Patents by Inventor Robert Charles Hon
Robert Charles Hon 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).
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Patent number: 10738706Abstract: A hybrid-electric propulsion system includes a propulsor, a turbomachine, and an electrical system, the electrical system including an electric machine coupled to the turbomachine. A method for operating the propulsion system includes operating, by one or more computing devices, the turbomachine in a steady-state flight operating condition, the turbomachine rotating the propulsor when operated in the steady-state flight operating condition; receiving, by the one or more computing devices, a command to accelerate the turbomachine while operating the turbomachine in the steady-state flight operating condition; and providing, by the one or more computing devices, electrical power to the electric machine to add power to the turbomachine, the propulsor, or both in response to the received command to accelerate the turbomachine.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2017Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Michael Thomas Gansler, Robert Charles Hon
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Publication number: 20200240329Abstract: A gas turbine engine and method of starting, the gas turbine engine having a rotor comprising at least a shaft mounted compressor and turbine, with a casing surrounding the rotor. The method comprises an acceleration phase, a bowed-rotor cooling phase, during the acceleration, and a combustion phase. The bowed-rotor cooling phase comprises a time where the rotational speed of the rotor is maintained below a bowed-rotor threshold speed until a non-bowed condition is satisfied, wherein the air forced through the gas turbine engine cools the rotor. The combustion phase occurs after the bowed-rotor cooling phase and upon reaching the combustion speed, wherein fuel is supplied to the gas turbine engine is turned on.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2019Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventors: Amid Ansari, Joseph Roger Broda, Thomas Earl Gillingham, Kevin Richard Graziano, Robert Charles Hon, Kenneth Kirchmayer, Daniel Roy Kiracofe, Andrew Todd Lehmann, Michael Scott McCambridge, Tod Robert Steen, Thomas Charles Swager
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Patent number: 10724443Abstract: A method of operating a turbine engine that includes actuating a starter motor of the turbine engine such that a motoring speed of the turbine engine increases, and actuating a plurality of variable stator vanes of the turbine engine such that the plurality of variable stator vanes are at least partially open to control the motoring speed of the turbine engine.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2016Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert Charles Hon, Thomas Charles Swager, Andrew Todd Lehmann, Michael Scott McCambridge, Thomas Earl Gillingham, Joseph Roger Broda, Kevin Richard Graziano, Amid Ansari, Kenneth Lee Kirchmayer, Tod Robert Steen, Daniel Roy Kiracofe
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Patent number: 10696416Abstract: A hybrid-electric propulsion system includes a propulsor, a turbomachine, and an electrical system, the electrical system including an electric machine coupled to the turbomachine. A method for operating the propulsion system includes operating, by one or more computing devices, the turbomachine such that the turbomachine rotates the propulsor; receiving, by the one or more computing devices, a command to accelerate the turbomachine while operating the turbomachine; and providing, by the one or more computing devices, electrical power to the electric machine to add power to the turbomachine, the propulsor, or both in response to the received command to accelerate the turbomachine.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2017Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Michael Thomas Gansler, Robert Charles Hon
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Patent number: 10676199Abstract: A hybrid-electric propulsion system for an aircraft includes a propulsor and a turbomachine. The turbomachine includes a high pressure turbine drivingly coupled to a high pressure compressor through a high pressure spool. The hybrid electric propulsion system further includes an electrical system including a first electric machine, a second electric machine, and an electric energy storage unit electrically connectable to the first and second electric machines. The first electric machine is coupled to the high pressure spool of the turbomachine and the second electric machine is coupled to the propulsor for driving the propulsor to provide a propulsive benefit for the aircraft. The hybrid electric propulsion system also includes a controller configured to provide electrical power from an electric power source to the first electric machine to drive the first electric machine to start, or assist with starting, the turbomachine.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2017Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert Charles Hon, Michael Thomas Gansler
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Publication number: 20200062414Abstract: Hybrid electric propulsion systems and methods therefore are provided. More particularly, the present disclosure is directed to control systems for hybrid electric propulsion systems for aerial vehicles that are configured for rapidly and automatically taking action in response to rapid electrical load changes on a torque source, such as an engine. Methods for operating hybrid electric propulsion systems for aerial vehicles are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2018Publication date: February 27, 2020Inventors: Robert Charles Hon, Paul Robert Gemin
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Publication number: 20200067383Abstract: A method for operating a permanent magnet electric machine of an engine includes determining a fault condition of the permanent magnet electric machine; and reducing a magnetism of one or more permanent magnets of the permanent magnet electric machine by increasing a temperature of the one or more permanent magnets in response to determining the fault condition of the permanent magnet electric machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2018Publication date: February 27, 2020Inventors: Robert Charles Hon, Di Pan, Pablo Gabriel Piazza Galarza, Paul Robert Gemin
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Patent number: 10569759Abstract: A hybrid-electric propulsion system includes a turbomachine, a propulsor coupled to the turbomachine, and an electrical system, the electrical system including an electric machine coupled to the turbomachine. A method for operating a hybrid-electric propulsion system includes operating, by one or more computing devices, the turbomachine in an idle operating condition; receiving, by the one or more computing devices, a command to accelerate the turbomachine while operating the turbomachine in the idle operating condition; and providing, by the one or more computing devices, electrical power to the electric machine to add power to the turbomachine and increase an acceleration of the turbomachine in response to the received command to accelerate the turbomachine.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2017Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Michael Thomas Gansler, Robert Charles Hon
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Patent number: 10538337Abstract: A propulsion system for an aircraft includes an electric power source, an electric propulsor assembly having an electric motor and a propulsor configured to generate thrust for the aircraft, and a power bus electrically connecting the electric power source to the electric propulsor assembly such that the electric power source powers the electric propulsor assembly. The power bus includes an electric line and a fluid cooling system, the fluid cooling system extending along at least a portion of a length of the electric line. The fluid cooling system is in thermal communication with the electric line for cooling the electric line during operation and is further in thermal communication with the electric motor of the electric propulsor assembly for cooling the electric motor of the electric propulsor assembly.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2017Date of Patent: January 21, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Randy M. Vondrell, Anthony Austin Bouvette, Robert Charles Hon
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Patent number: 10502139Abstract: A method of starting a gas turbine engine having a rotor comprising at least a shaft-mounted compressor and turbine, with a casing surrounding the rotor includes an acceleration phase, a bowed-rotor cooling phase, during the acceleration, and a combustion phase. The bowed-rotor cooling phase comprises a time where the rotational speed of the rotor is maintained below a bowed-rotor threshold speed until a non-bowed condition is satisfied, wherein the air forced through the gas turbine engine cools the rotor. The combustion phase occurs after the bowed-rotor cooling phase and upon reaching the combustion speed, wherein fuel is supplied to the gas turbine engine.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2015Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Steven Alan Ross, Mark Edward Linz, Joseph Daniel Garrett, III, Amid Ansari, Joseph Roger Broda, Thomas Earl Gillingham, Kevin Richard Graziano, Robert Charles Hon, Kenneth Kirchmayer, Daniel Roy Kiracofe, Andrew Todd Lehmann, Michael Scott McCambridge, Tod Robert Steen, Thomas Charles Swager
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Patent number: 10371002Abstract: Systems and methods for shutting down a gas turbine engine in response to a severe mechanical failure include determining a rate of change of one or more process conditions. If the rate of change of the one or more process conditions exceeds a respective predetermined failure threshold, a potential severe mechanical failure of the gas turbine engine may be determined. Steps may be taken to confirm the potential severe mechanical failure of the gas turbine engine. In response, an engine restart is prevented.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2016Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Nicholas Adam Descamps, David Alexander Hiett, John Thomas Lammers, Robert Charles Hon, Thomas Charles Swager
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Publication number: 20190003397Abstract: A hybrid-electric propulsion system includes a propulsor, a turbomachine, and an electrical system, the electrical system including an electric machine coupled to the turbomachine. A method for operating the propulsion system includes operating, by one or more computing devices, the turbomachine in a steady-state flight operating condition, the turbomachine rotating the propulsor when operated in the steady-state flight operating condition; receiving, by the one or more computing devices, a command to accelerate the turbomachine while operating the turbomachine in the steady-state flight operating condition; and providing, by the one or more computing devices, electrical power to the electric machine to add power to the turbomachine, the propulsor, or both in response to the received command to accelerate the turbomachine.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2017Publication date: January 3, 2019Inventors: Michael Thomas Gansler, Robert Charles Hon
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Publication number: 20190002117Abstract: A hybrid-electric propulsion system includes a propulsor, a turbomachine, and an electrical system having an electric machine coupled to the turbomachine. A method for operating the propulsion system includes operating, by one or more computing devices, the turbomachine to rotate the propulsor and generate thrust for the aircraft; receiving, by the one or more computing devices, data indicative of an un-commanded loss of the thrust generated from the turbomachine rotating the propulsor; and providing, by the one or more computing devices, electrical power to the electric machine to add power to the turbomachine, the propulsor, or both in response to receiving the data indicative of the un-commanded loss of thrust.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2017Publication date: January 3, 2019Inventors: Michael Thomas Gansler, Robert Charles Hon
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Publication number: 20190002113Abstract: A hybrid-electric propulsion system includes a turbomachine and an electrical system, the electrical system including an electric machine coupled to the turbomachine. A method for operating the propulsion system includes receiving, by one or more computing devices, a command to accelerate the turbomachine to provide a desired thrust output; receiving, by the one or more computing devices, data indicative of a temperature parameter approaching or exceeding an upper threshold; and providing, by the one or more computing devices, electrical power to the electric machine to add power to the turbomachine to provide, or assist with providing, the desired thrust output in response to receiving the command to accelerate the turbomachine and receiving the data indicative of the temperature parameter approaching or exceeding the upper threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2017Publication date: January 3, 2019Inventors: Michael Thomas Gansler, Robert Charles Hon
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Publication number: 20190001955Abstract: A hybrid-electric propulsion system includes a turbomachine, a propulsor coupled to the turbomachine, and an electrical system, the electrical system including an electric machine coupled to the turbomachine. A method for operating a hybrid-electric propulsion system includes operating, by one or more computing devices, the turbomachine in an idle operating condition; receiving, by the one or more computing devices, a command to accelerate the turbomachine while operating the turbomachine in the idle operating condition; and providing, by the one or more computing devices, electrical power to the electric machine to add power to the turbomachine and increase an acceleration of the turbomachine in response to the received command to accelerate the turbomachine.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2017Publication date: January 3, 2019Inventors: Michael Thomas Gansler, Robert Charles Hon
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Publication number: 20190002116Abstract: A hybrid-electric propulsion system includes a propulsor, a turbomachine, and an electrical system, the electrical system including an electric machine coupled to the turbomachine. A method for operating the propulsion system includes operating, by one or more computing devices, the turbomachine such that the turbomachine rotates the propulsor; receiving, by the one or more computing devices, a command to accelerate the turbomachine while operating the turbomachine; and providing, by the one or more computing devices, electrical power to the electric machine to add power to the turbomachine, the propulsor, or both in response to the received command to accelerate the turbomachine.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2017Publication date: January 3, 2019Inventors: Michael Thomas Gansler, Robert Charles Hon
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Publication number: 20180370646Abstract: A hybrid-electric propulsion system includes a turbomachine and an electric machine coupled to the turbomachine. A method for operating the hybrid-electric propulsion system includes receiving information indicative of an operability parameter of the turbomachine; determining the turbomachine is operating within a predetermined operability range based at least in part of the received information indicative of the operability parameter of the turbomachine; and operating the hybrid electric propulsion system in an electric generation mode to generate electric power with the electric machine in response to determining the turbomachine is operating within the predetermined operability range.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2017Publication date: December 27, 2018Inventors: Robert Charles Hon, Michael Thomas Gansler
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Publication number: 20180372003Abstract: A hybrid-electric propulsion system includes an electric machine coupled to a rotating system of the turbomachine and an electric energy storage unit, the electric machine electrically coupled to an electric power source. A method for operating the turbomachine of a hybrid-electric propulsion system includes providing electrical power from the electric machine to the electric energy storage unit during a flight operation mode of the turbomachine, the turbomachine rotating the electric machine to generate electrical power during the flight operating mode; determining the turbomachine is in a post flight operation mode or in a pre-flight operation mode; and providing electrical power from the electric power source to the electric machine such that the electric machine rotates the rotating system of the turbomachine to prevent or correct a bowed rotor condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2017Publication date: December 27, 2018Inventors: Robert Charles Hon, Michael Thomas Gansler
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Publication number: 20180372588Abstract: A hybrid-electric propulsion system includes a propulsor, a turbomachine, and an electrical system. The electrical system includes a first electric machine coupled to the turbomachine and an electric energy storage unit. A method for operating the propulsion system includes operating the hybrid electric propulsion system in a flight operation mode. The method also includes operating the hybrid electric propulsion system in a maintenance operation mode, wherein operating the hybrid electric propulsion system in the maintenance operation mode includes providing electrical power from an electrical power source to the first electric machine such that the first electric machine rotates a compressor and a turbine of the turbomachine during a borescope inspection of the turbomachine.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2017Publication date: December 27, 2018Inventors: Robert Charles Hon, Michael Thomas Gansler
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Publication number: 20180354631Abstract: A hybrid-electric propulsion system for an aircraft includes a turbomachine, the turbomachine including a first spool and a second spool. A method for operating the hybrid electric propulsion system includes operating, by one or more computing devices, the turbomachine such that the first spool mechanically drives a prime propulsor of the hybrid-electric propulsion system; and modifying, by the one or more computing devices, a speed relationship parameter defined between the first spool and second spool by providing electrical power to, or drawing electrical power from, an electric machine mechanically coupled to the first spool, the second spool, or both.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2017Publication date: December 13, 2018Inventors: Sridhar Adibhatla, Robert Charles Hon, Michael Thomas Gansler