Patents Examined by Lorne E Meade
  • Patent number: 12644422
    Abstract: An assembly is provided for a turbine engine with a flowpath. This turbine engine assembly includes a fuel injection system. The fuel injection system includes a first fuel injector and a second fuel injector. The fuel injection system is configured to provide the first fuel injector with first fuel and provide the second fuel injector with second fuel. The first fuel may be or include ammonia. The second fuel is different than the first fuel. The second fuel may be or include hydrogen gas. The first fuel injector is configured to direct the first fuel into the flowpath for combustion. The second fuel injector is configured to direct the second fuel into the flowpath for combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2024
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2026
    Assignee: RTX Corporation
    Inventors: Lance L. Smith, Timothy S. Snyder, Jeffrey M. Cohen, Peter Cocks, Sean C. Emerson
  • Patent number: 12644408
    Abstract: A fuel system includes a reservoir, a heat exchanger, a heating device, a cracker and a fuel injector. The heat exchanger is configured to vaporize a first flow of liquid ammonia received from the reservoir into ammonia gas using heat energy. The heat exchanger is configured to receive the heat energy from the heating device during a first operating mode. The heat exchanger is configured to receive the heat energy from a turbine engine a second operating mode. The cracker configured to at least partially crack the ammonia gas into hydrogen gas and nitrogen gas. The fuel system is configured to deliver the hydrogen gas or a combination of the hydrogen gas and the nitrogen gas to a fuel injector for injection into a combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2024
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2026
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventor: Eric S. Durocher
  • Patent number: 12629775
    Abstract: A laser welding method according to an embodiment includes a preparation process and a welding process. The preparation process includes preparing a temporarily-welded member that includes multiple connection portions by temporarily welding a second member to a first member. The welding process includes welding the second member to the first member by irradiating a laser beam on the temporarily-welded member. In the welding process, a first process is performed, after which a second process is performed. The first process includes irradiating a laser beam from a prescribed position to a second connection portion, wherein the second connection portion is adjacent to a first connection portion, and the prescribed position is between the first connection portion and the second connection portion. The second process includes irradiating a laser beam from the first connection portion to the prescribed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2026
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation
    Inventors: Lisa Masuda, Ryuichi Togawa, Takashi Obara
  • Patent number: 12626967
    Abstract: A temperature raising device includes a parallel circuit including a capacitor connected in parallel to a battery that is a temperature raising target, and an alternating current (AC) generation circuit connected to the parallel circuit. When capacitance of the capacitor is denoted by CP, an inductance component of the battery is denoted by LS, and a resistance component of the battery is denoted by RS, CP satisfies Inequality (1) and an angular frequency ? of the AC generation circuit satisfies Eq. (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2026
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yasumichi Onuki
  • Patent number: 12618359
    Abstract: A system and method for converting hazardous waste vapors into renewable and reusable energy is disclosed. The system comprises a generator, a compressor operable to pressurize vapors to a selected threshold range, and a gas storage system configured to store and feed the fully pressurized vapor to the generator at a steady state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2026
    Assignee: Audubon Engineering Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Brian Connor, Sam Rayford Turner
  • Patent number: 12617540
    Abstract: A propulsion system for an aircraft includes a gas generating core engine, a propulsor that is driven by an exhaust gas flow that is generated by the core engine, and an inlet assembly where an inlet airflow is communicated to the core engine. The inlet assembly is disposed aft of the core engine and includes a turning duct that directs inlet air into the core engine, and a particle exhaust outlet that directs particulates away from the core engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2024
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2026
    Assignee: RTX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Neil J. Terwilliger, Joseph B. Staubach
  • Patent number: 12610432
    Abstract: A cooktop appliance includes a cooktop plate defining an upper cooking surface, and a plurality of heating elements. The cooktop appliance also includes a controller in operative communication with the plurality of heating elements, a user interface disposed on the cooktop plate, and a light guide positioned below the cooktop plate. The light guide includes a slot. The cooktop appliance also includes a touch foil positioned at the light guide. The touch foil includes a locator graphic positioned on a surface of the touch foil. The locator graphic aligns within the slot of the light guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2026
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Howell, John Adam Yantis
  • Patent number: 12610433
    Abstract: A dielectric heating device includes a first electrode and a second electrode that face an object to be heated and to which an AC voltage is applied, and a coil that is electrically coupled in series to the first electrode. A linear distance between one end and the other end of the coil is equal to or smaller than a linear distance between the one end and a central portion of the coil in a magnetic path direction of the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2026
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tadashi Aizawa
  • Patent number: 12600487
    Abstract: An assembly for an aircraft propulsion system includes a nacelle inlet structure which extends axially along and circumferentially around a centerline. The nacelle inlet structure includes an inlet lip, an inner barrel, an outer barrel and a plurality of structure segments. The inlet lip forms a leading edge of the nacelle inlet structure. The inner barrel projects axially aft away from the inlet lip. The outer barrel projects axially aft away from the inlet lip. The outer barrel is radially outboard of and axially overlaps the inner barrel. Each of the structure segments includes an exterior skin, a mount and an electric heater configured to heat the exterior skin. The exterior skin forms a respective circumferential section of the inlet lip. The mount is connected to the exterior skin. A fastener extends radially through the mount and attaches a respective one of the structure segments to the inner barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2026
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Moe, John E. Van Doren, Aleksandar Ratajac
  • Patent number: 12595785
    Abstract: Ionic thruster methods and apparatus for aircraft are disclosed. An example ionic thruster for aircraft includes a nozzle. The nozzle includes an outlet and an inlet, the inlet to receive fluid and containing an electrode mount. A ground electrode is disposed within the nozzle. Conducting pins are coupled to the electrode mount, each of the pins having a first end coupled to the electrode mount and a second end positioned closer to the ground electrode than the first end, the pins spaced apart from the ground electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2026
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Dejan Nikic, Sean Keith Cossano
  • Patent number: 12595911
    Abstract: The provided is a coaxially staged burner for a low-emission combustion chamber of a dual-fuel gas turbine utilizing gaseous and liquid fuels. The coaxially staged burner includes a mounting flange, a main fuel sleeve, and a swirler, where the mounting flange is provided with a fuel supply port; the main fuel sleeve is internally provided with coaxially nested four-stage fuel sleeves; the swirler includes a center pilot stage, a first premix stage, a second premix stage, a first-stage hub, and a second-stage hub; when a liquid fuel operates alone, the liquid fuel enters a swirler passage through a pilot-stage liquid fuel nozzle and a second-stage blade liquid fuel hole to achieve premixing and evaporation; and when a gaseous fuel operates alone, the gaseous fuel enters the swirler passage through a first-stage blade fuel hole and a second-stage blade gaseous fuel hole for mixing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2025
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2026
    Assignee: HARBIN ENGINEERING UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Ningbo Zhao, Zhongmin Feng, Jihao Sun, Shaowen Luo, Honghao Xu, Honglei Yang, Hongtao Zheng
  • Patent number: 12591258
    Abstract: A heating system includes a power supply that applies a first voltage to a sense resistor in series with a resistive heating material during a first time period; and a controller that determines a temperature of the resistive heating material based on a current through the sense resistor and a second voltage across the resistive heating material during the first time period. Additionally, the controller commands the power supply to provide a third voltage to the resistive heating material during a second time period, and the third voltage is based on the temperature of the resistive heating material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2026
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth Wayne Zapalac
  • Patent number: 12590556
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine, comprising a compressor section, combustion section, and turbine section in serial flow arrangement, with the combustion section comprising: a combustor liner at least partially defining a combustion chamber; a wall coupled to the combustor liner; a first fuel supply to supply a first fuel; a gaseous fuel supply to supply a gaseous hydrogen fuel; and a fuel nozzle assembly coupled to the wall and fluidly coupled to the first fuel supply and the gaseous hydrogen fuel supply, the fuel nozzle assembly comprising: a main mixer; and a fuel nozzle comprising an outer wall defining a pilot channel and an outer wall fuel orifice to emit at least one of the first fuel or the gaseous fuel radially outward into the main mixer; and a secondary mixer disposed in the pilot channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2026
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Hiranya Kumar Nath, Steven C. Vise, Michael A. Benjamin, Narasimha Chiranthan Ranganatha
  • Patent number: 12590560
    Abstract: A vane heating system for an engine includes a plurality of static vanes, an electrically resistive material, and an electric power source. The static vanes are disposed within the engine, and each static vane has an inner surface that defines a vane cavity. The electrically resistive material is disposed within the vane cavity of each static vane. The electric power source is electrically coupled to, and is configured to selectively supply an electric current to, the electrically resistive material in each static vane. When the electric current is supplied to the electrically resistive material, a temperature of the static vane increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2026
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Karthik Narayanasamy, Dave Dischinger, Sai Manohar Gollakota, Chandiran Jayamurugan
  • Patent number: 12577962
    Abstract: A device for guiding a main air flow (F1) for an aircraft turbine engine, the device including a first air flowing pipe of a main air flow, the first pipe having a main axis, a plurality of ejectors of a secondary air flow located within the first pipe and configured to eject a secondary air flow and force the flow of the main air flow into the first pipe, the ejectors being distributed around the main axis, and a second air flowing pipe located at the outlet of the ejectors and including one end which is connected to one end of the first pipe, wherein the second pipe includes a narrow end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2026
    Assignee: SAFRAN HELICOPTER ENGINES
    Inventors: Thomas Alexandre Guerin, Sylvain Borelle, Jacques Lucien Demolis, Nicolas Guillermo Lemoussu
  • Patent number: 12571352
    Abstract: A turbofan engine includes a first spool including a first turbine, and a first tower shaft engaged to the first spool. A second spool includes a second turbine, and a second tower shaft is engaged to the second spool. A superposition gearbox includes a sun gear, a plurality of intermediate gears engaged to the sun gear, and is supported in a carrier and a ring gear circumscribing the intermediate gears. The first tower shaft or the second tower shaft drives one of the intermediate gears. A drive motor is engaged to drive the sun gear, an inner electric motor, a stator disposed radially outside of the inner electric motor, and an outer electric motor disposed radially outside the stator. A first load on the first spool and a second load on the second spool is adjusted by operation of at least one of the inner electric motor and the outer electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2026
    Assignee: RTX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniel Bernard Kupratis, Coy Bruce Wood
  • Patent number: 12571361
    Abstract: Disclosed is an aircraft having a rocket-based combined cycle (RBCC) propulsion system including a rotating detonation rocket engine (RDRE) and an airbreathing jet engine. The RDRE is located within a throat area of the jet engine and is configured to be cooled by air bypassed from upstream of the jet engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2026
    Assignee: VENUS AEROSPACE CORP
    Inventors: Vishal Doshi, Wade Allen McElroy, Aaron Ezekiel Smith, Ali Moradi, William Thomas Ross, Jacob T. Needels
  • Patent number: 12571351
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a compressor section, a combustion section, and a turbine section arranged in serial flow order and defining a working gas flowpath, a compressor of the compressor section comprising an aft-most compressor stage; a stage of stator vanes located downstream of the aft-most compressor stage; a stator case including a seal pad; and a spool drivingly coupled to the compressor, the spool and the stator case together defining a rotor cavity in fluid communication with the working gas flowpath, the spool comprising a seal tooth assembly, the seal tooth assembly including a seal support extension, a seal tooth extending from the seal support extension toward the seal pad, and a dampener operable with the seal support extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2026
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Narendra Anand Hardikar
  • Patent number: 12571360
    Abstract: A three-stream gas turbine engine with an embedded electric machine and methods of operating the same are disclosed. In one aspect, a three-stream engine includes an electric machine operatively coupled with a shaft of the engine. The three-stream engine also includes a core engine and a primary fan and a mid-fan positioned upstream of the core engine. The primary fan and the mid-fan are operatively coupled with the shaft. During operation, the three-stream engine defines a tip speed ratio being defined by a tip speed of a rotor of the electric machine to a tip speed of a mid-fan blade of the mid-fan. The tip speed ratio is defined as being equal to or greater than 0.2 and less than or equal to 1.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2026
    Assignee: General Electric Deutschland Holding GmbH
    Inventors: Darek Tomasz Zatorski, David Marion Ostdiek, Mohamed Osama, William Joseph Solomon
  • Patent number: 12571345
    Abstract: A turbine engine for an aircraft includes a fan that rotates to generate a volume of air, a core turbine engine, a nacelle, and a steam system. The core turbine engine includes a combustor that generates combustion gases, and a turbine including a shaft. The combustor and the turbine define a core air flowpath. The fan is drivingly coupled to the shaft. The nacelle circumferentially surrounds the fan and defines a bypass airflow passage between the nacelle and the core turbine engine. The volume of air flows into the bypass airflow passage as bypass air and flows into the core air flowpath as core air. The steam system extracts water from the combustion gases, vaporizes the water to generate steam, and injects the steam into the core air flowpath to add mass flow to the core air. A bypass ratio of the turbine engine is greater than 18:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2026
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Arthur W. Sibbach, Rudolf Selmeier, Lajith Vijayan, Rakshit Tirumala