Patents by Inventor Brian D. Merry

Brian D. Merry 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: 9869183
    Abstract: A rotor for a gas turbine engine according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a rotor disk rotatable about an axis and a gas path wall coupled to and radially outward of the rotor disk. The gas path wall bounds a radially inward portion of a gas path. A plurality of rotor spokes are radially intermediate the rotor disk and the gas path wall. The plurality of rotor spokes is circumferentially spaced to define a plurality of cooling channels intermediate the rotor disk and the gas path wall. A thermal barrier coating is disposed on a surface of at least one of the plurality of cooling channels. A method of cooling a rotor assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Brian D. Merry, James D. Hill, Wesley K. Lord
  • Patent number: 9856793
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprises a main compressor section having a high pressure compressor with a downstream discharge, and more upstream locations. A turbine section has a high pressure turbine. A tap taps air from at least one of the more upstream locations in the compressor section, passes the tapped air through a heat exchanger and then to a cooling compressor. The cooling compressor compresses air downstream of the heat exchanger, and delivers air into the high pressure turbine. The cooling compressor includes a downstream connection that delivers discharge pressure air to an upstream location in the high pressure turbine and a second tap from an intermediate pressure location within the cooling compressor. The second tap is connected to a downstream location within the high pressure turbine. An intercooling system for a gas turbine engine is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Mark F. Zelesky, Gabriel L. Suciu, Brian D. Merry
  • Patent number: 9850819
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprises a main compressor section having a downstream most end, and more upstream locations. A turbine section has a high pressure turbine. A tap taps air from at least one of the more upstream locations in the compressor section, passes the tapped air through a heat exchanger and then to a cooling compressor. The cooling compressor compresses ng air downstream of the heat exchanger, and delivers air into the high pressure turbine. The heat exchanger has at least two passes, with one of the passes passing air radially outwardly, and a second of the passes returning the air radially inwardly to the compressor. An intercooling system for a gas turbine engine is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Jesse M. Chandler, Joseph Brent Staubach, Brian D. Merry, Wesley K. Lord
  • Publication number: 20170363014
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a main compressor section. A booster compressor includes an inlet and an outlet. The inlet receives airflow from the main compressor section and the outlet provides airflow to a pneumatic system. A recirculation passage is between the inlet and the outlet. A flow splitter valve controls airflow between the outlet and the inlet through the recirculation passage for controlling airflow to the pneumatic system based on airflow output from the booster compressor. A bleed air system for a gas turbine engine and a method of controlling engine bleed airflow are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen H. Taylor, Charles E. Lents, Gabriel L. Suciu, Brian D. Merry, Jesse M. Chandler
  • Publication number: 20170363098
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a main engine compressor section. A booster compressor changing a pressure of airflow received from the main engine compressor section to a pressure desired for a pneumatic system. The booster compressor operates at airflow conditions greater than a demand by the pneumatic system. A speed change system driving the booster compressor at speeds corresponding to a demand of the pneumatic system. A bleed air system for a gas turbine engine and a method of controlling engine bleed airflow are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen H. Taylor, Charles E. Lents, Gabriel L. Suciu, Brian D. Merry, Jesse M. Chandler
  • Publication number: 20170363099
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a main engine compressor section. A booster compressor changes a pressure of airflow received from the main engine compressor section to a pressure desired for a pneumatic system. The booster compressor is configured to operate at airflow conditions greater than a demand of the pneumatic system. An exhaust valve controls airflow between an exhaust outlet and an outlet passage to the pneumatic system. The exhaust valve is operable to exhaust airflow from the booster compressor in excess of the demand of the pneumatic system. A bleed air system for a gas turbine engine and a method of controlling engine bleed airflow are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen H. Taylor, Charles E. Lents, Gabriel L. Suciu, Brian D. Merry, Jesse M. Chandler
  • Patent number: 9845159
    Abstract: A system of conjoined gas turbine engines has a first engine with a first propulsor having a first axis and a first engine core having a second axis, and a second engine with a second propulsor having a third axis and a second engine core having a fourth axis. The first axis and third axis are parallel to one another; and the second axis and fourth axis are angled from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Brian D. Merry
  • Patent number: 9816441
    Abstract: An engine accessory system for a gas turbine engine includes a first accessory component defined along an accessory axis and a second accessory component mounted to the first accessory component along the accessory axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Michael F. Cass, James S. Elder, Brian D. Merry, Gabriel L. Suciu, Christopher M. Dye
  • Publication number: 20170306847
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprises a main compressor section having a high pressure compressor with a downstream discharge, and more upstream locations. A turbine section has a high pressure turbine. A first tap taps air from at least one of the more upstream locations in the compressor section, passes the tapped air through a heat exchanger and then to a cooling compressor. The cooling compressor compresses air downstream of the heat exchanger, and delivers air into the high pressure turbine. A second tap taps air from the compressor section, passes the air across a cabin air pump, and delivers air from the cabin air pump for use on an aircraft receiving the gas turbine engine. The cooling compressor including a rotor, and the cabin air pump including a rotor, and a drive driven with the turbine section in turn drives both the cooling compressor rotor and the cabin air supply rotor. A combined intercooling system and cabin air supply system is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Brian D. Merry, Jesse M. Chandler
  • Patent number: 9797311
    Abstract: A thermal system for a gas turbine engine includes a bypass flow duct and a compressor flow duct which meets with the bypass flow duct at an intersection. A valve is located within the intersection and is movable between a first position and a second position. First position is operable to selectively communicate fan bypass flow from the bypass flow duct and block the compressor flow duct. The second position is operable to selectively block the bypass flow duct and communicate bleed flow through the compressor flow duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Allan R. Penda, Brian D. Merry, Christopher M. Dye, Nathan Snape
  • Patent number: 9790792
    Abstract: A spool for a gas turbine engine includes at least one rotor disk defined along an axis of rotation and at least one rotor ring defined along the axis of rotation, with the rotor ring being in contact with the rotor disk. The rotor disk and rotor ring are contoured to define a smooth rotor stack load path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Stephen P. Muron, Christopher M. Dye, Ioannis Alvanos, Brian D. Merry
  • Publication number: 20170254219
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprises an engine having a compressor section, and a turbine section. A firewall and accessory pumps are mounted on a downstream side of the firewall. The accessory pumps are driven by electric motors mounted on the firewall on an upstream side of the firewall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Jesse M. Chandler, Brian D. Merry
  • Patent number: 9752510
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a core engine with a compressor section, a combustor and a turbine. The turbine drives an output shaft, and the output shaft drives at least four gears. Each of the at least four gears extends through a drive shaft to drive an associated fan rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Alan H. Epstein, Wesley K. Lord, Michael E. McCune, Brian D. Merry
  • Patent number: 9726112
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine has a propulsor including a fan and a power turbine, an engine core aerodynamically connected to the propulsor by a transition duct, and a bypass valve in the transition duct that allows for air from the engine core to bypass the power turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Brian D. Merry
  • Patent number: 9719363
    Abstract: A seal segment for a gas turbine engine includes a first axial span that extends between the first radial span and the second radial span. A second axial span extends between the first radial span and the second radial span, the first radial span, the second radial span, the first axial span and the second axial span forming a torque box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: David R Pack, Julian Partyka, James D. Hill, Gabriel L Suciu, Gregory M Dolansky, Brian D Merry
  • Publication number: 20170167388
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprises a main compressor section having a high pressure compressor, and at least one more upstream compressor. A turbine section has a high pressure turbine. A tap line taps air from at least one of the more upstream compressors in the compressor section, passes the tapped air through a heat exchanger and then to a cooling compressor. The cooling compressor compresses air downstream of the heat exchanger, and delivers air into the high pressure turbine. A bypass valve is positioned downstream of the main compressor section, and upstream of the heat exchanger. The bypass valve selectively delivers air directly to the cooling compressor without passing through the heat exchanger under certain conditions. An intercooling system is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: Brian D. Merry, Gabriel L. Suciu, Michael G. McCaffrey
  • Publication number: 20170167386
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprises a compressor section and a turbine section, with the turbine section having a first stage blade row and a downstream blade row. A higher pressure tap is tapped from a higher pressure first location in the compressor. A lower pressure tap is tapped from a lower pressure location in the compressor which is at a lower pressure than the first location. The higher pressure tap passes through a heat exchanger, and then is delivered to cool the first stage blade row in the turbine section. The lower pressure tap is delivered to at least partially cool the downstream blade row.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: Brian D. Merry, Gabriel L. Suciu, William K. Ackermann
  • Publication number: 20170167384
    Abstract: A compressor section for use in a gas turbine engine comprises a compressor rotor having a hub and a plurality of blades extending radially outwardly from the hub and an outer housing surrounding an outer periphery of the blades. A tap taps air at a radially outer first location, passing the tapped air through a heat exchanger, and returning the tapped air to an outlet at a second location which is radially inward of the first location, to provide cooling air adjacent to the hub. A gas turbine engine is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Brian D. Merry, Jesse M. Chandler, William K. Ackermann, Matthew R. Feulner, Om P. Sharma
  • Patent number: 9677475
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a turbine section that includes a turbine rotor arranged in a plenum. A compressor section includes a compressor rotor assembly that has spaced apart inner and outer portions that provide an axially extending cooling channel. Compressor blades extend radially outward from the outer portion which provides an inner core flow path. A rotor spoke is configured to receive a first cooling flow and fluidly connect the outer portion to the cooling channel. The compressor rotor assembly has a coolant exit that is in fluid communication with the cooling channel. The compressor rotor assembly is configured to communicate the first cooling flow to the turbine rotor. A bleed source is configured to provide a second cooling flow. A combustor section includes an injector in fluid communication with the bleed source. The tangential onboard injector is configured to communicate the second cooling flow to the turbine rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian D. Merry, Gabriel L. Suciu
  • Publication number: 20170122220
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes, among other things, a fan section, a core engine, a bypass passage, a bypass ratio defined as the volume of air passing into the bypass passage compared to the volume of air passing into the core engine, the bypass ratio being greater than or equal to 10 at cruise power, and a low fan pressure ratio of less than 1.45 measured across a fan blade alone. A gear arrangement drives the fan section. A compressor section includes both a low pressure compressor and a high pressure compressor. A guide vane includes a forward attachment, the forward attachment positioned aft of a plumbing connection area. A turbine section drives the gear arrangement, and may have a low pressure turbine with a low pressure turbine pressure ratio greater than 5:1, and a two stage high pressure turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Karl L. Hasel, Joseph B. Staubach, Brian D. Merry, Gabriel L. Suciu, Christopher M. Dye