Patents Examined by Steven Sutherland
  • Patent number: 9970357
    Abstract: A fluid conduit for a gas turbine engine. The conduit includes a superelastic material such as TNTZ or Ti2448. The conduit is installed such that at least part of the conduit is subject to a stress which lies in one of a superelastic and a plastic region of the material in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Paul Fletcher, John Richard Webster, Anthony John Moran
  • Patent number: 9957895
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine is provided that includes a compressor section, a combustor section with a multiple of pre-swirlers, a diffuser case module, and a manifold. The diffuser case module includes a multiple of struts within an annular flow path from said compressor section to said combustor section, wherein at least one of said multiple of struts defines a mid-span pre-diffuser inlet in communication with said annular flow path. The manifold is in communication with said mid-span pre-diffuser inlet and said multiple of pre-swirlers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, William K. Ackermann
  • Patent number: 9958160
    Abstract: A component within a gas turbine engine includes a surface with one or more upstream-directed cooling film holes therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: James A. Dierberger
  • Patent number: 9951691
    Abstract: Systems and methods for de-icing a fan of a gas turbine engine are disclosed. The systems and methods may include an electrical coil operatively associated with a first rotating surface of the fan; a magnet operatively associated with a second rotating surface of the fan, the second rotating surface rotating in a direction counter to the first rotating surface, the magnet and the electrical coil thereby producing electricity when the fan is in motion; and a heating element operatively associated with a surface on the fan, the heating element being powered by the electricity produced by the magnet and the electrical coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas W. Ward, Scot A. Webb, Isaac Jon Hogate
  • Patent number: 9951644
    Abstract: Provided is a gas turbine capable of achieving high-speed startup of the gas turbine through quick operation control of an ACC system during startup of the gas turbine, improving the cooling efficiency of turbine stationary components, and quickly carrying out an operation required for cat back prevention during shutdown of the gas turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignees: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD., TOHOKU ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Satoshi Mizukami, Tatsuo Ishiguro, Junichiro Masada, Kazumasa Takata, Yuya Fukunaga, Hiroki Takahashi, Masaki Satoh, Yoshiaki Nishimura, Norio Oogai, Souji Hasegawa, Masato Hayashi
  • Patent number: 9945325
    Abstract: An oil cooling system and method are provided for use with respect to a lubricated mechanical system within a bypass configured gas turbine engine. A surface cooler is fluidly linked to the lubricated mechanical system to receive oil from the lubricated mechanical system for cooling and reuse. In an embodiment, the surface cooler is mounted on an existing surface within the bypass airflow path of the bypass configured gas turbine engine to provide effective cooling while avoiding the introduction of additional aerodynamic disturbances in the bypass path. In an embodiment, the surface cooler is mounted on the fan casing or on a fan exit guide vane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Gary D. Roberge
  • Patent number: 9939153
    Abstract: A boiler system having a series of boilers. Each boiler includes a shell having an upstream end, a downstream end, and a hollow interior. The boilers also have an oxidizer inlet entering the hollow interior adjacent the upstream end of the shell and a fuel nozzle positioned adjacent the upstream end of the shell for introducing fuel into the hollow interior of the shell. Each boiler includes a flue duct connected to the shell adjacent the downstream end for transporting flue gas from the hollow interior. Oxygen is delivered to the oxidizer inlet of the first boiler in the series. Flue gas from the immediately preceding boiler in the series is delivered through the oxidizer inlet of each boiler subsequent to the first boiler in the series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Washington University
    Inventors: Richard L. Axelbaum, Benjamin M. Kumfer, Fei Xia, Akshay Gopan, Bhupesh Dhungel
  • Patent number: 9939158
    Abstract: A combustor includes a first tube which supplies fuel and air from an opening formed in a distal end thereof, and a second tube which is configured such that flames are formed on an inner circumferential side thereof by the fuel and the air and the distal end of the first tube is inserted into an inner circumferential side of a proximal end thereof. The first tube includes a first tube main body and a ring part forming the distal end of the first tube. The ring part has a main body of a tubular shape and a plurality of protrusions that are integrally formed with the main body on an outer circumferential surface of the main body and protrude radially outward. When viewed in an axial direction, the outer circumferential surface of the main body has a polygonal cross-sectional shape within a range within which the protrusions are formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HITACHI POWER SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Kenta Taniguchi, Norihiko Motoyama, Yoshiro Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9927126
    Abstract: A pilot fuel injector is provided for a fuel nozzle of a gas turbine engine. The pilot fuel injector can include an axially-elongated, inner pilot centerbody wall extending from an upstream end to a downstream end, with the axially-elongated, inner pilot centerbody wall having a diverging-converging orientation with respect to a centerline axis to define a hollow tube having an upstream diameter, a throat, and a downstream diameter such that the throat has an inner diameter that is less than both of the upstream diameter and the downstream diameter. The pilot fuel injector also includes a center air circuit positioned at the upstream end, and an annular fuel passage defining the downstream end and intersecting with the centerbody wall at a pilot fuel metering orifice. A pilot fuel film surface is downstream from the annular fuel passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Anthony Benjamin, Alfred Albert Mancini, Rameshkumar Muthuvel Chandrasekaran
  • Patent number: 9920932
    Abstract: A mixer assembly for a gas turbine engine is provided, including a main mixer with fuel injection holes located between at least one radial swirler and at least one axial swirler, wherein the fuel injected into the main mixer is atomized and dispersed by the air flowing through the radial swirler and the axial swirler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Zhongtao Dai, Jeffrey M. Cohen, Catalin G. Fotache, Lance L. Smith, Donald J. Hautman
  • Patent number: 9920710
    Abstract: An exhaust system for a variable cycle aircraft engine. The exhaust system comprises a core exhaust for bypass air and hot gases of combustion. The core exhaust includes a convergent-divergent nozzle. The convergent-divergent nozzle is formed from a plurality of flaps and seals. The exhaust system comprises a third air duct for a third stream of air. The third stream of air is selectively exhausted from the third duct through a secondary nozzle or divergent slots in the convergent-divergent nozzle, or both depending upon the flight mode. A diverter valve is positioned in the third stream duct to selectively control the flow of third stream air through the secondary nozzle, the divergent slots and combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Lynn Dawson, Erin Lee Lariviere, Brian Joseph Petersen, Robert Jerome Ellerhorst
  • Patent number: 9920692
    Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for cooling to increase efficiency in power-generation facilities, to cool various other apparatus including buildings, and/or to generate water, including, but not limited to, systems for increasing the efficiency of power-generating turbines via inlet-cooling, optionally by expanding a portion of a pressurized fuel source that also feeds the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: DISTRIBUTED STORAGE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventor: David F. Dahlem
  • Patent number: 9915165
    Abstract: An environmental control system includes a higher pressure tap at a higher pressure location in the main compressor section, and a lower pressure tap at a lower pressure location. The lower pressure location being at a lower pressure than the higher pressure location. The lower pressure tap communicates to a first passage leading to a downstream outlet and a compressor section of a turbocompressor. The higher pressure tap leads into a turbine section of the turbocompressor such that air in the higher pressure tap drives the turbine section to in turn drive the compressor section of the turbocompressor. A pylon includes a lowermost surface and the higher pressure tap does not extend above a plane including the lowermost surface. A combined outlet of the compressor section and the turbine section of the turbocompressor intermixes and passes downstream to be delivered to an aircraft use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick M. Schwarz, Gabriel L. Suciu
  • Patent number: 9909493
    Abstract: An assembly includes a gas turbine and a heat exchanger for heating up a gas turbine process fluid by thermal energy. The gas turbine has a compressor, a combustor and a turbine downstream of the combustor, wherein the thermal energy is from the solar receiver. To improve efficiency and reduce power generation fluctuations, the assembly includes a first line to conduct the gas turbine process fluid downstream a compression by the compressor to the heat exchanger, and a second line to conduct the gas turbine process fluid from the heat exchanger to the combustor to generate hot combustion gas from the warmed up gas turbine process fluid burning fuel in the combustor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Mats Andersson, Jacek Janczewski, Olle Lindman, Magnus Persson
  • Patent number: 9909494
    Abstract: A tip turbine engine includes an axial compressor having a plurality of airfoils compressing core airflow. The airfoils include bleed air openings on their suction side surfaces. The bleed air openings prevent separation of the compressed airflow, which permits each airfoil stage to perform increased compression without separation of the airflow. As a result, the number of stages can be reduced, thereby shortening the overall length of the turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Gary Roberge
  • Patent number: 9903276
    Abstract: This fuel-preheating device is provided with the following: a cooling-steam line that supplies steam, for the purposes of cooling, to a hot part of a gas turbine, namely a combustion liner of a combustor; a superheated-steam line through which superheated steam that is steam having passed through the combustion liner of the combustor flows; and a preheater that receives the superheated steam from the superheated-steam line and preheats fuel to be supplied to the combustor by exchanging heat between the superheated steam and said fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HITACHI POWER SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventor: Katsuhiro Hotta
  • Patent number: 9890705
    Abstract: An open cycle gas turbine system includes a storage tank, a closed helical supplier, a combustor, a gas turbine, a compressor, a propeller and a generator. After the combustion gas in the combustor enters the gas turbine, the combustion gas is expanded to apply a work and to produce a power to the gas turbine so as to operate the gas turbine so that the compressor is operated to compress the air, the generator is operated to generate an electric power, and the propeller is operated to propel vehicles. The closed helical supplier has a closely sealing effect so that the high pressure combustion gas in the combustor will not leak from the closed helical supplier and will not touch the solid fuel powder in the storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Inventor: Tsung-Hsien Kou
  • Patent number: 9874145
    Abstract: A lubrication system for a gas turbine engine may include a pump for moving a lubricant through a conduit from a lubricant tank to an engine component. Further, a scheduling valve positioned in the conduit between the lubricant tank and the engine component may vary a flow of the lubricant to the engine component based on a condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthew D. Teicholz, Francis Parnin, Richard Alan Weiner, Katherine A. Knapp Carney
  • Patent number: 9869279
    Abstract: A system includes a turbine combustor, which includes a first wall disposed about a combustion chamber, a second wall disposed about the first wall, and a third wall disposed about the second wall. The third wall is configured to combine an exhaust gas with an oxidant and the combustion chamber is configured to combust a mixture of a fuel, the oxidant, and the exhaust gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignees: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, EXXONMOBIL UPSTREAM RESEARCH COMPANY
    Inventors: Lucas John Stoia, Richard Martin DiCintio, Patrick Benedict Melton, Bryan Wesley Romig, Ilya Aleksandrovich Slobodyanskiy
  • Patent number: 9869249
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a fan, a fan drive gear system coupled to drive the fan about an engine central axis, a compressor section including a first compressor and a second compressor and a turbine section. The turbine section includes a first turbine coupled to drive a first spool. The first spool is coupled at a first axial position to a compressor hub that is coupled to drive the first compressor. The first spool is also coupled at a second, different axial position to a fan drive input shaft that is coupled to drive the fan drive gear system. The turbine section also includes a second turbine coupled through a second spool to drive the second compressor. A sensor probe is operable to determine a rotational speed of the first spool. The sensor probe is located at a third axial position that is axially forward of the first axial position and axially aft of the second axial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Brian P Cigal, Todd A. David