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).
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Patent number: 8011187Abstract: A combustor and injector system to inject a selected fuel into a combustor of a gas powered turbine. Generally, the injector is able to inject a selected fuel into a stream of an oxidizer to substantially mix the fuel with the oxidizer stream before any of the fuel in the fuel fan reaches an auto ignition temperature. Therefore the fuel may be substantially combusted at once and without any substantial hot spots.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2006Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth M Sprouse, Shahram Farhangi, Alan V. von Arx, David R. Matthews
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Patent number: 7972572Abstract: A reactor vessel liner system includes a liner having a plurality of first conduits and a plurality of second conduits for conveying a coolant. The plurality of second conduits is located at least partially within corresponding ones of the plurality of first conduits.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2008Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, Inc.Inventors: Steven P. Fusselman, Stephen Arthur Yows, Bryan William McEnerney, Kenneth M. Sprouse
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Publication number: 20110057060Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2009Publication date: March 10, 2011Inventor: Kenneth M. Sprouse
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Publication number: 20110036011Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2009Publication date: February 17, 2011Inventors: Kenneth M. Sprouse, Shahram Farhangi, Robert M. Saxelby
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Patent number: 7740672Abstract: A method and apparatus for efficiently forming a gaseous material from a solid starting material. The produced gaseous material includes a CGE HHV having a high percentage of an original HHV of the starting material. The gaseous product may be used to form a plurality of materials for various purposes.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2008Date of Patent: June 22, 2010Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, Inc.Inventor: Kenneth M. Sprouse
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Patent number: 7731783Abstract: A continuous pressure letdown system connected to a hopper decreases a pressure of a 2-phase (gas and solid) dusty gas stream flowing through the system. The system includes a discharge line for receiving the dusty gas from the hopper, a valve, a cascade nozzle assembly positioned downstream of the discharge line, a purge ring, an inert gas supply connected to the purge ring, an inert gas throttle, and a filter. The valve connects the hopper to the discharge line and controls introduction of the dusty gas stream into the discharge line. The purge ring is connected between the discharge line and the cascade nozzle assembly. The inert gas throttle controls a flow rate of an inert gas into the cascade nozzle assembly. The filter is connected downstream of the cascade nozzle assembly.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2007Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth M. Sprouse, David R. Matthews, Terry Langowski
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Patent number: 7717046Abstract: A system for providing highly pressurized raw fuel to a pressure reactor. The system includes an inlet for receiving the raw fuel and a roller system communicating with the inlet. The roller system includes a plurality of independent rollers arranged in two converging planes. The rollers of the roller system successively compress the raw fuel as the raw fuel passes through the roller system between the rollers, such that the fuel is highly pressurized when it reaches an output end of the roller system. An outlet is located adjacent the output end of the roller system to dispense the pressurized raw fuel to the pressure reactor.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2005Date of Patent: May 18, 2010Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth M Sprouse, David R Matthews
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Publication number: 20100119419Abstract: A fluidized-bed reactor for producing hydrogen from methane by steam reforming includes a flow splitter that splits a dense-phase flow of a gas having entrained calcium oxide particles into a plurality of equal flow streams. The reactor also incorporates an orifice plate having at least one high-velocity, rocket-style impinging injector for injecting reactants into the reactor bed. The injector includes a central orifice extending perpendicularly through the plate, and one or more adjacent peripheral orifices that extend through the plate at such an angle that respective streams of reactants injected into the reactor bed through the peripheral orifices impinge on a stream of reactants injected vertically into the reactor bed through the central orifice. The injector cooperates with adjacent base-bleed orifices in the plate to provide a uniform distribution and rapid mixing of the calcium oxide particles with a steam/methane gas mixture across the entire bottom of the reactor bed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2009Publication date: May 13, 2010Inventors: Kenneth M. Sprouse, Albert E. Stewart
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Publication number: 20090226350Abstract: A reactor vessel liner system includes a liner having a plurality of first conduits and a plurality of second conduits for conveying a coolant. The plurality of second conduits is located at least partially within corresponding ones of the plurality of first conduits.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2008Publication date: September 10, 2009Inventors: Steven P. Fusselman, Stephen Arthur Yows, Bryan William McEnerney, Kenneth M. Sprouse
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Publication number: 20090226349Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2008Publication date: September 10, 2009Inventors: Stephen Arthur Yows, Steven P. Fusselman, Bryan William McEnerney, Kenneth M. Sprouse
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Patent number: 7547419Abstract: A fluidized-bed reactor for producing hydrogen from methane by steam reforming includes a flow splitter that splits a dense-phase flow of a gas having entrained calcium oxide particles into a plurality of equal flow streams. The reactor also incorporates an orifice plate having at least one high-velocity, rocket-style impinging injector for injecting reactants into the reactor bed. The injector includes a central orifice extending perpendicularly through the plate, and one or more adjacent peripheral orifices that extend through the plate at such an angle that respective streams of reactants injected into the reactor bed through the peripheral orifices impinge on a stream of reactants injected vertically into the reactor bed through the central orifice. The injector cooperates with adjacent base-bleed orifices in the plate to provide a uniform distribution and rapid mixing of the calcium oxide particles with a steam/methane gas mixture across the entire bottom of the reactor bed.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2004Date of Patent: June 16, 2009Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Kenneth M Sprouse, Albert E. Stewart
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Patent number: 7547423Abstract: A gasifier system is provided that includes a gasification chamber spool that has a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) liner adapted to form a solidified slag protective layer on an interior surface of the liner from molten slag flowing through the gasification chamber spool. The gasification system additionally includes a heat exchanger (HEX) quench spool that also includes a CMC liner adapted to form a solidified slag protective layer on an interior surface of the liner from molten slag flowing through the HEX quench spool. Additionally, the HEX quench spool includes a parallel plate HEX core having a plurality of CMC panels. The CMC panels are adapted to form a solidified slag protective layer on exterior surfaces of each respective CMC panel from molten slag flowing through the HEX quench spool.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2005Date of Patent: June 16, 2009Assignee: Pratt & Whitney RocketdyneInventors: Kenneth M Sprouse, Shahram Farhangi, David R Matthews
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Publication number: 20080289254Abstract: A method and apparatus for efficiently forming a gaseous material from a solid starting material. The produced gaseous material includes a CGE HHV having a high percentage of an original HHV of the starting material. The gaseous product may be used to form a plurality of materials for various purposes.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2008Publication date: November 27, 2008Inventor: Kenneth M. Sprouse
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Publication number: 20080173174Abstract: A continuous pressure letdown system connected to a hopper decreases a pressure of a 2-phase (gas and solid) dusty gas stream flowing through the system. The system includes a discharge line for receiving the dusty gas from the hopper, a valve, a cascade nozzle assembly positioned downstream of the discharge line, a purge ring, an inert gas supply connected to the purge ring, an inert gas throttle, and a filter. The valve connects the hopper to the discharge line and controls introduction of the dusty gas stream into the discharge line. The purge ring is connected between the discharge line and the cascade nozzle assembly. The inert gas throttle controls a flow rate of an inert gas into the cascade nozzle assembly. The filter is connected downstream of the cascade nozzle assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2007Publication date: July 24, 2008Applicant: Pratt & Whitney RocketdyneInventors: Kenneth M. Sprouse, David R. Matthews, Terry Langowsky
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Patent number: 7402188Abstract: A method and apparatus for efficiently forming a gaseous material from a solid starting material. The produced gaseous material includes a CGE HHV having a high percentage of an original HHV of the starting material. The gaseous product may be used to form a plurality of materials for various purposes.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2004Date of Patent: July 22, 2008Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, Inc.Inventor: Kenneth M. Sprouse
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Patent number: 7387197Abstract: A pump for transporting particulate material includes an inlet, an outlet, a passageway, a first and second load beam, a first and second scraper seal, and a first and second drive assembly. The inlet introduces the particulate material into the passageway and the outlet expels the particulate material from the passageway. The passageway is defined by a first belt assembly and a second belt assembly that are opposed to each other. The first and second load beams are positioned within the first belt assembly and the second belt assembly, respectively. The first scraper seal and a second scraper seal are positioned proximate the passageway and the outlet. The first drive assembly is positioned within an interior section of the first belt assembly and drives the first belt assembly and the second drive assembly is positioned within an interior section of the second belt assembly and drives the second belt assembly.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2006Date of Patent: June 17, 2008Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth M. Sprouse, David R. Matthews
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Patent number: 7360639Abstract: A screw feeder can be used to transport a high temperature particulate material. A housing contains the material within the screw feeder which includes an inlet and an outlet port. A screw is rotatably positioned within the housing to advance the material from the inlet port to the outlet port, which rotates axially. A labyrinth seal can be formed around and in communication with the screw to eliminate reverse movement of the material. A cooling medium can be directed into contact with at least the housing. A fluid can be injected through the screw to prevent blockage of the particulate material. A pressure differential is created from the inlet to the outlet port of at least 0.069 MPad.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2004Date of Patent: April 22, 2008Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth M Sprouse, Albert E Stewart
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Publication number: 20080060914Abstract: A pump for transporting particulate material includes an inlet, an outlet, a passageway, a first and second load beam, a first and second scraper seal, and a first and second drive assembly. The inlet introduces the particulate material into the passageway and the outlet expels the particulate material from the passageway. The passageway is defined by a first belt assembly and a second belt assembly that are opposed to each other. The first and second load beams are positioned within the first belt assembly and the second belt assembly, respectively. The first scraper seal and a second scraper seal are positioned proximate the passageway and the outlet. The first drive assembly is positioned within an interior section of the first belt assembly and drives the first belt assembly and the second drive assembly is positioned within an interior section of the second belt assembly and drives the second belt assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2006Publication date: March 13, 2008Applicant: Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth M. Sprouse, David R. Matthews
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Patent number: 7182803Abstract: A cyclone separator includes a body having a side entry fluid inlet, a first outlet and a second outlet both aligned substantially transverse to the fluid inlet, and has the first and second outlets opposing each other. A cyclone tube assembly is positioned within the body having at least a portion of the cyclone tube assembly positioned in a direct unobstructed alignment path with the fluid inlet. The cyclone tube assembly includes a plurality of cyclone tubes, each including a first tube section and a second tube section partially positioned within the first tube section. A ceramic material forms at least a portion of the second tube section of each cyclone tube. A first tube connection plate supports the first tube section of each of the cyclone tubes. A second tube connection plate supports the second tube section of each of the cyclone tubes. The first tube connection plate is angularly offset from the second tube connection plate.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2004Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Albert E Stewart, Jeffrey A Mays, Kenneth M Sprouse
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Patent number: 7140184Abstract: A combustor and injector system to inject a selected fuel into a combustor of a gas powered turbine. Generally, the injector is able to inject a selected fuel into a stream of an oxidizer to substantially mix the fuel with the oxidizer stream before any of the fuel in the fuel fan reaches an auto ignition temperature. Therefore the fuel may be substantially combusted at once and without any substantial hot spots.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2003Date of Patent: November 28, 2006Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Kenneth M Sprouse, Shahram Farhangi, Alan V von Arx, David R Matthews