Patents by Inventor Brendon Leeker

Brendon Leeker 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: 12110825
    Abstract: An engine controller may include a processor and a feedback interface electrically coupled to the processor and one or more electric machine motor generators deployed in an aircraft engine. A memory, electrically coupled to the processor, is configured to store reference data used to indicate a presence of an icing condition. The processor is configured to monitor a feedback signal received at the feedback interface from the one or more electric machine motor generators and identify whether the feedback signal indicates that the icing condition is currently present in the aircraft engine based on a correspondence between the feedback signal and the reference data. The processor is configured to initiate an icing condition mitigation action in response to identifying that the icing condition is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Stefan Cafaro, Brendon Leeker, Kevin Graziano, Kum-Kang Huh
  • Publication number: 20240287943
    Abstract: Systems and methods for high bandwidth control of thrust response for turbofan or turboprop engines are provided. Such systems and methods include an engine control system that processes a rate command and a feedback signal from an engine to generate separate fuel and electric machine control signals that respectively control fuel and electric machine dynamics of the engine to produce engine dynamics that result in desired thrust response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2024
    Publication date: August 29, 2024
    Inventors: Harry Kirk Mathews, JR., Stefan Joseph Cafaro, Brendon Leeker, Kevin Graziano
  • Publication number: 20240200465
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture are disclosed. An example hybrid-electric gas turbine engine comprises: a first motor coupled to a first rotatable component; a second motor coupled to a second rotatable component; and control circuitry to: determine a current operating clearance of the hybrid-electric gas turbine engine; identify one or more parameters of a model of the hybrid-electric gas turbine engine for modification based on a difference between the current operating clearance and a desired operating clearance of the hybrid-electric gas turbine engine; and modulate power to at least one of the first motor or the second motor based on the identified one or more parameters to satisfy the desired operating clearance and maintain a thrust of the hybrid-electric gas turbine engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2022
    Publication date: June 20, 2024
    Inventors: Timothy M. Kasberg, Timothy L. Schelfaut, Brendon Leeker, Kevin Graziano, Massimo Rufo, Tyler F. Hooper
  • Patent number: 12006880
    Abstract: Systems and methods for high bandwidth control of thrust response for turbofan or turboprop engines are provided. Such systems and methods include an engine control system that processes a rate command and a feedback signal from an engine to generate separate fuel and electric machine control signals that respectively control fuel and electric machine dynamics of the engine to produce engine dynamics that result in desired thrust response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Harry Kirk Mathews, Jr., Stefan Joseph Cafaro, Brendon Leeker, Kevin Graziano
  • Patent number: 11933232
    Abstract: A hybrid-electric gas turbine engine and method of operating includes independently controlling a first electric machine providing torque to a first shaft to maintain a desired clearance between a first set of blades rotatably coupled to the first shaft, and a casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Timothy L. Schelfaut, Timothy M. Kasberg, Tyler F. Hooper, Massimo Rufo, Kevin Graziano, Brendon Leeker
  • Publication number: 20240084740
    Abstract: Systems and methods for high bandwidth control of thrust response for turbofan or turboprop engines are provided. Such systems and methods include an engine control system that processes a rate command and a feedback signal from an engine to generate separate fuel and electric machine control signals that respectively control fuel and electric machine dynamics of the engine to produce engine dynamics that result in desired thrust response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2022
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Harry Kirk Mathews, JR., Stefan Joseph Cafaro, Brendon Leeker, Kevin Graziano
  • Publication number: 20230278719
    Abstract: A first electrical machine is operated according to a first mode and a second electrical machine is operated according to a second mode. A power split of operation of the first electrical machine and the second electrical machine is determined. The operation of the first electrical machine and the second electrical machine are controlled according to the power split. The power split is optimized to protect operating constraints of the components of the engine and the aircraft while delivering required thrust to the aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Stefan Joseph Cafaro, Brendon Leeker, Kevin Graziano, Harry Kirk Mathews, JR.