Patents by Inventor Paul Economo
Paul Economo 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: 11680709Abstract: A fuel injector is disclosed for reducing flashback. In an embodiment, the fuel injector may comprise an injector head with purge holes on a radial wall along a radial axis between an assembly axis of the fuel injector and a plurality of vanes arranged circumferentially around the assembly axis. In addition, the plurality of vanes may comprise fuel outlets connecting interior fuel passages to spaces between the vanes. The introduction of these purge holes near the bases of the vanes and the configuration and positioning of the fuel outlets in the vanes and elsewhere in the fuel injector may alter the stoichiometry (e.g., fuel-air ratio) within the premix passage of the fuel injector to reduce flashback. A plurality of such fuel injectors may be used in the combustor of a gas turbine engine.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2020Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignee: Solar Turbines IncorporatedInventors: Michael J. Ramotowski, Paul Economo, Christian Di Norscia, Donald J. Cramb, Nathan J. Kirksey
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Publication number: 20220128237Abstract: A fuel injector is disclosed for reducing flashback. In an embodiment, the fuel injector may comprise an injector head with purge holes on a radial wall along a radial axis between an assembly axis of the fuel injector and a plurality of vanes arranged circumferentially around the assembly axis. In addition, the plurality of vanes may comprise fuel outlets connecting interior fuel passages to spaces between the vanes. The introduction of these purge holes near the bases of the vanes and the configuration and positioning of the fuel outlets in the vanes and elsewhere in the fuel injector may alter the stoichiometry (e.g., fuel-air ratio) within the premix passage of the fuel injector to reduce flashback. A plurality of such fuel injectors may be used in the combustor of a gas turbine engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2020Publication date: April 28, 2022Applicant: Solar Turbines IncorporatedInventors: Michael J. Ramotowski, Paul Economo, Christian Di Norscia, Donald J. Cramb, Nathan J. Kirksey
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Publication number: 20210033028Abstract: This disclosure provides a seal assembly to provide a generally smooth transition from a combustion chamber to a turbine within a gas turbine engine. A seal body extends from the combustion chamber towards the turbine and is positioned to seal against unwanted flows between the combustion chamber and a compressed air chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2019Publication date: February 4, 2021Applicant: Solar Turbines IncorporatedInventors: Gareth W. Oskam, Paul Economo, Samantha Caldwell Rogers
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Patent number: 9927124Abstract: The present invention discloses a fuel nozzle assembly and method for axially staging fuel injection. The fuel nozzle assembly comprises a plurality of vanes connected to a core, with an annular ring connectedly surrounding the plurality of vanes. Fuel is directed through the core and then through the vanes and is injected at different axial planes generally perpendicular to an oncoming air stream to obtain a broad spectrum of gas residence time between the point of fuel injection and the flame.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2015Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: ANSALDO ENERGIA SWITZERLAND AGInventors: Peter Stuttaford, Chiluwata Lungu, Sumit Soni, Nicolas Demougeot, Justin Bosnoian, Kevin B. Powell, Paul Economo
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Patent number: 9851107Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel and improved apparatus and method for reducing the emissions of a gas turbine combustion system. More specifically, a combustion system is provided having a first combustion chamber and a premixer positioned proximate an outlet end of a combustion liner for mixing a second fuel/air mixture with hot combustion gases and burning the subsequent mixture to achieve reduced emissions levels. The premixer is positioned generally about the combustion liner and includes a plurality of channels and fuel injectors for introducing a fuel/air mixture, induced with a swirl, into a second, axially staged combustor.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2014Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: ANSALDO ENERGIA IP UK LIMITEDInventors: Peter John Stuttaford, Paul Economo, Stephen Jorgensen, Donald Gauthier, Timothy Hui
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Publication number: 20160281990Abstract: The present invention discloses a fuel nozzle assembly and method for axially staging fuel injection. The fuel nozzle assembly comprises a plurality of vanes connected to a core, with an annular ring connectedly surrounding the plurality of vanes. Fuel is directed through the core and then through the vanes and is injected at different axial planes generally perpendicular to an oncoming air stream to obtain a broad spectrum of gas residence time between the point of fuel injection and the flame.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2015Publication date: September 29, 2016Inventors: PETER STUTTAFORD, CHILUWATA LUNGU, SUMIT SONI, NICOLAS DEMOUGEOT, JUSTIN BOSNOIAN, KEVIN B. POWELL, PAUL ECONOMO
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Publication number: 20160018110Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel and improved apparatus and method for reducing the emissions of a gas turbine combustion system. More specifically, a combustion system is provided having a first combustion chamber and a premixer positioned proximate an outlet end of a combustion liner for mixing a second fuel/air mixture with hot combustion gases and burning the subsequent mixture to achieve reduced emissions levels. The premixer is positioned generally about the combustion liner and includes a plurality of channels and fuel injectors for introducing a fuel/air mixture, induced with a swirl, into a second, axially staged combustor.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2014Publication date: January 21, 2016Applicants: Peter John Stuttaford, Paul Economo, Donald Gauthier, Timothy HuiInventors: PETER JOHN STUTTAFORD, PAUL ECONOMO, STEPHEN JORGENSEN, DONALD GAUTHIER, TIMOTHY HUI
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Publication number: 20150226127Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to systems and method for fabricating a combustor end cover where the cover does not include braze joints within the cover. The combustor cover provides a configuration and method of manufacturing where all fuel and air annuli can be placed within the cover without requiring use of brazed inserts, which were previously known to crack and leak.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2015Publication date: August 13, 2015Inventors: KEVIN BRADY POWELL, David John Henriquez, Paul Economo
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Patent number: 8136359Abstract: Embodiments for minimizing relative thermal growth within a fuel nozzle of a gas turbine combustor are disclosed. Fuel nozzle configurations are provided in which a heating fluid is provided to one or more passages in a fuel nozzle from feed holes in the fuel nozzle base. The heating fluid passes through the fuel nozzle, thereby raising the operating temperature of portions of the fuel nozzle to reduce differences in thermal gradients within the fuel nozzle. Various fuel nozzle configurations and passageway geometries are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2007Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: Power Systems Mfg., LLCInventors: Peter Stuttaford, Paul Economo, Khalid Oumejjoud, Max Dufflocq, Hany Rizkalla
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Publication number: 20090145983Abstract: Embodiments for minimizing relative thermal growth within a fuel nozzle of a gas turbine combustor are disclosed. Fuel nozzle configurations are provided in which a heating fluid is provided to one or more passages in a fuel nozzle from feed holes in the fuel nozzle base. The heating fluid passes through the fuel nozzle, thereby raising the operating temperature of portions of the fuel nozzle to reduce differences in thermal gradients within the fuel nozzle. Various fuel nozzle configurations and passageway geometries are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2007Publication date: June 11, 2009Applicant: POWER SYSTEMS MFG., LLCInventors: Peter Stuttaford, Paul Economo, Khalid Oumejjoud, Max Dufflocq, Hany Rizkalla
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Patent number: 7299620Abstract: An ignition system having improved reliability for a gas turbine combustor is disclosed. The ignition system comprises an outer housing having at least one fuel passage and an electrode extending therethrough forming a generally annular passage for cooling air to pass to a mixing chamber. Fuel and air mix in the mixing chamber to form a combustible mixture that is ignited by the electrode. The outer housing further comprises a plurality of air swirl holes to effectively cool the walls of the mixing chamber as well as to provide improved flame stability.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2004Date of Patent: November 27, 2007Inventors: Peter Stuttaford, John Henriquez, Paul Economo
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Publication number: 20050284442Abstract: An ignition system having improved reliability for a gas turbine combustor is disclosed. The ignition system comprises an outer housing having at least one fuel passage and an electrode extending therethrough forming a generally annular passage for cooling air to pass to a mixing chamber. Fuel and air mix in the mixing chamber to form a combustible mixture that is ignited by the electrode. The outer housing further comprises a plurality of air swirl holes to effectively cool the walls of the mixing chamber as well as to provide improved flame stability.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2004Publication date: December 29, 2005Inventors: Peter Stuttaford, John Henriquez, Paul Economo