Patents by Inventor Kenneth M. Sprouse

Kenneth M. Sprouse 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: 10816192
    Abstract: An injector mixer for a gasification reactor system that utilizes reactants includes an injector body that extends between a first face and a second face. The injector body includes a first passage that extends between the first face and the second face and has a first central axis. At least one second, impinging passage extends between the first face and second face and has an associated second central axis that has an angle with the first axis. The angle satisfies mixing efficiency Equation (I) disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: GAS TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Chandrashekhar Sonwane, Kenneth M. Sprouse
  • Patent number: 10174598
    Abstract: A tight-shale oil production tool includes a combustor operable to generate an aqueous-phase nitric acid, combustion products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: GAS TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE
    Inventor: Kenneth M. Sprouse
  • Publication number: 20180202650
    Abstract: An injector mixer for a gasification reactor system that utilizes reactants includes an injector body that extends between a first face and a second face. The injector body includes a first passage that extends between the first face and the second face and has a first central axis. At least one second, impinging passage extends between the first face and second face and has an associated second central axis that has an angle with the first axis. The angle satisfies mixing efficiency Equation (I) disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Applicant: GAS TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Chandrashekhar SONWANE, Kenneth M. SPROUSE
  • Patent number: 9932974
    Abstract: A pump system includes a particulate consolidator pump that has a pump outlet. A duct is coupled to the pump outlet. The duct has a wall that is coupled with an oscillator. The oscillator is operable to oscillate the wall at a controlled frequency. The controlled frequency is selected with respect to breaking static bridging of particulate in the duct due, at least in part, to consolidation of the particulate from a downstream check valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Gas Technology Institute
    Inventor: Kenneth M. Sprouse
  • Patent number: 9428702
    Abstract: A slag agglomerator includes an inlet, an outlet and a plurality of obstacles. The inlet receives a flow of gas and slag droplets and the outlet allows the flow of gas and slag droplets to exit the agglomerator. The obstacles are oblique or perpendicular to the flow of gas and slag droplets and have an exterior surface containing a ceramic matrix composite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Gas Technology Institute
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Sprouse, David R. Matthews
  • Patent number: 9340741
    Abstract: A biomass torrefaction system includes a mill which receives a raw biomass feedstock and operates at temperatures above 400 F (204 C) to generate a dusty flue gas which contains a milled biomass product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Gas Technology Institute
    Inventor: Kenneth M. Sprouse
  • Patent number: 9303221
    Abstract: A method of assembling an injection device for use in a reactor injector feed assembly includes extending the injection device at least partially into a cavity. The injection device includes a plurality of substantially concentric conduits coupled to a modular tip that includes a plurality of cooling channels and a plurality of substantially annular nozzles defined therein. The method also includes coupling at least one coolant distribution device in flow communication with the plurality of cooling channels to facilitate removing heat from an outer surface of the injection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Sprouse, Shahram Farhangi, Robert M. Saxelby, David R. Matthews
  • Patent number: 9228740
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Saunders Stevenson, Robert Michael Zirin, Raymond Douglas Steele, Constantin Bugescu, Roger Ma, David R. Matthews, Kenneth M. Sprouse
  • Publication number: 20150353284
    Abstract: A pump system includes a particulate consolidator pump that has a pump outlet. A duct is coupled to the pump outlet. The duct has a wall that is couple with an oscillator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventor: Kenneth M. Sprouse
  • Patent number: 9080115
    Abstract: A flow splitter is operable to divide flow of a fuel mixture. The flow splitter includes a first tube having an outlet end and a plurality of second tubes that are coupled at the outlet end to divide flow from the first tube. Each of the plurality of second tubes has a respective inside diameter that satisfies Equation (I) and Equation (II) disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: AEROJET ROCKETDYNE OF DE, INC.
    Inventors: Chandrashekhar Sonwane, Kenneth M. Sprouse
  • Patent number: 8893878
    Abstract: A pump system includes a pump that includes a first belt and a second belt that are spaced apart from each other to provide generally straight sides of a passage there between. There is an inlet at one end of the passage and an outlet at an opposite end of the passage, with a passage length that extends between the inlet and the outlet. The passage defines a gap distance in a width direction between the straight sides at the passage inlet. A hopper includes an interior space that terminates at a mouth at the passage inlet. At least one screw is located within the interior space of the hopper and includes a screw diameter in the width direction that is less than or equal to the gap distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Aerojet Rocketdyne of DE, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth M. Sprouse
  • Patent number: 8887503
    Abstract: A power plant includes a closed loop, supercritical carbon dioxide system (CLS-CO2 system). The CLS-CO2 system includes a turbine-generator and a high temperature recuperator (HTR) that is arranged to receive expanded carbon dioxide from the turbine-generator. The HTR includes a plurality of heat exchangers that define respective heat exchange areas. At least two of the heat exchangers have different heat exchange areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Aerojet Rocketdyne of DE, Inc
    Inventors: Chandrashekhar Sonwane, Kenneth M. Sprouse, Ganesan Subbaraman, George M. O'Connor, Gregory A. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20140294695
    Abstract: An injector mixer for a gasification reactor system that utilizes reactants includes an injector body that extends between a first face and a second face. The injector body includes a first passage that extends between the first face and the second face and has a first central axis. At least one second, impinging passage extends between the first face and second face and has an associated second central axis that has an angle with the first axis. The angle satisfies mixing efficiency Equation (I) disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Aerojet Rocketdyne of DE, Inc.
    Inventors: Chandrashekhar Sonwane, Kenneth M. Sprouse
  • Patent number: 8828109
    Abstract: A method of assembling a gasification reactor includes extending an injection device at least partially into the gasification reactor. The injection device includes a plurality of substantially concentric conduits coupled to a modular tip and at least one outer surface. The modular tip includes a plurality of cooling channels and a plurality of substantially annular nozzles defined therein. The method further includes forming at least one layer of insulation about at least a portion of the at least one outer surface to facilitate insulating at least a portion of the injection device from heat within the gasification reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Saunders Stevenson, John Duckett Winter, Constantin Bugescu, Kenneth M. Sprouse, David R. Matthews
  • Publication number: 20140157666
    Abstract: A method of assembling an injection device for use in a reactor injector feed assembly includes extending the injection device at least partially into a cavity. The injection device includes a plurality of substantially concentric conduits coupled to a modular tip that includes a plurality of cooling channels and a plurality of substantially annular nozzles defined therein. The method also includes coupling at least one coolant distribution device in flow communication with the plurality of cooling channels to facilitate removing heat from an outer surface of the injection device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Sprouse, Shahram Farhangi, Robert M. Saxelby, David R. Matthews
  • Patent number: 8721747
    Abstract: A method of assembling an injection device for use in a reactor injector feed assembly includes coupling a plurality of substantially concentric conduits to a modular tip. The method also includes coupling a first conduit of the reactor injector feed assembly to a modular tip and coupling a second conduit of the reactor injector feed assembly to the modular tip. The modular tip includes a first substantially annular nozzle and a second substantially annular nozzle defined therein. The first conduit and the first substantially annular nozzle are centered about an injection device centerline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Sprouse, David R. Matthews, Shahram Farhangi, Robert M. Saxelby
  • Publication number: 20140124604
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Inventors: John Saunders Stevenson, Robert Michael Zirin, Raymond Douglas Steele, Constantin Bugescu, Roger Ma, David R. Matthews, Kenneth M. Sprouse
  • Publication number: 20140102001
    Abstract: A flow splitter is operable to divide flow of a fuel mixture. The flow splitter includes a first tube having an outlet end and a plurality of second tubes that are coupled at the outlet end to divide flow from the first tube. Each of the plurality of second tubes has a respective inside diameter that satisfies Equation (I) and Equation (II) disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventors: Chandrashekhar Sonwane, Kenneth M. Sprouse
  • Patent number: 8685120
    Abstract: A method of producing a synthetic gas (syngas) includes injecting a plurality of reactant streams into a gasification reactor via at least one injection device having a plurality of injection annuli, an inner portion that extends annularly about a centerline extending through the at least one injection device, and an outer portion extending substantially annularly about the inner portion. At least a portion of the outer portion is oriented obliquely with respect to the at least one injection device centerline. The method also includes mixing at least a portion of each of the streams together such that a plurality of recirculation zones is defined by the streams. The method further includes producing a syngas within the recirculation zones via mixing at least a portion of each of the streams. The injection device includes an inner portion that extends annularly about a centerline extending through the injection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Sprouse, Shahram Farhangi, Robert M. Saxelby
  • Patent number: 8673234
    Abstract: A reactor vessel liner system includes a liner having an inner wall, an outer wall, and a plurality of passages extending between the inner wall and the outer wall. An attachment member extends outwards from the outer wall for securing the liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Aerojet Rocketdyne of DE, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Arthur Yows, Steven P. Fusselman, Bryan William McEnerney, Kenneth M. Sprouse