Patents by Inventor Robert A. Steen
Robert A. Steen 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: 20240044261Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a gas turbine engine assembly having a compressor configured to increase pressure of incoming air, a combustion chamber, at least one turbine coupled to a generator, a torsional damper, and a controller. The combustion chamber is configured to receive a pressurized air stream from the compressor. Further, fuel is injected into the pressurized air in the combustion chamber and ignited so as to raise a temperature and energy level of the pressurized air. The turbine is operatively coupled to the combustion chamber so as to receive combustion products that flow from the combustion chamber. The generator is coupled to the turbine via a shaft. Thus, the torsional damper is configured to dampen torsional oscillations of the generator. Moreover, the controller is configured to provide additional damping control to the generator.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2023Publication date: February 8, 2024Inventors: Paul Robert Gemin, Thomas Lee Becker, Tod Robert Steen
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Patent number: 11802492Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a gas turbine engine assembly having a compressor configured to increase pressure of incoming air, a combustion chamber, at least one turbine coupled to a generator, a torsional damper, and a controller. The combustion chamber is configured to receive a pressurized air stream from the compressor. Further, fuel is injected into the pressurized air in the combustion chamber and ignited so as to raise a temperature and energy level of the pressurized air. The turbine is operatively coupled to the combustion chamber so as to receive combustion products that flow from the combustion chamber. The generator is coupled to the turbine via a shaft. Thus, the torsional damper is configured to dampen torsional oscillations of the generator. Moreover, the controller is configured to provide additional damping control to the generator.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2022Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Paul Robert Gemin, Thomas Lee Becker, Tod Robert Steen
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Patent number: 11702983Abstract: A power transmission system includes a shaft, a stator disposed within the shaft and substantially concentric with the shaft; and at least one supporting element positioned between the stator and the shaft and configured to support the shaft on the stator to reduce a vibration of the shaft and allow the shaft to rotate relative to the stator. A gas turbine engine including the power transmission system is also described.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2021Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Weize Kang, Richard Alan Wesling, Tod Robert Steen, Richard Schmidt
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Publication number: 20220282637Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a gas turbine engine assembly having a compressor configured to increase pressure of incoming air, a combustion chamber, at least one turbine coupled to a generator, a torsional damper, and a controller. The combustion chamber is configured to receive a pressurized air stream from the compressor. Further, fuel is injected into the pressurized air in the combustion chamber and ignited so as to raise a temperature and energy level of the pressurized air. The turbine is operatively coupled to the combustion chamber so as to receive combustion products that flow from the combustion chamber. The generator is coupled to the turbine via a shaft. Thus, the torsional damper is configured to dampen torsional oscillations of the generator. Moreover, the controller is configured to provide additional damping control to the generator.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2022Publication date: September 8, 2022Inventors: Paul Robert Gemin, Thomas Lee Becker, Tod Robert Steen
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Patent number: 11346243Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a gas turbine engine assembly having a compressor configured to increase pressure of incoming air, a combustion chamber, at least one turbine coupled to a generator, a torsional damper, and a controller. The combustion chamber is configured to receive a pressurized air stream from the compressor. Further, fuel is injected into the pressurized air in the combustion chamber and ignited so as to raise a temperature and energy level of the pressurized air. The turbine is operatively coupled to the combustion chamber so as to receive combustion products that flow from the combustion chamber. The generator is coupled to the turbine via a shaft. Thus, the torsional damper is configured to dampen torsional oscillations of the generator. Moreover, the controller is configured to provide additional damping control to the generator.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2017Date of Patent: May 31, 2022Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Paul Robert Gemin, Thomas Lee Becker, Tod Robert Steen
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Patent number: 11268446Abstract: A gas turbine engine and method of starting, the gas turbine engine having a rotor comprising at least a shaft mounted compressor and turbine, with a casing surrounding the rotor. The method comprises an acceleration phase, a bowed-rotor cooling phase, during the acceleration, and a combustion phase. The bowed-rotor cooling phase comprises a time where the rotational speed of the rotor is maintained below a bowed-rotor threshold speed until a non-bowed condition is satisfied, wherein the air forced through the gas turbine engine cools the rotor. The combustion phase occurs after the bowed-rotor cooling phase and upon reaching the combustion speed, wherein fuel is supplied to the gas turbine engine is turned on.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2019Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Joseph Daniel Garrett, III, Mark Edward Linz, Tod Robert Steen, Thomas Charles Swager, Andrew Todd Lehmann, Michael Scott McCambridge, Robert Charles Hon, Thomas Earl Gillingham, Daniel Roy Kiracofe, Kenneth Kirchmayer, Joseph Roger Broda, Kevin Richard Graziano, Steven Alan Ross, Amid Ansari
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Publication number: 20210381435Abstract: A power transmission system includes a shaft, a stator disposed within the shaft and substantially concentric with the shaft; and at least one supporting element positioned between the stator and the shaft and configured to support the shaft on the stator to reduce a vibration of the shaft and allow the shaft to rotate relative to the stator. A gas turbine engine including the power transmission system is also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2021Publication date: December 9, 2021Inventors: Weize KANG, Richard Alan WESLING, Tod Robert STEEN, Richard SCHMIDT
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Patent number: 11162428Abstract: A method of starting a gas turbine engine is generally provided. The engine includes a rotor assembly including a compressor rotor and a turbine rotor each coupled to a shaft. The rotor assembly is coupled to a bearing assembly within a casing enabling rotation of the rotor assembly. The method includes determining, based on a lubricant parameter, a period of time within which a rotational speed of the rotor assembly is maintained within a bowed rotor mitigation speed range; rotating the rotor assembly for the period of time within the bowed rotor mitigation speed range; and accelerating the rotor assembly to the combustion speed to ignite a fuel-oxidizer mixture for combustion.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2017Date of Patent: November 2, 2021Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Praveen Sharma, Shuvajyoti Ghosh, Narayanan Payyoor, Tod Robert Steen, Carl Lawrence MacMahon
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Patent number: 11131244Abstract: A power transmission system includes a shaft, a stator disposed within the shaft and substantially concentric with the shaft; and at least one supporting element positioned between the stator and the shaft and configured to support the shaft on the stator to reduce a vibration of the shaft and allow the shaft to rotate relative to the stator. A gas turbine engine including the power transmission system is also described.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2017Date of Patent: September 28, 2021Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Weize Kang, Richard Alan Wesling, Tod Robert Steen, Richard Schmidt
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Patent number: 11002335Abstract: A controllable magneto-rheological device includes an annular cylinder formed by inner and outer walls connected at first and second opposing ends and forming an inner shaft configured to receive an operational component of an engine, generator or other device including one or more rotating structures. A magneto-rheological fluid is provided to fill a volume between the inner and outer walls of the annular cylinder. A plurality of electro-magnetic coils are positioned around the outer wall of the annular cylinder. One or more current controllers are coupled to the plurality of electro-magnetic coils for introducing a current through each of the electro-magnetic coils and corresponding magnetic flux through the magneto-rheological fluid. A level of current provided to each of the plurality of electro-magnetic coils directly affects the viscosity of the magneto-rheological fluid and thus the stiffness and damping levels of the controllable magneto-rheological device.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2016Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Shuvajyoti Ghosh, Narayanan Payyoor, Surender Reddy Bhavanam, Richard Schmidt, Tod Robert Steen
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Patent number: 10823014Abstract: The present disclosure provides a turbine engine, comprising a core turbine engine comprising a turbine and a compressor adapted to be driven by the turbine via a rotor; as accessory gearbox connected with the rotor; and a flexible shaft having a first end connected with the accessory gearbox and a second end extending toward outside for being coupled to an external power source.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2017Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Tod Robert Steen
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Patent number: 10808574Abstract: A turbomachine assembly includes annular stator surrounding rotor circumscribed and rotatable about centerline axis. One or more non-axisymmetric partial arc annular circular stiffeners are disposed around and on stator and may be helical. Non-axisymmetric partial arc annular circular stiffeners may extend about one third to one half of a circumference, be hollow, and located over one or more blade stages of rotor. One or more annular mid-span flanges may be attached to stator and axially positioned within the hollow partial arc annular circular stiffeners. One or more masses or externals may be attached to the stator or to at least one of the one or more annular mid-span flanges between ends of partial arc annular circular stiffeners. Annular stator and rotor may have matching frequencies causing rotating stator waves rotating with rotor. The stator may be fan casing surrounding fan rotor or labyrinth seal land surrounding labyrinth seal teeth.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2016Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Leslie Louis Langenbrunner, Tod Robert Steen
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Patent number: 10746222Abstract: A damper assembly includes a bearing assembly including a radially outer surface. A housing surrounds the bearing assembly and includes a radially inner surface facing the radially outer surface. The radially outer and inner surfaces define a plurality of annuli therebetween. The damper assembly further includes a plurality of fluid supplies coupled in flow communication with the plurality of annuli and configured to deliver a fluid to each annulus of the plurality of annuli. Each fluid supply of the plurality of fluid supplies independently controls the fluid within the respective annulus.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2016Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Tod Robert Steen, Charles Stanley Orkiszewski
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Publication number: 20200240329Abstract: A gas turbine engine and method of starting, the gas turbine engine having a rotor comprising at least a shaft mounted compressor and turbine, with a casing surrounding the rotor. The method comprises an acceleration phase, a bowed-rotor cooling phase, during the acceleration, and a combustion phase. The bowed-rotor cooling phase comprises a time where the rotational speed of the rotor is maintained below a bowed-rotor threshold speed until a non-bowed condition is satisfied, wherein the air forced through the gas turbine engine cools the rotor. The combustion phase occurs after the bowed-rotor cooling phase and upon reaching the combustion speed, wherein fuel is supplied to the gas turbine engine is turned on.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2019Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventors: Amid Ansari, Joseph Roger Broda, Thomas Earl Gillingham, Kevin Richard Graziano, Robert Charles Hon, Kenneth Kirchmayer, Daniel Roy Kiracofe, Andrew Todd Lehmann, Michael Scott McCambridge, Tod Robert Steen, Thomas Charles Swager
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Patent number: 10724443Abstract: A method of operating a turbine engine that includes actuating a starter motor of the turbine engine such that a motoring speed of the turbine engine increases, and actuating a plurality of variable stator vanes of the turbine engine such that the plurality of variable stator vanes are at least partially open to control the motoring speed of the turbine engine.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2016Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert Charles Hon, Thomas Charles Swager, Andrew Todd Lehmann, Michael Scott McCambridge, Thomas Earl Gillingham, Joseph Roger Broda, Kevin Richard Graziano, Amid Ansari, Kenneth Lee Kirchmayer, Tod Robert Steen, Daniel Roy Kiracofe
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Patent number: 10502139Abstract: A method of starting a gas turbine engine having a rotor comprising at least a shaft-mounted compressor and turbine, with a casing surrounding the rotor includes an acceleration phase, a bowed-rotor cooling phase, during the acceleration, and a combustion phase. The bowed-rotor cooling phase comprises a time where the rotational speed of the rotor is maintained below a bowed-rotor threshold speed until a non-bowed condition is satisfied, wherein the air forced through the gas turbine engine cools the rotor. The combustion phase occurs after the bowed-rotor cooling phase and upon reaching the combustion speed, wherein fuel is supplied to the gas turbine engine.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2015Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Steven Alan Ross, Mark Edward Linz, Joseph Daniel Garrett, III, Amid Ansari, Joseph Roger Broda, Thomas Earl Gillingham, Kevin Richard Graziano, Robert Charles Hon, Kenneth Kirchmayer, Daniel Roy Kiracofe, Andrew Todd Lehmann, Michael Scott McCambridge, Tod Robert Steen, Thomas Charles Swager
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Patent number: 10337405Abstract: An apparatus and method of cooling a rotatable member enclosed within a casing are provided. The gas compressor includes a rotor, a plurality of stages of compression extending along said rotor from an inlet stage configured to receive a flow of relatively low pressure gas to an outlet stage configured to discharge a flow of relatively high pressure gas, a casing at least partially surrounding said plurality of stages, and a conduit extending radially inwardly from said casing to an area proximate said rotor.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2016Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Tod Robert Steen, Amid Ansari, Anthony Paul Greenwood
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Publication number: 20190186368Abstract: A method of starting a gas turbine engine is generally provided. The engine includes a rotor assembly including a compressor rotor and a turbine rotor each coupled to a shaft. The rotor assembly is coupled to a bearing assembly within a casing enabling rotation of the rotor assembly. The method includes determining, based on a lubricant parameter, a period of time within which a rotational speed of the rotor assembly is maintained within a bowed rotor mitigation speed range; rotating the rotor assembly for the period of time within the bowed rotor mitigation speed range; and accelerating the rotor assembly to the combustion speed to ignite a fuel-oxidizer mixture for combustion.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2017Publication date: June 20, 2019Inventors: Praveen Sharma, Shuvajyoti Ghosh, Narayanan Payyoor, Tod Robert Steen, Carl Lawrence MacMahon
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Publication number: 20190178108Abstract: The present disclosure provides a turbine engine, comprising a core turbine engine comprising a turbine and a compressor adapted to be driven by the turbine via a rotor; as accessory gearbox connected with the rotor; and a flexible shaft having a first end connected with the accessory gearbox and a second end extending toward outside for being coupled to an external power source.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2017Publication date: June 13, 2019Inventor: Tod Robert Steen
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Publication number: 20190136764Abstract: A power transmission system includes a shaft, a stator disposed within the shaft and substantially concentric with the shaft; and at least one supporting element positioned between the stator and the shaft and configured to support the shaft on the stator to reduce a vibration of the shaft and allow the shaft to rotate relative to the stator. A gas turbine engine including the power transmission system is also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2017Publication date: May 9, 2019Inventors: Weize KANG, Richard Alan WESLING, Tod Robert STEEN, Richard SCHMIDT