Having Fuel Supply System Patents (Class 60/734)
  • Publication number: 20140260261
    Abstract: A turbomachine is provided and includes a combustor in which fuel and air are combusted, a turbine disposed for reception of products of combustion from the combustor, a transition piece fluidly interposed between the combustor and the turbine and including a body formed to define dilution holes configured to allow air to enter the combustor and for enabling steam injection toward a main flow of the products of the combustion proceeding from the combustor to the turbine and a fuel injection system supportively coupled to the transition piece and configured to inject fuel toward the main flow of the products of the combustion to thereby restore a flame temperature of the main flow of the products of the combustion reduced by steam injection enabled by the dilution holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Carey Edward Romoser, Derrick Walter Simons
  • Publication number: 20140260270
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine that includes: an interior flowpath defined through a combustor and a turbine; an aft frame forming an interface between the combustor the turbine, the aft frame comprising a rigid structural member that circumscribes the interior flowpath, wherein the aft frame includes an inner wall that defines an outboard boundary of the interior flowpath; a circumferentially extending fuel plenum formed through the aft frame; and outlet ports formed through the inner wall of the aft frame. The outlet ports may be configured to connect the fuel plenum to the interior flowpath.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventor: General Electric Company
  • Publication number: 20140260262
    Abstract: A gas turbine that includes: a combustor coupled to a turbine that together define an interior flowpath, the interior flowpath extending aftward about a longitudinal axis from a primary air and fuel injection system that defines a forward end, through an interface at which the combustor connects to the turbine, and through a row of stator blades in the turbine that defines an aft end; and a downstream injection system that includes two injection stages, a first stage and a second stage, that are axially spaced along the longitudinal axis of the interior flowpath. The first stage and the second stage each includes multiple injectors configured to inject an air and fuel mixture into the interior flowpath.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Lewis Berkley Davis, JR., Krishna Kumar Venkataraman, Kaitlin Marie Graham
  • Publication number: 20140260264
    Abstract: A system for controlling air flow rate of a compressed working fluid to a fuel injector of a combustor includes an outer casing that defines a high pressure plenum around a portion of the combustor, an extraction port in fluid communication with the high pressure plenum and an inlet port. The combustor includes a plurality of fuel injectors arranged around a combustion liner, an inner flow sleeve, an outer air shield that surrounds the plurality of fuel injectors and the inner flow sleeve. The outer air shield defines an injection an air plenum between the outer air shield and the inner flow sleeve and an inlet to the injection air plenum. An external fluid circuit provides fluid communication between the extraction port and the inlet port. A baffle extends between the outer casing and the outer air shield to provide flow separation between the inlet and the high pressure plenum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Lucas John Stoia, Patrick Benedict Melton, Richard Martin DiCintio
  • Patent number: 8826665
    Abstract: An example gas turbine engine hose arrangement includes a hose configured to communicate fluid and a thermal blanket directly adjacent the hose. A section of the hose is radially closer to a centerline of the gas turbine engine than the thermal blanket. An example method of limiting hose exposure to thermal energy includes routing a hose near a combustor housing of a gas turbine engine and covering the hose with thermal blanket to limit thermal energy communicated radially inwardly toward an axial center of the combustor housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Hamilton Sunstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Eric Andrew Nager
  • Publication number: 20140245739
    Abstract: A method for purging fuel from a fuel system of a gas turbine engine on shutdown of the engine comprises, in one aspect, terminating a fuel supply to the fuel system and using the residual compressed air to create a reversed pressure differential in the fuel system relative to a forward pressure differential of the fuel system used to maintain fuel supply for engine operation, and under the reversed pressure differential substantially purging the fuel remaining in the system therefrom to a fuel source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventor: Kevin Allan DOOLEY
  • Patent number: 8820086
    Abstract: An endcover assembly for a turbine combustor adapted to support one or more combustor nozzles includes a substantially flat plate having one side which in use, faces a combustion chamber and an opposite side which, in use, faces away from the combustion chamber. At least one fuel passage extends through the substantially flat plate. A fuel manifold porting block is secured to the opposite side of the flat plate with at least one port aligned with the at least one passage. A fuel restrictor insert formed with multiple flow orifices is located between the flat plate and the fuel manifold porting block in alignment with the at least one fuel passage and the at least one port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Donald Mark Bailey, Donald Timothy Lemon, Kwanwoo Kim, Patrick Benedict Melton
  • Patent number: 8820087
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling delivery of fuel to a dual stage nozzle in the combustor of a gas turbine. A liquid fuel is conveyed from a single stage fuel supply through a plurality of primary fuel supply lines to a first nozzle stage including a plurality of primary nozzles. A predetermined operating condition of the gas turbine is identified and a signal is produced in response to the identified operating condition. The signal effects actuation of valves located on secondary fuel supply lines extending from each of the primary fuel supply lines to supply fuel to respective secondary nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: William R. Ryan
  • Publication number: 20140238037
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present disclosure is a unique method for operating a gas turbine engine during flight operation of the gas turbine engine in an aircraft. Another embodiment of the present disclosure is a unique gas turbine engine. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for gas turbine engines. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventor: William G. Cummings, III
  • Patent number: 8813470
    Abstract: In a method for operating a fuel supply for a heat engine, in a first step the block valve (4) and the control valve (5) are closed, with the vent valve (7) closed. In a second step, the vent valve (7) is opened so that fuel volume (V1) which is present in the fuel line section (1?) and vent line (6?) can drain. In a third step, the vent valve (7) is closed. In a fourth step, the control valve (5) is opened. In a fifth step, the fuel volume (V1) is replenished by a pressure-driven backflow of fuel from the combustion process (3). In a sixth step, the control valve (5) is closed and then the vent valve (7) is opened, for draining of the replenished fuel volume (V1) which has been formed there on account of the action taken according to the fifth step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd.
    Inventor: Hermann Engesser
  • Patent number: 8813504
    Abstract: A protocol for assembling a fuel shut off pin valve assembly for a gas turbine engine. The protocol outlines a specific sequence of events in order to ensure failsafe incorporation of a fuel shut off valve assembly within the low pressure turbine area and specifically within the engine casing of the gas turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Guy Lefebvre, Claude Giardetti
  • Publication number: 20140230449
    Abstract: A valve control device is provided in a gas turbine having a combustor for generating combustion gas, a turbine driven by the combustion gas generated by the combustor, a flow rate regulating valve for regulating the flow rate of the fuel to be supplied to the combustor, and a pressure regulating valve disposed upstream of the flow rate regulating valve, for regulating the fuel pressure. The valve control device controls the opening degree of the valve. The valve control device includes a load decrease detection part which detects a load decrease of the gas turbine, and a pressure control part which controls the opening degree of the valve in accordance with the output of the gas turbine. The valve control device suppresses instability of the gas turbine output even when the load rapidly decreases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiko Saito, Takashi Sonoda, Takafumi Uda, Fuminori Fujii
  • Publication number: 20140216037
    Abstract: An engine fuel control system includes a metering valve to control fuel flow between the supply and delivery line with a pressure drop control regulating the pressure across the valve and maintain a substantially constant pressure across the valve. The fuel control system includes a backup system controllable by a pullback signal to operate the pressure control, thus increasing the pullback signal reducing the fuel flow between the supply and delivery line. The fuel control system detects a start of an engine overthrust event, and when the upward runaway is caused by the arrested overthrust event. The fuel control system's controller which (i) determines the overthrust detection, the pullback signal increase rate and the pullback signal offset, (ii) sends the pullback signal to the backup system at the rate of increase, and (iii), reduces the pullback signal to the backup system when the upward runaway is arrested by the offset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE CONTROLS AND DATA SERVICES LIMITED
    Inventors: Alexander MACDONALD, Mohammad Khalid KHAN, Nigel Herbert HENSON
  • Patent number: 8793971
    Abstract: A fuel supply system for a gas turbine engine has a first pump for delivering fuel to a first use on a gas turbine engine, and a second pump for delivering fuel to a second use on the gas turbine engine. A valve allows flow from the first pump to be delivered to the first use, but also routes some flow from the first pump to supplement fuel flow from the second pump until a pressure downstream of the second pump increases. The valve then allows flow from the second pump to flow to the first use to supplement the flow from the first pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald P. Dyer, Kevin Gibbons
  • Patent number: 8789353
    Abstract: A fuel system comprises a first, variable displacement fuel pump operable to supply fuel through a metering valve to an engine, a control servo operable to control the operation of the first pump, a pressure drop control valve (PDCV) responsive to a pressure drop across the metering valve, a second fuel pump, and a spill valve movable between an open position in which substantially all of the fuel supplied by the second fuel pump is returned to an inlet side thereof, and a closed position, or partially closed position, wherein a proportion of the fuel supplied by the second pump is delivered to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Goodrich Control Systems
    Inventor: Daniel James Bickley
  • Patent number: 8783040
    Abstract: A fuel delivery system for a combustion turbine engine, comprising: a fuel line having a fuel compressor and parallel branches downstream of the fuel compressor: a cold branch that includes an after-cooler; and a hot branch that bypasses the after-cooler; a rapid heating value meter configured to measure the heating value of the fuel from the fuel source and transmit heating value data relating to the measurements; means for controlling the amount of fuel being directed through the cold branch and the amount of fuel being directed through the hot branch; and a fuel-mixing junction at which the cold branch and the hot branch converge; wherein the fuel-mixing junction resides in close proximity to a combustor gas control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Dean Matthew Erickson, Timothy Russell Bilton
  • Publication number: 20140196459
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine fuel supply system includes a primary gear pump, a secondary gear pump, and a pump bypass valve. The primary gear pump always actively delivers fuel to the downstream fuel system, and is sized to supply 100% of the burn flow needed at a select low demand condition. The secondary gear pump is sized to make up the remainder of the flow at high demand conditions, and actively delivers fuel to the downstream fuel system only during those conditions. To supply discharge fuel pressures in excess of gear pump capability, a supercharger pump is disposed upstream of the primary and secondary gear pumps. The pump bypass valve is configured to regulate fuel pressure at the primary gear pump outlet to one of a plurality of preset differential pressures above one of a plurality of fuel load pressures and prevents reverse pressurization of the gear pumps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Paul W. Futa, Edward Zielinski, Larry Portolese, David Tuttle
  • Publication number: 20140196463
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine fuel supply system includes a primary gear pump and a secondary gear pump. The primary gear pump always actively delivers fuel to the downstream fuel system, and is sized to supply 100% of the burn flow needed at a select low demand condition. The secondary gear pump is sized to make up the remainder of the flow at high demand conditions, and actively delivers fuel to the downstream fuel system only during those conditions. To supply discharge fuel pressures in excess of gear pump capability, a supercharger pump is disposed upstream of the primary and secondary gear pumps. The supercharger pump is preferably activated only during high demand conditions as an additional energy conservation measure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Edward Zielinski, Paul W. Futa, David Tuttle
  • Publication number: 20140196466
    Abstract: Methods and systems for operating a gas turbine engine including a fuel delivery system and a plurality of combustor assemblies are provided. The fuel delivery system comprises a primary fuel circuit configured to continuously supply fuel to each of the plurality of combustor assemblies during a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation. At least one secondary fuel circuit of the fuel delivery system is configured to supply fuel to each of the plurality of combustor assemblies during the second mode of operation. The secondary fuel circuit includes at least one isolation valve coupled in flow communication with each of the plurality of combustor assemblies. The at least one isolation valve facilitates preventing fluid flow upstream into the secondary fuel circuit during the first mode of operation. The fuel delivery system, using the isolation valve, replaces a purging system in the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Fabien Thibault Codron, John Edward Pritchard, Stanley Kevin Widener
  • Patent number: 8769954
    Abstract: A fluid manifold apparatus includes: (a) an array of spaced-apart manifold fittings, each manifold fitting aligned in a predetermined angular orientation. Each manifold fitting includes: (i) a tubular neck; (ii) a pair of spaced-apart tubular arms extending away from a first end of the neck; and (iii) a coupling connected to a second end of the neck; and (b) a plurality of curved tubes, each tube being coupled to one arm of each of two adjacent manifold fittings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kevin Michael Fiebig, Joshua Brown, Joseph Nath
  • Publication number: 20140165579
    Abstract: The speed of a high-pressure turbine of a gas turbine engine may be determined using known centrifugal pump affinity relationships for a fuel pressure apparatus, fuel pressure apparatus input and output pressures, and gear ratios for a mechanical linkage between the high-pressure turbine and the fuel pressure apparatus. The technique avoids wear-related variations in gas pressure based measurements and also applies to fuel pressure apparatus using both single pump and multiple pump configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tyler J. Selstad
  • Publication number: 20140165580
    Abstract: A fuel routing system of a gas turbine engine includes a primary fuel circuit in communication with a fuel source and a fuel distribution manifold. Also included is a secondary fuel circuit extending from the primary fuel circuit to a plurality of fuel nozzles configured to direct fuel to a plurality of combustor chambers. Further included is a main fuel flow control valve disposed in the primary fuel circuit for restricting a fuel flow to the fuel distribution manifold upon removal of an electrical load operably coupled to the gas turbine engine. Yet further included is a plurality of check valves disposed between the secondary fuel circuit and the primary fuel circuit for restricting the fuel flow between the secondary fuel circuit and the primary fuel circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: James Arthur Simmons, William Randolph Shinkle
  • Publication number: 20140165571
    Abstract: A fuel circuit for a turbine engine, the fuel circuit comprising: a fuel return valve connected to the main circuit and to a fuel tank, the valve being capable of adopting an open position in which the valve allows an excess quantity of fuel to be returned to the tank, and a closed configuration in which the return of fuel to the tank is blocked; a first hydraulic line connecting the valve to the main circuit, and including a first filter; a second hydraulic line connecting the valve to the main circuit, and including a second filter; and an intermediate hydraulic line connected to the first and second lines downstream from the filters, the first and second lines being hydraulically connected together by the intermediate line when the valve is in the closed configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: SNECMA
    Inventors: Philippe VERTENOEUIL, Gilles BRUN
  • Publication number: 20140165587
    Abstract: A system for converting gaseous fuel into liquid fuel is provided. The system may have a combustor configured to receive a supply of gaseous fuel. The system may also have a gas compressor configured to direct gaseous fuel from the supply into the combustor. The system may also have an air compressor configured to direct compressed air into the combustor, and a turbine in fluid communication with an outlet of the combustor. The turbine may be connected to drive the gas compressor and the air compressor. The system may also have at least one heat exchanger in fluid communication with an outlet of the gas compressor and an outlet of the air compressor. The system may also have at least one expander in fluid communication with an outlet of the at least one heat exchanger. The system may also have a condenser in fluid communication with an outlet of the at least one expander.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Inventor: Aaron Foege
  • Publication number: 20140165576
    Abstract: It is desirable for a gas turbine system to operate in a wide range operating conditions. However, under certain conditions there exist dynamic boundaries that limit a combustor from reaching its designated condition. Perturbation devices formed of electromagnetic plates can be incorporated into fuel nozzles of the combustor to influence the dynamics so that the range of operating conditions can be widened. The perturbation devices vibrate according to the perturbation signals provided from a dynamics controller. The vibration characteristics of the perturbation devices can be controlled by controlling the attributes of the perturbation signals. The vibrations influence the dynamics of fluid—fuel, oxidant, or both—flowing past the perturbation devices within the fuel nozzles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Wei CHEN, Keith McManus, John Lipinski, Carolyn Antoniono
  • Patent number: 8752387
    Abstract: Fuel control arrangements for gas turbine engines generally comprise an injector and a fuel control valve. Typically the fuel control valve is controlled in terms of fuel demand through fuel pressure presented to the valve. Fuel demand may vary and in such circumstances stagnation of fuel adjacent to the valve may cause degradation of the fuel and therefore spurious operational performance. By providing a dedicated working fluid, and typically hydraulic, pressure to the valve a variable aperture port can be displaced to alter the fuel flow configuration within the valve. In such circumstances different fuel valve conditions can be generated by altering the available area of aperture in the port to divert or present fuel to the injector between and across first or primary fuel paths and second or pilot fuel paths as required. Thus more flexibility with regard to fuel presentation to the injector is achieved as well as consistency with respect to avoiding fuel degradation as fuel demand varies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventor: Mark Scully
  • Patent number: 8752386
    Abstract: A fuel injector for use in a gas turbine engine combustor assembly. The fuel injector includes a main body and a fuel supply structure. The main body has an inlet end and an outlet end and defines a longitudinal axis extending between the outlet and inlet ends. The main body comprises a plurality of air/fuel passages extending therethrough, each air/fuel passage including an inlet that receives air from a source of air and an outlet. The fuel supply structure communicates with and supplies fuel to the air/fuel passages for providing an air/fuel mixture within each air/fuel passage. The air/fuel mixtures exit the main body through respective air/fuel passage outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignees: Siemens Energy, Inc., Mikro Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Fox, Reinhard Schilp, Domenico Gambacorta
  • Publication number: 20140157780
    Abstract: A fuel control module for a gas turbine engine and method of installation. The fuel control module includes a first frame unit, a second frame unit, a fuel path, and a fuel controller components. The first frame unit and the second frame unit include features for installation in multiple installations and/or multiple configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: SOLAR TURBINES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Darren Matthew Stratton, Gregory Lee Landrum
  • Publication number: 20140157785
    Abstract: A system includes a fuel supply system. The fuel supply includes a primary fuel supply, a fuel additive supply, and a common pipeline coupled to the primary fuel and fuel additive supplies. The primary fuel supply includes a primary fuel having a first average molecular weight. The fuel additive includes a fuel additive having a second molecular weight that is greater than the first average molecular weight. The common pipeline is configured to direct a mixture of the primary fuel and the fuel additive into a fuel nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Mahesh Bathina, Madanmohan Manoharan
  • Publication number: 20140157786
    Abstract: A gas turbine system includes a gas turbine including a combustor for combusting a fuel and a control assembly configured to control at least one of a fuel system and the combusting of the combustor based on providing values corresponding to at least one of fuel characteristics and combustor characteristics to a fuel induction time transfer function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Roy Marshall Washam
  • Publication number: 20140150438
    Abstract: A system for operating a thermal power plant during off-peak demand intervals includes a gas turbine having a compressor, a combustor connected to a fuel control system, a turbine and a sensor configured to sense ambient conditions around the gas turbine. The fuel control system and the sensor are in communication with a controller. The controller is configured to receive a user input that corresponds to a value for an operational boundary condition of the thermal power plant and to monitor ambient conditions through the sensor. The controller is further configured to generate a predicted emissions level value for the gas turbine based on the monitored ambient conditions and to generate a command signal to adjust at least one operational parameter of the gas turbine based at least in part on the predicted emissions level value and the value of the operational boundary condition of the thermal power plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: George Allen Ellis, Jonathan Carl Thatcher, Robert Walter Arnold, Michael John Mariani, Chad Ernest Findlay
  • Patent number: 8739543
    Abstract: A method for operating a burner including a burner outlet opening with at least two sectors, each sector is assigned at least one fuel nozzle, is provided. The method is characterized in that fuel is supplied separately to the fuel nozzles of different sectors. Also described is a burner which includes at least two sectors wherein each sector is assigned at least one fuel nozzle. The burner includes at least two separate fuel supply lines and a device for adjusting the fuel mass flow which flows through the respective fuel supply line. The fuel supply lines supply fuel to the fuel nozzles of different sectors. Also described is a gas turbine which is fitted with at least one burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Eberhard Deuker, Anil Gulati, Andreas Heilos
  • Patent number: 8739811
    Abstract: A direct metering fuel supply system includes a fuel pump, a burn flow fuel line, a servo flow fuel line, and a servo regulator. The fuel pump is adapted receive pump commands representative of a commanded fuel flow rate and is configured, in response to the pump commands, to discharge fuel at the commanded fuel flow rate. The burn flow fuel line is in fluid communication with the pump to receive a first portion of the fuel discharged therefrom. The servo flow fuel line is in fluid communication with the pump to receive a second portion of the fuel discharged therefrom. The servo regulator is mounted on the servo flow fuel line and configured to maintain fuel flow rate in the servo flow fuel line at a substantially constant fuel flow rate regardless of fuel flow rate in the burn flow fuel line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Futa, David Tuttle, William Scott Rowan
  • Patent number: 8739544
    Abstract: A staging valve arrangement is described that comprises an arrangement of electrically driven staging valves that are located, in use, in the high temperature core zone of an engine. Each staging valve may comprise a housing having an inlet, a pilot flow outlet and a mains flow outlet, a valve member movable between a closed position in which the mains flow outlet is closed and an open position in which the mains flow outlet is open, a motor operable to drive the valve member for movement, and a cooling arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Controls and Data Services Limited
    Inventors: Neil Rawlinson, Michael Robert Lyons, William Keith Bradbury, Laurence Alden, Blair Ramsay, Mark Scully
  • Publication number: 20140144140
    Abstract: A fuel boost module for a gas turbine engine having a base, a fuel inlet configured to receive fuel from a fuel supply, a fuel outlet configured to deliver fuel to the gas turbine engine, a filter assembly configured to filter the fuel, a fuel controller configured to regulate pressure of the fuel that will be delivered to the gas turbine engine, a boost pump configured to pressurize the fuel, and a main pump configured to pressurize the fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: SOLAR TURBINES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: James Allen Thompson, Paul Alan LeBlanc, Neil V. Fry
  • Patent number: 8726666
    Abstract: A premixer is provided for injecting premixed fuel-air mixture into the inlet of a combustion apparatus. In one embodiment, the premixer assembly comprises a plurality of concentric, aerodynamic injector rings, with radially-directed injection holes. The injection holes have a plurality of different diameters, facilitating good mixing over a broad power range. Due to configuration and hole sizes, the assembly is gas or liquid compatible. The radial, concentric injection formation allows for a short injection path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Inventor: Donald W. Kendrick
  • Publication number: 20140130502
    Abstract: An assembly for a gas turbine is presented. The assembly includes a gas supply pipe passing through a bore in a flange of the gas turbine for supplying gas to a combustion chamber of the gas turbine and a sleeve surrounding the gas supply pipe, having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is sealingly coupled to the gas supply pipe, and wherein the sleeve is adapted to be sealingly coupled to the flange at the second end such that the sleeve extends along a thickness of the flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Inventors: Andreas Böttcher, Timothy A. Fox, Daniel W. Garan, Thomas Grieb, Jens Kleinfeld, Tobias Krieger, Stephen A. Ramier, David M. Ritland, Marcus Zurhorst
  • Publication number: 20140123651
    Abstract: A system for providing fuel to a combustor assembly in a gas turbine engine includes a main fuel valve assembly a plurality of multi-stage combustor valve assemblies. Each multi-stage combustor valve assembly is provided for delivering fuel to a respective combustor of the combustor assembly and includes at least two stage valves, each stage valve in communication with a respective stage within the corresponding combustor. The main fuel valve assembly receives fuel from a source of fuel and selectively delivers the fuel to the plurality of multi-stage combustor valve assemblies. Each stage valve within each multi-stage combustor valve assembly is adjustable to control delivery of fuel to each respective stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Inventor: Ernest W. Smith
  • Publication number: 20140116053
    Abstract: An assembly for use in a fuel injection system within a combustor of a combustion turbine engine is described. The assembly may include: a first port formed through an outer radial wall of the combustor and a second port formed through an inner radial wall. A plenum may be formed about the first port. A tube may be formed that has a first end positioned within the first port and a second end positioned within the second port. At the first end, the tube may be sized smaller than the first port such that two passages are defined therethrough: a first passage defined about an exterior of the tube; and a second passage defined through an interior of the tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Wei Chen, Lucas John Stoia, Richard Martin DiCintio
  • Patent number: 8707707
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine is provided and includes a combustor having a first interior in which a first fuel supplied thereto is combustible, a turbine, including rotating turbine blades, into which products of at least the combustion of the first fuel are receivable to power a rotation of the turbine blades, a transition zone, including a second interior in which a second fuel supplied thereto and the products of the combustion of the first fuel are combustible, the transition zone being disposed to fluidly couple the combustor and the turbine to one another, and a plurality of fuel injectors, which are supported by the transition zone and coupled to a fuel circuit, and which are configured to supply the second fuel to the second interior in any one or more of a single axial stage, multiple axial stages, a single axial circumferential stage and multiple axial circumferential stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Krishna Kumar Venkataraman, Jason Charles Terry, Chetan Babu Velkur, Hasan Karim
  • Patent number: 8701382
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine is provided and includes a fuel circuit, including multiple fuel circuit branches, a combustor having a first interior in which a first fuel supplied thereto by any one of the multiple fuel circuit branches is combustible, a turbine, a transition zone, including a second interior in which a second fuel supplied thereto by any one of the multiple fuel circuit branches, the second fuel including gas receivable by the fuel circuit from an external source, and the products of the combustion of the first fuel are combustible, the transition zone being disposed to fluidly couple the combustor and the turbine to one another, and a plurality of fuel injectors which supply the second fuel to the second interior in any one of a single axial stage, multiple axial stages, a single axial circumferential stage and multiple axial circumferential stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lewis Berkley Davis, Jr., Krishna Kumar Venkataraman, Willy Steve Ziminsky, Jason Charles Terry
  • Patent number: 8701418
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine is provided and includes a combustor having a first interior in which a first fuel is combustible, the first fuel including natural gas and/or a blend of natural gas and alternate gas receivable by a fuel circuit from an external source, a turbine, a transition zone, including a second interior in which a second fuel, the second fuel including an unblended supply of the alternate gas receivable by the fuel circuit from the external source, and the products of the combustion of the first fuel are combustible, and a plurality of fuel injectors, which are structurally supported by the transition zone and coupled to the fuel circuit, and which are configured to supply the second fuel to the second interior in any one of a single axial stage, multiple axial stages, a single axial circumferential stage and multiple axial circumferential stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Krishna Kumar Venkataraman, Jason Charles Terry
  • Patent number: 8701383
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine is provided and includes a late lean injection (LLI) compatible combustor having a first interior in which a first fuel supplied thereto by a fuel circuit is combustible, a turbine, a transition zone, including a second interior in which a second fuel supplied thereto by the fuel circuit and the products of the combustion of the first fuel are combustible, the transition zone being disposed to fluidly couple the combustor and the turbine to one another, and a plurality of fuel injectors, which are structurally supported by the transition zone and coupled to the fuel circuit, and which are configured to supply the second fuel to the second interior in any one of a single axial stage, multiple axial stages, a single axial circumferential stage and multiple axial circumferential stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Krishna Kumar Venkataraman, Roy Marshall Washam, Hasan Karim, Jason Charles Terry, Lewis Berkley Davis, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8695348
    Abstract: A combustor of the present invention includes: a plurality of nozzles which is arranged around the central axis of a combustor and of which each base end is connected to an oil supply tube; a nozzle tube base which supports the plurality of nozzles and includes an oil chamber supplying fuel to the nozzles via an oil inflow portion provided in each oil supply tube; a first guide portion which faces the center of the combustor inside the oil chamber and guides the oil remaining inside the oil chamber to the oil inflow portion; and a second guide portion which faces the base end of the combustor inside the oil chamber and guides the oil remaining inside the oil chamber to the oil inflow portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuyoshi Omae, Kenta Taniguchi, Yoshitaka Terada, Takashi Onozuka
  • Publication number: 20140096526
    Abstract: An end cover for a gas turbine combustor includes a main body configured to connect to a casing that at least partially surrounds a portion of the gas turbine. A fuel circuit extends within the main body of the end cover. An orifice extends through the main body. The orifice is in fluid communication with the fuel circuit. The end cover further includes a linear actuator. The linear actuator includes a flow control member that extends the fuel circuit and at least partially through the orifice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Elias Marquez, Gregory Earl Jensen
  • Publication number: 20140090395
    Abstract: A cooling system for a gas turbine engine (10). The system is comprises a fuel air heat exchanger (78) comprising a fuel passage (80) in thermal contact with an engine cooling air passage (82). The system further comprises a fuel deoxygenator (72) located upstream of the fuel air heat exchanger (78) configured to deliver deoxygenated fuel to the fuel air heat exchanger fuel passage (80). The system includes a valve (84) configured to moderate engine cooling air flow to the engine cooling air passage (82).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Ajith APPUKUTTAN, Andrew Martin ROLT, Anthony John MORAN
  • Publication number: 20140090391
    Abstract: A combustor for a gas turbine engine includes an forward fuel injection system in communication with a combustion chamber and a downstream fuel injection system that communicates with the combustion chamber downstream of the forward fuel injection system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Steven W. Burd
  • Patent number: 8683808
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine is provided and includes a combustor having a first interior in which a first fuel supplied thereto by a fuel circuit is combustible, a turbine, a transition zone, including a second interior in which a second fuel supplied thereto by the fuel circuit and the products of the combustion of the first fuel are combustible, a plurality of fuel injectors, which are structurally supported by the transition zone and coupled to the fuel circuit, and which are configured to supply the second fuel to the second interior in any one of a single axial stage, multiple axial stages, a single axial circumferential stage and multiple axial circumferential stages, and a control system coupled to the fuel circuit and configured to control relative amounts of the first and second fuels supplied by the fuel circuit to the first and second interiors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Krishna Kumar Venkataraman, Lewis Berkley Davis, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8677754
    Abstract: On a fuel supply system for a gas-turbine engine with a high-pressure supply line and a fuel metering unit, the fuel distribution system connected to staged or non-staged burners includes only one single fuel line (3) and the valve arrangements (7) connected to this fuel line and directly associated to individual burners (4), with the valve arrangements (7) each having several cutoff valves (8 to 10), which are—independently of each other—individually or simultaneously electrically settable to a closed or open limit position, with the cutoff valves each featuring a specific, yet different cross-sectional area. The simply designed, low-wear and low-maintenance fuel supply and distribution system, avoids coking in the one fuel line in the hot engine section, and enables a binary-coded fuel supply to the respective burner. With a sufficient number of valves in each arrangement, the fuel metering unit can be omitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG
    Inventors: Rudolf Lueck, Dominik Giugno, Christian Otterbach
  • Patent number: 8671690
    Abstract: A combustor 500 is composed of a plurality of premixed combustion burners 100 each comprising a fuel nozzle 110 provided in a burner tube 120, the fuel nozzle 110 having a plurality of swirl vanes 130 on an outer peripheral surface thereof. Injection holes 133a, 133b are formed in each swirl vane 130. Staging control is exercised such that when a gas turbine is in a full load state, a fuel is injected through the injection holes 133a, 133b of all the swirl vanes 130, and when the gas turbine is under a partial load, the fuel is injected only through the injection holes 133a, 133b of a specific number of the swirl vanes 130 adjacent in a circumferential direction, and fuel injection through the injection holes 133a, 133b of the remaining swirl vanes 130 is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Ishizaka, Eisaku Ito, Satoshi Tanimura