With Safety Device Patents (Class 60/39.091)
  • Patent number: 11952940
    Abstract: A water delivery system (18) for delivering water for injection into gas turbine engine combustor (4) includes a centrifugal pump (19) and a metering valve (23). The centrifugal pump (19) has an inlet (20) connected to a water source and a discharge (21) connected to a water supply line (22). The metering valve (23) is connected to the water supply line (22) downstream of the discharge (21) of the centrifugal pump (19). The water supply line (22) is connected to an injector nozzle (14) downstream of the metering valve (23). The metering valve (23) is operable to regulate a flow rate of water in the water supply line (22), to thereby meter an amount of water supplied to the injector nozzle (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Siemens Energy Global GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Tyler Berger, Jaskirat Singh
  • Patent number: 11952904
    Abstract: A fan module for an aircraft turbomachine includes a fan with a disc carrying fan blades and a rotor of an electric machine. The rotor has an annular shape and is mounted coaxially downstream of the fan. The module further includes an annular support for the rotor with a downstream end fixed to the rotor and with an upstream end fixed to the fan disc. The support is fixed to the disc by shear bolts configured to break when a torque transmitted by the disc to the support exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Romain Truco, Claire Marie Figeureu, Paul Ghislain Albert Levisse, Pierre-Alain Jean Philippe Reigner, Michel Gilbert Roland Brault
  • Patent number: 11933248
    Abstract: A method of operating a reverse thrust system of an aircraft engine, the method comprising: receiving a status signal indicative that the aircraft is on-ground or in-flight; and upon detecting that the aircraft is on-ground, overriding a protection module such that the reverse thrust system is operable regardless of the protection module being in an active state or in a disabled state, the protection module causing, absent the overriding, the reverse thrust system to be inoperable when in the active state. An aircraft comprising: an engine including a reverse thrust system; a thrust control input device configured for generating an input signal indicative of a reverse thrust demand; at least one sensor configured for generating at least one status signal indicative of the aircraft being in-flight or on-ground; and a control system electronically connected with the at least one sensor, the thrust control input device and the reverse thrust system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventor: Jagoda Krzywon
  • Patent number: 11885287
    Abstract: A method is provided for treating a fuel system of a turbine engine. During this method, a treatment system is connected to the turbine engine. Preservation fluid is drawn out of the fuel system using the treatment system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: RTX Corporation
    Inventors: Joshua Seyler, Lajos H. Horvath, Sami Chukrallah, Richard D. Konney
  • Patent number: 11643979
    Abstract: A propulsion system for an aircraft includes a gas turbine engine and a fuel tank, wherein the fuel includes at least a proportion of a sustainable aviation fuel—SAF—having a density between 90% and 98% of the density, ?K, of kerosene and a calorific value between 101% and 105% the calorific value CVK, of kerosene. The engine includes a combustor; and a fuel pump arranged to supply a fuel thereto at an energy flow rate, C, the pump being arranged to output fuel at a volumetric flow rate, Q, the percentage of fuel passing through the pump not provided to the combustor being referred to as a spill percentage. The fuel include X % SAF, where X % is in the range from 5% to 100%, and has a density, ?F, and a calorific value CVF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Craig W Bemment, Benjamin J Keeler, Paul W Ferra, Alastair G Hobday, Kevin R McNally, Andrea Minelli, Martin K Yates
  • Patent number: 11635001
    Abstract: An aircraft turbomachine module comprising a ventilation device configured to have a cooling air flow circulate in the turbomachine module, the ventilation device comprising an air outlet, blocking means fixed to the air outlet and mobile between a blocking position of the air outlet and an opening position of the air outlet, and locking means configured to maintain the blocking means in one of the blocking position and the opening position when the temperature within the module is less than a predetermined threshold value, the blocking means being configured to adopt the other of the blocking position and the opening position when the temperature within the module is greater than said predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Eddy Stéphane Joël Fontanel, Matthieu Etienne Attali, Gérard Phillippe Gauthier, Wilfried Lionel Schweblen
  • Patent number: 11624296
    Abstract: A device for sealing a space at a juncture between elements of a nacelle, the device being non-flammable by heat, having a predetermined shape, and having a proximal end configured to be inserted into the space to be sealed so as to seal it, and a distal end configured to be fastened to an element of the nacelle at a fire area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Safran Nacelles
    Inventor: Thierry Le Docte
  • Patent number: 11549392
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine including a first rotor assembly comprising a first drive shaft extended along a longitudinal direction; a housing coupled to the first rotor assembly to provide rotation of the first rotor assembly around an axial centerline; a first accessory assembly, wherein the first accessory assembly sends and/or extracts energy to and from the first rotor assembly; and a first clutch assembly disposed between the first rotor assembly and the first accessory assembly. The first clutch assembly engages and disengages the first rotor assembly to and from the first accessory assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Milind Chandrakant Dhabade, Kudum Shinde, Thomas Edward Agin, Weize Kang, Praveen Sharma, Shivam Mittal
  • Patent number: 11421606
    Abstract: Methods and systems for operating a gas turbine engine are described. The method comprises obtaining, at a control system associated with the gas turbine engine, a measured engine core speed and an actual power demand for the gas turbine engine during operation thereof, determining an expected engine core speed based on the actual power demand from a predicted relationship between engine core speed and engine output power, comparing the measured engine core speed to the expected engine core speed, detecting a torque-related fault when the measured engine core speed differs from the expected engine core speed by more than a threshold; and accommodating the torque-related fault when detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Sylvain Lamarre, Francois Casavant, George Thompson
  • Patent number: 11384657
    Abstract: A turbine engine has a fan and a low pressure compressor that rotate at a common speed and in a common direction. A fan drive turbine drives a gear reduction to, in turn, drive the low pressure compressor and the fan at a speed which is slower than a speed of the fan drive turbine. A combustor intermediate the low pressure compressor and the fan drive turbine and a thrust bearing mount the fan drive turbine, the thrust bearing being aft of a location of the combustor. A shear section in a drive connection connecting the fan drive turbine to the gear reduction is weaker than other portions of the drive connection. The shear section is aft of the thrust bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: William G. Sheridan
  • Patent number: 11365684
    Abstract: A method of controlling at least part of a start-up or re-light process of a gas turbine engine, the method comprising: determining when a flame in a combustion chamber of a gas turbine engine is extinguished, during a start-up process or re-light process or during operation; purging the combustion chamber by controlling rotation of a low pressure compressor using a first electrical machine, and controlling rotation of a high pressure compressor using a second electrical machine, the combustion chamber downstream of the low pressure compressor and high pressure compressor; and controlling rotation of the low pressure compressor using the first electrical machine, and controlling rotation of the high pressure compressor using the second electrical machine to restart the start-up process or perform the re-light process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Inventors: Stephen M. Husband, Ahmed M Y Razak, Paul R. Miller
  • Patent number: 11339679
    Abstract: A thermal shielding arrangement for a turbine probe extending through an exhaust case and a turbine housing of a gas turbine engine comprises a sleeve having a radially inner end fixedly mounted to the turbine housing and a radially outer end floatingly received in a probe boss on the exhaust case. The radially outer end of the sleeve opens to an air cavity between the exhaust case and a surrounding engine nacelle to allow for air circulation around the probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Guy Lefebvre, Remy Synnott, Herve Turcotte, Gabriel Naccache
  • Patent number: 11333035
    Abstract: A shaft event is detected, such as a shaft shear, a shaft decoupling, and/or a shaft failure in a gas turbine engine comprising a first spool and a second spool different from the first spool. First and second parameters indicative of the power of the first spool and a load transfer through a shaft of the second spool are obtained. A detection threshold is determined as a function of the first parameter. The second parameter is compared to the detection threshold. The shaft event is detected when the second parameter is beyond the detection threshold and then a signal indicative of the shaft event is transmitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Zubair Ahmad, Andrew Roach
  • Patent number: 11313325
    Abstract: A turbofan having a dilution rate of at least 10 and including a fan having a disc provided with blades at the periphery thereof, a distance between the head of the blades and the housing of the fan being less than or equal to ten millimeters; a primary flow space and secondary flow space that are concentric; a turbine, housed in the primary flow space and in fluid communication with the fan; and a reduction mechanism coupling the turbine and the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Safran Aircraft Engines
    Inventors: Jeremy Dievart, Yanis Benslama, Nathalie Nowakowski
  • Patent number: 11230942
    Abstract: An aircraft gas turbine engine (10) comprises a main engine shaft (22) arranged to couple a turbine (17) and a compressor (13), the main engine shaft (22) defining an axial direction (9). The gas turbine engine (10) further comprises at least one radially extending offtake shaft (27) coupled to the main engine shaft (22), and a radially extending electric machine (25a, 25b) coupled to the radially extending offtake shaft (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Jonathan P Bradley
  • Patent number: 11149648
    Abstract: A method of controlling at least part of a start-up or re-light process of a gas turbine engine, the method comprising: controlling ignition within a combustion chamber of the gas turbine engine; controlling rotation of a low pressure compressor using a first electrical machine, and controlling rotation of a high pressure compressor using a second electrical machine, the combustion chamber downstream of the low pressure compressor and high pressure compressor; determining if an exit pressure of the high pressure compressor is equal to or greater than a self-sustaining threshold pressure; and in response to determining that the exit pressure of the high pressure compressor is equal to or greater than the self-sustaining threshold pressure, ceasing controlling rotation of the low pressure compressor using the first electrical machine, and/or the high pressure compressor using a second electrical machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Inventors: Stephen M. Husband, Ahmed M Y Razak, Paul R. Miller
  • Patent number: 11118784
    Abstract: Fuel-air heat exchange system and methods thereof for use in a gas turbine engine. The fuel-air heat exchanger allows heat transfer between a flow of cooling air used to cool components of the engine and a flow of fuel used to drive the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick C. Sweeney, Douglas J. Snyder
  • Patent number: 11008089
    Abstract: A pressure relief assembly (24) includes an aircraft engine cowl (26) having radially outer and inner skins (28,30) having an opening. A door frame (32) is joined around the perimeter of the opening and defines a door seat (34) surrounding a central portal (36). A pressure relief door (38) is joined to the cowl (26) to cover the portal (36). The door (38) has inner and outer surfaces (40,42) terminating in a perimeter rim (44), with the inner surface (40) of the rim (44) overlapping the door seat (34) to define a primary seal (46) with the door stowed closed. A fireproof secondary seal (48) bridges the door inner surface (40) and frame (32) around the inner perimeter of the primary seal (46) to pre-seal flow to the primary seal (46).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation
    Inventors: Darwin Dean Crawford, Clifford Frank Shaeffer, Jerod Kennon Matlock
  • Patent number: 10996650
    Abstract: A numerical control system detects a state amount indicating a state of machining operation of a machine tool, creates a characteristic amount that characterizes the state of machining operation from the detected state amount, infers an evaluation value of the state of machining operation from the characteristic amount, and detects an abnormality in the state of machining operation on the basis of the inferred evaluation value. The numerical control system generates and updates a learning model by machine learning that uses the characteristic amount, and stores the learning model in correlation with a combination of conditions of the machining operation of the machine tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Fanuc Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Satou, Kazunori Iijima
  • Patent number: 10907834
    Abstract: A slinger combustor includes; a first compressed air line connected to a compressor and configured to supply compressed air; a first fuel line connected to a fuel storage and configured to supply fuel; a rotation shaft configured to rotate and inject the fuel supplied from the first fuel line; a main combustion chamber configured to receive the fuel injected from the rotation shaft and receive the compressed air from the first compressed air line; and a sub-combustion chamber configured to selectively discharge a flame generated in an inner space of the sub-combustion chamber to the main combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: HANWHA AEROSPACE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Soo Youl Park
  • Patent number: 10900420
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes performing a turbine combustor diagnostic routine including operating a first turbine combustor of a plurality of turbine combustors at a substantially steady state of combustion; adjusting an operational parameter of the first turbine combustor to cause a change in combustion products produced by the first turbine combustor; identifying a first sensor response of a first subset of a plurality of sensors disposed within or downstream from a turbine fluidly coupled to the turbine combustor, the first sensor response being indicative of the change in the combustion products, and wherein the first subset comprises one or more first sensors; correlating the first subset of sensors with the first turbine combustor; and diagnosing a condition of the first subset of the plurality of sensors, the first turbine combustor, or a combination thereof, based on the first sensor response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventor: Eugene Delano White
  • Patent number: 10844808
    Abstract: An improved rocket engine system comprises a rocket engine, a coolant source, and a propellant source, which are in fluid communication with the rocket engine with independent regulation of the coolant source flow relative to the propellant source flow. The improved rocket engine system may further include at least one power source, at least one power source motor, at least one pump, at least one controller, and a propellant pressurizing source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: TGV ROCKETS
    Inventors: Patrick R. E. Bahn, Earl W. Renaud
  • Patent number: 10837366
    Abstract: Provided is a gas turbine including: a combustor positioned between a compressor and a turbine of a gas turbine; a cooling air discharge unit configured to receive compressed air from the compressor, receive cooling water from a power plant, and discharge cooling air having exchanged heat with the compressed air; and a supply unit configured to supply the cooling air discharged from the cooling air discharge unit to the turbine and the combustor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Doosan Heavy Industries Construction Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Alexander Bograd
  • Patent number: 10775046
    Abstract: Fuel injection assemblies for a gas turbine engine includes a fuel injector and heat exchanger in communication via a fuel line cavity to provide heated fuel for combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas J. Snyder, Patrick C. Sweeney
  • Patent number: 10760496
    Abstract: A method for isolating a tank of oil from a downstream portion of an oil supply system for a turbine engine is provided. The oil supply system includes the oil tank and a cutoff valve located between the oil tank and the downstream portion. The cutoff valve is configured to limit a flow of oil towards the downstream portion. The cutoff valve is fluidically linked to a fire extinguishing system by a fluid communication device. The method includes closing the cutoff valve in response to an increase in extinguishant pressure in the fluid communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventor: Jean-Louis Muller
  • Patent number: 10738646
    Abstract: A turbine engine has a fan and a low pressure compressor that rotate at a common speed and in a common direction. A fan drive turbine drives a gear reduction to, in turn, drive the low pressure compressor and the fan at a speed which is slower than a speed of the fan drive turbine. A combustor intermediate the low pressure compressor and the fan drive turbine and a thrust bearing mount the fan drive turbine, the thrust bearing being aft of a location of the combustor. A shear section in a drive connection connecting the fan drive turbine to the gear reduction is weaker than other portions of the drive connection. The shear section is aft of the thrust bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: William G. Sheridan
  • Patent number: 10626798
    Abstract: A thermal energy exchange system for cooling air of a gas turbine engine includes a heat exchanger located at a diffuser of the gas turbine engine. The diffuser is positioned axially between a compressor and a combustor of the gas turbine engine. A fuel source is operably connected to the heat exchanger to direct a flow of fuel through the heat exchanger via a fuel pipe and toward a fuel nozzle of the combustor. An airflow inlet directs a cooling airflow through the heat exchanger to reduce an airflow temperature via thermal energy exchange between the cooling airflow and the flow of fuel. An airflow outlet directs the cooling airflow from the heat exchanger toward one or more of components of the turbine to cool the one or more components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: James D. Hill, Steven J. Laporte, Wendell V. Twelves, Jr., Stephen K. Kramer, Simon Pickford
  • Patent number: 10569762
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a motor vehicle, in which by at least one ultrasonic sensor, operated in the active operation mode, of an ultrasonic sensor device of the motor vehicle ultrasonic waves are emitted into an environmental region of the motor vehicle, wherein the motor vehicle as hybrid vehicle is equipped with an internal combustion engine (and an electric drive machine and in the active operation mode of the ultrasonic sensor arranged on a rear part of the motor vehicle the motor vehicle at least temporarily is operated by means of the electric drive machine. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignees: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Paul-David Rostocki, Michael Hallek, Ulrich Bressler, Armin Bartsch, Thorben Guenzel
  • Patent number: 10533530
    Abstract: The rotating machine, comprises a shaft and at least one device for measuring at least the accelerations of the shaft along pitch, yaw and roll axes of the shaft or the angular position of the shaft around the pitch, yaw and roll axes, the or each device being mounted on the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: GE Renewable Technologies
    Inventor: Vincent Bouillet
  • Patent number: 10487684
    Abstract: Gas turbine engine fan blade containment systems are disclosed. An example fan blade containment system includes a shield to be coupled to an aircraft structure and to at least partially surround a circumference of an aircraft engine. The shield is to be spaced from an outer surface the aircraft engine when the shield is coupled to the aircraft structure. The shield is to form a laminated clevis at an end of the shield. A retention rod is to be positioned in the laminated clevis of the shield. The retention rod is to engage a lug hook of the aircraft structure to anchor the shield to the aircraft structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Carlos Angelo Fracchia, Karen M. Jost, Mark David Higgins, Colleen M. Harper
  • Patent number: 10465554
    Abstract: A method of detecting a shaft break in a turbine engine is provided. The shaft connects a torque-exerting turbine of the engine to a torque-receiving unit of the engine. The method includes: receiving repeated measurements of the rotational frequency of the torque-receiving unit and the rotational frequency measurements of the turbine; determining from the measurements an amount of shaft twist between the turbine and the torque-receiving unit; comparing the amount of twist with a threshold twist value; and signalling a shaft break when the amount of twist exceeds the threshold twist value and a pre-condition is met. The pre-condition includes determining from the measurements that the turbine rotational speed is greater than the simultaneous torque-receiving unit rotational speed by a threshold speed value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventor: Alexander MacDonald
  • Patent number: 10436060
    Abstract: There is described herein methods and systems for detecting a shaft event in a gas turbine engine comprising a power turbine having a first shaft extending in a first direction and a second shaft extending in a second direction opposite from the first direction. A first speed measurement is obtained at a first location along the first shaft and a second speed measurement is obtained at a second location along the second shaft. A speed ratio is determined between the first speed measurement and the second speed measurement, and is compared to a detection threshold. The shaft event is detected when the speed ratio is beyond the detection threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Jean Dubreuil, Johnny Vinski, Michel Desjardins
  • Patent number: 10400674
    Abstract: A cooled fuel injector system of a combustor section of a gas turbine engine is provided. At least a part of the fuel injector system is exposed to core gas flow traveling through the engine. The cooled fuel injector system includes a source of a first cooling fluid and a fuel injector system component. The first cooling fluid is at a temperature lower than a temperature of the core gas flow proximate the fuel injector system. The fuel injector system component includes a vascular engineered structure lattice (VESL) structure, which VESL structure is in fluid communication with the source of the cooling fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: JinQuan Xu
  • Patent number: 10378773
    Abstract: A diffuser assembly is provided for a turbine engine. This diffuser assembly includes a diffuser module with a combustor plenum and a mixing chamber. The diffuser module is configured to receive first and second airflows into the mixing chamber and direct a mixed airflow out of the mixing chamber. The diffuser module includes a mixer configured to mix the first and the second airflows together within the mixing chamber to provide the mixed airflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Frank J. Cunha, Stanislav Kostka
  • Patent number: 10316756
    Abstract: An air turbine starter includes a support structure and a turbine having a shaft and a rotor that extends away from the shaft in a radial direction. The air turbine starter also includes a mount structure that supports the turbine for rotation relative to the support structure. The mount structure is configured to transfer a force from the turbine to the support structure. The mount structure includes a deformable member that is configured to deform when the force exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: David P Gentile, Peter Kenneth Zeiner
  • Patent number: 10287982
    Abstract: A heat exchanger (HEX) for cooling air in a gas turbine engine is provided. The HEX may comprise a central manifold comprising an inlet portion, a first outlet portion, and a second outlet portion. The HEX may further comprise a plurality of tubes coupled to the central manifold, the plurality of tubes comprising at least a first tube, a second tube, a third tube, and a fourth tube, a shroud at least partially encasing said plurality of tubes, and a cooling air flow path defined by at least one of the shroud, the plurality of tubes, and an outer surface of the central manifold, wherein the cooling air flow path is orthogonal to said plurality of tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Paul W. Duesler, Frederick M. Schwarz
  • Patent number: 10267325
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating an air cycle machine is disclosed. The apparatus includes a detector for measuring a rotational speed of a component of the air cycle machine. A processor estimates a rate of change of rotational speed of the component from the measured rotational speed and shuts down the air cycle machine when the estimated rate of change of the rotational speed of the component is greater than a selected rate threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas M. Zywiak, John M. Beck, Peter Zywiak
  • Patent number: 10267153
    Abstract: A gas turbine includes a cooling air supply passage which supplies compressed air bled from a compressor to a disk cavity of a turbine, a cooler side valve in the cooling air supply passage, a temperature measurement unit which measures ambient temperature of the disk cavity, and a control device which adjusts an opening degree of the cooler side valve based on the ambient temperature measured by the temperature measurement unit. The control device includes a first valve opening degree setting value and a second valve opening degree setting value larger than the first valve opening degree setting value of the cooler side valve, the first valve opening degree setting value is used when the ambient temperature is lower than a predetermined switching temperature, and the second valve opening degree setting value is used when the ambient temperature is higher than the switching temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuki Morimoto, Katsunori Tanaka
  • Patent number: 10100748
    Abstract: An aircraft, controller, and method for simultaneously using a liquid fuel and a gaseous fuel. The use of natural gas and other similar fuels in gas turbines engines can enable an aircraft to operate less expensively. However, aircraft often use liquid fuels en route to the gas turbine engine burners for secondary purposes, such as oil cooling and hydraulic pressure. The aircraft, controllers, and methods described herein feed a minimal quantity of liquid fuel to an engine to satisfy the secondary purposes while simultaneously feeding a quantity of gaseous fuel to the engine to satisfy a thrust command for the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Ronald T. Kawai, Michael K. Kisska
  • Patent number: 10018519
    Abstract: A method for estimating the temperature of the fuel entering a turbomachine injector, the turbomachine including engine spaces and an oil/fuel exchanger upstream of the injector, the engine spaces and the oil/fuel exchanger having oil passing through them, the oil/fuel exchanger having an efficiency, the engine spaces including a high-pressure spool, the method including (a) measuring the temperature of the oil entering the engine spaces; (b) measuring the rotational speed of the high-pressure spool; (c) calculating the temperature of the fuel leaving the oil/fuel exchanger using the temperature of the oil entering the engine spaces and the rotational speed of the high-pressure spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Sébastien Gameiro, Caroline Frantz, Sophie Lauranne Mottet
  • Patent number: 9976552
    Abstract: A performance prediction device includes: an actual measured data obtaining unit that obtains actual measured data of a compressor; a test gas physical property correction formula database in which test gas physical property correction formulae are stored; a test parameter calculation unit that calculates test parameters of the compressor; and a test parameter correction unit that selects at least one of the test gas physical property correction formulae from the test gas physical property correction formula database based on types and a mix ratio of gases included in a test gas to be used in the prediction and corrects the test parameters by using the selected test gas physical property correction formula.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Manabu Yagi, Hideo Nishida, Haruo Miura, Kazutoshi Yanagihara
  • Patent number: 9920695
    Abstract: Several embodiments include a system and method for providing thrust recovery in an aircraft engine. The system and method enables a wider range of safe operation for aircraft where the aircraft engine is rapidly reactivated from a substantially deactivated state. The method thereby reduces noise output and fuel usage during descent and shortens runway lengths and occupancy time required for landing. Thrust recovery is provided via the use of stored bleed air being re-injected back into the aircraft engine. An onboard air storage tank and a system of valves facilitating this method are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Inventor: Steven P. Endres
  • Patent number: 9885287
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine fuel delivery system includes a mechanically-driven fuel pump, an electrically-driven fuel pump, and an engine control. The mechanically-driven fuel pump is adapted to receive a drive torque from a gas turbine engine draw fuel into its fuel inlet and discharge the fuel from its fuel outlet. The electrically-driven fuel pump has a first fuel inlet/outlet that is in fluid communication with the mechanically-driven fuel pump fuel inlet, and also has a second fuel inlet/outlet. The engine control is responsive to an engine start signal to cause the electrically-driven fuel pump to be temporarily energized to pump fuel from the first fuel inlet/outlet to the second fuel inlet/outlet, and is responsive to an engine shutdown signal to cause the electrically-driven pump to be temporarily energized to pump fuel from the second fuel inlet/outlet to the first fuel inlet/outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Don Striker, Michael McPherson, Elmer Greenbank, Paul W. Futa
  • Patent number: 9845730
    Abstract: An aeroderivative gas turbine including an air intake plenum; a compressor with a compressor air intake in fluid communication with the air intake plenum; a combustor; a high pressure turbine; a power turbine. A forced air-stream generator is arranged in fluid communication with the air intake plenum. A shutter arrangement is provided in a combustion-air flow path, arranged and controlled to close the combustion-air flow path for pressurizing said air intake plenum by means of the forced air-stream generator to a pressure sufficient to cause pressurized air to flow through the aeroderivative air turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Nuovo Pignone Srl
    Inventors: Tommaso Betti, Antonio Baldassarre, Filippo Viti, Stefano Meucci, Marco Lazzeri, Roberto Merlo, Daniele Marcucci
  • Patent number: 9840919
    Abstract: A method for producing a run-in coating for a turbomachine for braking a rotor in the event of a shaft breakage, the run-in coating being formed as an integral, generative blade portion during a generative manufacture of a blade. A run-in system having an abradable ring that is configured circumferentially on a blade row and has a chamber-type material structure. A turbomachine having a run-in system of this kind, as well as a guide vane having such a run-in coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines AG
    Inventors: Erwin Bayer, Thomas Hess, Sven-J. Hiller, Peter Geiger
  • Patent number: 9810159
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a gas turbine combustor having a diffusion combustion burner and a premix combustion burner comprising: a rotating speed detector for detecting a rotating speed of gas turbine, a recorder for recording the detected value of the rotating speed of gas turbine detected by the rotating speed detector, an arithmetic unit for calculating a change with time of the rotating speed of gas turbine in accordance with details of the detected value of the rotating speed of gas turbine recorded in the recorder, and a fuel control unit for judging a starting situation of reduction in the rotating speed of gas turbine on the basis of the change with time of the rotating speed of gas turbine calculated by the arithmetic unit and controlling respectively a fuel flow rate for the diffusion combustion burner to be fed to the diffusion combustion burner installed in the gas turbine combustor and a fuel flow rate for the premix combustion to be fed to the premix combustion burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Sekiguchi, Shouhei Yoshida, Yoshitaka Hirata, Akinori Hayashi, Nozomi Saitou, Kazuo Takahashi, Takeo Saitou
  • Patent number: 9776733
    Abstract: A device for assisting in the landing of an aircraft in a flare phase comprising a control stick, a first unit for acquiring current flight parameters of the aircraft, a second unit for acquiring a current deflection angle of the control stick, a computation unit for computing a difference between the current deflection angle of the control stick and a target deflection angle of the control stick, and an acoustic emission unit configured to automatically emit a warning or guidance sound signal in the cockpit of the aircraft, according to the difference between the current deflection angle and the target deflection angle of the control stick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Airbus Operations (SAS)
    Inventors: Philippe Perrin, Matthias Eberle
  • Patent number: 9771167
    Abstract: A method of starting a turboshaft engine (5) of an aircraft (1), said aircraft (1) being provided with a rotary wing, said aircraft (1) having a freewheel (15) interposed in a drive train (10) between said engine (5) and a rotor (2) of said rotary wing (1), said engine (5) comprising a gas generator (6) and a free turbine (9), the drive train (10) including an upstream portion (11) connecting said free turbine (9) to said freewheel (15), the method comprising the following steps: measuring the torque (Tq) exerted on said upstream portion (11), and measuring a speed of rotation (Ng) of said gas generator (6); comparing said torque (Tq) with a torque threshold (Stq) and comparing said speed of rotation (Ng) with a gas generator speed threshold (Sng); and stopping said engine (5) when said torque (Tq) is less than the torque threshold (Stq) and when said speed of rotation (Ng) is greater than the gas generator speed threshold (Sng).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Airbus Helicopters
    Inventor: Lucie Massot
  • Patent number: 9746381
    Abstract: An exemplary laser instrumentation bracket includes a support structure providing a recess configured to receive a collar of a laser housing. The laser housing has a main body extending axially through an aperture of the support structure when the recess receives the collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Witt C. Guinn, John J. Korzendorfer, David J. Sander, Kelly A. Vanston
  • Patent number: 9689316
    Abstract: A controller for a gas turbine engine is configured to respond to one or more prescribed engine overspeed conditions. Rather than shutting the engine down, the controller substantially reduces N1 airflow and substantially concurrently activates one or more engine igniters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: TUCSON EMBEDDED SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Elden Crom