Patents by Inventor Darek Tomasz Zatorski

Darek Tomasz Zatorski 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: 20240132226
    Abstract: A propulsion assembly includes a first torque source coupled with a first shaft and a second torque source coupled with a second shaft. A coupler selectively couples the first and second torque sources. When the first and second torque sources are coupled via the coupler, in response to a command to decouple the first torque source, an unloading operation is performed to decrease the torque output provided by the first torque source to a threshold, and when reached, the first shaft is decoupled from the coupler. When the first torque source is coupled with the coupler but the second torque source is not, in response to a command to couple the second torque source, a speed matching operation is performed to increase the speed of the second shaft to match a speed of the first shaft, and when the speeds are matched, the second shaft is coupled to the coupler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: Darek Tomasz Zatorski, Kurt David Murrow, Paul Robert Gemin, Philip M. Cioffi, John Russell Yagielski
  • Patent number: 11894738
    Abstract: A turbomachine equipped with an embedded electric machine having a segmented and movable stator is provided. In one aspect, a turbomachine defines a radial direction and includes a rotating component, actuators, and an electric machine. The electric machine includes a rotor assembly rotatable with and operatively coupled with the rotating component. The electric machine also includes a stator assembly having a stator split into stator segments. Each one of the stator segments is movable by one of the actuators between a first position and a second position along the radial direction, the stator segments each being closer to the rotor assembly along the radial direction when in the first position than when in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Darek Tomasz Zatorski, Mohamed Osama
  • Publication number: 20240025555
    Abstract: A propulsion assembly includes a first torque source coupled with a first shaft and a second torque source coupled with a second shaft. A coupler selectively couples the first and second torque sources. When the first and second torque sources are coupled via the coupler, in response to a command to decouple the first torque source, an unloading operation is performed to decrease the torque output provided by the first torque source to a threshold, and when reached, the first shaft is decoupled from the coupler. When the first torque source is coupled with the coupler but the second torque source is not, in response to a command to couple the second torque source, a speed matching operation is performed to increase the speed of the second shaft to match a speed of the first shaft, and when the speeds are matched, the second shaft is coupled to the coupler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Darek Tomasz Zatorski, Kurt David Murrow, Paul Robert Gemin, Philip M. Cioffi, John Russell Yagielski
  • Publication number: 20230396139
    Abstract: An electric machine is provided. The electric machine defines a centerline and includes: a stator assembly; a rotor assembly rotatable relative to the stator assembly about the centerline; and an actuator coupled to the rotor assembly, the stator assembly, or both for moving the rotor assembly, the stator assembly, or both along the centerline between a first position and a second position, the rotor assembly positioned closer to the stator assembly when in the first position than when in the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Darek Tomasz Zatorski, Mohamed Osama, Christopher Charles Glynn
  • Publication number: 20230291278
    Abstract: A turbomachine is provided. In one aspect, the turbomachine includes a rotating component and an electric machine that includes a stator assembly and a rotor assembly rotatable with the rotating component relative to the stator assembly. Further, the turbomachine includes an actuator coupled with the rotor assembly, the stator assembly, or both for moving the rotor assembly, the stator assembly, or both relative to one another. In addition, the turbomachine includes a controller configured to receive data indicating an operating state of the rotating component and cause the actuator to adjust a position of at least one of the stator assembly and the rotor assembly based at least in part on the operating state of the rotating component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Richard Schmidt, Darek Tomasz Zatorski, Rangasai Madoor Comandore, Mohamed Osama
  • Patent number: 11735988
    Abstract: An electric machine for a drive system having a first DS rotor and a second DS rotor includes a first EM rotor rotatable about an axis in a first circumferential direction and including a plurality of magnets, the first EM rotor configured for mechanical coupling to the first DS rotor; and a second EM rotor rotatable about the axis in a second circumferential direction and including a plurality of windings, the second EM rotor configured for mechanical coupling to the second DS rotor and the plurality of magnets of the first EM rotor operably engaged with the plurality of windings of the second EM rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Darek Tomasz Zatorski, Jia Xiaochuan, Kurt David Murrow
  • Patent number: 11692457
    Abstract: A turbomachine, a computing system for a turbomachine, and a method for overspeed protection are provided. The turbomachine includes a first rotor assembly interdigitated with a second rotor assembly together operably coupled to a gear assembly. A plurality of sensors is configured to receive rotor state data indicative of one or more of a speed, geometric dimension, or capacitance, or change thereof, or rate of change thereof, relative to the first rotor assembly or the second rotor assembly. A controller executes operations including receiving rotor state data from the plurality of sensors; comparing rotor state data to one or more rotor state limits; and contacting one or more of the first rotor assembly or the second rotor assembly to a contact surface adjacent to the respective first rotor assembly or the second rotor assembly if the rotor state data exceeds the rotor state limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignees: General Electric Company, GE Avio S.r.l.
    Inventors: Roberto Maddaleno, Antonio Giuseppe D'Ettole, Matteo Renato Usseglio, Alessandra Torri, Darek Tomasz Zatorski
  • Patent number: 11673661
    Abstract: A propulsion system of an aircraft has at least one unducted fan and at least one ducted fan, the at least one unducted fan and the at least one ducted fan being powered by an electric power source and rotatable between a vertical thrust position and a forward thrust position, and a controller configured to distribute electrical power between the at least one unducted fan and the at least one ducted fan. During a first mode when the at least one unducted fan and the at least one ducted fan are in the vertical thrust position, the controller is configured to distribute the electrical power between the plurality of unducted fans and the plurality of ducted fans such that the at least one unducted fan is a primary source of thrust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Randy M. Vondrell, Matthew Ryan Polakowski, Kurt David Murrow, Glenn Crabtree, Darek Tomasz Zatorski
  • Patent number: 11671040
    Abstract: A turbomachine and method for operating a turbomachine comprising a first rotatable component and a second rotatable component each defining a rotatable speed mechanically independent of one another, and an electric machine electrically coupled to the first rotatable component and the second rotatable component such that a load level relative to the first rotatable component and the second rotatable component is adjustable is generally provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Justin Paul Smith, Kurt David Murrow, Darek Tomasz Zatorski, Patrick Michael Marrinan
  • Patent number: 11618580
    Abstract: A method for operating a hybrid electric propulsion system of an aircraft, the hybrid electric propulsion system comprising a turbomachine, an electric machine coupled to the turbomachine, and a propulsor coupled to the turbomachine, the method comprising: operating the turbomachine to drive the propulsor; receiving data indicative of a failure condition of the hybrid electric propulsion system; and extracting power from the turbomachine using the electric machine to slow down one or more rotating components of the turbomachine in response to receiving the data indicative of the failure condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Darek Tomasz Zatorski, Craig William Higgins
  • Publication number: 20230085244
    Abstract: A propulsion system is provided including an unducted rotating fan defining a fan axis; and a turbomachine disposed downstream from the unducted rotating fan, wherein the turbomachine defines a working gas flowpath flowing therethrough; wherein the propulsion system defines a third stream flowpath and an inlet passage having an inlet that is offset from the fan axis, wherein the inlet passage is configured to provide an inlet airflow to the working gas flowpath, and wherein the third stream flowpath bypasses at least a portion of the turbomachine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: Brandon Wayne Miller, David Marion Ostdiek, Darek Tomasz Zatorski
  • Patent number: 11606011
    Abstract: An electric machine is provided. The electric machine defines a centerline and includes: a stator assembly; a rotor assembly rotatable relative to the stator assembly about the centerline; and an actuator coupled to the rotor assembly, the stator assembly, or both for moving the rotor assembly, the stator assembly, or both along the centerline between a first position and a second position, the rotor assembly positioned closer to the stator assembly when in the first position than when in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Darek Tomasz Zatorski, Mohamed Osama, Christopher Charles Glynn
  • Publication number: 20230024956
    Abstract: An electric machine having a hybrid insulative-conductive manifold is disclosed. In one aspect, an electric machine includes a manifold that includes an insulative plate and a conductive backplate positioned adjacent to the insulative plate. The insulative plate and the backplate define a first channel and a second channel therebetween. The electric machine also includes a prime winding and a secondary winding electrically isolated from the prime winding. The prime winding and the secondary winding are both in fluid communication with the first channel and the second channel. A terminal conductor extends through the backplate and insulative plate and is electrically coupled with the prime winding. The terminal conductor is electrically isolated from the backplate and provides cooling fluid to the prime winding and the first channel so that cooling fluid flows between the terminal conductor and the prime winding and between the terminal conductor and the first channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventors: Brendan Michael Freely, Pablo Gabriel Piazza Galarza, Fabian Isaza, Paul Robert Gemin, Darek Tomasz Zatorski, John Russell Yagielski, Andrew Michael Watson
  • Publication number: 20220333553
    Abstract: A three-stream gas turbine engine with an embedded electric machine and methods of operating the same are disclosed. In one aspect, a three-stream engine includes an electric machine operatively coupled with a shaft of the engine. The three-stream engine also includes a core engine and a primary fan and a mid-fan positioned upstream of the core engine. The primary fan and the mid-fan are operatively coupled with the shaft. During operation, the three-stream engine defines a tip speed ratio being defined by a tip speed of a rotor of the electric machine to a tip speed of a mid-fan blade of the mid-fan. The tip speed ratio is defined as being equal to or greater than 0.2 and less than or equal to 1.0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: Darek Tomasz Zatorski, David Marion Ostdiek, Mohamed Osama, William Joseph Solomon
  • Patent number: 11473439
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine defining a longitudinal direction and a radial direction is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignees: General Electric Company, GE AVIO S.R.L.
    Inventors: Luca Giacobone, Matteo Renato Usseglio, Andrea Depalma, Roberto Maddaleno, Darek Tomasz Zatorski
  • Patent number: 11371379
    Abstract: An engine assembly includes an engine including a component and defining an opening and an interior, the component including a first side and an opposite second side, the second side positioned within the interior of the engine. The engine assembly also includes an inspection tool having a first member including at least one of a receiver or a transmitter and directed at the first side of the component. The inspection tool also includes a second member including the other of the receiver or the transmitter and positioned at least partially within the interior of the engine and directed at the second side of the component to communicate a signal with the first member through the component, the second member being a robotic arm extending through the opening of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gert Johannes van der Merwe, Darek Tomasz Zatorski
  • Publication number: 20220162961
    Abstract: A turbomachine, a computing system for a turbomachine, and a method for overspeed protection are provided. The turbomachine includes a first rotor assembly interdigitated with a second rotor assembly together operably coupled to a gear assembly. A plurality of sensors is configured to receive rotor state data indicative of one or more of a speed, geometric dimension, or capacitance, or change thereof, or rate of change thereof, relative to the first rotor assembly or the second rotor assembly. A controller executes operations including receiving rotor state data from the plurality of sensors; comparing rotor state data to one or more rotor state limits; and contacting one or more of the first rotor assembly or the second rotor assembly to a contact surface adjacent to the respective first rotor assembly or the second rotor assembly if the rotor state data exceeds the rotor state limit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventors: Roberto Maddaleno, Antonio Giuseppe D'Ettole, Matteo Renato Usseglio, Alessandra Torri, Darek Tomasz Zatorski
  • Publication number: 20220112902
    Abstract: The variable pitch propeller assembly includes a hub. The variable pitch propeller assembly also includes a plurality of propeller blade assemblies spaced circumferentially about the hub. Each of the plurality of propeller blade assemblies configured to rotate a respective propeller blade. The variable pitch propeller assembly also includes a hydraulic fluid port assembly integrally formed and including at least three hydraulic fluid ports configured to receive respective flows of hydraulic fluid from a stationary hydraulic fluid transfer sleeve. The variable pitch propeller assembly also includes a pitch actuator assembly coupled in flow communication with at least three hydraulic fluid ports through respective hydraulic fluid transfer tubes. The pitch actuator coupled to the plurality of propeller blade assemblies to selectively control a pitch of the propeller blades. The pitch actuator assembly includes a travel stop configured to limit a rotation of at least one of the pitch actuator assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2021
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Inventors: Daniel Alan Niergarth, Darek Tomasz Zatorski, Christopher James Kroger
  • Publication number: 20220073199
    Abstract: A propulsion system of an aircraft has at least one unducted fan and at least one ducted fan, the at least one unducted fan and the at least one ducted fan being powered by an electric power source and rotatable between a vertical thrust position and a forward thrust position, and a controller configured to distribute electrical power between the at least one unducted fan and the at least one ducted fan. During a first mode when the at least one unducted fan and the at least one ducted fan are in the vertical thrust position, the controller is configured to distribute the electrical power between the plurality of unducted fans and the plurality of ducted fans such that the at least one unducted fan is a primary source of thrust.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: Randy M. Vondrell, Matthew Ryan Polakowski, Kurt David Murrow, Glenn Crabtree, Darek Tomasz Zatorski
  • Publication number: 20220069688
    Abstract: A turbomachine equipped with an embedded electric machine having a segmented and movable stator is provided. In one aspect, a turbomachine defines a radial direction and includes a rotating component, actuators, and an electric machine. The electric machine includes a rotor assembly rotatable with and operatively coupled with the rotating component. The electric machine also includes a stator assembly having a stator split into stator segments. Each one of the stator segments is movable by one of the actuators between a first position and a second position along the radial direction, the stator segments each being closer to the rotor assembly along the radial direction when in the first position than when in the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Darek Tomasz Zatorski, Mohamed Osama