Patents by Inventor Kevin Sauer
Kevin Sauer 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: 11592068Abstract: The disclosure describes a clutch assembly that includes a first clutch element coupled to an input shaft and including a first clutch element friction surface; a second clutch element coupled to an output shaft, and a brake clutch coupled to a stationary component. The second clutch element includes a first friction surface configured to engage the first clutch element friction surface and a second friction surface opposite the first friction surface. The second clutch element is configured to move relative to the first clutch element to engage and disengage the first friction surface and the first clutch element friction surface. The brake clutch includes a brake clutch friction surface configured to engage the second friction surface of the second clutch element when the first clutch element and the second clutch element are disengaged.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2021Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: Rolls-Royce CorporationInventor: Kevin Sauer
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Patent number: 11402096Abstract: A combustor dome may be formed by way of additive layer manufacturing. The combustor dome may further include a raised outer surface and a recessed outer surface on a hot side of the combustor dome. The recessed outer surfaces may be closer to the cold side than the raised outer surfaces. The combustor dome may include a shadow surface defined between the raised outer surface and recessed outer surface. The shadow surface may define a corresponding cooling outlet in fluid communication with an internal cooling channel defined inside of the combustor dome. The cooling outlet may release air from the internal cooling channel to the hot axial side of the combustor dome.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2018Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignees: ROLLS-ROYCE CORPORATION, ROLLS-ROYCE NORTH AMERICAN TECHNOLOGIES INC.Inventors: Kevin Sauer, Lewis Dailey, Keith McCormick, Duane Smith, Christopher D. DeBruhl
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Patent number: 11248790Abstract: A system may be provided that includes a hot section component of a gas turbine engine. The hot section component includes a dual wall, which includes a first wall and a second wall. The first wall includes multiple impingement cooling holes extending through the first wall. The second wall is positioned adjacent the first wall. The first wall and the second wall together define a cooling passage between the first wall and the second wall. Multiple pockets are in a surface of the second wall. Each of the pockets is positioned opposite a respective one of the impingement cooling holes. Each of the pockets is configured to receive a cooling fluid from the respective one of the impingement cooling holes and direct the cooling fluid into the cooling passage. The cooling passage includes a single cooling passage into which the pockets are configured to direct the cooling fluid.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2019Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE CORPORATIONInventors: Kevin Sauer, Jack D. Petty, Sr.
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Publication number: 20220018415Abstract: The disclosure describes a clutch assembly that includes a first clutch element coupled to an input shaft and including a first clutch element friction surface; a second clutch element coupled to an output shaft, and a brake clutch coupled to a stationary component. The second clutch element includes a first friction surface configured to engage the first clutch element friction surface and a second friction surface opposite the first friction surface. The second clutch element is configured to move relative to the first clutch element to engage and disengage the first friction surface and the first clutch element friction surface. The brake clutch includes a brake clutch friction surface configured to engage the second friction surface of the second clutch element when the first clutch element and the second clutch element are disengaged.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2021Publication date: January 20, 2022Inventor: Kevin Sauer
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Publication number: 20210352821Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus comprises an integrated circuit module comprising two layers of thermal interface material, a printed circuit assembly disposed between the two layers of thermal interface material and comprising a plurality of integrated circuits disposed on both sides of a circuit board, wherein at least one of the integrated circuits is thermally coupled with one of the layers of thermal interface material, and two heat spreaders adapted to removably retain one another, and when retaining one another to enclose and become thermally coupled with the two layers of thermal interface material; and a printed circuit board having a connector disposed thereon, wherein a connector edge of the printed circuit assembly is disposed within the connector. In other embodiments, a frame is adapted to retain the two heat spreaders.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2018Publication date: November 11, 2021Inventors: Kevin Conn, Pinche Tsai, Kevin Sauer
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Patent number: 11085639Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a combustion liner assembly comprising at least a portion of a combustion liner of a combustor, the combustion liner defining a combustion chamber. A chute integral with at least the portion of the combustion liner is provided, the chute having an inlet, an outlet, and a body extending between the inlet and the outlet. The body of the chute extends towards a midline of the combustion chamber. The inlet is located in an outer surface of the combustion liner, and the outlet opens into the combustion chamber. A cooling channel is provided that extends from the outer surface of the combustion liner along the body of the chute.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2018Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignees: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc., Rolls-Royce CorporationInventors: Kevin Sauer, Christopher D. DeBruhl
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Patent number: 10982852Abstract: A combustion section of a gas turbine engine may include a cassette configured to couple to an annular combustor dome arranged around a flow path for the gas turbine engine. The annular combustor dome may include a dome wall comprising a plurality of inlets configured to receive compressed air for a combustion chamber located downstream, relative to the flow path, from the annular combustor dome. The cassette may include a combustor wall extended away from the dome wall in a downstream direction. The cassette may further include a cowl integral to the combustor wall. At least a portion of the cowl may extend away from the dome wall in an upstream direction relative to the flow path. The cowl may receive compressed air from a diffusor and guide the compressed air to a space upstream from the inlets, relative to the flow path.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2018Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Assignee: Rolls-Royce CorporationInventors: Kevin Sauer, Lewis Dailey, Keith McCormick
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Patent number: 10907831Abstract: A fuel injection system may include a fuel spray nozzle including a nozzle head and a nozzle stem. The nozzle head may include an air channel and a swirler in fluid communication with the air channel. The nozzle stem may extend into a compressor discharge pressure cavity and convey fuel to the air channel. The air channel may combine air from the swirler with the fuel from the nozzle stem and convey a mixture of fuel and air to a combustor. The fuel injection system may further include a scoop. The scoop may be coupled to the fuel spray nozzle. The scoop may receive air that flows into the compressor discharge pressure cavity from a diffusor. An outer surface of the fuel spray nozzle and an inner surface of the scoop define a duct in fluid communication with the swirler. The swirler may receive air from the duct.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2018Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignees: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.Inventors: Jack D. Petty, Sr., John Holdcraft, Kevin Sauer
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Publication number: 20200333006Abstract: A system may be provided that includes a hot section component of a gas turbine engine. The hot section component includes a dual wall, which includes a first wall and a second wall. The first wall includes multiple impingement cooling holes extending through the first wall. The second wall is positioned adjacent the first wall. The first wall and the second wall together define a cooling passage between the first wall and the second wall. Multiple pockets are in a surface of the second wall. Each of the pockets is positioned opposite a respective one of the impingement cooling holes. Each of the pockets is configured to receive a cooling fluid from the respective one of the impingement cooling holes and direct the cooling fluid into the cooling passage. The cooling passage includes a single cooling passage into which the pockets are configured to direct the cooling fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2019Publication date: October 22, 2020Applicant: Rolls-Royce CorporationInventors: Kevin Sauer, Jack D. Petty, SR.
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Publication number: 20200208840Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a combustion liner assembly comprising at least a portion of a combustion liner of a combustor, the combustion liner defining a combustion chamber. A chute integral with at least the portion of the combustion liner is provided, the chute having an inlet, an outlet, and a body extending between the inlet and the outlet. The body of the chute extends towards a midline of the combustion chamber. The inlet is located in an outer surface of the combustion liner, and the outlet opens into the combustion chamber. A cooling channel is provided that extends from the outer surface of the combustion liner along the body of the chute.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2018Publication date: July 2, 2020Applicants: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.Inventors: Kevin Sauer, Christopher D. DeBruhl
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Publication number: 20200141579Abstract: A combustor dome may be formed by way of additive layer manufacturing. The combustor dome may further include a raised outer surface and a recessed outer surface on a hot side of the combustor dome. The recessed outer surfaces may be closer to the cold side than the raised outer surfaces. The combustor dome may include a shadow surface defined between the raised outer surface and recessed outer surface. The shadow surface may define a corresponding cooling outlet in fluid communication with an internal cooling channel defined inside of the combustor dome. The cooling outlet may release air from the internal cooling channel to the hot axial side of the combustor dome.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2018Publication date: May 7, 2020Applicants: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.Inventors: Kevin Sauer, Lewis Dailey, Keith McCormick, Duane Smith, Christopher D. DeBruhl
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Publication number: 20200141578Abstract: A combustion section of a gas turbine engine may include a cassette configured to couple to an annular combustor dome arranged around a flow path for the gas turbine engine. The annular combustor dome may include a dome wall comprising a plurality of inlets configured to receive compressed air for a combustion chamber located downstream, relative to the flow path, from the annular combustor dome. The cassette may include a combustor wall extended away from the dome wall in a downstream direction. The cassette may further include a cowl integral to the combustor wall. At least a portion of the cowl may extend away from the dome wall in an upstream direction relative to the flow path. The cowl may receive compressed air from a diffusor and guide the compressed air to a space upstream from the inlets, relative to the flow path.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2018Publication date: May 7, 2020Applicant: Rolls-Royce CorporationInventors: Kevin Sauer, Lewis Dailey, Keith McCormick
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Patent number: 10596762Abstract: An example system may include a computing device and an additive manufacturing tool. The computing device may define a digital representation of an inclined channel at least partially within a component, including an angle ? based on a formula ?=2 tan?1 [tan(?/2)/sin(?)]. The inclined channel may define a longitudinal axis inclined at the angle ? relative to a build direction, and may include a gabled roof configured to collapse into an arched roof. The angle ? is a predetermined interior angle of the gabled roof measured in a plane substantially parallel to the build direction. The angle ? is an interior angle of the gabled roof in a plane substantially normal to the inclined longitudinal axis. The computing device may control, based on the digital representation, the additive manufacturing tool to deposit a material along the build direction to fabricate the component including the inclined channel.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2017Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignees: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce PLCInventors: Kevin Sauer, John Holdcraft, David Stapleton
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Publication number: 20190338952Abstract: A fuel injection system may include a fuel spray nozzle including a nozzle head and a nozzle stem. The nozzle head may include an air channel and a swirler in fluid communication with the air channel. The nozzle stem may extend into a compressor discharge pressure cavity and convey fuel to the air channel. The air channel may combine air from the swirler with the fuel from the nozzle stem and convey a mixture of fuel and air to a combustor. The fuel injection system may further include a scoop. The scoop may be coupled to the fuel spray nozzle. The scoop may receive air that flows into the compressor discharge pressure cavity from a diffusor. An outer surface of the fuel spray nozzle and an inner surface of the scoop define a duct in fluid communication with the swirler. The swirler may receive air from the duct.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2018Publication date: November 7, 2019Applicants: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.Inventors: Jack D. Petty, SR., John Holdcraft, Kevin Sauer
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Publication number: 20170315538Abstract: An example system may include a computing device and an additive manufacturing tool. The computing device may define a digital representation of an inclined channel at least partially within a component, including an angle ? based on a formula ?=2 tan?1 [tan(?/2)/sin(?)]. The inclined channel may define a longitudinal axis inclined at the angle ? relative to a build direction, and may include a gabled roof configured to collapse into an arched roof. The angle ? is a predetermined interior angle of the gabled roof measured in a plane substantially parallel to the build direction. The angle ? is an interior angle of the gabled roof in a plane substantially normal to the inclined longitudinal axis. The computing device may control, based on the digital representation, the additive manufacturing tool to deposit a material along the build direction to fabricate the component including the inclined channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2017Publication date: November 2, 2017Inventors: Kevin Sauer, John Holdcraft, David Stapleton
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Publication number: 20050267384Abstract: An adapter for collecting a blood sample is disclosed that includes a stopper and a housing. The stopper is formed of a material that is piercable by a needle and sealable upon withdrawal of the needle. The housing, which has a first end and an opposite second end, defines an aperture extending through the housing from the first end to the second end. The stopper is located in the aperture and adjacent the first end. In addition, the second end has a configuration that is joinable with a syringe. The adapter may be a part of a kit that includes a needle device, a holder, and a syringe, for example. A method of collecting a first blood sample and a second blood sample is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2005Publication date: December 1, 2005Inventors: Kevin Sauer, Jeffrey Hancock