Patents by Inventor Brian Allen Rittenhouse
Brian Allen Rittenhouse 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).
-
Patent number: 10815972Abstract: A method for assessing or validating wind turbine or wind farm performance produced by one or more upgrades is provided. Measurements of operating data from wind turbines in a wind farm are obtained. Baseline models of performance are generated, and each of the baseline models is developed from a different portion of the operating data. A generating step filters the wind turbines so that they are in a balanced randomized state. An optimal baseline model of performance is selected from the baseline models and the optimal baseline model includes direction. The optimal baseline model of performance and an actual performance of the wind farm or wind turbine is compared. The comparing step determines a difference between an optimal baseline model of power output and an actual power output of the wind farm/turbine. The difference is reflective of a change in the power output produced by the upgrades.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2019Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Scott Charles Evans, Danian Zheng, Raul Munoz, Samuel Bryan Shartzer, Brian Allen Rittenhouse, Samuel Davoust, Alvaro Enrique Gil, Nurali Virani, Ricardo Zetina
-
Publication number: 20200300227Abstract: A method for assessing or validating wind turbine or wind farm performance produced by one or more upgrades is provided. Measurements of operating data from wind turbines in a wind farm are obtained. Baseline models of performance are generated, and each of the baseline models is developed from a different portion of the operating data. A generating step filters the wind turbines so that they are in a balanced randomized state. An optimal baseline model of performance is selected from the baseline models and the optimal baseline model includes direction. The optimal baseline model of performance and an actual performance of the wind farm or wind turbine is compared. The comparing step determines a difference between an optimal baseline model of power output and an actual power output of the wind farm/turbine. The difference is reflective of a change in the power output produced by the upgrades.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2019Publication date: September 24, 2020Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Scott Charles Evans, Danian Zheng, Raul Munoz, Samuel Bryan Shartzer, Brian Allen Rittenhouse, Samuel Davoust, Alvaro Enrique Gil, Nurali Virani, Ricardo Zetina
-
Patent number: 10697439Abstract: A method for evaluating performance of a wind turbine includes operating the wind turbine in a first operational mode. The method also includes generating a first set of operational data relating to the first operational mode. More specifically, the first set of operational data includes, at least, a first parameter and a second parameter. Further, the first and second parameters of the first set are measured during different time periods during the first operational mode. The method further includes changing the first operational mode to a second operational mode. Moreover, the method includes generating a second set of operational data relating to the second operational mode. The second set of operational data also includes, at least, a first parameter and a second parameter. Thus, the method includes determining a performance characteristic of the first and second operational modes based on the first and second sets of operational data.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2017Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Frederick Wilson Wheeler, Danian Zheng, James Huu Phan, Brian Allen Rittenhouse
-
Patent number: 10655542Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a drive train starter system. The drive train starter system includes a generator mechanically coupled to a drive train of a gas turbine system and an exciter system electrically coupled to the generator and configured to provide a magnetic field. The drive train starter system additionally includes a load commutated inverter (LCI) electrically coupled to the generator and configured to provide electrical power to the generator and a controller communicatively coupled to the generator, the exciter system, and the LCI. The controller is configured to start up the drive train via the LCI and the generator up to less than a drive train operating speed, wherein the generator is converting electricity into mechanical motion; drive the drive train via a gas turbine up to the drive train operating speed; and to drive the drive train via the generator at the drive train operating speed.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2015Date of Patent: May 19, 2020Assignees: General Electric Company, ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Brian Allen Rittenhouse, Karl Dean Minto
-
Patent number: 10208677Abstract: A gas turbine system includes a combustor configured to combust an oxidant and a fuel in the presence of an exhaust gas diluent to produce combustion products, an oxidant supply path fluidly coupled to the combustor and configured to flow the oxidant to the combustor at an oxidant flow rate, and a turbine configured to extract work from the combustion products to produce an exhaust gas used to generate the exhaust gas diluent. The turbine causes a shaft of the gas turbine system to rotate when the work is extracted from the combustion products. The system also includes an electrical generator that generates electrical power in response to rotation by the shaft, and a controller that performs load control in response to a target load by adjusting the oxidant flow rate along the oxidant flow path as a primary load control parameter.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2013Date of Patent: February 19, 2019Assignees: General Electric Company, ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Karl Dean Minto, Jonathan Carl Thatcher, Brian Allen Rittenhouse, Aaron Vorel
-
Publication number: 20180363632Abstract: A method for evaluating performance of a wind turbine includes operating the wind turbine in a first operational mode. The method also includes generating a first set of operational data relating to the first operational mode. More specifically, the first set of operational data includes, at least, a first parameter and a second parameter. Further, the first and second parameters of the first set are measured during different time periods during the first operational mode. The method further includes changing the first operational mode to a second operational mode. Moreover, the method includes generating a second set of operational data relating to the second operational mode. The second set of operational data also includes, at least, a first parameter and a second parameter. Thus, the method includes determining a performance characteristic of the first and second operational modes based on the first and second sets of operational data.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2017Publication date: December 20, 2018Inventors: Frederick Wilson Wheeler, Danian Zheng, James Huu Phan, Brian Allen Rittenhouse
-
Patent number: 9500200Abstract: Embodiments of the present application include a stall detection system for a gas turbine engine. The system may include a compressor and a number of variable stator vanes associated with the compressor. The variable stator vanes may form one or more variable stator vane stages. The system may also include one or more resolvers associated with one or more of the variable stator vanes. The resolvers may be configured to detect a flutter in an angle of the variable stator vanes. The flutter may be indicative of the onset of compressor stall.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2012Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventor: Brian Allen Rittenhouse
-
Publication number: 20150377140Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a drive train starter system. The drive train starter system includes a generator mechanically coupled to a drive train of a gas turbine system and an exciter system electrically coupled to the generator and configured to provide a magnetic field. The drive train starter system additionally includes a load commutated inverter (LCI) electrically coupled to the generator and configured to provide electrical power to the generator and a controller communicatively coupled to the generator, the exciter system, and the LCI. The controller is configured to start up the drive train via the LCI and the generator up to less than a drive train operating speed, wherein the generator is converting electricity into mechanical motion; drive the drive train via a gas turbine up to the drive train operating speed; and to drive the drive train via the generator at the drive train operating speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2015Publication date: December 31, 2015Inventors: Brian Allen Rittenhouse, Karl Dean Minto
-
Publication number: 20150226133Abstract: A gas turbine system includes a combustor configured to combust an oxidant and a fuel in the presence of an exhaust gas diluent to produce combustion products, an oxidant supply path fluidly coupled to the combustor and configured to flow the oxidant to the combustor at an oxidant flow rate, and a turbine configured to extract work from the combustion products to produce an exhaust gas used to generate the exhaust gas diluent. The turbine causes a shaft of the gas turbine system to rotate when the work is extracted from the combustion products. The system also includes an electrical generator that generates electrical power in response to rotation by the shaft, and a controller that performs load control in response to a target load by adjusting the oxidant flow rate along the oxidant flow path as a primary load control parameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2013Publication date: August 13, 2015Applicants: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company, General Electric CompanyInventors: Karl Dean Minto, Jonathan Carl Thatcher, Brian Allen Rittenhouse, Aaron Vorel
-
Patent number: 9103228Abstract: The present application provides a variable stator vane control system. The variable stator vane control system may include a variable stator vane positioned by an actuator and a trimmer motor, a resolver to determine a position of the variable stator vane, and a controller in communication with the resolver, the actuator, and the trimmer motor to prevent over travel of the variable stator vane.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2011Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Daniel Richard Waugh, Brian Allen Rittenhouse
-
Patent number: 8789408Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to systems and methods for holding target turbomachine compressor pressure ratio constant while varying the shaft speed. In order to characterize a load compressor and validate the compressor design, the speed of the load compressor can be changed while controlling the compressor operating line and holding the inlet guide vanes at a constant angle. Discharge control valves can be dynamically adjusted to maintain the pressure ratio equal to the operating line over a range of speeds.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2012Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jason Dean Fuller, Daniel Richard Waugh, Justin Aaron Allen, Brian Allen Rittenhouse
-
Publication number: 20140130584Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to systems and methods for holding target turbomachine compressor pressure ratio constant while varying the shaft speed. In order to characterize a load compressor and validate the compressor design, the speed of the load compressor can be changed while controlling the compressor operating line and holding the inlet guide vanes at a constant angle. Discharge control valves can be dynamically adjusted to maintain the pressure ratio equal to the operating line over a range of speeds.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2012Publication date: May 15, 2014Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Jason Dean Fuller, Daniel Richard Waugh, Justin Aaron Allen, Brian Allen Rittenhouse
-
Publication number: 20130287550Abstract: A compressor of a gas turbine system includes at least one inlet row having a plurality of inlet guide vanes. Also included is at least one stator row having a plurality of stator vanes. Further included is a first actuation mechanism operably connected to the at least one stator row, wherein the first actuation mechanism is configured to positionally manipulate the at least one stator row. Yet further included is a second actuation mechanism operably connected to the at least one stator row, wherein the second actuation mechanism is configured to positionally manipulate the at least one stator row.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2012Publication date: October 31, 2013Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Brian Allen Rittenhouse, Harry McFarland Jarrett, JR., Daniel Richard Waugh
-
Publication number: 20130276425Abstract: Embodiments of the present application include a stall detection system for a gas turbine engine. The system may include a compressor and a number of variable stator vanes associated with the compressor. The variable stator vanes may form one or more variable stator vane stages. The system may also include one or more resolvers associated with one or more of the variable stator vanes. The resolvers may be configured to detect a flutter in an angle of the variable stator vanes. The flutter may be indicative of the onset of compressor stall.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2012Publication date: October 24, 2013Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventor: Brian Allen Rittenhouse
-
Publication number: 20130039736Abstract: The present application provides a variable stator vane control system. The variable stator vane control system may include a variable stator vane positioned by an actuator and a trimmer motor, a resolver to determine a position of the variable stator vane, and a controller in communication with the resolver, the actuator, and the trimmer motor to prevent over travel of the variable stator vane.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2011Publication date: February 14, 2013Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Daniel Richard Waugh, Brian Allen Rittenhouse
-
Publication number: 20120225750Abstract: An apparatus configured to increase the operational range of a turbine is disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes: a turbine coupled to a driveshaft; a drive-train coupled to the driveshaft; a first torque convertor coupled to the drive-train, the first torque convertor being configured to deliver an operational torque to the drive-train; a second torque convertor coupled to the first torque convertor, the second torque convertor being configured to deliver a torque to the first torque convertor; a first motor coupled to the second torque convertor, the first motor being configured to deliver a power input to the second torque convertor; and a control system operably connected to at least one of the first torque convertor and the second torque convertor, the control system configured to monitor and adjust a speed of the drive-train by controlling at least one of the operational torque provided by the first torque converter and the torque provided by the second torque converter.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2011Publication date: September 6, 2012Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Justin Aaron Allen, Jason Dean Fuller, Karl Dean Minto, Brian Allen Rittenhouse, Daniel Richard Waugh