Patents Examined by Karthik Subramanian
  • Patent number: 9316228
    Abstract: Hydrogen gas compression systems that each include a multistage centrifugal compressor in which each stage has an inlet-to-outlet pressure rise ratio of about 1.20 or greater. In one embodiment, the multistage compressor includes six high-speed centrifugal compressors driven at a speed of about 60,000 rpm. The compressor has an output of more than 200,000 kg/day at a pressure of more than 1,000 psig. The compressors for the compression stages are distributed on both sides of a common gearbox, which has gearing that allows axial thrusts from the compressors to be handled effectively. Each stage's compressor has a unique impeller, which is secured to a support shaft using a tension-rod-based attachment system. In another embodiment, the multistage compressor is driven by a combustion turbine and one or more intercoolers are provided between compression stages. Each intercooler is cooled by coolant from an absorption chiller utilizing exhaust gas from the combustion turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Concepts NREC, LLC
    Inventors: Frederick E. Becker, Jamin J. Bitter, Francis A. DiBella, Alexander Gofer, Robert J. Pelton, Sharon E. Wight, Karl D. Wygant, Kerry N. Oliphant
  • Patent number: 9303560
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are screw shaft turbine compressors having (i) a compressor section, (ii) a turbine section, (iii) a combustion section coupling to the compressor section and the turbine section, and (iv) a grooved shaft. The grooved shaft can include one or more grooves for providing fuel from the compressor section to the combustion section and for allowing exhaust to leave the combustion section and exit the turbine section. A method for generating different speed to torque ratios on the shaft and a system for generating torque on the shaft are further disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Inventor: John R. Jackson
  • Patent number: 9249727
    Abstract: A retractable deflector to deflect birds and debris from an air intake duct of an aircraft jet engine. The duct has a forward opening for air receipt. The deflector includes a plurality of elongate members disposed on the duct in spaced relation to each other, each member having two end segments and a central segment disposed between the two end segments; and a plurality of guiding members, each mounted for movement along the perimeter of the duct and coupled to one end segment of an elongate member. The central segment of each elongate member extends between a pair of guiding members such that the elongate member is movable by a respective pair of guiding members between a retracted position and a deployed position in front of the duct. When in the deployed position, the central segments are situated to impede the ingress of debris into the duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Matos
  • Patent number: 9243562
    Abstract: A rotating inlet cowl for a turbine engine includes a rotation axis. The rotating inlet cowl includes a forward cone defining a forward end of the inlet cowl. The forward end is configured to be eccentric relative to the rotation axis of the inlet cowl. Furthermore, the forward cone is truncated by a truncation surface defining the forward end of the inlet cowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Mickael Delapierre, Herve Gignoux, Gael Loro, Sylvie Wintenberger
  • Patent number: 9234431
    Abstract: A seal assembly (50, 60) for a gas turbine engine for controlling air flow between a diffuser (48) and rotor disks comprising first and second annular flange ends (52, 54) and an annular seal mid-section (56) between and operatively connected to the flange ends (52, 54). The first and second annular flange ends (52, 54) abut respective outer frame members (46) of the diffuser, whereby a fluid flow path is formed between the seal assembly (50, 60) and the rotor disks (42). The first and second end flanges (52, 54) are composed of a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion that is substantially the same as a coefficient of thermal expansion of the material of the outer frame members (46). In addition, the material of the seal mid-section (56) has a coefficient of thermal expansion that is different than that of the materials of the annular flange ends (52, 54) and outer frame members (46).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian Kowalski, Fan Zhang, Uwe Lohse, Robert W. Sunshine, Burkhard Voss
  • Patent number: 9222666
    Abstract: A swirler for mixing fuel and air is provided. The swirler includes a plurality of vanes positioned radially around a central axis of the swirler and a plurality of mixing channels for mixing fuel and air. At least one mixing channel of the plurality of mixing channels is defined by opposite walls of two adjacent vanes of the plurality of vanes. The at least one mixing channel includes at least one fuel injection opening arranged at an upstream sections of the at least one mixing channel. The at least one mixing channel also includes an axial swirler arranged at a downstream section of the at least one mixing channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Kexin Liu
  • Patent number: 9181812
    Abstract: A combustion device used in gas turbine engines to produce propulsion or rotate a shaft for power generation includes a can-annular combustor with a system of fuel and air inlet passages and nozzles that results in an optimal combustion environment of premixed fuel and air. The fuel-air inlets are placed at various longitudinal locations and circumferentially distributed, and direct the flow tangentially or nearly tangent to the can liner. The combustion device provides effective mixing of fuel and air, creates an environment for combustion that reduces pollutant emissions, reduces the need for costly pollution control devices, enhances ignition and flame stability, reduces piloting issues, and improves vibration reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Inventors: Majed Toqan, Brent Allan Gregory, Jonathan David Regele, Ryan Sadao Yamane
  • Patent number: 9140211
    Abstract: A cascade-type thrust reverser includes a fixed structure on which a rear frame supporting cascades of vanes is mounted, a mobile structure having an outer wall, an inner wall formed in part by an acoustic panel, a partition connecting the outer wall to the acoustic panel, and actuators interposed between the fixed structure and the mobile structure. The actuators extend through orifices formed in the rear frame and the partition. In particular, the rear frame radially interferes with the acoustic panel when the mobile structure is in a direct-jet position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: AIRCELLE
    Inventors: Fabrice Metezeau, Vincent Dutot, Tanguy Keraudren
  • Patent number: 9068751
    Abstract: An annular combustor for a gas turbine engine is provided that facilitates staged combustion in a lean direct ignition (LDI) mode over an extended range of operating fuel air ratios. A method is also provided for operating a gas turbine engine over a power demand range that facilitates staged combustion in a lean direct ignition (LDI) mode over an extended range of operating fuel air ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Timothy S. Snyder
  • Patent number: 8991191
    Abstract: A thermally actuated venting system includes a thermally actuated vent for opening a vent outlet in a gas turbine engine associated compartment with a passive thermal actuator located in the compartment based on a temperature of the compartment. Outlet may be located at or near a top of a core engine compartment, a fan compartment, or a pylon compartment. Actuator may be operably connected to a hinged door of vent for opening outlet. Actuator may be actuated by a phase change material disposed in a chamber and having a liquid state below a predetermined actuation temperature and a gaseous state above the predetermined actuation temperature. Actuator may include a thermal fuse for closing door during a fire. Thermal fuse may include at least a portion of piston rod or a cylinder wall of actuator being made of a fuse material having a melting point substantially above the predetermined actuation temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Carlos Enrique Diaz, Daniel Jean-Louis Laborie, Stephen Dennis Geary
  • Patent number: 8984855
    Abstract: A rotating inlet cowl for a turbine engine, having a rotation axis and for which the forward end is arranged to be eccentric relative to this rotation axis. Furthermore, a forward cone of the cowl is truncated by a truncation surface defining the forward end of the inlet cowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Mickael Delapierre, Herve Gignoux, Gael Loro, Sylvie Wintenberger
  • Patent number: 8984857
    Abstract: Methods and systems for low emission power generation in hydrocarbon recovery processes are provided. One system includes integrated pressure maintenance and miscible flood systems with low emission power generation. An alternative system provides for low emission power generation, carbon sequestration, enhanced oil recovery (EOR), or carbon dioxide sales using a hot gas expander and external combustor. Another alternative system provides for low emission power generation using a gas power turbine to compress air in the inlet compressor and generate power using hot carbon dioxide laden gas in the expander. Other efficiencies may be gained by incorporating heat cross-exchange, a desalination plant, co-generation, and other features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Moses Minta, Franklin F. Mittricker, Peter C. Rasmussen, Loren K. Starcher, Chad C. Rasmussen, James T. Wilkins, Richard W. Meidel, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8950191
    Abstract: Variable speed drive controlled discharge pumps are used for pumping chilled water from a chilled water storage tank to coils operatively associated with the air inlet of a gas turbine, wherein the gas turbine is used to generate electricity. Use of the variable speed drive controlled discharge pumps aids is protecting the temperature distribution in the chilled water storage tank so that a thermocline rises with the addition of chilled water during charging of the tank with chilled water, and lowers during discharge of the tank when using the chilled water to cool inlet air at one or more gas turbines operated at a facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Bicent Power LLC
    Inventors: Frank Landis, James Nolan
  • Patent number: 8910464
    Abstract: A thrust-vectoring nozzle is disclosed that includes a cylindrical case and a flow director. The flow director includes a cylindrical ring having a dimension to fit within the cylindrical case. The cylindrical ring has an inner wall and an outer wall and a plurality of fixed vanes are coupled to the inner wall of the ring. The flow director is configured to rotate about first and second mutually perpendicular axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: David Ambrose
  • Patent number: 8875486
    Abstract: A guide system for translating components of an aircraft engine nacelle includes a track assembly and a slider assembly. The track assembly includes a track guide member and a track liner engaged therewith. The track guide member includes a track channel configured to receive the track liner. The track liner defines an interior surface and includes a projection portion projecting inwardly of the track channel to define a convex surface. The slider assembly translatably engages the track assembly and includes a slider member having a head portion configured to be received within the track channel. The head portion defines a concave surface substantially corresponding to the convex surface of the track liner and is configured to mate therewith. The slider member further includes an extension portion extending from the head portion and outwardly of the track assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Michael Roberts
  • Patent number: 8826637
    Abstract: In an arrangement for discharging oil-venting air (oil air) separated by a lubricating oil de-aeration system, kinetic energy of the oil-venting air (O) is increased to a static pressure which exceeds the exhaust-gas flow (A) pressure by a diffuser and the oil-venting air is then mixed with the exhaust-gas flow and discharged with the latter. The venting line (10) coming from the lubricating oil de-aeration system issues into a diffuser (13) which is integrated into the exhaust cone (9) enveloped by the exhaust-gas flow of the engine and whose oil-air outlet opening (14) is connected to the exhaust-gas flow either directly or via an attenuation chamber (18) provided in the exhaust cone. Provision is such made for discharging oil air from the engine to the atmosphere without contaminating visible engine parts and for obtaining a weight reduction due to the reduced length of the venting line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG
    Inventor: Robert Thies
  • Patent number: 8813502
    Abstract: It is required for a gas turbine combustor to exhaust low NOx. The gas turbine combustor is provided with a combustion tube which has a cooling passage through which cooling air flows in a double wall structure. The cooling passage has a main cooling air supply opening opened to a side of a combustion zone. The cooling air supplied from the main cooling air supply opening is guided to a direction along an inner wall surface of the combustion tube by a guide. The cooling air flows through the cooling passage inside the combustion tube, and then is reused for film cooling along the inner wall surface. Thus, it is possible to save cooling air. Therefore, a more part of the air supplied from a compressor can be used as air for combustion and it becomes possible to exhaust low NOx.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuo Ishiguro, Katsunori Tanaka, Kotaro Miyauchi
  • Patent number: 8800289
    Abstract: A nozzle includes a fuel plenum and an air plenum downstream of the fuel plenum. A primary fuel channel includes an inlet in fluid communication with the fuel plenum and a primary air port in fluid communication with the air plenum. Secondary fuel channels radially outward of the primary fuel channel include a secondary fuel port in fluid communication with the fuel plenum. A shroud circumferentially surrounds the secondary fuel channels. A method for mixing fuel and air in a nozzle prior to combustion includes flowing fuel to a fuel plenum and flowing air to an air plenum downstream of the fuel plenum. The method further includes injecting fuel from the fuel plenum through a primary fuel passage, injecting fuel from the fuel plenum through secondary fuel passages, and injecting air from the air plenum through the primary fuel passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas Edward Johnson, Willy Steve Ziminsky, Jonathan Dwight Berry
  • Patent number: 8794008
    Abstract: In a method for the low-CO emissions part load operation of a gas turbine with sequential combustion, the air ratio (?) of the operative burners (9) of the second combustor (15) is kept below a maximum air ratio (?max) at part load In order to reduce the maximum air ratio (?), a series of modifications in the operating concept of the gas turbine are carried out individually or in combination. One modification is an opening of the row of variable compressor inlet guide vanes (14) before engaging the second combustor (15). For engaging the second combustor, the row of variable compressor inlet guide vanes (14) is quickly closed and fuel is introduced in a synchronized manner into the burner (9) of the second combustor (15). A further modification is the deactivating of individual burners (9) at part load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Adnan Eroglu, Klaus Knapp, Peter Flohr, Hans Peter Knoepfel, Weiqun Geng
  • Patent number: 8769955
    Abstract: A port (60) for axially staging fuel and air into a combustion gas flow path 28 of a turbine combustor (10A). A port enclosure (63) forms an air path through a combustor wall (30). Fuel injectors (64) in the enclosure provide convergent fuel streams (72) that oppose each other, thus converting velocity pressure to static pressure. This forms a flow stagnation zone (74) that acts as a valve on airflow (40, 41) through the port, in which the air outflow (41) is inversely proportion to the fuel flow (25). The fuel flow rate is controlled (65) in proportion to engine load. At high loads, more fuel and less air flow through the port, making more air available to the premixing assemblies (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: William F. Van Nieuwenhuizen, Timothy A. Fox, Steven Williams