling, Zhenhua Xiao
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Patent number: 7269953Abstract: A method of controlling a gas turbine system (10) may include controlling an inlet guide vane position (98) to maintain a turbine (24) exhaust temperature at a corrected value that is a function of a compressor (12) inlet temperature and a turbine (24) normalized load. The method may include selecting the minimum value (138) of a part load tunable value, a part load maximum value and a fixed maximum value of a turbine (24) exhaust temperature for the corrected value. A corrected value setpoint may be determined (94) for the gas turbine system (10) operating at a part load condition where at least one of a fuel flow rate and the inlet guide vane position is controlled (98) so the corrected value does not exceed the corrected value setpoint. The corrected value may prevent a turbine (24) engine from exceeding its firing temperature during operation and ensure the engine operates within combustor dynamics and emissions limits.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2004Date of Patent: September 18, 2007Assignee: Siemens Power Generation, Inc.Inventors: Satish Gadde, Christopher Humphrey, Stefan Schneider, Fadi Tadros, Jatinder Singh
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Patent number: 7269952Abstract: A method for controlling a combustor of an engine, the combustor having a fuel to oxidant ratio, the fuel to oxidant ratio being defined as a ratio of an amount of fuel supplied to the combustor divided by an amount of oxygen in an oxidant stream supplied to the combustor includes controlling the fuel to oxidant ratio of the combustor as a function of the amount of oxygen in the oxidant stream.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2005Date of Patent: September 18, 2007Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Malath Ibrahim Arar, Robert Russell Priestley
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Patent number: 7269939Abstract: A gas turbine combustion system having: a plurality of combustion chambers; a plurality of fuel nozzles for each of combustion chamber; a plurality of manifolds for supplying fuel to at least one fuel nozzle in each of the combustion chambers; each of the manifolds having fuel trim control valves for the fuel nozzles, wherein the fuel trim control valves are mounted on the multiple manifolds for metering the fuel to the fuel nozzles in the combustion chambers, and a trim valve controller automatically actuates one or more of the fuel trim valves to adjust fuel to the fuel nozzles based on gas turbine operating conditions.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2004Date of Patent: September 18, 2007Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Vasanth Srinivasa Kothnur, Shivakumar Srinivasan