Patents by Inventor Wesley K. Lord

Wesley K. Lord 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: 20170298832
    Abstract: A turbofan engine has an engine case and a gaspath through the engine case. A fan has a circumferential array of fan blades. The engine further has a compressor, a combustor, a gas generating turbine, and a low pressure turbine section. A speed reduction mechanism couples the low pressure turbine section to the fan. A bypass area ratio is greater than about 6.0. The low pressure turbine section airfoil count to bypass area ratio is below about 170.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: Paul R. Adams, Shankar S. Magge, Joseph Brent Staubach, Wesley K. Lord, Frederick M. Schwarz, Gabriel L. Suciu
  • Patent number: 9771863
    Abstract: An aircraft body comprises a support structure. A gas turbine engine comprises a gas generator having at least one compressor rotor, at least one gas generator turbine rotor, and a combustion section. A fan drive turbine is positioned downstream of at least one gas generator turbine rotor, and is configured to drive a shaft. The shaft engages gears to drive a plurality of fan rotors. The gas turbine engine is embedded into the support structure such that there is an inlet leading through the support structure to the fan rotors to deliver air to the fan rotors. A gas turbine engine is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Alan H. Epstein, Wesley K. Lord, Jesse M. Chandler, Stephen G. Pixton
  • Publication number: 20170267342
    Abstract: A cross flow fan to be incorporated into an aircraft comprises a cross flow fan rotor to be positioned in an aircraft, a drive arrangement for the cross flow fan rotor, and a plurality of vanes positioned downstream of the cross flow fan rotor. An aircraft is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventor: Wesley K. Lord
  • Publication number: 20170254268
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine component includes a heat exchange structure having an upstream end and a downstream end. A diffusing duct is associated with the upstream end. A throttle member controls air flow through the heat exchange structure, wherein the throttle member: (a) has a non-circular cross section; and (b) is mounted to the downstream end of the heat exchange structure or is mounted between the upstream end and the diffusing duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: Wesley K. Lord, Nathan Snape, Gabriel L. Suciu
  • Patent number: 9752510
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a core engine with a compressor section, a combustor and a turbine. The turbine drives an output shaft, and the output shaft drives at least four gears. Each of the at least four gears extends through a drive shaft to drive an associated fan rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Alan H. Epstein, Wesley K. Lord, Michael E. McCune, Brian D. Merry
  • Publication number: 20170190438
    Abstract: A fan assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a fan including a plurality of fan blades extending radially outwardly from a fan hub to a blade tip defining a fan diameter. A nacelle surrounds the fan and defines a fan inlet upstream of the fan, relative to an airflow direction into the fan. The nacelle has a forwardmost edge defining an inlet length from the forwardmost edge to a leading edge of a fan blade. A ratio of inlet length to fan diameter is between 0.20 and 0.45. A nacelle inner surface defines a nacelle flowpath having a convex throat portion and a diffusion portion between the throat portion and the leading edge of the fan blade at a topmost portion of the nacelle. The throat portion has a minimum throat radius measured from a fan central axis greater than a blade tip radius.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Yuan J. Qiu, Steven H. Zysman, Robert E. Malecki, Wesley K. Lord
  • Patent number: 9644535
    Abstract: A nacelle for a gas turbine engine system includes a housing that has a pressure side and a suction side. A passage extends between the pressure side and the suction side for permitting airflow from the pressure side to the suction side. The passage includes a first curved section that has an inlet at the pressure side. A linear section is connected with the first curved section. A second curved section is connected with the linear section and has an outlet at the suction side. The outlet has a cross sectional area smaller than a cross sectional area of the linear section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven H. Zysman, Wesley K. Lord, Robert M. Miller, Oliver V. Atassi
  • Publication number: 20170096232
    Abstract: A drive arrangement for an aircraft comprises a pair of propulsor units each having a fan and a fan shaft for driving the fan. A core engine has a turbine driving a core engine shaft. A mechanical connection connects the core engine shaft to drive the fan shafts for each of the propulsor units An aircraft is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Jesse M. Chandler, Wesley K. Lord, Alan H. Epstein, Steven M. O'Flarity
  • Patent number: 9611034
    Abstract: An arrangement for reducing drag on the body of an aircraft with a relatively wide fuselage comprises a gas turbine engine. At least one duct is selectively moveable between a closed position and an open position, such that the at least one duct allows airflow to move toward a fan rotor in the gas turbine engine in the open position, but blocks airflow when in the closed position. An aircraft body is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Jesse M. Chandler, Wesley K. Lord
  • Publication number: 20170044978
    Abstract: A turbofan engine has an engine case and a gaspath through the engine case. A fan has a circumferential array of fan blades. The engine further has a compressor, a combustor, a gas generating turbine, and a low pressure turbine section. A speed reduction mechanism couples the low pressure turbine section to the fan. A bypass area ratio is greater than about 6.0. The low pressure turbine section airfoil count to bypass area ratio is below about 170.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: Paul R. Adams, Shankar S. Magge, Joseph Brent Staubach, Wesley K. Lord, Frederick M. Schwarz, Gabriel L. Suciu
  • Publication number: 20170044992
    Abstract: A turbofan engine has an engine case and a gaspath through the engine case. A fan has a circumferential array of fan blades. The engine further has a compressor, a combustor, a gas generating turbine, and a low pressure turbine section. A speed reduction mechanism couples the low pressure turbine section to the fan. A bypass area ratio is greater than about 6.0. The low pressure turbine section airfoil count to bypass area ratio is below about 170.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: Paul R. Adams, Shankar S. Magge, Joseph Brent Staubach, Wesley K. Lord, Frederick M. Schwarz, Gabriel L. Suciu
  • Publication number: 20170044990
    Abstract: A turbofan engine has an engine case and a gaspath through the engine case. A fan has a circumferential array of fan blades. The engine further has a compressor, a combustor, a gas generating turbine, and a low pressure turbine section. A speed reduction mechanism couples the low pressure turbine section to the fan. A bypass area ratio is greater than about 6.0. The low pressure turbine section airfoil count to bypass area ratio is below about 170.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: Paul R. Adams, Shankar S. Magge, Joseph Brent Staubach, Wesley K. Lord, Frederick M. Schwarz, Gabriel L. Suciu
  • Publication number: 20160369706
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprises a main fan that delivers air into a bypass duct and into a core engine. A heat exchanger is positioned within the bypass duct and receives a fluid to be cooled from a component associated with the gas turbine engine. A heat exchanger fan is positioned to draw air across the heat exchanger and a control for the heat exchanger fan. The control is programmed to stop operation of the fan during certain conditions, and to drive the heat exchanger fan under other conditions. A method of forming a heat exchanger is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Wesley K. Lord, Jesse M. Chandler
  • Publication number: 20160312704
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprises a main compressor section having a downstream most end, and more upstream locations. A turbine section has a high pressure turbine. A tap taps air from at least one of the more upstream locations in the compressor section, passes the tapped air through a heat exchanger and then to a cooling compressor. The cooling compressor compresses ng air downstream of the heat exchanger, and delivers air into the high pressure turbine. The heat exchanger has at least two passes, with one of the passes passing air radially outwardly, and a second of the passes returning the air radially inwardly to the compressor. An intercooling system for a gas turbine engine is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Jesse M. Chandler, Joseph Brent Staubach, Brian D. Merry, Wesley K. Lord
  • Publication number: 20160290227
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to an aircraft with counter-rotating pusher props powered by a gas turbine engine having a power turbine disposed substantially perpendicular to the compressor, combustor and turbine gas generator power core axis, as well as to the aircraft longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventor: Wesley K. Lord
  • Publication number: 20160208689
    Abstract: A method comprises the steps of modifying an existing engine which includes a high pressure compressor driven by a high pressure turbine and a low pressure turbine to drive a low pressure compressor. The modifying step includes utilizing the high pressure compressor as a low pressure compressor in a modified gas turbine engine, and designing and incorporating a new high pressure compressor downstream of the low pressure compressor section in the modified engine, such that a portion of the design of the existing engine is utilized in the modified engine. A gas turbine engine is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Wesley K. Lord, Brian D. Merry
  • Publication number: 20160207631
    Abstract: An aircraft is provided that includes a wing and a pusher fan engine. The pusher fan engine is configured in the wing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Wesley K. Lord, Jesse M. Chandler
  • Publication number: 20160186599
    Abstract: A turbine engine such as a pusher fan engine is provided. This turbine engine includes a nacelle with a bypass flowpath. A fan rotor is configured to propel air out of the bypass flowpath. A plurality of guide vanes are configured to direct the air to the fan rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Wesley K. Lord, Jayant Sabnis, Jesse M. Chandler
  • Publication number: 20160177781
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a gas turbine engine that includes a fan configured to generate a fanstream and a fanstream duct configured to receive the fanstream flowing therethrough. An engine electronic component is positioned in flow communication with the fanstream. A heating element is positioned in the fanstream upstream from the engine electronic component and is operative to heat at least a portion of the fanstream in flow communication with the engine electronic component. The position of the engine electronic component passively thermally conditions the engine electronic component and the heating element actively thermally conditions the engine electronic component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Kurt J. Sobanski, Wesley K. Lord, William K. Ackermann
  • Publication number: 20160131044
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a core engine with a compressor section, a combustor and a turbine. The turbine drives an output shaft, and the output shaft drives at least four gears. Each of the at least four gears extends through a drive shaft to drive an associated fan rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Alan H. Epstein, Wesley K. Lord, Michael E. McCune, Brian D. Merry