Patents by Inventor Scott Auerbach

Scott Auerbach 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: 20240026830
    Abstract: Systems and methods to control gas turbine firing temperatures during air injection. A method of achieving a desired firing temperature of a gas turbine engine during air injection comprises injecting compressed air into the gas turbine engine using an external source. The external source includes a compressor and a recuperator. The method comprises using a controller of the gas turbine engine to: (a) determine an air injection exhaust bias gain using an inlet temperature of the gas turbine engine; (b) calculate, based on the determined air injection exhaust bias gain and a flow rate of the injected compressed air, an air injection exhaust curve bias; and (c) change a fuel flow of the gas turbine engine by adding the air injection exhaust curve bias to an existing exhaust curve of the gas turbine engine to thereby achieve the desired firing temperature during air injection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Robert J. Kraft, Scott Auerbach, Sergio A. Arias Quintero
  • Patent number: 11879364
    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: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Powerphase International, LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Kraft, Scott Auerbach
  • Patent number: 11754003
    Abstract: Systems and methods to control gas turbine firing temperatures during air injection. A method of achieving a desired firing temperature of a gas turbine engine during air injection comprises injecting compressed air into the gas turbine engine using an external source. The external source includes a compressor and a recuperator. The method comprises using a controller of the gas turbine engine to: (a) determine an air injection exhaust bias gain using an inlet temperature of the gas turbine engine; (b) calculate, based on the determined air injection exhaust bias gain and a flow rate of the injected compressed air, an air injection exhaust curve bias; and (c) change a fuel flow of the gas turbine engine by adding the air injection exhaust curve bias to an existing exhaust curve of the gas turbine engine to thereby achieve the desired firing temperature during air injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: POWERPHASE INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Kraft, Scott Auerbach, Sergio A. Arias Quintero, James H. Leahy, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20210317791
    Abstract: Systems and methods to control gas turbine firing temperatures during air injection. A method of achieving a desired firing temperature of a gas turbine engine during air injection comprises injecting compressed air into the gas turbine engine using an external source. The external source includes a compressor and a recuperator. The method comprises using a controller of the gas turbine engine to: (a) determine an air injection exhaust bias gain using an inlet temperature of the gas turbine engine; (b) calculate, based on the determined air injection exhaust bias gain and a flow rate of the injected compressed air, an air injection exhaust curve bias; and (c) change a fuel flow of the gas turbine engine by adding the air injection exhaust curve bias to an existing exhaust curve of the gas turbine engine to thereby achieve the desired firing temperature during air injection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventors: Robert J. Kraft, Scott Auerbach, Sergio A. Arias Quintero, James H. Leahy, JR.
  • 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
  • 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: 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20180058326
    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: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Robert J. Kraft, Scott Auerbach, Peter A. Sobieski, Sergio Arias-Quintero
  • Publication number: 20170370289
    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: August 23, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Robert J. KRAFT, Scott AUERBACH
  • Patent number: 9803548
    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: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: POWERPHASE LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Kraft, Scott Auerbach, Peter A. Sobieski, Sergio A. Arias-Quintero
  • Patent number: 9777630
    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: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: POWERPHASE LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Kraft, Scott Auerbach, Peter Perri
  • Publication number: 20170268427
    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: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Robert J. KRAFT, Scott AUERBACH, Matthew KRAFT
  • Patent number: 9765693
    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: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: POWERPHASE LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Kraft, Scott Auerbach
  • Publication number: 20170159576
    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: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventors: Robert J. KRAFT, Scott AUERBACH, Sergio A. ARIAS QUINTERO, James H. LEAHY, Jr.