Ignition Or Fuel Injection After Starting Patents (Class 60/776)
  • Publication number: 20130111918
    Abstract: A turbomachine combustor assembly includes a combustor housing, a first combustion zone arranged in the combustor housing, a second combustion zone arranged downstream from the first combustion zone, and one or more injector assemblies positioned downstream from the first combustion zone and upstream from the second combustion zone. The one or more injector assemblies includes a first injector member having a first centerline axis and a second injector member having a second centerline axis. The second injector member extends though the first injector member with the second centerline axis being off-set from the first centerline axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Atanu Kumar Kundu, Karim Hasan, Arjun Singh, Krishna Kumar Venkataraman
  • Patent number: 8434312
    Abstract: In a method for the low-CO emissions part load operation of a gas turbine with sequential combustion, the air ratio (?) of the operative burners (9) of the second combustor (15) is kept below a maximum air ratio (?max) at part load In order to reduce the maximum air ratio (?), a series of modifications in the operating concept of the gas turbine are carried out individually or in combination. One modification is an opening of the row of variable compressor inlet guide vanes (14) before engaging the second combustor (15). For engaging the second combustor, the row of variable compressor inlet guide vanes (14) is quickly closed and fuel is introduced in a synchronized manner into the burner (9) of the second combustor (15). A further modification is the deactivating of individual burners (9) at part load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Adnan Eroglu, Klaus Knapp, Peter Flohr, Hans Peter Knöpfel, Weiqun Geng
  • Patent number: 8429917
    Abstract: Fuel is delivered in a gas turbine engine including a can annular combustor array that includes at least one combustor level subset within the array supplied by an independent fuel delivery system. Fuel is supplied only to one or more subsets during a first mode of operation. Fuel is supplied to the entire array of combustors during a second mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David August Snider, Willy Steve Ziminsky
  • Publication number: 20130091857
    Abstract: A fuel system comprises a fuel actuation arrangement 28 operable to split a metered flow of fuel into at least a first stream and a second stream, a control unit 25 controlling the operation of the fuel actuation arrangement 28, and wherein the control unit 25 controls the operation of the fuel actuation arrangement 28 in response to the output of a temperature sensor 34 sensitive to a gas temperature downstream of the high pressure compressor 14 of an associated engine and the output of a gas sensor 24 sensitive to at least one parameter of the composition of a gas downstream of a combustor 15 of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE GOODRICH ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEMS LTD.
    Inventor: ROLLS-ROYCE GOODRICH ENGINE CONTROL
  • Publication number: 20130086918
    Abstract: An exemplary method for switching over a combustion device from operation with a first premix fuel to a second premix fuel includes reducing and stopping a first premix fuel supply and then starting a second premix fuel supply. In an intermediate phase, after the first premix fuel supply stop and before the second premix fuel supply start, the combustion device is operated with one or more pilot fuels generating diffusion flames.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Mirko Ruben BOTHIEN, Martin ZAJADATZ, Douglas Anthony PENNELL
  • Patent number: 8407892
    Abstract: The present application thus describes a method of manufacture for a late lean injection system in a combustor of a combustion turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Richard Martin DiCintio, Patrick Benedict Melton, Jeffrey Scott LeBegue, Lucas John Stoia
  • Publication number: 20130074514
    Abstract: Systems and methods involving improved fuel atomization in air-blast fuel nozzles of gas turbine engines are provided. In this regard, a representative method includes: providing fuel to a chamber defined by an inner surface; and continuously atomizing a portion of the fuel via interaction of the fuel with the inner surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffery A. Lovett, Frederick C. Padget, John W. Mordosky, Shawn M. McMahon
  • Patent number: 8397515
    Abstract: A combustor of a turbine engine having a combustion zone defined therein is provided and includes a fuel nozzle, including two or more burners, each of the burners having a passage defined therein through which combustible materials are permitted to travel toward the combustion zone, a plurality of sensors disposed in relative association with each of the burners to respectively sense static pressures within the passages of each of the burners and to respectively issue sensed static pressure signals accordingly, and a controller, coupled to the sensors and receptive of the signals, which is configured to determine from an analysis of the signals whether any of the burners are associated with a flashback risk and to mitigate the flashback risk in accordance with the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Garth Curtis Frederick
  • Publication number: 20130061598
    Abstract: A system for conditioning a working fluid in a combustor includes a primary combustion chamber, a liner circumferentially surrounding the primary combustion chamber, and a primary nozzle in fluid communication with the primary combustion chamber. A secondary combustion chamber located outside of the primary combustion chamber includes a shroud that defines a fluid passage, a secondary nozzle, and means for igniting fuel in the secondary combustion chamber. A method for conditioning a working fluid in a combustor includes flowing the working fluid through a primary combustion chamber and flowing at least a portion of the working fluid through a secondary combustion chamber located outside of the primary combustion chamber. The method further includes flowing a fuel through the secondary combustion chamber, combusting the fuel, and flowing the combustion gases from the secondary combustion chamber into the primary combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Stanley Kevin Widener
  • Patent number: 8393159
    Abstract: A gas turbine combustor for mixing fuel into combustion air introduced from a compressor, burning an air-fuel mixture, and supplying produced combustion gas to a gas turbine. The combustor has a liquid fuel nozzle for jetting out liquid fuel and a pre-mixture chamber wall having a hollow conical shape gradually spreading in the direction in which the fuel is jetted out from the liquid fuel nozzle, and defining a pre-mixture chamber therein. A plurality of gaseous fuel nozzles are disposed around the pre-mixture chamber wall in an opposing relation respectively to a plurality of air inlet holes bored through the pre-mixture chamber wall and jet out gaseous fuel substantially coaxially with the axes of the air inlet holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shouhei Yoshida, Yoshitaka Hirata, Kazuyuki Itou, Tomoya Murota, Hiroshi Inoue, Tomohiro Asai
  • Patent number: 8381543
    Abstract: An LNG facility employing an enhanced fuel gas control system. The enhanced fuel gas control system is operable to produce fuel gas having a substantially constant Modified Wobbe Index (MWI) during start-up and steady-state operation of the LNG facility by processing one or more intermediate process streams in a fuel gas separator. In one embodiment, the fuel gas separator employs a hydrocarbon-separating membrane, which can remove heavy hydrocarbons and/or concentrate nitrogen from the incoming process streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Weldon L. Ransbarger, Jon M. Mock
  • Publication number: 20130042621
    Abstract: In a power plant which is equipped with a gas turbine, fuel for the gas turbine is preheated by means of solar heat. The preheating is realized through the use of a heat transfer circuit. The use of an additional, second heat transfer circuit between the source for the solar heat and the first heat transfer circuit permits storage of the solar heat. The fuel preheating according to the invention permits in particular an increase in the efficiency of the power plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD.
    Inventor: ALSTOM Technology Ltd.
  • Patent number: 8375696
    Abstract: The present application provides a dual gas fuel delivery system and a method of delivering two gas fuels. The system may include (a) a low energy gas delivery system comprising a low energy gas inlet, a gas split, a low energy gas primary manifold outlet, and a low energy gas secondary manifold outlet; (b) a high energy gas delivery system comprising a high energy gas inlet and a high energy gas primary manifold outlet; (c) a primary manifold; and (d) a secondary manifold, wherein the low energy gas primary manifold outlet and the high energy gas primary manifold outlet are coupled to the primary manifold, wherein the low energy gas secondary manifold outlet is coupled to the secondary manifold, and wherein the low energy gas delivery system further comprises a primary low energy gas stop and pressure control valve between the gas split and the low energy gas primary manifold outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: William J. Lawson, Rahul Mohan Joshi
  • Patent number: 8356484
    Abstract: According to one aspect, the subject application involves a method of controlling a transition of a gas turbine. The method includes receiving a request of the gas turbine to drive an increased load. The increased load is greater than a load being driven by the gas turbine when the request is received. The method further includes determining that a temperature of a fuel to be ignited within a combustor of the gas turbine is less than a target temperature of the fuel to be introduced into the combustor for driving the increased load. Responsive to this determination, the method also includes controlling introduction of an additive into the combustor of the gas turbine when the temperature of the fuel is less than the target temperature to establish a suitable Wobbe Index of a fuel combination to promote a substantially continuous transition of the gas turbine to drive the increased load, wherein the fuel combination includes the fuel and the additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: David August Snider
  • Publication number: 20130014514
    Abstract: A gas turbine includes a plurality of combustion chambers; at least one fuel nozzle for each of the combustion chambers; at least one fuel line for each fuel nozzle in each of the combustion chambers; at least one heat exchanger for each fuel line configured to adjust a temperature of a fuel flow to each fuel nozzle; and a controller configured to control each of the heat exchangers to reduce temperature variations amongst the combustion chambers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Inventors: Bryan Wesley Romig, Willy Steve Ziminsky, Derrick Walter Simons
  • Publication number: 20130008172
    Abstract: The present application provides a gas turbine engine system for combusting a flow of fuel. The gas turbine engine system may include a combustor and a fuel system for providing the flow of fuel to the combustor. The fuel system may include a fuel heat exchanger so as to provide the flow of fuel to the combustor at a substantially constant temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Dean Matthew Erickson, Brian Gallagher, Mihir Lal, Scott Day
  • Patent number: 8316648
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to determine a first heating value of a low BTU fuel, determine a target fuel quality level based on a state of a turbine system, control a second heating value of a high BTU fuel, and inject the high BTU fuel into the low BTU fuel to achieve the target fuel quality level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Constantin Dinu, Gilbert Kraemer, Geoffrey D Myers
  • Publication number: 20120291447
    Abstract: A combustor nozzle includes a first and second liquid fuel passages that terminate at first and second fuel ports. A first diluent passage terminates at a first diluent outlet radially surrounding the second fuel ports. A second diluent passage terminates at a second diluent outlet between the first diluent outlet and the second fuel ports. A third diluent passage surrounds at least a portion of the first and second diluent passages. A method for supplying fuel to a combustor includes flowing a liquid fuel through a first fuel passage and flowing an emulsified liquid fuel through a second fuel passage. The method further includes flowing a first diluent through a shroud surrounding the second fuel passage to a first diluent passage surrounding at least a portion of the second fuel passage and flowing a second diluent through a second diluent passage radially disposed between the first diluent passage and the second fuel passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Gregory Allen Boardman, Geoffrey David Myers, William Thomas Ross
  • Publication number: 20120291448
    Abstract: The present application provides a flexible combustor fuel nozzle. The flexible combustor fuel nozzle may include a main passage in communication with a source of natural gas and a source of low BTU fuel, a secondary passage surrounding the main passage and in communication with the source of low BTU fuel and a source of purge air, and a tertiary passage surrounding the secondary passage and in communication with the source of low BTU fuel, the source of purge air, and a source of diluent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Ilya Aleksandrovich Slobodyanskiy, Joel Hall, Jesse Barton, Vijaykant Sadasivuni
  • Publication number: 20120271527
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a plurality of fuel injectors grouped operatively by stages in a multistage combustor. A fuel system for the gas turbine engine includes at least one fuel metering module per stage of the multistage combustor. Each fuel metering module includes a pump, a flow meter, a pressure sensor, a controller, and a motor, which work together to control fuel output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thaddeus J. Zebrowski, Richard E. Versailles
  • Publication number: 20120260666
    Abstract: A multi-fuel combustion system is provided. The system includes a combustor basket adapted to combust at least two type of fuels. The combustor basket includes a circumferential wall with a plurality of openings. The combustion system further includes a first conduit adapted to provide a first type of fuel directly to the combustor basket and a second conduit adapted to provide a second type of fuel directly to the combustor basket. The combustion system also may include a third conduit adapted to inject at least one of the first type of fuel and the second type of fuel through the openings into the combustor basket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventors: Vinayak V. Barve, Timothy A. Fox, Jianfan Wu, Ulrich Wörz, Jaap Van Kampen
  • Publication number: 20120255310
    Abstract: A combustor nozzle includes a center body and a shroud circumferentially surrounding at least a portion of the center body to define a passage between the center body and the shroud. A guide between the center body and the shroud can pivot with respect to the center body. A method for supplying fuel to a combustor includes flowing a working fluid through a nozzle at a mass flow rate and flowing a fuel through the nozzle. The method further includes sensing a flame holding event inside the nozzle and pivoting a guide inside the nozzle to increase the mass flow rate of the working fluid flowing through the nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Jason Thurman Stewart, Thomas Edward Johnson
  • Patent number: 8281595
    Abstract: A fuel nozzle assembly for a combustor of a gas turbine including: a nozzle body having a front and an inner tube defining a fuel passage extending through the nozzle body, wherein the front proximate to a combustion section of the combustor; an outer casing around the inner tube, wherein an air passage is defined between the outer casing and the inner tube; a gas conduit arranged in the air passage and having an outlet proximate to the front of the nozzle body, wherein fuel starts flowing through the expandable conduit only after a flashback condition occurs in the combustor, and a premix fuel passage and port discharging fuel to a premix section of the combustor, wherein the gas conduit has an inlet open to the premix fuel passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lewis Berkley Davis, Jr., Stanley Kevin Widener, John Wilber
  • Publication number: 20120240592
    Abstract: The present application and the resultant patent provide a fuel nozzle for mixing a flow of air and a flow of fuel within a combustor. The fuel nozzle may have one or more air passages for the flow of air, one or more fuel pegs for the flow of fuel, and a liner in communication with the air passages and surrounding the fuel pegs. The liner may include a number of ribs thereon so as to promote mixing of the flow of air and the flow of fuel therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Mayur Abhay Keny, Ronald Chila, Vaibhav Nadkarni
  • Publication number: 20120234015
    Abstract: A fuel flow system for a gas turbine includes a first pump, a main fuel flow path and a second pump. The first pump is connected to an actuator and a metering valve. The main fuel flow path is formed between the first pump and the metering valve. The second pump is connected to the main fuel flow path and supplements the fuel flow from the first pump under certain conditions. The second pump and first pump are in parallel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventor: Charles E. Reuter
  • Publication number: 20120234016
    Abstract: A small gas turbine engine for use in an UAV such as a cruise missile, the gas turbine having a combustor forming a primary burn zone and a secondary burn zone, and in which fuel is injected into both the primary and the secondary burn zones by either a rotary cup injector or a plurality of fuel injector nozzles. The secondary burn zone with separate fuel injection allows for the diameter of the engine to be reduced in size but still allow for adequate power and efficiency to be reached for powering the vehicle. Air flow from the compressor is used to cool the combustor walls before being injected into the combustor, and to pass through and cool the guide nozzles and a main bearing located near the hot section of the combustor prior to being introduced into the combustor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: FLORIDA TURBINE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Mark M. Harris, Wesley D. Brown, Angel M. Garcia
  • Publication number: 20120227413
    Abstract: An igniter arranged to ignite combustion in a primary flow including a fuel and air mixture, the igniter including one or more geometric features arranged to: induce a shockwave flow structure at least partially disposed in the primary flow; and ignite the fuel and air mixture by virtue of the shockwave flow structure. The present disclosure also relates to a method of igniting combustion in a primary flow including a fuel and air mixture, the method including: providing one or more geometric features arranged to induce a shockwave flow structure; inducing the shockwave flow structure at least partially in the primary flow; and igniting the fuel and air mixture by virtue of the shockwave flow structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Basile VIGNERON, Richard J. TUNSTALL
  • Publication number: 20120232768
    Abstract: A system includes a turbine fuel controller. The turbine fuel controller includes a purge control logic configured to control a purge sequence of mixing a purge gas with a first fuel during a first fuel shutdown, wherein the purge sequence is configured to open a purge valve for the purge gas before fully closing a fuel valve for the first fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Vijay Raghavendran Nenmeni, Michael John Rozdolski, Rahul Jaikaran Chillar
  • Publication number: 20120227411
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for mixing H2-rich fuels with air in a gas turbine combustion system, wherein a first stream of burner air and a second stream of a H2-rich fuel are provided. All of the fuel is premixed with a portion of the burner air to produce a pre-premixed fuel/air mixture. This pre-premixed fuel/air mixture is injected into the main burner air stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Richard Carroni, Fernando Biagioli
  • Publication number: 20120227412
    Abstract: A method of operating a multi-fuel combustion system is provided. The method includes a first phase and a second phase, wherein the first phase includes providing ignition to a combustor basket to ignite a first type of fuel, where the first type of fuel is supplied to the combustor basket through a first conduit. Also in first phase steam is also supplied to the first conduit in addition to the first type of fuel and steam is supplied to the second conduit after the ignition. In the second phase a second type of fuel is supplied to the combustor basket after ignition of the first fuel through the second conduit, while stopping the supply of the first fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventors: Vinayak V. Barve, Jianfan Wu, Ulrich Wörz, Jaap Van Kampen
  • Publication number: 20120210727
    Abstract: A method for the combustion of hydrogen-rich, gaseous fuels in combustion air in a burner of a gas turbine includes injecting the hydrogen-rich, gaseous fuel at least partially isokinetically with respect to the combustion air such that the partially hydrogen-rich, gaseous fuel is injected at least partially in the same direction and at least partially at the same velocity as the combustion air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventors: Richard Carroni, Stefano Bernero, Fernando Biagioli, Thierry Lachaux
  • Publication number: 20120204571
    Abstract: A combustor is disclosed that includes a baffle plate and a fuel nozzle extending through the baffle plate. The combustor may also include a shroud extending from the baffle plate and surrounding at least a portion of the fuel nozzle. A passage may be defined between the shroud and an outer surface of the fuel nozzle for receiving a first fluid. Additionally, the passage may be sealed from a second fluid flowing adjacent to the shroud.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Gilbert Otto Kraemer, Jonathan Dwight Berry, Predrag Popovic
  • Patent number: 8234871
    Abstract: A nozzle has combustion air passages extending from a first, upstream end to a second, downstream end. A fuel distribution manifold is associated with the first, upstream end of the nozzle. Combustion air passages correspond to, and align with the air passages in the nozzle. Fuel distribution grooves are formed in one end of the fuel distribution manifold disk and extend from a central opening to the air passages. A fuel circuit cover closes the fuel distribution grooves to define fuel passages that extend from the central opening to the combustion air passages. A fuel supply conduit communicates with the central opening and the fuel passages for delivery of fuel to the combustion air in the air passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lewis Berkley Davis, Jr., Thomas Edward Johnson, Jason Thurman Stewart
  • Patent number: 8234875
    Abstract: A fuel system for a turbine engine is provided. The fuel system includes a positive displacement pump driven by an electric motor. The pump is rotated in a first direction to deliver fuel to the turbine engine, and a second direction for evacuating fuel from the turbine engine. A shut-off check valve is open in a first direction in response to a first differential pressure created by the pump in the first direction. The shut-off check valve is biased to a closed position when the pump is rotating in the second direction. An ecology check valve is biased to a closed position in the first direction and open in the second direction in response to a second differential pressure created by the pump. The check valves open and close automatically in response to the pressures generated by the positive displacement pump in each of the first and second rotational directions. In this manner, simple, reliable valves are utilized to regulate the flow of fuel in the fuel system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Charles H. Falke, Leo J. Veilleux, Douglas A. Parsons
  • Patent number: 8234870
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine fuel system includes a fuel tank for storing fuel, a heat exchanger through which the fuel from the fuel tank can pass, a fuel pump located downstream from the heat exchanger for pumping the fuel, a fuel metering unit for metering the fuel pumped by the fuel pump, an additive tank for storing a fuel additive, an additive delivery subsystem for mixing the fuel additive with the fuel at or before the heat exchanger to generate a fuel and fuel additive mixture, and a combustor located downstream of the fuel metering unit where the fuel and fuel additive mixture is delivered for combustion. The fuel additive comprises a fuel stabilizer for reducing fuel coking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Marc E. Gage
  • Publication number: 20120192568
    Abstract: A combustor of the prior art that defines the outlet position and direction of an air hole and suppresses adhesion of flame to an air hole outlet can reduce a discharge amount of NOx by increasing a distance over which fuel and air are mixed with each other. However, such a combustor is not sufficiently discussed for measures to suppress the occurrence of combustion oscillation resulting from the variation of a flame surface. A combustor 2 according to the present invention includes a combustion chamber 5 to which fuel and air are supplied; air holes 32 adapted to supply air to the combustion chamber 5; fuel nozzles 25 adapted to supply gaseous fuel to the air holes 32; and orifices 24 adapted to allow the gaseous fuel supplied to the air holes 32 to cause a pressure drop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keisuke MIURA, Tomomi Koganezawa, Satoshi Dodo, Takeo Saito
  • Publication number: 20120186265
    Abstract: A burner of a gas turbine including a reaction chamber and a plurality of jet nozzles opening into the reaction chamber is provided. Fluid is injected through an outlet into the reaction chamber by the jet nozzles using of a fluid stream wherein the fluid is burned into hot gas in the reaction chamber. An annular gap is disposed about the fluid stream for at least one jet nozzle so that a part of the hot gas is drawn out of the reaction chamber and flows opposite the fluid flow direction into the annular gap and is mixed with the fluid stream within the jet nozzle. The ring gap is formed by means of an insert tube, and wherein the insert rube includes a thickening at the upstream end. A method for stabilizing the flame of such a burner of a gas turbine is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventors: Matthias Hase, Werner Krebs, Bernd Prade
  • Publication number: 20120186264
    Abstract: A combustor for a gas turbine engine having an annular combustion chamber includes a plurality of main fuel injection and air swirler assemblies and a plurality of pilot fuel injection and air swirler assemblies disposed in a circumferential ring extending about the circumferential expanse of a forward bulkhead. The plurality of pilot fuel injection and air swirler assemblies are interspersed amongst and disposed in the circumferential ring of main fuel injection and air swirler assemblies. Fuel being supplied to the combustor is selectively distributed between the plurality of main fuel injection and air swirler assemblies and the plurality of pilot fuel injection and air swirler assemblies in response to the level of power demand on the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: James B. Hoke
  • Patent number: 8225611
    Abstract: A gas stream with a reduced oxygen concentration relative to ambient air is used to vaporize a liquid fuel or liquefied higher hydrocarbon gas, or is mixed with a vaporized gas, and the reduced oxygen vaporized fuel gas is fed to a combustion device such as a premixed or diffusion combustor. Preferably, the oxygen content of the gas stream is less than the limiting oxygen index. By mixing the fuel with a gas stream that has an appropriately reduced oxygen content, auto-ignition prior to the desired flame location in the combustor can be avoided. In some embodiments, the reduced oxygen stream is generated from an air separator or taken from the exhaust of the combustion device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: LPP Combustion, LLC
    Inventors: Richard J. Roby, Michael S. Klassen, Christopher F. Schemel
  • Publication number: 20120167582
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed including a main fuel supply fluidly coupled to a main fuel valve and an arcuate fuel passage receiving main fuel through the main fuel valve. The arcuate fuel passage includes a passage diameter and a radius of curvature which provides sufficient rotational acceleration to the main fuel such that a liquid portion of the main fuel is deposited on an outer wall of the arcuate fuel passage. The apparatus includes a fuel injector nozzle that receives the main fuel from the arcuate fuel passage, and injects the main fuel into a combustion chamber for a turbine engine. The apparatus further includes a pilot fuel supply fluidly coupled to a pilot fuel passage and a fuel selector structured to selectively provide the main fuel or the pilot fuel to the fuel injector nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventor: Timothy C. Roesler
  • Publication number: 20120167583
    Abstract: A method for starting a burner for combusting synthesis gases is provided. The burner includes first and second fuel passages, the first fuel passage encompasses the second fuel passage in a substantially concentric manner and the gas transferred to the burner is mixed with combusting air and is combusted. In order to start the burner, the second fuel passage is first loaded with a synthesis gas to a predefined burner power at a first starting phase and the first fuel passage is loaded with the synthesis gas at a second starting phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: Berthold Köstlin, Frank Hannemann, Andreas Heilos, Gerhard Zimmermann
  • Publication number: 20120131927
    Abstract: A laser ignition system for an internal combustion engine, and more specifically a gas turbine engine, is provided. The system including a laser light source configured to generate a laser beam, an ignition port configured to provide optimized optical access of the laser beam to a combustion chamber and an optical beam guidance component disposed between the laser light source and the ignition port. The optical beam guidance component is configured to include optimized optic components to transmit the laser beam to irradiate on a fuel mixture supplied into the combustion chamber to generate a combustor flame in a flame region. A method for igniting a fuel mixture in an internal combustion engine is also presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Sara Rocci Denis, Herbert Kopecek, Richard Wade Stickles, Chukwueloka Obiora Umeh, Gabor Ast, Mark Patrick Kelsey, Steven Clayton Vise, Gary Lee Leonard, Shai Birmaher
  • Publication number: 20120131926
    Abstract: A laser ignition system for an internal combustion engine, and more specifically a gas turbine engine, is provided. The system comprises at least one laser light source configured to generate a laser beam and an optical beam guidance component. The optical beam guidance component is configured to transmit the laser beam to irradiate on an oxygenated fuel mixture supplied into the combustion chamber at a region of highest ignitability to generate a combustor flame in a flame region. The system further includes an integrated control diagnostic component configured to detect at least a portion of a light emission and operable to control one or more combustion parameters based in part on the detected light emission. The system further includes additional enhanced ignition control configurations. A method for igniting a fuel mixture in an internal combustion engine is also presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Herbert Kopecek, Sara Rocci Denis, Keith Robert McManus, Michael Breit
  • Publication number: 20120125007
    Abstract: A method and system of engine ignition and monitoring is provided. A combustor includes a casing surrounding a combustion zone and an ignitor plug including a tip, a base, and a body extending therebetween. The body extends through the combustor casing such that the tip is proximate the combustion zone. The ignitor plug is configured to receive ignition energy through the base and generate an ignition source at the tip. The ignitor plug is further configured to sense combustion dynamics in the combustion zone and generate a signal relative to the sensed combustion dynamics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventor: Joseph Bernard Steffler
  • Publication number: 20120125008
    Abstract: A combustion system for a gas turbine engine includes a housing defining a pressure vessel. A master injector is mounted to the housing for injecting fuel along a central axis defined through the pressure vessel. A plurality of slave injectors is included. Each slave injector is disposed radially outward of and substantially parallel to the master injector for injecting fuel and air in an injection plume radially outward of fuel injected through the master injector. The master injector and slave injectors are configured and adapted so the injection plume of the master injector intersects with the injection plumes of the slave injectors. The slave injectors can be staged for reduced power operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: Delavan Inc
    Inventors: Lev Alexander Prociw, Andy W. Tibbs
  • Patent number: 8181464
    Abstract: A swirler passage is provided for mixing fuel and compressor air with at least two side walls; at least first and second conduits arranged inside at least one of the at least two side walls, the first conduit forming a fuel gas conduit and the second conduit forming an air conduit, the fuel gas conduit connected to a gas fuel supply and the air conduit connected to an air supply; a tube connected to the fuel gas conduit and entirely traversing the air conduit inside the side wall; a fluid passage connected to the air conduit and surrounding the tube; at least one fuel outlet opening of the tube arranged on the side wall; and at least one air outlet opening of the fluid passage arranged on the side wall and surrounding the fuel outlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Nigel Wilbraham
  • Publication number: 20120117976
    Abstract: A nozzle includes a center body that defines an axial centerline. A shroud circumferentially surrounds at least a portion of the center body to define an annular passage between the center body and the shroud. A plenum is inside the center body and substantially parallel to the axial centerline, and an igniter is inside the center body and generally adjacent to the plenum. A method for igniting a combustor includes flowing a fuel through a center body axially aligned in a nozzle and flowing a working fluid through an annular passage, wherein the annular passage is substantially parallel to and radially outward of the center body. The method further includes projecting at least one of a beam, spark, or flame from an igniter located inside the center body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Anthony Wayne Krull, Geoffrey David Myers, James Harold Westmoreland, III
  • Publication number: 20120111019
    Abstract: A combustion dynamics control system for an aviation based or land based gas turbine engine employs an acoustic driver that is configured to drive pressure perturbations across a premixed fuel injection orifice to substantially zero in response to a control signal such that fuel flow perturbations across the fuel injection orifice are substantially zero.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY GLOBAL RESEARCH
    Inventors: Kapil Kumar Singh, Fei Han, Shiva Srinivasan, Kwanwoo Kim, Preetham Balasubramanyam, Qingguo Zhang
  • Patent number: 8161750
    Abstract: A turbomachine includes a compressor, a turbine, and a combustor operatively connected to the turbine. The turbomachine further includes a cap member mounted to the combustor. The cap member includes a first surface and a second surface. A combustion chamber is defined within the combustor. An injection nozzle is supported at the second surface of the cap member. The injection nozzle includes a first end that extends through an inner flow path to a second end. The first end is configured to receive an amount of a first fluid and the second end is configured to receive an amount of a second fluid. A mixture of the first and second fluids is discharged from the second end of the injection nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Scott Robert Simmons, Stephen Robert Thomas
  • Publication number: 20120090331
    Abstract: Systems and methods for supplying fuel to a gas turbine are described. A fuel may be received, and one or more parameters associated with the received fuel may be determined. Based at least in part upon the determined one or more parameters, a desired pressure for removing one or more liquids from the fuel utilizing a separator may be calculated. The operation of a pressure changing device may then be controlled in order to achieve the desired pressure. In certain embodiments, the operations of the method may be performed by a controller that includes one or more computers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Timothy Russell Bilton, Daniel Martin Moss, Korey Frederic Rendo, Colin Wilkes