Patents by Inventor Eric L. Couch

Eric L. Couch 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: 8955576
    Abstract: A core assembly for a turbine engine blade includes a generally radially extending trunk interconnected to multiple generally axially extending tabs. The tabs are interconnected by a generally radially extending ligament. Multiple generally axially extending protrusions are interconnected to the ligament opposite the trunk. A mold is configured to define an exterior surface of an airfoil. The core is arranged within the mold and is configured such that the tabs and the ligament break through at the exterior surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jason Edward Albert, Atul Kohli, Eric L. Couch
  • Publication number: 20140190654
    Abstract: A core assembly for a turbine engine blade includes a generally radially extending trunk interconnected to multiple generally axially extending tabs. The tabs are interconnected by a generally radially extending ligament. Multiple generally axially extending protrusions are interconnected to the ligament opposite the trunk. A mold is configured to define an exterior surface of an airfoil. The core is arranged within the mold and is configured such that the tabs and the ligament break through at the exterior surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jason Edward Albert, Atul Kohli, Eric L. Couch
  • Patent number: 8695683
    Abstract: An airfoil for a turbine engine includes a structure having a cooling passage that has a generally radially extending cooling passageway arranged interiorly relative to an exterior surface of the structure. The cooling passageway includes multiple cooling slots extending there from toward the exterior surface and interconnected by a radially extending trench. The trench breaks the exterior surface, and the exterior surface provides the lateral walls of the trench. The airfoil is manufactured by providing a core having multiple generally axially extending tabs and a generally radially extending ligament interconnecting the tabs. The structure is formed about the core to provide the airfoil with its exterior surface. The ligament breaks the exterior surface to form the radially extending trench in the exterior surface of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jason Edward Albert, Atul Kohli, Eric L. Couch
  • Patent number: 8393867
    Abstract: An airfoil assembly includes an airfoil with at least one cavity that is in communication with a source of cooling air. A baffle is disposed within that cavity and includes a plurality of openings for directing cooling air against the hot wall. A plurality of dividers extends between the baffle walls and the internal cavity to direct cooling air toward one of a leading edge chamber and a trailing edge chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Young H. Chon, Tracy A. Propheter-Hinckley, Eric L. Couch
  • Publication number: 20120027619
    Abstract: An airfoil for a turbine engine includes a structure having a cooling passage that has a generally radially extending cooling passageway arranged interiorly relative to an exterior surface of the structure. The cooling passageway includes multiple cooling slots extending there from toward the exterior surface and interconnected by a radially extending trench. The trench breaks the exterior surface, and the exterior surface provides the lateral walls of the trench. The airfoil is manufactured by providing a core having multiple generally axially extending tabs and a generally radially extending ligament interconnecting the tabs. The structure is formed about the core to provide the airfoil with its exterior surface. The ligament breaks the exterior surface to form the radially extending trench in the exterior surface of the structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Jason Edward Albert, Atul Kohli, Eric L. Couch
  • Patent number: 7980819
    Abstract: An airfoil for a turbine engine includes a structure having a cooling passage that has a generally radially extending cooling passageway arranged interiorly relative to an exterior surface of the structure. The cooling passageway includes multiple cooling slots extending there from toward the exterior surface and interconnected by a radially extending trench. The trench breaks the exterior surface, and the exterior surface provides the lateral walls of the trench. The airfoil is manufactured by providing a core having multiple generally axially extending tabs and a generally radially extending ligament interconnecting the tabs. The structure is formed about the core to provide the airfoil with its exterior surface. The ligament breaks the exterior surface to form the radially extending trench in the exterior surface of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jason Edward Albert, Atul Kohli, Eric L. Couch
  • Patent number: 7753104
    Abstract: A method involves forming a core assembly. The forming includes molding a first ceramic core over a first refractory metal core to form a core subassembly. The subassembly is assembled to a second ceramic core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Blake J. Luczak, Eric A. Hudson, James T. Beals, Eric L. Couch
  • Publication number: 20100116452
    Abstract: A method involves forming a core assembly. The forming includes molding a first ceramic core over a first refractory metal core to form a core subassembly. The subassembly is assembled to a second ceramic core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventors: Blake J. Luczak, Eric A. Hudson, James T. Beals, Eric L. Couch
  • Publication number: 20090246023
    Abstract: An airfoil assembly includes an airfoil with at least one cavity that is in communication with a source of cooling air. A baffle is disposed within that cavity and includes a plurality of openings for directing cooling air against the hot wall. A plurality of dividers extends between the baffle walls and the internal cavity to direct cooling air toward one of a leading edge chamber and a trailing edge chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: Young H. Chon, Tracy A. Propheter-Hinckley, Eric L. Couch
  • Publication number: 20080226462
    Abstract: An airfoil for a turbine engine includes a structure having a cooling passage that has a generally radially extending cooling passageway arranged interiorly relative to an exterior surface of the structure. The cooling passageway includes multiple cooling slots extending there from toward the exterior surface and interconnected by a radially extending trench. The trench breaks the exterior surface, and the exterior surface provides the lateral walls of the trench. The airfoil is manufactured by providing a core having multiple generally axially extending tabs and a generally radially extending ligament interconnecting the tabs. The structure is formed about the core to provide the airfoil with its exterior surface. The ligament breaks the exterior surface to form the radially extending trench in the exterior surface of the structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventors: Jason Edward Albert, Atul Kohli, Eric L. Couch
  • Patent number: 7322795
    Abstract: A cooled cast part has an exterior surface. A cooling passageway system extends from at least one inlet port to a plurality of outlet ports. The passageway system includes a first passageway to at least a first of the outlets and surrounding at least one post. The system includes a second passageway to at least a second of the outlets passing through the at least one post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Blake J. Luczak, Eric L. Couch