Patents by Inventor David C. Saunders

David C. Saunders 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: 10350607
    Abstract: A system for detecting a combustion-related condition in a pulverizer includes a pulverizer configured to receive coal chunks via an inlet, to grind the coal chunks into coal powder and to output the coal powder via an outlet. The system includes sensors configured to detect heat input characteristics supplied to the pulverizer and heat output characteristics emitted from the pulverizer. The system also includes a controller configured to determine, based on signals from the sensors, whether a combustion-related condition exists in the pulverizer based on a heat balance function including the heat input characteristics and the heat output characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James P. Sutton, David C Saunders, Rebecca Lynn Tobiasz, Gerald Chase
  • Patent number: 9765967
    Abstract: A gas pipe ignitor for igniting a non-premixed air and fuel mixture includes a housing having an axially interior space along its length, a supply end segment, a flame end segment axially spaced from the supply end segment, and a flexible segment spaced between the supply end segment and the flame end segment. A fuel supply conduit extends axially within the housing, and the fuel supply conduit is operatively flexible with the flexible segment. An ignition conduit extends axially within the housing, and the ignition conduit is operatively flexible with the flexible segment. A detector conduit extends axially within the housing, and the detector conduit is operatively flexible with the flexible segment. An air supply conduit is operatively connected to the housing at the supply end segment and provides combustion air within the interior space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: David C. Saunders, James P. Sutton, Rebecca Lynn Tobiasz, Gerard Chase
  • Publication number: 20170021361
    Abstract: A system for detecting a combustion-related condition in a pulverizer includes a pulverizer configured to receive coal chunks via an inlet, to grind the coal chunks into coal powder and to output the coal powder via an outlet. The system includes sensors configured to detect heat input characteristics supplied to the pulverizer and heat output characteristics emitted from the pulverizer. The system also includes a controller configured to determine, based on signals from the sensors, whether a combustion-related condition exists in the pulverizer based on a heat balance function including the heat input characteristics and the heat output characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: James P. Sutton, DAVID C SAUNDERS, Rebecca Lynn Tobiasz, Gerald Chase
  • Patent number: 9494319
    Abstract: A system for detecting a combustion-related condition in a pulverizer includes a pulverizer configured to receive coal chunks via an inlet, to grind the coal chunks into coal powder and to output the coal powder via an outlet. The system includes sensors configured to detect heat input characteristics supplied to the pulverizer and heat output characteristics emitted from the pulverizer. The system also includes a controller configured to determine, based on signals from the sensors, whether a combustion-related condition exists in the pulverizer based on a heat balance function including the heat input characteristics and the heat output characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: James P. Sutton, David C. Saunders, Rebecca Lynn Tobiasz, Gerald Chase
  • Publication number: 20140363775
    Abstract: A gas pipe ignitor for igniting a non-premixed air and fuel mixture includes a housing having an axially interior space along its length, a supply end segment, a flame end segment axially spaced from the supply end segment, and a flexible segment spaced between the supply end segment and the flame end segment. A fuel supply conduit extends axially within the housing, and the fuel supply conduit is operatively flexible with the flexible segment. An ignition conduit extends axially within the housing, and the ignition conduit is operatively flexible with the flexible segment. A detector conduit extends axially within the housing, and the detector conduit is operatively flexible with the flexible segment. An air supply conduit is operatively connected to the housing at the supply end segment and provides combustion air within the interior space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: David C. SAUNDERS, James P. SUTTON, Rebecca Lynn TOBIASZ, Gerard CHASE
  • Publication number: 20140263772
    Abstract: A system for detecting a combustion-related condition in a pulverizer includes a pulverizer configured to receive coal chunks via an inlet, to grind the coal chunks into coal powder and to output the coal powder via an outlet. The system includes sensors configured to detect heat input characteristics supplied to the pulverizer and heat output characteristics emitted from the pulverizer. The system also includes a controller configured to determine, based on signals from the sensors, whether a combustion-related condition exists in the pulverizer based on a heat balance function including the heat input characteristics and the heat output characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventors: James P. Sutton, David C. Saunders, Rebecca Lynn Tobiasz, Gerald Chase