Patents Assigned to Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
  • Patent number: 11802509
    Abstract: Methods and systems for filtering pressurized air used to control a compressor bleed valve of a gas turbine engine are provided. One method comprises receiving the pressurized air in a conduit via an inlet of the conduit, releasing a first portion of the pressurized air out of the conduit via an outlet of the conduit, releasing a second portion of the pressurized air from the conduit via a port disposed between the inlet and the outlet of the conduit, directing the second portion of the pressurized air from the port to a filter along an upward flow path, filtering the second portion of the pressurized air using the filter, and directing the second portion of the pressurized air from the filter toward the compressor bleed valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Martin Dobson, Oleg Iskra, Michael Fryer, Marc Lavoie, Ivan Sidorovich Paradiso, Louis Duranleau-Hendrickx, Domenico Di Florio
  • Patent number: 11802330
    Abstract: A formation method is provided. During this formation method, a metallic substrate is provided. A coating is deposited onto the metallic substrate using a suspension plasma spray process. The coating is formed from or otherwise includes copper oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignees: The Royal Institution for the Advancement of Learning/McGill Concordia University, Concordia University, Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Joël Larose, Amit Roy, Navid Sharifi, Pantcho Stoyanov, Christian Moreau, Richard Chromik, Mary Makowiec
  • Patent number: 11794916
    Abstract: A control system for a hybrid electric powerplant of an aircraft can include a throttle controller configured to receive one or more power settings and to output a heat engine setting and an electric motor setting, a heat engine controller operatively connected to the throttle controller. The heat engine controller can be configured to receive the heat engine setting and to control a heat engine system as a function of the heat engine setting to control torque output by a heat engine. The system can include a heat engine protection module that is part of or connected to the heat engine controller and configured to provide one or more protection commands to directly control one or more heat engine protection systems. The system can include an electric motor controller operatively connected to the throttle controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Michael Mark, Paul C. Imel, Leonid Guerchkovitch
  • Patent number: 11794914
    Abstract: Electric aircraft power plants and associated methods are provided. One power plant includes an emergency power unit (EPU) for providing electric power in the event of a malfunction of a battery pack of an electric aircraft to permit the electric aircraft to make an emergency maneuver. The EPU includes a rocket engine for generating a stream of exhaust fluid using a rocket propellant, a turbine operatively connected to extract energy from the stream of exhaust fluid generated by the rocket engine, and an electric generator operatively connected to be driven by the turbine and to supply electric power to an electric motor propelling the electric aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Ivan Sidorovich Paradiso, Daniel Alecu
  • Patent number: 11794917
    Abstract: A method of controlling a hybrid-electric aircraft powerplant includes running a first control loop for command of a thermal engine based on error between total response commanded for a hybrid-electric powerplant and total response from the hybrid-electric powerplant. A second control loop runs in parallel with the first control loop for commanding the thermal engine based on error between maximum thermal engine output and total response commanded. A third control loop runs in parallel with the first and second control loops for commanding engine/propeller speed, wherein the third control loop outputs a speed control enable or disable status. A fourth control loop runs in parallel with the first, second, and third control loops for commanding the electric motor with non-zero demand when the second control loop is above control to add response from the electric motor to response from the thermal engine to achieve the response commanded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Leonid Guerchkovitch, Manuj Dhingra, Boris Karpman, Aaron J. Kaufman
  • Patent number: 11795821
    Abstract: A rotor for an aircraft engine, has: a hub extending circumferentially about a central axis, the hub having a bore, a gaspath-facing surface located radially outwardly of the bore relative to the central axis, a first face extending from the bore to the gaspath-facing surface, and a second face opposite the first face and extending from the bore to the gaspath-facing surface; blades circumferentially distributed about the central axis, the blades protruding away from the gaspath-facing surface of the hub; and a crack mitigator located on the first face, the crack mitigator extending circumferentially relative to the central axis, the crack mitigator extending axially from a baseline surface of the first face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventor: Dikran Mangardich
  • Patent number: 11788433
    Abstract: Lubrication systems of an aircraft engine and associated methods are provided. The lubrication system includes a chamber having a fluid inlet for receiving lubricating fluid into the chamber, and a fluid outlet for draining the lubricating fluid from the chamber. The fluid outlet is disposed on a wall defining part of the chamber. A rotor is disposed inside the chamber and interacts with the lubricating fluid inside the chamber. The rotor is rotatable in a rotation direction about a rotation axis. A perforated baffle is disposed in the chamber for interacting with the lubricating fluid inside the chamber. The perforated baffle includes a base attached to the wall of the chamber. The base of the perforated baffle is disposed at an angular position preceding the fluid outlet relative to the rotation direction of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Kenneth Parkman, Daniel Alecu
  • Patent number: 11788427
    Abstract: Lubricant pump systems and associated methods for aircraft engines are provided. The method includes receiving an input torque, dividing the input torque between a first load path receiving a first portion of the input torque, and a second load path receiving a second portion of the input torque. A first lubricant pump of the aircraft engine is driven via the first load path using the first portion of the input torque. A second lubricant pump of the aircraft engine is driven via the second load path using the second portion of the input torque. When a malfunction of the second lubricant pump occurs, the method includes ceasing to drive the first lubricant pump and the second lubricant pump using the input torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventor: Hervé Turcotte
  • Patent number: 11787548
    Abstract: Aircraft power plants including combustion engines, and associated methods for recuperating waste heat from such aircraft power plants are described. A method includes transferring the heat rejected by the internal combustion engine to supercritical CO2 (sCO2) used as a working fluid in a heat engine. The heat engine converts at least some the heat transferred to the sCO2 to mechanical energy to perform useful work onboard the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Jean Thomassin, Serge Dussault, Joseph Brent Staubach
  • Patent number: 11788413
    Abstract: An apparatus for a gas turbine engine includes a shaft base, a flange and a plurality of lobes. The shaft base extends axially along an axis between a shaft first end and a shaft second end. The flange is connected to the shaft base at the shaft first end. The flange projects radially out from the shaft base. The flange includes a plurality of fastener apertures, and the fastener apertures include a first fastener aperture. The lobes are arranged circumferentially about the axis. Each of the lobes is connected to and projects radially away from the shaft base. Each of the lobes is connected to and projects axially out from the flange. The lobes include a first lobe and a second lobe. The first fastener aperture is arranged circumferentially between the first lobe and the second lobe. The second lobe radially overlaps the first fastener aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Mateusz Kesek, Wojciech Durak
  • Patent number: 11789424
    Abstract: There is described a system for manufacturing a part. The system generally has a receiving area receiving said part, a first reference gauge and a second reference gauge which are subjected to common environmental conditions, said first reference gauge having a first nominal dimension and said second reference gauge having a second nominal dimension different from said first nominal dimension; a measurement device measuring dimensions of said first and second reference gauges, and measuring dimensions of said part; and a controller communicatively coupled to said measurement device, said controller determining a calibration curve by performing a mathematical fit based on said first and second nominal dimensions and said measured dimensions of said first and second reference gauges; and constructing a machine-readable dataset representative of said part, including modifying said measured dimensions of said part based on said calibration curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventor: Rachid Guiassa
  • Patent number: 11780561
    Abstract: There is provided a blade angle feedback assembly for a propeller of an aircraft engine. The propeller is rotatable about an axis and has propeller blades rotatable about respective spanwise axes to adjust a blade angle thereof. The blade angle feedback assembly comprises a feedback ring having a plurality of position markers disposed thereon, at least one sensor configured to provide feedback on the blade angle of the propeller blades by detecting a relative movement between the feedback ring and the at least one sensor, and at least one shielding element provided between the feedback ring and the propeller, the at least one shielding element configured to shield the feedback ring from electromagnetism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Joseph Ernesto Marone, Ella Yakobov, Ian Farrell, Olivier Basse, Martin Dobson, Martin Clermont, Marc Lavoie
  • Patent number: 11781476
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for operating a multi-engine rotorcraft. The method comprises driving a rotor of the rotorcraft with a first engine while a second engine is de-clutched from a transmission clutch system that couples the rotor and the second engine, instructing the second engine to accelerate to a re-clutching speed, and controlling an output shaft speed of the second engine during acceleration of the second engine to the re-clutching speed by applying a damping function to a speed control loop of the second engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Philippe Beauchesne-Martel, Poi Loon Tang
  • Patent number: 11773785
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine has a first spool having a low pressure compressor section disposed forward of an air inlet along a direction of travel of the engine, and a low pressure turbine section disposed forward of the low pressure compressor section and drivingly engaged thereto. A second spool has a high pressure compressor section disposed forward of the low pressure compressor section, and a high pressure turbine section disposed forward of the high pressure compressor section and drivingly engaged thereto. The high pressure turbine section is disposed aft of the low pressure turbine section. An output drive shaft drivingly engages the low pressure turbine section and extends forwardly therefrom to drive a rotatable load. A method of operating a gas turbine engine is also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Keith Morgan, Robert Peluso, Ghislain Plante, Eugene Gekht, Eric Durocher, Jean Dubreuil
  • Patent number: 11773781
    Abstract: In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, there is provided a system for an aircraft engine. In embodiments, the system includes an accessory box and a fuel accessory located in an interior space within the accessory box, where a vent is defined through a wall of the accessory box. In embodiments, the vent includes a plurality of holes or slots in an outer wall of the accessory box for passage of gaseous fuel from the interior space. In embodiments, the vent is configured for passive ventilation of the interior space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventor: Scott Smith
  • Patent number: 11772820
    Abstract: An aircraft assist system described herein includes an aircraft coupling counterpart attached to a strut of a landing gear of an aircraft, and an assist vehicle. The assist vehicle includes a frame, ground-engaging wheels mounted to the frame, a power source for driving one or more of the ground-engaging wheels, and a vehicle coupling counterpart for engagement with the aircraft coupling counterpart. The aircraft coupling counterpart and the vehicle coupling counterpart define a swivel connection for transferring a propulsive force from the takeoff assist vehicle to the aircraft. The aircraft coupling counterpart is disengageable from the vehicle coupling counterpart by upward movement of the aircraft coupling counterpart relative to the vehicle coupling counterpart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventor: Daniel Alecu
  • Publication number: 20230304444
    Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering a buffer fluid to a shaft seal of a gas turbine engine are provided. An exemplary system includes, a buffer fluid source, one or more first conduits providing fluid communication between the buffer fluid source and the shaft seal along a first route, and one or more second conduits providing fluid communication between the buffer fluid source and the shaft seal along a second route different from the first route. A heat exchanger is also disposed along the first route to facilitate heat transfer between buffer fluid in the one or more first conduits and a cooling fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Applicant: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Daniel ALECU, David MENHEERE
  • Patent number: 11767769
    Abstract: Methods and systems for testing a sensor of a propeller blade angle position feedback system are described. A sensor signal is received from a sensor at a known position relative to a feedback device, the feedback comprising a ring and at least one pair of position markers spaced from one another around a circumference thereof, the sensor configured for successively detecting passage of the position markers as the feedback device rotates at a known rotational speed and an axial distance between the sensor and the feedback device varies. From the sensor signal a measured position of the sensor relative to the feedback device and a measured rotational speed of the feedback device are determined. The measured position and the measured rotational speed are compared to the known position and the known rotational speed to determine a sensor accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Ian Farrell, Ella Yakobov, Steve Fett, Josee Marotte
  • Patent number: 11767768
    Abstract: A variable guide vane (VGV) assembly for a gas turbine engine, has: variable guide vanes circumferentially distributed about a central axis, the variable guide vanes rotatable about respective spanwise axes; and a unison member rollingly engageable to a casing of the gas turbine engine for rotation about the central axis, the unison member operatively connected to the variable guide vanes for rotating the variable guide vanes about the respective spanwise axes, the unison member having: a first ring extending around the central axis, a second ring spaced apart from the first ring and extending around the central axis, and connecting members connecting the first ring to the second ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventor: Daniel Poick
  • Patent number: 11767772
    Abstract: A powerplant system is provided that includes a gas turbine engine system and an actuation system. The gas turbine engine system includes a rotating structure, a stationary structure and one or more bearings rotatably mounting the rotating structure to the stationary structure. The actuation system is configured to passively rotate the rotating structure about a rotational axis during transportation of the gas turbine engine system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Louis Brillon, Bruno Martin