Patents by Inventor Todd Engel

Todd Engel 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: 11117838
    Abstract: A method of making a fiber preform for ceramic matrix composite (CMC) fabrication that utilizes a fugitive binder and a machining step is described. The method includes, according to one embodiment, laying up a plurality of plies to form a stack, where each ply comprises an arrangement of fibers. The stack is infiltrated with a polymer at an elevated temperature to form an infiltrated stack that is cooled to form a rigid preform. The rigid fiber preform is machined to have a predetermined shape, such that a machined fiber preform is formed. A composite assembly including the machined fiber preform is formed and then the composite assembly is heated at a sufficient temperature to pyrolyze the polymer. Thus, a porous preform of a predetermined geometry is formed for further processing into a CMC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE HIGH TEMPERATURE COMPOSITES INC.
    Inventors: Wayne Steffier, Michael Jacquinto, Stephen Harris, Robert Shinavski, Todd Engel
  • Patent number: 11008881
    Abstract: A shroud for radially encasing a turbine in a gas turbine engine is provided. The shroud comprises a carrier which defines a pin-receiving carrier bore, and a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) seal segment comprising an arcuate flange with a surface facing the turbine and a part that defines a pin-receiving seal segment bore. The seal segment bore is radially spaced from the arcuate flange by a spacing flange which extends radially outward from the arcuate flange to effect receipt within the seal segment bore of an elongated pin. The elongated pin extends through the carrier bore and the seal segment bore, and the elongated pin has a lateral cross-sectional dimension of at least three-eighths of an inch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc., Rolls-Royce High Temperature Composites Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Kent Vetters, David J. Thomas, Ted Freeman, Douglas David Dierksmeier, Jun Shi, Todd Engel
  • Patent number: 10989060
    Abstract: A ceramic matrix composite (CMC) seal segment for use in a segmented turbine shroud for radially encasing a turbine in a gas turbine engine. The CMC seal segment comprises an arcuate flange having a surface facing the turbine and a portion defining a bore for receiving an elongated pin, with the bore having a length that is at least 70% of the length of the elongated pin received therein. The CMC seal segment is carried by the carrier by at least one of the elongated pins being received within the bore. The CMC seal segment portion defining a pin-receiving bore is radially spaced from the arcuate flange by a spacing flange extending radially outward from the arcuate flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc., Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce High Temperature Composites Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel K. Vetters, David J. Thomas, Ted Freeman, Joseph Lamusga, Rick Uskert, Douglas D. Dierksmeier, Jun Shi, Todd Engel, Matt Brandt
  • Patent number: 10907493
    Abstract: A segmented turbine shroud for radially encasing a rotatable turbine in a gas turbine engine comprising a carrier, a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) seal segment, and an elongated pin. The carrier defines a pin-receiving carrier bore and the CMC seal segment defines a pin-receiving seal segment bore. The elongated pin extends through the carrier bore and the seal segment bore. The pin-receiving carrier bore includes a cantilevered member such that the carrier bore has a length sufficient to effect radial flexion between the carrier bore and the pin received within the carrier bore during operation of the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc., Rolls-Royce High Temperature Composites Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Kent Vetters, David J. Thomas, Douglas David Dierksmeier, Jun Shi, Todd Engel
  • Publication number: 20210003024
    Abstract: A ceramic matrix composite (CMC) seal segment for use in a segmented turbine shroud for radially encasing a turbine in a gas turbine engine. The CMC seal segment comprises an arcuate flange having a surface facing the turbine and a portion defining a bore for receiving an elongated pin, with the bore having a length that is at least 70% of the length of the elongated pin received therein. The CMC seal segment is carried by the carrier by at least one of the elongated pins being received within the bore. The CMC seal segment portion defining a pin-receiving bore is radially spaced from the arcuate flange by a spacing flange extending radially outward from the arcuate flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: Daniel K. Vetters, David J. Thomas, Ted Freeman, Joseph Lamusga, Rick Uskert, Douglas D. Dierksmeier, Jun Shi, Todd Engel, Matt Brandt
  • Patent number: 10619503
    Abstract: A ceramic matrix composite (CMC) seal segment for use in a segmented turbine shroud for radially encasing a turbine in a gas turbine engine. The CMC seal segment comprises an arcuate flange having a surface facing the turbine and a portion defining a bore for receiving an elongated pin, with the bore having a length that is at least 70% of the length of the elongated pin received therein. The CMC seal segment is carried by the carrier by at least one of the elongated pins being received within the bore. The CMC seal segment portion defining a pin-receiving bore is radially spaced from the arcuate flange by a spacing flange extending radially outward from the arcuate flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce High Temperature Composites Inc., Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel K. Vetters, David J. Thomas, Ted Freeman, Joseph Lamusga, Rick Uskert, Douglas D. Dierksmeier, Jun Shi, Todd Engel, Matt Brandt
  • Patent number: 10605121
    Abstract: An assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a carrier and a supported component comprising ceramic matrix composite materials. The assembly also includes a retention assembly for coupling the supported component to the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce North America Technologies Inc., Rolls-Royce High Temperature Composites Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel K. Vetters, Todd Engel, Robert J. Shinavski
  • Publication number: 20200025012
    Abstract: A segmented turbine shroud for radially encasing a rotatable turbine in a gas turbine engine comprising a carrier, a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) seal segment, and an elongated pin. The carrier defines a pin-receiving carrier bore and the CMC seal segment defines a pin-receiving seal segment bore. The elongated pin extends through the carrier bore and the seal segment bore. The pin-receiving carrier bore includes a cantilevered member such that the carrier bore has a length sufficient to effect radial flexion between the carrier bore and the pin received within the carrier bore during operation of the turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Applicants: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc., Rolls-Royce High Temperature Composites Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Kent Vetters, David J. Thomas, Douglas David Dierksmeier, Jun Shi, Todd Engel
  • Publication number: 20190359531
    Abstract: A method of making a fiber preform for ceramic matrix composite (CMC) fabrication that utilizes a fugitive binder and a machining step is described. The method includes, according to one embodiment, laying up a plurality of plies to form a stack, where each ply comprises an arrangement of fibers. The stack is infiltrated with a polymer at an elevated temperature to form an infiltrated stack that is cooled to form a rigid preform. The rigid fiber preform is machined to have a predetermined shape, such that a machined fiber preform is formed. A composite assembly including the machined fiber preform is formed and then the composite assembly is heated at a sufficient temperature to pyrolyze the polymer. Thus, a porous preform of a predetermined geometry is formed for further processing into a CMC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Wayne Steffier, Michael Jacquinto, Stephen Harris, Robert Shinavski, Todd Engel
  • Patent number: 10400612
    Abstract: An airfoil and a method of manufacturing an airfoil may be provided, where the airfoil comprises a core and a shell. The core comprises core ceramic fibers extending along a span of the airfoil. The shell surrounds the core and includes shell ceramic fibers. Substantially all of the core ceramic fibers are arranged in a radial direction. The airfoil may also be a ceramic matrix composite formed by infiltrating the core and the shell with a matrix material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Ted Freeman, Todd Engel, Adam Chamberlain, Aaron Sippel, Sean Landwehr
  • Patent number: 10370998
    Abstract: A segmented turbine shroud for radially encasing a turbine in a gas turbine engine comprises a carrier comprising a flange; a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) seal segment comprising a portion defining a pin-receiving bore; an elongated pin extending through the pin-receiving bore; a bushing surrounding the elongated pin within the bore; and a flexible mounting member, the flexible mounting member being connected to the bushing and the carrier flange to thereby flexibly mount the CMC seal segment to the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignees: ROLLS-ROYCE CORPORATION, ROLLS-ROYCE NORTH AMERICAN TECHNOLOGIES INC., ROLLS-ROYCE HIGH TEMPERATURE COMPOSITES INC.
    Inventors: Daniel Kent Vetters, Todd Engel, Matt Brandt
  • Patent number: 10370997
    Abstract: A segmented turbine shroud for radially encasing a rotatable turbine in a gas turbine engine comprising a carrier, a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) seal segment, and an elongated pin. The carrier defines a pin-receiving carrier bore and the CMC seal segment defines a pin-receiving seal segment bore. The elongated pin extends through the carrier bore and the seal segment bore. The pin-receiving carrier bore includes a cantilevered member such that the carrier bore has a length sufficient to effect radial flexion between the carrier bore and the pin received within the carrier bore during operation of the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignees: ROLLS-ROYCE CORPORATION, ROLLS-ROYCE NORTH AMERICAN TECHNOLOGIES INC., ROLLS-ROYCE HIGH TEMPERATURE COMPOSITES INC.
    Inventors: Daniel Kent Vetters, David J. Thomas, Douglas David Dierksmeier, Jun Shi, Todd Engel
  • Publication number: 20180328213
    Abstract: A shroud for radially encasing a turbine in a gas turbine engine is provided. The shroud comprises a carrier which defines a pin-receiving carrier bore, and a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) seal segment comprising an arcuate flange with a surface facing the turbine and a part that defines a pin-receiving seal segment bore. The seal segment bore is radially spaced from the arcuate flange by a spacing flange which extends radially outward from the arcuate flange to effect receipt within the seal segment bore of an elongated pin. The elongated pin extends through the carrier bore and the seal segment bore, and the elongated pin has a lateral cross-sectional dimension of at least three-eighths of an inch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Applicants: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce Notth American Technologies Inc., Rolls-Royce High Temperature Composites Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Kent Vetters, David J. Thomas, Ted Freeman, Douglas David Dierksmeier, Jun Shi, Todd Engel
  • Publication number: 20180291769
    Abstract: An assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a carrier and a supported component comprising ceramic matrix composite materials. The assembly also includes a retention assembly for coupling the supported component to the carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Daniel K. Vetters, Todd Engel, Robert J. Shinavski
  • Patent number: 10087770
    Abstract: A shroud for radially encasing a turbine in a gas turbine engine is provided. The shroud comprises a carrier which defines a pin-receiving carrier bore, and a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) seal segment comprising an arcuate flange with a surface facing the turbine and a part that defines a pin-receiving seal segment bore. The seal segment bore is radially spaced from the arcuate flange by a spacing flange which extends radially outward from the arcuate flange to effect receipt within the seal segment bore of an elongated pin. The elongated pin extends through the carrier bore and the seal segment bore, and the elongated pin has a lateral cross-sectional dimension of at least three-eighths of an inch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc., Rolls-Royce High Temperature Composites Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Kent Vetters, David J. Thomas, Ted Freeman, Douglas David Dierksmeier, Jun Shi, Todd Engel
  • Patent number: 10030541
    Abstract: A turbine engine including a turbine shroud for positioning radially outside of blades of the turbine rotor. The turbine shroud includes a carrier, a retention assembly, and a blade track. The blade track is clamped by the retention assembly, and the retention assembly is supported by the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc., Rolls-Royce High Temperature Composites Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel K. Vetters, Todd Engel, Robert J. Shinavski
  • Patent number: 9963990
    Abstract: A ceramic matrix composite (CMC) seal segment for use in a segmented turbine shroud for radially encasing a turbine in a gas turbine engine. The CMC seal segment comprises an arcuate flange having a surface facing the turbine and a portion defining a bore for receiving an elongated pin, with the bore having a length that is at least 70% of the length of the elongated pin received therein. The CMC seal segment is carried by the carrier by at least one of the elongated pins being received within the bore. The CMC seal segment portion defining a pin-receiving bore is radially spaced from the arcuate flange by a spacing flange extending radially outward from the arcuate flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc., Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce High Temperature Composites, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Kent Vetters, David J. Thomas, Ted Freeman, Douglas David Dierksmeier, Jun Shi, Todd Engel
  • Publication number: 20170321567
    Abstract: A ceramic matrix composite (CMC) seal segment for use in a segmented turbine shroud for radially encasing a turbine in a gas turbine engine. The CMC seal segment comprises an arcuate flange having a surface facing the turbine and a portion defining a bore for receiving an elongated pin, with the bore having a length that is at least 70% of the length of the elongated pin received therein. The CMC seal segment is carried by the carrier by at least one of the elongated pins being received within the bore. The CMC seal segment portion defining a pin-receiving bore is radially spaced from the arcuate flange by a spacing flange extending radially outward from the arcuate flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Applicants: ROLLS-ROYCE NORTH AMERICAN TECHNOLOGIES, INC., ROLLS-ROYCE CORPORATION, ROLLS-ROYCE HIGH TEMPERATURE COMPOSITES, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel K. Vetters, David J. Thomas, Ted Freeman, Joseph Lamusga, Rick Uskert, Douglas D. Dierksmeier, Jun Shi, Todd Engel, Matt Brandt
  • Publication number: 20170298745
    Abstract: An airfoil and a method of manufacturing an airfoil may be provided, where the airfoil comprises a core and a shell. The core comprises core ceramic fibers extending along a span of the airfoil. The shell surrounds the core and includes shell ceramic fibers. Substantially all of the core ceramic fibers are arranged in a radial direction. The airfoil may also be a ceramic matrix composite formed by infiltrating the core and the shell with a matrix material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: Ted Freeman, Todd Engel, Adam Chamberlain, Aaron Sippel, Sean Landwehr
  • Publication number: 20170044920
    Abstract: A segmented turbine shroud for radially encasing a rotatable turbine in a gas turbine engine comprising a carrier, a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) seal segment, and an elongated pin. The carrier defines a pin-receiving carrier bore and the CMC seal segment defines a pin-receiving seal segment bore. The elongated pin extends through the carrier bore and the seal segment bore. The pin-receiving carrier bore includes a cantilevered member such that the carrier bore has a length sufficient to effect radial flexion between the carrier bore and the pin received within the carrier bore during operation of the turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: Daniel Kent Vetters, David J. Thomas, Douglas David Dierksmeier, Jun Shi, Todd Engel