Patents by Inventor Benjamin T. Harder

Benjamin T. Harder 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: 11859564
    Abstract: A fuel supply system includes a pump to be connected to a fuel tank. A metering valve is downstream of the pump. A control is programmed to control at least one of the pump and metering valve. The control is operable to take in a flow demand signal and a fuel pressure signal from a controller associated with a gas turbine engine. The flow demand signal is indicative of a desired flow volume and the fuel pressure signal is indicative of a desired fuel pressure. Operation conditions are identified for the at least one of said pump and the metering valve. A gas turbine engine and fuel supply system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Edward W. Goy, Ryan Shook, Benjamin T. Harder
  • Patent number: 11828233
    Abstract: A fuel pump system can include a motor and a pump connected to the motor. The pump can be configured to receive an inlet flow from an inlet line, to pressurize the inlet flow, and to output a pressurized flow to an output line for an engine. The system can include a bypass line disposed between the outlet line and the inlet line, and a bypass valve disposed on the bypass line and configured to allow pressurized flow to flow to the inlet line in an open state, and to prevent pressurized flow from flowing to the inlet line in a closed state. The bypass valve can be configured to allow pressurized flow to flow to the inlet line to circulate flow and to maintain a constant pressure on the output line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Adrian L Stoicescu, Edward W. Goy, Benjamin T. Harder
  • Publication number: 20230265800
    Abstract: A fuel supply system includes a pump to be connected to a fuel tank. A metering valve is downstream of the pump. A control is programmed to control at least one of the pump and metering valve. The control is operable to take in a flow demand signal and a fuel pressure signal from a controller associated with a gas turbine engine. The flow demand signal is indicative of a desired flow volume and the fuel pressure signal is indicative of a desired fuel pressure. Operation conditions are identified for the at least one of said pump and the metering valve. A gas turbine engine and fuel supply system is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2022
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: Edward W. Goy, Ryan Shook, Benjamin T. Harder
  • Publication number: 20230204029
    Abstract: A variable displacement piston pump, having: a housing, a pivot assembly to pivot between minimal and maximum pivot angles; a pump cover defining an actuator bore with an actuator piston, an actuator arm extending from the actuator piston to the pivot assembly; and an electronic control unit (ECU) coupled to the pump, the ECU having: a pump controller, a linear variable differential transducer (LVDT) coupled to the pump controller and the actuator piston, and an electrohydraulic solenoid valve (EHSV) coupled to the pump controller, the ECU is configured to: determine a pivot differential for the pivot assembly between a target pivot angle and a current pivot angle; determine a position differential for the actuator piston, corresponding to the pivot differential of the pivot assembly; control the EHSV to move the actuator piston by the position differential; and determine, from the LVDT, that the actuator piston moved by the position differential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Weishun Willaim Ni, Edward W. Goy, Benjamin T. Harder, Mark W. Shoemaker
  • Publication number: 20230167772
    Abstract: A fuel pump system can include a motor and a pump connected to the motor. The pump can be configured to receive an inlet flow from an inlet line, to pressurize the inlet flow, and to output a pressurized flow to an output line for an engine. The system can include a bypass line disposed between the outlet line and the inlet line, and a bypass valve disposed on the bypass line and configured to allow pressurized flow to flow to the inlet line in an open state, and to prevent pressurized flow from flowing to the inlet line in a closed state. The bypass valve can be configured to allow pressurized flow to flow to the inlet line to circulate flow and to maintain a constant pressure on the output line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2021
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Applicant: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Adrian L. Stoicescu, Edward W. Goy, Benjamin T. Harder
  • Patent number: 11536199
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a motoring system for a gas turbine having the steps of: assembling a pinned mechanical fuse, the pinned mechanical fuse including at least one shear pin; forming an outer housing; installing a reduction gear train into the outer housing, the reduction gear train having an input and an output; operably connecting a motor to the input; operably connecting a clutch to the output using the pinned mechanical fuse, the clutch in operation engages and disengages the reduction gear train; operably connecting a starter to the clutch, the starter having an output shaft; and operably connecting an accessory gearbox to the output shaft of the starter. The clutch is operably connected to the accessory gearbox through the starter and the output shaft. The at least one shear pin in operation shears when torque on the pinned mechanical fuse is greater than or equal to a selected value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthew Allen Slayter, Richard Alan Davis, Paul F. Fox, Jeffrey Todd Roberts, Jeff A. Brown, James Vandung Nguyen, Benjamin T. Harder, Dwayne Leon Wilson, Brian McMasters, Daniel Richard Walker
  • Publication number: 20220372941
    Abstract: A fuel metering system includes a pump with an inlet and an outlet, a first flow path including a first valve fluidically connected to the outlet of the pump, and a second flow path including a second valve fluidically connected to the outlet of the pump, a third valve, and a fourth valve. An electrohydraulic servo valve in a first position hydraulically connects the inlet of the pump to the first, third, and fourth valves to close the first valve, open the third valve, open a first window of the fourth valve, and close a second window of the fourth valve. The electrohydraulic servo valve in a second position hydraulically connects the outlet of the pump to the first, third, and fourth valves to open the first valve, close the third valve, close the first window of the fourth valve, and open the second window of the fourth valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Ryan Susca, Morgan O'Rorke, Matej Rutar, Todd Haugsjaahabink, Weishun William Ni, Benjamin T. Harder, Ryan Shook
  • Publication number: 20220154600
    Abstract: A starter supplemental lubrication system for a gas turbine engine is provided. The starter supplemental lubrication system includes a pneumatic starter operable to drive rotation of a rotor shaft of a gas turbine engine through an accessory gearbox. The pneumatic starter is configured to receive a primary lubricant flow at a first rotational speed range and receive a supplemental lubricant flow at a second rotational speed range that is less than the first rotational speed range. The starter supplemental lubrication system also includes a supplemental lubricant pump operable to supply the supplemental lubricant flow at the second rotational speed range. The supplemental lubricant pump is internal to the pneumatic starter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2022
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: John T. Pech, Benjamin T. Harder
  • Patent number: 11313418
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a motoring system for a gas turbine engine including the steps of: forming a mechanical shaft fuse, the mechanical shaft fuse including a plurality of through holes; forming an outer housing; installing a reduction gear train into the outer housing, the reduction gear train having an input and an output; operably connecting an electric motor to the input; operably connecting a clutch to the output using the mechanical shaft fuse, the clutch in operation engages and disengages the reduction gear train; operably connecting a starter to the clutch, the starter having an output shaft; and operably connecting an accessory gearbox to the output shaft of the starter. The mechanical shaft fuse in operation shears when torque on the mechanical is greater than or equal to a selected value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthew Allen Slayter, Richard Alan Davis, Benjamin T. Harder, James Vandung Nguyen, Paul F. Fox, Jeffrey Todd Roberts, Jeff A. Brown, Brian McMasters, Dwayne Leon Wilson, Daniel Richard Walker
  • Publication number: 20200141452
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a motoring system for a gas turbine engine including the steps of: forming a mechanical shaft fuse, the mechanical shaft fuse including a plurality of through holes; forming an outer housing; installing a reduction gear train into the outer housing, the reduction gear train having an input and an output; operably connecting an electric motor to the input; operably connecting a clutch to the output using the mechanical shaft fuse, the clutch in operation engages and disengages the reduction gear train; operably connecting a starter to the clutch, the starter having an output shaft; and operably connecting an accessory gearbox to the output shaft of the starter. The mechanical shaft fuse in operation shears when torque on the mechanical is greater than or equal to a selected value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: Matthew Allen Slayter, Richard Alan Davis, Benjamin T. Harder, James Vandung Nguyen, Paul F. Fox, Jeffrey Todd Roberts, Jeff A. Brown, Brian McMasters, Dwayne Leon Wilson, Daniel Richard Walker
  • Patent number: 10495003
    Abstract: According to an aspect, a system for a gas turbine engine includes a reduction gear train operable to drive rotation of a starter gear train that interfaces to an accessory gearbox of the gas turbine engine. The reduction gear train includes a starter interface gear that engages the starter gear train and a core-turning clutch operably connected to the starter interface gear. The reduction gear train also includes a planetary gear system operably connected to the core-turning clutch and a jacking gear system operably connected to the planetary gear system and a core-turning input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthew Allen Slayter, James Vandung Nguyen, Paul F. Fox, Richard Alan Davis, Jeff A. Brown, Jeffrey Todd Roberts, Daniel Richard Walker, Richard R. Hergert, Dwayne Leon Wilson, Brian McMasters, Benjamin T. Harder
  • Patent number: 10473034
    Abstract: According to an aspect, a system for a gas turbine engine includes a reduction gear train operable to drive rotation of a starter gear train that interfaces to an accessory gearbox of the gas turbine engine. The reduction gear train includes a starter interface gear that engages the starter gear train and a core-turning clutch operably connected to the starter interface gear. The reduction gear train also includes a geared rotary actuator including a primary planetary gear system, where the geared rotary actuator is operably connected to the core-turning clutch. The reduction gear train further includes a secondary planetary gear system operably connected to the primary planetary gear system and a core-turning input. The system also includes a mounting pad with an interface to couple a core-turning motor to the core-turning input of the reduction gear train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Benjamin T. Harder, Brian McMasters, James Vandung Nguyen, Dwayne Leon Wilson, Paul F. Fox, Richard Alan Davis, Richard R. Hergert, Jeffrey Todd Roberts, Jeff A. Brown, Daniel Richard Walker, Matthew Allen Slayter, William G. Sheridan
  • Patent number: 10473164
    Abstract: A motoring system for a gas turbine engine having: a reduction gear train having an input and an output; an electric motor operably connected to the input; a clutch operably connected to the output, the clutch in operation engages and disengages the reduction gear train; and a mechanical shaft fuse operably connecting the output to the clutch, the mechanical shaft fuse in operation shears when torque on the mechanical shaft fuse is greater than or equal to a selected value. The mechanical shaft fuse includes a plurality of through holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthew Allen Slayter, Richard Alan Davis, Benjamin T. Harder, James Vandung Nguyen, Paul F. Fox, Jeffrey Todd Roberts, Jeff A. Brown, Brian McMasters, Dwayne Leon Wilson, Daniel Richard Walker
  • Patent number: 10458431
    Abstract: A boost pump includes a housing cover and a pump housing engaged opposite to the housing cover. Volute passages are defined between the housing cover and the pump housing. The volute passages include a circumferentially extending volute defining a plurality of cross sections defined in a housing including the pump housing and the housing cover. The plurality of surfaces are defined as a set of dimensions set out in at least one of TABLES 1 through 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Adrian L. Stoicescu, Benjamin T. Harder
  • Publication number: 20190323434
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a motoring system for a gas turbine having the steps of: assembling a pinned mechanical fuse, the pinned mechanical fuse including at least one shear pin; forming an outer housing; installing a reduction gear train into the outer housing, the reduction gear train having an input and an output; operably connecting a motor to the input; operably connecting a clutch to the output using the pinned mechanical fuse, the clutch in operation engages and disengages the reduction gear train; operably connecting a starter to the clutch, the starter having an output shaft; and operably connecting an accessory gearbox to the output shaft of the starter. The clutch is operably connected to the accessory gearbox through the starter and the output shaft. The at least one shear pin in operation shears when torque on the pinned mechanical fuse is greater than or equal to a selected value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Inventors: Matthew Allen Slayter, Richard Alan Davis, Paul F. Fox, Jeffrey Todd Roberts, Jeff A. Brown, James Vandung Nguyen, Benjamin T. Harder, Dwayne Leon Wilson, Brian McMasters, Daniel Richard Walker
  • Patent number: 10422284
    Abstract: A motoring system for a gas turbine engine having: a reduction gear train having an input and output; a motor operably connected to the input; a clutch operably connected to the output, the clutch in operation engages and disengages the reduction gear train; and a pinned mechanical fuse operably connecting the output to the clutch, the pinned mechanical fuse having at least one shear pin. The pinned mechanical fuse having: an outer sleeve having a first section, second section, inner chamber, outer wall, and at least one through hole connecting the inner chamber to the outer wall within the first section; and an inner sleeve having a first portion, second portion, outer surface, and at least one blind hole located in the outer surface within the second portion. The second portion being located within the inner chamber and operably connected to the outer sleeve through at least one shear pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthew Allen Slayter, Richard Alan Davis, Paul F. Fox, Jeffrey Todd Roberts, Jeff A. Brown, James Vandung Nguyen, Benjamin T. Harder, Dwayne Leon Wilson, Brian McMasters, Daniel Richard Walker
  • Patent number: 10330016
    Abstract: According to an aspect, a system for a gas turbine engine includes a reduction gear train operable to drive rotation of a starter gear train that interfaces to an accessory gearbox of the gas turbine engine. The reduction gear train includes a starter interface gear that engages the starter gear train, a core-turning clutch operably connected to the starter interface gear, and a plurality of stacked planetary gear systems operably connected to the core-turning clutch and a core-turning input. The system also includes a mounting pad including an interface to couple a core-turning motor to the core-turning input of the reduction gear train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Benjamin T. Harder, Matthew Allen Slayter, Brian McMasters, James Vandung Nguyen, Dwayne Leon Wilson, Paul F. Fox, Richard Alan Davis, Richard R. Hergert, Jeffrey Todd Roberts, Jeff A. Brown, Daniel Richard Walker
  • Patent number: 10323648
    Abstract: A boost pump includes a boost cover and a main pump housing engaged opposite to the boost cover with an impeller rotatably engaged between the boost cover and main pump housing. The impeller includes an inducer section comprising a hub including a plurality of axial blades extended therefrom, each of the plurality of blades including a root, a tip, first and second surfaces, wherein the each of the first and second surfaces is defined in TABLE 1. The impeller includes an impeller section comprising a shroud extending from the hub including a plurality of radial blades extended therefrom. Each of the plurality of blades can include including a root, a tip, and opposed pressure and suction sides extending from the root to the tip, wherein the each of the pressure and suction sides is a surface defined in at least one of TABLES 2-4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Adrian L. Stoicescu, Benjamin T. Harder
  • Publication number: 20190128141
    Abstract: A starter supplemental lubrication system for a gas turbine engine is provided. The starter supplemental lubrication system includes a pneumatic starter operable to drive rotation of a rotor shaft of a gas turbine engine through an accessory gearbox. The pneumatic starter is configured to receive a primary lubricant flow at a first rotational speed range and receive a supplemental lubricant flow at a second rotational speed range that is less than the first rotational speed range. The starter supplemental lubrication system also includes a supplemental lubricant pump operable to supply the supplemental lubricant flow at the second rotational speed range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: John T. Pech, Benjamin T. Harder
  • Patent number: 10247105
    Abstract: An air turbine starter includes a transfer tube having a lubrication inlet and a lubrication outlet configured to allow fluid to flow therethrough. A valve is positioned within the transfer tube including a spring. The spring is configured to selectively allow fluid flow within the transfer tube based on fluid pressure differential across the valve. The spring can have three positions: a first position configured to prevent flow within the transfer tube, an intermediate position configured to allow free flow of fluid within the transfer tube, and a compressed positioned to prevent flow to the lubrication outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstand Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew A. Slayter, Jeff A. Brown, Benjamin T. Harder