Patents by Inventor Douglas David Dierksmeier

Douglas David Dierksmeier 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: 20170058831
    Abstract: An apparatus for the control of fluid flow in a gas turbine engine comprises a first plurality of inlet guide vanes disposed upstream of a fan, a compressor, a combustor, and a turbine; at least one airflow splitter adapted to split air admitted through the first plurality of inlet guide vanes into a core airflow which flows through the fan, the compressor, the combustor, and the turbine and a bypass airflow which flows through the fan; wherein the first plurality of inlet guide vanes comprise a radially-inward first portion adapted to direct air admitted through the first plurality of inlet guide vanes to the core airflow and a radially-outward second portion adapted to direct air admitted through the first plurality of inlet guide vanes to the bypass airflow, and wherein the first portion comprises a fixed vane and the second portion comprises a variable vane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: William Barry Bryan, Edward C. Rice, Douglas David Dierksmeier, Kyle Jameson Martin, Charles L. McNeil
  • Publication number: 20170044920
    Abstract: A segmented turbine shroud for radially encasing a rotatable turbine in a gas turbine engine comprising a carrier, a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) seal segment, and an elongated pin. The carrier defines a pin-receiving carrier bore and the CMC seal segment defines a pin-receiving seal segment bore. The elongated pin extends through the carrier bore and the seal segment bore. The pin-receiving carrier bore includes a cantilevered member such that the carrier bore has a length sufficient to effect radial flexion between the carrier bore and the pin received within the carrier bore during operation of the turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: Daniel Kent Vetters, David J. Thomas, Douglas David Dierksmeier, Jun Shi, Todd Engel
  • Publication number: 20160348527
    Abstract: A shroud for radially encasing a turbine in a gas turbine engine is provided. The shroud comprises a carrier which defines a pin-receiving carrier bore, and a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) seal segment comprising an arcuate flange with a surface facing the turbine and a part that defines a pin-receiving seal segment bore. The seal segment bore is radially spaced from the arcuate flange by a spacing flange which extends radially outward from the arcuate flange to effect receipt within the seal segment bore of an elongated pin. The elongated pin extends through the carrier bore and the seal segment bore, and the elongated pin has a lateral cross-sectional dimension of at least three-eighths of an inch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Daniel Kent Vetters, David J. Thomas, Ted Freeman, Douglas David Dierksmeier, Jun Shi, Todd Engel
  • Publication number: 20160348528
    Abstract: A ceramic matrix composite (CMC) seal segment for use in a segmented turbine shroud for radially encasing a turbine in a gas turbine engine. The CMC seal segment comprises an arcuate flange having a surface facing the turbine and a portion defining a bore for receiving an elongated pin, with the bore having a length that is at least 70% of the length of the elongated pin received therein. The CMC seal segment is carried by the carrier by at least one of the elongated pins being received within the bore. The CMC seal segment portion defining a pin-receiving bore is radially spaced from the arcuate flange by a spacing flange extending radially outward from the arcuate flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Daniel Kent Vetters, David J. Thomas, Ted Freeman, Douglas David Dierksmeier, Jun Shi, Todd Engel
  • Patent number: 9458855
    Abstract: A unique compressor includes a rotating compressor blade having a blade tip; a compressor case having a blade track disposed opposite the blade tip; and a tip clearance control system including a fluid impingement structure. This structure has a plurality of openings to impinge a fluid received from a diffuser onto the compressor case. The tip clearance control system is configured to control a clearance between the blade tip and the blade track by impinging the fluid onto the compressor case and modulating the same with a valve in fluid communication with the diffuser. A further form includes a unique gas turbine engine having a compressor with a compressor blade tip, a compressor case disposed opposite the blade tip, and a fluid impingement structure having openings to impinge a fluid onto the case. Also included are other apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for compressor blade tip clearance control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas David Dierksmeier, Steven Lester Grant, James Christopher Muskat
  • Publication number: 20140341708
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine is disclosed having an air injection system useful to supply a relatively pressurized air to a flow path of a compressor. The air injection system includes a port cover operable to open and close a port through which the air can flow to the compressor from a relatively pressurized source. The port cover extends circumferentially around the gas turbine engine and can include a portion that is anchored and an opposite portion coupled to an actuator. Movement of the actuator causes the port cover to open and close the port. Biasing members can be used to urge the port cover into one of an open and closed position against the movement of the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Douglas David Dierksmeier, Daniel Kent Vetters
  • Patent number: 8336806
    Abstract: A flow path is disclosed that is capable of being deployed when needed and stowed in a relatively small space when not in use. The flow path device is flexible and may be made from a variety of materials. In an illustrative embodiment the flow path device is annular and transitions from an ellipsoidal annular shape to a quadrilateral annular shape. A vane box can be disposed at one end of the flow path device. Doors can be coupled to the vane box to cover the flow path device. The doors can be used to provide a structural load path for the flow path device and vane box. The doors and the flow path device can be moved together such that the doors uncover the flow path device as the device is deployed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas David Dierksmeier
  • Publication number: 20120167588
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a unique compressor. Another embodiment of the present invention is a unique gas turbine engine. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for blade tip clearance control for compressors and gas turbine engine compressors. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: Douglas David Dierksmeier, Steven Lester Grant, James Christopher Muskat
  • Patent number: 7789621
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine airfoil including at least one outer tile coupled to a supporting member. The outer tile is coupled to the supporting member by a pin passing though the supporting member and the outer tile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas David Dierksmeier, Jeffrey F. Rhodes, Tab Michael Heffernan
  • Publication number: 20100166554
    Abstract: A flow path is disclosed that is capable of being deployed when needed and stowed in a relatively small space when not in use. The flow path device is flexible and may be made from a variety of materials. In an illustrative embodiment the flow path device is annular and transitions from an ellipsoidal annular shape to a quadrilateral annular shape. A vane box can be disposed at one end of the flow path device. Doors can be coupled to the vane box to cover the flow path device. The doors can be used to provide a structural load path for the flow path device and vane box. The doors and the flow path device can be moved together such that the doors uncover the flow path device as the device is deployed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventor: Douglas David Dierksmeier
  • Publication number: 20100074759
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine airfoil including at least one outer tile coupled to a supporting member. The outer tile is coupled to the supporting member by a pin passing though the supporting member and the outer tile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: Douglas David Dierksmeier, Jeffrey F. Rhodes, Tab Michael Heffernan
  • Patent number: 7575409
    Abstract: An active blade clearance control system for a gas turbine engine. The clearance between the tip of a rotatable blade and an inner surface of a blade track is adjusted by moving the blade track relative to the tip of the blades. A split control ring is manipulated to adjust tension therein and a resulting force is transmitted to an inner member. The plurality of blade tracks are coupled to the inner member and move in response to the force transmitted from the split control ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Allison Advanced Development Company
    Inventors: Douglas David Dierksmeier, Tab Michael Heffernan