Patents by Inventor Steven William Backman
Steven William Backman 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: 10180107Abstract: A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing one or more processor-executable instructions wherein the one or more instructions when executed by a processor of a controller, cause acts to be performed is provided. The acts to be performed include controlling a fuel split to a combustor of a gas turbine utilizing automatic tuning and switching control of the fuel split to the combustor of the gas turbine to utilizing an adjusted fixed fuel split schedule instead of automatic tuning. The adjusted fixed fuel split schedule includes a fixed fuel split schedule adjusted via a biasing value, and the biasing value is based on both the fixed fuel split schedule and an automatic tuning based fuel split.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2017Date of Patent: January 15, 2019Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Steven William Backman, Trevor Valder Jones, Daniel Joseph Flavin, Scott Michael Schaberg, Kelly Marie Kurylo
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Publication number: 20180258863Abstract: A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing one or more processor-executable instructions wherein the one or more instructions when executed by a processor of a controller, cause acts to be performed is provided. The acts to be performed include controlling a fuel split to a combustor of a gas turbine utilizing automatic tuning and switching control of the fuel split to the combustor of the gas turbine to utilizing an adjusted fixed fuel split schedule instead of automatic tuning. The adjusted fixed fuel split schedule includes a fixed fuel split schedule adjusted via a biasing value, and the biasing value is based on both the fixed fuel split schedule and an automatic tuning based fuel split.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2017Publication date: September 13, 2018Inventors: Steven William Backman, Trevor Valder Jones, Daniel Joseph Flavin, Scott Michael Schaberg, Kelly Marie Kurylo
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Publication number: 20170248036Abstract: A system may include a gas turbine system. The gas turbine system may include a compressor, such that the gas turbine system may produce exhaust gas in an exhaust outlet when generating electricity. The system may also include a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) that may use the exhaust gas to create steam, a manifold system configured to couple compressed air in the compressor to the exhaust outlet, and a controller configured to send a command to the manifold system to couple the compressed air to the exhaust outlet when a temperature of the exhaust gas is above a threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 29, 2016Publication date: August 31, 2017Inventors: Daniel Joseph Flavin, II, Steven William Backman, Scott Michael Schaberg, Trevor Valder Jones
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Patent number: 9639071Abstract: A method and system for transferring between combustion modes in a gas turbine engine is provided. A processor generates data representative of an initial set of splits for providing at least one of fuel and air to at least one combustor in the gas turbine engine. A gas turbine engine model module generates data representative of at least one engine operating condition. A first split calculation module generates data representative of at least one set of active control splits to control the engine in a first combustion mode, using as an input the initial split data. A second split calculation module generates data representative of at least one set of passive control splits to control the engine in at least a second combustion mode. Transfer between combustion modes may be accomplished via use of at least one of the active control splits and the passive control splits.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2014Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Prabhanjana Kalya, Steven William Backman, Laura Lea Boes, David Spencer Ewens, Trevor Valder Jones
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Patent number: 9528913Abstract: A system for remote detection of surge in a fleet of turbine engines includes an on-site monitoring device coupled to each turbine engine of the fleet of turbine engines. The on-site monitoring device is configured to continuously receive operating parameter measurements indicative of operational and thermodynamic conditions of the turbine engine. The operational condition includes a compressor exit condition of the turbine engine compressor. The on-site monitoring device is configured to compile and transmit a snapshot of the operating parameter measurements to a remote monitoring unit. The remote monitoring unit is positioned remote from each turbine engine of the fleet of turbine engines. The remote monitoring unit is configured to receive the snapshot of operating parameter measurements from the on-site monitoring device. The remote monitoring unit is further configured to detect surge in the turbine engine based on analysis of the snapshot of operating parameter measurements.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2014Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Sanjeev Shyam Heda, Steven William Backman, Matthew John Mckeever, Scott Alan Wood, Carlo Angelo Yon, Robert Joseph Iasillo, Christopher Childs
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Publication number: 20160025596Abstract: A system for remote detection of surge in a fleet of turbine engines includes an on-site monitoring device coupled to each turbine engine of the fleet of turbine engines. The on-site monitoring device is configured to continuously receive operating parameter measurements indicative of operational and thermodynamic conditions of the turbine engine. The operational condition includes a compressor exit condition of the turbine engine compressor. The on-site monitoring device is configured to compile and transmit a snapshot of the operating parameter measurements to a remote monitoring unit. The remote monitoring unit is positioned remote from each turbine engine of the fleet of turbine engines. The remote monitoring unit is configured to receive the snapshot of operating parameter measurements from the on-site monitoring device. The remote monitoring unit is further configured to detect surge in the turbine engine based on analysis of the snapshot of operating parameter measurements.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2014Publication date: January 28, 2016Inventors: Sanjeev Shyam Heda, Steven William Backman, Matthew John Mckeever, Scott Alan Wood, Carlo Angelo Yon, Robert Joseph Iasillo, Christopher Childs
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Publication number: 20150192912Abstract: A method and system for transferring between combustion modes in a gas turbine engine is provided. A processor generates data representative of an initial set of splits for providing at least one of fuel and air to at least one combustor in the gas turbine engine. A gas turbine engine model module generates data representative of at least one engine operating condition. A first split calculation module generates data representative of at least one set of active control splits to control the engine in a first combustion mode, using as an input the initial split data. A second split calculation module generates data representative of at least one set of passive control splits to control the engine in at least a second combustion mode. Transfer between combustion modes may be accomplished via use of at least one of the active control splits and the passive control splits.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2014Publication date: July 9, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Prabhanjana Kalya, Steven William Backman, Laura Lea Boes, David Spencer Ewens, Trevor Valder Jones
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Publication number: 20140060072Abstract: A method of starting a gas turbine system is provided. The method includes approximating a temperature of at least one turbine system component. Also included is selectively determining a flow rate for a fuel to be delivered to a combustor for combustion therein, wherein the flow rate is dependent upon the temperature of the at least one turbine system component. Further included is delivering the fuel to the combustor at the flow rate selectively determined.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2012Publication date: March 6, 2014Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Steven William Backman, Michael Bull, Markus Feigl, Stephen Kent Fulcher
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Patent number: 8176721Abstract: A method of operating a fuel system is provided. The method includes removing fuel from at least a portion of the fuel system using a gravity drain process. The method also includes channeling nitrogen into at least a portion of the fuel system to facilitate removing air and residual fuel from at least a portion of the fuel system, thereby mitigating a formation of carbonaceous precipitate particulates. The method further includes removing air and nitrogen from at least a portion of the fuel system during a fuel refilling process using a venting process such that at least a portion of the fuel system is substantially refilled with fuel and substantially evacuated of air and nitrogen. The method also includes removing air from at least a portion of the refilled fuel system using a venting process. The method further includes recirculating fuel within at least a portion of the fuel system, thereby removing heat from at least a portion of the fuel system and facilitating a transfer of operating fuel modes.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2010Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Kevin Lee Kunkle, Steven William Backman, David John Chrisfield, David William Smith
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Publication number: 20100192537Abstract: A method of operating a fuel system is provided. The method includes removing fuel from at least a portion of the fuel system using a gravity drain process. The method also includes channeling nitrogen into at least a portion of the fuel system to facilitate removing air and residual fuel from at least a portion of the fuel system, thereby mitigating a formation of carbonaceous precipitate particulates. The method further includes removing air and nitrogen from at least a portion of the fuel system during a fuel refilling process using a venting process such that at least a portion of the fuel system is substantially refilled with fuel and substantially evacuated of air and nitrogen. The method also includes removing air from at least a portion of the refilled fuel system using a venting process. The method further includes recirculating fuel within at least a portion of the fuel system, thereby removing heat from at least a portion of the fuel system and facilitating a transfer of operating fuel modes.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2010Publication date: August 5, 2010Inventors: Kevin Lee Kunkle, Steven William Backman, David John Chrisfield, David William Smith
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Patent number: 7730711Abstract: A method of operating a fuel system is provided. The method includes removing fuel from at least a portion of the fuel system using a gravity drain process. The method also includes channeling nitrogen into at least a portion of the fuel system to facilitate removing air and residual fuel from at least a portion of the fuel system, thereby mitigating a formation of carbonaceous precipitate particulates. The method further includes removing air and nitrogen from at least a portion of the fuel system during a fuel refilling process using a venting process, such that at least a portion of the fuel system is substantially refilled with fuel and substantially evacuated of air and nitrogen. The method also includes removing air from at least a portion of the refilled fuel system using a venting process.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2005Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Kevin Lee Kunkle, Steven William Backman, David William Smith
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Patent number: 7721521Abstract: A method of operating a fuel system is provided. The method includes removing fuel from at least a portion of the fuel system using a gravity drain process. The method also includes channeling nitrogen into at least a portion of the fuel system to facilitate removing air and residual fuel from at least a portion of the fuel system, thereby mitigating a formation of carbonaceous precipitate particulates. The method further includes removing air and nitrogen from at least a portion of the fuel system during a fuel refilling process using a venting process such that at least a portion of the fuel system is substantially refilled with fuel and substantially evacuated of air and nitrogen. The method also includes removing air from at least a portion of the refilled fuel system using a venting process. The method further includes recirculating fuel within at least a portion of the fuel system, thereby removing heat from at least a portion of the fuel system and facilitating a transfer of operating fuel modes.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2005Date of Patent: May 25, 2010Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Kevin Lee Kunkle, Steven William Backman, David John Chrisfield, David William Smith
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Patent number: 7664590Abstract: A method of operating a gas turbine engine is provided. The method includes introducing a fuel into a combustor, detecting a failure of ignition of the fuel, and preventing ignition until the introduced fuel is substantially removed from the gas turbine engine.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2008Date of Patent: February 16, 2010Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Mark Andrew Runkle, Steven William Backman, Paul David Black, Mark Andrew Cournoyer, Kevin Andrew Spengler, Daniel D. Morrison, Robert Joseph Iasillo, Christopher David Miller
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Publication number: 20080228370Abstract: A method of operating a gas turbine engine is provided. The method includes introducing a fuel into a combustor, detecting a failure of ignition of the fuel, and preventing ignition until the introduced fuel is substantially removed from the gas turbine engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2008Publication date: September 18, 2008Inventors: Mark Andrew Runkle, Steven William Backman, Paul David Black, Mark Andrew Cournoyer, Kevin Andrew Spengler, Daniel D. Morrison, Robert Joseph Iasillo, Christopher David Miller
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Patent number: 7386982Abstract: A method of operating a gas turbine engine is provided. The method includes introducing a fuel into a combustor, detecting a failure of ignition of the fuel, and preventing ignition until the introduced fuel is substantially removed from the gas turbine engine.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2004Date of Patent: June 17, 2008Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Mark Andrew Runkle, Steven William Backman, Paul David Black, Mark Andrew Cournoyer, Kevin Andrew Spengler, Daniel D. Morrison, Robert Joseph Iasillo, Christopher David Miller
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Patent number: 6729135Abstract: A recirculation system for circulating distillate during gas fuel operation so as to reduce or eliminate distillate carbon formation. The recirculation system keeps the distillate's temperature below the carbon formation limit by circulating the distillate back to a heat sink and/or heat exchanger. The recirculating flow also exercises the flow dividers' gears without having to perform fuel transfers. Further, the system evacuates air from the liquid fuel lines to further decrease the likelihood of carbonaceous residue forming on any interior surfaces that are actually exposed to distillate.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2002Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Eric Steven Norris, Steven William Backman, Robert Joseph Iasillo, Kevin Jon O'Dell, David J. Van Buren, Michael J. Alexander, Mark Andrew Cournoyer, Mark Andrew Johnson, Colin Wilkes