Patents by Inventor Steven C. Steffens

Steven C. Steffens 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: 5329761
    Abstract: A combustor dome assembly includes an annular support plate fixedly joined to a combustion liner which confines combustion gases. The support plate includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced support openings for supporting respective carburetors, and respective splashplates fixedly joined coaxially to each of the support openings. Each of the splashplates includes an intermediate flared portion spaced axially downstream from an intermediate portion of the support plate to define a plenum, and a distal end spaced radially away from the liner to define a circumferential extending outlet gap in flow communication with the plenum. The support plate intermediate portion has a plurality of impingement holes disposed between the support openings and a proximal end of the support plate for channeling a first portion of compressed air as impingement air into the plenum to impinge against the splashplate intermediate portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Adrian M. Ablett, Clyde R. Draper, Steven C. Steffens
  • Patent number: 5220795
    Abstract: A method of diluting combustion gases in a gas turbine engine combustor includes injecting primary dilution air into the combustion gases, and injecting trim dilution air into the combustion gases adjacent to the injected primary dilution air. A dilution air injector for practicing the method includes a plate, or centerbody in an exemplary embodiment, having a primary dilution hole for injecting a portion of compressed air into combustion gases as primary dilution air, and a trim dilution hole for injecting a portion of the compressed air into the combustion gases as trim dilution air. The primary and trim dilution holes are sized and configured so that the primary and trim dilution air cooperate with each other for penetrating into and diluting a predetermined portion of the combustion gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1993
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Willard J. Dodds, Stanley K. Widener, Keith K. Taylor, Howard L. Foltz, Steven C. Steffens
  • Patent number: 5197289
    Abstract: A double dome combustor for a gas turbine engine includes first and second domes joined to outer and inner liners. The first and second domes are joined together by two load transmitting structural paths for providing increased rigidity of the first and second domes for accommodating pressure loading from compressed airflow. In one exemplary embodiment, a dome cowl having first and second cowls is used to additionally join together the first and second domes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mark M. Glevicky, Hubert S. Roberts, Jr., Steven C. Steffens, Kevin W. Pendery