Patents by Inventor Robert J. Kraft

Robert J. Kraft 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: 10982599
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel modular system and methods of operating an increased air supply to a gas turbine engine such that the upon supplying a source of external air to the system, a bias is added to the exhaust temperature such that a firing temperature with air injection is substantially equivalent to the firing temperature without air injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Powerphase International, LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Kraft, Scott Auerbach, Sergio A. Arias Quintero, James H. Leahy, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10900417
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to an electrical power and storage system and more specifically to ways and methods of using a thermal storage medium as a heat source to heat compressed air from a power augmentation system for use in a gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: PowerPHASE LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Kraft, Steven Quisenberry, Scott Auerbach
  • Patent number: 10794285
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel apparatus and methods for controlling an air injection system for augmenting the power of a gas turbine engine, improving gas turbine engine operation, and reducing the response time necessary to meet changing demands of a power plant. Improvements in control of the air injection system include ways directed towards preheating the air injection system, including using an gas turbine components, such as an inlet bleed heat system to aid in the preheating process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: PowerPHASE LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Kraft, Scott Auerbach
  • Publication number: 20200300127
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to electrical power systems or steam generator systems including generating capacity of a coal plant where specific emissions and power is improved with an alternately fueled engine driving one or more air processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Inventor: Robert J. KRAFT
  • Patent number: 10760490
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel modular cooling system for cooling an air injection system where the cooling system is configured to conform generally to the foot print of the air injection system. The cooling system utilizes a plurality of coolers through which coolant from the air injection system passes prior to being recirculated back to the air injection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: PowerPHASE LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Kraft, Scott Auerbach, Matthew Kraft
  • Patent number: 10711694
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to gas turbine engines used for electrical power generation. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention provide ways for improving gas turbine engine performance by reducing ice build-up on the inlet filter housing through heated air injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: PowerPHASE LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Kraft, Steven Quisenberry, Scott Auerbach
  • Patent number: 10677162
    Abstract: Electrical power systems, including generating capacity of a gas turbine, where additional power is generated from an air expander and gas turbine simultaneously from a stored compressed air and thermal system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: POWERPHASE LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Kraft, Matthew Kraft
  • Patent number: 10584637
    Abstract: A method of cooling a gas fueled engine driven intercooled air compressor comprises providing the intercooled air compressor, a gearbox, and the gas fueled engine. The method includes flowing a liquid coolant from a liquid coolant supply to each of the gearbox and an intercooler of the intercooled air compressor. The method comprises recombining the liquid coolant after the gearbox and the intercooler. The method includes directing the recombined liquid coolant via multiple paths to cool the gas fueled engine. The method comprises recombining the liquid coolant after the liquid coolant has passed through the multiple paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: POWERPHASE LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Kraft, Scott Auerbach, Peter A. Sobieski, Sergio Arias-Quintero
  • Publication number: 20200049073
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel apparatus and methods for providing a flow of cooling air to one or more turbine nozzles or turbine blade outer air seals. The flow of cooling air is provided by an external source and regulated in order to improve turbine nozzle and air seal cooling efficiency and component life.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Robert J. KRAFT, Peter PERRI
  • Patent number: 10526966
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel apparatus and methods for augmenting the power of a gas turbine engine, improving gas turbine engine operation, and reducing the response time necessary to meet changing demands of a power plant. Improvements in power augmentation and engine operation include systems and methods for preheating piping of a power augmentation system and directing flows of hot compressed air, steam or a combination thereof into the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: POWERPHASE LLC
    Inventor: Robert J. Kraft
  • Patent number: 10480418
    Abstract: Electrical power systems, including generating capacity of a gas turbine are provided, where additional electrical power is generated utilizing a separate engine and auxiliary air injection system. The gas turbine and separate engine can operate on different fuel types.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: POWERPHASE LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Kraft, Joshua Kraft
  • Patent number: 10443501
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel apparatus and methods for providing a flow of cooling air to one or more turbine nozzles or turbine blade outer air seals. The flow of cooling air is provided by an external source and regulated in order to improve turbine nozzle and air seal cooling efficiency and component life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: POWERPHASE LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Kraft, Peter Perri
  • Publication number: 20190234303
    Abstract: Gas turbine power plants augmented with an air injection system for hot air injection to augment power and are used to drive sensitive cogeneration processes are fitted with compressed air storage capability to more smoothly ramp on air injection in the event of sudden and unexpected interruption of the air injection system. Utilizing stored hot air injection prior to starting an air injection system significantly reduces the start-up time of the air injection system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventors: Robert J. KRAFT, Plazi RICKLIN
  • Patent number: 10364743
    Abstract: Electrical power systems, including generating capacity of a gas turbine, where additional power is generated from an air expander and gas turbine simultaneously from a stored compressed air and thermal system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: POWERPHASE LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Kraft, Matthew Kraft
  • Patent number: 10358979
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel apparatus and methods for augmenting the power of a gas turbine engine, improving gas turbine engine operational flexibility and efficiency, and reducing the response time necessary to meet changing demands of an electrical grid. Improvements in power augmentation and engine operation include systems and methods for providing rapid response given a change in electrical grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: POWERPHASE LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Kraft, Scott Auerbach, Peter A. Sobieski
  • Publication number: 20190186301
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel apparatus and methods for augmenting the power of a gas turbine engine, improving gas turbine engine operation, and reducing the response time necessary to meet changing demands of a power plant. Improvements in power augmentation and engine operation include systems and methods for preheating a steam injection system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: Robert J. Kraft, Scott Auerbach
  • Publication number: 20190072038
    Abstract: Electrical power systems, including generating capacity of a gas turbine, where additional electrical power is generated utilizing a separately fueled system during periods of peak electrical power demand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Inventor: Robert J. Kraft
  • Patent number: 10215060
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel apparatus and methods for augmenting the power of a gas turbine engine, improving gas turbine engine operation, and reducing the response time necessary to meet changing demands of a power plant. Improvements in power augmentation and engine operation include systems and methods for preheating a steam injection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: POWERPHASE LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Kraft, Scott Auerbach
  • Patent number: 10145303
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel apparatus and methods for augmenting the power of a gas turbine engine, improving gas turbine engine operation, and reducing the response time necessary to meet changing demands of a power plant. Improvements in power augmentation and engine operation include additional heated compressed air injection, steam injection, water recovery, exhaust tempering, fuel heating, and stored heated air injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: POWERPHASE LLC
    Inventor: Robert J. Kraft
  • Patent number: 10119472
    Abstract: Electrical power systems, including generating capacity of a gas turbine, where additional electrical power is generated utilizing a separately fueled system during periods of peak electrical power demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: POWERPHASE LLC
    Inventor: Robert J. Kraft