Patents Represented by Attorney Dale J. Davis
  • Patent number: 7915868
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention may seek to match the generator and grid voltages before the powerplant machine reaches the grid matching speed during the start-up process. An embodiment of the present invention may provide a predictive algorithm, or the like, to control the acceleration rate of the powerplant machine to target a particular phase angle differential between the powerplant machine and the grid when the powerplant machine reaches the grid matching speed. Here, the phase angle difference may be targeted such that a generator breaker may be closed immediately after the powerplant machine accelerates beyond the grid matching speed. This may avoid the generator experiencing a phase angle differential, which may add to the power transient associated with the generator breaker closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John C. Maters, John N. Cunningham
  • Patent number: 7874141
    Abstract: The exhaust within an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system should be purged to allow for access to the components of the EGR system. A system and method for purging the EGR system is provided. The system and method may incorporate a purge gas supply that may include: at least one pressurized cylinder, a storage tank, a compressor, or a benign fluid source. The system and method may drive the exhaust out of the EGR system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Stanley F. Simpson
  • Patent number: 7873581
    Abstract: A method and system for determining the reliability and a remaining time before failure for a DC motor system is provided. The method and system may determine the reliability and a remaining time before failure with a statistical confidence. The method and system may includes acquiring historical motor data, obtaining operational data, performing failure analysis, developing a causal network, and performing an integrated causal network and reliability analysis of the DC motor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Greg L. Flickinger, Gary J. Chmiel, Hunt A. Sutherland
  • Patent number: 7870718
    Abstract: The exhaust within an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system should be purged to allow for access to the components of the EGR system. A system and method for purging the EGR system is provided. The system and method may incorporate an: EGR purge fan, an EGR purge blower, or a turbomachine. The system and method may draw the exhaust out of the EGR system. The system and method may drive the exhaust out of the EGR system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Rahul J. Chillar, Robert W. Taylor, James E. Roberts, Joell R. Hibshman, II, Peter Martin Maly, Dale J. Davis
  • Patent number: 7866140
    Abstract: The exhaust within an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system should be purged to allow for access to the components of the EGR system. A method and system for controlling an EGR purge system is provided. The method and system may control the operation of drawing the exhaust out of the EGR system. The method may also control the operation of diving the exhaust out of the EGR system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Rahul J. Chillar, Joell R. Hibshman, II, Dale J. Davis, Douglas E. Dean
  • Patent number: 7861511
    Abstract: A portion of the exhaust generated by a turbomachine is recirculated through an inlet portion by an exhaust gas recirculation system. The system reduces the level of harmful constituents within the exhaust before the exhaust is recirculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Rahul J. Chillar, Robert W. Taylor, James E. Roberts
  • Patent number: 7809098
    Abstract: A system for exchanging a control rod drive of a nuclear reactor is provided. The system may include an integrated drive exchange assembly system (IDEAS). The IDEAS may include a trunnion cart attached to a tower assembly. The tower assembly may include an integrated extension carriage assembly. The IDEAS may also include a control rod drive adapter; and a lead cart connected to the trunnion cart assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Veronica Salazar, James Burner, Mark W. Broaddus
  • Patent number: 7716971
    Abstract: A method and system of testing an overspeed protection system of a turbomachine. The method and system may include providing an overspeed protection system on a turbomachine that may have a single or multiple shafts; determining whether the speed the shaft or shaft(s) exceeds a shutdown value; changing an overspeed trip value of the turbomachine; and determining whether the overspeed protection system would operate to trip the turbomachine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Frederick William Block, Mark P. Bombard, Michael J. Dell'Anno, Guillermo Garcia, Eamon Patrick Gleeson, Kenneth Lee Leary, Richard Lee Nichols
  • Patent number: 7708524
    Abstract: A method and system for detecting asymmetric utilizing lateral tower acceleration data may include: providing a lateral tower acceleration monitoring system; determining from the lateral tower acceleration monitoring system whether a lateral tower acceleration is above an acceleration limit; determining whether a rotor-mass imbalance condition exists; and determining whether the lateral tower acceleration coincides with icing on a rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bastian Sundermann, Christian Siuts, Hubert Oing
  • Patent number: 7677089
    Abstract: A method and system of testing an overspeed protection system of a turbomachine may include providing an overspeed protection system on a turbomachine having at least one shaft. The method may: determine whether a permissive or permissive(s) is satisfied; initiate an overspeed test; automatically adjusting the speed of a shaft; determining if the speed exceeds an overspeed trip value; and automatically disabling the automatic adjustment of the speed after the test is complete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Frederick William Block, Mark P. Bombard, Michael J. Dell'Anno, Guillermo Garcia, Eamon Patrick Gleeson, Kenneth Lee Leary, Richard Lee Nichols
  • Patent number: 7536252
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system is provided. The EGR system recirculates a portion of an exhaust through an inlet portion of the turbomachine. The EGR system reduces the level of harmful constituents within the exhaust before the recirculation occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joell R. Hibshman, II, Sam D. Draper
  • Patent number: 7448143
    Abstract: A system for inserting a probe into a turbomachine. The system may include a male measurement fixture having a shaft and a female portion a housing for receiving the male measurement fixture. The male measurement fixture may include: a leg portion having a foot portion, a nipple portion and a step portion; and an indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert T. St. Louis, Tyler Jacobs, Dennis Runyon
  • Patent number: 7296365
    Abstract: A system for inserting a probe into a turbomachine. The system may include a male measurement fixture having a shaft and a female portion a housing for receiving the male measurement fixture. The male measurement fixture may include: a tip portion, an indicator, and a target zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert T. St. Louis, Tyler Jacobs, Elias Marquez, Heidi Channell