Patents by Inventor Douglas Carl Hofer
Douglas Carl Hofer 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).
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Publication number: 20150033792Abstract: A system and method for producing liquid natural gas (LNG) from a natural gas stream is presented. The system includes a moisture removal device and compressor for removing moisture from and compressing the natural gas stream. The low moisture compressed natural gas stream is cooled in a heat exchanger to discharge a cooled compressed discharge stream. A multi-phase turbo expander provides for further cooling and expansion of the cooled compressed discharge stream, generating an expanded exhaust stream comprising a mixture of a vapor comprised substantially of CH4 and a LNG/ice/solid CO2 slurry. The expanded exhaust stream is separated to generate a vapor stream comprised substantially of CH4 and a liquid natural gas/ice/solid CO2 slurry stream. Further separation of the liquid natural gas/ice/solid CO2 slurry stream generates a liquid natural gas output stream and an output stream comprised substantially of ice/solid CO2.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2013Publication date: February 5, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Vitali Victor Lissianski, Douglas Carl Hofer, Roger Allen Shisler
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Publication number: 20150000333Abstract: A heat exchange assembly for treating carbon dioxide (CO2) is described. The heat exchange assembly includes a housing that includes an inlet, an outlet, and an inner surface that defines a cavity extending between the inlet and the outlet. The housing is configured to receive solid CO2 through the inlet. At least one heat exchange tube extends through the housing. The heat exchange tube is oriented to contact solid CO2 to facilitate transferring heat from solid CO2 to a heat exchanger fluid being channeled through the heat exchange tube to facilitate converting at least a portion of solid CO2 into liquid CO2. The heat exchange assembly is configured to recover a refrigeration value from the solid CO2 and transfer at least a portion of the recovered refrigeration value to a flue gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2014Publication date: January 1, 2015Inventors: Jalal Hunain Zia, Douglas Carl Hofer, Vitali Victor Lissianski, Stephen Duane Sanborn, Mehmet Arik, Roger Allen Shisler, Paul Brian Wickersham
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Patent number: 8864454Abstract: A supersonic compressor system. The supersonic compressor system includes a casing that defines a cavity that extends between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, and a first drive shaft that is positioned within the cavity. A centerline axis extends along a centerline of the first drive shaft. A supersonic compressor rotor is coupled to the first drive shaft and is positioned in flow communication between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. The supersonic compressor rotor includes at least one supersonic compression ramp that is configured to form at least one compression wave for compressing a fluid. A centrifugal compressor assembly is positioned in flow communication between the supersonic compressor rotor and the fluid outlet. The centrifugal compressor assembly is configured to compress fluid received from the supersonic compressor rotor.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2010Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Douglas Carl Hofer, Vittorio Michelassi
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Patent number: 8827640Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 1, 2011Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Douglas Carl Hofer, Dhananjayarao Gottapu
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Patent number: 8770929Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 27, 2011Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Douglas Carl Hofer, Dhananjayarao Gottapu
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Publication number: 20140119881Abstract: A turbomachine for use with a high-temperature and high-pressure working fluid is provided. The turbomachine includes a rotatable shaft and a casing enclosing the rotatable shaft, which defines at least a first and second compartment fluidly coupled together. The first compartment at least partially encloses one of a compressor and an expander. The second compartment at least partially encloses a generator. Attached to opposite ends of the rotatable shaft is a compressor for compressing the working fluid and an expansion turbine for expanding the working fluid. A motor-generator is attached to the rotatable shaft between the compressor and expansion turbine. The turbomachine includes at least one sealing system positioned between the first and second compartments that includes a number of seals for regulating the flow rate of the working fluid between the first and second compartments and for suppressing the heat and pressure transfer between the first and second compartments.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2012Publication date: May 1, 2014Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Chiranjeev Singh Kalra, Douglas Carl Hofer, Norman Arnold Turnquist
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Patent number: 8668446Abstract: A supersonic compressor rotor. The supersonic compressor rotor includes a rotor disk 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 radially outer surface includes an inlet surface, an outlet surface, and a transition surface that extends between the inlet surface and the outlet surface. 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 between an inlet opening and an outlet opening. The inlet surface defines an inlet plane that extends between the inlet opening and the transition surface. The outlet surface defines an outlet plane that extends between the outlet opening and the transition surface that is not parallel to the inlet plane.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2010Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Douglas Carl Hofer, Zachary William Nagel, David Graham Holmes
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Patent number: 8657571Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 21, 2010Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Douglas Carl Hofer, Zachary William Nagel, D{acute over (h)}ananjayarao Gottapu
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Patent number: 8550770Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 27, 2011Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Douglas Carl Hofer, Dhananjayarao Gottapu
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Publication number: 20130125580Abstract: In one aspect an expander for separating carbon dioxide (CO2) from a gas stream is presented. The expander includes (a) a housing; (b) at least one rotating component disposed within the housing; (c) at least one inlet disposed in the housing, wherein the inlet is configured to receive the gas stream;(d) at least one first outlet disposed in the housing, wherein the first outlet is configured to discharge a CO2 rich stream; and (e) at least one second outlet disposed in the housing, wherein the second outlet is configured to discharge a CO2 lean stream. The expander is configured to cool the gas stream such that a portion of CO2 in the gas stream forms one or both of solid CO2 and liquid CO2. The expander is further configured to separate at least a portion of one or both of solid CO2 and liquid CO2 from the gas stream to form the CO2 rich stream and the CO2 lean stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2011Publication date: May 23, 2013Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventor: Douglas Carl Hofer
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Publication number: 20130104595Abstract: A heat exchange assembly for treating carbon dioxide (CO2) is described. The heat exchange assembly includes a housing that includes an inlet, an outlet, and an inner surface that defines a cavity extending between the inlet and the outlet. The housing is configured to receive solid CO2 through the inlet. At least one heat exchange tube extends through the housing. The heat exchange tube is oriented to contact solid CO2 to facilitate transferring heat from solid CO2 to a heat exchanger fluid being channeled through the heat exchange tube to facilitate converting at least a portion of solid CO2 into liquid CO2. The heat exchange assembly is configured to recover a refrigeration value from the solid CO2 and transfer at least a portion of the recovered refrigeration value to a flue gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2011Publication date: May 2, 2013Inventors: Jalal Hunain Zia, Douglas Carl Hofer, Vitali Victor Lissianski, Stephen Duane Sanborn, Mehmet Arik, Roger Allen Shisler, Paul Brian Wickersham
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Publication number: 20120301270Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2011Publication date: November 29, 2012Inventors: Douglas Carl Hofer, Dhananjayarao Gottapu
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Publication number: 20120301271Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2011Publication date: November 29, 2012Inventors: Douglas Carl Hofer, Dhananjayarao Gottapu
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Publication number: 20120224952Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2011Publication date: September 6, 2012Inventors: Douglas Carl Hofer, Dhananjayarao Gottapu
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Patent number: 8221056Abstract: Apparatus and methods are presented for mixing a high temperature steam, perhaps leaked from an upstream turbine, with the cooler steam from a lower temperature, downstream turbine and introducing the mixture into the downstream turbine.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2009Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Douglas Carl Hofer
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Publication number: 20120151896Abstract: The flow through the core of a hybrid pulse detonation combustion system is passed through a compressor and then separated into a primary flow, that passes directly to the combustor, and a bypass flow, which is routed to a portion of the system to be used to cool components of the system. The bypass flow is routed to a nozzle of the pulse detonation combustor. The flow is then passed back into the primary flow through the core downstream of where it was extracted.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2010Publication date: June 21, 2012Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: VENKAT ESWARLU TANGIRALA, NARENDRA DIGAMBER JOSHI, ADAM RASHEED, Brian Gene Brzek, Douglas Carl Hofer, Thomas Michael Lavertu, Fuhua MA
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Publication number: 20120151895Abstract: The flow through the core of a hybrid pulse detonation combustion system is passed through a compressor and then separated into a primary flow, that passes directly to the combustor, and a bypass flow, which is routed to a portion of the system to be used to cool components of the system. The bypass includes a pump that raises the pressure of the bypass flow sufficient to deliver it to downstream stations of the engine that contain combustion products that are at a higher pressure than the compressor exit.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2010Publication date: June 21, 2012Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Venkat Eswarlu Tangirala, Narendra Digamber Joshi, Adam Rasheed, Brian Gene Brzek, Douglas Carl Hofer, Thomas Michael Lavertu, Fuhua Ma
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Publication number: 20120156015Abstract: A supersonic compressor includes a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a fluid conduit extending therebetween, and a supersonic compressor rotor disposed within the fluid conduit. The rotor includes at least one rotor disk that includes a substantially cylindrical body extending between a radially inner and outer surface and a plurality of vanes coupled to the body that extend radially outward from the rotor disk and adjacent vanes form a pair of vanes. The rotor disk further includes a shroud extending about at least a portion of the rotor disk. The shroud is coupled to at least a portion of each of the plurality of vanes. The radially outer surface, the pair of adjacent vanes, and the shroud are oriented such that a fluid flow channel is defined therebetween. The rotor disk also includes a plurality of adjacent supersonic compression ramps positioned within the fluid flow channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2010Publication date: June 21, 2012Inventors: Ravindra Gopaldas Devi, Douglas Carl Hofer, Zachary William Nagel, David Graham Holmes
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Publication number: 20120156016Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2010Publication date: June 21, 2012Inventors: DOUGLAS CARL HOFER, Zachary William Nagel, Dhananjayarao Gottapu
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Publication number: 20120107106Abstract: A supersonic compressor system. The supersonic compressor system includes a casing that defines a cavity that extends between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, and a first drive shaft that is positioned within the cavity. A centerline axis extends along a centerline of the first drive shaft. A supersonic compressor rotor is coupled to the first drive shaft and is positioned in flow communication between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. The supersonic compressor rotor includes at least one supersonic compression ramp that is configured to form at least one compression wave for compressing a fluid. A centrifugal compressor assembly is positioned in flow communication between the supersonic compressor rotor and the fluid outlet. The centrifugal compressor assembly is configured to compress fluid received from the supersonic compressor rotor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2010Publication date: May 3, 2012Inventors: Douglas Carl Hofer, Vittorio Michelassi