Patents by Inventor Charlie Ellis

Charlie Ellis 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: 8104290
    Abstract: The present invention are directed towards a system and method for providing a way of reducing the vibrations and wear between mating components of a gas turbine combustor. The gas turbine combustor includes a flow sleeve having a plurality of liner stops and a combustion liner located radially within the flow sleeve. Spring dampers are positioned between the combustion liner and the flow sleeve to restrict the relative movement between the flow sleeve and the combustion liner and dampen vibrations at their assembly location. The spring dampers are capable of compressing to permit thermal growth between the combustion liner and flow sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Charlie Ellis, Carlos Calderon
  • Patent number: 8001789
    Abstract: An improved inlet bleed heat system for a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The inlet bleed heat system provides improved mixing in an inlet region while permitting the engine to be operated at lower power settings. The inlet bleed heat system comprises a supply conduit, a plurality of feed tubes extending from the supply conduit, and a guide tube for receiving opposing ends of the feed tubes. The plurality of feed tubes each have a plurality of injection orifices and the feed tubes are oriented such that the injection orifices generally face into a flow of oncoming air with the feed tubes being positioned forward of a plurality of sound attenuating baffles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Alstom Technologies Ltd., LLC
    Inventors: Santiago Vega, Charlie Ellis, Roger Kastelic, James Leahy, Janak Raguraman
  • Patent number: 7958735
    Abstract: A turbine static structure having reduced leakage air is disclosed. A static structure turbine support ring having few segments is disclosed in which the segments have improved thermal expansion capability with reduced air leakage. A plurality of radially extending slots are placed in the segments to reduce stiffness. In order to minimize air leakage through the support ring, generally circumferential slots are placed in the ring and connect with the generally radially extending slots. Positioned in each of the generally radially extending slots and generally circumferential slots, and in contact with each other, are two sheet metal plates. The plates are staked to the support ring structure so as to provide a seal member, yet compensate for thermal growth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Power Systems Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Charlie Ellis, J. Page Strohl, Matt Thomas
  • Publication number: 20100089068
    Abstract: The present invention are directed towards a system and method for providing a way of reducing the vibrations and wear between mating components of a gas turbine combustor. The gas turbine combustor includes a flow sleeve having a plurality of liner stops and a combustion liner located radially within the flow sleeve. Spring dampers are positioned between the combustion liner and the flow sleeve to restrict the relative movement between the flow sleeve and the combustion liner and dampen vibrations at their assembly location. The spring dampers are capable of compressing to permit thermal growth between the combustion liner and flow sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventors: Charlie Ellis, Carlos Calderon
  • Publication number: 20080148737
    Abstract: A turbine static structure having reduced leakage air is disclosed. A static structure turbine support ring having few segments is disclosed in which the segments have improved thermal expansion capability with reduced air leakage. A plurality of radially extending slots are placed in the segments to reduce stiffness. In order to minimize air leakage through the support ring, generally circumferential slots are placed in the ring and connect with the generally radially extending slots. Positioned in each of the generally radially extending slots and generally circumferential slots, and in contact with each other, are two sheet metal plates. The plates are staked to the support ring structure so as to provide a seal member, yet compensate for thermal growth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: Power Systems Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Charlie Ellis, J. Page Strohl, Matt Thomas
  • Patent number: 7293957
    Abstract: A vane assembly for a gas turbine engine is disclosed having lower thermally induced stresses resulting in improved component durability. The stresses in the vane assembly airfoils are lowered by increasing the flexibility of the vane platform and reducing its resistance to thermal deflection. This is accomplished by placing an opening along the innermost vane assembly rail that reduces the effective stiffness of the platform, thereby lowering the operating stresses in the airfoils of the vane assembly. A removable seal is then placed in the opening in order to prevent undesired leakages, while maintaining the benefit of the increased platform flexibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Power Systems Mfg., LLC
    Inventors: Charlie Ellis, David Parker, J. Page Strohl, David Medrano