Patents by Inventor David August

David August 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: 8510013
    Abstract: A gas turbine includes a rotor, and a controller for controlling a shutdown of the gas turbine based on a target fuel-to-air ratio profile and/or controlling a rotor speed according to a target speed schedule to attain a specified duration for the shutdown. The controller controls the rotor speed by engaging the starting system to turn the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Harold Lamar Jordan, Jr., David August Snider
  • Publication number: 20130167550
    Abstract: A method of delivering a purge flow through a gas turbomachine includes generating a purge flow, guiding the purge flow through at least one of a combustor assembly and a turbine portion of the gas turbomachine, determining a cumulative purge volume passing through the one of the combustor assembly and the turbine portion of the gas turbomachine to determine a predetermined purge volume, and discontinuing the purge flow once the predetermined purge volume has passed through the one of the combustor assembly and the turbine portion of the gas turbomachine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: David August Snider, Christopher John Morawski
  • Patent number: 8459034
    Abstract: A fuel delivery system for a gas turbine engine includes one or more subsets of combustors, and at least two fuel manifolds including a fuel manifold coupled to each combustor subset and configured to deliver fuel to only the subset of combustors during a predetermined gas turbine engine operating mode. A gas turbine engine assembly including a fuel delivery system and a method of operating a gas turbine engine is also described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David August Snider, Willy Steve Ziminsky
  • Patent number: 8429917
    Abstract: Fuel is delivered in a gas turbine engine including a can annular combustor array that includes at least one combustor level subset within the array supplied by an independent fuel delivery system. Fuel is supplied only to one or more subsets during a first mode of operation. Fuel is supplied to the entire array of combustors during a second mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David August Snider, Willy Steve Ziminsky
  • Publication number: 20130103323
    Abstract: A method of measuring parameters of a gas turbine flow path is described. The method includes installing along one or more existing struts in the gas turbine flow path a first plurality of sensors for measuring a first parameter at one or more radial positions along the one or more struts and a second plurality of sensors for measuring a second parameter at one or more radial positions along the one or more struts. The method further includes producing an actual profile of the gas turbine flow path first parameter and second parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: David August Snider, Harold Lamar Jordan, JR., Christopher Ryan Holsonback
  • Patent number: 8386133
    Abstract: A first sensor detects a boom angle of a boom with respect to a support. An attachment is coupled to the boom. A second cylinder is associated with the attachment. A second sensor detects an attachment angle of the attachment with respect to the boom. An accelerometer detects an acceleration or deceleration of the boom. A switch accepts a command to enter a ready position state from another position state. A controller controls the first hydraulic cylinder to attain a boom angle within the target boom angular range and for controlling the second cylinder to attain an attachment angle within the target attachment angular range associated with the ready position state in response to the command in conformity with at least one of a desired boom motion curve and a desired attachment motion curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Mark Peter Sahlin, Jason Meredith, Jerry Anthony Samuelson, David August Johnson, Eric Richard Anderson
  • Patent number: 8359142
    Abstract: A method of controlling application of a substance to vegetation using data obtained via a mobile machine is provided. A height of the vegetation is measured during a scheduled task of the mobile machine. The measured height of the vegetation is compared with a calculated height of the vegetation. Then, an amount of the substance applied by an irrigation system to an area containing the vegetation is adjusted based on a difference between the measured height of the vegetation and the calculated height of the vegetation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Joshua D. Hoffman, Noel Wayne Anderson, David August Johnson, Russell Thacher, Kirk Eisenbeis
  • Patent number: 8356484
    Abstract: According to one aspect, the subject application involves a method of controlling a transition of a gas turbine. The method includes receiving a request of the gas turbine to drive an increased load. The increased load is greater than a load being driven by the gas turbine when the request is received. The method further includes determining that a temperature of a fuel to be ignited within a combustor of the gas turbine is less than a target temperature of the fuel to be introduced into the combustor for driving the increased load. Responsive to this determination, the method also includes controlling introduction of an additive into the combustor of the gas turbine when the temperature of the fuel is less than the target temperature to establish a suitable Wobbe Index of a fuel combination to promote a substantially continuous transition of the gas turbine to drive the increased load, wherein the fuel combination includes the fuel and the additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: David August Snider
  • Patent number: 8322145
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing surge protection to turbine components are provided. A surge protection limit may be determined for the turbine component. One or more measurements associated with operation of the turbine component may be received and provided to a cycle model executed to predict an operating condition of the turbine component. The predicted operating condition of the turbine component may be adjusted based at least in part on the received one or more measurements. The surge protection limit may be adjusted based on the adjusted predicted operating condition of the turbine component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David August Snider, Harold Lamar Jordan, Jr., Timothy Andrew Healy, John David Stampfli
  • Publication number: 20120293316
    Abstract: Control of a vehicle to perform a task employs first control input provided by a human operator and second control input provided by an automated controller. A relationship between the first control input and the second control input is determined. Either the first control input or the second control input is used to control the vehicle to perform the task based on the determined relationship. An indicator may be used to indicate to the operator when the control input provided by the human operator is being used to control the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventors: David August Johnson, Julian Sanchez, Eric R. Anderson, Mark P. Sahlin
  • Publication number: 20120290250
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for providing a real time, radial exhaust temperature distribution in a gas turbine to improve the understanding of exhaust gas temperature in a manner similar to installing production rakes. The thermocouples are installed along the exhaust frame strut skins at a number of radial positions. The data from the thermocouples along each of the struts is used to produce a normalized radial profile of the turbine exhaust temperature. The existing turbine station instrumentation is then used to expand the normalized profile into an actual profile of the turbine exhaust temperature. The calculations/transfer functions for temperatures are obtained from data collected during performance testing with full rakes. This profile is integrated to determine a bulk Tx to improve gas turbine controls including model-based controls or corrected parameter controls (MBC/CPC) controls, or specific radial temperatures are used, to provide protective action for bucket platforms, or other turbine components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David August Snider, Harold Jordan, Christopher Holsonback
  • Patent number: 8295979
    Abstract: A method for scheduling mowing tasks by a robotic mower is provided. An estimated height of grass cut by the robotic mower is determined for a predetermined number of past mowing tasks. The estimated height of grass cut is compared with a predicted height of grass in an operating environment for the robotic mower. Then, a mowing schedule for the robotic mower is adjusted by decreasing a time between mowing tasks in response to the estimated height of grass cut being greater than the predicted height of grass. Alternatively, the mowing schedule for the robotic mower is adjusted by increasing the time between mowing tasks in response to the estimated height of grass cut being less than the predicted height of grass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Russell Thacher, Kirk Eisenbeis, David August Johnson, Noel Wayne Anderson, Joshua D. Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20120256752
    Abstract: A battery charging management technique and apparatus to manage battery charge in order to extend the operating life of the battery while meeting the energy needs of both scheduled and unscheduled discharges of the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventors: James William Musser, David August Johnson, Peter Finamore, Noel Wayne Anderson
  • Patent number: 8285460
    Abstract: A method of controlling application of a substance to vegetation using data obtained via a mobile machine is provided. A height of the vegetation is measured during a scheduled task of the mobile machine. The measured height of the vegetation is compared with a calculated height of the vegetation. Then, an amount of the substance applied by an irrigation system to an area containing the vegetation is adjusted based on a difference between the measured height of the vegetation and the calculated height of the vegetation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Joshua D. Hoffman, Noel Wayne Anderson, David August Johnson, Russell Thacher, Kirk Eisenbeis
  • Publication number: 20120240591
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for shutting down a generator to prepare the generator for restart is disclosed. A power down sequence of a gas turbine of the generator is initiated from an operating state. A purge gas is forced into the gas turbine to extinguish a combustion flame in the gas turbine. The purge gas is swept through the gas turbine to displace the fuel from the gas turbine using a coast down airflow through the gas turbine during the power down sequence to prepare the generator for restart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: David August Snider, Michael Joseph Alexander, Robert Lester Brooks, Elsie Angelly Carantini, Michael James Dutka, Christopher John Morawski, Eugene Armstead Post
  • Publication number: 20120173087
    Abstract: A method of controlling application of a substance to vegetation using data obtained via a mobile machine is provided. A height of the vegetation is measured during a scheduled task of the mobile machine. The measured height of the vegetation is compared with a calculated height of the vegetation. Then, an amount of the substance applied by an irrigation system to an area containing the vegetation is adjusted based on a difference between the measured height of the vegetation and the calculated height of the vegetation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Joshua D. Hoffman, Noel Wayne Anderson, David August Johnson, Russell Thacher, Kirk Eisenbeis
  • Patent number: 8204653
    Abstract: A first hydraulic cylinder is associated with a boom. A first sensor detects a boom position based on a first linear position of a first movable member associated with the first hydraulic cylinder. An attachment is coupled to the boom. A second cylinder is associated with the attachment. A second sensor detects an attachment position based on a second linear position of a second movable member associated with the second hydraulic cylinder. A switch accepts a command to enter a ready position state from another position state. A controller controls the first hydraulic cylinder to attain a target boom position and for controlling the second cylinder to attain a target attachment position associated with the ready position state in response to the command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Mark Peter Sahlin, Jason Meredith, Jerry Anthony Samuelson, David August Johnson, Eric Richard Anderson
  • Patent number: 8200398
    Abstract: A first sensor detects a boom position of a boom based on a first linear position of a first movable member of a first hydraulic cylinder. A second sensor detects an attachment position of an attachment based on a second linear position of a second movable member of a second hydraulic cylinder. An accelerometer detects an acceleration or deceleration of the boom. A switch accepts a command to enter a ready position state from another position state. A controller controls the first hydraulic cylinder to attain a target boom position and for controlling the second cylinder to attain a target attachment position associated with the ready position state in response to the command in conformity with at least one of a desired boom motion curve and a desired attachment motion curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Mark Peter Sahlin, Jason Meredith, Jerry Anthony Samuelson, David August Johnson, Eric Richard Anderson
  • Patent number: 8122725
    Abstract: Methods and systems for delivering fuel in a gas turbine engine are provided. The system includes a plurality of can annular combustors that includes at least a first set of combustors of the plurality of can annular combustors and at least a second set of combustors of the plurality of can annular combustors wherein each set of combustors is supplied by a separately controllable respective fuel delivery system. The method includes supplying fuel at a first fuel schedule to the first set of combustors and supplying fuel at a second fuel schedule to the second set of combustors during a first mode of operation wherein the second fuel schedule is different than the first fuel schedule, and supplying fuel at the second fuel schedule to the first and second sets of combustors during a second mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Geoffrey David Myers, David August Snider, Eric Motter, Daniel R. Tegel, James Harper, Stephen R. Watts, Joseph Citeno
  • Publication number: 20120017602
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling the startup of a gas turbine are described. A gas discharge component may be configured to discharge gas from a compressor component associated with the gas turbine. A fuel control component may be configured to control a fuel flow provided to a combustor component associated with the gas turbine. A drive component may be configured to supply a rotational force to a shaft associated with the gas turbine. At least one control device may be configured to (i) direct the gas discharge component to discharge gas from the compressor component, (ii) direct the fuel control component to adjust the fuel flow, and (iii) direct the drive component to rotate the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Brian Patrick Hansen, Christopher Edward LaMaster, Timothy Edward DeJoris, David August Snider