Patents by Inventor General Electric Company

General Electric Company 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: 20140283522
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a system having components for premixing fuel and air prior to combustion within a combustion chamber. The system includes a plurality of mixing tubes configured to receive and to mix fuel and air. Each mixing tube is paired with a fuel injector, and the fuel injector is positioned axially within a portion of the mixing tube. Fuel is injected from the fuel injector into the respective mixing tube, and air flows radially into each mixing tube through one or more apertures formed on the mixing tube. The fuel and air are mixed within the mixing tube and are deposited into a combustion chamber for combustion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: General Electric Company
  • Publication number: 20140286766
    Abstract: A compressor casing assembly includes a forward compressor casing, a removable cover and a seal assembly. A midcompressor casing is provided with a cavity adapted to receive the seal assembly, and a cover groove adapted to receive the removable cover. The removable cover secures the seal assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventor: General Electric Company
  • Publication number: 20140286771
    Abstract: The present application and the resultant patent provide a turbine bucket for a gas turbine engine. The turbine bucket may include a platform, an airfoil extending radially from the platform, and a number of cooling passages defined within the airfoil and near an outer surface of the airfoil. Each of the cooling passages may include a radially inner portion having a first cross-sectional area and at least one radially outer portion having a second cross-sectional area, wherein the first cross-sectional area may be greater than the second cross-sectional area. The present application and the resultant patent further provide a method of cooling a turbine bucket used in a gas turbine engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: General Electric Company
  • Publication number: 20140286785
    Abstract: A method of producing an airfoil is provided. The method includes forming a steel airfoil preform with a pocket on at least one of the pressure and suction surfaces, forming a cover plate for the pocket and welding the cover plate over the pocket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: General Electric Company
  • Publication number: 20140286790
    Abstract: A dust mitigation system for airfoils includes a plurality of contoured tip turns which curve about at least two axes. This inhibits recirculation areas common within airfoils and further inhibits dust build up within the cooling flow path of the airfoil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventor: General Electric Company
  • Publication number: 20140286756
    Abstract: A turbine disk and blade assembly comprises a turbine disk including a plurality of disk posts extending radially therefrom and a plurality of disk slots between adjacent disk posts. The turbine disk is of a first material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion. The assembly further comprises a plurality of turbine blades. One of the turbine blades is received in each disk slot. The turbine blades are of a second material having a second coefficient of thermal expansion. The assembly further comprises a plurality of seal plates, wherein one of the seal plates is positioned in each disk slot radially inward of the turbine blade. The seal plates are of a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion substantially similar to that of either the disk posts or the turbine blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventor: General Electric Company
  • Publication number: 20140265682
    Abstract: An enclosure system includes a stator enclosure defining an enclosure opening, and an adapter having a first entry port, and defines a center cavity having a first volume. Enclosure system includes a conduit enclosure coupled to one or more of stator enclosure and adapter. Conduit enclosure includes a base member having at least one side wall, a rear wall coupled to side wall and defining a second entry port, an interior cavity, and a terminal connection block coupled to base member and having at least one terminal. Enclosure system includes at least one electrical lead extending from the stator enclosure through first enclosure opening, through first entry port, through center cavity, through second entry port, and into the interior cavity. Electrical lead occupies a portion of first volume and leaves a remaining volume. Enclosure system includes sealing compound coupled with adapter such that substantially all of remaining volume is occupied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventor: General Electric Company
  • Publication number: 20140271168
    Abstract: The present application provides a radial diffuser exhaust system for use with a gas turbine engine. The radial diffuser exhaust system may include a radial diffuser positioned within an asymmetric exhaust collector. The asymmetric exhaust collector may include a closed end chamber and an exhaust end chamber. The closed end chamber may have a first size, the exhaust end chamber may have a second size, and the first size may be smaller than the second size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventor: General Electric Company
  • Publication number: 20140260299
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to systems and methods for premixing fuel and air prior to combustion within a combustion chamber. The system includes a plurality of fuel injectors and a plurality of mixing tubes, wherein each mixing tube has a first portion for receiving one of the plurality of fuel injectors and a second portion having a mixing chamber that is configured to mix fuel and air. The length of the mixing chamber varies among the plurality of mixing tubes to allow for different mixing times.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
  • Publication number: 20140271225
    Abstract: A rotor blade comprising an airfoil portion and a root portion, and an internal cooling circuit having flow passages in the root portion and the airfoil portion, wherein the internal cooling circuit includes: a first flow passage; and a non-integral plug. The plug may include a plug channel configured to correspond to a desired level of coolant flow through the first cooling passage. The plug may be connected to the rotor blade in a fixed blocking position relative to the first flow passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventor: General Electric Company
  • Publication number: 20140277853
    Abstract: A method for identifying variations in aircraft operational parameters includes processing a four-dimensional (4D) aircraft trajectory for a flight along a defined route. The method also includes determining an aircraft intent corresponding to the flight along the defined route based at least in part on an aircraft performance model from a trajectory predictor. The aircraft intent includes multiple segments and corresponding intent parameters. In addition, the method includes adjusting the intent parameters such that a computed 4D trajectory substantially corresponds to the 4D aircraft trajectory. The method further includes determining a computed operational parameter based at least in part on the computed 4D trajectory and the aircraft performance model from the trajectory predictor. In addition, the method includes identifying variations between the computed operational parameter and a corresponding measured operational parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventor: General Electric Company
  • Publication number: 20140272104
    Abstract: Methods for coating a target surface of an article having one or more passageways include fluidly connecting a temperature controlled fluid to at least one passageway, passing the temperature controlled fluid through the at least one passageway, wherein the temperature controlled fluid at least partially controls a temperature profile of the article, and coating the target surface, wherein the temperature profile of the article at least partially controls a microstructure of the coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventor: General Electric Company
  • Publication number: 20140271208
    Abstract: A system includes a turbomachine blade segment including an airfoil with an exterior surface, and a platform coupled to the airfoil having a first side and a second side. The system also includes a concave fillet transition extending between the airfoil and the platform. The concave fillet transition includes one or more interface ply segments extending across the exterior surface of the airfoil and the first or the second side of the platform to form a continuous surface between the airfoil and the platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventor: General Electric Company
  • Publication number: 20140260270
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine that includes: an interior flowpath defined through a combustor and a turbine; an aft frame forming an interface between the combustor the turbine, the aft frame comprising a rigid structural member that circumscribes the interior flowpath, wherein the aft frame includes an inner wall that defines an outboard boundary of the interior flowpath; a circumferentially extending fuel plenum formed through the aft frame; and outlet ports formed through the inner wall of the aft frame. The outlet ports may be configured to connect the fuel plenum to the interior flowpath.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventor: General Electric Company
  • Publication number: 20140260327
    Abstract: The present invention is an article containing internal cooling channels located near at least one surface. In an embodiment, the cooled article includes a base material, a first layer, and a second layer. Here, the first layer is bonded to the base material and the second layer is bonded to the first layer, wherein at least one closed cooling channel is disposed within a portion of the first layer and a portion of the second layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventor: General Electric Company
  • Publication number: 20140260269
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine that includes: a combustor coupled to a turbine and a downstream injection system that includes two injection stages, a first stage and a second stage, positioned within an interior flowpath, wherein the first stage comprises an axial position that is aft of the primary air and fuel injection system and the second stage comprising an axial position that is aft of the first stage. Each of the first stage and the second stage include a plurality of circumferentially spaced injectors, each injector of which is configured to inject air and fuel into a flow through the interior flowpath. The first stage and the second stage have a configuration that limits a fuel injected at the second stage to less than 50% of a fuel injected at the first stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventor: General Electric Company
  • Publication number: 20140271226
    Abstract: A turbine blade having a tip including a tip shelf through which pass one or more diffuser cooling holes, the diffuser cooling holes directing the flow of cooling gas along the tip shelf, spreading the flow of cooling gas more evenly along the tip shelf and enhancing the formation of a curtain of cooling air along the tip shelf, leading to lower blade tip temperatures, reduced diversion of cooling air, and greater turbine blade life.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventor: General Electric Company
  • Publication number: 20140255207
    Abstract: A rotor blade for use in a turbine of a combustion turbine engine is described. The rotor blade may include an airfoil that extends from a connection with a root. The rotor blade may further include a mid-span shroud configured to engage a corresponding mid-span shroud on at least one neighboring rotor blades during operation. Outboard of the mid-span shroud, the airfoil may include an outboard region that is substantially hollow, and inboard of the mid-span shroud, the airfoil may include an inboard region that is substantially solid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventor: General Electric Company
  • Publication number: 20140255203
    Abstract: A hybrid support ring comprises a suspender and a belt, the suspender defined by a flange and a leg rearwardly extending having a lug, the suspender also extending circumferentially, the suspender formed of a first material, the belt extending circumferentially and disposed in the lug, the belt being formed of a second material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventor: General Electric Company
  • Publication number: 20140255194
    Abstract: A rotor blade for use in a turbine of a turbine engine is described. The rotor blade may include an airfoil that extends from a connection with a root. The airfoil may include a pressure sidewall and a suction sidewall that define an outer periphery and an outboard tip. The rotor blade may further include a tip shroud assembly disposed at the outboard tip of the airfoil. The tip shroud assembly includes a non-integral tip shroud.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventor: General Electric Company