Patents by Inventor Bill C. Munson, Jr.

Bill C. Munson, Jr. has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7461510
    Abstract: A gas turbine electric powerplant, preferably driven by an aeroderivative turbine engine of split shaft design. The gas turbine engine is coupled to a speed reducer, which is in turn coupled to an electric generator. An engine mount is provided that ensures that the gas turbine engine will remain in proper alignment with the speed reducer and generator, even during the thermal expansion or contraction thereof. Preferably, the components comprising the powerplant are mounted to a common, transportable base, so that the powerplant can be delivered to various locations. An overspeed control system is provided for ensuring that a runaway condition of the gas turbine engine does not occur should the gas turbine engine become disconnected from the speed reducer or generator. Sensors are used to monitor multiple operating conditions of the powerplant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Altek Power Corporation
    Inventor: Bill C. Munson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7424360
    Abstract: A turbine overspeed control system for use with a gas turbine engine of a gas turbine electrical powerplant. The overspeed control system preferably comprises a first and second overspeed control subsystem. When an overspeed condition of the gas turbine engine is detected, the first overspeed control subsystem acts to remove air from a combustion section of the engine, while the second overspeed control subsystem operates to alter the angle at which an incoming flow of air is supplied to a compressor turbine located therein. The result of operating the first and/or second overspeed control subsystem is a reduction in the speed of the gas turbine engine that is much more rapid than can be accomplished by simply shutting off a fuel supply thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Altek Power Corporation
    Inventor: Bill C. Munson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7036318
    Abstract: A gas turbine electric powerplant, preferably driven by an aeroderivative turbine engine of split shaft design. The gas turbine engine is coupled to a speed reducer, which is in turn coupled to an electric generator. An engine mount is provided that ensures that the gas turbine engine will remain in proper alignment with the speed reducer and generator, even during the thermal expansion or contraction thereof. Preferably, the components comprising the powerplant are mounted to a common, transportable base, so that the powerplant can be delivered to various locations. An overspeed control system is provided for ensuring that a runaway condition of the gas turbine engine does not occur should the gas turbine engine become disconnected from the speed reducer or generator. Sensors are used to monitor multiple operating conditions of the powerplant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Altek Power Corporation
    Inventor: Bill C. Munson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6941217
    Abstract: A microprocessor-based control system for a gas turbine electrical powerplant. the microprocessor-based control system controls the startup, operation, and shutdown of the gas turbine electric powerplant. The microprocessor-based control system of the present invention dispenses with the need to utilize relays, timers, or other control hardware. Rather, the microprocessor-based control system employs software that replaces the control hardware, and directly reads the inputs, calculates the control actions, and writes the outputs. The microprocessor-based control system is also in electrical communication with an overspeed control system, provided to ensure that a runaway condition of the gas turbine engine does not occur should the gas turbine engine become disconnected from the speed reducer (gearbox) or generator. Sensors are used to monitor multiple operating conditions of the powerplant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Altek Power Corporation
    Inventor: Bill C. Munson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6895325
    Abstract: A turbine overspeed control system for a gas turbine electrical powerplant. The powerplant may employ an aeroderivative gas turbine engine for producing electrical power. The overspeed control system preferably comprises a compression relief system and an air directing system. When an overspeed condition of the gas turbine engine is detected, the compression relief system acts to remove air from a combustion section of the engine. Preferably, the air is removed to the atmosphere. The air directing system operates to ensure that air entering a compressor section of the gas turbine engine does not impinge on the blades of a compressor turbine located therein at the optimum angle. The result of operating the compression relief and air directing systems is a reduced combustor efficiency. Consequently, a reduced amount of hot gases are available to drive the turbines of the gas turbine engine, and the rotational speed thereof decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Altek Power Corporation
    Inventor: Bill C. Munson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6789000
    Abstract: A microprocessor-based control system for a gas turbine electrical powerplant the microprocessor-based control system controls the startup, operation, and shutdown of the gas turbine electric powerplant. The microprocessor-based control system of the present invention dispenses with the need to utilize relays, timers, or other control hardware. Rather, the microprocessor-based control system employs software that replaces the control hardware, and directly reads the inputs, calculates the control actions, and writes the outputs. The microprocessor-based control system is also in electrical communication with an overspeed control system, provided to ensure that a runaway condition of the gas turbine engine does not occur should the gas turbine engine become disconnected from the speed reducer (gearbox) or generator. Sensors are used to monitor multiple operating conditions of the powerplant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Altek Power Corporation
    Inventor: Bill C. Munson, Jr.