Patents by Inventor Patrick Benedict Melton

Patrick Benedict Melton 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: 9115585
    Abstract: A seal assembly is provided having a retention assembly attached to a first component, and a seal element secured by the retention assembly. The seal element comprises at least one leaf seal, and the leaf seal is comprised of a plurality of tabs in series with a plurality of slots. The seal assembly forms a flexible seal between the first component and a second component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Patrick Benedict Melton, David William Cihlar
  • Publication number: 20150226435
    Abstract: A system includes a multi-tube fuel nozzle assembly. The multi-tube fuel nozzle assembly includes a support structure defining an interior volume configured to receive an air flow. The combustor cap assembly also includes multiple mixing tubes disposed within the interior volume. Each mixing tube of the multiple mixing tubes is configured to mix air and fuel to form an air-fuel mixture. The multi-tube fuel nozzle assembly further includes a combustor cap coupled to the support structure. The combustor cap includes multiple furcating nozzles integrated within the combustor cap. Each furcating nozzle of the multiple furcating nozzles is coupled to a respective mixing tube of the multiple mixing tubes. Also, each furcating nozzle of the multiple furcating nozzles is configured to receive a flow of the air-fuel mixture and to partition the flow of the air-fuel mixture into multiple air-fuel mixture flows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Patrick Benedict Melton, James Harold Westmoreland, III, Timothy Purcell
  • Publication number: 20150198332
    Abstract: A combustion system is provided and includes an annular body defining a combustion zone and a fuel nozzle. The fuel nozzle includes a tubular element having a hollow interior and is disposable such that the hollow interior fluidly communicates with the combustion zone. The tubular element includes wall portions defining a channel disposable for fluid communication with at least one of the hollow interior and the combustion zone. The defined channel is pressurizable with coolant at a pressure exceeding that of the combustion zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Richard Martin DiCintio, Patrick Benedict Melton
  • Patent number: 9068750
    Abstract: The present application and the resulting patent provide a pre-nozzle mixing cap assembly positioned about a cap member of a combustor for mixing a flow of air and a flow of fuel. The pre-nozzle mixing cap assembly may include a fuel plenum in communication with the flow of fuel and a number of tubes in communication with the flow of air and extending through the fuel plenum. Each of the tubes may include a number of fuel holes therein such that the flow of fuel in the fuel plenum passes through the fuel holes and mixes with the flow of air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Joseph Rohrssen, Patrick Benedict Melton
  • Publication number: 20150159873
    Abstract: A compressor discharge casing assembly includes a diffuser disposed proximate an aft region of a compressor section, the diffuser configured to route a compressed airflow to an interior region of the compressor discharge casing assembly. Also included is a strut disposed in the interior region of the compressor discharge casing assembly and located proximate an exit region of the diffuser. Further included is a heat shield disposed proximate an upstream portion of the strut, the heat shield configured to reduce impingement of the compressed airflow on the strut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Patrick Benedict Melton, Richard Martin DiCintio
  • Publication number: 20150159872
    Abstract: A wake reducing structure includes a combustor liner having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface defining a combustor chamber. Also included is an airflow path located along the outer surface of the combustor liner. Further included is a wake generating component disposed in the airflow path and proximate the combustor liner, wherein the wake generating component generates a wake region located downstream of the wake generating component. Yet further included is a wake generating component boss operatively coupled to the combustor liner and disposed within a combustor liner aperture. Also included is a cooling channel extending through the wake generating component boss, the cooling channel having an air inlet on an upstream region of the wake generating component boss and an air outlet on a downstream region of the wake generating component boss, the cooling channel configured to supply air to the wake region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Patrick Benedict Melton, Richard Martin DiCintio
  • Publication number: 20150159877
    Abstract: A manifold mixing system for combustor of a gas turbine engine includes a fuel supply, a fuel injector coupled with the fuel supply, and a manifold mixer cooperable with the fuel injector and including mixing air inlets. The fuel injector is displaceable relative to the manifold mixer while being positioned to deliver fuel from the fuel supply to the manifold mixer. The manifold mixer is shaped to mix the fuel from the fuel supply with air input via the mixing air inlets for injection into the combustor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lucas John Stoia, Patrick Benedict Melton, Ronnie Ray Pentecost, William Francis Carnell, JR.
  • Patent number: 9052113
    Abstract: A combustor nozzle includes a downstream surface having an axial centerline. A plurality of passages through the downstream surface provide fluid communication through the downstream surface, and a downstream section of each passage has at least one of a frusto-conical or frusto-spherical shape. A method for modifying a combustor nozzle includes machining a downstream side of a body to remove a recast surface in a plurality of passages that provide fluid communication through the body. The method may further include machining a downstream section in each passage to form at least one of a frusto-conical or frusto-spherical surface in each passage proximate to the downstream side of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Scott Robert Simmons, Patrick Benedict Melton, Russell DeForest, Donald Mark Bailey
  • Patent number: 9046038
    Abstract: A combustor includes a breech end, a plurality of fuel nozzles connected to the breech end and extending downstream from the breech end, and a shroud that circumferentially surrounds the plurality of fuel nozzles inside the combustor. A support extends radially inside at least a portion of the shroud. A leaf spring is between the support and one or more of the plurality of fuel nozzles, wherein each leaf spring includes at least three leaves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Lucas John Stoia, Patrick Benedict Melton
  • Patent number: 9033699
    Abstract: A combustor includes a casing that surrounds at least a portion of the combustor and includes an end cover at one end of the combustor. An end cap axially separated from the end cover is configured to extend radially across at least a portion of the combustor and includes an upstream surface axially separated from a downstream surface. A plurality of tubes extends from the upstream surface through the downstream surface to provide fluid communication through the end cap. A cap shield extends axially from the end cover and circumferentially surrounds and supports the end cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Lucas John Stoia, Patrick Benedict Melton, James Harold Westmoreland, III
  • Patent number: 9016064
    Abstract: A combustor includes a breech end, a plurality of fuel nozzles connected to the breech end and extending downstream from the breech end; and a shroud that circumferentially surrounds the plurality of fuel nozzles inside the combustor. A support extends radially inside at least a portion of the shroud, and a lip seal is between the support and at least one of the plurality of fuel nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: William Michael Poschel, Patrick Benedict Melton, Lucas John Stoia
  • Patent number: 9016039
    Abstract: A combustor includes a combustion chamber that defines a longitudinal axis. A primary reaction zone is inside the combustion chamber, and a secondary reaction zone inside the combustion chamber is downstream from the primary reaction zone. A center fuel nozzle extends axially inside the combustion chamber to the secondary reaction zone, and a plurality of fluid injectors circumferentially are arranged inside the center fuel nozzle downstream from the primary reaction zone. Each fluid injector defines an additional longitudinal axis out of the center fuel nozzle that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lucas John Stoia, Patrick Benedict Melton, Bryan Wesley Romig
  • Patent number: 9010082
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a gas turbine engine includes a combustor, a fuel nozzle placed in an end of the combustor, and a passage configured to receive an air flow from a compressor discharge casing, wherein the passage directs the air flow into a chamber downstream of the nozzle, wherein a chamber pressure is lower than a compressor discharge casing pressure. The gas turbine engine also includes a flow control device configured to control the air flow from the compressor discharge casing into the passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lucas John Stoia, Patrick Benedict Melton, Predrag Peja Popovic
  • Patent number: 9010120
    Abstract: A transfer tube for use in a late lean injection system of a combustor, wherein the combustor includes an inner radial wall, which defines a primary combustion chamber downstream of a primary fuel nozzle, and an outer radial wall, which surrounds the inner radial wall forming a flow annulus therebetween, the outer radial wall including a late lean nozzle, the transfer tube including flow directing structure that defines a fluid passageway. At a first end, the flow directing structure may include an inlet and attachment means that attach the transfer tube to the late lean nozzle. The flow directing structure may have a configuration such that the fluid passageway spans the flow annulus and positions the outlet at a desirable injection point in the inner radial wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Richard Martin DiCintio, Patrick Benedict Melton, Lucas John Stoia
  • Patent number: 9010127
    Abstract: A transition piece aft frame assembly is provided, and includes a transition piece aft frame and a heat shield. The transition piece aft frame has an aft face. At least a portion of the aft face is exposed to an exhaust gas stream. The heat shield is connected to the transition piece aft frame. The heat shield is oriented to generally deflect the exhaust gas stream away from the aft face of the transition piece aft frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Willis, William Lawrence Byrne, David William Cihlar, Donald Timothy Lemon, Patrick Benedict Melton
  • Patent number: 9004912
    Abstract: A combustor includes an end cap having an upstream surface axially separated from a downstream surface. A cap shield circumferentially surrounds the upstream and downstream surfaces, tubes extend from the upstream surface through the downstream, and a plenum is inside the end cap. A first baffle extends radially across the plenum toward the cap shield, and a plate extends radially inside the plenum between the first baffle and the upstream surface. A method for supplying fuel to a combustor includes flowing a working fluid through tubes, flowing a fuel into a plenum between upstream and downstream surfaces, radially distributing the fuel along a first baffle, and axially flowing the fuel across a plate that extends radially inside the plenum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lucas John Stoia, Patrick Benedict Melton, James Harold Westmoreland, III
  • Patent number: 8997501
    Abstract: A system includes a combustor transition piece configured to mount between a combustor and a turbine of a gas turbine engine. The combustor transition piece includes a hollow body with an internal flow passage extending from an upstream end portion to a downstream end portion. The combustor transition piece also includes an aft frame coupled to the downstream end portion of the hollow body, an aft flange coupled to the aft frame, and a mounting lug removably coupled to the aft frame at a first joint. The mounting lug is configured to removably couple to a mounting bracket at a second joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David William Cihlar, Patrick Benedict Melton, John Drake Vanselow
  • Publication number: 20150082795
    Abstract: An aft frame for a transition duct of a gas turbine combustor includes a main body having an outer rail, an inner rail, a first side rail circumferentially separated from an opposing second side rail, a forward portion, an aft portion and an outer surface. An inlet port extends through the outer surface and an exhaust port extends through the forward portion. A serpentine cooling passage is defined within the main body beneath the outer surface. The serpentine cooling passage is in fluid communication with the inlet port and the exhaust port. A conduit may be connected to the exhaust port for routing a compressed working fluid away from aft frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Elizabeth Angelyn Fadde, Patrick Benedict Melton, David William Cihlar, Richard Martin DiCintio
  • Publication number: 20150082806
    Abstract: The present application provides a fuel plenum for a micro-mixer combustor. The fuel plenum may include a first assembly plate with a first assembly plate aperture, a second assembly plate with a second assembly plate aperture, a fuel tube extending through the first assembly plate aperture of the first assembly plate and the second assembly plate aperture of the second assembly plate, and an installation insert positioned between the fuel tube and the first assembly plate aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Willis, Patrick Benedict Melton, Lucas John Stoia
  • Patent number: 8966903
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present disclosure include a combustor resonator having a non-uniform annulus between a combustor assembly and a resonator shell. The combustor resonator may further include resonator necks or passages having non-uniform lengths and geometries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mohan Krishna Bobba, Kwanwoo Kim, Patrick Benedict Melton, Carolyn Ashley Antoniono