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).

  • Publication number: 20180354632
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Inventors: Robert Charles Hon, Michael Thomas Gansler
  • Patent number: 10125690
    Abstract: A start-up system including a control system controlling a partial opening of an air intake valve of a start-up turbine during a first phase of the start-up. The start-up turbine is capable of turning a rotor of the turbomachine for the purpose of the start-up, so as to prevent the rotor from encountering critical frequencies of the turbomachine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignees: AIRBUS OPERATIONS SAS, AIRBUS OPERATIONS S.L., GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Patrick Zaccaria, Philippe Chareyre, Pio Fernandez-Lopez, Carlos Casado-Montero, Amid Ansari, Thomas Earl Gillingham, Robert Charles Hon, Daniel Roy Kiracofe, Kenneth Kirchmayer, Michael Scott McCambridge, Tod Robert Steen
  • Publication number: 20180305036
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Randy M. Vondrell, Anthony Austin Bouvette, Robert Charles Hon
  • Publication number: 20170356302
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Nicholas Adam Descamps, David Alexander Hiett, John Thomas Lammers, Robert Charles Hon, Thomas Charles Swager
  • Publication number: 20170342908
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Robert Charles Hon, Thomas Charles Swager, Andrew Todd Lehmann, Michael Scott McCambridge, Thomas Earl Gillingham, Joseph Roger Broda, Kevin Richard Graziano, Amid Ansari, Kenneth Kirchmayer, Tod Robert Steen, Daniel Roy Kiracofe
  • Publication number: 20170342855
    Abstract: A method of operating a turbine engine that includes shutting down the turbine engine such that a rotational speed of the turbine engine decreases, and actuating a starter motor of the turbine engine at one of as the rotational speed of the turbine engine decreases or at a preset time after the turbine engine receives a full stop command such that residual heat is exhausted from the turbine engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Robert Charles Hon, Amid Ansari, Michael Scott McCambridge, Thomas Earl Gillingham
  • Publication number: 20160348588
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: 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 McCambrige, Tod Robert Steen, Thomas Charles Swager