Patents by Inventor Edward E. Ekstedt

Edward E. Ekstedt 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: 5511375
    Abstract: A dual fuel mixer is disclosed having a mixing duct, a shroud surrounding the upstream end of the mixing duct having contained therein a gas fuel manifold and a liquid fuel manifold in flow communication with a gas fuel supply and a liquid fuel supply, respectively, and control means, a set of inner and outer annular counter-rotating swirlers adjacent the upstream end of the mixing duct, where at least the outer annular swirlers include hollow vanes with internal cavities and fuel passages, all of which are in fluid communication with the gas and liquid fuel manifolds to inject gas and liquid fuel into the air stream, and a hub separating the inner and outer annular swirlers to allow independent rotation thereof wherein high pressure air from a compressor is injected into the mixing duct through the swirlers to form an intense shear region and gas and/or liquid fuel is injected into the air stream from the outer annular swirler vanes so that the high pressure air and the fuel is uniformly mixed therein so as
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Narendra D. Joshi, Edward E. Ekstedt
  • Patent number: 5323604
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a combustor is disclosed having three separate domes, each dome having disposed therein a plurality of circumferentially spaced mixers for uniformly mixing air and fuel. The combustor utilizes a high percentage of the total available combustion air at the dome area in order to maintain a lean mixture of air and fuel during all levels of engine output. Besides providing an unobstructed area in the diffuser dump region upstream of the mixers for the combustion air, sealing means is included to prevent cooling air from entering the combustion chamber until downstream of the primary combustion zone. Heat shields having radial centerbodies are also included between each dome to isolate each primary combustion zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Edward E. Ekstedt, Narendra D. Joshi, Adrian M. Ablett, Timothy R. Gresla, John M. Koshoffer, William F. Burke
  • Patent number: 5274995
    Abstract: A combustor dome assembly having a venturi and an auxiliary wall concentric with the venturi to provide an annular passage for channeling or directing a high velocity air jet from a swirler to a combustion chamber associated with a downstream end of the venturi, thereby facilitating the atomization of a film of water flowing along an inner surface of the venturi and out of the downstream end. In an alternative embodiment, a deflector is used (instead of the auxiliary wall) to direct the air flow towards the downstream end. The downstream end of the venturi may have a curved edge to permit the film of water flowing along an inner surface of the venturi to turn substantially perpendicular to the air flowing past the downstream end of the venturi which further enhances atomization of water. The venturi may also comprise a flange which is positioned in operative relationship with the downstream end for increasing the turbulence at the downstream end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael W. Horner, Edward E. Ekstedt, Thomas C. Campbell, Gilbert H. Badeer
  • Patent number: 5251447
    Abstract: An air fuel mixer is disclosed having a mixing duct, a shroud surrounding the upstream end of the mixing duct having contained therein a fuel manifold in flow communication with a fuel supply and control means, a set of inner and outer counter-rotating swirlers adjacent the upstream end of the mixing duct, hollow vanes in at least the outer swirler having passages therethrough in fluid communication with the fuel manifold to inject fuel into the mixing duct, and a hub separating the inner and outer swirlers to allow independent rotation thereof, wherein high pressure air from a compressor is injected into the mixing duct through the swirlers to form an intense shear region and fuel is injected into the mixing duct from the swirler vanes so that the high pressure air and the fuel is uniformly mixed therein so as to produce minimal formation of pollutants when the fuel/air mixture is exhausted out the downstream end of the mixing duct into the combustor and ignited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Narendra D. Joshi, Edward E. Ekstedt, Michael J. Epstein
  • Patent number: 5165241
    Abstract: A mixer having a mixing duct, a set of inner and outer counter-rotating swirlers at the upstream end of the mixing duct, and a fuel nozzle located axially along and forming a center-body of the mixing duct is provided, wherein high pressure air from a compressor is injected into the mixing duct through the swirlers to form an intense shear region and fuel is injected into the mixing duct from the fuel nozzle so that the high pressure air and the fuel is uniformly mixed therein so as to produce minimal formation of pollutants when the fuel/air mixture is exhausted out the downstream end of said mixing duct into the combustor and ignited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1992
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Narendra D. Joshi, Edward E. Ekstedt
  • Patent number: 5020329
    Abstract: An improved fuel delivery system for the combustor of a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The improvement comprises a combustor support pin, a fuel atomizer, and a tube for delivering fuel to the atomizer. The combustor support pin provides axial support for the combustor and includes a duct therethrough. The fuel delivery tube is removably located within the duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Edward E. Ekstedt, Jack R. Taylor
  • Patent number: 4838029
    Abstract: The externally vaporizing system of the present invention incorporates an auxiliary burner which is supplied with compressor discharge air at a rate which is regulated to the main fuel flow rate. The auxiliary burner is operated at approximately stoichiometric fuel-air ratio, in order to provide very-hot, nearly-inert gases for vaporizing the main fuel supply. The main fuel is sprayed in the auxiliary burner exit gas stream where rapid mixing and evaporation occur. The resulting vaporized fuel/inert gas mixture (at about 800.degree. F., preferably) is then ducted and distributed to the individual main combustor fuel injectors where it is injected into the premixing ducts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Clifford C. Gleason, deceased, Edward E. Ekstedt
  • Patent number: 4584834
    Abstract: A carburetion assembly including flow control means is provided for controlling a discharge spray angle of a fuel and air mixture thereof. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the flow control means can comprise a plurality of circumferentially spaced apertures in a shroud member which are effective for providing a control portion of compressor airflow in a downstream, axial direction from a swirler stage of the swirler assembly. The apertures provide a predetermined amount of airflow circumferentially about the fuel and air mixture for constraining the mixture and controlling the discharge spray angle thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1986
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John M. Koshoffer, Edward E. Ekstedt, Billy P. Samuel, Edward I. Stamm
  • Patent number: 4259842
    Abstract: A plurality of circumferentially spaced props are attached to the outer overlapping segments of a combustor liner to prevent the thermal outward growth of the inner segment. Placement of the props on the outer segment allows them to remain relatively cool to thereby minimize stresses and, when combined with a liner design which centrifuges the cooling air to the radially inner side of the cooling slot, such placement coincides with a separation bubble so as to minimize flow blockage and resulting hot streaks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1981
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John M. Koshoffer, Edward E. Ekstedt, Edward I. Stamm
  • Patent number: 4180974
    Abstract: In a combustor carburetor device having a secondary swirler which axially introduces airflow between the venturi and a splashplate, a cylindrical sleeve is inserted between the venturi and the splashplate to axially extend the air outer flow path. The cavity defined by the axial extension and the splashplate is then purged by a source of air such that the combination prevents the flow of fuel from the venturi to the surface of the splashplate to thereby reduce emissions during engine idle operation. At the downstream end of the cylindrical sleeve is attached a frustoconical portion which allows controlled dispersion of the fuel/air mixture for resultant improved ignition characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1980
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Richard E. Stenger, Edward E. Ekstedt, Stanford P. Seto
  • Patent number: 4109459
    Abstract: A combustor for use in a gas turbine engine is provided with a first wall defining a combustion zone; an outer casing partially defining a cooling plenum about the first wall; a second wall spaced apart from the first wall and defining together therewith a second plenum, the second wall bearing a plurality of perforations for passing fluid from the first plenum in impinging streams upon the first wall; and a plurality of ribs extending between the first and second walls and compartmentalizing the second plenum. The ribs add substantial stiffness to the combustor as well as providing for independently controlled cooling of the substantially isolated compartments formed thereby. The impinging streams provided by the perforations in the second wall substantially increase local fluid velocities and conductive heat transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1978
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Edward E. Ekstedt, Edwin J. Beck, Jr., Donald W. Bahr, Barry Weinstein
  • Patent number: 4070826
    Abstract: A low pressure fuel stream is injected into a carburetor by way of a fuel tube injector combination having an insulating air space provided between the internal flow path structure and the outer surface of the combination which is exposed to relatively high temperatures. The fluid stream is thus maintained at a relatively low temperature and pressure until it is discharged from the fuel injector, at which time a surrounding airstream prevents the direct contact of the fuel flow with the surface of the fuel injector, and therefore prevents any carbon build-up which would otherwise occur on or near the fuel exit orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1975
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1978
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Richard E. Stenger, Edward E. Ekstedt, John M. Richey, Stanford P. Seto