Patents by Inventor Joel Donnell Holt

Joel Donnell Holt 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: 9404424
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a system is provided. The system includes a combustor configured to combust a fuel, and a three-way valve fluidly coupled the combustor and disposed upstream of the combustor. The system also includes a fuel circuit comprising a fuel supply, wherein the fuel circuit is disposed upstream of the three-way valve and is configured to provide the fuel to the three-way valve. The system additionally includes a fuel conduit section fluidly coupling the fuel circuit to the combustor. The system further includes an inert fluid supply configured to provide an inert fluid to the three-way valve and a compressor discharge (CPD) fluid source configured to provide a purge fluid to the three-way valve. The three-way valve is configured to purge the fuel from a first portion of the fuel conduit section by using the purge fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christopher John Morawski, Joel Donnell Holt, Richard John Rucigay
  • Patent number: 9279346
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems, methods, and apparatus for determining online stress and life consumption of a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG). According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method for assessing components of a HRSG is provided. The method includes receiving HRSG design parameters; determining thermal stress data associated with the one or more HRSG components based at least in part on one or more historical, real-time, or calculated temperature sensor data associated with the one or more HRSG components; and determining cycle-related life consumption data associated with the one or more HRSG components based at least in part on the HRSG design parameters and the determined thermal stress data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: William B. Julian, Ashok D. Acharya, Joel Donnell Holt, Robert John Gdaniec
  • Patent number: 9212569
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems, methods, and apparatus for determining online stress and life of a heat recovery steam generator. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method for assessing components of a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) is provided. The method includes receiving HRSG design parameters; monitoring thermal stress data from one or more temperature sensors in communication with one or more HRSG components; and determining cycle-related life consumption data associated with the one or more HRSG components based at least in part on the HRSG design parameters and the monitored thermal stress data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: William Barrett Julian, Ashok Dattatraya Acharya, Joel Donnell Holt, Robert John Gdaniec, Andrew John Groth
  • Patent number: 9080765
    Abstract: The embodiments described herein include a system and a method. In a first embodiment, a system includes a controller configured to control power plant operations. The system further includes a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) monitor communicatively coupled to the controller and configured to receive inputs corresponding to the power plant operations. The system additionally includes an HRSG life prediction model configured to predict an operating life for an HRSG component. The HRSG monitor uses the HRSG life prediction model and the inputs to communicate a control action to the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joel Donnell Holt, William Barrett Julian, Ashok Dattatraya Acharya
  • Patent number: 8984892
    Abstract: A combined cycle power plant includes a gas turbomachine, a steam turbomachine operatively coupled to the gas turbomachine, and a heat recovery steam generator operatively coupled to the gas turbomachine and the steam turbomachine. The heat recovery steam generator includes a high pressure reheat section provided with at least one high pressure superheater and at least one reheater. The combined cycle power plant further includes a controller operatively connected to the gas turbomachine, the steam turbomachine and the heat recovery steam generator. The controller is selectively activated to initiate a flow of steam through the heat recovery steam generator following shutdown of the gas turbomachine to lower a temperature of at least one of the high pressure superheater and the at least one reheater and reduce development of condensate quench effects during HRSG purge of a combined cycle power plant shutdown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Tailai Hu, Kelvin Rafael Estrada, Joel Donnell Holt, Diego Fernando Rancruel, Leslie Yung-Min Tong
  • Patent number: 8972067
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include systems and a method. In one embodiment, a system is provided. The system includes a risk calculation system configured to calculate a risk based on a static input and a dynamic input, and a decision support system configured to use the risk to derive a decision. The system also includes a plant control system configured to update operations of a plant based on the decision, wherein the decision predicts future plant conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joel Donnell Holt, Richard Lee Nichols, Frederick William Block, Michael Joseph Alexander
  • Publication number: 20140230402
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a system is provided. The system includes a combustor configured to combust a fuel, and a three-way valve fluidly coupled the combustor and disposed upstream of the combustor. The system also includes a fuel circuit comprising a fuel supply, wherein the fuel circuit is disposed upstream of the three-way valve and is configured to provide the fuel to the three-way valve. The system additionally includes a fuel conduit section fluidly coupling the fuel circuit to the combustor. The system further includes an inert fluid supply configured to provide an inert fluid to the thee-way valve and a compressor discharge (CPD) fluid source configured to provide a purge fluid to the three-way valve. The three-way valve is configured to purge the fuel from a first portion of the fuel conduit section by using the purge fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Christopher John Morawski, Joel Donnell Holt, Richard John Rucigay
  • Patent number: 8726625
    Abstract: A combined cycle power plant is provided and includes a gas turbine engine to generate power from combustion of a fuel and air mixture, a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) disposed downstream from the gas turbine engine to receive heat energy from the gas turbine engine from which steam is produced, the HRSG including a superheating element and a drum element, and a steam turbine engine to be receptive of the steam produced in the HRSG and to generate power from the received steam, the HRSG further including a valve operably disposed to isolate the superheating element from the drum element when a risk of condensate formation in the HRSG exists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joel Donnell Holt, Gordon Raymond Smith
  • Patent number: 8662254
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention provides a lubrication system for a machine comprising: a direct current (DC) motor; a battery system for powering the DC motor; a lubricating system in communication with the DC motor, the lubricating system including a supply of lubricating oil and a pump for delivering the lubricating oil to at least one component of the machine requiring lubrication; a hydraulic motor operably coupled to a shaft of the DC motor; a supply of a pressurized fluid in communication with the hydraulic motor; and a control device for discharging the supply of pressurized fluid into the hydraulic motor to power the hydraulic motor, whereby the hydraulic motor, when powered by the supply of pressurized fluid, is operable to turn the shaft of the DC motor, thereby reducing an operating current supplied to the DC motor by the battery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joel Donnell Holt, Kevin Jon O'Dell
  • Patent number: 8528314
    Abstract: A combined cycle power plant startup system is provided. The system includes a steam turbine, a HRSG, a condenser, and a bypass system. The steam turbine may include a turbine section. The HRSG may be operably connected to the steam turbine for providing steam to the steam turbine. The HRSG may include a reheater. The bypass system may be configured to adjust the steam pressure downstream of the reheater by routing steam downstream of the reheater to the condenser. The bypass system may include at least one bypass line, at least one control valve operably connected to the at least one bypass line, a pressure gauge configured to monitor the steam pressure downstream of the reheater, and a controller configured to communicate with the pressure gauge and operate the at least one control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Leslie Yung-Min Tong, Diego Fernando Rancruel, Tailai Hu, Joel Donnell Holt
  • Publication number: 20130073101
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention can provide systems and methods for startup of a power plant. According to one embodiment of the invention, a system can be provided. The system can include a computer processor. The system can also include a memory operable to store computer-executable instructions operable to determine a current state of the power plant; determine an anticipated future state of the power plant; and determine a startup profile between the current state of the power plant and the anticipated future state of the power plant based on at least one parameter and a desired result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael James O'Connor, Mark S. Schroder, Scott F. Johnson, Joel Donnell Holt
  • Publication number: 20130047613
    Abstract: The embodiments described herein include a system and a method. In a first embodiment, a system includes a controller configured to control power plant operations. The system further includes a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) monitor communicatively coupled to the controller and configured to receive inputs corresponding to the power plant operations. The system additionally includes an HRSG life prediction model configured to predict an operating life for an HRSG component. The HRSG monitor uses the HRSG life prediction model and the inputs to communicate a control action to the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joel Donnell Holt, William Barrett Julian, Ashok Dattatraya Acharya
  • Publication number: 20120290104
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include systems and a method. In one embodiment, a system is provided. The system includes a risk calculation system configured to calculate a risk based on a static input and a dynamic input, and a decision support system configured to use the risk to derive a decision. The system also includes a plant control system configured to update operations of a plant based on the decision, wherein the decision predicts future plant conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joel Donnell Holt, Richard Lee Nichols, Frederick William Block, Michael Joseph Alexander
  • Publication number: 20120290225
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems, methods, and apparatus for determining online stress and life consumption of a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG). According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method for assessing components of a HRSG is provided. The method includes receiving HRSG design parameters; determining thermal stress data associated with the one or more HRSG components based at least in part on one or more historical, real-time, or calculated temperature sensor data associated with the one or more HRSG components; and determining cycle-related life consumption data associated with the one or more HRSG components based at least in part on the HRSG design parameters and the determined thermal stress data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: William B. Julian, Ashok D. Acharya, Joel Donnell Holt, Robert John Gdaniec
  • Publication number: 20120260621
    Abstract: A combined cycle power plant is provided and includes a gas turbine engine to generate power from combustion of a fuel and air mixture, a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) disposed downstream from the gas turbine engine to receive heat energy from the gas turbine engine from which steam is produced, the HRSG including a superheating element and a drum element, and a steam turbine engine to be receptive of the steam produced in the HRSG and to generate power from the received steam, the HRSG further including a valve operably disposed to isolate the superheating element from the drum element when a risk of condensate formation in the HRSG exists.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Joel Donnell Holt, Gordon Raymond Smith
  • Publication number: 20120228063
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention provides a lubrication system for a machine comprising: a direct current (DC) motor; a battery system for powering the DC motor; a lubricating system in communication with the DC motor, the lubricating system including a supply of lubricating oil and a pump for delivering the lubricating oil to at least one component of the machine requiring lubrication; a hydraulic motor operably coupled to a shaft of the DC motor; a supply of a pressurized fluid in communication with the hydraulic motor; and a control device for discharging the supply of pressurized fluid into the hydraulic motor to power the hydraulic motor, whereby the hydraulic motor, when powered by the supply of pressurized fluid, is operable to turn the shaft of the DC motor, thereby reducing an operating current supplied to the DC motor by the battery system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Joel Donnell Holt, Kevin Jon O'Dell
  • Publication number: 20120095701
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems, methods, and apparatus for determining online stress and life of a heat recovery steam generator. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method for assessing components of a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) is provided. The method includes receiving HRSG design parameters; monitoring thermal stress data from one or more temperature sensors in communication with one or more HRSG components; and determining cycle-related life consumption data associated with the one or more HRSG components based at least in part on the HRSG design parameters and the monitored thermal stress data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: William Barrett Julian, Ashok Dattatraya Acharya, Joel Donnell Holt, Robert John Gdaniec, Andrew John Groth
  • Patent number: 8141367
    Abstract: A method for assembling a fuel supply system for use with a power generation system. The method includes coupling a fuel heater to a fuel source for heating a fuel. A first heating assembly is coupled to the fuel heater for heating a first flow of water channeled to the fuel heater. A heat recovery steam generator assembly is coupled to the fuel heater for channeling a second flow of heated water to the fuel heater. A valve assembly is coupled between the first heating assembly, the heat recovery steam generator assembly, and the fuel heater to enable a flow of heated water from the first heating assembly and the heat recovery steam generator assembly to be selectively channeled to the fuel heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Diego Fernando Rancruel, John Anthony Conchieri, Michael Joseph Alexander, Joel Donnell Holt
  • Publication number: 20120036828
    Abstract: A combined cycle power plant includes a gas turbomachine, a steam turbomachine operatively coupled to the gas turbomachine, and a heat recovery steam generator operatively coupled to the gas turbomachine and the steam turbomachine. The heat recovery steam generator includes a high pressure reheat section provided with at least one high pressure superheater and at least one reheater. The combined cycle power plant further includes a controller operatively connected to the gas turbomachine, the steam turbomachine and the heat recovery steam generator. The controller is selectively activated to initiate a flow of steam through the heat recovery steam generator following shutdown of the gas turbomachine to lower a temperature of at least one of the high pressure superheater and the at least one reheater and reduce development of condensate quench effects during HRSG purge of a combined cycle power plant shutdown.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Tailai Hu, Kelvin Rafael Estrada, Joel Donnell Holt, Diego Fernando Rancruel, Leslie Yung-Min Tong
  • Publication number: 20110283706
    Abstract: A method for assembling a fuel supply system for use with a power generation system. The method includes coupling a fuel heater to a fuel source for heating a fuel. A first heating assembly is coupled to the fuel heater for heating a first flow of water channeled to the fuel heater. A heat recovery steam generator assembly is coupled to the fuel heater for channeling a second flow of heated water to the fuel heater. A valve assembly is coupled between the first heating assembly, the heat recovery steam generator assembly, and the fuel heater to enable a flow of heated water from the first heating assembly and the heat recovery steam generator assembly to be selectively channeled to the fuel heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventors: Diego Fernando Rancruel, John Anthony Conchieri, Michael Joseph Alexander, Joel Donnell Holt