Patents Assigned to Power Generating, Inc.
  • Patent number: 7243496
    Abstract: A method of operating a combustor (10), to provide intimately mixed hot combusted gas (44) for a gas turbine (46), includes feeding gaseous oxidant (12) and gaseous fuel (16) into the combustor (10) near a combustion flame (28) which has a tip end (39) and a root end (29), where corona discharge occurs through adjustment of an electric field (34), and where the corona discharge causes ionized particles (36) to form and also causes intimate turbulent mixing of the gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Power Generation, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Pavlik, David Walter Branston, Guenter Lins, Thomas Hammer
  • Patent number: 7243042
    Abstract: The claimed invention is a method for determining a relationship between a metal temperature of a turbine component and an operating condition of a turbine housing the component. The claimed invention is also a method for determining consumed operating life for a turbine component. The invention further comprises a system for determining an amount of remaining useful life in a turbine component. The invention further comprises a method for determining a relationship between a stress state of a turbine component and an operating condition of a turbine housing the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Power Generation, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Augustus Plotts, Fredrick Michael Davis, Christina Leanne Peronto
  • Patent number: 7239149
    Abstract: A mount is for installing a probe, such as for example, a search coil, in a variety of locations and orientations within an electrical generator, without requiring the rotor of the generator to be removed. The mount includes a block having a longitudinal hole and a plurality of transverse slots intersecting the hole. A plurality of wedges are disposed within the slots. A wedge pin inserted into the longitudinal hole engages the wedges forcing the wedges outward in order to secure the mount and search coil thereon in the desired position within the generator, such as for example, in the air gap between the rotor and stator. A fastening mechanism further secures the mount in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Power Generation, Inc.
    Inventors: George F. Dailey, Michael O'Leary
  • Patent number: 7238404
    Abstract: The present invention provides for thin sheet wedges that comprise a mica matrix impregnated with a conductive resin. The mica matrix is composed of mica flakes. The thin sheet wedge has a semi-conductive property of 500–500,000 ohms per square. In one embodiment the thin sheet wedge further comprises at least one glass fiber layer. In a particular embodiment the glass fiber layer is a backing for the mica matrix. In another particular embodiment the glass fiber is interwoven with the mica matrix. The glass fiber layer may itself be impregnated with a conductive resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Power Generation, Inc.
    Inventors: James Frederick Lau, Douglas James Conley
  • Patent number: 7237389
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to a system for attaching a ceramic liner to a non-ceramic combustor head-end component while accommodating different rates of thermal expansion of these components. One end of the liner can be received within a slot formed by the combustor head-end component. The liner can be held in place by a plurality of pins with each pin passing through a pair of aligned openings in the liner and the head-end component. The end of the liner can be spaced from each of the walls of the slot so as to form a series of gaps in fluid communication. The gaps and the pins can accommodate differential thermal expansion between the liner and combustor head-end component. If desired, at least some of the gaps can be tightly controlled so as to regulate air leakage around the end of the liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Power Generation, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Ryan, Robert J. Bland
  • Patent number: 7234918
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a system and method for controlling the size of gaps in a turbine engine. In many instances, it is desirable to minimize the size of the gaps between neighboring rotating and stationary components in a turbine engine, such as between a disc cover plate and a proximate pre-swirler. According to embodiments of the invention, each component can be provided with a sealing surface. The sealing surfaces can be angled relative to the axis of rotation. The sealing surfaces are spaced from each other so as to form a gap therebetween. The sealing surfaces may or may not be substantially parallel. As a result of such configuration, the size of the gap can be controlled by axial and radial movement of the components. For example, the gap between the cover plate and the pre-swirler can be adjusted by axially movement of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Power Generation, Inc.
    Inventors: Dieter Brillert, Wayne Giddens, Harald Hoell, Robert W. Sunshine, Juergen Hermeler, Hans-Thomas Bolms
  • Patent number: 7231817
    Abstract: An inspection system formed at least from a viewing tube for inspecting aspects of a turbine engine during operation of the turbine engine. An outer housing of the viewing tube may be positioned within a turbine engine using at least one bearing configured to fit into an indentation of a support housing to form a ball and socket joint enabling the viewing tube to move during operation as a result of vibrations and other movements. The viewing tube may also include one or more lenses positioned within the viewing tube for viewing the turbine components. The lenses may be kept free of contamination by maintaining a higher pressure in the viewing tube than a pressure outside of the viewing tube and enabling gases to pass through an aperture in a cap at a viewing end of the viewing tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Power Generation, Inc.
    Inventors: Jan P. Smed, Dennis H. Lemieux, James P. Williams
  • Patent number: 7230205
    Abstract: In some instances, ice can form on the surface of a compressor airfoil. If the ice dislodges, it can impact and damage other compressor components. Aspects of the invention relate to systems for detecting the presence of ice or water on a compressor vane during engine operation. A ceramic insulating coating can be deposited on a portion of the surface of the vane. A heater and a thermocouple can be provided near the outermost surface of the coating such that the thermocouple can sense heat from the heater. The heater and the thermocouple can be provided within the coating. The presence of water film and/or ice on the coating surface can be detected by taking a thermocouple measurement following a heater pulse. The presence of a water film or ice results in a delay in the temperature rise detected by the thermocouple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Power Generation, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Twerdochlib
  • Patent number: 7227289
    Abstract: The present invention facilitates keeping the slot cells 8 of a generator rotor from migrating during operation of the rotor. The present invention utilizes a slot cell catch 10 that hold slot cells 8, both U-shaped and L-shaped, in position within a rotor body slot 6. The catch 10 limits movement to a pre-determined amount, usually only a fraction of an inch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Power Generation, Inc.
    Inventors: William C Gardner, Phillip Keaton
  • Patent number: 7226679
    Abstract: A method of operating a fuel cell including an anode, a cathode, a first passage, and a second passage, wherein the anode is disposed in the first passage and the cathode in the second passage including producing a non-explosive gaseous feed consisting of (i) at least one oxidizable component having a greater tendency to undergo oxidation relative to the anode, and (ii) a remainder which is the predominant component in the gaseous feed consisting essentially of water vapor; and introducing the non-explosive gaseous feed to the first passage to form a first gaseous feed stream flowing through the first passage when the anode realizes a temperature effective to facilitate deteriorative oxidation of the anode in the presence of an oxidizing agent. The non-explosive gaseous feed is provided to mitigate or prevent anode oxidation and the formation of potentially explosive gaseous mixtures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignees: Siemens Power Generation, Inc., Fuel Cell Technologies, Ltd
    Inventors: Wojtek Halliop, Gordon M McAlary, Raymond A George
  • Patent number: 7222417
    Abstract: A tooling system including a workstation assembly and a toolkit, is for performing an operation on a valve assembly. The workstation assembly includes a base platform; upright members extending generally vertically therefrom; an adjustable valve seat assembly coupled thereto for adjusting the height and alignment of the valve assembly being worked on; a stabilizing assembly for further aligning and securing the valve assembly; and a clamping assembly for engaging and securing the valve assembly once it is aligned, in order to permit the operation to be quickly and easily performed on the aligned, secured valve assembly. A method of use is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Power Generation, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert F. Wasileski, Michael C. Moore, Stuart C. Weddle, Jesse Horton
  • Patent number: 7223920
    Abstract: The present invention provides for an insulating boot 20 for ends of through-bolts 12 in electric generators that comprises a shaped insulating boot. The boot has an inner surface and an outer surface and an opening, where the inner surface is substantially free of protrusions. The inner surface of the shaped boot 20 is within 0.01 to 0.5 inches (0.025–1.3 cm) larger than the shape of the end of a through-bolt 12 to which the shaped boot will be applied. The shaped insulating boot has a breakdown voltage of at least 10 kV, and more particularly at least 30 kV, and the shaped boot is placed over the end of a through-bolt of an electric generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Power Generation, Inc.
    Inventors: George F. Dailey, Louis R. Rubio
  • Patent number: 7217088
    Abstract: A platform cooling system usable in a turbine engine together with an airfoil for preheating cooling fluids before the cooling fluids enter a cooling system in the airfoil in a turbine engine. The platform cooling system includes cooling channels in either the ID or OD platforms, or both, of the airfoil. The channels transfer heat to the cooling fluids flowing through the platform cooling system and thereby heat the cooling fluids. The preheated cooling fluids are particularly useful with cooling composite ceramic airfoils, which are susceptible to damage from large temperature gradients developed between combustion gases outside the airfoil and cooling fluids inside the airfoil. The platform cooling system may be combined with an airfoil cooling system to create a serial cooling system in which cooling fluids may enter the platform and flow through the platform and airfoil without being supplemented with additional cooling fluids along the flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Power Generation, Inc.
    Inventors: Harry A. Albrecht, Yevgeniy Shteyman
  • Patent number: 7217081
    Abstract: A seal for sealing a seal groove in a shroud of a turbine vane. The seal may include a cooling system configured to pass cooling fluids through a cooling fluid supply port in a shroud, through a cooling system in which the cooling fluids contact the shroud and the seal, and exhaust the fluids through a gap between adjacent turbine vanes. The seal may include an elongated cooling channel for channeling cooling fluids from a supply to an exhaust channel at a first end. The cooling system may remove heat from the turbine vane shroud, the seal, and other related components, thereby reducing the likelihood of premature failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Power Generation, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Scheurlen, Xubin E. Gu
  • Patent number: 7217097
    Abstract: A turbine blade for a turbine engine having a cooling system in the turbine blade formed from at least one cooling channel. The cooling channel may be a serpentine cooling channel with a flow guide extending from a first turn to a second turn of the cooling channel and formed from a first turn section, a second turn section, and a body coupling the first and second turn sections together. The flow guide substantially eliminates separation of cooling fluid flow in the tip region of the cooling channel, thereby increasing heat transfer. In at least one embodiment, the flow guide extends from a first turn in the cooling channel proximate to the blade tip to a second turn proximate to a root of the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Power Generation, Inc.
    Inventor: George Liang
  • Patent number: 7213461
    Abstract: Apparatus for applying torsional vibration to a rotating machine is provided. In one exemplary embodiment the apparatus includes a permanent magnet machine (12) connected to the rotating machine (22) and configured to generate a three-phase AC output voltage. A converter (36) may be coupled to receive the three-phase AC output voltage from the permanent magnet machine to supply a DC load current. An electrical load (44) (or exciter) may be coupled to the converter to receive the load current. An oscillator (42) is connected to the converter to provide an oscillation signal for modulating the load current from the converter. Modulated load current causes variable loading of the permanent magnet machine thereby creating an oscillatory torque in the permanent magnet machine (12). The oscillatory torque causes torsional vibration in the rotating machine. Various components of the apparatus for applying torsional vibration may be part of a field-deployed power generating system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Power Generation, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph David Hurley, Peter Jon Clayton
  • Patent number: 7207768
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention related to a system for providing advance notice of impending contact between a stationary component and a rotating component in a turbine engine. For example, the system can be used to warn of potential contact between a seal holder and a rotor disk in the compressor section of the engine. In one embodiment, a pad or other component can be provided on the stationary seal holder. If the seal holder and the rotor disk approach each other during operation, the pad can contact the rotor disk prior to actual contact between the seal holder and the rotor disk. An optical and/or an acoustic signal can be generated by such contact. The signals can be detected remotely from the point of contact by a signal detection device, thereby avoiding the need to pass wires through the compressor section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Power Generation, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Gordon, William Ryan, Lawrence Lee Ross, Brian D. Ottinger, Richard D. Holm, Nicholas D'Amico, Phillip W. Gravett, Nancy Ulerich
  • Patent number: 7202587
    Abstract: The present invention facilitates the placement of laminations 10 onto keybars 6 of stator generators frames 2. Laminations need to be tightly fit onto keybars 6, however, the same need for tightness makes stacking laminations onto keybars particularly onerous. This is magnified when donuts, which are preassembled groups of laminations, are attempted to be stacked onto the keybars 6. The present invention provides for enlarged grooves 12 that more easily accept the keybars. This makes stacking laminations, both individually and in donuts, much easier. The laminations are then held in position by the insertion of a wedge 16. The wedge may be placed to disperse forces 20 transferred to the laminations in a circumferential manner 22.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Power Generation, Inc.
    Inventors: John Barry Sargeant, Alex Christodoulou
  • Patent number: 7200997
    Abstract: A gas turbine system (100) includes a compressor (110) for receiving air and producing compressor discharge air, a combustor (120) for combusting an oxygen comprising gas flow including the discharge air and a fuel into a hot gas flow, and a turbine expander (130) generating output power from the hot gas flow and providing a hot exhaust gas flow. An extractor (135) is provided for splitting the discharge air into a direct flow portion (121) which directly reaches the combustor (120) and an indirect flow portion (122). A mixing device (140) receives the indirect flow portion (122) and mixes it with a water flow (145), either in the form of water or steam, to produce a water enhanced indirect flow portion (150). A recuperative heat exchanger (155) heats the water enhanced indirect flow portion (150) using heat from at least a portion of the hot exhaust gas flow. The heated water enhanced indirect flow portion (158) is then reintroduced into the oxygen comprising gas flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Power Generation, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles A. Carlson, Jr., Francisco Dovali-Solis, Adam Plant
  • Patent number: 7197803
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to a fixture and a method to assist in the alignment of the inlet end of a transition duct and a combustor component in a turbine engine. Among other things, the fixture can include a flange adapted for mounting to a combustor component, an elongated mandrel, and a plurality of radially extendable jaws. After mounting the fixture to a combustor component, the jaws can engage an inner peripheral surface of a transition so as to properly align the transition with a target axis of alignment. The fixture can be configured to measure the size of any shims needed at the base of the flexible support bracket. Further, the fixture can also include various gauges to validate the alignment of the inlet end of the transition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Power Generation, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Daesung Kemsley, Thomas James Ronge′