Patents Examined by Craig Kim
  • Patent number: 12031513
    Abstract: A method for operating a glow plug includes controlling a temperature of the glow plug by switching between applying a voltage VH and applying a voltage VN<VH to the glow plug. Applying the voltage VH and applying the voltage VN causes a glow plug current to oscillate about a glow plug current threshold. The glow plug current threshold is associated with one of the voltage VH and the voltage VN. The method includes monitoring the glow plug current at the one of the voltage VH and the voltage VN.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Richard Freer, Antwan Shenouda
  • Patent number: 12018630
    Abstract: A seal interposed between a turbojet engine and a movable part of a nacelle includes a tubular body delimiting an inner cavity interposed between at least one fixing part and a platform. The platform includes a first lateral edge, a second lateral edge and a planar surface extending from the first lateral edge to the second lateral edge. The seal includes a protuberance arranged on the platform. The protuberance is centered on the platform or extends from the first lateral edge to the second lateral edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Safran Nacelles
    Inventors: Cédric Renault, Arnaud Bonny
  • Patent number: 12006892
    Abstract: A thrust reverser for an aircraft propulsion assembly, this reverser including a lower door and an upper door defining, in thrust reversal configuration, a deflection opening, through which a portion of the fluid not serving to produce the thrust reversal of the aircraft can exit the reverser downstream. The downstream edge of the lower door is offset towards the rear with respect to the downstream edge of the upper door so as to orient the fluid flow passing through the deflection opening vertically upwards. When the propulsion assembly is mounted at the rear portion of the fuselage of the aircraft, this makes it possible in particular to improve the supply of the control surface of the aircraft in the landing phase, in particular in crosswind conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: SAFRAN NACELLES
    Inventor: Sebastien Laurent Marie Pascal
  • Patent number: 12006869
    Abstract: A heat exchanger includes an inlet plenum chamber, an outlet plenum chamber fluidly coupled to the inlet plenum chamber, and a plurality of intermediate plenum chambers disposed downstream from the inlet plenum chamber and upstream from the outlet plenum chamber. The plurality of intermediate plenum chambers includes a first intermediate plenum chamber, at least one tube bundle, and a first bypass valve fluidly coupled to the first intermediate plenum chamber. The first bypass valve is configured to control fluid flow rate from the first intermediate plenum chamber to the outlet plenum chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Jeffrey Douglas Rambo
  • Patent number: 11994065
    Abstract: An air supply device, a gas turbine system and a using method thereof are disclosed. In the air supply device, an air intake compartment includes a connection end; a combustion air intake filter is located in the air intake compartment and connected with the combustion air intake filter; a combustion air intake interface is located on a tail plate and is connected with the combustion air silencer; and a sound insulation turnover mechanism includes a sound insulation flap and a turnover mechanism, the air intake compartment includes a first bottom plate and the tail plate that is located at the connection end, the sound insulation flap is located at the connection end, and the turnover mechanism is connected with the sound insulation flap, and is configured to drive the sound insulation flap to rotate relative to the tail plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Yantai Jereh Petroleum Equipment & Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ning Feng, Tao Kou, Ting Zhang, Yichao Mou, Libin Zhou, Xin Li, Xu Liu, Lili Wang, Jianglei Zou, Qiong Wu, Wanchun Zha, Cong Zhang
  • Patent number: 11988167
    Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses are provided herein useful to sealing a gap, such as a gap between a gas turbine engine nozzle flap and sidewall. An apparatus for sealing such a gap may be a plunger seal that includes a plunger, a retaining element, a guide pin, and a biasing element. The plunger includes a sealing edge and an actuating edge having at least one recess and an opening formed therein. The biasing element and a portion of the guide pin are nested in the recess. The retaining element anchor the plunger to the retaining element. The retaining element also anchors the plunger seal to the housing When installed in a gap, the housing engages the flap and the plunger engages the sidewall. The biasing element is under compression and urges the guide pin into the actuating edge to urge the plunger toward the sidewall and seal the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Anthony Michael Gunasekera, Donald M. Corsmeier, Bernard J. Renggli, Steven Kirgiss
  • Patent number: 11987377
    Abstract: Aircraft propulsion systems include aircraft systems having at least one hydrogen tank and an aircraft-systems heat exchanger and engine systems having at least a main engine core, a high pressure pump, a hydrogen-air heat exchanger, and a turbo expander. The main engine core includes a compressor section, a combustor section having a burner, and a turbine section. Hydrogen is supplied from the at least one hydrogen tank through a hydrogen flow path, passing through the aircraft-systems heat exchanger, the high pressure pump, the hydrogen-air heat exchanger, and the turbo expander, prior to being injected into the burner for combustion. The turbo expander includes a rotor separated into a first expander portion and a second expander portion arranged about an output shaft and the output shaft is operably connected to a generator configured to generate electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: RTX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian M. Holley, Joseph B. Staubach, Marc J. Muldoon, Charles E. Lents
  • Patent number: 11988147
    Abstract: A heat exchanger for a hydrogen fuel delivery system includes a tube bank including an inner-tube where a first portion of the inner-tube extends through an inlet region of the tube bank, a second portion of the inner-tube extends through a mid-region of the tube bank, and a third portion of the inner-tube extends through an outlet region of the tube bank. A thermal buffer at least partially surrounds the inner-tube. A first portion of the thermal buffer extends along the first portion of the inner-tube, a second portion of the thermal buffer extends along the second portion of the inner-tube, and a third portion of the thermal buffer extends along the third portion of the inner-tube. A plurality of fins is disposed along the inner-tube and extends radially outwardly from an outer surface of the thermal buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Eyitayo James Owoeye, Constantinos Minas
  • Patent number: 11988155
    Abstract: A compressor wheel is provided for the output shaft. Air bleed ports are formed in a shroud case that surrounds the compressor wheel. A plurality of air bleed passages are formed in the engine housing that surrounds the shroud case. An annular chamber is formed between the air bleed ports and the air bleed passages, for storing compressed air that is extracted from the air bleed ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Manabu Yazaki, Tatsuya Choji, Naoki Ito
  • Patent number: 11988151
    Abstract: Gas turbine engines include an engine frame defining an inner radial surface, a shaft rotatably mounted in the engine frame along a longitudinal axis, and an electric machine that includes a rotor coupled to the shaft and a stator coupled to the engine frame and defining an outer radial surface. In some gas turbine engines, the engine frame includes inlet and outlet fluid passages, each extending to a portion of the inner radial surface. The portion of the inner radial surface of the engine frame is spaced from the outer radial surface of the stator to form an annular fluid passage around the stator of an electric machine. The annular fluid passage is configured to direct a cooling fluid around the stator to remove heat from the stator. Some gas turbine engines include two or more positioning keys configured to fix the stator relative to the engine frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan W. Smith, Sara Karaffa
  • Patent number: 11982201
    Abstract: An engine assembly defining an axial direction (A) and including a gearbox, an engine core including at least one rotor, and a flexible coupling shaft having a first end and a second end along the axial direction (A). The first end of the flexible coupling shaft is connected to the engine core and the second end of the flexible coupling shaft is connected to the gearbox. A damper system is positioned at the second end of the flexible coupling shaft. The damper system is configured to reduce vibrations to the flexible coupling shaft during operation of the engine assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: GE AVIO S.R.L.
    Inventors: Marco Garabello, Simone Iurlaro, Salvatore Garofalo, Alessio Gargioli, Giuseppe Argentieri
  • Patent number: 11982234
    Abstract: A heat exchanger, has: a heat exchanger core having an inlet, an outlet, at least one first conduit connecting the inlet to the outlet, and at least one second conduit in heat exchange relationship with the at least one first conduit; a bypass conduit connecting the inlet to the outlet while bypassing the at least one first conduit; and a valve in communication with the bypass conduit and having: a valve member movable between a closed position in which fluid communication through the valve and via the bypass conduit is blocked and an open position in which fluid communication through the bypass conduit and through the valve is permitted, the valve member defining an auxiliary passage, and a thermal fuse overlapping the auxiliary passage and blocking fluid communication through the valve member via the auxiliary passage, the thermal fuse having a melting temperature above a predetermined temperature of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Kashif Mohammed, Benjamin Renaud
  • Patent number: 11976595
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine according to a first embodiment, having a case; a core within the case; an exhaust nozzle that is fluidly coupled to the case; a duct having a duct outlet that is fluidly coupled to the exhaust nozzle and a duct body extending from the duct outlet to a duct inlet; an air/oil cooler having an airflow outlet disposed at the duct inlet and a cooler body extending from the airflow outlet to an airflow inlet; and an airflow control baffle disposed at one of: the duct inlet; the duct outlet; and the airflow inlet of the cooler, wherein the airflow control baffle is configured to open when oil temperature in the engine is above a first threshold and close when the oil temperature is below a second threshold that is lower than the first threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Kashif Mohammed, John Sgouromitis, Sylvain Lamarre
  • Patent number: 11952946
    Abstract: A turbine engine has: a compressor; a combustor; a turbine; a gaspath passing downstream from the compressor through the combustor and then through the turbine; a fuel source; a fuel flowpath from the fuel source to the combustor; and a heat exchanger for transferring heat from the gaspath to the fuel flowpath The heat exchanger has: an inner wall in heat transfer relation with the gaspath; an outer wall; tubes between the inner wall and the outer wall bounding respective segments of the fuel flowpath; and a heat transfer fluid between the inner wall and the outer wall and in heat transfer relation with the tubes and the inner wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: RTX Corporation
    Inventor: Marc J. Muldoon
  • Patent number: 11952944
    Abstract: Jet engine thermal transport bus pumps are disclosed. Disclosed herein is an aircraft comprising a gas turbine engine configured to burn fuel at a fuel flow rate to generate an engine power (Pengine), the fuel characterized by a first specific heat capacity (cp_fuel) and a net heat of combustion (NHCfuel); and a thermal management system configured to transfer heat from a working fluid to the fuel, the working fluid characterized by a second specific heat capacity (cp_pump) and a first density (?pump), the thermal management system including a pump configured to generate a pump power (Ppump) to pressurize the working fluid, and wherein P ? O ? W = P p ? u ? m ? p ( c p_pump c p_water ) ? ( ? w ? a ? t ? e ? r ? p ? u ? m ? p ) 2 , F ? F ? R = ( P e ? n ? g ? i ? n ? e N ? H ? C f ? u ? e ? l ) ? ( c p_fuel c p_pump ) 0.008?POW/FFR5/3?12, FFR is between 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Daniel A. Niergarth, Giridhar Jothiprasad, Rodrigo Rodriguez Erdmenger, Adam Joseph Wangler
  • Patent number: 11946811
    Abstract: An assembly is provided for a turbine engine. This turbine engine assembly includes a turbine engine structure and a sensor system. The sensor system includes a probe and an optical sensor. The probe is connected to the turbine engine structure. The probe projects into a gas path of the turbine engine. The sensor system is configured to measure a temperature of the probe using the optical sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventor: Issam Al-Khairy
  • Patent number: 11933246
    Abstract: An aircraft turbojet engine extending along an X axis and comprising a blower configured to provide a reverse thrust and a nacelle comprising an air intake which comprises at least one deflection member movably mounted between a deployed position in which the deflection member projects from the inner wall or from the lip of the air intake in a radially inward direction of deployment facing the X axis or in a longitudinal direction of deployment with respect to the X axis, in order to allow a release of the reverse air flow from the inner wall to support the reverse thrust phase, and a retracted position in which the air intake has an aerodynamic profile so as to guide the internal air flow along the inner wall in order to support the thrust phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Daniel-Ciprian Mincu, Jean-Loïc Hervé Lecordix, Nicolas Joseph Sirvin, Frédéric Dautreppe, Anthony Binder, Eva Julie Lebeault
  • Patent number: 11927136
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a core engine, including a compressor section, a combustor section and a turbine section positioned within a core flow path of the gas turbine engine; a bypass splitter positioned radially outward of the core engine and configured to house the compressor section, the combustor section and the turbine section; a bypass duct positioned radially outward of the bypass splitter; a fan section positioned axially upstream of the compressor section, the fan section including a fan and an inlet cone positioned upstream of the fan; an inlet duct configured to house the fan section; an inlet precooler disposed within the inlet duct; and a heat exchange system configured to provide a cooling fluid to the inlet precooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: RTX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Steven W. Burd
  • Patent number: 11927134
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine is provided, having a turbomachine and a rotor assembly driven by the turbomachine and operable at a first blade passing frequency (f1) greater than or equal to 2,500 hertz and less than or equal to 5,000 hertz during a high power operating condition; a heat exchanger positioned within an annular duct and extending substantially continuously along the circumferential direction, wherein an effective transmission loss (ETL) for the heat exchanger positioned within the annular duct is between 5 decibels and 1 decibels for a high power operating condition, and wherein the heat exchanger comprises a heat transfer section defining an acoustic length (Li), and wherein an Operational Acoustic Reduction Ratio (OARR) is greater than or equal to 0.75 to achieve the ETL at the high power operating condition, the OARR equal to: sin ? ? ( 2 × ? × f 1 a 1 × L i ) 2 wherein a1 is equal to 13,200 inches per second during the high power operating condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Scott Alan Schimmels, Jeffrey Douglas Rambo, Timothy Richard DePuy, Steven B. Morris
  • Patent number: 11927402
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods relating to heat transfer devices having nested layers of helical fluid channels. In some examples, a device for transferring heat includes a set of nested tubular walls and a plurality of helical walls intersecting each of the nested tubular walls to form one or more first channel layers nested with one or more second channel layers. Each of the first and second channel layers includes a plurality of helical fluid channels. A first intake and a first outtake are in fluid communication with one another via the plurality of helical fluid channels of each first channel layer, for flow of a first fluid through the device. A second intake and a second outtake are in fluid communication with one another via the plurality of helical fluid channels of each second channel layer, for flow of a second fluid through the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Douglas H. Van Affelen, Arun Muley, Michael F. Stoia