Patents by Inventor Dhananjayarao Gottapu

Dhananjayarao Gottapu 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: 8827640
    Abstract: A supersonic compressor rotor that includes a rotor disk that includes a substantially cylindrical endwall, a radially inner surface, and a radially outer surface. The endwall extends between the radially inner surface and the radially outer surface. A plurality of vanes are coupled to the endwall. The vanes extend outwardly from the endwall. Adjacent vanes form a pair and are spaced a circumferential distance apart such that a flow channel is defined between each pair of circumferentially-adjacent vanes. The flow channel extends generally radially between an inlet opening and an outlet opening. A first supersonic compression ramp is coupled to the endwall. The first supersonic compression ramp is positioned within the flow channel to facilitate forming at least one compression wave within the flow channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Douglas Carl Hofer, Dhananjayarao Gottapu
  • Patent number: 8770929
    Abstract: A supersonic compressor rotor. The supersonic compressor rotor includes a substantially cylindrical disk body that includes an upstream surface, a downstream surface, and a radially outer surface that extends generally axially between the upstream surface and the downstream surface. The disk body defines a centerline axis. A plurality of vanes are coupled to the radially outer surface. Adjacent vanes form a pair and are oriented such that a flow channel is defined between each pair of adjacent vanes. The flow channel extends generally axially between an inlet opening and an outlet opening. At least one supersonic compression ramp is positioned within the flow channel. The supersonic compression ramp is selectively positionable at a first position, at a second position, and at any position therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Douglas Carl Hofer, Dhananjayarao Gottapu
  • Patent number: 8550770
    Abstract: A supersonic compressor includes a fluid inlet, fluid outlet, and a fluid conduit extending therebetween with a supersonic compressor rotor disposed therein. The supersonic compressor rotor includes a first endwall and a plurality of vanes coupled thereto. Each pair of the vanes defines a fluid flow channel. The fluid flow channel defines a flow channel inlet opening and a flow channel outlet opening and includes a throat portion. The supersonic compressor rotor also includes a second endwall and at least one axially translatable fluid control device positioned adjacent to the rotor. The axially translatable fluid control device is configured to obstruct the throat portion and includes at least one axially translatable protrusion insertable into at least a portion of the throat portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Douglas Carl Hofer, Dhananjayarao Gottapu
  • Publication number: 20120301271
    Abstract: A supersonic compressor rotor. The supersonic compressor rotor includes a substantially cylindrical disk body that includes an upstream surface, a downstream surface, and a radially outer surface that extends generally axially between the upstream surface and the downstream surface. The disk body defines a centerline axis. A plurality of vanes are coupled to the radially outer surface. Adjacent vanes form a pair and are oriented such that a flow channel is defined between each pair of adjacent vanes. The flow channel extends generally axially between an inlet opening and an outlet opening. At least one supersonic compression ramp is positioned within the flow channel. The supersonic compression ramp is selectively positionable at a first position, at a second position, and at any position therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: Douglas Carl Hofer, Dhananjayarao Gottapu
  • Publication number: 20120301270
    Abstract: A supersonic compressor includes a fluid inlet, fluid outlet, and a fluid conduit extending therebetween with a supersonic compressor rotor disposed therein. The supersonic compressor rotor includes a first endwall and a plurality of vanes coupled thereto. Each pair of the vanes defines a fluid flow channel. The fluid flow channel defines a flow channel inlet opening and a flow channel outlet opening and includes a throat portion. The supersonic compressor rotor also includes a second endwall and at least one axially translatable fluid control device positioned adjacent to the rotor. The axially translatable fluid control device is configured to obstruct the throat portion and includes at least one axially translatable protrusion insertable into at least a portion of the throat portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: Douglas Carl Hofer, Dhananjayarao Gottapu
  • Publication number: 20120224952
    Abstract: A supersonic compressor rotor that includes a rotor disk that includes a substantially cylindrical endwall, a radially inner surface, and a radially outer surface. The endwall extends between the radially inner surface and the radially outer surface. A plurality of vanes are coupled to the endwall. The vanes extend outwardly from the endwall. Adjacent vanes form a pair and are spaced a circumferential distance apart such that a flow channel is defined between each pair of circumferentially-adjacent vanes. The flow channel extends generally radially between an inlet opening and an outlet opening. A first supersonic compression ramp is coupled to the endwall. The first supersonic compression ramp is positioned within the flow channel to facilitate forming at least one compression wave within the flow channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Inventors: Douglas Carl Hofer, Dhananjayarao Gottapu
  • Publication number: 20120156016
    Abstract: A supersonic compressor rotor that includes a rotor disk that includes a body that extends between a radially inner surface and a radially outer surface. A plurality of vanes are coupled to the body. The vanes extend outwardly from the rotor disk. Adjacent vanes form a pair and are oriented such that a flow channel is defined between each pair of adjacent vanes. The flow channel extends between an inlet opening and an outlet opening. At least one supersonic compression ramp is positioned within the flow channel. The supersonic compression ramp is configured to condition a fluid being channeled through the flow channel such that the fluid includes a first velocity at the inlet opening and a second velocity at the outlet opening. Each of the first velocity and the second velocity being supersonic with respect to said rotor disk surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventors: DOUGLAS CARL HOFER, Zachary William Nagel, Dhananjayarao Gottapu