Combustor Or Fuel System Patents (Class 60/800)
  • Patent number: 8393161
    Abstract: A combustion chamber having a burner and a burner insert surrounding the burner while leaving a gap open towards the combustion chamber interior is provided. The burner insert comprises a carrier and a burner insert wall located in front of the carrier towards the combustion chamber interior, wherein a flow passage connected to a cooling-fluid source is formed between the carrier and the burner insert wall. The flow passage opens out into the gap between the burner and the burner insert and is otherwise sealed off from the combustion chamber interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Uwe Gruschka
  • Patent number: 8393154
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine fuel supply assembly which includes a fuel manifold mounted to a casing surrounding a combustor of the engine, and a plurality of fuel nozzles mounted to the fuel manifold. A mating interface between the fuel nozzles and the fuel manifold has at least one sealing element, and at least one aperture defined in the fuel nozzle proximate to the mating interface. The aperture is a non fuel conveying passage, and reduces conductive heat transfer to the sealing element by preventing a direct conductive heat transfer path between a hot region of the fuel nozzle and the sealing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventor: Victor Gandza
  • Patent number: 8388307
    Abstract: Embodiments of a turbine nozzle assembly are provided for deployment within a gas turbine engine (GTE) including a first GTE-nozzle mounting interface. In one embodiment, the turbine nozzle assembly includes a turbine nozzle flowbody, a first mounting flange configured to be mounted to the first GTE-nozzle mounting interface, and a first radially-compliant spring member coupled between the turbine nozzle flowbody and the first mounting flange. The turbine nozzle flowbody has an inner nozzle endwall and an outer nozzle endwall, which is fixedly coupled to the inner nozzle endwall and which cooperates therewith to define a flow passage through the turbine nozzle flowbody. The first radially-compliant spring member accommodates relative thermal movement between the turbine nozzle flowbody and the first mounting flange to alleviate thermomechanical stress during operation of the GTE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Smoke, Stony Kujala, Gregory O. Woodcock, Bradley Reed Tucker
  • Publication number: 20130042631
    Abstract: A seal end attachment is provided and includes a vessel through which a working fluid flows, the vessel being formed to define a recess with a mating surface therein, a seal contacting the mating surface and a pressing member being more responsive to a high temperature condition associated with the flow of the working fluid than the vessel and being disposed within the recess to press the seal against the mating surface responsive to the condition being present.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Sanjay Shankar Jadhav, Pradeep Jagannath Ghute, Ajay Gangadhar Patil, Rohit Pruthi
  • Patent number: 8375726
    Abstract: A combustor assembly in a gas turbine engine. The combustor assembly includes a combustor device coupled to a main engine casing, a first fuel injection system, a transition duct, and an intermediate duct. The combustor device includes a flow sleeve for receiving pressurized air and a liner disposed radially inwardly from the flow sleeve. The first fuel injection system provides fuel that is ignited with the pressurized air creating first working gases. The intermediate duct is disposed between the liner and the transition duct and defines a path for the first working gases to flow from the liner to the transition duct. An intermediate duct inlet portion is associated with a liner outlet and allows movement between the intermediate duct and the liner. An intermediate duct outlet portion is associated with a transition duct inlet section and allows movement between the intermediate duct and the transition duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Wiebe, Timothy A. Fox
  • Patent number: 8371126
    Abstract: In a gas turbine combustor, a cavity with which a plurality of first air passages communicates is formed by covering with a cover a concave portion of a top hat main body in which the first air passages are formed along the circumferential direction of the top hat main body, a plurality of second fuel passages that communicates with the first fuel passages are formed by connecting an inner ring and an outer ring to the top hat main body and by connecting the inner ring and the outer ring to each other, a peg is fixed on the inner ring to communicate with the second fuel passage through a third air passage, and thin wall portions that serve as a thermal elongation absorbing unit by which thermal elongation is absorbed are provided on the inner ring and the outer ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoto Nagai, Eigo Katou, Tetsu Konishi
  • Patent number: 8365538
    Abstract: The invention relates to a high temperature-resistant sealing assembly comprising a sealing segment and a component border which is connected to the sealing segment. A flexible sealing element is provided in order to joining the sealing segment and the component border. The invention is characterized in that the flexible sealing element compensates both thermal expansions and relative movements of the component border and the components resting against the sealing segment. The flexible sealing element and the sealing segment are subject to little wear and have a long service life. The invention further relates to a combustion chamber that is equipped with a high temperature-resistant sealing assembly as well as a gas turbine encompassing such a combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Tobias Buchal, Gregor Frank, Uwe Gruschka, Joachim Krützfeldt, Kai-Uwe Rogos, Axel Schaberg
  • Patent number: 8365533
    Abstract: A gas turbine combustion system includes a supporting fuel manifold including a plurality of fuel nozzle support openings and a plurality of fuel line passages, and an aft case defining at least part of a combustion zone. The supporting fuel manifold is connected to the aft case. A plurality of fuel nozzles are supported one each in the plurality of fuel nozzle support openings, and a plurality of fuel lines communicate with the plurality of fuel line passages. The plurality of fuel lines deliver fuel to the plurality of fuel nozzles via the plurality of fuel line passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas Edward Johnson, Christopher Mordaunt
  • Patent number: 8353165
    Abstract: A combustor assembly that includes a casing that includes a plenum, a combustor liner positioned within the plenum and defining a combustion chamber there within, and a transition piece that includes a forward portion that is coupled to the combustion liner and an aft portion that extends from the forward portion. The aft portion includes a transition piece frame. The transition piece frame includes an upstream surface, a downstream surface, and a radially inner surface extending between the upstream and downstream surfaces. The radially inner surface includes a leading edge that extends between the radially inner surface and the upstream surface. A plurality of first cooling passages extend from the upstream surface to the downstream surface. Each of the first cooling passages is oriented obliquely with respect to the leading edge from the upstream surface towards the downstream surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kevin Weston McMahan, Ronald James Chila
  • Patent number: 8353163
    Abstract: A fuel nozzle is provided. The fuel nozzle includes a heat shield, a fuel tube and a plurality of support members. The support members are radially interposed between the heat shield and the fuel tube. The support members are preferably cylindrical tubes, thus creating voids or pockets between the heat shield and the fuel tube. The cylindrical tubes are connected to one another at a first end are free at an opposed end. As such, the tubes can move or slide relative to one another. Further, the tubes preferably only contact one another with at most line contacts. The fuel nozzle may also include a tip portion that includes a tip heat shield that extends radially outward from the primary heat shield. The tip heat shield defines a cavity that connects with the central cavity of the heat shield. The fuel tube extends through the tip heat shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Woodward, Inc.
    Inventor: David S. Smith
  • Patent number: 8347636
    Abstract: A turbomachine includes a turbine section including a turbine inlet. A transition piece includes a transition piece inlet and a transition piece outlet. A ceramic matrix composite (CMC) bridge member links the transition piece outlet and the turbine inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey John Butkiewicz, Andres Jose Garcia-Crespo, Stanley Frank Simpson
  • Patent number: 8327649
    Abstract: Fuel injector assemblies with frictionally damped fuel supply members, including fuel feed strips. More particularly, the invention provides friction dampers and/or assemblies that frictionally damp movement of fuel supply members in at least one direction. Some of the embodiments provide a friction damper that is easily serviceable, and can be installed after final assembly of a fuel injector. Aspects of the invention are applicable to other components of fuel injectors and gas turbine engines in addition to fuel supply members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Fady Bishara, Jeffrey Lehtinen
  • Patent number: 8327648
    Abstract: A combustor liner for a gas turbine engine including first and second annular liner portions engaged to one another with an interference fit. The first liner portion includes at least one anti-rotation feature extending therefrom and engaging the second liner portion and having a threaded hole defined therethrough at least substantially perpendicularly to an adjacent radially extending surface of the second liner portion for threadingly receiving a pushing tool for pushing against that surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Stephen Phillips, Kenneth Parkman, Bhawan B. Patel, Pierrot Duchesne
  • Patent number: 8322146
    Abstract: A transition duct assembly with a thermally free aft frame and mounting system for use in a gas turbine engine are disclosed. The aft frame is capable of adjusting to thermal gradients while the mounting system provides for at least transverse movement of the transition duct during engine assembly. The mounting system also provides a means for raising the natural frequency of the transition duct outside of the engine's dynamic excitation ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Hany Rizkalla, Stephen W. Jorgensen, Peter Stuttaford, Plazi Ricklin, David John Henriquez
  • Patent number: 8312727
    Abstract: Fuel injector assemblies with frictionally damped fuel supply members, including fuel feed strips. More particularly, the invention provides friction dampers and/or assemblies that frictionally damp movement of fuel supply members in at least one direction as a function of frequency. Accordingly, low frequency vibration can be undamped, while vibration above a prescribed frequency can be damped. Some of the embodiments provide a friction damper that is easily serviceable, and can be installed after final assembly of a fuel injector. Aspects of the invention are applicable to other components of fuel injectors and gas turbine engines in addition to fuel supply members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Fady Bishara, Jeffrey Lehtinen
  • Patent number: 8291706
    Abstract: A bearing plate assembly for a turbine engine fuel injector includes a bearing plate 30, with an opening 80 bordered by a race 82. A swivel ball 90 nests inside the race and is rotatable relative thereto. A lock, which may be a tip bushing 108 resists disengagement of the swivel ball from the race. A fuel injector nozzle 38 extends through an opening 98 in the swivel ball. During engine operation, the ball can swivel inside the race to accommodate rotational movement of the nozzle about lateral and radial axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Keith M. Tanner, Philip J. Kirsopp
  • Patent number: 8281598
    Abstract: A gas turbine combustion chamber includes an essentially cylindrical flame tube 2, which is made of a ceramic material and circumferentially divided into several circumferential elements 10, 11, 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Deutchland Ltd & Co KG
    Inventors: Miklos Gerendas, Sermed Sadig
  • Patent number: 8276387
    Abstract: A fuel conveying member of a gas turbine engine is described and includes a fuel manifold defining an annular fuel flow passage through a body of the fuel manifold. A plurality of fuel nozzles extend from the manifold in fluid flow communication with the annular fuel flow passage. The fuel manifold includes integral attachment lugs thereon for mounting the fuel manifold within the gas turbine engine. The attachment lugs are adapted to receive pins therein and provide a mounting mechanism which allows for thermal expansion of the fuel manifold relative to a surrounding support structure to which the fuel manifold is mounted via the attachment lugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Lev Alexander Prociw, Harris Shafique, Jason Fish, Bhawan B. Patel
  • Patent number: 8266912
    Abstract: A system, one embodiment, includes an annular seal configured to seal a turbine fuel nozzle to a turbine combustor, wherein the annular seal includes a first annular seal portion having an inner annular surface, a first base portion, and a first peripheral portion opposite from the first base portion. The embodiment also includes the first annular seal portion configured to couple to a second annular seal portion having an outer annular surface, a second base portion, and a second peripheral portion opposite from the second base portion. Further, the embodiment includes the first and second peripheral portions sealable by a weld.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jonathan Dwight Berry, James T. Brown
  • Patent number: 8266914
    Abstract: A combustor heat shield sealing arrangement comprises a sealing rail extending from the combustor liner shell at the exit of the combustor for sealing engagement with a rail-less downstream end portion of the combustor heat shield. The sealing rail is offset relative to the downstream vane passage. Doing so may minimize the combustor/vane waterfall and, thus, minimize the horseshoe vortex effect at the leading edge of the turbine vanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Eduardo Hawie, Hayley Ozem
  • Patent number: 8261556
    Abstract: A device for guiding an element in an orifice in a wall of a turbomachine combustion chamber is disclosed. The device includes a coaxial ring and bushing mounted one inside the other. The bushing includes two coaxial annular parts that are fastened to each other by welding and that define a groove for guiding a rim of the ring. Welding zones between the parts of the bushing are situated away from the path of the rim of the ring when moved along a privileged transverse direction of ring movement relative to the bushing when the combustion chamber is in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Patrick Audin, Florian Andre Francois Bessagnet, Pierre Pascal Sablayrolles, Guillaume Sevi
  • Patent number: 8240045
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for coupling a first portion of a gas turbine transition duct to a second portion of a gas turbine transition duct to reduce vibratory deflection. The apparatus may comprise: at least one first support structure attached to the gas turbine transition duct first portion; at least one second support structure attached to the gas turbine transition duct second portion; and at least one coupling mechanism configured to couple the at least one first support structure to the at least one second support structure so as to allow sliding movement between the at least one first support structure and the at least one second support structure when a movement force of the at least one first support structure and the at least one second support structure exceeds a predefined frictional force threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Maz Sutcu, Bradley T. Youngblood
  • Patent number: 8225614
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a shim for sealing two adjacent turbine transition pieces is disclosed. The shim includes a circumferential member that includes a first lateral flange and a second lateral flange. Further, the first and second lateral flanges each comprise a tab configured to mate to a first surface plane and the first and second lateral flanges are configured to mate to a second surface plane, wherein the first and second surface planes are substantially parallel. In addition, the shim includes a first flange extending substantially perpendicular from the circumferential member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Benjamin Paul Lacy, Mehmet Demiroglu, Neelesh Nandkumar Sarawate
  • Patent number: 8220246
    Abstract: A crossfire tube assembly is configured for connecting adjacent combustion cans in a gas turbine, and includes a first tube segment having a first end and an opposite female end. A second tube segment has a first end and an opposite male end fitted concentrically within the female end with an overlap region between the female and male ends. Each of the first ends of the tube segments is configured for securing to a liner of a respective combustion can. Oppositely oriented first and second impingement sleeves extend from the female end of the first tube segment to the respective first ends of the tube segments. Combustion cooling air is directed through metering holes in the impingement sleeves and flows axially along concentric cavities defined between the impingement sleeves and the first and second tube segments. The combustion cooling air vents from the cavities into an axial combustion air flow stream between the respective combustion can liners and sleeves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Stanley Kevin Widener
  • Patent number: 8205457
    Abstract: In a gas turbine engine combustor and method for delivering purge gas thereto, a ferrule is generally coupled to the housing and moveable relative thereto. The ferrule has a primary opening through which a combustor component extends into a combustion chamber of the combustor. The ferrule further has a plurality of purge gas openings separate from and in transversely spaced relationship with the primary opening to allow purge gas to flow through the ferrule. In a first position of the ferrule at least one purge gas opening is blocked against the flow of purge gas therethrough and at least one other purge gas opening is unblocked against purge gas flow. In a second position of the ferrule at least one of the blocked purge gas openings of the first ferrule position is unblocked to permit the flow of purge gas therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Steven Joseph Lohmueller
  • Patent number: 8171719
    Abstract: An igniter assembly (10) of a gas turbine (12) is presented, including an igniter (14) disposed within an igniter housing (16). The igniter is extendable from the igniter housing through an opening (18) in a combustion liner (19) to an extended position, and is retractable from the extended position back through the opening to a retracted position (22). The igniter assembly further includes a compressible assembly (24) disposed between a base (26) of the igniter housing and the combustion liner to form a sealed interface (15) with a perimeter (28) of the opening (18). The compressible assembly is configured to restrict an air flow from passing between the igniter housing base and the perimeter of the opening. The compressible assembly is variable in length to accommodate a respective variation in a separation between the igniter housing base (26) and the opening (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: William R. Ryan
  • Patent number: 8166767
    Abstract: An assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a combustor and a vane assembly disposed downstream thereof. A portion of an outer platform of the vane assembly defines an axial sliding joint connection with the combustor, and includes a plurality of depressions located in an outer circumferential surface thereof opposite the combustor. The depressions are disposed in regions of expected higher thermal growth about the circumference of the outer platform such that thermal growth of the entire outer platform is substantially uniform circumferentially therearound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Nicolas Grivas, Bhawan B. Patel, Oleg Morenko, Eric Durocher
  • Patent number: 8146372
    Abstract: An annular combustion chamber has an inner wall and an outer wall of ceramic matrix composite material, together with a chamber end wall that is connected to the inner and outer walls. Elastically-deformable link elements connect the inner wall and the outer chamber walls to inner and outer metal casings. Each of the inner and outer chamber walls is subdivided circumferentially into adjacent sectors along longitudinal edges, each sector extending continuously from the end wall to the opposite end of the chamber and being folded outwards from the chamber at each of its longitudinal edges to form a portion having a U-shaped cross-section terminated by a folded-back margin that is spaced apart from the outer face of the corresponding chamber wall. The link elements are connected to the inner and outer chamber walls by being fastened to the sector margins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Snecma Propulsion Solide
    Inventors: Benoit Carrere, Georges Habarou, Patrick Spriet, Pierre Camy
  • Patent number: 8141371
    Abstract: An assembled annular combustion chamber comprises an annular inner wall and an annular outer wall made of ceramic matrix composite material together with a chamber end wall connected to the inner and outer walls and provided with orifices for receiving injectors. Elastically-deformable link parts connect the inner wall and the outer wall of the chamber to inner and outer casings that are made of metal. The assembly formed by the inner wall, the outer wall, and the combustion chamber end wall is subdivided circumferentially into adjacent chamber sectors, each sector being made as a single piece of ceramic composite material and comprising an inner wall sector, an outer wall sector, and a chamber end wall sector. The link parts connect the inner metal casing and the outer metal casing respectively to each inner wall sector of the combustion chamber and to each outer wall sector of the chamber. The chamber end wall sectors are in contact with a one-piece ring to which they are connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Snecma Propulsion Solide
    Inventors: Georges Habarou, Pierre Camy, Benoit Carrere, Eric Bouillon
  • Patent number: 8136359
    Abstract: Embodiments for minimizing relative thermal growth within a fuel nozzle of a gas turbine combustor are disclosed. Fuel nozzle configurations are provided in which a heating fluid is provided to one or more passages in a fuel nozzle from feed holes in the fuel nozzle base. The heating fluid passes through the fuel nozzle, thereby raising the operating temperature of portions of the fuel nozzle to reduce differences in thermal gradients within the fuel nozzle. Various fuel nozzle configurations and passageway geometries are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Power Systems Mfg., LLC
    Inventors: Peter Stuttaford, Paul Economo, Khalid Oumejjoud, Max Dufflocq, Hany Rizkalla
  • Patent number: 8132417
    Abstract: A gas turbine system includes a combustion chamber (2), a turbine (3), a radially inward and/or radially outward axial gap (4; 16, 17) between the combustion chamber (2) and the turbine (3), at which gap inner and/or outer combustion chamber walls (7, 8) and inner and/or outer turbine walls (11, 12) end, and a cooling gas supply (5), which via the gap (4; 16, 17) introduces a cooling gas into the turbine gas path (13) and/or into the combustion chamber gas path (9). An end section (21, 22, 23, 24) of the respective turbine wall (11, 12) and/or of the respective chamber wall (7, 8) adjoining the gap (4; 16, 17) is radially inwardly and/or radially outwardly, alternatingly formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Ulrich Steiger, Willy Heinz Hofmann
  • Patent number: 8122727
    Abstract: A combustion system for an engine, such as a gas turbine engine is provided. The combustion system has a ceramic component, such as ceramic combustor liner, and at least one metal support component, such as a metal ring or a plurality of metal cones, for providing radial and axial support to the ceramic component. The at least one metal support component includes a structure, such as axial slots or radial slots, for minimizing stress and for increasing compliance of the metal support component with respect to the ceramic component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Shi, Jason Lawrence, David J. Bombara, Richard S. Tuthill, Jeffrey D. Melman
  • Patent number: 8104291
    Abstract: An improved floating collar assembly for gas turbine combustion units consists of a sheet metal collar with a flat flange and an E seal that is pre-compressed within a block of epoxy. The collar fits over a corresponding fuel nozzle burner tube and is retained on a cap assembly by a flat plate. During assembly, the collar is loose so that it floats, which makes cap assembly easy. During operation, the epoxy used to pre-compress the E seal heats up and burns off, whereupon the E seal opens up and produces a seating load between the collar and plate that is high enough to keep the collar from rotating and thereby reduce collar wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Geoffrey David Myers, Xiaoguang Yu
  • Patent number: 8099963
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for mounting an igniter plug in a combustion chamber of a gas turbine engine contained in a casing, in which the combustion chamber has an axis YY, the mounting device comprising a hollow shaft, of axis XX, a floating igniter plug sleeve absorbing expansion along an axis perpendicular to the axis XX of the hollow shaft. The device is one which further comprises a hollow shaft sleeve such that the igniter plug sleeve is housed in the hollow shaft sleeve, and means of inclining said hollow shaft sleeve relative to the axis XX. Inclining the hollow shaft sleeve allows the chamber to be inclined relative to the axis XX.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Snecma
    Inventors: Christophe Pieussergues, Denis Jean Maurice Sandelis
  • Patent number: 8079219
    Abstract: Disclosed is a combustor seal including a seal support locatable at a first combustor component and having a plurality of through impingement holes. A wave-shaped seal located at the seal support and defining at least one seal cavity between the wave-shaped seal and the seal support. A peak of the wave-shaped seal is locatable at a second combustor component. The wave-shaped seal includes at least one through passageway located upstream of the peak capable of flowing cooling fluid therethrough into the at least one seal cavity and through the plurality of impingement holes thereby cooling the first combustor component. Further disclosed is a combustor including a combustor seal and a method for cooling a first combustor component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas Edward Johnson, Patrick Benedict Melton
  • Patent number: 8079220
    Abstract: A fuel distribution manifold system for a gas turbine engine is disclosed that includes a plurality of interconnected manifold segments, each manifold segment extending between a pair of fittings, each manifold segment including at least one fuel transfer tube and a sealing tube that surrounds the at least one fuel transfer tube, wherein opposed end portions of the at least one fuel transfer tube are dynamically connected to the fittings and opposed end portions of the sealing tube are statically connected to the fittings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Delavan Inc
    Inventor: Daniel T. Haggerty
  • Patent number: 8069673
    Abstract: Provided is a seal structure, according to the present invention, for sealing opposite surfaces of flanges between adjacent tail ducts, which can be prevented from being worn or aged deteriorated due to a thermal deformation in a high temperature atmosphere or vibration of a gas turbine combustor, and which can maintain a satisfactory sealing function for a long time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Kunitake, Kuniaki Aoyama, Kiyoshi Fujimoto, Masaharu Minami
  • Patent number: 8056346
    Abstract: A combustor includes a first wall, a second wall, an injector grommet, a combustor longitudinal axis, and a connection assembly indirectly connecting the first wall to the second wall. A portion of the injector grommet is disposed within a groove of the connection assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Lockyer, Stuart A. Greenwood
  • Patent number: 8051664
    Abstract: A system for mounting an internal fuel manifold within a gas generator case of a gas turbine engine includes at least one fastener support assembly having a fastener pin and at least one receiving element, respectively engaged to either the internal fuel manifold or the gas generator case. A biasing member is located between the fastener pin and the receiving element to axially preload the joint between the fastener pin and the receiving element, such as to constrain relative movement between the two parts in an axial direction while allowing relative movement in a radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventor: Jason Fish
  • Patent number: 8038389
    Abstract: A turbine nozzle assembly and a method for assembling the turbine nozzle assembly with respect to a combustor of a gas turbine engine are provided. The method includes coupling a radial outer retaining ring to an aft end of the combustor. A plurality of turbine nozzles are provided. Each turbine nozzle includes an inner band, a radially opposing outer band, and at least one vane extending between the inner band and the outer band. The outer band of each turbine nozzle is coupled to the outer retaining ring to define the turbine nozzle assembly. An inner retaining ring is positioned about an axis of the gas turbine engine and coupled to the inner band of each turbine nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brian P. Arness, John E. Greene, Sze Bun B. Chan
  • Patent number: 8028530
    Abstract: A turbomachine including an annular combustion chamber is disclosed. The combustion chamber includes a radially inner wall and a radially outer wall exhibiting symmetry of revolution. An annular chamber end wall equipped with a fuel injection device connects upstream ends of the inner and outer walls. A suspension device suspends the upstream end of the combustion chamber from an outer casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Patrice Andre Commaret, Sylvain Duval, Didier Hippolyte Hernandez, Yann Francois Jean-Claude Vuillemenot
  • Patent number: 8015706
    Abstract: A method of providing a floating collar for a gas turbine engine combustor is provided, and comprises providing an annular sheet metal blank and bending the blank to provide the floating collar with an axial extending annular collar portion, an annular flange portion extending radially from the collar portion and a smooth transition portion between the collar and flange portions. The arrangement offers reduced cost, and simplicity, and therefore facilitates manufacturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Inventors: Lorin Markarian, Bhawan Bhai Patel
  • Patent number: 8001791
    Abstract: The turbine engine assembly has a frame and a turbine engine spool. A strut couples the frame to the spool and an actuator couples the strut to the frame. The actuator has a spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Nagendra Somanath, Christopher M. Dye, Keshava B. Kumar
  • Patent number: 7987678
    Abstract: A hot gas duct, such as a combustion casing in a gas turbine engine, includes a duct splitter held within the hot gas duct in at least three, preferably four, locations spaced around a peripheral edge of the duct splitter. At least one, preferably two, of the holding locations each comprise a generally cylindrical mounting that projects through a wall of the hot gas duct to engage an edge portion of the duct splitter by means of a slot formed in a circular face of the mounting. Mutually contacting surfaces of the slot and the duct splitter comprise hard face coatings to combat wear due to vibration and differential thermal expansion and contraction. The mountings have cooling holes that penetrate the mounting, so that coolant can flow through the mountings and into the interior of the hot gas duct to cool the mountings and the hard face coatings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Orestes J. Maurell, Russell Bond Jones, Marion Duggans, Sejko Kolev
  • Patent number: 7966832
    Abstract: A combustor includes a first wall, a second wall, an injector grommet, a combustor longitudinal axis, and a connection assembly indirectly connecting the first wall to the second wall. A portion of the injector grommet is disposed within a groove of the connection assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Solar Turbines Inc
    Inventors: John Frederick Lockyer, Stuart Alexander Greenwood
  • Patent number: 7966819
    Abstract: Fuel injector assemblies with frictionally damped fuel supply members, including fuel feed strips. More particularly, the invention provides friction dampers and/or assemblies that frictionally damp movement of fuel supply members in at least one direction. Some of the embodiments provide a friction damper that is easily serviceable, and can be installed after final assembly of a fuel injector. Aspects of the invention are applicable to other components of fuel injectors and gas turbine engines in addition to fuel supply members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Fady Bishara, Jeffrey Lehtinen
  • Patent number: 7958734
    Abstract: A cover assembly disposed about a rotor in a gas turbine engine. The cover assembly comprises a first cover, a second cover, and securing structure. The first cover is disposed about the rotor and comprises a forward end and an opposed aft end. The first cover is associated with a case mounting structure that is fixed to an engine casing. The second cover is disposed about the rotor and comprises a forward end and an opposed aft end. At least a portion of the first cover is disposed radially outwardly from the second cover. The securing structure couples the first cover to the second cover and permits relative radial movement between the first and second covers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Hubertus E. Paprotna, Richard Colin Charron, Jody W. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20110120144
    Abstract: An annular combustion chamber for a turbomachine, such as a jet engine or a turboprop engine for an aircraft, including at the downstream end of one of its external or internal walls of revolution an annular flange for fastening to a casing of the turbomachine, the downstream end of the other wall of revolution of the chamber including a bearing mechanism which are spaced apart from another casing of the turbomachine when cold and bear radially on this casing when hot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: SNECMA
    Inventors: Caroline Jacqueline Denise Berdou, Sylvain Duval, Romain Nicolas Lunel
  • Patent number: 7946119
    Abstract: An arrangement for sealing an opening formed in a wall for receiving a member. The arrangement comprises a sealing member with a passage, and the sealing member is moveably mounted on the wall adjacent to the opening such that the sealing member passage is substantially co-axial with the opening in the wall. Biasing means for biasing the sealing member towards the wall are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventor: Alan Philip Geary
  • Patent number: 7937950
    Abstract: A device for fastening a second burner (SEV burner) (1) in a sequentially operated gas turbine arrangement, in which a fuel/air mixture is burnt in a first burner, so as to form hot gases which can subsequently be supplied, partly expanded, for a second combustion to the SEV burner (1), in which the burner is designed essentially as a flow duct, with a flow duct wall, which has an orifice (2), through which a fuel supply (3) can be introduced into the interior of the SEV burner (1), and on which are provided in the axial direction of the orifice (2), in each case opposite one another, two fastening structures (5), into which in each case a carrying structure for the further fastening of the SEV burner (1) to an external carrier (8) can be introduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Urs Benz, Thorsten Christoph Motzkus