Patents Assigned to United Technologies
  • Strain measuring device for bearing compartment
    Patent number: 10883540
    Abstract: A thrust-sensing assembly for a bearing compartment of a gas turbine engine includes a spacer and a retaining ring. The spacer includes an outer frusto-conical portion and an inner ring. The outer frusto-conical portion includes an axial row of a plurality of slots. Each slot of the plurality of slots includes a first rounded end, a second rounded end, a first side-face, and a second side face that faces the first side-face. The retaining ring includes a plurality of axial extensions with distal ends that are in contact with the outer frusto-conical portion of the spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher T. Anglin, Heriberto Rodriguez
  • Key locking stud installation tool
    Patent number: 10882170
    Abstract: A tool for installing a stud having a plurality of locking keys into a workpiece bore includes a main body, an actuator within the main body, a nosepiece adjacent the main body and having an anvil portion, and a mandrel disposed within the nosepiece. The actuator includes a movable piston, a shaft extending axially from the piston, and a coupler on a shaft end opposite the piston. The mandrel includes a threaded head portion and a body portion, and is releasably secured to the coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Derek T. Welch, Ricky D. Tucker
  • High temperature compliant metallic elements for low contact stress ceramic support
    Patent number: 10883369
    Abstract: A ceramic component retention system includes a metallic component, a ceramic component, and at least one spring element arranged between the metallic component and the ceramic component. The metallic component has a first coefficient of thermal expansion, and the ceramic component has a second coefficient of thermal expansion. The at least one spring element is configured to mechanically couple the ceramic component to the metallic component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Wendell V. Twelves, Jr., Kathleen E. Sinnamon, Lexia Kironn, Evan Butcher, Joe Ott, Matthew E. Lynch
  • MULTI-PASSAGE OIL DEBRIS MONITOR TO INCREASE DETECTION CAPABILITY IN HIGH OIL FLOW SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20200408733
    Abstract: An oil debris monitoring sensor includes a multiple of passages within the housing, each of the multiple of passages surrounded by a set of coils to detect a particle. A method for determining a presence of a particle in a system includes a) installing a single sensor in-line with an oil flow path; b) communicating oil through a multiple of passages within the housing of the single sensor; c) detecting a particle through the single sensor; and d) isolating the particle to one of the multiple of passages within the sensor housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Sheridon Everette Haye, Edward Thomas Rocco
  • Defect detection and measurement method
    Patent number: 10878554
    Abstract: A method of evaluating an article includes measuring a feature of the article using a defect detection device. A set of data points is recorded representing the first feature and the set of data points is analyzed. The analyzing includes constructing a filtered curve by constructing a raw curve by listing the set of data points, constructing a first meanline curve, and finding a first difference between the raw curve and the first meanline curve. The analyzing also includes constructing a reversal curve by calculating a second derivative of a meanline curve constructed from the set of data points. The method also includes deciding the acceptability of the feature of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph D. Drescher, Kenneth A. Frisk
  • Interactive semi-automated borescope video analysis and damage assessment system and method of use
    Patent number: 10878556
    Abstract: A method of assessing damage to a component includes displaying a sensor image of the component in a first viewing pane, displaying a reference image of the component, which is a graphical depiction of the component with accurate dimensions, in a second viewing pane, placing a plurality of first identification markers on the sensor image of the component in the first viewing pane to correspond to a matching location with a second identification marker on the component in the reference image, identifying a region of damage on the component in the sensor image, mapping the region of damage to the component in the reference image using the plurality of first and second identification markers, and calculating a size of the region of damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Paul D. Hestand, Alan Matthew Finn, Dennis M. Moura, Ziyou Xiong, Keith R. Russell
  • Non-axisymmetric end wall contouring with forward mid-passage peak
    Patent number: 10876411
    Abstract: A turbine section includes a pair of adjacent turbine airfoils and an endwall extending between the airfoils. The endwall includes a first feature spanning approximately twenty percent pitch and having a first depression with a first maximum depression located between twenty percent and sixty percent of an axial chord length of the first airfoil, a second feature adjacent the first feature with the second feature spanning approximately forty percent pitch and having a first peak with a maximum height located between twenty percent and sixty percent of the axial chord length of the first airfoil, and a third feature adjacent the second feature and first side of the second airfoil with the third feature spanning approximately forty percent pitch and having a second depression with a second maximum depression located between thirty percent and sixty percent of an axial chord length of the second airfoil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Loubriel Ramirez
  • CERAMIC MATRIX COMPOSITE ROTOR BLADE ATTACHMENT
    Publication number: 20200392856
    Abstract: A rotor disk assembly for a gas turbine engine. A multiple of blade attachments each received within a slot in a rotor disk. The rotor blade attachment manufactured of a metal alloy and a rotor blade retained between each two of the multiple of blade attachments, the rotor blade manufactured of non-metal alloy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Michael G. McCaffrey
  • Printed extendable sensor system
    Patent number: 10867914
    Abstract: An extendable sensor system having a lattice topology includes a number of extendable interconnects having one or more electrically-conductive layers alternately sandwiched between two or more dielectric layers, two or more interconnect nodes, each located on the lattice topology and electrically-connected to the extendable interconnects to define a sensor array topology, and one or more sensors. The extendable interconnects are arranged in a serpentine pattern that is configured to be expanded, thereby extending the extendable sensor system. The expanded interconnects define an extended sensor system topology, and is configured to be installed on the surface of an asset. Methods of manufacturing an extendable sensor system are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Sameh Dardona, Dustin D. Caldwell, Callum Bailey
  • Method and device for piston seal anti-rotation
    Patent number: 10865652
    Abstract: A method of limiting circumferential rotation of a split-ring seal for use in a gas turbine engine includes inserting a retention block through a slot in a flange of a support structure and into a groove configured to hold a split-ring seal, and engaging an end of a split-ring seal in the groove with a surface of the retention block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Treat, Nicholas W. Kantany, Andrew D. Burdick, Michael C. Pezzetti, Jr.
  • REFLECTIVE COATING AND COATING PROCESS THEREFOR
    Publication number: 20200386165
    Abstract: A process for coating a component includes applying a bond coat on a substrate of a component; applying a thermal barrier material to the bond coat; and applying a conforming reflective layer to the thermal barrier material, the conforming reflective layer conforming to porous microstructure of the ceramic coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Brian T. Hazel, Alan C. Barron, Mary Catherine Gurak
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MONITORING AND CONTROLLING A GAS TURBINE ENGINE
    Publication number: 20200386117
    Abstract: A method for controlling a gas turbine engine includes receiving, by a signal processor from a sensor, an operating condition of the gas turbine engine and determining, by the signal processor, whether the operating condition is within an acceptable threshold. In response to the operating condition being outside the acceptable threshold, the method includes restricting, by the signal processor, a subsequent engine restart of the gas turbine engine. Restricting the subsequent engine restart of the gas turbine engine may comprise preventing the subsequent restart. In various embodiments, restricting the subsequent engine restart of the gas turbine engine comprises limiting a subsequent operating state of the gas turbine engine after the subsequent restart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jacob Peter Mastro, Martin J. Walsh
  • Attritable Engine Additively Manufactured Inlet Cap
    Publication number: 20200386160
    Abstract: A turbine engine has: a compressor; a combustor; a turbine, a gas flowpath passing consecutively through the compressor, combustor, and turbine; and inlet member along the gas flowpath upstream of the compressor. The inlet member includes the unitarily-formed single piece combination of: a three dimensional (3D) lattice portion; and a nose cap body surrounding the lattice portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Binek, Jesse R. Boyer, Evan J. Butcher, Michael Winter, Jesus A. Garcia, Sean R. Jackson
  • APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR IMPROVEMENT OF SURFACE GEOMETRIES OF INTERNAL CHANNELS OF ADDITIVELY MANUFACTURED COMPONENTS
    Publication number: 20200384547
    Abstract: A cutting system for removing an excess material along a length of a channel constructed using an additive manufacturing process is disclosed. In various embodiments, the cutting system includes a cutter head; a cutter blade attached to the cutter head; a drive cable configured to rotate the cutter head; and a cutter base attached to the cutter head and having a cutter base outer surface configured to contact an internal surface within the channel to guide the cutter blade against the excess material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian A. Fisher, David W. Morganson
  • RADIALLY OUTWARD ORBITAL WELDING TECHNIQUE AS A JOINING METHOD USED FOR INNER TUBE TO FITTING CONNECTIONS IN DOUBLE WALL TUBE CONFIGURATIONS
    Publication number: 20200384584
    Abstract: A process of welding fittings to ends of a double wall pipe comprising forming a first welded joint between an inner pipe and an inner receiver of a first fitting; forming a second welded joint between an outer pipe and an outer receiver of the first fitting; forming a third welded joint between the outer pipe and an outer receiver of a second fitting; and forming a fourth welded joint between the inner pipe and an inner receiver of the second fitting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Pawel Kaniowski, Piotr Kaczor, Robert Wozniak, Wangen Lin, Christopher A. Sanchez
  • BRAZE-IN-PLACE PLUG REPAIR METHOD FOR THROUGHWALL DEFECTS ON CASTINGS
    Publication number: 20200384560
    Abstract: A method of repairing a cast article defect, in accordance with various embodiments, is disclosed herein. The method may comprise: machining an aperture at a defect location of a cast article; coating a plug side surface of a plug with a braze material; coating at least one of a top surface or a bottom surface of the plug with an excess braze material; inserting the plug into the aperture from the inner surface of the cast article towards the outer surface of the cast article and leaving at least one void between a the braze material and a side surface of the aperture; and heating the cast article and the plug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: THOMAS ANTHONY REBBECCHI, JR., Edward R. Bareiss, Shorntell D. Wilson, Nagendra Narasimha Kedlaya, Joseph F. McIlrath
  • APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR IMPROVEMENT OF SURFACE GEOMETRIES OF INTERNAL CHANNELS OF ADDITIVELY MANUFACTURED COMPONENTS
    Publication number: 20200384539
    Abstract: A cutting system for removing an excess material along a length of a channel constructed using an additive manufacturing process is disclosed. In various embodiments, the cutting system includes a cutting component having an abrasive surface configured to remove the excess material along a down-facing surface of the channel and a smooth surface configured for sliding contact with an up-facing surface of the channel; and a motive component configured to urge the cutting component through the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian A. Fisher, David W. Morganson
  • Apparatus and method for selective bonding to form hollow components
    Patent number: 10858945
    Abstract: An embodiment of an apparatus includes means for peripherally welding a cavity-back blade and a cover of the cavity-back blade to form a 3-dimensional hollow blade assembly, and a plurality of bellows contained in one or both of a first die half and a second die half receiving the 3-dimensional hollow blade assembly. The plurality of bellows are disposed within the region defined around or inward of the peripherally welded interface of the cover and the blade. At least a portion of the plurality of bellows are arranged in a manner to provide pressure to the cover at approximately a 90 degree angle to each of a plurality of nodes, each node defined by an intersection of two or more ribs in the cavity-back blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel A. Bales, Russell A. Beers, Thomas DeMichael, Eric W. Malmborg, Francis B. Parisi
  • VANE AIRFOIL SHAPES FOR EMBEDDED MEMBERS
    Publication number: 20200378261
    Abstract: A vane assembly may comprise a plurality of airfoils each extending between an inner platform and an outer platform, the plurality of airfoils comprising a nominal airfoil, a thickened airfoil, and a first thinned airfoil circumferentially adjacent to the thickened airfoil, wherein, the nominal airfoil has a first chord thickness, the thickened airfoil has a second chord thickness, and the thinned airfoil has a third chord thickness, wherein the second chord thickness is greater than the first chord thickness and the third chord thickness is less than the first chord thickness, and a member disposed within the thickened airfoil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Corey D. Anderson, Marianne C. Monastero, Vladimir Skidelsky
  • PASSIVE CENTRIFUGAL BLEED VALVE SYSTEM FOR A GAS TURBINE ENGINE
    Publication number: 20200378343
    Abstract: A passive centrifugal valve for a gas turbine engine. The passive centrifugal valve includes an inner section with a flow control inlet orifice, a cantilevered valve adjacent to the flow control inlet orifice, and an outer section with a seal land geometry that operates to at least partially support the cantilevered valve in response to a first centrifugal force that deflects the cantilevered valve away from the flow control inlet orifice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Michael G. McCaffrey, Tracy A. Propheter-Hinckley