Patents Examined by Andrew H Nguyen
  • Patent number: 11085398
    Abstract: A exhaust nozzle assembly comprises a nozzle that extends about an axial centerline and includes an exhaust nozzle flange; an radially inner surface that comprises an axially forward inner surface; a noise attenuating structure; a through hole inlet formed in the axially forward inner surface; a through hole outlet formed in the axially rear inner surface. The nozzle assembly also includes a radially outer surface that is radially separated from the radially inner surface by a nozzle cavity, where engine core air enters the nozzle cavity from the through hole inlet and exits the nozzle cavity axially downstream of the hole inlet via the through hole outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Aten, Adam Saunders, Gary E. Bowman
  • Patent number: 11077956
    Abstract: A thrust reverser of a nacelle may include a translating sleeve and an inner fixed structure a pressure relief assembly. A pressure relief mechanism may include a pressure relief door coupled via a hinge and a latch to the inner fixed structure. Alternatively, a pressure relief door may be coupled to a frame via a hinge and a latch to the inner fixed structure. The pressure relief assembly may limit deflections between the thrust reverser and the pylon in response to a burst duct. The pressure relief door may release from the latch automatically in response to an over pressurization event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc
    Inventors: Michael Sean Pretty, Walter J. Heim
  • Patent number: 11078871
    Abstract: A cascade box is provided that includes a plurality of lengthwise extending side turning vanes and a plurality of forward turning vanes. Each of the plurality of lengthwise extending side turning vanes is configured to have a side turning angle. Each of the plurality of forward turning vanes is attached to respective adjacent ones of the plurality of side turning vanes, and each forward turning vane is configured to have a forward turning angle, and at least one of the forward turning vanes is configured to have a negative forward turning angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventor: Radhakrishna Chilukuri
  • Patent number: 11073083
    Abstract: An air-inlet duct includes an outer wall, an inner wall, and a splitter. The splitter cooperates with the outer wall to establish a particle separator which separates particles entrained in an inlet flow moving through the air-inlet duct to provide a clean flow of air to a compressor section of a gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc., University of Virginia Patent Foundation
    Inventors: Philip H. Snyder, Eric Loth, Dominic L. Barone
  • Patent number: 11073105
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a fan ramp for use in a thrust reverser portion of a nacelle of a gas turbine engine, the fan ramp extending circumferentially about an axial fan ramp centerline. The fan ramp comprises a fan ramp forward edge disposed proximate an aft end of a fan case, the fan case at least partially surrounding a fan section of the gas turbine engine. The fan ramp also includes noise attenuating structure at a forward section of the fan ramp forward of a torque box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryce T. Kelford, Pablo T. Sanz Martinez, Jose S. Alonso-Miralles
  • Patent number: 11073086
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are apparatus, assemblies, and methods for mitigating thermal bow in the rotor of an engine at start-up. One apparatus includes a control module that facilitates operating the rotor prior to starting the engine and an acceleration module that facilitates accelerating the rotor to at least a threshold speed prior to starting the engine. An assembly includes a start-up device coupleable to the rotor and configured to start the rotor and a start-up module coupled to the start-up device in which the start-up device and the start-up module are configured to coordinate operations to accelerate the rotor to at least a threshold speed prior to starting the aircraft engine. One method includes transmitting a control signal to control the rotor prior to starting the engine and commanding the start-up device to accelerate the rotor to at least a threshold speed prior to starting the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Kevin Brown, Christopher Hodges
  • Patent number: 11073104
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a thrust reverser system of an aircraft comprising: a translating cascade sleeve, a blocker door, and a kinematic mechanism configured to actuate the blocker door, the kinematic mechanism comprising: a first link coupled to the translating cascade sleeve, a second link coupled to the first link and a fixed structure, and a third link coupled to the first link and the blocker door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy Gormley
  • Patent number: 11067034
    Abstract: 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 includes: 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; and a fluid control system configured to operate the hydraulic actuator. The fluid control system includes: a directional control unit including a directional control valve operable to selectively route fluid between a pressurized fluid source, the actuator, and a fluid return reservoir; one or more bypass fluid lines providing fluid communication between the actuator and the fluid return reservoir independent of the directional control valve; and a flow limiter residing between the pressurized fluid source and the directional control valve, the flow limiter configured to inhibit a pressure draw by the actuator from surpassing a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Woodward, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Thomas Kopecek
  • Patent number: 11053812
    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: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Brandon Wayne Miller, Ian Francis Prentice, Daniel Alan Niergarth
  • Patent number: 11053887
    Abstract: An assembly is provided for an aircraft propulsion system. This assembly includes a target-type thrust reverser and a tubular trailing edge body. The target-type thrust reverser includes a plurality of thrust reverser doors. Each of the thrust reverser doors is configured to pivot between a stowed position to a deployed position. The tubular trailing edge body is configured to at least partially form a gas path nozzle for the aircraft propulsion system. The tubular trailing edge body is configured to be displaced when the thrust reverser doors pivot from the stowed position to the deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy Gormley
  • Patent number: 11053889
    Abstract: The present subject matter can be embodied in, among other things, a two-speed thrust reverser actuation system for actuating a thrust reverser element experiencing an assisting load during movement between a stowed and deployed positions. The system includes a hydraulic actuator to move the thrust reverser element between the stowed and deployed positions, and a directional control valve with a regeneration feature including a restrictor and a velocity fuse arranged in parallel with the restrictor. The velocity fuse is configured to close when the assisting load on the thrust reverser element increases the flow rate of hydraulic fluid through the velocity fuse above threshold value. In operation, the system defines a first movement speed when the velocity fuse is open, and a second movement speed when the velocity fuse is closed, thereby decreasing an effective exit orifice size of the hydraulic actuator when the assisting load increases the deploy rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Woodward, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Thomas Kopecek
  • Patent number: 11047305
    Abstract: A debris deflector for a jet engine. The debris deflector includes a housing having a base and a nose, wherein the housing tapers radially inwardly from the base towards the nose, such that the nose can deflect debris away from the housing. The housing includes a flexible shroud that extends between the base and the nose, such that the housing can selectively move between a collapsed position and an extended position, such that a linear distance between the nose and the base is less when in the collapsed position. A fastener is disposed on the base to removably secure the housing to a jet engine cowling. The debris deflector is useful for deflecting debris, such as wildlife or small aircraft, away from the jet engine during flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Inventor: Stephanie Fraser-Beekman
  • Patent number: 11041460
    Abstract: A thrust reverser includes a frame having a longitudinal axis, a first reverser door pivotally mounted to the frame, a second reverser door pivotally mounted to the first reverser door, a crank pivotally mounted to the frame, a first link connecting the crank to the first reverser door, and a second link connecting the crank to the second reverser door. In various embodiments, both the first reverser door and the second reverser door are driven by a single actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Gormley, Stephane Dion
  • Patent number: 11015448
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprising a fan, an intermediate pressure compressor, a high pressure compressor, a high pressure turbine, a low pressure turbine and a gearbox. The low pressure turbine is arranged to drive the intermediate pressure compressor via a shaft and an intermediate pressure compressor drive shaft and the fan via the shaft, a gearbox input shaft, the gearbox and a gearbox output shaft. The intermediate pressure compressor drive shaft has a V-shaped cross-section comprising a base, a first limb and a second limb extending from the base. An end of the first limb of the intermediate pressure compressor drive shaft is removably connected to the intermediate pressure compressor. An end of the second limb of the intermediate pressure compressor drive shaft is removably connected to the gearbox input shaft and the base of the intermediate pressure compressor drive shaft is removably connected to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Marcos Ripolles Perez
  • Patent number: 11008870
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes an engine core including: a compressor system including first, lower pressure compressor, and second, higher pressure compressor; and an outer core casing. The engine includes a front mount arranged for connection to a pylon; and a fan located upstream of the engine core. The outer core casing includes a first flange connection that: is arranged to allow separation of the outer core casing at an axial position thereof, and is the first flange connection downstream of an axial position defined by the axial midpoint between the mid-span axial location on trailing edge of the most downstream aerofoil of first compressor and mid-span axial location on leading edge of the most upstream aerofoil of the second compressor. A front mount position ratio of: axial ? ? distance ? ? between ? ? the ? ? first ? ? flange ? ? connection and ? ? the ? ? front ? ? mount first ? ? flange ? ? radius is equal to or less than 1.18.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE pic
    Inventors: Chathura K Kannangara, Jillian C Gaskell, Stewart T Thornton, Timothy Philp
  • Patent number: 11002222
    Abstract: A thrust reverser system for a gas turbine engine includes at least one hinge coupled to the thrust reverser system so as to be adjacent to at least one opening defined in the thrust reverser system. The thrust reverser system includes at least one body coupled to the at least one hinge. The at least one body has a first body end and an opposing second body end. The body pivotally coupled to the hinge such that a portion of the body is positionable within the at least one opening and the body includes at least one counterweight at the first body end or the second body end. The body is positioned within the at least one opening based on an operating condition of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Justin C. Mickelsen, Morris Anderson
  • Patent number: 10995702
    Abstract: An assembly for a rear of a dual-flow turbomachine having a longitudinal axis includes a secondary nozzle and a heating system. The secondary nozzle is defined about the longitudinal axis and ejects a mixture of the flows coming from a secondary vein and a primary vein of the turbomachine. The secondary nozzle is of a convergent-divergent form with a neck corresponding to a minimal cross-cross-section of the secondary nozzle. The heating system is located on a portion of the internal circumference of the secondary nozzle longitudinally in the region of the neck or upstream from the neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Guillaume Bodard, Jeremy Paul Francisco Gonzalez, Norman Bruno Andre Jodet
  • Patent number: 10995699
    Abstract: A thrust reverser cascade can include a peripheral frame having at least one side. At least one plate can be mounted to the at least one side and have a plurality of spaced grooves. In addition, a plurality of vanes can include corresponding terminal ends positioned in the plurality of spaced grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: MRA SYSTEMS, LLC.
    Inventors: Andrew Michael Roach, Graham Frank Howarth, David Patrick Calder
  • Patent number: 10989412
    Abstract: A heat shield assembly of a combustion chamber has a supporting structure and heat shield elements arranged on the supporting structure. For fastening, the supporting structure has spring devices fastened therein, into each of which a fastening bolt can be screwed. In order to realize the pre-installation and the later removal of the spring elements contained in the spring device, at a holding sleeve, a contact plate is removably fastened in the holding sleeve on the side facing the heat shield element and a stationary securing plate is arranged on the opposite side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Siemens Energy Global GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christoph Buse, Andreas Böttcher, Manfred Hartmann, Jens Kleinfeld, Andre Kluge, Patrick Lapp, Thomas-Dieter Tenrahm
  • Patent number: 10961951
    Abstract: Disclosed is a thrust reverser for a device receiving a propulsion element, such as a turbojet engine nacelle. The thrust reverser includes a stationary structure having a deflector deflecting at least a portion of the air flow that is to flow through the nacelle, a translatably movable cap that can be in a closed position in which the cap covers the deflector deflecting the air flow and an open position in which the cap opens the deflector deflecting the air flow, and at least one moving actuator configured to move the cap between the open and closed positions. The moving actuator includes a stationary portion designed to be attached to the stationary structure in a first securing position and a movable portion designed to be attached to the cap in a second securing position. An adjusting device adjusts the first securing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: SAFRAN NACELLES
    Inventors: Alexis Tabouret, Alexis Loncle