Patents by Inventor Sanji Ekanayake

Sanji Ekanayake 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: 9297316
    Abstract: A gas turbine system includes a compressor protection subsystem; a hibernation mode subsystem; and a control subsystem that controls the compressor subsystem and the hibernation subsystem. At partial loads on the turbine system, the compressor protection subsystem maintains an air flow through a compressor at an airflow coefficient for the partial load above a minimum flow rate coefficient where aeromechanical stresses occur in the compressor. The air fuel ratio in a combustor is maintained where exhaust gas emission components from the turbine are maintained below a predetermined component emission level while operating at partial loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Alston I. Scipio, Thomas John Freeman, Ryan Eric Obenhoff, Sanji Ekanayake, Michael Anthony Cocca, Mike Yarnold, Douglas Corbin Warwick, Joseph Klosinski
  • Publication number: 20160084728
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a leak detection system for a turbine compartment. In some embodiments, the leak detection system includes: a tracer fluid system fluidly connected with the turbine compartment, the tracer fluid system configured to provide an optically detectable fluid to a fluid supply of the turbine compartment; an optical detection system operably connected to the turbine compartment, the optical detection system configured to detect the presence of the optically detectable fluid in at least one location of the turbine compartment; and a control system operably connected to the tracer fluid system and the optical detection system, the control system configured to obtain data about the presence of the optically detectable fluid in the at least one location, and provide an indicator indicating a potential leak location based upon the data about the presence of the optically detectable fluid in the at least one location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: Sanji Ekanayake, Alston Ilford Scipio
  • Publication number: 20160076457
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for treating a surface, such as a gas turbine surface, with a filming treatment. The system includes a storage tank configured to contain a filming agent, a plurality of nozzles, and supply conduit coupled to the storage tank on a first end and the plurality of nozzles on a second end, wherein the system is configured to deliver the filming agent from the storage tank and to discharge the filming agent through the plurality of nozzles and the filming agent includes siloxane, fluorosilane, mercapto silane, amino silane, tetraethyl orthosilicate, succinic anhydride silane, or a combination including at least one of the foregoing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: Sanji Ekanayake, Murali Krishna Kalaga, Surinder Singh Pabla, Alston Ilford Scipio
  • Publication number: 20160076389
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for treating a surface, such as a gas turbine surface, with a filming agent using an inlet bleed heat manifold. A filming control system includes a storage tank configured to contain a filming agent; an inlet bleed heat manifold; and a supply conduit coupled to the storage tank on a first end and the inlet bleed heat manifold on a second end; wherein the filming control system is configured to deliver the filming agent from the storage tank and to discharge the filming agent through the inlet heat bleed manifold and the filming agent includes siloxane, fluorosilane, mercapto silane, amino silane, tetraethyl orthosilicate, succinic anhydride silane, or a combination including at least one of the foregoing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: Sanji Ekanayake, Alston Ilford Scipio
  • Publication number: 20160076458
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for treating a surface, such as a gas turbine surface, with a filming agent using an inlet air cooling device. A filming control system includes a storage tank configured to contain a filming agent; an inlet air cooling device; and a supply conduit coupled to the storage tank on a first end and the inlet air cooling device on a second end; wherein the filming control system is configured to deliver the filming agent from the storage tank and to discharge the filming agent through the air inlet cooling device and the filming agent includes siloxane, fluorosilane, mercapto silane, amino silane, tetraethyl orthosilicate, succinic anhydride silane, or a combination including at least one of the foregoing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: Sanji Ekanayake, Ryan Hooley, Eduardo Mendoza, Alston Ilford Scipio
  • Publication number: 20160076456
    Abstract: Methods and systems for washing a surface, such as a gas turbine surface, are provided. A wash control system includes a storage tank configured to contain a cleaning agent, a plurality of nozzles, and a supply conduit coupled to the storage tank on a first end and the plurality of nozzles on a second end, wherein the wash control system is configured to deliver the cleaning agent from the storage tank and to discharge the cleaning agent through the plurality of nozzles and the cleaning agent includes an ethylene oxide-propylene oxide block copolymer, sodium dodecyl benzene sulphonate, sodium lauryl sulphate, or a combination including at least one of the foregoing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: Sanji Ekanayake, Murali Krishna Kalaga, Surinder Singh Pabla, Alston Ilford Scipio
  • Publication number: 20160076455
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for protecting a surface from corrosive pollutants. A method includes detecting airborne corrosive pollutants proximate to a surface using at least one sensor adapted to detect a concentration of the airborne corrosive pollutants and/or one or more types of airborne corrosive pollutants, the concentration of the airborne corrosive pollutants being an instantaneous concentration value or a time-weighted-integrated concentration value; selecting a fluid to deliver to at least a portion of the surface based upon a predetermined type and/or concentration of the airborne corrosive pollutants detected by the at least one sensor; and initiating a fluid treatment to deliver the selected fluid such that the selected fluid contacts the at least a portion of the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: Sanji Ekanayake, Dale Joel Davis, Robert Michael Orenstein, Alston Ilford Scipio, Raub Warfield Smith
  • Patent number: 9280797
    Abstract: A system and method to preemptively adjust power generation of one or more non-solar power generators based on near term solar generation capability, spinning reserve margin, and/or power grid spinning reserve forecast requirements to offset solar power generation based on geospatial regional solar conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sanji Ekanayake, Alston Ilford Scipio, Dale J. Davis, Eric J. Kauffman, Timothy Tah-teh Yang
  • Publication number: 20160061060
    Abstract: A combined cycle power plant comprises a compressor, a combustion section including a compressor discharge casing which is disposed downstream from the compressor, a turbine disposed downstream from the combustion section and an exhaust duct disposed downstream from the turbine section. The compressor, the compressor discharge casing, the turbine and the exhaust duct define a primary flow passage through the gas turbine. A heat recovery steam generator is in thermal communication with the exhaust duct and in fluid communication with a steam turbine. A blower is in fluid communication with the primary flow passage upstream from the heat recovery steam generator such that the blower draws compressed air from the primary flow passage during turning gear operation of the gas turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Sanji Ekanayake, Julio Enrique Mestroni, Alston I. Scipio
  • Publication number: 20160061061
    Abstract: A combined cycle power plant includes a gas turbine having a primary flow passage, a heat recovery steam generator having a heat exchanger disposed downstream from the primary flow passage, an exhaust stack in fluid communication with the primary flow passage and disposed downstream from the heat recovery steam generator and a reversible turning gear coupled to a rotor shaft of the gas turbine. The reversible turning gear counter rotates the rotor shaft during turning gear counter rotation operation of the gas turbine and reverses flow of combustion exhaust gas from the exhaust stack through the heat exchanger and back into the primary flow passage of the gas turbine, thereby conserving thermal energy stored in the heat recovery steam generator. A method for conserving thermal energy of a combined cycle power plant during counter rotation turning gear operation of the gas turbine is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Sanji Ekanayake, Julio Enrique Mestroni, Alston I. Scipio
  • Publication number: 20160040596
    Abstract: A turbomachine system includes a compressor portion having at least one compressor extraction, a turbine portion operatively connected to the compressor portion, and a combustor assembly including at least one combustor fluidically connected to the compressor portion and the turbine portion. A heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) is fluidically connected to the turbine portion, and an air inlet system is fluidically connected to the compressor portion. An inlet bleed heat (IBH) system is fluidically connected to each of the compressor portion, the air inlet system and the HRSG. An inlet bleed heat (IBH) system includes a first conduit having a first valve fluidically connecting the compressor extraction and the air inlet system, and a second conduit including a second valve connecting one of the HRSG and a secondary stream source with the first conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Joseph Philip Klosinski, Sanji Ekanayake, Alston Ilford Scipio
  • Patent number: 9243564
    Abstract: A fuel delivery system for use with a flow of heavy fuel oil for a gas turbine engine may include one or more fuel lines in communication with the gas turbine engine and a magnesium mixing system positioned upstream of the one or more fuel lines. The magnesium mixing system may include a flow of magnesium and a flow of a carrier fluid, a carrier mixing chamber to mix the flow of magnesium and the flow of the carrier fluid to form a mixed carrier flow, and a heavy fuel oil mixing chamber to mix the flow of heavy fuel oil and the mixed carrier flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Alston Ilford Scipio, Sanji Ekanayake, Paul Robert Fernandez
  • Patent number: 9239008
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a leak detection system for a turbine compartment. In some embodiments, the leak detection system includes: a tracer fluid system fluidly connected with the turbine compartment, the tracer fluid system configured to provide an optically detectable fluid to a fluid supply of the turbine compartment; an optical detection system operably connected to the turbine compartment, the optical detection system configured to detect the presence of the optically detectable fluid in at least one location of the turbine compartment; and a control system operably connected to the tracer fluid system and the optical detection system, the control system configured to obtain data about the presence of the optically detectable fluid in the at least one location, and provide an indicator indicating a potential leak location based upon the data about the presence of the optically detectable fluid in the at least one location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sanji Ekanayake, Alston Ilford Scipio
  • Patent number: 9239007
    Abstract: A supercharging system for a gas turbine system includes a compressor, a combustor, a turbine and a shaft. The supercharging system includes a fan assembly that provides an air stream and a torque converter coupled to the shaft and the fan assembly. The supercharging system also includes a subsystem for conveying a first portion of the air stream output to the compressor; and a bypass subsystem for optionally conveying a second portion of the air stream output to other uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sanji Ekanayake, Alston I. Scipio
  • Patent number: 9222410
    Abstract: A power plant is provided and includes a gas turbine engine to generate power, a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) to produce steam from high energy fluids produced from the generation of power in the gas turbine engine, a steam turbine engine to generate additional power from the steam produced in the HRSG and a thermal load reduction system to reduce thermal loading of components of the HRSG and/or the steam turbine engine during at least startup and/or part load operations, which includes an eductor by which a mixture of compressor discharge air and entrained ambient air is injectable into the HRSG and/or an attemperator to cool superheated steam to be transmitted to the steam turbine engine and a detector disposed within the HRSG to facilitate identification of hot spots therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Rahul Jaikaran Chillar, Wulang Edwien Chriswindarto, Sanji Ekanayake, Julio Enrique Mestroni, Vijay Raghavendran Nenmeni, Achalesh Kumar Pandey, David Lee Rogers, Morgan Carthledge Salter, Ajit Srivastava
  • Publication number: 20150354404
    Abstract: The present application and the resultant patent provide a wash system for a gas turbine engine. The wash system may include a water source containing a volume of water therein, and a surface filming agent source containing a volume of a surface filming agent therein. The wash system also may include a mixing chamber in fluid communication with the water source and the surface filming agent source, wherein the mixing chamber is configured to mix the water and the surface filming agent therein to produce a film-forming mixture. The wash system further may include an aerosolizing device in fluid communication with the mixing chamber and configured to form an aerosol spray of the film-forming mixture and a propellant. The wash system still further may include a number of supply lines in fluid communication with the aerosolizing device and configured to direct the aerosol spray into the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Sanji Ekanayake, Alston IIford Scipio
  • Publication number: 20150354462
    Abstract: The present application and the resultant patent provide a wash system for a gas turbine engine. The wash system may include a water source containing a volume of water therein, and a surface filming agent source containing a volume of a surface filming agent therein. The wash system also may include a mixing chamber in fluid communication with the water source and the surface filming agent source, wherein the mixing chamber is configured to mix the water and the surface filming agent therein to produce a film-forming mixture. The wash system further may include a number of supply lines in fluid communication with the mixing chamber, wherein the supply lines are configured to direct the film-forming mixture into the gas turbine engine. The present application and the resultant patent also provide a related method of washing a gas turbine engine to remove contaminants therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Sanji Ekanayake, Surinder Singh Pabla, Murali Krishna Kalaga, Alston IIford Scipio
  • Publication number: 20150354403
    Abstract: The present application and the resultant patent provide a wash system for a gas turbine engine. The wash system may include a water source containing a volume of water therein, and a surface filming agent source containing a volume of a surface filming agent therein. The wash system also may include a mixing chamber in fluid communication with the water source and the surface filming agent source, wherein the mixing chamber is configured to mix the water and the surface filming agent therein to produce a film-forming mixture. The film-forming mixture may be a liquid-gas mixture of the surface filming agent in a liquid phase and the water in a gaseous phase. The wash system further may include a number of supply lines in fluid communication with the mixing chamber, wherein the supply lines are configured to direct the film-forming mixture into the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Sanji Ekanayake, Alston IIford Scipio
  • Patent number: 9209730
    Abstract: A system and method is provided that improves the under frequency response of gas turbines by providing a fast-response power augmentation system. The system includes a tank storing a blended mixture of motive fuel such as ethanol or methanol and demineralized water in a predetermined ratio that is provided as a diluent to be injected into the compressor bellmouth, the Compressor Discharge Chamber (CDC), and/or the combustion system via one to three dedicated circuits. To achieve the instantaneous injection of the diluent at the correct pressure and for the appropriate duration to meet the needs of the gas turbine Grid compliance mandate, an accumulator is used as the motive force to drive the augmentation fluid in the dedicated circuits. The injected diluent is microprocessor controlled to either be simultaneous into all three circuits or is sequenced based on a determination of the best turbine control and performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Alston Ilford Scipio, Dale J. Davis, Steven Hartman, Sanji Ekanayake, Paul Robert Fernandez
  • Publication number: 20150345390
    Abstract: Systems and methods for de-icing an inlet screen and dehumidifying an inlet air filter in a gas turbine engine are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method may include determining a current inlet screen temperature. The method also may include determining a desired inlet screen temperature. If the current inlet screen temperature is less than the desired inlet screen temperature, the method may further include determining a first amount of gas turbine compartment ventilation discharge air necessary to achieve the desired inlet screen temperature, extracting the first amount of gas turbine compartment ventilation discharge air, and conveying the first amount of gas turbine compartment ventilation discharge air to the inlet screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sanji Ekanayake, Alston Ilford Scipio, Joseph Klosinski, Dale J. Davis