Patents by Inventor Frank J. Zupanc

Frank J. Zupanc 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: 9513010
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling air flow through a combustor swirler assembly that includes an inner swirler and an outer swirler. A bistable fluidic amplifier that includes an air inlet, a first air outlet, a second air outlet, and a control port is disposed upstream of the combustor swirler assembly. A flow of compressed is directed into the air inlet of the bistable fluidic amplifier and, based on the control air pressure at the control port, the flow of compressed air supplied to the air inlet is selectively directed to either the first air outlet or the second air outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Raymond R. Tseng, Frank J. Zupanc
  • Patent number: 9404422
    Abstract: In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a fuel injector assembly is provided for a gas turbine engine with a compressor section and a combustion section. The fuel injector assembly includes a stem defining a fuel path for fuel and a flow guide coupled to and extending along the stem. The flow guide receives an air flow. The assembly further includes a swirler apparatus coupled to the stem and configured to receive the fuel. The swirler apparatus is further coupled to the flow guide and configured to receive the air flow. The swirler apparatus is configured to mix the fuel and the air flow and direct the mixture into a combustor of the combustor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Frank J. Zupanc, Ronald B. Pardington, Paul Yankowich
  • Publication number: 20150040572
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling air flow through a combustor swirler assembly that includes an inner swirler and an outer swirler. A bistable fluidic amplifier that includes an air inlet, a first air outlet, a second air outlet, and a control port is disposed upstream of the combustor swirler assembly. A flow of compressed is directed into the air inlet of the bistable fluidic amplifier and, based on the control air pressure at the control port, the flow of compressed air supplied to the air inlet is selectively directed to either the first air outlet or the second air outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Raymond R. Tseng, Frank J. Zupanc
  • Publication number: 20140345286
    Abstract: In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a fuel injector assembly is provided for a gas turbine engine with a compressor section and a combustion section. The fuel injector assembly includes a stem defining a fuel path for fuel and a flow guide coupled to and extending along the stem. The flow guide receives an air flow. The assembly further includes a swirler apparatus coupled to the stem and configured to receive the fuel. The swirler apparatus is further coupled to the flow guide and configured to receive the air flow. The swirler apparatus is configured to mix the fuel and the air flow and direct the mixture into a combustor of the combustor assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Frank J. Zupanc, Ronald B. Pardington, Paul Yankowich
  • Patent number: 8616004
    Abstract: A combustor for a turbine engine includes an outer liner having a first group of air admission holes and defining a plurality of outer liner regions. The combustor further includes an inner liner circumscribed by the outer liner and forming a combustion chamber therebetween, the inner liner having a second group of air admission holes and defining a plurality of inner liner regions. The combustor further includes a plurality of fuel injectors extending into the combustion chamber and configured to deliver an air-fuel mixture to the combustion chamber, each of the plurality of fuel injectors being associated with one of the outer liner regions and one of the inner liner regions. The first group within a respective outer liner region includes air admission holes that circumferentially alternate between approximately a first size and approximately a second size, the first size being different than the second size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Frank J. Zupanc, Thomas J. Bronson
  • Patent number: 8584466
    Abstract: A combustor for a turbine engine is provided. The combustor includes a first liner; a second liner positioned relative to the first liner to form a combustion chamber therebetween, the combustion chamber configured to receive a fuel-air mixture; an igniter positioned relative to the combustion chamber and configured to ignite the fuel-air mixture; a first group of air admission holes positioned in the first liner and forming a regular circumferential pattern around the first liner; and a second group of air admission holes positioned in the first liner at a first circumferential position corresponding to the igniter, the second group of air admission holes departing from the regular circumferential pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Bronson, Frank J. Zupanc
  • Patent number: 8485222
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for preventing oil migration in an engine lubrication system. The system includes a gearbox, a shaft disposed at least partially in the gearbox, an oil reservoir in flow communication with the gearbox, an oil supply pump in flow communication with the oil reservoir and coupled to the shaft, an oil scavenge pump coupled to the shaft and configured to pump oil from the gearbox, and an oil cooler in flow communication with and disposed between the oil scavenge pump and the oil reservoir. The system also includes a bypass drain line disposed between the oil source and the oil supply pump, a drain valve disposed in the bypass drain line configured to close when the pressure is above a predetermined pressure, and a check valve disposed between the oil supply pump and the gearbox configured to open when the pressure is above the predetermined pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony P. Restivo, Frank J. Zupanc
  • Patent number: 8479490
    Abstract: A combustor for a gas turbine engine is provided, and includes an inner liner; an outer liner circumscribing the inner liner and forming a combustion chamber with the inner liner; a fuel igniter comprising a tip portion configured to ignite an air and fuel mixture in the combustion chamber; and an igniter tube positioning the fuel igniter relative to the combustion chamber, the igniter tube having a plurality of channels configured to direct cooling air toward the tip portion of the fuel igniter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Frank J. Zupanc, Paul R. Yankowich
  • Patent number: 8127554
    Abstract: An outer liner of a combustor of a gas turbine engine includes a plurality of liner regions arranged adjacent one another and separated by boundary lines; and a plurality of air admission holes formed in the liner regions. The air admission holes within each liner region form a V-pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Frank J. Zupanc, Rodolphe Dudebout
  • Publication number: 20110219774
    Abstract: A combustor for a turbine engine is provided. The combustor includes a first liner; a second liner positioned relative to the first liner to form a combustion chamber therebetween, the combustion chamber configured to receive a fuel-air mixture; an igniter positioned relative to the combustion chamber and configured to ignite the fuel-air mixture; a first group of air admission holes positioned in the first liner and forming a regular circumferential pattern around the first liner; and a second group of air admission holes positioned in the first liner at a first circumferential position corresponding to the igniter, the second group of air admission holes departing from the regular circumferential pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Bronson, Frank J. Zupanc
  • Patent number: 7966821
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine combustor includes a plurality of main fuel injector assemblies, and a plurality of pilot fuel injector assemblies, that are arranged and configured to reduce exhaust gas emissions during engine operation. The plurality of main fuel injector assemblies are arranged in a substantially circular pattern of a first radius, and each includes an outlet port having a first divergence angle. The plurality of pilot fuel injector assemblies are arranged in a substantially circular pattern of a second radius. Each pilot fuel injector assembly is disposed between at least two main fuel injector assemblies, and each includes an outlet port having a second divergence angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Frank J. Zupanc, Paul R. Yankowich, Michael T. Barton
  • Patent number: 7942006
    Abstract: A combustion system includes a combustor having a forward annular liner having a first plurality of effusion holes, and an aft annular liner having a second plurality of effusion holes and forming a combustion chamber with the forward annular liner. The first plurality of effusion holes and the second plurality of effusion holes are adapted to receive compressed air from a compressor and contribute to a single toroidal recirculation air flow pattern in the combustion chamber. The combustion system further includes a rotary fuel slinger further adapted to receive a flow of fuel from a fuel source and to centrifuge the received fuel into the combustion chamber; and an igniter extending at least partially into the combustion chamber to ignite the fuel and compressed air in the combustion chamber, to thereby generate combusted gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Ian L. Critchley, Frank J. Zupanc
  • Patent number: 7926284
    Abstract: A combustor includes an outer liner having a first row and a second row of circumferentially distributed air admission holes penetrating therethrough. The combustor further includes an inner liner circumscribed by the outer liner and having a first row and a second row of circumferentially distributed air admission holes penetrating therethrough. The combustor further includes a plurality of fuel injectors extending into the combustion chamber and configured to deliver an air-fuel mixture to the combustion chamber. Each of the plurality of fuel injectors are associated with two air admission holes in the first row of the outer liner, two air admission holes in the first row of the inner liner, four air admission holes in the second row of the outer liner, and two air admission holes of the second row of the inner liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Frank J. Zupanc, Jurgen C. Schumacher, Rodolphe Dudebout
  • Patent number: 7905094
    Abstract: A combustor liner assembly includes a liner and a first group of cooling holes formed in the liner and having an increasing density in a downstream direction. The first group of cooling holes include a generally circumferential first row of cooling holes, a generally circumferential second row of cooling holes immediately downstream from, consecutive to, and separated from the first row at a first distance, a generally circumferential third row of cooling holes immediately downstream from, consecutive to, and separated from the second row at a second distance, and a generally circumferential fourth row of cooling holes immediately downstream from, consecutive to, and separated from the third row at a third distance. The first distance is greater than the second distance and the third distance, and the second distance is greater than the third distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Rodolphe Dudebout, Paul R. Yankowich, Frank J. Zupanc, Ronald B. Pardington
  • Publication number: 20100229562
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine combustor includes a plurality of main fuel injector assemblies, and a plurality of pilot fuel injector assemblies, that are arranged and configured to reduce exhaust gas emissions during engine operation. The plurality of main fuel injector assemblies are arranged in a substantially circular pattern of a first radius, and each includes an outlet port having a first divergence angle. The plurality of pilot fuel injector assemblies are arranged in a substantially circular pattern of a second radius. Each pilot fuel injector assembly is disposed between at least two main fuel injector assemblies, and each includes an outlet port having a second divergence angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Frank J. Zupanc, Paul R. Yankowich, Michael T. Barton
  • Publication number: 20100162712
    Abstract: A combustor for a turbine engine includes an outer liner having a first group of air admission holes and defining a plurality of outer liner regions. The combustor further includes an inner liner circumscribed by the outer liner and forming a combustion chamber therebetween, the inner liner having a second group of air admission holes and defining a plurality of inner liner regions. The combustor further includes a plurality of fuel injectors extending into the combustion chamber and configured to deliver an air-fuel mixture to the combustion chamber, each of the plurality of fuel injectors being associated with one of the outer liner regions and one of the inner liner regions. The first group within a respective outer liner region includes air admission holes that circumferentially alternate between approximately a first size and approximately a second size, the first size being different than the second size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Frank J. Zupanc, Thomas J. Bronson
  • Patent number: 7617689
    Abstract: A retaining ring is provided for use in conjunction with a carburetor assembly having a flow passage therethrough for conducting a fuel-air mixture into a combustion chamber, the carburetor assembly comprising an air flow modifier and a fuel injector receiving element adjacent thereto. The retaining ring comprises a collar configured to engage the fuel injector receiving element so as to maintain its position adjacent the air flow modifier, and a retaining portion coupled to the collar and configured to engage the air flow modifier to secure the airflow modifier to the combustion chamber. The retaining portion cooperates with the collar to form an aperture through the retaining ring for receiving the carburetor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Jurgen C. Schumacher, Frank J. Zupanc, Paul R. Yankowich, Ronald B. Pardington
  • Patent number: 7546737
    Abstract: A combustor includes two or more sets of effusion cooling holes that extend through the inner and outer liners. Each set of effusion cooling holes includes one or more initial rows of effusion cooling holes, one or more final rows of effusion cooling holes disposed downstream of the one or more initial rows, and a plurality of interposed rows of effusion cooling holes disposed between the initial and final rows. Each effusion cooling hole is disposed at a tangential angle relative to an axial line. The tangential angle of the effusion cooling holes in each set of effusion cooling holes gradually transitions from a substantially transverse tangential angle in each initial row to a substantially axial tangential angle in each final row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Jurgen C. Schumacher, Frank J. Zupanc, Rodolphe Dudebout
  • Publication number: 20090139239
    Abstract: An outer liner of a combustor of a gas turbine engine includes a plurality of liner regions arranged adjacent one another and separated by boundary lines; and a plurality of air admission holes formed in the liner regions. The air admission holes within each liner region form a V-pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Frank J. Zupanc, Rodolphe Dudebout
  • Publication number: 20090084110
    Abstract: A combustor liner assembly includes a liner and a first group of cooling holes formed in the liner and having an increasing density in a downstream direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Rodolphe Dudebout, Paul R. Yankowich, Frank J. Zupanc, Ronald B. Pardington