Patents Examined by Marc Amar
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Patent number: 9845704Abstract: A cooled flange connection of a gas-turbine engine is annular and includes a first flange of a first component, at least a second and central flange of a second component, and a third flange of a third component. At the contact area between the first and the second flange a first circumferential duct is provided that extends over at least part of the circumference. At the contact area between the second and the third flange a second circumferential duct is provided that extends over at least part of the circumference. The first and second circumferential ducts are connected to one another by axial connecting recesses. The first flange is provided with at least one inflow recess connected to the first circumferential duct. The third flange is provided with at least one outflow recess connected to the circumferential duct.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2014Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE DEUTSCHLAND LTD & CO KGInventors: Ivo Szarvasy, Friedrich Lohmann
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Patent number: 9816586Abstract: An aircraft engine nacelle door operating system locking manual drive unit includes a housing, an input drive shaft, an output drive shaft, a lock shaft, and a lock spring. The input drive shaft, the output drive shaft, and the lock shaft are all rotationally mounted in the housing. The output drive shaft continuously engages and mates with the input drive shaft, and he lock shaft extends at least partially into and engages the input drive shaft. The lock shaft is movable between a lock position, in which it engages and mates with the output drive shaft, and an unlock position, in it is disengaged from the output drive shaft. The lock spring supplies a bias force to the lock shaft that urges the lock shaft toward the lock position.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2015Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Kevin K Chakkera, Timm E Hartman, Ron Vaughan, Stephen Birn
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Patent number: 9810145Abstract: An engine assembly is configured to exceed Mach. The engine assembly has a casing mechanically coupled to a jet engine such that ducting exists between the casing and the jet engine. The jet engine further includes a low pressure compression stage configured to compress a gasses. A high pressure compression stage is connected to the low pressure compression stage and configured to further compress the gasses. A combustion stage is connected to the high pressure compression stage and configured to heat the gasses to three thousand degrees Fahrenheit by back pressure. A low pressure turbine is connected to the combustion stage and configured to utilize energy in the gasses so that there is very little emission from the low pressure turbine. A shaft is connected to the low pressure turbine and configured to turn as a result of the low pressure turbine.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2014Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Inventor: Philip C. Bannon
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Patent number: 9810158Abstract: Bleed air systems for use with aircraft and related methods are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a compressor having a compressor inlet, a compressor outlet, and a first drive shaft. The compressor outlet is to be fluidly coupled to a system of an aircraft that receives pressurized air, and the compressor inlet is to receive bleed air from a low-pressure compressor of an engine of the aircraft. The example apparatus includes a gearbox operatively coupled to the first drive shaft to drive the compressor. The gearbox is to be operatively coupled to and powered by a second drive shaft extending from the engine. The example apparatus also includes a clutch disposed between the first drive shaft and the gearbox to selectively disconnect the first drive shaft from the gearbox.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2014Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: David W. Foutch, Steve G. Mackin
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Patent number: 9803589Abstract: A device heating a fluid and usable in a rocket launcher to pressurize a liquefied propellant. The device includes a first burner performing first combustion between a limiting propellant and an excess propellant; a first heat exchanger in which first burnt gas from the first combustion transfers heat to the fluid; at least one second burner into which both the first burnt gas and some limiting propellant are injected to perform second combustion between the limiting propellant and at least a portion of unburnt excess propellant present in the first burnt gas. The second burnt gas from the second combustion flows through a second heat exchanger to transfer heat to the fluid. Burnt gas from each combustion flows in respective burnt gas tubes within a common overall heat exchanger including the heat exchange units, the gas transferring heat to the fluid, the fluid flowing between the burnt gas tubes.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2012Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: SNECMAInventors: Didier Vuillamy, Jean-Luc Barthoulot, Jean-Michel Sannino
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Patent number: 9803865Abstract: A system includes a turbine combustor that includes a head end portion having a head end chamber, a combustion portion having a combustion chamber disposed downstream from the head end chamber, a cap disposed between the head end chamber and the combustion chamber, and a flow distributor configured to distribute an exhaust flow circumferentially around the head end chamber. The flow distributor includes at least one exhaust gas flow path.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2013Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignees: General Electric Company, ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Carolyn Ashley Antoniono, William Lawrence Byrne, Elizabeth Angelyn Fadde
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Patent number: 9791153Abstract: In various embodiments, a fuel injector may comprise a fuel nozzle and a pilot stage. The fuel nozzle may define a main fuel channel, a secondary fuel channel, a simplex fuel channel and a heat shield area. The main fuel channel may be disposed about at least a portion of the simplex fuel channel. The secondary fuel channel may be disposed about at least a portion of the simplex fuel channel. The heat shield area may be configured to separate and protect the fuel channels from a heat load to prevent fuel coking. The pilot stage may be operatively coupled to the fuel nozzle and may be configured to receive fuel from the secondary fuel channel or the simplex fuel channel. The main stage may be operatively coupled to the fuel nozzle. The main stage may be configured to receive fuel from the main fuel channel.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2015Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Zhongtao Dai, Kristin Kopp-Vaughan, Dave Hyland, Russell B. Hanson, Lexia Kironn
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Patent number: 9784187Abstract: A gas turbine engine is provided. The gas turbine engine includes a compressor assembly and a combustion assembly in flow communication with the compressor assembly. The combustion assembly includes a plurality of fuel nozzles and a fluid conduit for delivering fuel to the fuel nozzles. The fluid conduit has a plurality of first outlet ports that are spaced apart from one another along the fluid conduit, and the fluid conduit also has a plurality of second outlet ports that are spaced apart from one another along the fluid conduit. The fluid conduit further has a first flow path extending along the fluid conduit in flow communication with the first outlet ports, and the fluid conduit also has a second flow path extending along the fluid conduit in flow communication with the second outlet ports. At least a portion of the first flow path is circumscribed by the second flow path.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2013Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jared Matthew Wolfe, Joshua Daniel Brown, Christopher Francis Poranski, Edward J. Condrac, Raymond Floyd Martell
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Patent number: 9771897Abstract: A reaction propulsion device in which a first feed circuit for feeding a main thruster with a first propellant includes a branch connection downstream from a pump of a first turbopump, which branch connection passes through a first regenerative heat exchanger and a turbine of a first turbopump, and in which a second feed circuit for feeding the main thruster with a second propellant includes, downstream from a pump of a second turbopump, a branch-off passing through a second regenerative heat exchanger and a turbine of the second turbopump. At least one secondary thruster is connected downstream from the turbines of the first and second turbopumps.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2012Date of Patent: September 26, 2017Assignee: SNECMAInventors: Nicolas Soulier, Bruno Brochard, Jean-Michel Sannino
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Patent number: 9759424Abstract: A method for providing thermo-acoustic coupling of a gas turbine engine augmentor includes determining acoustic resonances and heat release phase relationships associated with the augmentor. A fuel injector of the augmentor is positioned at an axial position relative to a flame holder of the augmentor in response to the determined acoustic resonances and heat release phase relationships associated with the augmentor. Heat release and acoustic pressure oscillation cycles associated with the augmentor are out of phase by at least approximately 100 degrees.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2008Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Jeffery A. Lovett, Derk S. Philippona
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Patent number: 9752509Abstract: A method for controlling coupling between a first machine including a first rotating shaft having an associated first positional phase angle defined by a first shaft indicia and a second machine including a second rotating shaft having an associated second positional phase angle defined by a second shaft indicia. A rotational speed and rotational angle of the first shaft are monitored, and rotation of the second shaft is controlled by bringing the second shaft to a predetermined rotational speed relative to the first shaft speed. Acceleration of the second shaft is controlled such that the second shaft indicia is within a predetermined angle relative to the first shaft indicia upon the second shaft being brought to the predetermined rotational speed, at which point the first and second shafts are coupled such that the second shaft indicia is within the predetermined angle relative to the first shaft indicia.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2013Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY, INC.Inventors: Peter Jon Clayton, Joseph David Hurley, Albert C. Sismour, Jr., Melissa A. Batis-Carver
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Patent number: 9745896Abstract: Systems and methods for frequency separation in a gas turbine engine are provided herein. The systems and methods for frequency separation in a gas turbine engine may include determining a hot gas path natural frequency, determining a combustion dynamic frequency, and modifying a compressor discharge temperature to separate the combustion dynamic frequency from the hot gas path natural frequency.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2013Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Sarah Lori Crothers, Matthew Durham Collier, Scott Edward Sherman, Joseph Vincent Citeno
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Patent number: 9732672Abstract: A method of augmenting power output by a gas turbine engine includes channeling fuel into the gas turbine engine at a predetermined fuel flow rate to generate a first power output. Steam is then injected into the gas turbine engine at a first steam flow rate, and a firing temperature bias is determined based at least on the first steam flow rate. The predetermined fuel flow rate is then adjusted based on the determined firing temperature bias such that the gas turbine engine generates a second power output greater than the first power output.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2013Date of Patent: August 15, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: David Spencer Ewens, Michael Corey Mullen, Bhushan Meshram
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Patent number: 9726115Abstract: A selectable ramjet propulsion system for propelling a rocket or missile includes a gas generator adjacent a booster. A frangible diaphragm is disposed between the gas generator and the booster. The booster and fuel gas generator can be operated in normal sequence, or operated at the same time in order to increase the thrust produced for short-range missions. A logic circuit contained on the rocket or missile determines a time to rupture the frangible diaphragm based on whether or not the distance to the target exceeds a threshold distance.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2012Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: AEROJET ROCKETDYNE, INC.Inventors: Patrick W. Hewitt, Mark Mamula
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Patent number: 9726377Abstract: The burner (1) of a gas turbine includes a duct (2) which houses four vortex generators (3) and a lance (7) that carries one or more nozzles (8) for injecting a fuel within the duct (2). The lance (7) extends from one of the vortex generators (3).Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2010Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: ANSALDO ENERGIA SWITZERLAND AGInventors: Andrea Ciani, Johannes Buss
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Patent number: 9726110Abstract: An aircraft propulsion system may include a generally annular fan case defined by a fan configured to be disposed at a forward end thereof and a stator blade array configured to be disposed at an aft end thereof, a thrust reversing assembly comprising at least a portion of the fan case, the fan case comprising a generally annular cascade array, and/or a sleeve situated at least partially about the cascade array, the sleeve configured to deploy to expose the cascade array. The aircraft propulsion system may further comprise a blocker door coupled to at least one of the cascade array and an inner surface of the fan case, the blocker door configured to deploy to redirect airflow through the cascade array.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2013Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: ROHR, INC.Inventor: Norman J. James
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Patent number: 9714608Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a unique gas turbine engine system. Another embodiment is a unique exhaust nozzle system for a gas turbine engine. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for gas turbine engine systems and exhaust nozzle systems for gas turbine engines. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2012Date of Patent: July 25, 2017Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Jagdish S. Sokhey, Anthony F. Pierluissi
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Patent number: 9714627Abstract: A propulsion system of an aircraft may include an inner fixed structure (IFS) and an outer sleeve. The IFS and the outer sleeve may be separately coupled to the pylon. The inner fixed structure may be hingeably coupled directly to the pylon with a first set of hinges defining a first axis of rotation. The outer sleeve may be hingeably coupled directly to the pylon with a second set of hinges, wherein the second set of hinges are distinct from the first set of hinges and define a second axis of rotation. Thus, portions of the pylon are exposed to the fan duct air flow path.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2013Date of Patent: July 25, 2017Assignee: Rohr, Inc.Inventor: Anthony Lacko
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Patent number: 9708920Abstract: A gas turbine includes a compressor, an annular combustion chamber, and a turbine, a combustion chamber shell of the combustion chamber adjoining the turbine inlet in a transition region in order to introduce the hot gases generated in the combustion chamber into the downstream turbine such that a thermal expansion-induced relative movement between the combustion chamber and the turbine inlet is possible. Combustion chamber shell support elements distributed on the periphery come into contact with a conical contour on the shaft cover due to the thermal expansion that occurs during operation and are supported on said contour. An improvement with respect to loading and service life is achieved in that the conical contour and the machine axis form an angle that allows the combustion chamber shell support elements to slide onto the conical contour.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2014Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGY GMBHInventors: Remigi Tschuor, Sinisa Narancic, Guenter Filkorn
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Patent number: 9677505Abstract: An air/fuel mixer system of a combustion chamber of a gas turbine includes at least one compressed air intake swirler, the swirler having a central axis of symmetry, and a fuel injector including an injection head having an axis of symmetry. Each injector is mounted in the corresponding swirler with aid of a guide mechanism, so that the axis of symmetry of the injection head is off-center with respect to the central axis of symmetry of the swirler. The system can reduce, or even eliminate, combustion instabilities, by injecting the fuel along a particular axis which is off-center relative to the axis of the air/fuel mixer system, inducing a flow of fuel which is no longer perfectly axially symmetrical.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2012Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: TURBOMECAInventors: Nicolas Savary, Claude Berat, Hubert Hippolyte Vignau, Christophe Nicolas Henri Viguier