Patents by Inventor Dale J. Davis

Dale J. Davis 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: 8963353
    Abstract: A system and method to preemptively adjust power generation of one or more non-wind power generators based on near term wind generation capability, spinning reserve margin, and/or power grid spinning reserve forecast requirements to offset wind power generation based on geospatial regional wind conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sanji Ekanayake, Alston Ilford Scipio, Dale J. Davis, Eric J. Kauffman, Timothy Tah-teh Yang
  • Publication number: 20150001086
    Abstract: A refurbishing method, refurbishing apparatus and refurbished article are provided. The refurbishing method includes accessing a plurality of rotatable components attached to a turbine assembly, the turbine assembly being a portion of a turbomachine, providing a predetermined volume of a buffered electrolytic solution in an electro-polishing tank, coupling the plurality of rotatable components to a power supply, immersing an immersion portion of at least one of the plurality of rotatable components in the buffered electrolytic solution, passing an electrical energy through the immersion portion of at least one of the plurality of rotatable components while the immersion portion is immersed in the buffered electrolytic solution, wherein an electrical flux to the immersion portion electro-polishes the immersion portion, separating the immersion portion from the buffered electrolytic solution, and applying a corrosion inhibitor to the plurality of rotatable components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Paul Stephen DIMASCIO, Alston Ilford SCIPIO, Dale J. DAVIS, Sanji EKANAYAKE
  • Patent number: 8844258
    Abstract: A system for de-icing a gas turbine engine is provided. A manifold is coupled to an inlet screen. A first conduit is coupled to a stage of the compressor and a first input of a mixing component. A second conduit is coupled to the exhaust and a second input of the mixing component. The second conduit being adapted to extract exhaust gases without increasing the pressure at the exhaust. A third conduit is coupled to the output of the mixing component and the manifold. A method for de-icing a gas turbine engine inlet screen includes determining a current temperature at the inlet screen, and determining a desired temperature at the inlet screen. If the current temperature at the inlet screen is less than the desired temperature at the inlet screen first flow rate of an air-exhaust mixture necessary to achieve the desired inlet screen temperature is calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sanji Ekanayake, Alston Ilford Scipio, Dale J. Davis, Ryan Margate Pastrana
  • Patent number: 8845819
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a water wash system that may mix a cleaning fluid with at least one chemical agent to form a cleaning solution. The cleaning solution may reduce the corrosives on components of a compressor. The cleaning solution may be an mildly acidic solution to reduce corrosion of a caustic nature. Alternatively, the cleaning solution may be a mildly basic solution to reduce corrosion of an acidic nature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Eric Gebhardt, Rahul J. Chillar, Dale J. Davis
  • Patent number: 8834649
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a water wash system that may mix a cleaning fluid with at least one chemical agent to form a cleaning solution. The cleaning solution may reduce the corrosives on components of a compressor. The cleaning solution may be a mildly acidic solution to reduce corrosion of a caustic nature. Alternatively, the cleaning solution may be a mildly basic solution to reduce corrosion of an acidic nature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Eric Gebhardt, Rahul J. Chillar, Dale J. Davis
  • Publication number: 20140208765
    Abstract: A system and method for supercharging a combined cycle system includes a forced draft fan providing a variable air flow. At least a first portion of the air flow is directed to a compressor and a second portion of the airflow is diverted to a heat recovery steam generator. A control system controls the airflows provided to the compressor and the heat recovery steam generator. The system allows a combined cycle system to be operated at a desired operating state, balancing cycle efficiency and component life, by controlling the flow of air from the forced draft fan to the compressor and the heat recovery steam generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Sanji Ekanayake, Alston Ilford Scipio, Steven Hartman, Dale J. Davis
  • Publication number: 20140210217
    Abstract: A system and method is provided that improves the under frequency response of gas turbines by providing a fast-response power augmentation system. The system includes a tank storing a blended mixture of motive fuel such as ethanol or methanol and demineralized water in a predetermined ratio that is provided as a diluent to be injected into the compressor bellmouth, the Compressor Discharge Chamber (CDC), and/or the combustion system via one to three dedicated circuits. To achieve the instantaneous injection of the diluent at the correct pressure and for the appropriate duration to meet the needs of the gas turbine Grid compliance mandate, an accumulator is used as the motive force to drive the augmentation fluid in the dedicated circuits. The injected diluent is microprocessor controlled to either be simultaneous into all three circuits or is sequenced based on a determination of the best turbine control and performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Alston Ilford Scipio, Dale J. Davis, Steven Hartman, Sanji Ekanayake, Paul Robert Fernandez
  • Publication number: 20140208764
    Abstract: A method and system for measuring a flow profile in a portion of a flow path in a turbine engine is provided. The system includes a mass flow sensor assembly having a plurality of hot wire mass flow sensors, the mass flow sensor assembly disposed in the portion of the flow path at a location where the flow profile is to be measured. The system also includes a controller that converts signals from the temperature sensor, the pressure sensor and the plurality of hot wire mass flow sensors to flow profile measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Sanji Ekanayake, Thomas C. Billheimer, Douglas Corbin Warwick, Alston Ilford Scipio, Dale J. Davis, Jason Nathaniel Cook, Vahid Vaezi
  • Publication number: 20140174163
    Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring fouling in a gas turbine compressor include a conductivity resistance sensor disposed in a compressor inlet mouth. The degree of compressor fouling is correlated to changes in resistance measured by the conductivity resistance sensor. Measurements of resistance changes are converted to an indicia of fouling and used to trigger cleaning of the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Sanji Ekanayake, Alston Ilford Scipio, Paul Stephen DiMascio, Dale J. Davis
  • Publication number: 20130340439
    Abstract: A system for de-icing a gas turbine engine is provided. A manifold is coupled to an inlet screen. A first conduit is coupled to a stage of the compressor and a first input of a mixing component. A second conduit is coupled to the exhaust and a second input of the mixing component. The second conduit being adapted to extract exhaust gases without increasing the pressure at the exhaust. A third conduit is coupled to the output of the mixing component and the manifold. A method for de-icing a gas turbine engine inlet screen includes determining a current temperature at the inlet screen, and determining a desired temperature at the inlet screen. If the current temperature at the inlet screen is less than the desired temperature at the inlet screen first flow rate of an air-exhaust mixture necessary to achieve the desired inlet screen temperature is calculated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Sanji Ekanayake, Alston Ilford Scipio, Dale J. Davis, Ryan Margate Pastrana
  • Publication number: 20110259375
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a water wash system that may mix a cleaning fluid with at least one chemical agent to form a cleaning solution. The cleaning solution may reduce the corrosives on components of a compressor. The cleaning solution may be a mildly acidic solution to reduce corrosion of a caustic nature. Alternatively, the cleaning solution may be a mildly basic solution to reduce corrosion of an acidic nature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: Eric Gebhardt, Rahul J. Chillar, Dale J. Davis
  • Patent number: 7985284
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention measures a sample of the airstream, in real time, for a corrosive, before the airstream enters the compressor. An embodiment of the present invention may then initiate an on-line water wash system to reduce the level of the at least one corrosive on the compressor. An embodiment of the present invention also provides an on-line water wash system that may mix a cleaning fluid with at least one chemical agent to form a cleaning solution. The cleaning solution reduces the level of corrosives on components of a turbomachine compressor. The cleaning solution may be an acidic solution to reduce corrosion of a caustic nature. Alternatively, the cleaning solution may be a basic solution to reduce corrosion of an acidic nature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Dale J. Davis, Rahul J. Chillar, Eric Gebhardt
  • Patent number: 7870718
    Abstract: The exhaust within an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system should be purged to allow for access to the components of the EGR system. A system and method for purging the EGR system is provided. The system and method may incorporate an: EGR purge fan, an EGR purge blower, or a turbomachine. The system and method may draw the exhaust out of the EGR system. The system and method may drive the exhaust out of the EGR system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Rahul J. Chillar, Robert W. Taylor, James E. Roberts, Joell R. Hibshman, II, Peter Martin Maly, Dale J. Davis
  • Patent number: 7866140
    Abstract: The exhaust within an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system should be purged to allow for access to the components of the EGR system. A method and system for controlling an EGR purge system is provided. The method and system may control the operation of drawing the exhaust out of the EGR system. The method may also control the operation of diving the exhaust out of the EGR system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Rahul J. Chillar, Joell R. Hibshman, II, Dale J. Davis, Douglas E. Dean
  • Publication number: 20100037924
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a water wash system that may mix a cleaning fluid with at least one chemical agent to form a cleaning solution. The cleaning solution may reduce the corrosives on components of a compressor. The cleaning solution may be an mildly acidic solution to reduce corrosion of a caustic nature. Alternatively, the cleaning solution may be a mildly basic solution to reduce corrosion of an acidic nature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventors: Eric Gebhardt, Rahul J. Chillar, Dale J. Davis
  • Publication number: 20100037777
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention measures a sample of the airstream, in real time, for at least one corrosive, before the airstream enters the compressor. An embodiment of the present invention may then initiate an on-line water wash system to reduce the level of the at least one corrosive on the compressor. An embodiment of the present invention also provides an on-line water wash system that may mix a cleaning fluid with at least one chemical agent to form a cleaning solution. The cleaning solution reduces the corrosives on components of a turbomachine compressor. The cleaning solution may be an acidic solution to reduce corrosion of a caustic nature. Alternatively, the cleaning solution may be a basic solution to reduce corrosion of an acidic nature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventors: Dale J. Davis, Rahul J. Chillar, Eric Gebhardt
  • Publication number: 20090151353
    Abstract: The exhaust within an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system should be purged to allow for access to the components of the EGR system. A method and system for controlling an EGR purge system is provided. The method and system may control the operation of drawing the exhaust out of the EGR system. The method may also control the operation of diving the exhaust out of the EGR system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventors: Rahul J. Chillar, Joell R. Hibshman, II, Dale J. Davis, Douglas E. Dean
  • Publication number: 20090120089
    Abstract: The exhaust within an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system should be purged to allow for access to the components of the EGR system. A system and method for purging the EGR system is provided. The system and method may incorporate an: EGR purge fan, an EGR purge blower, or a turbomachine. The system and method may draw the exhaust out of the EGR system. The system and method may drive the exhaust out of the EGR system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventors: Rahul J. Chillar, Robert W. Taylor, James E. Roberts, Joell R. Hibshman, II, Peter Martin Maly, Dale J. Davis
  • Patent number: 6786786
    Abstract: A flotation device adapted for use by a person in a body of water and float with minimal effort therein. The flotation device comprises a central section adapted to fit between a person's legs, a front and rear flotation packs, and an adjustable connection means. The flotation packs each have opposite ends, and a lower and upper side. The central section has opposite ends connected to the lower sides of the flotation packs. The adjustable connection means reversibly connects the respective opposite ends of the flotation packs. The flotation packs are made of any suitable floating material such as urethane closed cell foam that meets U.S. Coast Guard requirements (UL 1191). A pocket is optionally attached to one or both of the flotation packs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Inventor: Dale J. Davis