Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090211260 | Multi-Spool Intercooled Recuperated Gas Turbine - A method and apparatus are disclosed for a gas turbine power plant with a variable area turbine nozzle and an integrated motor/alternator device for starting the gas turbine and power extraction after starting. | 08-27-2009 |
20090211739 | Heat Exchanger with Pressure and Thermal Stain Management - A heat exchange device of a type for affecting an exchange of heat between a first and second fluid is characterized by a plurality of heat exchange cells in a stacked arrangement and defining first, second and third manifolds. In certain aspects, an apparatus and method for reinforcing the heat exchange device against pressure loads while accommodating thermal expansion of the outlet manifold are provided. | 08-27-2009 |
20110240008 | Solar Receiver for Electric Power Conversion System - A solar receiver for conversion of solar radiation to thermal energy includes an enclosure defining a cavity and having an aperture for receiving an influx of concentrated solar radiation. A heat exchanger is received within the cavity for transferring heat out of the solar receiver. The heat exchanger comprises a plurality of heat exchange cells arranged in polygonal array within the cavity. Each heat exchange cell comprises an inlet, an outlet, and a heat exchange matrix interposed within a first volume defined between a first plate and a second plate spaced apart from the first plate. The inlet and outlet are in fluid communication with the first volume and the first plate, second plate, and heat exchange matrix are monolithically bonded as a unit. The first plate receives concentrated solar radiation and the heat exchange media defines a pathway for a fluid flowing from the inlet to the outlet between the first and second plates. The solar receiver further includes an inlet manifold in fluid communication with the inlet of each of the heat exchange cells and an outlet manifold in fluid communication with the outlet of the each of heat exchange cells. In a further aspect, a heat exchanger is provided. | 10-06-2011 |
20120000204 | MULTI-SPOOL INTERCOOLED RECUPERATED GAS TURBINE - A method and apparatus are disclosed for a multi-spool gas turbine power plant which utilizes motor/generator devices on two or more spools for starting the gas turbine and for power extraction after starting. Methods are disclosed for controlling engine responsiveness under changing load and/or ambient air conditions; providing a momentary power boost when required; providing some engine braking when needed; providing over-speed protection for the free power turbine when load is rapidly lowered or disconnected; charging an energy storage system; and restoring the compressors and/or turbines toward their operating lines when surge or choking limits are approached. | 01-05-2012 |
20120260662 | RADIATION SHIELD FOR A GAS TURBINE COMBUSTOR - A method is disclosed for directing flow to a combustor embedded in a recuperator while shielding the recuperator from radiative heat transfer from the combustor. The radiation heat shield also serves as a structural component to center the combustor within the recuperator core cavity and to allow motion between the combustor and recuperator as temperatures vary. The disclosure is illustrated by the example a gas turbine engine comprising three turbomachinery spools, an intercooler, a recuperator and a combustor. Thermal efficiency of such an engine can be increased by raising the high pressure turbine inlet temperature. It is a specific goal of the present disclosure to reduce radiative heating of a recuperator by a combustor which is housed substantially inside the recuperator. | 10-18-2012 |
20120324903 | HIGH EFFICIENCY COMPACT GAS TURBINE ENGINE - This disclosure relates to a highly efficient gas turbine engine architecture utilizing multiple stages of intercooling and reheat, ceramic technology, turbocharger technology and high pressure combustion. The approach includes utilizing a conventional dry low NOx combustor for the main combustor and thermal reactors for the reheat apparatuses. In a first configuration, there are three separate turbo-compressor spools and a free power turbine spool. In a second configuration, there are three separate turbo-compressor spools but no free power spool. In a third configuration, all the compressors and turbines are on a single shaft. Each of these configurations can include two stages of intercooling, two stages of reheat and a recuperator to preheat the working fluid before it enters the main combustor. | 12-27-2012 |
20130139519 | MULTI-SPOOL INTERCOOLED RECUPERATED GAS TURBINE - A method and apparatus are disclosed for a multi-spool gas turbine engine with a variable area turbine nozzle and a motor/alternator device on the highest pressure turbo-compressor spool for starting the gas turbine and power extraction during engine operation. During power down of the engine, the variable area turbine nozzle may be used in conjunction with power extraction to maintain a near constant combustor outlet temperature while controlling turbine inlet temperatures on the turbines downstream of the highest pressure turbine and controlling spool speed on the highest pressure turbine. | 06-06-2013 |
20130305730 | METHOD FOR PREHEATING FUELS IN A GAS TURBINE ENGINE - A method and apparatus are disclosed which are directed generally to gas turbine engine systems and specifically to a method utilizing a heat pipe or pipes associated with a thermal oxidizer for preheating a fuel-air mixture. This preheating of a fuel-air mixture allows a substantial reduction in size a thermal oxidizer used as a combustor so that it can be used with all fuels, especially natural gas. | 11-21-2013 |
20140196457 | CERAMIC-TO-METAL TURBINE SHAFT ATTACHMENT - A metallic-ceramic joint for a turbo-compressor spool is disclosed. A temperature-limited joint is moved from outside the bearings to between the bearings and near the center of the shaft joining the turbine and compressor. This placement can lower the temperature at and around the joint and reduces the sharp gradient (and associated thermal stress) naturally occurring between the turbine rotor and the cooler joint. The bearing closest to the compressor can be an oil bearing and the bearing closest to the turbine an air bearing. The bearing closest to the compressor and the bearing closest to the turbine can both be an oil bearing. The bearing closest to the compressor and the bearing closest to the turbine can both be an air bearing. Moving the metallic-ceramic joint between the bearings can provide sufficient isolation to enable the all-air bearing solution. | 07-17-2014 |