Cooling Of Auxiliary Components Patents (Class 60/39.83)
  • Publication number: 20120227371
    Abstract: A system is provided with a turbine exhaust strut configured to provide a bi-directional airflow. The turbine exhaust strut includes a first portion having a first flow passage configured to flow a fluid in a first direction between inner and outer exhaust walls of a turbine exhaust section, and a second portion having a second flow passage configured to flow the fluid in a second direction between the inner and outer exhaust walls of the turbine exhaust section. Furthermore, the first and second directions are opposite from one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: David Martin Johnson, Radu Ioan Danescu, Srinivasarao Pakkala, Piotr Edward Kobek
  • Patent number: 8261527
    Abstract: An oil supply system for a gas turbine engine has a lubricant pump delivering lubricant to an outlet line. The outlet line is split into at least a hot line and into a cool line, with the hot line directed primarily to locations associated with an engine that are not intended to receive cooler lubricant, and the cool line directed through one or more heat exchangers at which lubricant is cooled. The cool line then is routed to a fan drive gear system of an associated gas turbine engine. A method and apparatus are disclosed. The heat exchangers include at least an air/oil cooler wherein air is pulled across the air/oil cooler to cool oil. The air/oil cooler is provided with an ejector tapping compressed air from a compressor section to increase airflow across the air/oil cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Ethan K. Stearns, Jorn A. Glahn, Daniel J. McKaveney
  • Patent number: 8256229
    Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, a gas turbine engine includes a turbine and a high pressure compressor. The high pressure compressor includes a last stage having a last stage compressor blade and a last stage vane. The gas turbine engine includes a first flow path through which bleed air flows to the turbine and a second flow path through which air from the last stage of the high pressure compressor flows. The bleed air in the first flow path exchanges heat with a portion of the air in the second flow path in a heat exchanger to cool the air in the second flow path. The cooled air in the second flow path is returned to the high pressure compressor to cool the high pressure compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jorn A. Glahn, Peter M. Munsell, Steven B. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8245494
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprises: a combustor with an aft end exhaust nozzle that discharges along an axis of the combustor; an eductor with a housing that circumscribes the combustor that has a sideward eductor inlet that intakes generally normal to the combustor axis and an aft end eductor outlet that circumscribes the combustor exhaust nozzle and exhausts along the combustor axis; and an eductor distribution shield mounted within the eductor housing between the eductor inlet and the combustor with a deflection surface that deflects the intake of the eductor inlet around the combustor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Brian C. DeDe, David Lau, Nagamany Thayalakhandan
  • Patent number: 8235657
    Abstract: A turbojet for an aircraft includes an engine housed in a nacelle and a thermal exchanger that can be traversed by a hot fluid designed to be cooled by thermal exchange with a cold fluid external to the thermal exchanger. The thermal exchanger is disposed in an internal volume of the nacelle, between an internal wall of the nacelle and an external wall of the engine, in such a way as to present two thermal exchange surfaces in the flow of the air stream from the turbojet. The disclosed embodiments also relate to an aircraft equipped with such a jet turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Guillaume Bulin, Patrick Oberle
  • Patent number: 8210801
    Abstract: A method operates a gas turbine that includes a compressor section, a turbine section and an extraction cooling system. The method includes monitoring an operation of the gas turbine, directing a cooling air flow through the extraction cooling system from the compressor section to the turbine section in response to normal operation of the gas turbine, and directing a warming air flow through the extraction cooling system to the compressor section and the turbine section in response to shutdown of the gas turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Henry G. Ballard, Jr., Ian David Wilson, Stephen Christopher Chieco, Andrew Ray Kneeland, Bradley James Miller, Kenneth David Black, Raymond Goetze
  • Patent number: 8205427
    Abstract: A heat exchange system for use in operating equipment having a plurality of subsystems in each of which one of a plurality of working fluids is utilized to provide selected operations with there being an air and working fluid heat exchanger providing controlled cooling to cool at least one of the plurality of working fluids in its corresponding subsystem. In addition, a coupling heat exchanger is also provided connected to two of the subsystems to pass there working fluids therethrough, including the subsystem with the air and working fluid heat exchanger, to allow one of the connected subsystems to aid in cooling the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick W. Schwarz, Jorn A. Glahn
  • Publication number: 20120151933
    Abstract: A system and a method for ventilating a plant including an auxiliary power unit (APU) in an aircraft compartment are disclosed. The compartment is ventilated in an independent manner with individualized air feeds to each item of equipment concerned. According to one embodiment, a system for feeding and ventilating an aircraft auxiliary power source plant includes an APU and items of equipment mounted in connection with the APU. The APU is fitted with an exhaust nozzle which leads into a gas discharger mounted outside the compartment. Separate and independent ducts channel air between air inlets made through the compartment, and the APU and items of equipment. At least one ventilation duct that is separate and independent from the other ducts is coupled to an air inlet of the compartment in order to ventilate the APU and the items of equipment of the plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: MICROTURBO SA
    Inventor: Patrick OUPLOMB
  • Publication number: 20120036859
    Abstract: A gas turbine transition piece adapted to carry combustion gases in a hot gas path extending between a gas turbine combustion chamber and a first stage of the gas turbine, includes a hollow duct having a forward end adapted for connection to a combustor liner and an aft end adapted for connection to a first stage nozzle. One or more dilution air holes are located proximate the forward end, the dilution holes each fitted with a hollow sleeve penetrating into the hot gas path within the hollow duct, the hollow sleeves adapted to supply cooling air into the hot gas path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Richard JOHNSON, Crystal McGee McConnaughhay, Bryan Wesley Romig
  • Publication number: 20120038173
    Abstract: A method, system and apparatus are provided that provide water to a heat engine via a dammed water source. The water may be tapped for cooling of and/or injection into a heat engine. Further, steam from operation of the heat engine and/or directing exhaust gases of a heat engine into a water flow in an exit channel may be collected and harnessed for power generation in a steam-driven power generator, for industrial heating purposes and other industrial uses, and/or for cooling and subsequent use as potentially more pure water. Additionally, water mist may be sprayed into the exhaust gases for sound suppression purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventor: Rene Carlos
  • Publication number: 20120031105
    Abstract: A plug for regulating a flow of gas in a system is disclosed. The plug includes a housing disposed on a temperature boundary in a system. The housing defines a passage for flowing gas therethrough. The plug further includes at least one pressure-actuated valve disposed in the passage and movable between an open position and a closed position. The at least one pressure-actuated valve moves from the open position to the closed position as the pressure of the gas increases and moves from the closed position to the open position as the pressure of the gas decreases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Manikandan Thiyagarajan, Anantha Ramesh Rangaswamy, Pugalenthi Nanda Gopal
  • Publication number: 20120023893
    Abstract: Disclosed are a cooling device for high temperature fluid, a flight vehicle having the same and a cooling method for high temperature fluid, the cooling device including a heat exchanger configured such that fluid is introduced therein to be heat-exchanged with a refrigerant, and configured to vaporize the refrigerant by the heat exchange such that the fluid is discharged at temperature close to vaporization temperature of the refrigerant, a compressor connected to the heat exchanger and configured to compress the fluid discharged out of the heat exchanger, a turbine connected to the compressor and configured to expand the fluid compressed in the compressor to lower temperature of the compressed fluid, and a phase change heat exchanger connected to the turbine, storing a phase change material, and configured to cause heat exchange between the phase change material and the fluid discharged out of the turbine so as to control temperature of the discharged fluid, whereby a cooling device capable of minimizing in
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: AGENCY FOR DEFENSE DEVELOPMENT
    Inventors: Young-June YOO, Hyung-Ju LEE, Jae-Yun LEE, Geun-Hong PARK, Sang-Wook JIN, Chang-Mook OH, Nak-Gon BAEK, Seong-Ki MIN, Jin-Shik LIM
  • Publication number: 20110271686
    Abstract: An example auxiliary power unit (APU) exhaust silencer includes cooling features to protect the outer skin and other components from heat generated by gases passing through an exhaust duct. Cooling air flow through a cooling air passage in thermal contact with the exhaust silencer carries heat away from other nearby components and the aircraft skin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventors: Jay M. Francisco, Greg R. Giddings, Anthony C. Jones, Nagamany Thayalakhandan
  • Publication number: 20110271655
    Abstract: An assembly has an electrical control including electrical connectors and electric circuits. The electric circuits are programmed to control an aircraft engine. The electrical control is attached to a cooling plate, which includes internal fluid passages for circulating a cooling fluid, and providing cooling to the electrical control. In a separate feature, an electric element is mounted to a cooling plate that is in turn mounted to an outer housing of an engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventor: Richard A. Poisson
  • Publication number: 20110252764
    Abstract: A thermal management system for a gas turbine powerplant with an engine oil line and an engine fuel line incorporates a heat transfer control module that includes a reversible heat pump with a heat pump compressor for circulating working fluid in forward and reverse directions through a working fluid line of the heat pump. The heat control module also includes a first heat exchanger having a heat exchange path for the working fluid between the compressor and a heat pump expansion valve and another heat exchange path for the engine oil. A second heat exchanger has a heat exchange path for the working fluid between the compressor and the expansion valve and another heat exchange path for the engine fuel. The heat pump can be operated in forward or reverse directions depending on whether heat is to be transferred from the engine oil or the fuel to the heat pump working fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: Propulsion, Gas Turbine, and Energy Evaluations, LLC
    Inventor: J. Walter Smith
  • Patent number: 8015824
    Abstract: A method and system for regulating a cooling fluid within a turbomachine in real time. The system may an external flow conditioning system for adjusting at least one property of the cooling fluid, wherein the external flow conditioning system comprises an inlet portion and an outlet portion. The system may also include at least one heat exchanger; at least one control valve; at least one bypass orifice; at least one stop valve; and a control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sivaraman Vedhagiri, Ravi Meenaksh, Jesse E. Trout, Jun Yang
  • Publication number: 20110203249
    Abstract: A cooling system for turbine starter lubricant includes one or more outflow transfer passages (54) extending from the turbine starter (10) to a secondary component (40). At least one heat exchange passage (56) affixed at a first end to an end of an outflow transfer passage (54) of the one or more outflow transfer passages (54), is located in the secondary component (40) having a lower interior temperature than the turbine starter (10). One or more return transfer passages (60) are affixed to a second end of the at least one heat exchange passage (56) and extend from the secondary component (40) to the turbine starter (10). Flowing a volume of starter lubricant (42) through the one or more outflow transfer passages (54), the at least one heat exchange passage (56), and the one or more return transfer passages (60) removes thermal energy from the volume of starter lubricant (42) and returns the volume of starter lubricant (42) to the turbine starter (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventor: Robert Telakowski
  • Publication number: 20110173947
    Abstract: A gas turbine power augmentation system and method are provided. The system includes a chiller, a controller, a heat exchanger, and a gas turbine inlet air flow. The chiller may be operable to chill a coolant flow using energy from a heat source. The controller may be operably connected to the chiller and configured to regulate operation of the chiller in relation to at least one environmental condition. The heat exchanger may be in fluid communication with the chiller and configured to allow the coolant flow to pass through the heat exchanger. The gas turbine inlet air flow may be directed through the heat exchanger before entering a gas turbine inlet, allowing the air flow to interact with the coolant flow, thereby cooling the air flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: JIANMIN ZHANG, LISA KAMDAR AMMANN, BRADLY AARON KIPPEL, HUA ZHANG, JAMES PATRICK TOMEY
  • Patent number: 7980056
    Abstract: A flow control device for use with a pulse detonation chamber including an inlet coupled in flow communication with a source of compressed air. The inlet extends at least partially into the chamber to facilitate controlling air flow into the chamber. The device also includes a body portion extending downstream from and circumferentially around the inlet, wherein the body portion is positioned in flow communication with the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Adam Rasheed, Anthony John Dean
  • Patent number: 7966804
    Abstract: A method for testing a cooling system for use in a gas turbine engine control system is provided. The method includes connecting an inlet of the cooling system to a differential pressure sensor, connecting an outlet of the cooling system to the differential pressure sensor, and determining whether or not a difference in pressure exists between the inlet and outlet, wherein such a pressure difference is indicative of whether cooling fluid is flowing through the cooling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Barton Hunter Snow
  • Publication number: 20110138818
    Abstract: Provided is a gas turbine capable of achieving high-speed startup of the gas turbine through quick operation control of an ACC system during startup of the gas turbine, improving the cooling efficiency of turbine stationary components, and quickly carrying out an operation required for cat back prevention during shutdown of the gas turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicants: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD., TOHOKU ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Satoshi Mizukami, Tatsuo Ishiguro, Junichiro Masada, Kazumasa Takata, Yuya Fukunaga, Hiroki Takahashi, Masaki Satoh, Yoshiaki Nishimura, Norio Oogai, Souji Hasegawa, Masato Hayashi
  • Patent number: 7958717
    Abstract: A gas turbine power generator plant, intended to reduce its noise by making small the intake and exhaust outlets of the cooing air channel of a case, comprises an engine core in which a turbine, a compressor and a generator are installed on the same axis, a combustor for burning air for combustion compressed by the compressor and supplying the air to the turbine, a radiator for cooling a coolant or a lubricant, a cooling fan for ventilating the radiator with cooling air, an electric power converter for converting electric power generated by the generator, and the case for housing these constituent elements. And, a combustion air channel passing the compressor, the combustor and the turbine and a cooling air channel passing the radiator, the cooling fan and the electric power converter are formed as mutually independent channels from intake to exhaust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Susumu Nakano, Masaya Ichinose, Masanori Watanabe, Kuniyoshi Tsubouchi, Toshihiko Fukushima, Masatoshi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7946806
    Abstract: Gas turbine engine systems and related methods involving heat exchange are provided. In this regard, a representative heat exchange system for a gas turbine engine includes: a heat exchanger; and a flow restrictor operative to selectively restrict a flow of gas flowing along an annular gas flow path; in an open position, the flow restrictor enabling gas to flow along the gas flow path and, in a closed position, the flow restrictor restricting the flow of gas such that at least a portion of the gas is provided to the heat exchanger, the heat exchanger being located radially outboard of the flow restrictor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Joseph Murphy
  • Publication number: 20110030332
    Abstract: Systems and methods for storing and releasing energy comprising directing inlet air into a vertical cold flue assembly, a portion of moisture being removed from the air within the cold flue assembly. The air is directed out of the cold flue assembly and compressed. The remaining moisture is substantially removed and the carbon dioxide is removed from the air by adsorption. The air is cooled in a main heat exchanger such that it is substantially liquefied using refrigerant loop air. The substantially liquefied air is directed to a storage apparatus. The refrigerant loop air is cooled by a mechanical chiller and by a plurality of refrigerant loop air expanders. In energy release mode, working loop fluid warms the released liquid air such that the released liquid air is substantially vaporized, and the released liquid air cools the working loop fluid such that the working loop fluid is substantially liquefied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: Expansion Energy, LLC
    Inventor: David Vandor
  • Publication number: 20110023447
    Abstract: A cooling system for electronics in a gas turbine engine system comprises an electronic device cooled by a fluid recirculation loop. The fluid recirculation loop comprises a fluid line to carry coolant fluid, a heat pump on the fluid line for removing heat from the coolant fluid, and a fluid pump on the fluid line to circulate the coolant fluid through the loop. The electronic device is in thermal communication with the fluid circulation loop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventor: Leo J. Veilleux
  • Publication number: 20110027061
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for braking a rotor of a turbine engine, comprising a turning gear, with a drive supplied from an energy source, having an input shaft to which the rotor may be coupled, whereby, during a cooling phase for the turbine, the rotor may be driven by the drive using the coupled input shaft. According to the invention, a method for braking a rotor of a turbine engine can be achieved, in which the rotation of a rotor, caused by the airflow through the turbine, is slowed until the rotor stops, whereby after the end of the cooling phase, the drive drives the rotor in the reverse sense by means of the input shaft in order to brake the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Antje Noack
  • Patent number: 7861513
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprising a ventilation zone defined between a core engine casing and a core fairing and having a discharge nozzle, the engine further comprises a pre-cooler having a flow of coolant therethrough and which coolant being ducted into the ventilation zone wherein an additional ventilation zone outlet system is provided and comprises a variable area outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventor: Richard G. Stretton
  • Patent number: 7827795
    Abstract: A fuel injector and turbine engine incorporating the fuel injector are provided. The fuel injector includes an active cooling system that insulates fuel flowing through the fuel injector from heat energy within the turbine engine. The cooling system includes a cooling air passage that includes an inlet and an outlet. The inlet and outlet are in fluid communication with the interior of an engine case of the turbine engine. The inlet is at a higher air pressure location than the outlet such that air is siphoned through the cooling air passage. A portion of the cooling air passage includes a heat exchanger for extracting heat energy from the cooling air. The cooling air passes through the fuel injector after it has passed through the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is positioned external to the engine case and in thermal communication with the ambient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Woodward Governor Company
    Inventors: Paul G. Hicks, Fei Philip Lee
  • Patent number: 7823374
    Abstract: A heat transfer system is provided for a turbine engine of the type including an annular inlet cowling. The heat transfer system includes at least one heat pipe disposed in contact with an interior of the casing. The heat pipe is thermally coupled to a heat source, such that heat from the heat source can be transferred through the heat pipe and into the inlet cowling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kattalaicheri Srinivasan Venkataramani, Thomas Ory Moniz, Justin P. Stephenson, William Andrew Bailey
  • Publication number: 20100251719
    Abstract: A mixer assembly for use in a combustion chamber of a gas turbine engine includes a pilot mixer, a main mixer and a centerbody positioned between the pilot mixer and the main mixer. The pilot mixer includes an annular pilot housing having a hollow interior and a pilot fuel nozzle mounted in the housing and adapted for dispensing droplets of fuel to the hollow interior of the pilot housing. The main mixer includes: a main housing surrounding the pilot housing and defining an annular cavity; a plurality of fuel injection ports for introducing fuel into the annular cavity; and, a swirler arrangement including at least one swirler positioned upstream from the fuel injection ports, wherein each swirler of the arrangement has a plurality of vanes for swirling air traveling through such swirler to mix air and the droplets of fuel dispensed by the fuel injection ports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventors: Alfred Albert Mancini, Hukam Chand Mongia
  • Publication number: 20100242492
    Abstract: Distributed engine control systems and gas turbine engines are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Jef Sloat, Dwayne Michael Benson, Kent Stange
  • Publication number: 20100223902
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine control component includes at least one electronic device, electronics such as an integrated circuit associated with the device, and a thermoelectric cooler for cooling the electronics mounted in a compartment. The thermoelectric cooler may be disposed in or on a wall of the compartment with a heat sink connected to a hot side of the thermoelectric cooler and a cold side of the thermoelectric cooler exposed to an interior of the compartment. Data about and/or operating instructions for the device may be stored in memory on the integrated circuit. The data may be calibration information for the device. A bus connector is connected to the integrated circuit for transferring operating instructions and/or data from the integrated circuit out and/or out of the component. A controller or control system incorporating these devices and components have the devices electronically connected to the integrated circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventors: William James Mailander, Paul Bryant Goodwin
  • Patent number: 7743600
    Abstract: A sensor assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a telemetry module mounted at a rotor bearing compartment for sensing engine operational parameters and a cooling system for cooling the telemetry module separate from a rotor bearing lubricant flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Babu, Michael Ian Walker, William G. Sheridan, Richard E. Domonkos, Michael T. Chelte
  • Publication number: 20100146981
    Abstract: A heating and cooling system for inlet air of a turbine compressor. The heating and cooling system may include a thermal energy storage tank charging loop, a cooling loop in communication with the thermal energy storage charging loop, and a heating loop in communication with the cooling loop and the inlet air of the turbine compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Abbas Motakef, Peter Feher
  • Patent number: 7730713
    Abstract: Provided is a gas turbine power plant in which a rotor of a generator is journalled by water lubrication bearings into which a part of cooling water for cooling the generator is fed. Since the lubrication water has a viscosity lower than that of lubrication oil, it is possible to provide a gas turbine power plant with less energy loss resulting in lower power consumption for accessories, and in high power generation efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Susumu Nakano, Satoshi Dodo, Kuniyoshi Tsubouchi, Manabu Yagi, Itsurou Sawada, Tomoaki Inoue, Makoto Hemmi
  • Publication number: 20100107593
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment of this invention provides a single-effect absorption chiller including an absorber operatively connected to a solution heat exchanger and a generator, and a condenser in fluid communication with the absorber, wherein the absorber is sized and configured to receive a feed of water from a source of water and to transfer heat to the feed of water and then to convey the feed of water to the condenser without further heat conditioning of the feed of water prior to its entry into the condenser, and wherein the condenser is sized and configured to receive the feed of water from the absorber and to transfer heat to the feed of water, thereby cooling the condenser without resorting to an external heat exchanger such as a conventional cooling tower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: University of New Orleans Research & Technology Foundation
    Inventor: Ting Wang
  • Patent number: 7707838
    Abstract: An embodiment of the technology described herein is an auxiliary power unit assembly. The auxiliary power unit assembly includes an auxiliary power unit being installable in an aircraft having a cabin, a duct connecting the cabin and the auxiliary power unit, and an airflow management feature in the duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Karl Edward Sheldon, Charles Erklin Seeley, Ludwig Christian Haber
  • Publication number: 20100011739
    Abstract: A device and method for drawing off and recirculating cooling streams, specifically for drawing off and recirculating a cooling stream of fuel for cooling at least one aircraft engine accessory, is disclosed. The device having a tubular jacket part defining a flow cross-section through which a primary stream, specifically a fuel stream, flows by way of an extraction pipe which is positioned approximately in the center of the flow cross-section, or jacket part, in order to draw off a cooling stream from the primary stream, by way of a hollow strut extending in the radial direction to divert this cooling stream from the device with the aid of the extraction pipe and to supply it to at least one accessory to be cooled, and by way of a return opening to recirculate the cooling stream directed through the accessory for cooling purposes to the primary stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2005
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: MTU Aero Engines GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Goetz, Oliver Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7640752
    Abstract: Device for guiding an element in an orifice in a wall of a turbomachine combustion chamber, including a ring and a bush, the ring being traversed axially by the element and including an external annular rim guided transversely in an internal annular channel of the bush, the ring and the bush delimiting around the element a cylindrical annular passage opening into the chamber, air circulation being provided in the ring and/or in the bush and distributed about their axis so as to establish an air circulation in the cylindrical passage from the outside of the combustion chamber toward the inside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Claude Gautier, Denis Jean Maurice Sandelis
  • Publication number: 20090314004
    Abstract: A turboprop engine (1) includes an engine nacelle (3) and at least one bleed air line (25) on the low-pressure compressor (4) and at least one ejector (21) formed by a cooling air duct (24) and a nozzle (22) to create a cooling air flow within the engine nacelle during critical ground idle operation (controlled or uncontrolled), and without undesirably increasing fuel consumption or disturbing the work cycle of the engine (1). The ejector (21) is arranged within the engine nacelle (3) in the forward part of the turboprop engine (1), with the cooling air duct (24) appertaining to the ejector (21) connecting at least one air intake (23) disposed on the periphery of the engine nacelle (3) with the interior of the engine nacelle (3), and with the at least one nozzle (22) being arranged in the cooling air duct (24).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE DEUTSCHLAND LTD & CO KG
    Inventor: Matthijs VAN DER WOUDE
  • Patent number: 7631485
    Abstract: A liquid-air heat exchanger extracts thermal energy from an engine lubricating fluid system. The liquid-air heat exchanger is located within a tailcone section and is in communication with a portion of the fan bypass airflow which enters the tailcone section through an annular tailcone exhaust nozzle entrance to transfer thermal energy into the combined airflow out of the engine to recover thrust loss ducted from the fan bypass stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Brian Merry
  • Publication number: 20090284013
    Abstract: A power generation system capable of eliminating NO, components in the exhaust gas by using a 3-way catalyst, comprising a gas compressor to increase the pressure of ambient air fed to the system; a combustor capable of oxidizing a mixture of fuel and compressed air to generate an expanded, high temperature exhaust gas; a gas turbine engine that uses the force of the high temperature gas; an exhaust gas recycle (EGR) stream back to the combustor; a 3-way catalytic reactor downstream of the gas turbine engine outlet which treats the exhaust gas stream to remove substantially all of the NOx components; a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG); an EGR compressor; and an electrical generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ashok Kumar Anand, James Anthony West, Gilbert Otto Kraemer, Hasan Ul Karim, Sam David Draper, Jonathan Dwight Berry
  • Publication number: 20090272124
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cooling channel for a component conveying hot gas for the purposes of conveying a coolant along a direction of flow with a dowrnstream and an upstream side, with a plurality of inlet apertures for a coolant, with a number of inlet apertures that vary their configuration at least partly among themselves is arranged at least in one section of the cooling channel. As a result, the heat-transfer coefficient is substantially increased at points particularly requiring cooling and therefore the cooling is substantially improved. The cooling channel is characterized by a particularly low pressure loss.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventors: Robert W. Dawson, Roland Liebe
  • Patent number: 7607318
    Abstract: An integrated environmental control system for an aircraft compartment and aircraft power system comprises first and second air compressors, an auxiliary power unit, and first and second environmental control systems. The first and second compressors receive and compress airflow from the aircraft exterior. The auxiliary power unit comprises a first shaft rotatably mounting a power turbine, a third air compressor to compress airflow from the aircraft exterior, and a first cooling turbine to cool the airflow. Each environmental control system comprises a first heat exchanger, a recycling heat exchanger, and a second shaft rotatably mounting a fourth compressor and a second cooling turbine for compressing and cooling the airflow. The first heat exchanger receives airflow from the first, second, and third air compressors and forwards airflow to the aircraft compartment. The recycling heat exchanger receives airflow from the aircraft compartment and recirculates airflow back to the aircraft compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Clarence W. T. Lui, Jean-Luc Derouineau, Henry M. Claeys
  • Publication number: 20090235668
    Abstract: A combustor for a turbine including: a combustor liner, a first flow sleeve surrounding the combustor liner to define a first flow annulus, the first flow sleeve having cooling holes for directing compressor discharge air as cooling air into the first flow annulus, a transition piece body connected to the combustor liner to carry hot combustion gases to the turbine; a second flow sleeve surrounding the transition piece body, the second flow sleeve having cooling holes for directing compressor discharge air as cooling air into a second flow annulus between the second flow sleeve and the transition piece body; at least one dilution hole in the combustor liner for flowing compressor air into a combustion chamber defined by the combustor liner; and a bushing seated in at least one of the cooling or dilution holes and secured with respect thereto for defining a flow passage for compressor discharge air through the hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas Edward Johnson, Marcus B. Huffman
  • Publication number: 20090205340
    Abstract: A gas turbine unit as well as a method for operating a gas turbine with high-pressure turbine and a low-pressure turbine unit are disclosed. A very quick and at the same time easily controllable augmentation or reduction of the shaft power of the gas turbine unit can be achieved by providing at least one liquid droplet injection device on the upstream side of said compressor for injecting liquid into the stream of intake air in order to increase the shaft power generated by the gas turbine unit. The amount of water mass flow corresponding to the desired increase or decrease of shaft power output of the gas turbine unit is added or reduced in the form of liquid droplets in a substantially stepless manner and immediately within a time interval that is determined by the design characteristics of the liquid droplet injection device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventors: Giacomo Bolis, Gustav Hagstrom, Jurgen Hoffmann, Thorsten Wasmuth
  • Publication number: 20090188234
    Abstract: A thermal management system includes at least two of a multiple of heat exchangers arranged in an at least partial-series relationship.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Brian D. Merry, Christopher M. Dye
  • Publication number: 20090188232
    Abstract: A thermal management system includes at least one heat exchanger in communication with a bypass flow of a gas turbine engine. The placement of the heat exchanger(s) minimizes weight and aerodynamic losses and contributes to overall performance increase over traditional ducted heat exchanger placement schemes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Brian D. Merry, Christopher M. Dye
  • Publication number: 20090165995
    Abstract: The invention relates to an air-oil heat exchanger located at the inner shroud of the secondary duct of a turbojet. In characteristic manner, it comprises an oil circuit placed inside the separator nose and fins placed outside the top wall of the separator nose, between the leading edge of the separator nose and the outlet guide vanes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: TECHSPACE AERO
    Inventors: Denis Bajusz, Albert Cornet, Jerome Friedel, Nicolas Raimarckers
  • Patent number: 7546739
    Abstract: An igniter tube assembly includes an axis of symmetry extending therethrough, an igniter tube that includes a first opening extending coaxially therethrough having a diameter sized to receive a portion of the igniter therethrough such that the igniter tube circumscribes the igniter and such that a gap is defined between the igniter tube and the igniter, a ferrule coupled to the igniter tube, and a plurality of cooling air openings extending through at least one of the igniter tube and the ferrule to facilitate channeling cooling air into the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas George Holland, Steven Clayton Vise, Marie Ann McMasters