Patents by Inventor Douglas J. Snyder

Douglas J. Snyder 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: 20240124150
    Abstract: A thermal energy system for use with an aircraft includes a cooling loop and a cooler. The cooling loop includes a fluid conduit and a pump configured to move fluid through the fluid conduit to transfer heat from a heat source to the fluid in the fluid conduit to cool the heat source. The cooler includes an air-stream heat exchanger located in a duct and is in thermal communication with the fluid conduit to transfer heat between the fluid in the cooling loop and the air passing through the duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventor: Douglas J. Snyder
  • Patent number: 11959669
    Abstract: Cooling systems and methods of operation are provided. The cooling system may include a two-phase pumped loop (TPPL). The two-phase pumped loop may include, a receiver, a pump downstream from the receiver, a heat load downstream from the pump, a TPPL tee downstream from the heat load, a TPPL check valve downstream from the TPPL tee, and a heat exchanger downstream from the TPPL check valve and upstream from the receiver. The cooling system may further include a vapor cycle system (VCS) loop. The vapor cycle system loop may include the receiver, a compressor downstream from a vapor outlet of the receiver, a compressor check valve downstream from the compressor and upstream of the heat exchanger, the heat exchanger, and the heat load downstream from a liquid outlet of the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE NORTH AMERICAN TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Timothy Unton, Douglas J. Snyder, Christopher Banham
  • Publication number: 20230323816
    Abstract: A thermal energy system for use with an aircraft includes a cooling loop and a cooler. The cooling loop includes a fluid conduit and a pump configured to move fluid through the fluid conduit to transfer heat from a heat source to the fluid in the fluid conduit to cool the heat source. The cooler includes an air-stream heat exchanger located in a duct and is in thermal communication with the fluid conduit to transfer heat between the fluid in the cooling loop and the air passing through the duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2022
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventor: Douglas J. Snyder
  • Patent number: 11746701
    Abstract: An example thermal management system may include a first heat exchanger including a bleed air inlet configured to receive input bleed air from a gas turbine engine and a bleed air outlet configured to output cooled bleed air. A turbine including a turbine inlet may be fluidically coupled to the bleed air outlet. The turbine may be configured to drive a shaft mechanically coupled to the turbine in response to expansion of the cooled bleed air through the turbine. A second heat exchanger may include an expanded bleed air inlet fluidically coupled to a turbine outlet of the turbine. The second heat exchanger may be configured to extract heat from at least one heat source using the expanded bleed air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE NORTH AMERICAN TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Paul O'Meallie, Douglas J. Snyder
  • Patent number: 11744042
    Abstract: Thermal management systems for cooling high-power, low-duty-cycle thermal loads by rejecting heat from the thermal loads to the ambient environment are provided. The thermal management systems include a two-phase pump loop in fluid communication with a vapor compression system loop, evaporators disposed in parallel between the two-phase pump loop and the vapor compression system loop, and a thermal energy storage loop including a cold-temperature tank and a warm-temperature tank thermally coupled to the two-phase pump loop and the vapor-compression system loop. Methods of transferring heat from one or more thermal loads to an ambient environment are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas J. Snyder
  • Patent number: 11591102
    Abstract: A thermal energy system for use with an aircraft includes a cooling loop and a cooler. The cooling loop includes a fluid conduit and a pump configured to move fluid through the fluid conduit to transfer heat from a heat source to the fluid in the fluid conduit to cool the heat source. The cooler includes an air-stream heat exchanger located in a duct and is in thermal communication with the fluid conduit to transfer heat between the fluid in the cooling loop and the air passing through the duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas J. Snyder
  • Patent number: 11587798
    Abstract: A base plate for cooling a power electronics device is provided, the base plate comprising cooling fins, the base plate configured to receive the power electronics device directly above the cooling fins, the cooling fins integral to the base plate, the base plate configured to conduct a liquid coolant past the cooling fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE NORTH AMERICAN TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventor: Douglas J. Snyder
  • Publication number: 20220357082
    Abstract: Cooling systems and methods of operation are provided. The cooling system may comprise a two-phase pumped loop (TPPL). The two-phase pumped loop may include, a receiver, a pump downstream from the receiver, a heat load downstream from the pump, a TPPL tee downstream from the heat load, a TPPL check valve downstream from the TPPL tee, and a heat exchanger downstream from the TPPL check valve and upstream from the receiver. The cooling system may further include a vapor cycle system (VCS) loop. The vapor cycle system loop may include the receiver, a compressor downstream from a vapor outlet of the receiver, a compressor check valve downstream from the compressor and upstream of the heat exchanger, the heat exchanger, and the heat load downstream from a liquid outlet of the receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Applicant: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy UNTON, Douglas J. SNYDER, Christopher BANHAM
  • Publication number: 20220205691
    Abstract: A cooling system is provided including a two-phase pump loop and a vapor compression system. The two-phase pump loop cools a thermal load with a first coolant. The vapor compression system is configured to circulate a second coolant. The vapor compression system includes a liquid vapor separator which separates the second coolant into a liquid portion and a gaseous portion. The liquid vapor separator is a thermal energy storage for the two-phase pump loop. A condenser of the two-phase pump loop transfers heat from the first coolant to the liquid portion of the second coolant in the liquid-vapor separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2022
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Applicants: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Thomas Spangler, Douglas J. Snyder
  • Publication number: 20220151102
    Abstract: Thermal management systems for cooling high-power, low-duty-cycle thermal loads by rejecting heat from the thermal loads to the ambient environment are provided. The thermal management systems include a two-phase pump loop in fluid communication with a vapor compression system loop, evaporators disposed in parallel between the two-phase pump loop and the vapor compression system loop, and a thermal energy storage loop including a cold-temperature tank and a warm-temperature tank thermally coupled to the two-phase pump loop and the vapor-compression system loop. Methods of transferring heat from one or more thermal loads to an ambient environment are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Applicant: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas J. Snyder
  • Patent number: 11300049
    Abstract: A system includes a housing for a gas turbine engine, and a fan disposed in the housing to rotate coaxially with a gas turbine included in the housing. The system also includes an inlet guide vane disposed in the housing in axial alignment with the fan and configured to have an open position where a first flow of air is received by the fan through the inlet guide vane, and a closed position where airflow through the inlet guide vane is obstructed. The system further includes a heat exchanger disposed in a supply passage in fluid communication with a second flow of air received by the fan. The second flow of air is received by the fan via the supply passage with the inlet guide vane in the open position or in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE NORTH AMERICAN TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Douglas David Dierksmeier, Douglas Boyd, Douglas J. Snyder, Graham Burkholder, William Barry Bryan
  • Publication number: 20220106052
    Abstract: A thermal energy system for use with an aircraft includes a cooling loop and a cooler. The cooling loop includes a fluid conduit and a pump configured to move fluid through the fluid conduit to transfer heat from a heat source to the fluid in the fluid conduit to cool the heat source. The cooler includes an air-stream heat exchanger located in a duct and is in thermal communication with the fluid conduit to transfer heat between the fluid in the cooling loop and the air passing through the duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventor: Douglas J. Snyder
  • Publication number: 20220106053
    Abstract: A thermal energy system for use with an aircraft includes a cooling loop and a cooler. The cooling loop includes a fluid conduit and a pump configured to move fluid through the fluid conduit to transfer heat from a heat source to the fluid in the fluid conduit to cool the heat source. The cooler includes an air-stream heat exchanger located in a duct and is in thermal communication with the fluid conduit to transfer heat between the fluid in the cooling loop and the air passing through the duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventor: Douglas J. Snyder
  • Patent number: 11286881
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine system includes a gas turbine engine having a fan bypass duct, a heat exchanger system, and a flow transfer unit configured to selectively allow or preclude flow between the fan bypass duct and the heat exchanger system. A controller is coupled to and configured to vary the state of one or more of a fan exit nozzle, a heat exchanger exit nozzle, and a flow control valve controlling flow between the fan bypass duct and the heat exchanger system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Boyd, Douglas D. Dierksmeier, Douglas J. Snyder, Graham Burkholder, William B. Bryan
  • Patent number: 11273925
    Abstract: A method for cooling a hybrid electric aircraft propulsion system comprises transporting a coolant through a two-phase pumped loop (TPPL) in thermal contact with an electrical machine and a plurality of power modules to be cooled, where the TPPL includes: a parallel arrangement of cold plates; an evaporator; a condenser; a first control valve; a liquid receiver; and a pump. A sensor positioned upstream of the cold plates, and in some cases upstream of the liquid receiver, measures pressure and/or temperature of a return stream of the coolant and transmits measurement data to a first controller electrically connected to the first control valve. The first controller regulates flow of a first liquid stream through the first control valve based on the pressure and/or temperature measured by the sensor, thereby keeping the return stream at a temperature within a predetermined temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE NORTH AMERICAN TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Paul O'Meallie, Daniel G. Edwards, Douglas J. Snyder
  • Patent number: 11255215
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes an electrical device and a microchannel cooling system in communication with the electrical device to remove heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas J. Snyder
  • Patent number: 11212948
    Abstract: A thermal management system for tightly controlling temperature of a thermal load (e.g., onboard an aircraft) includes: a pressurized tank for storing an expendable coolant; a control valve downstream of the pressurized tank for controlling a flow rate of the expendable coolant; a heat exchanger downstream of the control valve for transferring heat from a thermal load to the expendable coolant at a predetermined temperature; a back pressure regulator (BPR) downstream of the heat exchanger, the BPR having a set point controlled to maintain the expendable coolant at the predetermined temperature in the heat exchanger; optionally, a sensor or orifice downstream of the heat exchanger for determining vapor quality at an exit of the heat exchanger; and a system exit downstream of the BPR for removing some or all of the expendable coolant from the thermal management system after transferring heat from the thermal load to the expendable coolant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE NORTH AMERICAN TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Douglas J. Snyder, Timothy Unton
  • Patent number: 11162388
    Abstract: Thermal management systems for cooling high-power, low-duty-cycle thermal loads that include at least three thermally coupled, closed subsystems are provided. Thermal management systems provided herein include a main thermal energy storage loop including a cold-temperature tank and a warm-temperature tank. Thermal management systems provided herein also include a multi-stage compression system or a cascaded architecture of a low-temperature vapor compression system and a high-temperature vapor compression system. Methods of transferring heat from one or more thermal loads to an ambient environment are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas J. Snyder, Timothy Unton
  • Patent number: 11118784
    Abstract: Fuel-air heat exchange system and methods thereof for use in a gas turbine engine. The fuel-air heat exchanger allows heat transfer between a flow of cooling air used to cool components of the engine and a flow of fuel used to drive the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick C. Sweeney, Douglas J. Snyder
  • Publication number: 20210277827
    Abstract: A system includes a housing for a gas turbine engine, and a fan disposed in the housing to rotate coaxially with a gas turbine included in the housing. The system also includes an inlet guide vane disposed in the housing in axial alignment with the fan and configured to have an open position where a first flow of air is received by the fan through the inlet guide vane, and a closed position where airflow through the inlet guide vane is obstructed. The system further includes a heat exchanger disposed in a supply passage in fluid communication with a second flow of air received by the fan. The second flow of air is received by the fan via the supply passage with the inlet guide vane in the open position or in the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Applicant: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas David Dierksmeier, Douglas Boyd, Douglas J. Snyder, Graham Burkholder, William Barry Bryan