Patents by Inventor Alan W. Smith

Alan W. Smith 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: 12140089
    Abstract: In some examples, a system including a gas turbine engine, the engine including a high-pressure (HP) shaft; HP compressor; HP turbine, second shaft; second compressor; second turbine, the second turbine being coupled to the second compressor via the second shaft (e.g., LP shaft); and a generator coupled to the LP shaft. The generator is configured to generate electrical power from rotation of the LP shaft, and increase electrical power generated by the generator to increase a torque applied to the LP shaft by the generator, e.g., in combination with reduction in engine thrust, or in response to the detection of a stall and/or surge of the engine. The increase in torque applied to the second shaft is configured to increase a rate at which a rotational speed of the second shaft decreases, e.g., in combination with the reduction in engine thrust or during the stall/surge of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean Andrew Morgan, Timothy Unton, Alan W. Smith, Adam Lagrange, James Christopher Muskat
  • Publication number: 20240301827
    Abstract: Gas turbine engines include an engine frame defining an inner radial surface, a shaft rotatably mounted in the engine frame along a longitudinal axis, and an electric machine that includes a rotor coupled to the shaft and a stator coupled to the engine frame and defining an outer radial surface. In some gas turbine engines, the engine frame includes inlet and outlet fluid passages, each extending to a portion of the inner radial surface. The portion of the inner radial surface of the engine frame is spaced from the outer radial surface of the stator to form an annular fluid passage around the stator of an electric machine. The annular fluid passage is configured to direct a cooling fluid around the stator to remove heat from the stator. Some gas turbine engines include two or more positioning keys configured to fix the stator relative to the engine frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2023
    Publication date: September 12, 2024
    Inventors: Alan W. Smith, Sara Karaffa
  • Patent number: 12060833
    Abstract: In some examples, a gas turbine engine including a high-pressure (HP) spool assembly including a HP shaft, a HP compressor and HP turbine; a lower pressure (LP) spool assembly including a LP shaft and LP turbine; a motor-generator coupled to the LP shaft; and a controller. The controller is configured to control the motor-generator to operate in a motor mode to apply torque the LP shaft during a starting of the HP spool assembly, and control the motor-generator to operate in a generator mode for a least a period of time following the starting of the HP spool assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean Andrew Morgan, Timothy Unton, Alan W. Smith, Adam Lagrange, James Christopher Muskat
  • Patent number: 11988151
    Abstract: Gas turbine engines include an engine frame defining an inner radial surface, a shaft rotatably mounted in the engine frame along a longitudinal axis, and an electric machine that includes a rotor coupled to the shaft and a stator coupled to the engine frame and defining an outer radial surface. In some gas turbine engines, the engine frame includes inlet and outlet fluid passages, each extending to a portion of the inner radial surface. The portion of the inner radial surface of the engine frame is spaced from the outer radial surface of the stator to form an annular fluid passage around the stator of an electric machine. The annular fluid passage is configured to direct a cooling fluid around the stator to remove heat from the stator. Some gas turbine engines include two or more positioning keys configured to fix the stator relative to the engine frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan W. Smith, Sara Karaffa
  • Patent number: 11702976
    Abstract: A cooling system includes a first cooling loop, a second cooling loop and a heat exchanger configured to transfer heat from the first cooling loop to the second cooling loop. The first cooling loop includes a flow restrictor, an inertial separator, and a pressure relief valve cooperating to effect diversion of vapor present in the first cooling loop due to a leak between the first cooling loop and the second cooling loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Kerry J. Lighty, Paul O'Meallie, Sean Morgan, Alan W. Smith
  • Patent number: 11702990
    Abstract: A redundant oil and fuel pumping system for use with a gas turbine engine. The pumping system includes a plurality of power sources, a fuel system and an oil system. The fuel system pump being driven by electric motors controlled via variable frequency drives powered by the plurality of power sources. The oil system pump being driven by electric motors controlled via variable frequency drives powered by the plurality of power sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Alan W. Smith
  • Publication number: 20230203995
    Abstract: In some examples, a system including a gas turbine engine, the engine including a high-pressure (HP) shaft; HP compressor; HP turbine, second shaft; second compressor; second turbine, the second turbine being coupled to the second compressor via the second shaft (e.g., LP shaft); and a generator coupled to the LP shaft. The generator is configured to generate electrical power from rotation of the LP shaft, and increase electrical power generated by the generator to increase a torque applied to the LP shaft by the generator, e.g., in combination with reduction in engine thrust, or in response to the detection of a stall and/or surge of the engine. The increase in torque applied to the second shaft is configured to increase a rate at which a rotational speed of the second shaft decreases, e.g., in combination with the reduction in engine thrust or during the stall/surge of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Sean Andrew Morgan, Timothy Unton, Alan W. Smith, Adam Lagrange, James Christopher Muskat
  • Publication number: 20230203989
    Abstract: In some examples, a system including a gas turbine engine, the engine including a high-pressure (HP) shaft; HP compressor; HP turbine, second shaft; second compressor; second turbine, the second turbine being coupled to the second compressor via the second shaft (e.g., LP shaft); and a generator coupled to the LP shaft. The generator is configured to generate electrical power from rotation of the LP shaft, and increase electrical power generated by the generator to increase a torque applied to the LP shaft by the generator, e.g., in combination with reduction in engine thrust, or in response to the detection of a stall and/or surge of the engine. The increase in torque applied to the second shaft is configured to increase a rate at which a rotational speed of the second shaft decreases, e.g., in combination with the reduction in engine thrust or during the stall/surge of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Sean Andrew Morgan, Timothy Unton, Alan W. Smith, Adam Lagrange, James Christopher Muskat
  • Patent number: 11629640
    Abstract: An oil pumping system for use with a gas turbine engine includes an electric machine, an oil pump assembly, and a variable frequency drive controller. The variable frequency drive is connected with the electric machine and the oil pump assembly. The variable frequency drive controller is programmed to control a torque and speed of the pump motor independent of the gas turbine engine speed so that a flow of oil moved by the oil pump assembly is controlled to cool or lubricate components of the gas turbine engine independent of the gas turbine engine speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Alan W. Smith
  • Publication number: 20230076951
    Abstract: A redundant oil and fuel pumping system for use with a gas turbine engine. The pumping system includes a plurality of power supplies, a fuel system and an oil system. The fuel system pump being driven by electric motors controlled via variable frequency drives powered by the plurality of power supplies. The oil system pump being driven by electric motors controlled via variable frequency drives powered by the plurality of power supplies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2021
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventor: Alan W. Smith
  • Publication number: 20230072590
    Abstract: A redundant oil and fuel pumping system for use with a gas turbine engine. The pumping system includes a plurality of power sources, a fuel system and an oil system. The fuel system pump being driven by electric motors controlled via variable frequency drives powered by the plurality of power sources. The oil system pump being driven by electric motors controlled via variable frequency drives powered by the plurality of power sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2021
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventor: Alan W. Smith
  • Publication number: 20230070280
    Abstract: A redundant oil and fuel pumping system for use with a gas turbine engine. The pumping system includes a plurality of power sources, a fuel system and an oil system. The fuel system pump being driven by electric motors controlled via variable frequency drives powered by the plurality of power sources. The oil system pump being driven by electric motors controlled via variable frequency drives powered by the plurality of power sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2021
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventor: Alan W. Smith
  • Publication number: 20230071735
    Abstract: An oil pumping system for use with a gas turbine engine includes an electric machine, an oil pump assembly, and a variable frequency drive controller. The variable frequency drive is connected with the electric machine and the oil pump assembly. The variable frequency drive controller is programmed to control a torque and speed of the pump motor independent of the gas turbine engine speed so that a flow of oil moved by the oil pump assembly is controlled to cool or lubricate components of the gas turbine engine independent of the gas turbine engine speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2021
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventor: Alan W. Smith
  • Publication number: 20230045973
    Abstract: In some examples, a gas turbine engine including a high-pressure (HP) spool assembly including a HP shaft, a HP compressor and HP turbine; a lower pressure (LP) spool assembly including a LP shaft and LP turbine; a motor-generator coupled to the LP shaft; and a controller. The controller is configured to control the motor-generator to operate in a motor mode to apply torque the LP shaft during a starting of the HP spool assembly, and control the motor-generator to operate in a generator mode for a least a period of time following the starting of the HP spool assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2021
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Sean Andrew Morgan, Timothy Unton, Alan W. Smith, Adam Lagrange, James Christopher Muskat
  • Patent number: 11441968
    Abstract: A sealed cooling system includes a coolant tank having a liquid space configured to hold liquid coolant, and a gas space configured to hold gas. A temperature sensor detects the temperature of the liquid coolant. A pressure sensor detects the pressure in the coolant tank. A processor compares the pressure in the coolant tank to predicted pressure in the coolant tank as a function of liquid coolant temperature. The processor determines and outputs a signal indicative of a leak in the sealed cooling system if the pressure in the coolant tank deviates from the predicted pressure in the coolant tank according to predetermined criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Alan W. Smith
  • Patent number: 11365909
    Abstract: A cooling system includes a first cooling loop, a second cooling loop and a heat exchanger configured to transfer heat from the first cooling loop to the second cooling loop. The first cooling loop includes a vapor/liquid separation feature configured to separate vapor present in the first cooling loop due to a leak between the first cooling loop and the second cooling loop. The first cooling loop also includes a pressure sensor configured to detect an increase in pressure in the first cooling loop that may result from a leak of second coolant into the first cooling loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Alan W. Smith, Kerry J. Lighty, Paul O'Meallie, Sean Morgan
  • Publication number: 20210389028
    Abstract: A cooling system includes a first cooling loop, a second cooling loop and a heat exchanger configured to transfer heat from the first cooling loop to the second cooling loop. The first cooling loop includes a vapor/liquid separation feature configured to separate vapor present in the first cooling loop due to a leak between the first cooling loop and the second cooling loop. The first cooling loop also includes a pressure sensor configured to detect an increase in pressure in the first cooling loop that may result from a leak of second coolant into the first cooling loop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Inventors: Alan W. Smith, Kerry J. Lighty, Paul O'Meallie, Sean Morgan
  • Patent number: 11193855
    Abstract: An example method includes obtaining a representation of a change in rotational speed of an electric machine; obtaining a representation of an expected change in rotational speed of the electric machine; and determining, based on the obtained representation of the change in rotational speed of the electric machine and the representation of an expected change in rotational speed of the electric machine, whether a disconnect device has failed, wherein, when operating in an engaged state, the disconnect device is configured to couple rotational mechanical energy between the electric machine and a rotating device, and wherein, when operating in a disengaged state, the disconnect device is not configured to couple rotational mechanical energy between the electric machine and the rotating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul O'Meallie, Alan W. Smith
  • Publication number: 20210293174
    Abstract: A cooling system includes a first cooling loop, a second cooling loop and a heat exchanger configured to transfer heat from the first cooling loop to the second cooling loop. The first cooling loop includes a flow restrictor, an inertial separator, and a pressure relief valve cooperating to effect diversion of vapor present in the first cooling loop due to a leak between the first cooling loop and the second cooling loop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: Kerry J. Lighty, Paul O'Meallie, Sean Morgan, Alan W. Smith
  • Publication number: 20210270690
    Abstract: A sealed cooling system includes a coolant tank having a liquid space configured to hold liquid coolant, and a gas space configured to hold gas. A temperature sensor detects the temperature of the liquid coolant. A pressure sensor detects the pressure in the coolant tank. A processor compares the pressure in the coolant tank to predicted pressure in the coolant tank as a function of liquid coolant temperature. The processor determines and outputs a signal indicative of a leak in the sealed cooling system if the pressure in the coolant tank deviates from the predicted pressure in the coolant tank according to predetermined criteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventor: Alan W. Smith