Fuel And Air Premixed Prior To Combustion Patents (Class 60/737)
  • Patent number: 8863525
    Abstract: The present application provides a combustor. The combustor may include an air flow path with a flow of air therein. A flow obstruction may be positioned within the air flow path and cause a wake or a recirculation zone downstream thereof. A number of fuel injectors may be positioned downstream of the flow obstruction. The fuel injectors may inject a flow of fuel into the air flow path such that the flows of fuel and air in the wake or the recirculation zone do not exceed a flammability limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Kaylor Toronto, Kwanwoo Kim, Abdul Rafey Khan, Luis Flamand
  • Patent number: 8863526
    Abstract: A fuel injector is provided and includes a first tube, having first and second opposing ends, which is supplied with fuel, and one or more second tubes disposed within the first tube, each of the one or more second tubes being supplied with air and having sidewalls defining injection holes through which the fuel enters the one or more second tubes to mix with the air, and an outlet end of the sidewalls corresponding to the second end of the first tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mark Allan Hadley, Rajani Kumar Akula, Jayaprakesh Natarajan, Chetan Babu Velkur
  • Patent number: 8863524
    Abstract: A burner for a gas turbine including a burner housing is provided. Provided is a lean-rich partially premixed low emission burner for a gas turbine combustor providing stable ignition and combustion process at all engine load conditions. At the upstream end of that burner a pilot combustor creates a flow of an unquenched concentration of radicals and heat. Respectively provided is a plurality of quarl sections surrounding the exit of the pilot combustor, a main combustion room defined downstream the pilot combustor and at least a first channel defined as an annular space between an upstream quarl section and the closest downstream quarl section providing air and fuel to a main flame in the combustion room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Andreas Karlsson, Vladimir Milosavljevic
  • Patent number: 8857739
    Abstract: A combustor for a gas turbine engine is disclosed which is able to operate with high combustion efficiency, and low nitrous oxide emissions during gas turbine operations. The combustor consists of a can-type configuration which combusts fuel premixed with air and delivers the hot gases to a turbine. Fuel is premixed with air through a swirler and is delivered to the combustor with a high degree of swirl motion about a central axis. This swirling mixture of reactants is conveyed downstream through a flow path that expands; the mixture reacts, and establishes an upstream central recirculation flow along the central axis. A cooling assembly is located on the swirler co-linear with the central axis in which cooler air is conveyed into the prechamber between the recirculation flow and the swirler surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Flexenergy Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Yimin Huang, Shaun Sullivan, Brian Finstad, Alexander Haplau-Colan
  • Publication number: 20140298814
    Abstract: A system for pre-heating a working fluid within a combustor includes a compressor for providing the working fluid to the combustor. An outer casing is disposed downstream from the compressor. The outer casing at least partially defines a high pressure plenum that at least partially surrounds the combustor. A combustion chamber is defined within the combustor downstream from the high pressure plenum. A catalytic combustor is disposed within the high pressure plenum upstream from the combustion chamber so as to provide thermal energy to the working fluid upstream from the combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Anthony Conchieri, Roy Marshall Washam, Gilbert Otto Kraemer
  • Patent number: 8850821
    Abstract: A system includes a fuel nozzle. The fuel nozzle includes a hub, a shroud disposed about the hub, an airflow path between the hub and the shroud, multiple first fuel outlets disposed on the hub, and multiple swirl vanes disposed in the airflow path downstream from the multiple first fuel outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Abdul Rafey Khan, Bradley Donald Crawley, Donald Mark Bailey, Ajay Pratap Singh
  • Patent number: 8850822
    Abstract: A system includes a fuel nozzle. The fuel nozzle includes a hub having an axis, a shroud disposed about the hub, an airflow path between the hub and the shroud, multiple vanes extending between the hub and the shroud, and a first fuel path leading to multiple first fuel outlets disposed on the multiple vanes. The fuel nozzle also includes a second fuel path leading to multiple second fuel outlets disposed on at least one of the hub and/or the shroud, wherein the multiple second fuel outlets are disposed at an axial distance upstream from a downstream end of the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Nishant Govindbhai Parsania, Ajay Pratap Singh
  • Patent number: 8850819
    Abstract: An air swirler, a fuel and air admission assembly, and a staged combustor are disclosed. The staged combustor may be equipped with the fuel and air admission assemblies incorporating the air swirlers for use in gas turbine engines, such as for example gas turbine engines powering aircraft having supersonic cruise capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Albert K. Cheung
  • Patent number: 8850820
    Abstract: A burner including a gas injector for injecting fuel into the burner for a gas turbine engine is provided. The burner is provided with a quarl, which surrounds a combustion room, at least a first channel emerging into the combustion room for providing the combustion room with air mixed with fuel, a swirler for mixing the air and the fuel located at the inlet of the channel, at least one tube for the provision of fuel at an inlet of at least one channel, wherein the tube is provided with a plurality of diffuser holes distributed along the tube acting as gas injectors for effectively distributing fuel in a flow of air passing through the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Vladimir Milosavljevic, Allan Persson, Magnus Persson
  • Patent number: 8850788
    Abstract: The burner (1) for a gas turbine includes a duct (2) housing a plurality of tetrahedron shaped vortex generators (3) and a lance (4) to inject a fuel to be combusted. Within the duct (2), a plurality of vortex generators (3) are provided with a plurality of holes (9) for injecting cooling air. The cooling holes (9) define passing through areas that are non-uniformly distributed on a top wall (11) of the vortex generators (3). A method for locally cooling a hot gases flow passing through a burner includes non-uniformly injecting cooling air from a vortex generator into the hot gas flow in the duct, which can reduce the occurrence of flashback in the burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Adnan Eroglu, Andrea Ciani, Johannes Buss, Michael Düsing, Urs Benz
  • Publication number: 20140290259
    Abstract: A combustion systems and components for rotary ramjet engines. An injection system, optionally stratified for ease of engine startup, provides an air and fuel mixture to a combustion chamber. An ignition system ignites the mixture. A flameholding system may be positioned for communication with the combustion chamber to force an ignited flow of the air and fuel mixture toward a center of rotation within the ramjet engine. The ramjet engine may have a diverging stator for improved exhaust efficiency. The ignition may take place in the engine air intake. Alternatively, the ignition may take place within the combustion chamber using a dual-hub electrically charged system. An impulse turbine may use recirculation of injected fuel to cool a rim-rotor and/or to reduce windage on the rim-rotor. A sealing system may reduce gas leaks from a fuel conduit into the engine air intake.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: SOCPRA SCIENCES ET GENIE, S.E.C.
    Inventors: Jean-Sébastien Plante, Mathieu Picard, David Rarncourt
  • Publication number: 20140283522
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a system having components for premixing fuel and air prior to combustion within a combustion chamber. The system includes a plurality of mixing tubes configured to receive and to mix fuel and air. Each mixing tube is paired with a fuel injector, and the fuel injector is positioned axially within a portion of the mixing tube. Fuel is injected from the fuel injector into the respective mixing tube, and air flows radially into each mixing tube through one or more apertures formed on the mixing tube. The fuel and air are mixed within the mixing tube and are deposited into a combustion chamber for combustion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: General Electric Company
  • Publication number: 20140283525
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine combustion system including a mixing duct that separates into at least two branch passages for the delivery of a fuel and working fluid to distinct locations within a combustion chamber. The residence time for the fuel and working fluid within each of the two branch passages is distinct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: Rolls-Royce Canada, Ltd.
    Inventor: Thomas Scarinci
  • Publication number: 20140260271
    Abstract: A system including a plurality of multi-tube fuel nozzles each having a plurality of tubes extending in an axial direction, wherein each tube of the plurality of tubes includes an air inlet, a fuel inlet, and a fuel-air mixture outlet, a fuel nozzle housing including a first outer wall extending circumferentially about a central axis, wherein the plurality of multi-tube fuel nozzles are disposed in the fuel nozzle housing, an inlet flow conditioner removably coupled to a first end portion of the first outer wall, wherein the inlet flow conditioner includes a plurality of air openings, and an aft plate assembly removably coupled to a second end portion of the first outer wall, wherein the aft plate assembly includes an aft plate having a plurality of tube apertures, and the plurality of tubes extend to the plurality of tube apertures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Keener, Jason Thurman Stewart
  • Publication number: 20140260299
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to systems and methods for premixing fuel and air prior to combustion within a combustion chamber. The system includes a plurality of fuel injectors and a plurality of mixing tubes, wherein each mixing tube has a first portion for receiving one of the plurality of fuel injectors and a second portion having a mixing chamber that is configured to mix fuel and air. The length of the mixing chamber varies among the plurality of mixing tubes to allow for different mixing times.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
  • Publication number: 20140260259
    Abstract: A multi-zone combustor is provided and includes a pre-mixer configured to output a first mixture to a primary zone of a combustor section and a stepped center body disposable in an annulus defined within the pre-mixer. The stepped center body includes an outer body configured to output at a first radial and axial step a second mixture to a secondary zone of the combustor section and an inner body disposable in an annulus defined within the outer body and configured to output at a second radial and axial step a third mixture to a tertiary zone of the combustor section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Leonid Yulevich Ginesin, Borys Borysovich Shershnyov, Andrey Pavlovich Subbota, Almaz Kamilevich Valeev
  • Publication number: 20140260267
    Abstract: A system includes a system having an end cover of a combustor for a gas turbine. The end cover has at least one fuel plenum coupled to a plurality of fuel injectors for a multi-tube fuel nozzle having a plurality of fuel-air mixing tubes, each tube having one of the fuel injectors. At least one fuel plenum is configured to provide fuel to each of the fuel injectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Patrick Benedict Melton, Gregory Allen Boardman, James Harold Westmoreland
  • Publication number: 20140260297
    Abstract: A combustor comprises an annular combustor chamber formed between the inner and outer liners, the annular combustor chamber having a central axis. Fuel nozzles are in fluid communication with the annular combustor chamber to inject fuel in the annular combustor chamber. The fuel nozzles are oriented to inject fuel in a fuel flow direction having an axial component relative to the central axis of the annular combustor chamber. Nozzle air inlets are in fluid communication with the annular combustor chamber to inject nozzle air generally radially in the annular combustor chamber. A plurality of dilution air holes are defined through the inner and outer liner downstream of the nozzle air inlets, the dilution holes configured for high pressure air to be injected from an exterior of the liners through the dilution air holes generally radially into the combustor chamber, a central axis of the dilution air holes having a tangential component relative to the central axis of the annular combustor chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Lev Alexander Prociw, Parham Zabeti
  • Publication number: 20140260268
    Abstract: A system includes a combustor cap assembly for a multi-tube fuel nozzle. The combustor cap assembly includes a support structure defining an interior volume configured to receive an air flow, a plurality of mixing tubes disposed within the interior volume, wherein each of the plurality of mixing tubes comprises a respective fuel injector and is individually removable from the combustor cap assembly, an air distributor disposed within the interior volume and configured to distribute the air flow received by the interior volume to each of the plurality of mixing tubes, and a combustor cap removably coupled to the support structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: James Harold Westmoreland, Gregory Allen Boardman, Patrick Benedict Melton
  • Publication number: 20140260269
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine that includes: a combustor coupled to a turbine and a downstream injection system that includes two injection stages, a first stage and a second stage, positioned within an interior flowpath, wherein the first stage comprises an axial position that is aft of the primary air and fuel injection system and the second stage comprising an axial position that is aft of the first stage. Each of the first stage and the second stage include a plurality of circumferentially spaced injectors, each injector of which is configured to inject air and fuel into a flow through the interior flowpath. The first stage and the second stage have a configuration that limits a fuel injected at the second stage to less than 50% of a fuel injected at the first stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventor: General Electric Company
  • Publication number: 20140260313
    Abstract: A micro-mixer/combustor to mix fuel and oxidant streams into combustible mixtures where flames resulting from combustion of the mixture can be sustained inside its combustion chamber is provided. The present design is particularly suitable for diffusion flames. In various aspects the present design mixes the fuel and oxidant streams prior to entering a combustion chamber. The combustion chamber is designed to prevent excess pressure to build up within the combustion chamber, which build up can cause instabilities in the flame. A restriction in the inlet to the combustion chamber from the mixing chamber forces the incoming streams to converge while introducing minor pressure drop. In one or more aspects, heat from combustion products exhausted from the combustion chamber may be used to provide heat to at least one of fuel passing through the fuel inlet channel, oxidant passing through the oxidant inlet channel, the mixing chamber, or the combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Jihad A. Badra, Assaad R. Masri
  • 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: 20140260315
    Abstract: A system includes a multi-tube fuel nozzle. The multi-tube fuel nozzle includes an end cover, a first plate, and multiple tubes. The multiple tubes are disposed and supported in a floating arrangement between the end cover and the first plate. Each tube includes a forward end adjacent the end cover and an aft end adjacent the first plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Harold Westmoreland, Gregory Allen Boardman, Patrick Benedict Melton
  • Publication number: 20140260300
    Abstract: A system includes a multi-tube fuel nozzle of a turbine combustor. The multi-tube fuel nozzle includes a support structure defining an interior volume configured to receive an air flow; a plurality of mixing tubes disposed within the interior volume, wherein each of the plurality of mixing tubes comprises a respective fuel injector; and an outer annular wall configured to direct an air flow from an annulus between a liner and a flow sleeve of the turbine combustor at least partially radially inward into the interior volume through an air inlet and toward the plurality of mixing tubes, wherein the outer annular wall at least partially defines an air flow passage extending from the annulus to the interior volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Ronald James Chila, Gregory Allen Boardman, James Harold Westmoreland
  • Publication number: 20140260266
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprises an annular combustor chamber formed between an inner liner and an outer liner. An annular upstream zone is adapted to receive fuel and air from an annular nozzle. An annular mixing zone is located downstream of the upstream zone. The mixing zone has a reduced radial height relative a downstream combustion zone of the combustion chamber, the mixing zone defined by straight wall sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventor: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
  • Publication number: 20140260298
    Abstract: A combustor comprises an annular combustor chamber formed between the inner and outer liners. Fuel nozzles each have an end in fluid communication with the annular combustor chamber to inject fuel in the annular combustor chamber, the fuel nozzles oriented to inject fuel in a fuel flow direction having an axial component relative to the central axis of the annular combustor chamber. A plurality of nozzle air holes are defined through the inner liner and the outer liner adjacent to and downstream of the fuel nozzles. The nozzle air holes are configured for high pressure air to be injected from an exterior of the liners through the nozzle air holes generally radially into the annular combustor chamber. A central axis of the nozzle air holes has a tangential component relative to the central axis of the annular combustor chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Lev Alexander Prociw, Parham Zabeti, Tin Cheung John Hu
  • Publication number: 20140250892
    Abstract: A lean fuel intake gas turbine which uses, as a working gas, a mixed gas having a concentration equal to or lower than a flammability limiting concentration and obtained by mixing two types of fuel gases having different fuel concentrations, includes a first mixer configured to mix a second fuel gas having a higher fuel concentration with a first fuel gas having a lower fuel concentration, of the two types of the fuel gases having different fuel concentrations, to generate a first stage mixed gas and a second mixer configured to further mix the second fuel gas with the first stage mixed gas to generate a second stage mixed gas which is the working gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Soh Kurosaka, Shinichi Kajita, Yoshihiro Yamasaki, Yasushi Doura
  • Patent number: 8820047
    Abstract: A combustion burner 10A according to one embodiment of the present invention includes: a fuel nozzle 110; a burner tube 120 forming the air passage 111 between the burner tube 120 and the fuel nozzle 110; swirler vanes (swirler vanes) 130 arranged in a plurality of positions in the circumferential direction on the external circumferential surface of the fuel nozzle 110, each extending along the axial direction of the fuel nozzle 110, and gradually curving from upstream toward downstream; and a liquid fuel injecting hole 133A from which a liquid fuel is injected to a surface of each of the swirler vanes 130. The combustion burner 10A also includes multi-purpose injecting holes 11-1 to 11-3 as a cooling unit that cools a part of a vane pressure surface 132a of the swirler vane 130 on which the liquid fuel LF hits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiko Saito, Koichi Ishizaka, Satoshi Tanimura
  • Patent number: 8820085
    Abstract: Provided is a lean fuel sucking gas turbine system including a compressor for compressing a mixed gas having a fuel and air mixed to a concentration of an inflammable limit or lower, thereby producing a compressed gas, a first catalyst combustor for burning the compressed gas by a catalyst reaction, a turbine adapted to be driven by a combustion gas from a second catalyst combustor, and a reproducer for heating the compressed gas to be introduced into the first catalyst combustor with an exhaust gas from the turbine. Between the turbine and the reproducer, there is arranged a duct burner for flame-burning a first auxiliary fuel in the exhaust gas. Thus, it is possible to attain efficient operation of the system while simplifying the entire constitution and to prevent the blow-by of the mixed gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinichi Kajita
  • Publication number: 20140238036
    Abstract: A fuel nozzle includes an inner wall defining a central passage extending in an axial direction of the fuel nozzle, a hub wall surrounding the inner wall and defining a first annular passage, an outer wall surrounding the hub wall and defining a second annular passage, and a shroud surrounding the outer wall and defining a third annular passage. A swirler may receive air and direct the air into the first annular passage. The swirler includes at least one swirl vane extending from the shroud to the hub wall that has an air passage extending between the shroud and the hub wall. The air passage is coupled to the first annular passage and has a first width adjacent the shroud and a second width adjacent the hub wall. The second width is larger than the first width defining a diverging outlet into the first annular passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Jong Ho Uhm, Bryan Wesley Romig, Yon Han Chong
  • Publication number: 20140238025
    Abstract: A system includes a fuel nozzle. The fuel nozzle includes a central hub with a first annular passage extending along a longitudinal axis of the fuel nozzle. A flow conditioner is disposed along the first annular passage. The flow conditioner includes at least one of a straightening vane, a mesh screen, or a multi-passage body having multiple passages generally parallel with the longitudinal axis. An outer shroud is disposed about the central hub to define a second annular passage extending along the longitudinal axis of the fuel nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Jong Ho Uhm, Bryan Wesley Romig, Yon Han Chong
  • Patent number: 8800289
    Abstract: A nozzle includes a fuel plenum and an air plenum downstream of the fuel plenum. A primary fuel channel includes an inlet in fluid communication with the fuel plenum and a primary air port in fluid communication with the air plenum. Secondary fuel channels radially outward of the primary fuel channel include a secondary fuel port in fluid communication with the fuel plenum. A shroud circumferentially surrounds the secondary fuel channels. A method for mixing fuel and air in a nozzle prior to combustion includes flowing fuel to a fuel plenum and flowing air to an air plenum downstream of the fuel plenum. The method further includes injecting fuel from the fuel plenum through a primary fuel passage, injecting fuel from the fuel plenum through secondary fuel passages, and injecting air from the air plenum through the primary fuel passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas Edward Johnson, Willy Steve Ziminsky, Jonathan Dwight Berry
  • Patent number: 8801428
    Abstract: A combustor includes an end cap having upstream and downstream surfaces and a cap shield surrounding the upstream and downstream surfaces. First and second sets of premixer tubes extend from the upstream surface through the downstream surface. A first fuel conduit supplies fuel to the first set of premixer tubes. A casing circumferentially surrounds the cap shield to define an annular passage, and a second fuel conduit supplies fuel through the annular passage to the second set of premixer tubes. A method for supplying fuel to a combustor includes flowing a working fluid through first and second sets of premixer tubes, flowing a first fuel into the first set of premixer tubes, and flowing a second fuel through an annular passage surrounding the end cap and into the second set of premixer tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Patrick Benedict Melton, Willy Steve Ziminsky, Gregory Allen Boardman
  • Patent number: 8800290
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine combustor has inboard and outboard walls. A forward bulkhead extends between the walls and cooperates therewith to define a combustor interior volume. Bluff body fuel injectors are along the bulkhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Steven W. Burd, Stephen K. Kramer, John T. Ols, Albert K. Cheung
  • Patent number: 8801429
    Abstract: A burner arrangement is disclosed with a conical swirler in the form of a double cone which is arranged concentric to a burner axis and which encloses a swirl chamber, and with a central fuel lance which lies in the burner axis and projects from the cone point of the swirler into the swirl chamber, wherein a first stage is provided for injecting premix fuel, in which the premix fuel is injected radially outwards into the swirl chamber through injection openings which are arranged on the fuel lance, and wherein a second stage is provided for injecting premix fuel, in which the premix fuel is injected into an air flow, which is guided in the double cone, through injection openings in the double cone. With such a burner arrangement, the gas pressure which is required in the first stage is reduced by the entire premix fuel being injected into the swirl chamber in the first stage through two oppositely-disposed injection openings with increased opening diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Adnan Eroglu, Rudolf Lachner, Martin Zajadatz, James Robertson
  • Publication number: 20140216039
    Abstract: The present application provides a combustor for use with a gas turbine engine. The combustor may include a number of micro-mixer fuel nozzles and a fuel injection system for providing a flow of fuel to the micro-mixer fuel nozzles. The fuel injection system may include a number of support struts supporting the fuel nozzles and for providing the flow of fuel therethrough. The fuel injection system also may include a number of aerodynamic fuel flanges connecting the micro-mixer fuel nozzles and the support struts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Johnie Franklin McConnaughhay, Christopher Paul Keener, Thomas Edward Johnson, Heath Michael Ostebee
  • Publication number: 20140216050
    Abstract: The present application provides a combustor for use with a gas turbine engine. The combustor may include a number of micro-mixer fuel nozzles, a fuel manifold system in communication with the micro-mixer fuel nozzles to deliver a flow of fuel thereto, and a linear actuator to maneuver the micro-mixer fuel nozzles and the fuel manifold system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Johnie Franklin McConnaughhay, Christopher Paul Keener, Thomas Edward Johnson, Heath Michael Ostebee
  • Publication number: 20140216051
    Abstract: The present application provides a combustor for use with flow of fuel and a flow of air in a gas turbine engine. The combustor may include a number of micro-mixer fuel nozzles positioned within a liner and an air bypass system position about the liner. The air bypass system variably allows a bypass portion of the flow of air to bypass the micro-mixer fuel nozzles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas Edward Johnson, Willy Steve Ziminsky, Heath Michael Ostebee, Christopher Paul Keener
  • Publication number: 20140216041
    Abstract: The present application and the resultant patent provide a combustor for use with a gas turbine engine. The combustor may include a number of micro-mixer fuel nozzles and a fuel injection system for providing a flow of fuel to the micro-mixer fuel nozzles. The fuel injection system may include a center hub for providing the flow of fuel therethrough. The center hub may include a first supply circuit for a first micro-mixer fuel nozzle and a second supply circuit for a second micro-mixer fuel nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Heath Michael Ostebee, Johnie Franklin McConnaughhay, Jason Thurman Stewart, Christopher Paul Keener
  • Publication number: 20140216049
    Abstract: The present application provides a combustor for use with a gas turbine engine. The combustor may include a number of fuel nozzles, a pre-nozzle fuel injection system supporting the fuel nozzles, and a linear actuator to maneuver the fuel nozzles and the pre-nozzle fuel injection system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Keener, Thomas Edward Johnson, Johnie Franklin McConnaughhay, Heath Michael Ostebee
  • Publication number: 20140216040
    Abstract: The present application provides a variable volume combustor for use with a gas turbine engine. The variable volume combustor may include a liner, a number of micro-mixer fuel nozzles positioned within the liner, and a conical liner support supporting the liner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas Edward Johnson, Johnie Franklin McConnaughhay, Chrisophter Paul Keener, Heath Michael Ostebee
  • Publication number: 20140216038
    Abstract: The present application provides a combustor for use with a gas turbine engine. The combustor may include a number of micro-mixer fuel nozzles positioned within an end cover, a common fuel tube extending through the end cover and in communication with the micro-mixer fuel nozzles, a linear actuator to maneuver the common fuel tube and the micro-mixer fuel nozzles, and a sealing support structure positioned between the end cover and the common fuel tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Keener, Thomas Edward Johnson, Johnie Franklin McConnaughhay, Heath Michael Ostebee
  • Patent number: 8794004
    Abstract: Provided is a gas turbine combustor capable of reducing the size of a low-temperature air layer of pilot air formed between a pilot flame and a premixed flame and of improving the flame stability of the premixed flame. A gas turbine combustor, which is provided with a pilot burner that is provided at the center portion of a combustor main body formed in a cylindrical shape to form a pilot flame, and a plurality of main burners arranged so as to surround the outer periphery of the pilot burner to form a premixed flame, includes, as the ignition improving part, a channel blocking member that reduces the size of the low-temperature air layer of the pilot air formed between the pilot flame and the premixed flame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kei Inoue, Keijiro Saito, Yoshikazu Matsumura, Sosuke Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20140208714
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine has an inlet duct, which is configured to communicate with an inlet to a compressor. The inlet duct is further configured to communicate air outwardly of an outer casing of the gas turbine engine, and to pass the air along an axial length of the gas turbine engine to cool a component associated with the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: United Technologies Corporation
  • Patent number: 8789372
    Abstract: The system may include a turbine engine. The turbine engine may include a fuel nozzle. The fuel nozzle may include an air path. The fuel nozzle may also include a fuel path such that the fuel nozzle is in communication with a combustion zone of the turbine engine. Furthermore, the fuel nozzle may include a resonator. The resonator may be disposed in the fuel nozzle directly adjacent to the combustion zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas Edward Johnson, Willy Steve Ziminsky, William David York, Christian Xavier Stevenson
  • Publication number: 20140196465
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for lean/rich combustion in a gas turbine engine (10), which includes a combustor (12), a transition (14) and a combustor extender (16) that is positioned between the combustor (12) and the transition (14) to connect the combustor (12) to the transition (14). Openings (18) are formed along an outer surface (20) of the combustor extender (16). The gas turbine (10) also includes a fuel manifold (28) to extend along the outer surface (20) of the combustor extender (16), with fuel nozzles (30) to align with the respective openings (18). A method (200) for axial stage combustion in the gas turbine engine (10) is also presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Inventors: Walter R. Laster, Peter Szedlacsek
  • Publication number: 20140190168
    Abstract: A fuel nozzle for a combustor includes a burner tube and a center nozzle assembly disposed within the burner tube. The center nozzle assembly includes a center body that at least partially defines a cooling air flow passage through the center nozzle assembly. A premix flow passage is defined between the burner tube and the center nozzle assembly. A tip assembly is disposed at a downstream end of the center body. The tip assembly includes an impingement plate, and a cap that is disposed downstream from the impingement plate. The impingement plate and the cap at least partially define a cooling plenum therebetween. An insert passage extends through the impingement plate and a cooling flow outlet extends through the cap. A plurality of cooling ports extends through the impingement plate to provide for fluid communication between the cooling air flow passage and the cooling plenum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Borys Borysovych Shershnyov, Leonid Yulyevich Ginessin
  • Publication number: 20140190167
    Abstract: A combustor assembly having a support assembly between a metal support assembly and a ceramic combustor can section that accommodates a thermal expansion difference therebetween. An air fuel mixer and an igniter are mounted to the support assembly secured to the ceramic combustion can which receives the ignition products of the ignited fuel and air mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Inventors: Jun Shi, David J. Bombara, Jason Lawrence, Richard S. Tuthill, Jeffery D. Melman
  • Publication number: 20140190174
    Abstract: A micromixer assembly for a turbine system includes a plurality of pipes each having an inlet for receiving an airflow from an annulus defined by an inwardly disposed liner and an outwardly disposed sleeve, each of the plurality of pipes also including an outlet for dispersing an air-fuel mixture into a combustor chamber. Also included is a first portion of each of the plurality of pipes. Further included is a second portion of each of the plurality of pipes, the second portion comprising the inlet for receiving the airflow. Yet further included is at least one fuel receiving path in communication with at least one of the first portion and the second portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Patrick Benedict Melton, Gregory Allen Boardman
  • Publication number: 20140190178
    Abstract: A combustion method and combustor for use in a jet engine, the jet engine having a compressor portion and a turbine portion. The combustor includes an outer tube having a central axis that extends longitudinally intermediate the compressor portion and turbine portion and is positioned to receive air discharged by the compressor portion. An inner tube is positioned within the outer tube that includes an associated outer surface spaced from the inner surface of the outer tube thereby defining a combustion chamber. The outer tube and inner tube include fluid directing structure for communicating at least some of the air discharged by the compressor portion to the combustion chamber. The fluid directing structure directs air into the combustion chamber in a direction offset from the central axis, thereby causing rotation or swirling of the air about the central axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: BECKETT GAS, INC.
    Inventor: Michael J. O'Donnell