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).

  • Patent number: 11592068
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventor: Kevin Sauer
  • Patent number: 11402096
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignees: ROLLS-ROYCE CORPORATION, ROLLS-ROYCE NORTH AMERICAN TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Kevin Sauer, Lewis Dailey, Keith McCormick, Duane Smith, Christopher D. DeBruhl
  • Patent number: 11248790
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kevin Sauer, Jack D. Petty, Sr.
  • Publication number: 20220018415
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2021
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Inventor: Kevin Sauer
  • Publication number: 20210352821
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventors: Kevin Conn, Pinche Tsai, Kevin Sauer
  • Patent number: 11085639
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc., Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Sauer, Christopher D. DeBruhl
  • Patent number: 10982852
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Sauer, Lewis Dailey, Keith McCormick
  • Patent number: 10907831
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Jack D. Petty, Sr., John Holdcraft, Kevin Sauer
  • Publication number: 20200333006
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Applicant: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Sauer, Jack D. Petty, SR.
  • Publication number: 20200208840
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Applicants: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Sauer, Christopher D. DeBruhl
  • Publication number: 20200141579
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Applicants: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Sauer, Lewis Dailey, Keith McCormick, Duane Smith, Christopher D. DeBruhl
  • Publication number: 20200141578
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Applicant: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Sauer, Lewis Dailey, Keith McCormick
  • Patent number: 10596762
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: Kevin Sauer, John Holdcraft, David Stapleton
  • Publication number: 20190338952
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Applicants: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Jack D. Petty, SR., John Holdcraft, Kevin Sauer
  • Publication number: 20170315538
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Kevin Sauer, John Holdcraft, David Stapleton
  • Publication number: 20050267384
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2005
    Publication date: December 1, 2005
    Inventors: Kevin Sauer, Jeffrey Hancock