Patents by Inventor Ken Haffner

Ken Haffner 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: 10508954
    Abstract: A temperature detecting device for a gas turbine power plant is provided with at least one optical probe configured to detect a parameter indicative of a temperature and with at least one capsule configured to define a camera inside which the optical probe is housed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: ANSALDO ENERGIA SWITZERLAND AG
    Inventors: Guelru Kocer, Ken Haffner
  • Publication number: 20180038736
    Abstract: A temperature detecting device for a gas turbine power plant is provided with at least one optical probe configured to detect a parameter indicative of a temperature and with at least one capsule configured to define a camera inside which the optical probe is housed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Applicant: ANSALDO ENERGIA SWITZERLAND AG
    Inventors: Guelru KOCER, Ken HAFFNER
  • Publication number: 20070133921
    Abstract: An optical sensor device for local analysis of a combustion process in a combustor of a thermal power plant, in particular a gas turbine plant, includes at least one wavelength selective optical element exposed directly or indirectly to hot combustion gases being produced by said combustion process, the optical element including an array of nano- and/or microcrystalline fibres which are created by shear flow crystallization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Publication date: June 14, 2007
    Inventors: Ken Haffner, Tony Kaiser, Valery Shklover
  • Patent number: 6731119
    Abstract: A proximity sensor, in particular a proximity switch is described. A component that pertains to a system variable and is independent from the material of a trigger or target is elected and transformed into a non-periodic signal that depends upon the distance of the trigger. The trigger of a proximity sensor can thus be exchanged randomly without requiring subsequent adjustments. The impedance of an oscillation circuit which pertains to the proximity sensor, the impedance of an oscillation circuit coil, the amplitude of the oscillation circuit signal or a voltage divider ratio between the oscillation circuit and the additional resistance can be used s system variables for instance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Ken Haffner, Philippe Pretre, Oliver Fritz
  • Publication number: 20020149376
    Abstract: A proximity sensor, in particular a proximity switch is described. A component that pertains to a system variable and is independent from the material of a trigger or target is elected and transformed into a non-periodic signal that depends upon the distance of the trigger. The trigger of a proximity sensor can thus be exchanged randomly without requiring subsequent adjustments. The impedance of an oscillation circuit which pertains to the proximity sensor, the impedance of an oscillation circuit coil, the amplitude of the oscillation circuit signal or a voltage divider ratio between the oscillation circuit and the additional resistance can be used s system variables for instance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventors: Ken Haffner, Philippe Pretre, Oliver Fritz
  • Patent number: 6210152
    Abstract: In a burner for operating a combustor, the former consists essentially of a rotation generator (100), a transition piece following the rotation generator, and a mixing pipe following this transition piece. Transition piece and mixing pipe form the mixing section (220) of the burner and are located upstream from a combustion chamber (30). In the lower part of the mixing pipe is located a pilot burner system (300) which creates, among other things, a stabilization of the flame front, in particular in the transient load ranges, while minimizing pollutant emissions. A sensor (400) installed in the burner detects a flashback of the flame (80), whereupon the fuel quantity of this flame is at least temporarily reduced and at the same time the fuel quantity for the pilot burner is increased in such a way that the total fuel quantity and thus the turbine output remains constant. This measure prevents a destruction of the burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Ken Haffner, Matthias Hobel, Thomas Ruck
  • Patent number: 6109783
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a high temperature pyrometer 20 which is suitable, in particular, for temperature measurement in a gas turbine. The pyrometer comprises a flexible lightguiding measuring probe 21 with a microlens 22 resistant to high temperatures and with an optic fiber 24 composed of quartz or sapphire, said microlens and said fiber being provided with a gold sheathing 25, 26 and/or a protective capillary 27, 28. The heat radiation is evaluated in a remote detector 32 having measuring electronics 33 connected to it. The pyrometer 20 is distinguished by compactness, high temperature capability, flexibility, versatile installability and high measuring accuracy. The invention also relates to a development of the pyrometer 20 for gas turbines, to a gas turbine with a pyrometer 20 according to the invention, and to a method for monitoring a gas turbine with the aid of a pyrometer 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Thomas Dobler, Wolfgang Evers, Ken Haffner