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).
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Patent number: 11248560Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 19, 2020Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Alex J. Simpson, Robert T. Knowlton
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Publication number: 20200217271Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2020Publication date: July 9, 2020Inventors: Alex J. Simpson, Robert T. Knowlton
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Patent number: 10634092Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 8, 2017Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Alex J. Simpson, Robert T. Knowlton
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Patent number: 10612669Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 1, 2018Date of Patent: April 7, 2020Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Alex J. Simpson, Christopher J. Peters, Zachary D. Ryan
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Patent number: 10598211Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 23, 2016Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Alex J. Simpson, Edward A. Krystowski
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Patent number: 10570950Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 23, 2016Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Alex J. Simpson, Edward A. Krystowski
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Patent number: 10472970Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 15, 2014Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Alex J. Simpson, David A. Niezelski
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Patent number: 10443391Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 15, 2015Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventor: Alex J. Simpson
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Publication number: 20190078533Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2017Publication date: March 14, 2019Inventors: Alex J. Simpson, Robert T. Knowlton
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Publication number: 20180340615Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2018Publication date: November 29, 2018Inventors: Alex J. Simpson, Christopher J. Peters, Zachary D. Ryan
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Patent number: 10100779Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 9, 2016Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Hannes A. Alholm, Joseph J. Czapski, Jr., Bessem Jlidi, Alex J. Simpson
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Patent number: 10060535Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 25, 2016Date of Patent: August 28, 2018Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Alex J. Simpson, Christopher J. Peters, Zachary D. Ryan
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Patent number: 9938854Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 14, 2015Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Alex J. Simpson, Timothy Charles Nash
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Publication number: 20170335884Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2016Publication date: November 23, 2017Inventors: Alex J. Simpson, Edward A. Krystowski
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Publication number: 20170335885Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2016Publication date: November 23, 2017Inventors: Alex J. Simpson, Edward A. Krystowski
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Publication number: 20170292472Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2016Publication date: October 12, 2017Applicant: United Technologies CorporationInventors: HANNES A. ALHOLM, JOSEPH J. CZAPSKI, JR., BESSEM JLIDI, ALEX J. SIMPSON
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Publication number: 20170248236Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2016Publication date: August 31, 2017Inventors: Alex J. Simpson, Christopher J. Peters, Zachary D. Ryan
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Publication number: 20160160665Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2015Publication date: June 9, 2016Inventor: Alex J. Simpson
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Publication number: 20160146040Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2015Publication date: May 26, 2016Inventors: Alex J. Simpson, Bryan P. Dube, John E. Paul
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Publication number: 20150361826Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2015Publication date: December 17, 2015Inventors: Alex J. Simpson, Timothy Charles Nash