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).
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Patent number: 9664392Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 13, 2013Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Mark Carmine Bellino, James Christopher Monaghan, Johnie F. McConnaughhay, Steven Charles Woods
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Patent number: 9423134Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 13, 2013Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Steven Charles Woods, Gregory Scott Means, Mark Carmine Bellino, James Christopher Monaghan, Johnie F. McConnaughhay
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Patent number: 9423136Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 13, 2013Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Mark Carmine Bellino, James Christopher Monaghan, Johnie F. McConnaughhay, Steven Charles Woods, Gregory Scott Means
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Patent number: 9400112Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 13, 2013Date of Patent: July 26, 2016Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Mark Carmine Bellino, James Christopher Monaghan, Johnie F. McConnaughhay, Steven Charles Woods, Gregory Scott Means
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Patent number: 9182123Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 5, 2012Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Gregory Allen Boardman, Ronald James Chila, Johnie F. McConnaughhay
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Patent number: 9074773Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 7, 2012Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Gregory Allen Boardman, Ronald Chila, Johnie F. McConnaughhay
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Publication number: 20150167984Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2013Publication date: June 18, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Mark Carmine Bellino, James Christopher Monaghan, Johnie F. McConnaughhay, Steven Charles Woods, Gregory Scott Means
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Publication number: 20150167981Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2013Publication date: June 18, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Steven Charles Woods, Gregory Scott Means, Mark Carmine Bellino, James Christopher Monaghan, Johnie F. McConnaughhay
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Publication number: 20150167982Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2013Publication date: June 18, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Mark Carmine Bellino, James Christopher Monaghan, Johnie F. McConnaughhay, Steven Charles Woods
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Publication number: 20150167983Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2013Publication date: June 18, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Johnie F. McConnaughhay, Steven Charles Woods, Mark Carmine Bellino, James Christopher Monaghan, Jonathan Dwight Berry
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Publication number: 20150167556Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2013Publication date: June 18, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Mark Carmine Bellino, James Christopher Monaghan, Johnie F. McConnaughhay, Steven Charles Woods, Gregory Scott Means
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Publication number: 20130283806Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2012Publication date: October 31, 2013Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: James Christopher Monaghan, Thomas Edward Johnson, Johnie F. McConnaughhay, Heath Michael Ostebee
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Publication number: 20130199188Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2012Publication date: August 8, 2013Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Gregory Allen Boardman, Ronald Chila, Johnie F. McConnaughhay
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Publication number: 20130174563Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2012Publication date: July 11, 2013Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Gregory Allen Boardman, Ronald James Chila, Johnie F. McConnaughhay
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Publication number: 20090111063Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2007Publication date: April 30, 2009Inventors: Gregory A. Boardman, Thomas E. Johnson, Johnie F. McConnaughhay, Anuradha Sanyal