Patents by Inventor Kenneth Neil Whaling
Kenneth Neil Whaling 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: 8505310Abstract: An ejector system and method of operation for combining high and low pressure fluid flow streams is disclosed. A nozzle chamber communicates with a high pressure fluid flow stream and a suction chamber communicates with a low pressure fluid flow stream. The outlet of the nozzle chamber exit into the suction chamber and include multiple nozzles such that the high pressure flow stream exits the nozzle chamber in multiple flow streams having multiple surface areas for interlayer drag between the flows. The low pressure fluid flow stream is entrained by the high pressure fluid flow streams exiting the multiple nozzles to define an intermediate pressure flow stream.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2008Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Hua Zhang, David Wesley Ball, Jr., Ravi Praveen Eluripati, Christina Renee Pompey, Kenneth Neil Whaling
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Patent number: 8474270Abstract: A method of assembling an ejector is provided, wherein the method includes providing a motive nozzle tip having a centerline axis and including a nozzle tip edge having at least one protrusion extending through a plane substantially normal to the centerline axis. The method also includes coupling the motive nozzle tip to the ejector.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2012Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Carl Gerard Schott, Kevin W. Kinzie, John Joseph Lynch, David W. Ball, Gunnar Leif Siden, Kenneth Neil Whaling
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Patent number: 8240153Abstract: A method for controlling the generation of turbine cooling air from air extracted from a compressor of a gas turbine including: extracting compressed air from a low pressure and a high pressure stage of the compressor; adding in an ejector the compressed air from the low pressure stage to the air from the high pressure stage and discharging the combined air as turbine cooling air; bypassing the ejector with a bypass portion of the extracted compressed air from the high pressure stage; in response to turning on the flow of extracted compressed air from the low pressure stage, changing a set point for an actual pressure ratio that includes a pressure of the turbine cooling air, and adjusting the bypass flow in response to the changed set point to cause the actual pressure ratio to approach the changed set point.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2008Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Priscilla Childers, Mark Disch, Curtis Newton, III, David Wesley Ball, Jr., Kenneth Neil Whaling, Alan Meier Truesdale
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Publication number: 20120137704Abstract: A method of assembling an ejector is provided, wherein the method includes providing a motive nozzle tip having a centerline axis and including a nozzle tip edge having at least one protrusion extending through a plane substantially normal to the centerline axis. The method also includes coupling the motive nozzle tip to the ejector.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2012Publication date: June 7, 2012Inventors: Carl Gerard Schott, Kevin W. Kinzie, John Joseph Lynch, David W. Ball, Gunnar Leif Siden, Kenneth Neil Whaling
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Publication number: 20120117977Abstract: A method for controlling the generation of turbine cooling air from air extracted from a compressor of a gas turbine including: extracting compressed air from a low pressure and a high pressure stage of the compressor; adding in an ejector the compressed air from the low pressure stage to the air from the high pressure stage and discharging the combined air as turbine cooling air; bypassing the ejector with a bypass portion of the extracted compressed air from the high pressure stage; in response to turning on the flow of extracted compressed air from the low pressure stage, changing a set point for an actual pressure ratio that includes a pressure of the turbine cooling air, and adjusting the bypass flow in response to the changed set point to cause the actual pressure ratio to approach the changed set point.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2008Publication date: May 17, 2012Inventors: Priscilla Childers, Mark Disch, Curtis Newton, III, David Wesley Ball, JR., Kenneth Neil Whaling, Alan Meier Truesdale
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Patent number: 8152446Abstract: A turbine includes: a plurality of turbine blades arranged within a casing, the arrangement including a clearance between tips of the blades and the casing; a plurality of manifolds disposed proximate to the casing opposite the clearance, wherein each of the manifolds includes a plurality of impingement holes in the surface thereof; a source of clearance information; and a source of cooling air for supplying cooling air through a plurality of flow control devices to selected ones of the manifolds according to the clearance information. A system and a method are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2007Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Hua Zhang, Kenneth Neil Whaling, Jason Allen Seale, Dean Matthew Erickson, Michael Francis Michalski
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Patent number: 8142169Abstract: An ejector for a turbine engine is described herein. The ejector may include a variable geometry motive nozzle and a variable geometry mixing tube positioned downstream of the variable geometry motive nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2009Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Kenneth Neil Whaling, Dean Matthew Erickson, Hua Zhang, David Wesley Ball, Christina Renee Pompey
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Patent number: 8136361Abstract: A method of assembling an ejector is provided, wherein the method includes providing a motive nozzle tip having a centerline axis and including a nozzle tip edge having at least one protrusion extending through a plane substantially normal to the centerline axis. The method also includes coupling the motive nozzle tip to the ejector.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2006Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Carl Gerard Schott, Kevin W. Kinzie, John Joseph Lynch, David W. Ball, Gunnar Leif Siden, Kenneth Neil Whaling
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Patent number: 8083495Abstract: An ejector comprising a motive inlet, a motive nozzle separably secured to the motive inlet, a suction chamber about the motive nozzle, a suction fluid inlet to the suction chamber, a mixing tube in fluid communication with the suction chamber and the motive nozzle, a diffuser in fluid communication with the mixing tube and distal the suction chamber and the motive nozzle, and an outlet from the diffuser is provided. A nozzle comprising at least two concentric arc nozzle portions is also provided. An ejector comprising a mixing tube including a flexible layer adapted to compress or stretch, thereby allowing a mixing tube diameter to change is further provided.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2008Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Kenneth Neil Whaling, Dean Matthew Erickson, Hua Zhang, David Wesley Ball, Jr., James L. Davis, Michael Savale, Douglas S. Byrd
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Patent number: 7823390Abstract: A system is provided for directing air from plural compressor ports to provide cooling and/or sealing air to an associated turbine site. A first flow from a pressure stage of the compressor has a first pressure and temperature. A second flow from another pressure stage of the compressor has a second pressure and temperature. The first and second pressures/temperatures are different. An ejector has two inlets for receiving the first and second flows, and output for combining the first and second flows into a third flow. The pressure and temperature of the third flow are different from the first and second pressures and temperatures. A bypass line is connected between the first flow and the third flow, and provides a bypass flow. A mixer combines the bypass flow and the third flow into a fourth flow. The fourth flow has a pressure and temperature intermediate the pressure and temperature of the bypass flow and the third flow. The mixer comprises inner and outer sections.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2007Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ravi Praveen S. Eluripati, David Wesley Ball, Jr., Kenneth Neil Whaling, Hua Zhang
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Publication number: 20100170265Abstract: An ejector for a turbine engine is described herein. The ejector may include a variable geometry motive nozzle and a variable geometry mixing tube positioned downstream of the variable geometry motive nozzle.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2009Publication date: July 8, 2010Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Kenneth Neil Whaling, Dean Matthew Erickson, Hua Zhang, David Wesley Ball, Christina Renee Pompey
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Publication number: 20100096474Abstract: An ejector system and method of operation for combining high and low pressure fluid flow streams is disclosed. A nozzle chamber communicates with a high pressure fluid flow stream and a suction chamber communicates with a low pressure fluid flow stream. The outlet of the nozzle chamber exit into the suction chamber and include multiple nozzles such that the high pressure flow stream exits the nozzle chamber in multiple flow streams having multiple surface areas for interlayer drag between the flows. The low pressure fluid flow stream is entrained by the high pressure fluid flow streams exiting the multiple nozzles to define an intermediate pressure flow stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2008Publication date: April 22, 2010Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Hua Zhang, David Wesley Ball, JR., Ravi Praveen Eluripati, Christina Renee Pompey, Kenneth Neil Whaling
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Publication number: 20100040482Abstract: An ejector comprising a motive inlet, a motive nozzle separably secured to the motive inlet, a suction chamber about the motive nozzle, a suction fluid inlet to the suction chamber, a mixing tube in fluid communication with the suction chamber and the motive nozzle, a diffuser in fluid communication with the mixing tube and distal the suction chamber and the motive nozzle, and an outlet from the diffuser is provided. A nozzle comprising at least two concentric arc nozzle portions is also provided. An ejector comprising a mixing tube including a flexible layer adapted to compress or stretch, thereby allowing a mixing tube diameter to change is further provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2008Publication date: February 18, 2010Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Kenneth Neil Whaling, Dean Matthew Erickson, Hua Zhang, David Wesley Ball, JR., James L. Davis, Michael Savale, Douglas S. Byrd
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Patent number: 7571611Abstract: A method of assembling a combustor assembly is provided, wherein the method includes providing a combustor liner having a centerline axis and defining a combustion chamber therein, and coupling an annular flowsleeve radially outward from the combustor liner such that an annular flow path is defined substantially circumferentially between the flowsleeve and the combustor liner. The method also includes orienting the flowsleeve such that a plurality of inlets formed within the flowsleeve are positioned to inject cooling air in a substantially axial direction into the annular flow path to facilitate cooling the combustor liner.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2006Date of Patent: August 11, 2009Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: David Martin Johnson, Kenneth Neil Whaling, Ronald Scott Bunker
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Publication number: 20090053035Abstract: A turbine includes: a plurality of turbine blades arranged within a casing, the arrangement including a clearance between tips of the blades and the casing; a plurality of manifolds disposed proximate to the casing opposite the clearance, wherein each of the manifolds includes a plurality of impingement holes in the surface thereof; a source of clearance information; and a source of cooling air for supplying cooling air through a plurality of flow control devices to selected ones of the manifolds according to the clearance information. A system and a method are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2007Publication date: February 26, 2009Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Hua Zhang, Kenneth Neil Whaling, Jason Allen Seale, Dean Matthew Erickson, Michael Francis Michalski
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Publication number: 20080202092Abstract: A system is provided for directing air from plural compressor ports to provide cooling and/or sealing air to an associated turbine site. A first flow from a pressure stage of the compressor has a first pressure and temperature. A second flow from another pressure stage of the compressor has a second pressure and temperature. The first and second pressures/temperatures are different. An ejector has two inlets for receiving the first and second flows, and output for combining the first and second flows into a third flow. The pressure and temperature of the third flow are different from the first and second pressures and temperatures. A bypass line is connected between the first flow and the third flow, and provides a bypass flow. A mixer combines the bypass flow and the third flow into a fourth flow. The fourth flow has a pressure and temperature intermediate the pressure and temperature of the bypass flow and the third flow. The mixer comprises inner and outer sections.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2007Publication date: August 28, 2008Inventors: Ravi Praveen S. Eluripati, David Wesley Ball, Kenneth Neil Whaling, Hua Zhang
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Patent number: 7231316Abstract: A method for analyzing a system for safety to personnel or other systems is disclosed comprising: identifying at least one operating parameter of a first subcomponent of said product; identifying an inherent hazard of said first subcomponents based on an analysis of the at least one operating parameter; identifying features of the structure or operation of the subcomponent corresponding to the inherent hazard; identifying modifications or controls for the identified features which would mitigate the inherent hazard; prioritizing the identified features with respect to the effect that each of said features has on safety of the product; and determining whether an unsafe condition could result from the inherent hazard.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2003Date of Patent: June 12, 2007Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Kenneth Neil Whaling, Eric Stephen Kaufman, William Michael Starr
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Patent number: 6741951Abstract: A method for analyzing a system for safety to personnel or other systems is disclosed comprising: identifying at least one operating parameter of a first subcomponent of said product; identifying an inherent hazard of said first subcomponents based on an analysis of the at least one operating parameter; identifying features of the structure or operation of the subcomponent corresponding to the inherent hazard; identifying modifications or controls for the identified features which would mitigate the inherent hazard; prioritizing the identified features with respect to the effect that each of said features has on safety of the product; and determining whether an unsafe condition could result from the inherent hazard.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2002Date of Patent: May 25, 2004Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Kenneth Neil Whaling, Eric Stephen Kaufman, William Michael Starr
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Publication number: 20040059741Abstract: A method for analyzing a system for safety to personnel or other systems is disclosed comprising: identifying at least one operating parameter of a first subcomponent of said product; identifying an inherent hazard of said first subcomponents based on an analysis of the at least one operating parameter; identifying features of the structure or operation of the subcomponent corresponding to the inherent hazard; identifying modifications or controls for the identified features which would mitigate the inherent hazard; prioritizing the identified features with respect to the effect that each of said features has on safety of the product; and determining whether an unsafe condition could result from the inherent hazard.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2003Publication date: March 25, 2004Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Kenneth Neil Whaling, Eric Stephen Kaufman, William Michael Starr
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Publication number: 20040024567Abstract: A method for analyzing a system for safety to personnel or other systems is disclosed comprising: identifying at least one operating parameter of a first subcomponent of said product; identifying an inherent hazard of said first subcomponents based on an analysis of the at least one operating parameter; identifying features of the structure or operation of the subcomponent corresponding to the inherent hazard; identifying modifications or controls for the identified features which would mitigate the inherent hazard; prioritizing the identified features with respect to the effect that each of said features has on safety of the product; and determining whether an unsafe condition could result from the inherent hazard.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2002Publication date: February 5, 2004Inventors: Kenneth Neil Whaling, Eric Stephen Kaufman, William Michael Starr