Air Outside Liner Flows Counter To Combustion Products Flow Within Liner Patents (Class 60/760)
  • Patent number: 7966822
    Abstract: A gas turbine combustion system for burning air and fuel into exhaust gases. The gas turbine combustion system may include a combustor, a turbine nozzle integral with the combustor for providing the air to the combustor, and a fuel injector for providing the fuel to the combustor. The turbine nozzle and the fuel injector are positioned within the combustor such that a mixture of the air and the fuel flows in a first direction and the exhaust gases flow in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Geoffrey David Myers, Thomas Edward Johnson, Stefan Maier, Stanley Kevin Widener
  • Patent number: 7954326
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine assembly includes a combustor configured to combust an air-fuel mixture to produce combustion gases in a first direction; a transition liner coupled to the combustor and adapted to receive the combustion gases from the combustor and to redirect the combustion gases in a second direction; and a turbine coupled to the transition liner and adapted to receive the combustion gases from the transition liner. The transition liner has a plurality of effusion holes that include a first group that extend at least partially in a tangential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Lai, David G. Walhood, Hiroshi Kawamura, Albert K. Wong, Mark A. Kuper
  • Patent number: 7895841
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to facilitate reducing NOx emissions in turbine engines is provided. The method includes providing an annular shell including a plurality of circumferentially extending panels. The plurality of circumferentially extending panels includes a first panel positioned at an upstream end of the shell and a second panel positioned downstream from, and adjacent to, the first panel. The method also includes forming a plurality of primary dilution holes in the first panel and forming a plurality of secondary dilution holes in the second panel. The dilution holes are configured to discharge dilution air into the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Arthur Wesley Johnson, Richard W. Stickles, Willard J. Dodds, David L. Burrus
  • Patent number: 7886545
    Abstract: A method for assembling a gas turbine combustor system is provided. The method includes providing a combustion liner including a center axis, an outer wall, a first end, and a second end. The outer wall is orientated substantially parallel to the center axis. The method also includes coupling a transition piece to the liner second end. The transition piece includes an outer wall. The method further includes coupling a plurality of lean-direct injectors along at least one of the liner outer wall and the transition piece outer wall such that the injectors are spaced axially apart along the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Benjamin Paul Lacy, Gilbert Otto Kraemer, Balachandar Varatharajan, Ertan Yilmaz, John Joseph Lipinski, Willy Steve Ziminsky
  • Patent number: 7886541
    Abstract: A combustor wall element arrangement for a gas turbine engine comprises an upstream wall element (50A) overlapping a downstream wall element (50B) and defining a gap (37) and an outlet (35) therebetween. In use, a coolant flow exits the outlet (35) to provide a coolant film (D) across at least a part of the downstream wall element (50B). The outlet (35) has a smaller dimension, normal to the downstream wall element (50B), than the gap (37) thereby increasing the velocity of the coolant flow across at the downstream wall element (50B). The resultant film coolant flow is effective further across the downstream wall element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: James R Woolford, Stephen J Mills, Kevin A White
  • Patent number: 7878002
    Abstract: A method for assembling a gas turbine combustor includes providing a combustor case having a first end, a second end, and a centerline extending there between, coupling an end cover to the case first end, coupling a combustor liner within the case such that the liner is substantially coaxially aligned with respect to the case, and providing a streamline flow conditioner including a body that includes a radially outer surface and a radially inner surface, a deflection plate that extends from the body, and coupling the streamline flow conditioner to the case second end such that the streamline flow conditioner is coupled radially between the case and the combustor liner such that the deflection plate is adjacent the case second end. The deflection plate inner surface at least one of extends radially outward with respect to the centerline and defines a plurality of openings within the plate inner surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Madhavan Narasimhan Poyyapakkam
  • Patent number: 7870739
    Abstract: A curved diffuser (210) in a gas turbine engine (201) directs a primary portion of air flow from a compressor (202) through a curved discharge opening (213) into a plenum (220). The curved diffuser (210) also comprises ports (217) through which a secondary portion of air passes into confined space (225) that is defined in part by a pressure boundary element that may be comprised of at least one plate (222) or at least one conduit (306). The at least one plate (222) and the at least one conduit (306) respectively comprise apertures (246, 312) through which pass the secondary portion of air to provide impingement-type cooling to transitions (230, 320). In various embodiments the velocity of the air between adjacent transitions (230, 320) may flow at relatively uniform velocity along the longitudinal distance of the respective transitions (230, 320).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Bland
  • Patent number: 7836702
    Abstract: An assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a combustor and a vane assembly disposed downstream thereof. A portion of an outer platform of the vane assembly defines an axial sliding joint connection with the combustor, and includes a plurality of depressions located in an outer circumferential surface thereof opposite the combustor. The depressions are disposed in regions of expected higher thermal growth about the circumference of the outer platform such that thermal growth of the entire outer platform is substantially uniform circumferentially therearound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Nicolas Grivas, Bhawan B. Patel, Oleg Morenko, Eric Durocher
  • Publication number: 20100251723
    Abstract: A method for cooling a combustor assembly having a cooling passage. The method includes providing at least one thimble including an inner surface that defines a first opening, a second opening that is downstream from the first opening, and a flow channel that extends between the first opening and the second opening. The flow channel has a converging portion and a recovery portion that is downstream from the converging portion. The method also includes inserting the at least one thimble into at least one inlet that is defined in at least one sleeve such that cooling air is discharged from the flow channel into the cooling passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventors: Wei Chen, Stephen Robert Thomas, Geoffrey David Myers, Vijay Kumar Turaga
  • Patent number: 7805946
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a combustor flow sleeve for a turbine engine. According to aspects of the invention, the flow sleeve can be attached to one of the components in the combustor head-end by a plurality of fasteners. In one embodiment, the flow sleeve can be attached directly to the combustor head-end component by a plurality of bolts. The bolted flow sleeve can reduce the time to install or remove the flow sleeve. In certain areas, it may not be possible to directly attach the flow sleeve to the combustor component. A flow sleeve according to aspects of the invention can be adapted to facilitate indirect attachment to the combustor head-end component. The flow sleeve can further be adapted to include thermal relief slots to accommodate any differential thermal expansion or contraction between the flow sleeve and the component to which the flow sleeve is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajeev Ohri, Arthur J. Harris, Jr., Elliot G. Griffin, Michael H. Koenig, Herbert C. Reid, Paul D. Maples
  • Publication number: 20100223931
    Abstract: A system, in one embodiment, includes a turbine combustor liner. The combustor liner includes a patterned surface at a downstream end portion relative to a downstream direction of combustion along a longitudinal axis of the turbine combustor liner. The patterned surface includes a plurality of discrete protrusions in both axial and circumferential directions about the downstream end portion relative to the longitudinal axis of the turbine combustion liner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Ronald James Chila, Sheng-Yi Wu
  • Patent number: 7770395
    Abstract: A sleeve 2e having the length of the side surface thereof made longer at a position away from the compressor outlet 11 is connected to the upstream-side end of an external cylinder 2c. By this sleeve 2e, compressed air flowing along the inside wall surface of a casing 4 flows, making a turn, in a space between the sleeve 2e and the inside wall surface of the casing 4, thereby providing the compressed air flow being introduced from the sleeve 2e to the external cylinder 2c with uniformity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Tanimura, Kenta Kurihara, Toshihiko Saitoh, Jose Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 7770397
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine combustor having a dome heat shield includes a cooling scheme having a plurality of impingement cooling holes extending through the combustor and a plurality of adjacent ejector holes for directing cooling air past the heat shield lips of the dome heat shields. The impingement and ejector holes are preferably staggered to reduce interaction therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Bhawan B. Patel, Lorin Markarian, Kenneth Parkman, Stephen Phillips
  • Patent number: 7762074
    Abstract: A burner (27) of a gas turbine engine (10) includes a cylindrical basket (60) comprising an air flow reversal region (86). The flow reversal region ends at an air inlet plane (84) of the basket. The burner also includes a flow conditioner (90) disposed in the flow reversal region transecting an air flow (80) flowing non-uniformly through the flow reversal region, the flow conditioner being effective to mitigate variation of the air flow entering the basket across the inlet plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Bland, John Battaglioli, Anil Gulati, Stephen Ramier
  • Publication number: 20100180602
    Abstract: A combustor assembly for a turbine engine includes a cap assembly which gradually increases the volume of compressed air provided to the combustor assembly, and which slows the compressed air in a controlled manner before delivering the compressed air into a combustor area. The cap assembly includes inner and outer sleeves which are mounted in a concentric fashion. The annular space formed between the inner and outer sleeves gradually increases from an aft end to a forward end. A stepped portion is formed on the inner sleeve of the cap assembly, and this stepped portion is joined to a corresponding combustor liner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas Edward JOHNSON, Patrick Melton
  • Patent number: 7757492
    Abstract: A method facilitates assembling a gas turbine engine including a combustor assembly and a nozzle assembly. The method comprises providing a transition piece including a first end, a second end, and a body extending therebetween, where the body includes an inner surface, an opposite outer surface, coupling the first end of the transition piece to the combustor assembly, and coupling the second end of the transition piece to the nozzle assembly such that a turbulator extending helically over the outer surface of the transition piece extends from the transition piece first end to the transition piece second end to facilitate inducing turbulence to cooling air supplied to the combustor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Charles Intile, Madhavan Poyyapakkam, Ganesh Pejawar Rao, Karthick Kaleeswaran
  • Patent number: 7721548
    Abstract: A combustor heat shield has a body defining a fuel nozzle hole. The back face of the body is mounted adjacent and spaced-apart from a combustor dome. A ridge extends around the nozzle opening to a height adapted to substantially contact the combustor dome. The ridge thereby defines a cooling compartment between the body and the combustor dome. A plurality of slots is provided through the ridge. The slots are closed by the combustor dome to provide cooling holes when the heat shield is mounted on the combustor. The cooling holes direct pressurized cooling air from the compartment to adjacent regions of the back face of the heat shield body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Bhawan B. Patel, Lorin Markarian, Parthasarthy Sampath
  • Patent number: 7707834
    Abstract: A diffuser for a single-head annular combustion chamber of an airplane engine, the diffuser comprising a separator formed by a thin sheet connected by structural arms to inner and outer circularly-symmetrical walls of the diffuser, the diffuser angle for each diffusion stream defined by the separator lying in the range about 12° to about 13°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Alain Cayre, Luc Henri Claude Daguenet, Claude Gautier, Christophe Pieussergues, Stephane Henri Guy Touchaud
  • Patent number: 7685823
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of providing a gas turbine combustor having increased combustion stability and reducing pressure drop across a gas turbine combustor is disclosed. A plurality of vanes is fixed to a flow sleeve radially between the flow sleeve and a combustion liner. The plurality of vanes serve to direct a flow of air entering the region between the flow sleeve and combustion liner in a substantially axial direction, such that components of tangential velocity are removed thereby providing a more uniform flow of air the combustion chamber and reducing the amount of pressure lost due attempting to straighten the airflow by pressure drop alone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Power Systems Mfg., LLC
    Inventors: Vincent C. Martling, Zhenhua Xiao
  • Publication number: 20100064693
    Abstract: A combustor assembly in a gas turbine engine is provided. The combustor assembly may comprise a combustor device coupled to a main casing, a transition duct and a flow conditioner. The combustor device may comprise a liner having inlet and outlet portions and a burner assembly positioned adjacent to the liner inlet. The transition duct may comprise a conduit having inlet and outlet sections. The inlet section may be associated with the liner outlet portion. The flow conditioner may be associated with the main casing and the transition duct conduit for supporting the conduit inlet section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventors: Michael H. Koenig, William R. Ryan
  • Publication number: 20100031665
    Abstract: A combustor assembly for a turbine engine includes a combustor liner, a flow sleeve and a plenum ring. The flow sleeve surrounds the combustor liner to form an annulus radially between the combustor liner and the flow sleeve. The flow sleeve has a plurality of rows of cooling holes. The plenum ring radially surrounds the combustor liner in the annulus. The plenum ring has a plurality of bypass tubes for directing axial air flow and radial flow chambers for directing radial air flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jaisukhlal V. Chokshi, Craig F. Smith, Carlos G. Figueroa
  • Publication number: 20100031666
    Abstract: A combustor assembly for a turbine engine includes a combustor liner, a flow sleeve and a baffle ring. The flow sleeve surrounds the combustor liner. An annulus is formed between the flow sleeve and the combustor liner. A plurality of row of cooling holes are formed in the flow sleeve. The baffle ring radially surrounds the combustor liner and is located in the annulus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jaisukhlal V. Chokshi, Craig F. Smith, Carlos G. Figueroa, Larry C. George
  • Publication number: 20100005805
    Abstract: A combustion duct for a gas turbine engine has a combustion liner to receive products of combustion, and deliver the products of combustion downstream toward a turbine rotor. An outer housing is positioned radially outwardly of the combustion liner. A flow sleeve is positioned radially intermediate the outer housing and the combustion liner. A chamber radially outwardly of the flow sleeve receives cooling air. A plurality of holes through the flow sleeve deliver cooling air from the chamber against an outer periphery of the combustion liner. A plurality of tabs are associated with at least some of the holes in the flow sleeve. The tabs are positioned to extend radially inwardly on a downstream side of the holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventors: John S. Tu, Jaisukhlal V. Chokshi, Christopher R. Brdar, Randal G. McKinney, Shakira A. Ramos
  • Patent number: 7631504
    Abstract: A combustor assembly is provided. The combustor assembly includes a combustion chamber and at least one transition portion extending downstream from the combustion chamber to facilitate channeling combustion gases from the combustor assembly. The assembly also includes at least one air control system coupled to the at least one transition portion. The air control system including at least one biasing mechanism coupled to a controller to facilitate reducing emissions from the combustor assembly operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Keith Cletus Belsom
  • Patent number: 7617684
    Abstract: A can combustor includes a generally cylindrical housing having an interior, an axis, and a closed axial end. The closed axial end includes means for introducing fuel to the housing interior. A generally cylindrical combustor liner is disposed coaxially within the housing and configured to define with the housing respective radially outer passages for combustion air and for dilution air, and also respective radially inner volumes for a combustion zone and a dilution zone. The combustion zone is disposed axially adjacent the closed housing end, and the dilution zone is disposed axially distant the closed housing end. The can combustor also includes an impingement cooling sleeve coaxially disposed between the housing and the combustor liner and extending axially from the closed housing end for a substantial length of the combustion zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Opra Technologies B.V.
    Inventor: Eric Roy Norster
  • Patent number: 7574865
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a combustor flow sleeve for a turbine engine. The flow sleeve can be configured to optimize cooling and airflow distribution. The flow sleeve can include first and second sets of openings. A first set of openings can be provided for impingement cooling the areas of the liner that are subjected to high thermal loads. The second set of openings can be provided to more evenly distribute the airflow into the combustor head-end. By focusing the cooling on the areas of need and by making the airflow more uniform, embodiments of the invention can reduce the system pressure drop and enhance the performance and power of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Bland
  • Patent number: 7571611
    Abstract: A method of assembling a combustor assembly is provided, wherein the method includes providing a combustor liner having a centerline axis and defining a combustion chamber therein, and coupling an annular flowsleeve radially outward from the combustor liner such that an annular flow path is defined substantially circumferentially between the flowsleeve and the combustor liner. The method also includes orienting the flowsleeve such that a plurality of inlets formed within the flowsleeve are positioned to inject cooling air in a substantially axial direction into the annular flow path to facilitate cooling the combustor liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Martin Johnson, Kenneth Neil Whaling, Ronald Scott Bunker
  • Patent number: 7568335
    Abstract: In a gas turbogroup, which comprises a compressor, a first combustion chamber, a first turbine, a second combustion chamber, and a second turbine, the first combustion chamber is arranged downstream of the compressor, the first turbine is arranged downstream of the first combustion chamber, the second combustion chamber is arranged downstream of the first turbine, and the second turbine is arranged downstream of the second combustion chamber, wherein the second combustion chamber has a convectively cooled wall. A cooling air feed line for the second combustion chamber branches from the main flow path of the gas turbogroup downstream of the compressor and upstream of the first combustion chamber. A return line for heated cooling air leads from the second combustion chamber upstream of the first turbine to the main flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd
    Inventor: Rolf Althaus
  • Publication number: 20090145099
    Abstract: Embodiments for an apparatus and associated method for providing a cooling fluid to a gas turbine transition duct in order to lower the effective operating temperatures of the transition duct are disclosed. The transition duct has an inner liner and an impingement sleeve positioned radially outward with a passageway formed therebetween. The impingement sleeve has a plurality of openings where a portion of the openings each have a feed tube extending through the opening and into the passageway. The feed tubes are oriented at an angle relative to the impingement sleeve, such that an inlet to the feed tube is directed generally towards an oncoming flow of cooling fluid. The feed tubes direct a portion of the cooling fluid toward the inner liner and into the passageway for cooling of the transition duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: POWER SYSTEMS MFG., LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Jennings, Peter Stuttaford, Stephen W. Jorgensen
  • Patent number: 7523614
    Abstract: A punched metal plate 51 is constructed so as to be in a ring shape covering a space between the outside wall of the combustor basket 2a and the inside wall of the external cylinder 2c and at the same time is constructed to be a perforated plate having a plurality of holes. In addition, ribs 52 are provided in a radial pattern against the axis of a combustor in a manner that both ends of a rib 52 are in contact with the outside wall of the combustor basket 2a and the inside wall of the external cylinder 2c. Additionally, ribs 52 are provided in a plural number, and the plurality of ribs 52 are arranged so as to be equally spaced in the circumferential direction of a combustor and connected to the external cylinder 2c, thereby supporting the combustor basket 2a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Tanimura, Kenta Kurihara, Toshihiko Saitoh, Jose Rodriguez, Yoshitaka Terada, Tadashi Kamiya
  • Patent number: 7509809
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine combustor liner having a plurality of holes defined therein for directing air into the combustion chamber. The plurality of holes provide a greater cooling air flow in fuel nozzle regions than in other areas of the combustor liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Bhawan Patel, Russell Parker
  • Publication number: 20080282667
    Abstract: A method facilitates assembling a gas turbine engine including a combustor assembly and a nozzle assembly. The method comprises providing a transition piece including a first end, a second end, and a body extending therebetween, where the body includes an inner surface, an opposite outer surface, coupling the first end of the transition piece to the combustor assembly, and coupling the second end of the transition piece to the nozzle assembly such that a turbulator extending helically over the outer surface of the transition piece extends from the transition piece first end to the transition piece second end to facilitate inducing turbulence to cooling air supplied to the combustor assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventors: John Charles Intile, Madhavan Poyyapakkam, Ganesh Pejawar Rao, Karthick Kaleeswaran
  • Patent number: 7451600
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine combustor liner having a plurality of holes defined therein for directing air into the combustion chamber. The plurality of holes provide improved cooling efficiency in regions of the combustor dome corresponding to predetermined hotspots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Bhawan Patel, Parthasarathy Sampath, Russell Parker
  • Publication number: 20080276619
    Abstract: Embodiments of a transition (400) of the present invention comprise a cooling channel (20, 30, 410) defined in part by an outer wall (23) and an inner wall (24). The cooling channel (20, 30, 410) also comprises lateral side walls (33, 34). Two or more subdomains (AA, BB, A, B1, B2, C1, C2, D) of impingement jets (25, 35) are provided through the outer wall (23), and one or more metering outlets (26. 36, 37, 38) is provided through the inner wall (24), all communicating with a respective channel (20, 30, 410). The impingement jets of each respective subdomain are designed to supply cooling fluid to one of the one or more metering outlets. Further to the impingement jets (25, 35) their size, shape, spacing, and arrangement with regard to the metering outlet (26.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventors: Sanjay Chopra, Bradley T. Youngblood, Robert W. Dawson
  • Patent number: 7350358
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprising an annular reverse-flow combustor having a sheet metal combustor wall between a long exit duct portion and a small exit duct portion of the combustor. An exit duct portion of the combustor forms a sliding joint with a downstream turbine vane assembly and has at least two discrete sheet metal walls fastened to the sheet metal combustor wall at a common intersection region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Bhawan Bhal Patel, Lorin Markarian
  • Patent number: 7350360
    Abstract: The invention relates to an annular combustor (13) for a gas turbine (10), into which combustor (13) burners (14, 15) open on an inlet side, and which combustor (13) extends in the axial direction from the inlet side to an outlet side (33) and is lined on the insides with cooled liner segments (16, 17) for protection from the hot gases. In such a combustor, increased mechanical stability and flexibility in design and also simplification in manufacture and fitting are achieved by the liner segments (16, 17) being subdivided in the axial direction into a plurality of parts (16, 17) arranged one behind the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter Graf, Stefan Tschirren, Helmar Wunderle
  • Patent number: 7302802
    Abstract: A apparatus and method for improving combustion by improving at least one of temperature distribution in the combustor, pressure distribution around the combustor and combustion noise level in the combustor, by redistributing air around the combustor to modify the structure of the air flow prior to entry into the combustor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventor: Hisham Alkabie
  • Patent number: 7269958
    Abstract: A combustor for a gas turbine engine includes a sheet metal combustor wall having a plurality of cooling apertures therein immediately upstream of a corner between two intersecting combustor wall portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Honza Stastny, Robert Sze
  • Patent number: 7260935
    Abstract: A low emission turbine includes a reverse flow can-type combustor that generally includes a primary and secondary fuel delivery system that can be independently controlled to produce low CO, UHC, and NOx emissions at design set point and at conditions other than design set point. The reverse flow can-type combustor generally includes an annularly arranged array of swirler and mixer assemblies within the combustor, wherein each swirler and mixer in the array includes a primary and secondary fuel delivery system that can be independently controlled. Also disclosed herein is a can-type combustor that includes fluid passageways that perpendicularly impinge the outer surface of a heat shield. Processes for operating the can-type combustors are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Andrei Colibaba-Evulet, Michael John Bowman, Simon Ralph Sanderson, Anthony John Dean
  • Patent number: 7237384
    Abstract: The present invention provides a mixer for a gas turbine combustor comprising a plurality of generally annular walls interconnected by at least a plurality of first vanes. The vanes are oriented at angles, so as to create a shear layer between the two flows. A fuel is then injected so as to penetrate the shear layer for enhanced mixing. The mixture passes through an extended mixing passage to provide sufficient time and distance for improved mixedness prior to ignition. Multiple embodiments of the present invention are disclosed comprising a plurality of first vanes and a plurality of first and second vanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Inventors: Peter Stuttaford, Yan Chen
  • Patent number: 7137241
    Abstract: A gas turbine transition duct having a reduced pressure loss is disclosed. The transition duct of the preferred embodiment comprises a panel assembly having a first panel fixed to a second panel and a mounting assembly for securing the transition duct to a turbine inlet. The first panel includes a means for augmenting the heat transfer from the first panel while the second panel includes a plurality of first cooling holes for directing cooling air through the second panel. Specific details are provided regarding the first cooling holes and multiple embodiments are disclosed for the heat transfer augmentation of the transition duct first panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Power Systems Mfg, LLC
    Inventors: Vincent C. Martling, Zhenhua Xiao
  • Patent number: 7080515
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine (120) includes a cylindrical basket (146) having an axis (14) and a single main burner assembly (12) disposed within the basket. A burner insert (34) is disposed in an annular space between the burner assembly and the basket. The insert includes a face perpendicular to the axis of the basket. A plurality of passageways (114) are formed in the basket, positioned proximate to and downstream of the burner insert for allowing passage of a portion of an oxidizer flow (42) into a combustion chamber (30). A fluid flow path (38), defined between a combustion chamber liner portion (32) of the basket and a casing (40) spaced radially outward from the combustion liner portion, discharges a fluid into a flow reversal region (118) proximate an inlet (20) of the burner assembly. A fuel outlet (44) is disposed in the flow reversal region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation
    Inventors: Samer P. Wasif, Udo Schmitz, Robert Bland, Karsten Jordan, John Carl Glessner, J. Scott Markovitz, Bernd Prade, David Kargetta, Stephen Ramier, Stefan Dahlk
  • Patent number: 7010921
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for cooling a combustor liner and transitions piece of a gas turbine include a combustor liner with a plurality of circular ring turbulators arranged in an array axially along a length defining a length of the combustor liner and located on an outer surface thereof; a first flow sleeve surrounding the combustor liner with a first flow annulus therebetween including a plurality of axial channels (C) extending over a portion of an aft end portion of the liner parallel to each other, the cross-sectional area of each channel either constant or varying along the length of the channel, the first flow sleeve having a plurality of rows of cooling holes formed about a circumference of the first flow sleeve for directing cooling air from the compressor discharge into the first flow annulus; a transition piece connected to the combustor liner and adapted to carry hot combustion gases to a stage of the turbine; a second flow sleeve surrounding the transition piece a second plurality of rows of cool
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Charles Intile, James A. West, William Byrne
  • Patent number: 6973419
    Abstract: A method and system for designing an impingement film floatwall panel system for a combustion chamber for a gas turbine engine comprising the steps of creating an impingement film floatwall panel knowledge base of information. The knowledge base has a plurality of design rule signals with respect to a corresponding plurality of parameter signals of associated elements of impingement film floatwall panels for a combustion chamber, wherein the knowledge base comprises at least one data value signal for each one of the plurality of design rule signals. The steps also include entering a desired data value signal for a selected one of the plurality of parameter signals of an associated element of the impingement film floatwall panels and comparing the entered desired data value signal for the selected one of the plurality of parameters with the corresponding at least one data value signal in the knowledge base for the corresponding one of the plurality of design rule signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas B. Fortin, Gregory E. Chetta, David W. Leung, Duncan C. Meyers, Keith C. Belson, John V. Diaz, Thomas E. Holladay, Scott A. Ladd, Randall G. McKinney, Sergio Rinella, Andreas Sadil, George F. Titterton, III
  • Patent number: 6951109
    Abstract: Variations in dilution air leakage paths in a gas turbine combustion liner assembly are minimized or eliminated to reduce emissions and variations in emissions from combustor to combustor. Leakage paths between the liner sleeve and venturi outer liner are minimized by using additional rivets at that joint. The leakage paths between the outer and inner sleeves of the venturi are eliminated by applying a peripheral weld to the end edges of the flanges of the outer and inner sleeves. The leakage paths between the venturi and outer liner are minimized while simultaneously maintaining accurate venturi throat area relative to the cap centerbody by match drilling holes through the liner sleeve and the overlapped flanges of the venturi and followed by riveting the parts together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Donald Timothy Lemon, Ajay Kumar Gupta
  • Patent number: 6935116
    Abstract: A gas turbine combustion system having reduced emissions and improved flame stability at multiple load conditions is disclosed. The improved combustion system accomplishes this through complete premixing, a plurality of fuel injector locations, combustor geometry, and precise three dimensional staging between fuel injectors. Axial, radial, and circumferential fuel staging is utilized including fuel injection proximate air swirlers. Furthermore, strong recirculation zones are established proximate the introduction of fuel and air premixture from different stages to the combustion zone. The combination of the strong recirculation zones, efficient premixing, and staged fuel flow thereby provide the opportunity to produce low emissions combustion at various load conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Power Systems Mfg., LLC
    Inventors: Peter J. Stuttaford, Stephen Jennings, Andrew Green, Ryan McMahon, Yan Chen, Hany Rizkalla, John Carella, Vamsi Duraibabu, Martin Spalding
  • Patent number: 6837053
    Abstract: In order to provide a method of air guidance and a design for a gas turbine combustion chamber which permits improved cooling and reduced pressure losses and which avoids the overcooling phenomena by specific reaction to hot spots, a gas turbine combustion chamber includes a casing and at least one hollow element. The at least one hollow element is in connection with air guidance regions of the combustion chamber via at least two openings. As such, a tangential through-flow exists with a subsequent axial flow to the burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Peter Tiemann
  • Patent number: 6826912
    Abstract: An adiabatic combustor for a gas turbine including: (a) a combustion chamber designed and configured to produce high-pressure combustion gases for the turbine, the combustion chamber having a primary combustion zone containing a substantially vitiated-air zone; (b) at least one primary air inlet providing air to the primary combustion zone, and (c) a fuel injector for injecting fuel, disposed such that the fuel is directly introduced to the vitiated-air zone, wherein the primary air inlet is positioned and directed, and the combustion chamber is designed and configured, so as to produce an internal recirculation that generates a toroidal vortex within the primary combustion zone, thereby producing therein the vitiated-air zone and maintaining therein a state of flameless oxidation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Yeshayahou Levy
    Inventors: Yeshayahou Levy, Patrick Arfi
  • Patent number: 6772595
    Abstract: A method for providing cooling air to the venturi and the combustion chamber in a low NOx emission combustor as used in a gas turbine engine that includes the steps of providing an annular air passage surrounding said combustion chamber and venturi where said cooling air under pressure enters the combustion chamber/venturi near the aft portion of the combustion chamber, passing the air along the combustion chamber, past the venturi where the air exits near the front portion of the convergent area of the venturi. The method prevents any channel/passage cooling air from being received into the combustion chamber, and at the same time, introduces the outlet of the cooling air, after the air has passed over the combustion chamber of the venturi and has been heated, back into the premix chamber thereby improving the efficiency of the combustor while reducing and lowering NOx emission in the combustion process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Power Systems Mfg., LLC
    Inventors: Vincent C. Martling, Zhenhua Xiao
  • Patent number: 6691503
    Abstract: A gas turbine (5) according to the invention, which comprises a main combustion chamber (10), a cooling system for air cooling of at least the guide vanes (26, 29) and guide rings (28, 38) of various stages (25, 27) of the gas turbine (5), and a main gas passage, also includes a further combustion chamber (34), which is arranged downstream of the main combustion chamber (10) as seen in the hot-gas main direction (H). The cooling air (15) used to cool a stage (25) of the gas turbine which is arranged upstream of the further combustion chamber (34) is fed into this further combustion chamber (34). In this context, it is particularly advantageous for the cooling air (15) used to cool the various stages (25, 27) of the gas turbine (5) to be fed for combustion. This makes it possible, inter alia, to increase the output of the gas turbine (5) without having to increase the supply of fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Peter Tiemann