Patents Examined by Scott Walthour
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Patent number: 10371092Abstract: A nacelle for a gas turbine engine includes a ring shaped body defining a center axis and having a radially outward surface and a radially inward surface. An aft portion of the radially inward surface includes an axially extending convergent-divergent exit nozzle. An axially extending secondary duct passes through the nacelle in the convergent-divergent exit nozzle. The axially extending secondary duct includes an inlet at a convergent portion of the convergent-divergent exit nozzle and an outlet at a divergent portion of the convergent-divergent exit nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2015Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Dmitriy B. Sidelkovskiy, Oleg Petrenko, Robert E. Malecki, Steven H. Zysman
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Patent number: 10227923Abstract: A system for preventing icing on an aircraft surface includes a plasma actuator which is applied onto an aircraft surface operationally exposed to air and which is arranged for generating at least one plasma discharge (D) for inducing a flow (F) of ionized hot-air particles towards the surface.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2014Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: ALENIA AERMACCHI S.P.A.Inventors: Emanuele Merlo, Alessandro Gurioli, Ermanno Magnoli, Giordano Mattiuzzo, Roberto Pertile
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Patent number: 10228134Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a gas turbine and more in particular it is related to a damper assembly for a combustion chamber of a gas turbine. According to preferred embodiments, the present solution provides a damper assembly including protrusions on a wall of the neck. These protrusions result in a side wall reactance to the acoustic field that has the effect of decreasing the effective speed of sound in the neck. The decrease of the effective speed of sound in the neck is equivalent to an increase of the effective neck length.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2015Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: ANSALDO ENERGIA SWITZERLAND AGInventors: Devis Tonon, Mirko Ruben Bothien
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Patent number: 10227875Abstract: A component for a gas turbine engine according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a platform that axially extends between a leading edge and a trailing edge, circumferentially extends between a first mate face and a second mate face, and includes a gas path surface and a non-gas path surface. The component defines at least one cavity that extends at least partially inside of the component. A first plurality of cooling holes extends from the at least one cavity to at least one of the first mate face and the second mate face and a second plurality of cooling holes extends from either the at least one cavity or the non-gas path surface to the gas path surface.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2014Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Scott D. Lewis, Brandon M. Rapp, Jeffrey S. Beattie, Matthew Andrew Hough, Bret M. Teller, Jeffrey Michael Jacques, Max Asterlin
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Patent number: 10227922Abstract: A low NOX burner in which the amount of air flow to the low NOX (nitrous oxides) burner can be adjusted (e.g., based on determinations related to the TEG air flow to the low NOX burner). A low NOX burner capable of operating in a TEG mode that uses a mixture of fresh air and turbine exhaust gas (TEG) as an oxidizer, and also in a fresh air mode in which fresh air (but not TEG) is used as an oxidizer (e.g., and that may be configured to switch seamlessly between these modes). A method of operating a low NOx burner that that includes using TEG and fresh air as an oxidizer to burn fuel, in a TEG mode and, when conditions dictate, such as when the TEG flow has decreased to a pre-determined level (e.g., zero or close to zero), switching from the TEG mode to a fresh air mode.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2015Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: JOHN ZINK COMPANY, LLCInventor: Matt Whelan
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Patent number: 10222065Abstract: A combustor assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a liner and a combustor dome. The combustor dome and liner together at least in part define a combustion chamber. The combustor dome includes a transition portion and a forward wall. The transition portion extends from the forward wall towards the liner. Additionally the transition portion may define an angle relative to the forward wall and/or may define a radius of curvature between the forward wall of the combustor dome and a flat of the transition portion of the combustor dome for increasing an aerodynamic efficiency of the combustor dome.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2016Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: David Andrew Hannwacker, Stephen John Howell, John Carl Jacobson
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Patent number: 10221720Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and apparatuses for use in turbine systems that integrate structural frame elements into a variable-vectoring flow control configuration in order to reduce the weight and length of such turbine systems. In one exemplary embodiment, an apparatus for directing a gas flow includes an annular outer structural casing, an annular central hub disposed within the outer structural casing, and a plurality of structural support elements extending radially between the central hub and the outer structural casing. The apparatus further includes a plurality of positionally-fixed, variable-vectoring flow control bodies extending radially between the central hub and the outer structural casing and positioned circumferentially along the central hub between ones of the plurality of structural support elements.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2014Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventor: Nick Nolcheff
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Patent number: 10221706Abstract: A gas turbine engine including a core having in serial flow order a compressor, a combustor, and a turbine—the compressor, combustor, and turbine together defining a core air flowpath. The gas turbine engine additionally includes a fan section mechanically coupled to the core, the fan section including a plurality of fan blades, and each of the plurality fan blades defining a pitch axis. An actuation device is operable with the plurality fan blades for rotating the plurality fan blades about their respective pitch axes, the actuation device including an actuator located outward of the core air flowpath to, e.g., simplify the gas turbine engine.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2015Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Daniel Alan Niergarth, Darek Tomasz Zatorski, Brandon Wayne Miller
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Patent number: 10222067Abstract: The invention provides a new path of combustion technology for gas turbine operation with multifuel capability, low emissions of NOx and CO and high thermal efficiency. Further to the present invention providing a method for operating a combustor for a gas turbine and a combustor for a gas turbine are disclosed. The combustor includes a first combustion chamber with a wide operating range, a subsequent deflection unit for deflecting the hot gas flow of the first combustion chamber at least in circumferential direction and components for injecting and mixing additional air and/or fuel, and a sequential combustion chamber with a short residence time, where the temperature of the hot gases reaches its maximum.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2014Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: ANSALDO ENERGIA SWITZERLAND AGInventors: Klaus Doebbeling, Ewald Freitag
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Patent number: 10222064Abstract: A combustor wall is provided for a turbine engine. The combustor wall includes a combustor shell and a combustor heat shield that is attached to the shell. The heat shield includes a first panel and a second panel that sealingly engages the first panel in an overlap joint. A cooling cavity extends between the shell and the heat shield and fluidly couples a plurality of apertures in the shell with a plurality of apertures in the heat shield.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2014Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Stanislav Kostka, Frank J. Cunha
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Patent number: 10221719Abstract: A shroud segment that includes a body including a leading edge, a trailing edge, a first side edge, a second side, and a pair of opposed lateral sides. A first lateral side is configured to interface with a cavity having a cooling fluid, and a second lateral side is oriented toward a hot gas flow path. The shroud segment includes a first channel disposed within the body having a first end portion and a second end portion and a second channel disposed within the body having a third end portion and a fourth end portion. The first and second channels are configured to receive the cooling fluid from the cavity to cool the body. The first end portion and the fourth end portion each include a hook-shaped portion having a free end.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2015Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Marc Lionel Benjamin, Benjamin Paul Lacy, Gregory Thomas Foster, San Jason Nguyen
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Patent number: 10222066Abstract: A ducting arrangement (10) in a combustion stage downstream of a main combustion stage of a gas turbine engine is provided. A duct (18) is fluidly coupled to receive a cross-flow of combustion gases from the main combustion stage. Duct (18) includes a duct segment (23) with an expanding cross-sectional area (24) where one or more injector assemblies (26) are disposed. Injector assembly (26) includes one or more reactant-guiding structures (27) arranged to deliver a flow of reactants into the downstream combustion stage to be mixed with the cross-flow of combustion gases. Disclosed injector assemblies are arranged in expanding cross-sectional area (24) to reduce total pressure loss while providing an effective level of mixing of the injected reactants with the passing cross-flow. Respective duct components or the entire ducting arrangement may be formed as a unitized structure, such as a single piece using a rapid manufacturing technology, such as 3D Printing/Additive Manufacturing (AM) technologies.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2016Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY, INC.Inventors: Yuntao Chen, Juan Enrique Portillo Bilbao, Andrew J. North, Lucky Tran, Joseph Meadows, Walter Ray Laster
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Patent number: 10197011Abstract: The present embodiment improves the durability of an afterburner and yet suppresses a reduction in the engine efficiency of an aircraft engine. A ring-shaped cooling channel through which cooling air flows is formed between the outer peripheral surface of a liner and the inner peripheral surface of a rear duct. A plurality of cooling holes for blowing the cooling air along the inner peripheral surface of the liner are formed penetrating the liner. A ring-shaped annulus flame-holding member on the inner peripheral surface of the liner is provided concentrically with respect to a plurality of radial flame-holding members. The inner diameter of the annulus flame-holding member decreases in the downstream direction. The annulus flame-holding member functions as a throttle ring which throttles the flowing of a main flow of a mixed gas inside the liner.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2016Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: IHI CorporationInventors: Shinji Tanaka, Katsuyoshi Takahashi, Jun Hosoi
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Patent number: 10180105Abstract: A hanger includes a connector assembly for coupling the hanger to a first annular duct, a bracket for coupling the hanger to a second annular duct concentrically disposed within the first annular duct, and a cable formed by a plurality of wires bound together that extend from the connector assembly to the bracket. A plurality of circumferentially-spaced hangers placed in tension support an exhaust duct liner relative to an exhaust duct. The hangers permit circumferential and axial displacement at each hanger of the exhaust duct liner relative to the exhaust duct. The displacement of the exhaust duct liner relative to the exhaust duct at each hanger is permitted in a first radial direction that decreases tension in the cable and is restrained in a second radial direction that increases tension in the cable.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2015Date of Patent: January 15, 2019Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventor: Donald W. Peters
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Patent number: 10167723Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a turbine section fluidly connected to a combustor by a primary flow path. The turbine section includes a first portion at a high pressure relative to a second portion. A thermally isolated cooling plenum is positioned radially inward of the primary flow path. The cooling plenum is defined by a forward wall, a shaft structure, an aft wall, and an inner diameter wall of the primary flow path. Air in the thermally isolated cooling plenum is thermally isolated from air in the primary flow path. At least one cooling air system is operable to provide cooling air to the thermally isolated cooling plenum.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2015Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Gabriel L Suciu, Brian D Merry, James D Hill
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Patent number: 10167780Abstract: The gas turbine engine including, in serial flow communication, a compressor, a combustor, a turbine, and a fluid system fluidly connecting at least two components of the gas turbine engine, also includes a tunable resonator in fluid flow communication with the fluid system, the tunable resonator. The tunable resonator has a resonating volume that varies as a function of a volume of an inflatable member located inside the tunable resonator. The inflatable member having a means for varying the volume of the inflatable member, to thereby tune the resonating volume to a selected frequency of pressure fluctuations or acoustic waves within the fluid system.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2017Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.Inventors: Ninad Joshi, Sid-Ali Meslioui
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Patent number: 10168050Abstract: The present embodiment sufficiently ensures the ignition stability and the flame-holding property of an afterburner while suppressing a reduction in the efficiency of an aircraft engine. A flame holder is disposed directly downstream of an injection hole of a fuel injector in a liner. The flame holder comprises: a ring-shaped annulus flame-holding member which is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the liner and is capable of propagating a flame in the circumferential direction; and a plurality of radial flame-holding members which are radially disposed inwards of the annulus flame-holding member and are capable of propagating the flame in the radial direction. A guide ring is provided inwards of the radial flame-holding members, and a ring-shaped guide channel that guides a fuel-containing mixed gas in the downstream direction is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the guide ring and the inner peripheral surface of the annulus flame-holding member.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2016Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: IHI CorporationInventors: Shinji Tanaka, Katsuyoshi Takahashi, Jun Hosoi
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Patent number: 10161633Abstract: A swirler, such as for swirling air in a fuel injector of a gas turbine engine, includes a swirler body with opposed inlet and outlet ends with a swirler wall extending therebetween along a longitudinal axis. The inlet end of the swirler body defines an inlet opening. A plurality of swirl slots is defined through a portion of the swirler wall that converges toward the longitudinal axis in a direction from the inlet opening toward the outlet end of the swirler body. The swirl slots are radially off-set with respect to the longitudinal axis for imparting swirl on a flow passing from the inlet opening, through the swirl slots, and past the outlet end of the swirler body.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2013Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: Delavan Inc.Inventors: Gary Chew, Viraphand Cholvibul, Philip E. O. Buelow, Jason Allen Ryon
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Patent number: 10156363Abstract: A crossfire tube assembly is positioned between adjacent combustors, the crossfire tube assembly having a primary body made up of a first telescoping sleeve slidably engaged with a second telescoping sleeve. An interlocking raceway is configured to limit axial travel length of the telescoping sleeves and lock the telescoping sleeves to each other. A bias is positioned between the first telescoping sleeve and the second telescoping sleeve. First and second floating collars are removably disposed to the first and second telescoping sleeves at a first and second floating collar annulus. First and second liner collars are disposed between the first and second floating collars on the first and second combustors. The crossfire tube assembly is adapted to provide fluid communication from the first combustor to the second combustor serving a gas turbine.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2016Date of Patent: December 18, 2018Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jesse Ellis Barton, Eric Hamann
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Patent number: 10151489Abstract: A combustor arrangement with a front panel, a combustor liner, and a carrier structure element is provided for carrying the front panel and the combustor liner, wherein the combustor arrangement further includes a fastening system for connecting the front panel, the combustor liner, and the carrier structure element to one another. The fastening system includes at least one elastic connection element, the latter being fixedly connected to the carrier structure element and extending therefrom to the combustor liner and to the front panel. The elastic connection element is further fixedly connected to the combustor liner and/or the front panel such as to clamp the front panel, the combustor liner, and the carrier structure element to one another in a substantially fluid tight manner.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2015Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: ANSALDO ENERGIA SWITZERLAND AGInventors: Ulrich Rathmann, Naresh Aluri