Patents by Inventor Bruce Woods

Bruce Woods 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: 11277163
    Abstract: A system of a machine includes a network of nodes distributed throughout the machine. A means is operable to communicate with the network of nodes through one or more electromagnetic signals. A plurality of waveguides is configured to guide transmission of the one or more electromagnetic signals. A radio frequency antenna is coupled to a first waveguide of the plurality of waveguides. A radio frequency transceiver is coupled between the means and the radio frequency antenna. A membrane is configured to support communication between the first waveguide and at least one node of the plurality of nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jonathan Gilson, Joseph V. Mantese, Goran Djuknic, Gurkan Gok, Brenda J. Lisitano, Coy Bruce Wood, Sanjay Bajekal
  • Patent number: 11265380
    Abstract: A system of a machine includes a network of a plurality of nodes distributed throughout the machine, a controller, and a plurality of waveguides. Each of the nodes is operable to communicate through one or more radio frequencies, where the machine includes a cooler portion and a hotter portion. The controller is operable to communicate with the network of nodes using a higher frequency to communicate with one or more of the nodes in the cooler portion of the machine and a lower frequency to communicate with one or more of the nodes in the hotter portion of the machine. The waveguides are configured to guide transmission of the one or more radio frequencies between the controller and one or more of the nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jonathan Gilson, Joseph V. Mantese, Gurkan Gok, Eric J. Heims, Goran Djuknic, Coy Bruce Wood, Geoffrey T. Blackwell
  • Patent number: 11168617
    Abstract: A turbofan engine includes a first spool including a first turbine, and a first tower shaft engaged to the first spool. A second spool includes a second turbine, and a second tower shaft is engaged to the second spool. A superposition gearbox includes a sun gear, a plurality of intermediate gears engaged to the sun gear, and is supported in a carrier and a ring gear circumscribing the intermediate gears. The first tower shaft or the second tower shaft drives one of the intermediate gears. A drive motor is engaged to drive the sun gear, an inner electric motor, a stator disposed radially outside of the inner electric motor, and an outer electric motor disposed radially outside the stator. A first load on the first spool and a second load on the second spool is adjusted by operation of at least one of the inner electric motor and the outer electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Bernard Kupratis, Coy Bruce Wood
  • Patent number: 11136899
    Abstract: A turbine engine includes integrated electric machines in the compressor section and the turbine section to supplement power produced from fuel with electric power. The example compressor section includes a compressor electric motor that is coupled to a compressor generator. The example turbine section includes a turbine electric motor that is coupled to the geared architecture to supplement power driving the fan section. A turbine generator provides electric power to the turbine electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniel Bernard Kupratis, Zubair Ahmed Baig, Gary Collopy, Coy Bruce Wood
  • Patent number: 11132376
    Abstract: A system can comprise one or more processors; and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processors and perform: receiving a request for a write operation of an input record in a data store associated with a sharded database and an alternate-key-global-index (AKGI) database; generating a new optimistic lock value, the new optimistic lock value being unique in the sharded database; when the data store does not include a data record associated with the input record, creating the dummy data record in the data store; locking the data record for the write operation by setting the DROpLock of the data record to the new optimistic lock value; and performing the write operation of the input record in the AKGI database and the sharded database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: WALMART APOLLO, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Christopher Sardina, William R. Eschenbruecher, III, Jun Yi, Yi Lu, Nitin Chhabra, III, Ying Zhang, Alexei Olkhovskii, Robert Bruce Woods, III, Scott Melvin Harvester, Robert Perry Lowell
  • Publication number: 20210288449
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a housing including a first component providing an AC signal into an input cable. The input cable extends to an input conductive plate. The input conductive plate is in contact with a dielectric plate, and an output conductive plate is attached to an opposed side of the dielectric plate. The output connective plate extends to an output cable extending to a second component, such that a capacitance based connection is provided between the input and output cables, to communicate from first component sensor to the second component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Gurkan Gok, Joseph Zacchio, Goran Djuknic, Joseph V. Mantese, Brenda J. Lisitano, Jonathan Gilson, Coy Bruce Wood
  • Patent number: 11111809
    Abstract: A clearance control system for a gas turbine engine may comprise a rotor blade, an outer structure disposed radially outward from the rotor blade, and a heating element configured to cause the outer structure to be heated in response to electric current being supplied to the heating element, wherein a gap between the rotor blade and the outer structure is at least one of increased, decreased, and maintained in response to the outer structure being heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Neil Terwilliger, Christopher J. Hanlon, Patrick D Couture, Coy Bruce Wood
  • Publication number: 20210250081
    Abstract: A system of a machine includes a network of nodes distributed throughout the machine. Each of the nodes is operable to communicate using a plurality of electromagnetic signals. A controller is operable to communicate with the nodes using electromagnetic signals. The system also includes a plurality of waveguides configured to guide transmission of the electromagnetic signals between the controller and one or more of the nodes. A radio frequency-based repeater is coupled to at least two of the waveguides in the network between the controller and at least one of the nodes. The radio frequency-based repeater is configured to operate using power extracted from at least one of the electromagnetic signals when a signal-to-noise ratio is above a threshold, and the radio frequency-based repeater is configured to use energy stored in an onboard energy storage system when the signal-to-noise ratio is below the threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Jonathan Gilson, Joseph V. Mantese, Goran Djuknic, Gurkan Gok, Brenda J. Lisitano, Sanjay Bajekal, Coy Bruce Wood
  • Publication number: 20210159969
    Abstract: A system of a machine includes a network of a plurality of nodes distributed throughout the machine. Each of the nodes is operable to communicate through a plurality of electromagnetic signals. A controller is operable to communicate with the network of nodes through the electromagnetic signals. The system also includes a plurality of waveguides configured to guide transmission of the electromagnetic signals between the controller and one or more of the nodes. A radio frequency-based repeater is coupled to at least two of the waveguides in the network between the controller and at least one of the nodes. The radio frequency-based repeater is configured to receive a portion of the electromagnetic signals in a first waveguide and boost a transmission characteristic of the portion of the electromagnetic signals in a second waveguide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Jonathan Gilson, Joseph V. Mantese, Goran Djuknic, Gurkan Gok, Brenda J. Lisitano, Sanjay Bajekal, Coy Bruce Wood
  • Publication number: 20210159930
    Abstract: A system of a machine includes a network of nodes distributed throughout the machine. A means is operable to communicate with the network of nodes through one or more electromagnetic signals. A plurality of waveguides is configured to guide transmission of the one or more electromagnetic signals. A radio frequency antenna is coupled to a first waveguide of the plurality of waveguides. A radio frequency transceiver is coupled between the means and the radio frequency antenna. A membrane is configured to support communication between the first waveguide and at least one node of the plurality of nodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Jonathan Gilson, Joseph V. Mantese, Goran Djuknic, Gurkan Gok, Brenda J. Lisitano, Coy Bruce Wood, Sanjay Bajekal
  • Publication number: 20210160593
    Abstract: A system of a machine includes a network of nodes distributed throughout the machine. Each of the nodes is operable to communicate through electromagnetic signals. The system also includes a radio frequency transceiver, a first antenna coupled to the radio frequency transceiver, a second antenna coupled to one or more sensor nodes, and a controller coupled to the radio frequency transceiver. The controller is configured to select at least one sensor node to interrogate, transmit one or more interrogation frequencies from the radio frequency transceiver through the first antenna to the second antenna, receive one or more sensor frequencies at the first antenna broadcast from the second antenna based on a frequency response of the at least one sensor node to the one or more interrogation frequencies, and determine one or more sensed values based on the sensor frequencies received at the radio frequency transceiver through the first antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Jonathan Gilson, Joseph V. Mantese, Goran Djuknic, Gurkan Gok, Brenda J. Lisitano, Coy Bruce Wood, Sanjay Bajekal
  • Patent number: 10998958
    Abstract: A system of a machine includes a network of a plurality of nodes distributed throughout the machine. Each of the nodes is operable to communicate through a plurality of electromagnetic signals. A controller is operable to communicate with the network of nodes through the electromagnetic signals. The system also includes a plurality of waveguides configured to guide transmission of the electromagnetic signals between the controller and one or more of the nodes. A radio frequency-based repeater is coupled to at least two of the waveguides in the network between the controller and at least one of the nodes. The radio frequency-based repeater is configured to receive a portion of the electromagnetic signals in a first waveguide and boost a transmission characteristic of the portion of the electromagnetic signals in a second waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jonathan Gilson, Joseph V. Mantese, Goran Djuknic, Gurkan Gok, Brenda J. Lisitano, Sanjay Bajekal, Coy Bruce Wood
  • Publication number: 20210071585
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a generator that is configured to be driven by a turbine section, an electric motor that is configured to receive at least a portion of electric power from the generator, a gearbox that is mechanically coupled to both the electric motor and the generator, and a control system that has an operational amplifier that is configured to synchronize operation of the electric motor and the generator. The operational amplifier electrically couples the electric motor to the generator and is configured to define an electrical gain that matches a mechanical gain that is defined by the gearbox.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Daniel Bernard Kupratis, Coy Bruce Wood, Ramesh Rajagopalan, Zubair Ahmed Baig
  • Publication number: 20210003075
    Abstract: A multi-angle multi-wave array may comprise a first set of sensing elements, a second set of sensing elements, and a third set of sensing elements wherein the first set of sensing elements, the second set of sensing elements, and the third set of sensing elements are collectively configured to detect and discriminate between categories of foreign object debris including solid objects and particulates including silicate sand, water vapor, dust, volcanic ash, and smoke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: David L Lincoln, Wayde R. Schmidt, Michael J. Birnkrant, Michael T. Gorski, Jonathan Gilson, Xuemei Wang, Coy Bruce Wood
  • Publication number: 20200392861
    Abstract: A turbine engine includes integrated electric machines in the compressor section and the turbine section to supplement power produced from fuel with electric power. The example compressor section includes a compressor electric motor that is coupled to a compressor generator. The example turbine section includes a turbine electric motor that is coupled to the geared architecture to supplement power driving the fan section. A turbine generator provides electric power to the turbine electric motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventors: Daniel Bernard Kupratis, Zubair Ahmed Baig, Gary Collopy, Coy Bruce Wood
  • Publication number: 20200392904
    Abstract: A turbine engine includes integrated electric machines in the compressor section and the turbine section to supplement power produced from fuel with electric power. The compressor section includes a compressor electric motor that is electrically coupled to a compressor generator. The example turbine section includes a turbine electric motor that is coupled to a geared architecture to supplement power driving the fan section. A turbine generator driven by a portion of the turbine section provides electric power to the turbine electric motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventors: Daniel Bernard Kupratis, Zubair Ahmed Baig, Gary Collopy, Coy Bruce Wood
  • Patent number: 10826547
    Abstract: A system of a machine includes a network of a plurality of nodes distributed throughout the machine. Each of the nodes is operable to communicate through a plurality of electromagnetic signals. A controller is operable to communicate with the network of nodes through the electromagnetic signals. A plurality of waveguides is configured to confine transmission of the electromagnetic signals between the controller and one or more of the nodes. A radio frequency antenna is coupled to a first end of a first waveguide of the plurality of waveguides. A radio frequency transceiver is coupled between the controller and the radio frequency antenna. A capacitively coupled membrane at a second end of the first waveguide is configured to establish communication between the first waveguide and at least one node of the plurality of nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jonathan Gilson, Joseph V. Mantese, Goran Djuknic, Gurkan Gok, Brenda J. Lisitano, Coy Bruce Wood, Sanjay Bajekal
  • Patent number: 10801443
    Abstract: A hybrid gas turbine engine comprises a turbine, a compressor, and a gear system that is driven by the turbine where the gear system includes a sun gear, a ring gear and a plurality of planet gears, where the ring gear has a ring gear radius of RRing gear and the sun gear has a sun gear radius of RSun gear such that the gear system provides a reduction ratio of RRing gear/RSun gear. A fan is driven by the ring gear, and a generator is driven by the ring gear and provides a generator output signal. A power circuit receives the generator output signal and provides a gain RRing gear/RSun gear to the generator output signal and provides a gain signal indicative thereof to an electrical load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel B. Kupratis, Coy Bruce Wood
  • Publication number: 20200240331
    Abstract: A turbofan engine includes a first spool including a first turbine, and a first tower shaft engaged to the first spool. A second spool includes a second turbine, and a second tower shaft is engaged to the second spool. A superposition gearbox includes a sun gear, a plurality of intermediate gears engaged to the sun gear, and is supported in a carrier and a ring gear circumscribing the intermediate gears. The first tower shaft or the second tower shaft drives one of the intermediate gears. A drive motor is engaged to drive the sun gear, an inner electric motor, a stator disposed radially outside of the inner electric motor, and an outer electric motor disposed radially outside the stator. A first load on the first spool and a second load on the second spool is adjusted by operation of at least one of the inner electric motor and the outer electric motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Daniel Bernard Kupratis, Coy Bruce Wood
  • Patent number: 10687468
    Abstract: Belts having a cover layer and opposing continuous tooth section defining an outer surface, a cross-linked elastomeric body, and a tensile reinforcement section disposed between the cover layer and the cross-linked elastomeric body. The continuous tooth section includes a plurality of tooth structures, each having tooth flank, a land, and an easement area between the tooth flank and the land, and the easement area has a progressively decreasing radial thickness from the tooth flank to the land. In some aspects, the easement area has a low pressure-angle of contact with a sprocket, when engaging a sprocket. In some aspects, the belt is an endless belt, while in some other aspects, the belt is a spliced belt having a splice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: ContiTech Antriebssysteme Gmbh
    Inventor: Douglas Bruce Wood