Patents Assigned to United Technologies Corporation
  • Patent number: 11761352
    Abstract: A seal assembly for a turbine engine extends along a center axis and includes a seal support and a seal carrier configured to translate relative the seal support. A seal is connected to the seal carrier and a spring is disposed between the seal support and the seal carrier. A spring carrier is disposed between the spring and the seal support. A first end of the spring is connected to the spring carrier and the spring carrier is connected to the seal support. The spring includes a second end disposed opposite the first end of the spring. The second end of the spring contacts the annular seal carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Russell B. Witlicki
  • Patent number: 11561007
    Abstract: A combustor liner for a gas turbine engine, the combustor liner including a panel configured to at least partially define a combustion chamber. The combustor liner further includes a shell configured to mount to the panel and form a gap between the panel and the shell. The panel includes a stud and a plurality of a stand-off pins proximate to the stud defining a cavity therebetween. The shell includes a plurality of angled impingement holes located away from the cavity but extending through the shell at an orientation such that cooling air passing through the angled impingement holes is directed towards the cavity between adjacent stand-off pins and at an acute angle relative to the stud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Fumitaka Ichihashi
  • Patent number: 11448436
    Abstract: A method of making an electrocaloric element includes forming conductive layers on opposing surfaces of a film comprising an electrocaloric material to form an electrocaloric element, wherein the forming of the conductive layers includes one or more of: vapor deposition of the conductive layers under reduced pressure for a duration of time, wherein the duration of time under reduced pressure is less than 240 minutes; vapor deposition of the conductive layers under reduced pressure for a duration of time, wherein the duration of time of exposure to conductive material deposition is less than 240 minutes; vapor deposition of the conductive layers under reduced pressure, wherein the reduced pressure is 10?8 torr to 500 torr; or maintaining the film at a temperature of less than or equal to 200° C. during forming of the conductive layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wei Xie, Subramanyaravi Annapragada, Joseph V. Mantese, Parmesh Verma, Thomas D. Radcliff, William A. Rioux
  • Patent number: 11401619
    Abstract: A method of applying a protective coating with improved adhesion on an aluminum alloy component includes first pretreating the surface of a component by depositing a sacrificial protective immersion layer using a zincating or similar process. Portions of the protective immersion layer as well as portions of the underlying aluminum alloy substrate are then electrolytically etched off in an ionic liquid. A protective aluminum coating is then electrodeposited on the component in an ionic liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lei Chen, Xiaomei Yu, Mark R. Jaworowski
  • Patent number: 11274950
    Abstract: A sensor array having a lattice topology includes interconnects having an electrically-conductive layer sandwiched between two dielectric layers, the interconnects defining first-axis interconnects, second-axis interconnects, and interconnect junctions, sensor nodes located on associated interconnect junctions thereby defining an associated first-axis line and second-axis line, a sensor on an associated sensor node, a primary first-axis interconnect interface that is electrically connected to the first-axis interconnects, and a primary second-axis interconnect interface that is electrically connected to the second-axis interconnects. Each sensor node includes a first electrode that is electrically connected to an associated first-axis line, a second electrode that is electrically connected to an associated second-axis line, and a bypass bridge that electrically isolates the associated second-axis line from the associated first-axis line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sameh Dardona, Callum Bailey
  • Patent number: 11174798
    Abstract: A compressor case for a gas turbine engine includes an annular body that extends circumferentially around a center axis and extends axially along the center axis. A first bleed manifold is formed on an outer surface of the annular body and encloses a first plenum. A second bleed manifold is formed on the outer surface of the annular body and is axially aft of the first bleed manifold. The second bleed manifold encloses a second plenum. A bleed inlet extends through the annular body and into the first bleed manifold. Cooling passages are formed in the annular body, and each of the cooling passages extends from the first plenum to the second plenum and fluidically connects the first plenum to the second plenum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Gary D. Roberge
  • Publication number: 20210317743
    Abstract: A rotor assembly of a gas-turbine engine may comprise a first rotor blade, a second rotor blade, a third rotor blade, a first platform sealing assembly and a second platform sealing assembly. The first platform sealing assembly may be disposed between a first platform of the first rotor blade and a second platform of the second rotor blade. The second platform sealing assembly may be disposed between the second platform and a third platform of the third rotor blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gabriel P. Smith, John C. DiTomasso
  • Patent number: 11143142
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a first spool, a second spool, a primary combustor, and a diffuser. The first spool includes a first compressor rotationally driven by a first turbine via a first shaft. The second spool includes a second compressor driven by a second turbine via a second shaft. The first compressor, the diffuser, and the primary combustor are arranged in series to provide a compressed airflow discharged from the first compressor to the primary combustor via the diffuser, which includes walls that diverge towards the primary combustor. The second compressor is fluidly coupled to the diffuser to receive at least a portion of the compressed airflow from the diffuser. The second turbine is fluidly coupled to the diffuser to discharge an expanded airflow to the diffuser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Paul R. Hanrahan, Daniel Bernard Kupratis
  • Publication number: 20210310363
    Abstract: A rotor blade for a gas turbine engine including an inner ply layer group includes a flared region and an airfoil region, a neck region between the flared region and the airfoil region; and a platform shell that comprises a platform shell root region, a platform shell platform region, and a platform shell neck region between the platform shell root region and the platform shell platform region, the platform shell root region sheathes the flared region, and the platform shell neck region flares outwardly away from the neck region to intersect the platform shell platform region at a platform shell neck region perimeter around an airfoil opening perimeter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Michael G. McCaffrey
  • Publication number: 20210283681
    Abstract: A furnace for removing a molybdenum-alloy refractory metal core through sublimation comprising a retort furnace having an interior; a sublimation fixture insertable within the interior of the retort furnace, the sublimation fixture configured to receive at least one turbine blade having the molybdenum-alloy refractory metal core; a flow passage thermally coupled to the retort furnace configured to heat a fluid flowing through the flow passage and deliver the fluid to the molybdenum-alloy refractory metal core causing sublimation of the molybdenum-alloy refractory metal core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel A. Bales, Thomas DeMichael
  • Patent number: 11111794
    Abstract: A seal assembly includes a first feather seal with a first cooling hole extending through the first feather seal. The seal assembly also includes a second feather seal adjacent to the first feather seal. The second feather seal includes a second cooling hole extending through the second feather seal. The first cooling hole is positioned over at least a portion of the second cooling hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Bitzko, Shawn M. McMahon, Alex J. Schneider
  • Publication number: 20210262359
    Abstract: An after-fan system for an engine may comprise an after-fan turbine an electrical generator operationally coupled to the after-fan turbine, and an electric motor electrically coupled to the electrical generator. The electrical generator may be configured to generate an electrical current in response to rotation of the after-fan turbine. The electric motor may be configured to generate torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dmitriy B. Sidelkovskiy, Pitchaiah Vijay Chakka, Michael Winter, Daniel Bernard Kupratis, Nathan L. Messersmith
  • Publication number: 20210262415
    Abstract: A nacelle assembly of a gas turbine engine includes an annular structure defining a central axis, and having a radially inward surface and a radially outward surface, the radially inward surface at least partially defining a bypass duct. An aft portion of the radially inward surface at least partially defines an axially extending convergent-divergent exit nozzle. A secondary nozzle flap is radially spaced from the aft portion of the radially inward surface. The secondary nozzle flap and the aft portion of the radially inward surface define a secondary bypass duct therebetween. The secondary nozzle flap is operably connected to the annular structure such that the secondary nozzle flap is selectably movable relative to the aft portion of the radially inward surface, thereby changing a cross-sectional area of a secondary bypass duct exit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Dmitriy B. Sidelkovskiy, Steven H. Zysman, Nathan L. Messersmith
  • Publication number: 20210262400
    Abstract: A control system for limiting a power turbine torque of a gas turbine engine is disclosed. In various embodiments, the control system includes an engine control module configured to output an effector command signal to a gas generator of the gas turbine engine; a power turbine governor module configured to output to the engine control module a power turbine torque request signal; and a power turbine torque limiter module configured to output to the power turbine governor module a power turbine speed rate signal to limit a power turbine speed overshoot of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Chaohong Cai, Richard P. Meisner, Timothy J. Crowley, David Lei Ma
  • Patent number: 11098655
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes an engine spool with a turbine section, a propeller, a motor, and a variable drive arrangement. The variable drive arrangement mechanically couples the engine spool to the propeller, and includes a first gear connection rotationally coupled to the propeller, a second gear connection rotationally coupled to the engine spool, and a sprag clutch rotationally coupled to the first gear connection. The sprag clutch is configured to passively decouple the motor from the first gear connection when a torque input from the engine spool exceeds a torque input from the motor, and is configured to passively couple the motor to the first gear connection when the torque input from motor exceeds a torque input from the engine spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel Bernard Kupratis
  • Publication number: 20210254494
    Abstract: A vane arm connection system for a gas turbine engine includes a vane stem having a head with flat contact surfaces; a vane arm having a claw, the claw having opposed arms having inwardly facing surfaces engaging the flat contact surfaces of the head; and a torque transfer member having a body defining an opening for engaging the flat contact surfaces of the head of the vane stem, and at least one arm extending from the body to contact the claw, whereby load from torque is transferred away from the inwardly facing surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher F. Duffy
  • Publication number: 20210254232
    Abstract: A nickel-phosphorus alloy coating comprising a substrate having a surface; a nickel phosphorus alloy coating plated to the surface, the nickel phosphorus alloy consisting of phosphorus from 15.0 wt. percent to 20.9 wt. percent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Lei Jin, Ryan M. Brodeur, Poulomi Sannigrahi
  • Publication number: 20210254480
    Abstract: A rotor disk assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a rotor disk that defines an axis, the rotor disk comprising a slot within a rim of the disk and a spacer within the slot, the spacer having a clearance feature sized to permit rotation of a rotor blade from an insertion position to an installed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2020
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Weston Behling, Michael C. Weber, William B. McLean, William S. Pratt, Joon Ha
  • Publication number: 20210246790
    Abstract: A rotor disk assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a rotor disk that defines an axis; and a damper pivot support that extends from a rim of the rotor disk, the damper pivot support comprising an aperture that defines a pivot axis parallel to the axis. A method to dampen a rotor blade of a gas turbine engine, includes independently pivoting a first damper and a second damper of a damper assembly about the pivot axis to respectively contact a first blade and a second blade in response to centrifugal force below a platform of the respective first blade and second blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Michael G. McCaffrey
  • Publication number: 20210246837
    Abstract: A surge control system includes a rotor system with at least one compressor section and at least one turbine section operably coupled to a shaft. The surge control system also includes sensors configured to collect sensor data from the rotor system, an electric motor operably coupled to the rotor system, and a controller. The controller is operable to detect surge event from the sensor data, determine an amount of power to apply to the rotor system, and increase the amount of power provided to the rotor system to recover from the surge event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Romero, Gary Collopy