Patents by Inventor Ronald F. Petsch

Ronald F. Petsch 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).

  • Split rotor shaft driven lift fan
    Patent number: 5820345
    Abstract: A split fan for providing lift for an aircraft is described. In one embodiment, a main engine shaft extends to the split fan, and a portion of the split fan is located at an elevation above the main engine shaft and a portion of the split fan is located at an elevation below the main engine shaft. In the one embodiment, the split fan includes an outer casing configured to be mounted to a fuselage of the aircraft, a first stage rotor including a shaft, a gear secured to the shaft, and a plurality of rotor blades radially extending from the shaft. The split fan also includes a second stage rotor including a shaft, a gear secured to the shaft, and a plurality of blades radially extending from the shaft. A drive shaft having a first end and a second end is coupled at the drive shaft first end to the main engine shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Rollin G. Giffin, III, Lawrence W. Dunbar, Ronald F. Petsch