Patents by Inventor Andrew J. Eifert

Andrew J. Eifert has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11982239
    Abstract: A bleed air control system is configured to vary the air pressure at the inlet of a gas turbine engine. The bleed air control system includes a first gas turbine engine configured to provide bleed air, a second gas turbine engine acting as an auxiliary power unit, and a bleed air control system configured to selectively provide bleed air from the first gas turbine engine to the second gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Unton, Kirk C. Lefort, Paul K. Johnson, Andrew J. Eifert
  • Patent number: 11879385
    Abstract: A power-generation system for a nuclear reactor includes a power unit, a reactor heat exchanger, and an auxiliary combustion system. The power unit produces compressed air that is heated by the reactor heat exchanger. The auxiliary combustion system includes an auxiliary combustor located external to the power unit and fluidly connected with the compressed air to increase the temperature of the compressed air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew J. Eifert
  • Publication number: 20240006085
    Abstract: A power-generation system for a nuclear reactor includes a power unit, a heat exchanger, and a temperature control system. The power unit produces compressed air that is heated by the nuclear reactor via the heat exchanger. The temperature control system includes a heat transfer fluid and a heat exchanger fluidly connected with the compressed air to transfer heat between the compressed air and heat transfer fluid to control the power level of the power unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventors: Daniel G. Edwards, Alexander Michalik, Andrew J. Eifert, Brian T. Spangler
  • Patent number: 11808216
    Abstract: A propulsion system includes two gas turbine engines and an air-provisioning system. The air-provisioning system includes a first ejector, a second ejector, a plenum fluidically connected with the first ejector and the second ejector, and a first propulsor. The air-provisioning system is configured to bleed and mix air from each gas turbine engine in the ejectors so as to provide selectively a flow of plenum air from the plenum to the first propulsor at a desired pressure and a desired flow rate to power the first propulsor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc., Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Paul K. Johnson, Andrew J. Eifert, Richard Peace, Richard Young, Robert T. Duge
  • Patent number: 11776702
    Abstract: A power-generation system for a nuclear reactor includes a power unit, a heat exchanger, and a temperature control system. The power unit produces compressed air that is heated by the nuclear reactor via the heat exchanger. The temperature control system includes a heat transfer fluid and a heat exchanger fluidly connected with the compressed air to transfer heat between the compressed air and heat transfer fluid to control the power level of the power unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel G. Edwards, Alexander Michalik, Andrew J. Eifert, Brian T. Spangler
  • Publication number: 20230193833
    Abstract: A bleed air control system is configured to vary the air pressure at the inlet of a gas turbine engine. The bleed air control system includes a first gas turbine engine configured to provide bleed air, a second gas turbine engine acting as an auxiliary power unit, and a bleed air control system configured to selectively provide bleed air from the first gas turbine engine to the second gas turbine engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Timothy Unton, Kirk C. Lefort, Paul K. Johnson, Andrew J. Eifert
  • Patent number: 11578654
    Abstract: A compressor adapted for use in a gas turbine engine includes an impeller, a diffuser, and a deswirler. The impeller is arranged circumferentially about an axis and configured to rotate about the axis. The diffuser is arranged circumferentially around the impeller to receive the air from the impeller. The deswirler is configured to receive the air from the diffuser and to conduct the air into a combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan C. Humes, Andrew J. Eifert
  • Patent number: 11499474
    Abstract: A power generation system for a nuclear reactor includes an externally-heated turbine engine, a reactor heat exchanger, and a heat recuperating system. The externally-heated turbine engine produces compressed air that is heated by the reactor heat exchanger. The heat recuperating system includes a heat exchanger thermally connected to the externally-heated turbine engine to transfer heat to the compressed air to supplement the reactor heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Michalik, Daniel G. Edwards, Andrew J. Eifert, Brian T. Spangler
  • Publication number: 20220252006
    Abstract: A power generation system for a nuclear reactor includes an externally-heated turbine engine, a reactor heat exchanger, and a heat recuperating system. The externally-heated turbine engine produces compressed air that is heated by the reactor heat exchanger. The heat recuperating system includes a heat exchanger thermally connected to the externally-heated turbine engine to transfer heat to the compressed air to supplement the reactor heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: Alexander Michalik, Daniel G. Edwards, Andrew J. Eifert, Brian T. Spangler
  • Publication number: 20220254531
    Abstract: A power-generation system for a nuclear reactor includes a power unit, a reactor heat exchanger, and an auxiliary combustion system. The power unit produces compressed air that is heated by the reactor heat exchanger. The auxiliary combustion system includes an auxiliary combustor located external to the power unit and fluidly connected with the compressed air to increase the temperature of the compressed air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventor: Andrew J. Eifert
  • Publication number: 20220254526
    Abstract: A power-generation system for a nuclear reactor includes a power unit, a heat exchanger, and a temperature control system. The power unit produces compressed air that is heated by the nuclear reactor via the heat exchanger. The temperature control system includes a heat transfer fluid and a heat exchanger fluidly connected with the compressed air to transfer heat between the compressed air and heat transfer fluid to control the power level of the power unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: Daniel G. Edwards, Alexander Michalik, Andrew J. Eifert, Brian T. Spangler
  • Patent number: 11274567
    Abstract: A blade track for a gas turbine engine includes a plurality of blade track segments. The blade track segments are arranged circumferentially around a central axis to form the blade track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc., Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel K. Vetters, Aaron D. Sippel, David J. Thomas, Andrew J. Eifert, Paul A. Davis, Simon L. Jones, Peter Broadhead, Bruce E. Varney, Jeffrey A. Walston, Steven Hillier
  • Publication number: 20220034259
    Abstract: A compressor adapted for use in a gas turbine engine includes an impeller, a diffuser, and a deswirler. The impeller is arranged circumferentially about an axis and configured to rotate about the axis. The diffuser is arranged circumferentially around the impeller to receive the air from the impeller. The deswirler is configured to receive the air from the diffuser and to conduct the air into a combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: Ryan C. Humes, Andrew J. Eifert
  • Patent number: 11053806
    Abstract: A blade track for a gas turbine engine includes segments and joints that couple the segments together. Each segment extends part-way around a central axis of the engine and the joints couple together adjacent segments to form a full hoop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron D. Sippel, Daniel K. Vetters, Jun Shi, David J. Thomas, Andrew J. Eifert, Peter Broadhead
  • Patent number: 10801409
    Abstract: Systems and methods for augmenting power output when operating a load having relatively brief periods of high energy demand and high heat generation. A system comprises a gas turbine engine including a coolant injection assembly, an electrical generator coupled to the gas turbine engine, a high-energy operating load coupled to the electrical generator, and a cooling system adapted to provide cooling to the high-energy operating load. The cooling system is coupled and adapted to provide coolant to the coolant injection assembly of the gas turbine engine. A method comprises coupling the cooling system to the coolant injection assembly at the inlet of the gas turbine engine, selectively diverting at least a portion of the coolant of the cooling system to the coolant injection assembly, and spraying the diverted coolant into air entering the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew J. Eifert
  • Patent number: 10641121
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a turbine and a rotor tip clearance control system. The rotor tip clearance control system is configured to actively manage a clearance formed between a rotor of the turbine and a case structure of the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Skertic, Andrew J. Eifert
  • Patent number: 10619518
    Abstract: A self-powered laser system for discharging high energy light beams is disclosed. The laser system includes a laser unit, a power unit, and an exhaust system. The laser unit is capable of discharging beams in multiple directions. The exhaust system directs exhaust gasses discharged from the power unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew J. Eifert
  • Publication number: 20200056493
    Abstract: A blade track for a gas turbine engine includes segments and joints that couple the segments together. Each segment extends part-way around a central axis of the engine and the joints couple together adjacent segments to form a full hoop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Inventors: Aaron D. Sippel, Daniel K. Vetters, Jun Shi, David J. Thomas, Andrew J. Eifert, Peter Broadhead
  • Patent number: 10563535
    Abstract: A blade track for a gas turbine engine includes a plurality of blade track segments. The blade track segments are arranged circumferentially around a central axis to form the blade track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc., Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Daniel K. Vetters, Aaron D. Sippel, David J. Thomas, Andrew J. Eifert, Paul A. Davis, Simon L. Jones, Peter Broadhead, Bruce E. Varney, Jeffrey A. Walston, Steven Hillier
  • Patent number: 10550709
    Abstract: A blade track assembly is disclosed. The blade track assembly comprises a plurality of ceramic matrix composite blade track segments arranged circumferentially adjacent to one another around a central axis. Each of the blade track segments includes an arcuate runner extending in a circumferential direction around a portion of the central axis and is coupled to circumferentially adjacent blade track segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc., Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce plc, Rolls-Royce High Temperature Composites Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel K. Vetters, Aaron D. Sippel, David J. Thomas, Andrew J. Eifert, Paul A. Davis, Simon L. Jones, Steven M. Hillier, Peter Broadhead, Joseph Doyle, Michael Jacquinto, Wesley Thibault, Jun Shi, Roderick Townes