Patents by Inventor Douglas M. Fortuna

Douglas M. Fortuna 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).

  • Publication number: 20220205393
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to operate a gas turbine engine with hydrogen gas are disclosed. An example combustor nozzle apparatus of a gas turbine engine includes injecting an other combustible gas into a combustor, comparing a power output of the gas turbine to a rated power threshold, and in response to the power output of the gas turbine satisfying the rated power threshold: injecting water into the combustor, injecting hydrogen into the combustor, and terminating injections of the other combustible gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2022
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventors: Eloise Brightwell, Douglas M. Fortuna, Gilbert Henry Badeer, Steven Keith Handelsman
  • Patent number: 11306661
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to operate a gas turbine engine with hydrogen gas are disclosed. An example combustor nozzle apparatus of a gas turbine engine includes a first circuit to transport a blend of hydrogen gas, inert gas, and/or other combustible gas from a supply to a gas turbine combustor, the blend of hydrogen gas, inert gas, and/or other combustible gas including between 100% hydrogen gas, 100% inert gas, or 100% other combustible gas, a second circuit to transport water from the supply to the gas turbine combustor, and a nozzle tip. The nozzle tip includes a first outlet in connection with the second circuit to provide the water to the gas turbine combustor, and a second outlet in connection with the first circuit, the second outlet concentrically positioned within the first outlet to provide the blend of hydrogen gas, inert gas, and/or other combustible gas to the gas turbine combustor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Eloise Brightwell, Douglas M. Fortuna, Gilbert Henry Badeer, Steven Keith Handelsman
  • Patent number: 6571559
    Abstract: A fuel-air mixer for a gas turbine engine combustor having a primary swirler and a venturi that effectively reduces carboning via purge air. Purge air flows axially through the fuel-air mixer forming a boundary layer of air on the inner surface of the venturi. The boundary layer of air minimizes the amount of fuel contacting the inner surface of the venturi resulting in reduced carbon resin or coke formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Douglas M. Fortuna, William T. Houchens, Gary L. Leonard, Phillip D. Napoli, Paul E. Sabla, Douglas G. Shafer, Jack W. Smith, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6385960
    Abstract: An operating system includes a fuel and control sub-system which includes a main gas circuit, a start gas circuit, a dual fuel nozzle, and a plurality of metering valves. The fuel and control sub-system is configured to transition the operation of the engine from operating with a start gas having a high heating value to using a main gas having a low heating value. The sub-system is further configured to inject water into the gas turbine and permits a user to adjust an overall fuel heating value to improve flammability limits and avoid regions of combustor acoustics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Eric J. Kress, Curtis L. Brown, Douglas M. Fortuna
  • Patent number: 6367239
    Abstract: A fuel delivery system and method for operating a dual fuel and steam turbine engine that utilizes gas fuel at the engine start phase through a combination of gas and liquid fuel circuits. Gas fuel initially flows through the liquid fuel circuits to a dual fuel and steam nozzle. A boiler connected to the system generates steam, and the steam is supplied to the nozzle to raise the fuel pressure to an acceptable range. The gas fuel is injected into both the liquid and gas fuel circuits and the engine can then operate on either gas or liquid fuel, or any combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Curtis L. Brown, Douglas M. Fortuna, Gilbert H. Badeer
  • Patent number: 5924288
    Abstract: A one-piece cowl is provided for use in assembled relationship with a combustor of a gas turbine engine. The cowl is of a generally annular configuration which defines a central cowl axis, and is axially elongated and aerodynamically contoured relative to the central cowl axis. In order to provide a vibratory damping function for the cowl, a solid lip of increased thickness is formed at a leading edge of the cowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Douglas M. Fortuna, Phillip D. Napoli, Richard A. Duke
  • Patent number: 5101533
    Abstract: A spring biased bearing is slidably mounted within a clevis joint so as to apply a frictional damping force to a flap of a jet engine exhaust nozzle. A forward hinge joint restrains the bearing against rotation with the flap while an aft hinge joint provides for both rotation and translation of the bearing about the flap. A tubular canister may be used with the hinge joint to preset the axial compression and biasing force generated by a coil spring enclosed within the canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1992
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Richard E. Stenger, William C. Lippmeier, Joseph S. Alford, David O. Fitts, Malachi Lawrence, Jr., Keith A. Williams, Douglas M. Fortuna