Patents Examined by Andrew H Nguyen
  • Patent number: 12215530
    Abstract: An assembly is provided for an aircraft. This aircraft assembly includes a latch, a balk element and a fitting. The latch is movable between an unlocked position and a locked position. The balk element is rotatable between a balked position and an un-balked position. The balk element is configured to block the latch from moving to the locked position when the balk element is in the balked position. The fitting includes a keeper. The fitting is movable between an open position and a closed position. The fitting is configured to push the balk element into the un-balked position as the fitting moves into the closed position. The latch is configured to move to the locked position and engage the keeper when the fitting is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventors: Imad D. Ghandour, Ken V. Huynh
  • Patent number: 12196156
    Abstract: Symmetric cascade thrust reversers and related methods are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first cascade and a second cascade, the first cascade and the second cascade to be radially spaced relative to a longitudinal axis of a first aircraft engine extending in a fore-aft direction, the first cascade to provide a first flow characteristic and the second cascade to provide a second flow characteristic, the first flow characteristic provided by the first cascade symmetric relative to the second flow characteristic of the second cascade with respect to a vertical plane passing through the longitudinal axis of the aircraft engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Eric S. Samson, Garrett D. Klovdahl
  • Patent number: 12196422
    Abstract: A combustor for a gas turbine includes a combustor liner having an outer liner and an inner liner defining a combustion chamber therebetween. At least one of the outer liner and the inner liner includes a dilution fence arranged in a dilution zone of the combustion chamber. The dilution fence extends into the combustion chamber and has at least one secondary fuel nozzle opening therethrough, and at least one secondary fuel nozzle is arranged through the at least one secondary fuel nozzle opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Saket Singh, Rimple Rangrej, Pradeep Naik, Michael A. Benjamin, Joseph Zelina
  • Patent number: 12188432
    Abstract: A device for attaching a connecting rod small end for a thrust reversal cascade flap onto a fixed internal structure of a turbojet engine nacelle includes a fitting configured to be fixed to the internal structure and a connection interface forming a joint between the connecting rod small end and the fitting. The device further includes a removable fork configured to cooperate with the connection interface, wherein the fork and the connection interface are arranged inside the fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: SAFRAN NACELLES
    Inventors: Xavier Cazuc, Jean-Phillipe Joret
  • Patent number: 12188410
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a propulsor for providing air into a core engine housing, and for providing air as propulsion air. An aircraft fluid moves within an inlet to the gas turbine engine, and is exposed to inlet air at the inlet. There is a first temperature sensor for sensing a first temperature of the aircraft at a first upstream point and a second temperature sensor for sensing a second temperature of the aircraft fluid at a second downstream point where the aircraft fluid has been exposed to the inlet air for a period of time. A control determines a temperature differential between first and second temperatures sensed by the first and second temperature sensors, the temperature differential associated with a likelihood that an icing condition will occur. The control is programmed to take a corrective action should an icing condition be identified. A method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventor: Zubair Ahmad
  • Patent number: 12187445
    Abstract: Guide systems for installing aircraft structures are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first guide structured to be supported by a first hinge component of a first aircraft structure and a second guide structured to be supported by a second hinge component of a second aircraft structure. The first guide is to receive the second guide when the second structure is at an installation angle relative to the first structure. Engagement between the first guide and the second guide to enable rotational movement of the first hinge component and the second hinge component when the second aircraft structure moves to an installed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Luke D. Torjesen, Reed Daniel Wilson, August W. McKenna, James R. Schnelz, Peter Albert Madakson, Richard Eugene Noble, Scott Thomas Olson, Daniel W. Stewart, Raymond Helgeson, Frederick Zimmer
  • Patent number: 12180909
    Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, an actuator apparatus includes an output member configured to actuate between a first positional configuration and a second positional configuration, a source fluid reservoir, a fluid velocity resistor configured to provide a predetermined resistance to fluid flow, a fluid velocity fuse configured to flow fluid flows having a first predetermined range of fluid velocities and to block fluid flows having second predetermined range of fluid velocities, and a fluid actuator assembly configured to urge fluid flow from the source fluid reservoir through the fluid velocity resistor and the fluid velocity fuse based on actuation of the output member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: Woodward, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Thomas Kopecek, William Muster
  • Patent number: 12172766
    Abstract: An aircraft engine cowling comprises a first cowling portion and a second cowling portion moveable relative to each other. A cowling latch secures the first cowling portion and the second cowling portion in a closed position. The aircraft engine cowling further comprises a deflection limiter band and a deflection limiter latch moveable between an engaged state and a disengaged state for the deflection limiter band. An interlock mechanism prevents disengagement of the cowling latch while the deflection limiter latch is in the engaged state. The interlock mechanism includes a lock element moveable between a first position that prevents disengagement of the cowling latch and a second position that enables disengagement of the cowling latch. The interlock mechanism also includes an indicator paddle movable to contact the deflection limiter latch. A linkage assembly coordinates movement of the lock element with movement of the indicator paddle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael A. Fleming, Dale G. Frolander, Lauren Peter Yoshiba, Andrew R. Croskey, Albert P. Go, Rohith R. Birjay, Jeremiah D. Langston, Declan Foley, Ignacio J. Carrillo
  • Patent number: 12173668
    Abstract: A thrust reverser may comprise translating sleeve panel. A first articulating slider and a second articulating slider may be located at a circumferential end of the translating sleeve panel. Each of the first articulating slider and the second articulating slider may include a slider bar and a slider ball. The slider ball may be attached to the translating sleeve panel and located in a spherical opening defined by the slider bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: ROHR, INC.
    Inventor: Jihad Ramlaoui
  • Patent number: 12163487
    Abstract: A structure comprising a nacelle or a thrust reverser, the structure comprising a stationary part and a movable part, the structure comprising: a first guide provided on or in the stationary part of the structure or the movable part of the structure; a first electrical connector attached to the stationary part of the structure: a second electrical connector attached to the movable part of the structure; and a carriage movable along the first guide: wherein the carriage comprises a closed loop electrical cable mounted in or on a carriage body such that the closed loop cable can rotate, wherein the first electrical connector is electrically connected to the closed loop electrical cable and the closed loop electrical cable is electrically connected to the second electrical connector, thereby providing an electrical connection from the stationary part of the structure to the movable part of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: SAFRAN NACELLES LIMITED
    Inventors: James Marquis, Patrick Gonidec, Stuart Hardyman, Loic Chapelain
  • Patent number: 12146453
    Abstract: An articulating exhaust nozzle thrust reverser includes an outer articulating panel comprising an outer skin and an outer thrust reverser door and an inner articulating panel comprising a forward inner skin, an aft inner skin, and an inner thrust reverser door. The outer articulating panel is configured to pivot to vary a nozzle exit area. The forward inner skin is configured to pivot to vary a nozzle throat area. The outer thrust reverser door is pivotally coupled to the outer skin. The inner thrust reverser door is pivotally coupled to the aft inner skin. The outer articulating panel and the inner articulating panel may be individually operated to independently vary the exhaust nozzle throat area and/or the exhaust nozzle exit area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: ROHR, INC.
    Inventor: Johann Steven Schrell
  • Patent number: 12139267
    Abstract: An assembly including a support panel of an internal fixed structure, a thermal protection element and a plurality of fastening systems. Each fastening system includes a female part secured to the support panel and which has, in its interior, a circular shoulder, and a male part including a sleeve pierced with a main bore, a slide movable in translation in the main bore and a plurality of balls. For each ball, the sleeve has a secondary bore, and each ball is movable along the secondary bore between a locking position and an unlocking position. The slide is movable in translation between a blocking position and an unlocking position. Such an assembly makes it possible to fasten the thermal protection element to the support panel in a simple and rapid manner, also permitting easy removal if necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Frédéric Piard, Lionel Czapla
  • Patent number: 12134971
    Abstract: A fan for a gas turbine engine is provided. The fan includes a plurality of fan blades, a disk, and a trunnion mechanism for attaching the fan blades to the disk. The disk can be formed of a plurality of individual disk segments, with the trunnion mechanism attaching one of the plurality of fan blades to a respective disk segment. A retention member is also provided. The retention member includes a means for catching a portion of the trunnion mechanism should a primary attachment system of the trunnion mechanism fail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brandon Wayne Miller, Ian Francis Prentice, Daniel Alan Niergarth
  • Patent number: 12129801
    Abstract: This control device for a gas turbine connected to a power generator capable of linking to a power system is configured to be able to switch operation modes of the gas turbine between a normal operation mode in which the gas turbine rotationally drives the power generator and a reverse power operation mode in which the gas turbine is rotationally driven by the power generator actuated as a motor by receiving power from the power system, the control device comprising: an index acquisition unit configured to acquire an index indicating the pressure ratio of a compressor of the gas turbine; and a signal output unit configured to output a signal for protecting the compressor when the index becomes less than a threshold value while the gas turbine is operating in the reverse power operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Akitomo Tsukahara, Hidetaka Okui, Kimiyasu Fujita
  • Patent number: 12122516
    Abstract: A thrust unit for a propulsion device includes a thrust engine, arranged to provide a thrust force oriented in a direction so as to provide substantially vertical take-off and landing capability, and a deflector assembly comprising a pair of deflecting elements arranged to selectively divert the ejected fluid and movably mounted in the fluid outlet path. In order to reduce the bulk of the thrust unit and improve reliability and responsiveness, the invention relates more particularly to the positioning of the deflecting elements opposite the ejected fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: ZIPAIR
    Inventor: Frankie Zapata
  • Patent number: 12123372
    Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, an engine assembly having a nacelle surrounding an engine, and a thrust reverser coupled to the nacelle and having a thrust-reversing element movable relative to the nacelle between a stowed and deployed position, a first hydraulic actuator configured to move the thrust-reversing element between the stowed position and deployed position, the first hydraulic actuator being connected to a fluid source and a return reservoir, and a second hydraulic actuator configured to move the thrust-reversing element between the stowed and deployed position, the second hydraulic actuator being connected to the fluid source and the return reservoir, and a control system having an electrohydraulic servo valve operable to selectively route fluid between the fluid source, the second hydraulic actuator, and the return reservoir, and a controller configured to operate the electrohydraulic servo valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: Woodward, Inc.
    Inventors: William Ernest Stone, Joseph Thomas Kopecek
  • Patent number: 12085043
    Abstract: An aircraft propulsion system is provided that includes a turbine engine and an exhaust gas condenser. The exhaust gas condenser includes a housing, a nozzle, a plurality of air scoops, and a plurality of exhaust gas conduit banks. The housing has an interior cavity, a bottom side, and first and second lateral sides. The exhaust gas conduit banks are disposed in the interior cavity of the housing and are configured to form an interior bypass air chamber. Each exhaust gas conduit bank includes alternating exhaust gas conduits and bypass air passages. The exhaust gas conduits extend axially between the forward and aft ends, and are configured to conduct exhaust gases to the nozzle. The bypass air passages are configured to receive bypass air from the air scoops and direct the bypass air between the exhaust gas conduits and into the interior bypass air chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Scott Smith, Russell Stratton
  • Patent number: 12078349
    Abstract: A combustion system comprising: a combustion chamber extending in an axial direction between an inlet and an outlet, the combustion chamber configured to receive an airflow through the inlet and to discharge the airflow through the outlet; a fuel injection port configured to inject fuel into the airflow to form an air-fuel mixture; an ignition system for igniting the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber, the ignition system comprising an array of electrical plasma initiation points disposed downstream of the fuel injection port, and distributed radially and circumferentially around the combustion chamber, wherein each electrical plasma initiation point comprises a pair of electrodes configured to apply a voltage across an electrode gap between the pair of electrodes to produce plasma within the air-fuel mixture passing between the electrodes, thereby igniting the air-fuel mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventor: David Steele
  • Patent number: 12077310
    Abstract: An aircraft propulsion system is provided that includes a turbine engine and an exhaust gas condenser. The exhaust gas condenser includes a housing, a nozzle, inlet and outlet air scoops, and an exhaust gas conduit bank. The housing has an interior cavity, top and bottom sides, and first and second lateral sides. The exhaust gas conduit bank is disposed in the interior cavity of the housing. The exhaust gas conduit bank includes a plurality of exhaust gas conduits and bypass air passages that are disposed in an alternating configuration. The exhaust gas conduits extend axially between the forward and aft ends, are open at the forward end and at the nozzle. The bypass air passages receive bypass air from the inlet air scoop and direct the bypass air laterally across the condenser to the outlet air scoop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Scott Smith, Russell Stratton
  • Patent number: 12065987
    Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, an engine assembly includes a nacelle configured to at least partially surround an engine, and a thrust reverser coupled to the nacelle, the thrust reverser having a thrust-reversing element movable relative to the nacelle between a stowed position and a deployed position, a hydraulic actuator operably coupled to move the thrust-reversing element between the stowed position and the deployed position, and a fluid control system configured to operate the hydraulic actuator, the fluid control system having an electrohydraulic servo valve operable to selectively route fluid between a pressurized fluid source, the hydraulic actuator, and a fluid return reservoir, and a bypass fluid line providing fluid communication between the hydraulic actuator and the fluid return reservoir independent of the electrohydraulic servo valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: Woodward, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Thomas Kopecek