Patents by Inventor Michael John Bowman

Michael John Bowman 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).

  • Publication number: 20090222194
    Abstract: A Miller cycle combustion engine capable of operating on multiple fuel types, and a method of operating the engine, is provided. The engine includes a fuel type determiner to determine the fuel type, and a compression adjustor to adjust the compression of a first cylinder of the engine to match the requirement of the determined fuel type. The compression adjustor is a variable valve timing system that provides a maximum compression when a fuel type requiring maximum compression is determined, and that advances or retards the opening of the intake valve to provide lower compression when a fuel type requiring lower compression is determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael John Bowman, Louis Andrew Schick
  • Publication number: 20090205334
    Abstract: Systems and methods may be provided for exhaust gas recirculation. The systems and methods may include receiving, via an intake section, inlet air at an input of a compressor, generating compressed air at the compressor using the received inlet air, and providing the compressed air from the compressor to a combustor, where the combustor produces combustion involving the compressed air and fuel. The systems and methods may also include receiving combustion products associated with the combustion at a turbine component, where the turbine component releases exhaust gases, and recirculating at least a portion of the exhaust gases to the intake section via a recirculation line, where the recirculated exhaust gases raise a temperature of the inlet air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Samer Aljabari, Michael John Bowman, Luciano Joseph Cerone, Scott Mordin Hoyte
  • Publication number: 20080309087
    Abstract: A power generation system includes a gas turbine system. The turbine system includes a combustion chamber configured to combust a fuel stream a compressor configured to receive a feed oxidant stream and supply a compressed oxidant to the combustion chamber and an expander configured to receive a discharge from the combustion chamber and generate an exhaust comprising carbon dioxide and electrical energy. The system further includes a retrofittable exhaust gas recirculation system including a splitter configured to split the exhaust into a first split stream and a second split stream, a heat recovery steam generator configured to receive the first split stream and generate a cooled first split stream and a purification system configured to receive the first cooled split stream and the second split stream and generate a recycle stream, wherein the recycle stream is mixed with the fresh oxidant to generate the feed oxidant stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Andrei Tristan Evulet, Ahmed Mostafa ElKady, Michael John Bowman
  • Publication number: 20080155984
    Abstract: A combined cycle system includes, a pre-steam-methane-reformer operating at a temperature of less than about 800 degrees Celsius to reform a mixed fuel stream to generate a first reformate stream, a water-gas-shift reactor to convert carbon monoxide in the first reformate stream to carbon dioxide and form a second reformate stream, a carbon dioxide removal unit for removing carbon dioxide from the second reformate stream and form a carbon dioxide stream and a third reformate stream; wherein less than about 50 percent of the carbon contained in the mixed fuel stream is recovered as carbon dioxide by the removal unit, a gas turbine unit for generating power and an exhaust stream, and a steam generator unit configured to receive the exhaust stream, wherein the heat of the exhaust stream is transferred to a water stream to generate the steam for the mixed fuel stream and for a steam turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Ke Liu, Michael John Bowman, Stephen Duane Sanborn, Andrei Tristan Evulet
  • Publication number: 20080134895
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating at least one component from a mixture of a plurality of chemical species is provided. The apparatus comprises a membrane structure comprising a plurality of pores disposed within a matrix material to allow mass transport from a first surface of the membrane structure to a second surface of the membrane structure. The matrix material has a thermal conductivity of at least about 10 W/m/K; and a functional material disposed within at least a portion of the plurality of pores. The functional material has the property of promoting selective transport of at least one species through the membrane structure from the first surface to the second surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: James Anthony Ruud, Michael John Bowman, Kalya Vijaya Sarathy, Mohan Manoharan, Anthony Yu-Chung Ku, Vidya Ramaswamy, Patrick Roland Lucien Malenfant
  • Patent number: 7384620
    Abstract: A hydrogen reforming system includes a cyclical compression chamber having an entry port for receiving hydrogen-containing gas and an exit port for delivering reformed hydrogen-containing gas, an arrangement for heating the hydrogen-containing gas to a non-combustible temperature, and a drive system for cycling the cyclical compression chamber. The cyclical compression chamber has an operational cycle with an internal pressure and temperature absent combustion effective for reforming the hydrogen-containing gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael John Bowman, Chellappa Balan, Andrei Colibaba-Evulet, Narayan Ramesh
  • Patent number: 7331179
    Abstract: A technique is disclosed for a system and method for combined production of power and hydrogen utilizing the heat from a first working fluid heated by a geothermal energy source using a steam generator and an electrolyzer designed to receive the steam produced by the steam generator for the production of hydrogen and oxygen using electrolysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Chellappa Balan, Michael John Bowman, Daniel Preston Smith, Charles Max Byrd
  • Publication number: 20080011160
    Abstract: A carbon dioxide separation system comprises a heat exchanger having a first flow path for directing a fluid comprising carbon dioxide, for example an exhaust gas, therethrough and a second flow path for directing a heat transfer fluid therethrough, a separator comprising a material with selective permeability of carbon dioxide for separating the first and second flow paths and for promoting thermal transfer and carbon dioxide transport therebetween, and a condenser for condensing the heat transfer fluid to isolate the carbon dioxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2006
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: MICHAEL JOHN BOWMAN, STEPHEN DUANE SANBORN, ANDREI TRISTAN EVULET, JAMES ANTHONY RUUD
  • Publication number: 20080011161
    Abstract: A carbon dioxide separation system comprises a first flow path for directing a fluid comprising carbon dioxide therethrough, a second flow path for directing a sweep fluid therethrough, and a separator comprising a material with selective permeability of carbon dioxide for separating the first and the second flow paths and for promoting carbon dioxide transport therebetween. A carbon dioxide separation unit is in fluid communication with the second flow path for separating the transported carbon dioxide from the sweep fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Matthias Finkenrath, Michael Adam Bartlett, Michael John Bowman, Andrei Tristan Evulet, Stephen Duane Sanborn, James Anthony Ruud, Ke Liu, Michael Anthony Shockling
  • Patent number: 7266940
    Abstract: A power generation system and method includes a first gas turbine system comprising a first combustion chamber configured to combust a first fuel stream of primarily hydrogen that is substantially free of carbon-based fuels. The first gas turbine system also includes a first compressor configured to supply a first portion of compressed oxidant to the first combustion chamber and a first turbine configured to receive a first discharge from the first combustion chamber and generate a first exhaust and electrical energy. The power generation system further includes a second gas turbine system comprising a second combustion chamber configured to combust a second fuel stream to generate a second discharge. The first compressor of the first gas turbine system is configured to supply a second portion of compressed oxidant to the second combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Chellappa Balan, Michael John Bowman, Joell Randolph Hibshman, II, Andrei Tristan Evulet, Jennifer Lynn Molaison
  • Patent number: 7260935
    Abstract: A low emission turbine includes a reverse flow can-type combustor that generally includes a primary and secondary fuel delivery system that can be independently controlled to produce low CO, UHC, and NOx emissions at design set point and at conditions other than design set point. The reverse flow can-type combustor generally includes an annularly arranged array of swirler and mixer assemblies within the combustor, wherein each swirler and mixer in the array includes a primary and secondary fuel delivery system that can be independently controlled. Also disclosed herein is a can-type combustor that includes fluid passageways that perpendicularly impinge the outer surface of a heat shield. Processes for operating the can-type combustors are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Andrei Colibaba-Evulet, Michael John Bowman, Simon Ralph Sanderson, Anthony John Dean
  • Patent number: 7261064
    Abstract: A combustion engine system comprises a plurality of cylinders configured to combust a mixed fuel to produce an exhaust gas and at least one reforming cylinder configured to receive a first portion of a fuel and deliver a reformed hydrogen-containing gas. The hydrogen-containing gas is introduced into a second portion of the fuel to form the mixed fuel to reduce emission from the combustion engine system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Shailesh Singh Bhaisora, Michael John Bowman, Sauri Gudlavalleti
  • Patent number: 6968693
    Abstract: A low emission turbine includes a reverse flow can-type combustor that generally includes a primary and secondary fuel delivery system that can be independently controlled to produce low CO, UHC, and NOx emissions at design set point and at conditions other than design set point. The reverse flow can-type combustor generally includes an annularly arranged array of swirler and mixer assemblies within the combustor, wherein each swirler and mixer in the array includes a primary and secondary fuel delivery system that can be independently controlled. Also disclosed herein is a can-type combustor that includes fluid passageways that perpendicularly impinge the outer surface of a heat shield. Processes for operating the can-type combustors are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Andrei Colibaba-Evulet, Michael John Bowman, Simon Ralph Sanderson, Anthony John Dean
  • Patent number: 6904747
    Abstract: A heat exchanger for a turbine is provided wherein the heat exchanger comprises a heat transfer cell comprising a sheet of material having two opposed ends and two opposed sides. In addition, a plurality of concavities are disposed on a surface portion of the sheet of material so as to cause hydrodynamic interactions and affect a heat transfer rate of the turbine between a fluid and the concavities when the fluid is disposed over the concavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Nirm Velumylm Nirmalan, Michael John Bowman
  • Patent number: 6815102
    Abstract: In energy management system is provided for a power generating device having a working fluid intake in which the energy management system comprises an electrical dissipation device coupled to the power generating device and a dissipation device cooling system configured to direct a portion of a working fluid to the electrical dissipation device so as to provide thermal control to the electrical dissipation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael John Bowman, Gautam (NMN) Sinha, Karl Edward Sheldon
  • Publication number: 20040191596
    Abstract: In energy management system is provided for a power generating device having a working fluid intake in which the energy management system comprises an electrical dissipation device coupled to the power generating device and a dissipation device cooling system configured to direct a portion of a working fluid to the electrical dissipation device so as to provide thermal control to the electrical dissipation device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael John Bowman, Gautam Sinha, Karl Edward Sheldon
  • Publication number: 20040040280
    Abstract: A heat exchanger for a turbine is provided wherein the heat exchanger comprises a heat transfer cell comprising a sheet of material having two opposed ends and two opposed sides. In addition, a plurality of concavities are disposed on a surface portion of the sheet of material so as to cause hydrodynamic interactions and affect a heat transfer rate of the turbine between a fluid and the concavities when the fluid is disposed over the concavities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Nirm Velumylum Nirmalan, Michael John Bowman
  • Patent number: 6415606
    Abstract: The method for turbocharging an engine of a locomotive in which the engine is operable at a plurality of discrete operating power levels includes controlling at least one of energy to a motor-assisted turbocharger at a plurality of discrete energy levels and air pressure from the motor-assisted turbocharger to the engine at a plurality of discrete air pressure levels above ambient air pressure based on at least some of the plurality of discrete operating power levels (e.g., low power levels) of the engine. Desirably, the method also includes controlling generation of electrical energy from the motor-assisted turbocharger at some of the plurality of discrete operating power levels (e.g., high power levels) of the engine. Apparatus for turbocharging a diesel engine of a locomotive incorporating the above methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael John Bowman, Gregory James Hampson, Anthony Holmes Furman
  • Patent number: 6353804
    Abstract: A method for predicting equipment performance. Input data representing an equipment parameter is obtained. The input data includes a range of values corresponding to the equipment parameter. The input data is provided to a model and a data set is generated corresponding to the model response to the input data. A set of equations is derived representing the data set. The set of equations is statistically processed to generate a probabilistic representation of equipment performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Michael John Bowman