Patents Examined by Chrisopher Verdier
  • Patent number: 5690469
    Abstract: A repair kit for replacing an unserviceable vane assembly in a turbine engine includes a serviceable vane subassembly 120 having a serviceable airfoil 124 with a base 134 attached to the root end thereof and an opposing base 156 which is unattached to but slidably engagable with the serviceable airfoil. The opposing base is slipped over the tip end of the airfoil and slid toward the opposing base. The vane subassembly and opposing base are pivoted into position between inner and outer engine cases in place of an unserviceable vane assembly so that receptor sockets 148, 150 in the attached base engage support pins 72 extending from the inner case. An adhesive 182 is applied to the tip end of the serviceable airfoil and the opposing base is translated into its installed position near the tip end of the airfoil. Upon curing of the adhesive, the opposing base becomes attached to the airfoil. The base is secured to the outer case by studs 196 and nuts 198.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: James L. Deal, Foster P. Lamm, Gustavo Moreno
  • Patent number: 5636969
    Abstract: A torque tube/spar assembly (100) for transferring operational loads of a Variable Diameter Rotor blade assembly (16) to a rotor hub assembly (18) and includes a torque tube member (24), a spar member (30) and a bearing assembly (40a, 40b) for telescopically mounting the spar member (30) to the torque tube member (24) and furthermore defines an internal channel (62) for housing a retraction/extension mechanism (64) which mounts to an internally formed restraint surface (86) of the spar member (30) and is operative to vary the length of the rotor blade assembly (18). The torque tube member (30) has a substantially constant external geometry along the length of bearing assembly engagement and defines a root end region (102), a tip end region (106) and an intermediate transition region (104) disposed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
    Inventors: David G. Matuska, Edward W. Gronenthal, W. Donald Jepson