Patents by Inventor Alex J. Simpson

Alex J. Simpson 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: 11248560
    Abstract: Disclosed is a linkage assembly for a gas turbine engine having a link having a first end, a second end, and a rod extending therebetween, the first end having a first sliding bearing disposed within a first sliding bearing housing, a fastener comprising a first flange and a second flange, a pin extending between the first flange and the second flange, wherein the first sliding bearing is pivotally connected to the pin; and a biasing member secured between the first flange and the sliding bearing housing, the biasing member contacting the sliding bearing housing and biasing the link against rotation about a center axis for the rod of the link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alex J. Simpson, Robert T. Knowlton
  • Publication number: 20200217271
    Abstract: Disclosed is a linkage assembly for a gas turbine engine having a link having a first end, a second end, and a rod extending therebetween, the first end having a first sliding bearing disposed within a first sliding bearing housing, a fastener comprising a first flange and a second flange, a pin extending between the first flange and the second flange, wherein the first sliding bearing is pivotally connected to the pin; and a biasing member secured between the first flange and the sliding bearing housing, the biasing member contacting the sliding bearing housing and biasing the link against rotation about a center axis for the rod of the link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Alex J. Simpson, Robert T. Knowlton
  • Patent number: 10634092
    Abstract: Disclosed is a linkage assembly for a gas turbine engine having a link having a first end, a second end, and a rod extending therebetween, the first end having a first sliding bearing disposed within a first sliding bearing housing, a fastener comprising a first flange and a second flange, a pin extending between the first flange and the second flange, wherein the first sliding bearing is pivotally connected to the pin; and a biasing member secured between the first flange and the sliding bearing housing, the biasing member contacting the sliding bearing housing and biasing the link against rotation about a center axis for the rod of the link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alex J. Simpson, Robert T. Knowlton
  • Patent number: 10612669
    Abstract: A non-contact seal assembly includes a plurality of seal shoes, a seal base and a plurality of spring elements. A first of the spring elements includes a first mount, a second mount and a spring beam. The spring beam extends a length longitudinally along a centerline from the first mount to the second mount. The spring beam includes opposing first and second surfaces. The first surface is disposed a first distance from the centerline, and the second surface is disposed a second distance from the centerline. The first distance and the second distance change as the spring beam extends longitudinally along the centerline to provide at least a portion of the spring beam with a tapered geometry. The portion of the spring beam has a longitudinal length that is at least about five percent of the length of the spring beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Alex J. Simpson, Christopher J. Peters, Zachary D. Ryan
  • Patent number: 10598211
    Abstract: A bearing joint assembly may include a bearing sleeve, a first collar, a first mount, a pair of second mounts and a fastener, which projects through the bearing sleeve and secures the bearing sleeve to the second mounts. The bearing sleeve extends axially along a centerline and includes a spherical bearing. The first collar is configured with the bearing sleeve. A first annular channel is formed by and extends axially between the spherical bearing and the first collar. The first mount is mounted on and slidably engages the spherical bearing. The spherical bearing and the first collar are axially between the second mounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Alex J. Simpson, Edward A. Krystowski
  • Patent number: 10570950
    Abstract: A bearing joint assembly includes a bearing sleeve, a first mount, a pair of second mounts and a fastener. The bearing sleeve extends axially along a centerline and includes a spherical bearing, a first collar and a second collar. The spherical bearing is axially between the first collar and the second collar. An annular channel is formed by and extends axially between the spherical bearing and the first collar. The first mount is mounted on and slidably engages the spherical bearing. The bearing sleeve is axially between the second mounts. The fastener projects through the bearing sleeve and secures the bearing sleeve to the second mounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Alex J. Simpson, Edward A. Krystowski
  • Patent number: 10472970
    Abstract: A component according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a wall and at least one rib that protrudes from the wall and extends to a rib end, the rib end having a curved transition portion near a location where the at least one rib meets the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Alex J. Simpson, David A. Niezelski
  • Patent number: 10443391
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes an array of airfoils that include first and second segments. The first segment includes a first number of airfoils that are circumferentially spaced from one another a first angular spacing. The second segment includes a second number of airfoils that are circumferentially spaced from one another a second angular spacing. A sum of the first and second number of airfoils corresponds to a total number of airfoils in the array. The first angular spacing is based upon a first effective number of total airfoils in the array that is different than the total number of airfoils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Alex J. Simpson
  • Publication number: 20190078533
    Abstract: Disclosed is a linkage assembly for a gas turbine engine having a link having a first end, a second end, and a rod extending therebetween, the first end having a first sliding bearing disposed within a first sliding bearing housing, a fastener comprising a first flange and a second flange, a pin extending between the first flange and the second flange, wherein the first sliding bearing is pivotally connected to the pin; and a biasing member secured between the first flange and the sliding bearing housing, the biasing member contacting the sliding bearing housing and biasing the link against rotation about a center axis for the rod of the link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventors: Alex J. Simpson, Robert T. Knowlton
  • Publication number: 20180340615
    Abstract: A non-contact seal assembly includes a plurality of seal shoes, a seal base and a plurality of spring elements. A first of the spring elements includes a first mount, a second mount and a spring beam. The spring beam extends a length longitudinally along a centerline from the first mount to the second mount. The spring beam includes opposing first and second surfaces. The first surface is disposed a first distance from the centerline, and the second surface is disposed a second distance from the centerline. The first distance and the second distance change as the spring beam extends longitudinally along the centerline to provide at least a portion of the spring beam with a tapered geometry. The portion of the spring beam has a longitudinal length that is at least about five percent of the length of the spring beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Alex J. Simpson, Christopher J. Peters, Zachary D. Ryan
  • Patent number: 10100779
    Abstract: A drive link assembly includes a case having a spherically formed inner ring. A clevis is affixed to a surface of the case such that is disposed horizontally between a first end and a second end of the clevis. A spacer having a spherical inset portion is positioned on the surface horizontally between the clevis and the spherically formed inner ring, such that the spherical inset portion is aligned with the spherically formed inner ring. A spherical bearing is seated within the spherically formed inner ring. A rod is affixed to an outer surface of the spherical bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hannes A. Alholm, Joseph J. Czapski, Jr., Bessem Jlidi, Alex J. Simpson
  • Patent number: 10060535
    Abstract: A non-contact seal assembly includes a plurality of seal shoes, a seal base and a plurality of spring elements. A first of the spring elements includes a first mount, a second mount and a spring beam. The spring beam extends a length longitudinally along a centerline from the first mount to the second mount. The spring beam includes opposing first and second surfaces. The first surface is disposed a first distance from the centerline, and the second surface is disposed a second distance from the centerline. The first distance and the second distance change as the spring beam extends longitudinally along the centerline to provide at least a portion of the spring beam with a tapered geometry. The portion of the spring beam has a longitudinal length that is at least about five percent of the length of the spring beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Alex J. Simpson, Christopher J. Peters, Zachary D. Ryan
  • Patent number: 9938854
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes an array of airfoils. Each airfoil includes a first circumferentially extreme position. The first circumferentially extreme positions of the airfoils are circumferentially spaced apart from one another a pitch. Each airfoil includes a second circumferentially extreme position circumferentially spaced from the first circumferentially extreme position in an angular spacing that is at least one half the pitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alex J. Simpson, Timothy Charles Nash
  • Publication number: 20170335884
    Abstract: A bearing joint assembly may include a bearing sleeve, a first collar, a first mount, a pair of second mounts and a fastener, which projects through the bearing sleeve and secures the bearing sleeve to the second mounts. The bearing sleeve extends axially along a centerline and includes a spherical bearing. The first collar is configured with the bearing sleeve. A first annular channel is formed by and extends axially between the spherical bearing and the first collar. The first mount is mounted on and slidably engages the spherical bearing. The spherical bearing and the first collar are axially between the second mounts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Alex J. Simpson, Edward A. Krystowski
  • Publication number: 20170335885
    Abstract: A bearing joint assembly includes a bearing sleeve, a first mount, a pair of second mounts and a fastener. The bearing sleeve extends axially along a centerline and includes a spherical bearing, a first collar and a second collar. The spherical bearing is axially between the first collar and the second collar. An annular channel is formed by and extends axially between the spherical bearing and the first collar. The first mount is mounted on and slidably engages the spherical bearing. The bearing sleeve is axially between the second mounts. The fastener projects through the bearing sleeve and secures the bearing sleeve to the second mounts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Alex J. Simpson, Edward A. Krystowski
  • Publication number: 20170292472
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a drive link assembly that includes a case having a spherically formed inner ring. A clevis is affixed to a surface of the case such that is disposed horizontally between a first end and a second end of the clevis. A spacer having a spherical inset portion is positioned on the surface horizontally between the clevis and the spherically formed inner ring, such that the spherical inset portion is aligned with the spherically formed inner ring. A spherical bearing is seated within the spherically formed inner ring. A rod is affixed to an outer surface of the spherical bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2016
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: HANNES A. ALHOLM, JOSEPH J. CZAPSKI, JR., BESSEM JLIDI, ALEX J. SIMPSON
  • Publication number: 20170248236
    Abstract: A non-contact seal assembly includes a plurality of seal shoes, a seal base and a plurality of spring elements. A first of the spring elements includes a first mount, a second mount and a spring beam. The spring beam extends a length longitudinally along a centerline from the first mount to the second mount. The spring beam includes opposing first and second surfaces. The first surface is disposed a first distance from the centerline, and the second surface is disposed a second distance from the centerline. The first distance and the second distance change as the spring beam extends longitudinally along the centerline to provide at least a portion of the spring beam with a tapered geometry. The portion of the spring beam has a longitudinal length that is at least about five percent of the length of the spring beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Alex J. Simpson, Christopher J. Peters, Zachary D. Ryan
  • Publication number: 20160160665
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes an array of airfoils that include first and second segments. The first segment includes a first number of airfoils that are circumferentially spaced from one another a first angular spacing. The second segment includes a second number of airfoils that are circumferentially spaced from one another a second angular spacing. A sum of the first and second number of airfoils corresponds to a total number of airfoils in the array. The first angular spacing is based upon a first effective number of total airfoils in the array that is different than the total number of airfoils.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventor: Alex J. Simpson
  • Publication number: 20160146040
    Abstract: A vane assembly for a gas turbine engine may include a plurality of vanes being arranged in vane groupings symmetrically spaced circumferentially from each other. Each vane grouping may include at least a first and a second vane. The at least first and second vanes may be spaced from each other at a first pitch. Each vane grouping may be spaced from each other at a second pitch. The first pitch may be dissimilar from the second pitch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Alex J. Simpson, Bryan P. Dube, John E. Paul
  • Publication number: 20150361826
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes an array of airfoils. Each airfoil includes a first circumferentially extreme position. The first circumferentially extreme positions of the airfoils are circumferentially spaced apart from one another a pitch. Each airfoil includes a second circumferentially extreme position circumferentially spaced from the first circumferentially extreme position in an angular spacing that is at least one half the pitch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventors: Alex J. Simpson, Timothy Charles Nash