Patents Examined by Arun Goyal
  • Patent number: 11204168
    Abstract: A combustion staging system has: a splitter; pilot and mains fuel manifolds; mains flow control valves; and fuel servo line. Each mains flow control valve has a chamber containing a piston, the chamber to a piston mains side fed by the mains fuel manifold, and the chamber to a piston servo side fed by the servo line. The piston has an open pilot-and-mains position allowing flow from the chamber mains side to the respective injector mains discharge orifice. The piston prevents flow from the chamber mains side. The piston is movable under a pressure change in the servo line relative to the mains fuel manifold. The system has a servo pump and a hydraulic motor driving it. The servo pump changes fuel pressure. Motive power for the hydraulic motor is fuel diverted from a fuel pump high pressure output, the motor returning the diverted fuel to a low pressure input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Martin K. Yates, Daniel J. Bickley
  • Patent number: 11187213
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a thruster device. The device includes a force-generating element mounted to a housing. The element is configured to generate a thrust force for propelling the housing. The element including a first electrode connected to a first input terminal of a power source. A second electrode is spaced apart by a predetermined distance from the first electrode and connected to a second input terminal of the power source. The second electrode includes a second longitudinal axis oriented parallelly to a first longitudinal axis. A dielectric medium is disposed between the electrodes. Upon receiving field emission condition, charged particles available at the first electrode accelerate towards the second electrode for generating a thrust force along a direction of movement of the charged particles. The thrust force is generated when the predetermined distance between the electrodes is shorter than a Rindler horizon defined by the charged particles during acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Inventors: Ankur Bhatt, Frank M. Becker
  • Patent number: 11181274
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method of operating a combustion system to attenuate combustion dynamics. The method includes flowing, via a compressor section, an overall supply of air to the combustion system; flowing, via a fuel supply system, an overall flow of fuel to the combustion system; flowing, to a first fuel nozzle of the combustion system, a first supply of fuel defining a richer burning fuel-air mixture at the first fuel nozzle; flowing, to a second fuel nozzle of the combustion system, a second supply of fuel defining a leaner burning fuel-air mixture at the second fuel nozzle; and igniting the richer burning fuel-air mixture and the leaner burning fuel-air mixture to produce an overall fuel-air ratio at a combustion chamber of the combustion system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Allen Michael Danis, Scott Matthew Bush, Arthur Wesley Johnson, Nicholas Ryan Overman, Kent Hamilton Lyle, Eric John Stevens
  • Patent number: 11174716
    Abstract: Embodiments of drive equipment for mobile hydraulic fracturing power units and methods for changing and controlling the drive equipment are disclosed. The mobile power units include a gas turbine engine that provides mechanical power to drive shaft which is connected to the drive equipment such that the drive equipment is driven by the engine. The drive equipment may be a hydraulic fracturing pump or an electrical generator. The drive shaft is rotated at a speed suitable for the hydraulic fracturing pump and the electrical generator includes a step up gearbox to increase a rotational speed of the drive shaft for use by the electrical generator. The drive equipment may be secured to a skid that is field changeable with a crane or a fork lift to change the drive equipment at a well pad based on the demands of the well pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: BJ Energy Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Tony Yeung, Ricardo Rodriguez-Ramon, Joseph Foster
  • Patent number: 11174784
    Abstract: An exemplary gas turbine power plant includes a gas turbine with a compressor having a compressor inlet. A combustion chamber follows the compressor and a turbine follows the combustion chamber. A cross section of the compressor inlet includes an inner sector and an outer sector in relation to the axis of rotation of the compressor. A plurality of feed ducts introduces oxygen-reduced gas into the inner sector of the compressor inlet. The plurality of feed ducts is arranged in the compressor inlet so as to be distributed in a circumferential direction on a circle concentrically with respect to the axis of the gas turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: ANSALDO ENERGIA SWITZEERLAND AG
    Inventors: Jaan Hellat, Eribert Benz, Frank Graf, Torsten Wind, Felix Guethe, Klaus Doebbeling
  • Patent number: 11156164
    Abstract: An acoustic damper for a rotary machine includes at least one wall, at least one cooling air inlet, at least one outlet, and at least one cap. The at least one wall extends from a back side of a burner front panel such that the at least one wall partially defines a dampening chamber. The at least one cooling air inlet is defined within the back side of the front panel and is configured to channel a flow of cooling air into the dampening chamber. The at least one outlet is defined within the back side of the front panel and is configured to channel the flow of cooling air out of the dampening chamber. The at least one cap is positioned at least partially over the at least one cooling air inlet and is configured to reduce a velocity of the flow of cooling air within the dampening chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Fernando Biagioli, Layal Hakim Doisneau, Dariusz Oliwiusz Palys
  • Patent number: 11149692
    Abstract: A combustion section for a gas turbine engine including an inner casing comprising a first material defining an inner diameter of a pressure vessel and a first heat transfer coefficient. A second material is extended at least partially over an outer diameter of the first material. The second material is disposed radially between the first material and a combustor liner. The second material defines a second heat transfer coefficient less than the first heat transfer coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Anthony Joseph Venzon, Jeremy Kevin Payne, Narendra Kumar Patel
  • Patent number: 11143108
    Abstract: An annular heat shield arrangement for a combustor liner comprises annular heat shield assemblies. The annular heat shield assemblies include heat shield segments circumferentially distributed around an axis of the annular heat shield assembly. The heat shield segments extend from a first lateral edge face to a second lateral edge face, a first overlap joint portion being defined at the first lateral edge face, a second overlap joint portion being defined at the second lateral edge face. The first overlap joint portion and the second overlap joint portion are complementary to form an overlap joint when pairs of the heat shield segments are side by side in any one of the heat shield assemblies. An adjacent pair of the annular heat shield assemblies are connected to one another at an overlap between the pair, and wherein the overlap joints from a first of the annular heat shield assemblies of the pair are circumferentially offset from a second of the annular heat shield assemblies of the pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventor: Oleg Morenko
  • Patent number: 11143401
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine component comprising: a first component having a receiving aperture extending; a second component having a first surface and a second surface; and a passageway portion including a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and an outer surface extending from the second end to the first end, the passageway portion extending from the second surface of the second component through the receiving aperture of the first component, wherein the outer surface of the passageway portion and the first component define a gap therebetween, the gap fluidly connecting airflow in an airflow path proximate the second surface of the first component to the cooling channel, wherein the gap is configured to direct the airflow along the outer surface and the outer surface is shaped to redirect the airflow in a lateral direction parallel to the second surface such that a lateral airflow is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dennis M. Moura, Carey Clum
  • Patent number: 11137140
    Abstract: A grommet may define a dilution hole in a combustor panel. The grommet may comprise a ridge having a stepped geometry formed about an inner diameter of the grommet, the ridge comprising a passage. The passage may comprise an outlet. The ridge may further comprise a fillet about the inner diameter of the grommet, wherein the outlet is configured to direct a cooling flow circumferentially along the fillet and fill the ridge with the cooling flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Dominic Mongillo, Jr., Christopher Whitfield, Tracy Phropheter-Hinckley
  • Patent number: 11136146
    Abstract: An electric thruster comprises a propellant delivery system, wherein the propellant delivery system comprises: a pipe for carrying propellant; a valve which is adapted to adjust a volume or mass flow of the propellant in the pipe; and an expansion actuator which is adapted to actuate the valve for adjusting the volume or mass flow of the propellant. The electric thruster further comprises at least one tank which is adapted to receive propellant for the electric thruster; and a discharge chamber. The at least one tank thereby at least partially encloses an end of the discharge chamber and/or an element thermally coupled with the discharge chamber, and the valve of the propellant delivery system is arranged between the tank and the end of the discharge chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: AIRBUS DEFENCE AND SPACE GMBH
    Inventor: Franz Georg Hey
  • Patent number: 11118474
    Abstract: A vane platform cooling system may comprise a combustor shell and a combustor panel. A cavity may be located between the combustor shell and the combustor panel. A surface of the cavity may be angled toward the combustor shell. An orifice may be formed in a vane platform located aft of the combustor panel. A standoff located in the cavity may direct air toward the vane platform. An aperture may be formed in a surface of the vane platform. A channel formed through the vane platform may connect the orifice and aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Tracy A. Propheter-Hinckley, Raymond Surace
  • Patent number: 11111768
    Abstract: Embodiments of drive equipment for mobile hydraulic fracturing power units and methods for changing and controlling the drive equipment are disclosed. The mobile power units include a gas turbine engine that provides mechanical power to drive shaft which is connected to the drive equipment such that the drive equipment is driven by the engine. The drive equipment may be a hydraulic fracturing pump or an electrical generator. The drive shaft is rotated at a speed suitable for the hydraulic fracturing pump and the electrical generator includes a step up gearbox to increase a rotational speed of the drive shaft for use by the electrical generator. The drive equipment may be secured to a skid that is field changeable with a crane or a fork lift to change the drive equipment at a well pad based on the demands of the well pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: BJ Energy Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Tony Yeung, Ricardo Rodriguez-Ramon, Joseph Foster
  • Patent number: 11111814
    Abstract: Systems and methods for conditionally performing engine operational tests for a turbine engine are provided. A system comprising at least one processor can be configured to obtain sensor data associated with at least one sensor for a turbine engine. The sensor data identifies a current fuel flow associated with the turbine engine. The system can determine a predicted fuel flow of the turbine engine based at least in part on the current fuel flow and a fuel flow reduction associated with an engine operational test. The system can compare the predicted fuel flow to at least one threshold. The system can selectively initiate the engine operational test based on comparing the predicted fuel flow to the at least one threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Steven James Jastrzembowski, Thomas Edward Zieg, Jared Utah, Jeremy Seager, Michael Houpt
  • Patent number: 11098653
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine component assembly is provided. The gas turbine engine component assembly comprising: a first component having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface wherein the first component includes a cooling hole extending from the second surface to the first surface through the first component; a second component having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface of the first component and the second surface of the second component defining a cooling channel therebetween in fluid communication with the cooling hole for cooling the second surface of the second component; and a deflector forming a passageway with the second surface of the first component, the passageway configured to direct airflow into the cooling channel in a lateral direction parallel to the second surface of the second component such that a cross flow is generated in the cooling channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dennis M. Moura, Carey Clum
  • Patent number: 11098651
    Abstract: A mobile fracking system and methods may include a gas turbine housed at least partially inside a trailer and an exhaust attenuation system configured to receive exhaust gas from the gas turbine. The exhaust attenuation system may include a lower elongated plenum configured to receive exhaust gas from the gas turbine and an upper noise attenuation system that is movably connected relative to a distal end of the lower elongated plenum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: BJ Energy Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Tony Yeung, Ricardo Rodriguez-Ramon, Heber Martinez-Barron
  • Patent number: 11098642
    Abstract: A fluid supercharging device, comprising: a rotating shaft; a vane disc coaxially fixed to the rotating shaft; a plurality of fan blades fixed around a perimeter of the vane disc; the back side of the fan blades being provided with at least one fluid guiding inlet, an end of the back side distal from the vane disc is provided with a fluid guiding outlet, a fluid channel communicating the fluid guiding inlet with the fluid guiding outlet is provided along a lengthwise direction inside the fan blades; the fan blades rotate to generate a centrifugal force such that a fluid flows into the fluid channel via the fluid guiding inlet on the back side, and flows out of the fluid guiding outlet along the lengthwise direction of the fan blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Inventor: Xiaoyi Zhu
  • Patent number: 11092338
    Abstract: Method for constructing impingement/effusion cooling features in a component of a combustion turbine engine is provided. A pocket 102 may be arranged between an outer wall 104 and an inner wall 106 of the component. A lasing device 108 allows drilling through the component to form an effusion hole 110. The lasing device further allows welding closed an opening 117 formed at outer wall 104 of the component during the drilling with the lasing device through the component. Lasing device 108 further allows drilling through outer wall 104 of the component to form an impingement hole 118 for the impingement/effusion cooling feature. The proposed methodology in a multi-panel arrangement, for example, eliminates a need of having to pre-drill such holes in individual panels prior to the bonding and forming of the component, which overcomes various drawbacks commonly associated with such pre-drilling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Siemens Energy Global GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Timothy A. Fox, Kurtis Dickerson, Alexander Hyatt
  • Patent number: 11092339
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine component assembly comprising: a first component having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the first component includes a cooling hole extending from the second surface to the first surface; a second component having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface of the first component and the second surface of the second component defining a cooling channel therebetween; and a lateral flow injection device secured to first component, the lateral flow injection device fluidly connecting a flow path located proximate to the second surface of the first component to the cooling channel, the lateral flow injection device being configured to direct airflow from the airflow path into the cooling channel in about a lateral direction parallel to the second surface of the second component such that a cross flow is generated in the cooling channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dennis M. Moura, Carey Clum
  • Patent number: 11085646
    Abstract: A method for controlling pilot-fuel/pilot-air ratio provided to a burner of a combustion system for altering its operating point. First, a value of a first parameter e.g. temperature, is checked, and if the value equals or exceeds a predetermined maximum limit of the first parameter that places the operating point in a first undesired region of operation, then a pilot-fuel/pilot-air ratio is altered such that the value of first parameter is moved to below the first parameter's predetermined maximum limit. Similarly, a value of a second parameter e.g., pressure, is checked, and if the value equals or exceeds a predetermined maximum limit of the second parameter that places the operating point in a second undesired region of operation, then again the pilot-fuel/pilot-air ratio is altered such that the value of second parameter is moved to below the second parameter's predetermined maximum limit. A combustion system operates according to the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY GLOBAL GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Suresh Sadasivuni