Patents Examined by Alain Chau
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Patent number: 11313285Abstract: A method for actively calculating a capability of an electronically controlled valve is provided. The method including the steps of: a) operating the electronically controlled valve in accordance with a task; b) testing the electronically controlled valve in order to determine a range of movement of the electronically controlled valve in accordance with an initial gain, wherein the testing of the electronically controlled valve occurs after the valve has been operated in accordance with the task; c) determining a new gain required for providing a predetermined range of movement of the electronically controlled valve; and d) repeating steps a-c at least once, wherein the new gain is used to operate the valve in accordance with the task.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2020Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventor: Tyler J. Selstad
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Patent number: 11306919Abstract: A cooling hole arrangement for a combustor panel including a first group of cooling holes, each of the first cooling holes extending from a first inlet to a first outlet. Also included is a second group of cooling holes, each of the second cooling holes extending from a second inlet to a second outlet, each of the first cooling holes and the second cooling holes spaced from an edge of the combustor panel in an axial direction to be arranged substantially parallel to the edge of the combustor panel. At least a portion of the first inlet of each first cooling holes is axially overlapped with a portion of the second inlet of the second cooling holes. The first outlet of each of the first cooling holes is closer to the edge of the combustor panel than the second outlet of the second cooling holes is to the edge.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2018Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventor: Scott D. Lewis
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Patent number: 11306664Abstract: Flight control systems, flight control methods, and aircraft are provided. An aircraft including a system and a method for receiving, via a fuel switch, a first control signal indicative of an off position on a fuel switch, determining a throttle resolver angle of a throttle controller in response to the first control signal, comparing the throttle resolver angle to a threshold throttle angle, and generating a pilot warning in response to the first control signal and the throttle resolver angle exceeding the threshold throttle angle.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2020Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: Gulfstream Aerospace CorporationInventors: Craig Ziolkowski, Desmond Ruhan, Todd Abler, Andrew Martin
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Patent number: 11306659Abstract: An effusion cooling hole for a component associated with a gas turbine engine extends along a longitudinal axis. The effusion cooling hole includes an inlet section spaced apart from a first surface of the component. The inlet section includes a face orientated transverse to the first surface and defines an inlet through the face that has a first diameter. The effusion cooling hole includes an outlet at a second surface of the component and downstream from the inlet section. The effusion cooling hole includes a diverging section downstream from the inlet section and upstream from the outlet. The diverging section is defined substantially external to a thickness of the component, and the effusion cooling hole transitions from the first diameter to a second diameter at the diverging section. The effusion cooling hole includes an intermediate section that fluidly connects the diverging section to the outlet.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2019Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Rodolphe Dudebout, Nagaraja Rudrapatna
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Patent number: 11300049Abstract: A system includes a housing for a gas turbine engine, and a fan disposed in the housing to rotate coaxially with a gas turbine included in the housing. The system also includes an inlet guide vane disposed in the housing in axial alignment with the fan and configured to have an open position where a first flow of air is received by the fan through the inlet guide vane, and a closed position where airflow through the inlet guide vane is obstructed. The system further includes a heat exchanger disposed in a supply passage in fluid communication with a second flow of air received by the fan. The second flow of air is received by the fan via the supply passage with the inlet guide vane in the open position or in the closed position.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2020Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE NORTH AMERICAN TECHNOLOGIES INC.Inventors: Douglas David Dierksmeier, Douglas Boyd, Douglas J. Snyder, Graham Burkholder, William Barry Bryan
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Patent number: 11300053Abstract: A flame arrestor system includes a heat exchanger through which a cooling gas flow stream is directed. A zone adjacent the heat exchanger is susceptible to possible flame and through which the cooling gas flow stream is directed. A flame arrestor containing a passage-structure matrix is disposed between the zone and the heat exchanger to quench flame from entering the heat exchanger.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2019Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Robert Hoover, Jeffrey Kohn, Daniel Hand, James Unsworth, Seth Bullington
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Patent number: 11286883Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes, among other things, a fan section including a fan rotor, a gear train defined about an engine axis of rotation, a high spool, and a low spool including a low pressure turbine that drives the fan rotor through the gear train. A static structure includes a first engine mount location and a second engine mount location.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2019Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Brian D. Merry, Christopher M. Dye, Steven B. Johnson, Frederick M. Schwarz
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Patent number: 11286857Abstract: A thermal management system for one or more aircraft components includes a bleed airflow source at a gas turbine engine of the aircraft, one or more turbines configured to expand the bleed airflow, thus lowering a temperature of the bleed airflow, the bleed airflow driving rotation of the one or more turbines. One or more heat exchangers are in fluid communication with the one or more turbines. The one or more heat exchangers are configured to exchange thermal energy between the bleed airflow and a thermal load. One or more electrical generators are operably connected to the one or more turbines. The one or more electrical generators are configured to convert rotational energy of the one or more turbines to electrical energy.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2019Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATIONInventors: Lance R. Bartosz, Tony Ho, Alan Retersdorf, Matthew Pess
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Patent number: 11286885Abstract: A gas turbine engine utilizes one or more gas generators having a core inlet flowpath and an exhaust outlet. Adjacently offset from the core gas generator, is a propulsor assembly. An exhaust outlet of the core gas generator is fluidly connected to the propulsor assembly and exhaust from the gas generator drives a fan drive turbine.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2014Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: Raytheon Technologies CorporationInventor: William G. Sheridan
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Patent number: 11280226Abstract: A waste heat recovery system including a drive unit, the drive unit having a drive shaft, a compressor, the compressor operably coupled to the drive shaft, wherein operation of the drive unit drives the compressor, and a waste heat recovery cycle, the waste heat recovery cycle coupled to the drive unit and the compressor, wherein a waste heat of the drive unit powers the waste heat recovery cycle, such that the waste heat recovery cycle transmits a mechanical power to the compressor, is provided. Furthermore, an associated method is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2017Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: ATLAS COPCO COMPTEC, LLCInventor: Jacob Earl Duffney
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Patent number: 11280265Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprising a central power shaft; a rotatable turbine impeller on the shaft, a compressor configured to receive power from the central power shaft, the compressed air exiting the compressor entering a cavity of the impeller. Ejector(s) mounted on a periphery of the impeller having a combustion chamber including an outer wall; a mixing chamber downstream of the combustion chamber, a passageway to the mixing chamber from outside the combustion chamber for ejected (outside) air to enter the ejector and travel to the mixing chamber where the ejected air mixes with a flow of hot gases that has exited the combustion chamber to create a mixed flow of gases. A convergent-divergent nozzle at an exit of the mixing chamber accelerates the mixed flow of gases moving through the nozzle, thereby creating a reaction thrust and a moment of force on the shaft.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2019Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Inventor: Evgeni Shamis
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Patent number: 11274610Abstract: A method of controlling a combustion system of a gas turbine engine which has a combustor with a primary combustion zone, of which a condition in the primary combustion zone is defined by a primary zone control parameter. The method includes controlling the primary zone control parameter to be substantially constant value over a range of values of compressor inlet air temperature.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2019Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY GLOBAL GMBH & CO. KGInventors: Jadeed Beita, Andrew Dawson
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Patent number: 11268446Abstract: A gas turbine engine and method of starting, the gas turbine engine having a rotor comprising at least a shaft mounted compressor and turbine, with a casing surrounding the rotor. The method comprises an acceleration phase, a bowed-rotor cooling phase, during the acceleration, and a combustion phase. The bowed-rotor cooling phase comprises a time where the rotational speed of the rotor is maintained below a bowed-rotor threshold speed until a non-bowed condition is satisfied, wherein the air forced through the gas turbine engine cools the rotor. The combustion phase occurs after the bowed-rotor cooling phase and upon reaching the combustion speed, wherein fuel is supplied to the gas turbine engine is turned on.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2019Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Joseph Daniel Garrett, III, Mark Edward Linz, Tod Robert Steen, Thomas Charles Swager, Andrew Todd Lehmann, Michael Scott McCambridge, Robert Charles Hon, Thomas Earl Gillingham, Daniel Roy Kiracofe, Kenneth Kirchmayer, Joseph Roger Broda, Kevin Richard Graziano, Steven Alan Ross, Amid Ansari
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Patent number: 11261790Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling liquid flow to a turbine fogging array. Some implementations are generally directed toward adjusting the output of a variable output pump that supplies water to the turbine fogging array. In some of those implementations, the output is adjusted based on a determined target pump output value that is indicative of a pump output required to change the moisture content of intake air of a combustion turbine to meet a target humidity value. Some implementations are generally directed toward actuating at least one control valve of a plurality of control valves that control liquid throughput to one or more fogging nozzles of a fogging array.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2020Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: Caldwell Tanks, Inc.Inventors: Donald W. Shepherd, Mark Ammons, Brian Scoggins
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Patent number: 11260978Abstract: A compressed air conduit can have a cross-sectional area, and a valve, the valve having at least one arm being deployable laterally into the cross-sectional area of the conduit to restrict flow within the conduit.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2019Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.Inventor: Jean-Francois Caron
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Patent number: 11255269Abstract: The disclosure relates to a valve for a fuel system having a body with at least one inlet and one outlet, the inlet fluidly connected to a pressurised fuel source in use. A shuttle is mounted within the body, the shuttle having a cavity of fixed volume and movable between a first position where fluid is permitted to flow through the inlet and is prevented from flowing through the outlet and a second position where fluid is prevented from flowing through the inlet and is permitted to flow through the outlet. A piston is configured to engage the fluid within the shuttle cavity to move the shuttle between the first and second position. A biasing mechanism biases the shuttle towards the first position and where the shuttle moves towards the second position when the fluid within the shuttle reaches a critical pressure.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2020Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Inventor: Michael R. Smith
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Patent number: 11255543Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a combustor assembly for a gas turbine engine. The combustor assembly includes a liner defining a combustion chamber therewithin and a pressure plenum surrounding the liner. The liner defines an opening and includes a walled chute disposed at least partially through the opening. A plurality of flow openings is defined through the walled chute.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2018Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Mayank Krisna Amble, Gurunath Gandikota, Perumallu Vukanti, Ravi Chandra, Karthikeyan Sampath
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Patent number: 11255268Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a main compressor section having a downstream most location, and a turbine section, with both the main compressor section and the turbine section housing rotatable components. A first tap taps air compressed by the main compressor section at an upstream location upstream of the downstream most location. The first tap passes through a heat exchanger, and to a cooling compressor. Air downstream of the cooling compressor is selectively connected to reach at least one of the rotatable components. The cooling compressor is connected to rotate at a speed proportional to a rotational speed in one of the main compressor section and the turbine section. A valve system includes a check valve for selectively blocking flow downstream of the cooling compressor from reaching the at least one rotatable component. A dump valve selectively dumps air downstream of the cooling compressor. A method is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2018Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: Raytheon Technologies CorporationInventor: Joseph Turney
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Patent number: 11248534Abstract: A ventilation system includes a cavity, a fluid motive force device, and a motive fluid supply system. The cavity includes different ventilation level requirements for a plurality of modes of operation. The fluid motive force device includes a suction port, an outlet port, and a motive fluid inlet port. The suction port is coupled in flow communication with the cavity to be vented. A flow supply to the motive fluid inlet port determines a ventilation flow through the suction port. The motive fluid supply system is coupled in flow communication with the motive fluid inlet port. An operation of the motive fluid supply system determines a flow of motive fluid from the motive fluid supply system to the motive fluid inlet port. The flow of motive fluid to the motive fluid inlet port generates a ventilation flow through the suction port approximately matching a current ventilation demand of said cavity.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2018Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Ronald Bruce Schofield, Kinga Lucja Rybinska, Thomas Charles McCarthy
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Patent number: 11248525Abstract: A system and method for detecting inlet temperature distortion of an engine are described. The method comprises obtaining an outside air temperature from at least one first sensor, obtaining an inlet temperature of the engine from at least one second sensor, determining an inlet temperature distortion based on a difference between the outside air temperature and the inlet temperature, comparing the inlet temperature distortion to a threshold, and issuing an alert when the inlet temperature distortion exceeds the threshold.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2019Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.Inventor: Martin Drolet