Process Patents (Class 60/772)
  • Patent number: 9334750
    Abstract: A control system is provided for a power generating system having a gas turbine, a flue gas exhaust stage and a blow-off valve assembly. The gas turbine includes a compression stage, a combustion stage and a driveshaft. The blow-off valve assembly is configured to selectively provide fluid communication between the combustion stage and the flue gas exhaust stage. The control system includes a controller configured to output a signal causing the blow-off valve assembly to provide the fluid communication in response to a sudden de-loading of the gas turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventors: Martin Liebau, Peter Marx, Sami Hashmi
  • Patent number: 9328623
    Abstract: A turbine system is disclosed. The turbine system includes a transition duct having 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 turbine system further includes a turbine section connected to the transition duct. The turbine section includes a plurality of shroud blocks at least partially defining a hot gas path, a plurality of buckets at least partially disposed in the hot gas path, and a plurality of nozzles at least partially disposed in the hot gas path. At least one of a shroud block, a bucket, or a nozzle includes means for withstanding high temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kevin Weston McMahan, Daniel Jackson Dillard
  • Patent number: 9310081
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a fuel injector is disclosed which includes the steps of forming a structural portion of a fuel injector from an alloy having a first mechanical property, and then adding an alloy having a second mechanical property on a surface area of the structural portion to enhance the mechanical properties of the fuel injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Delavan Inc.
    Inventors: Neal A. Thomson, Matthew R. Donovan, David H. Bretz
  • Patent number: 9279365
    Abstract: The present application provides a combined cycle system. The combined cycle system may include a compressor water wash system in communication with a compressor and a water wash flow, a combustor water injection system in communication with a combustor and an injection flow, and a transient power augmentation system in communication with the compressor, the combustor, and a flow of supplemental water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Indrajit Mazumder, Rajarshi Saha
  • Patent number: 9267437
    Abstract: A unique, small microturbine engine adapted to integrate with an electrical generator for producing electrical power has been developed. The microturbine includes an ejector cooling scheme, a prevaporizing combustor, and a combustor air bypass. The ejector cooling scheme uses energy in the hot exhaust gas stream of the microturbine to entrain a flow of ambient air that cools the generator. The prevaporizing combustor of the present invention allows liquid fuel to be vaporized in a small amount of air prior to combustion, thereby increasing combustion efficiency and decreasing combustor size requirements. The combustor air bypass allows a fraction of the compressor discharge air to bypass the prevaporizing combustor under certain operating conditions. This permits control of the overall equivalence ratio and the fuel/air mixing process in the combustion zone, improving efficiency and operability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Electric Jet, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew V. Perry, Jordan T. Farina, Stephen D. LePera, Anthony M. Ferrar, Walter F. O'Brien, Samuel Shiver
  • Patent number: 9188028
    Abstract: The present application provides a gas turbine system. The gas turbine system may include a gas turbine engine producing a flow of exhaust gases, a heat recovery steam generator with a reheater and an evaporator in communication with the flow of exhaust gases, and a gas flow control system for diverting a first portion of the flow of exhaust gases away from the reheater and towards the evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lakshmanan Esakki, Mahendhra Muthuramalingam
  • Patent number: 9175988
    Abstract: A measuring device housing for a sensor component, which detects a physical parameter without contact is provided, having: a coupling apparatus for supplying at least one flushing medium and at least one signal transmission line in the housing interior, a guide pipe arranged on the coupling apparatus having a longitudinal axis and a probe head fastened on the end section of the guide pipe. The guide pipe is designed to conduct or accommodate the at least one cooling medium and the at least one signal transmission line up to the probe head. The probe head and the end section, relative to the longitudinal axis of the guide pipe or the probe head, each have radially extending passages for conducting the cooling media from the end section into the probe head and the reverse, as applicable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Joe Kieliger, Martin Lenze
  • Patent number: 9149881
    Abstract: A damage-repairing method of a transition piece in an embodiment includes; an oxide removing step of removing an oxide on an outer surface 20b of an inner duct 20 of a transition piece 10 having damage; a repair material placing step of placing a brazing repair material 80 on the outer surface 20b of the inner duct 20 so as to cover the damage; and a diffusion brazing step of diffusion heat treating the inner duct 20 to repair the damage formed in the outer surface 20b. The damage-repairing method of the transition piece includes: a pressurized heat treating step of, under high pressure, heat treating the inner duct 20; a surface finishing step of scraping off the brazing repair material 80 projecting from the outer surface 20b; and a non-pressurized heat treating step of solution heat treating and aging heat treating the inner duct 20 under non-pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Shoko Ito, Daizo Saito, Yoshiaki Sakai
  • Patent number: 9139974
    Abstract: A compressed fluid storage system includes a bi-directional compressor/expander (C/E) unit constructed to compress fluid during a first operational mode and allow expansion of fluid in a second operational mode, a fluid storage system positioned on a sea floor under a body of water, and a piping system positioned between the C/E unit and the fluid storage system and configured to pass fluid between the C/E unit and the fluid storage system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Bright Energy Storage Technologies, LLP
    Inventors: Scott Raymond Frazier, Brian Von Herzen
  • Patent number: 9121611
    Abstract: A combustor is provided that can ensure combustion stability even when operated on low BTU gas without needing any equipment for preventing back-flow of fuel gas during operation on pilot fuel. The combustor includes a first perforated plate disposed upstream of a combustion chamber, the first plate having a plurality of nozzle holes and air holes; a second perforated plate disposed on the upstream side of the first plate; and a plurality of gas nozzles each of which is inserted into corresponding nozzle holes. The gas nozzle has a leading end located inside the corresponding one of the nozzle holes. Each of the gas nozzles includes a jet hole portion having a diameter smaller than that of a gas jet hole of the gas nozzle; and a passage portion designed to form an air passage on the outer circumference of the leading end portion of the gas nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromi Koizumi, Shohei Yoshida, Satoshi Dodo
  • Patent number: 9097208
    Abstract: A system for converting liquid fuel into gaseous fuel is provided. The system may have a supply of liquid fuel. The system may also have a combustor, and one or more pumps in fluid communication with the supply. The one or more pumps may be configured to pump liquid fuel from the supply into the combustor. The system may also have a compressor in fluid communication with an inlet of the combustor, and a turbine in fluid communication with an outlet of the combustor. The turbine may be connected to drive the compressor and the one or more pumps. The system may also have a heat exchanger in fluid communication with an outlet of the turbine and an outlet of the one or more pumps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc.
    Inventor: Aaron Foege
  • Patent number: 9090978
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for generating hydrogen. In this process an aqueous liquid is exposed to carbon dioxide and a current is passed through the aqueous liquid so as to generate hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Unique Global Possibilites (Australia) Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Russell Beckett
  • Patent number: 9086219
    Abstract: A regulating device for regulating the course of a gas turbine plant has at least one sensor for sensing a measurement variable and for outputting a measurement signal which represents the measurement variable; at least one adjusting system for influencing air and/or fuel supply to a combustion chamber of the gas turbine plant on the basis of a correcting variable; and a regulator connected to the at least one sensor so as to receive the measurement variable and to the at least one adjusting system for outputting the correcting variable, the regulator being designed to determine the correcting variable on the basis of the measurement variable received and its deviation from a pilot variable. At least one sensor is designed to sense the variation in time of at least one burner or combustion chamber parameter as measurement variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Eberhard Deuker, Stefan Pernau, Siegfried Bode, Andreas Diebels, Thomas Hahner, Thomas Hesse, Werner Krebs, Bernd Prade, Peter-Andreas Schneider, Dieter Simon, Berthold Sturm, Heinrich Thölking, Dieter Warnack, Andreas Bauer, Joachim Lepers, Martin Müller
  • Patent number: 9074494
    Abstract: A system that controls temperature in a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG). One heat recovery steam generator system may include a first exhaust path. The heat recovery steam generator system also may include a second exhaust path. The heat recovery steam generator system may include a first damper configured to selectively allow a portion of an exhaust to flow through the second exhaust path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Raymond Pang
  • Patent number: 9051873
    Abstract: A metallic-ceramic joint for a turbo-compressor spool is disclosed. A temperature-limited joint is moved from outside the bearings to between the bearings and near the center of the shaft joining the turbine and compressor. This placement can lower the temperature at and around the joint and reduces the sharp gradient (and associated thermal stress) naturally occurring between the turbine rotor and the cooler joint. The bearing closest to the compressor can be an oil bearing and the bearing closest to the turbine an air bearing. The bearing closest to the compressor and the bearing closest to the turbine can both be an oil bearing. The bearing closest to the compressor and the bearing closest to the turbine can both be an air bearing. Moving the metallic-ceramic joint between the bearings can provide sufficient isolation to enable the all-air bearing solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: ICR Turbine Engine Corporation
    Inventors: James B. Kesseli, James S. Nash
  • Publication number: 20150143811
    Abstract: A system includes a catalyst system having at least one catalyst to treat an exhaust gas from a gas turbine system, and a thermal storage system having at least one storage tank to store thermal energy in a medium, wherein the system is configured to transfer heat from the medium to the at least one catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Raymond Pang, Parag Prakash Kulkarni, Huijuan Chen
  • Publication number: 20150143812
    Abstract: An exhaust plume cooling device for cooling an exhaust gas plume to reduce deleterious heat effects on impinged and surrounding surfaces. The device is supportable in a position downstream of an exhaust nozzle of an exhaust gas plume-producing engine and configured to periodically interrupt the flow of exhaust gases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Dan J. Baruzzini, Neal David Domel, Daniel N. Miller
  • Publication number: 20150143810
    Abstract: An integrated single-piece exhaust system (SPEX) with modular construction that facilitates design changes for enhanced aerodynamics, structural integrity or serviceability. The SPEX defines splined or curved exhaust path surfaces, such as a series of cylindrical and frusto-conical sections that mimic curves. The constructed sections may include: (i) a tail cone assembly fabricated from conical sections that taper downstream to a reduced diameter; or (ii) an area-ruled cross section axially aligned with one or more rows of turbine struts; or both features. Modular inner and outer diameter inlet lips enhance transitional flow between the last row blades and the SPEX, as well as enhance structural integrity. Modular strut collars have large radius profiles between the SPEX annular inner diameter and outer diameter flow surfaces, for enhanced airflow and constant thickness walls for uniform heat transfer and thermal expansion. Scalloped mounting flanges enhance structural integrity and longevity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Anil L. Salunkhe, John A. Orosa, Yevgeniy Shteyman, Lijuan Han, Matthew J. Delisa, III, Daniel F. Riveros
  • Patent number: 9038396
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for cooling a transition piece of a combustor includes at least one wrapper disposed at the transition piece located outboard of the transition piece. At least one support boss is located between the at least one wrapper and the transition piece. The at least one support boss, the at least one wrapper, and transition piece define at least one cooling flow channel for directing flow for cooling the transition piece. A method of cooling a transition piece of a combustor includes flowing cooling flow into at least one cooling flow channel located at the transition piece, the at least one cooling flow channel defined by the transition piece, at least one wrapper located at the transition piece and located outboard of the transition piece, and at least one support boss located between the at least one wrapper and the transition piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Ronald James Chila, David Purnell
  • Patent number: 9038397
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, among other possible things includes a fan. A geared architecture is configured for driving the fan. A turbine section is configured for driving the geared architecture. A thermal management system that includes a first fluid circuit and a second fluid circuit that manage heat generated in at least a portion of the gas turbine engine. A first heat exchanger is incorporated into each of the first fluid circuit and the second fluid circuit. A second heat exchanger is incorporated into the first fluid circuit. A valve controls an amount of a first fluid that is communicated to the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger. A controller is configured to control a positioning of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Federico Papa, Thomas G. Phillips, Kathleen R. Phillips, Ethan K. Stearns, Justin W. Heiss
  • Patent number: 9032752
    Abstract: A system configured to thermally regulate exhaust portions of a power plant system (e.g. steam turbine) is disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes: a condenser adapted to connect to and thermally regulate exhaust portions of a steam turbine; and a cooling system operably connected to the condenser and adapted to supply a cooling fluid to the condenser, the cooling system including a solar absorption chiller adapted to adjust a temperature of the cooling fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Scott Victor Hannula, Duncan George Watt
  • Publication number: 20150128608
    Abstract: A power plant including a gas turbine, a heat recovery boiler arrangement. The gas turbine includes a compressor inlet with a fresh air intake sector and an intake section for recirculated flue gas. A common control element for the control of the fresh air flow and of the recirculated flue gas flow is arranged in the compressor and/or in the compressor intake. Besides the power plant, a method to operate such a power plant is an object of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Eribert BENZ, Frank SANDER, Robin PAYNE
  • Publication number: 20150128605
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine is disclosed with a bypass flow path having a bypass nozzle positioned downstream of a fan; a core flow path having a compressor, a combustor, a turbine and an exhaust nozzle; an auxiliary duct fluidly connecting the core flow path and the bypass flow path downstream of the turbine; and a control valve operably connected to the auxiliary duct to control fluid flow from the core flow path into the bypass flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventor: Dmitriy B. Sidelkovskly
  • Publication number: 20150128604
    Abstract: A flow path surface of a gas turbine engine at the location of a bladed component is disclosed in which the flow path surface includes a cylindrical upstream side and a conical downstream side. The bladed component is located at the intersection of the cylindrical upstream side and the conical downstream side. The cylindrical upstream side can extend from a leading edge of the bladed component, or a point upstream of it, to a location between the leading edge and trailing edge of the component. The conical downstream side can extend past the trailing edge of the bladed component. The bladed component can be a fan blade or a compressor blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Bronwyn Power, Roy D. Fulayter, Jonathan M. Rivers
  • Patent number: 9027351
    Abstract: A system for packaging a gas turbine includes an enclosure peripherally surrounding and extending along a length of the gas turbine. The enclosure comprises first and second ends with a passage between the enclosure and the gas turbine. The system further includes means for connecting the first and second ends to an air filtration system and an exhaust system, respectively. A plurality of supports are connected to and extend radially inward from the enclosure with means for connecting the plurality of supports to the gas turbine. A method for packaging a gas turbine includes connecting the gas turbine to a plurality of supports and connecting the plurality of supports to an enclosure peripherally surrounding and extending along a length of the gas turbine. The method further includes connecting first and second ends to an air filtration system and an exhaust system, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Robert Allen Baten
  • Patent number: 9027352
    Abstract: A method for operating a hydrogen-fueled gas turbine is provided wherein a supply of fuel is passed to a gas turbine combustor, and a supply of nitrogen and sufficient air to provide at least sufficient compressed air to the gas turbine for fuel combustion is passed to a compressor. A sufficient portion of the compressor discharge flow is passed to a combustor for fuel rich combustion of the fuel flow to the combustor and the fuel is combusted to produce hot combustion gases that are, in turn, passed to a turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Precision Combustion, Inc.
    Inventor: Lisa Burns
  • Publication number: 20150121892
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a power plant including a gas turbine, a heat recovery boiler arrangement with at least a boiler inlet, and an outlet side with a first exit connected to a stack and a second exit connected to a flue gas recirculation, which connects the second exit to the compressor inlet of the gas turbine. The heat recovery boiler arrangement includes a first boiler flue gas path from the boiler inlet to the first boiler exit, and a separate second boiler flue gas path from the boiler inlet to the second boiler exit. Additionally, a supplementary firing and a subsequent catalytic NOx converter are arranged in the first boiler flue gas path. Besides the power plant a method to operate such a power plant is an object of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Eribert BENZ, Klaus DÖBBELING, Michael HOEVEL
  • Publication number: 20150121890
    Abstract: A combustor provides reaction anchoring by injecting a voltage or charge into an exothermic reaction such as aflame, and anchoring the exothermic reaction to a conductive surface positioned adjacent to a fuel jet nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: CLEARSIGN COMBUSTION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joseph Colannino, Robert E. Breidenthal, Igor A. Krichtafovich
  • Publication number: 20150121891
    Abstract: A low-concentration methane gas oxidation system includes a single heat source device, and an oxidation device which catalytically oxides a low-concentration methane gas by using heat from the single heat source device. The oxidation device includes a plurality of oxidation lines each including each of a plurality of branching low-concentration gas supply passages which branch, in parallel, from a supply passage which supplies the low-concentration methane gas, and each of a plurality of catalyst oxidizers provided on each of the plurality of branching low-concentration gas supply passages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinichi KAJITA, Yoshihiro YAMASAKI
  • Publication number: 20150121887
    Abstract: A method of controlling operability of a gas turbine during part-speed operation includes identifying that a combustion system of the gas turbine is operating at part-speed, the combustion system including a fuel source, fuel circuits and valves operably interposed between the fuel source and the fuel circuits, respectively, defining first and second boundaries based on first and second parameters and automatically controlling each of the valves to control fuel flow to each of the fuel circuits in accordance with the defined first and second boundaries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Chi Ming Ho, Skigh Elliot Lewis, Priscilla Graves Childers, David Leach
  • Publication number: 20150121888
    Abstract: A gas turbine online wash control system may obtain geospatial data for an area in which a gas turbine is located. The gas turbine online wash control system may determine wash control parameters for the gas turbine based on the geospatial data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sanji Ekanayake, Alston Ilford Scipio, Thomas Edward Wickert, Douglas Frank Beadie, Scott Andrew Childers
  • Publication number: 20150121889
    Abstract: A nozzle for an aircraft powerplant is disclosed which provides two separate flow paths. A flow path is provided in the nozzle for a core flow of the powerplant and another flow path is provided for a bypass flow of the powerplant. The nozzle can have a variety of configurations including, but not limited to, 2D and axisymmetric. Either or both the flow paths can be convergent, divergent, or convergent-divergent, and the flow paths need not be similar between the two. Actuators are provided to manipulate the configuration of the flow paths and the areas of the flow paths. For example, throat and/or exit areas can be manipulated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Von D. Baker, Kenneth M. Pesyna
  • Publication number: 20150113995
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an isothermal compression type heat engine using air as a heat working medium. It is technically characterized as follows. An air compressor is used to replace an adiabatic air compressor. Two engineering courses being air compression and expansion work are performed separately in different engine members, so as to significantly increase a working pressure of the heat engine. Temperature gradient type heat preservation composite tubes are disposed to recycle remaining heat of exhaust gas with high efficiency, so as to distinctly improve the heat efficiency of the heat engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventor: Yuanming Yi
  • Publication number: 20150107257
    Abstract: A method and gas turbine are provided for the reliable purging of an exhaust gas recirculation line of the gas turbine with exhaust gas recirculation without the use of additional blow-off fans. A blow-off flow of the compressor is used for the purging of the exhaust gas recirculation line. The gas turbine can include at least one purging line which connects a compressor blow-off point to the exhaust gas recirculation line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Floris VAN STRAATEN, Juergen HOFFMANN
  • Publication number: 20150101339
    Abstract: A fuel system for a gas turbine engine, which includes a combustor section and an actuator, includes a fuel source, a combustor system, and an actuation system. The combustor system includes a combustor pump that is fluidly connected to the fuel source and to the combustor section, with the combustor pump being mechanically connected to and powered by an electric motor. The actuation system includes an actuator pump that is fluidly connected to the fuel source and to the actuator, with the actuator pump being mechanically connected to and powered by a gearbox or an electric motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Leo J. Veilleux, JR.
  • Patent number: 8997449
    Abstract: A flow restrictor is provided for a lubrication circulation system. The flow restrictor comprises a body configured to obstruct a flow of lubricant within the lubricant circulation system. The body has one or more through holes communicating with upstream and downstream portions of the lubrication circulation system. Each of the one or more holes has a cross-sectional area sufficiently small, and a length sufficiently long, to prevent turbulent lubricant flow therethrough at temperatures below a first predetermined reference temperature. The one or more holes have sufficient aggregate cross-sectional area to allow a desired lubricant flow rate through the body at temperatures at or above a second predetermined reference temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventor: Adam Logan
  • Publication number: 20150089919
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a system for the production and storage of surplus energy from regenerative power sources in the form of hydrocarbons, which can be used in a closed cycle for renewed environment-friendly power production by the recycling of waste gas products. The system 1 has a facility 2 for the production of power by the combustion of hydrocarbons, a facility 3 for the production of hydrocarbons from hydrogen and carbon dioxide a repository 4 with carbon dioxide a repository 5 with hydrocarbons, whereby the facility (2) for the production of power with at least one line each (6, 7) connected to the repository (4) containing carbon dioxide and repository (5) with hydrocarbons, and the facility (3) for the production of combustible hydrocarbons with at least one line (8) connected to the repository (5) containing hydrocarbons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventor: Michael Kuehn
  • Publication number: 20150089951
    Abstract: In various aspects, a method for producing electricity by operating two or more turbines in series is provided. The method can include introducing, at least part of, the exhaust from an upstream turbine into a combustion chamber of a downstream turbine. In one aspect, exhaust from the upstream turbine is introduced into the downstream turbine's combustion chamber via the downstream turbine's compression chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Timothy A. Barckholtz, Frank H. Hershkowitz, Paul J. Berlowitz
  • Patent number: 8991149
    Abstract: A power generation system capable of eliminating NOxcomponents in the exhaust gas by using a 3-way catalyst, comprising a gas compressor to increase the pressure of ambient air fed to the system; a combustor capable of oxidizing a mixture of fuel and compressed air to generate an expanded, high temperature exhaust gas; a turbine that uses the force of the high temperature gas; an exhaust gas recycle (EGR) stream back to the combustor; a 3-way catalytic reactor downstream of the gas turbine engine outlet which treats the exhaust gas stream to remove substantially all of the NOx components; a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG); an EGR compressor feeding gas to the combustor and turbine; and an electrical generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ashok Kumar Anand, James Anthony West, Gilbert Otto Kraemer, Hasan Ui Karim, Sam David Draper, Jonathan Dwight Berry
  • Publication number: 20150082799
    Abstract: Hydrogen is combusted in Oxygen to generate extremely high temperature steam. By feeding the combustion generated steam directly into a steam turbine, unprecedented high conversion efficiency to electricity is achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: BILLINGS ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Roger E. Billings
  • Patent number: 8984891
    Abstract: An aircraft gas turbine engine has a row of FLADE fan blades disposed radially outwardly of and drivingly connected to a fan in the engine's fan section. The FLADE fan blades extend across a FLADE duct circumscribing the fan section. A two dimensional air discharge passage is in fluid flow communication with the FLADE duct and with FLADE air upstream and downstream discharge slots in a divergent flap of a two dimensional exhaust nozzle. A valve fully closes the upstream slot when the downstream slot is fully opened and fully opens the upstream slot when the downstream slot is fully closed. The upstream and downstream slots may be located upstream and downstream respectfully of a nozzle discharge area in the nozzle. A sliding deck slides aft or down to open upstream slot and close downstream slot and slides forward or up to close upstream slot and open downstream slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Erin Lee Lariviere, Stephen Michael Ettorre
  • Patent number: 8984892
    Abstract: A combined cycle power plant includes a gas turbomachine, a steam turbomachine operatively coupled to the gas turbomachine, and a heat recovery steam generator operatively coupled to the gas turbomachine and the steam turbomachine. The heat recovery steam generator includes a high pressure reheat section provided with at least one high pressure superheater and at least one reheater. The combined cycle power plant further includes a controller operatively connected to the gas turbomachine, the steam turbomachine and the heat recovery steam generator. The controller is selectively activated to initiate a flow of steam through the heat recovery steam generator following shutdown of the gas turbomachine to lower a temperature of at least one of the high pressure superheater and the at least one reheater and reduce development of condensate quench effects during HRSG purge of a combined cycle power plant shutdown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Tailai Hu, Kelvin Rafael Estrada, Joel Donnell Holt, Diego Fernando Rancruel, Leslie Yung-Min Tong
  • Patent number: 8984893
    Abstract: A system for augmenting gas turbine power output includes a compressed air supply, and a compressed air storage plenum in fluid communication with the compressed air supply. The compressed air storage plenum is configured to store a compressed air from the compressed air supply for later use. The system further includes an inlet plenum sealingly coupled to an inlet of the gas turbine. The inlet plenum is in fluid communication with the compressed air storage plenum so as to route the compressed air from the compressed air storage plenum into the inlet of the compressor during augmented operation of the gas turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mark Stewart Schroder, Thomas Edward Wickert, Mark Allan Hadley
  • Publication number: 20150075172
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel apparatus and way for reducing the recirculation zone at the inlet end of a combustor. The recirculation zone is reduced by altering the geometry of the inlet end through a tapering of the liner wall thickness and a tapering of the thermal barrier coating to reduce the bluff body effect at the combustion liner inlet end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: PETER JOHN STUTTAFORD, HANY RIZKALLA
  • Publication number: 20150075171
    Abstract: A turbomachine combustor assembly includes a combustor body, and a combustor liner arranged within the combustor body. The combustor liner defines a combustion chamber having a head end and a discharge end. A plurality of combustor nozzles are arranged in an annular array at the head end of the combustion chamber, and a fluid delivery nozzle is arranged substantially centrally within the annular array at the head end of the combustion chamber. The fluid delivery nozzle includes a first end portion that extends to a second end portion through a wall portion. The wall portion includes at least one combustion chamber outlet. The fluid delivery nozzle is configured to deliver a non-combustible fluid into the at least one of the plurality of combustor nozzles and the combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Alexander Nikolay Sokolov, Dmitry Vladlenovich Tretyakov, Ilya Aleksandrovich Slobodyanskiy
  • Publication number: 20150075170
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a gas turbine combustion system by generating a flame detection signal are provided. A set of modeled parameters expected when there is a flame in a secondary combustion zone is calculated. A set of measured gas turbine parameters is measured. A flame validation signal based on the set of measured parameters and the set of modeled parameters is generated. The systems include a subsystem that calculates a set of modeled parameters expected when there is a flame in the secondary combustion zone and a subsystem that measures a set of measured parameters. A subsystem generates a flame validation signal based on the set of measured parameters and the set of modeled parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Alston Ilford Scipio, Sanji Ekanayake, Dale J. Davis, Jean-Marc Carré, William McEntagart
  • Patent number: 8978386
    Abstract: Provided is a gas turbine system capable of dealing with a request for output increase even when high-pressure hot water generated using solar thermal energy cannot be used according to the operating state of the gas turbine system. A gas turbine system which sucks in intake air from an air intake duct by a compressor and drives a gas turbine by combustion gas obtained by burning air and fuel by a combustor, said gas turbine system being provided with pipes for generating high-pressure hot water by providing a solar collecting tube that utilizes solar heat and spraying the high-pressure hot water into the intake air sucked in by the compressor, and pipes for spraying normal temperature water into the intake air sucked in by the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takaaki Sekiai, Kazuhito Koyama, Shigeo Hatamiya, Fumio Takahashi, Naoyuki Nagafuchi, Kazuo Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8980211
    Abstract: An energy conversion process that exports by-product CO2 at elevated pressure where a fuel gas feed stream is mixed with a reactant stream and additional CO2 is added to at least part of, the fuel gas feed stream, the reactant stream or both through desorption by contacting with a CO2-rich solvent stream in a first stage contactor to produce a mixed feed gas stream and a CO2-lean solvent stream; passing said mixed feed gas stream to a chemical conversion step, where further CO2 is produced; chilling at least part of the products of said chemical conversion step and thereby produce a CO2-lean gas stream; and passing at least part of said CO2-lean gas stream said to a second stage contactor where further CO2 is removed, by absorption, to produce a product gas stream and a solvent stream rich in CO2 from which said CO2-rich solvent stream is subsequently derived.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Inventors: Bryan Christopher Timmins, Jacqueline Anne Fisher
  • Publication number: 20150068214
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a tangential on-board injector (TOBI) fluidly connected to a compressor section. A diffuser case structurally supports a combustor section and the tangential on-board injector via at least one low thermal mass joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Michael S. Stevens, Ken F. Blaney
  • Publication number: 20150068213
    Abstract: A method of cooling a gas turbine engine is provided. The method includes removing a load from the gas turbine engine. The method also includes operating the gas turbine engine at a rated speed of the gas turbine engine. The method further includes modulating an angle of at least one stage of inlet guide vanes disposed proximate an inlet of a compressor section of the gas turbine engine, wherein modulating the angle modifies a flow rate of an inlet flow for reducing a cooling time of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ariel Harter Lomas, Bradley Steven Carey, Kevin Michael Elward, Richard Francis Gutta, George Jason Kaliope