Patents by Inventor Steven Di Palma
Steven Di Palma 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: 11428115Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a method for controlling steam pressure within a turbine component. The method includes calculating a predicted stress on a rotor of the turbine component based on a predicted steam flow with the inlet valve in a minimum load position, a rotor surface temperature, and an inlet steam temperature, and determining whether the predicted stress exceeds a threshold. If the predicted stress exceeds the threshold, the inlet valve adjusts to a warming position. When steam in the discharge passage reaches a target pressure, the exhaust valve partially closes while maintaining the warming position of the inlet valve. If a safety parameter of the turbine component violates a boundary, the exhaust valve partially opens while maintaining the warming position of the inlet valve. When the predicted stress does not exceed the threshold, the inlet valve opens to at least the minimum load position.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2020Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Austin Daniel Frazer, Dean Alexander Baker, Steven Di Palma, Carl Raymond Toth, Bruce Frederick Nagel
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Publication number: 20220098996Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a method for controlling steam pressure within a turbine component. The method includes calculating a predicted stress on a rotor of the turbine component based on a predicted steam flow with the inlet valve in a minimum load position, a rotor surface temperature, and an inlet steam temperature, and determining whether the predicted stress exceeds a threshold. If the predicted stress exceeds the threshold, the inlet valve adjusts to a warming position. When steam in the discharge passage reaches a target pressure, the exhaust valve partially closes while maintaining the warming position of the inlet valve. If a safety parameter of the turbine component violates a boundary, the exhaust valve partially opens while maintaining the warming position of the inlet valve. When the predicted stress does not exceed the threshold, the inlet valve opens to at least the minimum load position.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2020Publication date: March 31, 2022Inventors: Austin Daniel Frazer, Dean Alexander Baker, Steven Di Palma, Carl Raymond Toth, Bruce Frederick Nagel
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Patent number: 10061298Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include methods, systems, and program products for controlling a machine. Methods according to the present disclosure can include: calculating, using a performance model of the machine, a set of inter-stage conditions of the machine corresponding to one of a set of input conditions and a set of output conditions during an operation of the machine, wherein the machine includes a turbine component having a fluid path therein traversing a plurality of turbine stages and a plurality of inter-stage positions; calibrating the performance model of the machine based on a difference between a predicted value in the performance model of the machine and one of the set of input conditions and the set of output conditions; and adjusting an operating parameter of the machine based on the calibrated performance model and the calculated set of inter-stage conditions of the machine.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2016Date of Patent: August 28, 2018Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Anurag Singh, Steven Di Palma
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Patent number: 10006315Abstract: Systems, methods, and tangible non-transitory machine readable medium are provided. A system includes a gas turbine system configured to produce power by combusting a fuel. The system further includes a controller configured to control the gas turbine system via an operating 2-dimensional surface area and a setpoint, wherein the operating 2-dimensional surface area comprises a plurality of limits defining bounds for the operating 2-dimensional surface area, and wherein the setpoint is configured to be disposed inside the operating 2-dimentionsal surface area or on the limits.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2014Date of Patent: June 26, 2018Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Brett Matthew Thompson, Michael Joseph Alexander, Matthew John Mosley, Steven Di Palma, Paul Jeffrey Mitchell, Justin Aaron Allen, Kihyung Kim
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Publication number: 20170315537Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include methods, systems, and program products for controlling a machine. Methods according to the present disclosure can include: calculating, using a performance model of the machine, a set of inter-stage conditions of the machine corresponding to one of a set of input conditions and a set of output conditions during an operation of the machine, wherein the machine includes a turbine component having a fluid path therein traversing a plurality of turbine stages and a plurality of inter-stage positions; calibrating the performance model of the machine based on a difference between a predicted value in the performance model of the machine and one of the set of input conditions and the set of output conditions; and adjusting an operating parameter of the machine based on the calibrated performance model and the calculated set of inter-stage conditions of the machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2016Publication date: November 2, 2017Inventors: Anurag Singh, Steven Di Palma
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Publication number: 20150275703Abstract: Systems, methods, and tangible non-transitory machine readable medium are provided. A system includes a gas turbine system configured to produce power by combusting a fuel. The system further includes a controller configured to control the gas turbine system via an operating 2-dimensional surface area and a setpoint, wherein the operating 2-dimensional surface area comprises a plurality of limits defining bounds for the operating 2-dimensional surface area, and wherein the setpoint is configured to be disposed inside the operating 2-dimentionsal surface area or on the limits.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2014Publication date: October 1, 2015Inventors: Brett Matthew Thompson, Michael Joseph Alexander, John Matthew Mosley, Steven Di Palma, Paul Jeffrey Mitchell, Justin Aaron Allen, Kihyung Kim
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Patent number: 9080466Abstract: A method and a system for limiting steam flow entering a steam turbine are provided. The method and system may intentionally unbalance the steam flow apportioned between sections of the steam turbine. The steam turbine comprises at least: a first section, a second section, and a rotor disposed within each section. The method may receive a speed/load command, or the like, which provides reference strokes for a first valve, associated with the first section; and a second valve, associated with the second section. The method may also determine an operational parameter that may limit the reference strokes relative to the speed/load command. The operational parameter may determine the allowable steam flow for each section of steam turbine, independent of the speed/load command.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2010Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Steven Craig Kluge, Dean Alexander Baker, Dileep Sathyanarayana, Steven Di Palma
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Patent number: 9074493Abstract: A method for controlling the operation of a steam generation system is provided. Fluid flow is channeled from at least one first boiler within at least one conduit. Fluid flow is added within the conduit from at least one second boiler. At least one operating condition within the first and second boilers is detected. A fluid pressure set point and/or a fluid temperature set point for each boiler is determined based on the operating condition detected for each boiler. A fluid pressure and/or a fluid temperature is maintained within the first and second boiler to be approximately equal to the fluid pressure set point and the fluid temperature set point for each boiler, respectively, prior to fluid flow being channeled and/or during the channeling of fluid flow from the first boiler and/or the second boiler within the conduit to a steam process and/or at least one steam turbine engine.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2011Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Vijay Subhash Wad, Steven Di Palma, Charles William Weidner, Maxwell Reeves Erwin, Samuel Jacob Wallin, Shanmuga Priya Muniyandi
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Patent number: 8887747Abstract: A level control system is provided. The system includes multiple sensors configured to measure multiple parameters related to a drum, wherein the multiple parameters include a drum liquid level, a vapor flow rate leaving the drum, a downstream pressure of the drum, and a feed-liquid flow rate entering the drum. The system also includes a level controller configured to adjust a level control valve in accordance with a signal representative of the drum liquid level, a signal representative of the downstream pressure and a signal representative of a given drum liquid level set point. The level controller is further configured to receive a feedback signal representative of a combination of a fraction of the signal representative of the drum liquid level and a fraction of the signal representative of the downstream pressure.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2012Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Rajeeva Kumar, Charles William Weidner, Steven Di Palma
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Patent number: 8857184Abstract: A method for increasing the operational flexibility of a turbomachine during a startup phase is provided. The turbomachine may include a first section, a second section, and a rotor disposed within the first section and the second section. The method may determine an allowable range of a physical parameter associated with the first section and/or the second section. The method may modulate a first valve and/or a second valve to allow steam flow into the first section and the second section respectively, wherein the modulation is based on the allowable range of the physical parameter. In addition, the physical parameter allows the method to independently apportion steam flow between the first section and the second section of the turbomachine, during the startup phase.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2010Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Dileep Sathyanarayana, Steven Craig Kluge, Dean Alexander Baker, Steven Di Palma
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Patent number: 8843240Abstract: Systems and methods for loading a steam turbine are provided. A method may include: receiving a turbine loading factor; receiving a current steam turbine exhaust temperature; determining a steam flow ramping rate parameter and a steam temperature ramping rate parameter based at least in part on the turbine loading factor and the current steam turbine exhaust temperature, wherein the steam flow ramping rate parameter and the steam temperature ramping rate parameter are determined based at least in part on an inverse relationship between the steam flow ramping rate parameter and the steam temperature ramping rate parameter. The method may further include controlling at least one of: (a) steam flow to the steam turbine based at least in part on the steam flow ramping rate parameter; or (b) steam temperature to the steam turbine based at least in part on the steam temperature ramping rate parameter.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2010Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: John Piccirillo, Steven Di Palma, Dileep Sathyanarayana
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Patent number: 8662820Abstract: A method for increasing the operational flexibility of a turbomachine during a shutdown phase is provided. The turbomachine may include a first section, a second section, and a rotor disposed within the first section and the second section. The method may determine an allowable range of a physical parameter associated with the first section and/or the second section. The method may modulate a first valve and/or a second valve to allow steam flow into the first section and the second section respectively, wherein the modulation is based on the allowable range of the physical parameter. In addition, the physical parameter allows the method to independently apportion steam flow between the first section and the second section of the turbomachine, during the shutdown phase.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2010Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Dileep Sathyanarayana, Steven Craig Kluge, Dean Alexander Baker, Steven Di Palma
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Publication number: 20130319536Abstract: A level control system is provided. The system includes multiple sensors configured to measure multiple parameters related to a drum, wherein the multiple parameters include a drum liquid level, a vapor flow rate leaving the drum, a downstream pressure of the drum, and a feed-liquid flow rate entering the drum. The system also includes a level controller configured to adjust a level control valve in accordance with a signal representative of the drum liquid level, a signal representative of the downstream pressure and a signal representative of a given drum liquid level set point. The level controller is further configured to receive a feedback signal representative of a combination of a fraction of the signal representative of the drum liquid level and a fraction of the signal representative of the downstream pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2012Publication date: December 5, 2013Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Rajeeva Kumar, Charles William Weidner, Steven Di Palma
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Publication number: 20130133594Abstract: A method for controlling the operation of a steam generation system is provided. Fluid flow is channeled from at least one first boiler within at least one conduit. Fluid flow is added within the conduit from at least one second boiler. At least one operating condition within the first and second boilers is detected. A fluid pressure set point and/or a fluid temperature set point for each boiler is determined based on the operating condition detected for each boiler. A fluid pressure and/or a fluid temperature is maintained within the first and second boiler to be approximately equal to the fluid pressure set point and the fluid temperature set point for each boiler, respectively, prior to fluid flow being channeled and/or during the channeling of fluid flow from the first boiler and/or the second boiler within the conduit to a steam process and/or at least one steam turbine engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2011Publication date: May 30, 2013Inventors: Vijay Subhash Wad, Steven Di Palma, Charles William Weidner, Maxwell Reeves Erwin, Samuel Jacob Wallin, Shanmuga Priya Muniyandi
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Publication number: 20120239315Abstract: A valve fault test system is disclosed. The system tests for leakage in a valve within a turbine system having a gas turbine and a steam turbine sharing a common shaft, by performing actions including: placing the gas turbine in a control mode; determining a power output for the steam turbine corresponding to the control mode of the gas turbine; preventing steam flow to the steam turbine by providing instructions to close at least one of a steam turbine control valve or a steam turbine stop valve; determining a power output for the steam turbine corresponding to the steam flow being prevented to the steam turbine; and comparing the power output for the steam turbine corresponding to the closed at least one of the control valve or the stop valve to an expected power output for the steam turbine to determine whether a leakage in the valve exceeds a predetermined threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2011Publication date: September 20, 2012Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Dean Alexander Baker, Steven Di Palma
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Publication number: 20120151921Abstract: A method for increasing the operational flexibility of a turbomachine during a startup phase is provided. The turbomachine may include a first section, a second section, and a rotor disposed within the first section and the second section. The method may determine an allowable range of a physical parameter associated with the first section and/or the second section. The method may modulate a first valve and/or a second valve to allow steam flow into the first section and the second section respectively, wherein the modulation is based on the allowable range of the physical parameter. In addition, the physical parameter allows the method to independently apportion steam flow between the first section and the second section of the turbomachine, during the startup phase.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2010Publication date: June 21, 2012Inventors: Dileep Sathyanarayana, Steven Craig Kluge, Dean Alexander Baker, Steven Di Palma
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Publication number: 20120151918Abstract: A method for increasing the operational flexibility of a turbomachine is provided. The turbomachine may include a first section, a second section, and a rotor disposed within the first section and the second section. The method may determine an allowable range of a physical parameter associated with the first section and/or the second section. The method may modulate a first valve and/or a second valve to allow steam flow into the first section and the second section respectively, wherein the modulation is based on the allowable range of the physical parameter. In addition, the physical parameter allows the method to independently apportion steam flow between the first section and the second section of the turbomachine, during the loading process.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2010Publication date: June 21, 2012Inventors: Dileep Sathyanarayana, Steven Craig Kluge, Dean Alexander Baker, Steven Di Palma
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Publication number: 20120151925Abstract: A method and a system for limiting steam flow entering a steam turbine are provided. The method and system may intentionally unbalance the steam flow apportioned between sections of the steam turbine. The steam turbine comprises at least: a first section, a second section, and a rotor disposed within each section. The method may receive a speed/load command, or the like, which provides reference strokes for a first valve, associated with the first section; and a second valve, associated with the second section. The method may also determine an operational parameter that may limit the reference strokes relative to the speed/load command. The operational parameter may determine the allowable steam flow for each section of steam turbine, independent of the speed/load command.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2010Publication date: June 21, 2012Inventors: Steven Craig Kluge, Dean Alexander Baker, Dileep Sathyanarayana, Steven DI Palma
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Publication number: 20120156004Abstract: A method for increasing the operational flexibility of a turbomachine during a shutdown phase is provided. The turbomachine may include a first section, a second section, and a rotor disposed within the first section and the second section. The method may determine an allowable range of a physical parameter associated with the first section and/or the second section. The method may modulate a first valve and/or a second valve to allow steam flow into the first section and the second section respectively, wherein the modulation is based on the allowable range of the physical parameter. In addition, the physical parameter allows the method to independently apportion steam flow between the first section and the second section of the turbomachine, during the shutdown phase.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2010Publication date: June 21, 2012Inventors: Dileep Sathyanarayana, Steven Craig Kluge, Dean Alexander Baker, Steven Di Palma
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Publication number: 20120131917Abstract: Systems and methods for loading a steam turbine are provided. A method may include: receiving a turbine loading factor; receiving a current steam turbine exhaust temperature; determining a steam flow ramping rate parameter and a steam temperature ramping rate parameter based at least in part on the turbine loading factor and the current steam turbine exhaust temperature, wherein the steam flow ramping rate parameter and the steam temperature ramping rate parameter are determined based at least in part on an inverse relationship between the steam flow ramping rate parameter and the steam temperature ramping rate parameter. The method may further include controlling at least one of: (a) steam flow to the steam turbine based at least in part on the steam flow ramping rate parameter; or (b) steam temperature to the steam turbine based at least in part on the steam temperature ramping rate parameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2010Publication date: May 31, 2012Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: John Piccirillo, Steven Di Palma, Dileep Sathyanarayana