Patents by Inventor Michael Anthony Benjamin
Michael Anthony 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).
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Patent number: 12655805Abstract: A combustion system for a vehicle having an engine includes a hydrogen fuel system having a fuel source providing a hydrogen fuel, a combustor operable to combust the hydrogen fuel to generate combustion gases, and a fuel delivery assembly operable to deliver the hydrogen fuel from the fuel source to the combustor. A first control system has a first update rate and is operable to control one or more operational aspects of the turbine engine. A second control system is in communication with the first control system and the hydrogen fuel system and has a second update rate faster than the first update rate. The second control system is operable to monitor at least one parameter associated with the hydrogen fuel system and output at least one control signal to the hydrogen fuel system to control the delivery or the combustion of the hydrogen fuel.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2022Date of Patent: June 16, 2026Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Arthur William Sibbach, Michael Anthony Benjamin, Sibtosh Pal, Erich Alois Krammer, Douglas Scott Jacobs, Jacques Paul
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Patent number: 12655976Abstract: A liner for a combustion section of a gas turbine engine includes a sheet defining a sheet opening, a tile liner coupled to the sheet and comprising a plurality of tiles, each tile of the plurality of tiles comprising a protrusion, a fastener for securing each tile of the plurality of tiles to the sheet, the fastener including a bolt including a first half and a second half, the bolt extending between a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the second end of the bolt defining a receptacle between the first half and the second half with the protrusion positioned therein, wherein at least a portion of the first half and the second half of the bolt extend though the sheet opening, and a nut securing the first half of the bolt to the second half of the bolt.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2025Date of Patent: June 16, 2026Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ravindra Shankar Ganiger, Steven Clayton Vise, Michael Anthony Benjamin, Sibtosh Pal
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Patent number: 12584445Abstract: A gas turbine engine is provided. The gas turbine engine includes a turbomachine having a turbomachine having a compressor section, a combustor, and a turbine section arranged in serial flow order, the turbomachine further including an outer casing; and a fuel cell assembly positioned within the outer casing of the turbomachine, the fuel cell assembly including a fuel cell, an inlet line in fluid communication with an inlet of the fuel cell, and an output products line in fluid communication with an outlet of the fuel cell for receiving output products from the fuel cell, wherein the inlet line is positioned to be in thermal communication with the output products during operation of the gas turbine engine.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2024Date of Patent: March 24, 2026Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Honggang Wang, Brandon Wayne Miller, Michael Anthony Benjamin, Richard L. Hart, Randy M. Vondrell, Ryan St. Pierre
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Patent number: 12578095Abstract: A combustor for a gas turbine engine, the gas turbine engine defining a longitudinal centerline extending in a longitudinal direction, a radial direction extending orthogonally outward from the longitudinal centerline, and a circumferential direction extending concentrically around the longitudinal centerline, the combustor including: a forward liner segment; an aft liner segment disposed downstream from the forward liner segment relative to a direction of flow through the combustor, the forward and aft liner segments at least partially defining a combustion chamber; and an intermediate member disposed at least partially between the forward and aft liner segments and extending in the circumferential direction.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2024Date of Patent: March 17, 2026Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Karthikeyan Sampath, Pradeep Naik, Veeraraju Vanapalli, Perumallu Vukanti, Shai Birmaher, Daniel J. Kirtley, Deepak Ghiya, Rimple Rakeshkumar Rangrej, Saket Singh, Ravindra Shankar Ganiger, Hiranya Kumar Nath, Michael Anthony Benjamin, Rajendra Mahadeorao Wankhade
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Patent number: 12573647Abstract: A method for operating a fuel cell assembly, the fuel cell assembly including a fuel cell stack having a solid oxide fuel cell, the solid oxide fuel cell having an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte, the method including: determining a temperature setpoint for the fuel cell stack, for output products of the fuel cell stack, or both; and controlling a volume of oxidant provided to the anode in response to the determined temperature setpoint to control a temperature of the fuel cell stack, a temperature of the output products of the fuel cell stack, or both.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2022Date of Patent: March 10, 2026Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Honggang Wang, Michael Anthony Benjamin, Seung-Hyuck Hong, Richard L. Hart
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Patent number: 12567595Abstract: A combustion section includes a casing that defines a diffusion chamber. The combustion section further includes a combustion liner that is disposed within the diffusion chamber and that defines a combustion chamber. The combustion liner is spaced apart from the casing such that a passageway is defined between the combustion liner and the casing. The combustion section further includes a fuel cell assembly that is disposed in the passageway. The fuel cell assembly includes a fuel cell stack having a plurality of fuel cells. The plurality of fuel cells extend from an inlet end in fluid communication with the diffusion chamber to an outlet end extending through the combustion liner and in fluid communication with the combustion chamber.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2022Date of Patent: March 3, 2026Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Seung-Hyuck Hong, Richard L. Hart, Honggang Wang, Anil Raj Duggal, Michael Anthony Benjamin, Owen James Sullivan Rickey, Narendra Digamber Joshi, Hendrik Pieter Jacobus de Bock
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Publication number: 20250357507Abstract: A method for operating a fuel cell assembly, the fuel cell assembly including a fuel cell stack having a solid oxide fuel cell, the solid oxide fuel cell having an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte, the method including: determining a temperature setpoint for the fuel cell stack, for output products of the fuel cell stack, or both; and controlling a volume of oxidant provided to the anode in response to the determined temperature setpoint to control a temperature of the fuel cell stack, a temperature of the output products of the fuel cell stack, or both.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2025Publication date: November 20, 2025Inventors: Honggang Wang, Michael Anthony Benjamin, Seung-Hyuck Hong, Richard L. Hart
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Patent number: 12351329Abstract: A method for operating a propulsion system for an aircraft, the propulsion system including a gas turbine engine and a fuel cell assembly, the fuel cell assembly including a fuel cell stack having a fuel cell defining an outlet positioned to remove output products from the fuel cell during operation, the method including: executing a startup sequence for the fuel cell assembly, wherein executing the startup sequence for the fuel cell assembly includes initiating the startup sequence for the fuel cell assembly; executing a startup sequence for the gas turbine engine, wherein executing the startup sequence for the gas turbine engine comprises initiating the startup sequence for the gas turbine engine subsequent to initiating the startup sequence for the fuel cell assembly; and operating the fuel cell assembly to provide output products to a combustion section of the gas turbine engine.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2022Date of Patent: July 8, 2025Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Honggang Wang, Michael Anthony Benjamin, Seung-Hyuck Hong, Richard L. Hart
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Patent number: 12270340Abstract: A gas turbine engine is provided. The gas turbine engine includes a turbomachine having a compressor section, a combustor, and a turbine section arranged in serial flow order, the turbomachine further including an outer casing and, during operation of the gas turbine engine, an exhaust gas flow from the turbine section; and a fuel cell assembly positioned within the outer casing of the turbomachine, the fuel cell assembly having a fuel cell defining an inlet positioned to receive a portion of the exhaust gas flow, an outlet positioned to provide output products directly to the exhaust gas flow, or both.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2024Date of Patent: April 8, 2025Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Honggang Wang, Brandon Wayne Miller, Michael Anthony Benjamin, Richard L. Hart, Randy M. Vondrell, Ryan St. Pierre
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Patent number: 12261334Abstract: A gas turbine engine is provided. The gas turbine engine includes a turbomachine having a compressor section, a combustor, and a turbine section arranged in serial flow order, the turbomachine further including an outer casing; a fuel cell assembly positioned within the outer casing of the turbomachine, the fuel cell assembly including a fuel cell and an output products line in fluid communication with an outlet of the fuel cell for receiving output products from the fuel cell; a fuel delivery assembly including a fuel line; and a reformer in communication with the fuel line and the output products from the fuel cell during operation of the gas turbine engine to convert a fuel flow through the fuel line to a hydrogen rich gas.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2024Date of Patent: March 25, 2025Assignees: General Electric Company, General Electric Company Polska sp. z o.o.Inventors: Honggang Wang, Brandon Wayne Miller, Michael Anthony Benjamin, Richard L. Hart, Randy M. Vondrell, Ryan St. Pierre
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Patent number: 12240613Abstract: A combustion section defines an axial direction, a radial direction, and a circumferential direction. The combustion section includes a casing that defines a diffusion chamber. A combustion liner is disposed within the diffusion chamber and defines a combustion chamber the combustion liner is spaced apart from the casing such that a passageway is defined between the combustion liner and the casing. A fuel cell assembly is disposed in the passageway. The fuel cell assembly includes a fuel cell stack that has a plurality of fuel cells each extending between an inlet end and an outlet end. The inlet end receives a flow of air and fuel and the outlet end provides output products to the combustion chamber. The fuel cell assembly further includes an electrical circuit that is electrically coupled to the plurality of fuel cells and that extends through the casing.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2022Date of Patent: March 4, 2025Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Seung-Hyuck Hong, Richard L. Hart, Honggang Wang, Anil Raj Duggal, Michael Anthony Benjamin
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Publication number: 20250030020Abstract: A fuel cell assembly is provided, including a fuel cell stack having a fuel cell, the fuel cell having a cathode and an anode; and a multi-gas sensor configured to sense gas composition data of a flow of output products from the cathode, gas composition data of a flow of output products from the anode, gas composition data of a fluid surrounding the fuel cell, or a combination thereof to determine fuel cell leakage diagnostic information.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2024Publication date: January 23, 2025Inventors: Honggang Wang, Radislav A. Potyrailo, Michael Anthony Benjamin, Xiangdong Kong
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Patent number: 12202616Abstract: A propulsion system including: a fuel cell assembly having a fuel cell defining an outlet positioned to remove output products from the fuel cell and a fuel cell assembly operating condition; a turbomachine comprising a compressor section, a combustion section, and a turbine section arranged in serial flow order, the combustion section configured to receive a flow of aviation fuel from an aircraft fuel supply and further configured to receive the output products from the fuel cell; and a controller comprising memory and one or more processors, the memory storing instructions that when executed by the one or more processors cause the propulsion system to perform operations including receiving data indicative of a mid-flight flameout within the combustion section; modifying the fuel cell assembly operating condition in response to receiving data indicative of the mid-flight flameout within the combustion section; and initiating a relight of the combustion section.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2021Date of Patent: January 21, 2025Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Honggang Wang, Richard L. Hart, Michael Anthony Benjamin, Seung-Hyuck Hong
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Patent number: 12188128Abstract: A hydrocarbon fluid containment article having a wall with a surface that is wetted by hydrocarbon fluid. The surface includes an anti-coking coating. The anti-coking coating includes a copper salt, a silver salt, or a combination thereof. A gas turbine engine component including a wall having a first surface and an anti-coking coating on the first surface of the wall that is wetted by hydrocarbon fluid. The anti-coking coating including a copper salt, a silver salt, or a combination thereof that prevents the formation of gum or coke on a surface thereon. Methods for reducing the deposition of thermal decomposition products on a wall of an article are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2023Date of Patent: January 7, 2025Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Lawrence Bernard Kool, Bangalore Aswatha Nagaraj, Thomas George Holland, Alfred Albert Mancini, Michael Anthony Benjamin
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Patent number: 12170390Abstract: A method is provided for operating a propulsion system having a gas turbine engine and a fuel cell assembly. The fuel cell assembly includes a fuel cell. The method includes: receiving gas composition data of output products from the fuel cell; and controlling operation of the fuel cell assembly, the gas turbine engine, or both in response to the received gas composition data of the output products from the fuel cell.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2022Date of Patent: December 17, 2024Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Honggang Wang, Radislav A. Potyrailo, Michael Anthony Benjamin
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Patent number: 12152777Abstract: A combustor for a gas turbine engine, the gas turbine engine defining a longitudinal centerline extending in a longitudinal direction, a radial direction extending orthogonally outward from the longitudinal centerline, and a circumferential direction extending concentrically around the longitudinal centerline, the combustor including: a liner at least partially defining a combustion chamber, the liner including a dilution slot in fluid communication with the combustion chamber; and one or more guides configured to redirect cooling medium into the dilution slot.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2021Date of Patent: November 26, 2024Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ravindra Shankar Ganiger, Hiranya Kumar Nath, Perumallu Vukanti, Daniel J. Kirtley, Karthikeyan Sampath, Shai Birmaher, Pradeep Naik, Rajendra Mahadeorao Wankhade, Michael Anthony Benjamin, Veeraraju Vanapalli, Deepak Ghiya
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Publication number: 20240384873Abstract: Various embodiments include a trapped vortex combustor and a method for operating trapped vortex combustor. In one embodiment, the trapped vortex combustor comprises a trapped vortex combustion zone and at least one secondary combustion zone disposed downstream of the trapped vortex combustion zone. The trapped vortex combustion zone is operable to receive and combust a first fuel and a first air and produce a first combustion product flowing toroidally therein. The at least one secondary combustion zone is operable to receive and combust the first combustion product and at least one second injection consisting of fuel and/or air and produce at least one second combustion product therein. The combustor may reduce the residence time of the highest temperature combustion products and achieve the lower NOx emission.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2024Publication date: November 21, 2024Inventors: Gregory Allen Boardman, Michael Anthony Benjamin, Clayton Stuart Cooper, Joseph Zelina, Eric John Stevens
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Patent number: 12129789Abstract: A propulsion system is provided including: a propulsor; a turbomachine operable to drive the propulsor to generate thrust during operation; a fuel cell assembly configured to add power to the propulsor, the turbomachine, or both; and a multi-gas sensor operable with the turbomachine, the fuel cell assembly, or both for sensing gas composition data of a fluid flow in or to the turbomachine, the fuel cell assembly, or both, the gas composition data comprising data indicative of at least two gases and their concentrations.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2022Date of Patent: October 29, 2024Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Honggang Wang, Radislav A. Potyrailo, Michael Anthony Benjamin
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Patent number: 12123361Abstract: Systems and methods include a fuel cell stack extended around a combustion chamber that is configured to provide output products to the combustion chamber to achieve at least one of late lean injection and a desired combustor gas concentration distribution. The fuel cell stack is positioned at a downstream section of the combustion chamber along an axial direction.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2022Date of Patent: October 22, 2024Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Honggang Wang, Michael Anthony Benjamin
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Patent number: 12078350Abstract: A combustion section defines an axial direction, a radial direction, and a circumferential direction. The combustion section includes a casing that defines a diffusion chamber. A combustion liner is disposed within the diffusion chamber and defines a combustion chamber. The combustion liner is spaced apart from the casing such that a passageway is defined between the combustion liner and the casing. A fuel cell assembly is disposed in the passageway. The fuel cell assembly includes a fuel cell that extends between an inlet end and an outlet end. The inlet end receives a flow of air and fuel and the outlet end provides output products to the combustion chamber. The fuel cell extends at an angle between the inlet end and the outlet end relative to a radial projection line.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2022Date of Patent: September 3, 2024Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Seung-Hyuck Hong, Richard L Hart, Honggang Wang, Anil Raj Duggal, Michael Anthony Benjamin