Patents Examined by Eldon T Brockman
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Patent number: 12055068Abstract: A ceramic matrix composite airfoil includes a high-pressure surface and a low-pressure surface connected at a leading edge and a trailing edge. The high-pressure surface and the low-pressure surface extend from a first end to a second end. A leading edge cooling passage includes an inlet portion, a midspan portion and an outlet portion. A cross-sectional flow area of the midspan portion is less than a cross-sectional flow area of either the inlet portion or the outlet portion.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2023Date of Patent: August 6, 2024Assignee: RTX CORPORATIONInventors: Jonas Banhos, Ravon Venters, Russell Kim, Raymond Surace, James T. Roach
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Patent number: 12055045Abstract: A method includes providing a ceramic insert on a mandrel, the mandrel and the ceramic insert together define a peripheral working surface, forming a fiber preform by wrapping a fiber layer around the mandrel and the ceramic insert so as to conform to the peripheral working surface, removing the mandrel from the fiber preform to leave a cavity in the fiber preform, the ceramic insert remaining in the fiber preform and bordering the cavity, and densifying the fiber preform with a ceramic matrix to form a gas turbine engine component.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2023Date of Patent: August 6, 2024Assignee: RTX CORPORATIONInventor: Michael G. McCaffrey
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Patent number: 12055056Abstract: An article comprises a first portion comprising a first alloy and a second portion comprising a second alloy that is metallurgically bonded to the first portion to form a monolithic article. The metallurgical bonding involves the application of an electrical current across the bond line and results in a retention of a metallurgical structure of the first portion and of a metallurgical structure of the second portion immediately adjacent to a bond line. The first portion has a first dominant property and the second portion has a second dominant property. The first dominant property is different from the second dominant property. The first dominant property is selected to handle operating conditions at a first position of the article where the first portion is located and the second dominant property is selected to handle operating conditions at a second position of the article where the second portion is located.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2022Date of Patent: August 6, 2024Assignee: RTX CORPORATIONInventors: Brian T. Hazel, John R. Farris, Matthew A. Devore, John A. Sharon, James F. Wiedenhoefer, Paul M. Lutjen, Mario P. Bochiechio
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Patent number: 12042854Abstract: A method includes casting a metallic material (56) in a mold (20) containing a core, the core having a substrate (40, 44) coated with a coating (42). A removing of the metallic material from the mold and decoring leaves a casting having a layer formed by the coating. The coating has a ceramic having a porosity in a zone (50) near the substrate less than a porosity in a zone (52) away from the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2021Date of Patent: July 23, 2024Assignee: RTX CorporationInventors: Thomas W. Prete, John J. Marcin, Jr., Russell A. Beers
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Patent number: 12044132Abstract: A seal arc segment includes a wall that defines radially inner and outer sides, forward and aft ends, and first and second circumferential sides. The wall includes a CMC ply lay-up of a radially inner-most CMC ply on the inner side, a radially outer-most CMC ply on the radially outer side, and radially intermediate CMC plies therebetween. At least one of the radially intermediate CMC plies has cutout voids that define cooling channels in the wall. The cooling channels are bound on lateral channel sides by the at least one of the radially intermediate CMC plies, bound on a radially inner channel side by a first adjacent one of the CMC plies, and bound on a radially outer channel side by a second, different adjacent one of the CMC plies. The radially outer-most CMC ply includes at least one inlet hole connected to the cooling channels for providing cooling air.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2023Date of Patent: July 23, 2024Assignee: RTX CORPORATIONInventors: Jonas Banhos, James T. Roach, Russell Kim
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Patent number: 12044215Abstract: A method of controlling plural wind turbines is provided, wherein each wind turbine is operable in different operating modes, wherein operating parameters and/or operating features are set differently in the different operating modes. For at least a first of the plural wind turbines, at least some of the different operating modes have a different impact on a residual lifetime of at least a second of the plural wind turbines. In embodiments, the method includes providing at least one candidate operating scheme and estimating a residual lifetime and/or at least one optimization parameter. Estimating of the residual lifetime and/or the optimization parameter considers the impact of the operating mode of the first wind turbine specified in the candidate operating scheme on the residual lifetime of the second wind turbine. The plural wind turbines are then operated in accordance with an operating scheme selected from the candidate operating schemes.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2022Date of Patent: July 23, 2024Assignee: Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy A/SInventors: Bert Gollnick, Xavier Vives Jaume
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Patent number: 12031447Abstract: A method for manufacturing a blade with a first portion and a second portion, the method includes forming the first portion that includes forming a model of the first portion from removable material, forming a first shell mould from the model of the first portion, and forming the single-crystal or columnar first portion m a first metal alloy in the first shell mould from a single-crystal seed, and forming the second portion in which the second portion is formed on the first portion, and in which the first portion and the second portion are made from different materials, the second portion being polycrystalline and formed from a second metal alloy. The blade includes a single-crystal or columnar first portion made from a first metal alloy and a polycrystalline second portion made from the second metal alloy different from the first metal alloy.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2020Date of Patent: July 9, 2024Assignee: SAFRAN HELICOPTER ENGINESInventors: Philippe Gabriel Louis Belaygue, Baptiste Romain Larrouy, Olivier Philippe David Berteaux
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Patent number: 12012859Abstract: Disclosed herein are example variable flowpath casings for blade tip clearance control. An example casing for a turbine engine includes a first annular substrate extending along an axial direction; a second annular substrate positioned radially inward relative to the first annular substrate, the second annular substrate movably coupled to the first annular substrate; and an actuator coupled to the second annular substrate such that a force applied by the actuator moves the second annular substrate relative to the first annular substrate to adjust a tip clearance.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2022Date of Patent: June 18, 2024Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Raghuveer Chinta, Abhijit Roy, Vaishnav Raghuvaran, Srinivas Nuthi, Ravindra Shankar Ganiger
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Patent number: 12006837Abstract: A ceramic matrix composite component includes a ceramic matrix composite wall; a coating disposed on the wall; and a cooling hole formed in the wall. The cooling hole has a metering section defined along a first axis and a diffuser section defined along a second axis that is offset from the first axis. The cooling hole has a total length defined along the first axis, the total length being the sum of a length of the metering portion and a length of the diffuser portion. The length of the metering portion is between about 40 percent and about 85 percent of the total length. A ceramic matrix composite airfoil and a method of applying a coating to a ceramic matrix composite component are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2022Date of Patent: June 11, 2024Assignee: RTX CorporationInventors: Bryan P. Dube, David A. Litton
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Patent number: 11999458Abstract: A propeller hub assembly for a marine drive having a propeller shaft is provided. The propeller hub assembly includes a first hub portion having a first main body and multiple propeller blades extending radially therefrom. The first main body is substantially cone-shaped and tapers inwardly from a first keyed end proximate the multiple propeller blades. The propeller hub assembly further includes a second hub portion having a second keyed end. The first hub portion is coupled to the second hub portion such that the first keyed end is mated to the second keyed end, and the first hub portion and the second hub portion are configured to engage the propeller shaft such that rotation of the propeller shaft causes rotation of the first hub portion and the second hub portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2022Date of Patent: June 4, 2024Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Thomas F. Nickols, Robert A. Podell
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Patent number: 11999457Abstract: A propeller hub assembly for a marine drive having a propeller shaft is provided. The propeller hub assembly includes a first hub portion having a first main body and multiple propeller blades extending radially therefrom, a second hub portion, wherein the second hub portion is coupled to the first hub portion, and a damper hub portion, wherein the damper hub portion is coupled to the second hub portion. The propeller hub assembly further includes multiple pendulum masses located within the damper hub portion. The first hub portion, the second hub portion, and the damper hub portion are configured to engage the propeller shaft such that rotation of the propeller shaft causes rotation of the first hub portion, the second hub portion, and the damper hub portion. Oscillations of the pendulum masses relative to the damper hub portion are configured to dampen torsional vibrations of the propeller hub assembly.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2022Date of Patent: June 4, 2024Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Thomas F. Nickols, Robert A. Podell, Paul M. Radavich
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Patent number: 12000297Abstract: A cooling system includes a nozzle guide vane endwall. The nozzle guide vane endwall includes a first wall and a second wall. The first wall includes a first opening that extends completely through the first wall into a primary flow path of a high-pressure turbine. The second wall includes a second opening and a third opening that extend completely through the second wall into an inner passageway of the nozzle guide vane endwall. The inner passageway is configured to direct a cooling fluid to the first opening and/or the second opening via at least the third opening. The first and second opening are configured to receive a plug or a probe.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2023Date of Patent: June 4, 2024Assignees: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc., Rolls-Royce CorporationInventors: Jack Moody, Kevin P. Holley
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Patent number: 11986897Abstract: A method for the removal of debris (75) from an aperture (60), the aperture comprising a first aperture diameter (64) and extending along a first axis (62) over a first distance (63), the method comprising the steps of aligning a beam of energy (80) with the first axis such that the beam of energy is coaxially aligned with the aperture, the beam of energy comprising both an energy sufficient to remove the debris, and a first beam diameter (82) which is less than the first aperture diameter; and, exposing the debris to the beam of energy in order to remove the debris from the aperture.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2022Date of Patent: May 21, 2024Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plcInventors: James Kell, Graeme E Rigg, Shamraze Ahmed, Monica M Castro Palacios, Adam Clare
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Patent number: 11982207Abstract: A method for repairing a tip portion of a turbine component having a structural defect is provided. The method includes removing a damaged section in turbine component with a structural defect in a tip portion of the turbine component. A pre-sintered preform is provided including a first portion having a first composition and a second portion having a second composition. The pre-sintered preform is configured to mate with an upper surface of a remaining portion of the turbine component. The method also includes applying the pre-sintered preform to the upper surface, wherein the PSP comprises a superalloy material and a braze material. The PSP and the remaining portion of the turbine component are subjected to a brazing process to melt the braze material and fill in the structural defect.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2019Date of Patent: May 14, 2024Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.Inventors: Atul L. Navale, James A. Yarbrough, Somesh J. Ghunakikar, Ivan F. Oliver Vargas
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Patent number: 11982285Abstract: The invention relates to a compressor (20) for generating a compressed air flow for a fuel cell (10), having a compressor element (21), in particular a compressor wheel, wherein the compressor element (21) is coupled in a to a drive shaft (23) for co-rotation, the drive shaft (23) being driven by a motor (22), in particular an electric motor, wherein at least one hydrodynamic or hydrostatic bearing (24, 25) is used to mount the shaft (23) in a rotatable manner, wherein the plain bearing (24, 25) is connected to a lubricant supply means (30), which is used to supply a lubricant for hydrodynamic or hydrostatic pressure generation to the plain bearing (24, 25), wherein the lubricant is water or a fluid mixture, predominantly comprising water, wherein the plain bearing (24, 25) has a lubricant inlet and a lubricant outlet, wherein the lubricant can be routed to the plain bearing (24, 25) via the lubricant inlet and the lubricant can be discharged from the plain bearing (24, 25) via the lubricant outlet, and whereType: GrantFiled: February 4, 2021Date of Patent: May 14, 2024Assignee: BMTS Technology GmbH &Co. KGInventors: Steffen Schmitt, Frieder Stetter, Oliver Kuhne, RĂ¼diger Kleinschmidt, Gunter Winkler
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Patent number: 11971046Abstract: A rotary pump for conveying a fluid, includes a pump housing, a pump shaft, a hydraulic unit, a mechanical seal, and a stator. The hydraulic unit conveys and pressurizes the fluid, includes an impeller fixedly mounted on the pump shaft, and during operation generates an axial thrust to act on the pump shaft. The mechanical seal seals the pump shaft and includes a rotor connected to the pump shaft in a torque proof manner. The stator is stationary with respect to the pump housing. The mechanical seal is arranged between the hydraulic unit and an end of the pump shaft, and is a balancing device configured to generate an axial force on the pump shaft during operation, with the axial force configured to counteract the axial thrust.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2023Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: SULZER MANAGEMENT AGInventor: Thomas Welschinger
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Patent number: 11965429Abstract: A turbomachine component has a wall outer surface and an internal coolant source. A film-cooling hole is in the wall and extends from the internal coolant source to the wall outer surface. The film-cooling hole includes a metering section in fluid communication with the internal coolant source, and a diffuser section in fluid communication with the metering section and including a first internal surface spaced from a second internal surface. A coating collector receives part of a coating and is part of the diffuser section. The film-cooling hole also includes a hood section including a member extending outwardly from the wall outer surface. The member may include a hood internal surface contiguous with the first internal surface of the diffuser section and a hood outer surface parallel to the wall outer surface. The hood section reduces, and possibly prevents, the coating from filling the film-cooling hole during application thereof.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2023Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignee: GE INFRASTRUCTURE TECHNOLOGY LLCInventor: Brad Wilson VanTassel
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Patent number: 11965427Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a primary flow path fluidly connecting a compressor section, a combustor section and a turbine section. A cooling air flowpath is disposed radially outward of the primary flowpath. A first seal spans from an inner diameter of the cooling air flowpath to an outer diameter of the cooling air flowpath. The first seal includes at least one axial convolution and a plurality of pass through features defining a purge airflow. A heat shield is positioned immediately downstream of the first seal and is configured in relation to the first seal such that the purge airflow enters a mixing plenum defined between the heat shield and the first seal.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2022Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignee: RTX CorporationInventors: Thomas E. Clark, Marc J. Muldoon
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Patent number: 11965521Abstract: A fan blade (1) has a front inflow edge (2) and a rear outflow edge (3). The fan blade (1) has an at least partially wavy inflow edge (4) that forms a wave (W) having a specific three-dimensional waveform.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2021Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignee: ebm-papst Mulfingen GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Marc Schneider, Andreas Lucius, Marius Lehmann
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Patent number: 11965520Abstract: An airfoil journal bearing including a bearing housing having an inner surface forming a hollow so that a rotation shaft is insertable in the hollow; an airfoil in the hollow so that, when the rotation shaft is inserted in the hollow, the airfoil encloses at least 180 to 360 degrees of a circumference of the rotation shaft; and a ring member enclosing an outer surface of the bearing housing. The bearing housing includes an insert slit formed through the bearing housing from the inner surface of the bearing housing to the outer surface of the bearing housing. The airfoil includes an insert part bent from a circumferential direction of the airfoil to a radial direction of the bearing housing and extending, through the insert slit, to the outer surface of the bearing housing. The airfoil is engaged with an outer surface of the ring member through the insert part.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2022Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignees: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., NEUROS CO., LTD.Inventors: Jinwoo Cho, Woong Hwang, Kyeongdong Kim