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: 10400676
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Lubomir A. Ribarov, David S. Liscinsky, Meredith B. Colket
  • Publication number: 20180321121
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Ivan Rydkin, Lei Chen, Warren Clough, Parmesh Verma, Paul Papas, Larry D. Burns, Meredith B. Colket
  • Patent number: 9541000
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Zidu Ma, Joseph J. Sangiovanni, Zissis A. Dardas, Meredith B. Colket, III
  • Publication number: 20160369700
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: Lubomir A. Ribarov, David S. Liscinsky, Meredith B. Colket
  • Patent number: 9308492
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Timothy N. Obee, Stephen O. Hay, Susan D. Brandes, Leland G. Brandes, Meredith B. Colket
  • Publication number: 20140290610
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Haralambos Cordatos, Meredith B. Colket, III
  • Patent number: 8668489
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Louis Chiappetta, Scott A. Liljenberg, Meredith B. Colket, Shiling Zhang
  • Publication number: 20140053570
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Zidu Ma, Joseph J. Sangiovanni, Zissis A. Dardas, Meredith B. Colket, III
  • Patent number: 8602772
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: UTC Fire & Security Corporation
    Inventors: Junqiang Fan, Muhidin A. Lelic, Guido Poncia, David S. Liscinsky, Meredith B. Colket, III, Tom Kennedy
  • Patent number: 8603300
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Zidu Ma, Joseph J. Sangiovanni, Zissis A. Dardas, Meredith B. Colket, III
  • Publication number: 20130291552
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lance L. Smith, Meredith B. Colket, III
  • Publication number: 20130263572
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffery A. Lovett, Donald J. Hautman, Torence P. Brogan, Christopher A. Eckett, Meredith B. Colket, III
  • Patent number: 8534071
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Lovett, Donald J. Hautman, Torence P. Brogan, Christopher A. Eckett, Meredith B. Colket, III
  • Publication number: 20130071793
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Zidu Ma, Joseph J. Sangiovanni, Zissis A. Dardas, Meredith B. Colket, III
  • Patent number: 8215117
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Meredith B. Colket, Alexander Chen
  • Patent number: 8209987
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Donald J. Hautman, Meredith B. Colket, III, Jeffery A. Lovett, Torence P. Brogan
  • Publication number: 20120052452
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Louis Chiappetta, Scott A. Liljenberg, Meredith B. Colket, Shiling Zhang
  • Publication number: 20110162591
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Inventors: Jinqiang Fan, Muhidin A. Lelic, Guido Poncia, David S. Liscinsky, Meredith B. Colket, III, Tom Kennedy
  • Patent number: 7947233
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Steven W. Burd, Meredith B. Colket, III
  • Publication number: 20100223849
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven W. Burd, Meredith B. Colket, III