Patents by Inventor Steven J. Ford
Steven J. Ford 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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Patent number: 10767486Abstract: An airfoil assembly for a gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, an annular shroud having a radially inner face and a radially outer face opposing the radially inner face, a radially inner array of airfoils extending from the radially inner face, and a radially outer array of airfoils extending from the radially outer face. The radially inner array of airfoils are configured to guide flow within a radially inner bypass flow passage, the radially inner bypass flow passage bypassing and being radially outward of a compressor section. At least one, but fewer than each, airfoil of the radially inner array of airfoils is circumferentially aligned with a corresponding airfoil in the radially outer array of airfoils, and the remaining airfoils in the radially inner array of airfoils are misaligned with the airfoils of the radially outer array of airfoils. A method of reducing a vibratory response of airfoils is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2018Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Richard K. Hayford, Steven J. Ford
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Patent number: 10633988Abstract: A stator assembly for a gas turbine engine includes an annular outer shroud, an annular inner shroud radially spaced from the outer shroud and a plurality of stator vanes extending from the outer shroud to the inner shroud. A volume of potting is located at the inner shroud and at the outer shroud to retain the plurality of stator vanes thereat. A stator and case assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a case defining a working fluid flowpath for the gas turbine engine and a stator assembly located at the case. The stator assembly includes an annular outer shroud secured to the case, an annular inner shroud secured to the case and a plurality of stator vanes extending from the outer to the inner shroud. A volume of potting is located at the inner shroud and at the outer shroud to retain the plurality of stator vanes thereat.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2016Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Paul W. Baumann, Colin G. Amadon, Steven J. Ford
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Publication number: 20190032490Abstract: An airfoil assembly for a gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, an annular shroud having a radially inner face and a radially outer face opposing the radially inner face, a radially inner array of airfoils extending from the radially inner face, and a radially outer array of airfoils extending from the radially outer face. The radially inner array of airfoils are configured to guide flow within a radially inner bypass flow passage, the radially inner bypass flow passage bypassing and being radially outward of a compressor section. At least one, but fewer than each, airfoil of the radially inner array of airfoils is circumferentially aligned with a corresponding airfoil in the radially outer array of airfoils, and the remaining airfoils in the radially inner array of airfoils are misaligned with the airfoils of the radially outer array of airfoils. A method of reducing a vibratory response of airfoils is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2018Publication date: January 31, 2019Inventors: Richard K. Hayford, Steven J. Ford
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Patent number: 10119403Abstract: An example method of reducing a vibratory response of airfoils that support a shroud includes circumferentially misaligning some of the airfoils in a radially inner array of airfoils with all airfoils of a radially outer array of airfoils, and circumferentially aligning at least one of the airfoils in the radially inner array of airfoils with all airfoils of the radially outer array of airfoils.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2015Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Richard K. Hayford, Steven J. Ford
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Publication number: 20180080454Abstract: A vane assembly may include a vane comprised of a composite material. An outer shroud segment may be disposed at radially outer end of the vane. An inner shroud may define an aperture. A radially inner end of the vane may be disposed within the aperture.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2016Publication date: March 22, 2018Applicant: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Paul W. Baumann, Colin G. Amadon, Steven J. Ford
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Publication number: 20180010470Abstract: A stator assembly for a gas turbine engine includes an annular outer shroud, an annular inner shroud radially spaced from the outer shroud and a plurality of stator vanes extending from the outer shroud to the inner shroud. A volume of potting is located at the inner shroud and at the outer shroud to retain the plurality of stator vanes thereat. A stator and case assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a case defining a working fluid flowpath for the gas turbine engine and a stator assembly located at the case. The stator assembly includes an annular outer shroud secured to the case, an annular inner shroud secured to the case and a plurality of stator vanes extending from the outer to the inner shroud. A volume of potting is located at the inner shroud and at the outer shroud to retain the plurality of stator vanes thereat.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2016Publication date: January 11, 2018Inventors: Paul W. Baumann, Colin G. Amadon, Steven J. Ford
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Patent number: 9821401Abstract: Weld metals and methods for welding ferritic steels are provided. The weld metals have high strength and high ductile tearing resistance and are suitable for use in strain based pipelines. The weld metal contains retained austenite and has a cellular microstructure with cell walls containing lath martensite and cell interiors containing degenerate upper bainite. The weld metals are comprised of between 0.02 and 0.12 wt % carbon, between 7.50 and 14.50 wt % nickel, not greater than about 1.00 wt % manganese, not greater than about 0.30 wt % silicon, not greater than about 150 ppm oxygen, not greater than about 100 ppm sulfur, not greater than about 75 ppm phosphorus, and the balance essentially iron. Other elements may be added to enhance the properties of the weld metal. The weld metals are applied using a power source with current waveform control which produces a smooth, controlled welding arc and weld pool in the absence of CO2 or oxygen in the shielding gas.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2011Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Douglas P. Fairchild, Mario L. Macia, Steven J. Ford, Nathan E. Nissley, Raghavan Ayer, Hyun-Woo Jin, Adnan Ozekcin
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Publication number: 20170159445Abstract: An example method of reducing a vibratory response of airfoils that support a shroud includes circumferentially misaligning some of the airfoils in a radially inner array of airfoils with all airfoils of a radially outer array of airfoils, and circumferentially aligning at least one of the airfoils in the radially inner array of airfoils with all airfoils of the radially outer array of airfoils.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2015Publication date: June 8, 2017Inventors: Richard K. Hayford, Steven J. Ford
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Patent number: 9353767Abstract: A stator vane assembly for a gas turbine engine is disclosed and includes a plurality of vanes received within channels defined within a case. An anti-rotation plate extends from a flange of the case between adjacent ones of the plurality of vanes for preventing rotation of the plurality of vanes relative to the case.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2013Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Robert B. Richardson, Steven J. Ford, Kevin C. Eckland, Kishore Kumar Madduri, Chandrashekar Vaddatti, Ramesh Ankam
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Publication number: 20140193251Abstract: A stator vane assembly for a gas turbine engine is disclosed and includes a plurality of vanes received within channels defined within a case. An anti-rotation plate extends from a flange of the case between adjacent ones of the plurality of vanes for preventing rotation of the plurality of vanes relative to the case.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2013Publication date: July 10, 2014Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Robert B. Richardson, Steven J. Ford, Kevin C. Eckland, Kishore Kumar Madduri, Chandrashekar Vaddatti, Ramesh Ankam
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Publication number: 20130292362Abstract: Weld metals and methods for welding ferritic steels are provided. The weld metals have high strength and high ductile tearing resistance and are suitable for use in strain based pipelines. The weld metal contains retained austenite and has a cellular microstructure with cell walls containing lath martensite and cell interiors containing degenerate upper bainite. The weld metals are comprised of between 0.02 and 0.12 wt % carbon, between 7.50 and 14.50 wt % nickel, not greater than about 1.00 wt % manganese, not greater than about 0.30 wt % silicon, not greater than about 150 ppm oxygen, not greater than about 100 ppm sulfur, not greater than about 75 ppm phosphorus, and the balance essentially iron. Other elements may be added to enhance the properties of the weld metal. The weld metals are applied using a power source with current waveform control which produces a smooth, controlled welding arc and weld pool in the absence of CO2 or oxygen in the shielding gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2011Publication date: November 7, 2013Inventors: Douglas P. Fairchild, Mario L. Macia, Steven J. Ford, Nathan E. Nissley, Raghavan Ayer, Hyun-Woo Jin, Adnan Ozekcin
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Patent number: 8168306Abstract: Provided are metal structures and methods of forming such structures for use in oil, gas and/or petrochemical applications that are joined with non-ferrous weld metal compositions or a high alloy weld metal compositions. The welded metal structures include two or more segments of ferrous or non-ferrous components, and fusion welds, friction stir welds or a combination thereof bonding adjacent segments of the components together, wherein the welds comprise a non-ferrous weld metal composition or a high alloy weld metal composition that is substantially different from the metal composition of the two or more components. The resultant welded structures exhibit improvements in fatigue resistance, toughness, strain capacity, strength, stress corrosion cracking resistance, and hydrogen embrittlement resistance compared to traditional iron-based weld compositions.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2007Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering CompanyInventors: Raghavan Ayer, Neeraj S. Thirumalai, Daniel B. Lillig, Steven J. Ford, Douglas P. Fairchild
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Patent number: 8141768Abstract: A method for welding and repairing cracks in metal parts is provided by subjecting the metal parts to be welded to friction stir welding and the cracks to be repaired to friction stir processing under conditions sufficient to provide a weld joint or crack repair having a preselected property or set of properties based upon the intended use of the weldment. The FSW and FSP methods are advantageous in joining and repairing metal structures and components in applications for natural gas transportation and storage, oil and gas well completion and production, and oil and gas refinery and chemical plants.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2006Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering CompanyInventors: Steven J. Ford, Neeraj Thirumalai, James Ronald Rigby, Mark Biegler, Narasimha-Rao Venkata Bangaru, Jayoung Koo, Glen A. Vaughn, Raghavan Ayer, Douglas P. Fairchild
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Publication number: 20090075118Abstract: Provided are metal structures and methods of forming such structures for use in oil, gas and/or petrochemical applications that are joined with non-ferrous weld metal compositions or a high alloy weld metal compositions. The welded metal structures include two or more segments of ferrous or non-ferrous components, and fusion welds, friction stir welds or a combination thereof bonding adjacent segments of the components together, wherein the welds comprise a non-ferrous weld metal composition or a high alloy weld metal composition that is substantially different from the metal composition of the two or more components. The resultant welded structures exhibit improvements in fatigue resistance, toughness, strain capacity, strength, stress corrosion cracking resistance, and hydrogen embrittlement resistance compared to traditional iron-based weld compositions.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2007Publication date: March 19, 2009Inventors: Raghavan Ayer, Neeraj S. Thirumalai, Daniel B. Lillig, Steven J. Ford, Douglas P. Fairchild
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Publication number: 20080032153Abstract: The use of friction stir and laser shock processing in oil & gas and/or petrochemical applications is provided by the present invention. The use includes subjecting friction stir weldments, fusion weldments, and other critical regions of ferrous and non-ferrous alloy components used in oil & gas and petrochemical applications to laser shock processing to create residual compressive stresses near the surface of the treated area. The residual compressive forces in the ferrous or non-ferrous components improve properties including, inter alia, surface strength, fatigue life, surface hardness, stress corrosion resistance, fatigue resistance, and environmental cracking resistance. Friction stir and laser shock processing find particular application in high strength pipelines, steel catenary risers, top tension risers, threaded components, liquefied natural gas containers, pressurized liquefied natural gas containers, deep water oil drill strings, riser/casing joints, and well-head equipment.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2006Publication date: February 7, 2008Inventors: Glen A. Vaughn, Narasimha-Rao Venkata Bangaru, Jayoung Koo, Raghavan Ayer, Danny L. Beeson, Neeraj S. Thirumalai, David A. Baker, David A. Norman, Steven J. Ford, Douglas P. Fairchild
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Patent number: 5975241Abstract: A handle assembly is provided for a pump jack having a shackle assembly with a rotatable pole-gripping rod for engaging and rolling along a pole surface. The handle assembly includes an extension of the pole-gripping rod, a coil spring disposed on the rod extension, a sleeve disposed around the rod extension and coil spring, and a bar fixed to the sleeve. A crank arm extends transversely of the rod extension which is pivotally connected to the arm at a first pivot location. The bar is pivotally connected to the arm at a second pivot location. The coil spring urges the sleeve into engagement with a locking member on the shackle assembly, such that the sleeve is prevented from rotating and the rod is unable to roll along the surface of the pole. A handle is mounted on the free end of the crank arm.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 1998Date of Patent: November 2, 1999Assignee: Quality Steel Products, Inc.Inventors: Robert P. Berish, Steven J. Ford
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Patent number: 5259478Abstract: An improved pump jack of the type comprising a metal frame that has two parallel spaced frame members carrying upper and lower shackle assemblies arranged to grip a supporting pole, and a pump arm coupled to the frame and the upper shackle assembly for raising the jack. An improved releasing mechanism is provided comprising a U-shaped release member disposed between the two frame members. The U-shaped release member has two opposed struts each provided with an elongate hole adjacent one end to slidably and rotatably receive a pivot shaft that is anchored in the two frame members. The elongate holes in the opposite ends of the release member's side struts are aligned with holes in the forward ends of the side arms of the shackle member of the lower shackle assembly. The holes in the side arm of the lower shackle member are sized and shaped to non-rotatably accommodate the front clamping bar, with the latter acting to pivotally interconnect the U-shaped release member's side struts and the lower shackle.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 1993Date of Patent: November 9, 1993Assignee: Quality Steel Products, Inc.Inventors: Robert P. Berish, Steven J. Ford