Patents by Inventor Stephen C. Harmon

Stephen C. Harmon 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: 11236677
    Abstract: A diffuser case support structure for a gas turbine engine includes a fairing disposed circumferentially about a longitudinal axis. The fairing defines a plurality of passages circumferentially spaced apart and forming at least a portion of a fluid path between a compressor and a combustor of the gas turbine engine. A diffuser frame includes a plurality of struts. Each of the plurality of struts is disposed between a pair of adjacent passages of the plurality of passages. The diffuser frame is configured to couple an inner diffuser case to an outer diffuser case. A sliding joint is formed between the fairing and the diffuser frame, the sliding joint comprising a fastener extending generally axially through an aperture disposed in the fairing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Andrew Hough, John S. Tu, Stephen C. Harmon, Paul F. Croteau, Russell B. Hanson, Joshua C. Rathgeb
  • Patent number: 11022144
    Abstract: A diffuser case assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a fairing disposed circumferentially about a longitudinal axis. The fairing defines a plurality of passages circumferentially spaced apart and forming at least a portion of a fluid path between a compressor and a combustor of the gas turbine engine. A diffuser frame includes a plurality of struts. Each of the plurality of struts is disposed between a pair of adjacent passages of the plurality of passages. The diffuser frame is configured to couple an inner diffuser case to an outer diffuser case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Andrew Hough, John S. Tu, Stephen C. Harmon, Paul F. Croteau, Russell B. Hanson, Joshua C. Rathgeb
  • Patent number: 10941669
    Abstract: A diffuser case support structure for a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The diffuser case support structure includes a fairing disposed circumferentially about a longitudinal axis. The fairing forms at least a portion of a fluid path between a compressor and a combustor of the gas turbine engine. The fairing defines a plurality of apertures extending through the fairing. At least one spoke extends through at least one respective aperture of the plurality of apertures. The at least one spoke is configured to couple an inner diffuser case and an outer diffuser case of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew A. Hough, Russell B. Hanson, John S. Tu, Paul F. Croteau, Paul K. Sanchez, Stephen C. Harmon, Joshua C. Rathgeb
  • Publication number: 20200362762
    Abstract: A diffuser case support structure for a gas turbine engine includes a fairing disposed circumferentially about a longitudinal axis. The fairing defines a plurality of passages circumferentially spaced apart and forming at least a portion of a fluid path between a compressor and a combustor of the gas turbine engine. A diffuser frame includes a plurality of struts. Each of the plurality of struts is disposed between a pair of adjacent passages of the plurality of passages. The diffuser frame is configured to couple an inner diffuser case to an outer diffuser case. A sliding joint is formed between the fairing and the diffuser frame, the sliding joint comprising a fastener extending generally axially through an aperture disposed in the fairing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2019
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthew Andrew Hough, John S. Tu, Stephen C. Harmon, Paul F. Croteau, Russell B. Hanson, Joshua C. Rathgeb
  • Publication number: 20200300103
    Abstract: A diffuser case assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a fairing disposed circumferentially about a longitudinal axis. The fairing defines a plurality of passages circumferentially spaced apart and forming at least a portion of a fluid path between a compressor and a combustor of the gas turbine engine. A diffuser frame includes a plurality of struts. Each of the plurality of struts is disposed between a pair of adjacent passages of the plurality of passages. The diffuser frame is configured to couple an inner diffuser case to an outer diffuser case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Inventors: Matthew Andrew Hough, John S. Tu, Stephen C. Harmon, Paul F. Croteau, Russell B. Hanson, Joshua C. Rathgeb
  • Publication number: 20200200028
    Abstract: A diffuser case support structure for a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The diffuser case support structure includes a fairing disposed circumferentially about a longitudinal axis. The fairing forms at least a portion of a fluid path between a compressor and a combustor of the gas turbine engine. The fairing defines a plurality of apertures extending through the fairing. At least one spoke extends through at least one respective aperture of the plurality of apertures. The at least one spoke is configured to couple an inner diffuser case and an outer diffuser case of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventors: Matthew A. Hough, Russell B. Hanson, John S. Tu, Paul F. Croteau, Paul K. Sanchez, Stephen C. Harmon, Joshua C. Rathgeb
  • Patent number: 8109097
    Abstract: A high efficiency combined cycle internal combustion and steam engine includes a cylinder with a combustion chamber outward of a piston, a cylinder cap slideably mounted within the piston and a steam expansion chamber inside the piston. The cap can be heated to reduce condensation of steam. Steam remaining when a steam exhaust valve closes can be recompressed prior to admitting the next charge of steam. One valve or a pair of steam inlet valves connected in series act in cooperation to help maximize efficiency. The amount of steam admitted each stroke is regulated by shifting the phase of one steam admission valve of a pair to vary their overlap for determining the steam mass admitted each cycle. Other valves balance steam displacement with the steam generator output to use steam more efficiently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Thermal Power Recovery, LLC
    Inventors: James V. Harmon, Sr., James V. Harmon, Jr., Stephen C. Harmon
  • Patent number: 7997080
    Abstract: A combination internal combustion and steam engine includes a cylinder having a piston mounted for reciprocation therein with an internal combustion chamber and a steam chamber in the cylinder adjacent the piston and at least one steam exhaust port positioned to communicate with the steam chamber through the wall of the cylinder for exhausting steam at a location in the cylinder wall adjacent to an engine cylinder cap surface that is heated externally to assist in reducing chilling or condensation of steam entering the steam chamber from a boiler fired by waste combustion heat. The invention also permits steam admitted from a steam chest jacketing the cylinder cap to be exhausted from the engine when the steam chamber is in an expanded state whereupon residual steam is then recompressed prior to admitting the next charge of steam with the stream in the steam chamber being heated directly by the combustion chamber as well as by heat from the steam chest. An I.C. exhaust powered heater is a part of an I.C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Thermal Power Recovery LLC
    Inventors: James V. Harmon, Sr., James V. Harmon, Jr., Stephen C. Harmon
  • Publication number: 20090205338
    Abstract: A high efficiency combined cycle internal combustion and steam engine includes a cylinder having a piston mounted for reciprocation therein with an internal combustion chamber outward of the piston, a fixed cylinder cap sealingly and slideably mounted within the piston and a steam expansion/recompression chamber inside the piston adjacent the cylinder cap. The cylinder cap can be unheated or heated externally to reduce condensation of steam entering the steam chamber from a steam generator fired by waste combustion heat. Steam remaining in the cylinder when a steam exhaust valve closes at the top center position is recompressed during an inward stroke of the piston up to admission pressure prior to admitting the next charge of steam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventors: James V. Harmon, SR., James V. Harmon, JR., Stephen C. Harmon
  • Publication number: 20080216480
    Abstract: A combination internal combustion and steam engine includes a cylinder having a piston mounted for reciprocation therein with an internal combustion chamber and a steam chamber in the cylinder adjacent the piston and at least one steam exhaust port positioned to communicate with the steam chamber through the wall of the cylinder for exhausting steam at a location in the cylinder wall adjacent to an engine cylinder cap surface that is heated externally to assist in reducing chilling or condensation of steam entering the steam chamber from a boiler fired by waste combustion heat. The invention also permits steam admitted from a steam chest jacketing the cylinder cap to be exhausted from the engine when the steam chamber is in an expanded state whereupon residual steam is then recompressed prior to admitting the next charge of steam with the stream in the steam chamber being heated directly by the combustion chamber as well as by heat from the steam chest. An I.C. exhaust powered heater is a part of an I.C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventors: James V. Harmon, James V. Harmon, Stephen C. Harmon