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).

  • Publication number: 20230160347
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2023
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Inventors: Timothy J. Crowley, Sorin Bengea, Manuj Dhingra, David Gelwan, Kevin Hendricks, Joshua Adams, Martin Richard Amari, Richard P. Meisner, David Lei Ma
  • Publication number: 20230136475
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Applicant: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Neil Terwilliger, Christopher J. Hanlon, Sorin Bengea, Zubair Ahmed Baig
  • Patent number: 11565821
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Zubair Ahmed Baig, Neil Terwilliger, Sorin Bengea
  • Patent number: 11555455
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Timothy J. Crowley, Sorin Bengea, Manuj Dhingra, David Gelwan, Kevin Hendricks, Joshua Adams, Martin Richard Amari, Richard P. Meisner, David Lei Ma
  • Patent number: 11421545
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Neil Terwilliger, Christopher J Hanlon, Sorin Bengea, Zubair Ahmed Baig
  • Patent number: 11401041
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Zubair Ahmed Baig, Sorin Bengea, Gary L. Miles
  • Patent number: 11370556
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Zubair Ahmed Baig, Sorin Bengea, Gary L. Miles
  • Publication number: 20220055763
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2021
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Inventors: Neil Terwilliger, Sorin Bengea
  • Publication number: 20210394916
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Inventors: Zubair Ahmed Baig, Sorin Bengea, Gary L. Miles
  • Patent number: 11167858
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Neil Terwilliger, Sorin Bengea
  • Publication number: 20200355090
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Applicant: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Neil Terwilliger, Christopher J. Hanlon, Sorin Bengea, Zubair Ahmed Baig
  • Publication number: 20200347787
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: Timothy J. Crowley, Sorin Bengea, Manuj Dhingra, David Gelwan, Kevin Hendricks, Joshua Adams, Martin Richard Amari, Richard P. Meisner, David Lei Ma
  • Publication number: 20200277073
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Applicant: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Jean Thomassin, Sorin Bengea, Tatjana Pekovic
  • Patent number: 10760444
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Neil Terwilliger, Christopher J Hanlon, Sorin Bengea, Zubair Ahmed Baig
  • Publication number: 20200248622
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: Timothy J. Crowley, Ramesh Rajagopalan, Sorin Bengea
  • Publication number: 20200079517
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Neil Terwilliger, Sorin Bengea
  • Publication number: 20200031480
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Zubair Ahmed Baig, Neil Terwilliger, Sorin Bengea
  • Publication number: 20190345836
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Neil Terwilliger, Christopher J. Hanlon, Sorin Bengea, Zubair Ahmed Baig
  • Patent number: 10378455
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Sorin Bengea, Jeffrey C. Simmons
  • Patent number: 10260425
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Timothy J. Crowley, Tyler J. Selstad, Sorin Bengea, Robert H. Luppold