Patents by Inventor Michael A. Benjamin

Michael A. Benjamin 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: 12286932
    Abstract: A combustor of a turbine engine has a combustion chamber for combusting fuel and air, generating heat. A fuel nozzle-mixer assembly mixes and injects fuel and air into the combustion chamber for combustion. The assembly has a heat shield at an aft end for shielding the assembly from the heat. A centerbody outer shell defines a cooling air flow cavity. A cooling air flow gap is defined between the centerbody outer shell and the heat shield. The centerbody outer shell has cooling air exit holes between the cooling air flow cavity and the cooling air flow gap, the air passing through the cooling air exit holes and into the cooling air flow gap. The cooling air exits the cooling air flow gap at a cooling air exit angle, the cooling air exit angle having a non-zero axially aft component, displacing the combustion downstream, to protect the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Hejie Li, Hiranya Nath, Habeeb Kunnummal Manat, Shai Birmaher, Craig Alan Gonyou, Anquan Wang, Michael A. Benjamin
  • Patent number: 12287094
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine including a compressor section and a combustion section in serial flow arrangement along an engine centerline, the combustion section having a combustor liner, a dome wall coupled to the combustor liner, and a dome inlet located in the dome wall, a fuel injector fluidly coupled to the dome inlet, a combustion chamber fluidly coupled to the fuel injector and defined at least in part by the combustor liner and the dome wall, and at least one set of dilution openings located in the dome wall and fluidly coupled to the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Perumallu Vukanti, Varun S. Lakshmanan, Michael T. Bucaro, Pradeep Naik, Steven C. Vise, Michael A. Benjamin
  • Publication number: 20250129748
    Abstract: A turbine engine has a combustor in a core air flow path that generates combustion gases and a fuel and steam system fluidly coupled to the combustor. The fuel and steam system has a steam system to provide a steam flow to the combustor and a fuel system to provide a primary fuel flow and a secondary fuel flow to the combustor. The fuel system has a first state in which there is a first flow rate of the secondary fuel flow to the combustor and a second state in which there is a second flow rate of the secondary fuel flow to the combustor. The first flow rate and the second flow rate are different. The first state and the second state are based on a condition of the steam system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2023
    Publication date: April 24, 2025
    Inventors: Pradeep Naik, Clayton S. Cooper, Steven C. Vise, Michael A. Benjamin, Steven Marakovits, Sibtosh Pal, Sripathi Mohan
  • Publication number: 20250109853
    Abstract: A turbine engine with a compressor section, a combustion section, and a turbine section in serial flow arrangement along an engine centerline. The combustion section includes a primary combustor liner including an inner liner and an outer liner. A dome wall and a primary dome inlet are located in the dome wall. The outer liner defines at least one opening downstream from the primary dome inlet. A primary combustion chamber and a set of secondary combustors are fluidly coupled to the primary combustion chamber at the at least one opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2023
    Publication date: April 3, 2025
    Inventors: Pradeep Naik, Perumallu Vukanti, Ravindra Shankar Ganiger, Sahana Narasimhan Suresh, Clayton S. Cooper, Michael A. Benjamin, Steven C. Vise, Sripathi Mohan, Hiranya Kumar Nath
  • Patent number: 12255363
    Abstract: An integrated fuel cell and combustor assembly includes a combustor that is fluidly coupled with at least one upstream compressor that generates compressed air. A fuel cell stack having a cathode and an anode is fluidly coupled to the combustor. The fuel cell stack is configured to receive intake fuel and a portion of the compressed air as intake air, to generate a fuel cell power output using the intake fuel and the intake air, and to direct a fuel and air exhaust from the fuel cell stack into the combustor. A self-reliant air supply system is fluidly coupled with the at least one upstream compressor and the fuel cell stack, and is configured to supply the intake air to the fuel cell stack. A fault-tolerant controller is configured to detect a transient event within the combustor and to control the self-reliant air supply system during the transient event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Honggang Wang, Michael A. Benjamin, Seung-Hyuck Hong, Richard L. Hart
  • Publication number: 20250075910
    Abstract: A turbine engine with a compressor section, a combustion section, and a turbine section in serial flow arrangement along an engine centerline. A combustion section for the turbine engine, having a primary combustor liner including an inner liner and an outer liner annular about an engine centerline. A dome wall extending between the inner liner and the outer liner. A set of primary dome inlets located in the dome wall and circumferentially arranged about the engine centerline. A set of secondary combustors fluidly coupled to a primary combustion chamber, the set of secondary combustors including a first mini combustor and a second mini combustor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2024
    Publication date: March 6, 2025
    Inventors: Pradeep Naik, Joseph Zelina, Sripathi Mohan, Perumallu Vukanti, Clayton S. Cooper, Michael A. Benjamin, Steven C. Vise, Karthikeyan Sampath
  • Publication number: 20250075911
    Abstract: A combustor having a main chamber and a trapped vortex cavity. The main chamber includes an outer liner and an inner liner. The trapped vortex cavity extends from at least one of the outer liner or the inner liner. A plurality of mixing assemblies operably injects a fuel-air mixture into the trapped vortex cavity to produce combustion gases. The trapped vortex cavity injects the combustion gases into the main chamber. A steam system is in fluid communication with the main chamber. The steam system operably injecting steam into the main chamber such that the steam flows downstream of the trapped vortex cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2024
    Publication date: March 6, 2025
    Inventors: Pradeep Naik, Clayton S. Cooper, Perumallu Vukanti, Michael A. Benjamin, Steven C. Vise, Sripathi Mohan
  • Patent number: 12241424
    Abstract: A fuel leak detection system for hydrogen fuel system including a monitored component. The fuel leak detection system including a sensor and controller communicatively coupled to the sensor. The sensor is positioned to monitor at least a portion of the monitored component. The sensor is configured (i) to sense a parameter corresponding to a hydrogen fuel leak of the monitored component and (ii) to generate an output. The controller is configured (i) to receive the output of the sensor, (ii) to determine, based on the output of the sensor, if a leak has occurred in the monitored component, and (iii) to generate an output indicating a fuel system leak when the controller determines that the leak has occurred in the monitored component. The monitored component may be a component of one of a fuel tank, a power generator, and a fuel delivery assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Arthur W. Sibbach, Paul Burchell Glaser, Michael A. Benjamin
  • Publication number: 20250067439
    Abstract: A combustor includes a combustion chamber having an outer liner and an inner liner and defining a first combustion zone, an annular dome coupled to the outer liner and the inner liner, and a trapped vortex cavity extending from at least one of the outer liner or the inner liner and defining a second combustion zone. A plurality of first mixing assemblies are disposed through the annular dome, and operably inject a first fuel-air mixture into the first combustion zone. A plurality of second mixing assemblies are disposed at the trapped vortex cavity, and operably inject a second fuel-air mixture into the second combustion zone defined in the trapped vortex cavity to produce combustion gases. A steam system includes a steam injector in fluid communication with the trapped vortex cavity. The steam injector operably injects steam into the trapped vortex cavity and the steam mixes with the combustion gases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2023
    Publication date: February 27, 2025
    Inventors: Pradeep Naik, Clayton S. Cooper, Perumallu Vukanti, Michael A. Benjamin, Steven C. Vise, Sripathi Mohan
  • Publication number: 20250067438
    Abstract: A heat shield for a combustor of a gas turbine engine. The heat shield includes an annular ring having an axial direction, a radial direction, and a circumferential direction. The annular ring includes a plurality of circumferential segments. Each circumferential segment of the plurality of circumferential segments is disconnected from an adjacent circumferential segment of the plurality of circumferential segments to allow for thermal growth of each circumferential segment during operation of the combustor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2023
    Publication date: February 27, 2025
    Inventors: Ravindra Shankar Ganiger, Hiranya Nath, Michael A. Benjamin, Michael David Clark
  • Publication number: 20250067435
    Abstract: A combustor having a casing, an inner liner, an outer liner, a compressed air passageway, a combustion chamber and a set of dilution passages. The compressed air passageway being formed between the casing, the inner liner and the outer liner. The combustion chamber being at least partially defined by the inner liner and the outer liner. The set of dilution passages extending through at least one of the inner liner or the outer liner. Each dilution passage of the set of dilution passages extending between an inlet fluidly coupled to the compressed air passageway and a dilution hole fluidly coupled to the combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2024
    Publication date: February 27, 2025
    Inventors: Manampathy G. Giridharan, Pradeep Naik, Michael A. Benjamin
  • Publication number: 20250067214
    Abstract: A combustor includes a combustion chamber and an annular dome. The combustion chamber includes an outer liner and an inner liner and has a combustion zone. The annular dome is coupled to the outer liner and the inner liner. A plurality of mixing assemblies operably injects a fuel-air mixture into the combustion zone of the combustion chamber to produce combustion gases. A combustor steam system is in fluid communication with the combustion chamber. The combustor steam system includes a steam path defined by at least one of the outer liner, the inner liner, or the annular dome. The combustor steam system operably directs steam through the steam path from the at least one of the outer liner, the inner liner, or the annular dome and into the combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2023
    Publication date: February 27, 2025
    Inventors: Perumallu Vukanti, Pradeep Naik, Saket Singh, Michael A. Benjamin, Sripathi Mohan, Clayton S. Cooper, Rajendra Wankhade, Hiranya Nath, Nicholas R. Overman, Steven C. Vise
  • Patent number: 12228286
    Abstract: A combustion section of a turbine engine having a primary combustion chamber and a secondary combustion chamber. The primary combustion chamber is defined, at least in part, by a combustor liner and a dome wall. A primary fuel nozzle having an outlet is located at the dome wall, wherein the outlet of the primary fuel nozzle is fluidly coupled with the primary combustion chamber. At least one opening located in an outer liner axially aft of the dome wall fluidly couples the secondary combustion chamber and the primary combustion chamber. A set of secondary fuel nozzles are fluidly coupled with the secondary combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Pradeep Naik, Hiranya Kumar Nath, Perumallu Vukanti, Clayton S. Cooper, Steven C. Vise, Michael A. Benjamin, R Narasimha Chiranthan
  • Patent number: 12228282
    Abstract: An engine can utilize a combustor to combust fuel to drive the engine. A fuel nozzle assembly can supply fuel to the combustor for combustion or ignition of the fuel. The fuel nozzle assembly can include a swirler and a fuel nozzle to supply a mixture of fuel and air for combustion. The fuel nozzle can include both a primary and secondary fuel passage, and an additional air passage to provide for greater flame control, fuel provision, or local fuel and air mixing prior to combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2024
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael T. Bucaro, Ajoy Patra, Pradeep Naik, Perumallu Vukanti, R Narasimha Chiranthan, Clayton Stuart Cooper, Michael A. Benjamin, Steven C. Vise, Manampathy G. Giridharan, Krishnakumar Venkatesan
  • Patent number: 12221926
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine including a combustor, a plurality of fuel nozzles, and at least one fuel manifold. The combustor includes a combustion chamber. The plurality of fuel injects fuel into the combustion chamber of the combustor. The gas turbine engine may include a first fuel circuit and a second fuel circuit. The first fuel circuit includes a first fuel manifold fluidly connected to at least one fuel nozzle of the plurality of fuel nozzles to distribute the fuel to the at least one fuel nozzle at a first temperature. The second fuel circuit includes a second fuel manifold fluidly connected to at least one fuel nozzle of the plurality of fuel nozzles to distribute the fuel to the at least one fuel nozzle at a second. The second temperature is less than the first temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Hejie Li, Shai Birmaher, Michael A. Benjamin
  • Patent number: 12222104
    Abstract: A turbine engine can include a compressor section, a combustion section, and a turbine section in serial flow arrangement. A combustor in the combustion section can include a combustor liner at least partially defining a combustion chamber. The combustor liner can include at least one aperture fluidly coupled to the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Manampathy G. Giridharan, Michael T. Bucaro, Pradeep Naik, Clayton S. Cooper, Michael A. Benjamin, Steven C. Vise, Ajoy Patra, Perumallu Vukanti, R Narasimha Chiranthan
  • Patent number: 12215869
    Abstract: A turbine engine can include a compressor section, a combustion section, and a turbine section in serial flow arrangement. A combustor in the combustion section can include a combustion chamber, a fuel supply fluidly coupled to the combustion chamber, and a fuel nozzle assembly. The fuel nozzle assembly can include an air flow passage and a fuel flow passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Nayan Vinod Patel, Michael A. Benjamin
  • Publication number: 20250035041
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine fuel supply system can include a fuel delivery system, a thermal management system, a fuel manifold, and one or more sensors that identify one or more fuel parameters. A fuel control system is provided that adjusts parameters of the fuel based on data received from the sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2024
    Publication date: January 30, 2025
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brandon W. Miller, Robert Jon McQuiston, Stefan Joseph Cafaro, Eric Richard Westervelt, Michael A. Benjamin, Joel M. Haynes, Hejie Li
  • Publication number: 20250035304
    Abstract: A swirler-ferrule assembly includes a radial swirler, a ferrule, a fuel nozzle, and a surface feature. The radial swirler includes a primary swirler vane having a primary air passage and a secondary swirler vane having a secondary air passage. The ferrule may be connected to the radial swirler. The surface feature may be located on the primary swirler vane and/or the ferrule. The surface feature may be configured to direct an air flow through the primary air passage away from a recirculation zone located upstream of the primary swirler vane. The surface feature has a trailing end and a distal end, and the fuel nozzle is axially aligned with the trailing end of the surface feature or is located axially downstream of the trailing end of the surface feature. The surface feature may have a plurality of grooves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2024
    Publication date: January 30, 2025
    Inventors: Steven C. Vise, Clayton S. Cooper, Michael A. Benjamin, Pradeep Naik, Kwanwoo Kim, Shai Birmaher, Perumallu Vukanti, Saket Singh, Karthikeyan Sampath
  • Publication number: 20250035311
    Abstract: An engine can utilize a combustor to combust fuel to drive the engine. A fuel nozzle assembly can supply fuel to the combustor for combustion or ignition of the fuel. The fuel nozzle assembly can include a swirler and a fuel nozzle to supply a mixture of fuel and air for combustion. The fuel nozzle assembly can be configured to increase lateral provision of fuels to reduce flame scrubbing on combustor liners for the combustor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2024
    Publication date: January 30, 2025
    Inventors: Pradeep Naik, Ajoy Patra, Michael T. Bucaro, Perumallu Vukanti, Steven C. Vise, Michael A. Benjamin, Manampathy G. Giridharan, Sakat Singh, Clayton S. Cooper