Patents by Inventor Chellappa Balan

Chellappa Balan 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: 7410713
    Abstract: A hybrid power plant includes at least one fuel cell having a cathode inlet and a cathode outlet in flow communication with the cathode inlet along a re-circulation flow path. A reformer is configured to reform air and fuel, and the fuel cell includes an anode inlet in flow communication with the reformer and an anode outlet in flow communication with the reformer along a re-circulation flow path. Compressed air is supplied to a recuperator heated by turbine exhaust, and heated compressed air is mixed with re-circulated exhaust from the fuel cell prior to entering the fuel cell. A tail gas burner combusts a mixture of cathode exhaust and reformed residual fuel, and combustion gases are directed to the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Chellappa Balan, David DeAngelis
  • Publication number: 20080156462
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system for cooling an electronics package. The system includes a fluid pump and a microcooler assembly. The system utilizes one or more cooling layers interspersed with layers of electronics in the electronics package. Each cooling layer has an array of cooling channels formed in a substrate, an input manifold through which cooling fluid is provided for distribution through the array of cooling channels, and an output manifold which collects fluid from the array of cooling channels. The elements of the cooling system are integrated by conduits including a package conduit for passage of fluid from the fluid pump to the electronics package, a cooler conduit for passage of fluid from the electronics package to the microcooler assembly, and a pump conduit for passage of fluid from the microcooler assembly to the fluid pump. Also disclosed is a method for cooling the electronics package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Mehmet Arik, Chellappa Balan, Todd Garrett Wetzel, Stephen Adam Solovitz, Charles Max Byrd, Stanton Earl Weaver
  • Publication number: 20080141643
    Abstract: A system for reducing NOx emissions, includes a reformer configured to receive a fuel and produce a hydrogen-enriched stream, a combustion system configured to burn the hydrogen enriched-stream and produce electricity and an exhaust stream, and a recuperator configured to recover heat from the exhaust stream, wherein the recovered heat is recycled back to the reformer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: Balachandar Varatharajan, Chellappa Balan, Andrei Tristan Evulet, Ravi Kumar Vipperla
  • Patent number: 7384620
    Abstract: A hydrogen reforming system includes a cyclical compression chamber having an entry port for receiving hydrogen-containing gas and an exit port for delivering reformed hydrogen-containing gas, an arrangement for heating the hydrogen-containing gas to a non-combustible temperature, and a drive system for cycling the cyclical compression chamber. The cyclical compression chamber has an operational cycle with an internal pressure and temperature absent combustion effective for reforming the hydrogen-containing gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael John Bowman, Chellappa Balan, Andrei Colibaba-Evulet, Narayan Ramesh
  • Publication number: 20080117590
    Abstract: A cooling system for cooling a plurality of electronic components comprises a centralized source comprising at least one micro cooler configured to deliver a flow of a cooling medium and a plurality of baffles configured to redistribute the cooling medium over the electronic components. The electronic components are situated in an enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Subhrajit Dey, Petrus Moeleker, Chellappa Balan
  • Patent number: 7347049
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for generating energy, comprising a first heat exchanger in communication with a first heat source; wherein the first heat exchanger contacts a transfer fluid that comprises a working fluid and an associating composition; and a first energy conversion device comprising a moving surface, wherein the first heat exchanger is in communication with the moveable surface of the first energy conversion device; and wherein a dissociation of the transfer fluid in the first heat exchanger generates a vapor of the working fluid that contacts the moving surface of the first energy conversion device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Veera Palanivelu Rajendran, Chellappa Balan, Charles Max Byrd, Bahram Keramati, Todd Garrett Wetzel
  • Patent number: 7331179
    Abstract: A technique is disclosed for a system and method for combined production of power and hydrogen utilizing the heat from a first working fluid heated by a geothermal energy source using a steam generator and an electrolyzer designed to receive the steam produced by the steam generator for the production of hydrogen and oxygen using electrolysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Chellappa Balan, Michael John Bowman, Daniel Preston Smith, Charles Max Byrd
  • Patent number: 7315769
    Abstract: A plurality of power generating assets are connected to a power grid. The grid may, if desired, be a local grid or a utility grid. The power grid is connected to a plurality of loads. The loads may, if desired, be controllable and non-controllable. Distribution of the power to the loads is via a controller that has a program stored therein that optimizes the controllable loads and the power generating assets. The optimization process is via multi-tier benefit construct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Chellappa Balan, Sumit Bose, Zhihong Ye, Jovan Bebic, Juan de Bedout, Yan Liu, Luis Garces
  • Publication number: 20070220896
    Abstract: A gas turbine systems of reducing NOx emissions and enhancing operability comprises a compressor; a combustor disposed downstream of and in fluid communication with the compressor; a turbine assembly disposed down stream of and in fluid communication with the combustor; an oxygen-enriched gas source disposed in selective fluid communication with the compressor, the combustor, or a combination of the foregoing, wherein the oxygen-enriched gas source is a pressure swing absorption system, an electrolyzer, or a membrane reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Inventors: Balachandar Varatharajan, Chellappa Balan, Michael Bowman
  • Patent number: 7266940
    Abstract: A power generation system and method includes a first gas turbine system comprising a first combustion chamber configured to combust a first fuel stream of primarily hydrogen that is substantially free of carbon-based fuels. The first gas turbine system also includes a first compressor configured to supply a first portion of compressed oxidant to the first combustion chamber and a first turbine configured to receive a first discharge from the first combustion chamber and generate a first exhaust and electrical energy. The power generation system further includes a second gas turbine system comprising a second combustion chamber configured to combust a second fuel stream to generate a second discharge. The first compressor of the first gas turbine system is configured to supply a second portion of compressed oxidant to the second combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Chellappa Balan, Michael John Bowman, Joell Randolph Hibshman, II, Andrei Tristan Evulet, Jennifer Lynn Molaison
  • Publication number: 20070175223
    Abstract: A non-aircraft-propelling auxiliary gas turbine engine installable in an aircraft having a cabin adapted to be pressurized. The auxiliary gas turbine engine includes an auxiliary-gas-turbine-engine compressor having an inlet, wherein the inlet is adapted to receive pressurized air from the cabin. A method for operating a non-aircraft-propelling auxiliary gas turbine engine of an aircraft includes providing pressurized air from the cabin of the aircraft to an inlet of a compressor of the auxiliary gas turbine engine. The method includes providing compressed air from the compressor to a combustor of the auxiliary gas turbine engine and includes providing combustion gases from the combustor to a turbine of the auxiliary gas turbine engine, wherein the turbine is mechanically coupled to the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Inventors: Chellappa Balan, Karl Sheldon
  • Publication number: 20070138022
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a system and a method for the production of hydrogen. The system advantageously combines an independent high temperature heat source with a solid oxide electrolyzer cell and a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is used to extract heat from the molecular components such as hydrogen derived from the electrolysis. A portion of the hydrogen generated in the solid oxide electrolyzer cell is recombined with steam and recycled to the solid oxide electrolyzer cell. The oxygen generated on the anode side is swept with compressed air and used to drive a gas turbine that is in operative communication with a generator. Electricity generated by the generator is used to drive the electrolysis in the solid oxide electrolyzer cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Inventors: Andrew Peter, Chellappa Balan, James Ruud, Stephane Renou, Kenneth Browall
  • Publication number: 20070099057
    Abstract: A fuel cell system for driving a pipeline transmission device. The fuel cell system may include a fuel cell stack in communication with the pipeline, a turbine engine in communication with the fuel cell stack, and a DC motor in communication with the transmission device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Publication date: May 3, 2007
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Joe Ferrall, Rajiv Doshi, Chellappa Balan, David DeAngelis, Gary Mercer
  • Publication number: 20070100503
    Abstract: A plurality of power generating assets are connected to a power grid. The grid may, if desired, be a local grid or a utility grid. The power grid is connected to a plurality of loads. The loads may, if desired, be controllable and non-controllable. Distribution of the power to the loads is via a controller that has a program stored therein that optimizes the controllable loads and the power generating assets. The optimization process is via multi-tier benefit construct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Publication date: May 3, 2007
    Inventors: Chellappa Balan, Sumit Bose, Zhihong Ye, Jovan Bebic, Juan de Bedout, Yan Liu, Luis Garces
  • Patent number: 7168918
    Abstract: A cooling fan comprises a rotor configured to generate airflow. The cooling fan further comprises an outlet guide vane adapted to receive the airflow generated by the rotor and to orient the airflow in a substantially axial direction relative to the rotor. The cooling fan further comprises a diffuser configured to receive the airflow from the outlet guide vane and produce airflow with higher static pressure relative to an inlet of the diffuser. The cooling fan produces a work coefficient greater than 1.6 and a flow coefficient greater than or equal to 0.4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Chellappa Balan, John Jared Decker, Andrew Breeze-Stringfellow
  • Publication number: 20070006592
    Abstract: A power generation system and method includes a first gas turbine system comprising a first combustion chamber configured to combust a first fuel stream of primarily hydrogen that is substantially free of carbon-based fuels. The first gas turbine system also includes a first compressor configured to supply a first portion of compressed oxidant to the first combustion chamber and a first turbine configured to receive a first discharge from the first combustion chamber and generate a first exhaust and electrical energy. The power generation system further includes a second gas turbine system comprising a second combustion chamber configured to combust a second fuel stream to generate a second discharge. The first compressor of the first gas turbine system is configured to supply a second portion of compressed oxidant to the second combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Publication date: January 11, 2007
    Inventors: Chellappa Balan, Michael Bowman, Joell Hibshman, Andrei Evulet, Jennifer Molaison
  • Patent number: 7153599
    Abstract: A hybrid power plant includes a turbine, a compressor driven by the turbine and a recuperator in flow communication with the compressor. The recuperator is configured to transfer heat from turbine exhaust to compressed air, and at least one fuel cell is in flow communication with said recuperator to provide fresh air for said fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ronald S. Bunker, Chellappa Balan
  • Patent number: 7124584
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for generating energy from a geothermal heat source. The system includes a fluid injection system configured for injecting fluid into a subterranean formation and a fluid extraction system configured for extracting fluid from the subterranean formation after being heated by the formation. The system further includes a heat transformer configured to receive a first fluid heated by the geothermal heat source at a first temperature and adapted to heat a second fluid to a second temperature via a series of chemical reactions. Furthermore, the system includes an energy generation unit configured to receive heated the second fluid at the second temperature from the heat transformer to increase the temperature of a third fluid which is used to generate energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Todd Garrett Wetzel, Chellappa Balan, Charles Max Byrd, Veera Palanivelu Rajendran
  • Publication number: 20060088428
    Abstract: A cooling fan comprises a rotor configured to generate airflow. The cooling fan further comprises an outlet guide vane adapted to receive the airflow generated by the rotor and to orient the airflow in a substantially axial direction relative to the rotor. The cooling fan further comprises a diffuser configured to receive the airflow from the outlet guide vane and produce airflow with higher static pressure relative to an inlet of the diffuser. The cooling fan produces a work coefficient greater than 1.6 and a flow coefficient greater than or equal to 0.4.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Publication date: April 27, 2006
    Inventors: Chellappa Balan, John Decker, Andrew Breeze-Stringfellow
  • Publication number: 20060080960
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for generating energy, comprising a first heat exchanger in communication with a first heat source; wherein the first heat exchanger contacts a transfer fluid that comprises a working fluid and an associating composition; and a first energy conversion device comprising a moving surface, wherein the first heat exchanger is in communication with the moveable surface of the first energy conversion device; and wherein a dissociation of the transfer fluid in the first heat exchanger generates a vapor of the working fluid that contacts the moving surface of the first energy conversion device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2004
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Inventors: Veera Rajendran, Chellappa Balan, Charles Byrd, Bahram Keramati, Todd Wetzel