Patents by Inventor Francis Parnin
Francis Parnin 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).
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Patent number: 10513938Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a system associated with an engine having a central longitudinal axis, including a first shaft axially extending along the central longitudinal axis, a second shaft coaxial with the first shaft, a first air seal that seals between the first shaft and the second shaft at a first axial location, a second air seal that seals between the first shaft and the second shaft at a second axial location, a first oil seal that provides intershaft sealing between the first shaft and the second shaft at a third axial location, a second oil seal that provides intershaft sealing between the first shaft and the second shaft at a fourth axial location axially adjacent to the third axial location, and a high pressure compressor that provides pressurized air to a first radially exterior side of the first air seal and to a second radially exterior side the second air seal.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2017Date of Patent: December 24, 2019Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Russell B. Witlicki, Todd A. Davis, Francis Parnin
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Patent number: 10513949Abstract: A fluid circulation system may comprise a main pump configured to provide oil to a journal bearing. An auxiliary system including a pump system may be configured to provide oil to the journal bearing. A manifold may be configured to mix the oil from the main pump with oil from the auxiliary system. A journal delivery line may be configured to deliver the oil from the manifold to the journal bearing.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2016Date of Patent: December 24, 2019Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Francis Parnin, Justin W. Heiss
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Patent number: 10458278Abstract: Disclosed is a lubricant supply system for a plurality of bearing dampers in a plurality of engine bearing compartments of a gas turbine engine, including a lubricant supply conduit, a first lubricant delivery conduit fluidly coupled to the supply conduit, the first delivery conduit including one or more lubricant delivery flow paths and delivering lubrication to engine components, a second lubricant delivery conduit fluidly coupled to the supply conduit, the second delivery conduit delivering lubricant to one or more of the plurality of bearing dampers, and an active oil flow management valve, selectively restricting lubricant flow in the first delivery conduit, increasing pressure in the second delivery conduit, based on an engine shaft rotational speed.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2016Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Thomas Bruce Avis, Francis Parnin, Michael Dreher, James S. Elder
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Patent number: 10287916Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a bearing compartment with a bottom disposed opposite a top. An outlet is formed in the bottom of the bearing compartment. A seal is positioned between the bottom of the bearing compartment and the top of the bearing compartment. A scavenge line is connected to the outlet. The scavenge line forms a fluid trap that extends in a first direction from the outlet and the bottom of the bearing compartment and then extends in a second direction to a position disposed vertically between the bottom of the bearing compartment and the seal.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2016Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Ryan K. Snyder, Thomas Bruce Avis, Francis Parnin
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Publication number: 20190055886Abstract: A lubrication system is disclosed. The lubrication system may be used in conjunction with a gas turbine engine for generating power or lift. The lubrication system utilized a flow scheduling valve which reduces lubricant flow to at least one component based on an engine load. The lubrication system may further include a main pump which may be regulated by an engine speed. Thus, a lubrication system which provides a lubricant to engine components based on the load and speed of the engine is possible. The system may improve efficiency of the engine by reducing the power previously spent in churning excess lubricant by at least one engine component as well as reducing the energy used by a lubricant cooler in cooling the excess lubricant. The lubricant cooler size may also be minimized to reduce weight and air drag due to the reduced lubricant flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2018Publication date: February 21, 2019Inventors: Francis Parnin, Paul H. Dolman, David M. Daley, Denman H. James, Richard W. Clark
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Patent number: 10161314Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a system associated with an engine having a central longitudinal axis, comprising: a first shaft axially extend along the central longitudinal axis, a second shaft coaxial with the first shaft, a first air seal that seals between the first shaft and the second shaft at a first axial location, a second air seal that seals between the first shaft and the second shaft at a second axial location, a high pressure compressor section that provides air to the first air seal and the second air seal, at least one buffer passage, and a meter connected to the buffer passage that exhausts a portion of the air.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2017Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventor: Francis Parnin
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Publication number: 20180347400Abstract: An assembly is provided for a turbine engine. This turbine engine assembly includes a turbine engine component and a lubrication system. The lubrication system directs lubricant through the turbine engine component. The lubrication system includes a wash flow filter.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2018Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventor: Francis Parnin
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Patent number: 10145276Abstract: An exemplary method of monitoring a position of a lubricant valve in a gas turbine engine includes monitoring a position of a lubricant valve using a first auxiliary pressure reading and a second auxiliary pressure reading. The first auxiliary pressure reading is taken when a primary lubrication circuit is at a first pressure. The second auxiliary pressure reading is taken when the primary lubrication circuit is at a second pressure. An exemplary assembly that detects transitions of a lubricant valve in a gas turbine engine includes a controller that uses readings of the primary pressure and readings of the auxiliary pressure to detect a position of a lubricant valve.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2015Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventor: Francis Parnin
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Publication number: 20180306044Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a system associated with an engine having a central longitudinal axis, including a first shaft axially extending along the central longitudinal axis, a second shaft coaxial with the first shaft, a first air seal that seals between the first shaft and the second shaft at a first axial location, a second air seal that seals between the first shaft and the second shaft at a second axial location, a first oil seal that provides intershaft sealing between the first shaft and the second shaft at a third axial location, a second oil seal that provides intershaft sealing between the first shaft and the second shaft at a fourth axial location axially adjacent to the third axial location, and a high pressure compressor that provides pressurized air to a first radially exterior side of the first air seal and to a second radially exterior side the second air seal.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2017Publication date: October 25, 2018Inventors: Russell B. Witlicki, Todd A. Davis, Francis Parnin
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Publication number: 20180306062Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a bearing compartment that has an inlet. A supply line splits into a supply conduit and a reservoir conduit that are fluidly parallel to one another for a length. The reservoir conduit fluidly rejoins the supply conduit at a junction. The supply conduit is fluidly connected to the inlet, and the reservoir conduit includes a flow restrictor upstream from the junction. A main pump is fluidly connected to the supply line and is configured to supply a lubricant to the bearing compartment through the supply line and supply and reservoir conduits in an operating state. The main pump has a non-operating state in which the reservoir conduit is configured to slowly refill the supply conduit through the flow restrictor.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2017Publication date: October 25, 2018Inventors: Thomas Bruce Avis, Francis Parnin
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Patent number: 10107197Abstract: A lubrication system is provided. The lubrication system may be used in conjunction with a gas turbine engine for generating power or lift. The lubrication system utilized a flow scheduling valve which reduces lubricant flow to at least one component based on an engine load. The lubrication system may further include a main pump which may be regulated by an engine speed. Thus, a lubrication system which provides a lubricant to engine components based on the load and speed of the engine is possible. The system may improve efficiency of the engine by reducing the power previously spent in churning excess lubricant by at least one engine component as well as reducing the energy used by a lubricant cooler in cooling the excess lubricant. The lubricant cooler size may also be minimized to reduce weight and air drag due to the reduced lubricant flow.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2012Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Francis Parnin, Paul H. Dolman, David M. Daley, Denman H. James, Richard W. Clark
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Patent number: 10107142Abstract: A disclosed lubrication system for turbofan engine includes a primary lubricant circuit, a primary pump driving lubricant through the primary circuit, an auxiliary lubricant circuit in communication with the primary lubricant circuit and an auxiliary lubricant pump driving lubricant through the auxiliary lubricant circuit. A first valve downstream of an outlet of auxiliary lubricant pump separates the auxiliary lubricant circuit from the primary lubricant circuit. A sensor is disposed within the auxiliary lubricant circuit for sensing pressure within the auxiliary lubricant circuit separate from a pressure within the primary lubricant circuit.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2014Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Jacob Peter Mastro, Francis Parnin
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Publication number: 20180291816Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a system associated with an engine having a central longitudinal axis, comprising: a first shaft axially extend along the central longitudinal axis, a second shaft coaxial with the first shaft, a first air seal that seals between the first shaft and the second shaft at a first axial location, a second air seal that seals between the first shaft and the second shaft at a second axial location, a high pressure compressor section that provides air to the first air seal and the second air seal, at least one buffer passage, and a meter connected to the buffer passage that exhausts a portion of the air.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2017Publication date: October 11, 2018Inventor: Francis Parnin
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Publication number: 20180283211Abstract: A lubrication system for a gas turbine engine is provided. The lubrication system includes a supply source of a fluid lubricant, a main supply pump, and a boost pump system. The main supply pump has an MSP fluid flow inlet port and an MSP fluid flow exit port. The main supply pump is configured to receive a source fluid lubricant flow at a first pressure, and configured to produce a supply fluid flow at a second pressure. The second pressure is greater than the first pressure. The boost pump system has a boost pump having a BP fluid flow inlet port, and a BP fluid flow exit port. The boost pump system is configured so that the boost pump selectively receives at least a portion of the supply fluid flow from the main supply pump at the BP fluid flow inlet port, and the boost pump is configured to produce a boost supply fluid flow at a third pressure at the BP fluid flow exit port, wherein the third pressure is greater than the second pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2017Publication date: October 4, 2018Inventors: Francis Parnin, Alan J. Goetschius, Thomas B. Avis
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Patent number: 10072521Abstract: A lubrication system for an engine including a scavenge pump configured to provide lubricant to the engine during a normal condition, an auxiliary pump configured to provide lubricant to the engine during an abnormal condition, a pressure sensor disposed at an outlet of the auxiliary pump for detecting a pressure created by the auxiliary pump, and a restriction device disposed in a conduit fluidly connecting the scavenge pump to the outlet of the auxiliary pump and configured to increase a first pressure produced by the auxiliary pump at the pressure sensor, wherein the first pressure is greater than a second pressure created by the scavenge pump at the pressure sensor.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2014Date of Patent: September 11, 2018Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Jacob P. Mastro, Francis Parnin
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Patent number: 10066507Abstract: An assembly is provided for a turbine engine. This turbine engine assembly includes a turbine engine component and a lubrication system. The lubrication system directs lubricant through the turbine engine component. The lubrication system includes a wash flow filter.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2015Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventor: Francis Parnin
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Publication number: 20180230854Abstract: An assembly is provided for a turbine engine. This turbine engine assembly includes a turbine engine component and a lubrication system. The lubrication system directs lubricant through the turbine engine component. The lubrication system includes a wash flow filter.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2015Publication date: August 16, 2018Inventor: Francis Parnin
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Patent number: 10041489Abstract: A method of monitoring performance of an auxiliary pump is provided. A monitoring system measures a first pressure at a location supplied by a main pump and the auxiliary pump while the auxiliary pump is operated at a first speed. The monitoring system measures a second pressure at the location while the auxiliary pump is operated at a second speed. The monitoring system calculates performance of the auxiliary pump based on a difference between the first pressure and the second pressure divided by a difference between the first speed and the second speed. The monitoring system tracks the performance of the auxiliary pump over time by repeating the measuring and calculating over time.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2015Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventor: Francis Parnin
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Publication number: 20180156116Abstract: A lubrication system for a gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a pump that moves a lubricant, a lubricant tank that stores the lubricant, a first engine component and a second engine component each requiring lubrication from the lubricant, a conduit between the lubricant tank and the first engine component and between the lubricant tank and the second engine component, a scheduling valve positioned in the conduit between the lubricant tank, and the first engine component and the second engine component, and a controller including a memory and a processor that controls the scheduling valve, wherein the memory includes an engine performance model, wherein the engine performance model includes stored relationship values between more than one condition experienced by the gas turbine engine during operation and a position of the scheduling valve, and wherein the scheduling valve varies a flow of the lubricant to the first engine component, the second eType: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2018Publication date: June 7, 2018Inventors: Matthew D. Teicholz, Francis Parnin, Richard Alan Weiner, Katherine A. Knapp Carney
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Publication number: 20180156117Abstract: A method of controlling lubrication flow to a first engine component, a second engine component and a lubrication tank of a gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, determining more than one condition experienced by the gas turbine engine, comparing with a processor on a controller the more than one condition against an engine performance model stored in memory on the controller, wherein the engine performance model includes stored relationship values between the more than one condition and a position of a scheduling valve, the scheduling valve disposed between the lubricant tank and the first engine component and between the lubricant tank and the second engine component, pumping a lubricant from the lubricant tank through a conduit to the scheduling valve using a pump, and controlling the position of the scheduling valve to vary a flow of the lubricant to two or more of the first engine component, the second engine component and the lubrication tankType: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2018Publication date: June 7, 2018Inventors: Matthew D. Teicholz, Francis Parnin, Richard Alan Weiner, Katherine A. Knapp Carney