Patents Examined by Stephanie Sebasco Cheng
  • Patent number: 11898517
    Abstract: A turbofan engine including an exhaust casing traversed by a primary flow and surrounded by a secondary flow and an outlet cone carried by this exhaust casing, the exhaust casing and the outlet cone together defining an internal space. The exhaust casing includes a hollow radial arm traversing the primary flow in order to convey part of the secondary flow so as to form a cooling flow for supplying the internal space, and the outlet cone is terminated by an opening for discharging the cooling flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Guillaume Claude Robert Belmon, Cédric Zaccardi
  • Patent number: 11867399
    Abstract: A micro-mixer capable of effectively mixing compressed air supplied from a compressor to a combustor and fuel supplied from a fuel nozzle, and a combustor including the same are provided. The micro-mixer includes a mixing passage including an inlet and an outlet, a fuel supply passage extending from one inner wall to the other inner wall of the mixing passage, and a fuel supply port formed in the fuel supply passage to supply fuel to the mixing passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: DOOSAN ENERBILITY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Eun Young Kim
  • Patent number: 11788472
    Abstract: Aircraft generator systems are described. The aircraft generator systems include a main engine having a fan and a compressor section, a generator assembly having at least one expansion turbine operably connected to a generator, and a working fluid flow path defined between at least one extraction point at at least one of the fan and the compressor section of the main engine and at least one outlet, wherein the working fluid is configured to flow through the at least one expansion turbine to generate power at the generator. There are no heat exchangers arranged between the at least one extraction point and the at least one outlet along the working fluid flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: RTX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Steven W. Burd
  • Patent number: 11788725
    Abstract: A trapped vortex combustor for use in a gas turbine engine includes an outer vortex chamber wall and a dome attached to, or formed integrally with, the outer vortex chamber wall. The dome, the outer vortex chamber wall, or both define at least in part an outer trapped vortex chamber and a channel. The channel extends along the circumferential direction at a forward end of the outer vortex chamber wall, the channel configured to receive an airflow through or around the outer vortex chamber wall, the dome, or both and provide such airflow as a continuous annular airflow to the inner surface of the outer vortex chamber wall. The dome further defines a fuel nozzle opening, with all openings in the dome outward of the fuel nozzle opening along the radial direction, excepting any effusion cooling holes having a diameter less than about 0.035 inches, being in airflow communication with the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Beverly Stephenson Duncan, Steven Joseph Lohmueller, Eric John Stevens
  • Patent number: 11781506
    Abstract: A section for a gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a rotor including a row of blades extending in a radial direction outwardly from a hub. The row of blades deliver flow to a bypass flow path, an intermediate flow path, and a core flow path. A first case surrounds the row of blades to establish the bypass flow path. A first flow splitter divides flow between the bypass flow path and a second duct. A row of guide vanes extends in the radial direction across the bypass flow path. A second flow splitter radially inboard of the first flow splitter divides flow from the second duct between the intermediate flow path and the core flow path. A bypass port interconnects the intermediate and bypass flow paths. A method of operation for a gas turbine engine is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: RTX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniel Bernard Kupratis, Paul R. Hanrahan
  • Patent number: 11746695
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a fan, a compressor, a combustor, and a turbine. The compressor compresses gases entering the gas turbine engine. The combustor receives the compressed gases from the compressor and mixes fuel with the compressed gases. The turbine receives the hot, high pressure combustion products created by the combustor by igniting the fuel mixed with the compressed gases. The turbine extracts mechanical work from the hot, high pressure combustion products to drive the fan and compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Mark E. Whitlock, Nathanael Cooper, Steven Mazur, Michael Nesteroff, Paul Melevage
  • Patent number: 11692710
    Abstract: A burner comprises: at least one mixing tube extending inside a fuel plenum and having an interior configured to be supplied with an air; and a plurality of fuel injection holes for injecting a fuel supplied to the fuel plenum into the interior of the at least one mixing tube. When the at least one mixing tube is viewed in an axial direction of the mixing tube, a central axis of each of the plurality of fuel injection holes is oblique in a same direction with respect to a circumferential direction of the mixing tube, to a radial direction of the mixing tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Katsuyoshi Tada
  • Patent number: 11686249
    Abstract: An aircraft turbine engine having a primary air flow path with low-pressure and high-pressure compressors, a secondary air flow path which is located around the primary path and runs coaxially thereto, the turbine engine including vanes distributed about a main axis of the turbine engine. A pressurized air circuit draws air between the low-pressure compressor and the high-pressure compressor or in the high-pressure compressor and supplies at least one component located close to a main axis of the turbine engine. The pressurized air circuit includes a heat exchanger between the stream of pressurized air and the stream of air flowing in the secondary path, the heat exchanger being arranged in at least one of the straightening vanes, where a heat exchanger pipe is arranged, the pipe having a pressurized-air inlet and a pressurized-air outlet that are located at the same radial end of the vane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Catherine Pikovsky, Christophe Marcel Lucien Perdrigeon, Cédric Zaccardi
  • Patent number: 11686253
    Abstract: A through-flow gas turbine engine includes a core comprising multiple spools rotatable about a center axis. An accessory gearbox (AGB) is drivingly engaged to the core and disposed aft of the outlet. A reduction gearbox (RGB) is drivingly engaged to the core and disposed forward of the inlet. The RGB has an RGB output to provide rotational output to a rotatable load. An electric motor is drivingly engaged to the rotatable load. An electric generator is configured to provide electrical power to the electric motor. the electric motor and the electric generator are disposed axially adjacent one another, and axially between the outlet and the AGB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventor: Guy Lefebvre
  • Patent number: 11680708
    Abstract: A multi-tube combustor is provided. The multi-tube combustor includes a plurality of fuel nozzles disposed in a nozzle tube provided inside a nozzle casing, each fuel nozzle having a cavity, a plurality of compressed air supply tubes connected to the plurality of fuel nozzles and configured to supply a compressed air to the plurality of fuel nozzles, and an on/off valve provided on the plurality of compressed air supply tubes to open and close the compressed air supply tubes. The fuel and the compressed air are mixed inside the plurality of fuel nozzles, and the plurality of fuel nozzles are divided into a plurality of fuel nozzle groups, and a mixture of the fuel and the compressed air is ejected from one or more selected fuel nozzle groups of the plurality of fuel nozzle groups according to a combustion load condition or during a ramp-up process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: DOOSAN ENERBILITY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jung Min Seok
  • Patent number: 11668245
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine having: an engine core having, in serial flow communication, a low-pressure compressor, a high-pressure compressor, a high-pressure turbine drivingly connected to the high-pressure compressor, and a low-pressure turbine drivingly connected to an output shaft; and a clutch having a disengaged configuration in which the low-pressure turbine is drivingly disconnected from the low-pressure compressor such that, in the disengaged configuration, the clutch disengages the low-pressure turbine from the low-pressure compressor, and an engaged configuration in which the low-pressure turbine is drivingly connected to the low-pressure compressor, the low-pressure turbine drivingly connected to the output shaft in both of the engaged and disengaged configurations of the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Ghislain Plante, Patrick Valois
  • Patent number: 11668243
    Abstract: Aircraft hydrogen fuel systems and methods and systems of starting such systems are described. The aircraft hydrogen fuel systems include a hydrogen burning main engine, a main tank configured to contain liquid hydrogen to be supplied to the main engine during a normal operation, and a starter tank configured to contain gaseous hydrogen to be used during a startup operation of the main engine. Methods and processes for starting and/or restarting such systems are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Marc J. Muldoon, Carroll V. Sidwell
  • Patent number: 11661887
    Abstract: A variable geometry inlet system of an aircraft engine includes an inlet duct. The inlet duct includes at least first and second sections moveable between extended and retracted positions such that the inlet duct defines a variable axial length of an inlet passage for selective flight conditions. The inclusion of acoustic treatment may assist in controlling noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Michel Labrecque, Vincent Couture-Gagnon, Richard Ullyott
  • Patent number: 11639668
    Abstract: A method for controlling the clearance between the blade tips of a high-pressure turbine of a gas turbine aircraft engine and a turbine shroud, including the controlling of a valve delivering a stream of air to the turbine shroud, this method further including the following steps: the detection of a transient acceleration phase of the engine; the receiving of an item of data representative of the gas temperature at the outlet of the combustion chamber of the engine; a valve opening command, to deliver the air stream to the turbine shroud or to increase the flow rate of the delivered air stream, if the transient acceleration phase is detected and if the gas temperature at the outlet of the combustion chamber is greater than a first temperature threshold corresponding to a degraded clearance characteristic of an aged engine, this threshold being less than an operating limit temperature of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Patrice Fraisse, Tangi Rumon Brusq, Jean-Loïc Hervé Lecordix
  • Patent number: 11635043
    Abstract: A turbofan engine includes a fan section that drives air along a bypass flow path in a bypass duct. An epicyclic gear system in driving engagement with the fan shaft and has a gear mesh lateral stiffness and a gear mesh transverse stiffness. A gear system input to the gear system defines a gear system input lateral stiffness and a gear system input transverse stiffness. The gear system input lateral stiffness is less than 5% of the gear mesh lateral stiffness. A first performance quantity is defined as the product of a first speed squared and a first area and a second performance quantity is defined as the product of a second speed squared and a second area. A performance quantity ratio of a first performance quantity to a second performance quantity is between 0.5 and 1.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, Jason Husband, Frederick M. Schwarz, Daniel Bernard Kupratis, Gabriel L. Suciu, William K. Ackermann
  • Patent number: 11624323
    Abstract: An air turbine starter that includes a housing. The housing can circumscribe a turbine coupled that is coupled to a gear train in a gear box via a drive shaft. A primary air flow path is defined between a primary inlet and a primary outlet. Air in the primary air flow path can flow into a secondary air flow path or rotate the turbine, that converts energy from the air flow to rotational mechanical energy. Air in the secondary air flow path can pass through at least a first cavity and first passage before rejoining the primary air flow or joining ambient air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Unison Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Parmeet Singh Chhabra, Pankaj Kumar Morya, Shiloh Montegomery Meyers, David Raju Yamarthi, Steven Ryan Kerley
  • Patent number: 11619387
    Abstract: A liner for a combustor includes a support member, an intermediate member, and a liner member. The intermediate member is positioned intermediate the support member and the liner member and has a plurality of protrusions and a plurality of recesses. The support member is coupled to the intermediate member at a tangent of each protrusion. Additionally, the liner member is comprised of a ceramic matrix composite material. The liner member is coupled to the intermediate member at a tangent of each recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Ted Joseph Freeman, Bruce E. Varney, Adam L. Chamberlain
  • Patent number: 11614003
    Abstract: A combined cooling, heating and power system is formed by integrating a CO2 cycle subsystem, an ORC cycle subsystem, and an LNG cold energy utilization subsystem based on an SOFC/GT hybrid power generation subsystem. The combined system can achieve efficient and cascade utilization of energy and low carbon dioxide emission. An SOFC/GT hybrid system is used as a prime mover. High-, medium-, and low-temperature waste heat of the system are recovered through CO2 and ORC cycles, respectively. Cold energy (for air conditioning and refrigeration), heat, power, natural gas, ice, and dry ice can be provided by using LNG as a cold source of the CO2 and ORC cycles. Low CO2 emission is achieved by condensation and separation of CO2 from flue gas, so energy loss of the system can be reduced, and efficient and cascade utilization of energy can be achieved, thereby realizing energy conservation and emission reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: SHANDONG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jitian Han, Yang Liu, Huailiang You, Lian Duan, Li Shao, Changnian Chen, Zeting Yu
  • Patent number: 11608189
    Abstract: One embodiment includes a multistage infrared suppression exhaust system for an aircraft, including: a stage one including a first exhaust conduit to receive a first exhaust air flow at a first temperature-pressure product T1P1, a second exhaust conduit to receive a second exhaust air flow at a second temperature-pressure product T2P2, and a flow integrator mechanically configured to mix the first exhaust air flow with the second exhaust air flow in an integration chamber while preventing back flow into the second exhaust conduit; and a stage two including a stage two cooling airflow to cool the mixed first and second exhaust air flows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC
    Inventors: Robert Michael Laramee, Michael E. Rinehart, William Steyer
  • Patent number: 11603797
    Abstract: The present invention provides compartment(s) for a turbine engine, comprising a main compartment for receiving the turbine engine and an intake compartment disposed on a side of the main compartment. The intake compartment comprises: an intake compartment body, a gas filter device and a muffler device. The gas filter device and the muffler device are disposed outside the intake port of the intake compartment. The compartment unit is configured to have a first gas path which permits air for combustion in the turbine engine to pass from the external through the gas filter device and the first muffler device in turn into the intake compartment body, and then be delivered through the exhaust port of the intake compartment to the turbine engine in the main compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Yantai Jereh Petroleum Equipment & Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Rikui Zhang, Peng Zhang, Chunqiang Lan, Shanwu Fu, Sheng Chang, Ruijie Du, Jian Zhang