Patents by Inventor Clifton J. Crawley, Jr.

Clifton J. Crawley, Jr. 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: 10975715
    Abstract: Assemblies are provided for rotational equipment. One of these assemblies includes a first bladed rotor assembly, a second bladed rotor assembly, a stator vane assembly, a stator structure and a seal assembly. The second bladed rotor assembly includes a rotor disk structure. The stator vane assembly is axially between the first and the second bladed rotor assemblies. The stator structure is mated with and radially within the stator vane assembly. The seal assembly is configured for sealing a gap between the stator structure and the rotor disk structure, wherein the seal assembly includes a non-contact seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: William K. Ackermann, Clifton J. Crawley, Jr., Frederick M. Schwarz
  • Patent number: 10669888
    Abstract: Assemblies are provided for rotational equipment. One of these assemblies includes a bladed rotor assembly, a stator vane assembly, a fixed stator structure and a seal assembly. The bladed rotor assembly includes a rotor disk structure. The stator vane assembly is disposed adjacent the bladed rotor assembly. The fixed stator structure is connected to and radially within the stator vane assembly. The seal assembly is configured for sealing a gap between the stator structure and the rotor disk structure, wherein the seal assembly includes a non-contact seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: William K. Ackermann, Clifton J. Crawley, Jr., Frederick M. Schwarz
  • Publication number: 20190003327
    Abstract: Assemblies are provided for rotational equipment. One of these assemblies includes a first bladed rotor assembly, a second bladed rotor assembly, a stator vane assembly, a stator structure and a seal assembly. The second bladed rotor assembly includes a rotor disk structure. The stator vane assembly is axially between the first and the second bladed rotor assemblies. The stator structure is mated with and radially within the stator vane assembly. The seal assembly is configured for sealing a gap between the stator structure and the rotor disk structure, wherein the seal assembly includes a non-contact seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventors: William K. Ackermann, Clifton J. Crawley, JR., Frederick M. Schwarz
  • Publication number: 20180355756
    Abstract: Assemblies are provided for rotational equipment. One of these assemblies includes a bladed rotor assembly, a stator vane assembly, a fixed stator structure and a seal assembly. The bladed rotor assembly includes a rotor disk structure. The stator vane assembly is disposed adjacent the bladed rotor assembly. The fixed stator structure is connected to and radially within the stator vane assembly. The seal assembly is configured for sealing a gap between the stator structure and the rotor disk structure, wherein the seal assembly includes a non-contact seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Inventors: William K. Ackermann, Clifton J. Crawley, JR., Frederick M. Schwarz
  • Patent number: 10107126
    Abstract: Assemblies are provided for rotational equipment. One of these assemblies includes a first bladed rotor assembly, a second bladed rotor assembly, a stator vane assembly, a stator structure and a seal assembly. The second bladed rotor assembly includes a rotor disk structure. The stator vane assembly is axially between the first and the second bladed rotor assemblies. The stator structure is mated with and radially within the stator vane assembly. The seal assembly is configured for sealing a gap between the stator structure and the rotor disk structure, wherein the seal assembly includes a non-contact seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: William K. Ackermann, Clifton J. Crawley, Jr., Frederick M. Schwarz
  • Patent number: 10094241
    Abstract: Assemblies are provided for rotational equipment. One of these assemblies includes a bladed rotor assembly, a stator vane assembly, a fixed stator structure and a seal assembly. The bladed rotor assembly includes a rotor disk structure. The stator vane assembly is disposed adjacent the bladed rotor assembly. The fixed stator structure is connected to and radially within the stator vane assembly. The seal assembly is configured for sealing a gap between the stator structure and the rotor disk structure, wherein the seal assembly includes a non-contact seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: William K. Ackermann, Clifton J. Crawley, Jr., Frederick M. Schwartz
  • Patent number: 10087782
    Abstract: A turbine engine includes a turbine section with a low pressure turbine and a turbine case disposed about an axis. A frame assembly defines an outer cavity and an inner cavity with the outer cavity including at least one opening configured and adapted to communicate cooling air to the turbine case. A transfer tube is disposed within the outer cavity and is configured and adapted to receive cooling air. The transfer tube includes a bend configured to impart circumferential velocity to the cooling air within the outer cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Cheng-Zhang Wang, Jorn A. Glahn, David F. Cloud, Peter M. Munsell, Clifton J. Crawley, Jr., Robert Newman, Michelle Diana Stearns
  • Patent number: 10060280
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a gas turbine engine, comprising a sealing assembly that includes a non-contacting HALO seal, a ring constructed as a full ring and configured as a carrier of the seal, a sealing land configured to rotate and interface to the seal. In some embodiments, the engine further comprises a vane, where the ring is coupled to the vane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Clifton J. Crawley, Jr., Frederick M. Schwarz
  • Patent number: 10047677
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a compressor section, a combustor in fluid communication with the compressor section and a turbine section in fluid communication with the combustor. A buffer system includes a first circuit that supplies a first buffer supply air and a second circuit that supplies a second buffer supply air. The first circuit includes a first bleed air supply and a second bleed air supply. The second circuit includes a third bleed air supply and a fourth bleed air supply and at least one of the first circuit and the second circuit includes a variable area ejector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jorn A. Glahn, Clifton J. Crawley, Jr., Philip S. Stripinis, William K. Ackermann
  • Publication number: 20170107838
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a gas turbine engine, comprising a sealing assembly that includes a non-contacting HALO seal, a ring constructed as a full ring and configured as a carrier of the seal, a sealing land configured to rotate and interface to the seal. In some embodiments, the engine further comprises a vane, where the ring is coupled to the vane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Inventors: Clifton J. Crawley, Jr., Frederick M. Schwarz
  • Publication number: 20170051631
    Abstract: Assemblies are provided for rotational equipment. One of these assemblies includes a bladed rotor assembly, a stator vane assembly, a fixed stator structure and a seal assembly. The bladed rotor assembly includes a rotor disk structure. The stator vane assembly is disposed adjacent the bladed rotor assembly. The fixed stator structure is connected to and radially within the stator vane assembly. The seal assembly is configured for sealing a gap between the stator structure and the rotor disk structure, wherein the seal assembly includes a non-contact seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: William K. Ackermann, Clifton J. Crawley, JR., Frederick M. Schwarz
  • Publication number: 20170051621
    Abstract: Assemblies are provided for rotational equipment. One of these assemblies includes a first bladed rotor assembly, a second bladed rotor assembly, a stator vane assembly, a stator structure and a seal assembly. The second bladed rotor assembly includes a rotor disk structure. The stator vane assembly is axially between the first and the second bladed rotor assemblies. The stator structure is mated with and radially within the stator vane assembly. The seal assembly is configured for sealing a gap between the stator structure and the rotor disk structure, wherein the seal assembly includes a non-contact seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: William K. Ackermann, Clifton J. Crawley, JR., Frederick M. Schwarz
  • Publication number: 20170051751
    Abstract: Assemblies are provided for rotational equipment. One of these assemblies includes a rotor disk structure, a stator structure and a seal assembly. The rotor disk structure includes a rotor disk and a seal land circumscribing the rotor disk. The stator structure circumscribes the seal land. The seal assembly is configured for sealing a gap between the stator structure and the seal land, where the seal assembly includes a non-contact seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: William K. Ackermann, Clifton J. Crawley, JR., Frederick M. Schwarz
  • Publication number: 20160201563
    Abstract: A system is provided for a turbine engine that includes a fuel injector and an actuator. The system includes a fuel management system configured to receive fuel from a flow path. The fuel management system is also configured to provide a first portion of the fuel received from the flow path to the fuel injector at a first temperature, and a second portion of the fuel received from the flow path to the actuator at a second temperature different than the first temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ethan K. Stearns, Clifton J. Crawley, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20160032775
    Abstract: A turbine engine includes a turbine section with a low pressure turbine and a turbine case disposed about an axis. A frame assembly defines an outer cavity and an inner cavity with the outer cavity including at least one opening configured and adapted to communicate cooling air to the turbine case. A transfer tube is disposed within the outer cavity and is configured and adapted to receive cooling air. The transfer tube includes a bend configured to impart circumferential velocity to the cooling air within the outer cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Cheng-Zhang Wang, Jorn A. Glahn, David F. Cloud, Peter M. Munsell, Clifton J. Crawley, JR., Robert Newman, Michelle Diana Stearns
  • Publication number: 20150300266
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a compressor section, a combustor in fluid communication with the compressor section and a turbine section in fluid communication with the combustor. A buffer system includes a first circuit that supplies a first buffer supply air and a second circuit that supplies a second buffer supply air. The first circuit includes a first bleed air supply and a second bleed air supply. The second circuit includes a third bleed air supply and a fourth bleed air supply and at least one of the first circuit and the second circuit includes a variable area ejector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventors: Jorn A. GLAHN, Clifton J. CRAWLEY, JR., Philip S. STRIPINIS, William K. ACKERMANN
  • Patent number: 9097138
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a compressor section, a combustor in fluid communication with the compressor section, a turbine section in fluid communication with the combustor, and a buffer system. The buffer system can include a first circuit that supplies a first buffer supply air and a second circuit that supplies a second buffer supply air. The first circuit can include a first bleed air supply a second bleed air supply and at least one of an ejector and a valve. The second circuit can include a third bleed air supply, a fourth bleed air supply and at least one of an ejector and a valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jorn A. Glahn, Clifton J. Crawley, Jr., Philip S. Stripinis, William K. Ackermann
  • Patent number: 9027353
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a compressor section, a combustor in fluid communication with the compressor section, a turbine section in fluid communication with the combustor, a fan section configured to be driven by the turbine section via a geared architecture, and a buffer system that communicates buffer air to a portion of the gas turbine engine. The buffer system includes a first circuit configured to selectively mix a first bleed air supply having a first pressure and a second bleed air supply having a second pressure that is greater than the first pressure to provide a first buffer supply air having an intermediate pressure compared to the first pressure and the second pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jorn A. Glahn, Clifton J. Crawley, Jr., Philip S. Stripinis, William K. Ackermann
  • Publication number: 20140196470
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a compressor section, a combustor in fluid communication with the compressor section, a turbine section in fluid communication with the combustor, a fan section configured to be driven by the turbine section via a geared architecture, and a buffer system that communicates buffer air to a portion of the gas turbine engine. The buffer system includes a first circuit configured to selectively mix a first bleed air supply having a first pressure and a second bleed air supply having a second pressure that is greater than the first pressure to provide a first buffer supply air having an intermediate pressure compared to the first pressure and the second pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jorn A. Glahn, Clifton J. Crawley, JR., Philip S. Stripinis, William K. Ackermann
  • Publication number: 20140060075
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a compressor section, a combustor in fluid communication with the compressor section, a turbine section in fluid communication with the combustor, and a buffer system. The buffer system can include a first circuit that supplies a first buffer supply air and a second circuit that supplies a second buffer supply air. The first circuit can include a first bleed air supply a second bleed air supply and at least one of an ejector and a valve. The second circuit can include a third bleed air supply, a fourth bleed air supply and at least one of an ejector and a valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jorn A. GLAHN, Clifton J. CRAWLEY, JR., Philip S. STRIPINIS, William K. ACKERMANN