Steven W Backman

US Patent:

7386982, Jun 17, 2008

Filed:

Oct 26, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/973482

Inventors:

Mark Andrew Runkle - Schenectady NY, US
Steven William Backman - Simpsonville SC, US
Paul David Black - Greenville SC, US
Mark Andrew Cournoyer - Schenectady NY, US
Kevin Andrew Spengler - Marietta GA, US
Daniel D. Morrison - Roswell GA, US
Robert Joseph Iasillo - Simpsonville SC, US
Christopher David Miller - Clifton Park NY, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

F02C 7/00
F02C 9/46

US Classification:

60779, 60 39094

Abstract:

A method of operating a gas turbine engine is provided. The method includes introducing a fuel into a combustor, detecting a failure of ignition of the fuel, and preventing ignition until the introduced fuel is substantially removed from the gas turbine engine.

US Patent:

7664590, Feb 16, 2010

Filed:

May 29, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/128864

Inventors:

Mark Andrew Runkle - Schenectady NY, US
Steven William Backman - Simpsonville SC, US
Paul David Black - Greenville SC, US
Mark Andrew Cournoyer - Schenectady NY, US
Kevin Andrew Spengler - Marietta GA, US
Daniel D. Morrison - Roswell GA, US
Robert Joseph Iasillo - Simpsonville SC, US
Christopher David Miller - Clifton Park NY, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

G06F 19/00

US Classification:

701100, 701101, 701107, 60 39094

Abstract:

A method of operating a gas turbine engine is provided. The method includes introducing a fuel into a combustor, detecting a failure of ignition of the fuel, and preventing ignition until the introduced fuel is substantially removed from the gas turbine engine.

US Patent:

7721521, May 25, 2010

Filed:

Nov 7, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/268247

Inventors:

Kevin Lee Kunkle - Simpsonville SC, US
Steven William Backman - Simpsonville SC, US
David John Chrisfield - Greenville SC, US
David William Smith - Greenville SC, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

F02G 3/00

US Classification:

60 39094, 60772

Abstract:

A method of operating a fuel system is provided. The method includes removing fuel from at least a portion of the fuel system using a gravity drain process. The method also includes channeling nitrogen into at least a portion of the fuel system to facilitate removing air and residual fuel from at least a portion of the fuel system, thereby mitigating a formation of carbonaceous precipitate particulates. The method further includes removing air and nitrogen from at least a portion of the fuel system during a fuel refilling process using a venting process such that at least a portion of the fuel system is substantially refilled with fuel and substantially evacuated of air and nitrogen. The method also includes removing air from at least a portion of the refilled fuel system using a venting process. The method further includes recirculating fuel within at least a portion of the fuel system, thereby removing heat from at least a portion of the fuel system and facilitating a transfer of operating fuel modes.

US Patent:

7730711, Jun 8, 2010

Filed:

Nov 7, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/268041

Inventors:

Kevin Lee Kunkle - Simpsonville SC, US
Steven William Backman - Simpsonville SC, US
David William Smith - Greenville SC, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

F02G 3/00

US Classification:

60 39094

Abstract:

A method of operating a fuel system is provided. The method includes removing fuel from at least a portion of the fuel system using a gravity drain process. The method also includes channeling nitrogen into at least a portion of the fuel system to facilitate removing air and residual fuel from at least a portion of the fuel system, thereby mitigating a formation of carbonaceous precipitate particulates. The method further includes removing air and nitrogen from at least a portion of the fuel system during a fuel refilling process using a venting process, such that at least a portion of the fuel system is substantially refilled with fuel and substantially evacuated of air and nitrogen. The method also includes removing air from at least a portion of the refilled fuel system using a venting process.

US Patent:

8176721, May 15, 2012

Filed:

Apr 9, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/757208

Inventors:

Kevin Lee Kunkle - Simpsonville SC, US
Steven William Backman - Simpsonville SC, US
David John Chrisfield - Greenville SC, US
David William Smith - Greenville SC, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

F02G 3/00

US Classification:

60 39094

Abstract:

A method of operating a fuel system is provided. The method includes removing fuel from at least a portion of the fuel system using a gravity drain process. The method also includes channeling nitrogen into at least a portion of the fuel system to facilitate removing air and residual fuel from at least a portion of the fuel system, thereby mitigating a formation of carbonaceous precipitate particulates. The method further includes removing air and nitrogen from at least a portion of the fuel system during a fuel refilling process using a venting process such that at least a portion of the fuel system is substantially refilled with fuel and substantially evacuated of air and nitrogen. The method also includes removing air from at least a portion of the refilled fuel system using a venting process. The method further includes recirculating fuel within at least a portion of the fuel system, thereby removing heat from at least a portion of the fuel system and facilitating a transfer of operating fuel modes.

US Patent:

8381529, Feb 26, 2013

Filed:

Jan 29, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/362442

Inventors:

Roger Doyle - Greenville SC, US
Steven Backman - Simpsonville SC, US
William Seely - Taylors SC, US
Leslie Tong - Roswell GA, US
Carlos Hein - Greenville SC, US
Steven Rose - Simpsonville SC, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

F02C 1/00

US Classification:

60772, 60 3953

Abstract:

A system includes a water injection system configured to supply water from a pressure regulating valve to a water manifold of a turbine engine. The system also includes a drain valve configured to drain at least a portion of the water from the pressure regulating valve during a start-up period of the water injection system at least until a stable water pressure is achieved downstream of the pressure regulating valve.

US Patent:

20140060072, Mar 6, 2014

Filed:

Sep 4, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/603030

Inventors:

Steven William Backman - Simpsonville SC, US
Michael Bull - Ingelheim Am Rhein, DE
Markus Feigl - Simpsonville SC, US
Stephen Kent Fulcher - Greenville SC, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

F02C 7/26

US Classification:

60778

Abstract:

A method of starting a gas turbine system is provided. The method includes approximating a temperature of at least one turbine system component. Also included is selectively determining a flow rate for a fuel to be delivered to a combustor for combustion therein, wherein the flow rate is dependent upon the temperature of the at least one turbine system component. Further included is delivering the fuel to the combustor at the flow rate selectively determined.

US Patent:

6729135, May 4, 2004

Filed:

Dec 12, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/317177

Inventors:

Eric Steven Norris - Simpsonville SC
Steven William Backman - Greenville SC
Robert Joseph Iasillo - Glenville NY
Kevin Jon ODell - Rensselaer NY
David J. Van Buren - Mechanicville NY
Michael J. Alexander - Saratoga Springs NY
Mark Andrew Cournoyer - Charlton NY
Mark Andrew Johnson - Simpsonville SC
Colin Wilkes - Delanson NY

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

F01K 1302

US Classification:

60646, 60657

Abstract:

A recirculation system for circulating distillate during gas fuel operation so as to reduce or eliminate distillate carbon formation. The recirculation system keeps the distillates temperature below the carbon formation limit by circulating the distillate back to a heat sink and/or heat exchanger. The recirculating flow also exercises the flow dividers gears without having to perform fuel transfers. Further, the system evacuates air from the liquid fuel lines to further decrease the likelihood of carbonaceous residue forming on any interior surfaces that are actually exposed to distillate.