Patents by Inventor James Scott Piper

James Scott Piper 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: 10274201
    Abstract: A fuel injector for a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The fuel injector includes two primary tubes, a secondary tube, a primary gas gallery, and a secondary gas gallery. The two primary tubes are connected in a parallel configuration to provide a main gas fuel to the primary gas gallery. The secondary tube provides the main gas fuel to the secondary gas gallery independent from the two primary tubes and the primary gas gallery. The primary gas gallery and the secondary gas gallery provide the main gas fuel to a premix passage independently allowing for robust control of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Solar Turbines Incorporated
    Inventors: Sean Kelly Spivey, Donald James Cramb, James Scott Piper, Michael John Ramotowski
  • Patent number: 10234142
    Abstract: A fuel injector for a combustion engine includes an injector head including a nozzle, a premixer, and a distributor structured to distribute a plurality of different fuels to different sets of fueling orifices in the premixer. A pilot assembly of the fuel injector is coupled to the premixer and includes a first fueling passage for a first fuel and a second fueling passage for a second fuel. Multiple sets of fueling orifices are positioned within the fuel injector, the fueling orifice sets being selectively connectable to a plurality of different fuel supplies, and both located and sized so as to accommodate a wide range of flow rates to enable a combustion engine coupled with the fuel injector to operate on fuels having a range of Wobbe numbers and compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Solar Turbines Incorporated
    Inventors: Rajeshriben Patel, James Scott Piper, Raymond Alvarez, Rasoul Paydar, Ram Srinivasan, Edouard Bahous
  • Patent number: 10082082
    Abstract: A fuel injector for a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The fuel injector includes a flange assembly with a distribution block, three main gas tubes, and an injector head. The distribution block evenly distributes a main gas fuel to the three main gas tubes. The injector head includes an injector body with a primary gas gallery including an annular shape. The three main gas tubes are connected in a parallel configuration between the distribution block and the primary gas gallery. The three main gas tubes are all in flow communication with the primary gas gallery and provide the main gas fuel from the same main gas fuel source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Solar Turbines Incorporated
    Inventors: Sean Kelly Spivey, Donald James Cramb, James Scott Piper, Michael John Ramotowski
  • Patent number: 10054093
    Abstract: A center body assembly for a fuel injector is disclosed. The center body assembly defines a primary liquid passage, a liquid gallery, swirl slots, and a prefilm passage. The primary liquid passage supplies liquid fuel to the liquid gallery. The liquid gallery includes a gallery discharge end and a gallery inlet end that aligns with the primary liquid passage. The liquid gallery tapers down from the gallery inlet end to the gallery discharge end. The swirl slots extend from the liquid gallery to the prefilm passage in a helical pattern. The prefilm passage includes an annular shape that turns inward towards an assembly axis of the center body assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Solar Turbines Incorporated
    Inventors: Sean Kelly Spivey, Donald James Cramb, James Scott Piper, Michael John Ramotowski
  • Patent number: 9976522
    Abstract: A fuel injector for a combustion engine includes an injector head including a nozzle, a premixer, and a distributor structured to distribute a plurality of different fuels to different sets of fueling orifices in the premixer. A pilot assembly of the fuel injector is coupled to the premixer and includes a first fueling passage for a first fuel and a second fueling passage for a second fuel. Multiple sets of fueling orifices are positioned within the fuel injector, the fueling orifice sets being selectively connectable to a plurality of different fuel supplies, and both located and sized so as to accommodate a wide range of flow rates to enable a combustion engine coupled with the fuel injector to operate on fuels having a range of Wobbe indices and compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Solar Turbines Incorporated
    Inventors: Rajeshriben Patel, James Scott Piper, Raymond Alvarez, Rasoul Paydar, Ram Srinivasan
  • Publication number: 20170299190
    Abstract: A fuel injector for a combustion engine includes an injector head including a nozzle, a premixer, and a distributor structured to distribute a plurality of different fuels to different sets of fueling orifices in the premixer. A pilot assembly of the fuel injector is coupled to the premixer and includes a first fueling passage for a first fuel and a second fueling passage for a second fuel. Multiple sets of fueling orifices are positioned within the fuel injector, the fueling orifice sets being selectively connectable to a plurality of different fuel supplies, and both located and sized so as to accommodate a wide range of flow rates to enable a combustion engine coupled with the fuel injector to operate on fuels having a range of Wobbe numbers and compositions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Applicant: Solar Turbines Incorporated
    Inventors: Rajeshriben Patel, James Scott Piper, Raymond Alvarez, Rasoul Paydar, Ram Srinivasan, Edouard Bahous
  • Publication number: 20170298875
    Abstract: A fuel injector for a combustion engine includes an injector head including a nozzle, a premixer, and a distributor structured to distribute a plurality of different fuels to different sets of fueling orifices in the premixer. A pilot assembly of the fuel injector is coupled to the premixer and includes a first fueling passage for a first fuel and a second fueling passage for a second fuel. Multiple sets of fueling orifices are positioned within the fuel injector, the fueling orifice sets being selectively connectable to a plurality of different fuel supplies, and both located and sized so as to accommodate a wide range of flow rates to enable a combustion engine coupled with the fuel injector to operate on fuels having a range of Wobbe indices and compositions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Applicant: Solar Turbines Incorporated
    Inventors: Rajeshriben Patel, James Scott Piper, Raymond Alvarez, Rasoul Paydar, Ram Srinivasan
  • Publication number: 20170191421
    Abstract: A fuel injector for a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The fuel injector includes a flange assembly with a distribution block, three main gas tubes, and an injector head. The distribution block evenly distributes a main gas fuel to the three main gas tubes. The injector head includes an injector body with a primary gas gallery including an annular shape. The three main gas tubes are connected in a parallel configuration between the distribution block and the primary gas gallery. The three main gas tubes are all in flow communication with the primary gas gallery and provide the main gas fuel from the same main gas fuel source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Applicant: SOLAR TURBINES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: SEAN KELLY SPIVEY, DONALD JAMES CRAMB, JAMES SCOTT PIPER, MICHAEL JOHN RAMOTOWSKI
  • Publication number: 20170191428
    Abstract: A method for lean direct injection of a liquid fuel from a fuel injector into a combustion chamber of a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The method includes injecting all of the liquid fuel into the combustion chamber through a pilot liquid fuel circuit during light off and during acceleration towards idle. The method also includes injecting the liquid fuel in two streams including injecting a majority of the liquid fuel as an annular film through a main liquid fuel circuit and injecting a remainder of the liquid fuel through the pilot liquid fuel circuit when the gas turbine engine is at idle and for operating ranges of the gas turbine engine above idle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Applicant: SOLAR TURBINES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Sean Kelly Spivey, Donald James Cramb, James Scott Piper, Michael John Ramotowski
  • Publication number: 20170191457
    Abstract: A center body assembly for a fuel injector is disclosed. The center body assembly defines a primary liquid passage, a liquid gallery, swirl slots, and a prefilm passage. The primary liquid passage supplies liquid fuel to the liquid gallery. The liquid gallery includes a gallery discharge end and a gallery inlet end that aligns with the primary liquid passage. The liquid gallery tapers down from the gallery inlet end to the gallery discharge end. The swirl slots extend from the liquid gallery to the prefilm passage in a helical pattern. The prefilm passage includes an annular shape that turns inward towards an assembly axis of the center body assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Applicant: SOLAR TURBINES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: SEAN KELLY SPIVEY, DONALD JAMES CRAMB, JAMES SCOTT PIPER, MICHAEL JOHN RAMOTOWSKI
  • Publication number: 20170191667
    Abstract: A fuel injector for a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The fuel injector includes two primary tubes, a secondary tube, a primary gas gallery, and a secondary gas gallery. The two primary tubes are connected in a parallel configuration to provide a main gas fuel to the primary gas gallery. The secondary tube provides the main gas fuel to the secondary gas gallery independent from the two primary tubes and the primary gas gallery. The primary gas gallery and the secondary gas gallery provide the main gas fuel to a premix passage independently allowing for robust control of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Applicant: SOLAR TURBINES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Sean Kelly Spivey, Donald James Cramb, James Scott Piper, Michael John Ramotowski
  • Patent number: 9618209
    Abstract: A fuel injector for a combustor of a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The fuel injector includes a gas outer tube, a gas inner tube, a liquid tube, and a heat shield. The gas outer tube and the gas inner tube form a gas fuel annulus. The gas inner tube and the liquid tube form a liquid fuel annulus. The liquid tube forms an air cavity. The heat shield extends within the liquid tube forming an insulating gap between the heat shield and the liquid tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Solar Turbines Incorporated
    Inventors: Ramarao Venkat Bandaru, James Scott Piper, Scott Michael Lindner, Anthony Paul Batakis, Peter Joseph Giella
  • Patent number: 9592480
    Abstract: An inner premix tube for a fuel injector of a gas turbine engine includes a transition end, a tip end, and a premix tube inner surface. The transition end includes an annular disk portion with an annular disk shape and a redirection portion extending radially inward and axially from the annular disk portion. The transition end also includes a plurality of wipe passages extending through the transition end. The tip end includes a cylindrical portion with a hollow right circular cylinder shape. The premix tube inner surface is a radially outer surface including the redirection portion outer surface and the cylindrical portion outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Solar Turbines Incorporated
    Inventors: Donald James Cramb, James Scott Piper, Sean Kelly Spivey, Michael John Ramotowski, Matthew Mayer
  • Patent number: 9371998
    Abstract: A pilot liquid tube having a pilot liquid fuel inlet, a pilot liquid fuel conduit, a pilot liquid fuel nozzle, and a shroud configured to shield the pilot liquid fuel nozzle. The pilot liquid tube may be installed and/or removed from an injector of a gas turbine engine while the shroud remains fixed to pilot liquid fuel conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Solar Turbines Incorporated
    Inventors: Donald James Cramb, James Scott Piper, Sean Kelly Spivey, Michael John Ramotowski, Matthew Mayer
  • Patent number: 9366190
    Abstract: A liquid gallery for a fuel injector of a gas turbine engine includes a gallery body, a liquid gallery scroll, a plurality of atomizer inlets, and a plurality of atomizer bosses. The liquid gallery scroll extends into the gallery body spanning from a first end to a second end in a circumferential direction. The liquid gallery scroll includes a taper with a cross-sectional area of the liquid gallery scroll reducing from the first end to the second end. Each atomizer inlet is in flow communication with the liquid gallery scroll. Each atomizer boss is aligned with one of the plurality of atomizer inlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Solar Turbines Incorporated
    Inventors: Donald James Cramb, James Scott Piper, Sean Kelly Spivey, Michael John Ramotowski, Matthew Mayer
  • Patent number: 9347378
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine outer premix barrel is disclosed. The outer premix barrel includes a body portion, a barrel portion, and a plurality of vanes. The body portion includes vent air inlets. The barrel portion extends axially aft from the body portion. The plurality of vanes extends axially forward from the body portion. Each vane includes an inward surface located at a radially inner end of the vane, and a plurality of vent passages exiting the vane at the inward surface. Each vent passage is in flow communication with at least one vent air inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Solar Turbines Incorporated
    Inventors: Donald James Cramb, James Scott Piper, Sean Kelly Spivey, Michael John Ramotowski, Matthew Mayer
  • Publication number: 20160116168
    Abstract: A fuel injector for a combustor of a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The fuel injector includes a flange, a fitting boss, a stem, a gas fuel passage, a gas fuel fitting, and a gas heat shield. The fitting boss protrudes from the flange. The stem extends from the flange. The gas fuel passage extends through the stem. The gas fuel fitting is joined to the fitting boss. The gas heat shield extends from the gas fuel fitting at least partially through the gas fuel passage. The gas heat shield is sized to form a gas heat shield gap between the gas heat shield and the stem at the gas fuel passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Applicant: SOLAR TURBINES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ramarao Venkat Bandaru, James Scott Piper, Peter Joseph Giella, Behruz N. Rustomi
  • Publication number: 20150253009
    Abstract: A fuel injector for a combustor of a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The fuel injector includes a gas outer tube, a gas inner tube, a liquid tube, and a heat shield. The gas outer tube and the gas inner tube form a gas fuel annulus. The gas inner tube and the liquid tube form a liquid fuel annulus. The liquid tube forms an air cavity. The heat shield extends within the liquid tube forming an insulating gap between the heat shield and the liquid tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Applicant: SOLAR TURBINES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ramarao Venkat Bandaru, James Scott Piper, Scott Michael Lindner, Anthony Paul Batakis, Peter Joseph Giella
  • Patent number: 9079273
    Abstract: A method for modifying a gas turbine injector is disclosed herein. The method for modifying a gas turbine injector includes removing a first tubular member from the gas turbine injector, replacing the first tubular member with a second tubular member, the second tubular member having a center axis and including a circumferential lip extending radially from the center axis, aiming a laser beam at the circumferential lip so that the laser beam forms an acute angle with the center axis, and, laser welding the second tubular member to the gas turbine injector at the acute angle, the laser welding forming a resultant weld between the second tubular member and the gas turbine injector, and such that at least a portion of the circumferential lip is consumed to form at least a portion of the resultant weld.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Solar Turbines Incorporated
    Inventors: Leonel Arellano, James Scott Piper
  • Publication number: 20140331676
    Abstract: A liquid gallery for a fuel injector of a gas turbine engine includes a gallery body, a liquid gallery scroll, a plurality of atomizer inlets, and a plurality of atomizer bosses. The liquid gallery scroll extends into the gallery body spanning from a first end to a second end in a circumferential direction. The liquid gallery scroll includes a taper with a cross-sectional area of the liquid gallery scroll reducing from the first end to the second end. Each atomizer inlet is in flow communication with the liquid gallery scroll. Each atomizer boss is aligned with one of the plurality of atomizer inlets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Solar Turbines Incorporated
    Inventors: Donald James Cramb, James Scott Piper, Sean Kelly Spivey, Michael John Ramotowski, Matthew Mayer