With Fuel Injector Patents (Class 60/740)
  • Patent number: 6898926
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes a main fuel nozzle with a main nozzle fuel circuit and a pilot nozzle fuel circuit in fuel supply communication with a pilot nozzle. The injector further includes a purge means for purging the main nozzle fuel circuit while the pilot nozzle fuel circuit supplies fuel to the pilot nozzle and a purge air cooling means for supplying a cooled portion of purge air to the main nozzle fuel circuit during purging. The cooled portion is cooled with fuel that flows through the pilot nozzle fuel circuit. The purge air cooling means may include a purge air cooling path in thermal conductive communication with the pilot nozzle fuel circuit and operable to flow the cooled portion therethrough to the main nozzle fuel circuit during purging. The purge air cooling path may be in thermal conductive communication with at least one annular pilot leg of the pilot nozzle fuel circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Alfred Albert Mancini
  • Patent number: 6886342
    Abstract: A fuel nozzle with a ring of fuel spray orifices directing fuel jets at a fuel vortex generator having a fuel deflecting surface disposed downstream a distance from each fuel spray orifice. A mixing chamber is defined between the fuel spray orifices and the fuel deflecting surface having a surface contour oriented to deflect fuel jets into the mixing chamber in counter-rotating adjacent pairs of fuel laden vortices. An air inlet supplies air to the mixing chamber via an airflow vortex generator having an airflow deflecting surface with a surface contour oriented to deflect airflow into the mixing chamber in counter-rotating adjacent pairs of airflow vortices. A fuel-air mixture outlet downstream from the mixing chamber releases the fuel-air mixture into a combustor for ignition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventor: Hisham Alkabie
  • Patent number: 6886346
    Abstract: A pilot fuel nozzle configuration for use in a combustor is disclosed having a natural frequency outside the range of the operating frequencies of a gas turbine engine. Multiple embodiments are disclosed for the improved pilot fuel nozzle including configurations for newly manufactured nozzles, repair to existing pilot nozzles, as well as multiple natural frequency levels for the improved pilot fuel nozzle. The pilot fuel nozzle comprises an elongated housing, first and second flanges, and a nozzle tip, with the first flange fixed to the elongated housing at a first end and the nozzle tip fixed to the second end, opposite of the first end. The second flange is fixed along the elongated housing and is used for attaching the pilot fuel nozzle to a combustor. The present invention incorporates an increased wall thickness along at least a mid-span portion of the pilot nozzle to increase the stiffness and change the natural frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Power Systems Mfg., LLC
    Inventors: Peter A. Sobieski, Kelly Shawn Smith, Alan Lovelace, Hany Rizkalla
  • Patent number: 6883332
    Abstract: A fuel nozzle for dispensing an atomized fluid spray into the combustion chamber of a gas turbine engine. The nozzle includes a body assembly with an inner fuel passage and an annular outer atomizing air passage. An array of turning vanes is disposed within the outer fuel passage. Each of the vanes is configured generally in the shape of an airfoil in having a pressure side and an opposing suction side, the suction side of each vane being spaced-apart from a juxtaposing pressure side of an adjacent vane to define a corresponding one of a plurality of aligned air flow channels therebetween. Fuel is directed through the fuel flow channels to be issued from the nozzle as a generally helical flow having a substantial uniform velocity profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Erlendur Steinthorsson, Michael A. Benjamin, David R. Barnhart
  • Patent number: 6880341
    Abstract: A floating collar assembly for damping vibration and sealing between a combustor and a fuel nozzle of a gas turbine engine. The combustor has a nozzle opening with an outer peripheral abutment surface and the nozzle is integral with an internal fuel manifold that is secured to the engine core relative to the combustor. The nozzle has a cylindrical body aligned with the nozzle opening and has a shoulder laterally extending from the nozzle body. An annular floating collar has a combustor face adapted for radial sliding engagement with the abutment surface, a central aperture adapted for axial sliding engagement with the cylindrical body and an outer bearing surface. A wave spring is disposed between the outer bearing surface of the floating collar and an inner surface of the nozzle shoulder, for maintaining sealing engagement, for damping vibration, and for impeding relative rotation between the nozzle and the combustor, while accommodating axial and radial relative displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Kenneth Parkman, Saeid Oskooei
  • Patent number: 6880340
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas turbine combustor comprising an air passage to supply air to the inside; and a fuel nozzle which is provided with an injection port to inject fuel and disposed in the air passage, wherein a turbulence producing means adjacent to the injection port of the fuel nozzle is provided in the air passage. Further, the present invention relates to a gas turbine combustor comprising an air passage to supply air to the inside; and a fuel nozzle which is provided with an injection port to inject fuel and disposed in the air passage, wherein a diffuser portion is provided in the air passage, and the diffuser portion causes the cross-sectional area of a part of the air passage positioned in the vicinity of the injection port to be smaller than that of a downstream portion of the air passage positioned downstream from the injection port in the direction of the airflow. Thus, the mixing action of fuel and air can be enhanced, and combustion vibration can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Keijiro Saitoh
  • Patent number: 6871488
    Abstract: A gas fuel nozzle for mounting in a combustor wall of a gas turbine engine, with an at least partially radially-directed array of gas fuel outlets extending beyond an air flow head having an array of compressed air jet apertures around the gas fuel outlets. The air flow head also has a deflector for creating an axial flow of air for deflecting in an axial direction the radially-injected gas fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Saeid Oskooei, Kian McCaldon
  • Patent number: 6868676
    Abstract: A turbine containing system is disclosed. The system includes an intake section, a compressor section downstream from the intake section, a combustor section having a primary combustion system downstream from the intake section, a secondary combustion system downstream from the primary combustion system, a turbine section, an exhaust section and a load. The secondary combustion system includes an injector for transversely injecting a secondary fuel into a stream of combustion products of the primary combustion system. The injector including a coupling, a wall defining an airfoil shape circumscribing a fuel mixture passage, and at least one exit for communication between said fuel mixture passage and said stream of primary combustion products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Joel Meier Haynes
  • Patent number: 6862888
    Abstract: This pilot nozzle has a fuel oil supply pipe disposed at the center of a heat-shielding air layer that is provided along an axial core, and a plurality of atomized-fluid supply paths are disposed in the circumferential direction of a cylinder unit that surrounds the outside of the heat-shielding air layer. The atomized-fluid supply paths and the fuel gas supply paths are disposed alternately and uniformly. Based on this structure, it is possible to take a large thickness for the heat-shielding air layer to a maximum extent in a radial direction. Therefore, it is possible to protect the fuel oil supply pipe disposed at the center, from high temperature at the outside of the pilot nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouichi Akagi, Taku Ichiryu, Kazuhiro Matsui
  • Patent number: 6834506
    Abstract: A main liquid fuel injection device (20) for a single combustion chamber (10), having a premixing chamber (12), of a gas turbine with low emission of pollutants, comprising a set of injection channels (42) for the liquid fuel distributed within the premixing chamber (12); the injection device (20) has a set of blades (32) extending radially about the axis of symmetry of the combustion chamber (10), each of which is provided with at least one of the injection channels (42).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Nuovo Pignone Holding S.p.A.
    Inventors: Roberto Modi, Gianni Ceccherini, Eugenio Del Puglia
  • Publication number: 20040250547
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes an annular nozzle housing circumscribed about a nozzle axis and an annular fuel nozzle circumscribed about the nozzle axis within the housing. The annular fuel nozzle has at least one main nozzle fuel circuit, a pilot nozzle fuel circuit, and spray orifices extending radially away from the main nozzle fuel circuit through the annular fuel nozzle. Spray wells extend radially through the nozzle housing and are aligned with the spray orifices. An asymmetric cyclone means is located radially outwardly of the housing for generating a swirling flow around the nozzle and an asymmetric static pressure differential around the housing. The asymmetric cyclone means may be a symmetrical radial inflow swirler circumscribed about a cyclone axis that is not collinear with the nozzle axis or may have a plurality of angled flow swirling elements angled with respect to and asymmetrically circumscribed about the cyclone axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventors: Alfred Albert Mancini, Duane Douglas Thomsen, Michael Louis Vermeersch
  • Publication number: 20040237530
    Abstract: A gas turbine fuel nozzle comprises a body and a sheath adapted to surround the body. A snap-on device is provided for releasably retaining the sheath on the body. The snap-on device is displaceable between a first position for allowing the sheath to be fitted over the body and a second position for retaining the sheath in place about the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventor: Isabelle Brown
  • Publication number: 20040237531
    Abstract: Manifolds are shaped cross star having curved surfaces inside thereof, and holes are bored in four corners of the manifolds. In mounting a combustor to a casing, oil in the manifolds is transmitted to the holes by way of the curved surfaces. As a result of this, oil is prevented from staying, and coking is prevented from occurring, inside the manifolds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventor: Takeo Hirasaki
  • Patent number: 6823677
    Abstract: Thermal stress relief in a nozzle head of a gas turbine fuel nozzle is provided by forming a slit through each selected air passages of the nozzle head. The strategic location of stress-relief slits contributes to extend the fatigue life of the nozzle with minimal cost and impact on the nozzle aerodynamics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Lev Alexander Prociw, Harris Shafique, Victor Gandza
  • Publication number: 20040231335
    Abstract: An electromagnetic valve can be reduced in size, and improved in the machinability and workability of a body thereof. A plunger (40) is arranged on an axis of a solenoid (47) for axial movement, and a body (41) with the plunger (40) slidably received therein is fixedly arranged in a housing (44). A valve seat (42) is arranged in opposition to one end of the plunger (40) in such a manner that the one end of the plunger (40) is moved to contact with and separate from the valve seat (42). The plunger (40) is urged toward the valve seat (42) by means of a spring (48). The body (41) is formed with an engagement groove (50), into which a caulking portion (51), which is formed by bending or flexing the one end of the housing (44), is engaged to integrally couple the body (41) and the housing (44) with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI DENKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shigenobu Tochiyama, Yoshihiko Onishi
  • Patent number: 6820431
    Abstract: A fuel nozzle device suitable for use in a gas turbine engine or the like is provided. The fuel nozzle device includes a fuel line and a plurality of gas orifices disposed at a downstream end of the fuel line, the plurality of gas orifices operable for injecting fuel into an air stream. The acoustic resistance of each of the plurality of gas orifices is chosen to match the acoustic impedance of the fuel line such that the maximum acoustic energy may be transferred between the fuel nozzle device and the combustor, thus enhancing the ability of the fuel nozzle device to control the combustion dynamics of the gas turbine engine system. A fuel injection resonator assembly suitable for use in a gas turbine engine or the like is also provided. The fuel injection resonator assembly includes a plurality of orifices separated by a variable length tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Keith McManus, Simon Sanderson, Jeffrey Goldmeer
  • Patent number: 6813890
    Abstract: A premix secondary fuel nozzle for use in transferring a flame from a first combustion chamber to a second combustion chamber is disclosed. The secondary fuel nozzle includes multiple fuel circuits, each of which are fully premixed, and neither of which are injected in a manner to directly initiate or support a pilot flame, thereby lowering emissions. Multiple embodiments are disclosed for alternate configurations of a first fuel injector, including an annular manifold and a plurality of radially extending tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Power Systems Mfg. LLC.
    Inventors: Vincent C. Martling, Robert J. Kraft, Brian R. Mack
  • Publication number: 20040177615
    Abstract: A fully premixed secondary fuel nozzle assembly for use in a gas turbine combustor having multiple combustion chambers, in which the products of the premixed secondary fuel nozzle assembly are injected into the second combustion chamber for supporting a pilot flame and flame transfer between combustion chambers, is disclosed. The improvement includes the elimination of the pilot fuel circuit, which previously served to establish flame in the second combustion chamber. The secondary fuel nozzle assembly includes at least one first injector extending radially outward from the fuel nozzle body for injecting all fuel from the fuel nozzle to mix with compressed air prior to combustion. The first injector can include a plurality of tubes or an annular manifold circumferentially disposed about the nozzle body. Compressed air is drawn into the nozzle body and passes through holes in an injector plate at the tip region to provide cooling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventor: Vincent c. Martling
  • Patent number: 6786047
    Abstract: A pre-mixing burner (10) for a gas turbine engine having improved resistance to flashback. Fuel (32) is supplied to a pre-mixing chamber (24) of the burner from a plurality of fuel outlet openings (34) formed in fuel pegs (36) extending into the flow of air (30) passing through the chamber. The fuel outlet openings are formed to direct the fuel in a downstream direction at an angle (A) relative to the direction of the flow of air past the respective fuel peg. This angle imparts a downstream velocity vector (VD) for increasing the net velocity of the air and a normal velocity vector (VN) for directing the fuel away from the wake (44) formed downstream of the fuel peg. Alternate ones of the fuel outlet openings along a single fuel peg may be formed at respective positive (A) and negative (B) angles with respect to a plane (46) extending along the wake in order to minimize the size of the wake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Bland, Anil Gulati, John Battaglioli
  • Publication number: 20040163393
    Abstract: A gas turbine combustor has a combustion chamber into which fuel and air are supplied, wherein the fuel and the air are supplied into said combustion chamber as a plurality of coaxial jets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Inoue, Tomomi Koganezawa, Nariyoshi Kobayashi, Isao Takehara
  • Patent number: 6775984
    Abstract: An injector of a two-headed combustion chamber of a turbomachine has a first feed tube which is connected to an annular injection piece for discharging primary fuel into the combustion chamber. It also has a second feed tube surrounding the first feed tube and connected to a cylindrical endpiece for discharging secondary fuel into said combustion chamber. This endpiece has an annular channel of diameter that is greater than the diameter of the second feed tube and that extends over its entire length. A third tube is provided that surrounds the second tube and that is connected to a tubular separation element which is inserted in the annular channel of the cylindrical endpiece so as to form two annular spaces in which a cooling fluid can flow over 360° all the way to the end of the injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: SNECMA Moteurs
    Inventors: Alain Lavie, Stéphanie Martelli, Marion Michau, José Rodrigues, Alain Tiepel
  • Publication number: 20040148939
    Abstract: In order to achieve better fuel distribution despite an oversized fuel injector nozzle (6, 31, 60) relative to the impingement cross-section of an air flow (5, 25) directed towards that nozzle (6, 31, 60), an asymmetric distribution of fuel is provided. This asymmetric distribution is achieved by providing fuel distribution structures (42, 52, 53) about the injector nozzle (47, 51) which present varying amounts of fuel to the air flow (5, 25) dependent upon the localised flow pressure in the air flow presented to the nozzle (6, 31, 60). Such asymmetric distribution of fuel is achieved by providing passages (42) or jets (52, 53) of varying cross-section or distribution/spacing at different parts of the fuel injection nozzle (31, 60) dependent upon incident flow pressure. Thus, both parts of the injector nozzle (31, 60) directly impinged by the air flow generally present more fuel to that flow compared to depleted flow pressure zones of the air flow (5, 25).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Young
  • Publication number: 20040148937
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes a main fuel nozzle with a main nozzle fuel circuit and a pilot nozzle fuel circuit in fuel supply communication with a pilot nozzle. The injector further includes a purge means for purging the main nozzle fuel circuit while the pilot nozzle fuel circuit supplies fuel to the pilot nozzle and a purge air cooling means for supplying a cooled portion of purge air to the main nozzle fuel circuit during purging. The cooled portion is cooled with fuel that flows through the pilot nozzle fuel circuit. The purge air cooling means may include a purge air cooling path in thermal conductive communication with the pilot nozzle fuel circuit and operable to flow the cooled portion therethrough to the main nozzle fuel circuit during purging. The purge air cooling path may be in thermal conductive communication with at least one annular pilot leg of the pilot nozzle fuel circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventor: Alfred Albert Mancini
  • Publication number: 20040148938
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes an annular main fuel nozzle received within an annular nozzle housing, a main nozzle fuel circuit having at least one annular leg, and a pilot nozzle fuel circuit. Spray orifices of the leg extend through the fuel nozzle and spray wells through the housing are aligned with the orifices. The nozzle is designed to generate sufficient static pressure differentials between at least two different ones of the spray wells to purge the main nozzle fuel circuit. Spray well portions may be asymmetrically flared out with respect to a spray well centerline in different local streamwise directions. Some of the spray well portions may be asymmetrically flared out in a local upstream direction and others in a local downstream direction. The local streamwise direction may have an axial component parallel to a nozzle axis about which the annular nozzle housing is circumscribed and a circumferential component around the nozzle housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Alfred Albert Mancini, Steven Joseph Lohmueller
  • Publication number: 20040139750
    Abstract: A fuel injector for a gas turbine is disclosed which includes a nozzle body having a discharge portion defining a discharge orifice, the discharge portion including a fuel circuit for directing a hollow fuel film toward the discharge orifice from a fuel pump associated with the gas turbine, and an air assist circuit for directing pressurized air from a source external to the gas turbine toward the fuel film upstream from the discharge orifice to impinge on an inner surface of the fuel film issuing from the discharge orifice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2004
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventor: David H. Bretz
  • Patent number: 6763663
    Abstract: An injector includes a plurality of flat, circular plates which provide fuel delivery and cooling of the injector. Fuel delivery passages in the plates have swirl chambers and spray orifices which are formed by chemical etching. A pair of fuel delivery plates define a fuel cavity therebetween, and include a plurality of radially-outwardly extending spokes, with the spokes from one fuel plate in adjacent, surface-to-surface relation with opposing spokes from the adjacent fuel plate. A fuel passage is defined between each of the opposing spokes, leading from the fuel cavity to a fuel outlet opening at the distal end of each spoke. A fuel tube delivers fuel to the fuel cavity between the plates, from where the fuel is then directed through the outlet openings. Downstream plates shape the fuel into appropriate sprays for ignition. An upstream cooling plate assembly directs air against the upstream fuel plate, and radially outwardly along the spokes of the upstream plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Adel B. Mansour, Rex J. Harvey, Michael A. Benjamin, Peter V. Buca
  • Patent number: 6761035
    Abstract: A fuel nozzle for a gas turbine engine includes a fuel tube enclosed by a housing. The fuel tube and housing are connected by a movable joint including a tubular seat formed on the housing and a boss formed on the fuel tube so as to be disposed within the tubular seat. The boss includes a contact surface that is in sliding engagement with the tubular seat and is rotatable about an axis that is perpendicular to the seat's longitudinal axis. The fuel nozzle further includes a fixed joint that connects the housing to the same section of the fuel tube as the movable joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Peter W. Mueller
  • Publication number: 20040129001
    Abstract: In a fuel injector assembly, for an internal combustion engine, a curved outer housing, fixed at one end, fully encloses a curved flexible fuel feed member, affixed to the housing inlet end and has a nozzle assembly operatively connected to an inner end, wherein the improvement comprises that the housing inlet includes at least one first shaped surface portion, and the nozzle assembly includes a movable nozzle spray-tip having another shaped surface portion that mates conformingly with and is in contact with the at least one shaped surface portion, resulting in relative motion therebetween upon operation of this engine, as a result of the thermal differential arising due to the differing temperatures of the housing and feed member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventor: Jeffrey R. Lehtinen
  • Patent number: 6758043
    Abstract: A fuel injector for a turbomachine engine, the injector comprising an injector body having pressurized fuel admission means, a first valve mounted downstream from the pressurized fuel admission means and arranged to admit fuel into the injector body, a second valve mounted downstream from the first valve and capable of opening in order to meter at least a fraction of the fuel admitted into the injector body for utilization means for using the fuel, the metered fuel flow rate to the utilization means being a function of flow sections formed through the second valve, the injector further comprising a diaphragm placed between the pressurized fuel admission means and the first valve so as to set the rate at which fuel is admitted into the injector body at a determined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Hispano-Suiza
    Inventors: Marion Michau, José Rodrigues, Alain Tiepel
  • Patent number: 6755024
    Abstract: A multiplex injector system comprising an injector head, a first fuel path located in the injector head, and a first set of injector tips located in the injector head and in fluid communication with the first fuel path. The first set of injector tips includes at least one first injector tip. The multiplex injector further includes a second fuel path located in the injector head and a second set of injector tips located in the injector head and in fluid communication with the second fuel path. The second set of injector tips includes at least one second injector tip. A flow of fuel in each of the first and second fuel paths can be selectively controlled to control the flow of fuel through the first and second sets of injector tips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Delavan Inc.
    Inventors: Chien-Pei Mao, John Earl Short, Neal A. Thomson
  • Publication number: 20040118119
    Abstract: A premix secondary fuel nozzle for use in transferring a flame from a first combustion chamber to a second combustion chamber is disclosed. The secondary fuel nozzle includes multiple fuel circuits, each of which are fully premixed, and neither of which are injected in a manner to directly initiate or support a pilot flame, thereby lowering emissions. Multiple embodiments are disclosed for alternate configurations of a first fuel injector, including an annular manifold and a plurality of radially extending tubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: Vincent C. Martling, Robert J. Kraft, Brian R. Mack
  • Publication number: 20040118121
    Abstract: A floating collar assembly for damping vibration and sealing between a combustor and a fuel nozzle of a gas turbine engine. The combustor has a nozzle opening with an outer peripheral abutment surface and the nozzle is integral with an internal fuel manifold that is secured to the engine core relative to the combustor. The nozzle has a cylindrical body aligned with the nozzle opening and has a shoulder laterally extending from the nozzle body. An annular floating collar has a combustor face adapted for radial sliding engagement with the abutment surface, a central aperture adapted for axial sliding engagement with the cylindrical body and an outer bearing surface. A wave spring is disposed between the outer bearing surface of the floating collar and an inner surface of the nozzle shoulder, for maintaining sealing engagement, for damping vibration, and for impeding relative rotation between the nozzle and the combustor, while accommodating axial and radial relative displacement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: Kenneth Parkman, Saeid Oskooei
  • Publication number: 20040118120
    Abstract: A premix secondary fuel nozzle for use in transferring a flame from a first combustion chamber to a second combustion chamber is disclosed. The secondary fuel nozzle includes multiple fuel circuits, each of which are fully premixed, and neither of which are injected in a manner to directly initiate or support a pilot flame, thereby lowering emissions. Multiple embodiments are disclosed for alternate configurations of a first fuel injector, including an annular manifold and a plurality of radially extending tubes. Alternate premix secondary fuel nozzles are also disclosed incorporating improved tip cooling schemes that reduce the amount of cooling flow and increase the local heat transfer effectiveness. Reduced cooling flow to the tip region helps to improve flame stability and lower combustion dynamics by eliminating unnecessary cooling air from the fuel nozzle recirculation zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventor: Vincent C. Martling
  • Publication number: 20040112062
    Abstract: A fuel nozzle with a ring of fuel spray orifices directing fuel jets at a fuel vortex generator having a fuel deflecting surface disposed downstream a distance from each fuel spray orifice. A mixing chamber is defined between the fuel spray orifices and the fuel deflecting surface having a surface contour oriented to deflect fuel jets into the mixing chamber in counter-rotating adjacent pairs of fuel laden vortices. An air inlet supplies air to the mixing chamber via an airflow vortex generator having an airflow deflecting surface with a surface contour oriented to deflect airflow into the mixing chamber in counter-rotating adjacent pairs of airflow vortices. A fuel-air mixture outlet downstream from the mixing chamber releases the fuel-air mixture into a combustor for ignition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventor: Hisham Alkabie
  • Publication number: 20040112061
    Abstract: A gas fuel nozzle for mounting in a combustor wall of a gas turbine engine, with an at least partially radially-directed array of gas fuel outlets extending beyond an air flow head having an array of compressed air jet apertures around the gas fuel outlets. The air flow head also has a deflector for creating an axial flow of air for deflecting in an axial direction the radially-injected gas fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Saeid Oskooei, Kian McCaldon
  • Publication number: 20040103877
    Abstract: A nozzle for delivering fuel to an engine is disclosed which is profiled with adjoining converging and diverging sections to accelerate the flow of fuel to a supersonic rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Inventors: James J. Mccoy, Anatoli A. Borissov
  • Patent number: 6732531
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a turbogenerator system having a turbine mounted for rotation on a shaft, a motor/generator coupled with the shaft for rotation therewith. A combustor for combusting fuel and compressed air to generate combustion gases for rotating the turbine is provided as well as a compressor providing compressed air, and an injector having at least one opening to admit the compressed air from the compressor. The injector may be connected to the combustor to inject fuel and compressed air into the combustor. A piston slidably covering the at least one opening in the injector provides a variable entry to the compressed air, and a pressure actuator associated with the piston and responsive to pressure in the combustor is used for determining the size of the variable entry. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Capstone Turbine Corporation
    Inventor: James B. Dickey
  • Publication number: 20040083733
    Abstract: A splashplate dish or disc shaped having a contoured face is inserted in and recessed from the top of the air tube feeding the combustor of a microturbine with a mixture of air and fuel. The splashplate permits the use of a single orifice fuel nozzle or injector to replace a multi orifice injector. The splashplate includes contoured segments circumferentially disposed around the face of the splashplate for splitting the fuel into discrete streams for mixing with the air admitted into the air tube. In one embodiment the splashplate includes radial slots circumferentially spaced around the face of the splashplate for directing the fuel directly into the air tube through the slots. In another embodiment a dimple or depression is located centrally of the splashplate where the fuel impinges before being dispersed in the plurality of streams. Attachment means are provided for centering and recessing the splashplate in the air tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventor: Joe Britt Ingram
  • Patent number: 6722132
    Abstract: A dual fuel premix nozzle and method of operation for use in a gas turbine combustor is disclosed. The dual fuel premix nozzle utilizes a fin assembly comprising a plurality of radially extending fins for injection of gas fuel and compressed air in order to provide a more uniform injection pattern and homogeneous mixture. The premix fuel nozzle includes a plurality of coaxial passages, which provide gaseous fuel and compressed air to the fin assembly. When in liquid fuel operation, the gas circuits are purged with compressed air and liquid fuel and water pass through coaxial passages to the tip of the dual fuel premix fuel nozzle, where they inject liquid fuel and water into the secondary combustion chamber. An alternate embodiment includes an additional gas fuel injection region located along a conically tapered portion of the premixed fuel nozzle, downstream of the fin assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Power Systems MFG, LLC
    Inventors: Peter Stuttaford, Stephen T. Jennings, Ryan McMahon, Brian R. Mack
  • Patent number: 6718770
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine fuel injector conduit includes a single feed strip having a single bonded together pair of lengthwise extending plates. Each of the plates has a single row of widthwise spaced apart and lengthwise extending parallel grooves. Opposing grooves in each of the plates are aligned forming internal fuel flow passages through the strip from an inlet end to an outlet end. The feed strip includes a substantially straight middle portion between the inlet end and the outlet end. In one alternative, the middle portion has a radius of curvature greater than a length of the middle portion. The feed strip has at least one acute bend between the inlet end and the middle portion and a bend between the outlet end and the middle portion. The feed strip has fuel inlet holes in the inlet end connected to the internal fuel flow passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Peter Laing, Michael Peter Wrubel, Barry Walford Savel, Rex Jay Harvey, Alfred Albert Mancini, James Neil Cooper, Robert Thane Mains
  • Patent number: 6711898
    Abstract: A fuel injector assembly for dispensing fuel in the combustion chamber of a gas turbine engine, includes in one embodiment an elongated, multi-layered, convoluted nozzle feed strip having an internal passage for directing fuel through the length of the strip from the inlet end to an outlet end; and a cylindrical, multi-layered fuel dispensing nozzle unitary with the feed strip and fluidly connected to the outlet end of the feed strip for dispensing the fuel. The multi-layered feed strip and nozzle allow complex porting of fuel circuits through the injector. The internal fluid passages through the feed strip and nozzle are formed by etching. In another embodiment, the feed strip can be used for directing fuel from the manifold to one or more fuel injectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Laing, Dale L. Arnold, Charles R. Bovard, Jeffrey R. Lehtinen
  • Publication number: 20040050070
    Abstract: There are provided an injector and an associated method for injecting and mixing gases, comprising a carbonaceous fuel and oxygen, in a combustion chamber of a combustion device. The injector has jets, which can be used to separately inject different combustion fuels. The injector is compatible with combustion devices that inject only gases, for example, a reheater that provides initial combustion in a power generation cycle or a reheater that recombusts a discharged gas from a gas generator and turbine. Further, the injector defines an annular space through which a recycle gas can be injected into the combustion chamber to lower the combustion temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Sprouse, David R. Matthews, Robert J. Jensen
  • Publication number: 20040045296
    Abstract: A flame-holding nozzle for a combustion turbine engine is disclosed. The nozzle includes several elongated sleeves in a substantially concentric arrangement. The sleeves cooperatively provide distinct passageways for fluids to move through the nozzle. The nozzle includes conduits that advantageously direct fluids to designated regions of the nozzle, allowing fuel and cooling fluid to move within the nozzle without becoming commingled. Portions of the nozzle sleeves are also strategically arranged to transmit fluids in a manner that provides substantially-uniform thermal expansion, thereby reducing the need for sliding joints or bellows arrangements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Applicant: Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation
    Inventors: David James Wiebe, David D. North, William Richard Ryan
  • Publication number: 20040045297
    Abstract: A gas turbine combustor has a combustion chamber into which fuel and air are supplied, wherein the fuel and the air are supplied into said combustion chamber as a plurality of coaxial jets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Inoue, Tomomi Koganezawa, Nariyoshi Kobayashi, Isao Takehara
  • Publication number: 20040045295
    Abstract: A flame-holding nozzle for a combustion turbine engine is disclosed. The nozzle includes several elongated sleeves in a substantially-concentric arrangement. The sleeves cooperatively provide distinct passageways for fluids to move through the nozzle. The nozzle includes conduits that advantageously direct fluids to designated regions of the nozzle, allowing fuel and cooling fluid to move within the nozzle without becoming commingled. Portions of the nozzle sleeves are also strategically arranged to transmit fluids in a manner that provides substantially-uniform thermal expansion, thereby eliminating the need for sliding joints or bellows arrangements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Applicant: Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation
    Inventors: David James Wiebe, Michael Herbert Koenig, Robert Bland
  • Publication number: 20040040310
    Abstract: Thermal stress relief in a nozzle head of a gas turbine fuel nozzle is provided by forming a slit through each selected air passages of the nozzle head. The strategic location of stress-relief slits contributes to extend the fatigue life of the nozzle with minimal cost and impact on the nozzle aerodynamics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventors: Lev Alexander Prociw, Harris Shafique, Victor Gandza
  • Publication number: 20040040306
    Abstract: A multiple conduit system for a gas turbine engine, the multiple conduit system extending between a plurality of conduit inlet and outlets. A channel is formed in a surface of a gas turbine engine component, and the channel is adapted for conveying a fluid flow from an inlet to an outlet. At least a first sealing member is disposed within the channel and divides the channel into at least a first discrete conduit and a second discrete conduit. A second sealing member encloses the channel to define the second discrete conduit. The first and second discrete conduits are each adapted to direct an independent fluid flow from respective inlets to respective outlets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventors: Lev Alexander Prociw, Harris Shafique, John Sokalski, Claude Raymond Pelletier
  • Patent number: 6698208
    Abstract: An atomizer for use with a combustor in a gas turbine has a body with a fuel passageway extending through the center of the body. A plurality of channels extends within the body about the passageway centerline, and are oriented along a circumferential angle about the passageway centerline to deliver air at the discharge end of the passageway with an axially whirling motion. The channels are simultaneously oriented along an axial angle about the passageway centerline, thereby directing the flow of air to converge toward the passageway centerline, mix with the fuel, and then at least in part diverge from the passageway centerline. The whirling air intersects with the fuel at the exit of the nozzle to effectively atomize both the air and fuel thereby providing a homogeneous air/fuel mixture to the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Elliott Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: J. Michael Teets
  • Patent number: 6698207
    Abstract: A flame-holding nozzle for a combustion turbine engine is disclosed. The nozzle includes several elongated sleeves in a substantially-concentric arrangement. The sleeves cooperatively provide distinct passageways for fluids to move through the nozzle. The nozzle includes conduits that advantageously direct fluids to designated regions of the nozzle, allowing fuel and cooling fluid to move within the nozzle without becoming commingled. Portions of the nozzle sleeves are also strategically arranged to transmit fluids in a manner that provides substantially-uniform thermal expansion, thereby eliminating the need for sliding joints or bellows arrangements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation
    Inventors: David James Wiebe, Michael Herbert Koenig, Robert Bland
  • Patent number: 6695234
    Abstract: A liquid fuel injection nozzle to supply atomized droplets of fuel to a combustion chamber arrangement in a gas turbine engine combustion system. The fuel droplets leave the passage through its upper end defined by an annular sharp edge of a tubular electrode which can be electrostatically charged for the sharp edge to impart electrostatic charge to the fuel droplets as they pass the edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Alstone Power N.V.
    Inventor: Nigel Wilbraham