Patents by Inventor David A. Little
David A. Little 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).
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Patent number: 9109608Abstract: A compressor airfoil tip clearance optimization system for reducing a gap between a tip of a compressor airfoil and a radially adjacent component of a turbine engine is disclosed. The turbine engine may include ID and OD flowpath boundaries configured to minimize compressor airfoil tip clearances during turbine engine operation in cooperation with one or more clearance reduction systems that are configured to move the rotor assembly axially to reduce tip clearance. The configurations of the ID and OD flowpath boundaries enhance the effectiveness of the axial movement of the rotor assembly, which includes movement of the ID flowpath boundary. During operation of the turbine engine, the rotor assembly may be moved axially to increase the efficiency of the turbine engine.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2011Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.Inventors: David A. Little, Zhengxiang Pu
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Patent number: 9091171Abstract: A turbine engine including an intermediate space defined between outer and inner portions of the turbine engine. A flow energizer is provided including a flow body located within the intermediate space and including an inlet port, an outlet port and a flow passage extending within the flow body between the inlet and outlet ports. The inlet port receives a flow of a first medium located within the intermediate space and the flow body injects an energizing flow of a second medium to a portion of the first medium within the flow body to create an energized flow of a mixed medium from the outlet portion, the energized flow of mixed medium creates a flow of the first medium adjacent to the flow body within the intermediate space.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2012Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventors: Jose L. Rodriguez, David A. Little, Jiping Zhang, Abdullatif M. Chehab
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Publication number: 20150198054Abstract: An arrangement is provided for delivering gases from a plurality of combustors of a can-annular gas turbine combustion engine to a first row of turbine blades including a first row of turbine blades. The arrangement includes a gas path cylinder, a cone and an integrated exit piece (IEP) for each combustor. Each IEP comprises an inlet chamber for receiving a gas flow from a respective combustor, and includes a connection segment. The IEPs are connected together to define an annular chamber extending circumferentially and concentric to an engine longitudinal axis, for delivering the gas flow to the first row of blades. A radiused joint extends radially inward from a radially outer side of the inlet chamber to an outer boundary of the annular chamber, and a flared fillet extends radially inward from a radially inner side of the inlet chamber to an inner boundary of the annular chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2014Publication date: July 16, 2015Applicant: Siemens Energy, Inc.Inventors: Richard C. Charron, David A. Little, Gary D. Snyder
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Patent number: 9062559Abstract: A strut cover for use in a gas turbine engine having structure defining an annular flow path for receiving exhaust gas from a turbine section of the engine. The strut cover is located downstream from a last row of blades of the turbine section and extends radially through the flow path between inner and outer walls. The strut cover includes an upstream section and a downstream section. The upstream section defines a leading edge for the strut cover and is supported on a pivot axis for pivotal movement about the pivot axis. The downstream section defines a trailing edge for the strut cover and includes an upstream end positioned adjacent to a downstream end of the upstream section. The downstream section is stationary relative to the inner and outer walls to define a predetermined flow angle for directing exhaust gases flowing from the upstream section and passing through the diffuser.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2011Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.Inventor: David A. Little
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Patent number: 9003807Abstract: The present invention comprises a gas turbine engine and a process for operating a gas turbine engine. A fluid structure receives compressed air from a compressor and extends toward a stationary blade ring in a turbine to discharge the compressed air directly against a surface of the blade ring such that the compressed air impinges on the blade ring surface. The compressed air then passes through at least one opening in the stationary blade ring and into cooling passages of a corresponding row of vanes.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2011Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Abdullatif M. Chehab, David A. Little
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Publication number: 20140321981Abstract: A turbine engine shutdown temperature control system configured to foster consistent air temperature within cavities surrounding compressor and turbine blade assemblies to eliminate turbine and compressor blade tip rub during warm restarts of gas turbine engines is disclosed. The turbine engine shutdown temperature control system may include one or more air amplifiers positioned in a turbine case. An exhaust outlet of the air amplifier may extend into a cavity created by a turbine case and may be configured to exhaust air in a generally circumferential direction to entrain air within the cavity to flow circumferentially to establish a consistent air temperature within the cavity thereby preventing uneven cooling of turbine engine components after shutdown and prevent damage to turbine components during a warm restart.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2013Publication date: October 30, 2014Inventors: Jose L. Rodriguez, David A. Little, Jiping Zhang, Patrick M. Pilapil
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Publication number: 20140135602Abstract: A sensor assembly which includes a first physiological parameter sensor configured to sense a physiological parameter and a first reactance sensor connected to the first physiological parameter sensor. The first reactance sensor provides a signal corresponding to a position of a tissue relative to the first reactance sensor and corresponding to the first physiological parameter sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2012Publication date: May 15, 2014Applicant: Nonin Medical, Inc.Inventors: David Lee Lemke, Patrick David Little, Douglas R. Maser, Jordan Clifford Welch Hartmann, Matthew Prior
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Publication number: 20140119880Abstract: A turbine engine including an intermediate space defined between outer and inner portions of the turbine engine. A flow energizer is provided including a flow body located within the intermediate space and including an inlet port, an outlet port and a flow passage extending within the flow body between the inlet and outlet ports. The inlet port receives a flow of a first medium located within the intermediate space and the flow body injects an energizing flow of a second medium to a portion of the first medium within the flow body to create an energized flow of a mixed medium from the outlet portion, the energized flow of mixed medium creates a flow of the first medium adjacent to the flow body within the intermediate space.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2012Publication date: May 1, 2014Inventors: Jose L. Rodriguez, David A. Little, Jiping Zhang, Abdullatif M. Chehab
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Publication number: 20140121710Abstract: The present invention relates to a bone plating system and method for fracture fixation of bone. The bone plating system includes a bone plate, at least one locking screw, and at least one non-locking screw. The bone plate has locking holes with threads and non-locking holes. The locking screws have a shaft with a thread for engaging bone and a head with a thread configured and dimensioned to mate with the thread of the locking holes. The non-locking screws have a thread for engaging bone and a non-threaded head. Both the locking and non-locking screws remain seated in their respective holes for substantially as long as the bone plate is implanted. The non-locking screws compress the bone plate against the bone and hold fracture reduction while the locking screws are secured to the plate at a fixed angular relationship. The mixed fixation achieved by this bone plating system and method is particularly useful for treatment of per-articular fractures.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 2, 2014Publication date: May 1, 2014Applicant: DePuy Synthes Products, LLCInventors: Paul Weaver, Jeff W. Mast, Keith A. Mayo, Brett R. Bolhofner, David Little
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Patent number: 8641744Abstract: The present invention relates to a bone plating system and method for fracture fixation of bone. The bone plating system includes a bone plate, at least one locking screw, and at least one non-locking screw. The bone plate has locking holes with threads and non-locking holes. The locking screws have a shaft with a thread for engaging bone and a head with a thread configured and dimensioned to mate with the thread of the locking holes. The non-locking screws have a thread for engaging bone and a non-threaded head. Both the locking and non-locking screws remain seated in their respective holes for substantially as long as the bone plate is implanted. The non-locking screws compress the bone plate against the bone and hold fracture reduction while the locking screws are secured to the plate at a fixed angular relationship. The mixed fixation achieved by this bone plating system and method is particularly useful for treatment of per-articular fractures.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2004Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, LLCInventors: Paul C. Weaver, Jeff W. Mast, Keith A. Mayo, Brett R. Bolhofner, David Little
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Publication number: 20130281182Abstract: There is disclosed an electronic gaming system (100) comprising one or more player interfaces (6, 7, 17), and a main video display screen (1). The system enables players to simultaneously play a plurality of reel-type games and to place bets on lines of the games. The system displays a plurality of display windows on the main display screen, each window being associated with a respective one of the simultaneously played games and displaying the reels of that game, each reel displaying reel indicia. The system is configured for any one of the games to enter a feature phase when a feature-triggering event occurs. At the start of the feature phase, all the display windows on the main screen, except the particular display window associated with the feature phase, reduce in size or disappear, while the size of the feature game's display window increases, and the other games are also suspended, until the feature phase is completed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2013Publication date: October 24, 2013Inventor: David Little
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Publication number: 20130224009Abstract: A midframe portion (213) of a gas turbine engine (210) is presented, and includes a compressor section (212) configured to discharge an air flow (211) directed in a radial direction from an outlet of the compressor section (212). Additionally, the midframe portion (213) includes a manifold (214) to directly couple the air flow (211) from the compressor section (212) outlet to an inlet of a respective combustor head (218) of the midframe portion (213).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 29, 2012Publication date: August 29, 2013Inventors: David A. Little, Gerard McQuiggan, David L. Wasdell
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Publication number: 20130219853Abstract: A midframe portion (313) of a gas turbine engine (310) is presented and includes a compressor section with a last stage blade to orient an air flow (311) at a first angle (372). The midframe portion (313) further includes a turbine section with a first stage blade to receive the air flow (311) oriented at a second angle (374). The midframe portion (313) further includes a manifold (314) to directly couple the air flow (311) from the compressor section to a combustor head (318) upstream of the turbine section. The combustor head (318) introduces an offset angle in the air flow (311) from the first angle (372) to the second angle (374) to discharge the air flow (311) from the combustor head (318) at the second angle (374). While introducing the offset angle, the combustor head (318) at least maintains or augments the first angle (372).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 29, 2012Publication date: August 29, 2013Inventors: David A. Little, Reinhard Schilp, Christopher W. Ross
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Patent number: 8495982Abstract: A fuel shroud assembly (100) into which fuel (118) is injected for mixing with an air stream (120) in a fuel manifold. The shroud assembly (100) comprises a plurality of parallel fuel scoops (102) each receiving the injected fuel (118). The fuel stream (118) flows through each scoop (102), exiting at an open scoop end (114A). The air stream (120) flows between scoops, creating a shear region proximate each scoop end (114A) where the fuel exits. The shear causes mixing of the air (120) and the fuel (118) streams, wherein the degree of mixing is not dependent on the momentum ratio of the air (120) or fuel (118) streams.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2007Date of Patent: July 30, 2013Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.Inventors: Walter R. Laster, Elizabeth R. Colore, David A. Little
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Patent number: 8495883Abstract: A turbine engine assembly for a generator including a turbine engine having a compressor section, a combustor section and a turbine section. An air bleed line is in communication with the combustor section for receiving combustor shell air from the combustor section and conveying the combustor shell air as bleed air to a plurality of stages of the turbine section. Bleed air is controlled to flow through the air bleed line when an operating load of the turbine engine assembly is less than a base load of the engine to bypass air exiting the compressor section around a combustor in the combustor section and effect a flow of high pressure combustor shell air to the stages of the turbine section.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2010Date of Patent: July 30, 2013Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.Inventors: Adam M. Foust, Raymond S. Nordlund, Nitin Chhabra, David A. Little
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Publication number: 20130167538Abstract: A fuel shroud assembly (100) into which fuel (118) is injected for mixing with an air stream (120) in a fuel manifold. The shroud assembly (100) comprises a plurality of parallel fuel scoops (102) each receiving the injected fuel (118). The fuel stream (118) flows through each scoop (102), exiting at an open scoop end (114A). The air stream (120) flows between scoops, creating a shear region proximate each scoop end (114A) where the fuel exits. The shear causes mixing of the air (120) and the fuel (118) streams, wherein the degree of mixing is not dependent on the momentum ratio of the air (120) or fuel (118) streams.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2007Publication date: July 4, 2013Inventors: Walter R. Laster, Elizabeth R. Colore, David A. Little
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Patent number: 8475261Abstract: There is disclosed an electronic gaming system (100) comprising one or more player interfaces (6, 7, 17), and a main video display screen (1). The system enables players to simultaneously play a plurality of reel-type games and to place bets on lines of the games. The system displays a plurality of display windows on the main display screen, each window being associated with a respective one of the simultaneously played games and displaying the reels of that game, each reel displaying reel indicia. The system is configured for any one of the games to enter a feature phase when a feature-triggering event occurs. At the start of the feature phase, all the display windows on the main screen, except the particular display window associated with the feature phase, reduce in size or disappear, while the size of the feature game's display window increases, and the other games are also suspended, until the feature phase is completed.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2011Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: Lightning Box Games Pty LimitedInventor: David Little
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Publication number: 20130156578Abstract: A compressor airfoil tip clearance optimization system for reducing a gap between a tip of a compressor airfoil and a radially adjacent component of a turbine engine is disclosed. The turbine engine may include ID and OD flowpath boundaries configured to minimize compressor airfoil tip clearances during turbine engine operation in cooperation with one or more clearance reduction systems that are configured to move the rotor assembly axially to reduce tip clearance. The configurations of the ID and OD flowpath boundaries enhance the effectiveness of the axial movement of the rotor assembly, which includes movement of the ID flowpath boundary. During operation of the turbine engine, the rotor assembly may be moved axially to increase the efficiency of the turbine engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2011Publication date: June 20, 2013Inventors: David A. Little, Zhengxiang Pu
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Publication number: 20130111919Abstract: The present invention comprises a gas turbine engine and a process for operating a gas turbine engine. A fluid structure receives compressed air from a compressor and extends toward a stationary blade ring in a turbine to discharge the compressed air directly against a surface of the blade ring such that the compressed air impinges on the blade ring surface. The compressed air then passes through at least one opening in the stationary blade ring and into cooling passages of a corresponding row of vanes.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2011Publication date: May 9, 2013Inventors: Abdullatif M. Chehab, David A. Little
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Patent number: 8419356Abstract: A seal assembly that limits gas leakage from a hot gas path to one or more disc cavities in a turbine engine. The seal assembly includes a seal apparatus that limits gas leakage from the hot gas path to a respective one of the disc cavities. The seal apparatus comprises a plurality of blade members rotatable with a blade structure. The blade members are associated with the blade structure and extend toward adjacent stationary components. Each blade member includes a leading edge and a trailing edge, the leading edge of each blade member being located circumferentially in front of the blade member's corresponding trailing edge in a direction of rotation of the turbine rotor. The blade members are arranged such that a space having a component in a circumferential direction is defined between adjacent circumferentially spaced blade members.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2009Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.Inventor: David A. Little