Patents by Inventor Kevin Widener
Kevin Widener 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: 20160169519Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide an apparatus including: an injector in fluid communication with an aft section of a reheat combustor in a power generation system, the aft section being positioned downstream of a combustion reaction zone in the reheat combustor, and positioned upstream of a turbine stage of the power generation system, wherein the turbine stage includes a turbine nozzle and a turbine blade row; and a conduit in fluid communication with the injector, wherein the conduit delivers at least one of a fuel from a fuel supply line and a carrier gas to the injector.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2014Publication date: June 16, 2016Inventors: Lewis Berkley Davis, JR., Gregory Thomas Foster, Kaitlin Marie Graham, Krishnakumar Venkataraman, Stanley Kevin Widener
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Publication number: 20160169524Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide injection systems for fuel and air. According to one embodiment, an injection system can include a mixing zone embedded within a surface of a turbine nozzle and positioned between a first outlet and a second outlet, the turbine nozzle separating a combustor of a power generation system from a turbine stage of the power generation system, wherein the first outlet is oriented substantially in opposition to the second outlet; a first injection conduit for delivering a carrier gas to the mixing zone through the first outlet; and a second injection conduit for delivering a fuel to the mixing zone through a second outlet; wherein the carrier gas and the fuel intermix within the mixing zone upon leaving the first injection conduit and the second injection conduit.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2014Publication date: June 16, 2016Inventors: Stanley Kevin Widener, Lewis Berkley Davis, JR., Gregory Thomas Foster, Kaitlin Marie Graham, Krishnakumar Venkataraman
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Patent number: 9303562Abstract: Methods and systems for operating a gas turbine engine including a fuel delivery system and a plurality of combustor assemblies are provided. The fuel delivery system comprises a primary fuel circuit configured to continuously supply fuel to each of the plurality of combustor assemblies during a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation. At least one secondary fuel circuit of the fuel delivery system is configured to supply fuel to each of the plurality of combustor assemblies during the second mode of operation. The secondary fuel circuit includes at least one isolation valve coupled in flow communication with each of the plurality of combustor assemblies. The at least one isolation valve facilitates preventing fluid flow upstream into the secondary fuel circuit during the first mode of operation. The fuel delivery system, using the isolation valve, replaces a purging system in the gas turbine engine.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2013Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Fabien Thibault Codron, John Edward Pritchard, Stanley Kevin Widener
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Patent number: 9267436Abstract: A fuel distribution manifold for a combustor of a gas turbine includes an annular flange having an outer surface that extends circumferentially around the flange. A primary fuel plenum extends circumferentially within the flange. A first orifice and a second orifice extend radially through the outer surface of the flange to provide for fluid communication into the primary fuel plenum. The first orifice includes an inlet that is adjacent to the outer surface. The second orifice includes an inlet that is adjacent to the outer surface. A fuel distribution cap extends partially across the outer surface of the flange. The fuel distribution cap includes an inlet port. A fuel distribution plenum is at least partially defined within the fuel distribution cap. The fuel distribution plenum is in fluid communication with the inlet port and with the first orifice inlet and the second orifice inlet.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2013Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Lucas John Stoia, Patrick Benedict Melton, Stanley Kevin Widener, William Michael Poschel
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Patent number: 9062883Abstract: A turbomachine fuel-air mixer component includes a first component portion formed from a non-additive manufacturing process. The first component portion includes a plurality of tube elements each having an end portion. A second, additively manufactured component portion is additively joined to the first component portion. The second, additively manufactured component portion includes a plurality of additively manufactured tube sections constructed at, and fluidically connected with, respective ones of each end portion of the plurality of tube elements. The first and second component portions collectively defining at least a portion of the turbomachine fuel-air mixer component.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2013Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Stanley Kevin Widener, Attila Szabo
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Publication number: 20140361447Abstract: A turbomachine fuel-air mixer component includes a first component portion formed from a non-additive manufacturing process. The first component portion includes a plurality of tube elements each having an end portion. A second, additively manufactured component portion is additively joined to the first component portion. The second, additively manufactured component portion includes a plurality of additively manufactured tube sections constructed at, and fluidically connected with, respective ones of each end portion of the plurality of tube elements. The first and second component portions collectively defining at least a portion of the turbomachine fuel-air mixer component.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2013Publication date: December 11, 2014Inventors: Stanley Kevin Widener, Attila Szabo
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Publication number: 20140260274Abstract: A fuel distribution manifold for a combustor of a gas turbine includes an annular flange having an outer surface that extends circumferentially around the flange. A primary fuel plenum extends circumferentially within the flange. A first orifice and a second orifice extend radially through the outer surface of the flange to provide for fluid communication into the primary fuel plenum. The first orifice includes an inlet that is adjacent to the outer surface. The second orifice includes an inlet that is adjacent to the outer surface. A fuel distribution cap extends partially across the outer surface of the flange. The fuel distribution cap includes an inlet port. A fuel distribution plenum is at least partially defined within the fuel distribution cap. The fuel distribution plenum is in fluid communication with the inlet port and with the first orifice inlet and the second orifice inlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Lucas John Stoia, Patrick Benedict Melton, Stanley Kevin Widener, William Michael Poschel
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Publication number: 20140196466Abstract: Methods and systems for operating a gas turbine engine including a fuel delivery system and a plurality of combustor assemblies are provided. The fuel delivery system comprises a primary fuel circuit configured to continuously supply fuel to each of the plurality of combustor assemblies during a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation. At least one secondary fuel circuit of the fuel delivery system is configured to supply fuel to each of the plurality of combustor assemblies during the second mode of operation. The secondary fuel circuit includes at least one isolation valve coupled in flow communication with each of the plurality of combustor assemblies. The at least one isolation valve facilitates preventing fluid flow upstream into the secondary fuel circuit during the first mode of operation. The fuel delivery system, using the isolation valve, replaces a purging system in the gas turbine engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2013Publication date: July 17, 2014Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Fabien Thibault Codron, John Edward Pritchard, Stanley Kevin Widener
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Patent number: 8529195Abstract: An inducer for a casing of a gas turbine system is disclosed. The inducer includes a plurality of orifices defined in the casing, the plurality of orifices disposed in an annular array about the casing, and a plurality of cartridges, each of the plurality of cartridges configured to mate with one of the plurality of orifices. Each of the plurality of cartridges includes an inlet and an outlet for flowing a cooling medium therethrough. The inducer further includes at least one flow modifier disposed in each of the plurality of cartridges for modifying the flow of the cooling medium through each of the plurality of cartridges. Each of the plurality of cartridges is independently removable from each of the plurality of orifices.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2010Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Stanley Kevin Widener
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Patent number: 8522553Abstract: A system for conditioning a working fluid in a combustor includes a primary combustion chamber, a liner circumferentially surrounding the primary combustion chamber, and a primary nozzle in fluid communication with the primary combustion chamber. A secondary combustion chamber located outside of the primary combustion chamber includes a shroud that defines a fluid passage, a secondary nozzle, and means for igniting fuel in the secondary combustion chamber. A method for conditioning a working fluid in a combustor includes flowing the working fluid through a primary combustion chamber and flowing at least a portion of the working fluid through a secondary combustion chamber located outside of the primary combustion chamber. The method further includes flowing a fuel through the secondary combustion chamber, combusting the fuel, and flowing the combustion gases from the secondary combustion chamber into the primary combustion chamber.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2011Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Stanley Kevin Widener
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Publication number: 20130192249Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, an engine system includes one or more fuel circuits configured to provide gaseous fuel from a fuel source for combustion. The system further comprises a conduit in fluid communication with the one or more fuel circuits, wherein the conduit is configured to receive a first gaseous fuel flow and an oxidant flow for a reaction within the conduit, wherein a temperature of the conduit is controlled by a second gaseous fuel flow along an outer wall of the conduit.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2012Publication date: August 1, 2013Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventor: Stanley Kevin Widener
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Publication number: 20130074515Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a method for providing a fuel supplied to a combustor in a gas turbine engine system includes partially oxidizing a fraction of primary fuel in a fuel circuit of the gas turbine engine system, in the absence of a catalyst, with a non-catalytic fuel reformer to form a reformate, wherein the fraction of primary fuel and an oxidant are mixed and burned in a predetermined ratio in the non-catalytic fuel reformer. The method also includes causing a water-gas shift reaction in a non-catalytic reaction passage in the non-catalytic fuel reformer by directing a selected amount of secondary fuel and a selected amount of steam into the partially oxidized fraction of fuel, thereby producing a reformate and mixing the reformate with a remaining fraction of fuel to produce a mixed fuel stream and supplying the mixed fuel stream to the combustor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2011Publication date: March 28, 2013Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventor: Stanley Kevin Widener
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Publication number: 20130061598Abstract: A system for conditioning a working fluid in a combustor includes a primary combustion chamber, a liner circumferentially surrounding the primary combustion chamber, and a primary nozzle in fluid communication with the primary combustion chamber. A secondary combustion chamber located outside of the primary combustion chamber includes a shroud that defines a fluid passage, a secondary nozzle, and means for igniting fuel in the secondary combustion chamber. A method for conditioning a working fluid in a combustor includes flowing the working fluid through a primary combustion chamber and flowing at least a portion of the working fluid through a secondary combustion chamber located outside of the primary combustion chamber. The method further includes flowing a fuel through the secondary combustion chamber, combusting the fuel, and flowing the combustion gases from the secondary combustion chamber into the primary combustion chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2011Publication date: March 14, 2013Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventor: Stanley Kevin Widener
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Patent number: 8365535Abstract: A fuel nozzle manifold comprising a flange, a stem and a swirler is provided. The flange has a first fluid inlet fluidly connected to a radially extending first flow passage, the stem includes at least a first axially extending and only partially circumferentially extending flow channel, and the swirler has at least a first radially extending premix passage. The flange and the stem can comprise a homogeneous component, or two separate components fluidly connecting the first axially extending flow channel to the first flow passage, to form a fluid connection between the flange and the stem, the swirler comprises another component fitted together with the flange and stem component and fluidly connecting the first premix passage and the first flow channel.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2009Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Stanley Kevin Widener, Scott Robert Simmons
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Patent number: 8353150Abstract: A nozzle is provided and includes an outer annulus defined by an exterior wall and an interior wall and including air inlets through which air flows to a fuel mixing zone and a combustion zone, an inner annulus disposed within the interior wall and including a fuel volume into which fuel is fed to a distal end thereof, which is adjacent to and isolated from the combustion zone and an airflow line, disposed between the fuel volume and the interior wall, through which air flows to the combustion zone with the airflow line and the combustion zone isolated from the fuel volume, and a fuse configured to melt during a flameholding incident and to form a breach through which fuel flows from the fuel volume, bypassing the fuel mixing zone, to a fuel burning zone downstream from the fuel mixing zone.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2012Date of Patent: January 15, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Lewis Berkley Davis, Jr., Stanley Kevin Widener, John Wilbur
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Patent number: 8291688Abstract: A nozzle is provided and includes an outer annulus defined by an exterior wall and an interior wall and including air inlets through which air flows to a fuel mixing zone and a combustion zone, an inner annulus disposed within the interior wall and including a fuel volume into which fuel is fed to a distal end thereof, which is adjacent to and isolated from the combustion zone and an airflow line, disposed between the fuel volume and the interior wall, through which air flows to the combustion zone with the airflow line and the combustion zone isolated from the fuel volume, and a fuse configured to melt during a flameholding incident and to form a breach through which fuel flows from the fuel volume, bypassing the fuel mixing zone, to a fuel burning zone downstream from the fuel mixing zone.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2008Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Lewis Berkley Davis, Jr., Stanley Kevin Widener, John Wilbur
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Patent number: 8281595Abstract: A fuel nozzle assembly for a combustor of a gas turbine including: a nozzle body having a front and an inner tube defining a fuel passage extending through the nozzle body, wherein the front proximate to a combustion section of the combustor; an outer casing around the inner tube, wherein an air passage is defined between the outer casing and the inner tube; a gas conduit arranged in the air passage and having an outlet proximate to the front of the nozzle body, wherein fuel starts flowing through the expandable conduit only after a flashback condition occurs in the combustor, and a premix fuel passage and port discharging fuel to a premix section of the combustor, wherein the gas conduit has an inlet open to the premix fuel passage.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2008Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Lewis Berkley Davis, Jr., Stanley Kevin Widener, John Wilber
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Patent number: 8281601Abstract: A system and method for reintroducing gas turbine combustion bypass flow. The system may include a combustor body, wherein the combustor body includes a reaction zone for primary combustion of fuel and air, and a casing enclosing the combustor body and defining an annular passageway for carrying compressor discharge air into the combustor body at one end. The system further may include a reintroduction manifold for receiving combustor bypass air extracted from the compressor discharge air in the annular passageway, and one or more reintroduction slots in communication with the reintroduction manifold for injecting the combustor bypass air into the combustor body downstream of the reaction zone. The method may include extracting combustor bypass air from the annular passageway, transporting the combustor bypass air to a reintroduction manifold, and reintroducing the combustor bypass air into the combustor body through one or more reintroduction slots in communication with the reintroduction manifold.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2009Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Kevin Weston McMahan, Thomas Edward Johnson, Stanley Kevin Widener
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Publication number: 20120247081Abstract: A nozzle is provided and includes an outer annulus defined by an exterior wall and an interior wall and including air inlets through which air flows to a fuel mixing zone and a combustion zone, an inner annulus disposed within the interior wall and including a fuel volume into which fuel is fed to a distal end thereof, which is adjacent to and isolated from the combustion zone and an airflow line, disposed between the fuel volume and the interior wall, through which air flows to the combustion zone with the airflow line and the combustion zone isolated from the fuel volume, and a fuse configured to melt during a flameholding incident and to form a breach through which fuel flows from the fuel volume, bypassing the fuel mixing zone, to a fuel burning zone downstream from the fuel mixing zone.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2012Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Lewis Berkley Davis, JR., Stanley Kevin Widener, John Wilber
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Patent number: 8220246Abstract: A crossfire tube assembly is configured for connecting adjacent combustion cans in a gas turbine, and includes a first tube segment having a first end and an opposite female end. A second tube segment has a first end and an opposite male end fitted concentrically within the female end with an overlap region between the female and male ends. Each of the first ends of the tube segments is configured for securing to a liner of a respective combustion can. Oppositely oriented first and second impingement sleeves extend from the female end of the first tube segment to the respective first ends of the tube segments. Combustion cooling air is directed through metering holes in the impingement sleeves and flows axially along concentric cavities defined between the impingement sleeves and the first and second tube segments. The combustion cooling air vents from the cavities into an axial combustion air flow stream between the respective combustion can liners and sleeves.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2009Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Stanley Kevin Widener