Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Robertson, JR.

Thomas J. Robertson, JR. 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: 11248538
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Robertson, Jr., Nathan F. Champion, Steven J. Feigleson
  • Patent number: 11073027
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Robertson, Jr., Carney R. Anderson, Peter T. Schutte
  • Patent number: 10731511
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas J. Robertson, Jr., Sreenivasa R. Voleti, Mark W. Costa, Steven Clarkson
  • Patent number: 10724397
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Darin S. Lussier, Sreenivasa R. Voleti, Thomas J. Robertson, Jr., Christopher M. Quinn
  • Patent number: 10669936
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Robertson, Jr., Mark W. Costa, David A. Welch
  • Patent number: 10487693
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas J. Robertson, Jr., Mark W. Costa, Steven Clarkson
  • Publication number: 20190353040
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas J. Robertson, JR., Carney R. Anderson, Peter T. Schutte
  • Patent number: 10428684
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas J. Robertson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10221718
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Steven C. Clarkson, Thomas J. Robertson, Jr., Michael Parkin
  • Publication number: 20180171826
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas J. Robertson, JR., Mark W. Costa, Steven Clarkson
  • Publication number: 20180100408
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Inventors: Darin S. Lussier, Sreenivasa R. Voleti, Thomas J. Robertson, JR., Christopher M. Quinn
  • Patent number: 9915168
    Abstract: A turbofan engine has a fan having a circumferential array of fan blades. A fan case encircles the fan. There is at least one compressor section, a combustor, and at least one turbine section. The fan case comprises a containment case and a cartridge liner carried therein. A ballistic liner encircles at least a portion of the cartridge liner and is attached thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas J. Robertson, Jr., Steven Clarkson
  • Patent number: 9909458
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas J. Robertson, Jr., Mark W. Costa, Steven Clarkson
  • Patent number: 9840936
    Abstract: A case for a gas turbine engine includes a containment section with a plurality of unidirectional roving fiber layers and a plurality of non-crimp fabric layers. A method of manufacturing the case includes winding the plurality of unidirectional roving fiber layers around the plurality of non-crimp fabric layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Darin S. Lussier, Sreenivasa R. Voleti, Thomas J. Robertson, Jr., Christopher M. Quinn
  • Patent number: 9822665
    Abstract: A core for a fan containment includes an intermediate core segment and a plenum for fluid passage defined through the intermediate core segment. The intermediate core segment has an axial inlet side, an axial outlet side opposed to the axial inlet side, a radially inner side, and a radially outer side opposed to the radially inner side. The radially outer side is configured to be operatively connected to a cylindrical outer case and the radially inner side is configured to be operatively connected to at least one arcuate panel to form a liner assembly. The plenum extends through the intermediate core segment proximate the radially outer side for fluid passage between the axial inlet side and the axial outlet side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas J. Robertson, Jr., Steven Clarkson
  • Patent number: 9702375
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a liner disposed around a flowpath. The liner has a forward end, a radially outer surface, and a radially inner surface. A hole extends axially into the forward end of the liner between the radially outer surface and the radially inner surface, and an engagement member is partially disposed in the hole and extends axially forward from the forward end of the liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Mark W. Costa, Thomas J. Robertson, Jr., David A. Welch
  • Patent number: 9651059
    Abstract: A section of a gas turbine engine includes a case structure and a liner. The liner is attached to the case structure by a compliant adhesive. The adhesive covers at least a portion of the liner surface area, and can have interruptions used to tune the compliance of the adhesive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas J. Robertson, Jr., Darin S. Lussier, Kirk D. Stackhouse, Johan Santana
  • Publication number: 20160341068
    Abstract: A fixed-variable vane assembly includes a vane that has a fixed airfoil section and a variable airfoil section next to the fixed airfoil section. The variable airfoil section is pivotably mounted at an end thereof in a joint with a variable joint gap that controls a size of an airfoil gap between the fixed airfoil section and the variable airfoil section. A potting material is located in the variable joint gap. The potting material locks the variable joint gap and locks in the size of the airfoil gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas J. Robertson, JR., Enzo DiBenedetto, Nathan F. Champion, Niloofar Haghbin, Barry William Spaulding, III
  • Publication number: 20160333733
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Thomas J. Robertson, JR.
  • Patent number: 9482111
    Abstract: A fan section of a gas turbine engine includes a fan containment case assembly includes an outer case of an aluminum alloy. The outer case extends circumferentially around an axial centerline. A thermally conforming liner assembly is located inwardly of the outer case. The thermally conforming liner assembly includes a circumferential liner of an aluminum alloy. A ballistic liner is located between the outer case and the thermally conforming liner assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Mark W. Costa, Thomas J. Robertson, Jr., Darin S. Lussier