Patents by Inventor Kevin Zacchera

Kevin Zacchera 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: 11118480
    Abstract: A mid-turbine frame for a gas turbine engine includes an inner frame case defining a sealed torque box cavity. Multiple spokes protrude radially outward from the inner frame case, and at least one service line is connected to the inner frame case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Lienau, Dustin W. Davis, Jonathan Lemoine, Kevin Zacchera
  • Patent number: 11041391
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a combustor. A turbine section is in fluid communication with the combustor. The turbine section includes a first vane stage aft of the combustor. A plurality of vane cooling passages extending through a forward flange of the first vane stage to the radial inner surface for communicating cooling airflow into the core flow path forward of the leading edge. A seal assembly is disposed between the combustor and the forward flange of the vane stage. The seal includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart slots and a plurality of seal cooling passages that extend from the radially outer surface to the radially inner surface at each of the plurality of circumferentially spaced apart slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Steven D. Porter, Shawn M. McMahon, Kevin Zacchera, Noah Wadsworth, Christopher Whitfield, Sean D. Bradshaw, Dennis M. Moura, David Bitzko, Alex J. Schneider
  • Patent number: 11015464
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a combustor. A turbine section is in fluid communication with the combustor. The turbine section includes a first vane stage aft of the combustor. A seal assembly is disposed between the combustor and the first vane stage. The seal assembly includes a first plurality of openings and the first vane stage includes a second plurality of openings communicating cooling airflow into a gap between an aft end of the combustor and the first vane stage. A first vane stage assembly and a method are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Steven D. Porter, Shawn M. McMahon, Kevin Zacchera, Noah Wadsworth, Christopher Whitfield, Sean D. Bradshaw, Dennis M. Moura
  • Patent number: 10871108
    Abstract: A cooling structure for a gas turbine engine comprises a gas turbine engine structure defining a cooling cavity. A cooling component is configured to direct cooling flow in a desired direction into the cooling cavity. A bracket supports the cooling component and has an attachment interface to fix the bracket to the gas turbine engine structure. A first orientation feature associated with the bracket. A second orientation feature is associated with the gas turbine engine structure. The first and second orientation features cooperate with each other to ensure that the cooling component is only installed in one orientation relative to the gas turbine engine structure. A gas turbine engine and a method of installing a cooling structure are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Zacchera, Matthew Andrew Hough, Jonathan Lemoine, Christopher Treat, Alberto A. Mateo
  • Publication number: 20200386106
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a combustor. A turbine section is in fluid communication with the combustor. The turbine section includes a first vane stage aft of the combustor. A plurality of vane cooling passages extending through a forward flange of the first vane stage to the radial inner surface for communicating cooling airflow into the core flow path forward of the leading edge. A seal assembly is disposed between the combustor and the forward flange of the vane stage. The seal includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart slots and a plurality of seal cooling passages that extend from the radially outer surface to the radially inner surface at each of the plurality of circumferentially spaced apart slots.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Inventors: Steven D. Porter, Shawn M. McMahon, Kevin Zacchera, Noah Wadsworth, Christopher Whitfield, Sean D. Bradshaw, Dennis M. Moura, David Bitzko, Alex J. Schneider
  • Patent number: 10830448
    Abstract: A liner panel for use in a combustor of a gas turbine engine, including a multiple of heat transfer augmentors located in at least one discrete area of the liner panel. A wall assembly within a gas turbine engine including a support shell, a liner panel mounted to the support shell via a multiple of studs and a multiple of heat transfer augmentors located in at least one discrete area on a cold side of the liner panel, each of the multiple of heat transfer augmentors define a height that extends about half the distance between a cold surface of the liner panel and the support shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Monica Pacheco-Tougas, Kevin Zacchera, Jonathan Jeffery Eastwood
  • Patent number: 10823410
    Abstract: A liner panel for use in a combustor of a gas turbine engine, the liner panel includes a radiused edge blended into a hot side of the linear panel. A combustor for a gas turbine engine including a liner panel mounted to a support shell via a multiple of studs, the liner panel including a radiused edge blended into a hot side of the linear panel, the hot side including a thermal barrier coating. A method of manufacturing including casting a radiused edge blended into a hot side of a linear panel; and applying a thermal barrier coating to the hot side of the liner panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan Jeffery Eastwood, Kevin Zacchera, Brian T. Hazel, William F. Werkheiser
  • Publication number: 20200277867
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a combustor. A turbine section is in fluid communication with the combustor. The turbine section includes a first vane stage aft of the combustor. A seal assembly is disposed between the combustor and the first vane stage. The seal assembly includes a first plurality of openings and the first vane stage includes a second plurality of openings communicating cooling airflow into a gap between an aft end of the combustor and the first vane stage. A first vane stage assembly and a method are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Inventors: Steven D. Porter, Shawn M. McMahon, Kevin Zacchera, Noah Wadsworth, Christopher Whitfield, Sean D. Bradshaw, Dennis M. Moura
  • Patent number: 10738701
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a combustor. A turbine section is in fluid communication with the combustor. The turbine section includes a first vane stage aft of the combustor. A seal assembly is disposed between the combustor and the first vane stage. The seal assembly includes a plurality of openings communicating cooling airflow into a gap between an aft end of the combustor and the first vane stage. A combustor assembly and method are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Steven D. Porter, Shawn M. McMahon, Kevin Zacchera, Noah Wadsworth, Christopher Whitfield, Sean D. Bradshaw, Dennis M. Moura
  • Patent number: 10670269
    Abstract: A liner panel for use in a combustor of a gas turbine engine, the liner panel includes a radiused gate blended into a hot side of the liner panel. A combustor for a gas turbine engine including a liner panel mounted to a support shell via a multiple of studs, the liner panel including a radiused gate blended into a hot side of the liner panel, the hot side including a thermal barrier coating. A method of manufacturing including casting a radiused gate tangentially cast into a hot side of a liner panel; and applying a thermal barrier coating to the hot side of the liner panel over the remnant of the radiused gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan Jeffery Eastwood, Kevin Zacchera, Brian T. Hazel, William F. Werkheiser
  • Patent number: 10619857
    Abstract: A combustor panel may include an attachment feature having a central longitudinal axis and extending from a cold side of the combustor panel. The attachment feature may include a tip portion and a base portion and the attachment feature may be configured to extend through a combustor shell such that the tip portion is disposed outward of a diffuser-facing side of the combustor shell. The base portion may be configured to be disposed between the cold side of the combustor panel and the diffuser-facing side of the combustor shell. The attachment feature may define a core passage extending from an inlet opening defined on the tip portion and extending partially through the attachment feature to terminate within the attachment feature. The attachment feature may also define an offshoot passage extending from the core passage to an outlet opening defined on the base portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jonathan Lemoine, Steven D. Porter, Kevin Zacchera
  • Patent number: 10584601
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a combustor. A turbine section is in fluid communication with the combustor. The turbine section includes a first vane stage aft of the combustor. A seal assembly is disposed between the combustor and the first vane stage. The seal assembly includes a first plurality of openings and the first vane stage includes a second plurality of openings communicating cooling airflow into a gap between an aft end of the combustor and the first vane stage. A first vane stage assembly and a method are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Steven D. Porter, Shawn M. McMahon, Kevin Zacchera, Noah Wadsworth, Christopher Whitfield, Sean D. Bradshaw, Dennis M. Moura
  • Patent number: 10577971
    Abstract: A mid-turbine frame for a gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a first frame case, a flange coupled to the first frame case, and a heat shield adjacent to the flange. A method of cooling a portion of a gas turbine engine is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joshua Daniel Winn, Anthony P. Cherolis, Steven D. Porter, Christopher Treat, Kevin Zacchera
  • Publication number: 20190107059
    Abstract: A combustor cooling system for a combustor of a gas turbine engine is provided. The combustor cooling system comprising: a heat exchanger fluidly connected to a compressor section of the gas turbine engine, the heat exchanger being configured to receive compressor bleed air from the compressor section and cool the compressor bleed air; and a plenum assembly fluidly connected to the heat exchanger, the plenum assembly configured to receive cooled compressor bleed air from the heat exchanger and distribute the cooled compressor bleed air to one or more areas of the combustor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Inventors: Kevin Zacchera, Jonathan Lemoine
  • Publication number: 20190078789
    Abstract: A combustor panel may include an attachment feature having a central longitudinal axis and extending from a cold side of the combustor panel. The attachment feature may include a tip portion and a base portion and the attachment feature may be configured to extend through a combustor shell such that the tip portion is disposed outward of a diffuser-facing side of the combustor shell. The base portion may be configured to be disposed between the cold side of the combustor panel and the diffuser-facing side of the combustor shell. The attachment feature may define a core passage extending from an inlet opening defined on the tip portion and extending partially through the attachment feature to terminate within the attachment feature. The attachment feature may also define an offshoot passage extending from the core passage to an outlet opening defined on the base portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: JONATHAN LEMOINE, STEVEN D. PORTER, KEVIN ZACCHERA
  • Publication number: 20190063239
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a combustor. A turbine section is in fluid communication with the combustor. The turbine section includes a first vane stage aft of the combustor. A seal assembly is disposed between the combustor and the first vane stage. The seal assembly includes a first plurality of openings and the first vane stage includes a second plurality of openings communicating cooling airflow into a gap between an aft end of the combustor and the first vane stage. A first vane stage assembly and a method are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Steven D. Porter, Shawn M. McMahon, Kevin Zacchera, Noah Wadsworth, Christopher Whitfield, Sean D. Bradshaw, Dennis M. Moura
  • Publication number: 20190063323
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a combustor. A turbine section is in fluid communication with the combustor. The turbine section includes a first vane stage aft of the combustor. A seal assembly is disposed between the combustor and the first vane stage. The seal assembly includes a plurality of openings communicating cooling airflow into a gap between an aft end of the combustor and the first vane stage. A combustor assembly and method are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Steven D. Porter, Shawn M. McMahon, Kevin Zacchera, Noah Wadsworth, Christopher Whitfield, Sean D. Bradshaw, Dennis M. Moura
  • Patent number: 10215098
    Abstract: A sealing arrangement includes a turbine static structure with a seal ring having groove with a contact surface. Also included is a bearing compartment with a second contact surface, and a piston seal positioned between the turbine static structure and the bearing compartment. The piston seal includes sides configured to contact the contact surfaces and is positioned in the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony P. Cherolis, Jorge I. Farah, Seth A. Max, John H. Mosley, Steven D. Porter, Gregory E. Reinhardt, Kevin Zacchera
  • Publication number: 20180298823
    Abstract: A cooling structure for a gas turbine engine comprises a gas turbine engine structure defining a cooling cavity. A cooling component is configured to direct cooling flow in a desired direction into the cooling cavity. A bracket supports the cooling component and has an attachment interface to fix the bracket to the gas turbine engine structure. A first orientation feature associated with the bracket. A second orientation feature is associated with the gas turbine engine structure. The first and second orientation features cooperate with each other to ensure that the cooling component is only installed in one orientation relative to the gas turbine engine structure. A gas turbine engine and a method of installing a cooling structure are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Kevin Zacchera, Matthew Andrew Hough, Jonathan Lemoine, Christopher Treat, Alberto A. Mateo
  • Publication number: 20180292089
    Abstract: A combustor panel of a combustor may include a combustion facing surface and a cooling surface opposite the combustion facing surface. An attachment feature may extend from the cooling surface. The attachment feature may define a first channel extending through the attachment feature to the combustion facing surface. The combustor channel may be formed by additive manufacturing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Steven D. Porter, Jonathan Lemoine, Kevin Zacchera