Patents by Inventor John Saunders
John Saunders 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).
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Publication number: 20190131640Abstract: A fuel cell system and corresponding methods are provided. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack configured for in-block reforming, as well as a pre-reformer. The fuel cell stack may include a plurality of fuel cells. The fuel cell stack may also include a fuel supply manifold, a fuel exhaust manifold, an oxidant supply manifold, and an oxidant exhaust manifold. The fuel supply manifold may be configured to receive fuel, and to supply the fuel to the fuel cell stack for in-block reforming. The fuel exhaust manifold may be configured to expel fuel exhaust from the fuel cell stack. The oxidant supply manifold may be configured to receive an oxidant and to supply the oxidant to the fuel cell stack for in-block reforming. The oxidant exhaust manifold may be configured to expel oxidant exhaust from the fuel cell stack.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2017Publication date: May 2, 2019Applicant: LG Fuel Cell Systems Inc.Inventors: Michele Bozzolo, Robert Hay Cunningham, Gary John Saunders
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Publication number: 20190131641Abstract: A fuel cell system and corresponding methods are provided. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack configured for in-block reforming, as well as a pre-reformer. The fuel cell stack may include a plurality of fuel cells. The fuel cell stack may also include a fuel supply manifold, a fuel exhaust manifold, an oxidant supply manifold, and an oxidant exhaust manifold. The fuel supply manifold may be configured to receive fuel, and to supply the fuel to the fuel cell stack for in-block reforming. The fuel exhaust manifold may be configured to expel fuel exhaust from the fuel cell stack. The oxidant supply manifold may be configured to receive an oxidant and to supply the oxidant to the fuel cell stack for in-block reforming. The oxidant exhaust manifold may be configured to expel oxidant exhaust from the fuel cell stack.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2017Publication date: May 2, 2019Applicant: LG Fuel Cell Systems Inc.Inventors: Michele Bozzolo, Robert Hay Cunningham, Gary John Saunders
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Patent number: 10131857Abstract: A system includes a quench system that may cool a syngas generated in a gasification chamber. The quench system includes a quench chamber, a dip tube that may direct the syngas from the gasification chamber into a quench liquid to cool the syngas to generate a cooled syngas, a draft tube disposed circumferentially about the dip tube and that may receive the cooled syngas in a first direction. A first passage is disposed between a first wall of the dip tube and a second wall of the draft tube. The system also includes a first baffle that may receive the cooled syngas from the first passage. The first baffle may split a flow of the cooled syngas into a first syngas flow and a second syngas flow, and the first baffle may redirect the first syngas flow in a second direction different from the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2017Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: John Saunders Stevenson, Pravin Sadashiv Naphade
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Publication number: 20180223201Abstract: A system includes a quench system that may cool a syngas generated in a gasification chamber. The quench system includes a quench chamber, a dip tube that may direct the syngas from the gasification chamber into a quench liquid to cool the syngas to generate a cooled syngas, a draft tube disposed circumferentially about the dip tube and that may receive the cooled syngas in a first direction. A first passage is disposed between a first wall of the dip tube and a second wall of the draft tube. The system also includes a first baffle that may receive the cooled syngas from the first passage. The first baffle may split a flow of the cooled syngas into a first syngas flow and a second syngas flow, and the first baffle may redirect the first syngas flow in a second direction different from the first direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2017Publication date: August 9, 2018Inventors: John Saunders Stevenson, Pravin Sadashiv Naphade
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Patent number: 10018416Abstract: A system includes a multi-feeder assembly. The multi-feeder assembly includes a first solids feeder, a liquid removal section, and a second solids feeder. The first solids feeder is configured to receive a solids flow from an upstream system. The liquid removal section is configured to reduce an amount of liquid in the solids flow. The second solids feeder is configured to receive the solids flow in series with the first solids feeder and output the solids flow to a downstream system.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2012Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Thomas Frederick Leininger, John Saunders Stevenson
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Publication number: 20180109112Abstract: Systems, methods, and building block modules for modular power generation facilities are disclosed. A method of erecting a modular power generation facility includes producing a plurality of primary modules, each including a housing adapted from an intermodal shipping container having posts, rails, and sills connected together by shipping container corner castings; shipping the primary modules, which include gen-set modules and a switchgear module, to an installation location; positioning the primary modules in a vertical stack; attaching the primary modules to one another in the vertical stack; interconnecting the engine-generators of the one or more gen-set modules with the switchgear of the switchgear module; and operating the engine-generators and the switchgear to provide electricity to a transformer connected to the switchgear in response to a power load demand.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2017Publication date: April 19, 2018Inventors: Miles Paine, Will Dickinson, John Saunders, Bill Brown, Bobby Ferrick, Jeff Courliss, Justin Moore
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Publication number: 20180109163Abstract: Systems, methods, and building block modules for modular power generation facilities are disclosed. A multi-stack modular power generation facility includes first and second pluralities of primary modules and first and second control systems. The first modules are positioned in a first stack to form a first vertical enclosure; the second modules are positioned in a second stack to form a second vertical enclosure; and the first and second modules each include gen-set modules, each with an engine-generator, and a switchgear module ganged to the gen-set modules. Each control system communicates with the respective gen-set modules to coordinate the engine-generators as a unit and to control the loading of each of the generators in response to a power load demand. The second plurality of primary modules are disposed immediately adjacent the first plurality of primary modules such that the second vertical enclosure abuts the first vertical enclosure.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2017Publication date: April 19, 2018Inventors: Miles Paine, Will Dickinson, John Saunders, Bill Brown, Bobby Ferrick, Jeff Courliss, Justin Moore
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Publication number: 20180109162Abstract: Systems, methods, and building block modules for modular power generation facilities are disclosed. A modular power generation facility includes a plurality of primary modules and a control system. Each primary module includes eight primary corners and an interior space. The modules are positioned in a vertical stack and are attached together to form a substantially modular enclosure for the generation of electricity. The modules include gen-set modules, each having an engine-generator and a fuel tank disposed in the interior, and a switchgear module having switchgear ganged to the gen-set modules. The control system communicates with the gen-set modules to coordinate the engine-generators as a unit and to control the loading of each of the generators in response to a power load demand. The control system is disposed in one or more of the primary modules with at least part of the control system being disposed in the switchgear module.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2017Publication date: April 19, 2018Inventors: Miles Paine, Will Dickinson, John Saunders, Bill Brown, Bobby Ferrick, Jeff Courliss, Justin Moore
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Patent number: 9879191Abstract: A method of start-up for a gasification system includes establishing a flow of a start-up fuel external to the gasifier prior to ignition of the gasifier. The method also includes establishing a start-up liquid feed external to the gasifier during gasifier start-up. The method further includes channeling the start-up liquid feed and the start-up fuel to the gasifier during gasifier start-up.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2014Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Thomas Frederick Leininger, Aaron John Avagliano, John Saunders Stevenson, John Duckett Winter
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Patent number: 9744496Abstract: A method for controlling an adsorption dryer for the treatment of compressed gas includes vessels therein and a valve arrangement for selectively feeding upstream compressed gas to, and outputting dried downstream compressed gas from, the vessels. Compressed gas is fed to at least one of the vessels in a process phase for drying the compressed gas through liquid adsorption by the desiccant bed and removing the adsorbed liquid from the bed in the vessels in a regeneration phase. An ambient value occurring outside both the vessels and downstream compressed gas output is measured. Additional steps include determining a characteristic value based on the measured ambient value, matching the value to criteria associated with stored regeneration phase parameter settings, determining a regeneration phase parameter setting based on the matching of the value, and applying the parameter setting to the regeneration phase for setting a parameter of the regeneration phase.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2016Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: BEKO TECHNOLOGIES GMBHInventors: Cullen Guy Chrivia, Tilo Fruth, John Saunders
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Patent number: 9637696Abstract: A pressure control system is provided. The pressure control system includes a first pressure sensing device configured to obtain a first pressure measurement including at least one of a first differential pressure and a first pressure, the first pressure measurement obtained from at least one of within and downstream from a solids supply system, a second pressure sensing device configured to obtain a second pressure measurement including at least one of a second differential pressure and a second pressure within the solids supply system, and a pressure controller configured to use the first pressure measurement and the second pressure measurement to control a pressure within the solids supply system.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: John Saunders Stevenson, Judith Pauline Oppenheim, Anthony Holmes Furman, Thomas Frederick Leininger, Steven Craig Russell, Michael Kent Cueman
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Publication number: 20160256713Abstract: Radiation therapy of a lesion within a patient is guided to take into account movement of the lesion caused by respiration and/or cardiac effects by using MRI or other imaging system suitable for locating the lesion to image the patient while on the treatment support and using a PET detection system responsive to a radiation source preferentially taken up by the lesion and registered with the MRI so as to monitor movement of the lesion in real time and thus guide the beam of the RT.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2016Publication date: September 8, 2016Inventors: John Saunders, James Schellenberg
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Patent number: 9381446Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to systems for deaerating a stream of slag sump water produced by a gasifier. For example, in one embodiment, a system includes a flash vessel having a first inlet configured to introduce a first fluid into the flash vessel, wherein the flash vessel is configured to flash the first fluid to produce a first flash gas, a second inlet configured to introduce a stream from slag sump into the flash vessel, wherein the stream from slag sump comprises a mixture of a gasification fine slag, dissolved oxygen (O2), and water. A gas-liquid contactor in the flash vessel is configured to contact the stream from slag sump with the first flash gas to enable the first flash gas to deaerate the stream from slag sump. A first outlet of the vessel is configured to output an overhead discharge comprising the first flash gas and oxygen from the stream from slag sump.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2012Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Rupinder Singh Benipal, George Morris Gulko, John Saunders Stevenson, Srikanth Konda, Vishal Rugnathbhai Brahmbhatt
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Publication number: 20160168493Abstract: A system includes a gasifier configured to gasify a feed to generate syngas. The gasifier comprises a first axis. The system also includes a first gasification reaction zone disposed in the gasifier. The first gasification reaction zone is defined at least partially by a first wall substantially perpendicular to the first axis. The system also includes a first feed injector coupled to the gasifier. The first feed injector is configured to inject the feed into the first gasification reaction zone beneath the first wall in a first direction relative to the first axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2014Publication date: June 16, 2016Inventor: John Saunders Stevenson
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Publication number: 20160122669Abstract: A system includes an integrated reactor-syngas cooler that may gasify a feedstock. The integrated reactor-syngas cooler includes a reaction zone that may receive a first syngas and the feedstock, and that may gasify the feedstock to generate a second syngas. The second syngas has a composition different from the first syngas. The system also includes one or more feed injectors disposed in the integrated reactor-syngas cooler and that may supply the feedstock to the reaction zone and a cooling zone disposed downstream of the reaction zone and including one or more cooling tubes. The cooling zone may receive and cool the second syngas.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2014Publication date: May 5, 2016Inventors: Hidayathullah Shaik Mohammad, Sethuraman Balasubramaniyan, John Saunders Stevenson, Thomas Frederick Leininger
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Patent number: 9321975Abstract: A vessel for use in a gasification system is provided. The vessel includes a shell and a heat exchange structure positioned within the shell. The heat exchange structure defines a central cavity configured to receive and to direct a syngas to a quenching portion positioned downstream of the central cavity along a syngas path. A passageway is disposed between the shell and the heat exchange structure. A liquid seal is positioned upstream of the quenching portion, and the liquid seal is configured to block transport of at least one of the syngas between from the quenching portion into the passageway and inert gas from the passageway into the quenching portion.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2013Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Lien-Yan Chen, John Saunders Stevenson, Jay Christopher Schleicher
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Patent number: 9298982Abstract: A system and method for computing a place profile are disclosed. The method includes providing a geographical definition of a place, retrieving a set of images based on the geographical place definition. With a classifier, image-level statistics for the retrieved images are generated. The classifier has been trained to generate image-level statistics for a finite set of classes, such as different activities. The image-level statistics are aggregated to generate a place profile for the defined place which may be displayed to a user who has provided information for generating the geographical definition or used in an application such as a recommender system or to generate a personal profile for the user.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2011Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: XEROX CORPORATIONInventors: Florent Perronnin, Nicolas Guérin, Craig John Saunders
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Patent number: 9290708Abstract: A system includes a gasification feed injector. The gasification feed injector includes a first injector portion configured to inject a first fuel at a first flow rate and a second injector portion configured to inject a second fuel at a second flow rate. The system also includes a fuel circulation system configured to circulate at least one fuel and supply the at least one fuel to the gasification feed injector and a controller configured to transition the gasification feed injector from injecting the first fuel to injecting the second fuel based at least on a pressure downstream of the gasification feed injector.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2012Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Thomas Frederick Leininger, John Saunders Stevenson
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Patent number: 9260267Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing excess paper dust from paper fed from a high capacity feeder module that includes blades positioned after an exit of the high capacity feeder module that are configured to physically remove paper dust from sheets generated during feeding of the sheets by a fully active retard feeder from the high capacity feeder module.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2014Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Neil Flynn, John Saunders, Allan McIver, Craig Edwards
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Patent number: 9228740Abstract: An annular injector is described. The injector includes a first bayonet assembly and a second bayonet assembly each including a terminal end and a tip end. The second bayonet assembly is configured to be concentrically coupled at least partially about the first bayonet assembly. An outer diameter of the first bayonet assembly and an inner diameter of the second bayonet assembly vary at the tip end to define a first substantially annular nozzle. The first bayonet assembly includes a maximum outer diameter that is greater than a minimum inner diameter of the second bayonet assembly and at least a portion of at least one of the first bayonet assembly and the second bayonet assembly extends from the tip end to the terminal end. The injector includes a third bayonet assembly configured to be concentrically coupled at least partially about the second bayonet assembly to define a second substantially annular nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2014Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: John Saunders Stevenson, Robert Michael Zirin, Raymond Douglas Steele, Constantin Bugescu, Roger Ma, David R. Matthews, Kenneth M. Sprouse