General Electric Company

Jeffrey Allen Rader

Derek Leslie Aldred

John Saunders Stevenson

Timothy W Saunders

A pump assembly includes a rotating component and a stationary component coupled to the rotating component such that the stationary component substantially circumscribes at least a portion of the rotating component. A high pressure outlet extends at least partially through the rotating and stationary components. An inlet is positioned a predefined distance from the high pressure outlet. The inlet extends at least partially through the rotating and stationary components. A solid fuel flow is channeled from the inlet to the outlet as the rotating component rotates. A flow control member is coupled to the rotating and stationary components in a first predefined position. The flow control member is selectively moveable from the first predefined position to a second predefined position to form a seal within the pump assembly such that the solid fuel flow and a fluid flow are substantially restricted from being channeled back into the inlet.

Methods for restricting backflow of solids in a pump assembly

A system includes a solid feed pump configured to transport a solid feedstock. The solid feed pump includes at least one passage for the transport of the solid feedstock. The solid feed pump also includes at least one movable wall configured to move along the passage. The solid feed pump further includes a retractable gripping element configured to extend from the at least one movable wall into the at least one passage to grip a portion of the solid feedstock. In addition, the retractable gripping element is configured to retract away from the at least one passage.

System and method for transporting solid feed in a solid feed pump

A material transporting system comprises a material transporting apparatus () including a material transporting apparatus hopper structure (), which comprises at least one rotary transporting apparatus; a stationary hub structure () constraining and assisting the at least one rotary transporting apparatus; an outlet duct configuration () configured to permit material to exit therefrom and comprising at least one diverging portion (); an outlet abutment configuration () configured to direct material to the outlet duct configuration; an outlet valve assembly from the material transporting system venting the material transporting system; and a moving wall configuration in the material transporting apparatus capable of assisting the material transporting apparatus in transporting material in the material transporting system. Material can be moved from the material transporting apparatus hopper structure to the outlet duct configuration through the at least one rotary transporting apparatus, the outlet abutment configuration, and the outlet valve assembly.

Growing community of inventors

Arleta, CA, United States of America

Jeffrey Allen Rader