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: 9188337
    Abstract: A system for supplying a working fluid to a combustor includes a fuel nozzle and a combustion chamber downstream from the fuel nozzle. A flow sleeve circumferentially surrounds the combustion chamber, and fuel injectors provide fluid communication to the combustion chamber. A distribution manifold circumferentially surrounds the fuel injectors and defines an annular plenum. A fluid passage through the distribution manifold provides fluid communication through the distribution manifold. A radial cross-sectional area of the annular plenum varies around the flow sleeve. A method for supplying a working fluid to a combustor includes flowing a working fluid through a combustion chamber, diverting a portion of the working fluid through a distribution manifold that circumferentially surrounds fuel injectors circumferentially arranged around the combustion chamber, and changing at least one of a pressure or flow rate of the diverted portion of the working fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Lucas John Stoia, Patrick Benedict Melton
  • Publication number: 20150308349
    Abstract: A fuel delivery system for a gas turbine combustor is provided. The fuel delivery system includes a fuel tube and an attachment assembly. The fuel tube extends from a downstream injector (e.g., a late lean injector) towards a mounting ring of the combustor and is moveably attached to the mounting ring using the attachment assembly. Accordingly, the exemplary fuel delivery system may provide fuel to a downstream injector while accommodating a thermal expansion or contraction of the fuel tube along an axial direction of the combustor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Joseph Rohrssen, David William Cihlar, Patrick Benedict Melton, Lucas John Stoia
  • Patent number: 9170024
    Abstract: A system for supplying a working fluid to a combustor includes a fuel nozzle and a combustion chamber downstream from the fuel nozzle. A flow sleeve circumferentially surrounds the combustion chamber, and a plurality of fuel injectors are circumferentially arranged around the flow sleeve to provide fluid communication through the flow sleeve to the combustion chamber. A distribution manifold circumferentially surrounds the plurality of fuel injectors, and a fluid passage through the distribution manifold provides fluid communication through the distribution manifold to the plurality of fuel injectors. A method for supplying a working fluid to a combustor includes flowing a working fluid from a compressor through a combustion chamber and diverting a portion of the working fluid through a distribution manifold that circumferentially surrounds a plurality of fuel injectors circumferentially arranged around the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Lucas John Stoia, Patrick Benedict Melton
  • Patent number: 9151500
    Abstract: A system for supplying a working fluid to a combustor includes a combustion chamber and a flow sleeve that circumferentially surrounds at least a portion of the combustion chamber. A tube provides fluid communication for the working fluid to flow through the flow sleeve and into the combustion chamber, wherein the tube comprises an axial centerline. A first set of injectors are circumferentially arranged around the tube and angled radially with respect to the axial centerline of the tube, wherein the first set of injectors provide fluid communication for the working fluid to flow through a wall of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Wei Chen, Patrick Benedict Melton, Russell DeForest, Lucas John Stoia, Richard Martin DiCintio
  • Patent number: 9140455
    Abstract: A flowsleeve of a turbomachine component is provided. The flowsleeve includes an annular body including an upstream casing and a downstream casing. The upstream casing defines a fuel feed, and the downstream casing defines an airway opening, and a premixing passage. The premixing passage is fluidly coupled to the fuel feed and the airway opening and has a passage interior in which fuel and air receivable from the fuel feed and the airway opening, respectively, are combinable to form a fuel and air mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lucas John Stoia, Russell Pierson DeForest, Patrick Benedict Melton
  • Patent number: 9127553
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are apparatuses, methods, and systems for transition piece contouring. In an embodiment, a high thermal stress section of a transition piece and a low thermal stress section of a transition piece is a determined. The low thermal stress section of the transition piece may be contoured to intercept hot gas flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Richard Martin DiCintio, Patrick Benedict Melton, Lucas John Stoia
  • Publication number: 20150241066
    Abstract: A system includes a gas turbine engine that includes a first combustor and a second combustor. The first combustor includes a first oxidant flow path and a first perforated structure comprising a first plurality of oxidant ports, wherein the first perforated structure is disposed in the first oxidant flow path. The second combustor includes a second oxidant flow path and a second perforated structure comprising a second plurality of oxidant ports. The second perforated structure is disposed in the second oxidant flow path and the first perforated structure has at least one difference relative to the second perforated structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sarah Lori Crothers, Lucas John Stoia, William Francis Carnell, JR.
  • Patent number: 9097424
    Abstract: A system for supplying a working fluid 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 the working fluid to flow through the flow sleeve and the liner and into the combustion chamber, and the tube spirals between the flow sleeve and the liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Wei Chen, Lucas John Stoia, Richard Martin DiCintio
  • Patent number: 9097130
    Abstract: A seal assembly for use between an injector and a combustion chamber in a gas turbine. A liner at least partially defines the combustion chamber, and the liner has at least one tubular liner collar, through which an injector is inserted. In one embodiment, the liner collar has a partially convex outer diameter and a floating collar is positioned at least partially around the liner collar. The floating collar has a retention member having a first end fixed to the floating collar and a second end configured to abut the convex outer diameter of liner collar, wherein the retention member maintains the floating collar at a radial distance from the injector less than a radial distance between the liner collar and the injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Willis, Richard Martin DiCintio, Lucas John Stoia
  • Publication number: 20150159877
    Abstract: A manifold mixing system for combustor of a gas turbine engine includes a fuel supply, a fuel injector coupled with the fuel supply, and a manifold mixer cooperable with the fuel injector and including mixing air inlets. The fuel injector is displaceable relative to the manifold mixer while being positioned to deliver fuel from the fuel supply to the manifold mixer. The manifold mixer is shaped to mix the fuel from the fuel supply with air input via the mixing air inlets for injection into the combustor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lucas John Stoia, Patrick Benedict Melton, Ronnie Ray Pentecost, William Francis Carnell, JR.
  • Patent number: 9052115
    Abstract: A system for supplying a working fluid to a combustor includes a fuel nozzle, a combustion chamber downstream from the fuel nozzle, and a flow sleeve that circumferentially surrounds the combustion chamber. Injectors circumferentially arranged around the flow sleeve provide fluid communication through the flow sleeve and into the combustion chamber. A valve upstream from the injectors has a first position that permits working fluid flow to the injectors and a second position that prevents working fluid flow to the injectors. A method for supplying a working fluid to a combustor includes flowing a working fluid through a combustion chamber, diverting a portion of the working fluid through injectors circumferentially arranged around the combustion chamber, and operating a valve upstream from the injectors to control the working fluid flow through the injectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Lucas John Stoia, Bryan Wesley Romig, Thomas Edward Johnson, Christian Xavier Stevenson
  • Patent number: 9046038
    Abstract: A combustor includes a breech end, a plurality of fuel nozzles connected to the breech end and extending downstream from the breech end, and a shroud that circumferentially surrounds the plurality of fuel nozzles inside the combustor. A support extends radially inside at least a portion of the shroud. A leaf spring is between the support and one or more of the plurality of fuel nozzles, wherein each leaf spring includes at least three leaves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Lucas John Stoia, Patrick Benedict Melton
  • Patent number: 9033699
    Abstract: A combustor includes a casing that surrounds at least a portion of the combustor and includes an end cover at one end of the combustor. An end cap axially separated from the end cover is configured to extend radially across at least a portion of the combustor and includes an upstream surface axially separated from a downstream surface. A plurality of tubes extends from the upstream surface through the downstream surface to provide fluid communication through the end cap. A cap shield extends axially from the end cover and circumferentially surrounds and supports the end cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Lucas John Stoia, Patrick Benedict Melton, James Harold Westmoreland, III
  • Patent number: 9016064
    Abstract: A combustor includes a breech end, a plurality of fuel nozzles connected to the breech end and extending downstream from the breech end; and a shroud that circumferentially surrounds the plurality of fuel nozzles inside the combustor. A support extends radially inside at least a portion of the shroud, and a lip seal is between the support and at least one of the plurality of fuel nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: William Michael Poschel, Patrick Benedict Melton, Lucas John Stoia
  • Patent number: 9016039
    Abstract: A combustor includes a combustion chamber that defines a longitudinal axis. A primary reaction zone is inside the combustion chamber, and a secondary reaction zone inside the combustion chamber is downstream from the primary reaction zone. A center fuel nozzle extends axially inside the combustion chamber to the secondary reaction zone, and a plurality of fluid injectors circumferentially are arranged inside the center fuel nozzle downstream from the primary reaction zone. Each fluid injector defines an additional longitudinal axis out of the center fuel nozzle that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lucas John Stoia, Patrick Benedict Melton, Bryan Wesley Romig
  • Patent number: 9010082
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a gas turbine engine includes a combustor, a fuel nozzle placed in an end of the combustor, and a passage configured to receive an air flow from a compressor discharge casing, wherein the passage directs the air flow into a chamber downstream of the nozzle, wherein a chamber pressure is lower than a compressor discharge casing pressure. The gas turbine engine also includes a flow control device configured to control the air flow from the compressor discharge casing into the passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lucas John Stoia, Patrick Benedict Melton, Predrag Peja Popovic
  • Patent number: 9010120
    Abstract: A transfer tube for use in a late lean injection system of a combustor, wherein the combustor includes an inner radial wall, which defines a primary combustion chamber downstream of a primary fuel nozzle, and an outer radial wall, which surrounds the inner radial wall forming a flow annulus therebetween, the outer radial wall including a late lean nozzle, the transfer tube including flow directing structure that defines a fluid passageway. At a first end, the flow directing structure may include an inlet and attachment means that attach the transfer tube to the late lean nozzle. The flow directing structure may have a configuration such that the fluid passageway spans the flow annulus and positions the outlet at a desirable injection point in the inner radial wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Richard Martin DiCintio, Patrick Benedict Melton, Lucas John Stoia
  • Patent number: 9004912
    Abstract: A combustor includes an end cap having an upstream surface axially separated from a downstream surface. A cap shield circumferentially surrounds the upstream and downstream surfaces, tubes extend from the upstream surface through the downstream, and a plenum is inside the end cap. A first baffle extends radially across the plenum toward the cap shield, and a plate extends radially inside the plenum between the first baffle and the upstream surface. A method for supplying fuel to a combustor includes flowing a working fluid through tubes, flowing a fuel into a plenum between upstream and downstream surfaces, radially distributing the fuel along a first baffle, and axially flowing the fuel across a plate that extends radially inside the plenum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lucas John Stoia, Patrick Benedict Melton, James Harold Westmoreland, III
  • Publication number: 20150082806
    Abstract: The present application provides a fuel plenum for a micro-mixer combustor. The fuel plenum may include a first assembly plate with a first assembly plate aperture, a second assembly plate with a second assembly plate aperture, a fuel tube extending through the first assembly plate aperture of the first assembly plate and the second assembly plate aperture of the second assembly plate, and an installation insert positioned between the fuel tube and the first assembly plate aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Willis, Patrick Benedict Melton, Lucas John Stoia
  • Patent number: 8919137
    Abstract: An assembly for use in a late lean injection system of a combustor of a combustion turbine engine, wherein the combustor includes an inner radial wall, which defines a primary combustion chamber downstream of a primary fuel nozzle, and an outer radial wall, which surrounds the inner radial wall forming a flow annulus therebetween, the assembly comprising: a boss rigidly secured to the inner radial wall, the boss being configured to define a hollow passageway through the inner radial wall; a transfer tube slideably engaged within the boss; a stop formed on the transfer tube; and damping means positioned between the boss and the stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Richard Martin DiCintio, Patrick Benedict Melton, Lucas John Stoia