Patents by Inventor Richard Martin DiCintio

Richard Martin DiCintio 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: 9360217
    Abstract: A combustion module for a combustor of a gas turbine includes an annular fuel distribution manifold disposed at an upstream end of the combustion module. The fuel distribution manifold includes an annular support sleeve having an inner surface. The combustion module further includes a fuel injection assembly having an annular combustion liner that extends downstream from the fuel distribution manifold and that terminates at an aft frame, and an annular flow sleeve that circumferentially surrounds the combustion liner. The flow sleeve extends downstream from the fuel distribution manifold and terminates at the aft frame. The flow sleeve extends continuously between the support sleeve and the aft frame. A forward portion of the flow sleeve is positioned concentrically within the support sleeve where the forward portion is slidingly engaged with the inner surface of the support sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Richard Martin DiCintio, Patrick Benedict Melton, Lucas John Stoia, Christopher Paul Willis, Ronnie Ray Pentecost
  • Patent number: 9353952
    Abstract: A crossfire tube assembly between adjacent combustors includes a first sleeve adapted to provide fluid communication from a first combustor and a second sleeve adapted to connect to provide fluid communication from a second combustor. The second sleeve extends at least partially inside the first sleeve. A bias is between the first and second sleeves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Brandon Taylor Overby, Keith Cletus Belsom, Jonathan Kay Allen, Kyle Eric Benson, Patrick Benedict Melton, Richard Martin DiCintio, Lucas John Stoia, Ronnie Ray Pentecost
  • Patent number: 9335052
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a combustor assembly for a pair of adjacent combustors includes a first passage formed in a liner of a first combustor and a flow sleeve disposed outside the liner of the first combustor, wherein the flow sleeve includes a window and a second passage aligned with the first passage. The assembly also includes a cross-fire tube disposed in the first passage to provide fluid communication between the first combustor and a second combustor and a retention clip disposed through the window to urge the cross-fire tube against an outer surface of the liner to enable the cross-fire tube to receive fluid through the first passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Richard Martin DiCintio
  • Patent number: 9322556
    Abstract: A flow sleeve assembly for a combustor of a gas turbine includes an annular support sleeve disposed at a forward end of the flow sleeve assembly. The support sleeve includes a forward portion axially separated from an aft portion. An aft frame is disposed at an aft end of the flow sleeve assembly. An annular flow sleeve extends from the aft portion of the support sleeve towards the aft frame. The flow sleeve includes a forward end that is axially separated from an aft end. The forward end of the flow sleeve circumferentially surrounds the aft end of the support sleeve. An annular impingement sleeve extends between the aft end of the flow sleeve and the aft frame. A forward end of the impingement sleeve is connected to the aft end of the flow sleeve, and an aft end of the impingement sleeve is connected to the aft frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Patrick Benedict Melton, Lucas John Stoia, Richard Martin DiCintio
  • Patent number: 9316396
    Abstract: A hot gas path duct or unibody liner for a gas turbine includes a main body having a forward end and an aft end. The main body defines a cross-sectional flow area and an axial flow length that extends between the forward end and the aft end. The main body further defines a fuel injection portion disposed downstream from the forward end and upstream from the aft end. The cross-sectional flow area decreases along the axial flow length between the forward end and the fuel injection portion and increases along at least a portion of the axial flow length downstream from the fuel injection portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Richard Martin DiCintio, Wei Chen
  • Patent number: 9316155
    Abstract: A system for providing fuel to a combustor of a gas turbine includes an annular fuel distribution manifold that at least partially defines a fuel plenum. The fuel distribution manifold includes a forward end axially separated from an aft end, a flange that extends radially outward and circumferentially around the forward end and an annular support ring that extends downstream from the flange. A LLI assembly extends downstream from the fuel distribution manifold. The LLI assembly includes a unibody liner that at least partially defines a primary combustion zone and a secondary combustion zone within the combustor. A LLI injector extends substantially radially through the unibody liner and provides for fluid communication through the unibody liner into the secondary combustion zone. A fluid conduit in fluid communication with the fuel plenum extends between the LLI injector and the fuel distribution manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Richard Martin DiCintio, Patrick Benedict Melton, Lucas John Stoia, Christopher Paul Willis
  • Patent number: 9310078
    Abstract: An assembly for use in a fuel injection system within a combustor of a combustion turbine engine is described. The assembly may include: a first port formed through an outer radial wall of the combustor and a second port formed through an inner radial wall. A plenum may be formed about the first port. A tube may be formed that has a first end positioned within the first port and a second end positioned within the second port. At the first end, the tube may be sized smaller than the first port such that two passages are defined therethrough: a first passage defined about an exterior of the tube; and a second passage defined through an interior of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Wei Chen, Lucas John Stoia, Richard Martin DiCintio
  • Patent number: 9291350
    Abstract: A system for supplying a working fluid to a combustor includes a fuel nozzle, a combustion chamber disposed downstream from the fuel nozzle, an inner flow sleeve that circumferentially surrounds the combustion chamber and a plurality of injectors circumferentially arranged around the inner flow sleeve. The plurality of injectors provide for fluid communication through the inner flow sleeve and into the combustion chamber downstream from the fuel nozzle. The system further includes an outer air shield that defines an injection air plenum that surrounds the plurality of injectors. An inlet passage extends through the outer air shield to define a flow path into the injection air plenum. An outer sleeve is slidingly engaged with the outer air shield. The outer sleeve has a first position that restricts flow through the inlet passage and a second position that increases flow through the inlet passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Patrick Benedict Melton, Lucas John Stoia, Richard Martin DiCintio
  • Patent number: 9249678
    Abstract: A transition duct for a combustor of a gas turbine generally includes a transition duct having a frame at an aft end of the transition duct. The frame generally includes a downstream end, a radially outer portion, a radially inner portion opposed to the radially outer portion, a first side portion between the radially outer and inner portions, and a second side portion opposed to the first side portion. A slot in the first side portion of the frame may have a downstream surface adjacent to the downstream end of the frame. A heat shield having an inner surface, an outer surface and a plurality of spacers may extend generally outward from the heat shield inner surface such that the inner surface is adjacent to the slot downstream surface and the frame downstream end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: John Alfred Simo, Patrick Benedict Melton, Richard Martin DiCintio, Christopher Paul Willis
  • Publication number: 20160017805
    Abstract: A combustor cap for a combustor chamber of a combustion system is provided. The combustor cap includes a plate member including: a plurality of openings for accommodating a plurality of fuel nozzles of the combustion system; a cooling passage extending through a plane of the plate member; an entrance opening to the cooling passage; and an exit opening from the cooling passage to a side of the plate member opposite to the combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Richard Martin DiCintio, Patrick Benedict Melton
  • Publication number: 20160003150
    Abstract: An igniter tip for a combustion system is provided. The igniter tip may include a central electrode; an insulator sleeve about the central electrode; and an outer electrode about the insulator sleeve, the outer electrode including a tubular wall having a cooling passage extending within the tubular wall, the cooling passage including an entrance opening and an exit opening to an exterior of the outer electrode. A combustion system may include the igniter tip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: Richard Martin DiCintio, Patrick Benedict Melton
  • Publication number: 20150285501
    Abstract: A system for cooling a fuel injector extending into a combustion gas flow field includes a liner that defines a combustion gas flow path within a combustor and a fuel injector that extends through the liner. The fuel injector includes a main body having an annular first portion that extends outward from the liner and a second portion that extends from the first portion inward into the combustion gas flow path. The main body defines a cooling channel that is fully circumscribed within the main body and that extends between the first portion and the second portion. A cooling air inlet is defined within the annular first portion and is in fluid communication with the cooling channel. A cooling air outlet is in fluid communication with the cooling channel and is defined within the second portion downstream from the cooling air inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Richard Martin DiCintio, Patrick Benedict Melton
  • Publication number: 20150285502
    Abstract: A fuel nozzle includes a center body that is at least partially surrounded by an outer shroud. The outer shroud is radially spaced from the center body to define a pre-mix flow passage therebetween. The outer shroud includes a main body that defines an inner side portion, an outer side portion and a forward end portion that is axially separated from an aft end portion. The main body further defines a cooling channel that is fully circumscribed between the inner side portion and the outer side portion and that extends at least partially between the forward end portion and the aft end portion. The main body also defines a cooling air inlet that is in fluid communication with the cooling channel and a cooling air outlet that is in fluid communication with the cooling channel downstream from the cooling air inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Richard Martin DiCintio, Patrick Benedict Melton
  • Patent number: 9151500
    Abstract: A system for supplying a working fluid to a combustor includes a combustion chamber and a flow sleeve that circumferentially surrounds at least a portion of the combustion chamber. A tube provides fluid communication for the working fluid to flow through the flow sleeve and into the combustion chamber, wherein the tube comprises an axial centerline. A first set of injectors are circumferentially arranged around the tube and angled radially with respect to the axial centerline of the tube, wherein the first set of injectors provide fluid communication for the working fluid to flow through a wall of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Wei Chen, Patrick Benedict Melton, Russell DeForest, Lucas John Stoia, Richard Martin DiCintio
  • Patent number: 9127552
    Abstract: A transition piece aft frame is provided and includes a manifold having an interior that is receptive of fuel and formed to define fuel injection holes configured to inject the received fuel from the manifold interior toward a main flow of products of combustion flowing through the manifold. The manifold includes a main body having an interior facing surface that faces the main flow of the products of the combustion and along which the fuel injection holes are defined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Richard Martin DiCintio, Patrick Benedict Melton
  • Patent number: 9127553
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are apparatuses, methods, and systems for transition piece contouring. In an embodiment, a high thermal stress section of a transition piece and a low thermal stress section of a transition piece is a determined. The low thermal stress section of the transition piece may be contoured to intercept hot gas flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Richard Martin DiCintio, Patrick Benedict Melton, Lucas John Stoia
  • Patent number: 9097130
    Abstract: A seal assembly for use between an injector and a combustion chamber in a gas turbine. A liner at least partially defines the combustion chamber, and the liner has at least one tubular liner collar, through which an injector is inserted. In one embodiment, the liner collar has a partially convex outer diameter and a floating collar is positioned at least partially around the liner collar. The floating collar has a retention member having a first end fixed to the floating collar and a second end configured to abut the convex outer diameter of liner collar, wherein the retention member maintains the floating collar at a radial distance from the injector less than a radial distance between the liner collar and the injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Willis, Richard Martin DiCintio, Lucas John Stoia
  • Patent number: 9097424
    Abstract: A system for supplying a working fluid to a combustor includes a combustion chamber, a liner that circumferentially surrounds at least a portion of the combustion chamber, and a flow sleeve that circumferentially surrounds at least a portion of the liner. A tube provides fluid communication for the working fluid to flow through the flow sleeve and the liner and into the combustion chamber, and the tube spirals between the flow sleeve and the liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Wei Chen, Lucas John Stoia, Richard Martin DiCintio
  • 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
  • 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