Patents by Inventor Jayaprakash Natarajan

Jayaprakash Natarajan 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: 20230045965
    Abstract: An igniter for a combustor of a turbomachine includes a fuel inlet in fluid communication with a mixing plenum. The mixing plenum is positioned upstream of a mixing channel. An air inlet is in fluid communication with the mixing plenum and an ignition source is in operative communication with the mixing channel. The igniter may include a mounting flange configured for coupling the igniter to the combustor. The ignition source may be positioned proximate to a downstream end of the mixing channel and upstream of the mounting flange. The mixing channel may define a venturi shape. The venturi shape includes a converging section between an upstream end of the mixing channel and a venturi throat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Lucas John Stoia, Yimin Huang, Abdul Khan, Thomas Edward Johnson, Heath M. Ostebee, Jayaprakash Natarajan
  • Patent number: 11525578
    Abstract: A combustor having bundled tube fuel nozzles is provided. At least one of the fuel nozzles has a dynamics-mitigating adapter removably coupled thereto. The adapter includes a mounting body defining at least one flow passage aligned with an inlet of at least one tube of the at least one fuel nozzle. The at least one flow passage extends an axial length of the at least one tube. The adapter may include extenders aligned with each tube of the fuel nozzle, and the extenders may have identical or different lengths. Adapters may be used for each fuel nozzle of the combustor. The mounting body may be a monolithic unit through which the flow passages are defined or may include a plurality of extenders affixed to and extending upstream of the mounting body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jayaprakash Natarajan, Sven Georg Bethke
  • Patent number: 11519334
    Abstract: An igniter for a combustor of a turbomachine includes a fuel inlet in fluid communication with a mixing plenum. The mixing plenum is positioned upstream of a mixing channel. An air inlet is in fluid communication with the mixing plenum and an ignition source is in operative communication with the mixing channel. The igniter may include a mounting flange configured for coupling the igniter to the combustor. The ignition source may be positioned proximate to a downstream end of the mixing channel and upstream of the mounting flange. The mixing channel may define a venturi shape. The venturi shape includes a converging section between an upstream end of the mixing channel and a venturi throat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lucas John Stoia, Yimin Huang, Abdul Khan, Thomas Edward Johnson, Heath M. Ostebee, Jayaprakash Natarajan
  • Patent number: 11203986
    Abstract: A method of operating a rotary machine below a minimum emissions compliance load in a response mode includes reducing a fuel split to zero. The fuel split apportions a total flow of fuel to the combustor between a first combustion zone and a second combustion zone. The method also includes determining a current operating temperature of the first combustion zone using a digital simulation of the rotary machine. The method further includes determining a target operating temperature of the first combustion zone. The target operating temperature enables the rotary machine to operate below a traditional Minimum Emissions Compliance Load (MECL) while still in compliance with emissions standards. The method also includes channeling a first flow of fuel to the first combustion zone. The first flow of fuel decreases the temperature of the first combustion zone to the target operating temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: David Leach, Valerie Suzanne Vernet, Jason Nathaniel Cook, Jayaprakash Natarajan
  • Publication number: 20210381432
    Abstract: A method of operating a rotary machine below a minimum emissions compliance load in a response mode includes reducing a fuel split to zero. The fuel split apportions a total flow of fuel to the combustor between a first combustion zone and a second combustion zone. The method also includes determining a current operating temperature of the first combustion zone using a digital simulation of the rotary machine. The method further includes determining a target operating temperature of the first combustion zone. The target operating temperature enables the rotary machine to operate below a traditional Minimum Emissions Compliance Load (MECL) while still in compliance with emissions standards. The method also includes channeling a first flow of fuel to the first combustion zone. The first flow of fuel decreases the temperature of the first combustion zone to the target operating temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventors: David Leach, Valerie Suzanne Vernet, Jason Nathaniel Cook, Jayaprakash Natarajan
  • Publication number: 20210301736
    Abstract: A method for selectively operating a combustor head end assembly is provided. The combustor head end assembly includes a plurality of bundled tube fuel nozzles. The method includes opening a first fuel circuit of a plurality of fuel circuits. The first fuel circuit of the plurality of fuel circuits is fluidly coupled to a first nozzle group, and the first nozzle group includes one bundled tube fuel nozzle of the plurality of bundled tube fuel nozzles. The method further includes adjusting an airflow received by the plurality of bundled tube fuel nozzles in response to opening the first fuel circuit of the plurality of fuel circuits. The airflow is adjusted based on an emissions output requirement corresponding with the first nozzle group. The method also includes firing the first nozzle group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Jayaprakash Natarajan, Willy Steve Ziminsky, Mark William Pinson
  • Publication number: 20210301722
    Abstract: Combustors, gas turbines, and associated methods of operation are provided. A method for operating a combustor includes firing a bundled tube fuel nozzle assembly within a combustion liner of the combustor to generate combustion gases at a first temperature within a first combustion zone length. The method further includes firing a fuel injector downstream from the bundled tube fuel nozzle assembly within the combustion liner of the combustor to generate combustion gases at a second temperature within a second combustion zone length. The first combustion zone length is less than the second combustion zone length. The combustion gases travel through the first combustion zone length in a first time period and through the second combustion zone length in a second time period. The second time period is less than the first time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Willy Steve Ziminsky, Mark William Pinson, Jayaprakash Natarajan, Lucas John Stoia
  • Patent number: 10865992
    Abstract: A fuel injector is provided for the radial introduction of a fuel/air mixture to a combustor. The fuel injector includes a frame having interior sides defining an opening for passage of a first fluid; at least one fuel injection body; and a conduit fitting. The at least one fuel injection body is coupled to the frame and positioned within the opening, thereby defining flow paths for the first fluid. The at least one fuel injection body defines a fuel plenum, and a set of fuel injection holes are defined through an outer surface of the at least one fuel injection body. The conduit fitting is coupled to the frame and conveys fuel from a fuel supply line to the fuel plenum. Fuel and the first fluid mix in the flow paths and are delivered through the outlet to the combustor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Richard Martin DiCintio, Seth Reynolds Hoffman, Ronnie Ray Pentecost, Jayaprakash Natarajan, Wei Zhao
  • Patent number: 10851999
    Abstract: A fuel injector is provided for the radial introduction of a fuel/air mixture to a combustor. The fuel injector includes a frame having interior sides defining an opening for passage of a first fluid; at least one fuel injection body; and a conduit fitting. The at least one fuel injection body is coupled to the frame and positioned within the opening, thereby defining flow paths for the first fluid. The at least one fuel injection body defines a fuel plenum, and a set of fuel injection holes are defined through an outer surface of the at least one fuel injection body. The conduit fitting is coupled to the frame and conveys fuel from a fuel supply line to the fuel plenum. Fuel and the first fluid mix in the flow paths and are delivered through the outlet to the combustor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jun Cai, Andrew Grady Godfrey, Richard Martin DiCintio, Seth Reynolds Hoffman, Ronnie Ray Pentecost, Jayaprakash Natarajan, Wei Zhao
  • Patent number: 10816208
    Abstract: A fuel injector for a gas turbine combustor includes a fuel conduit fitting and a nozzle having an inlet portion defining a mixing chamber therein. The inlet portion includes a plurality of circumferentially-spaced vanes that define a plurality of inlet flow paths within the mixing chamber. Each vane has at least one port defined therein that is in flow communication with the fuel conduit fitting such that fuel from the fuel conduit fitting is dischargeable into at least one of the inlet flow paths via the at least one port. The resulting fuel/air mixture is delivered into a secondary combustion zone of the gas turbine combustor. A gas turbine including the fuel injector and a method of fabricating the fuel nozzle are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Richard Martin DiCintio, Seth Reynolds Hoffman, Jayaprakash Natarajan
  • Patent number: 10690349
    Abstract: A fuel injector for a gas turbine combustor includes side wall fuel injection bodies extending between opposite end walls. Each side wall fuel injection body defines a fuel plenum and includes an outer surface defining fuel injection ports in communication with the fuel plenum. One or more fuel injection bodies extending between the end walls are positioned between the side wall fuel injection bodies. Each fuel injection body defines a fuel plenum and includes an outer surface defining fuel injection ports in fluid communication with the fuel plenum. A conduit fitting coupled to the frame is fluidly connected to the respective fuel plenums. The fuel injection ports fluidly communicate with air flow paths defined between the fuel injection bodies and the side wall fuel injection bodies. A combustor for a gas turbine includes a liner and an axial fuel staging system with the present fuel injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jayaprakash Natarajan, Seth Reynolds Hoffman, Ronnie Ray Pentecost, Wei Zhao
  • Patent number: 10584610
    Abstract: A combustion liner assembly includes a combustion liner having an upstream end portion and a downstream end portion and a resonator disposed proximate to the upstream end portion of the combustion liner. The resonator includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced inlet apertures disposed along a radially outer surface of the resonator, an air chamber defined within the resonator and a plurality of outlet apertures disposed along a radially inner surface of the resonator. The plurality of inlet apertures provide for fluid flow into the air chamber and the plurality of outlet apertures provide for fluid flow out of the air chamber and into a radial flow passage defined within the combustor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Seth Reynolds Hoffman, Lucas John Stoia, Sven Georg Bethke, Richard Martin DiCintio, Jeffrey Scott LeBegue, Jayaprakash Natarajan
  • Patent number: 10513987
    Abstract: A system for dissipating fuel egress includes a fuel injector and a fuel supply assembly. The fuel supply assembly has a fuel supply line that provides fuel and a purge air conduit arranged co-axially around the fuel supply line, thereby defining an annular channel around the fuel supply line. The fuel injector includes a perimeter body, a fuel injection port associated with the perimeter body, and an internal mixing chamber downstream of the fuel injection port in a direction of fuel flow. The fuel supply line provides fuel to the fuel injection port. The perimeter body of the fuel injector defines a fuel egress passage therethrough, which has an inlet in fluid communication with the annular channel and an outlet in fluid communication with the mixing chamber. A gas turbine combustor having an axial fuel staging (AFS) system with the present fuel egress dissipation system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael John Hughes, Jayaprakash Natarajan
  • Publication number: 20190072279
    Abstract: A fuel injector for a gas turbine combustor includes side wall fuel injection bodies extending between opposite end walls. Each side wall fuel injection body defines a fuel plenum and includes an outer surface defining fuel injection ports in communication with the fuel plenum. One or more fuel injection bodies extending between the end walls are positioned between the side wall fuel injection bodies. Each fuel injection body defines a fuel plenum and includes an outer surface defining fuel injection ports in fluid communication with the fuel plenum. A conduit fitting coupled to the frame is fluidly connected to the respective fuel plenums. The fuel injection ports fluidly communicate with air flow paths defined between the fuel injection bodies and the side wall fuel injection bodies. A combustor for a gas turbine includes a liner and an axial fuel staging system with the present fuel injector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jayaprakash Natarajan, Seth Reynolds Hoffman, Ronnie Ray Pentecost, Wei Zhao
  • Publication number: 20190056112
    Abstract: A combustor having bundled tube fuel nozzles is provided, at least one of the fuel nozzles having a dynamics-mitigating adapter removably coupled thereto. The adapter includes a mounting body defining at least one flow passage aligned with an inlet of at least one tube of the at least one fuel nozzle. The at least one flow passage extends an axial length of the at least one tube. The adapter may include extenders aligned with each tube of the fuel nozzle, and the extenders may have identical or different lengths. Adapters may be used for each fuel nozzle of the combustor. The mounting body may be a monolithic unit through which the flow passages are defined or may include a plurality of extenders affixed to and extending upstream of the mounting body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jayaprakash Natarajan, Sven Georg Bethke
  • Publication number: 20190032561
    Abstract: An igniter for a combustor of a turbomachine includes a fuel inlet in fluid communication with a mixing plenum. The mixing plenum is positioned upstream of a mixing channel. An air inlet is in fluid communication with the mixing plenum and an ignition source is in operative communication with the mixing channel. The igniter may include a mounting flange configured for coupling the igniter to the combustor. The ignition source may be positioned proximate to a downstream end of the mixing channel and upstream of the mounting flange. The mixing channel may define a venturi shape. The venturi shape includes a converging section between an upstream end of the mixing channel and a venturi throat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: Lucas John Stoia, Yimin Huang, Abdul Khan, Thomas Edward Johnson, Heath M. Ostebee, Jayaprakash Natarajan
  • Publication number: 20180209653
    Abstract: A fuel injector for a gas turbine combustor includes a fuel conduit fitting and a nozzle having an inlet portion defining a mixing chamber therein. The inlet portion includes a plurality of circumferentially-spaced vanes that define a plurality of inlet flow paths within the mixing chamber. Each vane has at least one port defined therein that is in flow communication with the fuel conduit fitting such that fuel from the fuel conduit fitting is dischargeable into at least one of the inlet flow paths via the at least one port. The resulting fuel/air mixture is delivered into a secondary combustion zone of the gas turbine combustor. A gas turbine including the fuel injector and a method of fabricating the fuel nozzle are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Richard Martin DiCintio, Seth Reynolds Hoffman, Jayaprakash Natarajan
  • Publication number: 20180187607
    Abstract: A system for dissipating fuel egress includes a fuel injector and a fuel supply assembly. The fuel supply assembly has a fuel supply line that provides fuel and a purge air conduit arranged co-axially around the fuel supply line, thereby defining an annular channel around the fuel supply line. The fuel injector includes a perimeter body, a fuel injection port associated with the perimeter body, and an internal mixing chamber downstream of the fuel injection port in a direction of fuel flow. The fuel supply line provides fuel to the fuel injection port. The perimeter body of the fuel injector defines a fuel egress passage therethrough, which has an inlet in fluid communication with the annular channel and an outlet in fluid communication with the mixing chamber. A gas turbine combustor having an axial fuel staging (AFS) system with the present fuel egress dissipation system is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael John Hughes, Jayaprakash Natarajan
  • Publication number: 20180187893
    Abstract: A fuel injector is provided for the radial introduction of a fuel/air mixture to a combustor. The fuel injector includes a frame having interior sides defining an opening for passage of a first fluid; at least one fuel injection body; and a conduit fitting. The at least one fuel injection body is coupled to the frame and positioned within the opening, thereby defining flow paths for the first fluid. The at least one fuel injection body defines a fuel plenum, and a set of fuel injection holes are defined through an outer surface of the at least one fuel injection body. The conduit fitting is coupled to the frame and conveys fuel from a fuel supply line to the fuel plenum. Fuel and the first fluid mix in the flow paths and are delivered through the outlet to the combustor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Richard Martin DiCintio, Seth Reynolds Hoffman, Ronnie Ray Pentecost, Jayaprakash Natarajan, Wei Zhao
  • Publication number: 20180187894
    Abstract: A fuel injector is provided for the radial introduction of a fuel/air mixture to a combustor. The fuel injector includes a frame having interior sides defining an opening for passage of a first fluid; at least one fuel injection body; and a conduit fitting. The at least one fuel injection body is coupled to the frame and positioned within the opening, thereby defining flow paths for the first fluid. The at least one fuel injection body defines a fuel plenum, and a set of fuel injection holes are defined through an outer surface of the at least one fuel injection body. The conduit fitting is coupled to the frame and conveys fuel from a fuel supply line to the fuel plenum. Fuel and the first fluid mix in the flow paths and are delivered through the outlet to the combustor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: Jun Cai, Andrew Grady Godfrey, Richard Martin DiCintio, Seth Reynolds Hoffman, Ronnie Ray Pentecost, Jayaprakash Natarajan, Wei Zhao