Patents by Inventor Richard John O'Connor

Richard John O'Connor 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: 7204090
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for starting a gas turbine engine under various conditions are used to distribute a varying total amount of electric power to at least one of a starter, a fuel heater and an oil heater while providing fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventor: Richard John O'Connor
  • Patent number: 6988368
    Abstract: A method of engine starting in a gas turbine engine comprises rotating the engine to provide an air flow into a combustor of the engine and injecting fuel into the combustor at a varying rate until the engine is lighted-off. The varying rate of the fuel flow is a function of time and is represented by a curve having at least one high frequency with respect to a light-off time, representing instant changes of the rate for intersecting a light-off zone while reducing a quantity of fuel injected into the combustor. After the light-off occurrence fuel is continuously injected into the combustor to accelerate the engine to a self-sustaining operation condition. This method of the present invention is adapted to find light-off points under various temperature and altitude conditions, thereby advantageously providing a rapid light-off, particularly under cold weather conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventor: Richard John O'Connor
  • Patent number: 6810676
    Abstract: A method of engine starting in a gas turbine engine comprises rotating the engine to provide an air flow into a combustor of the engine and injecting fuel into the combustor at a varying rate until the engine is lighted-off. The varying rate of the fuel flow is a function of time and is represented by a curve having at least one high frequency with respect to a light-off time, representing instant changes of the rate for intersecting a light-off zone while reducing a quantity of fuel injected into the combustor. After the light-off occurrence fuel is continuously injected into the combustor to accelerate the engine to a self-sustaining operation condition. This method of the present invention is adapted to find light-off points under various temperature and altitude conditions, thereby advantageously providing a rapid light-off, particularly under cold weather conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventor: Richard John O'Connor
  • Publication number: 20030110777
    Abstract: A method of engine starting in a gas turbine engine comprises rotating the engine to provide an air flow into a combustor of the engine and injecting fuel into the combustor at a varying rate until the engine is lighted-off. The varying rate of the fuel flow is a function of time and is represented by a curve having at least one high frequency with respect to a light-off time, representing instant changes of the rate for intersecting a light-off zone while reducing a quantity of fuel injected into the combustor. After the light-off occurrence fuel is continuously injected into the combustor to accelerate the engine to a self-sustaining operation condition. This method of the present invention is adapted to find light-off points under various temperature and altitude conditions, thereby advantageously providing a rapid light-off, particularly under cold weather conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventor: Richard John O'Connor