Patents by Inventor Hejie Li

Hejie Li 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: 20250179961
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine including a combustor, a plurality of fuel nozzles, and at least one fuel manifold. The combustor includes a combustion chamber. The plurality of fuel injects fuel into the combustion chamber of the combustor. The gas turbine engine may include a first fuel circuit and a second fuel circuit. The first fuel circuit includes a first fuel manifold fluidly connected to at least one fuel nozzle of the plurality of fuel nozzles to distribute the fuel to the at least one fuel nozzle at a first temperature. The second fuel circuit includes a second fuel manifold fluidly connected to at least one fuel nozzle of the plurality of fuel nozzles to distribute the fuel to the at least one fuel nozzle at a second. The second temperature is less than the first temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2025
    Publication date: June 5, 2025
    Inventors: Hejie Li, Shai Birmaher, Michael A. Benjamin
  • Patent number: 12320300
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine fuel supply system can include a fuel delivery system, a thermal management system, a fuel manifold, and one or more sensors that identify one or more fuel parameters. A fuel control system can be controlled to adjust one or more parameters of the fuel based on data received from the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2025
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brandon W. Miller, Robert Jon McQuiston, Stefan Joseph Cafaro, Eric Richard Westervelt, Michael A. Benjamin, Joel M. Haynes, Hejie Li
  • Patent number: 12298006
    Abstract: A combustor of a turbine engine combusts fuel and air. The combustor includes a dome and a heat shield fastened to the dome. The heat shield is unconstrained relative to dome, to permit relative thermal expansion and contraction in a radial direction. A heat shield inner portion is generally annular in shape, is arranged about a dome eyelet longitudinal centerline axis, is smaller in diameter than a dome inner portion, and is assembled inside of the dome inner portion. A plurality of pinned assemblies fastens the heat shield to dome. Each pinned assembly includes a fastener with a pin end, the pin end assembled in a clearance fit into a hole in the heat shield inner portion. The fastener is fixed to the dome inner portion, the pin end sliding in the hole in the heat shield during relative thermal expansion and contraction between the dome and the heat shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2024
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2025
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Gerardo Antonio Salazar Lois, Hejie Li
  • Patent number: 12286932
    Abstract: A combustor of a turbine engine has a combustion chamber for combusting fuel and air, generating heat. A fuel nozzle-mixer assembly mixes and injects fuel and air into the combustion chamber for combustion. The assembly has a heat shield at an aft end for shielding the assembly from the heat. A centerbody outer shell defines a cooling air flow cavity. A cooling air flow gap is defined between the centerbody outer shell and the heat shield. The centerbody outer shell has cooling air exit holes between the cooling air flow cavity and the cooling air flow gap, the air passing through the cooling air exit holes and into the cooling air flow gap. The cooling air exits the cooling air flow gap at a cooling air exit angle, the cooling air exit angle having a non-zero axially aft component, displacing the combustion downstream, to protect the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Hejie Li, Hiranya Nath, Habeeb Kunnummal Manat, Shai Birmaher, Craig Alan Gonyou, Anquan Wang, Michael A. Benjamin
  • Publication number: 20250116233
    Abstract: A fuel nozzle/swirler assembly includes a venturi including a heat shield retaining wall. A backplate is connected to the venturi and includes a plurality of purge orifices extending through the backplate. A ceramic matrix composite (CMC) heat shield includes a heat shield attachment wall engaged between the heat shield retaining wall of the venturi and the backplate, and a seal member is arranged between the backplate and the CMC heat shield. The plurality of purge orifices are arranged between the seal member and the venturi and provide a flow of purge air therethrough to flow through a radial gap. The seal member provides a force against the CMC heat shield to axially engage the heat shield attachment wall of the CMC heat shield against the heat shield retaining wall of the venturi.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2023
    Publication date: April 10, 2025
    Inventors: Gerardo Antonio SALAZAR LOIS, Hejie Li
  • Publication number: 20250093032
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprises a compressor section, a combustion section, and a turbine section in a serial flow arrangement and enshrouded by a casing, the combustion section comprising: an annular combustion chamber defined by at least a dome wall and an annular liner; a plurality of combustor cups circumferentially arranged on the dome wall; a fuel supply connected to the casing; and a fuel nozzle passing through the casing and having a nozzle tube and a distribution manifold fluidly coupling the nozzle tube to at least two combustor cups of the plurality of combustor cups; wherein the fuel nozzle is fixed to the at least two combustor cups.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2023
    Publication date: March 20, 2025
    Inventors: Emrah Deniz, Fatih Yasar, Katarzyna Anna Mikolajczyk, Michael T. Bucaro, Ahmet Kacar, Anquan Wang, Hejie Li, Craig Alan Gonyou, Aaron C. Brady
  • Patent number: 12221926
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine including a combustor, a plurality of fuel nozzles, and at least one fuel manifold. The combustor includes a combustion chamber. The plurality of fuel injects fuel into the combustion chamber of the combustor. The gas turbine engine may include a first fuel circuit and a second fuel circuit. The first fuel circuit includes a first fuel manifold fluidly connected to at least one fuel nozzle of the plurality of fuel nozzles to distribute the fuel to the at least one fuel nozzle at a first temperature. The second fuel circuit includes a second fuel manifold fluidly connected to at least one fuel nozzle of the plurality of fuel nozzles to distribute the fuel to the at least one fuel nozzle at a second. The second temperature is less than the first temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Hejie Li, Shai Birmaher, Michael A. Benjamin
  • Publication number: 20250035041
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine fuel supply system can include a fuel delivery system, a thermal management system, a fuel manifold, and one or more sensors that identify one or more fuel parameters. A fuel control system is provided that adjusts parameters of the fuel based on data received from the sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2024
    Publication date: January 30, 2025
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brandon W. Miller, Robert Jon McQuiston, Stefan Joseph Cafaro, Eric Richard Westervelt, Michael A. Benjamin, Joel M. Haynes, Hejie Li
  • Patent number: 12116935
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine fuel supply system can include a fuel delivery system, a thermal management system, a fuel manifold, and one or more sensors that identify one or more fuel parameters. A fuel control system adjusts parameters of the fuel based on data received from the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brandon W. Miller, Robert Jon McQuiston, Stefan Joseph Cafaro, Eric Richard Westervelt, Michael A. Benjamin, Joel M. Haynes, Hejie Li
  • Publication number: 20240253014
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon fluid system including a hydrocarbon fluid conduit and an oxygen gettering assembly. The hydrocarbon fluid conduit has a fluid passage through which hydrocarbon fluid flows. The hydrocarbon fluid includes oxygen and has an oxygen content. The oxygen gettering assembly is disposed relative to the hydrocarbon fluid conduit such that an oxygen getter comes into contact with the hydrocarbon fluid as the hydrocarbon fluid flows through the fluid passage to reduce the oxygen content of the hydrocarbon fluid. The oxygen gettering assembly may be a part of a deoxygenation system that also includes a sparging system. The hydrocarbon fluid may be a fuel used in a gas turbine engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2023
    Publication date: August 1, 2024
    Inventors: Karthick Gourishankar, Arundhati Sengupta, Narayanan Janakiraman, Sanjay Kumar Sondhi, Vasanth Srinivasa Kothnur, Hejie Li
  • Patent number: 12031484
    Abstract: A method is provided for operating a gas turbine engine. The method includes: determining data indicative of an operation of a cooling system of the gas turbine engine during a shutdown of the gas turbine engine, following the shutdown of the gas turbine engine, or both; and modifying a startup schedule of the gas turbine engine in response to the determined data indicative of the operation of the cooling system of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Robert Millhaem, Christopher R. Bosco, Gerardo Perez, Hejie Li, Francisco Ernesto de la Pena, Alejandro Federico Medrano Perez, Andrew Campbell
  • Patent number: 12012903
    Abstract: A fuel temperature control system and a method of controlling a fuel temperature for a turbine engine including supplying an aviation fuel to a fuel nozzle fluidly coupled to a combustion chamber. A fuel temperature sensor for determining at least one input parameter to define an inlet fuel temperature of the aviation fuel in the fuel nozzle. A controller for receiving the at least one input parameter and for calculating a calculated flow number in the fuel nozzle. The controller capable of comparing the calculated flow number and a reference flow number associated with a threshold during a steady state condition to determine if the aviation fuel is boiling inside the fuel nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Hejie Li, Michael A. Benjamin, Nicholas Ryan Overman
  • Patent number: 11994071
    Abstract: A fuel system including a fuel metering unit, a heat exchanger, a plurality of fuel nozzles, and a coke filtration system. The fuel metering unit is configured to meter a flow of a hydrocarbon fuel. The heat exchanger is fluidly connected to the fuel metering unit. The heat exchanger is configured to heat the hydrocarbon fuel to improve engine performance or efficiency. The plurality of fuel nozzles is fluidly connected to the heat exchanger downstream of the heat exchanger to receive the hydrocarbon fuel heated by the heat exchanger. The coke filtration system includes at least one filter to remove coke particles in the heated fuel. The coke filtration system is located upstream of the plurality of fuel nozzles and directly downstream of the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Hejie Li, Mathew Paul Thariyan, Diana Julieta Méndez Maya, Jorge Omar Mañón Cantú, Brandon W. Miller, Michael A. Benjamin, Brian Devendorf
  • Patent number: 11959036
    Abstract: A component and a system for mitigating coke formation during delivery of a hydrocarbon fluid. The component includes a contact surface configured to be in contact with the hydrocarbon fluid. Tuning the zeta potential of the contact surface allows selective attraction and/or repulsion of coke-catalyzing materials, metal ions, heteroatomic hydrocarbons, and/or coke precursors present in the hydrocarbon fluid. A method of mitigating coke formation during delivery of a hydrocarbon fluid includes tuning a zeta potential of the contact surface of the component and injecting or circulating the hydrocarbon fluid through the system such that the contact surface selectively attracts and/or repels coke-catalyzing materials, metal ions, heteroatomic hydrocarbons, and/or coke precursors present in the hydrocarbon fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Arundhati Sengupta, Karthick Gourishankar, Narayanan Janakiraman, Lawrence B. Kool, Sanjay Kumar Sondhi, Michael A Benjamin, Hejie Li
  • Patent number: 11938244
    Abstract: A heat treatment method for improving the mechanical property and the biofunctional stability of a magnesium alloy is provided, comprising: (1) fully annealing an original cold-drawn magnesium alloy AZ31; (2) polishing a surface of the magnesium alloy AZ31 from the step (1) by a waterproof abrasive paper; (3) heating the magnesium alloy AZ31 obtained from the step (2) to a temperature of 330° C. to 350° C. and keeping the temperature for 3 to 4 hours; and (4) cooling the magnesium alloy AZ31 obtained from the step (3) to room temperature. A method for manufacturing a small-peptide-coated biomaterial and an application of the small-peptide-coated biomaterial are further provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Inventor: Hejie Li
  • Publication number: 20240044290
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine fuel supply system can include a fuel delivery system, a thermal management system, a fuel manifold, and one or more sensors that identify one or more fuel parameters. A fuel control system can be controlled to adjust one or more parameters of the fuel based on data received from the sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brandon W. Miller, Robert Jon McQuiston, Stefan Joseph Cafaro, Eric Richard Westervelt, Michael A. Benjamin, Joel M. Haynes, Hejie Li
  • Publication number: 20230399980
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine including a combustor, a plurality of fuel nozzles, and at least one fuel manifold. The combustor includes a combustion chamber. The plurality of fuel injects fuel into the combustion chamber of the combustor. The gas turbine engine may include a first fuel circuit and a second fuel circuit. The first fuel circuit includes a first fuel manifold fluidly connected to at least one fuel nozzle of the plurality of fuel nozzles to distribute the fuel to the at least one fuel nozzle at a first temperature. The second fuel circuit includes a second fuel manifold fluidly connected to at least one fuel nozzle of the plurality of fuel nozzles to distribute the fuel to the at least one fuel nozzle at a second. The second temperature is less than the first temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2022
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Inventors: Hejie Li, Shai Birmaher, Michael A. Benjamin
  • Patent number: 11821366
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine fuel supply system can include a fuel delivery system, a thermal management system, a fuel manifold, and one or more sensors that identify one or more fuel parameters. A fuel control system adjusts parameters of the fuel based on data received from the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brandon W. Miller, Robert Jon McQuiston, Stefan Joseph Cafaro, Eric Richard Westervelt, Michael A. Benjamin, Joel M. Haynes, Hejie Li
  • Publication number: 20230332549
    Abstract: A fuel temperature control system and a method of controlling a fuel temperature for a turbine engine including supplying an aviation fuel to a fuel nozzle fluidly coupled to a combustion chamber. A fuel temperature sensor for determining at least one input parameter to define an inlet fuel temperature of the aviation fuel in the fuel nozzle. A controller for receiving the at least one input parameter and for calculating a calculated flow number in the fuel nozzle. The controller capable of comparing the calculated flow number and a reference flow number associated with a threshold during a steady state condition to determine if the aviation fuel is boiling inside the fuel nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2022
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventors: Hejie Li, Michael A. Benjamin, Nicholas Ryan Overman
  • Publication number: 20230303940
    Abstract: A component and a system for mitigating coke formation during delivery of a hydrocarbon fluid. The component includes a contact surface configured to be in contact with the hydrocarbon fluid. Tuning the zeta potential of the contact surface allows selective attraction and/or repulsion of coke-catalyzing materials, metal ions, heteroatomic hydrocarbons, and/or coke precursors present in the hydrocarbon fluid. A method of mitigating coke formation during delivery of a hydrocarbon fluid includes tuning a zeta potential of the contact surface of the component and injecting or circulating the hydrocarbon fluid through the system such that the contact surface selectively attracts and/or repels coke-catalyzing materials, metal ions, heteroatomic hydrocarbons, and/or coke precursors present in the hydrocarbon fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventors: Arundhati Sengupta, Karthick Gourishankar, Narayanan Janakiraman, Lawrence B. Kool, Sanjay Kumar Sondhi, Michael A. Benjamin, Hejie Li