Patents by Inventor Robert J. Ellerhorst

Robert J. Ellerhorst 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: 5813609
    Abstract: An exhaust nozzle includes circumferentially adjoining primary flaps and seals hinged at forward ends to an annular casing. The primary flaps and seals are actuated between open and closed positions for varying flow area of a throat defined at the aft ends thereof. Respective pluralities of primary liners and seal liners are spaced radially inwardly from respective ones of the primary flaps and primary seals and circumferentially overlap each other. The primary liners and seal liners collectively define an annular flap duct disposed in flow communication with a cooling duct inside the casing for receiving a coolant therefrom for cooling the primary flaps and seals. The primary liners and seal liners are mounted to the primary flaps for pivoting movement therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Robert J. Ellerhorst
  • Patent number: 5779152
    Abstract: An exhaust nozzle includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart exhaust flaps, and a plurality of scissor linkages joined to respective ones thereof. Each linkage includes a frame pivotally joined to a respective one of the flaps. A carriage is slidably mounted to the frame. A pair of circumferentially oppositely extending side links are pivotally joined at one end to the carriage, and pivotally joined at opposite ends to corresponding side links to form an interconnected ring thereof. A pair of circumferentially oppositely extending equalizer links are pivotally joined at one end to the frame, and pivotally joined at opposite ends to corresponding ones of the side links to maintain coordinated angular position of the side links pivotable on the carriage, and in turn maintain circumferential spacing between adjacent ones of the flaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bernard J. Renggli, Robert J. Ellerhorst
  • Patent number: 5115979
    Abstract: A seal assembly is provided between an exhaust flap and a nozzle sidewall of a gas turbine engine exhaust nozzle. The assembly includes a housing fixedly joined to the exhaust flap and a plurality of adjoining plungers slidably disposed in the housing and each including a top extending outside a housing opening for defining a seal line for contacting the nozzle sidewall for sealing the exhaust gases from flowing therebetween. The seal lines collectively define a seal first contour being complementary to a first contour of the nozzle sidewall. A tie rod extends through the plungers and joins the plungers to the housing. The tie rod is flexible for allowing the plungers to rotate perpendicularly to the tie rod so that the seal lines collectively form a seal second contour, different than the seal first contour, to conform to a second contour of the nozzle sidewall which is different than the nozzle sidewall first contour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert J. Ellerhorst, Robert H. Kraimer