Patents Examined by Craig Kim
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Patent number: 11161603Abstract: The invention relates to an architecture of a propulsion system of a multi-engine helicopter comprising turboshaft engines connected to a power transmission gearbox, characterised in that it comprises: at least one hybrid turboshaft engine (20) capable of operating in at least one standby mode during a stable cruise flight of the helicopter; at least two systems (30; 40) for controlling each hybrid turboshaft engine (20), each system (30; 40) comprising an electric machine (31; 41) connected to the hybrid turboshaft engine (20) and suitable for rotating the gas generator thereof, and at least one source (33; 43) of electrical power for said electric machine (31; 41), each reactivation system (30; 40) being configured such that it can drive said turboshaft engine (20) in at least one operating mode among a plurality of predetermined modes.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2015Date of Patent: November 2, 2021Assignees: SAFRAN HELICOPTER ENGINES, SAFRAN ELECTRICAL & POWERInventors: Philippe Vallart, Jean-Michel Bazet, Loïc Le Duigou
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Patent number: 11149564Abstract: An aircraft nacelle arrangement includes a compression rod disposed between a first nacelle half and a second nacelle half, wherein the first nacelle half and the second nacelle half are rotatable about a hinge between a closed position and an open position, a compression rod disposed between the first nacelle half and the second nacelle half, and a mounting bracket coupled to an exhaust nozzle flange of the aircraft engine, wherein the compression rod extends through the mounting bracket.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2019Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: Rohr, Inc.Inventors: Jinqiu Lu, Frank Zabatta, Travis Michael Frazier, Karina Alejandra Hernandez
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Patent number: 11149650Abstract: A turbofan engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a fan including a circumferential array of fan blades, a compressor in fluid communication with the fan, the compressor including a first compressor section and a second compressor, the second compressor section including a second compressor section inlet with a second compressor section inlet annulus area, a fan duct including a fan duct annulus area outboard of the second compressor section inlet, a shaft assembly having a first portion and a second portion, a turbine in fluid communication with the combustor, the turbine having a first turbine section coupled to the first portion of the shaft assembly to drive the first compressor section, and a second turbine section coupled to the second portion of the shaft assembly to drive the fan, an epicyclic transmission coupled to the fan and rotatable by the second turbine section through the second portion of the shaft assembly to allow the second turbine to turn faType: GrantFiled: July 2, 2018Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Paul R. Adams, Shankar S. Magge, Joseph B. Staubach, Wesley K. Lord, Frederick M. Schwarz, Gabriel L. Suciu
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Patent number: 11136901Abstract: A monolithic combustor apparatus comprises an outer casing comprising a forward flange, a fuel manifold disposed on the outer casing and defining an annular chamber extending perimetrically around the outer casing, a combustor liner disposed within the outer casing, the combustor liner defining an annular combustion chamber, a first annular plenum disposed between the outer casing and the combustor liner, an inner liner disposed radially from the combustor liner, a first inner flange extending forward from the combustor liner, and a second inner flange extending radially inward from the first inner flange.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2019Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: Raytheon Technologies CorporationInventors: Lawrence A. Binek, Jesse R. Boyer, Evan J. Butcher, Dmytro Mykolayovych Voytovych
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Patent number: 11136938Abstract: A bypass turbofan engine with a nacelle comprising a fan case and a thrust-reversal system. The fan case comprises an exterior wall, and the reversal system comprises a slider having an upstream frame, a downstream frame and a plurality of spars fixed between the upstream frame and the downstream frame, in which the slider is able to move between a forward position and a retracted position. The fan case comprises, at a rear edge of its exterior wall, a support. Each support comprises, for each spar, a shoe fixed to the exterior wall and positioned radially about the spar, and a skirt secured to the shoes and extending the rear edge, in which, in a forward position, the skirt bears around the downstream frame, and in which in a forward/retracted/intermediate position, the shoes are distant from the spars from the upstream frame.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2019Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS SASInventors: Pascal Gardes, Frédéric Ridray, José Goncalves
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Patent number: 11131457Abstract: A combustor includes a combustion chamber; a nozzle supplied with fuel and air to produce a mixed gas of the fuel and the air and configured to inject the mixed gas into the combustion chamber; a fuel supply section coupled to the nozzle casing and configured to supply the fuel to the nozzle; a fuel conditioner that includes a fuel flow path having a serpentine shape and is disposed between the fuel supply section and the nozzle, the fuel conditioner configured to guide the fuel supplied from the fuel supply section to the nozzle along the fuel flow path; and a nozzle casing having an opening into which the nozzle is inserted. The fuel conditioner extends from a first side of the nozzle casing toward a second side. The fuel conditioner and the nozzle casing form a first passage through which fuel may flow to the nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2019Date of Patent: September 28, 2021Inventor: Jong Ho Uhm
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Patent number: 11125494Abstract: A method for starting and operating a plant for the liquefaction of a gaseous product comprising the steps of electrically connecting a variable frequency drive to a motor of a first machine string; increasing the speed of the motor of the first machine string up until a first predefined threshold; electrically disconnecting the variable frequency drive from the motor of the first machine string; electrically connecting the variable frequency drive to a motor of a second machine string; the first predefined threshold is function of said frequency of the power supply grid. The variable frequency drive can be switched during operation of the plant among the strings according to process requirements.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2016Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: NUOVO PIGNONE SRLInventors: Antonio Pelagotti, Annunzio Lazzari, Andrea Alfani, Oriano Zucchi
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Patent number: 11125161Abstract: An air-oil cooler for a gas turbine engine includes an air cooling structure and a lubricant channel. The lubricant channel extends between a lubricant inlet and a lubricant inlet and is bounded by the air cooling structure. The air cooling structure has an arcuate shape for circumferentially spanning a portion of a gas turbine engine core.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2019Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventor: Richard A. Weiner
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Patent number: 11125165Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a turbomachine and a thermal management system. The thermal management system includes a heat source heat exchanger configured to collect heat from the turbomachine during operation; a heat sink heat exchanger; and a thermal transport bus having a heat exchange fluid configured to flow therethrough at a pressure within an operational pressure range. The thermal management system defines an operational temperature range for the heat exchange fluid, the operational temperature range having a lower temperature limit less than about zero degrees Fahrenheit at a pressure within the operational pressure range and an upper temperature limit of at least about 1000 degrees Fahrenheit at a pressure within the operational pressure range.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2017Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Daniel Alan Niergarth, Adon Delgado, Jr., Brandon Wayne Miller, Hendrik Pieter Jacobus de Bock
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Patent number: 11118476Abstract: Provided is a transition duct that forms an annular gas flow channel through which a main flow gas flows from a high-pressure turbine to a low-pressure turbine, wherein the gas flow channel has an inner peripheral flow channel surface and an outer peripheral flow channel surface, the inner peripheral flow channel surface and the outer peripheral flow channel surface extend radially outward while angles of inclination relative to an axial direction of a rotating shaft change from the high-pressure turbine (first turbine) toward the low-pressure turbine (second turbine), and an inner peripheral maximum inclined part is provided in a range A2 that extends in the axial direction from a position of alignment with an outer peripheral maximum inclined part to a position advanced toward the low-pressure turbine by a length no more than 20% of the duct length.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2017Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES AERO ENGINES, LTD.Inventors: Takaaki Hase, Daigo Fujimura, Tadayuki Hanada
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Patent number: 11111858Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a compressor section defining a compressor exit temperature, T3. The gas turbine engine also includes a combustion section and a turbine section, with the turbine section defining a turbine inlet temperature, T4. A ratio, T4:T3, of the turbine inlet temperature, T4, to compressor exit temperature, T3, during operation of the gas turbine engine at a rated speed is less than or equal to 1.85.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2017Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Brandon Wayne Miller, Randy M. Vondrell, Jeffrey Donald Clements, Kurt David Murrow
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Patent number: 11098644Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a fan, a compressor section, and a turbine section configured to drive the compressor section and the fan. A buffer system is configured to communicate a buffer supply air to a portion of the gas turbine engine. The buffer system includes a first bleed air supply having a first pressure, a second bleed air supply having a second pressure that is greater than the first pressure, and an ejector that selectively augments the first bleed air supply to prepare the buffer supply air for communication to the portion of the gas turbine engine. A method and a buffer system are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2019Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Peter M. Munsell, Philip S. Stripinis
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Patent number: 11098648Abstract: An inlet body for a fluid injector for a turbomachine. The inlet body includes a casing defined by an internal surface and a seal valve housed inside the casing. The valve includes a sealing member including an intake duct, and internal duct into which the intake duct opens, and a seat for the sealing member. The seat defines an opening over a fluid path towards the internal duct. The internal surface includes a recess which defines at least partially a chamber communicating with the opening and with the intake duct.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2017Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINESInventor: Christophe Chabaille
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Patent number: 11098900Abstract: A fuel injector includes an outer body and an inner body. The outer body extends about an axis and has a radially inner surface and a retention groove defined in the inner surface of the outer body. The inner body is positioned within the outer body has an outer surface and a retention tab. The retention tab retains the inner body relative to the outer body by engagement of the retention tab within the retention groove. A is axially offset from the retention tab and fixes the inner body within the outer body.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2017Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Assignee: Delavan Inc.Inventor: Dustin Andrew Borror
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Patent number: 11092076Abstract: A combustor assembly for a turbine engine and method for cooling a portion of the combustor assembly, the combustor assembly comprising a combustor liner defining a combustion chamber with an inlet and an outlet, a fuel dome located in the inlet and having a wall adjacent at least a portion of the combustor liner, and a deflector overlying and spaced from at least a portion of the wall.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2017Date of Patent: August 17, 2021Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Anquan Wang, Hojjat Nasr, Craig Alan Gonyou, Michael Anthony Benjamin
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Patent number: 11085375Abstract: A combustor assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a plurality of combustors spaced circumferentially about the gas turbine engine. Each of the combustors is coupled in flow communication with a manifold configured to channel a liquid to the plurality of combustors. A plurality of fuel lines is coupled in flow communication with the manifold. Each fuel line is coupled in flow communication with a respective combustor of the plurality of combustors. In addition, the combustor assembly includes a flow balance system having a plurality of flow balance devices. Each flow balance device is operatively coupled to one of the fuel lines. Each flow balance device is operative to reduce the flow of liquid to the respective combustor.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2017Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Kihyung Kim, Anthony Whittenberg
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Patent number: 11085373Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes an engine unit and an inlet. The engine unit includes an engine core that includes a compressor, a combustor, and a turbine and a nacelle arranged circumferentially around at least a portion of the engine core. The inlet is removably coupled with the nacelle and configured to conduct fluid into the engine unit. The inlet includes a nose and an intake lip arranged circumferentially around the nose to define an intake passage that extends through the inlet.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2019Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.Inventor: Douglas D. Dierksmeier
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Patent number: 11085400Abstract: An integrated propulsion system according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, components that include a gas turbine engine, a nacelle assembly and a mounting assembly, the system designed by a process comprising identifying two or more of internal structural loading requirements, external structural mount loading requirements, aerodynamic requirements, and acoustic requirements for the system, and interdependently designing said components to meet said requirements. The nacelle assembly includes a fan nacelle and an aft nacelle, the fan nacelle arranged at least partially about a fan and the engine, and the fan nacelle arranged at least partially about a core cowling to define a bypass flow path.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2019Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Christopher A. Eckett, Gabriel L. Suciu
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Patent number: 11085399Abstract: A gas turbine engine 10 is provided in which a fan having fan blades in which the camber distribution along the span allows the gas turbine engine to operate with improved efficiency when compared with conventional engines, whilst retaining an acceptable flutter margin.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2018Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Inventors: Benedict R. Phelps, Mark J. Wilson, Gabriel Gonzalez-Gutierrez, Nigel H S Smith, Marco Barale, Kashmir S. Johal, Stephane M M Baralon, Craig W. Bemment
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Patent number: 11085641Abstract: A combustor for a gas turbine engine includes a first liner having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a wall having a thickness defined between the first surface and the second surface. The first liner defines a plurality of effusion cooling holes, and at least one of the effusion cooling holes includes an inlet section spaced apart from the first surface, and a converging section downstream of the inlet section. The inlet section and the converging section are each defined so as to be outside of the thickness. The at least one of the effusion cooling holes includes a metering section downstream of the converging section and a portion of the metering section is defined within the thickness. The at least one of the effusion cooling holes includes an outlet section downstream of the metering section. The outlet section is proximate to the second surface.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2018Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Rodolphe Dudebout, Nagaraja S. Rudrapatna, Atul Verma, David Chou, Christopher Zollars