Patents by Inventor Darren M. Smith

Darren M. Smith 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: 11143051
    Abstract: A first actuator moves a compressor rotor and compressor blades along a rotational axis of the compressor rotor. A turbine rotor includes a plurality of turbine blades each extending radially outwardly from the turbine rotor to an outer tip. A turbine housing surrounds each of the turbine blade tips. The turbine housing has an inner surface, and a turbine tip clearance is defined between each of the turbine blade tips and the inner surface of the turbine housing. A second actuator moves the turbine rotor and the turbine blades along a rotational axis of the turbine rotor. A control controls the first actuator of the compressor rotor, and the second actuator of the turbine rotor to control the compressor tip clearance and the turbine tip clearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Darren M. Smith
  • Patent number: 10801367
    Abstract: A system and method for coupling cases associated with an engine of an aircraft. A first case includes a first plurality of threads. A second case includes a second plurality of threads. A coupler includes a third plurality of threads and a fourth plurality of threads. An interface is configured to align the first case and the second case before the first plurality of threads engage the third plurality of threads or the second plurality of threads engage the fourth plurality of threads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan A. Scott, Darren M. Smith
  • Patent number: 10533448
    Abstract: A borescope plug includes a threaded section that extends from a head section along an axis, the threaded section including a central passage along said axis. A spindle is located within the central passage. A multiple of detents are positioned in response to an axial position of the spindle along the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Darren M. Smith
  • Patent number: 10519805
    Abstract: A first case includes a first plurality of threads, a second case includes a second plurality of threads, an interface provides at least one of anti-rotation or alignment with respect to the first case and the second case, and a nut includes a third plurality of threads configured to engage with the first plurality of threads and a fourth plurality of threads configured to engage with the second plurality of threads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Darren M. Smith, Jonathan A. Scott
  • Publication number: 20190010826
    Abstract: A system and method for coupling cases associated with an engine of an aircraft. A first case includes a first plurality of threads. A second case includes a second plurality of threads. A coupler includes a third plurality of threads and a fourth plurality of threads. An interface is configured to align the first case and the second case before the first plurality of threads engage the third plurality of threads or the second plurality of threads engage the fourth plurality of threads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Inventors: Jonathan A. Scott, Darren M. Smith
  • Patent number: 10082042
    Abstract: A system and method for coupling cases associated with an engine of an aircraft. A first case includes a first plurality of threads. A second case includes a second plurality of threads. A coupler includes a third plurality of threads and a fourth plurality of threads. An interface is configured to align the first case and the second case before the first plurality of threads engage the third plurality of threads or the second plurality of threads engage the fourth plurality of threads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan A. Scott, Darren M. Smith
  • Publication number: 20180252118
    Abstract: A borescope plug includes a threaded section that extends from a head section along an axis, the threaded section including a central passage along said axis. A spindle is located within the central passage. A multiple of detents are positioned in response to an axial position of the spindle along the axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Darren M. Smith
  • Patent number: 10060533
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to sealing systems for gas turbine engines. In one embodiment, a seal support structure for a gas turbine engine includes a seal support configured to retain a circumferential seal and an engine support configured for mounting the seal support structure to a gas turbine engine mount. The engine support includes at least one channel configured to provide radial movement of the seal support structure and circumferential retention of the seal support. Another embodiment is directed to a sealing system including a circumferential seal and seal support structure configured to provide radial movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Darren M. Smith
  • Patent number: 9988929
    Abstract: A borescope plug includes a threaded section that extends from a head section along an axis, the threaded section including a central passage along said axis. A spindle is located within the central passage. A multiple of detents are positioned in response to an axial position of the spindle along the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Darren M Smith
  • Patent number: 9897210
    Abstract: What is described is a tree seal for use on a rotating element. The tree seal includes a trunk configured to be coupled to the rotating element. The tree seal also includes a first branch coupled to the trunk and having a first edge configured to form a first mini seal with a housing. The tree seal also includes a second branch coupled to the trunk and having a second edge configured to form a second mini seal with the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Darren M. Smith
  • Publication number: 20160377288
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine section has a housing and a plurality of panels attached to the housing. The panels face toward a flow path of hot products of combustion. The panels include a central web and extending legs. A bend between the central web and the extending legs is formed at a radius. A gas turbine engine is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventor: Darren M. SMITH
  • Publication number: 20160369655
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to coupling cases associated with an engine of an aircraft. A first case includes a first plurality of threads. A second case includes a second plurality of threads. A coupler includes a third plurality of threads and a fourth plurality of threads. An interface is configured to align the first case and the second case before the first plurality of threads engage the third plurality of threads or the second plurality of threads engage the fourth plurality of threads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: Jonathan A. Scott, Darren M. Smith
  • Publication number: 20160298492
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a first case including a first plurality of threads, a second ease including a second plurality of threads, an interface configured to provide for at least one of anti-rotation or alignment with respect to the first case and the second ease, and a nut including a third plurality of threads configured to engage with the first plurality of threads and a fourth plurality of threads configured to engage with the second plurality of threads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Inventors: Darren M. Smith, Jonathan A. Scott
  • Publication number: 20160215647
    Abstract: A first actuator moves a compressor rotor and compressor blades along a rotational axis of the compressor rotor. A turbine rotor includes a plurality of turbine blades each extending radially outwardly from the turbine rotor to an outer tip. A turbine housing surrounds each of the turbine blade tips. The turbine housing has an inner surface, and a turbine tip clearance is defined between each of the turbine blade tips and the inner surface of the turbine housing. A second actuator moves the turbine rotor and the turbine blades along a rotational axis of the turbine rotor. A control controls the first actuator of the compressor rotor, and the second actuator of the turbine rotor to control the compressor tip clearance and the turbine tip clearance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Darren M. Smith
  • Publication number: 20160201802
    Abstract: What is described is a tree seal for use on a rotating element. The tree seal includes a trunk configured to be coupled to the rotating element. The tree seal also includes a first branch coupled to the trunk and having a first edge configured to form a first mini seal with a housing. The tree seal also includes a second branch coupled to the trunk and having a second edge configured to form a second mini seal with the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: DARREN M. SMITH
  • Publication number: 20160194976
    Abstract: A borescope plug includes a threaded section that extends from a head section along an axis, the threaded section including a central passage along said axis. A spindle is located within the central passage. A multiple of detents are positioned in response to an axial position of the spindle along the axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventor: Darren M Smith
  • Publication number: 20160178063
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to sealing systems for gas turbine engines. In one embodiment, a seal support structure for a gas turbine engine includes a seal support configured to retain a circumferential seal and an engine support configured for mounting the seal support structure to a gas turbine engine mount. The engine support includes at least one channel configured to provide radial movement of the seal support structure and circumferential retention of the seal support. Another embodiment is directed to a sealing system including a circumferential seal and seal support structure configured to provide radial movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventor: Darren M. Smith
  • Patent number: 8919784
    Abstract: A seal assembly for a fan duct metering valve disposed within a casing of a gas turbine engine includes a tab for extending through an opening in the casing and attaching to the valve, a carrier for extending into the opening and engaging the valve such that fluid does not leak between the valve and the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Darren M. Smith, Judith F. Brooks
  • Patent number: 8894365
    Abstract: A flowpath assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a plurality of flowpath insert ducts arranged in a cascade configuration. Each flowpath duct includes a radially inward wall, a radially outward wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall. A flowpath volume is defined between the inward, outward, first side and second side walls. The first side wall of a given one of the plurality of flowpath insert ducts is positioned adjacent to the second sidewall of an adjacent one of the plurality of flowpath insert ducts in the cascade configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Darren M. Smith
  • Publication number: 20130000769
    Abstract: A flowpath assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a plurality of flowpath insert ducts arranged in a cascade configuration. Each flowpath duct includes a radially inward wall, a radially outward wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall. A flowpath volume is defined between the inward, outward, first side and second side walls. The first side wall of a given one of the plurality of flowpath insert ducts is positioned adjacent to the second sidewall of an adjacent one of the plurality of flowpath insert ducts in the cascade configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Darren M. Smith