Search Patents
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR HOT AMBIENT AND GRID FREQUENCY COMPENSATION FOR A GAS TURBINE
    Publication number: 20130038072
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a gas turbine are disclosed. The gas turbine can include a compressor oversized in airflow capacity and one or variable blade rows to control the airflow into the compressor. The position of the variable blade rows can be controlled according to a nominal variable blade row schedule that is defined to throttle down the variable blade rows to provide nominal flow into the compressor. The positions of the variable blade rows can be adjusted from the nominal positions set forth in the variable blade row schedule pursuant to a request to operate the gas turbine system in either a controlled output mode or in a frequency compensation mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Christopher Edward Miller, Philip L. Andrew
  • TURBINE AIRFOIL AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING A TEMPERATURE OF A TURBINE AIRFOIL
    Publication number: 20130039758
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a turbine airfoil includes a platform and a blade extending from the platform. The airfoil also includes a slot formed in a slashface of the platform, the slot being configured to receive a pressurized fluid via passages and configured to direct the pressurized fluid to a selected region of the turbine airfoil to improve airfoil life.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Aaron Ezekiel Smith, Bradley Taylor Boyer, Anthony Louis Giglio, Ross James Gustafson, Christopher Michael Penny
  • SEAL ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR FLOWING HOT GAS IN A TURBINE
    Publication number: 20130038022
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a seal assembly includes a mounting structure coupled to an inner static structure in a turbine. Further, the seal assembly includes a brush seal member coupled to the mounting structure, wherein the brush seal member includes a first end that is in sealing contact with a rotor and a second end in sealing contact with a stator and wherein the brush seal member includes a plurality of bristles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Karimulla Shaik Sha
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MEASURING TURBINE SHELL CLEARANCE
    Publication number: 20130039743
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring turbine rotor-to-stator clearances and a method for assembling a turbomachine based on the measured clearances are disclosed. In an embodiment, at least one clearance sensor is inserted into a stator of a turbomachine. Using the sensor, tops-on clearance between a rotor blade tip and an inner surface of a stator is measured while an upper stator shell, a rotor, a lower stator shell are assembled together; and a tops-off clearance is measured while the lower stator shell and a rotor are assembled together. A tops-on/tops-off shift, i.e., a difference between the tops-on clearance and the tops-off clearance, is determined. The turbine can be assembled by adjusting a relative position of the rotor and stator to account for the tops-on/tops-off shift.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Fred Thomas Willett, JR.
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR IMAGE DETECTION
    Publication number: 20130039533
    Abstract: A method is provided for image detection. The method includes measuring a temperature of an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter of an imaging system during an imaging scan of an object, and correcting a gain of the A/D converter based on the measured temperature of the A/D converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Joseph James Lacey, Russell Hum, Ashutosh Joshi
  • SILENCER MODULE FOR A GENERATOR COLLECTOR VENTILATION SYSTEM AND METHOD OF REDUCING A SOUND SIGNATURE OF A GENERATOR COLLECTOR
    Publication number: 20130038149
    Abstract: A generator collector ventilation system includes a ventilation inlet duct formed in a support foundation. The ventilation inlet duct has a first end that extends to a second end. The second end is configured and disposed to direct ventilation fluid into a generator collector housing. A ventilation outlet duct is formed in the support foundation. The ventilation outlet duct includes a first end portion that extends to a second end portion. The second end portion is configured and disposed to direct ventilation fluid from the generator collector housing. A silencer module is arranged in one of the ventilation inlet duct and the ventilation outlet duct. The silencer module is configured and disposed to condition the ventilation fluid passing through the generator collector housing to lower an overall noise signature of the generator collector ventilation system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Richard Lynn Loud, Albert Eugene Steinbach, Etienne Mangin
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING A COMBUSTOR
    Publication number: 20130040254
    Abstract: A combustor 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 aligned substantially parallel to the axial centerline. A sensor extends inside the center body and is generally adjacent to the plenum, wherein the sensor detects a condition proximate to the combustor nozzle. A method for monitoring a combustor includes flowing a fuel through a center body axially aligned in a nozzle and flowing a working fluid through an annular passage substantially parallel to and radially outward of the center body. The method further includes sensing a condition inside the combustor using a sensor located inside the center body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Anthony Wayne Krull, Krishnakumar Venkataraman
  • METHODS AND APPARATUS TO PERFORM MULTI-FOCAL PLANE IMAGE ACQUISITION AND COMPRESSION
    Publication number: 20130038750
    Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to perform multi-focal plane image acquisition and compression are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes capturing a first image of a portion of an object at a first focal plane and at a first resolution, computing a contrast metric for the captured first image, comparing the contrast metric to a threshold to determine whether to capture a second image of the portion of the object at the first focal plane and at a second resolution, wherein the second resolution is different from the first resolution, capturing the second image of the portion of the object at the first focal plane and at the second resolution, and storing a first representation of the second image in a file, the file containing a second representation of the portion of the object at a second focal plane, wherein the second representation is at the first resolution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Shai Dekel, Anthony Melanson
  • DUAL DIRECTION AXIAL FAN
    Publication number: 20130039766
    Abstract: A dual direction axial fan is provided and includes a body having a retention assembly and being rotatable in first or second directions, a blade being retained by the retention assembly such that the airfoil section extends from the body with the blade assuming first, second or third orientations and a switching mechanism coupled to the retention assembly to urge the blade to assume the second or the third orientation when the body rotates in the first or the second direction, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Hari Kiran Murikipudi, Ravindra Gopal Gardas, Mandar Ranganath Rai
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING FLOW IN TURBOMACHINERY
    Publication number: 20130039772
    Abstract: A system includes a turbine. The turbine includes a first turbine blade comprising a leading edge, a blade platform coupled to the first turbine blade, and a protrusion disposed on the blade platform adjacent the leading edge of the first turbine blade. The protrusion is configured to increase a first static pressure of a cooling flow near the leading edge above a second static pressure of a hot gas flow near the leading edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sushil Babu Mane, Karthik Srinivasan, Vishal Rajpurohit
  • Variable Stator Vane Control System
    Publication number: 20130039736
    Abstract: The present application provides a variable stator vane control system. The variable stator vane control system may include a variable stator vane positioned by an actuator and a trimmer motor, a resolver to determine a position of the variable stator vane, and a controller in communication with the resolver, the actuator, and the trimmer motor to prevent over travel of the variable stator vane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Daniel Richard Waugh, Brian Allen Rittenhouse
  • SMART GRID DEVICE DISPLAY CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20130038456
    Abstract: A smart grid device display control system can include a demand response management system, a smart meter operatively coupled to the demand response management system, and a smart grid device operatively coupled to the smart meter, the smart grid device including a lighted display configured to power cycle in response to a power cycle indication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Jimmy Sfaelos
  • Liquid cooled thermal control system and method for cooling an imaging detector
    Publication number: 20130037251
    Abstract: A liquid cooled thermal control system and method for cooling an imaging system are provided. One imaging system is a computed tomography (CT) system having a detector that is positioned on a detector rail. The detector includes a plurality of detector components. At least some of the detector components are configured to detect x-rays. A liquid cooled thermal control system is provided having cooling channels in thermal communication with the detector rail. The cooling channels have a cooling fluid flowing therethrough to control a temperature of the detector components in response to one or more disturbances that changes a temperature of the x-ray detector. A control module is also provided in the liquid cooled thermal control system to adjust parameters of the liquid cooled thermal control system in response to the disturbances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ashutosh Joshi, Joseph Lacey, Venkatarao Ryali
  • SYSTEM, METHOD, AND COMPUTER SOFTWARE CODE FOR DISTRIBUTING AND MANAGING DATA FOR USE BY A PLURALITY OF SUBSYSTEMS ON A LOCOMOTIVE
    Publication number: 20130041547
    Abstract: A communication system for controlling sharing of data across a plurality of subsystems on a locomotive, the communication system including an open defined interface unit configured so that a plurality of applications may access locomotive control system data in a common defined manner with predictable results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: General Electric Company
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DYNAMIC SPARE PART MANAGEMENT
    Publication number: 20130041783
    Abstract: A dynamic spare part management system includes a database stored in a memory of a computing device, the database including at least fired hours and starts for a plurality of parts in a machine and a controller coupled to the database configured to create model factors after receiving an indication of a maintenance event on the machine. The controller is also configured to create updated models from existing models and the model factors. The system further includes a part replacement engine that creates an updated part replacement model based on the updated model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Jeevan Jyoti, Shyamal Duggal, Muralimohan Reddy
  • GAS TURBINE COMBUSTOR HAVING COUNTERFLOW INJECTION MECHANISM AND METHOD OF USE
    Publication number: 20130036745
    Abstract: In accordance with certain embodiments, a system and method of use includes a counterflow injection mechanism. The counterflow injection mechanism includes a fuel-air injection mechanism having fuel and air passages leading to fuel and air injection openings, wherein the fuel and air injection openings are disposed at an off-center position and a generally counterflow direction relative to a generally lengthwise flow axis of a gas turbine combustor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: General Electric Company
  • TURBOMACHINE COMPONENT HAVING AN AIRFOIL CORE SHAPE
    Publication number: 20130039771
    Abstract: A turbomachine component includes a turbine stator nozzle member having an airfoil core shape. The airfoil core shape includes a nominal profile substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y, and Z set forth in TABLE 1, and wherein X and Y are distances in inches which, when connected by smooth continuing arcs, define airfoil profile sections at each distance Z in inches, the profile sections at the Z distances being joined smoothly with one another to form a complete airfoil core shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Benjamin Michael Check, Craig Allen Bielek, Hal Feaster Pollard, Sivaraman Vedhagiri
  • SELF-ADJUSTING SEAL
    Publication number: 20130039738
    Abstract: A sealing system that self-adjusts according to atmospheric conditions is disclosed. The sealing system includes an annular seal casing mounted on a stationary component, the annular seal casing positioned such that a rotating component extends therethrough, at least one annular sealing agent configured to radially move with respect to the rotating component between a sealed position and an unsealed position, at least one sensor for gathering atmospheric data, and at least one micro-mechanism configured to control the at least one annular sealing agent based on the atmospheric data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Mandar Ranganath Rai, Sachin Vitthal Mahajan, Gireesh Anantacharya Namannavar
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CHARGING AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE USING BROADBAND OVER POWERLINES
    Publication number: 20130041854
    Abstract: A method for delivering energy to an electric vehicle includes coupling the electric vehicle to an energy delivery point via a connector, receiving a unique identifier of the electric vehicle via the connector, determining an account associated with the identifier, delivering an amount of energy to the electric vehicle via the connector, and determining a transaction amount based on the amount of energy delivered to the electric vehicle by the energy delivery point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventor: General Electric Company
  • TURBOMACHINE COMBUSTOR ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20130036743
    Abstract: A combustor assembly includes a combustor body having a combustion chamber, and a nozzle support mounted to the combustor body. The nozzle support includes a central opening, and a plurality of openings extending about the central opening. A central flame tolerant nozzle assembly is positioned within the central opening, and a plurality of micro-mixer nozzle assemblies are mounted in respective ones of the plurality of openings about the central flame tolerant nozzle assembly. Each of the central flame tolerant nozzle assembly and the plurality of micro-mixer nozzle assemblies are configured and disposed to deliver an air-fuel mixture into the combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Abdul Rafey Khan, Krishna Kumar Venkataraman