Patents by Inventor Kendall Roger Swenson

Kendall Roger Swenson 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: 8888449
    Abstract: Various systems and apparatuses are provided for a flow delivery system for an engine. In one example, a system includes a first turbine providing an exhaust flow and a second turbine having an inlet and being fluidically coupled to the first turbine. The second turbine further includes a plurality of nozzle vanes positioned within the inlet of the turbine. A transition conduit is curved about an axis and coupled to the inlet and to the first turbine. The transition conduit is configured to impart an angular momentum component to at least a portion of the exhaust flow, and includes a slot that delivers at least a portion of the exhaust flow to the plurality of nozzle vanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kendall Roger Swenson, Jonathan Nagurney
  • Patent number: 8701477
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for a turbocharger. In one example, a method includes determining a first pressure at a first location within a turbocharger and determining a second pressure at a second location within the turbocharger. The method further includes indicating degradation of the turbocharger based on the first pressure and the second pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Matthew John Malone, Kendall Roger Swenson, Neil Blythe, Milan Karunaratne, Bret Dwayne Worden, Paul Lloyd Flynn
  • Publication number: 20140017099
    Abstract: An exemplary compressor is provided. The compressor includes a plurality of blades, a hub defining a front surface and a back surface, and a first flow restriction structure provided at the back surface of the hub. The plurality of blades are arranged in a predefined manner on the front surface for receiving input air flow at a first pressure and compressing the input air flow to provide an output air flow at a second pressure higher than the first pressure. The first flow restriction member is configured for preventing at least a portion of the output air flow at the second pressure from entering into the back surface of the hub to reduce an air pressure at the back surface of the hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Rodrigo Rodriguez Erdmenger, Kendall Roger Swenson, Daniel Edward Loringer, Anthony Holmes Furman, Neil Xavier Blythe, Lukas William Johnson, Jonathan Edward Nagurney, Yu Du, Cathal Clancy, Matthias Lang
  • Patent number: 8469657
    Abstract: A turbocharger system, in certain embodiments, includes a compressor, a turbine, a shaft of common diameter coupling the compressor to the turbine, and a first fluid film bearing disposed about the shaft at a compressor end portion of the shaft. The system also includes a second fluid film fixed pad bearing disposed about the shaft at a turbine end portion of the shaft, wherein the first and second fluid film fixed pad bearings have different clearance ratios, effective lengths, or both, relative to one another. The system, in some embodiments, includes a compressor fluid film fixed pad bearing and a turbine fluid film fixed pad bearing, wherein the compressor and turbine fluid film fixed pad bearings have different clearance ratios and effective lengths, relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Anthony Holmes Furman, Kendall Roger Swenson, Daniel Edward Loringer, Suresha Kumar Panambur
  • Patent number: 8402929
    Abstract: A system for cooling an engine on a vehicle without a coolant based intercooler and intermediate duct, the system including an air-to-oil radiator system configured to cool oil that flows through an engine, an air-to-air radiator system configured to cool air that flows through the engine and further configured to operate in conjunction with the air-to-oil radiator system to provide cool air for use with the air-to-oil radiator system, and a slow flow coolant radiator configured to cool a coolant provided to cool the engine and further provided to operate in conjunction with the air-to-oil radiator system. A method for cooling oil in an engine without a coolant based intercooler and intermediate duct is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gregory Alan Marsh, Mahesh Chand Aggarwal, Kendall Roger Swenson
  • Publication number: 20130067914
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for a turbocharger. In one example, a method includes determining a first pressure at a first location within a turbocharger and determining a second pressure at a second location within the turbocharger. The method further includes indicating degradation of the turbocharger based on the first pressure and the second pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventors: Matthew John MALONE, Kendall Roger SWENSON, Neil BLYTHE, Milan KARUNARATNE, Bret Dwayne WORDEN, Paul Lloyd FLYNN
  • Patent number: 8375714
    Abstract: A method of operating a turbocharged system includes controlling speed of a turbocharger and substantially eliminating choke of a compressor coupled to a turbine by adjusting exhaust flow through a turbine wastegate, or by adjusting airflow through a compressor recirculation valve, or by adjusting a combination thereof in response to variance in parameters including compressor inlet temperature, compressor inlet pressure, and turbocharger speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Manoj Prakash Gokhale, Roy James Primus, Kendall Roger Swenson
  • Patent number: 8328506
    Abstract: A turbocharger system, in certain embodiments, includes a compressor, a turbine, a shaft of common diameter coupling the compressor to the turbine, and a first fluid film bearing disposed about the shaft at a compressor end portion of the shaft. The system also includes a second fluid film fixed pad bearing disposed about the shaft at a turbine end portion of the shaft, wherein the first and second fluid film fixed pad bearings have different clearance ratios, effective lengths, or both, relative to one another. The system, in some embodiments, includes a compressor fluid film fixed pad bearing and a turbine fluid film fixed pad bearing, wherein the compressor and turbine fluid film fixed pad bearings have different clearance ratios and effective lengths, relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Anthony Holmes Furman, Kendall Roger Swenson, Daniel Edward Loringer, Suresha Kumar Panambur
  • Publication number: 20120285177
    Abstract: Various systems and apparatuses are provided for a flow delivery system for an engine. In one example, a system includes a first turbine providing an exhaust flow and a second turbine having an inlet and being fluidically coupled to the first turbine. The second turbine further includes a plurality of nozzle vanes positioned within the inlet of the turbine. A transition conduit is curved about an axis and coupled to the inlet and to the first turbine. The transition conduit is configured to impart an angular momentum component to at least a portion of the exhaust flow, and includes a slot that delivers at least a portion of the exhaust flow to the plurality of nozzle vanes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Inventors: Kendall Roger SWENSON, Jonathan NAGURNEV
  • Patent number: 8307645
    Abstract: A method for preventing a surge event prior to a first surge event occurring in an engine system including a turbocharger and a diesel engine operable at a plurality of discrete speeds, the method comprising sensing an operating parameter of the engine system that determines a surge margin, determining whether a change in the sensed operating parameter may result in exceeding the surge margin, and controlling an operating input to the engine system to prevent the surge event from occurring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Robert Mischler, Kendall Roger Swenson
  • Publication number: 20120227400
    Abstract: A turbine system for a multistage turbocharger and a method for utilizing the same are disclosed. The turbine system includes a high pressure turbine having an inlet for receiving a flow of fluid, and an outlet for passing the flow on extraction of work from the high pressure turbine. The system further includes a low pressure turbine, having an inlet for receiving a flow of fluid from the high pressure turbine. A diffuser connects the outlet of the high pressure turbine and the inlet of the low pressure turbine. The system also includes a bypass channel for bypassing a portion of the flow around the high pressure turbine, from upstream of the high pressure turbine to downstream of the high pressure turbine. The system includes an injector to input the bypass flow in the diffuser in a manner to reduce flow separation in the diffuser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Rodrigo Rodriguez Erdmenger, Alberto Scotti Del Greco, Vittorio Michelassi, Kendall Roger Swenson, Daniel Edward Loringer, Mark Thomas Stablein, Lukas William Johnson
  • Patent number: 8206078
    Abstract: A system is provided for monitoring radial motion of a rotating shaft of a turbocharger. The turbocharger includes a compressor and a turbine coupled to opposing ends of the shaft. The system includes a thrust collar including a cylindrical portion and a flange configured to radially extend from one end of the cylindrical portion. The thrust collar is configured to rotate with the shaft. A sensor is positioned within a separation of an outer surface of the thrust collar flange, and the sensor is configured to monitor the separation as indicative of the radial motion of the shaft. Additionally, a method is provided for monitoring radial motion of a rotating shaft of a turbocharger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kendall Roger Swenson, Daniel Edward Loringer, Larry Gene Anderson, James Robert Mischler, Kirk Heywood
  • Publication number: 20110307127
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a vehicle including an engine comprising a turbocharger including a compressor and a turbine. The engine further includes a bypass path configured to selectively route gas from downstream of the compressor to upstream of the turbine. In one embodiment, the method comprises selectively increasing gas flow to the engine by adjusting gas flow through the bypass path from downstream of the compressor to upstream of the turbine. In this manner, the performance of the engine may be adjusted for various operating conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventors: Kendall Roger Swenson, Roy Primus, Lukas Johnson, Mark Stablein, Kevin Paul Bailey, John Dowell, Frederick Thwaites, Jonathan Nagurney
  • Patent number: 7921646
    Abstract: A turbocharger is disclosed that includes a compressor, a turbine connected to the compressor by a mechanical shaft, and a fluidic drain valve in flow communication with an air bleed port of the compressor and an exhaust plenum to drain water accumulated inside the turbocharger such that water accumulated in the exhaust plenum is drained during shutdown when no air from the bleed port flows through the fluidic drain valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kendall Roger Swenson, Anthony Holmes Furman, Peter Galie, Lukas Johnson
  • Publication number: 20100178164
    Abstract: A turbocharger system, in certain embodiments, includes a compressor, a turbine, a shaft coupling the compressor to the turbine, and a turbo casing configured to improve pressure recovery, wherein the turbo casing includes a non symmetrical geometry configured to improve flow towards an exhaust outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Daniel Edward Loringer, Anthony Holmes Furman, Kendall Roger Swenson, Dale William Ladoon
  • Publication number: 20100143104
    Abstract: A turbocharger system, in certain embodiments, includes a compressor, a turbine, a shaft of common diameter coupling the compressor to the turbine, and a first fluid film bearing disposed about the shaft at a compressor end portion of the shaft. The system also includes a second fluid film fixed pad bearing disposed about the shaft at a turbine end portion of the shaft, wherein the first and second fluid film fixed pad bearings have different clearance ratios, effective lengths, or both, relative to one another. The system, in some embodiments, includes a compressor fluid film fixed pad bearing and a turbine fluid film fixed pad bearing, wherein the compressor and turbine fluid film fixed pad bearings have different clearance ratios and effective lengths, relative to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Anthony Holmes Furman, Kendall Roger Swenson, Daniel Edward Loringer, Suresha Kumar Panambur
  • Patent number: 7614232
    Abstract: A system and method for maintaining an airflow path to a turbocharger system on a locomotive operating at high altitude and in a low ambient temperature environment, is provided and includes generating an ambient air stream flow into the turbocharger system to create a compressed air stream flow having a compressed air stream temperature, processing the compressed air stream to create an intercooler air stream having an intercooler air stream temperature, directing at least a portion of at least one of the compressed air stream and the intercooler air stream toward a controllable re-circulation device, operating the controllable re-circulation device to combine the at least a portion of at least one of the compressed air stream and the intercooler air stream with at least one of the compressed air stream flow and the ambient air stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kendall Roger Swenson, Gregory Alan Marsh
  • Publication number: 20090232638
    Abstract: A system is provided for monitoring radial motion of a rotating shaft of a turbocharger. The turbocharger includes a compressor and a turbine coupled to opposing ends of the shaft. The system includes a thrust collar including a cylindrical portion and a flange configured to radially extend from one end of the cylindrical portion. The thrust collar is configured to rotate with the shaft. A sensor is positioned within a separation of an outer surface of the thrust collar flange, and the sensor is configured to monitor the separation as indicative of the radial motion of the shaft. Additionally, a method is provided for monitoring radial motion of a rotating shaft of a turbocharger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventors: Kendall Roger Swenson, Daniel Edward Loringer, Larry Gene Anderson
  • Publication number: 20090158733
    Abstract: A turbocharger is disclosed that includes a compressor, a turbine connected to the compressor by a mechanical shaft, and a fluidic drain valve in flow communication with an air bleed port of the compressor and an exhaust plenum to drain water accumulated inside the turbocharger such that water accumulated in the exhaust plenum is drained during shutdown when no air from the bleed port flows through the fluidic drain valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Kendall Roger Swenson, Anthony Holmes Furman, Peter Galie, Lukas Johnson
  • Publication number: 20090078219
    Abstract: A system for cooling an engine on a vehicle without a coolant based intercooler and intermediate duct, the system including an air-to-oil radiator system configured to cool oil that flows through an engine, an air-to-air radiator system configured to cool air that flows through the engine and further configured to operate in conjunction with the air-to-oil radiator system to provide cool air for use with the air-to-oil radiator system, and a slow flow coolant radiator configured to cool a coolant provided to cool the engine and further provided to operate in conjunction with the air-to-oil radiator system. A method for cooling oil in an engine without a coolant based intercooler and intermediate duct is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: Gregory Alan Marsh, Mahesh Chand Aggarwal, Kendall Roger Swenson