Patents by Inventor Denman H. James

Denman H. James 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: 20190055886
    Abstract: A lubrication system is disclosed. The lubrication system may be used in conjunction with a gas turbine engine for generating power or lift. The lubrication system utilized a flow scheduling valve which reduces lubricant flow to at least one component based on an engine load. The lubrication system may further include a main pump which may be regulated by an engine speed. Thus, a lubrication system which provides a lubricant to engine components based on the load and speed of the engine is possible. The system may improve efficiency of the engine by reducing the power previously spent in churning excess lubricant by at least one engine component as well as reducing the energy used by a lubricant cooler in cooling the excess lubricant. The lubricant cooler size may also be minimized to reduce weight and air drag due to the reduced lubricant flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: Francis Parnin, Paul H. Dolman, David M. Daley, Denman H. James, Richard W. Clark
  • Patent number: 10196926
    Abstract: An assembly is provided for a turbine engine. This turbine engine assembly includes a rotating component, a turbine engine component and a lubrication system. The lubrication system is adapted to lubricate the turbine engine component where the rotating component rotates a first direction about an axis. The lubrication system is also adapted to lubricate the turbine engine component where the rotating component rotates a second direction about the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Ketchum, James T. Thoresen, Denman H. James, Reade W. James, William G. Sheridan
  • Publication number: 20180328225
    Abstract: A fluid damping structure is provided that includes a damper ring. The damper ring includes an annular body a plurality of fluid check valves, and at least one fluid stop. The annular body extends circumferentially around an axial centerline, and is defined by a first end surface, a second end surface, an outer radial surface, and an inner radial surface. The outer radial surface and the inner radial surface extend axially from the first end surface toward the second end surface. The body includes one or more check valve passages. Each check valve passage extends axially from an open end disposed at the first end surface inwardly toward the second end surface, and is disposed between the inner radial surface and the outer radial surface. An inlet aperture extends between each check valve passage and the outer radial surface, and an outlet aperture extends between each check valve passage and the inner radial surface. Each fluid check valve is disposed in a check valve passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: Todd A. Davis, Denman H. James, Daniel L. Gysling, Joseph D. Walker
  • Patent number: 10107197
    Abstract: A lubrication system is provided. The lubrication system may be used in conjunction with a gas turbine engine for generating power or lift. The lubrication system utilized a flow scheduling valve which reduces lubricant flow to at least one component based on an engine load. The lubrication system may further include a main pump which may be regulated by an engine speed. Thus, a lubrication system which provides a lubricant to engine components based on the load and speed of the engine is possible. The system may improve efficiency of the engine by reducing the power previously spent in churning excess lubricant by at least one engine component as well as reducing the energy used by a lubricant cooler in cooling the excess lubricant. The lubricant cooler size may also be minimized to reduce weight and air drag due to the reduced lubricant flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Francis Parnin, Paul H. Dolman, David M. Daley, Denman H. James, Richard W. Clark
  • Publication number: 20180149040
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a system associated with an engine, comprising: a bearing compartment, a scavenge line coupled to the bearing compartment at a first end of the scavenge line that receives a fluid via the first end of the scavenge line, a fluid pump coupled to the scavenge line at a second end of the scavenge line to receive the fluid, and a flow control valve having a variable flow area and disposed in the scavenge line to control flow of the fluid in the scavenge line and the fluid pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: Russell B. Witlicki, Joseph J. Sodaro, Denman H. James
  • Patent number: 9964039
    Abstract: A disclosed lubrication pump includes a main pump stage, an auxiliary pump stage, and scavenger pump stages. The lubrication pump therefore may be driven by a common shaft of the accessory gearbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Francis Parnin, Denman H. James, Larry W. Spires
  • Publication number: 20180058257
    Abstract: An engine health monitoring system includes an engine component having a sensor system configured to monitor at least one parameter of the component. An autonomous monitoring system is coupled to the sensor system and is configured to receive and store the at least one monitored parameter while an engine controller is unpowered. The engine controller is communicatively coupled to the autonomous monitoring system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventor: Denman H. James
  • Patent number: 9885250
    Abstract: An engine health monitoring system includes an engine component having a sensor system configured to monitor at least one parameter of the component. An autonomous monitoring system is coupled to the sensor system and is configured to receive and store the at least one monitored parameter while an engine controller is unpowered. The engine controller is communicatively coupled to the autonomous monitoring system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Denman H. James
  • Publication number: 20180003082
    Abstract: A lubrication system for use with a gas turbine engine includes a first reservoir for containing a lubricant. The first reservoir includes a first discharge passage through which the lubricant is flowable in a first direction. A second reservoir contains the lubricant. The second reservoir includes a second discharge passage through which the lubricant is flowable in a second direction. The first direction is generally opposite to the second direction. A first pump pumps the lubricant from the first reservoir. A second pump pumps the lubricant from the second reservoir. A manifold distributes the lubricant to a component. The lubricant from the first pump and the second pump flows into the manifold and exits the manifold through a manifold discharge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventor: Denman H. James
  • Publication number: 20170335770
    Abstract: According to an aspect, a method includes predicting, by a processor, a projected oil-wetted metal temperature in a lubrication system of a gas turbine engine at shutdown based on one or more thermal models prior to shutdown of the gas turbine engine. The processor determines a coking index based on the projected oil-wetted metal temperature and a coking limit threshold associated with one or more engine components. An oil coking mitigation action is triggered as a shutdown management event of the gas turbine engine based on the coking index.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Jorn A. Glahn, Denman H. James, Amy R. Grace
  • Publication number: 20170114660
    Abstract: An engine health monitoring system includes an engine component having a sensor system configured to monitor at least one parameter of the component. An autonomous monitoring system is coupled to the sensor system and is configured to receive and store the at least one monitored parameter while an engine controller is unpowered. The engine controller is communicatively coupled to the autonomous monitoring system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventor: Denman H. James
  • Publication number: 20160160714
    Abstract: A lubrication system for use in a gas turbine engine is comprised of a first pump driven by a first shaft at a first speed and a second pump driven by a second shaft at a second speed that is faster than the first speed. The first and second pumps provide lubricant to an engine operating system. The pumps are optimized based on differential speed changes between the two drive speeds for the respective shafts to provide an optimized oil flow for the engine as a whole. A gas turbine engine and a method of operating a gas turbine engine are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventor: Denman H. James
  • Publication number: 20160032840
    Abstract: An assembly is provided that includes a shaft, a bearing, a stator seal element, a rotor seal element and a shield. The shaft extends along an axis. The bearing supports the shaft and receives lubrication fluid. The stator seal element circumscribes the shaft. The rotor seal element is mounted on the shaft axially between the bearing and the stator seal element. The rotor seal element forms a seal with the stator seal element. The shield substantially prevents the lubrication fluid from traveling axially away from the bearing onto the rotor seal element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventor: Denman H. James
  • Publication number: 20160032773
    Abstract: A system for a turbine engine includes a turbine engine component, a lubricant collection device and a plurality of lubricant circuits. The lubricant collection device is fluidly coupled with the turbine engine component. The lubricant circuits are fluidly coupled between the lubricant collection device and the turbine engine component. The lubricant circuits include a first circuit and a second circuit configured in parallel with the first circuit. Each of the lubricant circuits includes a lubricant pump. The first and the second circuits receive lubricant from the lubricant collection device, and direct the received lubricant to the turbine engine component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Denman H. James, Reade W. James
  • Publication number: 20150369128
    Abstract: A disclosed lubrication pump includes a main pump stage, an auxiliary pump stage, and scavenger pump stages. The lubrication pump therefore may be driven by a common shaft of the accessory gearbox.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: Francis Parnin, Denman H. James, Larry W. Spires
  • Publication number: 20150292359
    Abstract: An assembly is provided for a turbine engine. This turbine engine assembly includes a rotating component, a turbine engine component and a lubrication system. The lubrication system is adapted to lubricate the turbine engine component where the rotating component rotates a first direction about an axis. The lubrication system is also adapted to lubricate the turbine engine component where the rotating component rotates a second direction about the axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventors: David A. Ketchum, James T. Thoresen, Denman H. James, Reade W. James, William G. Sheridan
  • Patent number: 8978829
    Abstract: An exemplary system for delivering a turbomachine fluid to a supplied area is a pump configured to draw fluid from both a first container and a second container when operating in both a positive g-force environment and a negative g-force environment. The fluid from the first container in a positive g-force environment is a mixture of air and oil, and the fluid from the first container in a negative g-force environment is primarily oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, Denman H. James
  • Patent number: 8893469
    Abstract: An assembly includes a gas turbine engine, a compartment wall, and a gutter system. The gas turbine engine has a spool connected to a fan shaft via a gear system. The compartment wall is positioned radially outward from the gear system. The gutter system is positioned radially outward from the gear system for capturing lubricating liquid slung from the gear system and positioned radially inward of the compartment wall. The gutter system includes a gutter and a flow passage fluidically connected to the gutter. The flow passage has a plurality of holes that allow the lubricating liquid to pass through the flow passage into a space between the flow passage and the compartment wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Enzo DiBenedetto, Francis Parnin, Denman H. James, Robert E. Peters
  • Publication number: 20140150439
    Abstract: A lubrication system is disclosed. The lubrication system may be used in conjunction with a gas turbine engine for generating power or lift. The lubrication system utilized a flow scheduling valve which reduces lubricant flow to at least one component based on an engine load. The lubrication system may further include a main pump which may be regulated by an engine speed. Thus, a lubrication system which provides a lubricant to engine components based on the load and speed of the engine is possible. The system may improve efficiency of the engine by reducing the power previously spent in churning excess lubricant by at least one engine component as well as reducing the energy used by a lubricant cooler in cooling the excess lubricant. The lubricant cooler size may also be minimized to reduce weight and air drag due to the reduced lubricant flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Francis Parnin, Paul H. Dolman, David M. Daley, Denman H. James, Richard W. Clark
  • Patent number: 8727628
    Abstract: A system for removing oil from a bearing compartment has a port connected to an end wall of the compartment through which the oil exits the compartment, a scavenge scoop connected to the port for collecting the oil, and a separation device connected to the scavenge scoop for creating an oil collection region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jorn A. Glahn, Denman H. James, William G. Sheridan