Patents by Inventor Phyllis L. Kurz

Phyllis L. Kurz 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: 6146099
    Abstract: A fan in an axial flow gas turbine engine includes a plurality of fan blades. Each fan blade includes an airfoil portion and a root portion with a platform disposed radially therebetween. The platform of each blade extends circumferentially from the blade and is dimensioned to define, with an adjacent platform, an enlarged gap to insure that contact between adjacent platforms is avoided when a blade is released during a blade loss condition. A seal is provided to seal the enlarged gap between adjacent platforms during normal operation of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Robert H. Zipps, Reginald H. Spaulding, Edward S. Todd, Robert F. Kasprow, Herman C. Klapproth, Douglas A. Welch, Phyllis L. Kurz, Joseph J. Cafasso
  • Patent number: 5957658
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a seal interposed between platforms of blades for a fan in an axial gas turbine engine. Modern impact resistant fan blades have larger interplatform gaps. As a result, the interplatform seals have to seal a large gap. The seal is stiffened such that it can withstand centrifugal forces due to fan operation. In addition, various construction details are developed for the stiffened seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Robert F. Kasprow, Phyllis L. Kurz, Jeffrey S. LeShane
  • Patent number: 5836744
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fan blade in an axial gas turbine engine. The blade platform is constructed to fracture adjacent the airfoil portion of the blade so as to locate the fractured edge of the platform in the root portion. As a result of this benign platform, damage to successive fan blades during a blade loss condition is reduced. In addition, various construction details are developed in the airfoil and root portion of the fan blade to reduce damage to fan blades during impact with adjacent blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Robert H. Zipps, Reginald H. Spaulding, Edward S. Todd, Robert F. Kasprow, Herman C. Klapproth, Douglas A. Welch, Phyllis L. Kurz, Joseph J. Cafasso
  • Patent number: 5820338
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a seal interposed between platforms of blades for a fan in an axial gas turbine engine. Modern impact resistant fan blades have larger interplatform gaps. As a result, the interplatform seals have to seal a large gap. The seal is stiffened such that it can withstand centrifugal forces due to fan operation. In addition, various construction derails are developed for the stiffened seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Robert F. Kasprow, Phyllis L. Kurz, Jeffrey S. LeShane