Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Brian J. Hamilla
  • Patent number: 7093835
    Abstract: A brush seal assembly for sealing a gap between a first component and a second component, comprising: a body; bristles extending from the body; and an extension from the body, the extension having an elongated slot therein. The slot, when the brush seal assembly mounts between the first and second components, allows the brush seal assembly to float within the gap. An axial brush seal assembly, comprising: a body; bristles extending from the body; and means for allowing movement of the brush seal assembly in an axial direction within the gap. An apparatus, comprising: a first component; a second component spaced from the first component in an axial direction; and an axial brush seal assembly movably mounted between the first and second components. The brush seal assembly can move in said axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Mark E. Addis
  • Patent number: 7024787
    Abstract: A template for evaluating a part, comprising: a surface having a shape corresponding to the part; and at least one element on the surface corresponding to a desired location of a feature on the part. A method of evaluating a part, comprising the steps of: providing a template having a shape corresponding to the part and at least one element thereon corresponding to a desired location on the part; associating the template with the part; and using the element to determine whether the feature is at the desired location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Richard W. Varsell, Jesse R. Boyer, Dorel M. Moisei, James M. Koonankeil, Lukas A. Rubino
  • Patent number: 7000923
    Abstract: A brush seal including a back plate, side plate and bristle ring is disclosed wherein the brush seal is secured together entirely through the use of removable fasteners. The back plate may be provided with a circumferential lip thereby providing a surface against which the head of a fastener can be used to compress the back plate against the side plate and thus capture the bristle ring therebetween. The brush seal can thereby be manufactured from disparate materials which could not be manufactured if welding were required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Mark E. Addis
  • Patent number: 6969232
    Abstract: A flow directing device of a gas turbine engine, comprising: an airfoil having a leading edge, trailing edge, suction side and pressure side; a wall abutting the airfoil; and a fillet between the airfoil and wall. The fillet has an enlarged section at the leading edge, along the suction and pressure sides, and towards the trailing edge. The device could be part of a vane segment. In addition to eliminating a horseshoe vortex, the device also reduces heat load on the airfoil by directing the cooler gas from the proximal end of the airfoil to the hotter gas at the medial section of the airfoil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gary A. Zess, Joel Wagner
  • Patent number: 6910370
    Abstract: A method of operating a gas turbine engine for testing, comprising: providing an aircraft on a tarmac, the aircraft having a gas turbine engine with an inlet; selecting a power setting for the engine that is capable of producing a vortex between the inlet and the tarmac; and inhibiting formation of the vortex. A suppressor for preventing a vortex between an inlet of a gas turbine engine on an aircraft and a tarmac. The suppressor comprises: a base facing the tarmac; and an inclined surface extending in a direction from the tarmac towards the inlet at an angle to the base. The suppressor prevents formation of the vortex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Terry A. Clark, Justin R. Urban
  • Patent number: 6764282
    Abstract: A blade for a turbine engine having a centerline. The blade comprises: a root section extending at an angle relative to the centerline; and an airfoil section extending from the root section. The root section is directly adjacent said airfoil section. In other words, the blade is neckless. The blade is part of a rotor assembly, and is preferably a fan blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Michael Babu, James R. Murdock
  • Patent number: 6694723
    Abstract: A valve assembly for supplying cooling air to a nozzle of a gas turbine engine. The nozzle can move between a first configuration and a second configuration. The valve assembly includes a first member having openings that receive cooling air. The valve assembly also includes a second member having openings. The second member resides adjacent the first member to receive the cooling air from the first member. Finally, the valve assembly includes actuator for moving the first member from a first position, which allows a first flow rate of cooling air to pass through the openings, to a second position, which allows a second flow rate of cooling air to pass through the openings. The second flow rate is less than the first flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Eric J. Ward
  • Patent number: 6688512
    Abstract: An apparatus for friction welding a workpiece to a substrate, comprising an actuator producing a linear oscillating motion, a platform for supporting the workpiece, and a slide mechanism between the actuator and the platform. The slide mechanism converts the linear oscillating motion of the actuator into an arcuate oscillating motion of the platform. The slide could comprise a base and a guide engaging the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Richard D. Trask
  • Patent number: 6652248
    Abstract: A catalyst bed assembly, comprising: an outer housing having an open interior, an inlet leading to the open interior, and an outlet from the open interior; a catalyst bed in the open interior; and a gap between the outer housing and the catalyst bed. The open interior receives material from the inlet. A portion of the material enters the catalyst bed to expose said material to a catalyst so that the material and the catalyst react and create heat within the catalyst bed assembly. A remainder of the material enters the gap between the outer housing and the catalyst bed to cool the catalyst bed assembly. The catalyst bed assembly could be part of a turbopump assembly. The turbopump assembly would further include a nozzle downstream of the outlet; a turbine downstream of the nozzle; and a pump driven by said turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: William B. Watkins, Fred Honeycutt, Jr., Robert Carroll, Donald R. Connell
  • Patent number: 6627833
    Abstract: A fixture for securing a workpiece, which includes: a base; a plurality of locators on the base for accepting the workpiece; a plurality of arms, each secured to the base at a pivot point; and a lever for actuating the arms against the workpiece. The arms positively position the workpiece against the locators. The fixture is part of an electrical discharge machining (EDM) apparatus, which also includes a tank and a holder for supporting an electrode in said tank. The lever actuates towards a front of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Richard W. Varsell, Donald Joseph Voisine
  • Patent number: 6625971
    Abstract: A fuel nozzle, comprising an inlet for receiving fuel and an outlet for discharging fuel. The outlet intersects a longitudinal centerline of the nozzle and produces a skewed spray pattern. A fuel injector having a fuel nozzle outlet such that a fluid discharged from a swirler produces a crescent-shaped spray pattern in the fuel. A burner section of a gas turbine engine comprising a combustion chamber and fuel injectors. At least one of the fuel injectors produces a skewed flame pattern in the combustion chamber that overlaps with a flame pattern from an adjacent fuel injector. A method of improving stability of a flame in a burner section of a gas turbine engine in which at least one of the fuel injectors produces a skewed flame pattern in the burner section to create a fuel non-uniformity, the flame pattern also overlapping with an adjacent flame pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Charles B. Graves
  • Patent number: 6606853
    Abstract: A rocket propulsion system, comprising: a rocket engine; and a turbopump supplying fuel or oxidizer to the rocket engine. The turbopump can supply an; adjustable flow of the fuel or oxidizer to throttle the rocket engine. The turbopump includes a catalyst bed for decomposing a material to produce a discharge; a mixer section downstream of the catalyst bed for introducing an additional amount of the material to the discharge to produce an exhaust stream having a mass flow; a nozzle downstream of the mixer section; a turbine downstream of the nozzle; and a pump driven by the turbine. The additional amount of said material is selected to produce a desired amount of mass flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: William B. Watkins
  • Patent number: 6588303
    Abstract: An anti-rotation device for a fastener, comprising: a first coupling for engaging a first fastener; a second coupling for engaging a feature located near the first fastener; and a flexible connection between the first and second couplings. The flexible connection limits rotation of the first coupling relative to the second coupling. The anti-rotation device could be part of a kit which also includes a holder. The holder comprises: a first opening for receiving the first coupling and a second opening for receiving the second coupling. The spacing between the first and second openings corresponds to the distance between the first and second fasteners. The anti-rotation device allows the operator to tighten or loosen a third fastener corresponding to said first fastener without manually engaging the first fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Leonard M. Walsh
  • Patent number: 6532741
    Abstract: A gas generator, comprising a catalyst section and a mixer section. The catalyst section has openings through which a material enters and reacts with a catalyst to decompose and to produce heat. The mixer section, located downstream of the catalyst section, introduces an additional amount of the material. The heat produced in the catalyst section is sufficient to decompose the additional amount of material introduce into the mixer section without exposure to said catalyst. The catalyst bed assembly could be part of a turbopump assembly. A nozzle downstream of the mixer section directs the exhaust towards a turbine. The turbine drives a pump. The amount of material added to the mixer is selected to produce a desired amount mass flow through the nozzle. Adding material to the mixer causes the turbopump to supply more fuel or oxidizer to a rocket engine. Thus, the rocket engine is throttleable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: William B. Watkins
  • Patent number: 6487848
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas turbine engine jet noise suppressor which does not appreciably adversely impact engine thrust and performance. The jet noise suppressor includes a nozzle, having an arrangement thereon of tabs disposed on the downstream end of the nozzle, the tabs having a length and the angular offset with respect to the engine flow such that mixing occurs primarily at the interface of the engine flow and the ambient air. In addition, various construction details are developed for the tabs including tabs that are trapezoidal with tapered sides such that the tabs minimize adverse impact to engine performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Steven H. Zysman, Wesley K. Lord, Gregory A. Kohlenberg
  • Patent number: 6457719
    Abstract: According to the present invention, a brush seal is provided having a side plate, a back plate, and a bristle pack disposed between the side plate and the back plate. The side plate is in contact with an upstream surface of the bristle pack. The back plate is in contact with a downstream surface of the bristle pack. The back plate includes a plurality of apertures positioned to provide a gas path through the back plate for gas exiting the bristle pack. In some embodiments, the back plate further includes an exit channel disposed in the back plate surface contiguous with the bristle pack, aligned with the apertures. In some embodiments, the radial length of the side plate in contact with the bristle pack is less than the radial length of the back plate in contact with the bristle pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: James Fellenstein, Sean P. McCutchan, James Hyland, Keven G. Van Duyn
  • Patent number: 6419446
    Abstract: A method for inhibiting radial transfer of core gas flow away from a center radial region and toward the inner and outer radial boundaries of a core gas flow path within a gas turbine engine is provided that includes the steps of: (1) providing a flow directing structure that includes an airfoil that abuts a wall surface, said airfoil having a leading edge, a pressure side, and a suction side; and (2) increasing the velocity of the core gas flow in the area where the leading edge of the airfoil abuts the wall. Increasing the velocity of the core gas flow in the area where the leading edge of the airfoil abuts the wall impedes the formation of a pressure gradient along the surface of the airfoil that forces core gas from the center region of the core gas toward the wall. The apparatus includes apparatus for diverting core gas flow away from the area where the airfoil abuts the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: William A. Kvasnak, Friedrich O. Soechting, Karen A. Thole, Gary A. Zess
  • Patent number: 6310312
    Abstract: An automated method and apparatus for electrode discharge machining wherein method includes moving the tool holder to the electrode loader, automatically mounting an electrode into the tool holder and then testing the electrode for conformance to geometric and dimension tolerances and testing the electrode for proper alignment in the tool holder and thus proper alignment relative to the workpiece just prior to moving the tool holder to the workpiece area for machining. The apparatus includes a moveable servomechanism with a tool holder, an electrode magazine, and a sensor module for testing an electrode mounted in the tool holder. The sensor module has a recess configuration of conductive material complimentary to the electrode such that the electrode will make contact with the conductive material when inserted into the sensor module if the electrode is out of tolerance or misaligned in the tool holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Evelitsa Higuerey, Gordon Reed, Thomas R. Davis, Wilfred Grenfell
  • Patent number: 6280248
    Abstract: Hold-Down element (1) for holding, in a clamping manner, an electrical and/or electronic component, such as a connector, onto a substrate. The hold-down element (1) comprising a first part (2) for engaging the substrate and a second part (5) for engaging the component to be mounted. The first part (2) having an essentially flat, elongate shape provided with a member (7) which is offset with respect to the raised member (7), so that the first part (2), under the influence of a force exerted thereon during the insertion of the hold-down element (1) in a mounting opening, can diverge in the opposite direction to the raised member (7) and can engage, in a clamping manner, the substrate by means of the divergent portion in the mounting opening. The hold-down element (1) may also be used as the connecting end of a component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Berg Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Niranjan K. Mitra
  • Patent number: 6276950
    Abstract: A socket for a printed circuit board wherein the attachment and detachment of a printed circuit board can be easily and reliably performed without damaging the printed circuit board. The socket comprising a pair of guide portions extending from a header portion having an insertion opening which receives a printed circuit board to guide the sides of the printed circuit board in its extraction direction, an eject lever arranged at the guide portion to extract one end of the board from the insertion opening, and an elastic guide arm arranged at the guide portion to guide an end surface of the other of the board. When the eject lever extracts one end of the printed circuit board from the insertion opening, the guide arm rotates the board between the pair of guide portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Berg Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Akihiro Yodogawa