Patents by Inventor Curtis C. Cowan

Curtis C. Cowan 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: 11519368
    Abstract: A cooling system for a gas turbine engine may comprise a plenum extending circumferentially around an outer engine case structure. The plenum may comprise a supply conduit and a return conduit. The supply conduit and the return conduit may be in fluid communication with a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger may be disposed between the outer engine case structure and an inner engine case structure. The plenum may be configured to provide enhance heat transfer for the cooling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Curtis C. Cowan, Rebecca R. Dunnigan, Gary D. Roberge
  • Publication number: 20210207564
    Abstract: A cooling system for a gas turbine engine may comprise a plenum extending circumferentially around an outer engine case structure. The plenum may comprise a supply conduit and a return conduit. The supply conduit and the return conduit may be in fluid communication with a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger may be disposed between the outer engine case structure and an inner engine case structure. The plenum may be configured to provide enhance heat transfer for the cooling system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Curtis C. Cowan, Rebecca R. Dunnigan, Gary D. Roberge
  • Publication number: 20200240280
    Abstract: A slider seal assembly for a gas turbine engine, comprising a housing comprising an outer surface and an inner surface, and a recessed opening between the inner surface and the outer surface, wherein the inner surface of the housing includes a flat portion configured to match a receiver on an inner wall of a casing of the gas turbine engine; a seal plate received within the recessed opening and moveable relative to the housing; and a retaining ring configured to retain the seal plate adjacent the housing, the retaining ring includes a plurality of tabs configured to retain the seal plate adjacent the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Curtis C. Cowan, Paul W. Duesler, Michael R. Thomas, Michael Joseph Murphy
  • Patent number: 10132181
    Abstract: A method for cooling a rotatable nozzle includes rotating a curved seal about a seal land while maintaining contact therewith. Cooling air is directed through a first diffusion hole in the curved seal to cool the nozzle if the rotatable curved seal is in a first position where higher heat is encountered. Cool air is directed through a second diffusion hole in the curved seal to cool the nozzle if the rotatable curved seal is in a first position where higher heat is encountered and if in a second position where relatively lower heat is encountered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Curtis C. Cowan, Jorge I. Farah
  • Publication number: 20180156053
    Abstract: A method for cooling a rotatable nozzle includes rotating a curved seal about a seal land while maintaining contact therewith. Cooling air is directed through a first diffusion hole in the curved seal to cool the nozzle if the rotatable curved seal is in a first position where higher heat is encountered. Cool air is directed through a second diffusion hole in the curved seal to cool the nozzle if the rotatable curved seal is in a first position where higher heat is encountered and if in a second position where relatively lower heat is encountered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: Curtis C. Cowan, Jorge I. Farah
  • Patent number: 9932845
    Abstract: A nozzle liner for a rotatable nozzle includes a seal land and a rotatable seal for moving with the nozzle. The seal has a first diffusion hole for distributing cooling air if the rotatable seal is in a first position and a second diffusion hole for distributing cooling air if the rotatable seal is in a first position and if in a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Curtis C. Cowan, Jorge I. Farah
  • Patent number: 9803557
    Abstract: A blocker door assembly which may be for a cooling system that may be applied to a gas turbine engine includes a plurality of blocker doors circumferentially spaced about an engine axis. Each blocker door is constructed and arranged to move in a circumferential direction to, at least in-part, control air flow through a passage in an adjacent fixture. A sync-ring is concentrically located about the engine axis, disposed in an annular first duct in direct communication with each passage, and engaged to each one of the plurality of blocker doors for simultaneous operation. The sync-ring is aero-dynamically shaped to reduce surrounding airflow resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jorge I. Farah, Donald W. Peters, Adam Covino, Curtis C. Cowan, James R. Harders, Nicholas W. Kantany
  • Publication number: 20160208714
    Abstract: A blocker door assembly which may be for a cooling system that may be applied to a gas turbine engine includes a plurality of blocker doors circumferentially spaced about an engine axis. Each blocker door is constructed and arranged to move in a circumferential direction to, at least in-part, control air flow through a passage in an adjacent fixture. A sync-ring is concentrically located about the engine axis, disposed in an annular first duct in direct communication with each passage, and engaged to each one of the plurality of blocker doors for simultaneous operation. The sync-ring is aero-dynamically shaped to reduce surrounding airflow resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Inventors: Jorge I. Farah, Donald W. Peters, Adam Covino, Curtis C. Cowan, James R. Harders, Nicholas W. Kantany
  • Publication number: 20130001319
    Abstract: A nozzle liner for a rotatable nozzle includes a seal land and a rotatable seal for moving with the nozzle. The seal has a first diffusion hole for distributing cooling air if the rotatable seal is in a first position and a second diffusion hole for distributing cooling air if the rotatable seal is in a first position and if in a second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: Curtis C. Cowan, Jorge I. Farah
  • Patent number: 8205454
    Abstract: A nozzle system includes a multitude of circumferentially distributed divergent seals that circumscribe an engine centerline. Each divergent seal includes a multiple of divergent seal intakes adjacent to a joint structure to receive cooling airflow. Each divergent seal body is manufactured of a metallic hot sheet inner skin and a metallic cold sheet outer skin. The skins form a multiple of longitudinal channels which communicate with a multiple of edge channels formed within the first longitudinal side and the second longitudinal side of each divergent seal. The multiple of edge channels are located transverse to the longitudinal axis and are raked aft to facilitate cooling of the gas path surface of each divergent seal and adjacent divergent flaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Curtis C. Cowan, James P. Allore, Paul Attridge
  • Patent number: 8186164
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine is piloted with a pilot flow of fuel delivered to a combustor as a liquid. A first additional flow of the fuel is also delivered to the combustor as a liquid. A second additional flow of the fuel is vaporized and delivered to the combustor as a vapor. A fuel injector may have passageways associated with each of the three flows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Curtis C. Cowan
  • Publication number: 20110308254
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine is piloted with a pilot flow of fuel delivered to a combustor as a liquid. A first additional flow of the fuel is also delivered to the combustor as a liquid. A second additional flow of the fuel is vaporized and delivered to the combustor as a vapor. A fuel injector may have passageways associated with each of the three flows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Curtis C. Cowan
  • Patent number: 8020386
    Abstract: A mechanism included in a convergent-divergent nozzle connected to an aftward portion of a gas turbine engine, which mechanism includes at least one actuator configured to be connected to the aftward portion of the engine and to move through one or more positions, a first link pivotally connected to the at least one actuator, a convergent flap pivotally connected to the first link, a divergent flap rotatably connected to the convergent flap and configured to be kinematically connected to an annular ring connected to the at least one actuator, and at least one track configured to extend from the aftward portion of the engine and to movably and pivotally receive the pivotal connection between the convergent flap and the first link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Curtis C. Cowan, Robert H. Bush
  • Patent number: 8020366
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine is piloted with a pilot flow of fuel delivered to a combustor as a liquid. A first additional flow of the fuel is also delivered to the combustor as a liquid. A second additional flow of the fuel is vaporized and delivered to the combustor as a vapor. A fuel injector may have passageways associated with each of the three flows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Curtis C. Cowan
  • Patent number: 7631481
    Abstract: A cooled exhaust duct for use in gas turbine engines is provided. The cooled exhaust duct includes an axial centerline, a circumference, an annulus, and a plurality of radially expandable bands. The annulus is disposed between a first wall and a second wall, and extends along the axial centerline. The first wall is disposed radially inside of the second wall. Each of the plurality of radially expandable bands extends circumferentially within the annulus. The bands are axially spaced apart from one another. Each band includes a first portion attached to the first wall, a second portion attached to the second wall and an intermediate portion connected to the first and second portions. The bands create circumferentially extending compartments that inhibit axial travel of the cooling air within the annulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Curtis C Cowan, Jorge I. Farah, Debora F. Kehret, Stanley Keysa, Jeffrey R. Lavin, Michael Murphy, Stephen A. Paul, Richard Scott
  • Publication number: 20090151358
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine is piloted with a pilot flow of fuel delivered to a combustor as a liquid. A first additional flow of the fuel is also delivered to the combustor as a liquid. A second additional flow of the fuel is vaporized and delivered to the combustor as a vapor. A fuel injector may have passageways associated with each of the three flows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Curtis C. Cowan
  • Publication number: 20090072490
    Abstract: A nozzle system includes a multitude of circumferentially distributed divergent seals that circumscribe an engine centerline. Each divergent seal includes a multiple of divergent seal intakes adjacent to a joint structure to receive cooling airflow. Each divergent seal body is manufactured of a metallic hot sheet inner skin and a metallic cold sheet outer skin. The skins form a multiple of longitudinal channels which communicate with a multiple of edge channels formed within the first longitudinal side and the second longitudinal side of each divergent seal. The multiple of edge channels are located transverse to the longitudinal axis and are raked aft to facilitate cooling of the gas path surface of each divergent seal and adjacent divergent flaps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Curtis C. Cowan, James P. Allore, Paul Attridge
  • Publication number: 20090065610
    Abstract: A mechanism included in a convergent-divergent nozzle connected to an aftward portion of a gas turbine engine, which mechanism includes at least one actuator configured to be connected to the aftward portion of the engine and to move through one or more positions, a first link pivotally connected to the at least one actuator, a convergent flap pivotally connected to the first link, a divergent flap rotatably connected to the convergent flap and configured to be kinematically connected to an annular ring connected to the at least one actuator, and at least one track configured to extend from the aftward portion of the engine and to movably and pivotally receive the pivotal connection between the convergent flap and the first link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Curtis C. Cowan, Robert H. Bush
  • Patent number: 7377099
    Abstract: An axisymmetric nozzle for a gas turbine engine has divergent flaps and seals disposed about a central longitudinal axis thereof. The divergent flaps and seals each have an inner surface defining cooling air inlet holes at an upstream portion, cooling air exit holes at a downstream portion, and cooling air channels disposed within the divergent flap and seal, and communicating at a first end with the inlet holes and at a second end with the exit holes for conducting cooling air therethrough. Some of the exit holes of the divergent flap are disposed along lateral edge regions thereof. The divergent seals are interposed between adjacent divergent flaps, and each include lateral edge regions extending laterally beyond the exit holes. The lateral edge regions of each divergent seal have an outer surface overlying at least a portion of the exit holes of an adjacent divergent flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Curtis C. Cowan, Stephen A. Paul, Meggan Harris, Paul Attridge
  • Patent number: 7337614
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine is piloted with a pilot flow of fuel delivered to a combustor as a liquid. A first additional flow of the fuel is also delivered to the combustor as a liquid. A second additional flow of the fuel is vaporized and delivered to the combustor as a vapor. A fuel injector may have passageways associated with each of the three flows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Curtis C. Cowan