Patents by Inventor Elizabeth F. Vinson

Elizabeth F. Vinson 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: 20230366835
    Abstract: A method can comprise: scanning a tip of an airfoil of a bladed rotor, the tip including a coating disposed thereon, the coating comprising a metal plating and a plurality of protrusions, each protrusion in the plurality of protrusions extending from the metal plating; comparing a coating parameter of the coating to a coating parameter threshold based on scanner data from the scanning; and determining whether the coating maintains sufficient coverage of the tip of the airfoil based on the comparing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2022
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Applicant: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ron I. PRIHAR, Elizabeth F. VINSON, Tracy A. PROPHETER-HINCKLEY, Garrett KERNOZICKY, Nigel D. SAWYERS-ABBOTT
  • Publication number: 20230341356
    Abstract: An inspection device is disclosed herein. The inspection device may comprise: a support structure; a motor; a shaft operably coupled to the motor, the shaft extending from a first side of the support structure to a second side of the support structure, the shaft configured to couple to a bladed rotor; an optical device moveably coupled to the support structure; and a broad-band energy source configured to generate acoustic energy through the bladed rotor during inspection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2022
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Applicant: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: DEREK J. MICHAELS, ELIZABETH F. VINSON, ZHONG OUYANG
  • Publication number: 20230313684
    Abstract: A method can comprise: receiving an inspection data corresponding to a geometry of an inspected bladed rotor; performing a baseline evaluation based on the inspection data; determining a plurality of candidate repair profiles for a defect of the inspected bladed rotor; performing an updated evaluation for each candidate repair profile in the plurality of candidate repair profiles; selecting a selected candidate repair profile in the plurality of candidate repair profiles based on the updated evaluation for each candidate repair profile in the plurality of candidate repair profiles; and performing a repair based on the selected candidate repair profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2022
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Applicant: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: SCOTT J. AUGUSTINE, ELIZABETH F. VINSON, RON I. PRIHAR, UYEN PHAN
  • Publication number: 20230296028
    Abstract: A method of damping vibrations in a seal includes inserting a first wave spring between a first beam and a second beam of the seal. The seal can be for a gas turbine engine and can include a full hoop outer ring, a shoe coupled to the full hoop outer ring via the first beam (e.g., an outer beam) and the second beam (e.g., an inner beam), and the first wave spring in contact with the first beam and the second beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Applicant: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ross Wilson, John R. Farris, Michael G. McCaffrey, Theodore W. Hall, John J. Korzendorfer, Elizabeth F. Vinson, Jeffrey Michael Jacques, John E. Paul, Edwin Otero, Alan W. Stoner
  • Patent number: 11674401
    Abstract: A seal for a gas turbine engine includes a full hoop outer ring, a shoe coupled to the full hoop outer ring via an inner beam and an outer beam, and a wave spring in contact with at least one of the inner beam or the outer beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Ross Wilson, John R. Farris, Michael G. McCaffrey, Theodore W. Hall, John J. Korzendorfer, Elizabeth F. Vinson, Jeffrey Michael Jacques, John E. Paul, Edwin Otero, Alan W. Stoner
  • Patent number: 11306619
    Abstract: A seal support structure is provided for a circumferential seal. In one embodiment, the seal support structure includes an engine support structure, a seal support, and a shoulder joining the engine support and seal support. The shoulder offsets the engine support from the seal support, and the shoulder and the seal support structure are configured to dampen vibration for the circumferential seal. The seal support structure may employ one or more dampening elements or materials to interoperate with a seal support structure to dampen vibration to a seal system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ross Wilson, Michael G. McCaffrey, John R. Farris, Theodore W. Hall, John J. Korzendorfer, Elizabeth F. Vinson, Jeffrey Michael Jacques, John E. Paul, Alan W. Stoner, Edwin Otero
  • Patent number: 11287045
    Abstract: A seal ring system is provided. The seal ring system comprises a segment defining a slot, a pedal along the slot, and an opening offset from the slot. A retention fastener may be disposed in the opening. A seal ring system is also provided comprising a first segment defining a first opening, a second segment defining a second opening, and a retention fastener extending through the first and second openings. The retention fastener configured to allow relative radial movement of the first segment and the second segment. A seal is further provided comprising a seal ring having a central axis, a petal extending radially inward with respect to the central axis of the seal ring, and a sealing disk axially proximate the seal ring. The sealing disk may have a seal shoe configured as a primary seal. The petal may extend toward the seal shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Michael G. McCaffrey, John R. Farris, Theodore W. Hall, John J. Korzendorfer, Elizabeth F. Vinson, Jeffrey Michael Jacques, John E. Paul, Ross Wilson, Edwin Otero, Alan W. Stoner
  • Patent number: 10822953
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a compressor section, a combustor fluidly connected to the compressor section, and a turbine section fluidly connected to the combustor and mechanically connected to the compressor section via a shaft. Multiple rotors are disposed in one of the compressor section and the turbine section. Each of the rotors includes a rotor disk portion having a radially inward bore, and is static relative to the shaft. Each rotor is axially adjacent at least one other rotor and a gap is defined between each rotor and an adjacent rotor. A cooling passage for a cooling flow is defined between the shaft and the rotors, and a cooling flow redirection component is disposed at the gap and is operable to redirect the cooling flow in the cooling passage into the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Michael G. McCaffrey, Elizabeth F. Vinson
  • Patent number: 10801348
    Abstract: Non-contacting dynamic seals having wave springs are disclosed herein. A non-contacting dynamic seal may have a shoe coupled to an outer ring by an inner beam and an outer beam. A wave spring may be located between the inner beam and the outer beam, between the shoe and the inner beam, or between the outer beam and the outer ring. The wave spring may damp vibrations in the inner beam and the outer beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Ross Wilson, John R. Farris, Michael G. McCaffrey, Theodore W. Hall, John J. Korzendorfer, Elizabeth F. Vinson, Jeffrey Michael Jacques, John E. Paul, Edwin Otero, Alan W. Stoner
  • Publication number: 20200271006
    Abstract: A seal for a gas turbine engine includes a full hoop outer ring, a shoe coupled to the full hoop outer ring via an inner beam and an outer beam, and a wave spring in contact with at least one of the inner beam or the outer beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Applicant: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ross Wilson, John R. Farris, Michael G. McCaffrey, Theodore W. Hall, John J. Korzendorfer, Elizabeth F. Vinson, Jeffrey Michael Jacques, John E. Paul, Edwin Otero, Alan W. Stoner
  • Publication number: 20200025293
    Abstract: A seal ring system is provided. The seal ring system comprises a segment defining a slot, a pedal along the slot, and an opening offset from the slot. A retention fastener may be disposed in the opening. A seal ring system is also provided comprising a first segment defining a first opening, a second segment defining a second opening, and a retention fastener extending through the first and second openings. The retention fastener configured to allow relative radial movement of the first segment and the second segment. A seal is further provided comprising a seal ring having a central axis, a petal extending radially inward with respect to the central axis of the seal ring, and a sealing disk axially proximate the seal ring. The sealing disk may have a seal shoe configured as a primary seal. The petal may extend toward the seal shoe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael G. McCaffrey, John R. Farris, Theodore W. Hall, John J. Korzendorfer, Elizabeth F. Vinson, Jeffrey Michael Jacques, John E. Paul, Ross Wilson, Edwin Otero, Alan W. Stoner
  • Publication number: 20190331003
    Abstract: A seal support structure is provided for a circumferential seal. In one embodiment, the seal support structure includes an engine support structure, a seal support, and a shoulder joining the engine support and seal support. The shoulder offsets the engine support from the seal support, and the shoulder and the seal support structure are configured to dampen vibration for the circumferential seal. The seal support structure may employ one or more dampening elements or materials to interoperate with a seal support structure to dampen vibration to a seal system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: Ross Wilson, Michael G. McCaffrey, John R. Farris, Theodore W. Hall, John J. Korzendorfer, Elizabeth F. Vinson, Jeffrey Michael Jacques, John E. Paul, Alan W. Stoner, Edwin Otero
  • Patent number: 10443450
    Abstract: A seal support structure is provided for a circumferential seal. In one embodiment, the seal support structure includes an engine support structure, a seal support, and a shoulder joining the engine support and seal support. The shoulder offsets the engine support from the seal support, and the shoulder and the seal support structure are configured to dampen vibration for the circumferential seal. The seal support structure may employ one or more dampening elements or materials to interoperate with a seal support structure to dampen vibration to a seal system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ross Wilson, Michael G. McCaffrey, John R. Farris, Theodore W. Hall, John J. Korzendorfer, Elizabeth F. Vinson, Jeffrey Michael Jacques, John E. Paul, Alan W. Stoner, Edwin Otero
  • Patent number: 10436051
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to sealing systems for gas turbine engines. In one embodiment, a seal support structure for a gas turbine engine includes a seal support configured to retain a circumferential seal and an engine support configured for mounting the seal support structure to a gas turbine engine mount. The engine support includes at least one channel configured to provide radial movement of the seal support structure and circumferential retention of the seal support. Another embodiment is directed to a sealing system including a circumferential seal and seal support structure configured to provide radial movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ross Wilson, Michael G. McCaffrey, John R. Farris, Theodore W. Hall, John J. Korzendorfer, Elizabeth F. Vinson, Jeffrey Michael Jacques, John E. Paul, Alan W. Stoner, Edwin Otero
  • Patent number: 10415401
    Abstract: An airfoil retention assembly for a gas turbine engine includes, among other things, a disk, a coverplate, and a retaining ring. The disk defines a disk axis and an array of slots for receiving airfoil blades. The coverplate is dimensioned to radially overlap the array of slots relative to the disk axis. The retaining ring includes a ring body extending circumferentially about the disk axis between first and second ring ends to define a ring length. First and second retaining features continue along first and second circumferential faces of the ring body, respectively, to define first and second lengths, respectively. At least one of the first and second lengths is less than the ring length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Noah Wadsworth, Elizabeth F. Vinson
  • Patent number: 10392966
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine and a retaining ring are disclosed. The gas turbine engine includes a rotating disc assembly, including a rotating disc, a cover plate, and a retaining ring disposed between the rotating disc and the cover plate, wherein the retaining ring axially retains the rotating disc and the cover plate, the retaining ring including a rotating disc face to interface with the rotating disc; a cover plate face to interface with the cover plate; and an end gap portion defining an end gap, wherein at least one of the rotating disc face, the cover plate face, and the end gap portion includes a stress reducing feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joseph T. Caprario, Noah Wadsworth, Mark E. Marler, James P. Allore, Elizabeth F. Vinson
  • Patent number: 10370991
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a hydrostatic advanced low leakage seal having a shoe supported by at least two beams. An anti-vibration beam spacer is disposed in contact with two adjacent beams and operative to mitigate an externally induced vibratory response of the beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ross Wilson, Michael G McCaffrey, John R Farris, Theodore W Hall, John J Korzendorfer, Elizabeth F. Vinson, Jeffrey Michael Jacques, Edwin Otero, John E Paul
  • Patent number: 9963991
    Abstract: A brush seal plate may comprise a flat ring with bristles protruding from an inner diameter of the flat ring. The brush seal plate may have a racetrack slot to allow the flat ring to move in a radial direction relative to a retention pin. The bristles may protrude from the inner diameter of the flat ring at an angle. A slot may be formed through the flat ring, and the slot may be angled. The flat ring may be circumferentially discontinuous. The flat ring may further comprise a retention opening configured to fix the flat ring in place relative to a retention pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Ross Wilson, Michael G. McCaffrey, John R. Farris, Theodore W. Hall, John W. Korzendorfer, Elizabeth F. Vinson, Jeffrey Michael Jacques, John E. Paul, Edwin Otero, Alan W. Stoner
  • Publication number: 20180094528
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a compressor section, a combustor fluidly connected to the compressor section, and a turbine section fluidly connected to the combustor and mechanically connected to the compressor section via a shaft. Multiple rotors are disposed in one of the compressor section and the turbine section. Each of the rotors includes a rotor disk portion having a radially inward bore, and is static relative to the shaft. Each rotor is axially adjacent at least one other rotor and a gap is defined between each rotor and an adjacent rotor. A cooling passage for a cooling flow is defined between the shaft and the rotors, and a cooling flow redirection component is disposed at the gap and is operable to redirect the cooling flow in the cooling passage into the gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: Michael G. McCaffrey, Elizabeth F. Vinson
  • Publication number: 20180087397
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine and a retaining ring are disclosed. The gas turbine engine includes a rotating disc assembly, including a rotating disc, a cover plate, and a retaining ring disposed between the rotating disc and the cover plate, wherein the retaining ring axially retains the rotating disc and the cover plate, the retaining ring including a rotating disc face to interface with the rotating disc; a cover plate face to interface with the cover plate; and an end gap portion defining an end gap, wherein at least one of the rotating disc face, the cover plate face, and the end gap portion includes a stress reducing feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Joseph T. Caprario, Noah Wadsworth, Mark E. Marler, James P. Allore, Elizabeth F. Vinson