Patents Assigned to Collins Engine Nozzles, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11852076
    Abstract: A method comprising applying braze to a joint location of two work pieces and applying local heating to the joint location of the two work pieces until braze melting temperature is achieved to melt the braze while maintaining temperature of more remote portions of each work piece. The method includes reducing heating of the braze to form a braze joint joining the joint location of the two work pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Collins Engine Nozzles, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Ryon, Brandon P. Williams, Troy Finton
  • Patent number: 11852075
    Abstract: A turbomachine fuel injector system includes an air distributor configured to be mounted to and contained within a casing and to provide air to mix with a fuel from one or more fuel distribution systems. The system includes a fuel manifold configured to be mounted indirectly to the casing such that the fuel manifold system is contained within the casing but is independent such that fuel manifold does not touch or directly mount to either an interior of the casing or touch the air distributor within the casing to prevent or reduce thermal transfer from the air distributor to the fuel manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Collins Engine Nozzles, Inc.
    Inventors: Jacob Greenfield, Jason A. Ryon, Lev A. Prociw
  • Patent number: 11846425
    Abstract: A pilot nozzle for a dual fuel turbine engine includes an inner air circuit, a gaseous fuel circuit radially outward from the inner air circuit, a liquid fuel circuit radially outward from the inner air circuit, an outer air circuit radially outward from the liquid fuel circuit and the gaseous fuel circuit, and a shroud radially outward from the outer air circuit. The shroud is configured to stabilize a pilot re-circulation zone downstream from outlets of the inner and outer air circuits and the liquid and gaseous fuel circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Collins Engine Nozzles, Inc.
    Inventors: Lev A. Prociw, Jason A. Ryon, Jacob Greenfield
  • Patent number: 11846422
    Abstract: A system includes an air manifold, a fuel manifold, and a plurality of fuel injectors. At least one of the fuel injectors includes a heat exchanger portion for supplying compressed, cooled air form the heat exchanger portion to the air manifold. An air valve is operatively connected to an outlet of the air manifold for controlling release of air from the air manifold. A controller is operatively connected to the air valve, wherein the controller includes machine readable instructions configured to control the air valve to regulate flow of air through the air valve based on fuel temperatures in the fuel channel. The machine readable instructions can be configured to cause the controller to flow air through the air valve in a heat exchange mode if a fuel temperature in the fuel injectors is below a predetermined fuel temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Collins Engine Nozzles, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Ryon, Gregory A. Zink, Brandon Phillip Williams, Lev A. Prociw
  • Patent number: 11846300
    Abstract: In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, embodiments of fluid pumps, pump cases, valve bodies, and volutes are disclosed herein. Embodiments of methods for manufacturing fluid pumps, pump cases, valve bodies, and volutes are also disclosed herein. Embodiments can include additive manufacturing, for example. Certain embodiments can include additively manufacturing a pump case in a tilted orientation, utilizing only coincidental support structure having a unique shape, and with teardrop shaped volute and/or valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Collins Engine Nozzles, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis H. Marshall, Adrian L. Stoicescu
  • Patent number: 11788723
    Abstract: A system includes a combustor. The combustor has a combustor wall with a combustor dome at an upstream end of the combustor wall, and an outlet at a downstream end of the combustor wall opposite the upstream end. The combustor wall includes an inner wall portion and an outer wall portion defining an interior of the combustor therebetween. Each of the inner wall portion and outer wall portion extends from the combustor dome to the downstream end of the combustor wall. The combustor wall includes an air cooling passage embedded inside at least one of the inner wall portion and the outer wall portion. The air cooling passage extends from the upstream end of the combustor wall to the downstream end of the combustor wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Collins Engine Nozzles, Inc.
    Inventors: Lev A. Prociw, Jason Ryon
  • Publication number: 20230323811
    Abstract: An embodiment of a torch ignitor system for combustor of a gas turbine engine includes a torch ignitor, the torch ignitor having a combustion chamber oriented about an axis, the combustion chamber having axially upstream and downstream ends defining a flow direction through the combustion chamber, along the axis. The torch ignitor system also includes a cap defining the axially upstream end of the combustion chamber and oriented about the axis, wherein the cap is configured to receive a fuel injector and at least one glow plug, a tip at a downstream end of the combustion chamber, and a passage for pressurized oxygen containing gas passing through the cap from an exterior of the combustion chamber and in fluid communication with the combustion chamber. An embodiment of a method for starting a gas turbine engine is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Applicant: Collins Engine Nozzles, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason A. Ryon, Brandon Phillip Williams
  • Patent number: 11774102
    Abstract: An assembly for a turbomachine can include a fuel nozzle and a combustion liner. The fuel nozzle and the combustion liner can be attached to each using a plurality of clip joints such that the combustion liner is longitudinally fixed relative to the fuel nozzle but such that the combustion liner can radially move relative to the fuel nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Collins Engine Nozzles, Inc.
    Inventors: Jacob Greenfield, Thomas J. Ocken, Jason A. Ryon
  • Patent number: 11773784
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes a fuel nozzle configured to issue a spray of fuel from a fuel outlet in a downstream direction along an injection axis. The fuel nozzle includes a nozzle body that defines a main flow passage therethrough. An injection fuel line is in fluid communication with the fuel nozzle to supply fuel to the fuel nozzle. A torch ignitor with a flame outlet opens into the main flow passage of the fuel nozzle for issuing flame into the main flow passage. The flame outlet meets the main flow passage at a position that is downstream of the fuel outlet with respect to the downstream direction along the injection axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Collins Engine Nozzles, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Ryon, Lev A. Prociw, Brandon Phillip Williams
  • Patent number: 11774097
    Abstract: An air cap is configured to be affixed to a nozzle assembly as a downstream facing component of the nozzle assembly. The air cap includes a plurality of air wipe passages with outlets defined in a circumferential direction around a downstream facing surface of the air cap. A nozzle assembly can include an outer wall wherein the air cap is connected to the nozzle assembly outboard of the outer wall. An inner wall can be connected to the outer wall by a plurality of air swirl vanes. One or more fuel circuit components can be connected to the nozzle assembly inboard of the inner wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Collins Engine Nozzles, Inc.
    Inventor: Steve J. Myers
  • Publication number: 20230304666
    Abstract: A pilot nozzle for a dual fuel turbine engine includes an inner air circuit, a gaseous fuel circuit radially outward from the inner air circuit, a liquid fuel circuit radially outward from the inner air circuit, an outer air circuit radially outward from the liquid fuel circuit and the gaseous fuel circuit, and a shroud radially outward from the outer air circuit. The shroud is configured to stabilize a pilot re-circulation zone downstream from outlets of the inner and outer air circuits and the liquid and gaseous fuel circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Applicants: Collins Engine Nozzles, Inc., Collins Engine Nozzles, Inc.
    Inventors: Lev A. Prociw, Jason A. Ryon, Jacob Greenfield
  • Publication number: 20230296054
    Abstract: A nozzle includes a nozzle body defining a liquid circuit extending from a liquid inlet to a liquid outlet. The liquid circuit includes a plurality of spiral liquid passages spiraling radially inward relative to a spray axis. The spiral liquid passages all lie in a plane normal to the spray axis. A manifold assembly includes a plurality of such nozzles. A manifold ring is in fluid communication with the liquid inlet of each of the nozzles to deliver liquid to the nozzles. The nozzles are circumferentially spaced apart around the manifold ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Applicant: Collins Engine Nozzles, Inc.
    Inventors: Lev A. Prociw, Jason A. Ryon
  • Publication number: 20230296051
    Abstract: A system includes an air manifold, a fuel manifold, and a plurality of fuel injectors. At least one of the fuel injectors includes a heat exchanger portion for supplying compressed, cooled air form the heat exchanger portion to the air manifold. An air valve is operatively connected to an outlet of the air manifold for controlling release of air from the air manifold. A controller is operatively connected to the air valve, wherein the controller includes machine readable instructions configured to control the air valve to regulate flow of air through the air valve based on fuel temperatures in the fuel channel. The machine readable instructions can be configured to cause the controller to flow air through the air valve in a heat exchange mode if a fuel temperature in the fuel injectors is below a predetermined fuel temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Applicant: Collins Engine Nozzles, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason A. Ryon, Gregory A. Zink, Brandon P. Williams, Lev A. Prociw
  • Patent number: 11761634
    Abstract: A method for assembling a fuel distribution system for a turbomachine fuel injector includes inserting a liquid fuel distributor into an interior cavity of a shroud to create a liquid fuel distribution circuit between the liquid fuel distributor and the shroud and inserting a gas fuel distributor into the interior cavity of the shroud and into an interior cavity of the liquid fuel distributor to create a gas fuel distribution circuit between the gas fuel distributor and the liquid fuel distributor. The method includes inserting a fuel transfer tube into an outer diameter of the shroud. The method includes brazing or shrink fitting at least one of the fuel transfer tube, the gas fuel distributor, or the liquid fuel distributor to the shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Collins Engine Nozzles, Inc.
    Inventors: Lev A. Prociw, Jason A. Ryon, Jacob Greenfield
  • Patent number: 11753996
    Abstract: A fuel injector assembly can include a manifold defining a manifold channel and a nozzle extending from the manifold. The nozzle can be configured to direct flow from the manifold channel into a combustor. The nozzle can define a fuel inlet open to the manifold channel, a fuel outlet configured to be open to a combustor, and a throat fluidly connecting the fuel inlet to the fuel outlet. The assembly can include a trim device inserted into the manifold. The trim device can be configured to adjust flow between the manifold channel and the fuel inlet to adjust flow through the throat and out of the fuel outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Collins Engine Nozzles, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason A. Ryon, Brandon P. Williams, Andy W. Tibbs
  • Patent number: 11738356
    Abstract: A spray bar injector including a spray bar defining a longitudinal axis and including a fluid inlet and a plurality of spray outlet orifices spaced apart longitudinally in a direction along the longitudinal axis. A check or spray valve is operatively connected to each spray outlet orifice. A master valve is in fluid communication with the fluid inlet, operatively connected to divert flow from the fluid inlet into a first passage and block flow into a second passage in a first position to open the check valves and issue a spray from the spray outlet orifices, and to divert flow from the fluid inlet into the second passage and block flow into the first passage in a second position to close the check valves and block issue of spray from the spray outlet orifices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Collins Engine Nozzles, Inc.
    Inventor: John Earl Short
  • Patent number: 11739749
    Abstract: In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, embodiments of fluid pumps, pump cases, valve bodies, and volutes are disclosed herein. Embodiments of methods for manufacturing fluid pumps, pump cases, valve bodies, and volutes are also disclosed herein. Embodiments can include additive manufacturing, for example. Certain embodiments can include additively manufacturing a pump case in a tilted orientation, utilizing only coincidental support structure having a unique shape, and with teardrop shaped volute and/or valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Collins Engine Nozzles, Inc.
    Inventor: Travis H. Marshall
  • Publication number: 20230258198
    Abstract: A method of making an impeller includes building the impeller in a layer by layer process in a build direction along the rotational axis starting from a base of the hub. The plurality of blades includes a plurality of perforated blades that support the shroud during additively manufacturing the impeller. The method can include installing the impeller in a fuel pump, air compressor, or the like, without removing the perforated blades from the impeller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2023
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Applicant: Collins Engine Nozzles, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason A. Ryon, Jacob Greenfield, Adrian L. Stoicescu
  • Patent number: 11713717
    Abstract: A multipoint fuel injection system comprises an injection system segment including a circumferentially extending outer support defining a fuel manifold with a plurality of manifold passages extending circumferentially therethrough. A first connector is included at a first circumferential end of the outer support and a second connector is included at a second circumferential end of the outer support opposite the first circumferential end. The first and second connectors are each configured to connect each manifold passage with a manifold passages of a respective outer support of a circumferentially adjacent injection system segment. The system includes a circumferentially extending inner support and a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart feed arms extending radially between the inner support and the outer support. A plurality of outlet openings extend in an axial direction from each feed arm for feeding respective injection nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Collins Engine Nozzles, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Ryon, Lev A. Prociw, Gregory A. Zink
  • Patent number: 11708793
    Abstract: An embodiment of a torch ignitor system for combustor of a gas turbine engine includes a torch ignitor, the torch ignitor having a combustion chamber oriented about an axis, the combustion chamber having axially upstream and downstream ends defining a flow direction through the combustion chamber, along the axis. The torch ignitor system also includes a cap defining the axially upstream end of the combustion chamber and oriented about the axis, wherein the cap is configured to receive a fuel injector and at least one glow plug, a tip at a downstream end of the combustion chamber, and a passage for pressurized oxygen containing gas passing through the cap from an exterior of the combustion chamber and in fluid communication with the combustion chamber. An embodiment of a method for starting a gas turbine engine is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Collins Engine Nozzles, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Ryon, Brandon Phillip Williams