Patents by Inventor Eric J. Wehmeier

Eric J. Wehmeier 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: 11208950
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a compressor section, the compressor section including a variable inlet guide vane which is movable between distinct angles to control the airflow approaching the compressor section. A control is programmed to position the vane at startup of the engine to direct airflow across the compressor section. The engine includes a fan for delivering bypass air into a bypass duct positioned outwardly of a core engine including the compressor section. The position of the vane is configured to direct airflow across the compressor section while an aircraft associated with the gas turbine engine is in the air, and to increase a windmilling speed of the compressor section and the turbine rotors. A method and variable inlet vane are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Eric J. Wehmeier
  • Publication number: 20140223916
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a compressor section, the compressor section including a variable inlet guide vane which is movable between distinct angles to control the airflow approaching the compressor section. A control is programmed to position the vane at startup of the engine to direct airflow across the compressor section. The engine includes a fan for delivering bypass air into a bypass duct positioned outwardly of a core engine including the compressor section. The position of the vane is configured to direct airflow across the compressor section while an aircraft associated with the gas turbine engine is in the air, and to increase a windmilling speed of the compressor section and the turbine rotors. A method and variable inlet vane are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Eric J. Wehmeier
  • Patent number: 8596072
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine has a compressor section, a low spool, and a fan. The fan delivers air into the compressor section and into a bypass duct having a variable area nozzle. The compressor section compresses air and delivers it into a combustion section. The combustion section mixes air with fuel, igniting the fuel, and driving the products of the combustion across a turbine. The turbine drives the low spool. A control for the gas turbine engine is programmed to position the nozzle at startup of the engine to increase airflow across the fan. A variable inlet guide vane is positioned upstream of the compressor section. The control also positions the variable inlet guide vane at start-up to increase air flow across the compressor section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Eric J. Wehmeier
  • Publication number: 20130213055
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine has a compressor section, a low spool, and a fan. The fan delivers air into the compressor section and into a bypass duct having a variable area nozzle. The compressor section compresses air and delivers it into a combustion section. The combustion section mixes air with fuel, igniting the fuel, and driving the products of the combustion across a turbine. The turbine drives the low spool. A control for the gas turbine engine is programmed to position the nozzle at startup of the engine to increase airflow across the fan. A variable inlet guide vane is positioned upstream of the compressor section. The control also positions the variable inlet guide vane at start-up to increase air flow across the compressor section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Inventor: Eric J. Wehmeier
  • Publication number: 20130192195
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a variable inlet guide vane positioned forwardly of a low pressure compressor. The angle of the inlet guide vane is controlled at startup to increase airflow into the compressor. This is particularly useful when the gas turbine engine is being restarted while an associated aircraft is in the air, and is relied upon to increase windmill speed of the compressor and turbine rotors. A method and variable inlet vane are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventor: Eric J. Wehmeier
  • Patent number: 8291690
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a variable inlet guide vane positioned forwardly of a low pressure compressor. The angle of the inlet guide vane is controlled at startup to increase airflow into the compressor. This is particularly useful when the gas turbine engine is being restarted while an associated aircraft is in the air, and is relied upon to increase windmill speed of the compressor and turbine rotors. A method and nozzle are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Eric J. Wehmeier