Patents by Inventor Lucas John Stoia

Lucas John Stoia 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: 9360217
    Abstract: A combustion module for a combustor of a gas turbine includes an annular fuel distribution manifold disposed at an upstream end of the combustion module. The fuel distribution manifold includes an annular support sleeve having an inner surface. The combustion module further includes a fuel injection assembly having an annular combustion liner that extends downstream from the fuel distribution manifold and that terminates at an aft frame, and an annular flow sleeve that circumferentially surrounds the combustion liner. The flow sleeve extends downstream from the fuel distribution manifold and terminates at the aft frame. The flow sleeve extends continuously between the support sleeve and the aft frame. A forward portion of the flow sleeve is positioned concentrically within the support sleeve where the forward portion is slidingly engaged with the inner surface of the support sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Richard Martin DiCintio, Patrick Benedict Melton, Lucas John Stoia, Christopher Paul Willis, Ronnie Ray Pentecost
  • Patent number: 9353952
    Abstract: A crossfire tube assembly between adjacent combustors includes a first sleeve adapted to provide fluid communication from a first combustor and a second sleeve adapted to connect to provide fluid communication from a second combustor. The second sleeve extends at least partially inside the first sleeve. A bias is between the first and second sleeves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Brandon Taylor Overby, Keith Cletus Belsom, Jonathan Kay Allen, Kyle Eric Benson, Patrick Benedict Melton, Richard Martin DiCintio, Lucas John Stoia, Ronnie Ray Pentecost
  • Patent number: 9322556
    Abstract: A flow sleeve assembly for a combustor of a gas turbine includes an annular support sleeve disposed at a forward end of the flow sleeve assembly. The support sleeve includes a forward portion axially separated from an aft portion. An aft frame is disposed at an aft end of the flow sleeve assembly. An annular flow sleeve extends from the aft portion of the support sleeve towards the aft frame. The flow sleeve includes a forward end that is axially separated from an aft end. The forward end of the flow sleeve circumferentially surrounds the aft end of the support sleeve. An annular impingement sleeve extends between the aft end of the flow sleeve and the aft frame. A forward end of the impingement sleeve is connected to the aft end of the flow sleeve, and an aft end of the impingement sleeve is connected to the aft frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Patrick Benedict Melton, Lucas John Stoia, Richard Martin DiCintio
  • Patent number: 9316155
    Abstract: A system for providing fuel to a combustor of a gas turbine includes an annular fuel distribution manifold that at least partially defines a fuel plenum. The fuel distribution manifold includes a forward end axially separated from an aft end, a flange that extends radially outward and circumferentially around the forward end and an annular support ring that extends downstream from the flange. A LLI assembly extends downstream from the fuel distribution manifold. The LLI assembly includes a unibody liner that at least partially defines a primary combustion zone and a secondary combustion zone within the combustor. A LLI injector extends substantially radially through the unibody liner and provides for fluid communication through the unibody liner into the secondary combustion zone. A fluid conduit in fluid communication with the fuel plenum extends between the LLI injector and the fuel distribution manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Richard Martin DiCintio, Patrick Benedict Melton, Lucas John Stoia, Christopher Paul Willis
  • Patent number: 9310078
    Abstract: An assembly for use in a fuel injection system within a combustor of a combustion turbine engine is described. The assembly may include: a first port formed through an outer radial wall of the combustor and a second port formed through an inner radial wall. A plenum may be formed about the first port. A tube may be formed that has a first end positioned within the first port and a second end positioned within the second port. At the first end, the tube may be sized smaller than the first port such that two passages are defined therethrough: a first passage defined about an exterior of the tube; and a second passage defined through an interior of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Wei Chen, Lucas John Stoia, Richard Martin DiCintio
  • Patent number: 9303872
    Abstract: A fuel injector is provided and includes a member defining a flowpath through which a first fluid flows, the flowpath having a cross-section with transverse elongate and short axes, a head defining a plenum storing a supply of a second fluid and a system fluidly coupled to the flowpath and the plenum to inject the second fluid from the plenum and into the flowpath at first and second locations along the elongate axis. The injected second fluid is formed into jets at the first and second locations, the first fluid entrains the jets such that the injected second fluid flows through the flowpath and mixes with the first fluid, and the short axis has a sufficient dimension such that the jets remain spaced from a sidewall of the member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark Allan Hadley, Jun Cai, Lucas John Stoia, Geoffrey David Myers, Jayaprakash Natarajan
  • Patent number: 9297533
    Abstract: A combustor includes a first shroud extending circumferentially inside the combustor and at least partially defining an inlet passage. A second shroud extends circumferentially inside the combustor. The second shroud defines an outlet passage. A first plate extends radially inside the second shroud downstream from the inlet passage of the first shroud and upstream from the outlet passage of the second shroud. The first plate generally defines an inlet port and an outlet port. A second plate extends radially around the first plate downstream from the inlet port and upstream from the outlet port of the first plate. A first fluid flow path extends from the inlet passage to the inlet port. A second fluid flow path extends from the outlet port to the outlet passage. A baffle extends from the first shroud to the first plate. The baffle separates the first and second fluid flow paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Patrick Benedict Melton, Bryan Wesley Romig, Lucas John Stoia
  • Patent number: 9291350
    Abstract: A system for supplying a working fluid to a combustor includes a fuel nozzle, a combustion chamber disposed downstream from the fuel nozzle, an inner flow sleeve that circumferentially surrounds the combustion chamber and a plurality of injectors circumferentially arranged around the inner flow sleeve. The plurality of injectors provide for fluid communication through the inner flow sleeve and into the combustion chamber downstream from the fuel nozzle. The system further includes an outer air shield that defines an injection air plenum that surrounds the plurality of injectors. An inlet passage extends through the outer air shield to define a flow path into the injection air plenum. An outer sleeve is slidingly engaged with the outer air shield. The outer sleeve has a first position that restricts flow through the inlet passage and a second position that increases flow through the inlet passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Patrick Benedict Melton, Lucas John Stoia, Richard Martin DiCintio
  • Publication number: 20160076578
    Abstract: A nut anti-rotation cap includes an end wall having an inner surface configured to be operatively coupled to an end of a threaded mechanical fastener. Also included is at least one sidewall extending from the end wall, wherein the at least one sidewall is a solid wall configured to be secured to a nut engaged with the threaded mechanical fastener and to enclose an exposed portion of the threaded mechanical fastener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: Mark Carmine Bellino, Heath Michael Ostebee, Lucas John Stoia, Christopher Paul Willis
  • Patent number: 9284888
    Abstract: A system for supplying fuel to a combustor includes a combustion chamber, a liner that circumferentially surrounds at least a portion of the combustion chamber, and a flow sleeve that circumferentially surrounds at least a portion of the liner. A tube provides fluid communication for a working fluid to flow through the flow sleeve and the liner and into the combustion chamber, and the tube includes a tube wall. A plurality of fuel ports through the tube wall provide fluid communication for fuel to flow through the tube wall and into the tube, and the fuel ports are non-circular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Bryan Wesley Romig, Lucas John Stoia
  • Publication number: 20160054004
    Abstract: A combustor cap assembly includes an annular shroud and an impingement plate coupled to the shroud. The impingement plate at least partially defines a plurality of impingement cooling holes and a cooling flow return passage. A cap plate is coupled to the impingement plate. The cap plate includes an impingement side which faces a second side portion of the impingement plate where the impingement side is axially spaced from the second side portion to define an impingement air plenum therebetween. The cooling flow return passage is in fluid communication with the impingement air plenum. A fluid conduit extends from a first side portion of the impingement plate towards a first end portion of the shroud. The fluid conduit is in fluid communication with the cooling flow return passage and provides for fluid communication out of the impingement air plenum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Lucas John Stoia, Patrick Benedict Melton, Carolyn Ashley Antoniono
  • Publication number: 20160054002
    Abstract: A combustor cap assembly includes an impingement plate coupled to an annular shroud and a cap plate which is coupled to the impingement plate to form an impingement air plenum therebetween. The combustor cap assembly further includes a flow conditioning plate coupled to a forward end portion of the shroud. The flow conditioning plate includes an inner band portion, an outer band portion and an annular portion. The annular portion defines a plurality of flow conditioning passages. The inner band portion at least partially defines a cooling air plenum within the combustor cap assembly. The inner band portion defines an exhaust channel which is in fluid communication with the impingement air plenum and an exhaust outlet. The flow conditioning plate further defines a cooling air passage which provides for cooling air flow into the cooling air plenum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Carolyn Ashley Antoniono, Jonathan Hale Kegley, Lucas John Stoia, Patrick Benedict Melton, William Francis Carnell, JR.
  • Patent number: 9267690
    Abstract: A turbomachine combustor nozzle includes a monolithic nozzle component having a plate element and a plurality of nozzle elements. Each of the plurality of nozzle elements includes a first end extending from the plate element to a second end. The plate element and plurality of nozzle elements are formed as a unitary component. A plate member is joined with the nozzle component. The plate member includes an outer edge that defines first and second surfaces and a plurality of openings extending between the first and second surfaces. The plurality of openings are configured and disposed to register with and receive the second end of corresponding ones of the plurality of nozzle elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lucas John Stoia, Patrick Benedict Melton, Thomas Edward Johnson, Christian Xavier Stevenson, John Drake Vanselow, James Harold Westmoreland
  • Patent number: 9267436
    Abstract: A fuel distribution manifold for a combustor of a gas turbine includes an annular flange having an outer surface that extends circumferentially around the flange. A primary fuel plenum extends circumferentially within the flange. A first orifice and a second orifice extend radially through the outer surface of the flange to provide for fluid communication into the primary fuel plenum. The first orifice includes an inlet that is adjacent to the outer surface. The second orifice includes an inlet that is adjacent to the outer surface. A fuel distribution cap extends partially across the outer surface of the flange. The fuel distribution cap includes an inlet port. A fuel distribution plenum is at least partially defined within the fuel distribution cap. The fuel distribution plenum is in fluid communication with the inlet port and with the first orifice inlet and the second orifice inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Lucas John Stoia, Patrick Benedict Melton, Stanley Kevin Widener, William Michael Poschel
  • Publication number: 20160047316
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine having a combustor that includes: an inner radial wall defining axially stacked first and second interior chambers, wherein the first interior chamber extends axially from an end cover to a fuel nozzle, and the second interior chamber extends axially from the fuel nozzle to an inlet of the turbine; and an outer radial wall formed about the inner radial wall so to form a flow annulus therebetween. The flow annulus may include a flow conditioning section that has: conditioning passages defined therethrough for directing a flow from inlets formed at an upstream end to outlets formed at a downstream end of the flow conditioning section; and structure rigidly attaching the inner radial wall to the outer radial wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventors: Patrick Benedict Melton, Vaibhav Nadkarni, Hasan Karim, Lucas John Stoia
  • Publication number: 20160047317
    Abstract: A downstream nozzle for use in a combustor that includes an inner radial wall defining a combustion zone downstream of a primary nozzle and an outer radial wall surrounding the inner radial wall so to form a flow annulus therebetween. The downstream nozzle may include: an injector tube extending between the outer radial wall and the inner radial wall; a first plenum adjacent to the injector tube, and, inboard of the ceiling, a floor disposed between the inner radial wall and the outer radial wall. A feed passage may connect the first plenum to an inlet formed outboard of the outer radial wall and impingement ports may be formed through the floor of the first plenum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Willis, William Michael Poschel, Lucas John Stoia, Patrick Benedict Melton, Vaibhav Nadkarni, Chandrasekhar Pushkaran
  • Publication number: 20160047313
    Abstract: A bushing includes a body extending from a first end to a second end through an intermediate portion. The body includes a passage having a first centerline extending from the first end to the second end. A first alignment member is formed on a first section of the intermediate portion at the first end. The first alignment member includes an outer surface having a plurality of splines configured to be received by a first component to be joined. A second alignment member is formed on a second section of the intermediate portion. The second alignment member includes a second centerline that is off-set relative to the first centerline and is configured to be received by a second component to be joined with the first component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventors: Mark Carmine Bellino, Kevin Weston McMahan, Lucas John Stoia, Christopher Paul Willis
  • Patent number: 9249734
    Abstract: A combustor includes an upstream surface that extends radially across at least a portion of the combustor, a downstream surface that extends radially across at least a portion of the combustor and is axially separated from the upstream surface, and a plurality of tubes that extend through the downstream surface. A resonator is upstream from at least one of the tubes, and a fluid passage extends through the resonator and into the least one tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Patrick Benedict Melton, Keith Cletus Belsom, Lucas John Stoia
  • Patent number: 9243507
    Abstract: A late lean injection system transition piece includes a flowsleeve interface extending circumferentially around a transition interior. Also included is an impingement sleeve mounting surface extending circumferentially around the transition interior. Further included is a plurality of fuel injectors integrated substantially within the transition piece and disposed between the flowsleeve interface and the impingement sleeve mounting surface. Yet further included is an inner surface extending circumferentially around the transition interior, wherein the inner surface is spaced radially inward of the flowsleeve interface and the impingement sleeve mounting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Lucas John Stoia, Patrick Benedict Melton
  • Patent number: 9200808
    Abstract: A system for supplying fuel to a combustor includes a combustion chamber and a fuel nozzle that provides fluid communication into the combustion chamber. A plurality of passages circumferentially arranged around the combustion chamber provide fluid communication into the combustion chamber. A liquid fuel plenum provides fluid communication to the plurality of passages. A baffle circumferentially surrounds at least a portion of the liquid fuel plenum inside the plurality of passages and forms a plurality of lobes around the liquid fuel plenum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Bryan Wesley Romig, Lucas John Stoia, Patrick Benedict Melton, Thomas Edward Johnson, Gregory Allen Boardman