Patents by Inventor Brandon W. Spangler

Brandon W. Spangler 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: 11952911
    Abstract: An airfoil include an airfoil wall that defines a leading end, a trailing end, a first side wall, and a second side wall. A rib connects the first and second side walls of the airfoil wall. The rib includes a first arm by which the rib is solely connected to the first side wall, and second and third arms by which the rib is solely connected to the second side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: RTX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brandon W. Spangler, David R. Pack, JinQuan Xu
  • Publication number: 20240102391
    Abstract: A turbine engine airfoil element has a plurality of main body passageways along a camber line and having two or more chordwise distributed protuberant portions with necks between the protuberant portions. A plurality of skin passageways include: at least one first skin passageway each nested between a first of the pressure side and the suction side and two adjacent main body passageways; and a plurality of second skin passageways each nested between first of the pressure side and the suction side and two said protuberant portions of a corresponding main body passageway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: RTX Corporation
    Inventors: Brandon W. Spangler, David R. Pack
  • Patent number: 11905849
    Abstract: Airfoils and core assemblies for such airfoils are described. The airfoils include a leading edge cavity defined, in part, by a leading edge interior rib and a trailing edge cavity defined, in part, by a trailing edge interior rib. A plurality of pressure side cavities are defined by pressure side skin cavity walls with at least one pressure side skin cavity wall not extending to the suction side wall. A plurality of suction side cavities are defined by suction side skin cavity walls with at least one suction side skin cavity wall not extending to the pressure side wall. A main body cavity extends between the leading edge interior rib and the trailing edge interior rib and the plurality of side cavities are arranged in a staggered pattern to define the bounds of the main body cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: RTX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brandon W. Spangler, David R. Pack
  • Patent number: 11852036
    Abstract: An airfoil element has first and second ribs each connecting the pressure side and the suction side. Each of the first and second ribs define: a tube portion circumscribing a rib passage; and first and second connector arms joining the tube portion to, respectively, the pressure side and the suction side. The first rib, the second rib, and the airfoil wall bound a continuous cooling channel having a pressure side portion to the pressure side of the mean line and a suction side portion to the suction side of the mean line. At least one of the pressure side portion and the suction side portion includes a skin passageway between at least one of the respective tube portions of the first rib and second rib and an adjacent portion of an interior surface of the airfoil wall. The skin passageway has an outer surface formed by the adjacent portion and an inner surface formed by said at least one of the respective tube portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: RTX Corporation
    Inventor: Brandon W. Spangler
  • Patent number: 11781439
    Abstract: A component for a gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a body including a cold side surface adjacent to a mate face. A plurality of ridges extends from the cold side surface. A seal member abuts the plurality of ridges to define a plurality of cooling passages. The seal member is configured to move between a first position and a second position relative to the plurality of ridges. Each of the plurality of cooling passages includes a first inlet defined at the first position and a second, different inlet defined at the second position. A method of sealing between adjacent components of a gas turbine engine is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: RTX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dominic J. Mongillo, Jr., Brandon W. Spangler, Lane Thornton
  • Publication number: 20230203991
    Abstract: A core structure for a providing a cooling passage in a gas turbine engine includes a core body that has a first cooling passage core. The first cooling passage core has a first width in a chord-wise direction near a first wall. A second width in the chord-wise direction near a second wall. A third width in the chord-wise direction between the first and second walls. The third width being smaller than the first and second widths to form an hourglass shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventor: Brandon W. Spangler
  • Publication number: 20230160308
    Abstract: An airfoil includes an airfoil wall that defines a leading end, a trailing end, and first and second sides that join the leading end and the trailing end. A rib connects the first and second sides of the airfoil wall. The rib defines a tube portion that circumscribes a rib passage, and first and second connector arms that solely join the tube portion to, respectively, the first and second sides of the airfoil wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2022
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Inventors: Brandon W. Spangler, David R. Pack
  • Publication number: 20230130326
    Abstract: Airfoils and core assemblies for such airfoils are described. The airfoils include a leading edge cavity defined, in part, by a leading edge interior rib and a trailing edge cavity defined, in part, by a trailing edge interior rib. A plurality of pressure side cavities are defined by pressure side skin cavity walls with at least one pressure side skin cavity wall not extending to the suction side wall. A plurality of suction side cavities are defined by suction side skin cavity walls with at least one suction side skin cavity wall not extending to the pressure side wall. A main body cavity extends between the leading edge interior rib and the trailing edge interior rib and the plurality of side cavities are arranged in a staggered pattern to define the bounds of the main body cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2022
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventors: Brandon W. Spangler, David R. Pack
  • Patent number: 11629602
    Abstract: Airfoil for gas turbine engines are described. The airfoils have internal walls and internal cavities. A leading edge cavity is defined within the airfoil body along a leading edge and a leading edge feed cavity is arranged aft of the leading edge cavity. A bent leading edge rib is arranged between the leading edge cavity and the leading edge feed cavity. A main body cavity is arranged aft of the leading edge feed cavity and defined at least in part by two interior ribs that define a part of the leading edge feed cavity. The main body cavity is fluidly connected to the leading edge feed cavity by an interior fluid connection through the intersection of the two interior ribs. A shield cavity is arranged to thermally shield the leading edge feed cavity from heat pickup along the suction side of the airfoil body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brandon W. Spangler, David R. Pack
  • Patent number: 11624322
    Abstract: A core structure for a providing a cooling passage in a gas turbine engine includes a core body that has a first passage core. The first passage core has a first width in a chord-wise direction near a first wall. A second width in the chord-wise direction near a second wall. A third width in the chord-wise direction between the first and second walls. The third width being smaller than the first and second widths to form an hourglass shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Brandon W. Spangler
  • Publication number: 20230012375
    Abstract: A manufacturing method is provided that includes forming a radial flow turbine blade of a radial flow turbine rotor for a gas turbine engine. The radial flow turbine blade includes an internal cooling passage. At least a portion of the internal cooling passage has a passage thickness of less than 20 mils.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Inventors: Daniel Belotto, Robert B. Fowler, Brandon W. Spangler, Jose R. Paulino
  • Publication number: 20220403746
    Abstract: Airfoil for gas turbine engines are described. The airfoils have internal walls and internal cavities. A leading edge cavity is defined within the airfoil body along a leading edge and a leading edge feed cavity is arranged aft of the leading edge cavity. A bent leading edge rib is arranged between the leading edge cavity and the leading edge feed cavity. A main body cavity is arranged aft of the leading edge feed cavity and defined at least in part by two interior ribs that define a part of the leading edge feed cavity. The main body cavity is fluidly connected to the leading edge feed cavity by an interior fluid connection through the intersection of the two interior ribs. A shield cavity is arranged to thermally shield the leading edge feed cavity from heat pickup along the suction side of the airfoil body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: Brandon W. Spangler, David R. Pack
  • Patent number: 11492912
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine component comprises a body having a leading edge, a trailing edge, and a radial span. One internal channel in the body provides an upstream supply pressure. Another internal channel in body receives the upstream supply pressure and provides a downstream supply pressure. At least one axial rib separates an internal area adjacent to the trailing edge into a plurality of individual cavities. At least one pressure regulating feature is located at an entrance to at least one individual cavity entrance to control downstream supply pressure to the trailing edge. Exits formed in the trailing edge communicate with an exit pressure. The rib and pressure regulating features cooperate such that the downstream supply pressure mimics the exit pressure along the radial span.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brandon W. Spangler, Carey Clum, Matthew A. Devore
  • Patent number: 11480059
    Abstract: An airfoil includes an airfoil wall that defines a leading end, a trailing end, and first and second sides that join the leading end and the trailing end. A rib connects the first and second sides of the airfoil wall. The rib defines a tube portion that circumscribes a rib passage, and first and second connector arms that solely join the tube portion to, respectively, the first and second sides of the airfoil wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brandon W. Spangler, David R. Pack
  • Patent number: 11459897
    Abstract: Airfoils for gas turbine engines are described. The airfoils include a leading edge, a trailing edge, a pressure side exterior wall, and a suction side exterior wall. A plurality of cooling passages are formed within the airfoil. A plurality of first interior ribs extend from the pressure side exterior wall to the suction side exterior wall, and a plurality of second interior ribs extend from the suction side exterior wall toward the pressure side exterior wall and intersect with a first interior rib. At least one pressure side main body cooling passage is defined between the pressure side exterior wall and two first interior ribs of the plurality of first interior ribs and at least one suction side main body cooling passage is defined between the suction side exterior wall, a first interior rib, and a second interior rib.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brandon W. Spangler, Dominic J. Mongillo, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11454124
    Abstract: An airfoil includes an airfoil wall that defines a leading end, a trailing end, a first side, and a second side. Radially-extending ribs partition the interior cavity of the airfoil into first and second cooling channels and a radial cooling passage that is situated between the first and second cooling channels. The cooling channels extend to respective first and second channel ends. A turn channel connects the first and second channel ends. The turn channel splits at the first channel end into first and second channel legs such that there is a region between the first and second channel legs. The channels legs merge at the second channel end. The radial cooling passage extends through the region between the first and second channel legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Brandon W. Spangler
  • Patent number: 11371372
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a platform that has a gas path side, a non-gas path side, a first mate face, and a second mate face. The second mate face has a beveled edge sloping towards the first mate face. The gas turbine engine also includes a coverplate that includes a first bend, a flat portion substantially parallel to the first mate face and a first wing substantially parallel to the second mate face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Brandon W. Spangler
  • Patent number: 11293304
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine is provided. The gas turbine engine includes an engine casing structure and a part retained relative to the engine casing structure by a channel-cooled hook. The channel-cooled hook includes at least a portion of a hook cooling channel. A vane assembly for the gas turbine engine is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Brandon W. Spangler
  • Patent number: 11286793
    Abstract: An airfoil includes an airfoil wall that defines a leading end, a trailing end, and first and second sides joining the leading end and the trailing end. First and second ribs each connect the first and second sides of the airfoil wall. Each of the first and second ribs define a tube portion that circumscribes a rib passage and includes cooling apertures, and first and second connector arms that solely join the tube portion to, respectively, the first and second sides of the airfoil wall. The airfoil wall and the first and second ribs bound a cooling channel there between. The cooling apertures of the first and second ribs open at the cooling channel such that there is a cooling circuit in which the rib passages of the first and second ribs are fluidly connected through the cooling apertures and the cooling channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brandon W. Spangler, David R. Pack
  • Patent number: 11261737
    Abstract: A turbomachine airfoil element comprises an airfoil having: an inboard end; an outboard end; a leading edge; a trailing edge; a pressure side; and a suction side. A span between the inboard end and the outboard end is 1.35-1.65 inches. A chord length at 50% span is 1.20-1.60 inches. At least two of: a first mode resonance frequency is 2858±10% Hz; a second mode resonance frequency is 4916±10% Hz; a third mode resonance frequency is 7160±10% Hz; a fourth mode resonance frequency is 10268±10% Hz; a fifth mode resonance frequency is 14235±10% Hz; and a sixth mode resonance frequency is 15088±10% Hz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel A. Snyder, Edwin Otero, Di Wu, Timothy Charles Nash, Brandon W. Spangler