Patents Assigned to Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
  • Patent number: 11927108
    Abstract: An integrated bladed rotor of a gas turbine engine is provided. The integrated bladed rotor includes a hub having a rotation axis and a radially outer platform relative to the rotation axis, and a plurality of blades extending radially outwardly from the outer platform of the hub. The blades are integrally formed with the hub to define a monolithic component with the hub. Two or more of the blades each include: an airfoil including a groove formed in an outer surface of the airfoil to mitigate crack propagation, and a root fillet providing a transition between the outer platform of the hub and the airfoil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Paul Stone, Dikran Mangardich
  • Patent number: 11926426
    Abstract: An aircraft power system comprises a turbocharger, the turbocharger including a compressor for supplying combustion air to an internal combustion engine, a turbine operatively connected to an internal combustion engine to receive an exhaust flow from the internal combustion engine and convert energy of the exhaust flow into rotational power and, a turbo shaft operatively connecting the turbine to the compressor to transfer at least some of the rotational power to the compressor. A generator is operatively connected to the turbo shaft to receive at least some of the rotational power from the turbo shaft for generating electrical power. At least one electrically powered air-mover is electrically connected to the generator to receive at least some of the electrical power to produce thrust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Jean Thomassin, Todd A. Spierling
  • Patent number: 11927135
    Abstract: An oil tank for a gas turbine engine is provided. The oil tank includes an oil cavity defined within structural walls of a nacelle of the gas turbine engine, the oil cavity having an oil inlet and an oil outlet. At least one of the structural walls has an interior side facing the oil cavity and an exterior side. The interior side includes a plurality of upstanding protrusions extending into the oil cavity and fully immersed in oil when the gas turbine engine is in use during steady state operation. The exterior side includes a plurality of fins extending therefrom and exposed to an ambient air stream during steady state operation of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Enzo Macchia, Daniel Alecu
  • Patent number: 11927223
    Abstract: A Woodruff key system includes a rotatable shaft having a keyseat defined therein. The keyseat includes a pocket engaged with the Woodruff key, a first keyseat extension extending in a first axial direction from the Woodruff key relative to the shaft, and a second keyseat extension extending in a second axial direction opposite the first axial direction from the Woodruff key relative to the shaft. Respective depths of the first and second keyseat extensions are less than a depth of the pocket of the keyseat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Marta Hadlo, Mateusz Kesek, Maciej Piotrowski
  • Patent number: 11921487
    Abstract: A system and method for manufacturing a component is provided that includes a CNC machine tool, a correction module, and a system controller. The CMM module is controllable to determine a set of multi-axis coordinates surface points on the component. The correction module is in communication with the CMM module and stored reference inspection data. The system controller is in communication with the CNC machine tool, the correction module, and stored instructions. The instructions when executed cause the system controller to: a) control the CNC machine tool to modify a surface of the component; b) control the CMM module to determine multi-axis coordinates for surface points; c) determine surface position variances using the reference inspection data and the multi-axis coordinates; d) determine if surface position variances exceed a threshold; and e) create correction action instructions for controlling the CNC machine if surface position variances exceed the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Rachid Guiassa, Mizanur Rahman, Pierre-Alexandre Lafreniere, Martin Perron, Luc Sauve
  • Patent number: 11921525
    Abstract: A fluid supply system and method is provided that includes a fluid pump, a pressure sensor, a pressure relief valve (PRV), and a fluid monitoring device. The fluid pump receives fluid from a first conduit and discharges fluid into a second conduit. The pressure sensor produces sensed fluid pressure signals. The PRV is in signal communication with the pressure sensor. The fluid monitoring device includes a control orifice in fluid communication with second and third conduits. The second conduit has a first inner diameter, the third conduit has a second inner diameter, and the control orifice has an orifice inner diameter, and the orifice inner diameter is less than the first and second inner diameters. The pressure sensor senses fluid pressure in the third conduit at a position in close proximity to the control orifice. The fluid monitoring device may be in a lead or a lag domain configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Daniel Alecu, Laslo T. Diosady
  • Patent number: 11920793
    Abstract: A fuel injector for a gas turbine engine combustor is provided that includes a swirler, a mounting stage, and a distributor. The swirler has a shaft, a collar, a throat section, and first and second axial ends. The throat section includes an inner radial surface that defines a central passage that extends between the swirler inner bore and the collar. The collar includes a plurality of apertures extending therethrough disposed radially outside of the central passage. The mounting stage is disposed in the inner bore, and has an annular flange, a central hub, and at least one strut. The distributor has a stem attached to a head. The stem has a distal end opposite the head portion engaged with the central hub. The head portion has an end surface and a side surface. The distributor is selectively positionable relative to the throat section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Jakub Strzepek, Kian McCaldon, Anna Mamrol, Owen Wong, Maxime La Fleche
  • Patent number: 11919654
    Abstract: An aircraft engine, has: an inlet leading to a compressor section, the inlet extending circumferentially around a central axis; an annular inlet duct extending circumferentially around the central axis, the annular inlet duct having a duct inlet fluidly connected to an environment outside of the aircraft engine and a duct outlet fluidly connected to the inlet, the duct outlet extending circumferentially around the central axis; and a flow restrictor located within the annular inlet duct, the flow restrictor extending across the annular inlet duct, being movable within the annular inlet duct along a circumferential direction relative to the central axis in response to a fluid pressure differential on opposed sides of the flow restrictor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventor: Eray Akcayoz
  • Patent number: 11920479
    Abstract: A method of operating a multi-engine system of a rotorcraft includes, during a cruise flight segment of the rotorcraft, controlling a first engine to provide sufficient power and/or rotor speed demands of the cruise flight segment; and controlling a second engine to by providing a fuel flow to the second engine that is between 70% and 99.5% less than a fuel flow provided to the first engine. A turboshaft engine for a multi-engine system configured to drive a common load is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Keith Morgan, Stephen Mah, Philippe Beauchesne-Martel, Eric Durocher
  • Patent number: 11913356
    Abstract: A single-crystal turbine blade and a method of making such single-crystal turbine blade are disclosed. During manufacturing, a secondary crystallographic orientation of the material of the single-crystal turbine blade is controlled based on a parameter of a root fillet between an airfoil of the single-crystal turbine blade and a platform of the single-crystal turbine blade. The parameter can be a location of peak stress in the root fillet expected during use of the turbine blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Chao Zhang, Robert Huszar, Othmane Leghzaouni
  • Patent number: 11912422
    Abstract: A hybrid electric aircraft powerplant arrangement can include a first wing pair of powerplants for a first wing of an aircraft, the first wing pair comprising a first electric powerplant configured to drive a first air mover and a first heat engine powerplant configured to drive a second air mover separate from the first air mover. The arrangement can include a second wing pair of powerplants for a second wing of the aircraft, the second wing pair comprising a second electric powerplant configured to drive a third air mover separate from the first and second air movers, and a second heat engine powerplant configured to drive a fourth air mover separate from the first, second, and third air movers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignees: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION, PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Jean Thomassin, Todd A. Spierling
  • Patent number: 11916648
    Abstract: Herein provided is an interface for use in transmitting data from an aircraft including a first connector configured for physically and removably coupling a communication module to a communication system which obtains the data on-board the aircraft from at least one data source within the aircraft, and a second connector for digitally coupling the communication module to a processing unit of the communication module producing at least one message for transmission based on the data, the at least one message comprising information of interest identified based on the data. The interface is configured for conducting the at least one message from the processing unit to at least one radio via the second connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventor: Jonathan Mark Miller
  • Patent number: 11913386
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a bypass duct extending about a longitudinal centerline of the gas turbine engine. The bypass duct includes at least one bypass duct wall defining at least a portion of a bypass flow path through the bypass duct. The at least one bypass duct wall includes a scoop extending into the bypass flow path. The gas turbine engine further includes a bleed conduit including an inlet connected to the bypass duct within the scoop of the at least one bypass duct wall and at least one louver mounted to the bleed conduit within the inlet. The at least one louver extends between a leading edge and a trailing edge opposite the leading edge. The leading edge is located within the bypass flow path and the trailing edge is located within the bleed conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Tahereh Mirmohammadi Ghoojdi, Sid-Ali Meslioui
  • Patent number: 11913342
    Abstract: A method of operating a variable guide vane assembly of an aircraft engine, the variable guide vane assembly including guide vanes rotatable about respective spanwise axes and circumferentially distributed about a central axis, the method comprising: obtaining a target exit flow angle defined between a direction of a flow exiting the guide vanes and the central axis; predicting an exit flow angle as a function of at least a geometric angle, the exit flow angle defined between the direction of the flow exiting the guide vanes and the central axis, the geometric angle defined between the guide vanes and the central axis; and when a difference between the exit flow angle and the target exit flow angle is above a threshold, modulating the guide vanes to modify the geometric angle until the difference between the exit flow angle and the target exit flow angle is at or below the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Daniel Coutu, Pierre-Charles Payer
  • Patent number: 11905888
    Abstract: A multi-engine system for an aircraft, has: a first engine having a first output shaft, a first core shaft, and a first electric machine drivingly engaged by the first output shaft or the first core shaft; a second engine having a second output shaft, a second core shaft, and a second electric machine drivingly engaged to the second core shaft; a reduction gearbox drivingly engaged by the first output shaft and by the second output shaft for driving a common load; and a transmission path between the first engine and the second engine, the transmission path being independent from the reduction gearbox and being one or more of: a torque-transfer connection between the second core shaft and the first core shaft or the first output shaft via a coupling gearbox, and an electrical connection between the generator and the electric motor to transmit electrical power to the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventor: Daniel Coutu
  • Patent number: 11905836
    Abstract: A rotary engine, has: an outer body defining a rotor cavity; a rotor rotatable within the rotor cavity and in sealing engagement with walls of the outer body and defining at least one chamber of variable volume in the rotor cavity; a pilot subchamber defined by the outer body, the pilot subchamber having an outlet in fluid flow communication with the rotor cavity; and a fuel injector having a tip in communication with the rotor cavity at a location spaced apart from the outlet of the pilot subchamber, the tip of the fuel injector having: a first outlet in fluid communication with the rotor cavity independently of the pilot subchamber; and a second outlet in fluid communication with the rotor cavity through the pilot subchamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Jonathan Brulatout, Etienne Plamondon
  • Patent number: 11906017
    Abstract: The torque transfer assembly can have a torque shaft rotatable around a rotation axis, the torque shaft having a first end and a second end opposite the first end along the rotation axis, a first reference feature at an intermediary location between the first end and the second end, and a sun gear integrated to the torque shaft, at the first end, the second end has a first external diameter, and the sun gear having a second external diameter greater than the first external diameter; and a reference tube having a fixed end secured to the torque shaft adjacent the second end, a free end having a second reference feature adjacent the first reference feature, the reference tube extending around the torque shaft, the reference tube having an internal diameter, the internal diameter being between the first external diameter and the second external diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventor: Eric Sylvain Durocher
  • Patent number: 11905840
    Abstract: A sensor signal produced by a sensor as a feedback device rotates with a propeller about an axis and moves along the axis with adjustment of a blade angle of the propeller is received, the sensor signal indicative of a rotational speed and of the blade angle of the propeller. From the sensor signal, it is determined whether the rotational speed is within a predetermined range of a reference speed and an expected change in the blade angle has occurred in response to a command to adjust the blade angle to maintain the rotational speed at the reference speed. In response to determining that the rotational speed is within the predetermined range of the reference speed and the expected change in the blade angle has failed to occur in response to the command, inoperable movement of the feedback device along the axis is determined and an alert is output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventor: Jagoda Krzywon
  • Patent number: 11909283
    Abstract: An electric machine system disclosed herein comprises first and second electric machines configured to drive a load. The first electric machine has a plurality of first rotors. The second electric machine has a plurality of second rotors. At least one of the second rotors is indexed relative to a respective one of the first rotors to, in use, provide a torque phase offset between the first and second electric machines. A shaft is coupled to the load and connects the respective one of the first rotors with the at least one of the second rotors. The respective one of the first rotors is coaxial with and axially spaced apart from the at least one of the second rotors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Eric Latulipe, Richard Freer
  • Patent number: 11906504
    Abstract: Electromagnetic chip detectors and associated methods of detecting a metallic chip in engine fluid of an engine are provided. The method comprises supplying an electric current to a circuit extending between a first node and a second node to magnetize both a first electrically conductive terminal and a second electrically conductive terminal spaced apart from each other to define a chip-receiving gap therebetween, and detecting a change in resistance across the first node and the second node. The change in resistance is indicative of a capture of the chip by the electromagnetic chip detector. The chip electrically connects the first electrically conductive terminal to the second electrically conductive terminal. The first electrically conductive terminal is electrically connected to the first node. The second electrically conductive terminal is electrically connected to the second node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Piotr Szczesnowicz, Michael Paul Smith