Patents by Inventor Christopher Paul Willis

Christopher Paul Willis 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: 10436445
    Abstract: An assembly for controlling a gap between a liner and a stationary nozzle within a gas turbine includes an annular liner having an aft frame that is disposed at an aft end of the liner, and a mounting bracket that is coupled to the aft frame. The assembly further includes a turbine having an outer turbine shell and an inner turbine shell that at least partially defines an inlet to the turbine. A stationary nozzle is disposed between the aft frame and the inlet. The stationary nozzle includes a top platform portion having a leading edge that extends towards the aft frame and a bottom platform portion. A gap is defined between the aft end of the aft frame and the leading edge of the top platform portion. The mounting bracket is coupled to the outer turbine shell, and stationary nozzle is coupled to the inner turbine shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Willis, Richard Martin DiCintio, Patrick Benedict Melton, Lucas John Stoia
  • Patent number: 10344978
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a combustor having an annularly shaped liner that at least partially defines a hot gas path of the combustor. A flow sleeve circumferentially surrounds at least a portion of the liner. The flow sleeve is radially spaced from the liner to form a cooling flow annulus therebetween. A bluff body extends radially between the flow sleeve and the liner through the cooling flow annulus. A guide vane is disposed within the cooling flow annulus and extends between the flow sleeve and the liner proximate to the bluff body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Andrew Grady Godfrey, Christopher Paul Willis, David William Cihlar, David Philip Porzio
  • Patent number: 10228141
    Abstract: An axial fuel staging (AFS) system for a combustor is provided. The AFS system includes a secondary fuel injector, an injector housing surrounding the secondary fuel injector, and a conduit assembly in flow communication with the secondary fuel injector. The conduit assembly includes a first conduit for conveying fuel to the secondary fuel injector, and a second conduit circumscribing the first conduit such that a channel is defined between the first conduit and the second conduit. The first conduit and the second conduit terminate within the injector housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David William Cihlar, Christopher Paul Willis, Marissa Ann Singley, Jonathan Glenn Reed
  • Patent number: 10203114
    Abstract: A sleeve assembly for a combustion system is provided. The sleeve assembly includes a liner defining a combustion chamber having a flow axis and a primary combustion zone. The liner has a forward end and an aft end such that the liner circumscribes the flow axis. The sleeve assembly also includes a shell circumscribing the liner such that a cooling duct is defined between the liner and the shell. The shell includes a unisleeve having a forward end and an aft end. The aft end of the unisleeve is positioned axially upstream of the aft end of the liner, defining a gap between the aft end of the liner and the aft end of the unisleeve. The unisleeve is mounted to the liner at circumferentially spaced locations along an axial plane between the forward end and the aft end of the unisleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David William Cihlar, Jonathan Hale Kegley, Andrew Grady Godfrey, Christopher Paul Willis
  • Patent number: 9989254
    Abstract: The present application provides a combustor with a radial penetration. The combustor may include a combustion chamber, a liner surrounding the combustion chamber, a flow sleeve surrounding the liner, a penetration tube extending through the liner and the flow sleeve with the radial penetration positioned within the penetration tube, a flange extending from the penetration tube about the flow sleeve, and a ferrule positioned about the flange and the radial penetration so as to limit leakage about the radial penetration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Elizabeth Angelyn Fadde, Lucas John Stoia, Christopher Paul Willis
  • Publication number: 20170268776
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed a combustor. The combustor includes an annularly shaped liner having a downstream end that is rigidly connected to an aft frame. A flow sleeve circumferentially surrounds at least a portion of the liner and is radially spaced from the liner to form a cooling flow annulus therebetween. A plurality of fuel injector assemblies is circumferentially spaced about the flow sleeve. Each fuel injector assembly extends radially through the flow sleeve and the liner. Each fuel injector assembly is rigidly connected to the flow sleeve and to the liner. An aft portion of the flow sleeve terminates axially short of the aft frame to form an axial gap between the aft end and the aft frame to allow for unrestrained axial expansion and contraction of the aft end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Willis, David William Cihlar, Jonathan Hale Kegley, Andrew Grady Godfrey, David Philip Porzio
  • Publication number: 20170268783
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system for mounting an axially staged fuel injector assembly. The system includes an annularly shaped liner that at least partially defines a hot gas path of a combustor. The liner defines an injector opening that extends radially through the liner. A flow sleeve circumferentially surrounds at least a portion of the liner and is radially spaced from the liner to form a cooling flow annulus therebetween. An annular injector boss extends radially from the liner through the flow sleeve. The injector boss includes a first end portion that extends circumferentially about the injector opening and a second end portion that is disposed radially outwardly from an outer surface of the flow sleeve. The injector boss is formed to receive a fuel injector. The present disclosure is also directed to a method for mounting an axially staged fuel injector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: David William Cihlar, Jonathan Hale Kegley, Christopher Paul Willis, Jonathan Glenn Reed
  • Publication number: 20170268779
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a combustor having an annularly shaped liner that at least partially defines a hot gas path of the combustor. A flow sleeve circumferentially surrounds at least a portion of the liner. The flow sleeve is radially spaced from the liner to form a cooling flow annulus therebetween. A bluff body extends radially between the flow sleeve and the liner through the cooling flow annulus. A guide vane is disposed within the cooling flow annulus and extends between the flow sleeve and the liner proximate to the bluff body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Andrew Grady Godfrey, Christopher Paul Willis, David William Cihlar, David Philip Porzio
  • Publication number: 20170254537
    Abstract: A sleeve assembly for a combustion system is provided. The sleeve assembly includes a liner defining a combustion chamber having a flow axis and a primary combustion zone. The liner has a forward end and an aft end such that the liner circumscribes the flow axis. The sleeve assembly also includes a shell circumscribing the liner such that a cooling duct is defined between the liner and the shell. The shell includes a unisleeve having a forward end and an aft end. The aft end of the unisleeve is positioned axially upstream of the aft end of the liner, defining a gap between the aft end of the liner and the aft end of the unisleeve. The unisleeve is mounted to the liner at circumferentially spaced locations along an axial plane between the forward end and the aft end of the unisleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: David William Cihlar, Jonathan Hale Kegley, Andrew Grady Godfrey, Christopher Paul Willis
  • Publication number: 20170254542
    Abstract: An axial fuel staging (AFS) system for a combustor is provided. The AFS system includes a secondary fuel injector, an injector housing surrounding the secondary fuel injector, and a conduit assembly in flow communication with the secondary fuel injector. The conduit assembly includes a first conduit for conveying fuel to the secondary fuel injector, and a second conduit circumscribing the first conduit such that a channel is defined between the first conduit and the second conduit. The first conduit and the second conduit terminate within the injector housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: David William Cihlar, Christopher Paul Willis, Marissa Ann Singley, Jonathan Glenn Reed
  • Patent number: 9528703
    Abstract: The present application provides a fuel plenum for a micro-mixer combustor. The fuel plenum may include a first assembly plate with a first assembly plate aperture, a second assembly plate with a second assembly plate aperture, a fuel tube extending through the first assembly plate aperture of the first assembly plate and the second assembly plate aperture of the second assembly plate, and an installation insert positioned between the fuel tube and the first assembly plate aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Willis, Patrick Benedict Melton, Lucas John Stoia
  • Patent number: 9400114
    Abstract: A gas turbine comprises a compressor discharge casing that is coupled to an outer turbine shell. The compressor discharge casing includes a combustor opening that extends through the compressor discharge casing and an outer mating surface that circumferentially surrounds the combustor opening. The outer turbine shell defines an inner mating surface. A combustion module extends through the combustor opening. The combustion module includes a forward end that is circumferentially surrounded by a mounting flange and an aft end that is circumferentially surrounded by an aft frame. The mounting flange extends circumferentially around the combustor opening. The mounting flange is coupled to the outer mating surface of the compressor discharge casing and the aft frame is coupled to the inner mating surface of the outer turbine shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Patrick Benedict Melton, Lucas John Stoia, Richard Martin DiCintio, Christopher Paul Willis
  • Publication number: 20160169113
    Abstract: Aft frame assemblies for aft ends of gas turbine transition pieces comprise a body comprising a downstream facing seal surface on an aft end, wherein at least a portion of the downstream facing seal surface configured to be exposed to a combustion discharge stream, a heat shield disposed proximate the aft end of the body, wherein the heat shield is configured to deflect at least a portion of the combustion discharge stream away from the aft end of the body, and, one or more heat shield supports connected to the body and configured to at least partially restrict deflection of the heat shield back towards the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Mark Carmine Bellino, Lucas John Stoia, Christopher Paul Willis
  • Patent number: 9360217
    Abstract: A combustion module for a combustor of a gas turbine includes an annular fuel distribution manifold disposed at an upstream end of the combustion module. The fuel distribution manifold includes an annular support sleeve having an inner surface. The combustion module further includes a fuel injection assembly having an annular combustion liner that extends downstream from the fuel distribution manifold and that terminates at an aft frame, and an annular flow sleeve that circumferentially surrounds the combustion liner. The flow sleeve extends downstream from the fuel distribution manifold and terminates at the aft frame. The flow sleeve extends continuously between the support sleeve and the aft frame. A forward portion of the flow sleeve is positioned concentrically within the support sleeve where the forward portion is slidingly engaged with the inner surface of the support sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Richard Martin DiCintio, Patrick Benedict Melton, Lucas John Stoia, Christopher Paul Willis, Ronnie Ray Pentecost
  • Patent number: 9316155
    Abstract: A system for providing fuel to a combustor of a gas turbine includes an annular fuel distribution manifold that at least partially defines a fuel plenum. The fuel distribution manifold includes a forward end axially separated from an aft end, a flange that extends radially outward and circumferentially around the forward end and an annular support ring that extends downstream from the flange. A LLI assembly extends downstream from the fuel distribution manifold. The LLI assembly includes a unibody liner that at least partially defines a primary combustion zone and a secondary combustion zone within the combustor. A LLI injector extends substantially radially through the unibody liner and provides for fluid communication through the unibody liner into the secondary combustion zone. A fluid conduit in fluid communication with the fuel plenum extends between the LLI injector and the fuel distribution manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Richard Martin DiCintio, Patrick Benedict Melton, Lucas John Stoia, Christopher Paul Willis
  • Publication number: 20160076578
    Abstract: A nut anti-rotation cap includes an end wall having an inner surface configured to be operatively coupled to an end of a threaded mechanical fastener. Also included is at least one sidewall extending from the end wall, wherein the at least one sidewall is a solid wall configured to be secured to a nut engaged with the threaded mechanical fastener and to enclose an exposed portion of the threaded mechanical fastener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: Mark Carmine Bellino, Heath Michael Ostebee, Lucas John Stoia, Christopher Paul Willis
  • Publication number: 20160047317
    Abstract: A downstream nozzle for use in a combustor that includes an inner radial wall defining a combustion zone downstream of a primary nozzle and an outer radial wall surrounding the inner radial wall so to form a flow annulus therebetween. The downstream nozzle may include: an injector tube extending between the outer radial wall and the inner radial wall; a first plenum adjacent to the injector tube, and, inboard of the ceiling, a floor disposed between the inner radial wall and the outer radial wall. A feed passage may connect the first plenum to an inlet formed outboard of the outer radial wall and impingement ports may be formed through the floor of the first plenum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Willis, William Michael Poschel, Lucas John Stoia, Patrick Benedict Melton, Vaibhav Nadkarni, Chandrasekhar Pushkaran
  • Publication number: 20160047313
    Abstract: A bushing includes a body extending from a first end to a second end through an intermediate portion. The body includes a passage having a first centerline extending from the first end to the second end. A first alignment member is formed on a first section of the intermediate portion at the first end. The first alignment member includes an outer surface having a plurality of splines configured to be received by a first component to be joined. A second alignment member is formed on a second section of the intermediate portion. The second alignment member includes a second centerline that is off-set relative to the first centerline and is configured to be received by a second component to be joined with the first component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventors: Mark Carmine Bellino, Kevin Weston McMahan, Lucas John Stoia, Christopher Paul Willis
  • Patent number: 9249678
    Abstract: A transition duct for a combustor of a gas turbine generally includes a transition duct having a frame at an aft end of the transition duct. The frame generally includes a downstream end, a radially outer portion, a radially inner portion opposed to the radially outer portion, a first side portion between the radially outer and inner portions, and a second side portion opposed to the first side portion. A slot in the first side portion of the frame may have a downstream surface adjacent to the downstream end of the frame. A heat shield having an inner surface, an outer surface and a plurality of spacers may extend generally outward from the heat shield inner surface such that the inner surface is adjacent to the slot downstream surface and the frame downstream end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: John Alfred Simo, Patrick Benedict Melton, Richard Martin DiCintio, Christopher Paul Willis
  • Patent number: 9097130
    Abstract: A seal assembly for use between an injector and a combustion chamber in a gas turbine. A liner at least partially defines the combustion chamber, and the liner has at least one tubular liner collar, through which an injector is inserted. In one embodiment, the liner collar has a partially convex outer diameter and a floating collar is positioned at least partially around the liner collar. The floating collar has a retention member having a first end fixed to the floating collar and a second end configured to abut the convex outer diameter of liner collar, wherein the retention member maintains the floating collar at a radial distance from the injector less than a radial distance between the liner collar and the injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Willis, Richard Martin DiCintio, Lucas John Stoia