Patents by Inventor Dana TOMESCU
Dana TOMESCU 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).
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Patent number: 11286038Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for controlling a pitch for an aircraft-bladed rotor. A plurality of sensor signals are obtained from at least one sensor positioned proximate to a feedback device, the feedback device coupled to rotate with the rotor about a longitudinal axis and to move along the longitudinal axis with adjustment of a blade pitch angle of the rotor, the sensor signals produced responsive to detecting passage of a plurality of position markers of the feedback device, the plurality of position markers spaced circumferentially around the feedback device and having lengths along the longitudinal axis which vary monotonically and incrementally along at least part of the circumference of the feedback device. The plurality of sensor signals are processed to identify passage of the plurality of position markers. A feedback signal indicative of the blade pitch angle is generated based on the processed sensor signals.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2019Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.Inventor: Dana Tomescu
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Publication number: 20220089273Abstract: There is provided a pitch control assembly for a rotor of an aircraft, the rotor rotatable about a longitudinal axis and having blades each rotatable about a span-wise axis to adjust a blade pitch angle thereof, the assembly comprising a plurality of position markers spaced circumferentially around the longitudinal axis and having lengths along the longitudinal axis which vary monotonically and incrementally, at least one sensor configured for producing at least one sensor signal in response to detecting a relative movement between the plurality of position markers and the at least one sensor, and a control unit communicatively coupled to the at least one sensor and configured to generate a feedback signal indicative of the blade pitch angle in response to the at least one sensor signal received from the at least one sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2021Publication date: March 24, 2022Inventor: Dana TOMESCU
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Publication number: 20210404383Abstract: There is provided a system and method for detecting excess flow in an engine fluid system, the method comprising sensing a temperature of a fluid flowing in a fluid line of the fluid system, the fluid line located downstream of a fluid flow restrictor configured to receive the fluid from a source upstream thereof and to flow the fluid from the source into the fluid line downstream thereof, comparing the temperature to a temperature threshold, and when the temperature is beyond the temperature threshold, detecting excess flow of the fluid in the fluid line and outputting an excess flow indication accordingly.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2020Publication date: December 30, 2021Inventors: Dana TOMESCU, Nick STINA
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Publication number: 20210325419Abstract: A feedback device is coupled to rotate with a rotating component of an aircraft engine. The feedback device comprises a body having cavities defined therein and circumferentially spaced thereabout, each cavity configured to receive therein a position marker, the body made of a non-ferromagnetic material and the position markers comprising a ferromagnetic material. A sealing member is configured to be secured to the body for retaining the position markers within the cavities. At least one sensor is positioned adjacent the feedback device and configured for producing, as the feedback device rotates about a longitudinal axis with the rotating component, at least one sensor signal in response to detecting passage of the position markers. A processing unit is communicatively coupled to the at least one sensor and configured to determine a rotational speed of the rotating component from the at least one sensor signal received from the at least one sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2020Publication date: October 21, 2021Inventors: Dana Tomescu, Nick Stina
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Publication number: 20210301677Abstract: There is provided a dynamic motoring system and method for an aircraft engine. Motoring of the engine is initiated for an initial motoring duration and at an initial motoring interval. At least one engine parameter is measured in real-time during the motoring, the at least one engine parameter comprising a temperature of the engine. The initial motoring duration and the initial motoring interval are modified in real-time, based on a value of the at least one engine parameter during the motoring, to obtain a modified motoring duration and a modified motoring interval. The motoring continues for the modified motoring duration and at the modified motoring interval, with a speed of rotation of the engine being controlled using the modified motoring interval.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2020Publication date: September 30, 2021Inventor: Dana TOMESCU
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Publication number: 20210301732Abstract: There is provided a rotor bow mitigation system and method for an aircraft engine. At least one value of at least one engine parameter prior to a shutdown of the engine is obtained, the at least one engine parameter comprising a first temperature internal to the engine. A second temperature external to the engine is measured and a motoring duration and a motoring interval for the engine are determined based on at least the first temperature and on the second temperature. Upon detecting a start indication for the engine, the engine is motored for the motoring duration and at the motoring interval.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2020Publication date: September 30, 2021Inventor: Dana TOMESCU
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Publication number: 20210285381Abstract: A method and a system for pre-shutdown motoring of an aircraft engine are provided. A period of time during which the engine, prior to a shutdown thereof, was operating at a power level below a predetermined threshold is tracked. Based on the tracked period of time, a motoring duration for the engine is determined. The engine is then ran, prior to the shutdown thereof, at a low power setting for the motoring duration.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2020Publication date: September 16, 2021Inventor: Dana TOMESCU
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Publication number: 20210284323Abstract: A blade angle feedback assembly for a variable-pitch rotor of an aircraft engine, the rotor rotatable about an axis and having rotor blades rotatable about respective spanwise axes to adjust a blade angle thereof, is provided. A sensor is configured to provide feedback on the blade angle of the rotor blades by detecting a relative movement between the sensor and a feedback device having at least one position marker thereon. The sensor comprises a magnet having a magnetic field and a first pole and a second pole opposite the first pole. A magnetic shield is configured to define a magnetic return path for at least a portion of a magnetic flux of the magnetic field exiting from the first pole of the magnet toward the second pole, the magnetic shield comprising at least one wall member spanning a distance of relative displacement between the feedback device and the sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2021Publication date: September 16, 2021Inventor: Dana TOMESCU
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Patent number: 11108302Abstract: A machine includes a liquid system and a shaft. The shaft is rotatable about a rotation axis and includes a first part and a second part engaged coaxially with the first part. The first part is rotatable relative to the second part about the rotation axis to define a liquid pump between the first part and the second part. The pump is hydraulically connected to the liquid system. A method of cooling the machine is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2019Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.Inventors: Dana Tomescu, Daniel Alecu
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Patent number: 11046423Abstract: A blade angle feedback assembly for a variable-pitch aircraft propeller rotor rotatable about an axis and having an adjustable blade pitch angle is provided. A feedback device is coupled to rotate with the rotor and to be displaced axially along the axis with adjustment of the blade pitch angle. Sensor(s) mounted adjacent the feedback device are configured to detect a passage of position marker(s) provided on the feedback device as the feedback device rotates. A magnetic shield mounted to the sensor(s) is configured to define a magnetic return path for some magnetic flux of a magnetic field exiting from a first pole of the magnet toward a second pole opposite the first pole. The magnetic shield comprises a wall member positioned adjacent the position marker(s) and configured to span a distance over which the position marker(s) are configured to be displaced with axial displacement of the feedback device.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2019Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.Inventor: Dana Tomescu
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Publication number: 20210179295Abstract: A sensor signal comprising a first signal pulse having a first voltage amplitude and a second signal pulse having a second voltage amplitude greater than or substantially equal to the first voltage amplitude is obtained from a sensor positioned adjacent a feedback device coupled to rotate with an aircraft-bladed rotor about a longitudinal axis and to move along the axis with adjustment of the rotor's blade pitch angle. The feedback device comprises a reference feature configured to generate the second signal pulse and varying detectable feature(s) configured to generate the first signal pulse and to cause a change in the first voltage amplitude as a function of an axial position of the feedback device along the axis. A voltage ratio is determined based on the first voltage amplitude and the second voltage amplitude, and the axial position of the feedback device is determined from the voltage ratio.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2019Publication date: June 17, 2021Inventors: Dana TOMESCU, James Jarvo, Ella Yakobov
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Publication number: 20210156316Abstract: A sensing system and method for an engine rotor are provided. The rotor is rotatable about a longitudinal axis and at least one rotating member is coupled to rotate with the rotor about the axis. The rotating member comprises at least one marker affixed to a core. The core is made of a first material having a first magnetic permeability and the marker comprises a second material having a second magnetic permeability greater than the first magnetic permeability. At least one sensor is mounted adjacent the rotating member and configured to produce at least one first signal in response to detecting passage of the marker as the rotating member rotates about the axis. A control unit is communicatively coupled to the sensor and configured to generate, in response to the first signal received from the sensor, a second signal indicative of at least a rotational speed of the rotor.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2019Publication date: May 27, 2021Inventor: Dana TOMESCU
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Publication number: 20210131321Abstract: A lubrication system for an aircraft engine includes an engine lubricant tank including at least a supply port hydraulically connectable to the aircraft engine, a lubricant makeup port, and an overfill port, an auxiliary lubricant tank, a lubricant makeup conduit hydraulically connecting the auxiliary lubricant tank to the lubricant makeup port. The lubricant makeup conduit includes a pump operable to move lubricant from the auxiliary lubricant tank to the lubricant makeup port, and an overfill conduit hydraulically connecting the overfill port to the auxiliary lubricant tank. A method of operating a lubrication system of an aircraft engine of an aircraft is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2019Publication date: May 6, 2021Inventors: Dana TOMESCU, Daniel ALECU
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Publication number: 20210130002Abstract: A plate cooler or heat exchanger includes a channel plate defining first cooling channels on a first side of the channel plate and second cooling channels on a second side of the channel plate opposite to the first side. The first cooling channels are arranged side-by-side in a first direction of coolant flow from a first common inlet to a first outlet. The second cooling channels are arranged side-by-side in a second direction of coolant flow from a second common inlet separate from the first common inlet to a second outlet separate from the first outlet. The second direction of coolant flow is transverse or counter to the first direction of coolant flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2019Publication date: May 6, 2021Inventors: Dana TOMESCU, Guillaume BERTON
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Publication number: 20210070434Abstract: A system and method for providing feedback for an aircraft-bladed rotor about a longitudinal axis and having an adjustable blade pitch angle. At least one position marker is provided at the rotor, extends along an axial direction, from a first end to a second end, and has varying magnetic permeability from the first end to the second end. At least one sensor is coupled to the rotor and configured for producing, as the rotor rotates about the longitudinal axis, at least one sensor signal in response to detecting passage of the at least one position marker. A control unit is communicatively coupled to the at least one sensor and configured to generate a feedback signal indicative of the blade pitch angle in response to the at least one sensor signal received from the at least one sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2019Publication date: March 11, 2021Inventor: Dana TOMESCU
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Publication number: 20210070424Abstract: There is provided a blade angle feedback system for an aircraft-bladed rotor rotatable about a longitudinal axis and having an adjustable blade pitch angle. A feedback device is coupled to rotate with the rotor and to move along the axis with adjustment of the blade pitch angle. The feedback device comprises a body having position marker(s) embedded therein, the body made of a first material having a first magnetic permeability and the position marker(s) comprising a second material having a second magnetic permeability greater than the first. Sensor(s) are positioned adjacent the feedback device and configured for producing, as the feedback device rotates about the axis, sensor signal(s) in response to detecting passage of the position marker(s). A control unit is communicatively coupled to the sensor(s) and configured to generate a feedback signal indicative of the blade pitch angle in response to the sensor signal(s) received from the sensor(s).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2019Publication date: March 11, 2021Inventors: Dana TOMESCU, James JARVO
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Publication number: 20210071539Abstract: A feedback device for use in a gas turbine engine, and methods and systems for controlling a pitch for an aircraft-bladed rotor, are provided. The feedback device is composed of a circular disk and a plurality of position markers. The circular disk is coupled to rotate with a rotor of the gas turbine engine, to move along a longitudinal axis of the rotor, and has first and second opposing faces defining a root surface that extends between and circumscribes the first and second faces. The plurality of position markers extend radially from the root surface and are circumferentially spaced around the circular disk. The position markers have a top surface elevated with respect to the root surface and opposing first and second side surfaces. The side surfaces of the position markers have a curved concave profile extending toward the root surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2019Publication date: March 11, 2021Inventor: Dana TOMESCU
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Publication number: 20210071589Abstract: A feedback device for use in a gas turbine engine, and methods and systems for controlling a pitch for an aircraft-bladed rotor, are provided. The feedback device is composed of a circular disk and a plurality of position markers. The circular disk is coupled to rotate with a rotor of the gas turbine engine, to move along a longitudinal axis of the rotor, and has first and second opposing faces defining a root surface that extends between and circumscribes the first and second faces. The plurality of position markers extend radially from the root surface, are circumferentially spaced around the circular disk, and extending along the longitudinal axis from a first end portion to a second end portion. At least part of the first end portion and/or of the second end portion comprises a material having higher magnetic permeability than that of a remainder of the position markers.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2019Publication date: March 11, 2021Inventor: Dana Tomescu
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Publication number: 20210070426Abstract: A blade angle feedback system for an aircraft-bladed rotor rotatable about a longitudinal axis and having an adjustable blade pitch angle is provided. A feedback device is coupled to rotate with the rotor and to move along the axis with adjustment of the blade angle. At least one position marker is affixed to a core of the feedback device and extends along a direction angled relative to the axis. The core is made of a first material having a first magnetic permeability and the position marker comprises a second material having a second magnetic permeability greater than the first magnetic permeability. A sensor is positioned adjacent the feedback device and produces, as the feedback device rotates about the axis, a sensor signal in response to detecting passage of the position marker. A control unit generates a feedback signal indicative of the blade angle in response to the sensor signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2019Publication date: March 11, 2021Inventor: Dana TOMESCU
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Publication number: 20210061454Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for controlling a pitch for an aircraft-bladed rotor. A plurality of sensor signals are obtained from at least one sensor positioned proximate to a feedback device, the feedback device coupled to rotate with the rotor about a longitudinal axis and to move along the longitudinal axis with adjustment of a blade pitch angle of the rotor, the sensor signals produced responsive to detecting passage of a plurality of position markers of the feedback device, the plurality of position markers spaced circumferentially around the feedback device and having lengths along the longitudinal axis which vary monotonically and incrementally along at least part of the circumference of the feedback device. The plurality of sensor signals are processed to identify passage of the plurality of position markers. A feedback signal indicative of the blade pitch angle is generated based on the processed sensor signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2019Publication date: March 4, 2021Inventor: Dana TOMESCU