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).

  • Publication number: 20160023307
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing a turbine engine component includes the steps of: providing a powder containing gamma titanium aluminide; and forming a turbine engine component from said powder using a direct metal laser sintering technique.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Gabriel L Suciu, Gopal Das, Ioannis Alvanos, Brian D. Merry, James D. Hill, Allan R. Penda
  • Publication number: 20160024958
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a fan section, a low spool that includes a low pressure compressor section, the low pressure compressor section including three (3) or more stages, and a high spool including a high pressure compressor section. The high pressure compressor section includes between eight to thirteen (8-13) stages. A gear train is defined along an engine axis. The low spool is operable to drive the fan section through the gear train.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Brian D. Merry, Christopher M. Dye, Steven B. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20160024957
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a fan section, a first compressor section including three (3) or more stages, a second compressor section including between eight (8) and thirteen (13) stages, and a first turbine section operable for driving the first compressor section, the first turbine section including between three (3) and six (6) stages, a second turbine section operable for driving the second compressor section, and a gear train defined along an engine centerline axis. One of the first turbine section and the second turbine section is operable to drive the fan section through the gear train.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Brian D. Merry, Christopher M. Dye, Steven B. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9234481
    Abstract: A thermal management system includes at least two of a multiple of heat exchangers arranged in an at least partial-series relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Brian D. Merry, Christopher M. Dye
  • Publication number: 20160003058
    Abstract: A rotor for a gas turbine engine includes a plurality of blades which extend from a rotor disk, adjacent ones of the plurality of blades are joined by a flexible web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: Brian D. Merry, Gabriel L. Suciu, James D. Hill
  • Publication number: 20150377142
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprises a first compressor, a second compressor, a starter generator and a clutch. The starter generator is coupled to the first compressor. The clutch selectively couples the second compressor and the first compressor. The clutch is disposed between a first shaft and a second shaft to engage the first shaft with the second shaft at rest. A flyweight system is engaged with the clutch mechanism to permit freewheeling of the first shaft relative to the second shaft when subject to rotational motion beyond a threshold speed. A method for starting a gas turbine engine comprises engaging a low pressure compressor with a high pressure compressor utilizing a clutch, rotating the low pressure compressor and the high pressure compressor utilizing a starter generator coupled to the low pressure compressor, igniting the gas turbine engine, and disengaging the clutch at an operational speed of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: William G. Sheridan, Gabriel L. Suciu, Brian D. Merry
  • Publication number: 20150377073
    Abstract: A turbine exhaust case for a gas turbine engine includes a multiple of CMC turbine exhaust case struts between a CMC core nacelle aft portion and a CMC tail cone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Gopal Das, Ioannis Alvanos, Brian D. Merry
  • Publication number: 20150377052
    Abstract: A seal segment according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a first axial wall, a second axial wall radially spaced from the first axial wall and a radially outer wall that interconnects the first axial wall and the second axial wall. At least one curved member is radially inwardly offset from the radially outer wall and extending between the first and second axial walls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: James D. HILL, Gabriel L. SUCIU, Ioannis ALVANOS, Brian D. MERRY
  • Publication number: 20150369130
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for distributing cooling air in gas turbine engines. A tangential on board injector (“TOBI”) may supply cooling air to a turbine section of a gas turbine engine. The cooling air may be split into a first cooling air path and a second cooling air path. The first cooling air path may fluidly connect the TOBI and the interior of a first stage rotor blade. The second cooling air path may fluidly connect the TOBI and a cavity. The cavity may be located between a first disk and a second disk. The cooling air paths from a single cooling air source may thermally isolate portions of the turbine section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Brian D. Merry, James D. Hill
  • Publication number: 20150361890
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a compressor section having a plurality of compressor stages, a combustor fluidly connected to the compressor section, a turbine section fluidly connected to the combustor section, the turbine section having at least one stage, a compressor bleed structure disposed in one of the plurality of compressor stages and operable to remove air from the compressor stage, a heat exchanger having an input connected to the compressor bleed, and an output connected to an active cooling system of at least one turbine stage, and wherein the compressor stage in which the compressor bleed structure is disposed includes airflow at a pressure above a minimum pressure threshold, and wherein the airflow has a temperature above a maximum temperature threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Brian D. Merry, James D. Hill
  • Publication number: 20150361828
    Abstract: A mounting system for a gas turbine engine includes a low pressure turbine section, a first bearing, a mid-turbine frame, and a rear mount. The first bearing supports at least a portion of the low pressure turbine section. The mid-turbine frame supports the first bearing. The rear mount is connected to the mid-turbine frame and is configured to react loads from the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventors: Gabriel L. SUCIU, Brian D. MERRY
  • Publication number: 20150354456
    Abstract: A cooling system for gas turbine engines includes a turbine rotor compartment defining a cooling air plenum. A plurality of turbine discs are rotatably housed within the rotor compartment. A cooling air inlet is in fluid communication with the plenum. Each turbine disc includes a cooling outlet in fluid communication with the plenum for cooling the rotor compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Brian D. Merry, James D. Hill
  • Publication number: 20150354455
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a turbine section fluidly connected to a combustor by a primary flow path. The turbine section includes a first portion at a high pressure relative to a second portion. A thermally isolated cooling plenum is positioned radially inward of the primary flow path. The cooling plenum is defined by a forward wall, a shaft structure, an aft wall, and an inner diameter wall of the primary flow path. Air in the thermally isolated cooling plenum is thermally isolated from air in the primary flow path. At least one cooling air system is operable to provide cooling air to the thermally isolated cooling plenum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Brian D. Merry, James D. Hill
  • Publication number: 20150354389
    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: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: David R Pack, Julian Partyka, James D Hill, Gabriel L Suciu, Gregory M Dolansky, Brian D Merry
  • Publication number: 20150354822
    Abstract: A turbine injection system for a gas turbine engine includes a first end operable to receive air from a heat exchanger, a second end operable to distribute mixed cooling air to a turbine stage, an opening downstream of said first end and a mixing plenum downstream of said first end and said opening. The opening provides a direct fluid pathway into said turbine injection system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Brian D. Merry, James D. Hill
  • Publication number: 20150354465
    Abstract: A turbine cooling air generation system for a gas turbine engine includes a first fluid pathway connecting a compressor bleed outlet and a mixing valve, a second fluid pathway connecting the compressor bleed outlet and an input of a heat exchanger, and a third fluid pathway connecting an output of the heat exchanger and the mixing valve. The mixing valve is further connected to an input of a turbine stage active cooling system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Brian D. Merry, James D. Hill, Mark F. Zelesky
  • Publication number: 20150345392
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a housing includes an inlet case and an intermediate case that respectively provide an inlet case flow path and an intermediate case flow path. A rotor is connected to the hub and supports a compressor section. The geared architecture includes an epicyclic gear train. A fan is rotationally driven by the geared architecture. First and second bearings support the shaft relative to the intermediate case and the inlet case, respectively. The radially inner boundary of the core inlet is at a location of a core inlet stator and the radially inner boundary of the compressor section inlet is at a location of the first stage low-pressure compressor rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventors: Brian D. Merry, Gabriel L. Suciu, Karl L. Hasel
  • Patent number: 9194329
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a housing including an inlet case and an intermediate case that respectively provide an inlet case flow path and an intermediate case flow path. A geared architecture is arranged within the inlet case. The geared architecture includes an epicyclic gear train. A fan is rotationally driven by the geared architecture. A shaft provides a rotational axis. A hub is operatively supported by the shaft. First and second bearings support the shaft relative to the intermediate case and the inlet case, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian D. Merry, Gabriel L. Suciu, Karl L. Hasel
  • Patent number: 9194290
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a shaft defining an axis of rotation. An inner rotor directly drives the shaft and includes an inner set of blades. An outer rotor has an outer set of blades interspersed with the inner set of blades. The outer rotor is configured to rotate in an opposite direction about the axis of rotation from the inner rotor. A gear system is engaged to the outer rotor and is positioned upstream of the inner set of blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Brian D. Merry
  • Publication number: 20150330300
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine has a first spool, a second spool, and a one-way clutch connecting the first and second spools. The one-way clutch disengages from the second spool when the first and second spools rotate at a predetermined speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Brian D. Merry