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).

  • Publication number: 20160258445
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas J. Robertson, JR., Steven Clarkson
  • Publication number: 20160201505
    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: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Steven C. Clarkson, Thomas J. Robertson, JR., Michael Parkin
  • Publication number: 20160169044
    Abstract: A method of making a liner for a turbomachinery case includes overlaying a reinforcing layer and a release layer. The method also includes spiral coiling the reinforcing layer and the release layer about the axis of the liner such that a radially inner surface of the release layer radially overlays a radially outer surface of the reinforcing layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Steven Clarkson, Thomas J. Robertson, JR.
  • Publication number: 20160108821
    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: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas J. Robertson, JR., Nathan F. Champion, Steven J. Feigleson
  • Publication number: 20160032776
    Abstract: A composite assembly comprises a first composite wall, a second composite wall spaced radially inward from the first outer wall, and a composite reinforcement ring attached to an outer surface of the second composite wall. The composite reinforcement ring includes at least one sidewall having an accessory mounting port formed therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Sreenivasa R. Voleti, Thomas J. Robertson, Jr., Darin S. Lussier
  • Publication number: 20160032833
    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: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas J. Robertson, JR., Mark W. Costa, David A. Welch
  • Patent number: 9249681
    Abstract: A turbine engine fan case assembly includes a structural case and a liner assembly. A radially accommodating attachment system connects the liner assembly to the structural case. The attachment system comprises a circumferentially-distributed plurality of longitudinally elongate radially outwardly open channels mounted to the liner assembly. The attachment system further comprises an associated plurality of inwardly-projecting tongues mounted to the structural case. Each tongue is accommodated in an associated such channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Robertson, Jr., Scot A. Webb, Steven C. Clarkson
  • Publication number: 20160010503
    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 4, 2015
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas J. Robertson, JR., Mark W. Costa, Steven Clarkson
  • Publication number: 20150377070
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas J. Robertson, JR., Marc R. Sauerhoefer
  • Publication number: 20150345326
    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: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas J. Robertson, JR., Steven Clarkson
  • Patent number: 9200531
    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 composite structural member and a metallic member encircled by the composite structural member. The metallic member is mounted to the composite structural member to permit differential thermal expansion proximate the blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Robertson, Jr., Mark W. Costa, Johan R. Santana
  • Publication number: 20150275692
    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: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas J. Robertson, JR., Sreenivasa R. Voleti, Mark W. Costa, Steven Clarkson
  • Publication number: 20150275689
    Abstract: A fan case for a gas turbine engine includes a composite fan containment case that includes an outer surface. The composite fan containment case includes multiple composite layers that define a generally cylindrical case. An attachment flange extends radially outward from the cylindrical case. The attachment flange comprises a portion of the composite layers. A metallic backing ring is secured to the attachment flange by rivets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Darin S. Lussier, Thomas J. Robertson, JR., Mark W. Costa, Sreenivasa R. Voleti, Rajiv A. Naik
  • Patent number: 9140135
    Abstract: A disclosed fan containment case includes a fan case fabricated from a plurality of non-metallic composite layers with an attachment flange formed of both a composite portion and a metallic backing. The disclosed metallic backing is mounted on a rearward facing surface of a composite portion of the attachment flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Robertson, Jr., Darin S. Lussier
  • Patent number: 9114882
    Abstract: A disclosed fan containment case includes a mount ring that supports a portion of the engine core. The mount ring includes openings and features that define a mounting location for the gas turbine engine. The example fan containment case includes a generally cylindrically shaped fan case that extends between an open front end and an open rear end. The mount ring is secured onto an outer surface of the fan case and includes a mounting lug and a plurality of openings for attachment of gas turbine engine components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Robertson, Jr., Mark W. Costa, Darin S. Lussier
  • Publication number: 20150159508
    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: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas J. Robertson, JR., Steven Clarkson
  • Publication number: 20150023780
    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: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Mark W. Costa, Thomas J. Robertson, JR., David A. Welch
  • Patent number: 8740558
    Abstract: An example composite fan case assembly includes a composite fan case body disposed on an axis. The fan case body has a radially inner surface and a radially outer surface. There is at least one mounting attachment to receive a threaded member. The at least one mounting attachment includes a base component and a spool component. The base component extends through an opening in the fan case body from the radially outer surface and toward the radially inner surface of the fan case body. The base component including a base portion, a boss having a non-cylindrical profile, and a cylindrical portion. The mounting attachment also includes a spool component disposed on the radially outer surface and attached to the base component. The spool component receives at least a portion of the base component. An outer surface of the cylindrical portion and an inner surface of the spool component are threaded and correspondingly mate to lock the spool component relative to the base component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Robertson, Jr., Darin S. Lussier
  • Patent number: 8672609
    Abstract: A fan case for a gas turbine engine includes a composite fan containment case having an outer surface, a front and a rear. An attachment flange and a mounting ring are respectively provided on the front and the rear. A bolt attachment is supported on the outer surface. The composite fan containment case has a containment area that is configured to be axially aligned with a fan blade. A ballistic liner is arranged in the containment area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Darin S. Lussier, Thomas J. Robertson, Jr., Mark W. Costa, Sreenivasa R. Voleti, Rajiv A. Naik
  • Publication number: 20130216367
    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: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Inventors: Darin S. Lussier, Sreenivasa R. Voleti, Thomas J. Robertson, JR., Christopher M. Quinn