Patents by Inventor Sorin Bengea
Sorin Bengea 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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Publication number: 20230160347Abstract: A hybrid electric propulsion system includes a gas turbine engine having at least one compressor section and at least one turbine section operably coupled to a shaft. The hybrid electric propulsion system includes an electric motor configured to augment rotational power of the shaft of the gas turbine engine. A controller is operable to determine hybrid electric propulsion system parameters based on a composite system model and sensor data, determine a prediction based on the hybrid electric propulsion system parameters and the composite system model, determine a model predictive control optimization for a plurality of hybrid electric system control effectors based on the prediction using a plurality of reduced-order partitions of the composite system model, and actuate the hybrid electric system control effectors based on the model predictive control optimization.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2023Publication date: May 25, 2023Inventors: Timothy J. Crowley, Sorin Bengea, Manuj Dhingra, David Gelwan, Kevin Hendricks, Joshua Adams, Martin Richard Amari, Richard P. Meisner, David Lei Ma
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Publication number: 20230136475Abstract: A method for active bi-directional control of an outer structure of a gas turbine engine comprises sending, by a controller, a first control signal to a power electronics for varying an electric current supplied to a heating element to cause the outer structure to move in a first radial direction, and sending, by the controller, a second control signal to a valve assembly for varying a cooling air flow supplied to the outer structure to cause the outer structure to move in a second radial direction. The first radial direction is opposite the second radial direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2022Publication date: May 4, 2023Applicant: Raytheon Technologies CorporationInventors: Neil Terwilliger, Christopher J. Hanlon, Sorin Bengea, Zubair Ahmed Baig
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Patent number: 11565821Abstract: A power system of an aircraft includes a hybrid energy storage system with at least two energy storage subsystems each having a different power-energy density. The power system also includes one or more electric motors operably coupled to the hybrid energy storage system and to an aircraft engine. The power system further includes a means for controlling one or more electric power flows of the hybrid energy storage system to/from the one or more electric motors based on a modeled electric power demand associated with an engine load of one or more spools of the aircraft engine.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2019Date of Patent: January 31, 2023Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Zubair Ahmed Baig, Neil Terwilliger, Sorin Bengea
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Patent number: 11555455Abstract: A hybrid electric propulsion system includes a gas turbine engine having at least one compressor section and at least one turbine section operably coupled to a shaft. The hybrid electric propulsion system includes an electric motor configured to augment rotational power of the shaft of the gas turbine engine. A controller is operable to determine an estimate of hybrid electric propulsion system parameters based on a composite system model and sensor data, determine a model predictive control state and a prediction based on the hybrid electric propulsion system parameters and the composite system model, determine a model predictive control optimization for a plurality of hybrid electric system control effectors based on the model predictive control state and the prediction using a plurality of reduced-order partitions of the composite system model, and actuate the hybrid electric system control effectors based on the model predictive control optimization.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2020Date of Patent: January 17, 2023Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Timothy J. Crowley, Sorin Bengea, Manuj Dhingra, David Gelwan, Kevin Hendricks, Joshua Adams, Martin Richard Amari, Richard P. Meisner, David Lei Ma
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Patent number: 11421545Abstract: A clearance control system for a gas turbine engine may include a rotor blade, an outer structure disposed radially outward from the rotor blade, a heating element, a hybrid electric power source, and a controller. The heating element is configured to cause the outer structure to be heated in response to electric current being supplied to the heating element. A gap between the rotor blade and the outer structure is at least one of increased, decreased, and maintained in response to the outer structure being heated. The hybrid electric power source is configured to supply the electric current to the heating element. The controller is configured to regulate the electric current being supplied to the heating element.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2020Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: Raytheon Technologies CorporationInventors: Neil Terwilliger, Christopher J Hanlon, Sorin Bengea, Zubair Ahmed Baig
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Patent number: 11401041Abstract: A power system of an aircraft includes a hybrid energy storage system with at least two energy storage subsystems each having a different power-energy density, power draw characteristics and/or dissimilar configuration. A primary power unit includes an aircraft engine coupled to an electric motor and a first generator. A secondary power unit is coupled to a second generator. A bidirectional power converter is coupled to the hybrid energy storage system and one or more controllers of the electric motor, the first generator, and the second generator. A power management controller is configured to interface with the hybrid energy storage system and the one or more controllers of the electric motor, the first generator, and the second generator and perform a model predictive control to dynamically adjust one or more electric power flows through the bidirectional power converter based on an engine propulsion power demand of the aircraft engine.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2019Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Zubair Ahmed Baig, Sorin Bengea, Gary L. Miles
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Patent number: 11370556Abstract: A power system of an aircraft includes a hybrid energy storage system with at least two energy storage subsystems each having a different power-energy density, power draw characteristics and/or dissimilar configuration. A primary power unit includes an aircraft engine coupled to an electric motor and a first generator. A secondary power unit is coupled to a second generator. A bidirectional power converter is coupled to the hybrid energy storage system and one or more controllers of the electric motor, the first generator, and the second generator. A power management controller is configured to interface with the hybrid energy storage system and the one or more controllers of the electric motor, the first generator, and the second generator and perform a model predictive control to dynamically adjust one or more electric power flows through the bidirectional power converter based on an engine propulsion power demand of the aircraft engine.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2019Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Zubair Ahmed Baig, Sorin Bengea, Gary L. Miles
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Publication number: 20220055763Abstract: An aspect includes a method of variable cycle compensation in a gas turbine engine. An electric component can be adjusted to compensate for a power change induced by an actuation system by operating the electric component as an electric motor to compensate for an increase in power absorption or a decrease in power production of a turbomachinery of the gas turbine engine. The actuation system is configured to adjust a variable cycle of the turbomachinery by adjusting power absorption or power production, and the electric component can be configured to add or subtract torque to a shaft of the gas turbine engine. The electric component can be operated as an electric generator to compensate for an increase in power production or a decrease in power absorption of the turbomachinery.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2021Publication date: February 24, 2022Inventors: Neil Terwilliger, Sorin Bengea
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Publication number: 20210394916Abstract: A power system of an aircraft includes a hybrid energy storage system with at least two energy storage subsystems each having a different power-energy density, power draw characteristics and/or dissimilar configuration. A primary power unit includes an aircraft engine coupled to an electric motor and a first generator. A secondary power unit is coupled to a second generator. A bidirectional power converter is coupled to the hybrid energy storage system and one or more controllers of the electric motor, the first generator, and the second generator. A power management controller is configured to interface with the hybrid energy storage system and the one or more controllers of the electric motor, the first generator, and the second generator and perform a model predictive control to dynamically adjust one or more electric power flows through the bidirectional power converter based on an engine propulsion power demand of the aircraft engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2019Publication date: December 23, 2021Inventors: Zubair Ahmed Baig, Sorin Bengea, Gary L. Miles
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Patent number: 11167858Abstract: An aspect includes a variable cycle system of a gas turbine engine. The variable cycle system includes an actuation system, an electric component, and a controller. The actuation system is configured to adjust a variable cycle of turbomachinery of the gas turbine engine. The electric component is operable to provide a shaft power supply or a load corresponding respectively to an adjustment of the turbomachinery. The controller is operable to adjust an output of either or both of the actuation system and the electric component for separate control of thrust and cycle responses.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2018Date of Patent: November 9, 2021Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Neil Terwilliger, Sorin Bengea
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Publication number: 20200355090Abstract: A clearance control system for a gas turbine engine may include a rotor blade, an outer structure disposed radially outward from the rotor blade, a heating element, a hybrid electric power source, and a controller. The heating element is configured to cause the outer structure to be heated in response to electric current being supplied to the heating element. A gap between the rotor blade and the outer structure is at least one of increased, decreased, and maintained in response to the outer structure being heated. The hybrid electric power source is configured to supply the electric current to the heating element. The controller is configured to regulate the electric current being supplied to the heating element.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2020Publication date: November 12, 2020Applicant: Raytheon Technologies CorporationInventors: Neil Terwilliger, Christopher J. Hanlon, Sorin Bengea, Zubair Ahmed Baig
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Publication number: 20200347787Abstract: A hybrid electric propulsion system includes a gas turbine engine having at least one compressor section and at least one turbine section operably coupled to a shaft. The hybrid electric propulsion system includes an electric motor configured to augment rotational power of the shaft of the gas turbine engine. A controller is operable to determine an estimate of hybrid electric propulsion system parameters based on a composite system model and sensor data, determine a model predictive control state and a prediction based on the hybrid electric propulsion system parameters and the composite system model, determine a model predictive control optimization for a plurality of hybrid electric system control effectors based on the model predictive control state and the prediction using a plurality of reduced-order partitions of the composite system model, and actuate the hybrid electric system control effectors based on the model predictive control optimization.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2020Publication date: November 5, 2020Inventors: Timothy J. Crowley, Sorin Bengea, Manuj Dhingra, David Gelwan, Kevin Hendricks, Joshua Adams, Martin Richard Amari, Richard P. Meisner, David Lei Ma
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Publication number: 20200277073Abstract: A hybrid electric engine control module (ECU) configured to be operatively connected to a hybrid electric aircraft powerplant having a heat engine system and an electric motor system to control a torque output from each of the heat engine system and the electric motor system. The ECU can be configured to receive a torque command and split output power between the electric motor system and the heat engine system. Additionally and/or alternatively, the ECU can be configured to balance a total torque against a second total torque of a second aircraft powerplant.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2019Publication date: September 3, 2020Applicant: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.Inventors: Jean Thomassin, Sorin Bengea, Tatjana Pekovic
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Patent number: 10760444Abstract: A hybrid energy storage and control system for a clearance control system for a gas turbine engine may comprise a hybrid electric power source, a first converter, a second converter configured to receive electric power from the hybrid electric power source via the first converter and configured to send the electric power to a heating element for controlling a blade tip clearance between a rotor blade and an outer structure of the gas turbine engine, and a controller in electronic communication with the second converter. The hybrid electric power source may comprise a battery, a supercapacitor, and/or an ultracapacitor.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2018Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: Raytheon Technologies CorporationInventors: Neil Terwilliger, Christopher J Hanlon, Sorin Bengea, Zubair Ahmed Baig
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Publication number: 20200248622Abstract: A system for neural network compensated aero-thermodynamic gas turbine engine parameter/inlet condition synthesis. The system includes an aero-thermodynamic engine model configured to produce a real-time model-based estimate of engine parameters, a machine learning model configured to generate model correction errors indicating the difference between the real-time model-based estimate of engine parameters and sensed values of the engine parameters, and a comparator configured to produce residuals indicating a difference between the real-time model-based estimate of engine parameters and the sensed values of the engine parameters. The system also includes an inlet condition estimator configured to iteratively adjust an estimate of inlet conditions based on the residuals and adaptive control laws configured to produce engine control parameters for control of gas turbine engine actuators based on the inlet conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2019Publication date: August 6, 2020Inventors: Timothy J. Crowley, Ramesh Rajagopalan, Sorin Bengea
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Publication number: 20200079517Abstract: An aspect includes a variable cycle system of a gas turbine engine. The variable cycle system includes an actuation system, an electric component, and a controller. The actuation system is configured to adjust a variable cycle of turbomachinery of the gas turbine engine. The electric component is operable to provide a shaft power supply or a load corresponding respectively to an adjustment of the turbomachinery. The controller is operable to adjust an output of either or both of the actuation system and the electric component for separate control of thrust and cycle responses.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2018Publication date: March 12, 2020Inventors: Neil Terwilliger, Sorin Bengea
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Publication number: 20200031480Abstract: A power system of an aircraft includes a hybrid energy storage system with at least two energy storage subsystems each having a different power-energy density. The power system also includes one or more electric motors operably coupled to the hybrid energy storage system and to an aircraft engine. The power system further includes a means for controlling one or more electric power flows of the hybrid energy storage system to/from the one or more electric motors based on a modeled electric power demand associated with an engine load of one or more spools of the aircraft engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2019Publication date: January 30, 2020Inventors: Zubair Ahmed Baig, Neil Terwilliger, Sorin Bengea
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Publication number: 20190345836Abstract: A hybrid energy storage and control system for a clearance control system for a gas turbine engine may comprise a hybrid electric power source, a first converter, a second converter configured to receive electric power from the hybrid electric power source via the first converter and configured to send the electric power to a heating element for controlling a blade tip clearance between a rotor blade and an outer structure of the gas turbine engine, and a controller in electronic communication with the second converter. The hybrid electric power source may comprise a battery, a supercapacitor, and/or an ultracapacitor.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2018Publication date: November 14, 2019Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Neil Terwilliger, Christopher J. Hanlon, Sorin Bengea, Zubair Ahmed Baig
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Patent number: 10378455Abstract: A system for generating a base point database for use by a full authority digital engine control (FADEC) to control a gas turbine engine includes a memory configured to store a model of the gas turbine engine. The system also includes a model generation processor coupled to the memory and designed to perform an initial simulation of the gas turbine engine using the model to determine ranges of sensitivity of desired engine parameters throughout an operating envelope, divide the operating envelope into a multiple regions based on the ranges of sensitivity of the desired engine parameters, select multiple combinations of base points within each of the multiple regions, perform an additional simulation of the gas turbine engine to determine an accuracy of interpolation between each of the multiple combinations of base points for each of the multiple regions, and select final base points from the multiple combinations of base points based on the accuracy.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2017Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Sorin Bengea, Jeffrey C. Simmons
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Patent number: 10260425Abstract: A fuel system for a gas turbine engine includes, among other things, a plurality of components defining a plurality of localized nodes at distinct locations relative to a fuel flow path, each of the plurality of localized nodes characterized by a distinct set of failure parameters. One or more fuel sensors are configured to measure at least one fuel condition relating to flow through the fuel flow path. A fuel observation assembly is coupled to one or more engine sensors configured to measure at least one engine condition.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2016Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Timothy J. Crowley, Tyler J. Selstad, Sorin Bengea, Robert H. Luppold