Patents Examined by Ted Kim
  • Patent number: 10359004
    Abstract: A device for the repeated production of explosions includes an explosion space, a feed conduit for feeding a flowable, explosive material, a discharge opening for the directed discharge of a gas pressure produced by the ignition of the explosive material in the explosion space, and a movable closure element for the partial or complete closure of the discharge opening. The device includes an exit nozzle with a nozzle entry area and a nozzle exit area, as well as an actuation device. The actuation device is adapted, after an opening of the discharge opening and an outflow of explosion gases through the exit nozzle, to adjust an area ratio between the nozzle entry area and the nozzle exit area. The area ratio at least approximately follows an ideal area ratio for the production of a maximal exit speed of the explosion gases, in dependence on the pressure in the explosion space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: EXPLOTECHNIK AG
    Inventor: Hans Rüegg
  • Patent number: 10352247
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprises a first compressor, a second compressor, a starter generator and a clutch. The starter generator is coupled to the first compressor. The clutch selectively couples the second compressor and the first compressor. The clutch is disposed between a first shaft and a second shaft to engage the first shaft with the second shaft at rest. A flyweight system is engaged with the clutch mechanism to permit freewheeling of the first shaft relative to the second shaft when subject to rotational motion beyond a threshold speed. A method for starting a gas turbine engine comprises engaging a low pressure compressor with a high pressure compressor utilizing a clutch, rotating the low pressure compressor and the high pressure compressor utilizing a starter generator coupled to the low pressure compressor, igniting the gas turbine engine, and disengaging the clutch at an operational speed of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: William G. Sheridan, Gabriel L. Suciu, Brian D. Merry
  • Patent number: 10343890
    Abstract: A system for renewable energy storage, providing integral synthesis of heat source cryo-fuel and heat sink refrigerant for distributed electric generation and motor vehicle prime movers and refrigerant liquefiers. Fuel synthesis is by gasification and anaerobic digestion of organic feedstock with heat recovery to drive thermo-chemical reactor and air and fuel liquefiers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Inventor: Jay Stephen Kaufman
  • Patent number: 10344710
    Abstract: A turbofan engine having a thrust reverser having at least one movable control surface, movable to and from a reversing position where at least a portion of the bypass air flow is at least partially reversed, a thrust reverser actuation system having multiple actuators and a lockout mechanism movable between an inhibit condition, wherein movement of the multiple actuators is prevented, and a permit condition, wherein movement of the multiple actuators is permitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: GE Aviation Systems LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Willett, Brent Michael Ozanich, George Arnold Conway, Jonathan L. Spiry, Daniel Peter Beck, Jeffrey Michael Larkin
  • Patent number: 10294865
    Abstract: A combustor assembly in a gas turbine engine includes a gas generator casing, an annular combustor supported within the casing, and a fuel injection system that includes an internal fuel manifold assembly having a fuel manifold ring with at least one fuel conveying passage in fluid flow communication with fuel injection nozzles. An inlet member is connected to the manifold ring and includes a drainage passage for collecting possible leaked fuel that is defined between the inlet member and a heat shield surrounding the inlet member. Any leaked fuel is discharged out of the inlet member at an exit of the fuel passage on an end surface of the inlet member proximate the second end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventor: Oleg Morenko
  • Patent number: 10295186
    Abstract: A nozzle is provided including a nozzle body having an upstream end and a downstream end aligned about a central axis. A discharge portion is positioned adjacent the downstream end. A bore extends inwardly from the downstream end over the length of the discharge portion. An opening is formed in the nozzle body adjacent the discharge portion. The opening is fluidly connected to the bore to provide an interior air flow passage. A main fuel channel extends from the upstream end to the discharge portion. At least one fuel flow branch extends through the discharge portion between the bore and an outer surface of the nozzle body. The fuel flow branch is fluidly coupled to the main fuel conduit to provide a fuel flow passage. The outer air cap is positioned about the outer surface of the discharge portion of the nozzle body to form an exterior air flow passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: DELAVAN INC. OF DES MOINES IA
    Inventor: Gregory Zink
  • Patent number: 10287982
    Abstract: A heat exchanger (HEX) for cooling air in a gas turbine engine is provided. The HEX may comprise a central manifold comprising an inlet portion, a first outlet portion, and a second outlet portion. The HEX may further comprise a plurality of tubes coupled to the central manifold, the plurality of tubes comprising at least a first tube, a second tube, a third tube, and a fourth tube, a shroud at least partially encasing said plurality of tubes, and a cooling air flow path defined by at least one of the shroud, the plurality of tubes, and an outer surface of the central manifold, wherein the cooling air flow path is orthogonal to said plurality of tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Paul W. Duesler, Frederick M. Schwarz
  • Patent number: 10280871
    Abstract: A nacelle exhaust nozzle having a deployable noise-reducing component is described. The noise-reducing component includes an annular perforated sleeve coinciding with the inner nacelle loft line and circumscribing a mixed exhaust gas flow exiting the nacelle. The annular perforated sleeve is radially spaced apart from of a displaceable wall of an inflatable envelope that is displaceable between a deployed position, wherein noise-reduction is active, and a retracted position, wherein noise-reduction is inactive. When the inflatable envelope is pressurized, portions of the displaceable wall project through openings in the perforated sleeve and into the exhaust gas flow to form a rough surface at the loft line which causes a reduction in noise level. The portions of the displaceable wall that project through the openings in the perforated sleeve when the inflatable enveloped is pressurized include a plurality of dimples formed on the inner wall and forming the rough surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Ninad Joshi, Gaetan Girard
  • Patent number: 10253695
    Abstract: A heat exchanger (HEX) for cooling air in a gas turbine engine is provided. An adjustable damper is provided. The adjustable damper may be for damping a movement of the HEX relative to the gas turbing engine. An adjustable damper may comprise: a first tube; a second tube located at least partially within the first tube; a housing coupled to the second tube; a moveable member, the moveable member comprising a contacting surface in contact with the second tube; an adjusting member adjustably coupled to the housing; and a spring member located between the moveable member and the adjusting member, the spring member configured to at least one of compress or decompress in response to adjusting member moving relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Paul W. Duesler, Frederick M. Schwarz
  • Patent number: 10227921
    Abstract: A system includes a plurality of interconnected mixing assemblies configured to mix a first fuel and water to generate a first mixture, and mix a second fuel and the water to generate a second mixture. The first and second fuel mixtures are configured to combust in a plurality of combustors of a gas turbine. The interconnected mixing assemblies include first and second fuel passages, a water passage, first and second mixers, first and second fuel valves, and first and second water valves disposed in an integrated housing. The first fuel valve has a first fuel flow coefficient between approximately 1.0 to 1.5, the second fuel valve has a second fuel flow coefficient between approximately 3.0 to 5.0, the first water valve has a first water flow coefficient between approximately 0.4 to 0.55, and the second water valve has a second water flow coefficient between approximately 3.5 to 5.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Hua Zhang, Tailai Hu, Sudhakar Todeti, Kenneth Eugene Selfridge
  • Patent number: 10208956
    Abstract: A combustor comprises an annular combustor chamber formed between the inner and outer liners, the annular combustor chamber having a central axis. Fuel nozzles are in fluid communication with the annular combustor chamber to inject fuel in the annular combustor chamber. The fuel nozzles are oriented to inject fuel in a fuel flow direction having an axial component relative to the central axis of the annular combustor chamber. Nozzle air inlets are in fluid communication with the annular combustor chamber to inject nozzle air generally radially in the annular combustor chamber. A plurality of dilution air holes are defined through the inner and outer liner downstream of the nozzle air inlets, the dilution holes configured for high pressure air to be injected from an exterior of the liners through the dilution air holes generally radially into the combustor chamber, a central axis of the dilution air holes having a tangential component relative to the central axis of the annular combustor chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Lev Alexander Prociw, Parham Zabeti
  • Patent number: 10208958
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for mixing H2-rich fuels with air in a gas turbine combustion system, wherein a first stream of burner air and a second stream of a H2-rich fuel are provided. All of the fuel is premixed with a portion of the burner air to produce a pre-premixed fuel/air mixture. This pre-premixed fuel/air mixture is injected into the main burner air stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: ANSALDO ENERGIA SWITZERLAND AG
    Inventors: Richard Carroni, Fernando Biagioli
  • Patent number: 10208673
    Abstract: A fluid dispensing apparatus that may be additive manufactured as one unitary piece and may be a fuel injector for a gas turbine engine includes a radial displacement bellows having an outer surface that faces and may be exposed to a surrounding environment and an interior surface that faces and may define at least in-part a flowpath extending along a centerline. The radial displacement bellows is constructed and arranged to move between an expanded state when a pressure differential between the environment and the flowpath is low to a restricted state when the pressure differential is high.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Joe Ott, Stanley J. Funk, Roger O. Coffey, Shawn Stempinski, John J. Rup, Jr., Lyutsia Dautova, Dennis M. Moura
  • Patent number: 10208664
    Abstract: Combustion equipment includes annular combustion chamber having an annular upstream wall structure. Annular outer casing surrounds and is spaced from annular combustion chamber and annular inner casing is within and spaced from annular combustion chamber. Ogee shaped annular cowl is positioned upstream of annular upstream wall structure and a stage of compressor outlet guide vanes is positioned upstream of annular cowl. Pre-diffuser extends in downstream direction from stage of compressor outlet guide vanes, pre-diffuser is positioned upstream of cowl. Stage of compressor outlet guide vanes is connected to outer and inner casing. Outer fairing extends radially inwardly from outer casing such that annular outer casing, outer fairing and pre-diffuser define annular outer cavity and outer fairing is spaced from cowl or inner fairing extends radially outwardly from inner casing such that annular inner casing, inner fairing and pre-diffuser define an annular inner cavity and inner fairing is spaced from cowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Christopher Armit, Emmanuel Aurifeille, Shahrokh Shahpar, Paul Denman, Christopher Ford
  • Patent number: 10202867
    Abstract: A flow transfer apparatus for transferring cooling flow from a primary gas flowpath to a turbine rotor. The apparatus includes a first supply plenum communicating with the primary gas flowpath and first inducers, the first inducers configured to accelerate a first fluid flow from the first supply plenum and discharge it toward the rotor with a tangential velocity; a second supply plenum communicating with the primary gas flowpath and second inducers, the second inducers configured to accelerate a second fluid flow from the second supply plenum towards the rotor with a tangential velocity; and a cooling modulation valve operable to selectively permit or block the second fluid flow from the primary gas flowpath to the second supply plenum. The valve includes a flow control structure disposed in the primary gas flowpath and an actuation structure extending to a location radially outside of a casing defining the primary gas flowpath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Joseph Rahaim, Daniel John Fusinato, Scott David Hunter, Joel Francis Kirk, Michael Robert Melzak, Curtis Walton Stover
  • Patent number: 10202939
    Abstract: A shape memory alloy (SMA) actuated aerostructure operable to dynamically change shape according to flight conditions is disclosed. Deformable structures are actuated by SMA actuators that are coupled to face sheets of the deformable structures. Actuating the SMA actuators produces complex shape changes of the deformable structures by activating shape changes of the SMA actuators. The SMA actuators are actuated via an active or passive temperature change based on operating conditions. The SMA actuated aerostructure can be used for morphable nozzles such as a variable area fan nozzle and/or a variable geometry chevron of a jet engine to reduce engine noise during takeoff without degrading fuel burn during cruise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Richard D. Widdle, Matthew T. Grimshaw, Kava S. Crosson-Eltruan, James Henry Mabe, Frederick T. Calkins, Lynn Marie Gravatt, Moushumi Shome
  • Patent number: 10197010
    Abstract: A long-duct mixed-flow nozzle system for a turbofan engine, the nozzle system may include an inner housing configured to enclose a core and form a core flow duct, the inner housing terminating in a core nozzle having a core exit aperture, an outer housing forming a fan flow duct and terminating in a fan exit aperture at a location downstream of the core exit aperture, the fan exit aperture having a plurality of chevrons, and the core exit aperture having a plurality of chutes separated by radially extending lobes configured to mix exhaust gas from the core flow duct with bypass gas flow in the fan flow duct, the radially extending lobes varying in profile from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: David William Forsyth
  • Patent number: 10196983
    Abstract: A fuel nozzle configured to channel fluid towards a combustion chamber is provided. The fuel nozzle includes a stem having a central passageway and at least one fuel tube disposed within the passageway. The fuel tube includes an outlet end portion having inner and outer walls separated by a cavity defined by a fixed aft face. The inner wall defines a central bore for delivering fuel to the combustion chamber. Further, the fuel nozzle includes an outer heat shield tube concentrically aligned with the outlet end portion of the fuel tube. The heat shield tube includes a circumferential outer wall having an aft face that stops upstream of the fixed aft face of the fuel tube. Thus, during operation, the heat shield tube is configured to thermally expand by sliding against the outer wall of the fuel tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Michael Cadman, Thomas Ryan Wallace, Brian Matthias Schaldach, Randy Joseph Tobe
  • Patent number: 10197281
    Abstract: A combustion system for a gas turbine includes a combustion chamber having an end section and a pre-combustion section extending from the end section, a swirler device, an optional pilot burner device and a light emitting arrangement. Main fuel is injectable by the swirler device into an inner volume of the pre-combustion section. The main flame using main fuel is producible inside the inner volume. The pilot burner device is mounted to the end section of the combustion chamber such that a pilot fuel is injectable by the pilot burner device into the inner volume of the pre-combustion section, wherein a pilot flame using the pilot fuel is producible inside the inner volume for stabilizing the main flame. The light emitting arrangement emits an electromagnetic radiation into the inner volume, such that an energy input is generatable by the electromagnetic radiation for stabilizing the pilot flame and/or the main flame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Timothy Dolmansley, Jonathan May, Herman Ruijsenaars
  • Patent number: 10197282
    Abstract: A multistaged lean prevaporizing premixing fuel injector apparatus is provided. The fuel injector may be utilized with a turbogenerator. Preheated combustion air from the turbogenerator's recuperator may be utilized by the fuel injector to prevaporize liquid fuel. The injector may provide for premixing of multiple fuel streams and include multiple stages with a flow distributor plate separating adjacent stages. The injector may include multiple stages, with a pilot tube located in a final stage splitting the fuel stream into a premixed pilot stream and a premixed final fuel and air mixture stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Capstone Turbine Corporation
    Inventors: Mark G. Mitchell, Junhua Chen