Patents by Inventor Schuyler V. McElrath

Schuyler V. McElrath 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: 9354141
    Abstract: A turbine liquid fuel simulator exposes the components of a liquid fuel system in a turbine engine to the same fuel flows and pressures that the liquid fuel system would endure in an actual startup and run sequence, without burning or otherwise emitting the liquid fuel from the system. A fuel porting mechanism, such as a direction control valve, is installed in each combustor of the turbine engine. The fuel porting mechanism is movable from a first position, wherein liquid fuel is delivered to the combustor nozzle to be burned in normal operation, to a second position, wherein the liquid fuel is diverted to return lines that deliver the liquid fuel back to the fuel tank. To simulate the actual pressures and flows, pressure differential orifices can be installed in the return fuel lines. The orifices includes structures that modify the liquid fuel flow to mimic delivery to the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: JANSEN'S AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS CONTROLS, INC.
    Inventor: Schuyler V. McElrath
  • Patent number: 8656698
    Abstract: A device and system for monitoring and controlling the flow media through a flow circuit, for example, the flow of coolant through a coolant circuit of a turbine engine fuel system, measures flow rates at the supply and return sides of the circuit and compares the measured flow rates against a threshold flow rate difference to detect the presence of a flow leak condition. Upon detecting a leak condition, the controller automatically operates a flow control valve to shut off flow to the flow circuit for repair of the leak or other low flow condition. The controller can also include components for measuring the temperate of the flow media at one or both of the supply and return sides of the circuit. The measured temperature signals can be processed to detect a high or low temperature condition. Upon detecting a low temperature condition, the controller automatically reduces the flow rate of the flow media until the condition has been corrected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Jansen's Aircraft System Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Harvey B. Jansen, Schuyler V. McElrath
  • Patent number: 8104258
    Abstract: The fuel system of a dual fuel turbine includes a flow control valve having a metering purge valve that in one state directly meters fuel to injectors of the turbine, in another state closes of fuel flow and passes purge air to the injectors and in another state positively closes of flow of both fuel and purge air. The metering purge valve is a pressure compensated spool valve that has a unique cross-ported interchange that passes fuel from the inlet through the spool to the metering edge. The direct metering of the valve to the injectors eliminates the need for additional shut off valves, and if used with a combining valve having an integral distributor section metering fuel to multiple injectors, the need for a separate flow divider is also eliminated. The valve can be actively cooled by dedicated coolant lines or lines shared with other flow control components such as additional metering valves for either the primary or secondary fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Jansen's Aircraft Systems Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Harvey B. Jansen, Schuyler V. McElrath