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).
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Patent number: 9513010Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 7, 2013Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Raymond R. Tseng, Frank J. Zupanc
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Patent number: 9404422Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 23, 2013Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Frank J. Zupanc, Ronald B. Pardington, Paul Yankowich
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Publication number: 20150040572Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2013Publication date: February 12, 2015Inventors: Raymond R. Tseng, Frank J. Zupanc
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Publication number: 20140345286Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2013Publication date: November 27, 2014Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Frank J. Zupanc, Ronald B. Pardington, Paul Yankowich
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Patent number: 8616004Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 28, 2009Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Frank J. Zupanc, Thomas J. Bronson
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Patent number: 8584466Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 9, 2010Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Thomas J. Bronson, Frank J. Zupanc
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Patent number: 8485222Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 31, 2007Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Anthony P. Restivo, Frank J. Zupanc
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Patent number: 8479490Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 30, 2007Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Frank J. Zupanc, Paul R. Yankowich
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Patent number: 8127554Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 29, 2007Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Frank J. Zupanc, Rodolphe Dudebout
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Publication number: 20110219774Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2010Publication date: September 15, 2011Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Thomas J. Bronson, Frank J. Zupanc
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Patent number: 7966821Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 28, 2009Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Frank J. Zupanc, Paul R. Yankowich, Michael T. Barton
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Patent number: 7942006Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 26, 2007Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Ian L. Critchley, Frank J. Zupanc
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Patent number: 7926284Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 30, 2006Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Frank J. Zupanc, Jurgen C. Schumacher, Rodolphe Dudebout
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Patent number: 7905094Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 28, 2007Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Rodolphe Dudebout, Paul R. Yankowich, Frank J. Zupanc, Ronald B. Pardington
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Publication number: 20100229562Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2009Publication date: September 16, 2010Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Frank J. Zupanc, Paul R. Yankowich, Michael T. Barton
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Publication number: 20100162712Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2009Publication date: July 1, 2010Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Frank J. Zupanc, Thomas J. Bronson
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Patent number: 7617689Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 2, 2006Date of Patent: November 17, 2009Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Jurgen C. Schumacher, Frank J. Zupanc, Paul R. Yankowich, Ronald B. Pardington
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Patent number: 7546737Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 24, 2006Date of Patent: June 16, 2009Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Jurgen C. Schumacher, Frank J. Zupanc, Rodolphe Dudebout
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Publication number: 20090139239Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2007Publication date: June 4, 2009Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Frank J. Zupanc, Rodolphe Dudebout
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Publication number: 20090084110Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2007Publication date: April 2, 2009Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Rodolphe Dudebout, Paul R. Yankowich, Frank J. Zupanc, Ronald B. Pardington