Patents by Inventor Robert A. Simmons

Robert A. Simmons 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: 20120322013
    Abstract: A combustor housing includes an inlet cover plate having a central inlet configured to receive a supply of one of a high BTU content fuel or air and at least one radially-spaced, peripheral fuel inlet configured to receive a supply of a low BTU content fuel and an outlet cover plate having at least one radially-spaced, peripheral fuel outlet. The combustor housing also includes a peripheral sidewall joining the inlet cover and the outlet cover and enclosing a plenum, the at least one peripheral fuel inlet opening through the inlet cover plate into the plenum and the at least one fuel outlet opening from the plenum through the outlet cover plate. The central inlet opens into at least one conduit which extends away from the central inlet and opens into at least one high BTU content fuel conduit or air supply conduit that is axially aligned with the at least one fuel outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Joel Meador Hall, Sergey Adolfovich Oskin, Scott Robert Simmons
  • Publication number: 20120308948
    Abstract: A combustor nozzle includes a downstream surface having an axial centerline. A plurality of passages extend through the downstream surface and provide fluid communication through the downstream surface. A plurality of slits are included in the downstream surface, and each slit connects to at least two passages. A method for modifying a combustor nozzle includes machining a plurality of slits in a downstream side of a body. The method further includes connecting each slit to at least two passages that pass through the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Patrick Benedict Melton, Scott Robert Simmons, Russell DeForest, Donald Mark Bailey
  • Patent number: 8250809
    Abstract: A self-contained apparatus for aeroponically growing and developing plants that comprises a reservoir for containing a liquid nutrient solution, a conical tower, a power supply, and a pump to move the liquid nutrient solution through the apparatus. The apparatus utilizes a pump to move the liquid nutrient solution from the reservoir vertically to a distribution pipe. Gravity then pulls the liquid nutrient solution downward through the distribution pipe, which is sealed at the opposite end. The pressure created within the distribution pipe creates sufficient force to disperse the liquid nutrient solution through the opening(s) in the distribution pipe onto the exposed root mass. Once the nutrient solution has been dispersed into the conical tower it is absorbed by the exposed root mass. The un-absorbed liquid nutrient solution collects the in base of the conical tower and is returned to the reservoir to be reused.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Inventor: Robert Simmons
  • Patent number: 8220272
    Abstract: A combustor housing includes an inlet cover plate having a central inlet configured to receive a supply of one of a high BTU content fuel or air and at least one radially-spaced, peripheral fuel inlet configured to receive a supply of a low BTU content fuel. It also includes an outlet cover plate having at least one radially-spaced, peripheral fuel outlet. The combustor housing also includes a peripheral sidewall joining the inlet cover and the outlet cover and enclosing a plenum, the at least one peripheral fuel inlet opening through the inlet cover plate into the plenum and the at least one fuel outlet opening from the plenum through the outlet cover plate. The central inlet opens into at least one conduit which extends away from the central inlet and opens into at least one high BTU content fuel conduit or air supply conduit that is axially aligned with the at least one fuel outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joel Meador Hall, Sergey Adolfovich Oskin, Scott Robert Simmons
  • Patent number: 8161750
    Abstract: A turbomachine includes a compressor, a turbine, and a combustor operatively connected to the turbine. The turbomachine further includes a cap member mounted to the combustor. The cap member includes a first surface and a second surface. A combustion chamber is defined within the combustor. An injection nozzle is supported at the second surface of the cap member. The injection nozzle includes a first end that extends through an inner flow path to a second end. The first end is configured to receive an amount of a first fluid and the second end is configured to receive an amount of a second fluid. A mixture of the first and second fluids is discharged from the second end of the injection nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Scott Robert Simmons, Stephen Robert Thomas
  • Publication number: 20110209481
    Abstract: An end cover assembly for a combustor includes a first plate receptive of one of more combustor fuel nozzles and a second plate. One or more intermediate plates are located between the first plate and the second plate and define one or more cavities to distribute fuel to one or more combustor fuel nozzles. The first plate, the second plate, and the one or more intermediate plates are secured in a stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Scott Robert Simmons
  • Publication number: 20110107764
    Abstract: A method of assembling a fuel nozzle assembly for a gas turbine engine having a natural operating frequency includes providing a flange and providing a premix tube. The flange is fabricated from a first alloy such that the flange is configured to exhibit a first frequency that is different than the natural operating frequency of the gas turbine engine. The premix tube is fabricated from a second alloy such that the premix tube is configured to exhibit a second frequency that is different from the natural operating frequency of the gas turbine engine. The premix tube is coupled to the flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventors: Donald Mark Bailey, Scott Robert Simmons, Marcus Byron Huffman
  • Publication number: 20100199674
    Abstract: A fuel nozzle manifold comprising a flange, a stem and a swirler is provided. The flange has a first fluid inlet fluidly connected to a radially extending first flow passage, the stem includes at least a first axially extending and only partially circumferentially extending flow channel, and the swirler has at least a first radially extending premix passage. The flange and the stem can comprise a homogeneous component, or two separate components fluidly connecting the first axially extending flow channel to the first flow passage, to form a fluid connection between the flange and the stem, the swirler comprises another component fitted together with the flange and stem component and fluidly connecting the first premix passage and the first flow channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Stanley Kevin Widener, Scott Robert Simmons
  • Publication number: 20100187251
    Abstract: A infection control station includes: a mounting unit; a cover rotatably attached to the mounting unit, adapted to transition between an open position and a closed position; a pump adapted to dispense the hand sanitizer; a site window to view the hand sanitizer when the cover is in the closed position; an aperture adapted to dispense the towel; and a site window to view the towel when the cover is in the closed position. The station may also include a hinge that pivotally attaches a first side of the cover to the mounting unit; a lock that releasably secures a second side of the cover against the mounting unit; and a shelf that is accessible when the cover is in the open position and is not accessible when the cover is in the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventor: Robert Simmons
  • Publication number: 20100180603
    Abstract: A turbomachine includes a compressor, a turbine, and a combustor operatively connected to the turbine. The turbomachine further includes a cap member mounted to the combustor. The cap member includes a first surface and a second surface. A combustion chamber is defined within the combustor. An injection nozzle is supported at the second surface of the cap member. The injection nozzle includes a first end that extends through an inner flow path to a second end. The first end is configured to receive an amount of a first fluid and the second end is configured to receive an amount of a second fluid. A mixture of the first and second fluids is discharged from the second end of the injection nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Scott Robert Simmons, Stephen Robert Thomas
  • Publication number: 20100139238
    Abstract: A combustor housing includes an inlet cover plate having a central inlet configured to receive a supply of one of a high BTU content fuel or air and at least one radially-spaced, peripheral fuel inlet configured to receive a supply of a low BTU content fuel. It also includes an outlet cover plate having at least one radially-spaced, peripheral fuel outlet. The combustor housing also includes a peripheral sidewall joining the inlet cover and the outlet cover and enclosing a plenum, the at least one peripheral fuel inlet opening through the inlet cover plate into the plenum and the at least one fuel outlet opening from the plenum through the outlet cover plate. The central inlet opens into at least one conduit which extends away from the central inlet and opens into at least one high BTU content fuel conduit or air supply conduit that is axially aligned with the at least one fuel outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joel Meador Hall, Sergey Adolfovich Oskin, Scott Robert Simmons
  • Patent number: 7305893
    Abstract: An oscillating vane actuator for active control of fluid flow over a surface includes a pivoted vane surrounded by a wedge-shaped chamber, and first and second conduits with openings adjacent the surface. The actuator also includes a rotating shaft with a connecting rod to actuate the vane in a oscillatory manner. As the vane travels in one direction, fluid is forced out from the chamber through the first conduit and opening into the fluid stream adjacent the surface, while fluid is simultaneously drawn in through the second opening and conduit into the opposite side of the chamber. Similarly, when the vane travels in the opposite direction, fluid is forced out through the second conduit and opening into the fluid stream adjacent the surface, while fluid is simultaneously drawn in through the first opening and conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Arthur Gregory Powell, Jay Robert Simmons
  • Publication number: 20070125031
    Abstract: A column/beam, beam/beam interconnection in a building frame method. The interconnection of the method of the invention features (a) a pair of parallel-spaced, upright, planar plate components operatively associated with either a side of a column or a side of a beam, (b) an elongate, generally horizontal beam including a generally upright, planar central web with an end which, with respect to a pair of such plate components, extends into the space which exists between those components, and (c) a structural relationship in such a building frame associated with the plate components in a pair, which relationship accommodates (a) vertical-motion placement of a web end between components, with (b) the automatic establishment thereby of a correct relative, spatial, three-dimensional relationship and disposition of the plate components in the frame, and of the specific, associated column/beam and/or beam/beam elements so interconnected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Publication date: June 7, 2007
    Inventor: Robert Simmons
  • Publication number: 20070116730
    Abstract: A method of providing systemic analgesia to cats, dogs and other small mammals by the ophthalmic administration of opioids is disclosed. Compositions for use in such a method are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Publication date: May 24, 2007
    Inventors: Robert Simmons, Allan Weingarten, Yuping Li, Edward Whittem
  • Publication number: 20070117828
    Abstract: A method of providing systemic analgesia to cats, dogs and other small mammals by the otic or transdermal administration of opioids is disclosed. Compositions for use in such a method are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Publication date: May 24, 2007
    Inventors: Robert Simmons, Allan Weingarten, Yuping Li
  • Publication number: 20070073778
    Abstract: A system, and an associated methodology implemented by that system, for project component management in a defined-phase, plural-interrelated-component project.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Inventor: Robert Simmons
  • Publication number: 20060278800
    Abstract: A column-base, ground-moveable stand for stabilizing an elongate upright building-frame column, or the like, in a manner which creates and enables adjustable verticality for such a column's long axis. The stand includes (a) spaced, upper and lower, selectively openable/closeable clamping collar structures which are operable to grip the base of such a column at vertically spaced locations along the base of the column, with the collar structures, with respect to a gripped column, defining the disposition in space of the column's long axis, and (b) tilt-adjustable, load-spreading, ground-engaging, outrigger leg structures supportably joined to the collar structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Publication date: December 14, 2006
    Inventor: Robert Simmons
  • Publication number: 20060156676
    Abstract: A building frame including a load-bearing portion which is defined by a pattern of interconnected, elongate, upright columns and laterally extending beams, with each column taking the form of an assembly of hollow, tubular column components, at least some of which each possesses a nominally open, upper-end utility region, or port, extending upwardly beyond the top of the frame's load-bearing portion. Each such port, which is useable in different ways during and after initial building construction, accommodates, under different circumstances, the selective reception of a construction-extension instrumentality drawn from the list consisting of (a) an installable/removable crane structure, (b) a column-like element provided for the addition of selected building superstructure, and (c) additional building infrastructure which is feedable downwardly through the port toward a selected elevation in a “completed” building.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Publication date: July 20, 2006
    Inventor: Robert Simmons
  • Publication number: 20060150562
    Abstract: Column-beam building frame structure, wherein columns and beams are interconnected to distribute and share all lateral loads through collars that encircle columns at the nodal points of attachments between columns and beams. Each collar includes inner and outer components which seat, and gravity-lock together, during frame construction, and which also to offer a certain amount of immediate moment resistance to lateral loads. Tension bolt and nut assemblies lock the inner and outer collar components together, and with these assemblies in place, the collars (which circumsurround the beams) function to deliver beam moment loads as plural-position, angularly distributed compression loads to different side regions of columns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Publication date: July 13, 2006
    Inventors: Robert Simmons, Walid Hicham Naja
  • Patent number: D658537
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Inventor: Robert Simmons