Patents by Inventor Craig Heathco

Craig Heathco 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: 9915201
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine is disclosed which includes a bypass passage that in some embodiments are capable of being configured to act as a resonance space. The resonance space can be used to attenuate/accentuate/etc a noise produced elsewhere. The bypass passage can be configured in a number of ways to form the resonance space. For example, the space can have any variety of geometries, configurations, etc. In one non-limiting form the resonance space can attenuate a noise forward of the bypass duct. In another non-limiting form the resonance space can attenuate a noise aft of the bypass duct. Any number of variations is possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Abraham Karam, Craig Heathco, Andrew Eifert
  • Patent number: 9915202
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a gas turbine engine and a heat transfer system. The gas turbine engine includes an inlet particle separator that separates inlet air into scavenge air and clean air. A scavenge air path conveys the scavenge air from the inlet particle separator to the heat transfer system. A heat exchange fluid path conveys a heat exchange fluid to the heat transfer system and a cooled heat exchange fluid away from the heat transfer system. The heat transfer system is configured to transfer heat from the heat exchange fluid path to the scavenge air path to cool the heat exchange fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric S. Donovan, Daniel J. Vonderwell, Craig Heathco
  • Patent number: 9261019
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a unique variable cycle gas turbine engine. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for variable cycle 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: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig Heathco
  • Patent number: 9109539
    Abstract: An aircraft powerplant is disclosed that can be operated in at least three modes including as a gas turbine engine, as an engine having a ramburner, and as an engine having a forward compression combustor engine such as a ramjet and/or scramjet. An airflow valve is provided to direct air to a downstream portion of the aircraft engine and can be positioned as a function of the aircraft operating modes. The valve can be used to cocoon the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert T. Duge, Craig Heathco, Brian Paul King
  • Publication number: 20140356125
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a gas turbine engine and a heat transfer system. The gas turbine engine includes an inlet particle separator that separates inlet air into scavenge air and clean air. A scavenge air path conveys the scavenge air from the inlet particle separator to the heat transfer system. A heat exchange fluid path conveys a heat exchange fluid to the heat transfer system and a cooled heat exchange fluid away from the heat transfer system. The heat transfer system is configured to transfer heat from the heat exchange fluid path to the scavenge air path to cool the heat exchange fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric S. Donovan, Daniel J. Vonderwell, Craig Heathco
  • Publication number: 20140248121
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine is disclosed which includes a bypass passage that in some embodiments are capable of being configured to act as a resonance space. The resonance space can be used to attenuate/accentuate/etc a noise produced elsewhere. The bypass passage can be configured in a number of ways to form the resonance space. For example, the space can have any variety of geometries, configurations, etc. In one non-limiting form the resonance space can attenuate a noise forward of the bypass duct. In another non-limiting form the resonance space can attenuate a noise aft of the bypass duct. Any number of variations is possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Abraham KARAM, Craig HEATHCO, Andrew EIFERT
  • Publication number: 20120233980
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a unique variable cycle gas turbine engine. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for variable cycle 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: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventor: Craig Heathco
  • Publication number: 20120159925
    Abstract: An aircraft powerplant is disclosed that can be operated in at least three modes including as a gas turbine engine, as an engine having a ramburner, and as an engine having a forward compression combustor engine such as a ramjet and/or scramjet. An airflow valve is provided to direct air to a downstream portion of the aircraft engine and can be positioned as a function of the aircraft operating modes. The valve can be used to cocoon the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventors: Robert T. Duge, Craig Heathco, Brian Paul King
  • Patent number: 8186168
    Abstract: A method of at least partially balancing axial thrust loads and an engine in which the method is carried out is disclosed herein. The engine includes a combustion chamber and a fuel system operable to direct pressurized fuel to the combustion chamber. The engine also includes a rotor operable to rotate about a centerline axis and subjected to axial thrust loads during operation. The engine also includes a balance piston engaged with the rotor. The balance piston includes a pressure face positioned in a thrust cavity. The engine also includes a fluid passageway extending between the fuel system and the thrust cavity. Pressurized fuel is delivered to the pressure face to counteract axial thrust loads on the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventor: Craig Heathco
  • Publication number: 20110154805
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a unique augmented gas turbine engine propulsion system. Another embodiment is a gas turbine engine power augmentation system. Yet another embodiment is a system for augmenting power in an engine powered air vehicle. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for fluid driven actuation systems. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application shall become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventors: Craig Heathco, Robert T. Duge, Steven Arlen Klusman
  • Publication number: 20100014957
    Abstract: A method of at least partially balancing axial thrust loads and an engine in which the method is carried out is disclosed herein. The engine includes a combustion chamber and a fuel system operable to direct pressurized fuel to the combustion chamber. The engine also includes a rotor operable to rotate about a centerline axis and subjected to axial thrust loads during operation. The engine also includes a balance piston engaged with the rotor. The balance piston includes a pressure face positioned in a thrust cavity. The engine also includes a fluid passageway extending between the fuel system and the thrust cavity. Pressurized fuel is delivered to the pressure face to counteract axial thrust loads on the rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventor: Craig Heathco