Patents by Inventor Brian P. Cigal

Brian P. Cigal 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: 10371007
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine has a turbine driving a gear reduction. The gear reduction drives a fan drive shaft assembly to, in turn, drive a fan rotor at a reduced speed relative to the turbine. A generator generates current upon rotation of the fan drive assembly. The generator supplies electric current to an electric motor driven pump. The electric motor driven pump delivers lubricant to components within the gear reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Brian P. Cigal, Christopher M. Valva
  • Publication number: 20190195079
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a coupling and an air seal attachment. The annular coupling extends along a centerline and has coupling teeth that extend axially rearward. The annular air seal attachment includes an air seal at an axially rearward end and air seal attachment teeth at an axially forward end that extend axially forward to interlock with the coupling teeth such that the air seal attachment teeth and the coupling teeth alternate in a circumferential direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Inventor: Brian P. Cigal
  • Publication number: 20190032571
    Abstract: A gear assembly support for a gas turbine engine includes a spline ring configured to fit into a case of the gas turbine engine and a flex support. The flex support includes splines for engaging the spline ring and an inner portion attachable to a portion the gear assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: Brian P. Cigal, John R. Otto
  • Publication number: 20180347684
    Abstract: A gear assembly is provided. The gear assembly includes a first gear that rotates about a first axis and includes a first gear face with a plurality of first gear teeth; a second gear that rotates about a second axis and includes a second gear face with a plurality of second gear teeth, where the first axis is not parallel with the second axis and the first and second teeth rotatably engage as the first gear rotates about the first axis and the second gear rotates about the second axis; a scraper that includes a distal interference surface in face-to-face proximity with at least one of the first plurality of teeth as the first gear rotates about the first axis, where the interference surface removes oil entrained adjacent to the plurality of first or second gear teeth as the first or second gears rotate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Brian P. Cigal, Christopher T. Anglin
  • Publication number: 20180291755
    Abstract: An insulated seal seat assembly comprises a shaft configured and arranged to rotate about an axial axis, a seal seat that is secured to the shaft, and a thermal insulator configured and arranged radially between the shaft and the seal seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Christopher M. Valva, Christopher T. Anglin, Brian P. Cigal
  • Publication number: 20180283210
    Abstract: A sealing apparatus for rotational equipment includes an annular seal plate rotatable around an axis. The annular seal plate includes an annular seal land surface, an internal plenum, a plurality of inlet passages, a plurality of cooling passages and a plurality of outlet passages. The inlet passages are arranged about the axis. Each of the inlet passages extends into the annular seal plate to the internal plenum. The cooling passages are arranged about the axis. Each of the cooling passages extends into the annular seal plate from the annular seal land surface to the internal plenum. The outlet passages are arranged about the axis. Each of the outlet passages extends into the annular seal plate to the internal plenum. The outlet passages are arranged radially between the inlet passages and the cooling passages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Brian P. Cigal, Christopher T. Anglin
  • Patent number: 10087849
    Abstract: A gear system for a gas turbine engine includes a carrier that includes a first axial face. A plurality of gears are located in the carrier. An opening in the first axial face of the carrier is aligned with one of the plurality of gears. A housing includes a central cavity and is attached to the first axial face of the carrier. The housing includes an energy dissipating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Todd M. Currier, Brian P. Cigal
  • Patent number: 10087848
    Abstract: A gear assembly support for a gas turbine engine includes a spline ring configured to fit into a case of the gas turbine engine and a flex support. The flex support includes splines for engaging the spline ring and an inner portion attachable to a portion the gear assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Brian P. Cigal, John R. Otto
  • Publication number: 20180156113
    Abstract: A method for a gas turbine engine includes affixing a speed sensor probe in the gas turbine engine. The sensor probe is operable to determine a rotational speed in the gas turbine engine. The gas turbine engine includes a first spool that is coupled at a first axial position to a compressor hub that is coupled to drive a first compressor. The first spool is coupled at a second, different axial position to a fan drive input shaft that is coupled to drive a fan drive gear system. The second turbine is coupled through a second spool to drive a second compressor. The speed sensor probe is affixed at a third axial position that is axially forward of the first axial position and axially aft of the second axial position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2018
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: Brian P. Cigal, Todd A. Davis
  • Publication number: 20180156115
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a system associated with a bearing compartment of an engine, comprising: a nut, and an insert seated in a pocket formed within an interior of the nut. Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a method comprising: seating an insert in a pocket formed within an interior of a nut of an engine, operating the engine subsequent to seating the insert in the pocket, removing the insert from the pocket subsequent to operating the engine, and seating a second insert in the pocket subsequent to removing the insert from the pocket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: Christopher T. Anglin, Brian P. Cigal
  • Patent number: 9945259
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine is provided. The gas turbine engine may include a geared architecture, a central body support and a bearing package. The geared architecture may interconnect a spool and a fan rotatable about an axis. The central body support may provide an annular wall for a core flow path and an integral flex support inwardly extending therefrom. The integral flex support may couple the geared architecture to the central body support. The bearing package may include a bearing support removably coupled to the integral flex support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian P. Cigal, Todd A. Davis
  • Patent number: 9903227
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to lubrication systems for gear systems of a gas turbine engine. In one embodiment, a lubrication system includes an auxiliary reservoir configured to store lubricant and a lubrication collection device. The auxiliary reservoir is contained within an annular structure of the gas turbine engine. The lubricant collection device can collect lubricant from a gear system of the gas turbine engine and direct collected lubricant to the auxiliary reservoir. The auxiliary reservoir is configured to receive collected lubricant by way of a channel within the annular structure. The lubrication system may compliment a main lubrication system, and in particular, when the main lubrication system is temporarily unable to supply lubricant to the gear system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Brian P. Cigal
  • Patent number: 9869249
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a fan, a fan drive gear system coupled to drive the fan about an engine central axis, a compressor section including a first compressor and a second compressor and a turbine section. The turbine section includes a first turbine coupled to drive a first spool. The first spool is coupled at a first axial position to a compressor hub that is coupled to drive the first compressor. The first spool is also coupled at a second, different axial position to a fan drive input shaft that is coupled to drive the fan drive gear system. The turbine section also includes a second turbine coupled through a second spool to drive the second compressor. A sensor probe is operable to determine a rotational speed of the first spool. The sensor probe is located at a third axial position that is axially forward of the first axial position and axially aft of the second axial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Brian P Cigal, Todd A. David
  • Publication number: 20170292454
    Abstract: A gear system for a gas turbine engine includes a carrier that includes a first axial face. A plurality of gears are located in the carrier. An opening in the first axial face of the carrier is aligned with one of the plurality of gears. A housing includes a central cavity and is attached to the first axial face of the carrier. The housing includes an energy dissipating member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Inventors: Todd M. Currier, Brian P. Cigal
  • Patent number: 9541007
    Abstract: A coupling shaft assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a forward coupling shaft section with a forward interface spline and a forward mid shaft interface spline and an aft coupling shaft section includes an aft mid shaft interface spline and an aft interface spline, the aft mid shaft interface spline engageable with the forward mid shaft interface spline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, Brian P. Cigal
  • Publication number: 20160258324
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine has a turbine driving a gear reduction. The gear reduction drives a fan drive shaft assembly to, in turn, drive a fan rotor at a reduced speed relative to the turbine. A generator generates current upon rotation of the fan drive assembly. The generator supplies electric current to an electric motor driven pump. The electric motor driven pump delivers lubricant to components within the gear reduction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian P. Cigal, Christopher M. Valva
  • Publication number: 20160186608
    Abstract: A fan drive gear system for a turbofan engine is disclosed and includes a gear assembly and a front center body. The front center body is an annular case that supports the gear assembly. The front center body includes a passage portion that defines a portion of a core flow path, a forward flange configured for attachment to a first case structure forward of the front center body, and gutter portion disposed on a radially inner side of the front center body for collecting lubricant exhausted from the geared assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Brian P. Cigal, Todd A. Davis
  • Publication number: 20160160686
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to lubrication systems for gear systems of a gas turbine engine. In one embodiment, a lubrication system includes an auxiliary reservoir configured to store lubricant and a lubrication collection device. The auxiliary reservoir is contained within an annular structure of the gas turbine engine. The lubricant collection device can collect lubricant from a gear system of the gas turbine engine and direct collected lubricant to the auxiliary reservoir. The auxiliary reservoir is configured to receive collected lubricant by way of a channel within the annular structure. The lubrication system may compliment a main lubrication system, and in particular, when the main lubrication system is temporarily unable to supply lubricant to the gear system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventor: Brian P. Cigal
  • Publication number: 20160146048
    Abstract: The present disclosure is applicable to all gear trains using a journal bearing as a means of supporting gear shaft rotation. It is related in some embodiments to a system and method for supplying lubricant to the journal bearings of a gear-turbofan engine gear train when the fan rotor is subjected to a wind-milling condition in both directions, either clockwise or counterclockwise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Christopher M. Valva, Brian P. Cigal
  • Publication number: 20160123233
    Abstract: A gear assembly support for a gas turbine engine includes a spline ring configured to fit into a case of the gas turbine engine and a flex support. The flex support includes splines for engaging the spline ring and an inner portion attachable to a portion the gear assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: Brian P. Cigal, John R. Otto