Patents by Inventor George F. Griffiths
George F. Griffiths 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: 11208917Abstract: A turbine engine fleet wash management system is configured to electronically communicate with a turbine engine system, a fleet management service, and a cleaning management service. The turbine engine fleet wash system causes a cleaning of a turbine engine to occur based on information received from the turbine engine system and other sources. The turbine engine fleet wash management system includes a cleaning schedule optimizer that generates a cleaning schedule based on engine health monitoring data, engine operation data, maintenance schedules for the turbine engine, and cleaning regimen data. The cleaning schedule optimizer estimates turbine engine performance improvements based on the selected cleaning regimen, and calculating an estimate of carbon credits earned based on the predicted improvement in turbine engine performance.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2019Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: Rolls-Royce CorporationInventors: George F. Griffiths, Prahlad Rao Dilip Heggere, Jeffrey A. Green
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Patent number: 10981674Abstract: A method for performing a cleaning cycle on a turbine engine mounted to an airframe includes conducting a cleaning agent from a cleaning agent supply into the gas turbine engine. The method further includes conducting compressed air from a cleaning air supply into the gas turbine engine to dry motor the gas turbine engine while the cleaning agent is conducted from the cleaning agent supply into the gas turbine engine.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2019Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Assignee: Rolls-Royce CorporationInventors: George F. Griffiths, Prahlad R. D. Heggere, Jeffrey A. Green
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Patent number: 10837302Abstract: A blade track assembly is disclosed having a variety of features. The assembly can have annular or segmented components, or a combination of the two. In one form the assembly includes blade tracks having a forward and aft edge that can be received in an opening of respective hangers. The hangers can include anti-movement features to discourage movement of a blade track. A rib can extend between hangers and in one form can be used as part of a seal assembly. Clips can be used to secure the blade track in openings of the respective hangers, as well as to discourage movement of the blade track.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2017Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.Inventors: Clayton C. Smith, George F. Griffiths, Ted Joseph Freeman, William Westphal
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Patent number: 10773283Abstract: Wands are used as parts of cleaning systems to conduct cleaning agents into gas turbine engine cores. Wands according to the present disclosure include inlet assemblies adapted to connect to cleaning agents, dispensers adapted to discharge cleaners into gas turbine engines, and conduits that extend from the inlet assemblies to the dispensers.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2017Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: Rolls-Royce CorporationInventors: George F. Griffiths, Prahlad R. D. Heggere, Jeffrey A. Green
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Patent number: 10654079Abstract: A method of cleaning a clutch included in a drive train is disclosed in this paper. The method includes dispensing a cleaning agent, preferably a foamed cleaning agent, into the clutch. The clutch optionally includes clutch plates with evacuation channels formed in the clutch plates designed to carry cleaning agent and/or debris away from engagement surfaces of the clutch plates.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2019Date of Patent: May 19, 2020Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.Inventor: George F. Griffiths
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Publication number: 20190330998Abstract: A turbine engine fleet wash management system is configured to electronically communicate with a turbine engine system, a fleet management service, and a cleaning management service. The turbine engine fleet wash system causes a cleaning of a turbine engine to occur based on information received from the turbine engine system and other sources. The turbine engine fleet wash management system includes a cleaning schedule optimizer that generates a cleaning schedule based on engine health monitoring data, engine operation data, maintenance schedules for the turbine engine, and cleaning regimen data. The cleaning schedule optimizer estimates turbine engine performance improvements based on the selected cleaning regimen, and calculating an estimate of carbon credits earned based on the predicted improvement in turbine engine performance.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2019Publication date: October 31, 2019Inventors: George F. Griffiths, Prahlad Rao Dilip Heggere, Jeffrey A. Green
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Publication number: 20190291896Abstract: A cleaning system for performing a cleaning cycle on a turbine engine mounted to an airframe includes a mobile supply unit. The mobile supply unit includes a cleaning agent supply that introduces cleaning agent into the turbine engine. The aircraft includes at least one valve configured to block cleaning agent from moving from the turbine engine into a passenger cabin of the aircraft.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2019Publication date: September 26, 2019Inventors: George F. Griffiths, Prahlad R.D. Heggere, Jeffrey A. Green
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Patent number: 10392964Abstract: A turbine engine fleet wash management system is configured to electronically communicate with a turbine engine system, a fleet management service, and a cleaning management service. The turbine engine fleet wash system causes a cleaning of a turbine engine to occur based on information received from the turbine engine system and other sources. The turbine engine fleet wash management system includes a cleaning schedule optimizer that generates a cleaning schedule based on engine health monitoring data, engine operation data, maintenance schedules for the turbine engine, and cleaning regimen data. The cleaning schedule optimizer estimates turbine engine performance improvements based on the selected cleaning regimen, and calculating an estimate of carbon credits earned based on the predicted improvement in turbine engine performance.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2017Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: Rolls-Royce CorporationInventors: George F. Griffiths, Prahlad R. D. Heggere, Jeffrey A. Green
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Patent number: 10364048Abstract: A cleaning system for performing a cleaning cycle on a turbine engine mounted to an airframe includes a mobile supply unit. The mobile supply unit includes a cleaning agent supply that introduces cleaning agent into the turbine engine. The aircraft includes at least one valve configured to block cleaning agent from moving from the turbine engine into a passenger cabin of the aircraft.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2017Date of Patent: July 30, 2019Assignee: Rolls-Royce CorporationInventors: George F. Griffiths, Prahlad R. D. Heggere, Jeffrey A. Green
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Publication number: 20190168270Abstract: A method of cleaning a clutch included in a drive train is disclosed in this paper. The method includes dispensing a cleaning agent, preferably a foamed cleaning agent, into the clutch. The clutch optionally includes clutch plates with evacuation channels formed in the clutch plates designed to carry cleaning agent and/or debris away from engagement surfaces of the clutch plates.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2019Publication date: June 6, 2019Inventor: George F. Griffiths
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Publication number: 20190076894Abstract: A method of cleaning a clutch included in a drive train is disclosed in this paper. The method includes dispensing a cleaning agent, preferably a foamed cleaning agent, into the clutch. The clutch optionally includes clutch plates with evacuation channels formed in the clutch plates designed to carry cleaning agent and/or debris away from engagement surfaces of the clutch plates.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2017Publication date: March 14, 2019Inventor: George F. Griffiths
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Patent number: 10226797Abstract: A method of cleaning a clutch included in a drive train is disclosed in this paper. The method includes dispensing a cleaning agent, preferably a foamed cleaning agent, into the clutch. The clutch optionally includes clutch plates with evacuation channels formed in the clutch plates designed to carry cleaning agent and/or debris away from engagement surfaces of the clutch plates.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2017Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.Inventor: George F. Griffiths
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Publication number: 20180051589Abstract: A turbine engine fleet wash management system is configured to electronically communicate with a turbine engine system, a fleet management service, and a cleaning management service. The turbine engine fleet wash system causes a cleaning of a turbine engine to occur based on information received from the turbine engine system and other sources. The turbine engine fleet wash management system includes a cleaning schedule optimizer that generates a cleaning schedule based on engine health monitoring data, engine operation data, maintenance schedules for the turbine engine, and cleaning regimen data. The cleaning schedule optimizer estimates turbine engine performance improvements based on the selected cleaning regimen, and calculating an estimate of carbon credits earned based on the predicted improvement in turbine engine performance.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2017Publication date: February 22, 2018Inventors: George F. Griffiths, Prahlad R.D. Heggere, Jeffrey A. Green
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Publication number: 20180043400Abstract: Wands are used as parts of cleaning systems to conduct cleaning agents into gas turbine engine cores. Wands according to the present disclosure include inlet assemblies adapted to connect to cleaning agents, dispensers adapted to discharge cleaners into gas turbine engines, and conduits that extend from the inlet assemblies to the dispensers.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2017Publication date: February 15, 2018Inventors: George F. Griffiths, Prahlad R.D. Heggere, Jeffrey A. Green
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Patent number: 9874108Abstract: A turbofan gas turbine engine for use in an aircraft includes a fan, an engine core, and a cleaning system. The fan and engine core cooperate to provide thrust for an aircraft when in use but may suffer performance degradation when dirty. The cleaning system is configured to conduct a cleaning agent from a supply into the turbofan gas turbine engine to clean the turbofan gas turbine engine.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2015Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Assignee: Rolls-Royce CorporationInventors: George F. Griffiths, Prahlad R. D. Heggere, Jeffrey A. Green
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Publication number: 20180010474Abstract: A blade track assembly is disclosed having a variety of features. The assembly can have annular or segmented components, or a combination of the two. In one form the assembly includes blade tracks having a forward and aft edge that can be received in an opening of respective hangers. The hangers can include anti-movement features to discourage movement of a blade track. A rib can extend between hangers and in one form can be used as part of a seal assembly. Clips can be used to secure the blade track in openings of the respective hangers, as well as to discourage movement of the blade track.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2017Publication date: January 11, 2018Inventors: Clayton C. Smith, George F. Griffiths, Ted Joseph Freeman, William Westphal
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Patent number: 9835048Abstract: A turbine engine fleet wash management system is configured to electronically communicate with a turbine engine system, a fleet management service, and a cleaning management service. The turbine engine fleet wash system causes a cleaning of a turbine engine to occur based on information received from the turbine engine system and other sources. The turbine engine fleet wash management system includes a cleaning schedule optimizer that generates a cleaning schedule based on engine health monitoring data, engine operation data, maintenance schedules for the turbine engine, and cleaning regimen data. The cleaning schedule optimizer estimates turbine engine performance improvements based on the selected cleaning regimen, and calculating an estimate of carbon credits earned based on the predicted improvement in turbine engine performance.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2015Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: Rolls-Royce CorporationInventors: George F. Griffiths, Prahlad R. D. Heggere, Jeffrey A. Green
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Patent number: 9821349Abstract: Wands are used as parts of cleaning systems to conduct cleaning agents into gas turbine engine cores. Wands according to the present disclosure include inlet assemblies adapted to connect to cleaning agents, dispensers adapted to discharge cleaners into gas turbine engines, and conduits that extend from the inlet assemblies to the dispensers.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2015Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: Rolls-Royce CorporationInventors: George F. Griffiths, Prahlad R. D. Heggere, Jeffrey A. Green
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Patent number: 9784115Abstract: A blade track assembly is disclosed having a variety of features. The assembly can have annular or segmented components, or a combination of the two. In one form the assembly includes blade tracks having a forward and aft edge that can be received in an opening of respective hangers. The hangers can include anti-movement features to discourage movement of a blade track. A rib can extend between hangers and in one form can be used as part of a seal assembly. Clips can be used to secure the blade track in openings of the respective hangers, as well as to discourage movement of the blade track.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2014Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.Inventors: Clayton C. Smith, George F. Griffiths, Ted Joseph Freeman, William Westphal
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Publication number: 20170210491Abstract: A cleaning system for performing a cleaning cycle on a turbine engine mounted to an airframe includes a mobile supply unit. The mobile supply unit includes a cleaning agent supply that introduces cleaning agent into the turbine engine. The aircraft includes at least one valve configured to block cleaning agent from moving from the turbine engine into a passenger cabin of the aircraft.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2017Publication date: July 27, 2017Inventors: George F. Griffiths, Prahlad R.D. Heggere, Jeffrey A. Green