Patents Assigned to United Technologies Corporation
  • RADIALLY OUTWARD ORBITAL WELDING TECHNIQUE AS A JOINING METHOD USED FOR INNER TUBE TO FITTING CONNECTIONS IN DOUBLE WALL TUBE CONFIGURATIONS
    Publication number: 20200384584
    Abstract: A process of welding fittings to ends of a double wall pipe comprising forming a first welded joint between an inner pipe and an inner receiver of a first fitting; forming a second welded joint between an outer pipe and an outer receiver of the first fitting; forming a third welded joint between the outer pipe and an outer receiver of a second fitting; and forming a fourth welded joint between the inner pipe and an inner receiver of the second fitting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Pawel Kaniowski, Piotr Kaczor, Robert Wozniak, Wangen Lin, Christopher A. Sanchez
  • BRAZE-IN-PLACE PLUG REPAIR METHOD FOR THROUGHWALL DEFECTS ON CASTINGS
    Publication number: 20200384560
    Abstract: A method of repairing a cast article defect, in accordance with various embodiments, is disclosed herein. The method may comprise: machining an aperture at a defect location of a cast article; coating a plug side surface of a plug with a braze material; coating at least one of a top surface or a bottom surface of the plug with an excess braze material; inserting the plug into the aperture from the inner surface of the cast article towards the outer surface of the cast article and leaving at least one void between a the braze material and a side surface of the aperture; and heating the cast article and the plug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: THOMAS ANTHONY REBBECCHI, JR., Edward R. Bareiss, Shorntell D. Wilson, Nagendra Narasimha Kedlaya, Joseph F. McIlrath
  • APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR IMPROVEMENT OF SURFACE GEOMETRIES OF INTERNAL CHANNELS OF ADDITIVELY MANUFACTURED COMPONENTS
    Publication number: 20200384539
    Abstract: A cutting system for removing an excess material along a length of a channel constructed using an additive manufacturing process is disclosed. In various embodiments, the cutting system includes a cutting component having an abrasive surface configured to remove the excess material along a down-facing surface of the channel and a smooth surface configured for sliding contact with an up-facing surface of the channel; and a motive component configured to urge the cutting component through the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian A. Fisher, David W. Morganson
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MONITORING AND CONTROLLING A GAS TURBINE ENGINE
    Publication number: 20200386117
    Abstract: A method for controlling a gas turbine engine includes receiving, by a signal processor from a sensor, an operating condition of the gas turbine engine and determining, by the signal processor, whether the operating condition is within an acceptable threshold. In response to the operating condition being outside the acceptable threshold, the method includes restricting, by the signal processor, a subsequent engine restart of the gas turbine engine. Restricting the subsequent engine restart of the gas turbine engine may comprise preventing the subsequent restart. In various embodiments, restricting the subsequent engine restart of the gas turbine engine comprises limiting a subsequent operating state of the gas turbine engine after the subsequent restart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jacob Peter Mastro, Martin J. Walsh
  • APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR IMPROVEMENT OF SURFACE GEOMETRIES OF INTERNAL CHANNELS OF ADDITIVELY MANUFACTURED COMPONENTS
    Publication number: 20200384547
    Abstract: A cutting system for removing an excess material along a length of a channel constructed using an additive manufacturing process is disclosed. In various embodiments, the cutting system includes a cutter head; a cutter blade attached to the cutter head; a drive cable configured to rotate the cutter head; and a cutter base attached to the cutter head and having a cutter base outer surface configured to contact an internal surface within the channel to guide the cutter blade against the excess material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian A. Fisher, David W. Morganson
  • Apparatus and method for selective bonding to form hollow components
    Patent number: 10858945
    Abstract: An embodiment of an apparatus includes means for peripherally welding a cavity-back blade and a cover of the cavity-back blade to form a 3-dimensional hollow blade assembly, and a plurality of bellows contained in one or both of a first die half and a second die half receiving the 3-dimensional hollow blade assembly. The plurality of bellows are disposed within the region defined around or inward of the peripherally welded interface of the cover and the blade. At least a portion of the plurality of bellows are arranged in a manner to provide pressure to the cover at approximately a 90 degree angle to each of a plurality of nodes, each node defined by an intersection of two or more ribs in the cavity-back blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel A. Bales, Russell A. Beers, Thomas DeMichael, Eric W. Malmborg, Francis B. Parisi
  • VANE AIRFOIL SHAPES FOR EMBEDDED MEMBERS
    Publication number: 20200378261
    Abstract: A vane assembly may comprise a plurality of airfoils each extending between an inner platform and an outer platform, the plurality of airfoils comprising a nominal airfoil, a thickened airfoil, and a first thinned airfoil circumferentially adjacent to the thickened airfoil, wherein, the nominal airfoil has a first chord thickness, the thickened airfoil has a second chord thickness, and the thinned airfoil has a third chord thickness, wherein the second chord thickness is greater than the first chord thickness and the third chord thickness is less than the first chord thickness, and a member disposed within the thickened airfoil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Corey D. Anderson, Marianne C. Monastero, Vladimir Skidelsky
  • PASSIVE CENTRIFUGAL BLEED VALVE SYSTEM FOR A GAS TURBINE ENGINE
    Publication number: 20200378343
    Abstract: A passive centrifugal valve for a gas turbine engine. The passive centrifugal valve includes an inner section with a flow control inlet orifice, a cantilevered valve adjacent to the flow control inlet orifice, and an outer section with a seal land geometry that operates to at least partially support the cantilevered valve in response to a first centrifugal force that deflects the cantilevered valve away from the flow control inlet orifice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Michael G. McCaffrey, Tracy A. Propheter-Hinckley
  • Solid Rocket Motor Propellant Manufacture and Configurations
    Publication number: 20200377428
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a solid propellant includes: forming a tool of layers of a first material wherein cuts in the layers form a first interior chamber in the tool; using the tool to mold a second material in the first interior chamber; removing the molded second material from the tool; using the molded second material to mold an interior chamber in a rocket propellant grain; and removing the molded second material from the rocket propellant grain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Dustin W. Davis
  • CYLINDRICAL ROLLER BEARING CONTAINING A CROWNED INNER RING SHOULDER
    Publication number: 20200370601
    Abstract: A ring for use in a roller bearing includes an outer wall. The ring further includes two side walls extending away from the outer wall, defining a cavity therebetween for receiving at least one roller, and each of the two side walls having an outer edge at a location facing the cavity and farthest from the outer wall. The ring further includes a curved crown extending inward from at least one of the two side walls and configured to contact the at least one roller to reduce wear of the outer edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Brady Walker
  • Centrifugal airfoil cooling modulation
    Patent number: 10844730
    Abstract: In one example embodiment, a blade includes an attachment region, an airfoil extending from the attachment region, and a blade cooling arrangement. The blade cooling arrangement includes at least a first feed passage disposed through the attachment region, which is connected to a first cooling passage disposed in the airfoil. A passively actuated first coolant valve is disposed in or proximate the first feed passage. A plurality of such blades can be disposed in a turbine section of an engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Lane Thornton, Thomas N. Slavens
  • DIFFUSER CASE SUPPORT STRUCTURE
    Publication number: 20200362762
    Abstract: A diffuser case support structure for a gas turbine engine includes a fairing disposed circumferentially about a longitudinal axis. The fairing defines a plurality of passages circumferentially spaced apart and forming at least a portion of a fluid path between a compressor and a combustor of the gas turbine engine. A diffuser frame includes a plurality of struts. Each of the plurality of struts is disposed between a pair of adjacent passages of the plurality of passages. The diffuser frame is configured to couple an inner diffuser case to an outer diffuser case. A sliding joint is formed between the fairing and the diffuser frame, the sliding joint comprising a fastener extending generally axially through an aperture disposed in the fairing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2019
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthew Andrew Hough, John S. Tu, Stephen C. Harmon, Paul F. Croteau, Russell B. Hanson, Joshua C. Rathgeb
  • MONOLITHIC COMBUSTOR FOR ATTRITIABLE ENGINE APPLICATIONS
    Publication number: 20200362724
    Abstract: A monolithic combustor apparatus comprises an outer casing comprising a forward flange, a fuel manifold disposed on the outer casing and defining an annular chamber extending perimetrically around the outer casing, a combustor liner disposed within the outer casing, the combustor liner defining an annular combustion chamber, a first annular plenum disposed between the outer casing and the combustor liner, an inner liner disposed radially from the combustor liner, a first inner flange extending forward from the combustor liner, and a second inner flange extending radially inward from the first inner flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Binek, Jesse R. Boyer, Evan J. Butcher, Dmytro Mykolayovych Voytovych
  • CVI/CVD matrix densification process and apparatus
    Patent number: 10837109
    Abstract: A chemical vapor infiltration and deposition (CVI/CVD) reactor assembly includes a CVI/CVD reactor and a reactant gas feed source. The CVI/CVD reactor includes a first inlet at a first end of the CVI/CVD reactor, a second inlet at a second end of the CVI/CVD reactor opposite the first end, a first outlet at the second end, a second outlet at the first end, and a chamber in fluid communication with the first and second inlets and first and second outlets and configured to hold a substrate. The reactant gas feed source is interchangeably and fluidly connected to the first and second inlets by first and second valved gas lines, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Ying She, Cristal Chan
  • Electrocaloric heat transfer system
    Patent number: 10837681
    Abstract: A cooling system includes an electrocaloric element (12) having a liquid crystal elastomer or a liquid form liquid crystal retained in an elastomeric polymer matrix. A pair of electrodes (14.16) is disposed on opposite surfaces of the electrocaloric element. A first thermal flow path (18) is disposed between the electrocaloric element and a heat sink (17). A second thermal flow path (22) is disposed between the electrocaloric element and a heat source (20). The system also includes a controller (24) configured to control electrical current to the electrodes and to selectively direct transfer of heat energy from the electrocaloric element to the heat sink along the first thermal flow path or from the heat source to the electrocaloric element along the second thermal flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joseph V. Mantese, Zhongfen Ding
  • COOLED ATTACHMENT SLEEVE FOR A CERAMIC MATRIX COMPOSITE ROTOR BLADE
    Publication number: 20200355084
    Abstract: A rotor disk assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a rotor disk with a multiple of blade slots, the rotor disk defined about an axis; a sleeve received within each of the multiple of blade slots; and a ceramic matrix composite rotor blade received within each of the multiple of sleeves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Michael G. McCaffrey
  • METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A COMPOSITE VESSEL ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20200353704
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a composite vessel assembly (20) includes the steps of filling a first chamber defined by a first liner (28,30,32) with a first granulated material (96) through a first orifice (98) in the first liner. A vacuum is then applied to the first chamber, and the first orifice is plugged. The first liner may then be enveloped with a first layer (84) for structural rigidity followed by relief of the vacuum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Andrzej Ernest KUCZEK, Ellen Y. SUN, Wenping ZHAO
  • Method of densifying a ceramic matrix composite using a filled tackifier
    Patent number: 10829419
    Abstract: A method of producing an enhanced ceramic matrix composite includes applying a tackifier compound to a fiber preform. The tackifier compound includes inorganic filler particles. The method further includes modifying the tackifier compound such that the inorganic filler particles remain interspersed throughout the fiber preform, and occupy pores of fiber preform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Wesley Jackson, Kathryn S. Read, Jeremy R. Hart, Andrew J. Lazur
  • Method of densifying a ceramic matrix composite using a filled tackifier
    Patent number: 10829418
    Abstract: A method of producing an enhanced ceramic matrix composite includes applying a tackifier compound to a fiber preform. The tackifier compound includes inorganic filler particles. The method further includes modifying the tackifier compound such that the inorganic filler particles remain interspersed throughout the fiber preform, and occupy pores of fiber preform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: R. Wesley Jackson, Kathryn S. Read, Jeremy R. Hart, Andrew J. Lazur
  • Removal of epoxies from metal substrates
    Patent number: 10828667
    Abstract: A method of repairing a defectively manufactured multi-layer component having a substrate material and a primer layer includes applying, to the primer layer, a solvent that causes the primer layer to swell to form a swelled primer layer. The method also includes abrading away the swelled primer layer from the multi-layer component and rebuilding the multi-layer component by forming a new primer layer on the substrate material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: John Harner, Danielle E. Jencks