Combustor Or Fuel System Patents (Class 60/800)
  • Patent number: 11959498
    Abstract: A system includes an isobaric pressure exchanger (IPX) configured to exchange pressure between a first fluid and a second fluid. The IPX includes a rotor configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the rotor. The rotor forms rotor ports arranged substantially symmetrically around the longitudinal axis at a distal end of the rotor. The IPX further includes an end cover configured to be disposed at the first distal end of the rotor. The end cover forms end cover ports. The rotor ports are arranged for hydraulic communication with the end cover ports. The IPX further includes an insert disposed between two of the rotor ports or between two of the end cover ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Energy Recovery, Inc.
    Inventors: Behzad Zamanian Yazdi, Farshad Ghasripoor, Kuo-Chiang Chen, Patrick Morphew, James Elliott McLean, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11920790
    Abstract: A combustor liner for a combustor of a gas turbine includes an outer liner having a plurality of outer liner segments, and an inner liner having a plurality of inner liner segments. Each segment of the inner liner and the outer liner includes at least one slotted dilution opening therethrough extending in a circumferential direction, and each slotted dilution opening includes a deflector wall extending radially from the respective liner into a dilution zone of a combustion chamber between the outer liner and the inner liner. The at least one slotted dilution opening may be a curved slot (either concave or convex) dilution opening, and the curved slot dilution openings for each segment of the outer liner and the inner liner may be connected so as to provide a wavy slotted dilution opening extending annularly through the outer liner and the inner liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Saket Singh, Pradeep Naik, Rimple Rangrej, Ranganatha Narasimha Chiranthan, Krishnendu Chakraborty, Shai Birmaher
  • Patent number: 11913645
    Abstract: A combustor assembly for a gas turbine engine defining a radial direction and a circumferential direction includes a liner assembly at least partially defining a combustion chamber and including at least one liner formed of a ceramic matrix composite material and extending between a downstream end and an upstream end, the downstream end of the at least one liner defining an interface surface extending along the circumferential direction; and a seal member also formed of a ceramic matrix composite material and bonded to the interface surface of the at least one liner, the seal member defining a downstream surface for contacting an adjacent component to form a seal with the adjacent component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ernesto Andres Vallejo Ruiz, Douglas Craig Anderson
  • Patent number: 11913647
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a nozzle for a combustor that burns fuel containing hydrogen, which includes a plurality of mixing tubes through which air and fuel flow, a multi-tube configured to contain and support the mixing tubes, a fuel tube formed inside the multi-tube and through which fuel flows, a tip plate coupled to a tip of the multi-tube, and a front plate spaced apart from the tip plate to define a cooling space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: DOOSAN ENERBILITY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Borys Shershnyov
  • Patent number: 11867402
    Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, a combustor liner includes a first portion extending in a substantially axial direction and a second portion that extending in the substantially axial direction. A step connects the first portion and the second portion. The step is arranged at an angle to the second portion that is less than 90°. The step has a step height defined as a distance between the first portion and the second portion. The first portion, second portion, and step are formed as a unitary ceramic component. A slot extends through the step, and a ratio of a height of the slot to a height of the step is greater than 0.66.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: RTX Corporation
    Inventors: San Quach, Thomas N. Slavens
  • Patent number: 11796176
    Abstract: A combustor assembly for a gas turbine engine defining a radial direction and a circumferential direction includes a liner assembly at least partially defining a combustion chamber and including at least one liner extending between a downstream end and an upstream end, the downstream end of the at least one liner defining a radial opening and an interface surface extending along the circumferential direction and along the radial direction; and a seal member including a body, a flange, and a radial element, the body defining a body surface extending along the radial direction and positioned adjacent the interface surface of the at least one liner, the flange extending forward from the body, and the radial element coupled to the flange and extending into the radial opening defined by the at least one liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ernesto Andres Vallejo Ruiz, Aaron Michael Dziech, Jonathon Eli Farmer
  • Patent number: 11774097
    Abstract: An air cap is configured to be affixed to a nozzle assembly as a downstream facing component of the nozzle assembly. The air cap includes a plurality of air wipe passages with outlets defined in a circumferential direction around a downstream facing surface of the air cap. A nozzle assembly can include an outer wall wherein the air cap is connected to the nozzle assembly outboard of the outer wall. An inner wall can be connected to the outer wall by a plurality of air swirl vanes. One or more fuel circuit components can be connected to the nozzle assembly inboard of the inner wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Collins Engine Nozzles, Inc.
    Inventor: Steve J. Myers
  • Patent number: 11747018
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine including a compressor section and a combustion section in serial flow arrangement along an engine centerline, the combustion section having a combustor liner, a dome wall coupled to the combustor liner, and a dome inlet located in the dome wall, a fuel injector fluidly coupled to the dome inlet, a combustion chamber fluidly coupled to the fuel injector and defined at least in part by the combustor liner and the dome wall, and at least one set of dilution openings located in the dome wall and fluidly coupled to the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Perumallu Vukanti, Varun S. Lakshmanan, Michael T. Bucaro, Pradeep Naik, Steven C. Vise, Michael A. Benjamin
  • Patent number: 11702987
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine article includes a baffle that is configured to be mounted in a cavity of a gas turbine engine component. The baffle has a baffle wall that circumscribes an open interior region. The baffle wall includes a forward wall, side walls, and an aft wall. The side walls include impingement orifices, and the aft wall defines two datum features. At least one of the datum features is a dimple that is a portion of a sphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Scott A. Kovach, Tracy A. Propheter-Hinckley
  • Patent number: 11624298
    Abstract: A turbine exhaust drain system has a sump where liquid collects and a suction pipe having an inlet end fluidly connected to the sump and an outlet end fluidly connected to a core gas path of a turbine exhaust case. In use, the combustion gases flowing through the exhaust case creates a venturi effect to draw the liquid from the sump into the core gas path where the liquid and the combustions gases combine into a mixed flow before being discharged through an outlet end of the exhaust case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventor: Guy Lefebvre
  • Patent number: 11555456
    Abstract: A method of operating a fuel delivery system of an aircraft engine of an aircraft includes operating the aircraft engine in a standby mode by maintaining combustion in a combustor of the aircraft engine by supplying fuel to the combustor via a first set of fuel nozzles of a first fuel manifold while providing a trickle flow of fuel via a second set of fuel nozzles of a second fuel manifold into the combustor during engine operation, the trickle flow being defined as a fuel flow rate selected to prevent flame-out of the combustion while providing one of: substantially no motive power to the aircraft, and no motive power to the aircraft, via the combustion of the trickle flow of fuel. An aircraft gas turbine engine is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Oleg Morenko, Aleksandar Kojovic, Jeffrey Richard Verhiel
  • Patent number: 11525577
    Abstract: A combustor may comprise an outer combustor panel and an inner combustor panel radially inward of the outer combustor panel. A bulkhead panel may extend radially between the outer combustor panel and the inner combustor panel. An outer spacer may be located between an outer flange of the bulkhead panel and the outer combustor panel. An inner spacer may be located between an inner flange of the bulkhead panel and the inner combustor panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy S. Snyder, James B. Hoke
  • Patent number: 11506384
    Abstract: A free-vortex combustor is disclosed that generates vortices which: enhance fuel air mixing, recirculate the air, provide cooling for the combustor walls, and provide low emissions and a substantially uniform exit temperature profile. The combustor is provided fuel or fuel and air through a fuel-injector which atomizes the fuel. A first air swirler couples to the fuel-injector with a prechamber wall abutting the first swirler. A second swirler abuts a downstream end of the prechamber wall. And, a main chamber abuts the second swirler. Each of the first and second swirlers have features that cause the flow to create a vortex in the prechamber and main chamber, respectively. The features creating the swirl are blades or angled orifices. The vortex causes a pressure depression along the centerline and causes backflow along the centerline that improves mixing and improves cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: DYC Turbines
    Inventor: Daih-Yeou Chen
  • Patent number: 11506391
    Abstract: A cross-fire tube for connecting adjacent combustors in a gas turbine, and a combustion section including the cross-fire tube, are disclosed. The cross-fire tube includes a hollow tubular body having opposite ends, and a plurality of purge air hole pairs is defined in the hollow tubular body and located at more than two different axial positions between the opposite ends. Purge air flows through the plurality of purge air hole pairs to create a uniform distribution of the purge air between the adjacent combustors. The velocity of the purge air exiting the ends of the cross-fire tube can be, for example, 25% higher. The cross-fire tube having the hole arrangements described herein also extends the life expectancy of the tube by reducing oxidation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jose Mauricio Salinas Trejo, Paola Martinez Melloni, Jose Manuel Mendoza Perez
  • Patent number: 11492924
    Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, a gas turbine engine is provided. The gas turbine engine defines a radial direction, an axial direction, and an axis extending along the axial direction of the gas. The gas turbine engine includes: a shaft configured to rotate about the axis; an electric machine comprising a rotor coupled to and rotatable with the shaft and a stator, the rotor defining an end along the axial direction; and a cooling manifold rotatable with the rotor and positioned at the end of the rotor, the cooling manifold configured to receive a flow of cooling fluid and provide the cooling fluid to the stator during operation of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignees: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY POLSKA SP. Z O.O, GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Miroslaw Czarnik, Adam Tomasz Pazinski, Pawel Zdrojewski, Christopher N. Delametter, Lukasz Maciej Janczak, Maciej Krzysztof Grunwald, Scott Alan Schimmels
  • Patent number: 11480057
    Abstract: An airfoil may include an airfoil body that defines a skin chamber, a skin chamber outlet opening, and a tip flag chamber. In various embodiments, the skin chamber is in fluidic communication with the tip flag chamber via the skin chamber outlet opening. In various embodiments, the airfoil body further defines an outlet hole disposed on at least one of a trailing edge and a pressure side of the airfoil. The tip flag chamber may be in fluidic communication with the outlet hole (e.g., cooling circuit air in the tip flag chamber may exit the airfoil via the outlet hole). In various embodiments, the tip flag chamber extends parallel and directly adjacent to the outermost tip of the airfoil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy J. Jennings, Carey Clum
  • Patent number: 11466593
    Abstract: A double walled stator housing includes a first stator housing wall, a second stator housing wall located radially outward from the first stator housing wall, and an air gap located between the first and the second stator housing walls. The housing also includes at least one support structure attached to the first stator housing wall and the second stator housing wall, spanning the air gap and configured to minimize heat transfer between the first wall and the second wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Binek, Jesus A. Garcia, Faramarz M. Zarandi, Evan J. Butcher, Jesse R. Boyer
  • Patent number: 11435078
    Abstract: A combustor for a gas turbine engine comprises a combustor chamber defined at least partially by an outer combustor skin and an inner combustor skin. A plurality of stand-off devices have a body including a first end and a second end, the second end of the body retained in an opening in the outer combustor skin, the first end spaced apart from the second end and abutting the inner combustor skin to space the inner combustor skin apart from the outer combustor skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Tin-Cheung John Hu, Oleg Morenko
  • Patent number: 11428413
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a fuel injection module for a segmented annular combustion system. The fuel injection module includes a housing body, a fuel nozzle portion, and at least one fuel injection lance. The fuel nozzle portion is fluidly coupled to a fuel nozzle plenum within the housing body, and the at least one fuel injection lance is fluidly coupled to an injector fuel plenum within the housing body. In some cases, the fuel nozzle portion is a bundled tube fuel nozzle having one or more subsets of tubes. The fuel injection lances are positioned along a radial side of the housing body or circumferentially between two subsets of tubes. Liquid fuel cartridges extend through the fuel nozzle portion, the fuel injection lances, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jonathan Dwight Berry, Michael John Hughes, James Scott Flanagan
  • Patent number: 11428323
    Abstract: A floating brush seal assembly includes a ring-shaped housing defining a radially inwardly open internal cavity; a brush seal in the cavity and having bristles extending radially inwardly and offset to seal against a rotating body; a radial spring positioned to exert a radial inwardly directed force against the brush seal relative to the housing; and an axial spring positioned to exert an axially directed force against the brush seal relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Armando Amador
  • Patent number: 11402100
    Abstract: A ring assembly for holding a double-skin combustor liner has an inner skin of ceramic matrix composite and an outer skin. The assembly comprises an annular end body, a first projecting portion projecting relative to the annular end body at least partially in an axial direction, the first projecting portion configured for supporting the inner skin, a second projecting portion projecting relative to the annular end body at least partially in the axial direction, the second projecting portion configured for supporting the outer skin. The first and second projecting portions are radially spaced apart to provide a radial spacing between the inner skin and the outer skin. An expansion joint is between the ring assembly and the inner skin configured to permit motion resulting from a variation in thermal expansion between the inner skin and the ring assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Tin-Cheung John Hu, Nassim Bedrani
  • Patent number: 11208908
    Abstract: Disclosed is a static seal arrangement for sealing a gap between a first static component and a second static component of a turbomachine such as an aircraft engine or a static gas turbine, having a brush seal held distant from a hot gas, this brush seal being arranged standing or vertical with its clamping section that can be surrounded by cooling air in a radially outer clamping space relative to the gap, and forming a radial sealing site with the first component and an axial sealing site with the second component; also disclosed is a turbomachine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines AG
    Inventors: Manfred Feldmann, Simon Schmalfuss
  • Patent number: 11105211
    Abstract: A transition piece assembly improves the cooling of a transition piece by increasing a flow of compressed air toward a transition piece casing. The assembly includes a transition piece including an inlet and an outlet; a transition piece casing spaced apart from the transition piece, the transition piece casing enclosing the transition piece to form an annular interspace between an inner circumferential surface of the transition piece casing and an outer circumferential surface of the transition piece, the transition piece casing including an outer circumferential surface over which compressed air flows; a support member for supporting the transition piece casing, the support member inserted into the annular interspace and seated on the outer circumferential surface of the transition piece; and a guide member that is fixed with respect to the transition piece casing and includes an axially perpendicular structure to guide the compressed air toward the transition piece casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Inventors: Dong Gon Lee, Jae Won Seo
  • Patent number: 11098607
    Abstract: An air-fire seal designed to be attached to a first tubular member of a turbomachine, such as a bleed duct, and to rest against a second member of the turbomachine, such as an intermediate casing hub, includes an attachment base having an annular shape around a reference axis (Y); a first annular fire-stop lip extending from the attachment base over a first length (L1); and a second annular air-sealing lip extending from the attachment base over a second length (L2) lower than the first length and facing the first lip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Bruno Alexandre Didier Jacon, Damien Clément Didier Cordier, Gonzague Marie Come Jacques André Elluin, Florian Benjamin Kévin Lacroix, Philippe Didier Edmon André Libéral Nabias, Julien Vitra
  • Patent number: 11028706
    Abstract: A combustor seal system for a gas turbine engine is provided that includes a rear inner discharge nozzle (RIDN) configured to engage a liner of a combustor. The system further includes a nozzle guide vane (NGV) positioned adjacent the RIDN. The NGV and the RIDN together define a cavity. The system further includes a seal in contact with the RIDN and positioned in the cavity. The seal curves along a surface of the cavity and contacts the RIDN at a first point and a second point in the cavity. The seal contacts the NGV at a third point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventor: Kelly Jon McCormick
  • Patent number: 11028712
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a stator vane. A blade outer air seal may be adjacent to the stator vane. A seal assembly may be disposed between the blade outer air seal and the stator vane. The seal assembly may include a first seal disposed between a first airflow path and a second airflow path. A second seal may be disposed between the first airflow path and the second airflow path. The second seal may be disposed in a series arrangement with the first seal. The second seal may include a seal support extending radially therefrom which mechanically supports the first seal during engine operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Terence P. Tyler, Brian C. McLaughlin
  • Patent number: 10837637
    Abstract: A heat shield provided with a gas turbine engine includes a heat shield body extending between a first heat shield end and a second heat shield end. The heat shield body has an exterior surface disposed proximate an inner surface of a first case and an interior surface disposed opposite the exterior surface. The interior surface defines a rib that extends towards a combustor vane support lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: David J. Sander, Jonathan Lemoine, Harvey C. Lee, Dalton C. Petrillo
  • Patent number: 10830434
    Abstract: A combustor for a gas turbine engine includes a support shell; a first liner panel mounted to the support shell via a multiple of studs, the first liner panel including a first rail that extends from a cold side of the first liner panel such that the rail is non-perpendicular to the cold side and includes a concave surface to at least partially form a curved interface passage; and a second liner panel mounted to the support shell via a multiple of studs, the first liner panel including a second rail that extends from a cold side of the second liner panel and includes a convex surface to at least partially form the curved interface passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: San Quach, Jeffrey T. Morton, Matthew D. Parekh
  • Patent number: 10823406
    Abstract: A combined liner and panel for use in a gas turbine engine comprise a ceramic matrix composite panel having a plurality of extending members extending away from a face of ceramic matrix composite panel which will face hot products of combustion. A liner includes a plurality of spring members that apply a bias force biasing the extending members. The spring members bias the extending members on the panel in a direction away from the face of the panel which will face the hot products of combustion. A gas turbine engine, and a method of attaching a ceramic matrix composite panel to a liner are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jose E. Ruberte Sanchez, Timothy J. McAlice, Kevin L. Rugg
  • Patent number: 10788215
    Abstract: A fuel nozzle assembly includes a flange body. The flange body includes a base portion that defines an aperture. The flange body is connected to a conduit. The flange body and the conduit define a fuel flow passage to a fuel plenum of the fuel nozzle assembly. The fuel nozzle assembly further includes an insert that is partially disposed within the aperture of the base portion. The insert includes an orifice disposed within the aperture of the base portion and a forward portion of the insert extends axially outwardly from the aperture. The orifice is in fluid communication with the fuel flow passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Donald Mark Bailey, Lucas John Stoia
  • Patent number: 10683766
    Abstract: A static wear seal for an interface between two components is provided. The static wear seal includes a body portion including a receptacle configured to receive an insert portion. The insert portion is disposed within the receptacle. The receptacle is formed within the body portion at a surface of the body portion known to wear due to contact with a turbine component and includes a locking means such that the insert portion is retained within the receptacle. The insert portion is configured to receive wear due to contact with the turbine component. A transition seal assembly for a gas turbine engine including at least two seals wherein one of the two seals is a static wear seal is provided as well as a method to protect a wear surface of a static wear seal sealing an interface between the turbine components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew H. Lang, James M. Hurney, Charalambos Polyzopoulos
  • Patent number: 10612780
    Abstract: A combustion chamber arrangement comprises an annular combustion chamber, an outer casing, an inner casing and a stage of outlet guide vanes arranged at the downstream end of the combustion chamber interconnecting the outer casing and the inner casing. The combustion chamber comprises an upstream wall structure, a radially inner cowl is removably secured to a radially inner axially extending flange by fasteners and a radially outer wall structure and a radially outer cowl are removably secured to a radially outer axially extending flange by fasteners. The flange is slidably mounted on the radially inner wall structure. The flange has at least one recess in its radially inner surface and the fasteners are arranged in the recess in the radially inner surface of the flange. The cowl abuts the radially outer surface of the flange and the radially inner wall structure abuts the radially inner surface of the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventor: Thomas G. Mulcaire
  • Patent number: 10598037
    Abstract: An air-fire seal designed to be attached to a first tubular member of a turbomachine, such as a bleed duct, and to rest against a second member of the turbomachine, such as an intermediate casing hub, includes an attachment base having an annular shape around a reference axis (Y); a first annular fire-stop lip extending from the attachment base over a first length (L1); and a second annular air-sealing lip extending from the attachment base over a second length (L2) lower than the first length and facing the first lip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Bruno Alexandre Didier Jacon, Damien Clément Didier Cordier, Gonzague Marie Come Jacques André Elluin, Florian Benjamin Kévin Lacroix, Philippe Didier Edmon André Libéral Nabias, Julien Vitra
  • Patent number: 10571127
    Abstract: The gas turbine combustor includes a swirler lip on the air hole plate periphery, protruding toward a chamber, and a spring seal in an area for fitting the liner and the plate/lip. The spring seal has an air hole for passage of part of the combustion air introduced in the gap between the outer periphery of the air hole plate and the liner. The swirler lip has an air hole which introduces part of the combustion air passing through the spring seal air hole into the chamber. The liner has an air hole facing the spring seal air hole, to introduce part of air from outside the liner into the gap between the outer periphery of the air hole plate and the liner. A turn guide for rectifying a combustion air flow is provided at the liner end portion on the side for fitting the liner and air hole plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Sytems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keisuke Miura, Yasuhiro Akiyama, Tomohiro Asai, Kazuki Abe, Mitsuhiro Karishuku, Satoshi Dodo, Akinori Hayashi, Yoshitaka Hirata, Noboru Okuyama
  • Patent number: 10550767
    Abstract: A method of installing a segment of a recuperator within an exhaust duct of a gas turbine engine, including positioning the segment such that its exhaust inlet is in fluid flow communication with the turbine section and its exhaust outlet is adapted to deliver an exhaust flow to atmosphere, engaging its air inlet to a plenum in fluid flow communication with the compressor discharge, and engaging its air outlet to another plenum containing the combustor. One of engaging the air inlet and engaging the air outlet includes forming a rigid connection providing sealed fluid flow communication with the corresponding plenum, and the other of engaging the air inlet and engaging the air outlet includes forming a floating connection providing sealed fluid flow communication with the corresponding plenum. The floating connection allows relative movement of the segment within the exhaust duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Andreas Eleftheriou, David Menheere, Daniel Alecu
  • Patent number: 10429070
    Abstract: A combustor assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a combustor dome and a combustion chamber liner formed integrally of a ceramic matrix composite material. The combustor dome defines a plurality of openings for receiving a respective plurality of fuel air injector hardware assemblies and may extend continuously along a circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Andrew Hannwacker, Stephen John Howell
  • Patent number: 10344977
    Abstract: A combustion chamber arrangement has an annular outer wall and an annular inner wall having an upstream row of tiles and a downstream row of tiles. The outer wall has a concave bend which is less than 175°. The downstream end of the upstream tiles and the upstream end of the downstream tiles are adjacent the concave bend. The downstream ends of the upstream tiles are spaced at a greater distance from the inner surface of the annular outer wall than the upstream end of the downstream tiles. The upstream tiles have curved lips extending in a downstream direction which overlap but are spaced radially from the upstream ends of the downstream tiles. The outer wall has a row of apertures to direct coolant onto the outer surfaces of the curved lips and the upstream tiles has a row of apertures extending to the inner surfaces of the curved lips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Thomas G Mulcaire, Robert A Hicks, Marcus Foale
  • Patent number: 10030872
    Abstract: A mixing joint for adjacent can combustors may include a first can combustor with a first combustion flow and a first wall, a second can combustor with a second combustion flow and a second wall, and a flow disruption surface positioned about the first wall and the second wall to promote mixing of the first combustion flow and the second combustion flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Gunnar Leif Siden, Clint L. Ingram
  • Patent number: 9896966
    Abstract: A tie rod includes a gusset which extends between a rod and a base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Dale William Petty
  • Patent number: 9803487
    Abstract: A transition duct system for routing a gas flow in a combustion turbine engine is provided. The transition duct system includes one or more converging flow joint inserts forming a trailing edge at an intersection between adjacent transition ducts. The converging flow joint insert may be contained within a converging flow joint insert receiver and may be disconnected from the transition duct bodies by which the converging flow joint insert is positioned. Being disconnected eliminates stress formation within the converging flow joint insert, thereby enhancing the life of the insert. The converging flow joint insert may be removable such that the insert can be replaced once worn beyond design limits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: David J. Wiebe, Andrew Carlson, Kyle C. Stoker
  • Patent number: 9482107
    Abstract: A sealing element is provided for sealing a leak path between a radial outer platform of a turbine nozzle and a carrier ring for carrying said radial outer platform. The carrier ring has an axially facing carrier ring surface and the radial outer platform has an axially facing platform surface. The carrier ring surface forms a first sealing surface and the platform surface forming a second sealing surface. The first and second sealing surfaces is aligned in a plane with a radial gap between them. The sealing element includes a leaf seal adapted to cover the gap between the first and second sealing surfaces, and an impingement plate for allowing impingement cooling of a radial outer surface of the radial outer platform. The impingement plate is adapted to be fixed to the turbine nozzle. The sealing element may be part of a nozzle arrangement of a gas turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Stephen Batt
  • Patent number: 9297536
    Abstract: A combustor assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a static structure and an annular combustor extending around a central axis and located radially inwards of the static structure. The annular combustor includes an annular outer shell and an annular inner shell that define an annular combustion chamber there between. The annular combustor is free of any rigid attachments directly between the static structure and the annular outer shell. The annular outer shell includes a radially-outwardly extending flange. A stop member is rigidly connected with the static structure and is located adjacent the radially-outwardly extending flange such that axial-forward movement of the annular combustor is limited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan Jeffery Eastwood, Kevin Joseph Low
  • Patent number: 9285121
    Abstract: A cooling circuit of a gas turbine passes an airflow through a combustor section that includes a plurality of mixing tubes for transporting a fuel/air mixture and a perforated plate including a plurality of impingement holes and a plurality of tube holes for accommodating the mixing tubes. The tube holes and the mixing tubes form a plurality of annulus areas between the perforated plate and the mixing tubes. The impingement holes and the annulus areas are configured to pass the airflow through the perforated plate. A flow management device modifies an effective size of the annulus areas to control a distribution of the airflow through the impingement holes and the annulus areas of the perforated plate to enhance cooling efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Keener, Jason Thurman Stewart, Thomas Edward Johnson, Jonathan Dwight Berry
  • Patent number: 9284969
    Abstract: A thermal expansion joint suited for metal sheet component assemblies and method of connection is described. The expansion joint connection is formed by overlapping edge portions of components which are subject to different temperatures. Slot apertures are formed in the edge portion of a first component at predetermined locations and hole apertures are formed in the edge portion of the second component and disposed for confronting alignment with the slot apertures. A connecting sleeve is disposed in each hole aperture and projects through the hole and associated slot and a retention washer is secured over an end of the connecting sleeve on the other side of the second component. A fastener extends through the retention washer and the connecting sleeve to clampingly interconnect the overlapped edge portions of the first and second components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Eric Durocher, Guy Lefebvre
  • Patent number: 9249678
    Abstract: A transition duct for a combustor of a gas turbine generally includes a transition duct having a frame at an aft end of the transition duct. The frame generally includes a downstream end, a radially outer portion, a radially inner portion opposed to the radially outer portion, a first side portion between the radially outer and inner portions, and a second side portion opposed to the first side portion. A slot in the first side portion of the frame may have a downstream surface adjacent to the downstream end of the frame. A heat shield having an inner surface, an outer surface and a plurality of spacers may extend generally outward from the heat shield inner surface such that the inner surface is adjacent to the slot downstream surface and the frame downstream end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: John Alfred Simo, Patrick Benedict Melton, Richard Martin DiCintio, Christopher Paul Willis
  • Patent number: 9243561
    Abstract: A combustor head arrangement including a heatshield including an aperture therethrough. A meter panel having a cold side and a hot side, an aperture and a slot. At least one of the meter panel and the heatshield has a retaining feature on the cold side; one of the meter panel and the heatshield has an anti-rotation feature. The arrangement includes a burner seal sized to fit through the aperture in the meter panel from the hot side towards the cold side. The burner seal has a tang configured to pass through the slot when the burner seal is in a first orientation and to be retained by the retaining feature and the anti-rotation feature when the burner seal is rotated to a second orientation. Also a method of assembling the combustor head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Michael Lawrence Carlisle
  • Patent number: 9212567
    Abstract: A gas duct for a gas turbine through which exhaust gases from the gas turbine are discharged to an outside includes a concentric inner casing and an outer casing disposed at a distance from the inner casing and concentrically encompassing the inner casing. A plurality of radial support struts interconnect the inner casing and the outer casing. Each of the support struts, the inner casing and the outer casing each have a heat-resistant lining disposed so as to provide protection against heat from the exhaust gases. The heat-resistant the linings of each of the support struts, the inner casing and the outer casing are divided in each case into a plurality of separate segments that are fastened to a support structure in an arrangement that provides an individual entirely or almost stress-free thermal expansion of each of the plurality of separate segments in an expansion plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventors: Marc Rauch, Tobias Steffen, Joachim Krautzig, Amin Busekros, Juergen Pacholleck
  • Patent number: 9188342
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present application can provide systems and methods for dampening combustor dynamics. According to one embodiment, the system may include a micromixer. The system may also include at least one annular resonator disposed within the micromixer adjacent to a cap face plate or an impingement plate of the micromixer. The at least one annular resonator may include a first side including a number of holes forming a cold side hole pattern, a second side including a number of holes forming a hot side hole pattern, and a cavity substantially defined by the first side and the second side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Patrick Benedict Melton, James Harold Westmoreland
  • Patent number: 9175855
    Abstract: The present application provides a combustion nozzle for use with a gas turbine engine. The combustion nozzle may include a number of mixing tubes, an outer shell surrounding the mixing tubes, and a floating aft plate assembly. The floating plate assembly may enclose the outer shell. The mixing tubes may extend through the aft plate assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Daniel Gerritt Wegerif, Jonathan Dwight Berry, Carl Robert Barker
  • Patent number: 9175857
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a cap insert for a combustor fuel nozzle cap assembly. The cap insert generally includes a cap plate that defines a fuel nozzle passage and may have an upstream peripheral edge. An impingement plate having a body may generally define an axially extending annular sleeve and a radially outer portion that circumferentially surrounds the body. The radially outer portion may include an upstream end axially separated from a downstream end. The axially extending annular sleeve may define an annular passage through the body. The cap plate upstream peripheral edge may be contiguous with the downstream end of the impingement plate body radially outer portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Patrick Benedict Melton, Robert Joseph Rohrssen, Thomas Edward Johnson