Patents by Inventor Meredith B. Colket
Meredith B. Colket 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: 10400676Abstract: A fuel system for a gas turbine engine comprises an injector disposed to inject fuel and air into a combustor of the gas turbine engine. In a first embodiment, the fuel system further comprises an air separation module configured to supply oxygen-enriched air into the combustor via the injector for combustion. In a second embodiment, the fuel system further comprises a barbotage system and a heating element. The barbotage system is configured to feed hydrogen to the injector, and the heating element is configured to pre-heat the fuel.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2014Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Lubomir A. Ribarov, David S. Liscinsky, Meredith B. Colket
-
Publication number: 20180321121Abstract: An HVAC/R assembly including an HVAC/R unit including a casing, a heat exchanger disposed within the casing, the heat exchanger configured to circulate a refrigerant therethrough, and a plurality of sensing devices in communication with the HVAC/R unit, wherein each of the plurality of sensing devices is configured to detect a presence of the refrigerant.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2017Publication date: November 8, 2018Inventors: Ivan Rydkin, Lei Chen, Warren Clough, Parmesh Verma, Paul Papas, Larry D. Burns, Meredith B. Colket
-
Patent number: 9541000Abstract: A method for reducing emissions from an engine includes generating a light hydrocarbon fuel fraction and combusting the light hydrocarbon fuel fraction in place of the fuel. The light hydrocarbon fuel fraction is generated by heating the fuel and flowing the fuel through a plurality of hollow fiber superhydrophobic membranes in a membrane module. Each hollow superhydrophobic membrane comprises a porous support and a superhydrophobic layer free of pores that extend from one side of the superhydrophobic layer to the other. Vapor from the fuel permeates the superhydrophobic membranes and enters a distillate collection chamber, producing a distilled fuel in the distillate collection chamber and a residual fuel within the hollow fiber superhydrophobic membranes. The residual fuel is removed from the membrane module and cooled to produce a cooled residual fuel.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2013Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Zidu Ma, Joseph J. Sangiovanni, Zissis A. Dardas, Meredith B. Colket, III
-
Publication number: 20160369700Abstract: A fuel system for a gas turbine engine comprises an injector disposed to inject fuel and air into a combustor of the gas turbine engine. In a first embodiment, the fuel system further comprises an air separation module configured to supply oxygen-enriched air into the combustor via the injector for combustion. In a second embodiment, the fuel system further comprises a barbotage system and a heating element. The barbotage system is configured to feed hydrogen to the injector, and the heating element is configured to pre-heat the fuel.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2014Publication date: December 22, 2016Inventors: Lubomir A. Ribarov, David S. Liscinsky, Meredith B. Colket
-
Patent number: 9308492Abstract: An air purification system for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system includes an ozone generating device that is used to introduce ozone into an air stream flowing through the ozone generating device. The ozone is used to remove contaminants, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), from the air stream. The purification system includes sensors in various locations within the HVAC system to measure a concentration of constituents in the air. In some embodiments, the constituents may include ozone and VOCs, such as toluene, butene, and propanal. To control an amount of ozone generated, the purification system controls an amount of electrical power to the ozone generating device. To control a concentration of ozone generated, the purification system controls a flow rate of air through the ozone generating device.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2007Date of Patent: April 12, 2016Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATIONInventors: Timothy N. Obee, Stephen O. Hay, Susan D. Brandes, Leland G. Brandes, Meredith B. Colket
-
Publication number: 20140290610Abstract: A fuel system is provided including a diesel fuel reservoir configured to supply a diesel fuel having a first amount of dissolved oxygen. An advanced diesel engine is arranged generally downstream from the diesel fuel reservoir. A deoxygenation system has an inlet fluidly coupled to the diesel fuel reservoir and an outlet fluidly coupled to the advanced diesel engine. The deoxygenation system is configured to remove dissolved oxygen from the diesel fuel. The diesel fuel provided to the advanced diesel engine has a second amount of dissolved oxygen. The second amount of dissolved oxygen is less than the first amount of dissolved oxygen.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2013Publication date: October 2, 2014Applicant: Hamilton Sundstrand CorporationInventors: Haralambos Cordatos, Meredith B. Colket, III
-
Patent number: 8668489Abstract: An ignition system for a multi-burner heat exchanger assembly, a furnace, and a method using same are disclosed. The assembly may include a plurality of adjacent heat exchanger tubes, with a burner associated with each tube. All the burners may be lit with a single igniter and no source of secondary air. To do so, each of the burners may be provided so as to generate a swirling exit flow of combustion gases. One or more carryover tubes may also be connected between adjacent pairs of heat exchanger tubes or adjacent pairs of burners. The swirling flow generated by the burners causes hot combustion gases to move through the carryover tubes to thus carry the flame from one burner to the next. Not only can a single igniter be used, but a single flame sensor as well, while at the same time reducing nitrogen oxide emissions.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2011Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: Carrier CorporationInventors: Louis Chiappetta, Scott A. Liljenberg, Meredith B. Colket, Shiling Zhang
-
Publication number: 20140053570Abstract: A method for reducing emissions from an engine includes generating a light hydrocarbon fuel fraction and combusting the light hydrocarbon fuel fraction in place of the fuel. The light hydrocarbon fuel fraction is generated by heating the fuel and flowing the fuel through a plurality of hollow fiber superhydrophobic membranes in a membrane module. Each hollow superhydrophobic membrane comprises a porous support and a superhydrophobic layer free of pores that extend from one side of the superhydrophobic layer to the other. Vapor from the fuel permeates the superhydrophobic membranes and enters a distillate collection chamber, producing a distilled fuel in the distillate collection chamber and a residual fuel within the hollow fiber superhydrophobic membranes. The residual fuel is removed from the membrane module and cooled to produce a cooled residual fuel.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2013Publication date: February 27, 2014Applicant: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Zidu Ma, Joseph J. Sangiovanni, Zissis A. Dardas, Meredith B. Colket, III
-
Patent number: 8602772Abstract: A method is provided for commissioning a combustion control system for controlling operation of a boiler combustion system. The method includes the step of mapping a plurality of sets of coordinated servo positions for the fuel flow control device and the air flow control device at a plurality of selected firing rate points between a minimum firing rate and a maximum firing rate by using an algorithm and an iterative process to identify the coordinated air and fuel actuator positions instead of a trial and error method.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2008Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: UTC Fire & Security CorporationInventors: Junqiang Fan, Muhidin A. Lelic, Guido Poncia, David S. Liscinsky, Meredith B. Colket, III, Tom Kennedy
-
Patent number: 8603300Abstract: A method for fractionating a fuel includes heating the fuel and flowing it through hollow superhydrophobic membranes in a membrane module. Vapor from the fuel permeates the hydrophobic membranes and enters a distillate collection chamber, producing distilled fuel and residual fuel. The residual fuel is removed from the module and cooled. The cooled residual fuel is flowed through hollow tubes in the module and the distilled fuel is removed from the distillate collection chamber. Burning the distilled fuel reduces engine emissions. A fuel fractionation system includes a distillate collection chamber, hollow superhydrophobic membranes, hollow tubes and a distillate outlet. The hollow superhydrophobic membranes receive heated fuel and allow vapor from the heated fuel to permeate the membranes and enter the distillate collection chamber. The hollow tubes receive cooled residual fuel and are positioned to allow vapor in the distillate collection chamber to condense on outer surfaces of the hollow tubes.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2011Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Zidu Ma, Joseph J. Sangiovanni, Zissis A. Dardas, Meredith B. Colket, III
-
Publication number: 20130291552Abstract: A system for electrically controlling combustion includes a combustion chamber, one or more sensors, an actuator, and a controller. The controller detects dynamic instabilities based upon input regarding conditions in the combustion chamber from the sensors. The actuator electrically modulates combustion, and the controller operates the actuator to counteract the dynamic instabilities.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2012Publication date: November 7, 2013Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Lance L. Smith, Meredith B. Colket, III
-
Publication number: 20130263572Abstract: A gas turbine or rocket engine hot section includes a first duct case, a second duct case, a plurality of vanes arranged about an axial centerline, and an igniter located with a first of the plurality of vanes. The first of the plurality of vanes extends axially between a leading edge and a flame holder surface at a trailing edge. The flame holder surface extends radially between a first vane end connected to the first duct case and a second vane end connected to the second duct case. The flame holder surface includes a first section that tapers towards the first vane end, and a second section that tapers away from the first section and towards the second vane end.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2012Publication date: October 10, 2013Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Jeffery A. Lovett, Donald J. Hautman, Torence P. Brogan, Christopher A. Eckett, Meredith B. Colket, III
-
Patent number: 8534071Abstract: A gas turbine or rocket engine hot section includes a first duct case, a second duct case, a plurality of vanes arranged about an axial centerline, and an igniter located with a first of the plurality of vanes. The first of the plurality of vanes extends axially between a leading edge and a flame holder surface at a trailing edge. The flame holder surface extends radially between a first vane end connected to the first duct case and a second vane end connected to the second duct case. The flame holder surface includes a first section that tapers towards the first vane end, and a second section that tapers away from the first section and towards the second vane end.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2012Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Jeffrey A. Lovett, Donald J. Hautman, Torence P. Brogan, Christopher A. Eckett, Meredith B. Colket, III
-
Publication number: 20130071793Abstract: A method for fractionating a fuel includes heating the fuel and flowing it through hollow superhydrophobic membranes in a membrane module. Vapor from the fuel permeates the hydrophobic membranes and enters a distillate collection chamber, producing distilled fuel and residual fuel. The residual fuel is removed from the module and cooled. The cooled residual fuel is flowed through hollow tubes in the module and the distilled fuel is removed from the distillate collection chamber. Burning the distilled fuel reduces engine emissions. A fuel fractionation system includes a distillate collection chamber, hollow superhydrophobic membranes, hollow tubes and a distillate outlet. The hollow superhydrophobic membranes receive heated fuel and allow vapor from the heated fuel to permeate the membranes and enter the distillate collection chamber. The hollow tubes receive cooled residual fuel and are positioned to allow vapor in the distillate collection chamber to condense on outer surfaces of the hollow tubes.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2011Publication date: March 21, 2013Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Zidu Ma, Joseph J. Sangiovanni, Zissis A. Dardas, Meredith B. Colket, III
-
Patent number: 8215117Abstract: A catalytic reactor for a gas turbine engine comprising an air inlet, a premixing zone, a reacting zone comprising a reactive portion and a nonreactive portion, a post reaction mixing zone, a first fuel injection system for introducing fuel into the reactive portion, and a second fuel injection system for introducing fuel into the nonreactive portion.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2007Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Meredith B. Colket, Alexander Chen
-
Patent number: 8209987Abstract: A gas turbine engine augmenter has a gas flowpath. A number of vanes extend into the gas flowpath. A number of augmenter fuel conduits have outlets along at least some of the vanes. At least one burner discharge outlet is along at least one of the vanes for discharging a pilot gas.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2008Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Donald J. Hautman, Meredith B. Colket, III, Jeffery A. Lovett, Torence P. Brogan
-
Publication number: 20120052452Abstract: An ignition system for a multi-burner heat exchanger assembly, a furnace, and a method using same are disclosed. The assembly may include a plurality of adjacent heat exchanger tubes, with a burner associated with each tube. All the burners may be lit with a single igniter and no source of secondary air. To do so, each of the burners may be provided so as to generate a swirling exit flow of combustion gases. One or more carryover tubes may also be connected between adjacent pairs of heat exchanger tubes or adjacent pairs of burners. The swirling flow generated by the burners causes hot combustion gases to move through the carryover tubes to thus carry the flame from one burner to the next. Not only can a single igniter be used, but a single flame sensor as well, while at the same time reducing nitrogen oxide emissions.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2011Publication date: March 1, 2012Applicant: Carrier CorporationInventors: Louis Chiappetta, Scott A. Liljenberg, Meredith B. Colket, Shiling Zhang
-
Publication number: 20110162591Abstract: A method is provided for commissioning a combustion control system for controlling operation of a boiler combustion system. The method includes the step of mapping a plurality of sets of coordinated servo positions for the fuel flow control device and the air flow control device at a plurality of selected firing rate points between a minimum firing rate and a maximum firing rate by using an algorithm and an iterative process to identify the coordinated air and fuel actuator positions instead of a trial and error method.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2008Publication date: July 7, 2011Inventors: Jinqiang Fan, Muhidin A. Lelic, Guido Poncia, David S. Liscinsky, Meredith B. Colket, III, Tom Kennedy
-
Patent number: 7947233Abstract: A method of combusting a catalyzed hydrocarbon fuel comprising providing a first fluid and a second fluid, at least one of said fluids comprising a mixture of a hydrocarbon fuel with an air stream, passing the first fluid into one or more catalytic tubes of a catalytic reactor, and passing the second fluid adjacent the catalytic tubes in a chamber of a catalytic reactor. A varying tube cross section to modify the flow of one of the fluids is provided for at least a portion of the tube. The flow of the first fluid leaving the catalytic tubes is mixed with the second fluid and combusted.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2010Date of Patent: May 24, 2011Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Steven W. Burd, Meredith B. Colket, III
-
Publication number: 20100223849Abstract: A method of combusting a catalyzed hydrocarbon fuel comprising providing a first fluid and a second fluid, at least one of said fluids comprising a mixture of a hydrocarbon fuel with an air stream, passing the first fluid into one or more catalytic tubes of a catalytic reactor, and passing the second fluid adjacent the catalytic tubes in a chamber of a catalytic reactor. A varying tube cross section to modify the flow of one of the fluids is provided for at least a portion of the tube. The flow of the first fluid leaving the catalytic tubes is mixed with the second fluid and combusted.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2010Publication date: September 9, 2010Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Steven W. Burd, Meredith B. Colket, III