Patents by Inventor Philip L. Andrew

Philip L. Andrew 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: 8475117
    Abstract: The present application provides a compressor for a gas turbine. The compressor may include a number of rotor wheels positioned about a compressor aft section having a low alloy material, a number of inlet guide vanes positioned about a compressor inlet section, and a wet compression system positioned about the compressor inlet section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Philip L. Andrew
  • Patent number: 8474271
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a gas turbine are disclosed. The gas turbine can include a compressor oversized in airflow capacity and one or variable blade rows to control the airflow into the compressor. The position of the variable blade rows can be controlled according to a nominal variable blade row schedule that is defined to throttle down the variable blade rows to provide nominal flow into the compressor. The positions of the variable blade rows can be adjusted from the nominal positions set forth in the variable blade row schedule pursuant to a request to operate the gas turbine system in either a controlled output mode or in a frequency compensation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christopher Edward Miller, Philip L. Andrew
  • Publication number: 20130038072
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a gas turbine are disclosed. The gas turbine can include a compressor oversized in airflow capacity and one or variable blade rows to control the airflow into the compressor. The position of the variable blade rows can be controlled according to a nominal variable blade row schedule that is defined to throttle down the variable blade rows to provide nominal flow into the compressor. The positions of the variable blade rows can be adjusted from the nominal positions set forth in the variable blade row schedule pursuant to a request to operate the gas turbine system in either a controlled output mode or in a frequency compensation mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Christopher Edward Miller, Philip L. Andrew
  • Patent number: 8262345
    Abstract: In one embodiment a transition section for a turbine engine is provided that includes one or more components constructed of a ceramic matrix composite. The transition section may fluidly connect a high-pressure turbine and a low-pressure turbine within the gas turbine engine. The transition section may include a transition duct and a variable area turbine nozzle. One or both of the transition duct and the variable area turbine nozzle may be constructed of the ceramic matrix composite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Philip L. Andrew
  • Patent number: 8177476
    Abstract: A system, in certain embodiments, includes a magnetic actuator configured to adjust a radial clearance between a housing and rotary blades via translational movement along a rotational axis. The system includes a controller configured to engage the magnetic actuator to adjust the radial clearance in response to feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Philip L. Andrew, James M. Fogarty
  • Publication number: 20110110758
    Abstract: The present application provides a compressor for a gas turbine. The compressor may include a number of rotor wheels positioned about a compressor aft section having a low alloy material, a number of inlet guide vanes positioned about a compressor inlet section, and a wet compression system positioned about the compressor inlet section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Philip L. Andrew
  • Publication number: 20100247283
    Abstract: A system, in certain embodiments, includes a magnetic actuator configured to adjust a radial clearance between a housing and rotary blades via translational movement along a rotational axis. The system includes a controller configured to engage the magnetic actuator to adjust the radial clearance in response to feedback.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Philip L. Andrew, James M. Fogarty
  • Publication number: 20100202873
    Abstract: In one embodiment a transition section for a turbine engine is provided that includes one or more components constructed of a ceramic matrix composite. The transition section may fluidly connect a high-pressure turbine and a low-pressure turbine within the gas turbine engine. The transition section may include a transition duct and a variable area turbine nozzle. One or both of the transition duct and the variable area turbine nozzle may be constructed of the ceramic matrix composite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Philip L. Andrew
  • Patent number: 6364602
    Abstract: A transfer function between the inlet air-flow consumed by a Gas Turbine engine, and the engine parameters of speed, pressure ratio, and Inlet Guide Vane (IGV) angle is described. An active compressor Operating Limit Line (OLL) management strategy that leverages this improved flow measurement transfer function is also described. The improved flow measurement capability afforded by the transfer function permits a deterioration in flow rate caused by compressor fouling to be detected. Using the deterioration in flow rate as a proxy for compressor fouling, a degraded surge boundary associated with fouling can be predicted, using a transfer function between degradation of air-flow along operating line and degradation of surge line. In combination, the inventive improvements in flow measurement and operating line management afford added compressor surge protection across the operating range, while permitting the attainment of elevated pressure ratios associated with high thermodynamic efficiency and output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Philip L. Andrew, Chung-hei Yeung, Joseph A. Cotroneo, John David Stampfli
  • Patent number: 6362545
    Abstract: In a dynamoelectric machine, stacked turns are provided with registering openings for the flow of a cooling medium from a subslot radially within the rotor in a direction radially outwardly to cool the turns. Turbulators are provided in each of the turns to enhance the turbulent flow of the cooling medium which enhances the heat transfer between the heated turn and the cooling medium. The turbulators are formed by a coining operation after the openings are punched through the turn to form an inwardly directed rib effecting turbulent flow in that region and enhanced cooling effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Aleksandar Prole, Philip L. Andrew
  • Patent number: 5685063
    Abstract: In a dynamoelectric machine, stacked turns are provided with registering openings for the flow of a cooling medium from a subslot radially within the rotor in a direction radially outwardly to cool the turns. Turbulators are provided in each of the turns to enhance the turbulent flow of the cooling medium which enhances the heat transfer between the heated turn and the cooling medium. The turbulators are formed by a coining operation after the openings are punched through the turn to form an inwardly directed rib effecting turbulent flow in that region and enhanced cooling effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Aleksandar Prole, Philip L. Andrew