Patents by Inventor David A. Topol

David A. Topol 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: 11971052
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, propulsor means, first compression means, second compression means, reduction means for reducing a rotational speed of an output that drives the propulsor means relative to an input, first expansion means for driving the second compression means, and second expansion means for driving the input of the reduction means. The first compression means includes a plurality of arrays of rotor blades and a plurality of arrays of stator vanes arranged in a plurality of compression stages. A factor (F) is defined as a total number of the rotor blades in an array of the plurality of arrays divided by a total number of the stator vanes in an adjacent array of the plurality of arrays. The factor (F) is between 1.19 and 1.55 for at least two of the arrays of the rotor blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: RTX CORPORATION
    Inventor: David A. Topol
  • Publication number: 20240125335
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, propulsor means, first compression means, second compression means, reduction means for reducing a rotational speed of an output that drives the propulsor means relative to an input, first expansion means for driving the second compression means, and second expansion means for driving the input of the reduction means. The first compression means includes a plurality of arrays of rotor blades and a plurality of arrays of stator vanes arranged in a plurality of compression stages. A factor (F) is defined as a total number of the rotor blades in an array of the plurality of arrays divided by a total number of the stator vanes in an adjacent array of the plurality of arrays. The factor (F) is between 1.19 and 1.55 for at least two of the arrays of the rotor blades.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventor: David A. Topol
  • Patent number: 11927106
    Abstract: A gear reduction reduces a speed of a fan rotor relative to a speed of a fan drive turbine. A fan case surrounds the fan rotor. A core engine has a compressor section and includes a low pressure compressor. The fan rotor delivers air into a bypass duct defined between the fan case and the core engine. A rigid connection between the fan case and the core engine includes a plurality of aft connecting members rigidly connected to the fan case, and to the core engine. A plurality of fan exit guide vanes are rigidly connected to the fan case, with the fan exit guide vanes including structural fan exit guide vanes which are rigidly connected to the core engine, and non-structural fan exit guide vanes, and the non-structural fan exit guide vanes being provided with an acoustic feature to reduce noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: RTX Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony R. Bifulco, David A. Topol
  • Patent number: 11754094
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a propulsor section, a compressor section including a first compressor and a second compressor, and a turbine section including a first turbine and a second turbine. The first compressor includes a plurality of arrays of airfoils defining a plurality of compressor stages. A number of airfoils in each downstream array of the plurality of arrays is a factor (F) of a number of airfoils in a respective immediately upstream array of the plurality of arrays. The factor (F) is between 1.19 and 1.55 for each of the downstream arrays of the first compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: RTX CORPORATION
    Inventor: David A. Topol
  • Patent number: 11719161
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a propulsor section, a geared architecture, a high spool and a low spool. The high spool includes a high pressure compressor and a high pressure turbine. The low spool includes a low pressure compressor and a low pressure turbine. At least one stage of the turbine section includes an array of rotatable blades and an array of vanes. A ratio of the number of vanes to the number blades is greater than or equal to 1.55. A mechanical tip rotational Mach number of the blades is greater than or equal to 0.5 at an approach speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignees: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION, MTU AERO ENGINES AG
    Inventors: Bruce L. Morin, David A. Topol, Detlef Korte
  • Patent number: 11708772
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a fan rotor driven by a fan drive turbine about an axis through a gear reduction to reduce a speed of the fan rotor relative to a speed of the fan drive turbine. A fan case surrounds the fan rotor, and a core engine with a compressor section, including a low pressure compressor. The fan rotor delivers air into a bypass duct defined between the fan case and the core engine. A rigid connection is between the fan case and the core engine includes three triangular-frame connecting members rigidly connected to the fan case at a fan case connection point, and to the core engine at a core engine connection point. The triangular-frame connecting members each are defined by two rigid legs which extend between the fan case and to the core engine, along directions each have a component extending radially inwardly and a component in opposed circumferential directions to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony R. Bifulco, David A. Topol
  • Patent number: 11686220
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a fan rotor driven by a fan drive turbine about an axis through a gear reduction to reduce a speed of the fan rotor relative to a speed of the fan drive turbine. A fan case surrounds the fan rotor, and a core engine with a compressor section, including a low pressure compressor. The fan rotor delivers air into a bypass duct defined between the fan case and the core engine. A rigid connection between the fan case and the core engine includes a plurality of H-frame connecting members rigidly connected to the fan case, and to the core engine. The H-frame connecting members each are defined by two rigid legs which extend between the fan case and to the core engine, along directions which are generally parallel to each other. A plurality of non-structural fan exit guide vanes and the non-structural fan exit guide vanes are provided with an acoustic feature to reduce noise. The non-structural fan exit guide vanes are rigidly mounted to at least one of the fan case and the core engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony R. Bifulco, David A. Topol
  • Publication number: 20230151741
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a fan rotor driven by a fan drive turbine about an axis through a gear reduction to reduce a speed of the fan rotor relative to a speed of the fan drive turbine. A fan case surrounds the fan rotor, and a core engine with a compressor section, including a low pressure compressor. The fan rotor delivers air into a bypass duct defined between the fan case and the core engine. A rigid connection is between the fan case and the core engine includes three triangular-frame connecting members rigidly connected to the fan case at a fan case connection point, and to the core engine at a core engine connection point. The triangular-frame connecting members each are defined by two rigid legs which extend between the fan case and to the core engine, along directions each have a component extending radially inwardly and a component in opposed circumferential directions to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2022
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: Anthony R. Bifulco, David A. Topol
  • Publication number: 20230151777
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a fan rotor driven by a fan drive turbine about an axis through a gear reduction to reduce a speed of the fan rotor relative to a speed of the fan drive turbine. A fan case surrounds the fan rotor, and a core engine with a compressor section, including a low pressure compressor. The fan rotor delivers air into a bypass duct defined between the fan case and the core engine. A rigid connection is between the fan case and the core engine including a plurality of radial struts rigidly connected to the fan case, and to the core engine. A plurality of non-structural fan exit guide vanes and the non-structural fan exit guide vanes are provided with an acoustic feature to reduce noise. The non-structural fan exit guide vanes are rigidly mounted to at least one of the fan case and the core engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2023
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: Anthony R. Bifulco, David A. Topol
  • Publication number: 20230151742
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a fan rotor driven by a fan drive turbine about an axis through a gear reduction to reduce a speed of the fan rotor relative to a speed of the fan drive turbine. A fan case surrounds the fan rotor, and a core engine with a compressor section, including a low pressure compressor. The fan rotor delivers air into a bypass duct defined between the fan case and the core engine. A rigid connection between the fan case and the core engine includes a plurality of H-frame connecting members rigidly connected to the fan case, and to the core engine. The H-frame connecting members each are defined by two rigid legs which extend between the fan case and to the core engine, along directions which are generally parallel to each other. A plurality of non-structural fan exit guide vanes and the non-structural fan exit guide vanes are provided with an acoustic feature to reduce noise. The non-structural fan exit guide vanes are rigidly mounted to at least one of the fan case and the core engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2022
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: Anthony R. Bifulco, David A. Topol
  • Publication number: 20230127925
    Abstract: A gear reduction reduces a speed of a fan rotor relative to a speed of a fan drive turbine. A fan case surrounds the fan rotor. A core engine has a compressor section and includes a low pressure compressor. The fan rotor delivers air into a bypass duct defined between the fan case and the core engine. A rigid connection between the fan case and the core engine includes a plurality of aft connecting members rigidly connected to the fan case, and to the core engine. A plurality of fan exit guide vanes are rigidly connected to the fan case, with the fan exit guide vanes including structural fan exit guide vanes which are rigidly connected to the core engine, and non-structural fan exit guide vanes, and the non-structural fan exit guide vanes being provided with an acoustic feature to reduce noise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2022
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventors: Anthony R. Bifulco, David A. Topol
  • Patent number: 11608796
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a fan rotor driven by a fan drive turbine about an axis through a gear reduction to reduce a speed of the fan rotor relative to a speed of the fan drive turbine. A fan case surrounds the fan rotor, and a core engine with a compressor section, including a low pressure compressor. The fan rotor delivers air into a bypass duct defined between the fan case and the core engine. A rigid connection is between the fan case and the core engine including a plurality of radial struts rigidly connected to the fan case, and to the core engine. A plurality of non-structural fan exit guide vanes and the non-structural fan exit guide vanes are provided with an acoustic feature to reduce noise. The non-structural fan exit guide vanes are rigidly mounted to at least one of the fan case and the core engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony R. Bifulco, David A. Topol
  • Patent number: 11560849
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a propulsor section including a propulsor, a turbine section including a first turbine and a second turbine, a compressor section driven by the turbine section, the compressor section including a first compressor and a second compressor, and a geared architecture driven by the first turbine. The propulsor is driven by the first turbine via the geared architecture. At least one stage of the turbine section includes an array of rotatable blades and an array of vanes. A ratio of the number of vanes to the number blades is greater than or equal to 1.55. A mechanical tip rotational Mach number of the blades is configured to be greater than or equal to 0.5 at an approach speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bruce L. Morin, David A. Topol, Detlef Korte
  • Patent number: 11555420
    Abstract: A gear reduction reduces a speed of a fan rotor relative to a speed of a fan drive turbine. A fan case surrounds the fan rotor. A core engine has a compressor section and includes a low pressure compressor. The fan rotor delivers air into a bypass duct defined between the fan case and the core engine. A rigid connection between the fan case and the core engine includes a plurality of aft connecting members rigidly connected to the fan case, and to the core engine. A plurality of fan exit guide vanes are rigidly connected to the fan case, with the fan exit guide vanes including structural fan exit guide vanes which are rigidly connected to the core engine, and non-structural fan exit guide vanes, and the non-structural fan exit guide vanes being provided with an acoustic feature to reduce noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony R. Bifulco, David A. Topol
  • Patent number: 11512631
    Abstract: A fan section for a gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a fan rotor having fan blades, and a plurality of fan exit guide vanes positioned downstream of the fan rotor. The fan rotor is configured to be driven through a gear reduction. A ratio of a number of fan exit guide vanes to a number of fan blades is defined. The fan exit guide vanes are provided with optimized sweep and optimized lean.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan Gilson, Bruce L. Morin, Ramons A. Reba, David A. Topol, Wesley K. Lord
  • Publication number: 20220341439
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a propulsor section, a compressor section including a first compressor and a second compressor, and a turbine section including a first turbine and a second turbine. The first compressor includes a plurality of arrays of airfoils defining a plurality of compressor stages. A number of airfoils in each downstream array of the plurality of arrays is a factor (F) of a number of airfoils in a respective immediately upstream array of the plurality of arrays. The factor (F) is between 1.19 and 1.55 for each of the downstream arrays of the first compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventor: David A. Topol
  • Publication number: 20220220899
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a propulsor section including a propulsor, a turbine section including a first turbine and a second turbine, a compressor section driven by the turbine section, the compressor section including a first compressor and a second compressor, and a geared architecture driven by the first turbine. The propulsor is driven by the first turbine via the geared architecture. At least one stage of the turbine section includes an array of rotatable blades and an array of vanes. A ratio of the number of vanes to the number blades is greater than or equal to 1.55. A mechanical tip rotational Mach number of the blades is configured to be greater than or equal to 0.5 at an approach speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Inventors: Bruce L. Morin, David A. Topol, Detlef Korte
  • Patent number: 11339720
    Abstract: Disclosed is an acoustic liner for a gas turbine engine, having: a face sheet; a first plurality of resonator chamber cavities, distributed non-uniformly against the face sheet, the first plurality of resonator chamber cavities defining a first aggregated volume that is configured to target noise attenuation at a first frequency, the first plurality of resonator chamber cavities include first and second resonator chamber cavities fluidly coupled to each other, which have different configurations with respect to each other; and a second plurality of resonator chamber cavities, distributed non-uniformly against the face sheet, the second plurality of resonator chamber cavities define a second aggregated volume that differs from the first aggregated volume and is configured to target noise attenuation at a second frequency, the second plurality of resonator chamber cavities include third and fourth resonator chamber cavities fluidly coupled to each other, which have different configurations with respect to each
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniel K. Van Ness, Anthony R. Bifulco, David A. Topol, David A. Knaul, Michael Raymond LaFavor
  • Patent number: 11300141
    Abstract: An exemplary section of a gas turbine engine according to this disclosure includes, among other things, a first array of airfoils including a first number of airfoils, and a second array of airfoils downstream of the first array of airfoils. The second array includes a second number of airfoils. The second number of airfoils is at least 1.19 times the first number of airfoils thereby providing a predetermined modal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: David A. Topol
  • Publication number: 20220010732
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a propulsor section, a geared architecture, a high spool and a low spool. The high spool includes a high pressure compressor and a high pressure turbine. The low spool includes a low pressure compressor and a low pressure turbine. At least one stage of the turbine section includes an array of rotatable blades and an array of vanes. A ratio of the number of vanes to the number blades is greater than or equal to 1.55. A mechanical tip rotational Mach number of the blades is greater than or equal to 0.5 at an approach speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: Bruce L. Morin, David A. Topol, Detlef Korte