Michael J Mariani

US Patent:

7966802, Jun 28, 2011

Filed:

Feb 5, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/026230

Inventors:

Scott William Szepek - Glenville NY, US
Bryan Edward Sweet - Valatie NY, US
Lauren Jeanne Buchalter - Taylors SC, US
David Andrew Stats - Clifton Park NY, US
Michael John Mariani - Greer SC, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

F02C 9/00
F02G 3/00

US Classification:

60 39281, 60776

Abstract:

Methods and systems for operating a gas turbine engine system are provided. The system includes a fuel control system. The fuel control system includes a plurality of sensors positioned about the gas turbine engine system and configured to measure at least one parameter associated with the sensor, and a processor programmed to receive a signal from at least one of the plurality of sensors indicative of a composition of the fuel. The processor is further programmed to determine the physical properties of a fuel at an inlet to the flow control devices using a flow model and the at least one signal, determine a corresponding correction to a gas fuel flow gain using the determined physical properties, and automatically control fuel delivery as well as fuel split between the fuel injection points on the combustor using the adjusted flow gain to facilitate permitting a relatively large variation in the fuel composition for use in the gas turbine engine.

US Patent:

8126629, Feb 28, 2012

Filed:

Apr 25, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/109869

Inventors:

Lauren Jeanne Buchalter - Taylors SC, US
Bryan Edward Sweet - Valatie NY, US
Scott William Szepek - Glenville NY, US
Michael John Mariani - Greer SC, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

G06F 19/00

US Classification:

701100, 701 99, 123456, 123520, 123439, 123514, 261 791, 261 53

Abstract:

Methods and systems for operating a gas turbine engine system are provided. The system includes a gas turbine engine that includes at least one combustor configured to receive a flow of fuel from a flow control device and a fuel control system. The fuel control system includes a piping system configured to channel the flow of fuel from a fuel source to the flow control device, a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a property of the flow of fuel wherein the property of the flow of fuel is variable over time, and a controller including a processor. The processor is programmed to receive the generated signal, using a flow model of the piping system and the received signal, iteratively track the progress of a plurality of discrete volumes flowing through the piping system, and control the flow of fuel using the flow control devices.

US Patent:

8151740, Apr 10, 2012

Filed:

Jun 2, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/476502

Inventors:

Fabien Thibault Codron - Simpsonville SC, US
Michael John Mariani - Greer SC, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

F02B 43/00

US Classification:

123 1A, 431 12

Abstract:

A system and method for providing fuel mixes a first fuel with a second fuel at a mixing point to create a mixed fuel having a first calorie content. A control valve is located upstream of the mixing point. A process system downstream of the mixing point processes the mixed fuel to create a processed mixed fuel having a second calorie content. A first control signal is reflective of the first calorie content of the mixed fuel. A second control signal is reflective of the second calorie content of the processed mixed fuel. A third control signal is reflective of the operating level of the combustion engine. A controller connected to the control valve operates the control valve based on the first, second, and third control signals.

US Patent:

20110130941, Jun 2, 2011

Filed:

Jan 15, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/688179

Inventors:

Scott William Szepek - Schenectady NY, US
Michael John Mariani - Greer SC, US
Robert Loeven - Simpsonville SC, US

Assignee:

GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

F02C 9/26

US Classification:

701100, 60772, 60 39281

Abstract:

Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods for providing unchoked control of gas turbine fuel control valves. According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for active control of a gas flow control valve. The method may include receiving a desired fuel command and an inlet pressure parameter, and determining a gas flow gain based at least in part on the inlet pressure parameter. The method may also include determining a valve flow coefficient based at least in part on the desired fuel command and the gas flow gain, and controlling the gas flow control valve based at least in part on the valve flow coefficient.

US Patent:

20120234413, Sep 20, 2012

Filed:

Mar 18, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/051509

Inventors:

Fabien Thibault Codron - Simpsonville SC, US
Michael John Mariani - Greer SC, US
Erhan Karaca - Clifton Park NY, US

International Classification:

F04B 49/00

US Classification:

13756511

Abstract:

Embodiments of the present invention incorporate a relatively slow acting valve to throttle the fuel flow through the compressor. Embodiments of the present invention seek to reduce the need for recirculating compressed fuel that is not needed by the turbomachine. This may increase the net power output and efficiency of a turbomachine-fuel gas compressor system.

US Patent:

20140208766, Jul 31, 2014

Filed:

Jan 31, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/755434

Inventors:

- Schenectady NY, US
Douglas Scott Byrd - Greer SC, US
Dean Matthew Erickson - Simpsonville SC, US
Michael John Mariani - Greer SC, US
Christina Renee Pompey - Simpsonville SC, US
Korey Frederic Rendo - Greer SC, US
Bryan Edward Sweet - Valatie NY, US

Assignee:

GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

F02C 7/224
F02C 7/26

US Classification:

60778

Abstract:

A method of operating a fuel heating system is provided. The method includes performing pre-ignition diagnostic checks on a plurality of components of the fuel heating system, wherein at least one inlet damper and at least one outlet damper of an exhaust flow circuit are each in a closed position. The method also includes purging the fuel heating system of unburned hydrocarbons. The method further includes operating the fuel heating system in a normal operating condition. The method yet further includes operating the fuel heating system in a cool down condition, wherein the at least one inlet damper is in the closed position.

US Patent:

20140150438, Jun 5, 2014

Filed:

Nov 30, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/690284

Inventors:

- Schenectady NY, US
Jonathan Carl Thatcher - Pendleton SC, US
Robert Walter Arnold - Greer SC, US
Michael John Mariani - Greer SC, US
Chad Ernest Findlay - Greenville SC, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

F02C 9/26

US Classification:

60772, 60734

Abstract:

A system for operating a thermal power plant during off-peak demand intervals includes a gas turbine having a compressor, a combustor connected to a fuel control system, a turbine and a sensor configured to sense ambient conditions around the gas turbine. The fuel control system and the sensor are in communication with a controller. The controller is configured to receive a user input that corresponds to a value for an operational boundary condition of the thermal power plant and to monitor ambient conditions through the sensor. The controller is further configured to generate a predicted emissions level value for the gas turbine based on the monitored ambient conditions and to generate a command signal to adjust at least one operational parameter of the gas turbine based at least in part on the predicted emissions level value and the value of the operational boundary condition of the thermal power plant.