Patents Examined by Louis Casaregola
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Patent number: 8291688Abstract: A nozzle is provided and includes an outer annulus defined by an exterior wall and an interior wall and including air inlets through which air flows to a fuel mixing zone and a combustion zone, an inner annulus disposed within the interior wall and including a fuel volume into which fuel is fed to a distal end thereof, which is adjacent to and isolated from the combustion zone and an airflow line, disposed between the fuel volume and the interior wall, through which air flows to the combustion zone with the airflow line and the combustion zone isolated from the fuel volume, and a fuse configured to melt during a flameholding incident and to form a breach through which fuel flows from the fuel volume, bypassing the fuel mixing zone, to a fuel burning zone downstream from the fuel mixing zone.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2008Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Lewis Berkley Davis, Jr., Stanley Kevin Widener, John Wilbur
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Patent number: 8256228Abstract: A method for adjusting a clearance between a blade tip of a turbine engine and a blade track spaced radially outward of the blade tip is disclosed herein. The method includes the step of operably coupling an elongate member to a blade track in a turbine engine. The method also includes the step of directing a fluid stream having a temperature in proximity to the elongate member. The temperature of the fluid stream can change over time. The method also includes the step of transferring heat between the fluid stream and elongate member to a change a size of the elongate member and move the blade track radially relative to a centerline axis of the turbine engine. An exemplary apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2008Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Rolls Royce CorporationInventor: Mark O'Leary
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Patent number: 8250849Abstract: Various embodiments of a fuel-control system for regulating the administration of a first fuel to a fuel consuming device are disclosed. In one aspect, the fuel-control system includes a system-controlling device adapted to consume a primary source of electrical power. The system controlling device is also adapted to consume a secondary source of electrical power, with the secondary source produced by noncombustibly consuming a second fuel.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2008Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.Inventors: Julie Willets, Jason Brinkley, Jerry Meyers, Larry Johnson
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Patent number: 8245491Abstract: An exhaust gas waste heat recovery heat exchanger includes a housing having a working fluid inlet, a working fluid outlet, an exhaust inlet, and an exhaust outlet, an exhaust flow path extending through the housing between the exhaust inlet and the exhaust outlet, and a working fluid flow path extending through the housing between the working fluid inlet and the working fluid outlet and having a first portion and a second portion. A flow of working fluid along the first portion of the working fluid flow path can be substantially counter to a flow of exhaust along the exhaust flow path, and the flow of working fluid along the second portion of the working fluid flow path can be substantially parallel to the flow of exhaust along the exhaust flow path.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2007Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Modine Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Jon Horek, Michael J. Wilson, Mark Voss
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Patent number: 8245518Abstract: A gas turbine engine has an engine casing component, such as a mid turbine frame system, which may includes an outer case surrounding a spoke or strut casing. Load transfer spokes of the spoke casing extend between the outer case and an inner case of the spoke casing. A bearing housing supported by the engine casing may include a fuse arrangement for isolating bearing seizure loads from the engine casing. A seal arrangement may be provided to centralize the rotors after the fuse fails. The mid turbine frame may be provided to have a desired flexibility through the configuration of the casing and bearings in design.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2008Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.Inventors: Eric Durocher, John Pietrobon, Lam Nguyen
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Patent number: 8240152Abstract: Control systems and a method for controlling a load point of a gas turbine engine are provided. A control system includes a controller that receives a temperature signal and a pressure signal associated with exhaust gases from the gas turbine engine. The controller is further configured to generate the fuel control signal. The controller is further configured to generate an actuator control signal such that flow restriction member is moved from the first operational position to the second operational position to restrict the flow path such that the exhaust gases have a temperature level within a desired turndown temperature range, the pressure level in the exhaust gases is less than a threshold pressure level, and the load point of the gas turbine engine is adjusted to toward a target load point.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2011Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Constantin Dinu
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Patent number: 8240122Abstract: The amount of water to be injected in an intercooler is controlled to cool the compressed gas to the saturation temperature. It is difficult to adjust the amount of the water to be injected, however, since the temperature of the compressed gas at an intercooler outlet is actually higher than the saturation temperature. An intercooling system is configured so as to cool a gas to the saturation temperature without controlling the amount of water injection and thereby maintain the reliability of the compressor while improving the cooling efficiency. The intercooling system is located between a plurality of compression stages of a gas compressor to cool the gas that has been in the compressor. A desired amount of liquid is sprinkled to cool the compressed gas while restraining inflow of the liquid into the compression stages.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2007Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Hidefumi Araki, Takanori Shibata, Shigeo Hatamiya, Moriaki Tsukamoto
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Patent number: 8225591Abstract: A combustor for a combustion turbine engine, the combustor that includes: a chamber defined by an outer wall and forming a channel between windows defined through the outer wall toward a forward end of the chamber and at least one fuel injector positioned toward an aft end of the chamber; a screen; and a standoff comprising a raised area on an outer surface of the outer wall near the periphery of the windows; wherein the screen extends over the windows and is supported by the standoff in a raised position in relation to the outer surface of the outer wall and the windows.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2010Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Thomas Edward Johnson, Baifang Zuo, Christian Xavier Stevenson
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Patent number: 8225612Abstract: A fuel spraying apparatus of a gas turbine engine includes a first fuel spraying section configured to spray fuel for diffusion combustion and a second fuel spraying section configured to spray fuel for premixed combustion. The second fuel spraying section is disposed so as to surround the first fuel spraying section. The apparatus further includes an air curtain generating section disposed between the first fuel spraying section and the second fuel spraying section. The air curtain generating section is configured to generate an air curtain which defines an outer edge of a diffusion combustion area in a combustion chamber.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2010Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takeo Oda, Hiroyuki Ninomiya, Hideki Ogata
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Patent number: 8220274Abstract: A system and method of maintaining an optimal temperature range for a catalyst section in a HRSG comprising placing a portion of the exhaust stream in a heat exchanger and superheater, diverting a second portion around the heat exchanger and superheater, combining the two portions and contacting the two portions with a catalyst section. Alternatively, a system of heat exchangers are employed to address the fluctuating exhaust temperature caused by the intermittent use of the duct burners.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2008Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: Johnson Matthey Inc.Inventors: Robert Bono, Rajashekharam V. Malyala, Alec Miller, Stephen J. Golden
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Patent number: 8220272Abstract: A combustor housing includes an inlet cover plate having a central inlet configured to receive a supply of one of a high BTU content fuel or air and at least one radially-spaced, peripheral fuel inlet configured to receive a supply of a low BTU content fuel. It also includes an outlet cover plate having at least one radially-spaced, peripheral fuel outlet. The combustor housing also includes a peripheral sidewall joining the inlet cover and the outlet cover and enclosing a plenum, the at least one peripheral fuel inlet opening through the inlet cover plate into the plenum and the at least one fuel outlet opening from the plenum through the outlet cover plate. The central inlet opens into at least one conduit which extends away from the central inlet and opens into at least one high BTU content fuel conduit or air supply conduit that is axially aligned with the at least one fuel outlet.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2008Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Joel Meador Hall, Sergey Adolfovich Oskin, Scott Robert Simmons
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Patent number: 8220246Abstract: A crossfire tube assembly is configured for connecting adjacent combustion cans in a gas turbine, and includes a first tube segment having a first end and an opposite female end. A second tube segment has a first end and an opposite male end fitted concentrically within the female end with an overlap region between the female and male ends. Each of the first ends of the tube segments is configured for securing to a liner of a respective combustion can. Oppositely oriented first and second impingement sleeves extend from the female end of the first tube segment to the respective first ends of the tube segments. Combustion cooling air is directed through metering holes in the impingement sleeves and flows axially along concentric cavities defined between the impingement sleeves and the first and second tube segments. The combustion cooling air vents from the cavities into an axial combustion air flow stream between the respective combustion can liners and sleeves.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2009Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Stanley Kevin Widener
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Patent number: 8220270Abstract: Disclosed is a cross flow apparatus including a surface and at least one outlet located at the surface. The cross flow apparatus further includes at least one guide at the surface configured to direct an intersecting flow flowing across the surface and increase a velocity of a cross flow being expelled from the at least one outlet downstream from the at least one outlet.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2008Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Mahesh Bathina, Ramanand Singh
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Patent number: 8220245Abstract: A gas turbine engine is provided, including an air inlet in fluid communication with a compressor, a combustor, a compressor turbine, and a power turbine. The compressor and compressor turbine may be mounted on a first drive shaft, and the power turbine may be mounted on a second shaft. The engine further includes an engagement mechanism adapted to selectively engage the first drive shaft to the second drive shaft, wherein the first drive shaft and second drive shaft rotate at substantially the same speed when the engagement mechanism is engaged. The disclosed multi-spool gas turbine engine provides improved part power fuel consumption at reduced output shaft speeds. The proposed invention can relate to turbines with two or more gas generator spools.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2006Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: Candent Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Emanuel Papandreas
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Patent number: 8215115Abstract: A gas turbine engine sealing arrangement which includes a combustor liner establishing a combustion area and a turbine nozzle configured to receive a portion of a combustor liner. A sealing ring arrangement is configured to seal with the turbine nozzle to control fluid flow from the combustion area and reduce leakage.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2009Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand CorporationInventors: David Ronald Adair, Walter Ernest Ainslie, Gordon F. Jewess, Anthony C. Jones, Eric J. Alexander
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Patent number: 8209987Abstract: A gas turbine engine augmenter has a gas flowpath. A number of vanes extend into the gas flowpath. A number of augmenter fuel conduits have outlets along at least some of the vanes. At least one burner discharge outlet is along at least one of the vanes for discharging a pilot gas.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2008Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Donald J. Hautman, Meredith B. Colket, III, Jeffery A. Lovett, Torence P. Brogan
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Patent number: 8209952Abstract: A gas turbine engine having speed an intermediate stage booster configured to provide speed change to a boost compressor. The boost compressor and fan stage are driven by a low pressure turbine; the fan stage rotates with the low pressure turbine shaft and the boost compressor rotates counter to the low pressure turbine shaft. The intermediate speed booster has an epicyclic gear train that includes an outer annulus, a sun gear, and a planetary gear, and may be engaged by a clutch in some embodiments.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2007Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Robert A. Ress, Jr.
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Patent number: 8209986Abstract: A protection system for a pre-mixing apparatus for a turbine engine, includes: a main body having an inlet portion, an outlet portion and an exterior wall that collectively establish a fuel delivery plenum; and a plurality of fuel mixing tubes that extend through at least a portion of the fuel delivery plenum, each of the plurality of fuel mixing tubes including at least one fuel feed opening fluidly connected to the fuel delivery plenum; at least one thermal fuse disposed on an exterior surface of at least one tube, the at least one thermal fuse including a material that will melt upon ignition of fuel within the at least one tube and cause a diversion of fuel from the fuel feed opening to at least one bypass opening. A method and a turbine engine in accordance with the protection system are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2008Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Benjamin Paul Lacy, Lewis Berkley Davis, Jr., Thomas Edward Johnson, William David York
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Patent number: 8209951Abstract: A power generation system having an exhaust gas attemperating device and method for controlling a temperature of exhaust gases is provided. The exhaust gas attemperating device includes a first conduit and a venturi member. The first conduit is configured to receive at least a portion of exhaust gases from a gas turbine. The venturi member is disposed in the first conduit and defines a flow path therethrough for receiving the exhaust gases in the first conduit. The first conduit and the venturi member have an aperture extending therethrough communicating with the flow path, such that the exhaust gases flowing through the flow path draws ambient air through the aperture into the flow path for reducing a temperature of the exhaust gases flowing through the first conduit.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2007Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Joell Randolph Hibshman, II
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Patent number: 8209953Abstract: A gas turbine engine system for an aircraft includes a nacelle having a fan cowl with an inlet lip section and a core cowl, at least one compressor and at least one turbine, at least one combustor between the compressor and the turbine, a bleed passage, and a controller. The bleed passage includes an inlet for receiving a bleed airflow and an outlet that discharges the bleed airflow in an upstream direction from the outlet. The controller identifies an operability condition and selectively introduces the bleed airflow near a boundary layer of the inlet lip section in response to the operability condition.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2010Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Michael Winter, Ashok K. Jain