Patents by Inventor Aaron F. Rickis

Aaron F. Rickis has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11906067
    Abstract: In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a system can include, a moveable component configured to move between one or more positions, a biasing member operatively connected on a first side to bias the moveable component to a respective one of the one or more positions, and a preload member operatively connected to provide a force to a second side of the biasing member. An actuator can be operatively connected to move the preload member in response to a signal from a controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Matej Rutar, Todd Haugsjaahabink, Aaron F. Rickis
  • Publication number: 20230235822
    Abstract: In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a system can include, a moveable component configured to move between one or more positions, a biasing member operatively connected on a first side to bias the moveable component to a respective one of the one or more positions, and a preload member operatively connected to provide a force to a second side of the biasing member. An actuator can be operatively connected to move the preload member in response to a signal from a controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2022
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Applicant: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Matej Rutar, Todd Haugsjaahabink, Aaron F. Rickis
  • Patent number: 11703134
    Abstract: A metering valve has a shutoff position at which it blocks flow from the metering valve outlet line from reaching an outlet to a use. A spool has a first end and a second end. The housing has a first shoulder associated with the first end and a second shoulder associated with the second end. In the shutoff position, the spool has the first end spaced from the first shoulder, and the second end spaced from the second shoulder. A fuel system for a gas turbine engine is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Aaron F. Rickis, Lukasz Burek, Sachin Ramprashad, Steve Doerner, Wayne S. Johnson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11674444
    Abstract: A system includes a flow inlet conduit and a primary conduit that branches from the flow inlet conduit for delivering flow to a set of primary nozzles. An equalization bypass valve (EBV) connects between the flow inlet conduit and a secondary conduit for delivering flow to a set of secondary nozzles. The EBV is connected to an equalization conduit (EC). A pressure equalization solenoid is connected to the EC to selectively connect a servo supply pressure conduit and/or a return pressure (PDF) conduit into fluid communication with the EC. An EBV rate limiting orifice (RLO) is connected in the PDF conduit. A bypass conduit branches from the PDF conduit on a first side of the EBV RLO and reconnects to the PDF conduit on a second side of the EBV RLO. An orifice bypass valve (OBV) is connected to the bypass conduit and acts to selectively bypass the EBV RLO.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. Reuter, Aaron F. Rickis, Francis P. Marocchini, Matej Rutar, August M. Coretto, Sachin Ramprashad
  • Publication number: 20230094139
    Abstract: A mount according to an example of the present disclosure includes a locating pin, a load pin, a fastener, the fastener configured to retain a component on at least one of the locating pin and the load pin, the fastener including a bolt, a mounting boss and a spring, the spring allowing the mounting boss to move with respect to the bolt, and wherein the bolt is held captive in the mounting boss with a captive feature. A gas turbine engine and a method of mounting a component are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Aaron F. Rickis, Elise N. Zimmerman, Gary R. Marconi, Glenn Gradischer, August M. Coretto, Francis P. Marocchini
  • Patent number: 11598267
    Abstract: A system includes a flow inlet conduit and a primary conduit that branches from the flow inlet conduit for delivering flow to a set of primary nozzles. An equalization bypass valve (EBV) connects between the flow inlet conduit and a secondary conduit for delivering flow to a set of secondary nozzles. The EBV is connected to an equalization conduit (EC) to apportion flow from the flow inlet conduit to the secondary conduit. A pressure equalization solenoid (PES) is connected to the EC to selectively connect at least one of a servo supply pressure (PFA) conduit or return pressure (PDF) conduit into fluid communication with the EC. A relief management valve (RMV) is connected in the PDF conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Matej Rutar, Francis P. Marocchini, Aaron F. Rickis
  • Publication number: 20230058118
    Abstract: A metering valve has a shutoff position at which it blocks flow from the metering valve outlet line from reaching an outlet to a use. A spool has a first end and a second end. The housing has a first shoulder associated with the first end and a second shoulder associated with the second end. In the shutoff position, the spool has the first end spaced from the first shoulder, and the second end spaced from the second shoulder. A fuel system for a gas turbine engine is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: Aaron F. Rickis, Lukasz Burek, Sachin Ramprashad, Steve Doerner, Wayne S. Johnson, JR.
  • Publication number: 20230053617
    Abstract: A metering valve has a main inlet port and a spool movable, and a housing outlet port in a housing. The spool has a metering inlet orifice selectively aligned with the main inlet port, and a metering outlet orifice selectively aligned with the main outlet port. The main inlet port communicates with the metering inlet orifice, and the outlet port communicates with the metering outlet orifice to each provide a metering orifice. The main outlet port communicates downstream to a minimum pressure valve. The minimum pressure valve has a piston biased to a closed position by a spring force, and a line downstream of the main outlet port acting against a face of the piston in opposition to the spring force to ensure a minimum pressure moving downstream past the piston to a use. A fuel system is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: Aaron F. Rickis, Lukasz Burek, Wayne S. Johnson, JR., Steve Doerner
  • Publication number: 20230017990
    Abstract: A fuel delivery system for a gas turbine engine is disclosed which includes a continuously variable drive assembly having a driving portion operatively associated with a gearbox of the gas turbine and a driven portion operatively associated with a fuel pump of the gas turbine, and a governor for controlling a drive ratio of the drive assembly to vary fuel pump flow performance over a range of engine operating conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Applicant: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Richard J. Carpenter, Lubomir A. Ribarov, Brandon T. Kovach, Zachary Allen Ray Le Duc, Aaron F. Rickis, Charles E. Reuter, Michael D. Schelonka, William D. Hodge, Christopher J. Davis
  • Patent number: 11519299
    Abstract: A mount according to an example of the present disclosure includes a locating pin, a load pin, a fastener, the fastener configured to retain a component on at least one of the locating pin and the load pin, the fastener including a bolt, a mounting boss and a spring, the spring allowing the mounting boss to move with respect to the bolt, and wherein the bolt is held captive in the mounting boss with a captive feature. A gas turbine engine and a method of mounting a component are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Aaron F. Rickis, Elise N. Zimmerman, Gary R. Marconi, Glenn Gradischer, August M. Coretto, Francis P. Marocchini
  • Patent number: 11486313
    Abstract: A valve assembly for a turbine engine includes a valve arranged in an air flow path. The valve has a shaft. The valve is movable between an open position and a closed position. An electric actuator is coupled to the shaft and is configured to move the valve between the open position and the closed position. A thermal barrier is arranged between the valve and the electric actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Francis P. Marocchini, Aaron F. Rickis, August M. Coretto, Gary R. Marconi, Scott W. Simpson, Glenn Gradischer, William E. Rhoden
  • Patent number: 11448139
    Abstract: A valve assembly for a turbine engine includes a valve arranged in an air flow path. The valve has a shaft. The valve is movable between an open position and a closed position. A hydraulic actuator is coupled to the shaft. The hydraulic actuator is configured to utilize fuel as a working fluid. The hydraulic actuator is configured to move the valve between the open position and the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Francis P. Marocchini, Aaron F. Rickis, August M. Coretto, Scott W. Simpson, Gary R. Marconi, Glenn Gradischer
  • Patent number: 11421600
    Abstract: A metering valve spool controls a volume of fuel passing through a metering valve. The spool has a forward face. A line from a pump has a connection into a chamber. The face of the metering valve spool may contact a seal to block flow into the chamber. The metering valve is connected to a pressure regulating valve. The pressure regulating valve is to be connected to a combustor. A control selectively moves the metering valve spool to control a volume of fuel delivered from the chamber to the pressure regulating valve. The control is also programmed to move the metering valve spool to a position where a forward face of the metering valve spool seals on the seal to block flow from the pump from reaching the pressure regulating valve, and also from reaching the tap. A gas turbine engine is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. Reuter, Todd Haugsjaahabink, Aaron F. Rickis
  • Patent number: 11331629
    Abstract: A fiber bundle cartridge for a fiber membrane degassing system includes an inner sleeve including one or more perforations and a fiber bundle positioned radially outward from the inner sleeve. The fiber bundle has an annular shape defining a central bundle axis. The perforations of the inner sleeve define a plurality of inlets and/or outlets facing radially with respect to the central bundle axis. A fiber membrane degassing system includes a housing defining a cylindrical volume having at least one inlet and at least one outlet. The system includes at least one fiber within the cylindrical volume, where fluid flowing through the cylindrical volume from the at least one inlet to the at least one outlet flows perpendicular to a longitudinal dimension of the fiber. A method of degassing a liquid includes directing a liquid volume through a fiber bundle in a direction radial to a longitudinally extending bundle axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Ferrarotti, Codrin D. Sandu, Aaron F. Rickis, Peter M. Ballard, August M. Coretto
  • Publication number: 20210301724
    Abstract: A system includes a flow inlet conduit and a primary conduit that branches from the flow inlet conduit for delivering flow to a set of primary nozzles. An equalization bypass valve (EBV) connects between the flow inlet conduit and a secondary conduit for delivering flow to a set of secondary nozzles. The EBV is connected to an equalization conduit (EC). A pressure equalization solenoid is connected to the EC to selectively connect a servo supply pressure conduit and/or a return pressure (PDF) conduit into fluid communication with the EC. An EBV rate limiting orifice (RLO) is connected in the PDF conduit. A bypass conduit branches from the PDF conduit on a first side of the EBV RLO and reconnects to the PDF conduit on a second side of the EBV RLO. An orifice bypass valve (OBV) is connected to the bypass conduit and acts to selectively bypass the EBV RLO.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Charles E. Reuter, Aaron F. Rickis, Francis P. Marocchini, Matej Rutar, August M. Coretto, Sachin Ramprashad
  • Publication number: 20210301725
    Abstract: A system includes a flow inlet conduit and a primary conduit that branches from the flow inlet conduit for delivering flow to a set of primary nozzles. An equalization bypass valve (EBV) connects between the flow inlet conduit and a secondary conduit for delivering flow to a set of secondary nozzles. The EBV is connected to an equalization conduit (EC) to apportion flow from the flow inlet conduit to the secondary conduit. A pressure equalization solenoid (PES) is connected to the EC to selectively connect at least one of a servo supply pressure (PFA) conduit or return pressure (PDF) conduit into fluid communication with the EC. A relief management valve (RMV) is connected in the PDF conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Matej Rutar, Francis P. Marocchini, Aaron F. Rickis
  • Patent number: 10987617
    Abstract: A filter assembly for a fluid flow system includes a filter housing, a housing inlet to allow the fluid flow into the filter housing and a housing outlet to allow the fluid flow to exit the filter housing. A filter element is located in the filter housing to collect contaminants from the fluid flow. A pressure sensor is located to measure a pressure drop across the filter element. The pressure sensor includes at least one sense line extending into an interior volume of the filter housing. A method of monitoring a filter assembly for a fluid flow system includes positioning a pressure sensor at a filter assembly, extending at least one sense line from the pressure sensor into an internal volume of a filter housing of the filter assembly, and measuring a pressure drop across a filter element of the filter assembly via the pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lubomir A. Ribarov, Richard J. Carpenter, Aaron V. Price, Gary M. McBrien, Aaron F. Rickis, Bryan V. Scala
  • Publication number: 20200392905
    Abstract: A valve assembly for a turbine engine includes a valve arranged in an air flow path. The valve has a shaft. The valve is movable between an open position and a closed position. An electric actuator is coupled to the shaft and is configured to move the valve between the open position and the closed position. A thermal barrier is arranged between the valve and the electric actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventors: Francis P. Marocchini, Aaron F. Rickis, August M. Coretto, Gary R. Marconi, Scott W. Simpson, Glenn Gradischer, William E. Rhoden
  • Publication number: 20200376436
    Abstract: A fiber bundle cartridge for a fiber membrane degassing system includes an inner sleeve including one or more perforations and a fiber bundle positioned radially outward from the inner sleeve. The fiber bundle has an annular shape defining a central bundle axis. The perforations of the inner sleeve define a plurality of inlets and/or outlets facing radially with respect to the central bundle axis. A fiber membrane degassing system includes a housing defining a cylindrical volume having at least one inlet and at least one outlet. The system includes at least one fiber within the cylindrical volume, where fluid flowing through the cylindrical volume from the at least one inlet to the at least one outlet flows perpendicular to a longitudinal dimension of the fiber. A method of degassing a liquid includes directing a liquid volume through a fiber bundle in a direction radial to a longitudinally extending bundle axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Ferrarotti, Codrin D. Sandu, Aaron F. Rickis, Peter M. Ballard, August M. Coretto
  • Publication number: 20200370480
    Abstract: A valve assembly for a turbine engine includes a valve arranged in an air flow path. The valve has a shaft. The valve is movable between an open position and a closed position. A hydraulic actuator is coupled to the shaft. The hydraulic actuator is configured to utilize fuel as a working fluid. The hydraulic actuator is configured to move the valve between the open position and the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Inventors: Francis P. Marocchini, Aaron F. Rickis, August M. Coretto, Scott W. Simpson, Gary R. Marconi, Glenn Gradischer