Patents by Inventor Hubert Paprotna

Hubert Paprotna 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: 8684662
    Abstract: A ring segment for a gas turbine engine includes an outer panel defining a structural body for the ring segment. An outer side of an inner panel is attached to an inner side of the outer panel at an interface, and an inner side of the inner panel defines a portion of a hot gas path through the gas turbine engine. An outer side of the outer panel, opposite from the interface, is in communication with a source of cooling air. A plurality of impingement holes extend through the outer panel from the outer side to the inner side of the outer panel for directing impingement air to the outer side of the inner panel. The outer and inner panels define a plurality of flow channels at the interface for effecting convective cooling of the outer panel along the flow channels between the outer and inner panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Nan Jiang, Samuel R. Miller, Jr., Friedrich Rogers, Hubert Paprotna
  • Publication number: 20120057969
    Abstract: A ring segment for a gas turbine engine includes an outer panel defining a structural body for the ring segment. An outer side of an inner panel is attached to an inner side of the outer panel at an interface, and an inner side of the inner panel defines a portion of a hot gas path through the gas turbine engine. An outer side of the outer panel, opposite from the interface, is in communication with a source of cooling air. A plurality of impingement holes extend through the outer panel from the outer side to the inner side of the outer panel for directing impingement air to the outer side of the inner panel. The outer and inner panels define a plurality of flow channels at the interface for effecting convective cooling of the outer panel along the flow channels between the outer and inner panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Inventors: Nan Jiang, Samuel R. Miller, JR., Friedrich Rogers, Hubert Paprotna
  • Publication number: 20060225430
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to a system and method for actively controlling compressor clearances in a turbine engine by passing a thermal fluid in heat exchanging relation through a compressor vane carrier. During some operational conditions, such as hot restart or spin cool, it may be desirable to heat the vane carrier to enlarge or at least prevent a decrease in compressor clearances. In such cases, a heated thermal fluid can be provided by reclaiming residual exhaust energy from a heat recovery steam generator. At any condition where improved performance is desired, such as at base load operation, the vane carrier can be cooled to minimize compressor clearances. A cooled thermal fluid can be bleed air from an upstream portion of the compressor, water-cooled high pressure bleed air from a downstream portion of the compressor, or feed water from the bottoming cycle in a combined cycle engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Publication date: October 12, 2006
    Inventors: Hubert Paprotna, Adam Foust