Patents by Inventor David L. Burrus

David L. Burrus 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: 7895841
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to facilitate reducing NOx emissions in turbine engines is provided. The method includes providing an annular shell including a plurality of circumferentially extending panels. The plurality of circumferentially extending panels includes a first panel positioned at an upstream end of the shell and a second panel positioned downstream from, and adjacent to, the first panel. The method also includes forming a plurality of primary dilution holes in the first panel and forming a plurality of secondary dilution holes in the second panel. The dilution holes are configured to discharge dilution air into the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Arthur Wesley Johnson, Richard W. Stickles, Willard J. Dodds, David L. Burrus
  • Patent number: 7716931
    Abstract: A method for assembling a gas turbine engine is provided. The method includes providing a combustor having a combustor liner assembly defining a combustion chamber. An outer combustor liner includes a radially extending first end that defines a combustion chamber input opening. An axially extending second end of the outer combustor liner defines a combustion chamber output opening. The first end transitions into the second end to form an arcuate cross-sectional shape of the outer combustor liner. A dome assembly is coupled to the first end of the combustor liner that extends downstream from the dome assembly. A fuel nozzle is positioned within a cyclone formed on the dome assembly and configured in a radial configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Alfred A. Mancini, David L. Burrus, Steven J. Lohmueller
  • Publication number: 20100083664
    Abstract: A method for assembling a gas turbine engine is provided. The method includes providing a combustor having a combustor liner assembly defining a combustion chamber. An outer combustor liner includes a radially extending first end that defines a combustion chamber input opening. An axially extending second end of the outer combustor liner defines a combustion chamber output opening. The first end transitions into the second end to form an arcuate cross-sectional shape of the outer combustor liner. A dome assembly is coupled to the first end of the combustor liner that extends downstream from the dome assembly. A fuel nozzle is positioned within a cyclone formed on the dome assembly and configured in a radial configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventors: Alfred A. Mancini, David L. Burrus, Steven J. Lohmueller
  • Publication number: 20080010991
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to facilitate reducing NOx emissions in turbine engines is provided. The method includes providing an annular shell including a plurality of circumferentially extending panels. The plurality of circumferentially extending panels includes a first panel positioned at an upstream end of the shell and a second panel positioned downstream from, and adjacent to, the first panel. The method also includes forming a plurality of primary dilution holes in the first panel and forming a plurality of secondary dilution holes in the second panel. The dilution holes are configured to discharge dilution air into the shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Inventors: Arthur Wesley Johnson, Richard W. Stickles, Willard J. Dodds, David L. Burrus
  • Patent number: 6295801
    Abstract: A fuel injection system for a gas turbine engine combustor, wherein the combustor includes a dome inlet module having a plurality of flow passages formed therein and at least one cavity formed in a liner downstream of said dome inlet module. The fuel injection system includes a fuel supply and a plurality of fuel injector bars positioned circumferentially around and interfacing with the inlet dome module. The fuel injector bars are in flow communication with the fuel supply, with each of the fuel injector bars further including a body portion having an upstream end a downstream end, and a pair of sides. A plurality of injectors formed in the body portion and in flow communication with the fuel supply, whereby fuel is provided to the dome inlet module flow passages and/or the cavity through the fuel injector bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David L. Burrus, Arthur W. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6286317
    Abstract: A liner for a gas turbine engine combustor, including an upstream section, a downstream section oriented at an angle to the upstream liner section, and a cooling nugget joining the upstream and downstream liner sections for providing mechanical stiffness at a junction of the upstream and downstream liner sections. The cooling nugget further includes a first portion connected to the upstream liner section, a second portion connected to the downstream liner section, and a third portion joining the first and second cooling nugget portions at a first end, the third cooling nugget portion extending radially from the first end, wherein the cooling nugget is in flow communication with a cool air supply and is configured to provide a starter film of cooling air along respective surfaces of the upstream liner section and the downstream liner section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David L. Burrus, Arthur W. Johnson, George E. Moertle
  • Patent number: 6286298
    Abstract: A fuel injection system for a gas turbine engine combustor, wherein the combustor includes a dome inlet module having a plurality of flow passages formed therein and at least one cavity formed in a liner downstream of said dome inlet module. The fuel injection system includes a fuel supply and a plurality of fuel injector bars positioned circumferentially around and interfacing with the inlet dome module. The fuel injector bars are in flow communication with the fuel supply, with each of the fuel injector bars further including a body portion having an upstream end, a downstream end, and a pair of sides. At least one injector is formed in the downstream end of the body portion and in flow communication with the fuel supply, whereby fuel is provided to the cavity through the fuel injector bars in accordance with a Rich-Quench-Lean (RQL) process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David L. Burrus, Arthur W. Johnson, Hukam C. Mongia
  • Patent number: 5791148
    Abstract: A liner for a gas turbine engine combustor is disclosed having a non-linear cavity section, wherein air and fuel injected therein form a trapped vortex for igniting and stabilizing a flame in the combustor. The cavity section, which is substantially rectangular in shape, has an aft wall, a forward wall, and an intermediate wall connected at one end to the aft wall and at the other end to the forward wall. A plurality of passages are provided in the aft wall for injecting fuel therethrough and a plurality of air passages are provided in the aft wall surrounding each fuel passage for injecting air therethrough. Cooling holes are also provided in the aft wall, the forward wall, and the intermediate wall for reinforcing the fuel/air vortex flow in the cavity section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: David L. Burrus
  • Patent number: 5619855
    Abstract: A combustor for a gas turbine engine is disclosed which is able to operate efficiently at inlet air flows having a high subsonic Mach Number. The combustor has an outer liner and an inner liner spaced therefrom, wherein a combustion chamber is defined therebetween. A dome inlet module is provided which is in flow communication with compressed air flow from a compressor upstream thereof. The dome inlet module has an outer member fixed to the outer liner and an inner member fixed to the inner liner, wherein a flow passage is defined by the outer and inner members for the compressed air flow to flow freely from a compressor to the combustion chamber. Fuel atomizers are then utilized to inject fuel into the flow passage so that the fuel is mixed with the compressed air stream to form a fuel/air mixture which enters the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: David L. Burrus