Solar Turbines Inc.

Philip J Cederwall

Boris Glezer

Kenneth O Smith

John J Hensley

Graham E Ogborne

David M Evans

Garrett P Prins

Vern V Leuven

Trim balancing of rotating components in the past has increased manufacturing cost. In many past applications, the time and energy required to trim balance rotating components required partial disassembly of an outer case or structure member. The present trim balancing system allows the gas turbine engine to be balanced with the outer case in situ. Access to a rotating component from the exterior of the case is made possible by a compressor air flow path and a pair of holes. The balancing can be accomplished by adding or removing weights or plugs to a band assembled on the rotating component.

Method and apparatus for trim balancing a gas turbine engine

The known control systems for reducing NOx in the combustion systems of past gas turbine engines has incorporated a variety of expensive and complicated techniques to reduce the NOx level. The present apparatus reduces the formation of NOx within the combustion zone by controlling the air portion of the air/fuel ratio. The present apparatus includes a device for controllably varying the quantity of compressed air directed into a manifold resulting in controlling the air to a plurality of injection nozzles and into a combustor. A throttling mechanism moves between an open position and a closed position varying the flow rate of compressor air to the combustor apparatus provides an economical, reliable and effective method for reducing and controlling the amount of nitrogen oxide (NOx) carbon monoxide (CO) and unburned hydrocarbon (UHC) emitted from the gas turbine engine.

Low emission combustion system for a gas turbine engine

The known systems and injector nozzles for reducing NOx in the combustion systems of past gas turbine engines has generally failed to effectively and efficiently reduce the NOx level. The present system reduces the formation of NOx within the combustion zone by controlling the air/fuel ratio and more explicitly by controlling the air portion of the air/fuel ratio. The present injector nozzle includes a device for introducing a primary supply of air through the injector nozzle which is sized to have a predetermined cross-sectional area. The injector nozzle further includes a device for introducing a secondary supply of air through the injector nozzle which is sized to have a predetermined area. A device for introducing a primary supply of air through the injector at a controlled rate and a device for passing a main source of fuel through the injector nozzle at a controlled rate relative to the quantity of primary supply of air. The system with the injector nozzle provides an economical, reliable and effective method for reducing and controlling the amount of nitrogen oxide (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO) and unburned hydrocarbon (UHC) emitted from the gas turbine engine.

Low emission combustion nozzle for use with a gas turbine engine

A radially-resilient seal can frequently pop out its annular groove defined in a carrier when the carrier and an overlapping housing are telescopically assembled. Such misorientation of the seal prevents proper seating of the seal against the housing and ultimately permits leakage of pressurized fluid past the seal. The present invention provides a compact sealed joint and fool-proof method of assembly which maintains proper orientation of a radially-resilient seal during telescopic assembly of a carrier and a housing. The sealed joint includes an annular member having a diametrically tapered internal surface. The annular member positively ensures that the seal will properly seat against a housing inner surface which is not only physically inaccessible to the assembler but is also hidden from the assembler's view by an outer casing during the telescopic assembly.

Sealed telescopic joint and method of assembly

Cooling air delivery systems for gas turbine engines are used to increase component life and increase efficiencies. To change the flow rate of cooling air in past engines, major disassembly of engine components was required resulting in the loss of the engine's service and excessive costs. With the changeable cooling air delivery system of the present invention, major engine disassembly is eliminated. An elongate member extends into a fluid control passage to establish a preselected flow area which can be changed. The time and expense required to change the cooling flow rate is drastically reduced because the elongate members are accessible external of the engine. The elongate member is removed from the engine and replaced by different elongate member having a different outer diameter of the stem or sleeve. The different diameter results in a new clearance or preselected flow area for cooling air to pass therethrough.

Changeable cooling control system for a turbine shroud and rotor

A radially-resilient seal can frequently pop out its annular groove defined in a carrier when the carrier and an overlapping housing are telescopically assembled. Such misorientation of the seal prevents proper seating of the seal against the housing and ultimately permits leakage of pressurized fluid past the seal. The present invention provides a compact sealed joint and fool-proof method of assembly which maintains proper orientation of a radially-resilient seal during telescopic assembly of a carrier and a housing. The sealed joint includes an annnular member having a diametrically tapered internal surface. The annular member positively ensures that the seal will properly seat against a housing inner surface which is not only physically inaccessible to the assembler but is also hidden from the assembler's view by an outer casing during the telescopic assembly.

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San Diego, CA, United States of America

Philip J Cederwall