Patents by Inventor Colin J. Kling

Colin J. Kling 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: 10343765
    Abstract: A spinner for a gas turbine engine may include a substantially-flat inner surface having frustoconical geometry. A flange having semi-toroidal geometry may extend from the spinner with an inner curved surface of the flange being tangential to the inner surface. A mating portion may extend substantially tangentially from the inner curved surface of the flange and configured for fastening to a fan hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: James J. McPhail, Colin J. Kling
  • Publication number: 20190162119
    Abstract: A reinforced component in accordance with various embodiments includes a metal lug configured to be attached to a secondary component. The reinforced component further includes a composite material integrally formed around the metal lug and configured to be retained in place relative to the secondary component via an attachment between the metal lug and the secondary component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Colin J. Kling, Darin S. Lussier, David R. Lyders
  • Publication number: 20190128136
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine is provided. The gas turbine engine comprising: a fan section having a fan; and a containment zone encircling the fan, the containment zone comprising: a ballistic liner composed of a plurality of ring segments located radially outward of the fan; wherein each of the plurality of ring segments include two opposing circumferential ends, and wherein the plurality of ring segments are arranged circumferentially around the fan section and the circumferential ends of each of the plurality of ring segments meet at joints to form the ballistic liner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Colin J. Kling, Darin S. Lussier, Mark W. Costa
  • Publication number: 20190085856
    Abstract: A hybrid composite-metallic containment system may comprise a first composite layer, a first metallic layer, a second composite layer and a resin. The hybrid composite-metallic containment system may further comprise a second metallic layer. The first composite layer may be proximate the first metallic layer and the second composite layer may be proximate the second metallic layer. The first metallic layer may comprise a perforation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Colin J. Kling, Darin S. Lussier
  • Patent number: 10214824
    Abstract: A composite component and a plated polymer component are disclosed. The composite component may comprise a body portion formed from an organic matrix composite, a first metal coating applied to a surface of the body portion, and an outer metal layer on the first metal coating that is erosion-resistant. The plated polymer component may comprise a polymer substrate, a metal plating layer applied to a surface of the polymer substrate, and at least one selectively thickened region in the metal plating layer. The at least one selectively thickened region may assist in protecting the plated polymer component against wear and/or erosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: William Bogue, Grant O. Cook, III, Gary M. Lomasney, Joseph Parkos, Colin J. Kling, Charles R. Watson
  • Patent number: 10208667
    Abstract: A nose cone may have a spinner including a main portion and an axially extending stepped portion. The nose cone may also have an annular aft support ring radially secured to the axially extending stepped portion. The nose cone may further include a fairing, which may be secured to the stepped portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Colin J. Kling, Steven Clarkson
  • Patent number: 10132174
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides devices related to aircraft engine fan assemblies and blade lock retainers. In various embodiments, a blade lock retainer is formed from sheet metal and comprises an annular ring portion, an outer retainer tab portion, and an inner tab portion. In various embodiments, the outer retainer tab portion is disposed on an outer circumference of the annular ring portion, oriented substantially perpendicular to the annular ring portion, and extends in an aft direction from the annular ring portion. In various embodiments, the inner retainer tab portion is disposed on an inner circumference of the annular ring portion and radially aligned with the outer retainer tab portion, oriented substantially perpendicular to the annular ring portion, and extends in a forward direction from the annular ring portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Colin J. Kling, Thomas J. Robertson, Carney R. Anderson, James J. McPhail
  • Patent number: 10119423
    Abstract: A fan hub assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a fan hub that is configured to rotate about an axis. The fan hub has an axially extending aperture and a platform. A fastener is received in the aperture in a slip fit relationship to secure the platform to the fan hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Colin J. Kling, Charles W. Brown, Christopher M. Quinn, Shelton O. Duelm, Peter V. Tomeo, Corey L. Hubbert
  • Patent number: 10113559
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine impact liner is disclosed. The impact liner may include a base sheet, a plurality of stanchions extending from the base sheet, and a plurality of supports, each being operatively associated with one of the plurality of stanchions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthew A. Turner, Colin J. Kling, David A. Topol
  • Patent number: 10094282
    Abstract: A spinner for a fan assembly of a gas turbine engine, a method of fabricating a spinner for a fan assembly of a gas turbine engine, and a gas turbine engine are disclosed. The fan section may include a nosecap. The spinner may include a forward end, an aft end, and a return flange associated with the forward end. The return flange may include a forward flange extending forward towards the nosecap and an aft flange extending aft towards the aft end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Colin J. Kling, Darin S. Lussier
  • Patent number: 10049318
    Abstract: A method for balancing a rotatable component is disclosed This method comprises and then plating the component to deposit a metal layer onto the component until the component is balanced. In addition, and alternative method for balancing a rotatable component is disclosed. This method comprises attaching a balancing weight to the rotatable component and rotating the component. This is followed by plating the component and the balancing weight to deposit a metal layer onto the balancing weight and the component until the component is balanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Colin J. Kling, Joseph Parkos, Gary M. Lomasney, William Bogue
  • Publication number: 20170349265
    Abstract: A spinner for a gas turbine engine may include a substantially-flat inner surface having frustoconical geometry. A flange having semi-torroidal geometry may extend from the spinner with an inner curved surface of the flange being tangential to the inner surface. A mating portion may extend substantially tangentially from the inner curved surface of the flange and configured for fastening to a fan hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: James J. McPhail, Colin J. Kling
  • Publication number: 20160369812
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a fan case for a gas turbine engine defines a metallic ring including an outer surface and an inner surface. A first composite material is assembled about the outer surface of the metallic ring. A second composite material is assembled about the first composite material. The first composite material and the second material are cured about the metallic ring within a tool to form a first subassembly. The first subassembly is removed from the tool. A fan case assembly for a gas turbine engine and a gas turbine engine are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: Colin J. Kling, Darin S. Lussier, James F. O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20160368238
    Abstract: A composite component and a plated polymer component are disclosed. The composite component may comprise a body portion formed from an organic matrix composite, a first metal coating applied to a surface of the body portion, and an outer metal layer on the first metal coating that is erosion-resistant. The plated polymer component may comprise a polymer substrate, a metal plating layer applied to a surface of the polymer substrate, and at least one selectively thickened region in the metal plating layer. The at least one selectively thickened region may assist in protecting the plated polymer component against wear and/or erosion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: William Bogue, Grant O. Cook, III, Gary M. Lomasney, Joseph Parkos, Colin J. Kling, Charles R. Watson
  • Publication number: 20160298469
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides devices related to aircraft engine fan assemblies and blade lock retainers. In various embodiments, a blade lock retainer is formed from sheet metal and comprises an annular ring portion, an outer retainer tab portion, and an inner tab portion. In various embodiments, the outer retainer tab portion is disposed on an outer circumference of the annular ring portion, oriented substantially perpendicular to the annular ring portion, and extends in an aft direction from the annular ring portion. In various embodiments, the inner retainer tab portion is disposed on an inner circumference of the annular ring portion and radially aligned with the outer retainer tab portion, oriented substantially perpendicular to the annular ring portion, and extends in a forward direction from the annular ring portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Colin J. Kling, Thomas J. Robertson, Carney R. Anderson, James J. McPhail
  • Publication number: 20160288902
    Abstract: A fan assembly of a gas turbine engine, a method for fabricating a fan assembly for a gas turbine engine, and a gas turbine engine are disclosed. The fan assembly of the gas turbine engine may include a spinner section, a fan hub section aft of the spinner section, and a joint therebetween. The fan assembly may further include a support ring for internally supporting the spinner, the support ring including a first portion facing the fan hub and a second portion connected to the spinner at the joint, wherein the connection between the second portion and the joint is a bonded connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: Colin J. Kling, Scot A. Webb, James J. McPhail
  • Publication number: 20160281737
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine impact liner is disclosed. The impact liner may include a base sheet, a plurality of stanchions extending from the base sheet, and a plurality of supports, each being operatively associated with one of the plurality of stanchions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Matthew A. Turner, Colin J. Kling, David A. Topol
  • Publication number: 20160273451
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a nosecap for a gas turbine engine. The nosecap may be injection molded in an embodiment. The nosecap may have bolt holes surrounded by bolt pockets that are asymmetric about a plane passing through a geometric center of the nosecap and passing through and dividing the bolt hole in an embodiment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Colin J. Kling, Charles W. Brown
  • Publication number: 20160237897
    Abstract: A nose cone may have a spinner including a main portion and an axially extending stepped portion. The nose cone may also have an annular aft support ring radially secured to the axially extending stepped portion. The nose cone may further include a fairing, which may be secured to the stepped portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventors: Colin J. Kling, Steven Clarkson
  • Publication number: 20160168716
    Abstract: Plated polymeric articles having a composite layup structure and method of making the same are disclosed. A plated polymeric article comprises a composite layup having first and second polymer layers. The plated polymeric article further comprises a first metal plated onto the polymer. Additionally, methods for fabricating a plated polymeric article are disclosed. A composite layup is provided and compression molded into a desired shape having an outer surface. The outer surface of the article is prepared to receive a catalyst and then is activated with the catalyst. A first metallic layer is then plated onto the outer surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Colin J. Kling, James T. Roach, Shari L. Bugaj