Donald F Kendrick

US Patent:

6694743, Feb 24, 2004

Filed:

Jul 23, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/200780

Inventors:

Shawn P. Lawlor - Redmond WA
Robert C. Steele - Woodinville WA
Donald Kendrick - Sammamish WA

Assignee:

Ramgen Power Systems, Inc. - Bellevue WA

International Classification:

F02K 710

US Classification:

60772, 60 3934, 60 3935, 60768

Abstract:

A rotary ramjet engine. A rotary ramjet engine is provided operating with a very low axial flow component. The engine has a closely housed rotor and shaft mounted for rotary motion with respect to an engine case. A plurality of ramjet combustors are provided at the periphery of the rotor, and a set of spaced apart helical strakes are provided extending outward from the surface portion of the rotor toward the interior wall of the engine case, less a running clearance therefrom. A centerbody is provided for each ramjet inlet. The centerbody is disposed along a helical axis parallel to the strakes, and includes a leading edge structure, opposing sidewalls, and a shaped cavity, and a rear end wall. Each set of strakes cooperate to define, rearward of the rear end wall of each inlet centerbody, a combustion chamber for mixing therewithin and inlet fluid and burning fuel therein to form hot combustion gases therefrom. A ramjet outlet nozzle structure, including a converging ramjet nozzle throat, and diverging ramjet nozzle are provided for receiving the hot combustion gases and discharging, at a preselected helical angle to the plane of rotation of the rotor, a jet of hot combustion exhaust gases.

US Patent:

7003961, Feb 28, 2006

Filed:

May 5, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/430849

Inventors:

Donald Kendrick - Sammamish WA, US
Shawn P. Lawlor - Redmond WA, US
Robert C. Steele - Woodinville WA, US

Assignee:

Ramgen Power Systems, Inc. - Bellevue WA

International Classification:

F02C 3/00
F23R 3/18
F23R 3/20

US Classification:

60776, 60749, 60750, 60737

Abstract:

A trapped vortex combustor for gas turbine engines. An annular combustor housing is provided having a plurality of inlet centerbodies disposed along a helical axis. The inlet centerbodies include a leading edge structure, opposing sidewalls, a pressurizable cavity, and a rear wall. Inlet centerbodies cooperate with adjacent structure and an aft bluff body to define a trapped vortex cavity combustion chamber for mixing an inlet fluid and burning fuel to form hot combustion gases. Mixing is enhanced by utilizing struts adjacent to the rear wall to create eddies in the fluid flow, and by injecting fuel and/or air in opposition to swirl created by the bulk fluid flow. Hot combustion gases are utilized in a turbine for extraction of kinetic energy, or in heat exchange equipment for recovery of thermal energy. High combustion efficiencies and less than 10 ppm emissions of oxides of nitrogen and of carbon monoxide are achieved.

US Patent:

7011047, Mar 14, 2006

Filed:

Nov 20, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/718730

Inventors:

Michael J. Aarnio - Kirkland WA, US
Donald W. Kendrick - Bellevue WA, US
Thomas R. A. Bussing - Sammamish WA, US

Assignee:

United Technologies Corporation - Hartford CT

International Classification:

F22B 37/48

US Classification:

122379, 122396, 165 95, 134 221

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus are provided for cleaning a surface within a vessel. A fuel/oxidizer charge is provided within a combustion conduit. An initial deflagration commenced in a first portion of the charge produces a final detonation at least in another portion of the charge to expel a shockwave from the conduit which impinges upon the surface. The deflagration-to-detonation transition may be encouraged by mechanical enhancements and/or by making the first charge portion more detonable than the second.

US Patent:

8549862, Oct 8, 2013

Filed:

Nov 30, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/627815

Inventors:

Donald W. Kendrick - Bellevue WA, US

Assignee:

Lean Flame, Inc. - Washington DC

International Classification:

F02C 1/00

US Classification:

60772, 60733, 60737, 60750

Abstract:

In one embodiment, a method is provided fuel staging for a trapped vortex (TVC) combustion apparatus comprising an inlet premixer, for injecting fuel-air mixture into the inlet of the combustion apparatus and a vortex premixer, for injecting fuel-air mixture into the recirculating vortex. The combustion apparatus may be part of an engine, such as a gas turbine engine. The method comprises varying the relative proportion of mixture introduced through the inlet and vortex premixers as a function of load.

US Patent:

7267134, Sep 11, 2007

Filed:

Mar 15, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/801215

Inventors:

Michael J. Aarnio - Kirkland WA, US
Donald W. Kendrick - Bellevue WA, US
Thomas R. A. Bussing - Sammamish WA, US
Robert R. Niblock - Kent WA, US

Assignee:

United Technologies Corporation - Hartford CT

International Classification:

B08B 3/12

US Classification:

134166R, 134166 C, 134184, 134186, 122379

Abstract:

A shockwave cleaning apparatus cleans one or more surfaces within a vessel. A sensor senses one or more thermodynamic properties associated with the vessel. A control system is coupled to an initiator and a fuel/oxidizer source to control the firing of the apparatus responsive to input from the sensor.

US Patent:

20040016226, Jan 29, 2004

Filed:

Jul 23, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/200854

Inventors:

Shawn Lawlor - Redmond WA, US
Donald Kendrick - Sammamish WA, US

Assignee:

RAMGEN POWER SYSTEMS, INC.

International Classification:

F02C003/16

US Classification:

060/039350

Abstract:

A rotary ramjet engine generator set with exhaust turbine. A rotary ramjet engine is provided operating with a very low axial flow component. The engine has a closely housed rotor and shaft mounted for rotary motion with respect to an engine case. An exhaust turbine is affixed on a common shaft, or on coaxial shaft portions operating in unison, with a rotary ramjet engine. By properly matching the exhaust turbine rotating speed with the ramjet rotor rotating speed, the residual energy of the exhaust gas from the ramjet engine is efficiently captured by the exhaust turbine. The exhaust turbine includes a curved, substantially conical hub having an exterior surface from which turbine blades extend, and a pressure accumulating housing which connects the outlet of the ramjet with the inlet to the exhaust turbine. Just upstream of the exhaust turbine, an outlet nozzle block is provided to expand the exhaust gases and send a jet of gases substantially tangential to the exhaust turbine. Exhaust gas first moves substantially inwardly along the impeller blades and then is exhausted to an outlet duct.

US Patent:

20050125932, Jun 16, 2005

Filed:

Dec 11, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/733717

Inventors:

Donald Kendrick - Bellevue WA, US

International Classification:

A47L005/14

US Classification:

015301000

Abstract:

An apparatus directs gas from an upstream conduit through a vessel wall for cleaning surfaces within the vessel. A mounting flange couples the apparatus to the upstream conduit delivering the gas. The flange has first and second faces, an inboard surface bounding a central aperture, an outboard perimeter, and an array of bolt holes between the first and second faces. A conduit extends downstream from the flange and has inner and outer walls along at least a portion of a length and a space between the inner and outer walls for carrying a cooling fluid. The apparatus has a cooling fluid inlet and a cooling fluid outlet.

US Patent:

20050126512, Jun 16, 2005

Filed:

Dec 11, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/733535

Inventors:

Donald Kendrick - Bellevue WA, US
Michael Aarnio - Kirkland WA, US
James Hochstein - Seattle WA, US

International Classification:

F22B031/00

US Classification:

122024000

Abstract:

Pressure probe methods and apparatus are disclosed. An exemplary probe includes a body having an exterior surface with a forwardly-convergent nose. A passageway extends between a first port in the body and a pressure sensor. A support member holds the body in an operative position. A cooling fluid circuit extends at least partially through the support member and body. The pressure probe may be used in conjunction with a detonative cleaning apparatus.