Patents by Inventor Robert Thomas Thatcher
Robert Thomas Thatcher 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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Patent number: 9771864Abstract: A supercharging system for a gas turbine system is provided supercharging system having a fan mechanically coupled to the turbine shaft of the turbine system. A bypass subsystem is provided or optionally conveying a portion of the airstream output to other uses. The supercharging system may also be used in conjunction with a combined cycle power system and a bypass subsystem optionally conveys a portion of the airstream output to a heat recovery steam generator.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2012Date of Patent: September 26, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: John Anthony Conchieri, Robert Thomas Thatcher, Andrew Mitchell Rodwell
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Patent number: 9381462Abstract: A system for reducing emissions includes a gas production source that produces nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, hydrogen sulfide, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, formaldehyde, benzene, metal oxides, or volatile organic compound emissions. An exhaust plenum is downstream from the gas production source, and structure for dispersing a solvent is in the exhaust plenum. A collection tank is in fluid communication with the exhaust plenum to receive the solvent from the exhaust plenum, and a heat source is in the exhaust plenum downstream from the structure for dispersing the solvent. A method for reducing emissions from a gas production source includes flowing exhaust gases through an exhaust plenum, dispersing a solvent through a nozzle in the exhaust plenum, collecting the dispersed solvent in a collection tank, and heating the exhaust gases flowing through the exhaust plenum downstream from the nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2013Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert Thomas Thatcher, Gilbert Otto Kraemer, Andrew Mitchell Rodwell, Brett Matthew Thompson
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Patent number: 9056274Abstract: A system includes a gas production source configured to produce a gas stream comprising nitrogen oxides (NOx) and a hydrocarbon injector disposed downstream of the gas production source and configured to inject a hydrocarbon into the gas stream. The hydrocarbon is configured to oxidize molecules of the NOx in the gas stream to produce a higher order compound of nitrogen and oxygen (NyOz). The system also includes a removal device disposed downstream of the hydrocarbon injector. The removal device is configured to remove the NyOz from the gas stream via absorption or reaction.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2011Date of Patent: June 16, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Gilbert Otto Kraemer, Harish Radhakrishna Acharya, Robert Thomas Thatcher
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Publication number: 20150118014Abstract: The systems, methods, and computer-readable media set a gas turbine firing temperature to maintain gas turbine metal surface temperatures. In certain embodiments, a method of setting a gas turbine firing temperature is disclosed that may comprise determining a critical temperature at which ash from ash bearing fuels becomes unremovable by conventional water wash procedures, determining hot gas path component metal surface temperatures, and adjusting the gas turbine firing temperature to maintain the metal surface temperatures below the critical temperature. Determining the metal surface temperatures may be based at least in part on measured gas turbine parameters, gas turbine performance models, and empirical models.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2013Publication date: April 30, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Kevin Michael Elward, Scott Alan Kopcho, Robert Thomas Thatcher, Ariel Harter Lomas, Bradley Steven Carey, Clive Andrew Morgan
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Publication number: 20150000244Abstract: A system for reducing emissions includes a gas production source that produces nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, hydrogen sulfide, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, formaldehyde, benzene, metal oxides, or volatile organic compound emissions. An exhaust plenum is downstream from the gas production source, and structure for dispersing a solvent is in the exhaust plenum. A collection tank is in fluid communication with the exhaust plenum to receive the solvent from the exhaust plenum, and a heat source is in the exhaust plenum downstream from the structure for dispersing the solvent. A method for reducing emissions from a gas production source includes flowing exhaust gases through an exhaust plenum, dispersing a solvent through a nozzle in the exhaust plenum, collecting the dispersed solvent in a collection tank, and heating the exhaust gases flowing through the exhaust plenum downstream from the nozzle.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2013Publication date: January 1, 2015Inventors: Robert Thomas Thatcher, Gilbert Otto Kraemer, Andrew Mitchell Rodwell, Brett Matthew Thompson
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Publication number: 20140287367Abstract: A system for operating a combustor includes a sensor that measures an operating parameter associated with the combustor and generates a signal reflective of the operating parameter. The operating parameter is reflective of an ash deposition rate or an accumulated ash buildup. A controller receives the signal, compares the signal to a predetermined limit, and generates a control signal. A method for operating a combustor includes operating the combustor at a first power level that produces a first temperature that is less than or equal to a first predetermined temperature and creating a layer of ash. The method further includes measuring an operating parameter reflective of an ash deposition rate or an accumulated ash buildup, comparing the operating parameter to a limit, and operating the combustor at a second power level that produces a second temperature that is greater than or equal to the first predetermined temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2014Publication date: September 25, 2014Inventors: Robert Thomas Thatcher, Gilbert Otto Kraemer, Andrew Mitchell Rodwell, Matthew M. Scheid
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Publication number: 20140260287Abstract: Gas turbine firing temperature optimization based on a measured sulfur content of a fuel supply of the gas turbine system is provided. In one embodiment, a system includes a diagnostic system configured to determine a maximum firing temperature for a combustor of a gas turbine system. The diagnostic system may determine the maximum firing temperature based on a predetermined sulfur content to maximum firing temperature correlation and an actual sulfur content of a fuel supplied to the combustor. The diagnostic system may also be configured to provide an indicator for a change in an actual firing temperature in the combustor of the gas turbine system. The diagnostic system may provide the indicator in response to the determined maximum firing temperature differing from the actual firing temperature of the combustor of the gas turbine system.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Robert Thomas Thatcher, Bradley Steven Carey, Paul Burchell Glaser, Ariel Harter Lomas, Andrew Mitchell Rodwell
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Publication number: 20130318997Abstract: A supercharging system for a gas turbine system is provided supercharging system having a fan mechanically coupled to the turbine shaft of the turbine system. A bypass subsystem is provided or optionally conveying a portion of the airstream output to other uses. The supercharging system may also be used in conjunction with a combined cycle power system and a bypass subsystem optionally conveys a portion of the airstream output to a heat recovery steam generator.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2012Publication date: December 5, 2013Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: John Anthony Conchieri, Robert Thomas Thatcher, Andrew Mitchell Rodwell
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Publication number: 20130098049Abstract: A system includes a gas production source configured to produce a gas stream comprising nitrogen oxides (NOx) and a hydrocarbon injector disposed downstream of the gas production source and configured to inject a hydrocarbon into the gas stream. The hydrocarbon is configured to oxidize molecules of the NOx in the gas stream to produce a higher order compound of nitrogen and oxygen (NyOz). The system also includes a removal device disposed downstream of the hydrocarbon injector. The removal device is configured to remove the NyOz from the gas stream via absorption or reaction.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2011Publication date: April 25, 2013Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Gilbert Otto Kraemer, Harish Radhakrishna Acharya, Robert Thomas Thatcher
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Publication number: 20130045449Abstract: A system for operating a combustor includes a sensor that measures an operating parameter associated with the combustor and generates a signal reflective of the operating parameter. The operating parameter is reflective of an ash deposition rate or an accumulated ash buildup. A controller receives the signal, compares the signal to a predetermined limit, and generates a control signal. A method for operating a combustor includes operating the combustor at a first power level that produces a first temperature that is less than or equal to a first predetermined temperature and creating a layer of ash. The method further includes measuring an operating parameter reflective of an ash deposition rate or an accumulated ash buildup, comparing the operating parameter to a limit, and operating the combustor at a second power level that produces a second temperature that is greater than or equal to the first predetermined temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2011Publication date: February 21, 2013Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Robert Thomas Thatcher, Gilbert Otto Kraemer, Andrew Mitchell Rodwell, Matthew M. Scheid
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Patent number: 8359870Abstract: A flame-holding control method in a gas turbine having a combustor can and a fuel nozzle disposed in the combustor can. The method can include performing a first scheduled injection of a diluent stream into the nozzle, checking to see if a time period has exceeded a time threshold and in response to the time period being greater than that the time threshold, performing a second scheduled injection of the diluent stream into the nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2009Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert Thomas Thatcher, Joel Meador Hall, Andrew Mitchell Rodwell
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Publication number: 20110266726Abstract: In certain exemplary embodiments, a system includes a gas turbine system having a turbine, combustor, and a compressor. The system also includes an output flow path from the gas turbine system. The system further includes a blast furnace coupled to the output flow path, wherein output flow path is configured to deliver heated air or exhaust gas from the gas turbine system directly to the blast furnace as a blast heat source.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2010Publication date: November 3, 2011Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Richard Anthony DePuy, Robert Thomas Thatcher
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Publication number: 20110083444Abstract: A system includes a gas turbine compressor including multiple radial protrusions disposed about a circumference of the gas turbine compressor. Each radial protrusion includes multiple gaseous fuel injection orifices configured to inject gaseous fuel into the gas turbine compressor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2009Publication date: April 14, 2011Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Mahesh Bathina, Ramanand Singh, Gunnar Leif Siden, Andrew Mitchell Rodwell, Robert Thomas Thatcher
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Publication number: 20100287937Abstract: A flame-holding control method in a gas turbine having a combustor can and a fuel nozzle disposed in the combustor can. The method can include performing a first scheduled injection of a diluent stream into the nozzle, checking to see if a time period has exceeded a time threshold and in response to the time period being greater than that the time threshold, performing a second scheduled injection of the diluent stream into the nozzle.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2009Publication date: November 18, 2010Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Robert Thomas Thatcher, Joel Meador Hall, Andrew Mitchell Rodwell
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Publication number: 20100287944Abstract: Maintenance operations for a hot gas path of a gas turbine require shutdown and cooled down conditions. When a gas turbine is shut down, thermal gradients in the rotor cause stresses that limit the life of the major components. As the cooling rate is increased to reduce the time, the stresses are increased, reducing rotor life. A method and equipment are provided to reduce the overall cycle time for the maintenance, yet mitigate the life penalties, thereby providing greater power production while maintaining (or potentially extending) rotor life. The method includes small hold times during the turbine shutdown and startup and slower turbine ramp rates during cooldown and startup, which more than offset thermal stresses from a forced cooldown, considerably shortening the overall operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2010Publication date: November 18, 2010Inventors: Sam David Draper, David August Snider, Robert Thomas Thatcher
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Publication number: 20090044542Abstract: A gas turbine including a compressor, the gas turbine including a sensor for measuring a clearance of blades in the compressor; and a controller for receiving clearance information and using the information to control the gas turbine for prevention of at least one of a surge and rubbing of the blades.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2007Publication date: February 19, 2009Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Robert Thomas Thatcher, Samuel David Draper, Erin Kelly Bauknight, JR., Harold Lamar Jordan, JR.