Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Robertson
Thomas J. Robertson 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: 11248538Abstract: A split case assembly for a gas turbine engine includes an outer diameter case defining a partial case structure for a gas turbine engine and multiple fixed-variable vanes attached to an inner diameter surface of the outer diameter case. Each of the fixed-variable vanes protrudes radially inward from the outer diameter case. Each of the fixed-variable vanes in the plurality of fixed-variable vanes is interfaced with one of a plurality of inner diameter boxes at a radially inward end of the fixed-variable vane, such that the inner diameter boxes define an inner diameter of a flow path and the outer diameter case defines an outer diameter flow path. Each of the fixed-variable vanes are interfaced with the one of the plurality of inner diameter boxes through at least one inner diameter shoe in a plurality of inner diameter shoes.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2015Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: Raytheon Technologies CorporationInventors: Thomas J. Robertson, Jr., Nathan F. Champion, Steven J. Feigleson
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Patent number: 11236769Abstract: In a fan case having an annular outer wall with a plurality of fan case bolt holes there through, bushings are inserted into the fan case bolt hole and are dimensioned to define an annular gap between the bolt hole inner surface and the bushing outer surface. An adhesive material disposed within each annular gap between the bushing and the corresponding fan case bolt hole, with the adhesive material forming a liquid shim separating the bushing outer surface from the bolt hole inner surface.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2019Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Thomas J. Robertson, Mark W. Costa
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Patent number: 11073027Abstract: An airfoil bonding system may comprise a mold tool configured to support an airfoil assembly during a bonding process. The bonding process may include applying heat and pressure to the airfoil assembly. A surface of the mold tool may complement a preselected airfoil parameter. The mold tool may maintain the airfoil assembly in the preselected airfoil parameter during the application of heat and pressure to the airfoil assembly.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2018Date of Patent: July 27, 2021Assignee: Raytheon Technologies CorporationInventors: Thomas J. Robertson, Jr., Carney R. Anderson, Peter T. Schutte
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Patent number: 10731511Abstract: A blade containment system includes a plurality of circumferentially-arranged rotatable blades. Each blade has a blade compliance. An annular containment structure is arranged around the rotatable blades. The containment structure includes a liner that has a liner compliance. The blade compliance and the liner compliance are configured such that a strain induced on a respective one of the blades upon impact with the liner is less than a threshold critical strain beyond which the rotatable blades fracture.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2013Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Thomas J. Robertson, Jr., Sreenivasa R. Voleti, Mark W. Costa, Steven Clarkson
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Patent number: 10724397Abstract: A case for a gas turbine engine includes a plurality of distinct case sections in axial series. The case sections include, in axial order, a flange section, a forward shell section, a containment section, and an aft shell section. The forward shell section, the containment section, and the aft shell section are formed of a plurality of unidirectional roving fiber layers and a plurality of non-crimp fabric layers. The flange section is formed of a second plurality of non-crimp fabric layers. The plurality of unidirectional roving fiber layers do not have stitching or weaves. A ballistic liner is attached with the containment section, and a fiberglass layer encapsulates the plurality of unidirectional roving fiber layers, the plurality of non-crimp fabric layers, and the second plurality of non-crimp fabric layers.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2017Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Darin S. Lussier, Sreenivasa R. Voleti, Thomas J. Robertson, Jr., Christopher M. Quinn
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Patent number: 10669936Abstract: A cartridge for a fan case of a gas turbine engine includes an inlet acoustic liner section integrated with a thermally conforming liner section.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2014Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: Raytheon Technologies CorporationInventors: Thomas J. Robertson, Jr., Mark W. Costa, David A. Welch
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Publication number: 20200011348Abstract: In a fan case having an annular outer wall with a plurality of fan case bolt holes there through, bushings are inserted into the fan case bolt hole and are dimensioned to define an annular gap between the bolt hole inner surface and the bushing outer surface. An adhesive material disposed within each annular gap between the bushing and the corresponding fan case bolt hole, with the adhesive material forming a liquid shim separating the bushing outer surface from the bolt hole inner surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2019Publication date: January 9, 2020Inventors: Thomas J. Robertson, Mark W. Costa
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Patent number: 10502235Abstract: In a fan case having an annular outer wall with a plurality of fan case bolt holes there through, bushings are inserted into the fan case bolt hole and are dimensioned to define an annular gap between the bolt hole inner surface and the bushing outer surface. An adhesive material disposed within each annular gap between the bushing and the corresponding fan case bolt hole, with the adhesive material forming a liquid shim separating the bushing outer surface from the bolt hole inner surface.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2014Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Thomas J. Robertson, Mark W. Costa
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Patent number: 10487693Abstract: A method for installing a mounting hole through a wall of a fan case of a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The method may comprise: 1) installing a pilot hole through the wall of the fan case at an angle perpendicular to an outer surface of the wall, 2) inserting a boss through the pilot hole, 3) bonding the boss to the wall of the fan case, and 4) installing the mounting hole through the boss at an off-axis angle with respect to the angle perpendicular to the outer surface of the wall.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2018Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Thomas J. Robertson, Jr., Mark W. Costa, Steven Clarkson
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Publication number: 20190353040Abstract: An airfoil bonding system may comprise a mold tool configured to support an airfoil assembly during a bonding process. The bonding process may include applying heat and pressure to the airfoil assembly. A surface of the mold tool may complement a preselected airfoil parameter. The mold tool may maintain the airfoil assembly in the preselected airfoil parameter during the application of heat and pressure to the airfoil assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2018Publication date: November 21, 2019Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Thomas J. Robertson, JR., Carney R. Anderson, Peter T. Schutte
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Patent number: 10428684Abstract: A component for a gas turbine engine comprises an airfoil body formed of a plastic. A reinforcement portion has webs formed of a metallic material and extend into the airfoil. A gas turbine engine, and a method of forming a component for use in a gas turbine engine are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2015Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventor: Thomas J. Robertson, Jr.
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Patent number: 10294960Abstract: An ice liner assembly for a fan containment case for a turbofan gas turbine engine is disclosed. The disclosed ice liner assembly includes a plurality of arcuate panels arranged end to end to form a cylindrical liner that is disposed within the fan containment case and aft of the fan and abradable strip liner that circumscribes the fan. Because the plurality of arcuate panels are arranged end to end fashion, the ice liner assembly includes a plurality of splice joints, or a joint between two abutting ends of two arcuate panels. The splice joints are reinforced with molded polymeric splice support cores that are substantially lighter and less expensive than currently employed high density aluminum honeycomb core materials.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2014Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Thomas J. Robertson, Steven Clarkson
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Patent number: 10221718Abstract: A turbine engine fan case (48) comprises a composite body member (300) circumscribing an axis (500) and having an annular mounting portion (310, 410), a segmented polymer member (320, 330, 420, 440) along the annular mounting portion, and integrated therewith.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2014Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Steven C. Clarkson, Thomas J. Robertson, Jr., Michael Parkin
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Patent number: 10215045Abstract: A recirculation seal for use within a gas turbine engine. The recirculation seal includes a first seal base, including a first seal base axis. The recirculation seal further includes a second seal base, including a second seal base axis The recirculation seal further includes a resilient bulb member coupled to the first seal base. The resilient bulb member includes an exterior bulb wall and an interior bulb wall, wherein the interior bulb wall defines an interior space.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2014Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Thomas J. Robertson, James J. McPhail
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Patent number: 10132174Abstract: The present disclosure provides devices related to aircraft engine fan assemblies and blade lock retainers. In various embodiments, a blade lock retainer is formed from sheet metal and comprises an annular ring portion, an outer retainer tab portion, and an inner tab portion. In various embodiments, the outer retainer tab portion is disposed on an outer circumference of the annular ring portion, oriented substantially perpendicular to the annular ring portion, and extends in an aft direction from the annular ring portion. In various embodiments, the inner retainer tab portion is disposed on an inner circumference of the annular ring portion and radially aligned with the outer retainer tab portion, oriented substantially perpendicular to the annular ring portion, and extends in a forward direction from the annular ring portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2015Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Colin J. Kling, Thomas J. Robertson, Carney R. Anderson, James J. McPhail
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Patent number: 10018055Abstract: A fan platform section may include a flow path portion with a plurality of composite plies. A first composite ply in the plurality of composite plies may include directional fibers. The directional fibers may be configured to prevent twisting of the flow path section in response to a centripetal load. The fan platform section may include a second composite ply in the plurality of composite plies. The second composite ply may include directional fibers. The directional fibers in the first composite ply may be orthogonal with respect to the directional fibers in the second composite ply.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2015Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventor: Thomas J. Robertson
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Patent number: 10018076Abstract: A mount assembly is described. The mount assembly may comprise a base unit having a surface, an extension unit stacked on and connected to the surface, and a clamp unit stacked on and connected to the extension unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2013Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Thomas J. Robertson, Marc R. Sauerhoefer
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Patent number: 10012238Abstract: A fan blade capable of dissipating a buildup of electrostatic charge configured for operation within the fan assembly of a gas turbine engine. The fan blade has a fan blade body covered in a static dissipative coating. A conductive ground tab is attached to the front face of an airfoil root of the fan blade. Connected to the ground tab, a conductive flow path travels up the neck portion of the airfoil and along a lower portion of the fan blade. As static charge builds up on the fan blade, the electrostatic charge migrates down the fan blade and into the conductive flow path. Traveling along the conductive flow path the buildup of electrostatic charge accumulates on the conductive ground tab and exits the fan blade through contact with a disc rotor covering touching the conductive ground tab.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2015Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Thomas J. Robertson, James O. Hansen, Mark Quinn
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Publication number: 20180171826Abstract: A method for installing a mounting hole through a wall of a fan case of a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The method may comprise: 1) installing a pilot hole through the wall of the fan case at an angle perpendicular to an outer surface of the wall, 2) inserting a boss through the pilot hole, 3) bonding the boss to the wall of the fan case, and 4) installing the mounting hole through the boss at an off-axis angle with respect to the angle perpendicular to the outer surface of the wall.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2018Publication date: June 21, 2018Inventors: Thomas J. Robertson, JR., Mark W. Costa, Steven Clarkson
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Patent number: 9982605Abstract: A mount for mounting a component to a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The mount may include a central portion that attaches to the component, and a flange circumscribing the central portion and extending to the gas turbine engine, the flange including a fusible region that breaks at a predetermined load. A method for protecting a component mounted to a gas turbine engine is also disclosed. The method may include attaching a mount to a casing of the gas turbine engine, the mount including a fusible region that breaks at a predetermined load. The method may further include attaching the component to the mount. The method may further include the fusible region breaking when the mount experiences the predetermined load, detaching the component from the casing of the gas turbine engine.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2013Date of Patent: May 29, 2018Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Thomas J. Robertson, Steven Clarkson, Mark w. Costa