Patents by Inventor Richard C. Charron
Richard C. Charron 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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Publication number: 20170241277Abstract: A gas turbine engine has a movable interface that permits rotation of the inlet portion and cone. The movable interface moves within a surface of the flow sleeve that is designed to receive the movable interface. A sealing ring and groove located at the connection between the sealing ring and groove allow axial movement.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2016Publication date: August 24, 2017Inventors: Andrew Carlson, Richard C. Charron
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Patent number: 9593853Abstract: A duct arrangement in a can annular gas turbine engine. The gas turbine engine has a gas delivery structure for delivering gases from a plurality of combustors to an annular chamber that extends circumferentially and is oriented concentric to a gas turbine engine longitudinal axis for delivering the gas flow to a first row of blades A gas flow path is formed by the duct arrangement between a respective combustor and the annular chamber for conveying gases from each combustor to the first row of turbine blades The duct arrangement includes at least one straight section having a centerline that is misaligned with a centerline of the combustor.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2014Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY, INC.Inventors: Matthew D. Montgomery, Richard C. Charron, Gary D. Snyder, William W. Pankey, Clinton A. Mayer, Benjamin G. Hettinger
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Patent number: 9528706Abstract: A gas turbine engine can-annular combustion arrangement (10), including: an axial compressor (82) operable to rotate in a rotation direction (60); a diffuser (100, 110) configured to receive compressed air (16) from the axial compressor; a plenum (22) configured to receive the compressed air from the diffuser; a plurality of combustor cans (12) each having a combustor inlet (38) in fluid communication with the plenum, wherein each combustor can is tangentially oriented so that a respective combustor inlet is circumferentially offset from a respective combustor outlet in a direction opposite the rotation direction; and an airflow guiding arrangement (80) configured to impart circumferential motion to the compressed air in the plenum in the direction opposite the rotation direction.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2013Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY, INC.Inventors: Matthew D. Montgomery, Richard C. Charron, Jose L. Rodriguez, Bernhard W. Küsters, Jay A. Morrison, Alexander R. Beeck
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Patent number: 9476322Abstract: A transition duct assembly for a turbine engine includes a transition duct with an inner liner removably received therein. The duct is hollow with an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface. The duct can have an inlet end and an outlet end. The inner peripheral surface of the duct can be convergent along a majority of the length of the duct when moving from the inlet end to the outlet end thereof. The liner is hollow body with an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface. The outer peripheral surface of the liner can be correspondingly convergent to the inner peripheral surface of the duct. The inner peripheral surface of the liner can define an internal flow passage through the assembly. Such a construction permits the use of different materials for the liner and the duct and can allow the liner to be readily removed and replaced.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2012Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY, INC.Inventors: Richard C. Charron, Daniel J. Pierce
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Patent number: 9470422Abstract: A gas turbine engine ducting arrangement (10), including: an annular chamber (14) configured to receive a plurality of discrete flows of combustion gases originating in respective can combustors and to deliver the discrete flows to a turbine inlet annulus, wherein the annular chamber includes an inner diameter (52) and an outer diameter (60); an outer diameter mounting arrangement (34) configured to permit relative radial movement and to prevent relative axial and circumferential movement between the outer diameter and a turbine vane carrier (20); and an inner diameter mounting arrangement (36) including a bracket (64) secured to the turbine vane carrier, wherein the bracket is configured to permit the inner diameter to move radially with the outer diameter and prevent axial deflection of the inner diameter with respect to the outer diameter.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2013Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.Inventors: David J. Wiebe, Richard C. Charron, Jay A. Morrison
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Patent number: 9404421Abstract: A structural support system is provided in a can annular gas turbine engine having an arrangement including a plurality of integrated exit pieces (IEPs) forming an annular chamber for delivering gases from a plurality of combustors to a first row of turbine blades. A bracket structure is connected between an IEP and an inner support structure on the engine. The bracket structure includes an axial bracket member attached to an IEP and extending axially in a forward direction. A transverse bracket member has an end attached to the inner support structure and extends circumferentially to a connection with a forward end of the axial bracket member. The transverse bracket member provides a fixed radial position for the forward end of the axial bracket member and is flexible in the axial direction to permit axial movement of the axial bracket member.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2014Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY, INC.Inventors: Richard C. Charron, William W. Pankey, Clinton A. Mayer, Benjamin G Hettinger
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Patent number: 9388738Abstract: A casing for a can annular gas turbine engine, including: a compressed air section (40) spanning between a last row of compressor blades (26) and a first row of turbine blades (28), the compressed air section (40) having a plurality of openings (50) there through, wherein a single combustor/advanced duct assembly (64) extends through each opening (50); and one top hat (68) associated with each opening (50) configured to enclose the associated combustor/advanced duct assembly (64) and seal the opening (50). A volume enclosed by the compressed air section (40) is not greater than a volume of a frustum (54) defined at an upstream end (56) by an inner diameter of the casing at the last row of compressor blades (26) and at a downstream end (60) by an inner diameter of the casing at the first row of turbine blades (28).Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2011Date of Patent: July 12, 2016Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY, INC.Inventors: David J. Wiebe, David A. Little, Richard C. Charron
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Patent number: 9322335Abstract: An exit piece (66) with an inlet throat (67) that conducts a combustion gas flow (36A) in a path (82) from a combustor (63) to an annular chamber (68) that feeds the first blade section (37) of a gas turbine (26). The exit piece further includes an outlet portion (69) that forms a circumferential segment of the annular chamber. The outlet portion interconnects with adjacent outlet portions by hinges (78A, 78B, 80A, 80B). Each hinge may have a hinge axis (82A, 82B) parallel to a centerline (21) of the turbine. Respective gas flows (36A) are configured by an assembly (60) of the exit pieces to converge on the feed chamber (68) into a uniform helical flow that drives the first blade section with minimal circumferential variations in force.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY, INC.Inventors: Richard C. Charron, William W. Pankey
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Patent number: 9309774Abstract: An arrangement is provided for delivering gases from a plurality of combustors of a can-annular gas turbine combustion engine to a first row of turbine blades including a first row of turbine blades. The arrangement includes a gas path cylinder, a cone and an integrated exit piece (IEP) for each combustor. Each IEP comprises an inlet chamber for receiving a gas flow from a respective combustor, and includes a connection segment. The IEPs are connected together to define an annular chamber extending circumferentially and concentric to an engine longitudinal axis, for delivering the gas flow to the first row of blades. A radiused joint extends radially inward from a radially outer side of the inlet chamber to an outer boundary of the annular chamber, and a flared fillet extends radially inward from a radially inner side of the inlet chamber to an inner boundary of the annular chamber.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2014Date of Patent: April 12, 2016Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY, INC.Inventors: Richard C. Charron, David A. Little, Gary D. Snyder
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Patent number: 9200565Abstract: A can annular industrial gas turbine engine, including: a single-piece rotor shaft spanning a compressor section (82), a combustion section (84), a turbine section (86); and a combustion section casing (10) having a section (28) configured as a full hoop. When the combustion section casing is detached from the engine and moved to a maintenance position to allow access to an interior of the engine, a positioning jig (98) is used to support the compressor section casing (83) and turbine section casing (87).Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2011Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.Inventors: Gerald A. Myers, Richard C. Charron
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Patent number: 9175604Abstract: A gas turbine combustor (26) disposed in a combustion air plenum (65) and a transition piece (28) for the combustor disposed in a separate cooling air plenum (58, 67). The combustion air plenum may receive combustion air (50) from a high-pressure compressor stage (22A). The cooling air plenum may receive cooling air (52) from an intermediate-pressure compressor stage (22B) at lower temperature and pressure than the combustion air. This cools the transition piece using less air than prior systems, thus making the gas turbine engine (20) more efficient and less expensive, because less expensive materials are needed and/or higher combustion temperatures are allowed. The cooling air may exit the cooling air plenum through holes (62) in a downstream portion (61) of the transition piece. An outer wall (72) on the transition piece may provide forced convection along the transition piece.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2011Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.Inventors: Richard C. Charron, David A. Little
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Patent number: 9127554Abstract: An industrial gas turbine engine (10), including: a can annular combustion assembly (80), having a plurality of discrete flow ducts configured to receive combustion gas from respective combustors (82) and deliver the combustion gas along a straight flow path at a speed and orientation appropriate for delivery directly onto the first row (56) of turbine blades (62); and a compressor diffuser (32) having a redirecting surface (130, 140) configured to receive an axial flow of compressed air and redirect the axial flow of compressed air radially outward.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2012Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.Inventors: Richard C. Charron, Matthew D. Montgomery
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Publication number: 20150233582Abstract: A duct arrangement in a can annular gas turbine engine. The gas turbine engine has a gas delivery structure for delivering gases from a plurality of combustors to an annular chamber that extends circumferentially and is oriented concentric to a gas turbine engine longitudinal axis for delivering the gas flow to a first row of blades A gas flow path is formed by the duct arrangement between a respective combustor and the annular chamber for conveying gases from each combustor to the first row of turbine blades The duct arrangement includes at least one straight section having a centerline that is misaligned with a centerline of the combustor.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2014Publication date: August 20, 2015Applicant: SIEMENS ENERGY, INC.Inventors: Matthew D. Montgomery, Richard C. Charron, Gary D. Snyder, William W. Pankey, Clinton A. Mayer, Benjamin G. Hettinger
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Patent number: 9097117Abstract: A cooling system for a transition duct for routing a gas flow from a combustor to the first stage of a turbine section in a combustion turbine engine is disclosed. The transition duct may have a multi-panel outer wall formed from an inner panel having an inner surface that defines at least a portion of a hot gas path plenum and an intermediate panel positioned radially outward from the inner panel such that at least one cooling chamber is formed between the inner and intermediate panels. The transition duct may also include an outer panel. The inner, intermediate and outer panels may include one or more metering holes for passing cooling fluids between cooling chambers for cooling the panels. The intermediate and outer panels may be secured with an attachment system coupling the panels to the inner panel such that the intermediate and outer panels may move in-plane.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2010Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY, INCInventors: Richard C. Charron, Daniel J. Pierce, Jay A. Morrison, Ching-Pang Lee, Kenneth K. Landis, Walter Marussich
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Publication number: 20150204243Abstract: A structural support system is provided in a can annular gas turbine engine having an arrangement including a plurality of integrated exit pieces (IEPs) forming an annular chamber for delivering gases from a plurality of combustors to a first row of turbine blades. A bracket structure is connected between an IEP and an inner support structure on the engine. The bracket structure includes an axial bracket member attached to an IEP and extending axially in a forward direction. A transverse bracket member has an end attached to the inner support structure and extends circumferentially to a connection with a forward end of the axial bracket member. The transverse bracket member provides a fixed radial position for the forward end of the axial bracket member and is flexible in the axial direction to permit axial movement of the axial bracket member.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2014Publication date: July 23, 2015Inventors: Richard C. Charron, William W. Pankey, Clinton A. Mayer, Benjamin G. Hettinger
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Publication number: 20150198054Abstract: An arrangement is provided for delivering gases from a plurality of combustors of a can-annular gas turbine combustion engine to a first row of turbine blades including a first row of turbine blades. The arrangement includes a gas path cylinder, a cone and an integrated exit piece (IEP) for each combustor. Each IEP comprises an inlet chamber for receiving a gas flow from a respective combustor, and includes a connection segment. The IEPs are connected together to define an annular chamber extending circumferentially and concentric to an engine longitudinal axis, for delivering the gas flow to the first row of blades. A radiused joint extends radially inward from a radially outer side of the inlet chamber to an outer boundary of the annular chamber, and a flared fillet extends radially inward from a radially inner side of the inlet chamber to an inner boundary of the annular chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2014Publication date: July 16, 2015Applicant: Siemens Energy, Inc.Inventors: Richard C. Charron, David A. Little, Gary D. Snyder
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Publication number: 20150167986Abstract: A gas turbine engine can-annular combustion arrangement (10), including: an axial compressor (82) operable to rotate in a rotation direction (60); a diffuser (100, 110) configured to receive compressed air (16) from the axial compressor; a plenum (22) configured to receive the compressed air from the diffuser; a plurality of combustor cans (12) each having a combustor inlet (38) in fluid communication with the plenum, wherein each combustor can is tangentially oriented so that a respective combustor inlet is circumferentially offset from a respective combustor outlet in a direction opposite the rotation direction; and an airflow guiding arrangement (80) configured to impart circumferential motion to the compressed air in the plenum in the direction opposite the rotation direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2013Publication date: June 18, 2015Inventors: Matthew D. Montgomery, Richard C. Charron, Jose L. Rodriguez, Bernhard W. Küsters, Jay A. Morrison, Alexander R. Beeck
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Publication number: 20150107264Abstract: A gas turbine engine ducting arrangement (10), including: an annular chamber (14) configured to receive a plurality of discrete flows of combustion gases originating in respective can combustors and to deliver the discrete flows to a turbine inlet annulus, wherein the annular chamber includes an inner diameter (52) and an outer diameter (60); an outer diameter mounting arrangement (34) configured to permit relative radial movement and to prevent relative axial and circumferential movement between the outer diameter and a turbine vane carrier (20); and an inner diameter mounting arrangement (36) including a bracket (64) secured to the turbine vane carrier, wherein the bracket is configured to permit the inner diameter to move radially with the outer diameter and prevent axial deflection of the inner diameter with respect to the outer diameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2013Publication date: April 23, 2015Inventors: David J. Wiebe, Richard C. Charron, Jay A. Morrison
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Publication number: 20140260317Abstract: An exit piece (66) with an inlet throat (67) that conducts a combustion gas flow (36A) in a path (82) from a combustor (63) to an annular chamber (68) that feeds the first blade section (37) of a gas turbine (26). The exit piece further includes an outlet portion (69) that forms a circumferential segment of the annular chamber. The outlet portion interconnects with adjacent outlet portions by hinges (78A, 78B, 80A, 80B). Each hinge may have a hinge axis (82A, 82B) parallel to a centerline (21) of the turbine. Respective gas flows (36A) are configured by an assembly (60) of the exit pieces to converge on the feed chamber (68) into a uniform helical flow that drives the first blade section with minimal circumferential variations in force.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Inventors: Richard C. Charron, William W. Pankey
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Publication number: 20140060000Abstract: An industrial gas turbine engine (10), including: a can annular combustion assembly (80), having a plurality of discrete flow ducts configured to receive combustion gas from respective combustors (82) and deliver the combustion gas along a straight flow path at a speed and orientation appropriate for delivery directly onto the first row (56) of turbine blades (62); and a compressor diffuser (32) having a redirecting surface (130, 140) configured to receive an axial flow of compressed air and redirect the axial flow of compressed air radially outward.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2012Publication date: March 6, 2014Inventors: Richard C. Charron, Matthew D. Montgomery