Patents by Inventor Paul K. Sanchez

Paul K. Sanchez 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: 11698005
    Abstract: Flow diverters for installation in mid-turbine frame systems at a conduit outlet of gas turbine engines are described. The flow diverters include a diverter body having a connector portion defining a diverter inlet, a diverter extension at least partially defining a diverter outlet, and a curved portion arranged between the connector portion and the diverter extension, the curved portion configured to change a direction of flow from a first direction to a second direction that is about 90° from the first direction as the flow passes from the diverter inlet to the diverter outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: John S. Tu, Robert Newman, Paul K. Sanchez, Jeffrey J. Lienau, John T. Ols, Prabaharan Manoharan, Venu Sambarapu, Rajendra Prasad Uppara Allabanda
  • Patent number: 11111801
    Abstract: A vane has an airfoil extending between a radially outer platform and a radially inner platform. At least one of the platforms has nominally radially thinner portions, and a pad defining a radially thicker portion. The pad has a radial thickness that is greater than a thickness of the nominal radially thinner portions. The pad surrounds an outer periphery of the airfoil on a side of the radially outer platform. The pad has a varying radial thickness. A mid-turbine frame and a gas turbine engine are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: John T. Ols, Richard N. Allen, Steven D. Porter, Paul K. Sanchez, Sandra S. Pinero
  • Publication number: 20210246832
    Abstract: Flow diverters for installation in mid-turbine frame systems at a conduit outlet of gas turbine engines are described. The flow diverters include a diverter body having a connector portion defining a diverter inlet, a diverter extension at least partially defining a diverter outlet, and a curved portion arranged between the connector portion and the diverter extension, the curved portion configured to change a direction of flow from a first direction to a second direction that is about 90° from the first direction as the flow passes from the diverter inlet to the diverter outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: John S. Tu, Robert Newman, Paul K. Sanchez, Jeffrey J. Lienau, John T. Ols, Prabaharan Manoharan, Venu Sambarapu, Rajendra Prasad Uppara Allabanda
  • Patent number: 10961870
    Abstract: A method of cooling a portion of a gas turbine engine includes positioning a tie rod relative to an inner frame case. The tie rod includes a bushing opening and the inner frame case includes a fastener opening. A fastener is secured through the fastener opening in the inner frame case to a threaded bushing located in the bushing opening. The threaded bushing includes a distal end that forms a clearance gap with the inner frame case. Heat is transferred from the fastener through the threaded bushing to prevent the fastener from creeping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joshua Daniel Winn, Alexander Broulidakis, Paul K. Sanchez, Anthony P Cherolis, Joseph J. Sedor, Christopher Treat
  • Patent number: 10947865
    Abstract: A method of assembling a mid-turbine frame includes engaging at least two tabs in a radially inner end of at least one spoke in a groove in an inner frame case. The at least one spoke is secured to the inner frame case with a central bolt extending through the inner frame case into the at least one spoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jorge I. Farah, Steven D. Porter, Paul K. Sanchez, Joseph J. Sedor
  • Patent number: 10941669
    Abstract: A diffuser case support structure for a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The diffuser case support structure includes a fairing disposed circumferentially about a longitudinal axis. The fairing forms at least a portion of a fluid path between a compressor and a combustor of the gas turbine engine. The fairing defines a plurality of apertures extending through the fairing. At least one spoke extends through at least one respective aperture of the plurality of apertures. The at least one spoke is configured to couple an inner diffuser case and an outer diffuser case of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew A. Hough, Russell B. Hanson, John S. Tu, Paul F. Croteau, Paul K. Sanchez, Stephen C. Harmon, Joshua C. Rathgeb
  • Publication number: 20200208538
    Abstract: A method of assembling a mid-turbine frame includes engaging at least two tabs in a radially inner end of at least one spoke in a groove in an inner frame case. The at least one spoke is secured to the inner frame case with a central bolt extending through the inner frame case into the at least one spoke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: Jorge I. Farah, Steven D. Porter, Paul K. Sanchez, Joseph J. Sedor
  • Publication number: 20200200028
    Abstract: A diffuser case support structure for a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The diffuser case support structure includes a fairing disposed circumferentially about a longitudinal axis. The fairing forms at least a portion of a fluid path between a compressor and a combustor of the gas turbine engine. The fairing defines a plurality of apertures extending through the fairing. At least one spoke extends through at least one respective aperture of the plurality of apertures. The at least one spoke is configured to couple an inner diffuser case and an outer diffuser case of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventors: Matthew A. Hough, Russell B. Hanson, John S. Tu, Paul F. Croteau, Paul K. Sanchez, Stephen C. Harmon, Joshua C. Rathgeb
  • Patent number: 10502095
    Abstract: A turbine engine includes a compressor section, a combustor section in fluid communication with the compressor section, a high pressure turbine in fluid communication with the combustor, a low pressure turbine in fluid communication with the high pressure turbine, and a mid-turbine frame located axially between the high pressure turbine and the low pressure turbine. The mid-turbine frame includes an outer frame case, an inner frame case, and a plurality of hollow spokes that distribute loads from the inner frame case to the outer frame case. The spokes are hollow to allow cooling airflow to be supplied through the spokes to the inner frame case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Paul K. Sanchez, Kalpendu J. Parekh, William A. Daniels, John S. Tu
  • Publication number: 20190316491
    Abstract: A method of cooling a portion of a gas turbine engine includes positioning a tie rod relative to an inner frame case. The tie rod includes a bushing opening and the inner frame case includes a fastener opening. A fastener is secured through the fastener opening in the inner frame case to a threaded bushing located in the bushing opening. The threaded bushing includes a distal end that forms a clearance gap with the inner frame case. Heat is transferred from the fastener through the threaded bushing to prevent the fastener from creeping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventors: Joshua Daniel Winn, Alexander Broulidakis, Paul K. Sanchez, Anthony P. Cherolis, Joseph J. Sedor, Christopher Treat
  • Patent number: 10392974
    Abstract: A fastener assembly includes a first component that includes a bushing opening. A second component includes a fastener opening. A threaded bushing is at least partially located within the bushing opening. A fastener extends through the fastener opening and engages the bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joshua Daniel Winn, Alexander Broulidakis, Paul K. Sanchez, Anthony P. Cherolis, Joseph J. Sedor, Christopher Treat
  • Patent number: 10371010
    Abstract: A mid-turbine frame for a gas turbine engine includes an inner frame case that includes a bolt opening and at least one spoke for connecting an outer frame case to the inner frame case that includes an inlet passage that extends in a radial direction. A central bolt extends through the bolt opening for securing at least one spoke to the inner frame case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jorge I. Farah, Steven D. Porter, Paul K. Sanchez, Joseph J. Sedor
  • Patent number: 10280798
    Abstract: A turbine engine includes a full ring fairing having at least a first and second keyed feature. The full ring fairing is rotatable so that the second keyed feature is in the first keyed feature position relative to the turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Paul K. Sanchez
  • Patent number: 10107118
    Abstract: An interface within a gas turbine engine includes a sealing surface defined by a portion of a vane platform. A seal is in contact with said sealing surface. A barrier is transverse to the sealing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: John T Ols, Richard N Allen, Paul K Sanchez, Steven D Porter, Jonathan Lemoine
  • Patent number: 10107120
    Abstract: A mid-turbine frame (MTF) for a gas turbine engine includes an inner manifold directing air to a turbine rotor of the gas turbine engine. The MTF includes an outer MTF case and an inner MTF case. The inner manifold of the MTF is located in the inner case of the MTF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Paul K. Sanchez, John S. Tu, Kalpendu J. Parekh, William A. Daniels
  • Patent number: 10006308
    Abstract: A mid-turbine frame (MTF) system for a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The MTF includes an inner case, an outer case and a fairing sandwiched between the inner and outer cases. The fairing includes an inner ring spaced apart from and coupled to an outer ring by a plurality of hollow struts. The hollow struts accommodate support rods that connect the inner case to the outer case. Further, the hollow struts act as turning vanes for turning the flow of gases passing from a high pressure turbine (HPT) to a low pressure turbine (LPT) for purposes of providing the correct incidence angle to the first vane of the LPT. The outer ring of the fairing includes a plurality of bosses which receive attachment pins that pass through the outer case for correctly locating the fairing with respect to the outer case and for permitting radial expansion in contraction of the fairing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jorge I. Farah, Jonathan P. Burt, Paul K. Sanchez, Kalpendu J. Parekh, Jonathan J. Jakiel
  • Patent number: 9982548
    Abstract: An airfoil extends between radially inner and radially outer platforms. The airfoil extends between a leading edge and a trailing edge, and merges into facing surfaces of the radially inner and outer platforms. A variable fillet merges a facing surface of one of the radially inner and outer platforms into a wall of the airfoil. The variable fillet has a length extending away from a surface of the airfoil and a height extending away from the facing surface of at least one of the radially inner and outer platforms outwardly on to the airfoil. The variable fillet has a greater length at one of the leading edge and the trailing edge. A spaced portion has a shorter length at locations spaced from at least one of the leading and trailing edges. A mid-turbine frame and a gas turbine engine are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: John T. Ols, Karl A. Mentz, Richard N. Allen, Steven D. Porter, Renee J. Jurek, Paul K. Sanchez, Sandra S. Pinero
  • Patent number: 9803502
    Abstract: A mid-turbine frame assembly includes an inner frame case which includes a first plurality of holes and a second plurality of holes. A plurality of tie rods is circumferentially spaced around the inner frame case and includes an inlet passage that is aligned with the first plurality of holes. A plurality of hollow airfoils is aligned with the second plurality of holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Anthony P. Cherolis, Jeffrey J. Lienau, Robert Newman, John H. Mosley, Joshua Daniel Winn, Paul K. Sanchez
  • Patent number: 9587514
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a combustor, a first turbine section in fluid communication with the combustor, a second turbine section in fluid communication with the first turbine section, and a mid-turbine frame located axially between the first turbine section and the second turbine section. The mid-turbine frame includes a first frame case, a second frame case, a vane positioned between the first frame case and the second frame case, and a spoke extending through the vane and connecting the first frame case to the second frame case. The spoke includes a tie rod having a first end connected to the first frame case at a keyed connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jorge I. Farah, Paul K. Sanchez
  • Publication number: 20170044985
    Abstract: A turbine engine includes a compressor section, a combustor section in fluid communication with the compressor section, a high pressure turbine in fluid communication with the combustor, a low pressure turbine in fluid communication with the high pressure turbine, and a mid-turbine frame located axially between the high pressure turbine and the low pressure turbine. The mid-turbine frame includes an outer frame case, an inner frame case, and a plurality of hollow spokes that distribute loads from the inner frame case to the outer frame case. The spokes are hollow to allow cooling airflow to be supplied through the spokes to the inner frame case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: Paul K. Sanchez, Kalpendu J. Parekh, William A. Daniels, John S. Tu