Patents Examined by Thuyhang N Nguyen
  • Patent number: 11624319
    Abstract: A reverse-flow gas turbine engine includes a core of the gas turbine engine comprising multiple spools rotatable about a center axis of the gas turbine engine. Each spool is configured to pressurize air and to extract energy from combustion gases. The air and combustion gases are configured to flow through the core in a forward direction from an air inlet at an aft end of the core to an outlet at a forward end of the core. A propeller is disposed forward of the outlet. A reduction gearbox (RGB) is drivingly engaged to the core. An electric motor is drivingly engaged to the propeller and disposed axially between the RGB and the propeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventor: Guy Lefebvre
  • Patent number: 11619170
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a centrifugal compressor, a combustor, a radial turbine, and a cooling air metering system. The centrifugal compressor is configured to rotate about an axis to produce compressed air. The combustor is fluidly connected downstream of the centrifugal compressor to receive the compressed air from the centrifugal compressor. The radial turbine is fluidly connected with the combustor and is axially spaced apart from the centrifugal compressor. The cooling air metering system is configured to selectively block or allow a portion of the compressed air flowing radially between the centrifugal compressor and the radial turbine, bypassing the combustor, and through a heat exchanger for cooling the radial turbine and other components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas D. Dierksmeier, Michael A. Karam
  • Patent number: 11619177
    Abstract: A combustion engine including at least one combustion chamber, a first bleed air supply fluidly coupled to a portion of the combustion engine upstream the combustion chamber, a second bleed air supply fluidly coupled to a portion of the combustion engine downstream the combustion chamber, a first thermal bus, and a turbomachine including a compressor, a rotary pump, and a first turbine, with the compressor and rotary pump in serial flow arrangement and the rotary pump being fluidly coupled to the first thermal bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: GE Aviation Systems LLC
    Inventors: Kevin P. Hallisey, Dominique Patrick Sautron
  • Patent number: 11603802
    Abstract: Methods and systems of starting a gas turbine engine are provided. During startup, a fuel pressure associated with a primary fuel supply of the gas turbine engine is monitored. A low-pressure event for the primary fuel supply is detected when the fuel pressure falls below a predetermined threshold. Responsive to detecting the low pressure event, an electric backup boost pump is activated by an engine controller to provide fuel to the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventor: Sean Durand
  • Patent number: 11603799
    Abstract: A combustor for a gas turbine engine includes an inner liner and an outer liner positioned outward of the inner liner along the radial direction such that a combustion chamber is defined between the inner and outer liners. Furthermore, the combustor includes a fuel nozzle configured to supply fuel to the combustion chamber. Moreover, the combustor includes a bristle pack having a base plate and a plurality of bristles extending outward from the base plate such that the bristle pack forms at least a portion of at least one of a heat shield coupled to the fuel nozzle, a deflector of the combustor, or a flare of the combustor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Ravindra Shankar Ganiger, Hiranya Kumar Nath, Michael Anthony Benjamin, Rajendra Mahadeorao Wankhade, Gurunath Gandikota
  • Patent number: 11598266
    Abstract: A system is provided with an ejector having an outer wall extending circumferentially about a flow path, wherein the outer wall has a throat section along the flow path, and a diverging section downstream from the throat section along the flow path. The ejector includes a gas inlet configured to supply a gas into the flow path, and a water inlet configured to supply water into the flow path. The ejector is configured to produce steam in response to mixing of the water and the gas along the flow path. The system also includes a controller configured to control flows of the gas and the water to produce the steam for a steam purge of a liquid fuel circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jose Francisco Aguilar, Francisco Javier Gomez
  • Patent number: 11585275
    Abstract: A multipoint injection system includes a manifold with a plurality of flow passages defined through the manifold in the circumferential direction. The flow passages are spaced apart from one another in an axial direction. A plurality of feed arms extends radially inward from the manifold. Feed arm portions of the flow passages extend through each of the feed arms to respective outlets. The feed arm portions of the flow passages are within the axial width of the manifold. A plurality of injection nozzles are included, each in fluid communication with a respective one of the outlets. Each injection nozzle includes an air passage therethrough with an air inlet. The feed arms each follow a path that is circumferentially offset from the air inlets so each of the feed arms is clear from a flow path directly upstream in the axial direction of each of the air inlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Collins Engine Nozzles, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason A. Ryon, Lev A. Prociw, Gregory A. Zink, Joseph Samo
  • Patent number: 11577841
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling fresh air flow into a controlled environment are disclosed herein. The method comprises: measuring, using a sensor, a predetermined property in the controlled environment; estimating, by a controller, a number of people inside the controlled environment based on the measured property, and setting, by the controller, a rate of fresh air flow to the controlled environment based at least in part on the estimated number of people inside the controlled environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Giusi Quartarone, Catherine Thibaud
  • Patent number: 11572190
    Abstract: In the method for propelling an aircraft, to obtain electric energy, a fuel is combusted, and an electric machine is used, wherein the fuel is used to cool at least one part of the electric machine and contains natural gas. The propulsion system is configured to propel an aircraft, in particular according to the above-mentioned method. The propulsion system has an electric machine configured to obtain electric energy by combusting a fuel. The propulsion system further includes a natural gas tank configured to supply the fuel formed with natural gas, and a cooling device configured to cool at least one part of the electric machine. The aircraft has such a propulsion system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG
    Inventor: Stefan Moldenhauer
  • Patent number: 11560843
    Abstract: A turbo machine including a plenum is formed within a double wall structure including an opening configured to provide fluid communication of a first flow of fluid between the plenum through the double wall structure, and an outer wall forming a passage configured to receive a second flow of fluid separate from the first flow of fluid, wherein a flowpath structure is formed at least in part within an inner wall, the flowpath structure configured to receive a third flow of fluid therethrough, the third flow of fluid separate from the first flow of fluid, the flowpath structure comprising an exit opening configured to provide fluid communication from the flowpath structure to the flowpath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Matti Veikko Kalevi Makela, Emilio Eramo, Christopher Lloyd McKenzie, Apostolos Pavlos Karafillis, John Alan Manteiga
  • Patent number: 11542874
    Abstract: There are provided a gas turbine system and a gas turbine power generator that can achieve an increase in output power and a decrease in fuel efficiency together and curb an increase in cost and weight. There is also provided a gas turbine system that can stably supply a necessary amount of air to a combustor even when a compressor and a turbine on one side are stopped. The gas turbine system 1 includes a plurality of gas turbine units 2 and 3, a single combustor 4, a plurality of pipes 5, a plurality of on-off valves 6, and a control unit 7. In a first operation mode, the control unit 7 controls switching-on/off of the on-off valves 6 such that air is supplied to the combustor 4 from a first compressor 21 and a second compressor 31.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shunichiro Tamada
  • Patent number: 11542891
    Abstract: The invention relates to a nubomachine with a longitudinal axis, comprising two, respectively upstream (122) and downstream, coaxial outer propellers (122), characterised in that at least some of the blades (148) of the upstream propeller (122) comprise at least one internal air circulation chimney (150) that communicates with air-bleeding openings (152) in tire boundary layers of the blades (148), and communicates with air outflow openings (158) on the radially outer end thereof, the air-bleeding openings (152) leading to opening inlets (152a) on tire passive surfaces (156) of the blades (148), the inlets (152a) of the air-bleeding openings being radially arranged in an area (H1) contained between 10% and 45% of the radial dimension (H2) of the blades (148), measured above turd from the radial height of the blades for which the tangent of the leading edge (138) of the blades is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, and the inlets (152a) of the air bleeding openings being arranged in an area contained between
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Adrien Dubois, Anthony Binder, Laurence Francine Vion
  • Patent number: 11512665
    Abstract: Locking linear actuators, thrust reversers for aircraft that include the locking linear actuators, and methods of manufacturing the locking linear actuators. The disclosed locking linear actuators include an actuator housing that defines a bore housing an actuator piston and a lock sleeve. A portion of the actuator piston defines a lock aperture, housing a locking tab capable of radial movement. When the actuator is retracted, the locking tab engages with a step in the surface of the bore to lock the linear actuator, a distal portion of the lock sleeve extends into a portion of the actuator piston to prevent the locking tab from disengaging from the step in the surface of the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Sam Miao
  • Patent number: 11506384
    Abstract: A free-vortex combustor is disclosed that generates vortices which: enhance fuel air mixing, recirculate the air, provide cooling for the combustor walls, and provide low emissions and a substantially uniform exit temperature profile. The combustor is provided fuel or fuel and air through a fuel-injector which atomizes the fuel. A first air swirler couples to the fuel-injector with a prechamber wall abutting the first swirler. A second swirler abuts a downstream end of the prechamber wall. And, a main chamber abuts the second swirler. Each of the first and second swirlers have features that cause the flow to create a vortex in the prechamber and main chamber, respectively. The features creating the swirl are blades or angled orifices. The vortex causes a pressure depression along the centerline and causes backflow along the centerline that improves mixing and improves cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: DYC Turbines
    Inventor: Daih-Yeou Chen
  • Patent number: 11499448
    Abstract: A composite fan casing for a gas turbine engine defining a central axis is generally provided. The composite fan casing includes a core having a plurality of core layers of reinforcing fibers bonded together with a thermosetting polymeric resin and having an outer surface. The composite fan casing further includes at least one stiffener integrally coupled to an aft portion of the outer surface of the core relative to the central axis. Additionally, the at least one stiffener comprises an elastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Abhijeet Jayshingrao Yadav, Nagamohan Govinahalli Prabhakar, Nicholas Joseph Kray, Shivam Mittal, Praveen Sharma, Bhujabal Prashant Mahadeo, Ravindra Shankar Ganiger
  • Patent number: 11486338
    Abstract: Cabin outflow temperature control systems and methods for use on aircraft are described. The systems include an aircraft cabin, a heat load source, a heat exchanger configured to receive cabin outflow air from the aircraft cabin and heat load discharge air, the heat exchanger configured to enable thermal transfer from the heat load discharge air to the cabin outflow air to generate high temperature cabin outflow air and low temperature discharge air as outputs from the heat exchanger, and one or more downstream operation systems configured to receive the high temperature cabin outflow air and perform a downstream operation using said high temperature cabin outflow air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Beakal T. Woldemariam, Eric Surawski
  • Patent number: 11486315
    Abstract: A combustion engine including at least one combustion chamber, a first bleed air supply fluidly coupled to a portion of the combustion engine upstream the combustion chamber, a second bleed air supply fluidly coupled to a portion of the combustion engine downstream the combustion chamber, a first thermal bus, and a turbomachine including a compressor, a rotary pump, and a first turbine, with the compressor and rotary pump in serial flow arrangement and the rotary pump being fluidly coupled to the first thermal bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: GE Aviation Systems LLC
    Inventors: Kevin P. Hallisey, Dominique Patrick Sautron
  • Patent number: 11486317
    Abstract: In a one embodiment, a gas turbine system that includes a first pump that supplies distillate fuel to a combustor. A second pump that supplies fuel oil to the combustor. A fuel selection unit that controls a first flow of distillate fuel and a second flow of fuel oil to the combustor. A controller that receives feedback from a sensor and in response to the feedback from the sensor controls the fuel selection unit to start the gas turbine system on the fuel oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Baha Mahmoud Suleiman, Hatem Mohamed Mohyeldin Ibrahim Selim, Jeevankumar Krishnan, Paul Burchell Glaser
  • Patent number: 11473504
    Abstract: A system for producing high purity carbon monoxide and hydrogen as well as activated carbon includes a pyrolysis reactor, a gasifier, a combustion turbine, a boiler, a steam turbine, a combined cycle unit and an electrolysis unit. Liquid fuel from the pyrolysis reactor is provided to the combustion turbine. Liquid and gaseous fuels are provided to the boiler. Compressed oxygen from the electrolysis unit is provided to the combustion turbine. Electric power from the combustion turbine and steam turbine are provided to the electrolysis unit. The gasifier includes a preheat region, a gasification region, and a cooling region. CO2 and O2 are injected into the gasifier at multiple injection levels to create an isothermal gasification region to produce CO. The CO2 and O2 are preheated in a heat exchanger using the CO exiting from the gasifier prior to injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: ARB Pyrolysis, LLC
    Inventors: Mack D. Bowen, Robert G. Kelly
  • Patent number: 11466620
    Abstract: A support housing for use in distributing fuel in a gas turbine engine includes a main body defining an inlet aperture, a plurality of outlet apertures, and a substantially planar mounting surface. A first fuel channel has a wall that defines a first flow space and a support member extends across the first flow space and has a long axis oriented at an oblique angle with respect to the mounting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Anand A. Kulkarni, Charalambos Polyzopoulos