Patents by Inventor Adam D. Ford

Adam D. Ford 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: 9617868
    Abstract: A variable geometry mechanism suitable for use in a gas turbine engine is disclosed in which movable vane segments which are coupled to a rotatable ring, or rings, are used to change an aerodynamic property of a working fluid flowing through the gas turbine engine. The movable vane segments can be rotated through the ring, or rings, between a first position associated with the first vane and a second position associated with a second vane to place the movable vane segments in proximity to one or the other of the first and second vanes of the gas turbine engine. The movable vane segments can be used to alter, among other things, camber, exit flow area, and can be used to influence and/or accommodate such properties as incidence angle, and swirl angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Bloxham, Craig E. Heathco, Adam D. Ford, Robert T. Duge, Thomas I. Gorman
  • Publication number: 20140237987
    Abstract: A variable geometry mechanism suitable for use in a gas turbine engine is disclosed in which movable vane segments which are coupled to a rotatable ring, or rings, are used to change an aerodynamic property of a working fluid flowing through the gas turbine engine. The movable vane segments can be rotated through the ring, or rings, between a first position associated with the first vane and a second position associated with a second vane to place the movable vane segments in proximity to one or the other of the first and second vanes of the gas turbine engine. The movable vane segments can be used to alter, among other things, camber, exit flow area, and can be used to influence and/or accommodate such properties as incidence angle, and swirl angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventors: Matthew J. Bloxham, Craig E. Heathco, Adam D. Ford, Robert T. Duge, Thomas I. Gorman