Including Destructible, Fusible, Or Deformable Non-reusable Part Patents (Class 415/9)
  • 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
  • Patent number: 9429039
    Abstract: A containment case for a gas turbine including: a cylindrical outer casing extending about an axis and having a radially outer and a radially inner surface; a coaxially arranged cylindrical inner skin formed of a harder material than the outer casing joined to the inner surface of the cylindrical outer casing; and an array of ribs extending radially from the inner skin towards the axis. The case for can have the coaxially arranged cylindrical inner skin formed of a harder material than the outer casing joined to the inner surface of the cylindrical outer casing by a galvanic isolation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: James Alex Finlayson
  • Patent number: 9371778
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an engine casing of an aircraft gas turbine having a radially inner honeycomb-structured layer arranged on the engine casing in the flow direction upstream of a fan in the area of an inflow-side air inlet, characterized in that sound-absorbing elements are arranged radially outside at least one axial section of the honeycomb-structured layer, said elements extending in the axial direction and being arranged annularly next to one another in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG
    Inventors: Predrag Todorovic, Thomas Kubisch
  • Patent number: 9341188
    Abstract: A bolt fastening system for a turbomolecular pump wherein a first member is fastened in an axial direction with respect to a second member by multiple bolts arranged concentrically with respect to a rotor shaft center. The bolt-fastening system equipped with multiple pairs of non-penetrating pinholes arranged concentrically with respect to a rotor shaft center and formed opposing one another in respective opposing faces of the fastened first and second members, and equipped with pins provided for each pair of pinholes and inserted into the pairs of pinholes. When the size of a gap between a bolt and a bolt hole formed in the first member is Db, and a sizes of the gaps between the pins and the pinholes formed in the first and second members are Dp1 and Dp2, the gap sizes Db, Dp1, and Dp2 satisfy the equation Db?(Dp1+Dp2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masahito Kogame
  • Patent number: 9296189
    Abstract: An example of a composite structure is a containment case 2 for a gas turbine engine 1 which comprises an annular housing 3 and an annular flange 4 which is integral with and is positioned at an end of the housing 3. The housing 3 comprises composite material which includes tape 9 laid in the circumferential direction of the housing. The flange 4 comprises composite material which includes tape 8 laid at an oblique angle to the circumferential direction of the flange 4 and/or tape 7 laid at a perpendicular angle to the circumferential direction. The flange 4 does not include tape 9 laid in the circumferential direction of the flange, because such tape would impede the forming of the flange material to form the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: GKN Aerospace Services Limited
    Inventors: Benjamin Ralfs, John Moram
  • Patent number: 9222368
    Abstract: A turbomaehine casing assembly includes a first casing element, located radially outward of one or more rotating aerofoil elements of a turbomachine, and a second casing element, located radially distal to the first element. A void is provided at a first end of the first element, between radially proximal faces of the first and second elements. The first end of the first element is located against a corresponding first end of the second element by an energy absorbing element. The first element includes a cantilever, arranged in a region extending along the first element from the first end with a pivot axis at its mid-portion. Release of one of the rotating aerofoil elements, resulting in impact with the first element, further results in the cantilever bending into the void between the first and second elements, enabling the rotating aerofoil element to be trapped within the casing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Cedric Brett Harper, Ian Colin Deuchar Care
  • Patent number: 9206706
    Abstract: A turbomachine casing assembly includes a first casing element locatable radially outward of one or more rotating aerofoil elements of a turbomachine, a second casing element located radially distal to the first casing element. A void is provided between a radially proximal face of the first casing element and a radially proximal face of the second casing element, at the first end of the first casing element. The first end of the first casing element is located against a corresponding first end of the second casing element by an energy absorbing element, with the first casing element; including a cantilever. The cantilever is arranged in a region extending along the first casing element from the first end; and having a pivot axis at a mid portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Dale Edward Evans
  • 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
  • Patent number: 9169045
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine blade containment arrangement comprises a casing, a first layer of cellular material arranged within the casing, a septum layer within the first layer of cellular material, a second layer of cellular material within the septum layer, a strong and ductile layer within the second layer of cellular material and a layer of abradable material within the strong and ductile layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Daniel N. S. Clark
  • Patent number: 9151181
    Abstract: A composite fan case has a generally cylindrical composite shell, at least one band of sacrificial composite material circumscribing an outer surface of the composite shell, and a metallic rail mounted on the band of sacrificial material. Also disclosed is a method of construction the aforementioned case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Robertson, Darin S. Lussier, Mark W. Costa
  • Patent number: 9140138
    Abstract: An exemplary containment structure includes an annular wall configured to receive a rotatable portion of a turbomachine. A plurality of apertures extend radially through the annular wall. The apertures have a varying circumferential width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Michael A. Corson
  • Patent number: 9127452
    Abstract: A passive noise attenuation system is described herein. The passive noise attenuation system may comprise an acoustic structure. The acoustic structure may comprise a perforated top sheet and a core accessible via the perforated top sheet. The core may comprise a cell having a plurality of interior walls. The acoustic structure may comprise a back skin. The acoustic structure may comprise an inherently porous material disposed between the top sheet and the back skin, wherein the porous material forms a plane or multiple planes coupled to each interior wall to tangentially subdivide the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: ROHR, INC.
    Inventors: Ian F. Winfield, Robert L. Braden
  • Patent number: 9121301
    Abstract: A thermal isolation apparatus is provided and includes an annular casing surrounding a turbine bucket stage and defining an annular recess from an interior facing surface thereof, an annular shroud disposed within the casing to provide for a predefined clearance about rotating bucket tips of the turbine bucket stage, the shroud including an annular main member and an annular flange extending from an outwardly facing surface of the main member and being sized to fit within the recess and a thermal barrier formed of porous material, which is interposed between opposing surfaces of the casing and the flange within the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Donald Earl Floyd, David Martin Johnson
  • Patent number: 9109509
    Abstract: A unit for an aircraft thruster is provided that includes a first ferrule configured to be attached to a second ferrule and a first connection flange configured to be secured to a second corresponding connection flange secured to the second ferrule. The connection flange includes a portion forming a plane extending along a radial direction with respect to the first ferrule. A link between the first ferrule and the corresponding connection flange is offset to a distance from said plane corresponding to a length for damping a shear-generating flexural moment, generated by fluxes of forces passing through the first ferrule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: AIRCELLE
    Inventors: Christophe Thorel, Bertrand Desjoyeaux, Florent Bouillon, John Moutier, Stéphane Bardin
  • Patent number: 9085992
    Abstract: A turbomachine casing assembly includes a first casing element locatable radially outward of one or more rotating aerofoil elements of a turbomachine and a second casing element located radially distal to the first casing element, with a void being defined between the first and second casing elements. Each of the first and second casing elements includes, at a first end thereof, respective co-operating first and second interface portions. In the event that an aerofoil element becomes detached from the turbomachine and impacts the first casing element, the second interface portion; slides along the first interface portion and the first end of the first casing element enters the void.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Dale Edward Evans
  • Patent number: 9062565
    Abstract: A fan containment system for a gas turbine engine, and a method of making the same, is disclosed that in one embodiment includes casing that surrounds at least a portion of a plurality of fan blades. In one form, a pair of standoff rings is formed in an outer surface of the casing that are spaced apart from one another a predetermined distance running circumferentially about the inner nacelle ring. A containment ring is positioned around a radially outer surface of the standoff rings to form an interference fit between the two.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventor: Vance A. Mahan
  • Patent number: 9051054
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a nacelle for a turbojet engine comprising an air intake structure able to channel an airflow towards a fan of the turbojet engine, and a middle structure comprising a casing (9) intended to surround the said fan and to which the air intake structure is attached, the latter structure having at least one peripheral interior panel (41), characterized in that the casing extends around the fan more or less as far as the fan blades (8), the air intake structure being connected to the casing by the interior panel by means of at least one structural peripheral flange (15) capable of providing containment for at least one blade should the latter break off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: AIRCELLE
    Inventor: Guy Bernard Vauchel
  • Publication number: 20150147156
    Abstract: A fan containment system for fitment around an array of radially extending fan blades mounted on a hub in an axial gas turbine engine. The fan containment system comprises a fan case having an annular casing element for encircling an array of fan blades and a hook projecting in a generally radially inward direction from the annular casing element. The fan containment system further includes an annular fan track liner comprising a plurality of adjacent arcuate fan track liner panels. Each of the plurality of fan track liner panels is connected to the fan case at the hook via one or more fasteners configured to permit movement of the fan track liner panel relative to the hook such that the fan track liner panel can pivot towards the annular casing element when a released fan blade impacts the fan track liner panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Ian Colin Deuchar CARE, Cedric Brett HARPER
  • Publication number: 20150139779
    Abstract: A fan containment system comprising an annular casing element and a hook projecting in a generally radially inward direction from the annular casing element. A fan track liner is connected to the hook via a fastener. The fan track liner has a forward end proximal to the hook and a rearward end distal to the hook. A pivot member protrudes radially inward from the annular casing element and is arranged and positioned between the forward and rearward end of the fan track liner such that a forward portion of the fan track liner is pivotable about the pivot member, so that upon release of a fan blade the forward portion of the fan track liner pivots about the pivot member into a voidal region provided between the annular casing element and the forward portion of the fan track liner to encourage engagement of the hook with a released fan blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Cedric Brett HARPER, Ian Colin Deuchar CARE, Julian Mark REED
  • Patent number: 9032706
    Abstract: A turbofan engine which has a composite fan case surrounding a fan with a plurality of fan blades is disclosed. The composite fan case includes a containment zone having an inner fabric layer composed of resin-impregnated fibers substantially uni-axially oriented in a common angular direction corresponding to a blade release angle of the fan blades. The fan case also includes a composite outer shell and an energy absorbing core disposed radially between the inner fabric layer and the composite outer shell. The energy absorbing core includes non resin impregnated multidirectional fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventor: Andrew R. Marshall
  • Patent number: 8985946
    Abstract: A mounting system for mounting a blade to a rotor body includes a pitch control mechanism including an anchor and a pitch change rod extending radially outwardly from the anchor to join to a base of the blade. The anchor and the rod are rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the rod to vary the blade pitch. The pitch control mechanism further includes a torque-transmitting formation between the blade and the anchor such that pitch-varying torque can be transmitted to the blade through the torque-transmitting formation while allowing relative radial movement between the blade and the anchor. The system includes a primary bearing formation, which transmits blade centrifugal loads to the rotor body while accommodating variation of the blade pitch, and secondary bearing formation, which transmits pitch change mechanism centrifugal loads to the rotor body while accommodating rotation of the anchor and the rod during variation of the blade pitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: Kenneth F. Udall, Alexander V. Lavrenko
  • Patent number: 8986797
    Abstract: Composite article includes a generally cylindrical body having an internal grid structure interleaved with casing layers formed of reinforcing fibers disposed in a resin matrix. The composite article may be utilized in a fan case containment system for aircraft engine applications. Methods for fabricating the composite article are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Ming Xie
  • Patent number: 8989890
    Abstract: In polishing a substrate having a layer of GST disposed over an underlying layer, during polishing, a non-polarized light beam is directed onto the layer of GST. The non-polarized light beam reflects from the first substrate to generate a reflected light beam having an infra-red component. A sequence of measurements of intensity of the infra-red component of the reflected light beam are generated, and, in a processor, a time at which the sequence of measurements exhibits a predefined feature is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Kun Xu, Feng Liu, Dominic J. Benvegnu, Boguslaw A. Swedek, Yuchun Wang, Wen-Chiang Tu, Laksh Karuppiah
  • Patent number: 8979473
    Abstract: A composite fan case includes a composite fan case body having an outer surface. A bolt attachment is attached to the outer surface of the fan case and has an internal composite boss with at least one threaded metallic insert. The boss is attached to the outer surface of the fan case with a combination of fiber reinforced ply and adhesive. A bolt attachment and a method of attaching components to the outer periphery of the composite fan case are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Darin S. Lussier, Thomas J. Robertson
  • Patent number: 8967966
    Abstract: A hub for a propeller having variable pitch blades for a turbine engine, for example for a propfan turbine engine. The propeller hub includes: a polygonal ring having substantially radial cylindrical housings distributed about a central axis of the ring for receiving the blades; a rotor element for the turbine of the turbine engine; a supporting flange attached to the ring so as to connect the ring to the rotor element; and a plurality of backup retaining members linked to the rotor element, and each of which includes at least one bearing surface opposite an outer surface of the ring with a radial spacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Eric Jacques Boston, Michel André Bouru, Laurent Jablonski, Philippe Gérard Edmond Joly
  • Patent number: 8961104
    Abstract: A turbomolecular pump includes a drag pump unit constituted with a rotational cylinder portion disposed at a rotor and a fixed cylinder (24) disposed via a gap on an outer circumferential side of the rotational cylinder portion. The fixed cylinder (24) includes: a cylinder upper portion (240a) locked to a base (1); and a cylinder lower portion (240b) connected to a discharge downstream side of the cylinder upper portion (240a) via a groove (243) formed so that a break occurs when the rotational cylinder portion (32) breaks and a broken rotational cylinder portion (32) collides with the fixed cylinder (24) subjecting the fixed cylinder (24) to a rotational torque working in a direction matching the direction in which the rotational cylinder portion (32) rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Masahito Kogame
  • Publication number: 20150016956
    Abstract: One aspect of present application provides an intermediate structure in a gas turbine engine. The intermediate structure is positioned between a first component and another component. The first component may be a composite component. The components may be interlocking. The intermediate structure may be load bearing. Also disclosed is a method using the intermediate structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Richard C. Uskert, David J. Thomas, Adam L. Chamberlain
  • Publication number: 20150016945
    Abstract: An embodiment of a gas turbine engine having a liner and casing is disclosed. The liner is disposed between the casing and a rotatable turbomachinery component. In one form, the rotatable turbomachinery component is a turbofan engine. The liner can be thin relative to a distance between the liner and the casing. Protrusions can be used between the liner and the casing. The protrusions can be a rib and can extend from the casing or the liner. An insert, such as an abradable surface, can be used with the liner. A filler can be used in the space between the liner and the casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Matthew J. Kappes, Matthew A. Scott, Chris J. Winfield, Jared J. Schnieder
  • Publication number: 20150016957
    Abstract: A ceramic component for a turbomachine, the ceramic component (1) being configured to be destroyed in response to a contacting with another component (2) of the turbomachine that moves relative to the ceramic component (1). A turbomachine component pairing and a turbomachine including such a ceramic component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Norbert Schinko, Janine Sangl, Stephan Klaen, Markus Schlemmer
  • Patent number: 8932002
    Abstract: An air turbine starter is provided and includes a rotor including turbine blades, which is rotatable about a rotational axis, a housing including a portion thereof radially surrounding the turbine blades to define a pathway along which fluids flow to interact with the turbine blades and a containment ring affixed to an exterior of the portion of the housing radially surrounding the turbine blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Makulec, Matthew Slayter, Dean A. Norem, Jody A. Peterson, Brian Kent Rockwell, Matthew Gorajski
  • Patent number: 8926262
    Abstract: A CMC turbine stator blade 1 includes a blade 2 of a ceramic matrix composite material formed or a metallic material, and a band 5 formed of a ceramic matrix composite material and supporting the blade 2. The blade 2 includes a first fitting portion 3 to which the band 5 is fitted outside. The band 5 includes a second fitting portion 7 to which the first fitting portion 3 is fitted inside. A flexible wire 8 is disposed between the fitting portions 3, 7 to fix the blade 2 and the band 5. A first groove 3a in the outer peripheral surface of the first fitting portion 3 extends in the front-to-rear direction of the blade 2. A second groove 7a in the inner peripheral surface of the second fitting portion 7a extends along the first groove 3a. The wire 8 is disposed between the grooves 3a,7a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: IHI Corporation
    Inventors: Yosuke Tanahashi, Akira Takahashi, Hiroyuki Yagi
  • Patent number: 8926263
    Abstract: A turbomachine casing assembly including: a first casing element arrangeable adjacent to one or more rotating aerofoil structures of a turbomachine; a second casing element provided at a radially outer position with respect to the first casing element; and an infill member disposed between the first and second casing elements, wherein an end of the infill member is set back from an end of the first casing element such that a void is provided between the first and second casing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Julian M. Reed, Cedric B. Harper
  • Publication number: 20150003960
    Abstract: A containment system for a gas turbine engine includes a replaceable spring biased fan track assembly for use with a containment case. The fan track assembly includes a body of collapsible material that is positioned within a cavity of the fan case and a spring arrangement provides as system that is operable to perform during normal operating conditions as well as during catastrophic blade failure conditions. In particular, the improved fan track design contemplates a liner that displaces sufficiently at energies less than large foreign object destruction type events.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Trevor John Totten, Jonathan Michael Rivers
  • Publication number: 20140363270
    Abstract: A turbine casing (100) for a gas turbine, having a casing section (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e), the casing section (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e) having a containment section (16) for containing blade fragments expelled radially outward. The casing section (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e) has a first reinforcing element (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e) which is joined in face-to-face contact with the radially inner and/or outer surface of the casing section (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Manfred FELDMANN, Stefan Sasse
  • Patent number: 8894349
    Abstract: A turbomachine casing assembly comprises a first casing portion for at least partially encasing one or more rotating aerofoil structures of a turbomachine and a second casing portion; the first casing portion being movable with respect to the second casing portion. One or more resilient elements are arranged so as to resist movement of the first casing portion with respect to the second casing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventor: Cedric B Harper
  • Patent number: 8888439
    Abstract: A turbomachine casing assembly including a first casing element locatable radially outward of one or more rotating aerofoil elements of a turbomachine, a second casing element located radially distal to the first casing element is provided. A void is provided between a radially proximal face of the first casing element and a radially proximal face of the second casing element, at the first end of the first casing element. The first end of the first casing element is located against a corresponding first end of the second casing element by an energy absorbing element, with the first casing element; including a cantilever. The cantilever is arranged in a region extending along the first casing element from the first end; and having a pivot axis at a mid portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: Cedric B. Harper, Ian C. D. Care, Dale E. Evans
  • Patent number: 8858156
    Abstract: A fragment containment assembly for a turbine is provided. The fragment containment assembly includes a plurality of bands disposed around a shroud of the turbine and positioned such that the shroud is disposed between blades of the turbine and the bands along radial directions outwardly extending from a shaft of the turbine. The bands include a material having a first modulus of toughness parameter that is greater than a second modulus of toughness parameter of the shroud at temperatures of at least 260 degrees Celsius. The bands are disposed around the shroud to prevent debris of the turbine from being released outside of the bands along the radial directions caused by failure of the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kendall Swenson, Mark Stablein, Lukas Johnson
  • Publication number: 20140286748
    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: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: United Technologies Corporation
  • Patent number: 8840361
    Abstract: A fan blade (10) for a turbofan aero engine comprises a blade body including a root (10c) for engagement with a rotor, and a tip, wherein the tip is provided with a winglet (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventor: Kristofer J. Bottome
  • Publication number: 20140255152
    Abstract: A containment system for a gas turbine engine includes a fan track assembly for use with a containment case. The fan track assembly includes a body of collapsible material that is positioned within a cavity of the fan case, and voids are provided for providing space in the event of a catastrophic blade failure. Various configurations of the fan track liner assembly are provided along with various mounting methodologies for securing the track liner assembly to the fan case of a gas turbine engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Trevor John Totten, Jonathan Michael Rivers, Eric William Engebretsen, Matthew Joseph Kappes
  • Patent number: 8827629
    Abstract: A fan case for a gas turbine engine includes an outer case defined about an engine axis and a hard ballistic liner defined about the engine axis, the hard ballistic liner within the outer case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Sreenivasa R. Voleti, Darin S. Lussier, Rajiv A. Naik
  • Patent number: 8821029
    Abstract: A connecting module interposed between a drive shaft of an aircraft engine fan and a rolling-element bearing, wherein the module includes an inner structure attached to the shaft and including a bonnet, and an outer structure attached to the bearing, which is radially supported on a mechanism installed on the inner structure and delimiting a raceway which is complementary to the bonnet so as to form a ball-joint connection kept in a blocked state by a blocking device installed on the inner structure and protruding radially from the bonnet, wherein a mechanism forming a mechanical fuse provides a junction between the device and the bonnet, such that the ball-joint connection is released following fracture of this mechanism forming a mechanical fuse. The radial support mechanism is added to the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Serge Louis Antunes, Francois Mouly
  • Patent number: 8807918
    Abstract: An impeller for use in a containment structure has a hub, a blade attaching to the hub for compressing air as the blade rotates with the hub, and an annulus disposed about the hub whereby the annulus reduces an effect of the hub breaking apart such that a weight of the containment structure is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Behzad Hagshenas
  • Publication number: 20140227076
    Abstract: A fan containment system having a generally cylindrical fan case including a hook projecting in a generally radially inward direction and positioned axially forward of a radial array of fan blades; a fan track liner disposed on the radially inner surface of the fan case; and a panel which is positioned axially rearward of the hook and positioned axially forward of the radial array of fan blades and forms a substantially continuous air washed surface with the fan track liner. The panel is temporarily deformable so as to absorb the impacts of any foreign bodies, which enter the gas turbine engine, without compromising the structural integrity of the panel while being weak enough so that in the event that one of the fan blades is released from the hub, the fan blade tip of the detached fan blade is not inhibited from moving radially outward of the hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Matthew Ashley Charles HOYLAND, Dale Edward EVANS
  • Publication number: 20140205429
    Abstract: An energy diffusion sealing ring [872] for use with a hydrocyclone or pump is provided. The energy diffusion sealing ring [872] comprises a sacrificial suspension matrix [872A] comprised of a polymer, elastomer, or combination thereof, and a number of packed inserts [872B] suspended in the matrix [872]. The matrix [872] serves as delivery means for the inserts [872B] into one or more recessed portions [833, 841]. The inserts [872B] comprise a hard material (e.g., ceramic or carbide) and form wear bodies which slow and dissipate kinetic energy of escaping slurry by way of creating paths of resistance. As the suspension matrix [872A] erodes over time, a plurality of interstices [872C] between the inserts [872B] are formed. Escaping slurry [852] slows as it traverses three-dimensional serpentine paths defined by said interstices [872C], thereby reducing its potential to wear surrounding components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventors: Travis Harwell, Robert G. Moorhead
  • Publication number: 20140186154
    Abstract: A pump features a casing assembly having a region through which high velocity fluid and solids circulate, a chamber where they do not, an aperture that allows a related-chamber to be in fluidic communication with the region, but not the circulating high velocity fluid and solids, and a corresponding aperture to allow the related-chamber to communicate with an external region outside the casing assembly; and a rupture disc received in the corresponding aperture to close the related-chamber subjects the related-chamber and the rupture disc to pressure contained within the region and to release pressure exceeding a predetermined relief pressure of the rupture disc from the related-chamber to the external region or location, and exhaust piping couple the rupture disc to provide a path for escaping vapor and solids to be directed to the external region or location where the energy can be dissipated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Inventors: Douglas PADDOCK, Mark A. PLAYFORD
  • Patent number: 8757958
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine fan section includes first and second composite layers providing a generally cylindrical case. Axially spaced apart rings are arranged between the first and second composite layers and form reinforcing ribs that provide a fan containment area axially between the rings. A belt is arranged over and spans the fan containment area between the reinforcing ribs. A fan blade has a tip in proximity to the first composite layer without any intervening structural support between the tip and the first composite layer, which provides a fan blade rub resistant surface. A method of manufacturing a fan containment case includes wrapping at least one first composite layer around a mandrel. Axially spaced apart rings are arranged circumferentially about the first composite layer. At least one second composite layer is wrapped around the rings and first composite layer to provide reinforcing ribs at the rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Darin S. Lussier
  • Patent number: 8734085
    Abstract: A turbine section of a gas turbine engine is described, which includes an aftmost rotor extending, an aftmost stator located upstream of the aftmost rotor, and a second to last aftmost rotor located upstream of the aftmost stator. The second to last aftmost rotor being spaced apart a first axial distance from the aftmost stator. A turbine exhaust case is located downstream of the aftmost rotor and includes an inner radial wall and an outer radial wall defining a main gas path duct downstream of the aftmost rotor. The turbine exhaust case being axially spaced apart from the aftmost rotor a second axial distance that is greater than the first axial distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Guy Lefebvre, Eric Durocher
  • Patent number: 8721260
    Abstract: A fan retention shaft is provided for retaining a fan within a gas turbine engine in the event of fan shaft failure. The fan retention shaft has a first shaft which in use extends from the engine and a second shaft to which in use the fan is attached, the second shaft being coaxial with the first shaft and the first and second shafts defining an annular passage between them. An energy absorbing medium is disposed within the annular passage. The fan retention shaft has a retaining formation for preventing the first shaft and the second shaft from moving axially with respect to one another. The retaining formation is configured to release the first shaft and the second shaft from their relative axial positions when a threshold axial load is applied to the fan retention shaft. The energy absorbing medium is arranged to absorb kinetic energy from the second shaft as the second shaft moves axially with respect to the first shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce, PLC
    Inventor: David P. Scothern
  • Patent number: 8721261
    Abstract: A centrifugal compressor for a turbine engine, including a cover with an upstream end and a downstream end; a casing presenting an upstream edge and a downstream edge; and a bladed impeller mounted to rotate in the casing. The cover covers the blades of the impeller to define an outside surface of a gas-flow passage extending between the upstream and downstream edges of the casing, while being fastened to the upstream edge of the casing via its upstream end while its downstream end remains free. The cover further includes an abutment limiting axial movement of its downstream end relative to the downstream edge of the casing while the compressor is in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Turbomeca
    Inventors: Philippe Denis Joubert, Patrice Laborde, Yann Mouze, Philippe Perot