Patents by Inventor Michael John Hughes
Michael John Hughes 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: 11828467Abstract: A fluid mixing apparatus includes mixing conduits that extend through a fluid plenum and that define injection holes therethrough. The fluid plenum, which surrounds a first wall defining a main passage fluidly coupled to a low-pressure fluid source, is surrounded itself by a second wall defining a high-pressure plenum fluidly coupled to a high-pressure fluid source. The mixing conduits fluidly couple the high-pressure plenum to the main passage, and the fluid from the fluid plenum is delivered with the high-pressure fluid to the main passage, where the fluids mix before being discharged from an outlet of the main passage. The fluid mixing apparatus may be used to mix one or more fuels with high- and low-pressure air in a gas turbine combustor. Alternately, the fluid mixing apparatus may mix a fluid with high- and low-pressure water streams.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2019Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jonathan Dwight Berry, Wei Zhao, Michael John Hughes
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Publication number: 20230375177Abstract: An integrated combustor nozzle includes a combustion liner that extends radially between an inner liner segment and an outer liner segment, the combustion liner includes a forward end portion, an aft end portion, a first side wall, and a second side wall. The aft end portion of the combustion liner defines a turbine nozzle. The combustion liner defines a cavity forward of the turbine nozzle. The cavity extends between the first side wall and the second side wall. An impingement cooling apparatus positioned within the cavity. The impingement cooling apparatus includes a flange. The impingement cooling apparatus further includes a plurality of impingement members configured to direct coolant to impinge upon the first side wall and the second side wall. Each impingement member extends from a respective inlet defined within the flange to a respective closed end. A plurality of impingement apertures are defined on each impingement member.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2020Publication date: November 23, 2023Inventors: Jonathan Dwight Berry, Michael John Hughes
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Publication number: 20230313995Abstract: A method includes delivering fuel and a first portion of oxidant as a rich mixture to the first zone of the combustion chamber. The fuel includes ammonia (NH3). The method further includes burning the rich mixture in the first zone. Combustion gases containing nitrogen oxides (NOx) are produced. The method further includes delivering a second portion of oxidant into the second zone to break down unburned ammonia into ammonia intermediates in the second zone. The nitrogen oxides (NOx) are consumed by reacting with the ammonia intermediates in the second zone. Byproduct hydrogen is produced as a result of breaking down the unburned ammonia into the ammonia intermediates. The method further includes delivering a third portion of oxidant into the third zone. The byproduct hydrogen is burned in the third zone. The third portion of oxidant is greater than the first portion of oxidant and the second portion of oxidant.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2022Publication date: October 5, 2023Inventors: Hatem M. Selim, Baha Suleiman, Majed Sammak, Michael John Hughes, Abdurrahman Abdallah Khalidi, Alaaeldin Elsaeed Dawood
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Publication number: 20230296253Abstract: A gas turbine combustion system includes a combustor that has at least two injection stages each configured to inject fuel into a combustion chamber of the combustor. A fuel supply circuit is in fluid communication with the at least two injection stages for providing the fuel from a fuel supply to the injection stages. The fuel supply circuit includes at least two branches, each branch being fluidly coupled to a respective injection stage. The gas turbine combustion system further includes at least two heat exchangers fluidly coupled to a thermal fluid supply. Each heat exchanger is disposed in thermal communication on a respective branch of the at least two branches for modifying a temperature of fuel within the respective branch.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2022Publication date: September 21, 2023Inventors: Carlos Miranda, Michael John Hughes
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Publication number: 20230136865Abstract: A method of operating a combustor of a turbomachine on a total fuel input that contains a concentration of hydrogen that is greater than about 80% is provided. The method includes injecting a first mixture of air and a first fuel containing a first amount of hydrogen into the primary combustion zone of the combustor to generate a first flow of combustion gases having a first temperature. The method further includes injecting, with one or more premix injectors disposed downstream of the fuel nozzles, a second mixture of air and a second fuel containing a second amount of hydrogen into the secondary combustion zone of the combustor to generate a second flow of combustion gases having a second temperature. The method further includes separately injecting a third fuel into secondary combustion zone to generate a third flow of combustion gases having a third temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2022Publication date: May 4, 2023Inventors: Michael John Hughes, Willy Steve Ziminsky
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Patent number: 11566790Abstract: A method of operating a combustor of a turbomachine on a total fuel input that contains a concentration of hydrogen that is greater than about 80% is provided. The method includes injecting a first mixture of air and a first fuel containing a first amount of hydrogen into the primary combustion zone of the combustor to generate a first flow of combustion gases having a first temperature. The method further includes injecting, with one or more premix injectors disposed downstream of the fuel nozzles, a second mixture of air and a second fuel containing a second amount of hydrogen into the secondary combustion zone of the combustor to generate a second flow of combustion gases having a second temperature. The method further includes separately injecting a third fuel into secondary combustion zone to generate a third flow of combustion gases having a third temperature.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2021Date of Patent: January 31, 2023Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Michael John Hughes, Willy Steve Ziminsky
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Patent number: 11460191Abstract: Integrated combustor nozzles and turbomachines are provided. An integrated combustor nozzle includes a cooling insert having a flange. The cooling insert further includes a first wall and a second wall that each define respective passages therein. The first wall and the second wall each extend from an open end defined within the flange to a closed end. The first wall and the second wall each include an impingement side spaced apart from a solid side. Each impingement side defines a plurality of impingement apertures configured to direct coolant from the respective passage towards a side wall of the combustion liner. The cooling inserts further includes a collection passageway that is defined between the solid sides of the first wall and the second wall.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2020Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jonathan Dwight Berry, Michael John Hughes
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Patent number: 11428413Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a fuel injection module for a segmented annular combustion system. The fuel injection module includes a housing body, a fuel nozzle portion, and at least one fuel injection lance. The fuel nozzle portion is fluidly coupled to a fuel nozzle plenum within the housing body, and the at least one fuel injection lance is fluidly coupled to an injector fuel plenum within the housing body. In some cases, the fuel nozzle portion is a bundled tube fuel nozzle having one or more subsets of tubes. The fuel injection lances are positioned along a radial side of the housing body or circumferentially between two subsets of tubes. Liquid fuel cartridges extend through the fuel nozzle portion, the fuel injection lances, or both.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2017Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jonathan Dwight Berry, Michael John Hughes, James Scott Flanagan
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Patent number: 11371702Abstract: An integrated combustor nozzle includes a combustion liner that extends radially between an inner liner segment and an outer liner segment. The combustion liner includes a forward end portion, an aft end portion, a first side wall, and a second side wall. The aft end portion of the combustion liner defines a turbine nozzle. The integrated combustor nozzle further includes an impingement panel having an impingement plate disposed along an exterior surface of one of the inner liner segment or the outer liner segment. The impingement plate defines a plurality of impingement holes that direct coolant in discrete jets towards the exterior surface of the inner liner segment or the outer liner segment. The impingement panel is radially spaced from the exterior surface to form a cooling flow gap therebetween. The impingement panel includes a collection duct that extends from the impingement panel and defines a collection passage.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2020Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jonathan Dwight Berry, Michael John Hughes
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Patent number: 11326522Abstract: Sealing arrangements and turbomachines are provided. A sealing arrangement for a turbomachine includes a transition duct having an upstream end and a downstream end. The transition duct includes an aft frame that circumferentially surrounds the downstream end of the transition duct. A stage one nozzle spaced apart from the aft frame and defining a gap therebetween. A sealing assembly extends across the gap. The sealing assembly includes a first seal link magnetically coupled to the aft frame. The sealing assembly further includes a second seal link magnetically coupled to the first seal link and the stage one nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2020Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jonathan Dwight Berry, Michael John Hughes
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Publication number: 20220065453Abstract: An integrated combustor nozzle includes a combustion liner that extends radially between an inner liner segment and an outer liner segment. The combustion liner includes a forward end portion, an aft end portion, a first side wall, and a second side wall. The aft end portion of the combustion liner defines a turbine nozzle. The integrated combustor nozzle further includes an impingement panel having an impingement plate disposed along an exterior surface of one of the inner liner segment or the outer liner segment. The impingement plate defines a plurality of impingement holes that direct coolant in discrete jets towards the exterior surface of the inner liner segment or the outer liner segment. The impingement panel is radially spaced from the exterior surface to form a cooling flow gap therebetween. The impingement panel includes a collection duct that extends from the impingement panel and defines a collection passage.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2020Publication date: March 3, 2022Inventors: Jonathan Dwight Berry, Michael John Hughes
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Publication number: 20220065454Abstract: Integrated combustor nozzles and turbomachines are provided. An integrated combustor nozzle includes a cooling insert having a flange. The cooling insert further includes a first wall and a second wall that each define respective passages therein. The first wall and the second wall each extend from an open end defined within the flange to a closed end. The first wall and the second wall each include an impingement side spaced apart from a solid side. Each impingement side defines a plurality of impingement apertures configured to direct coolant from the respective passage towards a side wall of the combustion liner. The cooling inserts further includes a collection passageway that is defined between the solid sides of the first wall and the second wall.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2020Publication date: March 3, 2022Inventors: Jonathan Dwight Berry, Michael John Hughes
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Patent number: 11255545Abstract: Integrated combustion nozzles and turbomachines are provided. An integrated combustion nozzle includes a unified head end coupled to a combustion liner. The unified head end includes a first fuel nozzle and a second fuel nozzle disposed at a forward end portion of the combustion liner. A fuel plenum is defined between the first fuel nozzle and the second fuel nozzle. A first liner portion extends from the first fuel nozzle and into an opening of a first wall of the combustion liner such that the first liner portion forms a continuous surface with the first wall. The unified head end further includes a second liner portion that extends from the second fuel nozzle and into an opening of a second wall of the combustion liner such that the second liner portion forms a continuous surface with the second wall.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2020Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jonathan Dwight Berry, Michael John Hughes
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Patent number: 11231175Abstract: An integrated combustor nozzle includes an inner liner segment; an outer liner segment; and a panel extending radially between the inner and outer liner segments. The panel includes a forward end, an aft end, and a side walls extending axially from the forward end to the aft end. The aft end defines a turbine nozzle having a trailing edge circumferentially offset from the forward end. The inner liner segment has a pair of sealing surfaces, each of which defines a first continuous curve in the circumferential direction. The outer liner segment has a pair of sealing surfaces, each of which defines a second continuous curve in the circumferential direction. In some instances, the curves are monotonic in the circumferential direction. A segmented annular combustor including an array of such integrated combustor nozzles is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2018Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jonathan Dwight Berry, Michael John Hughes, Russell Pierson DeForest, Kevin Weston McMahan, Victor John Morgan, Ibrahim Sezer, Neelesh Nandkumar Sarawate, Deepak Trivedi
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Patent number: 11187095Abstract: A sealing arrangement includes a first aft frame and a second aft frame neighboring one another. The first aft frame and the second aft frame each include an inner portion and an outer portion. The outer portion radially separated from the inner portion. The first aft frame and the second aft frame further include a first side portion and a second side portion that each extend radially between the inner portion and the outer portion. A circumferential gap is defined between the first side portion of the first aft frame and the second side portion of the second aft frame. The sealing arrangement further includes a side seal that extends across the circumferential gap. The side seal includes one or more magnets. The side seal is at least partially held in place by the one or more magnets.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2020Date of Patent: November 30, 2021Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jonathan Dwight Berry, Michael John Hughes
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Patent number: 11187091Abstract: Sealing arrangements and turbomachines are provided. A sealing arrangement includes a transition duct having an upstream end and a downstream end. The transition duct includes an aft frame that circumferentially surrounds the downstream end of the transition duct. A stage one nozzle is spaced apart from the aft frame and defines a gap therebetween. A sealing assembly extends across the gap and is magnetically coupled to both the aft frame and the stage one nozzle. The sealing assembly includes a first magnet coupled to the aft frame and a second magnet coupled to the stage one nozzle. The sealing assembly further includes a shell that is coupled to and at least partially surrounds the first magnet and the second magnet.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2020Date of Patent: November 30, 2021Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jonathan Dwight Berry, Michael John Hughes
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Publication number: 20210199299Abstract: A fluid mixing apparatus includes mixing conduits that extend through a fluid plenum and that define injection holes therethrough. The fluid plenum, which surrounds a first wall defining a main passage fluidly coupled to a low-pressure fluid source, is surrounded itself by a second wall defining a high-pressure plenum fluidly coupled to a high-pressure fluid source. The mixing conduits fluidly couple the high-pressure plenum to the main passage, and the fluid from the fluid plenum is delivered with the high-pressure fluid to the main passage, where the fluids mix before being discharged from an outlet of the main passage. The fluid mixing apparatus may be used to mix one or more fuels with high- and low-pressure air in a gas turbine combustor. Alternately, the fluid mixing apparatus may mix a fluid with high- and low-pressure water streams.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2019Publication date: July 1, 2021Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jonathan Dwight Berry, Wei Zhao, Michael John Hughes
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Patent number: 11002190Abstract: An annular combustion system includes a fuel nozzle, a panel fuel injector including a fuel plenum and at least one premixing channel therein, an inner liner having a hot side surface and a cool side surface and an outer liner having a hot side surface and a cool side surface. The inner liner, the outer liner and the panel fuel injector partially define a hot gas path downstream from the fuel nozzle. The inner liner and/or the outer liner define a plurality of micro-channel cooling passages which is disposed between the hot side surface and cool side surface of the inner liner. Each micro-channel cooling passage of the first plurality of micro-channel cooling passages is in fluid communication with an inlet hole defined along the cool side surface of the respective liner and an outlet hole.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2017Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jonathan Dwight Berry, Michael John Hughes
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Patent number: 10830442Abstract: A segmented annular combustion system with dual fuel capability includes an alternating arrangement of fuel injection modules and integrated combustor nozzles. The fuel injection module includes a bundled tube fuel nozzle portion and fuel injection lances, which are fluidly coupled via conduits to respective fuel plenums. A liquid fuel cartridge is disposed within the bundled tube fuel nozzle portion, within one of the plurality of fuel injection lances, or within both the bundled tube fuel nozzle portion and one of the plurality of fuel injection lances. A gas turbine having the segmented annular combustion system is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2017Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jonathan Dwight Berry, Stanley Kevin Widener, Michael John Hughes, James Scott Flanagan
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Patent number: 10724441Abstract: An annular combustion system includes a fuel nozzle, a panel fuel injector including a fuel plenum and at least one premixing channel therein, an inner liner including an inner band radially spaced from an outer band and an inner flow annulus formed therebetween, and an outer liner radially spaced from the inner liner and comprising an inner band radially spaced from an outer band and an outer flow annulus formed therebetween. The fuel nozzle is positioned radially between the inner liner and the outer liner, and the panel fuel injector extends radially between the inner liner and the outer liner. At least one of the inner flow passage and the outer flow passage is in fluid communication with at least one of a premix air plenum, a cooling air cavity and a cooling air plenum defined within the panel fuel injector.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2017Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jonathan Dwight Berry, Michael John Hughes