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).
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Publication number: 20060202059Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2005Publication date: September 14, 2006Applicant: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD.Inventors: Richard Carroni, Timothy Griffin
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Publication number: 20060096297Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2005Publication date: May 11, 2006Applicant: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTDInventors: Timothy Griffin, Dieter Winkler
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Publication number: 20060080968Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2005Publication date: April 20, 2006Applicant: ALSTOM Technology LtdInventors: Timothy Griffin, Dieter Winkler
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Publication number: 20060064985Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2005Publication date: March 30, 2006Inventors: Dominikus Buecker, Timothy Griffin, Armin Schimkat
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Patent number: 7013648Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 16, 2004Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd.Inventors: Timothy Griffin, Frank Reiss, Dieter Winkler
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Patent number: 7003957Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 19, 2004Date of Patent: February 28, 2006Assignee: ALSTOM Technology LtdInventors: Timothy Griffin, Albert Keller, Joachim Krautzig, Roland Mücke, Frank Reiss
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Publication number: 20060035183Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2005Publication date: February 16, 2006Inventors: Richard Carroni, Timothy Griffin
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Patent number: 6982065Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 20, 2001Date of Patent: January 3, 2006Assignee: Alstom Technology LtdInventors: Richard Carroni, Timothy A. Griffin, Verena Schmidt, Dieter Winkler
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Publication number: 20050257652Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2004Publication date: November 24, 2005Inventors: Joseph Brotherton, Timothy Griffin
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Publication number: 20050251634Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2004Publication date: November 10, 2005Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Helena Burton, Michael Factor, Timothy Griffin, Thomas Jarvis, William Micka, Yoram Novick, Gail Spear, Sam Werner
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Publication number: 20050235650Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2005Publication date: October 27, 2005Inventors: Timothy Griffin, Daniel Holmberg, Dieter Winkler
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Patent number: 6945052Abstract: 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-recType: GrantFiled: March 25, 2004Date of Patent: September 20, 2005Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd.Inventors: Hans Ulrich Frutschi, Timothy Griffin, Daniel Holmberg, Roland Span
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Publication number: 20050201909Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2005Publication date: September 15, 2005Applicant: ALSTOM Technology LTD.Inventors: Richard Carroni, Timothy Griffin
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Publication number: 20050196714Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2005Publication date: September 8, 2005Applicant: ALSTOM Technology, Ltd.Inventors: Richard Carroni, Timothy Griffin
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Publication number: 20050115244Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2004Publication date: June 2, 2005Inventors: Timothy Griffin, Frank Reiss, Dieter Winkler
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Publication number: 20050092560Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2003Publication date: May 5, 2005Inventors: Joseph Brotherton, Timothy Griffin
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Patent number: 6886344Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 25, 2004Date of Patent: May 3, 2005Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd.Inventors: Hans Ulrich Frutschi, Timothy Griffin, Hans Wettstein, Dieter Winkler
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Patent number: 6887067Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 30, 2001Date of Patent: May 3, 2005Assignee: Alstom Technology LTDInventors: Timothy Griffin, Peter Jansohn, Verena Schmidt, Dieter Winkler
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Publication number: 20050028529Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2004Publication date: February 10, 2005Inventors: Michael Bartlett, Timothy Griffin, Daniel Holmberg
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Publication number: 20040265194Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2004Publication date: December 30, 2004Inventors: Richard Carroni, Timothy Griffin, Markus Wolf