Patents by Inventor David H. Sweet

David H. Sweet 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: 9944400
    Abstract: A method of adaptive engine acceleration for accessory loads includes receiving an accessory load indicator corresponding to an accessory load of an engine. The accessory load indicator is compared to an adjustment threshold. An acceleration rate of the engine is increased based on determining that the accessory load indicator is below the adjustment threshold. The acceleration rate of the engine is decreased based on determining that the accessory load indicator is above the adjustment threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert J. Andrejczyk, David H. Sweet
  • Patent number: 9217376
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine control system according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, an automatic control operable to control a gas turbine engine. The gas turbine engine control system further comprises a module operable to fail-fix the gas turbine engine to one of a multiple of pre-determined modes in response to failure of the automatic control. The exemplary gas turbine engine control system may further comprise a fuel flow meter to sense a fuel flow to the engine, a fuel control to control the fuel flow to the engine, and the module in electrical communication with the fuel flow meter to fix the fuel control in response to one of the multiple of pre-determined modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
    Inventors: David H. Sweet, Stephen H. Silder
  • Publication number: 20150225088
    Abstract: A method of adaptive engine acceleration for accessory loads includes receiving an accessory load indicator corresponding to an accessory load of an engine. The accessory load indicator is compared to an adjustment threshold. An acceleration rate of the engine is increased based on determining that the accessory load indicator is below the adjustment threshold. The acceleration rate of the engine is decreased based on determining that the accessory load indicator is above the adjustment threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Inventors: Robert J. Andrejczyk, David H. Sweet
  • Patent number: 8655508
    Abstract: A method of aircraft engine thermal threat mitigation includes detecting an airflow thermal profile at a location on the aircraft forward of an aircraft engine inlet and transmitting the thermal profile to an aircraft control system. The thermal profile is compared to a catalog of thermal threat profiles at the aircraft control system and a determination is made if a thermal threat is present based on the comparison. A thermal threat mitigation measure is initiated to reduce an effect of the thermal threat on aircraft engine performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
    Inventor: David H. Sweet
  • Publication number: 20120310448
    Abstract: A method of aircraft engine thermal threat mitigation includes detecting an airflow thermal profile at a location on the aircraft forward of an aircraft engine inlet and transmitting the thermal profile to an aircraft control system. The thermal profile is compared to a catalog of thermal threat profiles at the aircraft control system and a determination is made if a thermal threat is present based on the comparison. A thermal threat mitigation measure is initiated to reduce an effect of the thermal threat on aircraft engine performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventor: David H. Sweet
  • Publication number: 20110173988
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine control system includes a module operable to fail-fix the gas turbine engine to one of a multiple of pre-determined modes in response to failure of an automatic control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Inventors: David H. Sweet, Stephen H. Silder
  • Patent number: 5363317
    Abstract: An engine failure monitor 50 for use with a multi-engine aircraft having at least two engines detects conditions indicative of a partial (700) or total (400) engine failure, including turbine shaft failures (600). In response to an engine failure, suitable inputs (134, 138, 712) are provided to an electronic engine control for operating the remaining engine. Additionally, indications indicative of the engine failure (132, 710) are provided to the cockpit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W. Rice, David H. Sweet
  • Patent number: 5313778
    Abstract: A bleed air control system for an aircraft gas turbine engine operates in a fuel saving mode in response to operation of the aircraft in a steady-state cruise condition (215,350) within a threshold flight envelope (202,310) during steady-state engine operation above a threshold range. During operation in the fuel saving mode, a gas turbine engine compressor bleed valve (10) is closed. The rate of bleed valve closure is determined as a function of bleed valve position (12,20) and gas generator speed (26,30) at the instant the fuel savings mode is initiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: David H. Sweet, Charles W. Evans
  • Patent number: 5265825
    Abstract: A helicopter engine fuel control anticipates sudden changes in engine power demand during yaw inputs to thereby minimize engine and main rotor speed droop and overspeed during yaw maneuvers. The rate (121,123) of yaw control (107) position change generates (110) a yaw component (104) of a helicopter fuel control (52) fuel command signal (70). The magnitude of the yaw component is also dependant upon the rate of yaw control position change (703). The fuel command signal yaw component (104) is overridden (113,115) when rotor decay rate (209,217) has been arrested during a sharp left hover turn (216); when the yaw component is removing fuel (239) during rotor droop (238); and when the yaw component is adding fuel (228) during rotor overspeed (227).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick J. Ebert, Joseph T. Driscoll, David H. Sweet
  • Patent number: 5265826
    Abstract: A helicopter engine fuel control anticipates changes in main rotor torque in response to lateral cyclic pitch commands, to thereby minimize engine and main rotor speed droop and overspeed during left and right roll maneuvers. A fuel compensation signal (100,101) is summed with a helicopter fuel control (52) fuel command signal (67) in response both to a lateral cyclic pitch command signal (LCP) (107) from a pilot operated cyclic pitch control exceeding a left or right threshold magnitude (201,210) and a total lateral cyclic pitch command signal (TCP) (108) from a lateral cyclic pitch control system exceeding a left or right threshold magnitude (202,207,215,220). The magnitude of the fuel compensation signal is dependant upon the direction of TCP and LCP, e.g., left or right, and helicopter roll acceleration (115). Alternatively, the magnitude and duration of the fuel compensation signal is dependant upon the rate of change in commanded lateral cyclic pitch (107,400,407).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick J. Ebert, Joseph T. Driscoll, Byron Graham, Jr., David H. Sweet
  • Patent number: 5023797
    Abstract: The reference speed for a helicopter engine is incremented or decremented (237, 239) in dependence upon whether a specific range (miles per unit of fuel) has increased or decreased (236a) in a current period of time compared to the next preceding period of time, separated therefrom by at least 20 seconds (243, 244) to thereby set engine speed for minimizing use of fuel over distance traveled. Fuel is sampled only during steady flight (250-255).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1991
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas D. Lappos, David M. Walsh, David H. Sweet, Charles E. Greenberg
  • Patent number: 5020316
    Abstract: The speed 54,56 of the free turbine 40 of a helicopter engine 22 is compared 134,138 with the speed 142,140 of the helicopter rotor 10 to indicate 106,108 a specific magnitude of autorotation and the deceleration 150 of the rotor above either one of two threshold magnitudes 220,222 (dependent on the magnitude of autorotation) is utilized 81,68,69 to increase fuel flow 72 to the engine according to a specific schedule 160,162 determined by the type of autorotation, in anticipation of rotor speed droop which would otherwise occur during recovery from the autorotation maneuver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Assignee: Coltec Industries Inc.
    Inventors: David H. Sweet, Charles E. Greenberg, Nicholas D. Lappos, David M. Walsh, Richard P. Meisner
  • Patent number: 4998202
    Abstract: A helicopter engine speed reference (66) is increased (113, 103-105) in response to heavy rotor loading (108). The reference speed is faded up (113, 104) at a rather rapid rate to 107% of rated speed (114). After a fixed time interval (118), reduced rotor loading (119) will cause the reference speed to be faded down slowly (120, 103-105) to rated speed (121). If torque exceeds 111% of rated torque (117), the reference speed is similarly faded down (120, 103-105).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1991
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: David M. Walsh, Charles E. Greenberg, Nicholas D. Lappos, David H. Sweet
  • Patent number: 4817046
    Abstract: Primary logic (116-128) for engine failure detection in a multi-engine aircraft is based on thresholds for engine torque (Q), gas generator speed (NG), power turbine inner stage temperature (T5), power turbine speed (NF), throttle setting (PLA), and throttle manipulation (PLADOT).Subroutines for return to dual engine operation (110), backup of the primary logic (200,300) and remaining engine failure (200) are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1989
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W. Rice, David H. Sweet, Charles W. Evans, Gregory P. Wright, James J. Howlett, Nicholas D. Lappos, Mark A. Johnston