Patents Examined by Juan G Flores
  • Flexible support structure for a geared architecture gas turbine engine
    Patent number: 11111818
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a fan shaft that drives a fan that has fan blades. An outer housing surrounds the fan. A bypass flow path is within the outer housing. A fan shaft support that supports the fan shaft defines a fan shaft support transverse stiffness. A gear system is connected to the fan shaft. The gear system includes a gear mesh that defines a gear mesh transverse stiffness. A flexible support which supports the gear system relative to a static structure defines a flexible support transverse stiffness. The flexible support transverse stiffness is less than 11% of the fan shaft support transverse stiffness. The flexible support transverse stiffness is less than 8% of the gear mesh transverse stiffness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, Jason Husband
  • Inlet particle separator
    Patent number: 11111855
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes an engine core, a propulsion unit, and a particle separator. The engine core is configured to combust fuel and air to drive rotation of the propulsion unit. The propulsion unit is driven to rotate by the engine core to provide thrust for the gas turbine engine. The particle separator is configured to separate unwanted particles from air being directed toward the engine core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas D. Dierksmeier
  • Turbine assembly
    Patent number: 11105204
    Abstract: Turbine and other bladed disc assemblies and associated methods are disclosed. In an embodiment, a turbine assembly includes a rotor and a turbine disc secured to the rotor via a nut and a deformable retainer. The nut is threadably engaged with the rotor to secure the turbine disc to the rotor. The retainer is deformed to co-operatingly engage with a periphery of the nut and configured to hinder rotation of the nut relative to the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Franco Di Paola, Guy Lefebvre
  • System and method for near wall cooling for turbine component
    Patent number: 11098596
    Abstract: A turbine airfoil includes a leading edge, a trailing edge, a pressure side wall extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge, a suction side wall extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge, a cooling air supply cavity disposed within the turbine airfoil, and a near wall cooling cavity disposed within the turbine airfoil and fluidly coupled to the cooling air supply cavity to receive cooling air. In addition, the near wall cooling cavity partially extends along the suction side wall from adjacent the leading edge to a location more proximal the trailing edge. Moreover, the near wall cooling cavity provides near wall cooling to a high heat load region along the suction side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Zachary John Snider, Daniel Burnos, Lana Maria Osusky, Brian Gene Brzek, Gregory Thomas Foster
  • Geared architecture gas turbine engine with oil scavenge
    Patent number: 11067162
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a geared architecture with a multiple of intermediate gears, and a baffle with an oil scavenge scoop adjacent to each of the multiple of intermediate gears. A geared architecture and method are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, Zachary R. Nado
  • Method for pitch angle measurement and/or for constructing a pitch angle measurement system
    Patent number: 11067061
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for pitch angle measurement and/or for constructing a pitch angle measurement system on a rotor blade (100) of a wind turbine, the rotor blade comprising a blade root (114) and extending along a longitudinal blade axis (180). The rotor blade is rotatably mounted, by its blade root (114), to rotate about the longitudinal blade axis (180), on a rotor hub (20) of the wind turbine, the rotor hub rotating or being rotatable about a rotor axis (36). At least one chord line direction indicator (430) is firmly connected to the rotor blade (100) at a distance from the blade root (114), and defines a chord line direction indicator direction (160) indicative of a direction of a chord line (140) of the rotor blade (100) at the location of the chord line direction indicator (430).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: NIDEC SSB WIND SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventor: Fabio Bertolotti
  • Lightning receptor for a rotor blade of a wind turbine
    Patent number: 11060508
    Abstract: Provided is a rotor blade of a wind turbine, the rotor blade including a lightning protection system with at least one lightning receptor, wherein the lightning receptor includes a receptor part which protrudes from the surface of the rotor blade. Furthermore, the section of the receptor part with the maximum lateral extension is spaced apart from the surface of the rotor blade. Additionally, a lightning receptor for such a rotor blade and to a wind turbine for generating electricity comprising at least one such rotor blade, is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: SIEMENS GAMESA RENEWABLE ENERGY A/S
    Inventors: Flemming Dahl, Yannick Cao van Truong
  • System for changing the pitch of a turboprop engine comprising an upstream pair of contrarotating propellers
    Patent number: 11052994
    Abstract: A turbine engine module including an upstream propulsive unit including a propellers doublet that are upstream and downstream, respectively mounted around an axis, a power turbine shaft with axis of rotation intended for rotating the propellers doublet, a speed reducer connected to the propellers doublet and driven by the shaft, and, a pitch-changing system including a cylinder that controls the pitch of the blades of the upstream propeller the rotational axis of the propellers doublet is shifted in relation to that of the shaft. The cylinder is placed downstream of the reducer, and the pitch-changing system includes a shaft for controlling the pitch of the blades that connect the cylinder to the blades of the upstream propeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Gilles Alain Charier, Thomas Julien Nguyen Van
  • Double inlet backward curved blower
    Patent number: 11041502
    Abstract: A method of assembling a fan wheel includes forming a first wheel portion including a first plurality of impeller blades and a first connector, forming a second wheel portion including a second plurality of impeller blades and a second connector, affixing an end of each of the first plurality of impeller blades to a first surface of a support ring such that the first connector is affixed to the second connector, and affixing an end of each of the second plurality of impeller blades to a second surface of a support ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark Patrick Rau, Mehmet N. Sarimurat, Ryan K. Dygert
  • Pump bearing holders
    Patent number: 11035369
    Abstract: A pump bearing holder has a carrier portion configured to carry a static set of magnets of a pump magnetic bearing and a support portion extending outwardly of the carrier portion to connect with a pump casing such that the pump bearing holder spans an inlet provided in the pump housing. The support portion defines a plurality of internal through-passages that, in use, allow a gas flowing through the inlet to flow through the support portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Edwards Limited
    Inventor: Richard Horler
  • Turbine engine with fan and reduction of speed on the shaft of the power turbine
    Patent number: 11022043
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an aircraft propulsion assembly comprising a turbine (15), at least one fan (10) and a mechanism for transmitting power between the turbine and the fan, characterized in that the power transmission mechanism comprises a speed reducer (20) with a motion input and a motion output, the input being in the continuation of the axis (16) of the turbine and the output connected to the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventor: Augustin Marc Michel Curlier
  • Set of turbines and a turbine train comprising at least one such set
    Patent number: 11021960
    Abstract: A set of turbines, including: a first turbine including a first shaft supported in an overhung manner in a first case, a first rotor provided with first rotor blades and joined to a distal end of the first shaft; a second turbine including a second shaft supported in an overhung manner in a second case, and a second rotor provided with second rotor blades and joined to a distal end of the second shaft. A first front face of the first rotor faces a second front face of the second rotor. The set of turbines further includes a connection element connected to the first front face and to the second front face to transmit rotation from the first shaft to the second shaft or vice versa. The connection element includes at least one elastic joint configured to minimize the rotordynamic influence of the first and second turbine on each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: EXERGY INTERNATIONAL S.R.L.
    Inventors: Claudio Spadacini, Dario Rizzi
  • Vertical axis windmill with shutters and blinds
    Patent number: 11022098
    Abstract: A vertical axis windmill system for interacting with ground level winds has a plurality of vertical windmill units. Each vertical windmill unit includes a rotation unit and outer rings. The rings are secured to the vertical support columns. The rotation unit has a plurality of blades equally spaced around a rotatable center shaft. Each blade has a plate extending from the central shaft to an outer end. The plate has a curvature from an upper edge to the lower edge. Each of the blades has a plurality of openings. A plurality of flaps are pivotably mounted to the blade to move from an open position allowing air through the plurality of openings to a closed position limiting air through the plurality of openings. The system has a generator for converting the rotation motion of the rotatable central shaft to electrical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: WindRays Energy, LLC
    Inventor: Emil Jacob
  • Thermal insulation coating member, axial flow turbine, and method for producing thermal insulation coating member
    Patent number: 11021993
    Abstract: A thermal insulation coating member includes: a substrate having a surface; a binding layer on the surface, and a thermal insulation layer on the binding layer. The thermal insulation layer includes: a first ceramic layer including a plurality of first flat pores, the plurality of first flat pores being inclined at a first angle with respect to the surface and extending in a first direction; and a second ceramic layer including a plurality of second flat pores, the plurality of second flat pores being inclined at a second angle with respect to the surface and extending in a second direction. The second angle differs from the first angle, the second direction differing from the first direction, or the second angle and the second direction respectively differing from the first angle and the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: TOSHIBA ENERGY SYSTEMS & SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoru Kuboya, Kunihiko Wada, Daizo Saito, Masataka Tamura, Nobuhiro Okizono, Iwataro Sato, Hideyuki Maeda, Takeo Takahashi
  • Flexible support structure for a geared architecture gas turbine engine
    Patent number: 11021997
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a fan shaft configured to drive a fan, a support configured to support at least a portion of the fan shaft, the support defining a support transverse stiffness and a support lateral stiffness, a gear system coupled to the fan shaft, and a flexible support configured to at least partially support the gear system. The flexible support defines a flexible support transverse stiffness with respect to the support transverse stiffness and a flexible support lateral stiffness with respect to the support lateral stiffness. The input defines an input transverse stiffness with respect to the support transverse stiffness and an input lateral stiffness with respect to the support lateral stiffness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, Jason Husband
  • Flexible support structure for a geared architecture gas turbine engine
    Patent number: 11021996
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a fan shaft driving a fan having fan blades. The fan delivers airflow to a bypass duct. A fan shaft support supports the fan shaft and defines a support transverse stiffness. A gear system is connected to the fan shaft and includes a gear mesh defining a gear mesh transverse stiffness and a reduction ratio greater than 2.3. A gear system input is connected to the gear system and defines a gear system input lateral stiffness. A flexible support supports the gear system and defines a flexible support transverse stiffness. The gear system input lateral stiffness is less than 5% of the gear mesh lateral stiffness and the flexible support transverse stiffness is less than 20% of the fan shaft support transverse stiffness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, Jason Husband
  • Ventilation fan mounting assembly
    Patent number: 11015822
    Abstract: An assembly for use in mounting an object in an opening in a structural member, the structural member having opposing first and second surfaces, the assembly including a housing that is sized and shaped to define an interior to house the object and that can be received within the opening in the structural member, a trim ring sized and shaped to fit within the interior of the housing and to bear against the second surface of the structural member, and a cover having a first panel sized and shaped to cover the trim ring, the cover having a connector that releasably connects the cover to the housing, the cover further including at least one standoff extending therefrom that is sized and shaped to bear against the trim ring to hold the trim ring in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Ascent Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Tony J. Branham
  • Impeller for rotary machine, compressor, supercharger, and method for producing impeller for rotary machine
    Patent number: 11015250
    Abstract: An impeller for a rotary machine includes a base material of the impeller made of Al or an Al alloy. A surface layer for the impeller is formed by an electroless plating layer with a Ni—P based alloy and an under layer disposed between the base material and the surface layer, the under layer having a smaller Vickers hardness than the surface layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES ENGINE & TURBOCHARGER, LTD.
    Inventors: Daigo Watanabe, Takashi Arai, Hideki Yamaguchi, Wataru Murono, Taiji Torigoe, Masahiro Yamada
  • Coriolis optimized U-channel with root flag
    Patent number: 11015454
    Abstract: An airfoil includes pressure and suction side walls that extend in a chord-wise direction between a leading edge and a trailing edge. The pressure and suction side walls extend in a radial direction between a platform and a tip to provide an exterior airfoil surface. A cooling passage is arranged between the pressure and suction side walls and has a first passage along the pressure side wall and a second passage along the suction side wall. The first passage is configured to receive cooling air from a cooling air source radially inward of the platform. The second passage is configured to receive cooling air from the first passage near the tip. A root flag passage is configured to purge the cooling air from the second passage near the trailing edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Timothy J. Jennings, Carey Clum
  • Turbine shroud block segment with near surface cooling channels
    Patent number: 11015481
    Abstract: A cooled structure has a leading edge, a trailing edge, a first side portion orthogonal to each of the leading and trailing edge, and a second side portion opposite the first side portion and substantially orthogonal to each of the leading and trailing edge. The cooled structure includes a substrate surface defined by boundaries including the leading edge, trailing edge, first side and second side portion. A first set of cooling channels beneath the substrate surface extends from a first set of inlets proximate to the first side portion to a first set of exits proximate to the second side portion. A second set of cooling channels beneath the substrate surface extends from a second set of inlets proximate to the second side portion to a second set of exits proximate to the first side portion. Each first inlet overlaps with an exit of the second set of exits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Benjamin Paul Lacy