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: 9568025
    Abstract: A compressed air energy storage system integrated with a source of secondary heat, such as a simple cycle gas turbine, to increase power production and to provide power regulation through the use of stored compressed air heated by said secondary heat to provide power augmentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: FASTLIGHT LLC
    Inventor: Robert J Kraft
  • Publication number: 20160341125
    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: August 4, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Robert J. KRAFT, Peter PERRI
  • Publication number: 20160319746
    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: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventors: Robert J. KRAFT, Steven QUISENBERRY, Scott AUERBACH
  • Publication number: 20160311613
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel apparatus and way for folding a shipping container in order to improve assembly and sealing of the shipping container. A foldable shipping container is provided having an overlapped region where adjacent walls are rotated into position and locked together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventors: THOMAS K. CHURBUCK, ROBERT J. KRAFT, RICHARD ROSMARIN, DAVID H. ROWE, JAMES K. WILLIAMS, JOSHUA J. KRAFT
  • Publication number: 20160312700
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to electrical power systems, including generating capacity of a gas turbine, and more specifically to pressurized air injection that is useful for providing additional electrical power during periods of peak electrical power demand from a gas turbine system power plant, as well as to inlet heating to allow increased engine turn down during periods of reduced electrical demand
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventor: Robert J. KRAFT
  • Publication number: 20160230665
    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: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: Robert J. KRAFT, Scott AUERBACH, Peter A. SOBIESKI
  • Patent number: 9388737
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to electrical power systems, including generating capacity of a gas turbine, and more specifically to pressurized air injection that is useful for providing additional electrical power during periods of peak electrical power demand from a gas turbine system power plant, as well as to inlet heating to allow increased engine turn down during periods of reduced electrical demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: POWERPHASE LLC
    Inventor: Robert J. Kraft
  • Publication number: 20160169105
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to electrical power systems, including generating capacity of a gas turbine, and more specifically to pressurized air injection that is useful for providing additional electrical power during periods of peak electrical power demand from a gas turbine system power plant, as well as to inlet heating to allow increased engine turn down during periods of reduced electrical demand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventor: ROBERT J. KRAFT
  • Publication number: 20160131030
    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: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventor: Robert J. KRAFT
  • Publication number: 20160130982
    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: November 6, 2014
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: ROBERT J. KRAFT, SCOTT AUERBACH
  • Publication number: 20160131031
    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 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: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: ROBERT J. KRAFT, SCOTT AUERBACH, PETER PERRI
  • Publication number: 20160090998
    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: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Robert J. KRAFT, Matthew KRAFT
  • Publication number: 20150240719
    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 from a power augmentation system and a motor-generator in selective operation with the power augmentation system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Inventors: ROBERT J. KRAFT, Peter Perri
  • Publication number: 20150240713
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to electrical power systems, including generating capacity of a gas turbine, and more specifically to pressurized air injection that is useful for providing additional electrical power during periods of peak electrical power demand from a gas turbine system power plant, as well as to inlet heating to allow increased engine turn down during periods of reduced electrical demand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Inventor: Robert J. Kraft
  • Publication number: 20150233296
    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: October 21, 2013
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Inventor: Robert J. Kraft
  • Publication number: 20150184593
    Abstract: The current invention provides several options, depending on specific plant needs, to improve the efficiency and power output of a plant at low loads, reduce the lower limit of power output capability of a gas turbine while at the same time increasing the upper limit of the power output of the gas turbine, thus increasing the capacity and regulation capability Of a new or existing gas turbine system. One aspect of the present invention relates to an energy storage and retrieval system for obtaining useful work from an existing source of a Gas Turbine (GT) power plant while preferably providing an efficient heated air inlet charger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Inventors: Robert J. KRAFT, Pete SOBIESKI
  • Publication number: 20150108121
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel apparatus for improving the structural integrity of a folding shipping container in order to improve safety and durability of the shipping container. A foldable shipping container is provided having an improved lower frame assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: JOSHUA J. KRAFT, ROBERT J. KRAFT
  • Publication number: 20140373551
    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: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: ROBERT J. KRAFT, Scott Auerbach
  • Publication number: 20140366547
    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: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Robert J. Kraft, Scott Auerbach, Peter A. Sobieski, Sergio A. Arias-Quintero
  • Publication number: 20140352318
    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: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventor: ROBERT J. KRAFT