Patents by Inventor Douglas E. Key

Douglas E. Key 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: 9274009
    Abstract: A method for measurement of a film cooling effect is disclosed. Film cooling is a technique developed to protect gas turbine engine components from the extremely high temperatures created during its operation. A controlled air pressure is ducted into the hollow interior of the component and the mass rate of air flowing through the plurality of film cooling features or openings is measured. A coolant is then injected into the hollow interior of the component and allowed to flow out of a film cooling feature onto the heated outer surface of the component. The resulting infrared signature is a measure of the relative cooling effect generated by the individual film cool feature. The film cooling effect for an individual feature is quantified as the proportion of mass rate of airflow contributed by its relative individual cooling effect. The area, location and shape of the cooling effect are further classified to determine the degree of conformance to its design intent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Meyer Tool, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas E. Key
  • Publication number: 20140330534
    Abstract: A method for measurement of a film cooling effect is disclosed. Film cooling is a technique developed to protect gas turbine engine components from the extremely high temperatures created during its operation. A controlled air pressure is ducted into the hollow interior of the component and the mass rate of air flowing through the plurality of film cooling features or openings is measured. A coolant is then injected into the hollow interior of the component and allowed to flow out of a film cooling feature onto the heated outer surface of the component. The resulting infrared signature is a measure of the relative cooling effect generated by the individual film cool feature. The film cooling effect for an individual feature is quantified as the proportion of mass rate of airflow contributed by its relative individual cooling effect. The area, location and shape of the cooling effect are further classified to determine the degree of conformance to its design intent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: Meyer Tool, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas E. Key
  • Patent number: 8768646
    Abstract: A method for measurement of a film cooling effect is disclosed. Film cooling is a technique developed to protect gas turbine engine components from the extremely high temperatures created during its operation. A controlled air pressure is ducted into the hollow interior of the component and the mass rate of air flowing through the plurality of film cooling features or openings is measured. A coolant is then injected into the hollow interior of the component and allowed to flow out of a film cooling feature onto the heated outer surface of the component. The resulting infrared signature is a measure of the relative cooling effect generated by the individual film cool feature. The film cooling effect for an individual feature is quantified as the proportion of mass rate of airflow contributed by its relative individual cooling effect. The area, location and shape of the cooling effect are further classified to determine the degree of conformance to its design intent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Meyer Tool, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas E. Key
  • Publication number: 20110119020
    Abstract: A method for measurement of a film cooling effect is disclosed. Film cooling is a technique developed to protect gas turbine engine components from the extremely high temperatures created during its operation. A controlled air pressure is ducted into the hollow interior of the component and the mass rate of air flowing through the plurality of film cooling features or openings is measured. A coolant is then injected into the hollow interior of the component and allowed to flow out of a film cooling feature onto the heated outer surface of the component. The resulting infrared signature is a measure of the relative cooling effect generated by the individual film cool feature. The film cooling effect for an individual feature is quantified as the proportion of mass rate of airflow contributed by its relative individual cooling effect. The area, location and shape of the cooling effect are further classified to determine the degree of conformance to its design intent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: MEYER TOOL, INC.
    Inventor: Douglas E. Key
  • Patent number: 7791025
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for characterizing gas flow through features fabricated in a hollow part. A pressure regulated cooled gas is applied to an interior of the part to the features fabricated in the part. At the same time, a pressure regulated heated gas is applied to an exterior part skin; and the heated gas has a controlled temperature differential from the pressure regulated cooled gas applied to the part interior. An infrared signature of escaping gas and the surrounding part skin is analyzed by a classification method to identify acceptable and unacceptable fabricated features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Meyer Tool, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas E. Key
  • Patent number: 7671338
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for characterizing gas flow through features fabricated in a hollow part. A pressure regulated cooled gas is applied to an interior of the part to the features fabricated in the part. At the same time, a pressure regulated heated gas is applied to an exterior part skin; and the heated gas has a controlled temperature differential from the pressure regulated cooled gas applied to the part interior. An infrared signature of escaping gas and the surrounding part skin is analyzed by a classification method to identify acceptable and unacceptable fabricated features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Meyer Tool, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas E. Key
  • Publication number: 20090206261
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for characterizing gas flow through features fabricated in a hollow part. A pressure regulated cooled gas is applied to an interior of the part to the features fabricated in the part. At the same time, a pressure regulated heated gas is applied to an exterior part skin; and the heated gas has a controlled temperature differential from the pressure regulated cooled gas applied to the part interior. An infrared signature of escaping gas and the surrounding part skin is analyzed by a classification method to identify acceptable and unacceptable fabricated features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: Meyer Tool, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas E. Key
  • Publication number: 20080237466
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for characterizing gas flow through features fabricated in a hollow part. A pressure regulated cooled gas is applied to an interior of the part to the features fabricated in the part. At the same time, a pressure regulated heated gas is applied to an exterior part skin; and the heated gas has a controlled temperature differential from the pressure regulated cooled gas applied to the part interior. An infrared signature of escaping gas and the surrounding part skin is analyzed by a classification method to identify acceptable and unacceptable fabricated features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: MEYER TOOL, INC.
    Inventor: Douglas E. Key
  • Patent number: 7388204
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for characterizing gas flow through features fabricated in a hollow part. A pressurized gas is applied to an interior of the part, and this gas pressure flows outward through features fabricated in the part. At the same time, a stabilizing pressurized gas is applied to an exterior part skin; and the stabilizing gas has a controlled temperature differential from the gas applied to the part interior. An infrared signature of escaping gas and the surrounding part skin is analyzed by a classification method. Analysis of this infrared signature classifies the relative flow rate, size and position of the feature fabricated in the part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Meyer Tool, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas E. Key, Beau Easton
  • Publication number: 20070290134
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for characterizing gas flow through features fabricated in a hollow part. A pressurized gas is applied to an interior of the part, and this gas pressure flows outward through features fabricated in the part. At the same time, a stabilizing pressurized gas is applied to an exterior part skin; and the stabilizing gas has a controlled temperature differential from the gas applied to the part interior. An infrared signature of escaping gas and the surrounding part skin is analyzed by a classification method. Analysis of this infrared signature classifies the relative flow rate, size and position of the feature fabricated in the part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Applicant: MEYER TOOL, INC.
    Inventors: Douglas E. Key, Beau Easton