Patents Examined by Stephanie Sebasco Cheng
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Patent number: 12385449Abstract: A section for a gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a rotor including a row of blades extending in a radial direction outwardly from a hub. The row of blades deliver flow to a bypass flow path, an intermediate flow path, and a core flow path. A first case surrounds the row of blades to establish the bypass flow path. A first flow splitter divides flow between the bypass flow path and a second duct. An aftmost row of guide vanes extends in the radial direction across the bypass flow path. A second flow splitter radially inboard of the first flow splitter divides flow from the second duct between the intermediate flow path and the core flow path. A bypass port interconnects the intermediate and bypass flow paths.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2023Date of Patent: August 12, 2025Assignee: RTX CORPORATIONInventors: Daniel Bernard Kupratis, Paul R. Hanrahan
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Patent number: 12385432Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods store energy by liquefying a gas such as air, for example, and then recover the energy by regasifying the liquid and combusting or otherwise reacting the gas with a fuel to drive a heat engine. The process of liquefying the gas may be powered with electric power from the grid, for example, and the heat engine may be used to generate electricity. Hence, in effect these apparatus, systems, and methods may provide for storing electric power from the grid and then subsequently delivering it back to the grid.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2024Date of Patent: August 12, 2025Assignee: PINTAIL POWER LLCInventor: William M. Conlon
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Patent number: 12371995Abstract: Disclosed is a main shaft for an aircraft turbine engine drive line extending longitudinally from front to rear along an axis and having a rear portion configured for receiving a front portion of a rear shaft by interlocking, the main shaft having: —a front retaining member and a rear retaining member together defining a prison and each having a central opening, —a connecting ring, located in the prison, having a rear end configured to be screwed to a front end of the rear shaft extending into the central opening of the rear retaining member, the connecting ring having a gripping member formed on the inner surface and accessible from a front portion of the main shaft by a tool extending via the central opening of the front retaining member.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2021Date of Patent: July 29, 2025Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINESInventors: Christophe Paul Jacquemard, Xavier Jean Yves Alain Agneray
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Patent number: 12366217Abstract: A hybrid electric gas turbine engine is provided. The hybrid electric gas turbine engine includes: a turbomachine having a compressor section and a turbine section arranged in serial flow order, the compressor section and turbine section together defining a core air flowpath, the turbomachine defining a core air flowpath exhaust; and an electric machine assembly having an electric machine disposed aft of the core air flowpath exhaust and mechanically connected to the turbine section.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2022Date of Patent: July 22, 2025Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ethan Patrick O'Connor, Gert Johannes van der Merwe, Alexander Thomas Hills
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Patent number: 12320299Abstract: A gas turbine engine having a compressor section, a combustion section, and a turbine section in serial flow arrangement to define a diffuser cavity between the compressor section and the combustor section, and an aft cavity. A compressor discharge pressure duct fluidly draws air from the diffuser cavity, passes it through a heat exchanger to cool the air, and then supplies the cooled air to the aft cavity.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2022Date of Patent: June 3, 2025Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Lakshmi Narasimharao Jagata, Prateek Jalan, Veeraraju Vanapalli, Atanu Saha, Scott Alan Schimmels
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Patent number: 12320315Abstract: A propulsion system is provided, the propulsion system including a rotor assembly configured to rotate relative to the engine centerline axis, and wherein one or more blades of the rotor assembly are configured to rotate along a blade pitch angle axis. A vane assembly is positioned in aerodynamic relationship with the rotor assembly. The vane assembly includes one or more vanes, wherein each vane includes a vane pitch angle. A controller is configured to execute operations, the operations including moving each blade to a reverse thrust position about its respective blade pitch axis, and adjusting each vane about its respective vane pitch axis when the plurality of blades is in the reverse thrust position to modify an amount of reverse thrust generated by the propulsion system.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2020Date of Patent: June 3, 2025Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Syed Arif Khalid, Andrew Breeze-Stringfellow
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Patent number: 12292014Abstract: A chevron ring is disclosed. In various embodiments, the chevron ring includes an attachment ring; and a chevron, the chevron connected to and extending downstream of the attachment ring and having a trailing edge portion, the chevron defining a hollow portion between the attachment ring and the trailing edge portion.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2020Date of Patent: May 6, 2025Assignee: ROHR, INC.Inventors: Johann Steven Schrell, Jihad Ramlaoui, Brian A. Sherman, Andrew John Strutt
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Patent number: 12292008Abstract: A system comprises first and second first fuel stores, an engine arranged to produce mechanical power, a fuel distribution system arranged to deliver fuel from the first and second fuel stores to the engine, the first fuel delivered at a first mass flow rate, the second fuel delivered at a second mass flow rate, the first and second mass flow rates contributing to a total mass flow rate of fuel to the engine, and a control system arranged to increase the relative fraction of the total mass flow rate of fuel represented by the second mass flow rate during a period of acceleration of the engine, in order to control a surge margin of the engine. The second fuel is selected to have a higher specific energy than the first fuel and to release a greater mass of water per unit mass of fuel than the first fuel.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2023Date of Patent: May 6, 2025Inventor: Peter Swann
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Patent number: 12276237Abstract: The engine described herein utilizes an internal low pressure near the nozzle to draw fluid through a center section/duct of the engine and therefore through an upstream, cold, turbine. The fluid moving through this center duct-section experiences a pressure differential between the zone of the incoming fluid (which raises pressure upstream) and the low pressure zone generated near the nozzle. With fast-moving fluid around each side of this cold turbine duct, inducing a Venturi effect on the fluid passing through the duct, a low pressure is generated and therefore enacts work on the turbine. Using this method, turbine blades are not down stream of the hot combustion section and therefore can be made with light weight and low melting temperature material. With a cold section turbine, the engine can therefore be considerably lighter and cheaper to manufacture and maintain.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2022Date of Patent: April 15, 2025Inventor: Isaac Erik Anderson
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Patent number: 12258908Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes an engine core including a compressor, a combustor, and a turbine, the compressor being connected to the turbines through a respective shaft; and a cabin blower system comprising: an electric variator comprising a first electrical machine connected to a first shaft arranged along a first axis, a second electrical machine connected to a second shaft arranged along a second axis, and a power management system; a cabin blower comprising a compressor driven by a third shaft arranged along a third axis, the compressor comprising an air inlet and an air outlet; and a differential gearbox. The gas turbine engine further includes an accessory gearbox arranged within an accessory gearbox casing and adapted to drive the cabin blower system.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2021Date of Patent: March 25, 2025Assignee: Rolls-Royce plcInventors: Richard G. Stretton, Richard Sharpe
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Patent number: 12253050Abstract: A combined cycle propulsion system for a flight vehicle includes a compressor-fed combustion engine, and a multi-mode supersonic engine. The multi-mode supersonic engine includes an adjustable inlet section, a combustion section arranged downstream of the adjustable inlet section and including a first combustor portion having at least one rotating detonation combustor and a second combustor portion having a supersonic combustion type combustor, and an adjustable exhaust nozzle section arranged downstream of the combustion section. The at least one rotating detonation combustor functions as a pilot for the supersonic combustion type combustor.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2022Date of Patent: March 18, 2025Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Arin Elspeth Lastufka Cross, Krishnakumar Venkatesan
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Patent number: 12253024Abstract: A system may include a turbine and a recuperative heat exchanger system. The recuperative heat exchanger system is configured to receive exhaust gases from the turbine. The recuperative heat exchanger system may include a precool section to cool the exhaust gases, a major heating section to receive the cooled the exhaust gases, and a minor heating section to receive the cooled the exhaust gases.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2021Date of Patent: March 18, 2025Assignee: LUMMUS TECHNOLOGY LLCInventors: Richard John Jibb, David Guymon, Ron Herbanek, Vincenzo Marco Brignone, Roberto Groppi
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Patent number: 12247522Abstract: A burner assembly includes a plurality of burners for mixing fuel and air. Each of the plurality of burners includes: at least one fuel nozzle for injecting the fuel; and a mixing passage into which the fuel injected from the at least one fuel nozzle and the air are introduced. Each of the at least one fuel nozzle includes a protruding portion protruding upstream of an inlet of the mixing passage in a flow direction of the air. Each of the at least one fuel nozzle includes at least one fuel injection hole formed on a side surface of the protruding portion. A top surface of the protruding portion includes a convex curved surface.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2022Date of Patent: March 11, 2025Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Shinichi Fukuba, Satoshi Takiguchi, Keisuke Miura, Tomohiro Asai, Kenji Miyamoto, Tomo Kawakami, Kenta Taniguchi, Katsuyoshi Tada
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Patent number: 12241629Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprising a variable geometry combustor having fuel injectors, a rich-burn zone, a quick-quench zone, and a lean-burn zone, and further comprising quench ports for admitting quench air to the quick-quench zone; a variable geometry airflow arrangement for the variable geometry combustor, which is configured to vary an airflow through the fuel injectors and/or the quench ports; and a control system configured to control the variable geometry airflow arrangement in dependence upon an airflow delivered to the combustor, a fuel flow to the fuel injectors, and a target index of soot emissions to control the quantity of soot produced by combustion.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2022Date of Patent: March 4, 2025Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plcInventors: Peter Swann, Christopher P Madden
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Patent number: 12228285Abstract: Disclosed herein is a combustor nozzle that includes at least one cluster composed of a plurality of tubes through which air and fuel flow, wherein the cluster includes a main tube through which air and fuel flow, a sub-tube disposed to surround the main tube, a fuel supply part positioned inside the main tube to supply fuel, and a plurality of wing parts protruding radially from the fuel supply part, each having one end coupled to the fuel supply part and the other end in contact with an inner peripheral surface of the main tube.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2023Date of Patent: February 18, 2025Assignee: DOOSAN ENERBILITY CO., LTD.Inventors: Han Jin Jeong, Seong Hwi Jo, Chea Hong Choi
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Patent number: 12221926Abstract: A gas turbine engine including a combustor, a plurality of fuel nozzles, and at least one fuel manifold. The combustor includes a combustion chamber. The plurality of fuel injects fuel into the combustion chamber of the combustor. The gas turbine engine may include a first fuel circuit and a second fuel circuit. The first fuel circuit includes a first fuel manifold fluidly connected to at least one fuel nozzle of the plurality of fuel nozzles to distribute the fuel to the at least one fuel nozzle at a first temperature. The second fuel circuit includes a second fuel manifold fluidly connected to at least one fuel nozzle of the plurality of fuel nozzles to distribute the fuel to the at least one fuel nozzle at a second. The second temperature is less than the first temperature.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2022Date of Patent: February 11, 2025Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Hejie Li, Shai Birmaher, Michael A. Benjamin
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Patent number: 12134987Abstract: An exhaust baffle component for an aircraft starter includes a plurality of frames arranged with one another as a single component. At least one of the plurality of frames may include an attachment flange extending therefrom and defining a receiving aperture. Each frame of the plurality of frames may include one or more louvers stacked relative to one another and spaced from one another to define an air opening therebetween. The attachment flange may extend from the frame at a substantially central region of an upper portion of the frame to substantially align the receiving aperture with a starter aperture of a starter component to facilitate securement of the attachment flange to the starter component.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2021Date of Patent: November 5, 2024Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATIONInventors: Thomas Jakab, Jeffrey Todd Roberts, Adrian L. Stoicescu
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Patent number: 12098680Abstract: Spark plug assemblies and turbomachines are provided. A spark plug assembly includes a monolithic hollow cylinder extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end, the monolithic hollow cylinder including a sidewall defining an interior, a first end wall, and a second end opening. The first end wall defines a first end opening at the first end. The second end opening is defined at the second end. The spark plug assembly further includes an igniter assembly extending along the longitudinal axis into the interior through the first end opening and from the interior through the second end opening. The spark plug assembly further includes a piston surrounding the igniter, the piston disposed within the interior and extending from the interior along the longitudinal axis through the second end opening.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2019Date of Patent: September 24, 2024Assignee: GE Infrastructure Technology LLCInventor: Elias Marquez
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Patent number: 12092031Abstract: In accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a fuel system of an aircraft engine, comprising: a fuel conduit interface connecting a fuel conduit to a component of the fuel system; and a sweep line structure. The sweep line structure includes an inner surface facing toward, extending around, and defining a cavity around the fuel conduit interface, and an outer surface opposite the inner surface, the cavity being fluidly sealed relative to the outer surface.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2021Date of Patent: September 17, 2024Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.Inventor: Eric Durocher
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Patent number: 12060807Abstract: An aircraft turbine engine includes a gas generator and a fan arranged upstream from the gas generator and configured to generate a main gas flow, one portion of which flows in a flow path of the gas generator to form a primary flow, and another portion of which flows in a flow path around the gas generator to form a secondary flow. The gas generator has a low-pressure body with a rotor driving the fan and a low-pressure compressor situated upstream from an intermediate housing. The turbine engine also includes an electric machine, mounted coaxially downstream from the fan and upstream from the intermediate housing. An intermediate shaft is driven by the rotor of the low-pressure body and drives rotors of the electric machine and of the low-pressure compressor.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2019Date of Patent: August 13, 2024Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINESInventors: Gilles Alain Marie Charier, Caroline Marie Frantz, Loïc Paul Yves Guillotel, Vincent François Georges Millier