Patents by Inventor David William Cihlar

David William Cihlar 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: 9631816
    Abstract: A bundled tube fuel nozzle includes a fuel distribution body. The fuel distribution body includes a substantially flat aft wall having an inner surface axially spaced from an outer surface, a fuel stem collar axially spaced from the inner surface of the aft wall and a contoured forward wall that extends between the fuel stem collar and the aft wall. The contoured forward wall and the aft wall define a fuel plenum within the fuel distribution body. The bundled tube fuel nozzle further includes a plurality of injector tubes that are in fluid communication with the fuel plenum. Each injector tube extends from the contoured forward wall to the aft wall within the fuel distribution body and defines a premix passage through the contoured forward, the fuel plenum and the aft wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Kassy Moy Lum, David William Cihlar
  • Patent number: 9581335
    Abstract: A system for retaining a fuel nozzle premix tube includes a retention plate and a premix tube which extends downstream from an outlet of a premix passage defined along an aft side of a fuel plenum body. The premix tube includes an inlet end and a spring support feature which is disposed proximate to the inlet end. The premix tube extends through the retention plate. The spring retention feature is disposed between an aft side of the fuel plenum and the retention plate. The system further includes a spring which extends between the spring retention feature and the retention plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: David William Cihlar, Patrick Benedict Melton
  • Patent number: 9574498
    Abstract: An aft frame for a transition duct of a gas turbine combustor includes a main body having an outer rail, an inner rail, a first side rail circumferentially separated from an opposing second side rail, a forward portion, an aft portion and an outer surface. An inlet port extends through the outer surface and an exhaust port extends through the forward portion. A serpentine cooling passage is defined within the main body beneath the outer surface. The serpentine cooling passage is in fluid communication with the inlet port and the exhaust port. A conduit may be connected to the exhaust port for routing a compressed working fluid away from aft frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Elizabeth Angelyn Fadde, Patrick Benedict Melton, David William Cihlar, Richard Martin DiCintio
  • Patent number: 9546600
    Abstract: A gas turbomachine nozzle includes a base portion having a first fluid inlet and a second fluid inlet, and an outlet portion having one or more outlets. A connection section fluidically connects the base portion and the outlet portion. An orifice plug is arranged in the base portion at the second fluid inlet. The orifice plug includes one or more openings fluidically connecting the second fluid inlet and the connection section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: David William Cihlar, Zhaoli Hu, Patrick Benedict Melton, Kevin Woodlock
  • Publication number: 20160215701
    Abstract: A transition piece frame assembly includes a first frame having an inner frame member and a first inner seal extending along the inner frame member of the first frame. The first inner seal includes a first end section, a second end section, and an intermediate section extending therebetween. A second frame includes an inner frame member and a second inner seal extending along the inner frame member of the second frame. The second inner seal includes a first end section, a second end section, and an intermediate section extending therebetween. A flexible bridge member extends from one of the first and second end sections of the first inner seal and seals against one of the first and second end sections of the second inner seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventors: Elizabeth Angelyn Fadde, David William Cihlar
  • Publication number: 20160146469
    Abstract: A bundled tube fuel nozzle includes a fuel distribution body. The fuel distribution body includes a substantially flat aft wall having an inner surface axially spaced from an outer surface, a fuel stem collar axially spaced from the inner surface of the aft wall and a contoured forward wall that extends between the fuel stem collar and the aft wall. The contoured forward wall and the aft wall define a fuel plenum within the fuel distribution body. The bundled tube fuel nozzle further includes a plurality of injector tubes that are in fluid communication with the fuel plenum. Each injector tube extends from the contoured forward wall to the aft wall within the fuel distribution body and defines a premix passage through the contoured forward, the fuel plenum and the aft wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Kassy Moy Lum, David William Cihlar
  • Patent number: 9267687
    Abstract: A combustion system is provided having a liner, a flow sleeve, a flow-obstructing element, and a venturi. The liner is disposed around a combustion region. The flow sleeve is disposed around the liner. The liner and the flow sleeve cooperate to create an air passage having an airflow located between the liner and the flow sleeve. The flow-obstructing element is disposed within the air passage, and generally obstructs the airflow in the air passage to create wakes in the airflow. The venturi is disposed downstream from the flow-obstructing element, and generally restricts and diffuses the airflow in the air passage to reduce wakes in the airflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Abdul Rafey Khan, David William Cihlar, Ajay Pratap Singh, Bradley Donald Crawley, Jason Thurman Stewart
  • Publication number: 20160047314
    Abstract: A gas turbomachine nozzle includes a base portion having a first fluid inlet and a second fluid inlet, and an outlet portion having one or more outlets. A connection section fluidically connects the base portion and the outlet portion. An orifice plug is arranged in the base portion at the second fluid inlet. The orifice plug includes one or more openings fluidically connecting the second fluid inlet and the connection section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventors: David William Cihlar, Zhaoli Hu, Patrick Benedict Melton, Kevin Woodlock
  • Publication number: 20160040882
    Abstract: A system for retaining a fuel nozzle premix tube includes a retention plate and a premix tube which extends downstream from an outlet of a premix passage defined along an aft side of a fuel plenum body. The premix tube includes an inlet end and a spring support feature which is disposed proximate to the inlet end. The premix tube extends through the retention plate. The spring retention feature is disposed between an aft side of the fuel plenum and the retention plate. The system further includes a spring which extends between the spring retention feature and the retention plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: David William Cihlar, Patrick Benedict Melton
  • Patent number: 9255484
    Abstract: An aft frame and a method for cooling an aft frame are disclosed. In one embodiment, an aft frame for a transition piece in a combustor is disclosed. The combustor includes the transition piece and an impingement sleeve at least partially defining a flow path therebetween. The aft frame includes a body and a generally radially extending cooling passage defined in the body, the cooling passage comprising a first end configured to accept a coolant. The aft frame further includes an exhaust passage defined in the body, the exhaust passage including a first end in communication with the cooling passage and a second end configured for communication with the flow path for flowing the coolant therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David William Cihlar, Patrick Benedict Melton, David Leach, Kevin Weston McMahan
  • Patent number: 9249679
    Abstract: An impingement sleeve and methods for designing and forming an impingement sleeve are disclosed. In one embodiment, the impingement sleeve includes a body configured to at least partially surround a transition piece of the combustor. The impingement sleeve further includes a plurality of cooling holes defined in the body, the plurality of cooling holes having a cooling hole pattern configured to provide a desired operational value for the transition piece. At least one of the plurality of cooling holes has a chamfer extending at least partially between an inlet and an outlet of the at least one of the plurality of cooling holes. At least a portion of the plurality of cooling holes are generally longitudinally asymmetric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Matthew Paul Berkebile, Jerome David Brown, Ronald James Chila, Patrick Benedict Melton, Russell DeForest, David William Cihlar, Wei Chen, John Drake Vanselow
  • Publication number: 20150308349
    Abstract: A fuel delivery system for a gas turbine combustor is provided. The fuel delivery system includes a fuel tube and an attachment assembly. The fuel tube extends from a downstream injector (e.g., a late lean injector) towards a mounting ring of the combustor and is moveably attached to the mounting ring using the attachment assembly. Accordingly, the exemplary fuel delivery system may provide fuel to a downstream injector while accommodating a thermal expansion or contraction of the fuel tube along an axial direction of the combustor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Joseph Rohrssen, David William Cihlar, Patrick Benedict Melton, Lucas John Stoia
  • Publication number: 20150292438
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for cooling a combustor liner in a combustor are disclosed. In one embodiment, a combustor is disclosed. The combustor includes a transition piece, and an impingement sleeve at least partially surrounding the transition piece and at least partially defining a generally annular flow path therebetween. The combustor further includes an injection sleeve mounted to one of the transition piece or the impingement sleeve and positioned radially outward of the impingement sleeve, the injection sleeve at least partially defining a flow channel configured to flow working fluid to the flow path. In another embodiment, a method for cooling a combustor liner in a combustor is disclosed. The method includes flowing a working fluid through a flow channel at least partially defined by an injection sleeve, and exhausting the working fluid from the flow channel into a flow path adjacent the combustor liner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventors: David William Cihlar, Patrick Benedict Melton
  • Patent number: 9115585
    Abstract: A seal assembly is provided having a retention assembly attached to a first component, and a seal element secured by the retention assembly. The seal element comprises at least one leaf seal, and the leaf seal is comprised of a plurality of tabs in series with a plurality of slots. The seal assembly forms a flexible seal between the first component and a second component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Patrick Benedict Melton, David William Cihlar
  • Patent number: 9010127
    Abstract: A transition piece aft frame assembly is provided, and includes a transition piece aft frame and a heat shield. The transition piece aft frame has an aft face. At least a portion of the aft face is exposed to an exhaust gas stream. The heat shield is connected to the transition piece aft frame. The heat shield is oriented to generally deflect the exhaust gas stream away from the aft face of the transition piece aft frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Willis, William Lawrence Byrne, David William Cihlar, Donald Timothy Lemon, Patrick Benedict Melton
  • Patent number: 8997501
    Abstract: A system includes a combustor transition piece configured to mount between a combustor and a turbine of a gas turbine engine. The combustor transition piece includes a hollow body with an internal flow passage extending from an upstream end portion to a downstream end portion. The combustor transition piece also includes an aft frame coupled to the downstream end portion of the hollow body, an aft flange coupled to the aft frame, and a mounting lug removably coupled to the aft frame at a first joint. The mounting lug is configured to removably couple to a mounting bracket at a second joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David William Cihlar, Patrick Benedict Melton, John Drake Vanselow
  • Publication number: 20150082795
    Abstract: An aft frame for a transition duct of a gas turbine combustor includes a main body having an outer rail, an inner rail, a first side rail circumferentially separated from an opposing second side rail, a forward portion, an aft portion and an outer surface. An inlet port extends through the outer surface and an exhaust port extends through the forward portion. A serpentine cooling passage is defined within the main body beneath the outer surface. The serpentine cooling passage is in fluid communication with the inlet port and the exhaust port. A conduit may be connected to the exhaust port for routing a compressed working fluid away from aft frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Elizabeth Angelyn Fadde, Patrick Benedict Melton, David William Cihlar, Richard Martin DiCintio
  • Patent number: 8925326
    Abstract: A system includes a gas turbine combustor, which includes a combustion liner disposed about a combustion region, a flow sleeve disposed about the combustion liner, an air passage between the combustion liner and the flow sleeve, and an aerodynamic mounting assembly disposed in the air passage. The aerodynamic mounting assembly is configured to retain the combustion liner within the flow sleeve. The aerodynamic mounting assembly includes a flow sleeve mount coupled to the flow sleeve and a liner stop coupled to the combustion liner. The flow sleeve mount includes a first portion of an aerodynamic shape and the liner stop includes a second portion of the aerodynamic shape, which is configured to direct an airflow into a wake region downstream of the aerodynamic mounting assembly. The flow sleeve mount and the liner stop couple with one another to define the aerodynamic shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David William Cihlar, Patrick Benedict Melton, Robert Joseph Rohrssen
  • Patent number: 8887508
    Abstract: An impingement sleeve and methods for designing and forming an impingement sleeve are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for designing an impingement sleeve is disclosed. The method includes determining a desired operational value for a transition piece, inputting a combustor characteristic into a processor, and utilizing the combustor characteristic in the processor to determine a cooling hole pattern for the impingement sleeve, the cooling hole pattern comprising a plurality of cooling holes, at least a portion of the plurality of cooling holes being generally longitudinally asymmetric, the cooling hole pattern providing the desired operational value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jerome David Brown, Ronald James Chila, Patrick Benedict Melton, Russell DeForest, David William Cihlar, Matthew Paul Berkebile, Wei Chen, John Drake Vanselow
  • Patent number: 8826667
    Abstract: A system includes a gas turbine combustor, which includes a combustion liner disposed about a combustion region, a flow sleeve disposed about the combustion liner, an air passage between the combustion liner and the flow sleeve, and a structure extending between the combustion liner and the flow sleeve. The structure obstructs an airflow path through the air passage. The gas turbine combustor also includes an aerodynamic wake reducer configured to redirect an airflow around the structure to reduce a wake region downstream of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Patrick Benedict Melton, Bradley Donald Crawley, David William Cihlar, Robert Joseph Rohrssen, Ronald James Chila