Patents Examined by Stephanie Sebasco Cheng
  • Patent number: 11686253
    Abstract: A through-flow gas turbine engine includes a core comprising multiple spools rotatable about a center axis. An accessory gearbox (AGB) is drivingly engaged to the core and disposed aft of the outlet. A reduction gearbox (RGB) is drivingly engaged to the core and disposed forward of the inlet. The RGB has an RGB output to provide rotational output to a rotatable load. An electric motor is drivingly engaged to the rotatable load. An electric generator is configured to provide electrical power to the electric motor. the electric motor and the electric generator are disposed axially adjacent one another, and axially between the outlet and the AGB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventor: Guy Lefebvre
  • Patent number: 11686249
    Abstract: An aircraft turbine engine having a primary air flow path with low-pressure and high-pressure compressors, a secondary air flow path which is located around the primary path and runs coaxially thereto, the turbine engine including vanes distributed about a main axis of the turbine engine. A pressurized air circuit draws air between the low-pressure compressor and the high-pressure compressor or in the high-pressure compressor and supplies at least one component located close to a main axis of the turbine engine. The pressurized air circuit includes a heat exchanger between the stream of pressurized air and the stream of air flowing in the secondary path, the heat exchanger being arranged in at least one of the straightening vanes, where a heat exchanger pipe is arranged, the pipe having a pressurized-air inlet and a pressurized-air outlet that are located at the same radial end of the vane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Catherine Pikovsky, Christophe Marcel Lucien Perdrigeon, Cédric Zaccardi
  • Patent number: 11680708
    Abstract: A multi-tube combustor is provided. The multi-tube combustor includes a plurality of fuel nozzles disposed in a nozzle tube provided inside a nozzle casing, each fuel nozzle having a cavity, a plurality of compressed air supply tubes connected to the plurality of fuel nozzles and configured to supply a compressed air to the plurality of fuel nozzles, and an on/off valve provided on the plurality of compressed air supply tubes to open and close the compressed air supply tubes. The fuel and the compressed air are mixed inside the plurality of fuel nozzles, and the plurality of fuel nozzles are divided into a plurality of fuel nozzle groups, and a mixture of the fuel and the compressed air is ejected from one or more selected fuel nozzle groups of the plurality of fuel nozzle groups according to a combustion load condition or during a ramp-up process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: DOOSAN ENERBILITY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jung Min Seok
  • Patent number: 11668245
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine having: an engine core having, in serial flow communication, a low-pressure compressor, a high-pressure compressor, a high-pressure turbine drivingly connected to the high-pressure compressor, and a low-pressure turbine drivingly connected to an output shaft; and a clutch having a disengaged configuration in which the low-pressure turbine is drivingly disconnected from the low-pressure compressor such that, in the disengaged configuration, the clutch disengages the low-pressure turbine from the low-pressure compressor, and an engaged configuration in which the low-pressure turbine is drivingly connected to the low-pressure compressor, the low-pressure turbine drivingly connected to the output shaft in both of the engaged and disengaged configurations of the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Ghislain Plante, Patrick Valois
  • Patent number: 11668243
    Abstract: Aircraft hydrogen fuel systems and methods and systems of starting such systems are described. The aircraft hydrogen fuel systems include a hydrogen burning main engine, a main tank configured to contain liquid hydrogen to be supplied to the main engine during a normal operation, and a starter tank configured to contain gaseous hydrogen to be used during a startup operation of the main engine. Methods and processes for starting and/or restarting such systems are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Marc J. Muldoon, Carroll V. Sidwell
  • Patent number: 11661887
    Abstract: A variable geometry inlet system of an aircraft engine includes an inlet duct. The inlet duct includes at least first and second sections moveable between extended and retracted positions such that the inlet duct defines a variable axial length of an inlet passage for selective flight conditions. The inclusion of acoustic treatment may assist in controlling noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Michel Labrecque, Vincent Couture-Gagnon, Richard Ullyott
  • Patent number: 11639668
    Abstract: A method for controlling the clearance between the blade tips of a high-pressure turbine of a gas turbine aircraft engine and a turbine shroud, including the controlling of a valve delivering a stream of air to the turbine shroud, this method further including the following steps: the detection of a transient acceleration phase of the engine; the receiving of an item of data representative of the gas temperature at the outlet of the combustion chamber of the engine; a valve opening command, to deliver the air stream to the turbine shroud or to increase the flow rate of the delivered air stream, if the transient acceleration phase is detected and if the gas temperature at the outlet of the combustion chamber is greater than a first temperature threshold corresponding to a degraded clearance characteristic of an aged engine, this threshold being less than an operating limit temperature of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Patrice Fraisse, Tangi Rumon Brusq, Jean-Loïc Hervé Lecordix
  • Patent number: 11635043
    Abstract: A turbofan engine includes a fan section that drives air along a bypass flow path in a bypass duct. An epicyclic gear system in driving engagement with the fan shaft and has a gear mesh lateral stiffness and a gear mesh transverse stiffness. A gear system input to the gear system defines a gear system input lateral stiffness and a gear system input transverse stiffness. The gear system input lateral stiffness is less than 5% of the gear mesh lateral stiffness. A first performance quantity is defined as the product of a first speed squared and a first area and a second performance quantity is defined as the product of a second speed squared and a second area. A performance quantity ratio of a first performance quantity to a second performance quantity is between 0.5 and 1.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, Jason Husband, Frederick M. Schwarz, Daniel Bernard Kupratis, Gabriel L. Suciu, William K. Ackermann
  • Patent number: 11624323
    Abstract: An air turbine starter that includes a housing. The housing can circumscribe a turbine coupled that is coupled to a gear train in a gear box via a drive shaft. A primary air flow path is defined between a primary inlet and a primary outlet. Air in the primary air flow path can flow into a secondary air flow path or rotate the turbine, that converts energy from the air flow to rotational mechanical energy. Air in the secondary air flow path can pass through at least a first cavity and first passage before rejoining the primary air flow or joining ambient air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Unison Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Parmeet Singh Chhabra, Pankaj Kumar Morya, Shiloh Montegomery Meyers, David Raju Yamarthi, Steven Ryan Kerley
  • Patent number: 11619387
    Abstract: A liner for a combustor includes a support member, an intermediate member, and a liner member. The intermediate member is positioned intermediate the support member and the liner member and has a plurality of protrusions and a plurality of recesses. The support member is coupled to the intermediate member at a tangent of each protrusion. Additionally, the liner member is comprised of a ceramic matrix composite material. The liner member is coupled to the intermediate member at a tangent of each recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Ted Joseph Freeman, Bruce E. Varney, Adam L. Chamberlain
  • Patent number: 11614003
    Abstract: A combined cooling, heating and power system is formed by integrating a CO2 cycle subsystem, an ORC cycle subsystem, and an LNG cold energy utilization subsystem based on an SOFC/GT hybrid power generation subsystem. The combined system can achieve efficient and cascade utilization of energy and low carbon dioxide emission. An SOFC/GT hybrid system is used as a prime mover. High-, medium-, and low-temperature waste heat of the system are recovered through CO2 and ORC cycles, respectively. Cold energy (for air conditioning and refrigeration), heat, power, natural gas, ice, and dry ice can be provided by using LNG as a cold source of the CO2 and ORC cycles. Low CO2 emission is achieved by condensation and separation of CO2 from flue gas, so energy loss of the system can be reduced, and efficient and cascade utilization of energy can be achieved, thereby realizing energy conservation and emission reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: SHANDONG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jitian Han, Yang Liu, Huailiang You, Lian Duan, Li Shao, Changnian Chen, Zeting Yu
  • Patent number: 11608189
    Abstract: One embodiment includes a multistage infrared suppression exhaust system for an aircraft, including: a stage one including a first exhaust conduit to receive a first exhaust air flow at a first temperature-pressure product T1P1, a second exhaust conduit to receive a second exhaust air flow at a second temperature-pressure product T2P2, and a flow integrator mechanically configured to mix the first exhaust air flow with the second exhaust air flow in an integration chamber while preventing back flow into the second exhaust conduit; and a stage two including a stage two cooling airflow to cool the mixed first and second exhaust air flows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC
    Inventors: Robert Michael Laramee, Michael E. Rinehart, William Steyer
  • Patent number: 11603797
    Abstract: The present invention provides compartment(s) for a turbine engine, comprising a main compartment for receiving the turbine engine and an intake compartment disposed on a side of the main compartment. The intake compartment comprises: an intake compartment body, a gas filter device and a muffler device. The gas filter device and the muffler device are disposed outside the intake port of the intake compartment. The compartment unit is configured to have a first gas path which permits air for combustion in the turbine engine to pass from the external through the gas filter device and the first muffler device in turn into the intake compartment body, and then be delivered through the exhaust port of the intake compartment to the turbine engine in the main compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Yantai Jereh Petroleum Equipment & Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Rikui Zhang, Peng Zhang, Chunqiang Lan, Shanwu Fu, Sheng Chang, Ruijie Du, Jian Zhang
  • Patent number: 11603796
    Abstract: The auxiliary duct can branch radially outwardly from the bypass duct, have a proximal end fluidly connecting the bypass duct and a distal end, a valve can be activatable to selectively open and close the auxiliary passage, and a structure can protrude partially from the auxiliary duct into the auxiliary passage, the structure spaced apart from the proximal end, between the proximal end and the valve, the structure generating lesser pressure losses when flow in the auxiliary passage is directed towards the distal end than when the flow is directed towards the proximal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Laslo Diosady, Daniel Alecu
  • Patent number: 11598262
    Abstract: The invention concerns an air inlet duct (10) for a compressor (12) of a gas or fuel oil turbine, including: two transition sections (S3, S4) in fluid communication with one another for the circulation of a flow of air through said sections (S3, S4), each of said sections (S3, S4) being self-supporting, a structure (20) for injecting a mist of liquid particles, configured to be disposed between said sections (S3, S4) and in contact with said sections (S3, S4), the structure (20) being removable independently of demounting said sections (S3, S4). The invention also concerns a gas or fuel oil turbine assembly comprising an inlet duct (10) of this type and a method of maintaining an inlet duct (10) of this type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: GE ENERGY PRODUCTS FRANCE SNC
    Inventor: Pierre Biehler
  • Patent number: 11592180
    Abstract: A nozzle for a combustor in which a fuel containing hydrogen is burned is provided. The nozzle includes a first tube disposed in a center of the nozzle and having a first diameter, a plurality of second tubes circumferentially disposed around the first tube to be spaced apart from the first tube and each having a second diameter smaller than that of the first tube, and a plurality of third tubes disposed around the first tube and each having a diameter smaller than the second diameter, wherein the first tube, the plurality of second tubes, and the plurality of third tubes are arranged in parallel with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: DOOSAN ENERBILITY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jungmin Seok
  • Patent number: 11585291
    Abstract: An ejector assembly for a cooling system of a gas turbine engine may comprise: a tail cone having a tail cone outlet in fluid communication with a cooling air flow of the cooling system; an ejector body defining a mixing section, a constant area section, and a diffuser section; and a nozzle section in fluid communication with an exhaust air flow of the gas turbine engine, the ejector assembly configured to entrain the cooling air flow via the exhaust air flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Marc J. Muldoon, Jonathan Rheaume, Stephen H. Taylor
  • Patent number: 11572834
    Abstract: Gas turbine engine including a nacelle and an engine core within the nacelle. The engine core defines a principal rotational axis along its length. The engine core and nacelle define a bypass passage therebetween. The gas turbine engine further includes a cooling system including a cooling duct, which duct defines an inlet for receiving bypass air from the bypass passage at an upstream location and an outlet for discharging the bypass air at a downstream location. The cooling duct extends, relative to the principal axis, axially and circumferentially around a section of the engine core. The cooling duct comprises: first portion that extends at least axially relative to the principal rotational axis; second portion downstream of the first portion that extends circumferentially around the engine core relative to the principal rotational axis; and third portion downstream of second portion that extends at least axially relative to the principal rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventor: Manuel Diaz Brito
  • Patent number: 11572841
    Abstract: This single-shaft combined cycle plant comprises: a power generator; a gas turbine; a steam turbine that is driven by using waste heat from the gas turbine, and is connected to the power generator by a clutch when the rotational speed syncs with the rotational speed of the gas turbine; a steam turbine over-rotation prevention device; a gas turbine over-rotation prevention device; and a control device. The control device sets the power generator to an unloaded state and, whilst maintaining the rotational speed Ng of the gas turbine so as to be higher than the rotational speed Ns of the steam turbine and lower than the maximum rotational speed Nglim of the gas turbine, increases the rotational speed Ns of the steam turbine to the maximum rotational speed Nslim of the steam turbine (time t2-t4) and tests whether or not the steam turbine over-rotation prevention device operates normally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Daisuke Esaki, Katsuhiro Aoki, Yoji Endo, Junya Ideguchi, Naoya Kanakuchi, Takashi Shiraiwa
  • Patent number: 11549463
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture for compact compressors are disclosed including a gas turbine engine defining an axial direction and a radial direction, the gas turbine engine including an axial flow compressor and a radial flow compressor, wherein the axial flow compressor is located axially forward of the radial flow compressor, a blade assembly including a splitter shroud to divide incoming air into axial air flow for the axial flow compressor and radial air flow for the radial flow compressor, the blade assembly rotating relative to the axial flow compressor and counter-rotating relative to the radial flow compressor, and wherein the blade assembly is located axially aft of the radial flow compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Vinod Shashikant Chaudhari, Bhaskar Nanda Mondal, Tsuguji Nakano, David W. Crall