Patents by Inventor Dean Matthew Erickson
Dean Matthew Erickson 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: 10947900Abstract: Inlet air heating systems for combined cycle power plants and combined cycle power plants including inlet air heating systems are disclosed. The inlet air heating systems may include a plurality of heating coil assemblies partially positioned within an inlet housing of a gas turbine system, and a vent valve in fluid communication with each of the heating coils. The inlet air heating system may also include a supply line in fluid communication with the heating coils to provide water to the heating coils, and a hot water line in fluid communication with the supply line and a component positioned downstream of a condenser of the combined cycle power plant. The hot water line may provide hot water from the combined cycle power plant to the supply line. Additionally, the inlet air heating system may include a drain line in fluid communication with the heating coils and the condenser.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2018Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Bradly Aaron Kippel, Douglas Frank Beadie, Dean Matthew Erickson
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Publication number: 20200131990Abstract: Inlet air heating systems for combined cycle power plants and combined cycle power plants including inlet air heating systems are disclosed. The inlet air heating systems may include a plurality of heating coil assemblies partially positioned within an inlet housing of a gas turbine system, and a vent valve in fluid communication with each of the heating coils. The inlet air heating system may also include a supply line in fluid communication with the heating coils to provide water to the heating coils, and a hot water line in fluid communication with the supply line and a component positioned downstream of a condenser of the combined cycle power plant. The hot water line may provide hot water from the combined cycle power plant to the supply line. Additionally, the inlet air heating system may include a drain line in fluid communication with the heating coils and the condenser.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2018Publication date: April 30, 2020Inventors: Bradly Aaron Kippel, Douglas Frank Beadie, Dean Matthew Erickson
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Patent number: 10578023Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include methods, systems and program products for controlling a water bath heater for a fuel gas. Methods according to the present disclosure can include: calculating at least one calculable condition of the fuel gas based on a set of conditions of the fuel gas entering the water bath heater and a type of control valve located downstream of the water bath heater; calculating a target temperature differential for the fuel gas based a set of conditions of the fuel gas entering the water bath heater and the at least one calculable condition; and adjusting an operating parameter of the water bath heater to adjust a temperature of the fuel gas leaving the water bath heater by the target temperature differential.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2017Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Hua Zhang, Dean Matthew Erickson
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Publication number: 20180306119Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include methods, systems and program products for controlling a water bath heater for a fuel gas. Methods according to the present disclosure can include: calculating at least one calculable condition of the fuel gas based on a set of conditions of the fuel gas entering the water bath heater and a type of control valve located downstream of the water bath heater; calculating a target temperature differential for the fuel gas based a set of conditions of the fuel gas entering the water bath heater and the at least one calculable condition; and adjusting an operating parameter of the water bath heater to adjust a temperature of the fuel gas leaving the water bath heater by the target temperature differential.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2017Publication date: October 25, 2018Inventors: Hua Zhang, Dean Matthew Erickson
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Publication number: 20180119618Abstract: A fuel heating system for a gas turbine system is provided. The system includes a boiler for generating steam, a HRSG independent of the boiler, and a single fuel heat exchanger structured to operate using steam or water as the heating medium. A control valve system selectively delivers the heating medium to the second passage of the single fuel heat exchanger as one of: the steam from the boiler and the hot feedwater from the HRSG.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2016Publication date: May 3, 2018Inventors: Dean Matthew Erickson, Kyle Joseph Conger, David Michael Kindel, Carlos Gabriel Roman
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Patent number: 9470105Abstract: The present application and the resultant patent provide a gas turbine engine system. The gas turbine engine system may include a gas turbine engine, a water wash system, and a system controller. The gas turbine engine may include a compressor, a combustor in communication with the compressor, and a turbine in communication with the combustor. The water wash system may be in communication with the gas turbine engine and configured to remove contaminants therefrom. The water wash system may include a number of valves configured to control flows through the water wash system, and a number of sensors configured to measure operating parameters of the water wash system. The system controller may be in communication with the valves and the sensors and operable to automatically control the valves upon receiving operating parameter signals from the sensors in order to perform a wash of the gas turbine engine.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2013Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Rahul J. Chillar, Dean Matthew Erickson, George Martin Gilchrist, III, Michael Savale, Mica Lee Longwell
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Patent number: 9470145Abstract: A system for heating fuel in a combined cycle gas turbine includes a fuel heat exchanger downstream from a turbine outlet, and the fuel heat exchanger has an exhaust gas inlet, an exhaust gas outlet, a fuel inlet, and a fuel outlet. A first exhaust gas plenum has a first exhaust gas inlet connection between the turbine outlet and a heat exchanger and a first exhaust gas outlet connection upstream from the exhaust gas inlet. A second exhaust gas plenum has a second exhaust gas inlet connection downstream from at least a portion of the heat exchanger and a second exhaust gas outlet connection upstream from the exhaust gas inlet.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2012Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: David Wesley Ball, Jr., Korey Frederic Rendo, Dean Matthew Erickson, Diego Fernando Rancruel, Leslie Yung-Min Tong
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Patent number: 9435258Abstract: A system for heating combustor fuel includes a turbine exhaust plenum and a heat exchanger downstream from the turbine exhaust plenum. The heat exchanger has an exhaust inlet, an exhaust outlet, a fuel inlet, and a fuel outlet. An exhaust recirculation plenum has a recirculation inlet connection downstream from the exhaust outlet and a recirculation outlet connection upstream from the exhaust inlet. The system further includes structure for controlling a recirculated exhaust flow from the exhaust outlet into the exhaust recirculation plenum.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2012Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Durgaprasad Janapaneedi, Korey Frederic Rendo, Dean Matthew Erickson, Timothy Russell Bilton, Christina Renee Pompey
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Patent number: 9429075Abstract: A method of operating a fuel heating system is provided. The method includes performing pre-ignition diagnostic checks on a plurality of components of the fuel heating system, wherein at least one inlet damper and at least one outlet damper of an exhaust flow circuit are each in a closed position. The method also includes purging the fuel heating system of unburned hydrocarbons. The method further includes operating the fuel heating system in a normal operating condition. The method yet further includes operating the fuel heating system in a cool down condition, wherein the at least one inlet damper is in the closed position.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2013Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Rushi Mahesh Amin, Douglas Scott Byrd, Dean Matthew Erickson, Michael John Mariani, Christina Renee Pompey, Korey Frederic Rendo, Bryan Edward Sweet
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Patent number: 9404389Abstract: The present application provides a passive control valve actuator cooling system to provide a flow of cooling air to a control valve actuator used with a gas turbine engine. The passive control valve actuator cooling system may include a turbine enclosure with a negative pressure therein, a radiation shield with a number of radiation shield outlets and the control valve actuator positioned therein, and a cooling air line extending from outside of the turbine enclosure to the radiation shield such that the negative pressure within the turbine enclosure pulls the flow of cooling air into and through the radiation shield so as to cool the control valve actuator.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2013Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Dean Matthew Erickson, Martin Lopez, Jose Francisco Aguilar
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Patent number: 9371917Abstract: The present application provides a fuel conditioning system for delivering a flow of fuel to a nozzle in a gas turbine engine. The fuel conditioning system may include a fuel compressor to increase the pressure of the flow of fuel, a pressure reduction valve to decrease the pressure of the flow of fuel, and a heater downstream of the pressure reduction valve. The pressure reduction valve may include a rotary control valve.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2013Date of Patent: June 21, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Hua Zhang, Douglas Scott Byrd, Iris Ziqin Hu, Dean Matthew Erickson
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Publication number: 20150300261Abstract: A fuel heating system for use with a combined cycle gas turbine including a turbine outlet configured to channel a flow of exhaust gas towards a heat recovery steam generator is provided. The system includes a heat exchanger configured to channel a flow of fuel therethrough, and a plurality of heat transfer devices that each include an evaporator portion in thermal communication with the flow of exhaust gas and a condenser portion selectively thermally exposed to the flow of fuel. Each of the plurality of heat transfer devices are configured to conduct different grade heat from the exhaust gas to regulate a temperature of the fuel.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2014Publication date: October 22, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Kihyung Kim, Dean Matthew Erickson, Diego Fernando Rancruel, Leslie Yung-Min Tong
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Patent number: 9103284Abstract: An approach for utilizing fuel gas to purge a dormant fuel gas circuit is disclosed. In one aspect, there is a fuel gas supply that supplies fuel to fuel gas circuits. Gas control valves, each coupled to one of the fuel gas circuits control the flow of fuel gas thereto from the fuel gas supply. A fuel purge system selectively purges fuel gas circuits from the fuel gas circuits that are dormant with fuel gas from the fuel gas supply.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2012Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Dean Matthew Erickson, Robert Lester Brooks, Douglas Scott Byrd, Joseph Robert Law
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Publication number: 20150135727Abstract: The present application and the resultant patent provide a gas turbine engine system. The gas turbine engine system may include a gas turbine engine, a water wash system, and a system controller. The gas turbine engine may include a compressor, a combustor in communication with the compressor, and a turbine in communication with the combustor. The water wash system may be in communication with the gas turbine engine and configured to remove contaminants therefrom. The water wash system may include a number of valves configured to control flows through the water wash system, and a number of sensors configured to measure operating parameters of the water wash system. The system controller may be in communication with the valves and the sensors and operable to automatically control the valves upon receiving operating parameter signals from the sensors in order to perform a wash of the gas turbine engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2013Publication date: May 21, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Rahul J. Chillar, Dean Matthew Erickson, George Martin Gilchrist, III, Michael Savale, Mica Lee Longwell
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Publication number: 20150082767Abstract: The present application provides a passive control valve actuator cooling system to provide a flow of cooling air to a control valve actuator used with a gas turbine engine. The passive control valve actuator cooling system may include a turbine enclosure with a negative pressure therein, a radiation shield with a number of radiation shield outlets and the control valve actuator positioned therein, and a cooling air line extending from outside of the turbine enclosure to the radiation shield such that the negative pressure within the turbine enclosure pulls the flow of cooling air into and through the radiation shield so as to cool the control valve actuator.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2013Publication date: March 26, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Dean Matthew Erickson, Martin Lopez, Jose Francisco Aguilar
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Publication number: 20140318634Abstract: The present application provides a fuel conditioning system for delivering a flow of fuel to a nozzle in a gas turbine engine. The fuel conditioning system may include a fuel compressor to increase the pressure of the flow of fuel, a pressure reduction valve to decrease the pressure of the flow of fuel, and a heater downstream of the pressure reduction valve. The pressure reduction valve may include a rotary control valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2013Publication date: October 30, 2014Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Hua Zhang, Douglas Scott Byrd, Iris Ziqin Hu, Dean Matthew Erickson
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Patent number: 8801370Abstract: A impingement cooling system for heavy duty turbines that includes a manifold affixed to a casing of the heavy-duty turbine, wherein the manifold includes a plurality of impingement holes in the surface of the manifold and a blower that provides air flow across the plurality of impingement holes of the manifold to cool the casing of the heavy-duty turbine to control the clearance between a tip of a turbine blade and a shroud of the heavy-duty turbine.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2006Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Dean Matthew Erickson, Hua Zhang, Jason Seale
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Publication number: 20140208766Abstract: A method of operating a fuel heating system is provided. The method includes performing pre-ignition diagnostic checks on a plurality of components of the fuel heating system, wherein at least one inlet damper and at least one outlet damper of an exhaust flow circuit are each in a closed position. The method also includes purging the fuel heating system of unburned hydrocarbons. The method further includes operating the fuel heating system in a normal operating condition. The method yet further includes operating the fuel heating system in a cool down condition, wherein the at least one inlet damper is in the closed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2013Publication date: July 31, 2014Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Rushi Mahesh Amin, Douglas Scott Byrd, Dean Matthew Erickson, Michael John Mariani, Christina Renee Pompey, Korey Frederic Rendo, Bryan Edward Sweet
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Patent number: 8783040Abstract: A fuel delivery system for a combustion turbine engine, comprising: a fuel line having a fuel compressor and parallel branches downstream of the fuel compressor: a cold branch that includes an after-cooler; and a hot branch that bypasses the after-cooler; a rapid heating value meter configured to measure the heating value of the fuel from the fuel source and transmit heating value data relating to the measurements; means for controlling the amount of fuel being directed through the cold branch and the amount of fuel being directed through the hot branch; and a fuel-mixing junction at which the cold branch and the hot branch converge; wherein the fuel-mixing junction resides in close proximity to a combustor gas control valve.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2010Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Dean Matthew Erickson, Timothy Russell Bilton
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Publication number: 20140102105Abstract: A system for heating combustor fuel includes a turbine exhaust plenum and a heat exchanger downstream from the turbine exhaust plenum. The heat exchanger has an exhaust inlet, an exhaust outlet, a fuel inlet, and a fuel outlet. An exhaust recirculation plenum has a recirculation inlet connection downstream from the exhaust outlet and a recirculation outlet connection upstream from the exhaust inlet. The system further includes structure for controlling a recirculated exhaust flow from the exhaust outlet into the exhaust recirculation plenum.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2012Publication date: April 17, 2014Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Durgaprasad Janapaneedi, Korey Frederic Rendo, Dean Matthew Erickson, Timothy Russell Bilton, Christina Renee Pompey