Patents by Inventor Timothy Griffin

Timothy Griffin 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: 20060202059
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for mixing at least two separate fluid flows (2, 3), in particular for a burner of a power plant. To improve the mixing, a plurality of swirl flows (7, 8), which are annular and concentric with respect to a longitudinal center line (6), are generated from the fluid flows (2, 3), in such a manner that radially adjacent swirl flows (7, 8) have opposite directions of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Applicant: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD.
    Inventors: Richard Carroni, Timothy Griffin
  • Publication number: 20060096297
    Abstract: The invention describes a method and an apparatus for operating a burner of a heat engine, in particular of a gas turbine installation, having a burner inlet, to which a mixture of a fuel and an oxygen-enriched carrier gas is fed for combustion within a combustion chamber which adjoins the burner inlet in the direction of flow. The invention is distinguished by the following method steps: providing a first oxygen-enriched carrier gas stream, known as the first oxidizer mixture, with which the fuel is admixed to form a first fuel/oxidizer mixture, and providing a second oxygen-enriched carrier gas stream, known as the second oxidizer mixture, catalyzing the first fuel/oxidizer mixture to form a catalyzed first fuel/oxidizer mixture, in which the fuel is at least partially oxidized, mixing the catalyzed first fuel/oxidizer mixture with the second oxidizer mixture to form a second fuel/oxidizer mixture, and igniting and burning the second fuel/oxidizer mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Publication date: May 11, 2006
    Applicant: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventors: Timothy Griffin, Dieter Winkler
  • Publication number: 20060080968
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus (6) for carrying out the method, the method being used for combustion of a fuel-oxidator mixture in a combustion chamber (7) of a turbogroup, in particular of a power plant. A total oxidator flow (12) is divided into a main oxidator flow (14) and a secondary oxidator flow (15). The main oxidator flow (14) is lean mixed with a main fuel flow (21) in a premix burner (8), and the mixture (23) is fully oxidized in the combustion chamber (7). The secondary oxidator flow (15) is divided into a pilot oxidator flow (17) and a heat-exchanging oxidator flow (18). The pilot oxidator flow (17) is rich mixed with a pilot fuel flow (22), and the mixture (17, 22) is partially oxidized in a catalyst (24), with hydrogen being formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Applicant: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Timothy Griffin, Dieter Winkler
  • Publication number: 20060064985
    Abstract: A method for operating a power plant (2), which includes at least one compressor (3), at least one turbine (4), and a burner arrangement (5), involves, to enhance the power plant (2), feeding a combustion exhaust gas from a pre-burner (8) of the burner arrangement (5) to an oxygen-removal device (11), which removes gas of the oxygen from the combustion exhaust gas in which it is contained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Publication date: March 30, 2006
    Inventors: Dominikus Buecker, Timothy Griffin, Armin Schimkat
  • Patent number: 7013648
    Abstract: A premix burner includes a swirler (7) for a combustion air stream and a device for injection of fuel into the combustion air stream. The swirler (7) includes one or more inlet openings for combustion air of the combustion air stream entering the burner. The device for injection of fuel into the combustion air stream includes one or more first fuel lines (8) with first fuel injection openings (4). The opening diameter and/or the injection angle of the injection openings varies with respect to the axial and/or radial direction. Alternatively or in addition, some of the first fuel injection openings (4) may be arranged in one or more first groups of closely grouped fuel injection openings (4) so that each of the first groups forms one fuel jet with a large cross section. An improved mixing of the fuel with the combustion air is achieved with the burner in particular in cases in which the fuel is injected at the end of the burner facing the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Timothy Griffin, Frank Reiss, Dieter Winkler
  • Patent number: 7003957
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a burner, substantially comprising a swirl generator for a combustion air stream and means for introducing fuel into the combustion air stream, the swirl generator having combustion-air inlet openings for the combustion air stream that enters the burner, and the means for introducing fuel into the combustion air stream comprising one or more first fuel feeds having a group of first fuel outlet openings, arranged distributed around the burner axis at a combustion chamber-side end of the burner. The burner is distinguished by the fact that the one or more first fuel feeds having the group of first fuel outlet openings are mechanically decoupled from the swirl generator. The present burner allows reliable and safe use of synthesis gas in both dilute and undiluted form as fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Timothy Griffin, Albert Keller, Joachim Krautzig, Roland Mücke, Frank Reiss
  • Publication number: 20060035183
    Abstract: A mixer for mixing first and second fluids has a passageway along which a stream comprising the first fluid flows along an axis of the passageway. The passageway has, in sequence in the downstream direction, a convergent section, a throat, and a divergent section. An injector introduces the second fluid into the stream in the passageway upstream of the divergent section. A swirl generator in the passageway is upstream of the convergent section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Publication date: February 16, 2006
    Inventors: Richard Carroni, Timothy Griffin
  • Patent number: 6982065
    Abstract: A catalyzer has a plurality of plane sheets arranged superposed and spaced apart from each other in a stack, between which a plurality of straight channels extend parallel in the flow direction and are delimited by the plane sheets. The plane sheets are coated in such a way that a catalytic coating is present in all channels; that the catalytic coating is limited to predetermined sections of the channels; and that inside the channels, uncoated sections in each case are positioned opposite to sections with the catalytic coatings. The uncoated sections absorb the heat radiation emitted by the catalytic coatings during operation, thereby improving cooling and preventing homogeneous ignition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Richard Carroni, Timothy A. Griffin, Verena Schmidt, Dieter Winkler
  • Publication number: 20050257652
    Abstract: An improved brake drum and method for machining and balancing a brake drum are provided. The inner facing surface and the outer facing surface of the brake drum are machined. The inner and outer faces of the hub end of the brake drum are also machined. The machining is accomplished in a single operation that results in a radially balanced brake drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Publication date: November 24, 2005
    Inventors: Joseph Brotherton, Timothy Griffin
  • Publication number: 20050251634
    Abstract: A target data storage system comprises a peer-to-peer communication link interface for linking the target to a source data storage system, and data storage for storing point in time copy data received from the source via the peer-to-peer communication link interface. Information is established at the target relating logical identification of the point in time copy data to point in time copy data stored at the target and to point in time copy data stored at the source, such that the information references the data storage system having requested point in time copy data. A controller of the target accesses requested point in time copy data at the target if the table indicates that the requested point in time copy data is available at the target; else obtains the requested point in time copy data from the source via the peer-to-peer communication link interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Publication date: November 10, 2005
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Helena Burton, Michael Factor, Timothy Griffin, Thomas Jarvis, William Micka, Yoram Novick, Gail Spear, Sam Werner
  • Publication number: 20050235650
    Abstract: A method of operating a gas turbine power plant and gas turbine power plant are disclosed wherein hydrogen for the combusting process is produced by feeding natural gas mixed with steam through a membrane/partial oxidation reactor and converting the natural gas at least to H2 and CO. Thereby oxygen is transferred from the compressed air through the membrane of the membrane/partial oxidation reactor and the oxygen is used for the partial oxidation process of the natural gas. The process is followed by converting the syngas in a CO shift reactor and a CO shift reactor to a CO2 removal equipment to mainly hydrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Publication date: October 27, 2005
    Inventors: Timothy Griffin, Daniel Holmberg, Dieter Winkler
  • Patent number: 6945052
    Abstract: In a power generation plant having at least one gas turbine cycle with heat-recovery boiler (4) and at least one steam turbine cycle operated via the heat-recovery boiler (4), the gas turbine cycle being designed to be semi-closed and essentially free of emissions and essentially comprising a compressor (1), a combustion chamber (2) arranged downstream of the compressor (1), a gas turbine (3) arranged downstream of the combustion chamber (2), a heat-recovery boiler (4) arranged downstream of the gas turbine (3), and at least one generator (8) coupled to the gas turbine (3), modes of operation with the gas turbine cycle stopped and start-up using fresh air are made possible by first means (12) being arranged which alternatively or additionally allow hot gas to be fed into the hot-gas path (23) between gas turbine (3) and heat-recovery boiler (4), and by second means (15) being arranged which alternatively or additionally allow exhaust gas to be expelled from the exhaust-gas path (40) downstream of the heat-rec
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Hans Ulrich Frutschi, Timothy Griffin, Daniel Holmberg, Roland Span
  • Publication number: 20050201909
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalyst (1) for combustion of at least a portion of a gaseous fuel-oxidant mixture flowing through the catalyst (1), in particular for a burner of a power plant. An inlet sector (5) comprises inlet channels (9). A succeeding sector (6) comprises succeeding channels (10). The succeeding channels (10) have smaller internal cross-sectional areas than the inlet channels (9). To improve the production of the catalyst (1), the invention proposes channels (3) which extend through the inlet sector (5) and through the succeeding sector (6) and have the internal cross-sectional area of the inlet channels (9). The inlet channels (9) are formed by portions of the channels (3) lying in the inlet sector (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Publication date: September 15, 2005
    Applicant: ALSTOM Technology LTD.
    Inventors: Richard Carroni, Timothy Griffin
  • Publication number: 20050196714
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hybrid burner (1) for a combustor (7), in particular of a power plant, comprising a housing (2), in which a full oxidation catalyst (9) and a partial oxidation catalyst (10) are arranged. An inlet side of the housing (2) is connected to at least one oxidizer supply (3) and to at least one fuel supply (4, 5). An outlet side of the housing (2) is connected to a combustion chamber (7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Publication date: September 8, 2005
    Applicant: ALSTOM Technology, Ltd.
    Inventors: Richard Carroni, Timothy Griffin
  • Publication number: 20050115244
    Abstract: A premix burner includes a swirler (7) for a combustion air stream and a device for injection of fuel into the combustion air stream. The swirler (7) includes one or more inlet openings for combustion air of the combustion air stream entering the burner. The device for injection of fuel into the combustion air stream includes one or more first fuel lines (8) with first fuel injection openings (4). The opening diameter and/or the injection angle of the injection openings varies with respect to the axial and/or radial direction. Alternatively or in addition, some of the first fuel injection openings (4) may be arranged in one or more first groups of closely grouped fuel injection openings (4) so that each of the first groups forms one fuel jet with a large cross section. An improved mixing of the fuel with the combustion air is achieved with the burner in particular in cases in which the fuel is injected at the end of the burner facing the combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2004
    Publication date: June 2, 2005
    Inventors: Timothy Griffin, Frank Reiss, Dieter Winkler
  • Publication number: 20050092560
    Abstract: An improved brake drum and method for balancing a brake drum are provided. A section of the raised squealer band of the brake drum is removed to correct the imbalance. Preferably, a cutting machine is used to make a continually varying depth cut along a section of the squealer band to correct the imbalance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Publication date: May 5, 2005
    Inventors: Joseph Brotherton, Timothy Griffin
  • Patent number: 6886344
    Abstract: In a method for the operation of a power plant with a closed or quasi-closed cycle, the power plant substantially comprises at least one compressor unit (1) or a pump, at least one combustion chamber (2), at least one turbine (3) and at least one heat sink (4). In the combustion chamber (2), a fuel mass flow (14) reacts with at least one oxygen flow (12), the excess combustion products which are formed as a result (CO2, H2O) are removed from the cycle at a suitable location (5, 6), and the oxygen stream (12) fed to the combustion chamber is obtained by means of an air fractionation installation (11). Means (9) for coarse fractionation of the supplied air (8) are connected upstream of the air fractionation installation (11) in order to supply oxygen-enriched air (10) to the air fractionation installation (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Hans Ulrich Frutschi, Timothy Griffin, Hans Wettstein, Dieter Winkler
  • Patent number: 6887067
    Abstract: A catalytically operating burner with a catalyzer structure (4), useful in particular for a gas turbine system, has a heat-resistant carrier material (10) that forms the walls of several adjoining channels (13). The channels (13) pervade the catalyzer structure (4) in longitudinal direction and permit that a gaseous reaction mixture flows through the catalyzer structure (4). The walls are coated at least in part with a catalyst. In order to improve the catalytic conversion within the catalyzer structure (4), communicating openings (14) are constructed in the walls between an inlet end and an outlet end of the catalyzer structure (4). Adjoining channels (13) are able to communicate with each other through the communicating openings (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Alstom Technology LTD
    Inventors: Timothy Griffin, Peter Jansohn, Verena Schmidt, Dieter Winkler
  • Publication number: 20050028529
    Abstract: A method of generating energy in a power plant (30) having a gas turbine (29), includes a first step a gas containing air (1) is compressed in a first compressor (2) of the gas turbine (29), a second step the compressed gas (3, 3a, 3b; 5; 7a, 7b) is fed to a combustion process with the addition of fuel (8) in a combustor (23), a third step the hot flue gas (9) from the combustor (23) is expanded in an expander or a turbine (10), driving a generator (18), of the gas turbine (29) while performing work, and a fourth step a partial flow of the expanded flue gas (11) is recirculated to the inlet of the first compressor (2) and admixed with the gas containing air (1). Carbon dioxide (CO2) is separated from the compressed gas (3, 3a, 3b; 5; 7a, 7b) in a CO2 separator (6) before the third step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Publication date: February 10, 2005
    Inventors: Michael Bartlett, Timothy Griffin, Daniel Holmberg
  • Publication number: 20040265194
    Abstract: A catalytic reactor for generating a hydrogen-containing synthesis gas from a rich fuel/oxidizing agent mix. The reactor (1) includes a multiplicity of parallel passages which extend from an inlet side (6) to an outlet side (7). To achieve a compact overall form of the reactor (1), at least in a core region of a cross section through the reactor (1) all the passages are of a catalytically active nature. In a first longitudinal part (8) of the reactor (1), which includes the inlet side (6), the catalytically active first passages have a larger proportion of the surface area provided with a catalytically active coating than the catalytically active second passages in a second longitudinal part (9) of the reactor (1), which includes the outlet side (7) and adjoins the first longitudinal part (8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Richard Carroni, Timothy Griffin, Markus Wolf