Having Means To Effect A Variable Bypass Ratio Patents (Class 60/226.3)
  • Patent number: 11970982
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a propulsor section including a propulsor, a gear reduction, a first spool including a first compressor, a first turbine and a first shaft, and a second spool including a second compressor, a second turbine and a second shaft. The gear reduction includes a carrier and a plurality of gears. The plurality of gears include a sun gear, a ring gear, and a plurality of intermediate gears that engage the sun gear and the ring gear. At least two of the plurality of gears are double helical gears in meshed engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: RTX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Michael E. McCune
  • Patent number: 11913386
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a bypass duct extending about a longitudinal centerline of the gas turbine engine. The bypass duct includes at least one bypass duct wall defining at least a portion of a bypass flow path through the bypass duct. The at least one bypass duct wall includes a scoop extending into the bypass flow path. The gas turbine engine further includes a bleed conduit including an inlet connected to the bypass duct within the scoop of the at least one bypass duct wall and at least one louver mounted to the bleed conduit within the inlet. The at least one louver extends between a leading edge and a trailing edge opposite the leading edge. The leading edge is located within the bypass flow path and the trailing edge is located within the bleed conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Tahereh Mirmohammadi Ghoojdi, Sid-Ali Meslioui
  • Patent number: 11879397
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are shown in the figures, where a gas turbine engine for an aircraft includes: an engine core including a turbine, a compressor, and a core shaft connecting the turbine to the compressor; a fan including a plurality of fan blades; and a gearbox that receives an input from the core shaft and outputs drive to the fan so as to drive the fan about a rotational axis at a lower rotational speed than the core shaft, wherein the gearbox is an epicyclic gearbox with a plurality of planet gears arranged in first and second sets of planet gears, the planet gears of the first set being positioned displaced relative to the planet gears of the second set in a direction parallel to the rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE DEUTSCHLAND LTD & CO KG
    Inventors: Greg Blake, Hannes Wüstenberg, Johannes Scobel
  • Patent number: 11873783
    Abstract: A confluence structure of an aircraft bypass turbine engine which includes a confluence plate with a downstream end supported by a portion that is movable in the direction of the axis by a control mechanism which can optionally be adjusted in flight. A mobile portion of a sleeve delimiting the secondary stream on the outside, and an inner projection of the outer casing can also slide axially in certain embodiments. This provides a wide range of options for modifying the gas dilution and operating conditions of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Brice Marie Yves Emile Le Pannerer, Jean-François Cabre, Nicolas Camille Claude Curlier, Lucas Arthur Pflieger
  • Patent number: 11846196
    Abstract: An after-fan system for an engine may comprise an after-fan turbine an electrical generator operationally coupled to the after-fan turbine, and an electric motor electrically coupled to the electrical generator. The electrical generator may be configured to generate an electrical current in response to rotation of the after-fan turbine. The electric motor may be configured to generate torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: RTX Corporation
    Inventors: Dmitriy B. Sidelkovskiy, Pitchaiah Vijay Chakka, Michael Winter, Daniel Bernard Kupratis, Nathan L. Messersmith
  • Patent number: 11846249
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine is provided that includes an engine core and a bypass duct. The engine core includes a compressor section, a combustor section, a turbine section and a core flowpath. The compressor section includes a radial flow compressor rotor. The core flowpath extends through the compressor section, the combustor section and the turbine section from a core inlet to a core exhaust. The bypass duct includes a bypass flowpath that extends outside of the engine core from a bypass inlet to a bypass exhaust. The bypass inlet is disposed along the compressor section and fluidly coupled with core flowpath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: RTX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jose R. Paulino, Lawrence A. Binek, Sean R. Jackson
  • Patent number: 11834954
    Abstract: A gas turbine is provided, the gas turbine engine including a turbomachine having an inlet splitter defining in part an inlet to a working gas flowpath and a fan duct splitter defining in part an inlet to a fan duct flowpath. The gas turbine engine also includes a primary fan driven by the turbomachine defining a primary fan tip radius R1, a primary fan hub radius R2, and a primary fan specific thrust rating TP; and a secondary fan downstream of the primary fan and driven by the turbomachine, the secondary fan defining a secondary fan tip radius R3, a secondary fan hub radius R4, and a secondary fan specific thrust rating TS; wherein the gas turbine engine defines an Effective Bypass Area, and wherein a ratio of R1 to R3 equals R 1 R 3 = ( E ? F ? P ) ? ( 1 - RqR Sec . - Fan 2 ) ( 1 - RqR Prim . - Fan 2 ) ? ( T P T S ) ? ( E ? B ? A ) .
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Marion Ostdiek, William Joseph Solomon
  • Patent number: 11824235
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an ejector nozzle and an ejector including the same. The ejector nozzle includes a first tube having a first flow path into which a fluid is introduced, and a second tube provided outside the first tube and having an inner diameter larger than an inner diameter of the first tube, the second tube defining a second flow path between the first tube and the second tube, in which the first tube further includes a communication port that penetrates the first tube to allow the first flow path to communicate with the second flow path and is openably and closably provided, and in which when the communication port is opened, a part of the fluid flowing in the first flow path is allowed to flow along the second flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: In Tae Park, Hak Yoon Kim, Hyeon Seok Ban
  • Patent number: 11702995
    Abstract: Device and methods for guiding bleed air in a turbofan gas turbine engine are disclosed. The devices provided include louvers and baffles that guide bleed air toward a bypass duct of the turbofan engine. The louvers and baffles have a geometric configuration that promotes desirable flow conditions and reduced energy loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Alexandre Capron, Tammy Yam, Karan Anand
  • Patent number: 11686274
    Abstract: A confluence structure of an aircraft bypass turbine engine which includes a confluence plate with a downstream end supported by a portion that is movable in the direction of the axis by a control mechanism which can optionally be adjusted in flight. A mobile portion of a sleeve delimiting the secondary stream on the outside, and an inner projection of the outer casing can also slide axially in certain embodiments. This provides a wide range of options for modifying the gas dilution and operating conditions of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Brice Marie Yves Emile Le Pannerer, Jean-François Cabre, Nicolas Camille Claude Curlier, Lucas Arthur Pflieger
  • Patent number: 11598287
    Abstract: A disclosed gas turbine engine includes a gas generator section for generating a gas stream flow and a propulsor section for generating propulsive thrust as a mass flow rate of air through a bypass flow path. The propulsor section includes a fan driven by a power turbine through a speed reduction device at a second rotational speed lower than a first rotational speed of the power turbine. An Engine Unit Thrust Parameter (“EUTP”) defined as net engine thrust divided by a product of the mass flow rate of air through the bypass flow path, a tip diameter of the fan and the first rotational speed of the power turbine is between 0.05 and 0.13 during operation of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Jayant Sabnis
  • Patent number: 11585293
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a fan with a plurality of fan blades rotatable about an axis, a compressor section, a combustor in fluid communication with the compressor section, and a turbine section in fluid communication with the combustor. The fan defines a fan diameter and the turbine section includes a fan drive turbine with a diameter less than 0.50 the size of the fan diameter. A geared architecture is driven by the turbine section for rotating the fan about the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Gabriel L. Suciu
  • Patent number: 11584532
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine has a compression system radius ratio defined as the ratio of the radius of the tip of a fan blade to the radius of the tip of the most downstream compressor blade in the range of from 5 to 9. This results in an optimum balance between installation benefits, operability, maintenance requirements and engine efficiency when the gas turbine engine is installed on an aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Gareth M Armstrong, Nicholas Howarth
  • Patent number: 11549387
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a propulsor section, a compressor section including a first compressor, a front center body case structure that defines a first core flow path for core airflow into the first compressor, an intermediate case structure, a geared architecture, a propulsor shaft, a first bearing structure mounted to the front center body case structure, a bearing compartment passage structure in communication with the first bearing structure through the front center body case structure, and a turbine section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Peter M. Munsell, Philip S. Stripinis
  • Patent number: 11525407
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprising a planetary gear train, and a core engine casing. The gear train has a ratio of greater than approximately 3.0, with an input to the gear train being operatively connected to the compressor section, and an output from the gear train being operatively connected to the fan. The core engine casing encloses the compressor section and the turbine section. The fan has a diameter F, and the core engine casing has a diameter C. The core engine casing diameter C varies along an axial length of the core engine casing, and a ratio (C/F) of the core engine casing diameter C to the fan diameter F is within the range 0.2<(C/F)<0.4, along an axial length of the core engine casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Richard G. Stretton, Tim O'Hanrahan
  • Patent number: 11506571
    Abstract: A method for gathering flight load data for a gas turbine engine includes providing a plurality of blocker doors rotatably mounted to a translating sleeve and a plurality of blocker door islands, each blocker door island disposed between circumferentially adjacent blocker doors of the plurality of blocker doors and mounted to at least one mounting point of the translating sleeve, wherein a blocker door island of the plurality of blocker door islands is a data acquisition unit; and connecting the data acquisition unit to at least one sensor in communication with the translating sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Kestler, Kevin W. Teets
  • Patent number: 11499439
    Abstract: A double flow turbojet including: a low pressure compressor; a series of casings downstream of this low pressure compressor to delimit a primary flow path for circulating a primary stream, and including an upstream edge delimiting an inlet opening; a high pressure compressor in the primary flow path; a shroud surrounding the series of casings to delimit a flow path for circulating an intermediate stream, and having an upstream edge delimiting a circular inlet opening situated upstream of the high pressure compressor; a secondary flow path casing surrounding the shroud to delimit a secondary flow path for circulating a secondary stream; an exhaust casing including radial arms collecting the air coming from the intermediate flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Antoine Jean-Philippe Beaujard, Tewfik Boudebiza, Catherine Pikovsky, Bastien Pierre Verdier
  • Patent number: 11448139
    Abstract: A valve assembly for a turbine engine includes a valve arranged in an air flow path. The valve has a shaft. The valve is movable between an open position and a closed position. A hydraulic actuator is coupled to the shaft. The hydraulic actuator is configured to utilize fuel as a working fluid. The hydraulic actuator is configured to move the valve between the open position and the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Francis P. Marocchini, Aaron F. Rickis, August M. Coretto, Scott W. Simpson, Gary R. Marconi, Glenn Gradischer
  • Patent number: 11448124
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine turbine has a high pressure turbine configured to rotate with a high pressure compressor as a high pressure spool in a first direction about a central axis and a low pressure turbine configured to rotate with a low pressure compressor as a low pressure spool in the first direction about the central axis. A power density is greater than or equal to about 1.5 and less than or equal to about 5.5 lbf/cubic inches. A fan is connected to the low pressure spool via a speed changing mechanism and rotates in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick M. Schwarz, Daniel Bernard Kupratis
  • Patent number: 11428234
    Abstract: A bleed system of a gas turbine engine includes a bleed duct having a duct inlet located at a flowpath of a gas turbine engine, and a bleed outlet located outside of the flowpath, and extending circumferentially around a central longitudinal axis. A plurality of bleed doors are located at the bleed outlet and are arrayed along a circumferential length on the bleed duct. Each bleed door includes a first circumferential end, and a second circumferential end. The bleed doors are arrayed such that when the bleed doors are in a closed position the first circumferential end is located at the second circumferential end of an adjacent bleed door of the bleed doors. Each bleed door includes a pivot, such that each bleed door rotates about the pivot from the closed position covering the duct outlet to an opened position allowing a bleed airflow to pass through the duct outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jonathan D. Little
  • Patent number: 11359542
    Abstract: An engine including a motor and a nacelle and a duct between the nacelle and the motor. The nacelle includes a fixed structure, a mobile assembly that is mobile between an advanced position and a retracted position to define a window between the duct and the outside, and a plurality of blades that are mobile in rotation between a stowed position and a deployed position, each one extending on either side of its axis of rotation with a first arm and a second arm. In the stowed position, the first arm is outside the duct and the second arm is inside the nacelle, and where, in the deployed position, the first arm is across the duct and the second arm projects out of the nacelle. With such blades, the flow of air is optimally directed towards the front without it being necessary to provide cascades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS SAS
    Inventors: Pascal Gardes, Fabien Menou, Pascal Gougeon, Simon Vanderbauwede
  • Patent number: 11326617
    Abstract: A boost compressor assembly may comprise an outer annular structure and a plurality of blades. Each blade in the plurality of blades may be moveably coupled to the outer annular structure. The plurality of blades may be configured to deploy in response to the boost compressor assembly rotating. The plurality of blades may be configured to retract when the boost compressor assembly stops rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Britton Greene, Dustin Joseph Frohnapfel
  • Patent number: 11293299
    Abstract: A turbofan gas turbine engine includes a front center body case structure. A geared architecture is at least partially supported by the front center body case structure. A bearing structure rotationally support a fan shaft. A fan rotor bearing support structure extends radially inward from the front center body and at least partially supports the bearing structure. The fan rotor bearing support structure includes a passage that communicates buffer supply air from a hollow strut to the bearing structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Peter M. Munsell, Philip S. Stripinis
  • Patent number: 11236674
    Abstract: A heat exchanger for cooling a component is coupled with a cowl at least partially surrounding the component. The cowl defines a cowl plenum and a peripheral gap for receiving the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger includes a housing defining a heat exchange plenum for receiving a cool fluid stream and a plurality of heat exchange tubes passing through the heat exchange plenum for receiving a hot fluid stream. A discharge manifold defines a discharge plenum that provides fluid communication between the heat exchange plenum and the cowl plenum through a fluid outlet. In addition, an impingement baffle at least partially defines the discharge manifold and defines a plurality of cooling holes for impinging cooling air on the component proximate the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: GE AVIO S.R.L.
    Inventors: Antonio Caimano, Antonio Cardillo, Ivan Fanelli
  • Patent number: 11215143
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a fan section, and a compressor section including a low pressure compressor and a second compressor section, and a turbine section including a fan drive turbine and a high pressure turbine. The fan drive turbine drives the low pressure compressor and a gear arrangement to drive the fan section. A core split power ratio is provided by power input to the high pressure compressor divided by a power input to the low pressure compressor measured in horsepower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniel Bernard Kupratis, Frederick M. Schwarz
  • Patent number: 11174816
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine coupled to an aircraft includes an engine core arranged axially along an axis, a bypass duct arranged circumferentially around the engine core to define a bypass channel, and a heat exchanger system. The bypass channel is arranged to conduct bypass air around the engine core to provide thrust for the gas turbine engine. The heat exchanger system is configured to provide cooling for the engine core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Banham, Rex M. Little
  • Patent number: 11143052
    Abstract: A method for controlling flow through an exhaust nozzle includes: providing a centerbody including a maximum diameter section; providing an inner shroud surrounding the centerbody, including at least a middle section of decreased diameter and terminating at an aft edge; providing an outer shroud. wherein the centerbody and the inner shroud collectively define a throat, and the outer shroud and the centerbody collectively define an exit; selectively translating the inner shroud and outer shroud to vary the throat; and selectively translating the outer shroud to vary the ratio of the exit to the throat; wherein, when the inner shroud is in a forward position, its aft edge is forward of the maximum diameter section of the centerbody, such that the throat of the nozzle is formed between the aft edge of the inner shroud and the centerbody.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Trevor Andrew Tersmette, Jason Adam Lee
  • Patent number: 11053886
    Abstract: A turbofan engine having: an engine core having a centre axis and including in flow series a compressor, a combustor and a turbine; and a bypass duct surrounding the engine core, the bypass duct has a bypass duct exit area at its downstream end. The engine further includes an exhaust nozzle assembly including: coaxially arranged inner mixer and outer exhaust nozzles, the exhaust nozzle being axially downstream of said mixer nozzle; a core flow duct defined by the mixer nozzle, the core flow duct having a core exit area; and an exhaust duct defined at least in part by the exhaust nozzle downstream of the mixer nozzle, the exhaust duct having an exhaust throat area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: John R Whurr, Conor Hickey
  • Patent number: 11022036
    Abstract: A turbofan engine includes a fan rotatable about an axis, a compressor section, a combustor in fluid communication with the compressor section, a turbine section in fluid communication with the combustor, a fan drive gear system including a carrier for supporting a plurality of gears, and a scupper capturing lubricant during gear operation and directing lubricant into the carrier. A fan drive gear system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Marc J. Muldoon
  • Patent number: 10859002
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for controlling a surge margin of a gas turbine and an extraction device for a gas turbine. The method for controlling the surge margin of the gas turbine and the extraction device for the gas turbine may support stable operation of a compressor unit in the gas turbine, thereby improving the efficiency of the gas turbine and minimizing vibration and noise of the gas turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Doosan Heavy Industries Construction Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Sang Jo Kim
  • Patent number: 10859037
    Abstract: A double flow turbojet includes a fan including a disk centered on an axis of the fan which is provided with fan blades on its periphery, the blades having a leading edge, and an air inlet sleeve extending upstream of the fan and configured to delimit a gas flow designed to enter into the fan the air inlet sleeve having a collecting surface, the turbojet having an aspect ratio S 2 S col included in the interval [ 1.0 ; 1.0 + 0.4 ? ( L D ) ] , where L/D is the form factor of the air inlet sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Safran Aircraft Engines
    Inventors: Philippe Gerard Chanez, Claude Sensiau
  • Patent number: 10753279
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a fan and a compressor section that is fluidly connected to the fan. The compressor includes a high pressure compressor and a low pressure compressor. A combustor is fluidly connected to the compressor section. A turbine section is fluidly connected to the combustor. The turbine section includes a high pressure turbine coupled to the high pressure compressor via a first shaft. A low pressure turbine is coupled to the low pressure compressor via a second shaft. A geared architecture interconnects between the second shaft and the fan. The gas turbine engine is a high bypass geared aircraft engine having a bypass ratio of greater than six (6). The low pressure turbine has a pressure ratio that is greater than 5, and the geared architecture includes a gear reduction ratio of greater than 2.5:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert Russell Mayer, George J. Kramer, Paul W. Palmer
  • Patent number: 10738692
    Abstract: A propulsion and electric power generation system includes a gas turbine propulsion engine, an electrical generator, an aircraft power distribution system, a plurality of auxiliary fans, and a controller. The gas turbine propulsion engine includes at least a low-pressure turbine coupled to a fan via a low-pressure spool, and the low-pressure turbine is configured to generate mechanical power. The electrical generator is directly connected to the low-pressure spool and generates a total amount of electrical power (Pe). The aircraft power distribution system receives a first fraction (Pa) of the total amount of electrical power. The auxiliary fans receive a second fraction (Pf) of the total amount of electrical power. The controller is configured to control a ratio of Pf to Pa (Pf/Pa) such that the ratio spans a range from less than 0.6 to at least 0.9.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Nick Nolcheff, John Meier, James Laffan, Alan D. Hemmingson, Cristian Anghel, Mike Koerner
  • Patent number: 10633083
    Abstract: According to various aspects, an unmanned aerial vehicle may include one or more electric drive motors. Each drive motor of the one or more electric drive motors may include a first drive rotor structure; a second drive rotor structure, the first drive rotor structure being coaxially aligned with the second drive rotor structure, the first drive rotor structure including a first magnetic arrangement and the second drive rotor structure including a second magnetic arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: INTEL IP CORPORATION
    Inventors: Fabian Oberndorfer, Stefan Klar
  • Patent number: 10577118
    Abstract: A method of operating a twin engine helicopter power plant, the power plant comprising: two turboshaft engines each having an engine shaft with a turbine at a distal end and a one-way clutch at a proximal end; a gear box having an input driven by the one way clutch of each engine and an output driving a helicopter rotor; a bypass clutch disposed between the proximal end of each engine shaft and the input of the gear box; and power plant management system controls for activating the bypass clutch; the method comprising: detecting when a rotary speed of an associated engine shaft is less than a rotary speed of the gear box input; activating the bypass clutch to drive the associated engine shaft using the rotation of the gear box input; and starting an associated engine by injecting fuel when the bypass clutch is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Lazar Mitrovic, Eric Durocher, Keith Morgan
  • Patent number: 10563593
    Abstract: A method of extracting work from a convertible gas turbine engine having a core flowpath and a bypass flowpath. The method comprises operating the convertible gas turbine engine at a first volumetric flow rate through the core flowpath and a second volumetric flow rate through the bypass flowpath to produce a first work output of the convertible gas turbine engine; extracting the first work output via an unshrouded fan and a shaft at a first fan to shaft extraction ratio; altering the second volumetric flowrate through the bypass flowpath while maintaining the first work output; and extracting the first work output via an unshrouded fan and a shaft at a second fan to shaft extraction ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE NORTH AMERICAN TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Charles L. McNeil, John Kusnierek
  • Patent number: 10480454
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hub (2) of an intermediate casing (1) for a bypass turbomachine comprising: —a bleed stream duct (18), —a bleed valve, comprising a mobile door at the inlet orifice to the bleed stream duct (18), —a set of bleed vanes (22) which are mounted with the ability to rotate about a pivot (26) in the bleed stream duct (18) between an open configuration in which a flow of air coming from the inlet orifice (4) passes between the bleed vanes (22) and a closed configuration, the pivot (26) for each bleed vane (22) being closer to its leading edge (BA) than to its trailing edge (BF).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventor: Jean-Frederic Pierre Joseph Bruhat
  • Patent number: 10378477
    Abstract: An exhaust system or nozzle for use in a gas turbine engine is disclosed herein. The exhaust system is adapted to adjust various streams of pressurized air produced by the gas turbine engine to control operation of the gas turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth M. Pesyna
  • Patent number: 10094281
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprises a fan on an engine central axis. Plural gas generators are downstream of the fan, each along a respective central axis, mutually offset, and offset from the engine central axis. A fan drive turbine is on the engine central axis, downstream of the dual gas generators, and driven by output from the dual gas generators, to drive the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jesse M. Chandler, Gabriel L. Suciu
  • Patent number: 10001084
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine system is disclosed which includes a core passage and a bypass passage which can be configured as a fan bypass duct or a third stream bypass duct. The core passage and bypass passage are routed to flow through a nozzle before exiting overboard an aircraft. The nozzle includes moveable members capable of changing a configuration of the nozzle. In one form the moveable members are capable of changing throat area for portions of the nozzle that receive working fluid from the core passage and the bypass passage. The bypass passage can include a branch. In one form the branch can include a heat exchanger. The bypass passage can also provide cooling to one or more portions of the nozzle, such as cooling to a deck of the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Pesyna, Bryan Henry Lerg, Michael Abraham Karam
  • Patent number: 9995174
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine has a fan, first and second compressor stages, first and second turbine stages. The first turbine stage drives the second compressor stage as a high spool. The second turbine stage drives the first compressor stage as part of a low spool. A gear train drives the fan with the low spool, such that the fan and first compressor stage rotate in the same direction. The high spool operates at higher pressures than the low spool. A lubrication system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, William G. Sheridan, Lawrence E. Portlock
  • Patent number: 9920710
    Abstract: An exhaust system for a variable cycle aircraft engine. The exhaust system comprises a core exhaust for bypass air and hot gases of combustion. The core exhaust includes a convergent-divergent nozzle. The convergent-divergent nozzle is formed from a plurality of flaps and seals. The exhaust system comprises a third air duct for a third stream of air. The third stream of air is selectively exhausted from the third duct through a secondary nozzle or divergent slots in the convergent-divergent nozzle, or both depending upon the flight mode. A diverter valve is positioned in the third stream duct to selectively control the flow of third stream air through the secondary nozzle, the divergent slots and combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Lynn Dawson, Erin Lee Lariviere, Brian Joseph Petersen, Robert Jerome Ellerhorst
  • Patent number: 9915229
    Abstract: A bypass duct has a support unit comprising a pair of aerofoils arranged as an “A” frame. A bleed duct assembly is provided on the radially inner wall of the bypass duct annulus and the aerofoils project from the surface and extend across the annulus between the inner wall and an outer wall of the annulus. The aerofoils lean at an acute angle to the surface with the first flank facing toward the inner wall and adjoining a bleed duct opening. The bleed duct having a bleed duct passage and a submerged scoop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE DEUTSCHLAND LTD & CO KG
    Inventor: Predrag Todorovic
  • Patent number: 9816442
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a very high speed low pressure turbine such that a quantity defined by the exit area of the low pressure turbine multiplied by the square of the low pressure turbine rotational speed compared to the same parameters for the high pressure turbine is at a ratio between about 0.5 and about 1.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick M. Schwarz, Gabriel L. Suciu, Daniel Bernard Kupratis, William K. Ackermann
  • Patent number: 9739206
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a very high speed low pressure turbine such that a quantity defined by the exit area of the low pressure turbine multiplied by the square of the low pressure turbine rotational speed compared to the same parameters for the high pressure turbine is at a ratio between about 0.5 and about 1.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: David P. Houston, Daniel Bernard Kupratis, Frederick M. Schwarz
  • Patent number: 9695751
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine typically includes a fan section, a compressor section, a combustor section and a turbine section. A speed reduction device such as an epicyclical gear assembly may be utilized to drive the fan section such that the fan section may rotate at a speed different than the turbine section so as to increase the overall propulsive efficiency of the engine. In such engine architectures, a shaft driven by one of the turbine sections provides an input to the epicyclical gear assembly that drives the fan section at a speed different than the turbine section such that both the turbine section and the fan section can rotate at closer to optimal speeds providing increased performance attributes and performance by desirable combinations of the disclosed features of the various components of the described and disclosed gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Bernard Kupratis, Frederick M. Schwarz
  • Patent number: 9624870
    Abstract: An adaptive fan system for a variable cycle turbofan engine having at least one turbine, includes a shaft structured to receive mechanical power from a turbine in the variable cycle turbofan engine and a first fan stage that is coupled directly to the shaft and is driven directly by the shaft. A transmission system is coupled to the shaft and a second fan stage is coupled to the shaft via the transmission system and is driven by the shaft via the transmission system. The transmission system is structured to selectively vary a speed between high and low speeds at which power is supplied from the shaft to the second fan stage relative to at least one of the shaft and the first fan stage, wherein the first fan stage and the second fan stage are configured to rotate in the same direction and at the same high speed to increase the mechanical power of the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Ress, Jr., Steve Stratton, Matthew J. Starr
  • Patent number: 9624827
    Abstract: A turbofan engine includes a gas generator section for generating a gas stream flow with higher energy per unit mass flow than that contained in the ambient air and a power turbine that converts the gas stream flow into shaft power. The turbofan engine further includes a propulsor section including a fan driven by the power turbine through a geared architecture at a second speed lower than the first speed for generating propulsive thrust as a mass flow rate of air through a bypass flow path. An Engine Unit Thrust Parameter defined as net engine thrust divided by a product of the mass flow rate of air through the bypass flow path, a tip diameter of the fan and the first rotational speed of the power turbine is less than about 0.15 at a take-off condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Jayant Sabnis
  • Patent number: 9624828
    Abstract: A turbofan engine according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, among other possible things includes a gas generator section for generating a gas stream flow with higher energy per unit mass flow than that contained in ambient air. A power turbine converts the gas stream flow into shaft power. The power turbine rotates at a first rotational speed. A speed reduction device is driven by the power turbine. A propulsor section includes a fan driven by the power turbine through the speed reduction device at a second speed lower than the first speed for generating propulsive thrust as a mass flow rate of air through a bypass flow path. The fan includes a tip diameter greater than about fifty (50) inches and an Engine Unit Thrust Parameter (“EUTP”) defined as net engine thrust divided by a product of the mass flow rate of air through the bypass flow path, a tip diameter of the fan and the first rotational speed of the power turbine is less than about 0.30 at a take-off condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Jayant Sabnis
  • Patent number: 9562687
    Abstract: The present application provides a combustor for use with flow of fuel and a flow of air in a gas turbine engine. The combustor may include a number of micro-mixer fuel nozzles positioned within a liner and an air bypass system position about the liner. The air bypass system variably allows a bypass portion of the flow of air to bypass the micro-mixer fuel nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas Edward Johnson, Willy Steve Ziminsky, Heath Michael Ostebee, Christopher Paul Keener