Patents by Inventor Alston I. Scipio
Alston I. Scipio has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 10247110Abstract: A method and system for transitioning a gas turbine from burning gaseous fuel to liquid fuel and purging the liquid fuel therefrom after transfer back to the gaseous fuel are disclosed herein. The method includes pressurizing a volume of liquid fuel in an accumulator with a first volume of motive gas. A valve is opened in response to low gaseous fuel pressure in the gas turbine to permit the volume of liquid fuel to flow through a conduit to the gas turbine. A volume of flushing medium is pressurized in the accumulator with a second volume of motive gas. The valve is opened to permit at least a portion of the volume of flushing medium to flow through the conduit to flush any of the volume of liquid fuel remaining in the conduit after the gas turbine consumes the volume of liquid fuel.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2015Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Alston I. Scipio, David Terry Trayhan, Jr., Sanji Ekanayake, Paul Robert Fernandez
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Patent number: 9945266Abstract: A combined cycle power plant includes a gas turbine having a primary flow passage, a heat recovery steam generator having a heat exchanger disposed downstream from the primary flow passage, an exhaust stack in fluid communication with the primary flow passage and disposed downstream from the heat recovery steam generator and a reversible turning gear coupled to a rotor shaft of the gas turbine. The reversible turning gear counter rotates the rotor shaft during turning gear counter rotation operation of the gas turbine and reverses flow of combustion exhaust gas from the exhaust stack through the heat exchanger and back into the primary flow passage of the gas turbine, thereby conserving thermal energy stored in the heat recovery steam generator. A method for conserving thermal energy of a combined cycle power plant during counter rotation turning gear operation of the gas turbine is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2015Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Sanji Ekanayake, Julio Enrique Mestroni, Alston I. Scipio
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Publication number: 20170082034Abstract: A method and system for transitioning a gas turbine from burning gaseous fuel to liquid fuel and purging the liquid fuel therefrom after transfer back to the gaseous fuel are disclosed herein. The method includes pressurizing a volume of liquid fuel in an accumulator with a first volume of motive gas. A valve is opened in response to low gaseous fuel pressure in the gas turbine to permit the volume of liquid fuel to flow through a conduit to the gas turbine. A volume of flushing medium is pressurized in the accumulator with a second volume of motive gas. The valve is opened to permit at least a portion of the volume of flushing medium to flow through the conduit to flush any of the volume of liquid fuel remaining in the conduit after the gas turbine consumes the volume of liquid fuel.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2015Publication date: March 23, 2017Inventors: Alston I. Scipio, David Terry Trayhan, JR., Sanji Ekanayake, Paul Robert Fernandez
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Patent number: 9297316Abstract: A gas turbine system includes a compressor protection subsystem; a hibernation mode subsystem; and a control subsystem that controls the compressor subsystem and the hibernation subsystem. At partial loads on the turbine system, the compressor protection subsystem maintains an air flow through a compressor at an airflow coefficient for the partial load above a minimum flow rate coefficient where aeromechanical stresses occur in the compressor. The air fuel ratio in a combustor is maintained where exhaust gas emission components from the turbine are maintained below a predetermined component emission level while operating at partial loads.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2011Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Alston I. Scipio, Thomas John Freeman, Ryan Eric Obenhoff, Sanji Ekanayake, Michael Anthony Cocca, Mike Yarnold, Douglas Corbin Warwick, Joseph Klosinski
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Publication number: 20160061060Abstract: A combined cycle power plant comprises a compressor, a combustion section including a compressor discharge casing which is disposed downstream from the compressor, a turbine disposed downstream from the combustion section and an exhaust duct disposed downstream from the turbine section. The compressor, the compressor discharge casing, the turbine and the exhaust duct define a primary flow passage through the gas turbine. A heat recovery steam generator is in thermal communication with the exhaust duct and in fluid communication with a steam turbine. A blower is in fluid communication with the primary flow passage upstream from the heat recovery steam generator such that the blower draws compressed air from the primary flow passage during turning gear operation of the gas turbine.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2015Publication date: March 3, 2016Inventors: Sanji Ekanayake, Julio Enrique Mestroni, Alston I. Scipio
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Publication number: 20160061061Abstract: A combined cycle power plant includes a gas turbine having a primary flow passage, a heat recovery steam generator having a heat exchanger disposed downstream from the primary flow passage, an exhaust stack in fluid communication with the primary flow passage and disposed downstream from the heat recovery steam generator and a reversible turning gear coupled to a rotor shaft of the gas turbine. The reversible turning gear counter rotates the rotor shaft during turning gear counter rotation operation of the gas turbine and reverses flow of combustion exhaust gas from the exhaust stack through the heat exchanger and back into the primary flow passage of the gas turbine, thereby conserving thermal energy stored in the heat recovery steam generator. A method for conserving thermal energy of a combined cycle power plant during counter rotation turning gear operation of the gas turbine is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2015Publication date: March 3, 2016Inventors: Sanji Ekanayake, Julio Enrique Mestroni, Alston I. Scipio
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Patent number: 9239007Abstract: A supercharging system for a gas turbine system includes a compressor, a combustor, a turbine and a shaft. The supercharging system includes a fan assembly that provides an air stream and a torque converter coupled to the shaft and the fan assembly. The supercharging system also includes a subsystem for conveying a first portion of the air stream output to the compressor; and a bypass subsystem for optionally conveying a second portion of the air stream output to other uses.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2012Date of Patent: January 19, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Sanji Ekanayake, Alston I. Scipio
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Publication number: 20150159510Abstract: Methods and systems for dispersing an anticorrosion fluid to a turbine engine may be done while the turbine engine is online or offline. In an embodiment, a method may comprise selecting an anticorrosion fluid for a turbine engine and distributing the anticorrosion fluid into an air duct fluidly connected with the turbine engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2013Publication date: June 11, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Alston I. Scipio, Ryan Hooley, Sanji Ekanayake
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Publication number: 20150159509Abstract: Methods and systems for dispersing anticorrosive treatment for a turbine engine may incorporate an inlet bleed heat system. In an embodiment, a method may include selecting an anticorrosion fluid for a turbine engine and distributing the anticorrosion fluid via a vaporizing system fluidly connected with the turbine engine, wherein the vaporizing system is used to transform the anticorrosion fluid into a vapor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2013Publication date: June 11, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Alston I. Scipio, Douglas S. Byrd, Dale J. Davis, Sanji Ekanayake
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Patent number: 8747533Abstract: A smart filter assembly is provided, the smart filter assembly having a fouling detection instrument and a communications module. The fouling detection instrument measures the weight of the filter assembly to indicate the degree of fouling. The communications module conveys the signal from the fouling detection instrument to a control system.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2013Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: BHA Altair, LLCInventors: Sanji Ekanayake, Alston I. Scipio
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Publication number: 20140137564Abstract: Systems and methods for mitigation of hot corrosion in steam injected gas turbine. In one embodiment, a steam injection system can provide for automatic injection of steam in a gas turbine for NOx abatement and power augmentation. The system can obtain indications as to whether the steam to be injected meets the requirements of the gas turbine in terms of purity and quality. If the quality or purity is not adequate, steam the injection into the combustor or compressor discharge casing (CDC) is automatically inhibited. The system may also monitor the dynamic pressure oscillations inside the combustor. The system may modulate steam flows modulates to enhance the total steam flow while maintaining the dynamic oscillations within acceptable limits.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2012Publication date: May 22, 2014Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Alston I. Scipio, Sanji Ekanayake, Paul Robert Fernandez
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Publication number: 20140069744Abstract: A system for supplying lube oil to a gas turbine includes an auxiliary lube oil skid and an auxiliary lube oil pump. A first fluid connection to supply piping of a main lube oil system is downstream from the auxiliary lube oil pump. A second fluid connection to return piping of the main lube oil system is upstream from the auxiliary lube oil pump. A method for supplying lube oil to a gas turbine includes connecting an auxiliary lube oil pump to supply piping of a main lube oil system, connecting the auxiliary lube oil pump to return piping of the main lube oil system, and operating the auxiliary lube oil pump to supply lube oil to the supply piping.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2012Publication date: March 13, 2014Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Alston I. Scipio, Bhalchandra Arun Desai, Sanji Ekanayake
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Publication number: 20130318941Abstract: A system and method for supercharging a combined cycle system includes a forced draft fan providing a variable air flow. At least a first portion of the air flow is directed to a compressor and a second portion of the airflow is diverted to a heat recovery steam generator. A control system controls the airflows provided to the compressor and the heat recovery steam generator. The system allows a combined cycle system to be operated at a desired operating state by controlling the flow of air from the forced draft fan to the compressor and the heat recovery steam generator.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2012Publication date: December 5, 2013Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Sanji Ekanayake, Alston I. Scipio
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Publication number: 20130318984Abstract: A supercharging system for a gas turbine system includes a compressor, a combustor, a turbine and a shaft. The supercharging system includes a fan assembly that provides an air stream and a torque converter coupled to the shaft and the fan assembly. The supercharging system also includes a subsystem for conveying a first portion of the air stream output to the compressor; and a bypass subsystem for optionally conveying a second portion of the air stream output to other uses.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2012Publication date: December 5, 2013Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Sanji Ekanayake, Alston I. Scipio
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Publication number: 20130125557Abstract: A gas turbine system includes a compressor protection subsystem; a hibernation mode subsystem; and a control subsystem that controls the compressor subsystem and the hibernation subsystem. At partial loads on the turbine system, the compressor protection subsystem maintains an air flow through a compressor at an airflow coefficient for the partial load above a minimum flow rate coefficient where aeromechanical stresses occur in the compressor. The air fuel ratio in a combustor is maintained where exhaust gas emission components from the turbine are maintained below a predetermined component emission level while operating at partial loads.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2011Publication date: May 23, 2013Inventors: Alston I. Scipio, Thomas John Freeman, Ryan Eric Obenhoff, Sanji Ekanayake, Michael Anthony Cocca, Mike Yarnold, Douglas Corbin Warwick, Joseph Klosinski