Patents by Inventor Johnie F. McConnaughhay

Johnie F. McConnaughhay 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: 9664392
    Abstract: A bundled tube fuel injector includes an outer band that circumferentially surrounds a fuel plenum defined within the bundled tube fuel injector. The outer band includes a forward end portion that is axially separated from an aft end portion. A plurality of pre-mix tubes extends through the fuel plenum substantially parallel to one another. A first segment of the plurality of pre-mix tubes is circumferentially surrounded by the outer band. An outer shroud extends circumferentially around a second segment of the pre-mix tubes. The outer shroud includes a forward portion and an aft portion. The aft end portion of the outer band is coupled to the forward portion of the outer shroud via a plurality of fasteners for enhanced assembly and reparability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark Carmine Bellino, James Christopher Monaghan, Johnie F. McConnaughhay, Steven Charles Woods
  • Patent number: 9423134
    Abstract: A bundled tube fuel injector includes a fuel plenum that is defined within the bundled tube fuel injector and a plurality of pre-mix tubes that extend downstream from the fuel plenum substantially parallel to one another. Each pre-mix tube includes an end portion and a radially extending end surface. The bundled tube fuel injector further includes a tube tip that is fixedly connected to the end portion of a corresponding pre-mix tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Steven Charles Woods, Gregory Scott Means, Mark Carmine Bellino, James Christopher Monaghan, Johnie F. McConnaughhay
  • Patent number: 9423136
    Abstract: A bundled tube fuel injector includes a fuel distribution module, a tube bundle having a plurality of pre-mix tubes that extend in parallel downstream from the fuel distribution module and a support plate disposed substantially adjacent to the fuel distribution manifold. The plurality of pre-mix tubes extends through the support plate. A retention sleeve is coupled to the support plate at a first end. A second end of the retention sleeve includes a plurality of radially extending retention features that are circumferentially arranged around the second end. The bundled tube fuel injector also includes an aft plate having a retention collar. The retention collar is configured to engage with the retention features. The retention sleeve and the retention collar partially define a cartridge passage that extends through the bundled tube fuel injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark Carmine Bellino, James Christopher Monaghan, Johnie F. McConnaughhay, Steven Charles Woods, Gregory Scott Means
  • Patent number: 9400112
    Abstract: A method for disassembling a bundled tube fuel injector includes decoupling an aft plate from a fuel distribution module of the bundled tube fuel injector, where the aft plate is disposed at a downstream end of the bundled tube fuel injector. The method also includes removing the aft plate from the bundled tube fuel injector to expose a portion of a plurality of pre-mix tubes so as to allow for inspection repair and/or replacement of one or more of the plurality of pre-mix tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark Carmine Bellino, James Christopher Monaghan, Johnie F. McConnaughhay, Steven Charles Woods, Gregory Scott Means
  • Patent number: 9182123
    Abstract: A combustor fuel nozzle includes a center body and an inner shroud that circumferentially surrounds at least a portion of the center body. The inner shroud has a downstream surface. The fuel nozzle includes an inner passage between the center body and the inner shroud, an outer passage that circumferentially surrounds at least a portion of the inner shroud and a first plurality of fuel ports extending substantially radially outward through the center body. The first plurality of fuel ports is upstream from the downstream surface of the inner shroud. A method for supplying fuel to a combustor fuel nozzle includes flowing a working fluid through an inner passage between a center body and an inner shroud, injecting a fuel from the center body against the inner shroud, and flowing a portion of the working fluid through an outer passage that surrounds at least a portion of the inner shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Gregory Allen Boardman, Ronald James Chila, Johnie F. McConnaughhay
  • Patent number: 9074773
    Abstract: A combustor assembly is disclosed. The combustor assembly may include an annular trapped vortex cavity located adjacent to a downstream end of a bundle of air/fuel premixing injection tubes. The annular trapped vortex cavity may include an opening at a radially inner portion of the annular trapped vortex cavity adjacent to the head end of the bundle of premixing tubes. The annular trapped vortex cavity may also include one or more air injection holes and one or more fuel sources disposed about the annular trapped vortex cavity such that the one or more air injection holes and the one or more fuel sources are configured to drive a vortex within the annular trapped vortex cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gregory Allen Boardman, Ronald Chila, Johnie F. McConnaughhay
  • Publication number: 20150167984
    Abstract: A bundled tube fuel injector includes a fuel distribution module, a tube bundle having a plurality of pre-mix tubes that extend in parallel downstream from the fuel distribution module and a support plate disposed substantially adjacent to the fuel distribution manifold. The plurality of pre-mix tubes extends through the support plate. A retention sleeve is coupled to the support plate at a first end. A second end of the retention sleeve includes a plurality of radially extending retention features that are circumferentially arranged around the second end. The bundled tube fuel injector also includes an aft plate having a retention collar. The retention collar is configured to engage with the retention features. The retention sleeve and the retention collar partially define a cartridge passage that extends through the bundled tube fuel injector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mark Carmine Bellino, James Christopher Monaghan, Johnie F. McConnaughhay, Steven Charles Woods, Gregory Scott Means
  • Publication number: 20150167981
    Abstract: A bundled tube fuel injector includes a fuel plenum that is defined within the bundled tube fuel injector and a plurality of pre-mix tubes that extend downstream from the fuel plenum substantially parallel to one another. Each pre-mix tube includes an end portion and a radially extending end surface. The bundled tube fuel injector further includes a tube tip that is fixedly connected to the end portion of a corresponding pre-mix tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Steven Charles Woods, Gregory Scott Means, Mark Carmine Bellino, James Christopher Monaghan, Johnie F. McConnaughhay
  • Publication number: 20150167982
    Abstract: A bundled tube fuel injector includes an outer band that circumferentially surrounds a fuel plenum defined within the bundled tube fuel injector. The outer band includes a forward end portion that is axially separated from an aft end portion. A plurality of pre-mix tubes extends through the fuel plenum substantially parallel to one another. A first segment of the plurality of pre-mix tubes is circumferentially surrounded by the outer band. An outer shroud extends circumferentially around a second segment of the pre-mix tubes. The outer shroud includes a forward portion and an aft portion. The aft end portion of the outer band is coupled to the forward portion of the outer shroud via a plurality of fasteners for enhanced assembly and reparability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mark Carmine Bellino, James Christopher Monaghan, Johnie F. McConnaughhay, Steven Charles Woods
  • Publication number: 20150167983
    Abstract: A bundled tube fuel injector includes a fuel plenum defined within the bundled tube fuel injector and a plurality of pre-mix tubes that extend downstream from the fuel plenum substantially parallel to one another. Each pre-mix tube includes an end portion and a radially extending end surface. An additively manufactured tube tip is fixedly connected to the end portion of a corresponding pre-mix tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Johnie F. McConnaughhay, Steven Charles Woods, Mark Carmine Bellino, James Christopher Monaghan, Jonathan Dwight Berry
  • Publication number: 20150167556
    Abstract: A method for disassembling a bundled tube fuel injector includes decoupling an aft plate from a fuel distribution module of the bundled tube fuel injector, where the aft plate is disposed at a downstream end of the bundled tube fuel injector. The method also includes removing the aft plate from the bundled tube fuel injector to expose a portion of a plurality of pre-mix tubes so as to allow for inspection repair and/or replacement of one or more of the plurality of pre-mix tubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mark Carmine Bellino, James Christopher Monaghan, Johnie F. McConnaughhay, Steven Charles Woods, Gregory Scott Means
  • Publication number: 20130283806
    Abstract: A combustor generally includes a liner that at least partially defines a combustion chamber within the combustor. The liner may generally include a hole that extends through the liner and that at least partially defines a mating surface. An insert having an outer surface extends at least partially through the hole. A projection that at least partially defines a mating surface at least partially circumferentially surrounds the insert outer surface. A joint between the projection mating surface and the hole mating surface provides a connection point between the projection mating surface and the liner hole mating surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: James Christopher Monaghan, Thomas Edward Johnson, Johnie F. McConnaughhay, Heath Michael Ostebee
  • Publication number: 20130199188
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present application include a combustor assembly. The combustor assembly may include an annular trapped vortex cavity located adjacent to a downstream end of a bundle of air/fuel premixing injection tubes. The annular trapped vortex cavity may include an opening at a radially inner portion of the annular trapped vortex cavity adjacent to the head end of the bundle of premixing tubes. The annular trapped vortex cavity may also include one or more air injection holes and one or more fuel sources disposed about the annular trapped vortex cavity such that the one or more air injection holes and the one or more fuel sources are configured to drive a vortex within the annular trapped vortex cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Gregory Allen Boardman, Ronald Chila, Johnie F. McConnaughhay
  • Publication number: 20130174563
    Abstract: A combustor fuel nozzle includes a center body and an inner shroud that circumferentially surrounds at least a portion of the center body. The inner shroud has a downstream surface. The fuel nozzle includes an inner passage between the center body and the inner shroud, an outer passage that circumferentially surrounds at least a portion of the inner shroud and a first plurality of fuel ports extending substantially radially outward through the center body. The first plurality of fuel ports is upstream from the downstream surface of the inner shroud. A method for supplying fuel to a combustor fuel nozzle includes flowing a working fluid through an inner passage between a center body and an inner shroud, injecting a fuel from the center body against the inner shroud, and flowing a portion of the working fluid through an outer passage that surrounds at least a portion of the inner shroud.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Gregory Allen Boardman, Ronald James Chila, Johnie F. McConnaughhay
  • Publication number: 20090111063
    Abstract: A lean premixed, radial inflow, multi-annular staged nozzle for creating three independent combustion zones within a can-annular, dual-fuel gas turbine combustor is provided. The nozzle includes a pilot zone fueled by a gas pilot nozzle and center cartridge; a flame holder zone fueled by an inner main gas fuel; a main flame zone fueled by an outer main gas fuel; a main radial swirler for mixing a portion of incoming air to the nozzle with the inner main gas fuel supply and the outer main gas fuel supply; an endcover; and means for controlling the ratio of an inner main gas fuel supplied and an outer main gas fuel supplied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventors: Gregory A. Boardman, Thomas E. Johnson, Johnie F. McConnaughhay, Anuradha Sanyal