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).

  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8919137
    Abstract: An assembly for use in a late lean injection system of a combustor of a combustion turbine engine, 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 assembly comprising: a boss rigidly secured to the inner radial wall, the boss being configured to define a hollow passageway through the inner radial wall; a transfer tube slideably engaged within the boss; a stop formed on the transfer tube; and damping means positioned between the boss and the stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Richard Martin DiCintio, Patrick Benedict Melton, Lucas John Stoia
  • Publication number: 20140260280
    Abstract: An assembly for controlling a gap between a liner and a stationary nozzle within a gas turbine includes an annular liner having an aft frame that is disposed at an aft end of the liner, and a mounting bracket that is coupled to the aft frame. The assembly further includes a turbine having an outer turbine shell and an inner turbine shell that at least partially defines an inlet to the turbine. A stationary nozzle is disposed between the aft frame and the inlet. The stationary nozzle includes a top platform portion having a leading edge that extends towards the aft frame and a bottom platform portion. A gap is defined between the aft end of the aft frame and the leading edge of the top platform portion. The mounting bracket is coupled to the outer turbine shell, and stationary nozzle is coupled to the inner turbine shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Willis, Richard Martin DiCintio, Patrick Benedict Melton, Lucas John Stoia
  • Publication number: 20140260258
    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: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Patrick Benedict Melton, Lucas John Stoia, Richard Martin DiCintio
  • Publication number: 20140260277
    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: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Richard Martin DiCintio, Patrick Benedict Melton, Lucas John Stoia, Christopher Paul Willis, Ronnie Ray Pentecost
  • Publication number: 20140260318
    Abstract: A side seal slot extends along a one side of an aft frame for a combustion liner of a gas turbine. The side seal slot is at least partially defined between a downstream wall and an upstream wall that extend outward from the first side of the aft frame. A first segment of the upstream wall extends from an inner portion of the aft frame towards an outer portion of the aft frame at a first outward distance from the first side. A second segment of the upstream wall extends from the first segment to the outer portion of the aft frame at a second outward distance from the first side. The second segment of the upstream wall at least partially defines a side seal guide feature to allow for axial insertion of a bottom portion of a side seal into the side seal slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Willis, Richard Martin DiCintio, Ronnie Ray Pentecost, Christopher Crookshanks
  • Publication number: 20140260273
    Abstract: A combustion liner for a gas turbine combustor includes an annular main body having a forward end axially separated from an aft end, and a transitional intersection defined between the forward end and the aft end. The main body extends continuously from the forward end to the aft end. A plurality of fuel injector passages extend radially through the main body upstream from the transitional intersection. The main body comprises a conical section having a circular cross section that diverges between the forward end and the transitional intersection, and a transition section having a non-circular cross section that extends from the transitional intersection to the aft end of the main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Patrick Benedict Melton, Lucas John Stoia, Richard Martin DiCintio
  • Publication number: 20140260272
    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: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Richard Martin DiCintio, Patrick Benedict Melton, Lucas John Stoia, Christopher Paul Willis
  • Publication number: 20140260264
    Abstract: A system for controlling air flow rate of a compressed working fluid to a fuel injector of a combustor includes an outer casing that defines a high pressure plenum around a portion of the combustor, an extraction port in fluid communication with the high pressure plenum and an inlet port. The combustor includes a plurality of fuel injectors arranged around a combustion liner, an inner flow sleeve, an outer air shield that surrounds the plurality of fuel injectors and the inner flow sleeve. The outer air shield defines an injection an air plenum between the outer air shield and the inner flow sleeve and an inlet to the injection air plenum. An external fluid circuit provides fluid communication between the extraction port and the inlet port. A baffle extends between the outer casing and the outer air shield to provide flow separation between the inlet and the high pressure plenum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Lucas John Stoia, Patrick Benedict Melton, Richard Martin DiCintio
  • Publication number: 20140260319
    Abstract: A gas turbine comprises a compressor discharge casing that is coupled to an outer turbine shell. The compressor discharge casing includes a combustor opening that extends through the compressor discharge casing and an outer mating surface that circumferentially surrounds the combustor opening. The outer turbine shell defines an inner mating surface. A combustion module extends through the combustor opening. The combustion module includes a forward end that is circumferentially surrounded by a mounting flange and an aft end that is circumferentially surrounded by an aft frame. The mounting flange extends circumferentially around the combustor opening. The mounting flange is coupled to the outer mating surface of the compressor discharge casing and the aft frame is coupled to the inner mating surface of the outer turbine shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Patrick Benedict Melton, Lucas John Stoia, Richard Martin DiCintio, Christopher Paul Willis
  • Publication number: 20140260279
    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: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Richard Martin DiCintio, Wei Chen
  • Publication number: 20140260275
    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: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Patrick Benedict Melton, Lucas John Stoia, Richard Martin DiCintio
  • Publication number: 20140174090
    Abstract: A system for supplying fuel to a combustor includes a combustion chamber and a liner that circumferentially surrounds at least a portion of the combustion chamber. A plurality of fuel nozzles are radially arranged across the combustor upstream from the combustion chamber to supply a swirling flow of fuel into the combustion chamber. A first fuel injector downstream from the plurality of fuel nozzles provides fluid communication for fuel to flow through the liner and into the combustion chamber. The first fuel injector is circumferentially clocked with respect to the swirling flow of fuel in the combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Wei Chen, Richard Martin DiCintio, Hasan Karim, Ilya Alexandrovich Slobodyanskiy
  • Publication number: 20140144122
    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: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: 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
  • Publication number: 20140123660
    Abstract: A system includes a turbine combustor, which includes a first wall disposed about a combustion chamber, a second wall disposed about the first wall, and a third wall disposed about the second wall. The third wall is configured to combine an exhaust gas with an oxidant and the combustion chamber is configured to combust a mixture of a fuel, the oxidant, and the exhaust gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicants: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company, General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lucas John Stoia, Richard Martin DiCintio, Patrick Benedict Melton, Bryan Wesley Romig, Ilya Aleksandrovich Slobodyanskiy
  • Publication number: 20140123619
    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: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Richard Martin DiCintio
  • Publication number: 20140116053
    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: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Wei Chen, Lucas John Stoia, Richard Martin DiCintio
  • Patent number: 8695351
    Abstract: An annular seal for use between coupled combustor components includes a segmented annular solid edge portion and a plurality of alternating spring fingers and slots extending from the solid edge portion and arranged about a circumference of the solid edge portion, wherein one or more of the plurality of spring fingers or one or more of the plurality of straight and angled slots have non-uniform width dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Wei Chen, Donald Timothy Lemon, Mert Enis Berkman, Richard Martin Dicintio