Patents by Inventor Steve W. Backman

Steve W. Backman 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: 8229687
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention may incorporate a physics based approach (hereinafter “model”) to determine the level of the liquid. The model may incorporate the physical properties of the fluids within the container, and measurements of the fluid under consideration. The model may also incorporate data from measuring devices, such as, but not limiting of, a delta-pressure (DP) transmitter. The model may then calculate, within a reasonable level of accuracy, the level of the fluid within the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: William F. Seely, Jonathan C. Thatcher, Steve W. Backman
  • Patent number: 7770400
    Abstract: A method for controlling the rate of transfer between operation with gas and liquid fuel types to minimize the time in undesirable operational mode, thereby preventing excessive wear and damage to gas turbine hardware. The method includes completing a fuel prefill for the oncoming fuel type through the fuel system and determining if a total fuel demand for the oncoming fuel type is greater than a predetermined flow rate for the oncoming fuel type. The method also includes selecting a fuel transfer rate and transferring from the offgoing fuel type to the oncoming fuel type at the selected fuel transfer rate. Further, the method includes determining if the offgoing fuel flowrate has decreased below a predetermined flow rate for the offgoing fuel type, selecting a final fuel transfer rate and completing the transfer from offgoing fuel type to oncoming fuel type at a selected final fuel transfer rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert J. Iasillo, Jason D. Fuller, Steve W. Backman, Samuel Ernst-Fortin
  • Publication number: 20100161252
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention may incorporate a physics based approach (hereinafter “model”) to determine the level of the liquid. The model may incorporate the physical properties of the fluids within the container, and measurements of the fluid under consideration. The model may also incorporate data from measuring devices, such as, but not limiting of, a delta-pressure (DP) transmitter. The model may then calculate, within a reasonable level of accuracy, the level of the fluid within the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: William F. Seely, Jonathan C. Thatcher, Steve W. Backman
  • Publication number: 20080154474
    Abstract: A method for controlling the rate of transfer between operation with gas and liquid fuel types to minimize the time in undesirable operational mode, thereby preventing excessive wear and damage to gas turbine hardware. The method includes completing a fuel prefill for the oncoming fuel type through the fuel system and determining if a total fuel demand for the oncoming fuel type is greater than a predetermined flow rate for the oncoming fuel type. The method also includes selecting a fuel transfer rate and transfering from the offgoing fuel type to the oncoming fuel type at the selected fuel transfer rate. Further, the method includes determining if the offgoing fuel flowrate has decreased below a predetermined flow rate for the offgoing fuel type, selecting a final fuel transfer rate and completing the transfer from offgoing fuel type to oncoming fuel type at a selected final fuel transfer rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Robert J. Iasillo, Jason D. Fuller, Steve W. Backman, Samuel Ernst-Fortin