Patents by Inventor Scott William Szepek
Scott William Szepek 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: 11404879Abstract: This application provides methods and systems for rapid load support for grid frequency transient events. Example electric power systems may include a turbine, a generator coupled to the turbine, where the generator is configured to provide power to an electrical grid, and a controller configured to detect a grid event, determine a rate of change of frequency (rate of change of frequency) value, determine a predicted post-grid event governor set point based on the rate of change of frequency value, and initiate a change to at least one turbine operating parameter based on the predicted post-grid event governor set point.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2020Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Sreedhar Desabhatla, Scott William Szepek
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Patent number: 11320794Abstract: An electric power system includes a generating unit, which includes a controller for controlling an operational mode of the generating unit. The electric power system also includes an event estimator communicatively coupled to the controller of the generating unit and a network estimator communicatively coupled to the event estimator. The network estimator includes a processor configured to receive status information associated with the electric power system, determine, based upon the status information, at least one characteristic of the electric power system, and transmit the at least one characteristic to the event estimator.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2017Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Ara Panosyan, Sreedhar Desabhatla, Luca Parolini, Adolfo Anta Martinez, Naresh Acharya, Krishna Kumar Anaparthi, Scott William Szepek
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Publication number: 20210281078Abstract: This application provides methods and systems for rapid load support for grid frequency transient events. Example electric power systems may include a turbine, a generator coupled to the turbine, where the generator is configured to provide power to an electrical grid, and a controller configured to detect a grid event, determine a rate of change of frequency (rate of change of frequency) value, determine a predicted post-grid event governor set point based on the rate of change of frequency value, and initiate a change to at least one turbine operating parameter based on the predicted post-grid event governor set point.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2020Publication date: September 9, 2021Inventors: Sreedhar DESABHATLA, Scott William SZEPEK
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Publication number: 20200096960Abstract: An electric power system includes a generating unit, which includes a controller for controlling an operational mode of the generating unit. The electric power system also includes an event estimator communicatively coupled to the controller of the generating unit and a network estimator communicatively coupled to the event estimator. The network estimator includes a processor configured to receive status information associated with the electric power system, determine, based upon the status information, at least one characteristic of the electric power system, and transmit the at least one characteristic to the event estimator.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2017Publication date: March 26, 2020Inventors: Ara PANOSYAN, Sreedhar DESABHATLA, Luca PAROLINI, Adolfo ANTA MARTINEZ, Naresh ACHARYA, Krishna Kumar ANAPARTHI, Scott William SZEPEK
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Patent number: 10358983Abstract: A system includes a model-based control system configured to receive data relating to parameters of a machinery via a plurality of sensors coupled to the machinery and select one or more models configured to generate a desired parameter of the machinery based on a determined relationship between the parameters and the desired parameter. The one or more models represent a performance of a device of the machinery. The model-based control system is configured to generate the desired parameter using the data and the one or more models control a plurality of actuators coupled to the machinery based on the desired parameter. Further, the model-based control system is configured to empirically tune the one or more models based on the data, the one or more parameters, and the desired parameter, compare the empirical tuning to a baseline tuning, and determine an operational state of the device based on the comparison.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2016Date of Patent: July 23, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Frederick William Block, Scott William Szepek, William Forrester Seely, Mustafa Tekin Dokucu, John Joseph Raffensperger
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Patent number: 10205414Abstract: A method may involve monitoring a first set of electrical properties associated with an electrical grid configured to couple to a generator and determining whether a transient event is present on the electrical grid based on the first set of electrical properties. The method may also involve determining a mechanical power present on a shaft of the generator based on a second set of electrical properties associated with the generator, the electrical grid, or both when the transient event is present and sending the mechanical power to a controller associated with a turbine configured to couple to the generator, wherein the controller is configured to adjust one or more operations of the turbine based on the mechanical power.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2016Date of Patent: February 12, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Sreedhar Desabhatla, Scott William Szepek, Alexis Sesmat, Maxime Buquet
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Patent number: 9932850Abstract: A method, including receiving a turbine system operating parameter. The turbine system operating parameter includes an indication of a frequency variation of an electric power system associated with the turbine system. The method includes determining a correction factor to vary the output of the turbine system according to the frequency variation, wherein the correction factor is based on a droop power response and a nominal droop power ratio. The droop power response is calculated based on a gas turbine power output and a speed-load error. The method further includes varying the output of the turbine system based at least in part on the correction factor.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2015Date of Patent: April 3, 2018Inventors: Yuhui Chen, Bryan Edward Sweet, Scott William Szepek
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Publication number: 20170346430Abstract: A method may involve monitoring a first set of electrical properties associated with an electrical grid configured to couple to a generator and determining whether a transient event is present on the electrical grid based on the first set of electrical properties. The method may also involve determining a mechanical power present on a shaft of the generator based on a second set of electrical properties associated with the generator, the electrical grid, or both when the transient event is present and sending the mechanical power to a controller associated with a turbine configured to couple to the generator, wherein the controller is configured to adjust one or more operations of the turbine based on the mechanical power.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2016Publication date: November 30, 2017Inventors: Sreedhar Desabhatla, Scott William Szepek, Alexis Sesmat, Maxime Buquet
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Publication number: 20170300018Abstract: A system includes a model-based control system configured to receive data relating to parameters of a machinery via a plurality of sensors coupled to the machinery and select one or more models configured to generate a desired parameter of the machinery based on a determined relationship between the parameters and the desired parameter. The one or more models represent a performance of a device of the machinery. The model-based control system is configured to generate the desired parameter using the data and the one or more models control a plurality of actuators coupled to the machinery based on the desired parameter. Further, the model-based control system is configured to empirically tune the one or more models based on the data, the one or more parameters, and the desired parameter, compare the empirical tuning to a baseline tuning, and determine an operational state of the device based on the comparison.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2016Publication date: October 19, 2017Inventors: Frederick William Block, Scott William Szepek, William Forrester Seely, Mustafa Tekin Dokucu, John Joseph Raffensperger
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Publication number: 20160222816Abstract: A method, including receiving a turbine system operating parameter. The turbine system operating parameter includes an indication of a frequency variation of an electric power system associated with the turbine system. The method includes determining a correction factor to vary the output of the turbine system according to the frequency variation, wherein the correction factor is based on a droop power response and a nominal droop power ratio. The droop power response is calculated based on a gas turbine power output and a speed-load error. The method further includes varying the output of the turbine system based at least in part on the correction factor.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2015Publication date: August 4, 2016Inventors: Yuhui Chen, Bryan Edward Sweet, Scott William Szepek
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Patent number: 9255580Abstract: Certain embodiments of the disclosure may include systems, methods and apparatus for operating and validating a compressor. According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, a method is provided for validating compressor operation. The method can include receiving compressor operating parameter data from a plurality of sensors; and adjusting a portion of a variable flow area downstream of a compressor discharge to achieve a desired compressor pressure ratio.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2012Date of Patent: February 9, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Daniel Richard Waugh, Karl Dean Minto, Scott William Szepek, Louis Veltre
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Patent number: 8818684Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems, methods, and apparatus for detecting failure in gas turbine hardware. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method for detecting a failure in a gas turbine is provided. The method can include monitoring a parameter associated with the turbine, wherein the monitored parameter comprises at least one turbine bucket temperature, detecting an event associated with operation of the turbine, wherein the event is based at least in part on the monitored parameter, and initiating shutdown of the turbine upon detection of the event wherein the monitored parameter is above a predetermined value for at least a predetermined time duration.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2010Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Justin V. John, Nirm Velumylum Nirmalan, John Charles Intile, Scott William Szepek, Daniel Joseph Peczka, Bradley Steven Carey
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Patent number: 8712665Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods for providing unchoked control of gas turbine fuel control valves. According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for active control of a gas flow control valve. The method may include receiving a desired fuel command and an inlet pressure parameter, and determining a gas flow gain based at least in part on the inlet pressure parameter. The method may also include determining a valve flow coefficient based at least in part on the desired fuel command and the gas flow gain, and controlling the gas flow control valve based at least in part on the valve flow coefficient.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2010Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Scott William Szepek, Michael John Mariani, Robert Loeven
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Publication number: 20140093349Abstract: Certain embodiments of the disclosure may include systems, methods and apparatus for operating and validating a compressor. According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, a method is provided for validating compressor operation. The method can include receiving compressor operating parameter data from a plurality of sensors; and adjusting a portion of a variable flow area downstream of a compressor discharge to achieve a desired compressor pressure ratio.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2012Publication date: April 3, 2014Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Daniel Richard Waugh, Karl Dean Minto, Scott William Szepek, Louis Veltre
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Patent number: 8285516Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems, methods, and apparatus for determining steady state conditions in a gas turbine. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method for determining stability in a gas turbine is provided. The method can include receiving a guide vane (VGV) command and a fuel stroke reference (FSR) command associated with a gas turbine control system, determining a filtered VGV change based at least in part on the received VGV command, determining a filtered FSR change based at least in part on the received FSR command, and outputting a unit stability signal after a pickup delay time when the filtered VGV change is less than a predetermined VGV stability threshold and the filtered FSR change is less than a predetermined FSR stability threshold.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2010Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Justin V. John, Scott William Szepek
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Patent number: 8261595Abstract: A method detection of leakage through at least one first valve includes admitting an amount of fluid into a first control volume in operable communication with the at least one first valve, thereby pressurizing the first control volume. The first control volume is isolated and a rate of change of pressure in a second control volume in operable communication with the at least one first valve is measured. A system for detecting leakage across at least one first valve includes a first control volume receptive of an amount of fluid and a second control volume in flow communication with the first control volume. At least one first valve is located between the first control volume and the second control volume, and a rate of change in pressure in the second control volume indicates a rate of leakage through the at least one first valve.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2009Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Scott William Szepek, Justin Varkey John, Daniel Joseph Peczka, Bryan Edward Sweet
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Patent number: 8126629Abstract: Methods and systems for operating a gas turbine engine system are provided. The system includes a gas turbine engine that includes at least one combustor configured to receive a flow of fuel from a flow control device and a fuel control system. The fuel control system includes a piping system configured to channel the flow of fuel from a fuel source to the flow control device, a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a property of the flow of fuel wherein the property of the flow of fuel is variable over time, and a controller including a processor. The processor is programmed to receive the generated signal, using a flow model of the piping system and the received signal, iteratively track the progress of a plurality of discrete volumes flowing through the piping system, and control the flow of fuel using the flow control devices.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2008Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Lauren Jeanne Buchalter, Bryan Edward Sweet, Scott William Szepek, Michael John Mariani
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Publication number: 20120016636Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems, methods, and apparatus for determining steady state conditions in a gas turbine. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method for determining stability in a gas turbine is provided. The method can include receiving a guide vane (VGV) command and a fuel stroke reference (FSR) command associated with a gas turbine control system, determining a filtered VGV change based at least in part on the received VGV command, determining a filtered FSR change based at least in part on the received FSR command, and outputting a unit stability signal after a pickup delay time when the filtered VGV change is less than a predetermined VGV stability threshold and the filtered FSR change is less than a predetermined FSR stability threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2010Publication date: January 19, 2012Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Justin V. John, Scott William Szepek
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Publication number: 20110257864Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems, methods, and apparatus for detecting failure in gas turbine hardware. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method for detecting a failure in a gas turbine is provided. The method can include monitoring a parameter associated with the turbine, wherein the monitored parameter comprises at least one turbine bucket temperature, detecting an event associated with operation of the turbine, wherein the event is based at least in part on the monitored parameter, and initiating shutdown of the turbine upon detection of the event wherein the monitored parameter is above a predetermined value for at least a predetermined time duration.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2010Publication date: October 20, 2011Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Justin V. John, Nirm Velumylum Nirmalan, John Charles Intile, Scott William Szepek, Daniel Joseph Peczka, Bradley Steven Carey
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Patent number: 7966802Abstract: Methods and systems for operating a gas turbine engine system are provided. The system includes a fuel control system. The fuel control system includes a plurality of sensors positioned about the gas turbine engine system and configured to measure at least one parameter associated with the sensor, and a processor programmed to receive a signal from at least one of the plurality of sensors indicative of a composition of the fuel. The processor is further programmed to determine the physical properties of a fuel at an inlet to the flow control devices using a flow model and the at least one signal, determine a corresponding correction to a gas fuel flow gain using the determined physical properties, and automatically control fuel delivery as well as fuel split between the fuel injection points on the combustor using the adjusted flow gain to facilitate permitting a relatively large variation in the fuel composition for use in the gas turbine engine.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2008Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Scott William Szepek, Bryan Edward Sweet, Lauren Jeanne Buchalter, David Andrew Stats, Michael John Mariani