Patents by Inventor Graydon Lane Whidden

Graydon Lane Whidden 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: 6109038
    Abstract: A combustor for a gas turbine having first and second passages for pre-mixing primary fuel and air supplied to a primary combustion zone. The flow of fuel to the first and second pre-mixing passages is separately regulated using a single annular fuel distribution ring having first and second row of fuel discharge ports. The interior portion of the fuel distribution ring is divided by a baffle into first and second fuel distribution manifolds and is located upstream of the inlets to the two pre-mixing passages. The annular fuel distribution ring is supplied with fuel by an annular fuel supply manifold, the interior portion of which is divided by a baffle into first and second fuel supply manifolds. A first flow of fuel is regulated by a first control valve and directed to the first fuel supply manifold, from which the fuel is distributed to first fuel supply tubes that direct it to the first fuel distribution manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation
    Inventors: Mehran Sharifi, Wendel Zolyomi, Graydon Lane Whidden
  • Patent number: 5983642
    Abstract: A combustor for a gas turbine having a centrally located fuel nozzle and inner, middle and outer concentric cylindrical liners, the inner liner enclosing a primary combustion zone. The combustor has an air inlet that forms two passages for pre-mixing primary fuel and air to be supplied to the primary combustion zone. Each of the pre-mixing passages has a circumferential array of swirl vanes. A plurality of primary fuel tube assemblies extend through both pre-mixing passages, with each primary fuel tube assembly located between a pair of swirl vanes. Each primary fuel tube assembly is comprised of two tubular members. The first member supplies fuel to the first pre-mixing passage, while the second member, which extends through the first member, supplies fuel to the second pre-mixing passage. An annular fuel manifold is divided into first and second chambers by a circumferentially extending baffle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation
    Inventors: David Marchant Parker, Graydon Lane Whidden, Wendel Zolyomi
  • Patent number: 5906093
    Abstract: A method of converting a steam cooled transition to an air cooled transition in a gas turbine having a compressor in fluid communication with a combustor, a turbine section in fluid communication with the combustor, the transition disposed in a combustor shell and having a cooling circuit connecting a steam outlet and a steam inlet and wherein hot gas flows from the combustor through the transition and to the turbine section, includes forming an air outlet in the transition in fluid communication with the cooling circuit and providing for an air inlet in the transition in fluid communication with the cooling circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation
    Inventors: Billy Joe Coslow, Graydon Lane Whidden