Patents by Inventor Kenneth Lee Fisher
Kenneth Lee Fisher 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: 10711877Abstract: A gearbox assembly for a gas turbine engine used in an aircraft having passive lubrication capabilities during wind milling includes a gearbox housing, a gear train assembly housed within the gearbox housing, a lubricant in the gearbox housing for lubricating the gear train assembly, and a first scavenge port formed in the gearbox housing. The first scavenge port is changeable between an open position and a closed position. Further, the first scavenge port remains in the open position during normal operation of the gas turbine engine to allow the lubricant to drain from the gearbox housing. Upon occurrence of a loss of lubricant pressure in the gearbox assembly, the first scavenge port is changed to the closed position to trap at least a portion of the lubricant in the gearbox housing. Thus, the trapped lubricant provides passive lubrication to the gear train assembly during the loss of lubricant pressure.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2018Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Kenneth Lee Fisher, George Hanna Ghanime, Bugra Han Ertas, Darren Lee Hallman
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Patent number: 10451113Abstract: A bearing cage for a roller bearing assembly. The roller bearing assembly includes an inner ring, an outer ring, and a plurality of roller elements. The bearing cage includes an annular body extending along an axial direction. The annular body is configured to be positioned between the inner annular ring and the outer annular ring and configured to receive a plurality of roller elements. The annular body includes a first end including a first inner radial surface opposite the inner annular ring. The annular body further includes a second end opposite the first end. The second end includes a second inner radial surface opposite the inner annular ring. The first end extends axially beyond the inner annular ring and the second end extends axially beyond the inner annular ring.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2017Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Kenneth Lee Fisher
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Patent number: 10400678Abstract: A gear includes a first gear rim, a second gear rim, and an axial groove. The first gear rim has a first gear rim rotational stiffness and includes a plurality of first gear teeth. The second gear rim has a second gear rim rotational stiffness. The second gear rim includes a plurality of second gear teeth complementing the plurality of first gear teeth defining a plurality of complementary first gear teeth and a plurality of complementary second gear teeth. The axial groove extends between the first gear rim and the second gear rim. The axial groove has an axial groove rotational stiffness that less than at least one of the first gear rim rotational stiffness and the second gear rim rotational stiffness.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2017Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Darren Lee Hallman, Kenneth Lee Fisher
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Publication number: 20190264800Abstract: A gearbox assembly for a gas turbine engine used in an aircraft having passive lubrication capabilities during wind milling includes a gearbox housing, a gear train assembly housed within the gearbox housing, a lubricant in the gearbox housing for lubricating the gear train assembly, and a first scavenge port formed in the gearbox housing. The first scavenge port is changeable between an open position and a closed position. Further, the first scavenge port remains in the open position during normal operation of the gas turbine engine to allow the lubricant to drain from the gearbox housing. Upon occurrence of a loss of lubricant pressure in the gearbox assembly, the first scavenge port is changed to the closed position to trap at least a portion of the lubricant in the gearbox housing. Thus, the trapped lubricant provides passive lubrication to the gear train assembly during the loss of lubricant pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2018Publication date: August 29, 2019Inventors: Kenneth Lee Fisher, George Hanna Ghanime, Bugra Han Ertas, Darren Lee Hallman
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Patent number: 10260563Abstract: A bearing cage for a roller bearing assembly is provided. The roller bearing assembly includes an outer annular ring, an inner annular ring including an outer radial surface, and a plurality of roller elements. The bearing cage includes an annular body configured to be positioned between the inner annular ring and the outer annular ring and configured to receive the plurality of roller elements. The annular body includes a first end including a first inner radial surface opposite the inner annular ring and a second end including a second inner radial surface opposite the inner annular ring, wherein the annular body extends from the first end to the second end in an axial direction. The annular body includes a first lubricant interface configured to receive oil and defined by the first inner radial surface and a second lubricant interface configured to receive oil and defined by the second inner radial surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2017Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Kenneth Lee Fisher
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Patent number: 10234018Abstract: A planet gear rotatable on a planet bearing with cylindrical rollers is mounted to a carrier of an epicyclic gearing arrangement. Either the cylindrical outer surface of the support pin or the opposing cylindrical inner surface of the inner ring of the planet bearing includes a network of interconnected grooves. The support pin includes oil feed holes intersecting the grooves. Passages through the planet bearing's inner ring also connect to the grooves. A gas turbine engine includes a fan and LP shaft, which couples a compressor to a turbine. An epicyclic gearing arrangement has a single input from the LP shaft coupled to a sun gear, a single output coupled to the fan's shaft, and a planet bearing with a network of interconnected grooves.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2015Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: William Howard Hasting, Kenneth Lee Fisher, Donald Albert Bradley, Joseph Robert Dickman
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Publication number: 20180335087Abstract: A bearing cage for a roller bearing assembly is provided. The roller bearing assembly includes an outer annular ring, an inner annular ring including an outer radial surface, and a plurality of roller elements. The bearing cage includes an annular body configured to be positioned between the inner annular ring and the outer annular ring and configured to receive the plurality of roller elements. The annular body includes a first end including a first inner radial surface opposite the inner annular ring and a second end including a second inner radial surface opposite the inner annular ring, wherein the annular body extends from the first end to the second end in an axial direction. The annular body includes a first lubricant interface configured to receive oil and defined by the first inner radial surface and a second lubricant interface configured to receive oil and defined by the second inner radial surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2017Publication date: November 22, 2018Inventor: Kenneth Lee Fisher
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Publication number: 20180335086Abstract: A bearing cage for a roller bearing assembly. The roller bearing assembly includes an inner ring, an outer ring, and a plurality of roller elements. The bearing cage includes an annular body extending along an axial direction. The annular body is configured to be positioned between the inner annular ring and the outer annular ring and configured to receive a plurality of roller elements. The annular body includes a first end including a first inner radial surface opposite the inner annular ring. The annular body further includes a second end opposite the first end. The second end includes a second inner radial surface opposite the inner annular ring. The first end extends axially beyond the inner annular ring and the second end extends axially beyond the inner annular ring.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2017Publication date: November 22, 2018Inventor: Kenneth Lee Fisher
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Patent number: 10094335Abstract: Embodiments of a compliant shaft for engines are provided herein. In some embodiments, a compliant shaft for a turbine engine may include: a body having a first end configured to be coupled to a shaft of a turbine and a second end coupled to a gear of a gear box, wherein at least a portion of the body is flexible.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2015Date of Patent: October 9, 2018Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Bugra Han Ertas, Kenneth Lee Fisher, Donald Albert Bradley
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Patent number: 10054163Abstract: A bearing cage for a roller bearing assembly includes an annular body defining a circumferential centerline extending therethrough. The annular body includes an outer circumferential surface, an opposing inner circumferential surface, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced roller cavities defined therein. Each roller cavity of the plurality of roller cavities is configured to receive an associated roller element. Each roller cavity includes a first radial cross-wall defined within the annular body extending from the outer circumferential surface to the inner circumferential surface. Each roller cavity further includes an opposing second radial cross-wall defined within the annular body extending from the outer circumferential surface to the inner circumferential surface. At least a portion of the first radial cross-wall and at least a portion of the second radial cross-wall are complimentary to the associated roller element.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2016Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Kenneth Lee Fisher, Bugra Han Ertas
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Publication number: 20180187753Abstract: A gear includes a first gear rim, a second gear rim, and an axial groove. The first gear rim has a first gear rim rotational stiffness and includes a plurality of first gear teeth. The second gear rim has a second gear rim rotational stiffness. The second gear rim includes a plurality of second gear teeth complementing the plurality of first gear teeth defining a plurality of complementary first gear teeth and a plurality of complementary second gear teeth. The axial groove extends between the first gear rim and the second gear rim. The axial groove has an axial groove rotational stiffness that less than at least one of the first gear rim rotational stiffness and the second gear rim rotational stiffness.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2017Publication date: July 5, 2018Inventors: Darren Lee Hallman, Kenneth Lee Fisher
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Publication number: 20180135697Abstract: A bearing cage for a roller bearing assembly includes an annular body defining a circumferential centerline extending therethrough. The annular body includes an outer circumferential surface, an opposing inner circumferential surface, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced roller cavities defined therein. Each roller cavity of the plurality of roller cavities is configured to receive an associated roller element. Each roller cavity includes a first radial cross-wall defined within the annular body extending from the outer circumferential surface to the inner circumferential surface. Each roller cavity further includes an opposing second radial cross-wall defined within the annular body extending from the outer circumferential surface to the inner circumferential surface. At least a portion of the first radial cross-wall and at least a portion of the second radial cross-wall are complimentary to the associated roller element.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2016Publication date: May 17, 2018Inventors: Kenneth Lee Fisher, Bugra Han Ertas
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Publication number: 20170191548Abstract: A planet gear includes an annular planet gear ring including an annular planet gear rim. The annular planet gear rim has an inner radius and an outer radius. The inner radius and the outer radius define a rim thickness therebetween. The annular planet gear rim further has a bending stress neutral axis. The bending stress neutral axis radius and the rim thickness define a ratio including values in a range from and including about 3 to and including about 10.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2015Publication date: July 6, 2017Inventors: Kenneth Lee Fisher, Darren Lee Hallman, Bugra Han Ertas, Donald Albert Bradley, Haris Ligata, William Howard Hasting, Ning Fang, Gert Johannes van der Merwe, Mark Alan Rhoads
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Publication number: 20170159608Abstract: Embodiments of a compliant shaft for engines are provided herein. In some embodiments, a compliant shaft for a turbine engine may include: a body having a first end configured to be coupled to a shaft of a turbine and a second end coupled to a gear of a gear box, wherein at least a portion of the body is flexible.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2015Publication date: June 8, 2017Inventors: Bugra Han Ertas, Kenneth Lee Fisher, Donald Albert Bradley
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Publication number: 20170108113Abstract: A planet gear rotatable on a planet bearing with cylindrical rollers is mounted to a carrier of an epicyclic gearing arrangement. Either the cylindrical outer surface of the support pin or the opposing cylindrical inner surface of the inner ring of the planet bearing includes a network of interconnected grooves. The support pin includes oil feed holes intersecting the grooves. Passages through the planet bearing's inner ring also connect to the grooves. A gas turbine engine includes a fan and LP shaft, which couples a compressor to a turbine. An epicyclic gearing arrangement has a single input from the LP shaft coupled to a sun gear, a single output coupled to the fan's shaft, and a planet bearing with a network of interconnected grooves.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2015Publication date: April 20, 2017Inventors: William Howard Hasting, Kenneth Lee Fisher, Donald Albert Bradley, Joseph Robert Dickman
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Publication number: 20170089218Abstract: A planet gearbox is provided for connection to a carrier of an epicyclic gearing arrangement with a single input and single output and including a sun gear, a ring gear and at least one double helix planet gear rotatable on a cylindrical roller bearing wherein the ratio of each cylindrical roller's length to each cylindrical roller's diameter exceeds 1.0. A gas turbine engine includes a shaft coupling a compressor of a compressor section to a turbine of a turbine section. An epicyclic gearing arrangement has a single input from the shaft coupled to a sun gear, a single output from the carrier that is coupled to the shaft of a fan and includes a planet gearbox with cylindrical rollers having a length-to-diameter ratio exceeding 1.0.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2015Publication date: March 30, 2017Inventors: William Howard Hasting, Kenneth Lee Fisher, Donald Albert Bradley, Joseph Robert Dickman
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Publication number: 20160252176Abstract: A gearbox support apparatus includes a gearbox carrier having a central axis, the carrier configured to mount one or more rotating gears therein, the carrier including spaced-apart forward and aft walls, and a pin disposed between the forward and aft walls. The gearbox support apparatus includes an inner race connected to the pin as a single integral component incorporating two pairs of raised guides defining a forward raceway and an aft raceway.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2016Publication date: September 1, 2016Inventors: Gert J. van der Merwe, Darren Lee Hallman, Osman F. Buyukisik, Donald Albert Bradley, Randy Thomas Antelo, William Howard Hasting, Kenneth Lee Fisher, Joseph Robert Dickman
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Patent number: 9169872Abstract: Embodiments of a bearing are provided herein. In one embodiment a bearing may include a bearing assembly having an inner race and an outer race; a plurality of rolling elements disposed between the inner race and the outer race, wherein at least one of the inner race, the outer race, and the plurality of rolling elements is at least partially fabricated from an AlMgB14 containing ceramic matrix composite.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2013Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: James William Sears, George Hanna Ghanime, Kenneth Lee Fisher
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Publication number: 20150139582Abstract: Embodiments of a bearing are provided herein. In one embodiment a bearing may include a bearing assembly having an inner race and an outer race; a plurality of rolling elements disposed between the inner race and the outer race, wherein at least one of the inner race, the outer race, and the plurality of rolling elements is at least partially fabricated from an AlMgB14 containing ceramic matrix composite.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2013Publication date: May 21, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: James William Sears, George Hanna Ghanime, Kenneth Lee Fisher
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Patent number: 8333551Abstract: A device operating in an environment includes a fiber optic sensing system having one or more fiber optic sensors disposed in the device and configured to detect one or more parameters related to the device. The parameters may include temperature, strain, pressure, vibration, or combinations thereof.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2007Date of Patent: December 18, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Eric John Ruggiero, Kevin Thomas McCarthy, Christopher Edward Wolfe, Hua Xia, Bala Corattiyil, Kenneth Lee Fisher