Patents by Inventor Gary D. Roberge

Gary D. Roberge 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).

  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FAN BLADE DE-ICING
    Publication number: 20200032670
    Abstract: An anti-ice arrangement for a gas turbine engine may comprise an engine static structure, a fan blade housed for rotation within the engine static structure, and a magnetic field source mounted in close proximity to the fan blade and configured for inducing eddy currents in the fan blade to increase a surface temperature of the fan blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert J. Morris, Gary D. Roberge
  • Anti-windmilling system for a gas turbine engine
    Patent number: 10526913
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a compressor having a first compressor section and a second compressor section, a combustor fluidly connected to the compressor, and a turbine fluidly connected to the combustor. The turbine has a first turbine section and a second turbine section. A first shaft connects the first compressor section and the first turbine section. A second shaft connects the second compressor section and the second turbine section. A fan is connected to the first shaft via a geared architecture. A low speed accessory gearbox is interfaced with the first shaft via a mechanical interface. The low speed accessory gearbox includes a mechanical brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Gary D. Roberge
  • Deposited material structure with integrated component
    Patent number: 10519552
    Abstract: A method for forming a metallic structure having a secondary component includes positioning the secondary component on a main formation surface of a main tool, the main formation surface corresponding to a desired shape of a first layer of material. The method also includes depositing a layer of material on the secondary component and the main formation surface using a cold-spray technique such that the layer of material bonds to the secondary component. The method also includes removing the layer of material and the secondary component to form the metallic structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gary D. Roberge, William J. Brindley
  • LOW ROTOR BOOST COMPRESSOR FOR ENGINE COOLING CIRCUIT
    Publication number: 20190390598
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine has a compressor section with a low pressure compressor and a high pressure compressor. The high pressure compressor has a downstream most location. A cooling air system includes a tap from a location upstream of the downstream most location. The tap passes air to a boost compressor and a heat exchanger, which passes the air back to a location to be cooled. The boost compressor is driven by a shaft which drives the lower pressure compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Inventor: Gary D. Roberge
  • Seal interface with a deflection control feature
    Patent number: 10513939
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed an engine having a central longitudinal axis, comprising: a first case that at least partially defines a first flow path, a second case located radially outward of the first case, where the second case and the first case at least partially define a second flowpath, and an assembly that includes a first duct wall, a second duct wall, a finger seal disposed in a gap defined between the first duct wall and the second duct wall such that a first flow in the first flow path is isolated from a second flow in the second flowpath, a stop that projects from the first duct wall towards the second duct wall, and a diaphragm coupled to the second duct wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Gary D. Roberge
  • OIL THERMAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR COLD WEATHER OPERATIONS OF A GAS TURBINE ENGINE
    Publication number: 20190383217
    Abstract: An oil thermal management system for a gas turbine engine includes a control system operable to selectively heat oil in the oil system with the heater system greater than a predetermined temperature prior to engine start. A method of starting a gas turbine engine includes sensing an oil temperature with respect to a predetermined oil temperature for engine start; and heating the oil to the predetermined oil temperature for engine start in response to the oil temperature being less than the predetermined oil temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Gary D. Roberge
  • THERMAL MANAGEMENT OF A GAS TURBINE ENGINE SHAFT
    Publication number: 20190368419
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a fan rotor, a compressor section, a combustor section, and a turbine section. The turbine section is positioned downstream of the combustor section. A fan drive turbine in the turbine section, and a shaft connects the fan drive turbine to the fan rotor. An inlet duct is connected to a cooling air source and connected to a cooling compressor downstream of the fan drive turbine. The cooling compressor is connected to an air source, and connected to a turning duct for passing compressed air in an upstream direction through the shaft. A method is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Gary D. Roberge, Jorn Axel Glahn
  • ELECTRICALLY DRIVEN COOLED COOLING AIR SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20190353103
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure includes, among other possible things, a compressor section including an aft most exit, an air tap configured to draw air from a point upstream of the aft most exit, an auxiliary compressor configured to receive air from the air tap and discharge air to a turbine section, an electric motor configured to drive the auxiliary compressor, a first heat exchanger within an inlet passage between the air tap and an inlet to the auxiliary compressor, and a second heat exchanger disposed within an outlet passage between an outlet of the auxiliary compressor and the turbine section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Inventor: Gary D. Roberge
  • Removable film for airfoil surfaces
    Patent number: 10458255
    Abstract: A fan section to be incorporated into a gas turbine engine has a rotor and a plurality of fan blades. The fan blades deliver air into a bypass duct defined inwardly of the nacelle and into a core engine. There are static vanes inward of the nacelle. A surface of the fan section is provided with a removable film material. A gas turbine engine and a method of refurbishing a surface are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gary D. Roberge, George J. Kramer
  • ANTI-WINDMILLING SYSTEM FOR A GAS TURBINE ENGINE
    Publication number: 20190316484
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine has an engine static structure and at least one component rotatable relative to the engine static structure about an engine axis of rotation. A fan is coupled to at least one component for rotation about the engine axis of rotation. An actuator is mounted to the engine static structure, wherein the actuator is activated to prevent the fan from rotation and is inactivated to allow the fan to rotate. A method for preventing rotation of a fan in a gas turbine engine is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventor: Gary D. Roberge
  • THERMAL MANAGEMENT OF TAIL CONE MOUNTED GENERATOR
    Publication number: 20190316486
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a turbine rotor connected to a main compressor rotor. A tail cone is mounted inward of an exhaust core flow. A generator rotor is adjacent a generator stator. The generator rotor and stator are mounted within the tail cone. A passage connects a bypass flow path to the tail cone. A cooling air compressor is operable within the passage. The turbine rotor drives a shaft to drive the generator rotor and the cooling compressor. A method is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventor: Gary D. Roberge
  • GAS TURBINE ENGINE COMPONENT FOR ACOUSTIC ATTENUATION
    Publication number: 20190316477
    Abstract: A section for a gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a rotor having a hub carrying a plurality of blades, the hub rotatable about a longitudinal axis, and a seal extending outwardly from the hub to establish a sealing relationship with a plurality of vanes distributed about the longitudinal axis. A flow guide assembly is secured to an engine static structure such that a flow path is defined between the hub and the flow guide assembly. The flow path has an inlet portion defined along the seal and an outlet portion, and the flow guide assembly includes an acoustic liner that extends along the flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventor: Gary D. Roberge
  • LIGHT WEIGHT COMPONENT WITH INTERNAL REINFORCEMENT AND METHOD OF MAKING
    Publication number: 20190299250
    Abstract: A method of making a light weight component is provided. The method including the steps of: forming a metallic foam core into a desired configuration; applying an external metallic shell to an exterior surface of the metallic foam core after it has been formed into the desired configuration; forming an inlet opening and an outlet opening in the external metallic shell in order to provide a fluid path through the metallic foam core; and injecting a thermoplastic material into the metallic foam core via the inlet opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventor: Gary D. Roberge
  • Method of making light weight component with internal metallic foam and polymer reinforcement
    Patent number: 10399117
    Abstract: A method of making a light weight component including the steps of: forming a metallic foam core into a desired configuration; applying an external metallic shell to an exterior surface of the metallic foam core after it has been formed into the desired configuration; forming an inlet opening and an outlet opening in the external metallic shell in order to provide a fluid path through the metallic foam core; and injecting a thermoplastic material into the metallic foam core via the inlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Gary D. Roberge
  • Auxiliary device for three air flow path gas turbine engine
    Patent number: 10400709
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine has a fan rotor including at least one stage, with the at least one stage delivering a portion of air into a low pressure duct, and another portion of air into a compressor. The compressor is driven by a turbine rotor, and the fan rotor is driven by a fan drive turbine. A channel selectively communicates air from the low pressure duct across a boost compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Gary D. Roberge
  • Flow path routing within a gas turbine engine
    Patent number: 10378478
    Abstract: A method of communicating flow through a gas turbine engine having multiple flow paths according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes moving core flow along a core flow path from a compressor section to an exhaust section, selectively communicating a first amount of bypass flow from a bypass flow path defined by a bypass duct to the exhaust section or a second amount of bypass flow from the bypass flow path to the exhaust section, the first amount different than the second amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Gary D. Roberge
  • Deposited structure with integral cooling enhancement features
    Patent number: 10363634
    Abstract: A method for forming a metallic structure having a non-linear aperture includes providing a main tool having a formation surface corresponding to a desired structure shape of the metallic structure. The method also includes attaching a removable tool having a shape corresponding to a desired aperture shape of the non-linear aperture to the main tool. The method also includes depositing a layer of material on the formation surface using a cold-spray technique. The method also includes removing the removable tool from the layer of material such that the layer of material defines the non-linear aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gary D. Roberge, William J. Brindley
  • Anti-windmilling system for a gas turbine engine
    Patent number: 10337349
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine has an engine static structure. At least one component rotatable relative to the engine static structure about an engine axis of rotation. A fan is coupled to at least one component for rotation about the engine axis of rotation. An actuator is mounted to the engine static structure, wherein the actuator is activated to prevent the fan from rotation and is inactivated to allow the fan to rotate. A method for preventing rotation of a fan in a gas turbine engine is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Gary D. Roberge
  • Light weight housing for internal component and method of making
    Patent number: 10335850
    Abstract: A method of making a light weight component is provided. The method including the steps of: forming a metallic foam core into a desired configuration; inserting a pre-machined component into an opening in the metallic foam core; applying an external metallic shell to an exterior surface of the metallic foam core after it has been formed into the desired configuration and after the pre-machined component has been inserted into the metallic foam core; introducing an acid into an internal cavity defined by the external metallic shell; dissolving the metallic foam core; and removing the dissolved metallic foam core from the internal cavity, wherein the component and the external metallic shell are resistant to the acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Gary D. Roberge
  • POWER TAKEOFF TRANSMISSION
    Publication number: 20190195139
    Abstract: A power takeoff and gearbox system of a multi-spool gas turbine engine includes a high rotor towershaft operably connected to and driven by a first spool of the gas turbine engine, a first gearbox operably connected to the high rotor towershaft, a low rotor towershaft operably connected to and driven by a second spool of the gas turbine engine, and a second gearbox operably connected to the low rotor towershaft. The high rotor towershaft is located at a first case of the gas turbine engine and the low rotor towershaft is located at a second case of the gas turbine engine axially forward of the first case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Inventor: Gary D. Roberge