Patents by Inventor Sanji Ekanayake

Sanji Ekanayake 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: 20140210984
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems, apparatuses, and methods for monitoring fluid passage. In an embodiment, a device may receive a thermographic image of a region comprising a fluid passage. Subsequently the device may determine that the thermographic image comprises an image pattern indicative of a degraded portion of the fluid passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Douglas Corbin Warwick, Alston Ilford Scipio, Eduardo Mendoza, Peter Matthijs Jolles, Sanji Ekanayake
  • Publication number: 20140208759
    Abstract: A lubrication system for a heavy duty gas turbine includes a bearing lubrication assembly coupled to the bearing and an oil and vapor extraction assembly disposed in a cavity defined by a bell mouth hood in an air inlet duct. A high volume vacuum blower is coupled to the oil and vapor extraction assembly to provide a relative negative pressure. An oil and vapor separator is disposed downstream from the high volume vacuum blower. The lubrication system also includes a control subsystem that maintains a cavity pressure lower than an air inlet pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Sanji Ekanayake, Alston Ilford Scipio
  • Publication number: 20140208765
    Abstract: A system and method for supercharging a combined cycle system includes a forced draft fan providing a variable air flow. At least a first portion of the air flow is directed to a compressor and a second portion of the airflow is diverted to a heat recovery steam generator. A control system controls the airflows provided to the compressor and the heat recovery steam generator. The system allows a combined cycle system to be operated at a desired operating state, balancing cycle efficiency and component life, by controlling the flow of air from the forced draft fan to the compressor and the heat recovery steam generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Sanji Ekanayake, Alston Ilford Scipio, Steven Hartman, Dale J. Davis
  • Publication number: 20140210217
    Abstract: A system and method is provided that improves the under frequency response of gas turbines by providing a fast-response power augmentation system. The system includes a tank storing a blended mixture of motive fuel such as ethanol or methanol and demineralized water in a predetermined ratio that is provided as a diluent to be injected into the compressor bellmouth, the Compressor Discharge Chamber (CDC), and/or the combustion system via one to three dedicated circuits. To achieve the instantaneous injection of the diluent at the correct pressure and for the appropriate duration to meet the needs of the gas turbine Grid compliance mandate, an accumulator is used as the motive force to drive the augmentation fluid in the dedicated circuits. The injected diluent is microprocessor controlled to either be simultaneous into all three circuits or is sequenced based on a determination of the best turbine control and performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Alston Ilford Scipio, Dale J. Davis, Steven Hartman, Sanji Ekanayake, Paul Robert Fernandez
  • Publication number: 20140202334
    Abstract: A filter system and method utilizing a plurality of filters each with an electrically conductive material portion for conducting an electric current while the filter maintains a tight seal and for not conducting the electric current when the filter does not maintain the tight seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: BHA Altair, LLC
    Inventors: Alston Ilford Scipio, Sanji Ekanayake, Luis Alberto Soto Romero
  • Publication number: 20140174163
    Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring fouling in a gas turbine compressor include a conductivity resistance sensor disposed in a compressor inlet mouth. The degree of compressor fouling is correlated to changes in resistance measured by the conductivity resistance sensor. Measurements of resistance changes are converted to an indicia of fouling and used to trigger cleaning of the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Sanji Ekanayake, Alston Ilford Scipio, Paul Stephen DiMascio, Dale J. Davis
  • Publication number: 20140174474
    Abstract: A method is provided for washing a compressor in a gas turbine. The method includes establishing a compressor fouling set point and sensing a fouling level in the compressor with a sensor. The fouling level is communicated to a control subsystem that determines a wash initiation instruction based on the fouling level and the compressor fouling set point. The wash initiation instruction is executed by initiating a wash with a fluid. A system is also disclosed including a compressor, an on-line wash system coupled to the compressor, and a compressor fouling sensor that senses a compressor fouling level. A source of washing fluid is provided, and a control subsystem that initiates a wash with washing fluid from the source of washing fluid based on a compressor fouling level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sanji Ekanayake, Alston Ilford Scipio, Thomas Edward Wickert, Douglas Frank Beadie
  • Patent number: 8747533
    Abstract: A smart filter assembly is provided, the smart filter assembly having a fouling detection instrument and a communications module. The fouling detection instrument measures the weight of the filter assembly to indicate the degree of fouling. The communications module conveys the signal from the fouling detection instrument to a control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: BHA Altair, LLC
    Inventors: Sanji Ekanayake, Alston I. Scipio
  • Publication number: 20140150447
    Abstract: The disclosure includes a load ramp system for a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) of a combined cycle power plant and a method of increasing the rate of the load ramp process of a gas turbine system of the combined cycle power plant. In one embodiment, the load ramp system for the HRSG of the combined cycle power plant includes a conduit in fluid communication with a supercharger positioned upstream of a compressor of a gas turbine system in the combined cycle power plant. The conduit of the load ramp system is configured to direct a portion of supercharged air for use in cooling the HRSG during a load ramp process of the gas turbine system in the combined cycle power plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Sanji Ekanayake, Julio Enrique Mestroni, Alston Liford Scipio, Gordon Raymond Smith
  • Publication number: 20140137564
    Abstract: Systems and methods for mitigation of hot corrosion in steam injected gas turbine. In one embodiment, a steam injection system can provide for automatic injection of steam in a gas turbine for NOx abatement and power augmentation. The system can obtain indications as to whether the steam to be injected meets the requirements of the gas turbine in terms of purity and quality. If the quality or purity is not adequate, steam the injection into the combustor or compressor discharge casing (CDC) is automatically inhibited. The system may also monitor the dynamic pressure oscillations inside the combustor. The system may modulate steam flows modulates to enhance the total steam flow while maintaining the dynamic oscillations within acceptable limits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Alston I. Scipio, Sanji Ekanayake, Paul Robert Fernandez
  • Publication number: 20140126991
    Abstract: The present application thus provides an active cooling system for a compressor and a turbine of a gas turbine engine. The active cooling system may include an air extraction pipe extending from the compressor to the turbine, a heat exchanger positioned about the air extraction pipe, and an external air cooling system in communication with the air extraction pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Sanji Ekanayake, Raub Warfield Smith, Alston Ilford Scipio, Steven Hartman, Robert Frank Hoskin
  • Publication number: 20140124007
    Abstract: The present application thus provides a wash system for use with a compressor having a bellmouth and one or more extraction pipes. The wash system may include a water source, a first fluid source, a mixing chamber in communication with the water source and the first fluid source, a bellmouth line in communication with the mixing chamber and the bellmouth, and a stage line in communication with one of the extraction pipes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Alston Ilford Scipio, Sanji Ekanayake
  • Publication number: 20140123666
    Abstract: A system to improve gas turbine output and extend the life of hot gas path components includes a subsystem for estimating an amount of water or steam to be added to the flow of air to achieve the desired hot gas path temperature. The system includes a water or steam injection component adapted to inject the amount of water or steam to the flow of air to generate a flow of humid air and an injection subsystem adapted to inject the flow of humid air into a nozzle at the turbine stage are also included. The system includes a temperature sensor disposed at a turbine stage, and a subsystem for determining a desired hot gas path temperature at the turbine stage. An extraction conduit is coupled to a compressor stage and is adapted to extract a flow of air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Sanji Ekanayake, Alston Ilford Scipio, William Theadore Fisher, Stephen Paul Wassynger, Timothy Tah-teh Yang
  • Publication number: 20140126998
    Abstract: The present application thus provides a compressor wash system for use about a bellmouth of a compressor of a gas turbine engine. The compressor wash system may include a bellmouth wash nozzle positioned about the bellmouth of the compressor and a wash door assembly positioned about a lower half of the bellmouth such that the wash door assembly may be closed when the bellmouth wash nozzle is activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Alston Ilford Scipio, Sanji Ekanayake
  • Publication number: 20140123853
    Abstract: A filter house and cleaning system arrangement for a turbine system and an associated method. The arrangement includes a filter house and filter elements within the filter house. The arrangement includes nozzles that spray a fluid on the filter elements to provide cleaning of the filter elements. The nozzles have structure that permits the nozzles to move within the filter house to adjust where on the filter elements the fluid is sprayed. The arrangement includes a detection device configured to detect a level of cleanliness and provide an output that indicates the level of cleanliness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: BHA Altair, LLC
    Inventors: Bhalchandra Arun Desai, Sanji Ekanayake, Alston Ilford Scipio
  • Publication number: 20140102179
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a leak detection system for a turbine compartment. In some embodiments, the leak detection system includes: a tracer fluid system fluidly connected with the turbine compartment, the tracer fluid system configured to provide an optically detectable fluid to a fluid supply of the turbine compartment; an optical detection system operably connected to the turbine compartment, the optical detection system configured to detect the presence of the optically detectable fluid in at least one location of the turbine compartment; and a control system operably connected to the tracer fluid system and the optical detection system, the control system configured to obtain data about the presence of the optically detectable fluid in the at least one location, and provide an indicator indicating a potential leak location based upon the data about the presence of the optically detectable fluid in the at least one location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Sanji Ekanayake, Alston Ilford Scipio
  • Publication number: 20140096827
    Abstract: The present application provides a multiple fuel delivery system for use with a gas turbine engine. The multiple fuel delivery system may include a first fuel tank with a first fuel therein, a second fuel tank with a second fuel therein, a mixing chamber, and a flow divider downstream of the mixing chamber. The first fuel tank may be in communication with the mixing chamber via a first fuel pump and the second fuel tank may be in communication with the mixing chamber via a second fuel pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Alston Ilford Scipio, Paul Robert Fernandez, Thomas John Freeman, Sanji Ekanayake
  • Publication number: 20140090354
    Abstract: Various embodiments include an exhaust plume mitigation system for a turbine and systems incorporating the exhaust plume mitigation system. In some embodiments, the exhaust plume mitigation system includes: a first conduit fluidly connecting a compressor to an exhaust chamber of the turbine; a first control valve operably connected with the first conduit for regulating flow of compressor air through the first conduit; and a fluid inductor including: a first inlet fluidly connected with the first conduit; a second inlet fluidly connected with ambient; and an outlet fluidly connected with the exhaust chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Alston Ilford Scipio, Sanji Ekanayake
  • Publication number: 20140079538
    Abstract: An assembly and method are provided for sealing a compressor in a gas turbine engine. The method comprises forming an annular groove in a compressor casing such that the groove extends circumferentially about a rotor that is housed within the casing. The compressor casing is then coupled to the rotor such that the compressor casing extends circumferentially about the rotor. A plurality of arcuate seal segments are then inserted into the annular groove without removing the rotor from the compressor casing such that the plurality of seal segments extend circumferentially about the rotor to facilitate sealing a gap that is defined between the rotor and the compressor casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Inventors: Sanji Ekanayake, Alston Ilford Scipio, Raymond Henry Goetze, Peter Samuel King, Douglas Corbin Warwick
  • Publication number: 20140069744
    Abstract: A system for supplying lube oil to a gas turbine includes an auxiliary lube oil skid and an auxiliary lube oil pump. A first fluid connection to supply piping of a main lube oil system is downstream from the auxiliary lube oil pump. A second fluid connection to return piping of the main lube oil system is upstream from the auxiliary lube oil pump. A method for supplying lube oil to a gas turbine includes connecting an auxiliary lube oil pump to supply piping of a main lube oil system, connecting the auxiliary lube oil pump to return piping of the main lube oil system, and operating the auxiliary lube oil pump to supply lube oil to the supply piping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Alston I. Scipio, Bhalchandra Arun Desai, Sanji Ekanayake