Mounting Patents (Class 244/54)
  • Patent number: 11958641
    Abstract: A gimbal configured to be implemented in an unmanned aerial system. The gimbal includes a payload interface; an end effector; a structure that includes composite skins, an internal structure, and integrated seals; integrated drive components; and at least one computer, where excess heat generated by the at least one computer is disposed of through a heat transfer surface integrated into the composite skin of the gimbal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Flightwave Aerospace Systems
    Inventors: Trent Lukaczyk, Daniel Levy, Michael Colonno
  • Patent number: 11946416
    Abstract: A front centre body (FCB) structure for a geared turbofan engine comprises a plurality of vanes extending across the inlet duct to a low pressure compressor and integrates a heat exchanging arrangement to control the temperature of the gearbox of the turbofan engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: GKN Aerospace Sweden AB
    Inventors: Lars Ellbrant, Hans Mårtensson, Carlos Arroyo, Fredrik Wallin, Mattias Billson
  • Patent number: 11939070
    Abstract: Engine-mounting linkage systems may include a plurality of engine mounting links configured to couple an engine frame to an engine support structure of an aircraft. The plurality of engine-mounting links may include a forward link that is connectable to a forward frame portion of the engine frame and the engine support structure, and an aft link that is connectable to an aft frame portion of the engine frame and the engine support structure. The engine mounting linkage system may include an actuator that is connectable to the engine support structure and one of the plurality of engine-mounting links, or to the engine support structure and the engine frame. The actuator, when actuated, changes an inclination angle ? of at least one of the plurality of engine-mounting links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Timothy Leo Schelfaut, Anthony Michael Metz, Jonathan Edward Coleman, Thomas P. Joseph, Michael C. Borner, Mahesh Khandeparker, Kudum Shinde
  • Patent number: 11939886
    Abstract: An aircraft engine, has: an upstream stator having upstream stator vanes circumferentially distributed about a central axis; and a downstream stator having downstream stator vanes circumferentially distributed about the central axis, the downstream stator located downstream of the upstream stator relative to an airflow flowing within a core gaspath of the aircraft engine, a number of the upstream stator vanes being different than a number of the downstream stator vanes, the downstream stator vanes including: a first vane made of a first material, a major portion of a leading edge of the first vane circumferentially overlapped by one of the upstream stator vanes, and a second vane made of a second material having a greater stiffness, strength, and/or ductility than that of the first material, a major portion of a leading edge of the second vane exposed via a spacing defined between two of the upstream stator vanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Ali Azmi, Karan Anand, Alexandre Capron, Tammy Yam, Sylvain Claude, Krishna Prasad Balike, Anthony Robert Bruni, Juan Ignacio Ruiz-Gopegui Gonzalez, César Carlos Valbuena Merino, Ignacio Javier Ucin Jarne
  • Patent number: 11927215
    Abstract: A clevis, particularly for a turbomachine includes a body that is attachable to a casing and at least one aperture for fitting a hinge pin. The body is formed in one piece and includes, about the at least one aperture, a honeycomb-type annular portion. The annular portion acts as a vibration filter and has a compressive and/or flexural strain capacity greater than that of the rest of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: SAFRAN TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS
    Inventor: Simon Pierre Mathieu Mabire
  • Patent number: 11919652
    Abstract: An aerial vehicle adapted for vertical takeoff and landing using a set of wing mounted thrust producing elements for takeoff and landing. An aerial vehicle which is adapted to vertical takeoff with the rotors in a rotated, take-off attitude then transitions to a horizontal flight path, with the rotors rotated to a typical horizontal configuration. The aerial vehicle may have deployment mechanisms which deploy electric motor driven propellers from a forward facing to a vertical orientation. The deployment mechanisms deploy the rotor forward and up as they deploy from a forward flight configuration to a vertical thrust configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Joby Aero, Inc.
    Inventors: JoeBen Bevirt, Alex Stoll
  • Patent number: 11905002
    Abstract: An aerial vehicle adapted for vertical takeoff and landing using a set of wing mounted thrust producing elements for takeoff and landing. An aerial vehicle which is adapted to vertical takeoff with the rotors in a rotated, take-off attitude then transitions to a horizontal flight path, with the rotors rotated to a typical horizontal configuration. The aerial vehicle uses different configurations of its wing mounted rotors and propellers to reduce drag in all flight modes. The aerial vehicle uses deployment mechanisms to deploy rotor assemblies up and away from their stowed configuration locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Joby Aero, Inc.
    Inventors: JoeBen Bevirt, Alex Stoll
  • Patent number: 11891165
    Abstract: An aircraft is described that comprises: a fuselage with a first axis of longitudinal extension; and a tail portion arranged at a tail end of the fuselage; the tail portion comprises two surfaces arranged in a V-shape, inclined to each other and symmetrical with respect to the first axis; each surface comprises an associated winglet arranged transversely with respect to the surface and fixed with respect to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: LEONARDO S.P.A.
    Inventors: Pierre Abdel Nour, Matteo Pecoraro
  • Patent number: 11859506
    Abstract: A structure is provided for a gas turbine engine. This gas turbine engine structure includes an engine case, an engine pylon and an engine line. The engine case includes a base, a mounting boss and a first support element. The base extends axially along and circumferentially about an axial centerline of the engine case. The mounting boss projects radially out from the base. The first support element projects radially out from the base and laterally out from the mounting boss. The first support element is configured as or otherwise includes a peripheral boss. The engine pylon is mounted to the mounting boss. The engine line is coupled to the peripheral boss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventor: Nicholas Guglielmin
  • Patent number: 11851201
    Abstract: The invention relates to a turbomachine (1) extending along an axis (X), comprising a high-pressure body with a high-pressure compressor (4) coupled in rotation to a high-pressure turbine (6), and a low-pressure body including a low-pressure compressor (3) coupled in rotation to a low-pressure turbine (7), an upstream casing (14) located upstream of the high-pressure compressor (4), and means of suspension (12, 13) for the turbomachine (1), intended for attaching the turbomachine (1) to an aircraft pylon (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Quentin Matthias Emmanuel Garnaud, Guillaume Glemarec, Hervé Jean Albert Mouton, Guilhem Seize, Benoit Bernard René Leclerc
  • Patent number: 11827373
    Abstract: Aircraft engine exhaust systems enabling short aft fairings are described. An example turbofan engine exhaust system of an aircraft includes a primary nozzle having a leading edge and a trailing edge, and a heat shield coupled to an aft strut fairing. The heat shield has an upstream end and a downstream end. The downstream end of the heat shield is substantially coterminous with the trailing edge of the primary nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Abhishek Sahay, David F. Cerra
  • Patent number: 11807374
    Abstract: A propulsion assembly includes an engine below a pylon by engine attachments, including a thrust force uptake device, the engine having a longitudinal axis and a vertical median plane parallel to the longitudinal axis, the thrust force uptake device having a main fitting fixed below the pylon and two links disposed on either side of the vertical median plane and which each have a rear end articulated to the main fitting by a spreader mounted to pivot on the main fitting about an axis of rotation which, on the one hand, is orthogonal to a mean plane for transmitting thrust forces parallel to the longitudinal axis of each of the links, and which is disposed in the vertical median plane, each link being articulated to the spreader by a connecting pin extending parallel to the mean plane for transmitting thrust forces and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Airbus Operations (S.A.S.)
    Inventors: Michael Berjot, Thomas Robiglio, Karla Mariana Arellanes Mendoza
  • Patent number: 11807373
    Abstract: The pylon, intended to support a flying vehicle engine, includes a primary structure formed by at least one longeron and one panel, the panel including at least one end part provided with a notch, the longeron being provided with an end adapted to be positioned in the notch, the panel and the longeron being assembled by welding a part of the end to a part of the notch. A welded primary structure enables minimization of the blanks of parts associated with the longerons and with the panels by avoiding having recourse to the production of edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Inventors: Julien Allain, Stéphane Dida, Jérome Colmagro, Olivier Dubois, Julien Moulis, Jacky Puech, Laurent Lafont
  • Patent number: 11794873
    Abstract: An auxiliary power unit enclosure of an aircraft includes a space frame configured to carry a load and defining an auxiliary power unit compartment. The space frame includes a plurality of frame elements coupled together at a plurality of nodes. The auxiliary power unit enclosure also includes a fairing coupled to and surrounding the space frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Steven E. Pearson, Rosario Vingiani, Rajagopalan Margessery, Bernhard Dopker, Richard R. Rosman
  • Patent number: 11787552
    Abstract: Compliant mounting systems, devices, and methods for mounting a vehicle engine to a vehicle structure or base include a top mount, a lower mount, a center trunnion mount, and an aft mount which are configured to react forces transmitted by the engine to the vehicle structure. Metallic and elastomeric elements can provide vibrational and force isolation characteristics. Stops (e.g., snubbing elements) allow for a specific range of motion before internal mount structures contact each other to act as a conventional hard mount. Fluid elements and compressible gas-filled spaces/bladders may be incorporated to provide fluid damping behaviors to complement the metallic and elastomeric elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: LORD Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald P. Whiteford, Jonathan Sacco
  • Patent number: 11781482
    Abstract: A heat shield assembly for use with an aircraft engine. The heat shield assembly includes a structural member, a heat shield panel adapted for exposure to aircraft engine exhaust, an index joint coupling the heat shield panel to the structural member in a fixed positional location, and a plurality of slip joints coupling the heat shield panel to the structural member. Each slip joint includes at least one wear buffer coupled to the heat shield panel, and a slip fastener insertable through a slip joint hole in the heat shield panel with a clearance fit. A gap defined by the clearance fit is sized to provide a tolerance for expansion and contraction of the heat shield panel relative to the fixed positional location, and the at least one wear buffer is engageable by the slip fastener during expansion and contraction of the heat shield panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: John F. Summers
  • Patent number: 11767135
    Abstract: A main body of an unmanned vehicle is provided. The main body comprises a propulsion-receiving module having a mount point for removably mounting a propulsion source, a payload-receiving module having a mount point for removably mounting a payload, and a damper interposed between the payload-receiving module and the propulsion-receiving module to inhibit transmission of vibrations from the propulsion-receiving module to the payload-receiving module when the payload-receiving module and the propulsion-receiving module are in mechanical communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: FLIR Unmanned Aerial Systems ULC
    Inventors: Glen Johannesson, Michael Peasgood, Denis Lahaie, Albert Pegg
  • Patent number: 11767107
    Abstract: A vibratory motion reduction system for a pylon assembly includes an inner member having an opening extending therein that receives a first end of the pylon assembly, an outer member moveably attached to the inner member, a tuning mass attached to the inner member and the outer member such that a vibratory motion of the pylon assembly accelerates the tuning mass, a spring member that couples to a second end of the pylon assembly, and the spring member and the tuning mass reduce the vibratory motion of the pylon assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.
    Inventors: Matthew Carl VanBuskirk, Michael Scott Seifert
  • Patent number: 11760498
    Abstract: A system for mounting a gas turbine engine to a pylon and for detecting a failure within the system, the gas turbine engine comprising a first case, is disclosed. In various embodiments, the system includes a first mount connecting the first case to the pylon; and a first sensor configured to detect a first relative motion between the first case and the first mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: ROHR, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy Gormley, Jihad Ramlaoui
  • Patent number: 11746664
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a fan rotor driven by a fan drive turbine about an axis through a gear reduction. An inner core engine has an inner core engine housing surrounding a compressor section, including a low pressure compressor. A rigid connection between a fan case and the inner core engine includes A-frames rigidly connected at a connection point to the fan case. Fan exit guide vanes rigidly connect to the fan case, and to the inner core engine. A fan intermediate case is positioned forward of a first rotor stage in the low pressure compressor. A rigid structure is connected to the inner core engine and to the fan exit guide vanes. The rigid structure defines a structure moment stiffness. The fan intermediate case defines an intermediate case moment stiffness. A ratio of the structure moment stiffness to the intermediate case moment stiffness is between 5 and 15.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Marc J. Muldoon, Michael E. McCune, Keith B. Allyn
  • Patent number: 11738878
    Abstract: The invention concerns a suspension system (7) for a turbomachine, comprising a beam (10) intended to be attached to a pylon of an aircraft, and a cylindrical part (15) articulated on a ball joint housing, the ball joint housing comprising a body (11), and a ball joint nut (16) articulated on the body (11), the cylindrical part (15) being mounted so as to pivot about its axis in the ball joint nut, characterized in that the cylindrical part (15) is intended to be integral with a fixed part (8) of the turbomachine (1), the body (11) of the ball joint housing being integral with the beam (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Quentin Matthias Emmanuel Garnaud, Antoine Elie Hellegouarch
  • Patent number: 11732612
    Abstract: A fan case assembly adapted for use with a gas turbine engine includes a fan track liner and an annular case. The fan track liner extends circumferentially at least partway about a central axis of the gas turbine engine. The annular case is configured to support the fan track liner at a radial position relative to the central axis. The fan case assembly further includes an air recirculation duct configured to redirect air around the fan track liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel E. Molnar, Jr., Robert W. Heeter
  • Patent number: 11713128
    Abstract: An assembly including a connecting device, connecting first and second parts, including first and second links positioned on respective opposite sides of the first and second parts and an interleaved stiffener, positioned between the first and second links, having a first contact face oriented toward the first link and a second contact face oriented toward the second link, parallel to the first face, the first and second contact faces being separated by a distance equal to that separating the first and second links. This interleaved stiffener makes it possible to limit the risks of bending of the links when they are loaded in compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS SAS
    Inventors: Olivier Pautis, Michael Berjot, Olivier Dubois, Germain Gueneau
  • Patent number: 11708169
    Abstract: An assembly for reacting a thrust load from an engine, the assembly comprising a frame, a pin, an evener bar, and left and right thrust links. The frame includes an upper pin interface and a lower pin interface. The pin extends through the upper pin interface and the lower pin interface and includes an upper end and a lower end. The evener bar engages the lower end of the pin below the lower pin interface and connects the left and right thrust links to the pin. The pin is configured to react the thrust load at the lower pin interface and the upper pin interface thereby forming a distributed force couple between the lower pin interface and the upper pin interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Randall Ray West
  • Patent number: 11708147
    Abstract: An aircraft includes a wing and a rotor pod mounted to the wing. The rotor pod includes a body having a forward end and an aft end. A propeller is mounted to the body of the rotor pod at the forward end. A control surface is mounted to the body of the rotor pod between the forward and aft ends and extends outwardly from the body. The control surface is displaceable relative to the body between a first control configuration and a second control configuration to control an attitude of the aircraft. The control surface in the first control configuration is closer to the propeller than the control surface in the second control configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventor: Pascal Flynn-Robitaille
  • Patent number: 11702216
    Abstract: An aircraft including a rear wing attachment, connecting a primary structure of an aircraft pylon to its wing, and including at least one right-hand link connected to the wing by a first right-hand connecting element and to the primary structure by a second right-hand connecting element and configured to react loads oriented parallel to the vertical direction only, at least one left-hand link connected to the wing by a first left-hand connecting element and to the primary structure by a second left-hand connecting element and configured to react loads oriented parallel to the vertical direction only, a shear pin secured to the primary structure and housed in operation in a housing secured to the wing, the shear pin and the housing being configured to react loads oriented in a plane approximately perpendicular to the vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS SAS
    Inventors: Michael Berjot, Julien Cayssials
  • Patent number: 11697509
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes various systems, devices, and methods configured to retrieve a fixed-wing aircraft from free flight using a flexible capture member and a monopole assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Hood Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Andreas H. von Flotow, Corydon C. Roeseler, Caleb A. Woodruff, Benjamin T. Ketler
  • Patent number: 11679888
    Abstract: A composite aircraft engine pylon comprising a frame, an aircraft attachment component, and an engine support. The frame includes an outer structural section and an inner structural section configured to at least partially nest with the outer structural section. The outer structural section and the inner structural section sandwich the airframe attachment component and the engine support to form double shear connections between the frame and the aircraft attachment component and between the frame and the engine support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Randall R. West
  • Patent number: 11674415
    Abstract: A gear reduction reduces a speed of a fan rotor relative to a speed of a fan drive turbine. A rigid connection between a fan case and an inner core housing includes a plurality of A-frames connected at a connection point to the fan case. Legs in the A-frames extend away from the connection point in opposed circumferential directions to be connected to a compressor wall of the inner core housing. The rigid connection also includes a plurality of fan exit guide vanes rigidly connected to the fan case. A lateral stiffness ratio of the lateral stiffness of the plurality of fan exit guide vanes and a lateral stiffness of a combination of the plurality of A-frame, the compressor wall, and a fan intermediate case which is forward of the low pressure compressor being greater than or equal to 0.6 and less than or equal to 2.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Marc J. Muldoon, Michael E. McCune, Keith B. Allyn
  • Patent number: 11667401
    Abstract: A multicopter system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a multicopter configured to fly in a state of holding a package and a mooring device that is installed at a target position of a flight of the multicopter and includes a linear member that extends in a predetermined direction from the target position, the multicopter including a reception portion that has the shape of a recess including an opening open toward one direction and is configured to receive the linear member via the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: OSAKA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Hiroya Masuoka, Hironori Ohigashi, Satoshi Yagi, Taisei Nishishita, Masato Tsuru, Hiroki Nishii, Yoshihiro Nakata
  • Patent number: 11661202
    Abstract: An aerial vehicle of a box wing design adapted for vertical takeoff and landing using mounted thrust producing elements. An aerial vehicle which is adapted to vertical takeoff with the rotors in a rotated, take-off attitude then transitions to a horizontal flight path, with the rotors rotated to a typical horizontal configuration. The aerial vehicle uses one or more thrust producing elements on both of the right and the left sides. The aerial vehicle may have one or more front thrust producing elements and one or more rear thrust producing elements on both of the right and the left sides of a main vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Joby Aero, Inc.
    Inventors: JoeBen Bevirt, Alex Stoll
  • Patent number: 11643218
    Abstract: An assembly for mounting an aircraft engine to an aircraft includes an engine casing flange having a first annular wall extending radially to terminate at an annular rim. A second flange of an additional engine component mounted aft of the engine casing includes a second annular wall. An aft mount bracket has an annular body extending uninterrupted about the center axis and a spigot extending axially from the annular body, the spigot extending circumferentially about an entire circumference of the annular body. The aft mount bracket is axially disposed between the engine casing flange and the additional engine component, with corresponding holes in the first annular wall, second annular wall and aft mount bracket being circumferentially aligned, and the spigot radially abutting the annular rim of the engine casing flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventor: Bosko Blagojevic
  • Patent number: 11628988
    Abstract: An airtight lid for a jar includes a sealing gasket that forms an airtight seal with the jar for the storage of aromatic or otherwise odoriferous contents within the jar. The airtight lid also includes and a child resistant opening mechanism that requires a simultaneous combination of a directed force and a torque to remove the lid from the jar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: 14TH ROUND INC.
    Inventors: Adam Kim Richardson, Christopher George Palmer, Lyle Livingston Guanzon
  • Patent number: 11618579
    Abstract: An assembly of a pylon and of a wing of an aircraft, the pylon including a primary structure with a rear face and an upper spar. The assembly includes a rear fastening system including a pair of vertical shackles articulated between the rear face of the primary structure and a first shoe fastened to the wing, wherein the shackles are fastened to the primary structure by a clevis-type connection, and a pair of transverse shackles articulated between the rear face of the primary structure and a second shoe fastened to the wing, wherein the shackles are fastened to the primary structure by a clevis-type connection. With such an assembly, the bulk of the rear fastening system is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS SAS
    Inventors: Germain Gueneau, Thomas Robiglio, Michael Berjot
  • Patent number: 11613372
    Abstract: A ducted fan engine module and method of assembling the same is disclosed. In various embodiments, the ducted fan engine module includes a ducted fan engine having a ducted fan case configured to house a fan; a lower V-blade fitting secured to a lower frame; and an upper V-blade fitting secured to an upper frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Aten
  • Patent number: 11584513
    Abstract: A boundary layer ingestion-open rotor system for use with an aircraft having a fuselage, wings, and an empennage includes an open rotor assembly, one or more energy storage systems, and an electronic control unit (ECU). The open rotor assembly includes fan blades connected to and extending radially from a rotor hub, and a linkage assembly connecting the hub to the fuselage aft of the empennage within a predefined boundary layer of airflow around the fuselage. The energy storage systems are connectable to the rotor hub. In response to an electronic control signal, the system(s) selectively energize the open rotor assembly to cause rotation of the hub to occur within the boundary layer. The ECU selectively generates the electronic control signals to energize the open rotor assembly during one or more predetermined flight operating phases of the aircraft, e.g., cruise, takeoff, landing, and descent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Eric B. Gilbert
  • Patent number: 11572185
    Abstract: An aircraft engine attachment including a beam fixed to a pylon and including a yoke with two walls, and a connecting rod with an articulation housed in the yoke, in which the connecting rod has a front flank and a rear flank which are facing inner faces of the walls. For each wall, a wearing part is disposed against the inner face of the wall and between the wall and the corresponding flank of the connecting rod. A Fixing arrangement ensures the fixing of the wearing part to the wall. Thus, the wearing parts prevent an excessive tilting of the connecting rod and the wearing of the connecting rod or of the yoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS SAS
    Inventor: Anthony Mertes
  • Patent number: 11572186
    Abstract: An assembly for an aircraft that has a wing and an engine pylon having a primary structure with right-side and left-side panels, an upper and a lower spar and a rear rib, two sets of upper or lower shackles, one set fastening the right-side panel to the wing, and a second set fastening the left-side panel to the wing, a fastening element secured to the rear rib or to the lower spar, a rear rod connecting the fastening element to the wing, a transverse shackle connecting the upper spar to the wing, a line connecting two centers of the transverse shackle being oriented transversely relative to a longitudinal axis of the engine pylon, and a reinforcing panel, at each joint between a right-side or left-side panel and an upper or lower shackle, which is fastened along a height against the panel and to which the shackle is also fastened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS SAS
    Inventors: Germain Gueneau, Michael Berjot, Olivier Pautis
  • Patent number: 11572184
    Abstract: A front engine attachment system for an engine of an aircraft, the front engine attachment system having an engine pylon having, in its front part, a frontal part having an attachment wall that has a front face, and a front engine attachment having a beam that is fixed against the front face and to which is fixed, on either side of a median plane, a rod system, wherein each rod system is fixed to the beam in an articulated manner by at least one first connection point, and is configured to be fixed to a front part of the engine in an articulated manner by at least one second connection point. Such a front engine attachment system thus has rod systems having two rods, allowing the shape of the rods and the shape of the beam to be simplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Thomas Deforet, Rémi Lansiaux, Olivier Dubois, Jacky Puech
  • Patent number: 11565822
    Abstract: A propulsion assembly having a pylon, a turbomachine comprising an engine and a fan that is enclosed by a fan casing, a nacelle surrounding the engine and the fan casing and having a load support disposed in the top part of the nacelle, a front engine attachment between the pylon and a front part of the engine, a rear engine attachment between the pylon and a rear part of the engine, a front fan attachment between the fan casing and the load support, and a rear pylon attachment between the pylon and the load support. Such a propulsion assembly allows a reduction in bulk since the load of the turbojet engine is distributed between the load support and the pylon, and the pylon is attached to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS SAS
    Inventors: Philippe Auge, Benoit Orteu, Julien Bernat, Jean Geliot, Delphine Jalbert, Frédéric Ridray, Laurent Lafont, Pascal Gardes
  • Patent number: 11560840
    Abstract: Damper engine mount links are disclosed. An example engine assembly includes a core including a fore portion and an aft portion, the fore portion of the core to couple to a fan hub frame, the aft portion of the core to couple to a turbine rear frame or a turbine center frame. The engine assembly further includes a forward mount to couple the fan hub frame to an aircraft, and a damper link to couple the turbine rear frame or the turbine center frame to an aircraft mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Timothy Leo Schelfaut, Anthony M. Metz, Michael A. Riehle, Jonathan E. Coleman, Illya Emmanuel Arcos Perez, Brian Michael Dixon
  • Patent number: 11549554
    Abstract: Bearings with visually distinct wear indicators are disclosed. An example bearing disclosed herein includes a movable portion, a race to receive the movable portion along a first surface to thereby permit movement of the movable portion within the race, and a liner disposed on the first surface of the race, the liner having a first layer and a second layer, the first layer disposed on top of the second layer, the first layer visually distinctive from the second layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Timothy Leo Schelfaut, Thomas P. Joseph, Anthony M. Metz, Jonathan E. Coleman
  • Patent number: 11548335
    Abstract: A passenger compartment which has a first connection device, by which the passenger compartment can be coupled to an aircraft, and a second connection device, by which the passenger compartment can be coupled to a land vehicle. The passenger compartment has an electrical circuit with an electrical energy storage. The electrical circuit of the passenger compartment has a coupling device by which electrical energy can be input from the electrical energy storage into an electrical circuit of the aircraft. The electrical circuit of the passenger compartment has a further coupling device by which electrical energy can be input from the electrical energy storage into an electrical circuit of the land vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Michael Stadler
  • Patent number: 11548653
    Abstract: A nacelle is provided that includes an outer structure and an inner structure. The inner structure includes a support structure, a first core cowl and a second core cowl. The support structure includes a plurality of first hinges, a plurality of second hinges, a plurality of longitudinal rails and a plurality of crossover rails spaced longitudinally along and connected to the longitudinal rails. Each of the first hinges is connected to a respective one of the crossover rails at a first distal end of the respective crossover rail. Each of the second hinges is connected to a respective one of the crossover rails at a second distal end of the respective crossover rail. The first core cowl is pivotally mounted to the support structure by the first hinges. The second core cowl is pivotally mounted to the support structure by the second hinges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Lacko, Christian Soria
  • Patent number: 11549462
    Abstract: A turbojet engine nacelle having a cascade-type thrust reverser includes a movable frame surrounding a cold air flow path, guided axially by longitudinal rails fixed to an intermediate casing surrounding the cold air flow path and supporting cascades of thrust-reversal guide vanes and mobile rear cowls. The nacelle has a passage of ancillaries opening radially towards the outside of the movable frame, in a zone with no bearing structure passing radially across the cold air flow path. The movable frame is cut in an axial plane at the passage for the passage of ancillaries, and each edge of the cut of the movable frame is connected to the intermediate casing by a slide rail fitted on a longitudinal rail arranged each on one side of this passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignees: Safran Nacelles, SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Sébastien Michel Thierry Guillemant, Pierre Caruel, Olivier Kerbler, Alexis Heau, Mathieu Lerouvreur, Antoine Elie Hellegouarch
  • Patent number: 11542022
    Abstract: A propulsion assembly for an aircraft, comprising a pylon to be secured below a wing of the aircraft and having a front face and a lower face, and a turbomachine comprising, from upstream to downstream in a direction of a flow of air passing through the turbomachine during operation, a fan and an engine driving the fan. The fan is faired by a fan casing and the engine is faired, from upstream to downstream, by an intermediate casing and an engine casing, the intermediate casing having a hub and an outer ring extending the fan casing, the ring being spaced apart radially from the hub and secured to the latter by arms extending in an air duct. The propulsion assembly comprises a front engine attachment secured between the pylon front face and the hub and a rear engine attachment secured between the pylon lower face and the engine casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS SAS
    Inventors: Stéphane Combes, Adeline Soulie, Olivier Pautis
  • Patent number: 11535389
    Abstract: A front engine attachment system for an engine of an aircraft. The front engine attachment system has an engine pylon having, in its front part, a frontal part having an attachment wall with a front face, and a front engine attachment having a beam fastened to the front face and to which a link-rod system is fastened on either side of a median plane. The beam is made up of a front plate and a rear plate that are fastened together in a removable manner. The rear plate is pressed against the front face. The front plate is disposed in front of the rear plate. Each link-rod system is fastened to the rear plate in an articulated manner by at least one first connection point and is configured to be fastened to a front part of the engine in an articulated manner by at least one second connection point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Thomas Deforet, Rémi Lansiaux, Olivier Dubois, Jacky Puech
  • Patent number: 11530617
    Abstract: A gas turbine propulsion system includes a shroud that defines a fluid flow path. A gas turbine engine in the fluid flow path includes a compressor, a combustor downstream from the compressor, and a turbine downstream from the combustor. An electric generator in the fluid flow path includes a rotor coaxially aligned with the turbine. A propulsor is upstream from the gas turbine engine, and an electric motor is operably coupled to the propulsor to rotate the propulsor. The propulsor is rotationally isolated from the gas turbine engine so that the propulsor rotates independently from operation of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Antheon Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Francis O'Neill, Anthony A. Hartzheim
  • Patent number: 11519300
    Abstract: An assembly of an engine with a pylon, including a force reacting assembly having a connection device and two rods, the connection device including a shoe. A spreader extends between first and second ends and has a central part connected to the shoe by a main connection including a main rotation pin and axis in a plane of symmetry of the connection device. Two fittings are on either side of the plane of symmetry each having two arms between which the spreader is positioned. A first, respectively second, rod includes a front end fastened to the engine and a rear end fastened to the first, respectively second, end of the spreader and to the first, respectively second, fitting by a secondary connection. Two extensions of the spreader are each associated with a pair of elastic stops. For the first, respectively second, end of the spreader, each stop is between an arm of the first, respectively second, fitting and the extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Airbus Operations (S.A.S.)
    Inventors: Michael Berjot, Rémi Lansiaux, William Bras, Germain Gueneau
  • Patent number: 11518534
    Abstract: A front engine attachment system for an engine of an aircraft, the front engine attachment system having an engine pylon having, in its front part, a frontal part having an attachment wall with a front face, and a front engine attachment having a beam, which is fastened to the front face and to which a link rod is fastened on either side of a median plane. Each link rod is fastened to the beam in an articulated manner by at least one first connection point and is configured to be fastened to the engine in an articulated manner by at least one second connection point. The beam is made up of front, intermediate and rear plates. The rear plate is pressed against the front face. The front plate is disposed in front of the rear plate. The intermediate plate is disposed between the front plate and the rear plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Thomas Deforet, Rémi Lansiaux, Olivier Dubois, Anthony Mertes, Jacky Puech