Edward E Ekstedt

US Patent:

52514471, Oct 12, 1993

Filed:

Oct 1, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/955379

Inventors:

Narendra D. Joshi - Cincinnati OH
Edward E. Ekstedt - Montgomery OH
Michael J. Epstein - West Chester OH

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Cincinnati OH

International Classification:

F23R 332

US Classification:

60737

Abstract:

An air fuel mixer is disclosed having a mixing duct, a shroud surrounding the upstream end of the mixing duct having contained therein a fuel manifold in flow communication with a fuel supply and control means, a set of inner and outer counter-rotating swirlers adjacent the upstream end of the mixing duct, hollow vanes in at least the outer swirler having passages therethrough in fluid communication with the fuel manifold to inject fuel into the mixing duct, and a hub separating the inner and outer swirlers to allow independent rotation thereof, wherein high pressure air from a compressor is injected into the mixing duct through the swirlers to form an intense shear region and fuel is injected into the mixing duct from the swirler vanes so that the high pressure air and the fuel is uniformly mixed therein so as to produce minimal formation of pollutants when the fuel/air mixture is exhausted out the downstream end of the mixing duct into the combustor and ignited. Further, the air fuel mixer of the present invention may include passages in the wall of the mixing duct in fluid communication with the fuel manifold, a centerbody in the mixing duct having a passage therethrough to admit air into the downstream end of the mixing duct, and tubes extending from the passages in the swirler vanes and/or mixing duct wall to inject liquid fuel downstream of the swirlers.

US Patent:

41094590, Aug 29, 1978

Filed:

Feb 21, 1975

Appl. No.:

5/551545

Inventors:

Edward E. Ekstedt - Cincinnati OH
Edwin J. Beck - Cincinnati OH
Donald W. Bahr - Cincinnati OH
Barry Weinstein - Georgetown MA

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Cincinnati OH

International Classification:

F02C 718

US Classification:

60 3966

Abstract:

A combustor for use in a gas turbine engine is provided with a first wall defining a combustion zone; an outer casing partially defining a cooling plenum about the first wall; a second wall spaced apart from the first wall and defining together therewith a second plenum, the second wall bearing a plurality of perforations for passing fluid from the first plenum in impinging streams upon the first wall; and a plurality of ribs extending between the first and second walls and compartmentalizing the second plenum. The ribs add substantial stiffness to the combustor as well as providing for independently controlled cooling of the substantially isolated compartments formed thereby. The impinging streams provided by the perforations in the second wall substantially increase local fluid velocities and conductive heat transfer.

US Patent:

41809742, Jan 1, 1980

Filed:

Oct 31, 1977

Appl. No.:

5/847459

Inventors:

Richard E. Stenger - Cincinnati OH
Edward E. Ekstedt - Montgomery OH
Stanford P. Seto - Loveland OH

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Cincinnati OH

International Classification:

F02C 700

US Classification:

60 3971

Abstract:

In a combustor carburetor device having a secondary swirler which axially introduces airflow between the venturi and a splashplate, a cylindrical sleeve is inserted between the venturi and the splashplate to axially extend the air outer flow path. The cavity defined by the axial extension and the splashplate is then purged by a source of air such that the combination prevents the flow of fuel from the venturi to the surface of the splashplate to thereby reduce emissions during engine idle operation. At the downstream end of the cylindrical sleeve is attached a frustoconical portion which allows controlled dispersion of the fuel/air mixture for resultant improved ignition characteristics.

US Patent:

51652412, Nov 24, 1992

Filed:

Feb 22, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/660315

Inventors:

Narendra D. Joshi - Maineville OH
Edward E. Ekstedt - Montgomery OH

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Cincinnati OH

International Classification:

F02C 100
F02G 300

US Classification:

60737

Abstract:

A mixer having a mixing duct, a set of inner and outer counter-rotating swirlers at the upstream end of the mixing duct, and a fuel nozzle located axially along and forming a center-body of the mixing duct is provided, wherein high pressure air from a compressor is injected into the mixing duct through the swirlers to form an intense shear region and fuel is injected into the mixing duct from the fuel nozzle so that the high pressure air and the fuel is uniformly mixed therein so as to produce minimal formation of pollutants when the fuel/air mixture is exhausted out the downstream end of said mixing duct into the combustor and ignited.

US Patent:

48380296, Jun 13, 1989

Filed:

Sep 10, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/905439

Inventors:

Clifford C. Gleason - late of Cincinnati OH
Edward E. Ekstedt - Montgomery OH

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air
Force - Washington DC

International Classification:

F02C 100

US Classification:

60732

Abstract:

The externally vaporizing system of the present invention incorporates an auxiliary burner which is supplied with compressor discharge air at a rate which is regulated to the main fuel flow rate. The auxiliary burner is operated at approximately stoichiometric fuel-air ratio, in order to provide very-hot, nearly-inert gases for vaporizing the main fuel supply. The main fuel is sprayed in the auxiliary burner exit gas stream where rapid mixing and evaporation occur. The resulting vaporized fuel/inert gas mixture (at about 800. degree. F. , preferably) is then ducted and distributed to the individual main combustor fuel injectors where it is injected into the premixing ducts.

US Patent:

52749959, Jan 4, 1994

Filed:

Apr 27, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/874150

Inventors:

Michael W. Horner - West Chester OH
Edward E. Ekstedt - Cincinnati OH
Thomas C. Campbell - Cincinnati OH
Gilbert H. Badeer - Loveland OH

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Cincinnati OH

International Classification:

F02C 330
F23R 336

US Classification:

60 3955

Abstract:

A combustor dome assembly having a venturi and an auxiliary wall concentric with the venturi to provide an annular passage for channeling or directing a high velocity air jet from a swirler to a combustion chamber associated with a downstream end of the venturi, thereby facilitating the atomization of a film of water flowing along an inner surface of the venturi and out of the downstream end. In an alternative embodiment, a deflector is used (instead of the auxiliary wall) to direct the air flow towards the downstream end. The downstream end of the venturi may have a curved edge to permit the film of water flowing along an inner surface of the venturi to turn substantially perpendicular to the air flowing past the downstream end of the venturi which further enhances atomization of water. The venturi may also comprise a flange which is positioned in operative relationship with the downstream end for increasing the turbulence at the downstream end. In another embodiment, a plurality of holes are provided in the venturi for permitting natural gas to pass through the venturi and into the annular passage where it can be premixed with swirling air before being introduced to the combustion chamber.

US Patent:

55113753, Apr 30, 1996

Filed:

Sep 12, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/304341

Inventors:

Narendra D. Joshi - Cincinnati OH
Edward E. Ekstedt - Cincinnati OH

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Cincinnati OH

International Classification:

F02C 320
F23R 336

US Classification:

60 39463

Abstract:

A dual fuel mixer is disclosed having a mixing duct, a shroud surrounding the upstream end of the mixing duct having contained therein a gas fuel manifold and a liquid fuel manifold in flow communication with a gas fuel supply and a liquid fuel supply, respectively, and control means, a set of inner and outer annular counter-rotating swirlers adjacent the upstream end of the mixing duct, where at least the outer annular swirlers include hollow vanes with internal cavities and fuel passages, all of which are in fluid communication with the gas and liquid fuel manifolds to inject gas and liquid fuel into the air stream, and a hub separating the inner and outer annular swirlers to allow independent rotation thereof wherein high pressure air from a compressor is injected into the mixing duct through the swirlers to form an intense shear region and gas and/or liquid fuel is injected into the air stream from the outer annular swirler vanes so that the high pressure air and the fuel is uniformly mixed therein so as to produce minimal formation of pollutants when the fuel/air mixture is exhausted out the downstream end of the mixing duct into the combustor and ignited.

US Patent:

53236041, Jun 28, 1994

Filed:

Nov 16, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/976752

Inventors:

Edward E. Ekstedt - Montgomery OH
Narendra D. Joshi - Cincinnati OH
Adrian M. Ablett - Cincinnati OH
Timothy R. Gresla - Cincinnati OH
John M. Koshoffer - Cincinnati OH
William F. Burke - Marlborough CT

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Cincinnati OH

International Classification:

F23R 334
F02C 7228

US Classification:

60 3936

Abstract:

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a combustor is disclosed having three separate domes, each dome having disposed therein a plurality of circumferentially spaced mixers for uniformly mixing air and fuel. The combustor utilizes a high percentage of the total available combustion air at the dome area in order to maintain a lean mixture of air and fuel during all levels of engine output. Besides providing an unobstructed area in the diffuser dump region upstream of the mixers for the combustion air, sealing means is included to prevent cooling air from entering the combustion chamber until downstream of the primary combustion zone. Heat shields having radial centerbodies are also included between each dome to isolate each primary combustion zone.