Combustor Liner Patents (Class 60/752)
  • Publication number: 20140123656
    Abstract: A preassembled modular drop-in transition having internal components in conformity with assembly and function specifications prior to and after insertion into an industrial gas turbine access port. The transition assembly maintains conformity with those specifications after insertion into the combustor case if it does not inadvertently impact other turbine components during its installation. Inadvertent impact is avoided by having a combustor service zone proximal the combustor case, enabling slidable insertion of each transition and/or combustor assembly into its corresponding access port along its corresponding insertion path without contacting other turbine system components. A multi-axis motion transition handling tool (THT) in the combustor service zone, preferably under automatic control, is coupled to a transition and facilitates precise alignment along the insertion path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Inventors: GLENN E. SANCEWICH, JOSE L. ALONSO, DANIEL E. FORD
  • Patent number: 8713945
    Abstract: A gas turbine includes a liner, a casing surrounding the liner, a hula seal flexibly connected to an aft end of the liner and a liner aft support mechanism. The liner is configured to receive compressed gas and fuel at an upstream end, the mixture of the compressed gas and the fuel being burned in a combustion core area of the liner to yield hot exhaust gasses. The liner aft end support mechanism is located downstream from an area where a highest temperature on an outer surface of the liner is attained, and upstream to a portion where the hula seal is connected to the liner, and is configured to movably support the liner inside the casing. The liner aft end support mechanism includes at least three individual support elements configured to allow a part of the individual support elements to move in the flow direction relative to at least one of the liner or the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Nuovo Pignone S.p.A.
    Inventor: Balasundar Kuppusamy
  • Patent number: 8707672
    Abstract: A combustor includes an end cap having a perforated downstream plate and a combustion chamber downstream of the downstream plate. A plenum is in fluid communication with the downstream plate and supplies a cooling medium to the combustion chamber through the perforations in the downstream plate. A method for cooling a combustor includes flowing a cooling medium into a combustor end cap and impinging the cooling medium on a downstream plate in the combustor end cap. The method further includes flowing the cooling medium into a combustion chamber through perforations in the downstream plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Baifang Zuo, Roy Marshall Washam, Chunyang Wu
  • Patent number: 8707713
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine component includes a wall having first and second wall surfaces and a cooling hole extending through the wall. The cooling hole includes an inlet located at the first wall surface, an outlet located at the second wall surface and a diffusing section in communication with the inlet and extending to the outlet. The diffusing section includes a plurality of crenellation features that encourage lateral spreading of cooling air flowing through the cooling hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Glenn Levasseur, Edward F. Pietraszkiewicz
  • Patent number: 8707705
    Abstract: An aft frame of a turbine engine transition piece body is provided and includes an annular body disposed within a first annular space defined between an impingement sleeve and a compressor discharge casing and aft of a second annular space defined between the transition piece body and the impingement sleeve and including a main portion with a first surface facing the first annular space and a second surface facing the forward annular space. The main portion has an impingement hole extending therethrough from an inlet at the first surface of the annular body to an outlet at the second surface of the annular body to define a fluid path along which the first and second annular spaces communicate with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jonathan Dwight Berry, Kevin Weston McMahan
  • Patent number: 8707706
    Abstract: A combustion chamber includes at least one annular wall. The annular wall includes a plurality of segments and each segment has a first portion, a second portion and a third portion. The first portion of each segment extends circumferentially, the third portion of each segment extends circumferentially and the second portion of each segment extends radially to connect the first portion and third portion of the segment. The segments are arranged such that the first portion of each segment overlaps the third portion of an adjacent segment and the first portion of each segment is bolted to the third portion of the adjacent segment. The segments are cast and define a double wall combustion chamber and enable easier construction of the combustion chamber and replacement of damaged segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventor: Ian M. Garry
  • Patent number: 8707708
    Abstract: A combustor liner with an input end and an output end includes an annular inner wall and an annular outer wall. At least one of the inner wall and outer wall is three-dimensionally contoured. The inner wall and the outer wall form a combustion chamber with the contours creating alternating expanding and constricting regions inside the chamber causing combustion gases to flow in the circumferential and axial directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Joel H. Wagner, Paul M. Lutjen
  • Patent number: 8707704
    Abstract: A method of assembling a turbine engine includes defining a first chamber and defining a second chamber. The method also includes forming at least one venturi device oriented with a predetermined venturi step angle greater than approximately 48°. The method further includes coupling the first chamber in flow communication with the second chamber via the venturi device therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Derrick Walter Simons, Jeffrey Scott Lebegue, Krishna Kumar Venkataraman
  • Publication number: 20140109581
    Abstract: A combustor for a gas turbine engine is provided. The combustor includes an annular inner liner; an annular outer liner circumscribing the annular inner liner; and a combustor dome having a first edge coupled to the annular inner liner and a second edge coupled to the annular outer liner, the combustor dome forming a combustion chamber with the annular inner liner and the annular outer liner. The combustion chamber accommodates fluid flow through the annular inner and annular outer liners. The combustion chamber converges in the direction of the air flow to reduce a diameter of the combustion chamber. The combustor dome is configured to bifurcate the air flow at the combustor dome into a first stream directed to the annular inner liner and a second stream directed to the annular outer liner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Rodolphe Dudebout, Terrel Kuhn, Vinayender Kuchana, Veeraraghava Raju Hasti, Raymond Gage, Sunil James
  • 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: 8701415
    Abstract: A turbine system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the turbine system includes a transition duct. The transition duct includes an inlet, an outlet, and a passage extending between the inlet and the outlet and defining a longitudinal axis, a radial axis, and a tangential axis. The outlet of the transition duct is offset from the inlet along the longitudinal axis and the tangential axis. The transition duct further includes an interface member for interfacing with a turbine section. The turbine system further includes a flexible metallic seal contacting the interface member to provide a seal between the interface member and the turbine section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Scott Flanagan, Jeffrey Scott LeBegue, Kevin Weston McMahan, Daniel Jackson Dillard, Ronnie Ray Pentecost
  • Publication number: 20140102107
    Abstract: A housing structure for a turbo-engine, especially for a gas turbine or an aircraft engine, includes an outer housing wall and an inner housing wall, the inner and outer housing walls annularly enclosing a flow channel for the turbo-engine and being spaced apart radially from the flow channel. At least one heat shield is arranged between the inner and outer housing walls, and a bar or a fixture projects at least somewhat radially from the inner housing wall. The bar or the fixture has on at least one side a broadening element that includes a sealing face against which the heat shield is positioned in a sealing manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventors: MANFRED FELDMANN, JANINE SANGL, SEBASTIAN KALTENBACH, JOACHIM LORENZ
  • Publication number: 20140102106
    Abstract: A bulkhead panel is disclosed. The bulkhead panel may comprise a body having a body having a front surface and an opposite back surface, a fuel nozzle opening in the body and communicating through the front and back surfaces, and a plurality of effusion holes disposed in at least one row that surrounds and is generally concentric to the fuel nozzle opening. Each effusion hole may extend from the back surface to the front surface at an incline angle. Each effusion hole may be positioned at a clock angle from a reference line radially extending from a center of the fuel nozzle opening through a center of the effusion hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Timothy S. Snyder, John S. Tu
  • Patent number: 8695322
    Abstract: A turbomachine includes a plurality of injection nozzles arranged in a can-annular array and a transition piece including at least one wall that defines a combustion flow passage. A dilution orifice is formed in the at least one wall of the transition piece. The dilution orifice guides dilution gases to the combustion flow passage. A heat shield member is mounted to the at least one wall of the transition piece in the combustion flow passage. The heat shield member includes a body having a first surface and an opposing second surface through which extends a dilution passage. The dilution passage is off-set from the dilution orifice. The heat shield member is spaced from the at least one wall of the transition piece defining a flow region between the at least one wall and the second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lewis Berkley Davis, Jr., Ronald James Chila
  • Patent number: 8695351
    Abstract: An annular seal for use between coupled combustor components includes a segmented annular solid edge portion and a plurality of alternating spring fingers and slots extending from the solid edge portion and arranged about a circumference of the solid edge portion, wherein one or more of the plurality of spring fingers or one or more of the plurality of straight and angled slots have non-uniform width dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Wei Chen, Donald Timothy Lemon, Mert Enis Berkman, Richard Martin Dicintio
  • Publication number: 20140096530
    Abstract: An air management arrangement for a late lean injection combustor system includes a combustor liner defining a combustor chamber. Also included is a sleeve surrounding at least a portion of the combustor liner, the combustor liner and the sleeve defining a cooling annulus for routing a cooling airflow from proximate an aft end of the combustor liner toward a forward end of the combustor liner. Further included is a cooling airflow divider region configured to split the cooling airflow into a first cooling airflow portion and a second cooling airflow portion, wherein the first cooling airflow portion is directed to at least one primary air-fuel injector, wherein the second cooling airflow portion is directed to at least one lean-direct injector extending through the sleeve and the cooling annulus for injection of the second cooling airflow portion into the combustor chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Wei Chen
  • Patent number: 8689561
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a premixer is provided for use, e.g., with trapped vortex (TVC) combustors, that injects premixed fuel and air directly into the recirculating vortex, in a manner compatible with natural vortex flow in the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Donald W. Kendrick
  • Patent number: 8689568
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a wall having first and second wall surfaces and a cooling hole extending through the wall. The cooling hole includes an inlet located at the first wall surface, an outlet located at the second wall surface, a metering section extending downstream from the inlet and a diffusing section extending from the metering section to the outlet. The diffusing section includes a first lobe diverging longitudinally and laterally from the metering section, a second lobe diverging longitudinally and laterally from the metering section, an upstream end located at the outlet, a trailing edge located at the outlet opposite the upstream end and generally opposite first and second sidewalls. Each sidewall has an edge extending along the outlet between the upstream end and the trailing edge. Each edge diverges laterally from the upstream end and converges laterally before reaching the trailing edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Atul Kohli, Matthew S. Gleiner, Mark F. Zelesky, JinQuan Xu
  • Patent number: 8689562
    Abstract: In one embodiment, alternative combustion cavity layouts are provided for practicing fuel staging in a trapped vortex (TVC) combustion apparatus comprising an inlet premixer, for injecting fuel-air mixture into the inlet of the combustion apparatus and one or more vortex premixers, for injecting fuel-air mixture into the recirculating vortex within each of one or more trapped vortex cavities. A plurality of TVC cavities, may, for example, be laid out axially, radially, peripherally, internally, or in combinations of such arrangements. These layouts may be used in conjunction with a fuel staging method whereby the relative proportion of mixture introduced through the inlet and the respective vortex premixers can be varied as a function of operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Donald W. Kendrick
  • Publication number: 20140090389
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel apparatus and method for operating a gas turbine combustor having a structural configuration proximate a pilot region of the combustor which seeks to minimize the onset of thermo acoustic dynamics. The pilot region of the combustor includes a generally cylindrical extension having an outlet end with an irregular profile which incorporates asymmetries into the system so as to destroy any coherent structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Inventors: PETER JOHN STUTTAFORD, STEPHEN JORGENSEN, YAN CHEN, HANY RIZKALLA, KHALID OUMEJJOUD, MIRKO R. BOTHIEN
  • Publication number: 20140090383
    Abstract: A casting, mold and method for producing a casting are disclosed. The casting may have an area of small thermal mass and an area of large thermal mass. The method may comprise providing a casting having a work product and an appendage engaged to, and suspended over, the work product between the area of small thermal mass and the area of large thermal mass, and controllably cooling the work product using the appendage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Inventor: Bradley T. Duelm
  • Patent number: 8683806
    Abstract: A baffle for the bottom of a combustion chamber of a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The baffle includes a flat portion of wall with an opening for an injector of the combustion chamber to pass through, two longitudinal edges for the assembly to two adjacent baffles and two transverse edges. At least one of the edges includes a joint cover arranging a housing along the edge for an edge of an adjacent baffle so as to seal the junction between the two edges. A combustion chamber incorporating the baffles is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Patrice Andre Commaret, Didier Hippolyte Hernandez, Romain Nicolas Lunel
  • Patent number: 8683805
    Abstract: An injector seal for a gas turbomachine includes a seal body having a first surface, an opposing second surface, a central opening configured and disposed to receive a gas turbomachine injector, an outer edge, and a plurality of passages extending through the seal body. The plurality of passages are configured and disposed to guide a fluid at the first surface through the second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Wei Chen, Kevin Weston McMahan
  • Patent number: 8677757
    Abstract: A combustion chamber head of a gas turbine has a confinement enclosing a dampening volume (207) and including a combustion chamber-opposite confinement (206) and a combustion chamber-side confinement (210). The combustion chamber-side confinement (210) is provided as perforated wall (210). In the edge area of the combustion chamber-side confinement (210), cooling air can be routed onto the combustion chamber-side confinement (210) via recesses (203) in the confinement (206). This cooling air, which flows along the combustion chamber-side confinement (210), crosses the cooling air flow through the perforated wall (210) in the combustion chamber (101) without mixing with the latter, as both are separated by walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG
    Inventors: Sermed Sadig, Miklos Gerendas
  • Patent number: 8677759
    Abstract: A gas turbine combustor includes a liner having a forward end and an aft end; a flow sleeve surrounding the liner, the flow sleeve also having forward and aft ends, the aft end of the flow sleeve supporting an annular ring formed with a plurality of cooling bores and extending through the flow sleeve, at least some of the plurality of cooling bores formed at an acute angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Karthick Kaleeswaran, Rao Ganesh Pejawar, Sonal Bhojani
  • Patent number: 8671692
    Abstract: A combustor assembly includes a convergent segment followed by a divergent segment to advantageously improve combustion. The combustor assembly includes a first segment beginning at a forward end that transitions to a second segment past a transition segment in a direction along a combustor axis toward an aft end. The reduction in cross-sectional area within the first segment provides desirable fuel and air mixing properties. The convergent first segment in combination with the divergent second segment decreases residence time of fuel-air mixture within the combustor chamber that decreases production of undesirable emissions from the combustor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Steven W. Burd, William Sowa, Albert K. Cheung, Stephen Karl Kramer, Reid Dyer Curtis Smith, James Hoke
  • Patent number: 8673234
    Abstract: A reactor vessel liner system includes a liner having an inner wall, an outer wall, and a plurality of passages extending between the inner wall and the outer wall. An attachment member extends outwards from the outer wall for securing the liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Aerojet Rocketdyne of DE, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Arthur Yows, Steven P. Fusselman, Bryan William McEnerney, Kenneth M. Sprouse
  • Publication number: 20140069103
    Abstract: A seal assembly for use between an injector and a combustion chamber in a gas turbine. A liner at least partially defines the combustion chamber, and the liner has at least one tubular liner collar, through which an injector is inserted. In one embodiment, the liner collar has a partially convex outer diameter and a floating collar is positioned at least partially around the liner collar. The floating collar has a retention member having a first end fixed to the floating collar and a second end configured to abut the convex outer diameter of liner collar, wherein the retention member maintains the floating collar at a radial distance from the injector less than a radial distance between the liner collar and the injector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Willis, Richard Martin DiCintio, Lucas John Stoia
  • Patent number: 8667801
    Abstract: An enhanced cooling system for the downstream end of a combustor liner assembly is provided. The downstream end region of the combustor liner assembly is formed by a subassembly comprising an outer tubular member, an inner tubular member and a middle band. The middle band includes a plurality of undulations having alternating peaks and valleys. The middle band is operatively positioned between the inner and outer tubular members to form a plurality of elongated cooling passages. A turbulence generator is provided along each of the cooling passages and extends radially inward from a portion of the peaks such that the turbulence generator and the valleys contact an outer peripheral surface of the inner tubular member. The surface area of the middle band that is in contact with the inner tubular member is greater than the surface area of the middle band that is in contact with the outer tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Carlos Roldan-Posada
  • Patent number: 8661829
    Abstract: An annular shroud (42), having an internal face intended to cover the back end wall (33) of an annular combustion chamber (12) of a turbomachine (14) fitted with a centrifugal compressor, together with an external face opposite said internal face, and where said shroud includes multiple apertures (54) intended to allow fuel injectors (38, 40) supported by said back end wall (33) to pass through, together with multiple bosses (56) which extend as projections on said external face radially towards the interior respectively from the respective radially internal edges (58) of said apertures (54), such that each of said bosses (56) delimits an extension (60) of the corresponding aperture (54) open radially towards the exterior so as to form an air intake scoop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Sebastien Alain Christophe Bourgois, Didier Hippolyte Hernandez
  • Patent number: 8661828
    Abstract: A turbomachine including an annular combustion chamber, a sectorized turbine nozzle arranged at an outlet from the chamber, and a sealing mechanism interposed axially between the chamber and the nozzle, the sealing mechanism including an annular gasket that is axially resilient. The gasket includes a first axial bearing mechanism for bearing against a downstream end of the chamber and a downstream annular lip that is sectorized, each sector of the downstream lip being in alignment with a sector of the nozzle and including a second axial bearing mechanism for bearing against an upstream end of the nozzle sector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Christophe Pieussergues, Denis Jean Maurice Sandelis
  • Patent number: 8661827
    Abstract: A plate-like-object manufacturing method, plate-like objects, a gas-turbine combustor, and a gas turbine, in which degradation in the cooling performance can be suppressed, the time required for manufacturing a gas-turbine combustor can be shortened, and deterioration of the working environment can be prevented are provided. A plate-like-object manufacturing method includes a step of forming a plate-like object by stacking a plurality of plates and arranging a plurality of channels, through which a cooling medium flows, side-by-side between the plurality of plates; and a step of arranging a plurality of the plate-like objects side-by-side in a direction in which the channels are arranged, butting the plurality of plate-like objects against each other, and performing welding at an abutment section. The channels adjacent to the abutment section extend along the abutment section and have a greater dimension in the direction in which the channels are arranged, as compared with that of other channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Morimoto, Hidenori Kanki, Tatsuo Ishiguro, Hiroki Shibata, Tetsu Konishi, Kenji Sato
  • Patent number: 8661826
    Abstract: A coated turbine engine article having a first wall and a second wall, wherein the first wall has a shielding feature integral with the article and which inhibits entry of a coating material into an open passage extending between the first wall and the second wall when the coating material is directed towards the article using a line of sight process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: Ian M Garry, Michael N Wybro
  • Publication number: 20140053562
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for protecting an inner radial surface of a radial member of a turbomachine from corrosion are provided. The method may include shaping the inner radial surface of the radial member and a corresponding outer radial surface of a corrosion-resistant liner. The method may also include heating the radial member to increase a diameter of the inner radial surface of the radial member, and inserting at least a portion of the corrosion-resistant liner into the radial member. The method may further include attaching the corrosion-resistant liner to the inner radial surface of the radial member to thereby protect the inner radial surface of the radial member of the turbomachine from corrosion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: DRESSER-RAND COMPANY
    Inventors: Byron L. Mohr, David C. Seib
  • Publication number: 20140047846
    Abstract: A turbine component cooling arrangement includes a combustor liner defining a combustor chamber, wherein the combustor liner includes an outer surface and an inner surface. Also included is a channel disposed along the outer surface, wherein the channel is configured to receive a cooling flow through at least one aperture extending through a liner ring disposed proximate the outer surface of the combustor liner. Further included is at least one outlet orifice extending between the channel and the combustor chamber through the inner surface for routing the cooling flow along the inner surface within the combustor chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Willis, Richard Martin DiCintio, William David York
  • Patent number: 8650882
    Abstract: A wall element of a gas turbine engine having an inner hot surface, and an outer cooler surface, during use. A plurality of projections is provided on the outer surface to facilitate heat transfer to a coolant flow during use. The projections are arranged in a first density pattern and in a second higher density pattern for increased cooling. The second higher density pattern is positioned adjacent a hotter region of the tile than the first density pattern to reduce the thermal gradient throughout the wall element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: James R Woolford, Stephen J Mills, Kevin A White
  • Publication number: 20140041391
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided and includes a combustor, a transition piece and a flow conditioner. The combustor has a head end and defines a first flowpath along which a main flow is directable to flow in a downstream direction from the head end. The transition piece is disposable downstream from the combustor, has a forward end and defines a second flowpath along which the main flow is directable to flow in the downstream direction from the forward end. The flow conditioner includes an inner member coupled to the transition piece forward end, an outer member and aerodynamic elements supportively disposed between the inner and outer members to be interactive with a flow of fluid proceeding toward the combustor head end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Richard Martin DiCintio, Wei Chen
  • Patent number: 8646277
    Abstract: A combustor liner for a combustor of a turbine engine includes a single-walled generally cylindrical liner that extends from a head end to an aft end. A venturi is formed on the combustor liner at a location between the head and aft ends. The venturi is formed by first and second straight portions of the combustor liner that angle inward to form a reduced diameter portion. The combustor liner may also include an air deflector to deflect air down onto the exterior of the reduced diameter portion of the single-walled combustor liner. The combustor liner may also include dilution holes, and turbulator rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ronald James Chila, Donald Timothy Lemon
  • Patent number: 8646276
    Abstract: A combustor assembly for a turbine engine includes a combustor liner and a flow sleeve which surrounds the combustor liner. Compressed air flows through an annular space located between an outer surface of the combustor liner and an inner surface of the flow sleeve. A plurality of cooling holes are formed through the flow sleeve to allow compressed air to flow from a position outside the flow sleeve, through the cooling holes, and into the annular space. The height of the annular space may vary along the length of the combustor assembly. Thus, the flow sleeve may have reduced diameter portions which result in the height of the annular space being smaller in certain locations than at other locations along the length of the combustor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lewis Berkley Davis, Jr., Ronald James Chila
  • Patent number: 8646278
    Abstract: A condition measurement apparatus is provided and includes a gas turbine engine combustor having an end cover, a liner defining a liner interior and a fuel nozzle communicative with the liner interior, the end cover being formed to separate a cold side thereof, which is a relatively low temperature environment, from a hot side thereof, which is a relatively high temperature environment in which the liner and the fuel nozzle are disposed, the combustor being formed to define a fuel flow path extending through piping disposed at the cold side of the end cover by which fuel is deliverable to the fuel nozzle, and a condition sensing device operably mounted on the piping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kwanwoo Kim, Geoffrey David Myers, Venkateswarlu Narra, Shiva Kumar Srinivasan
  • Patent number: 8646279
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a segment component in high-temperature casting material for an annular combustion chamber of an aircraft engine, characterized by a combustion-chamber wall which in operation shields a fuel flame extending along a burner axis from the environment, with the combustion-chamber wall having a bulge which points in a direction facing away from the burner axis. The invention furthermore relates to an annular combustion chamber, an aircraft engine with an annular combustion chamber as well as a method for the manufacture of an annular combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG
    Inventors: Karl Schreiber, Miklos Gerendas
  • Publication number: 20140033726
    Abstract: A liner cooling assembly for a gas turbine system includes a liner having an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface defining an interior region. Also included is a sleeve disposed radially outwardly of the outer surface of the liner, the sleeve and the outer surface of the liner defining a channel configured to receive a cooling flow. Further included is a cooling jacket extending circumferentially around at least a portion of the outer surface of the liner and disposed between the liner and the sleeve, wherein the cooling jacket comprises at least one support operably coupled to the cooling jacket and the outer surface of the liner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventors: Wei Chen, Jerome David Brown
  • Patent number: 8640464
    Abstract: Fuel and air are injected in a first poloidal flow in a first poloidal direction within a first annular zone of an annular combustor. A first combustion gas from the at least partial combustion of the fuel and air is discharged into an annular transition zone of the annular combustor and transformed to a second combustion gas therein within an at least partial second poloidal flow followed by an at least partial third poloidal flow in the annular transition zone, wherein the direction of the second poloidal flow is opposite to that of the first and third poloidal flows. The second combustion gas is discharged into a second annular zone of the annular combustor, and then transformed to a third combustion gas therein before being discharged therefrom, responsive to which a back pressure is generated in the annular combustor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Williams International Co., L.L.C.
    Inventors: Jamey J. Condevaux, Lisa M. Simpkins, John Sordyl
  • Publication number: 20140026581
    Abstract: A liner stop for retaining a flow sleeve relative to a combustion liner in a combustor is disclosed. The liner stop includes a female component defining a recess and a male component comprising a protrusion, the protrusion insertable in the female component. The liner stop further includes an insert disposable between the female component and the male component, the insert comprising a surface protrusion configured to interfere with one of the female component or the male component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert Wade Clifford, Jonathan Hale Kegley
  • Patent number: 8635874
    Abstract: An exemplary combustor includes at least a portion having an inner liner and an outer cover plate, which together form an interposed cooling chamber. A plurality of hollow elements extend from the liner and protrude into the cooling chamber. Each hollow element defines a damping volume connected to an inner volume of the combustion chamber via a calibrated duct. During operation, the hollow elements damp pressure pulsations and, in addition, also transfer heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Adnan Eroglu, Ewald Freitag, Uwe Rüdel, Urs Benz, Andreas Huber
  • Publication number: 20140000265
    Abstract: A transition duct for a combustor of a gas turbine generally includes a transition duct having a frame at an aft end of the transition duct. The frame generally includes a downstream end, a radially outer portion, a radially inner portion opposed to the radially outer portion, a first side portion between the radially outer and inner portions, and a second side portion opposed to the first side portion. A slot in the first side portion of the frame may have a downstream surface adjacent to the downstream end of the frame. A heat shield having an inner surface, an outer surface and a plurality of spacers may extend generally outward from the heat shield inner surface such that the inner surface is adjacent to the slot downstream surface and the frame downstream end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: John Alfred Simo, Patrick Benedict Melton, Richard Martin DiCintio, Christopher Paul Willis
  • Publication number: 20140000267
    Abstract: A transition duct for a combustor of a gas turbine generally includes an end frame that has a radially outer portion, a radially inner portion opposed to the radially outer portion, a first side portion between the radially outer and inner portions, and a second side portion opposed to the first side portion between the radially outer and inner portions. A slot may be in at least one of the radially outer portion, radially inner portion, first side portion, or second side portion of the end frame. A first plurality of axially extending passages may pass through the end frame and intersect with the slot. A terminal end of the end frame may be uninterrupted adjacent to the slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Patrick Benedict Melton
  • Publication number: 20140000266
    Abstract: A brazed end cover assembly for a gas turbine combustor using Au-Ni braze is disclosed. The end cover assembly may include an end cover with openings, a flow insert, first and second gaps between the end cover and the flow insert, and first and second braze joints formed at the first and second gaps, wherein the braze materials used comprises Au and Ni. A method of brazing a flow insert into an end cover is also disclosed. The method may include providing an end cover and a flow insert with first and second gaps therebetween; applying a braze material to an outer surface of the flow insert, wherein the braze material comprises Au and Ni; inserting the flow insert into the end cover; heating the assembly to a brazing temperature for some time; and cooling the resulting brazed assembly to room temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: Pratt & Whitney
    Inventor: Gary J Dillard
  • Publication number: 20130333389
    Abstract: A cross fire retention system for a gas turbine engine includes a retention system housing operably coupled to a radially outer surface of a flow sleeve surrounding a combustion chamber, wherein the retention system housing includes a central aperture relatively aligned with a flow sleeve channel and is configured to receive a cross fire tube. Also included is a locking element extending through a side aperture of the retention system housing and having a first end configured to fittingly engage a first portion of an outer surface of the cross fire tube. Further included is a resilient member disposed within the retention system housing and configured to engage a second portion of the outer surface of the cross fire tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Elizabeth Angelyn FADDE, David William CIHLAR, Perry Bradford SLOAN
  • Publication number: 20130333388
    Abstract: A combustor liner cooling assembly for a gas turbine system includes a combustor liner defining a combustor chamber. Also included is a flow sleeve surrounding at least a portion of the combustor liner, wherein the flow sleeve includes at least one aperture row comprising a plurality of apertures, each of the plurality of apertures impinging a cooling flow jet onto the combustor liner. Further included is a plurality of flow redirecting components disposed proximate an aft end of the flow sleeve, wherein the plurality of flow redirecting components divert an impingement cross-flow flowing relatively perpendicular to the cooling flow jet, thereby providing the cooling flow jet an undisturbed flow path to the combustor liner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Venugopal Polisetty, Sridhar Venkat Kodukulla