Patents by Inventor Gary J. Dillard

Gary J. Dillard 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: 12669244
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for a turbine engine. This turbine engine apparatus includes a combustor wall, and the combustor wall includes a panel, a deflector and a quench aperture that extends along an aperture centerline through the combustor wall to an aperture outlet into a combustion chamber. The panel extends axially along and circumferentially about an axis. The panel extends radially between a first panel side and a second panel side. The first panel side forms a peripheral boundary of the combustion chamber. The panel forms a downstream side of the aperture outlet at the first panel side. The deflector projects out from the panel at the first panel side into the combustion chamber. The deflector forms an upstream side of the aperture outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2026
    Assignee: RTX Corporation
    Inventors: Ian Walters, Stephen K. Kramer, Baris A. Sen, Gary J. Dillard, Eunice Allen-Bradley
  • Patent number: 12352441
    Abstract: An assembly for a combustor for a gas turbine engine, including: a plurality of heat shield panels attached to at least one combustor liner, each one of the plurality of heat shield panels including a panel portion and a first forward rail and a second rearward rail each extending from an outer surface of the panel portion, the panel portion including an inner surface opposite of the outer surface, the panel portion also includes a forward end and a rearward end, the forward end of the panel portion is axially forward of the rearward end of an adjacent heat shield panel of the plurality of heat shield panels such that a gap is defined between the outer surface of the panel portion of one heat shield panel of the plurality of heat shield panels and an inner surface of the panel portion of an adjacent heat shield panel of the plurality of heat shield panels, the panel portion also includes a plurality of apertures extending from the outer surface to the inner surface; and a plurality of cooling pins extending u
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2025
    Assignee: RTX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dibesh D. Joshi, Gary J. Dillard, Albert K. Cheung, Stephen K. Kramer
  • Publication number: 20250102146
    Abstract: An assembly for a combustor for a gas turbine engine, including: a plurality of heat shield panels attached to at least one combustor liner, each one of the plurality of heat shield panels including a panel portion and a first forward rail and a second rearward rail each extending from an outer surface of the panel portion, the panel portion including an inner surface opposite of the outer surface, the panel portion also includes a forward end and a rearward end, the forward end of the panel portion is axially forward of the rearward end of an adjacent heat shield panel of the plurality of heat shield panels such that a gap is defined between the outer surface of the panel portion of one heat shield panel of the plurality of heat shield panels and an inner surface of the panel portion of an adjacent heat shield panel of the plurality of heat shield panels, the panel portion also includes a plurality of apertures extending from the outer surface to the inner surface; and a plurality of cooling pins extending u
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2023
    Publication date: March 27, 2025
    Inventors: Dibesh D. Joshi, Gary J. Dillard, Albert K. Cheung, Stephen K. Kramer
  • Publication number: 20240302044
    Abstract: An assembly is provided for a gas turbine engine. This turbine engine assembly includes a combustor and a fuel injector assembly. The combustor includes a combustion chamber that extends axially along and circumferentially about an axial centerline. The fuel injector assembly is configured to direct fuel and air into the combustion chamber. The fuel injector assembly includes a fuel injector nozzle and an air swirler structure. The fuel injector nozzle projects into and is coupled with the air swirler structure. The centerline axis of at least one of the fuel injector nozzle or the air swirler structure is angularly offset from the axial centerline by an offset angle in a circumferential direction about the axial centerline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2023
    Publication date: September 12, 2024
    Inventors: Ian Walters, Stephen K. Kramer, Gary J. Dillard
  • Publication number: 20240302042
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for a turbine engine. This turbine engine apparatus includes a combustor wall, and the combustor wall includes a panel, a deflector and a quench aperture that extends along an aperture centerline through the combustor wall to an aperture outlet into a combustion chamber. The panel extends axially along and circumferentially about an axis. The panel extends radially between a first panel side and a second panel side. The first panel side forms a peripheral boundary of the combustion chamber. The panel forms a downstream side of the aperture outlet at the first panel side. The deflector projects out from the panel at the first panel side into the combustion chamber. The deflector forms an upstream side of the aperture outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2023
    Publication date: September 12, 2024
    Inventors: Ian Walters, Stephen K. Kramer, Baris A. Sen, Gary J. Dillard, Eunice Allen-Bradley
  • Publication number: 20240288169
    Abstract: An assembly is provided for a turbine engine. This turbine engine assembly includes an air swirler structure, an injector nozzle and a nozzle guide. The air swirler structure includes a swirler wall, an inner passage and an air swirler passage. The swirler wall includes a flow guide surface. At least an inner portion of the flow guide surface has a frustoconical geometry. The inner passage extends axially along an axis within the air swirler structure to a swirler outlet. The air swirler passage extends radially into the air swirler structure, longitudinally along the flow guide surface and to the inner passage. The injector nozzle projects axially into the inner passage. The nozzle guide couples the injector nozzle to the air swirler structure. The nozzle guide is axially abutted against the swirler wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2023
    Publication date: August 29, 2024
    Inventors: Baris A. Sen, Andrew W. Justice, Stephen K. Kramer, Gary J. Dillard
  • Publication number: 20240255147
    Abstract: An assembly is provided for a gas turbine engine. This assembly includes an air swirler structure, an injector nozzle and a nozzle guide. The air swirler structure includes an inner bore and an air swirler passage. The inner bore extends axially along an axis through the air swirler structure. The air swirler passage extends radially into the air swirler structure to the inner bore. The injector nozzle projects axially into the inner bore. The nozzle guide couples the injector nozzle to the air swirler structure. The nozzle guide includes a guide foot and an air purge passage radially outboard of the guide foot. The guide foot is configured to radially engage the injector nozzle. The air purge passage extends across the nozzle guide and axially to the inner bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2024
    Publication date: August 1, 2024
    Inventors: Zhongtao Dai, Wookyung Kim, Stephen K. Kramer, Gary J. Dillard, Baris A. Sen
  • Publication number: 20240159398
    Abstract: An assembly is provided for a gas turbine engine. This engine assembly includes a fuel injector assembly, and the fuel injector assembly includes a fuel swirler and an air swirler. The fuel swirler is configured to swirl fuel in a direction about the axis to provide swirled fuel. The fuel injector assembly is configured to inject the swirled fuel as an annular fuel flow along an axis. The air swirler is configured to swirl air in the direction about the axis to provide swirled air. The fuel injector assembly is configured to inject the swirled air as an annular air flow along the axis, adjacent and circumscribing the annular fuel flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2022
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Inventors: Zhongtao Dai, Wookyung Kim, Stephen K. Kramer, Baris A. Sen, Gary J. Dillard
  • Patent number: 11698192
    Abstract: A combustor liner assembly includes a first liner panel that has a first forward end and a first aft end. A second liner panel has a second forward end and a second aft end. A support band has a plurality of circumferentially spaced holes. The support band is arranged between the first liner panel and the second liner panel. The support band has a protrusion with a first angled surface and a second angled surface. The first angled surface is in engagement with the first aft end and the second angled surface in engagement with the second forward end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Salvatore D'Alessandro, Gary J. Dillard
  • Publication number: 20220316707
    Abstract: A combustor liner assembly includes a first liner panel that has a first forward end and a first aft end. A second liner panel has a second forward end and a second aft end. A support band has a plurality of circumferentially spaced holes. The support band is arranged between the first liner panel and the second liner panel. The support band has a protrusion with a first angled surface and a second angled surface. The first angled surface is in engagement with the first aft end and the second angled surface in engagement with the second forward end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2021
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Salvatore D'Alessandro, Gary J. Dillard
  • Patent number: 11268696
    Abstract: A combustor for use in a gas turbine engine comprising: an outward shell; an inward shell located radially inward of the outward shell, the inward shell and the outward shell defining a combustion chamber therebetween; an aft outward panel located proximate the outward shell, the aft outward panel extending from an aft end of the combustion chamber to an outward panel joint; an aft inward panel located proximate the inward shell, the aft inward panel extending from the aft end of the combustion chamber to an inward panel joint; and a forward panel located proximate a forward end of the combustion chamber, the forward panel comprising: an outward wall located proximate the outward shell; an inward wall located proximate the inward shell; and a forward wall located proximate the forward end of the combustion chamber, the forward wall extending from the inward wall to the outward wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gary J. Dillard, Assaf Farah
  • Patent number: 11149684
    Abstract: A heat shield panel for use in a combustor of a gas turbine engine is disclosed. In various embodiments, the heat shield panel includes an inner base layer, an outer base layer, and a grommet having a flange disposed between the inner base layer and the outer base layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Gary J. Dillard
  • Patent number: 10801731
    Abstract: A combustor panel for use in a gas turbine engine includes a body portion having an outwardly curved edge defining a channel between the body portion and the outwardly curved edge. The outwardly curved edge includes a plurality of slots. The panel further includes a fastening member having a base disposed within the channel and a plurality of fasteners extending from the base and disposed within the slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Gary J. Dillard
  • Publication number: 20200124281
    Abstract: A combustor for use in a gas turbine engine comprising: an outward shell; an inward shell located radially inward of the outward shell, the inward shell and the outward shell defining a combustion chamber therebetween; an aft outward panel located proximate the outward shell, the aft outward panel extending from an aft end of the combustion chamber to an outward panel joint; an aft inward panel located proximate the inward shell, the aft inward panel extending from the aft end of the combustion chamber to an inward panel joint; and a forward panel located proximate a forward end of the combustion chamber, the forward panel comprising: an outward wall located proximate the outward shell; an inward wall located proximate the inward shell; and a forward wall located proximate the forward end of the combustion chamber, the forward wall extending from the inward wall to the outward wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Gary J. Dillard, Assaf Farah
  • Publication number: 20200102907
    Abstract: A heat shield panel for use in a combustor of a gas turbine engine is disclosed. In various embodiments, the heat shield panel includes an inner base layer, an outer base layer, and a grommet having a flange disposed between the inner base layer and the outer base layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Gary J. Dillard
  • Publication number: 20200088410
    Abstract: A combustor panel for use in a gas turbine engine includes a body portion having an outwardly curved edge defining a channel between the body portion and the outwardly curved edge. The outwardly curved edge includes a plurality of slots. The panel further includes a fastening member having a base disposed within the channel and a plurality of fasteners extending from the base and disposed within the slots.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventor: Gary J. Dillard
  • Publication number: 20190368737
    Abstract: A pre-diffuser fairing for a gas turbine engine is disclosed. In various embodiments, the pre-diffuser fairing includes a first side wall, a first radially inward portion and a first radially outward portion and a second side wall, a second radially inward portion and a second radially outward portion. The first side wall and the second side wall are spaced apart to form a cavity configured to receive a strut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gary J. Dillard, Russell B. Hanson
  • Patent number: 10378451
    Abstract: A seal assembly is provided for a gas turbine engine. This seal assembly includes a tadpole seal with a bulb and a tail, where the tail is directed toward a backwall. The seal assembly also includes a faying extension that at least partially extends into the channel and into contact with the bulb. An exhaust duct is also provided for a gas turbine engine. This exhaust duct includes a seal assembly between a first exhaust duct section and a second exhaust duct section. The seal assembly includes a tadpole seal with a bulb and a tail, where the tail is directed upstream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Gary J. Dillard
  • Publication number: 20160201566
    Abstract: A seal assembly is provided for a gas turbine engine. This seal assembly includes a tadpole seal with a bulb and a tail, where the tail is directed toward a backwall. The seal assembly also includes a faying extension that at least partially extends into the channel and into contact with the bulb. An exhaust duct is also provided for a gas turbine engine. This exhaust duct includes a seal assembly between a first exhaust duct section and a second exhaust duct section. The seal assembly includes a tadpole seal with a bulb and a tail, where the tail is directed upstream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventor: Gary J. Dillard
  • Patent number: 9097211
    Abstract: An example gas turbine engine includes an engine casing and an engine liner within the engine casing. One of the engine casing or the engine liner includes a first attachment structure. The other of the engine casing or the engine liner defines a track guide. A slideable member is moveable within the track guide between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The slideable member includes a second attachment structure engageable with the first attachment structure to secure the engine liner relative the engine casing when the slideable member is in the engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gonzalo F. Martinez, Gary J. Dillard