Patents by Inventor Gregory A. Lafferty

Gregory A. Lafferty 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: 7966995
    Abstract: A system and method provide dual level pressurization control of a fuel supply system based on whether fuel is being supplied to one or more secondary fuel loads. Fuel pump discharge backpressure is maintained above either a first minimum pressure value or a lower second minimum pressure value by determining whether fuel is being supplied to one or more secondary fuel loads. The fuel pump discharge pressure is maintained above the first minimum pressure value if it is determined that fuel is being supplied to the one or more secondary loads. The fuel pump discharge backpressure is maintained above the lower second minimum pressure value if it is determined that fuel is not being supplied to the one or more secondary loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Paul W. Futa, Jr., Gregory A. Lafferty, David J. Lawrence, David J. Tuttle
  • Patent number: 7836676
    Abstract: A system allows a user to manually manipulate fuel flow to a gas turbine engine during a loss of power to the fuel supply system fuel metering unit. The fuel metering unit includes a fuel metering valve, a metering valve actuator, a fail-fixed valve, a flow increase valve, and a flow decrease valve. The fuel metering unit is configured such that, upon electrical power interruption to the metering valve actuator, the fail-fixed valve shifts and provides a hydraulic lock on the fuel metering valve, to thereby maintain its position. The flow increase and flow decrease valves are powered from a power source that is independent of that used to power the fuel metering unit and, when appropriately energized will allow movement of the fuel metering valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Paul W. Futa, Jr., Gregory A. Lafferty
  • Publication number: 20100263634
    Abstract: A system and method provide dual level pressurization control of a fuel supply system based on whether fuel is being supplied to one or more secondary fuel loads. Fuel pump discharge backpressure is maintained above either a first minimum pressure value or a lower second minimum pressure value by determining whether fuel is being supplied to one or more secondary fuel loads. The fuel pump discharge pressure is maintained above the first minimum pressure value if it is determined that fuel is being supplied to the one or more secondary loads. The fuel pump discharge backpressure is maintained above the lower second minimum pressure value if it is determined that fuel is not being supplied to the one or more secondary loads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Paul W. Futa, JR., Gregory A. Lafferty, David J. Lawrence, David J. Tuttle
  • Publication number: 20080296403
    Abstract: A system allows a user to manually manipulate fuel flow to a gas turbine engine during a loss of power to the fuel supply system fuel metering unit. The fuel metering unit includes a fuel metering valve, a metering valve actuator, a fail-fixed valve, a flow increase valve, and a flow decrease valve. The fuel metering unit is configured such that, upon electrical power interruption to the metering valve actuator, the fail-fixed valve shifts and provides a hydraulic lock on the fuel metering valve, to thereby maintain its position. The flow increase and flow decrease valves are powered from a power source that is independent of that used to power the fuel metering unit and, when appropriately energized will allow movement of the fuel metering valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Paul W. Futa, JR., Gregory A. Lafferty
  • Patent number: 7296406
    Abstract: A controlled piston (20, 62, 102) having a first end (24, 64, 104) mounted in a controlled piston sleeve (22) and a spool (16) movably mounted in a spool sleeve (18), a first fluid passage (40, 66, 108) from the spool (16) to the controlled piston first end (24, 64, 104), the position of the spool (16) affecting a position of the controlled piston (20, 62, 102), an FFV (42, 68, 110) in an FFV sleeve (44, 70, 112) in the first fluid passage (40, 66, 108) having a first end section (46, 74, 116), a second end section (48, 78, 120) and a central section (50, 82, 126) having a third diameter less than the diameters of the first and second sections, the FFV (42, 68, 110) being shiftable between a first position blocking the first fluid passage (40, 66, 108) and a second position allowing fluid flow past the central section (50, 82, 126) to the controlled piston (20, 62, 102), and a second fluid passage (56, 88, 134) from the spool (16) to the FFV first end section (46, 74, 116).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul W. Futa, Jr., George S. Wieger, Steven A. Lewis, Gregory A. Lafferty, John C. Van Oosterum
  • Publication number: 20070199314
    Abstract: A controlled piston (20, 62, 102) having a first end (24, 64, 104) mounted in a controlled piston sleeve (22) and a spool (16) movably mounted in a spool sleeve (18), a first fluid passage (40, 66, 108) from the spool (16) to the controlled piston first end (24, 64, 104), the position of the spool (16) affecting a position of the controlled piston (20, 62, 102), an FFV (42, 68, 110) in an FFV sleeve (44, 70, 112) in the first fluid passage (40, 66, 108) having a first end section (46, 74, 116), a second end section (48, 78, 120) and a central section (50, 82, 126) having a third diameter less than the diameters of the first and second sections, the FFV (42, 68, 110) being shiftable between a first position blocking the first fluid passage (40, 66, 108) and a second position allowing fluid flow past the central section (50, 82, 126) to the controlled piston (20, 62, 102), and a second fluid passage (56, 88, 134) from the spool (16) to the FFV first end section (46, 74, 116).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Publication date: August 30, 2007
    Inventors: Paul Futa, George Wieger, Steven Lewis, Gregory Lafferty, John Van Oosterum
  • Patent number: 6997689
    Abstract: A bearing assembly (20) for a pump (12), e.g., an internal or external gear pump includes a journal bearing block (20) having a length, a width, and an axial centerline (CL?) passing through a center of the journal bearing block (20) with respect to the length. The journal bearing block (20) includes at least two journal bearing bores (21), the journal bearing bores (21) each having a center (C), wherein a bearing bore centerline (CL) extends between the centers (C) of the journal bearing bores (21) and in parallel with the bearing bore centerline (CL). The bearing bore centerline (CL) is offset with respect to the width of the journal bearing block (20) and the axial centerline (CL?). The bearing assembly (20) is particularly applicable to gear pumps, such as external gear pumps for fuel applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Lafferty, David J. Lawrence
  • Publication number: 20040166010
    Abstract: A bearing assembly (20) for a pump (12), e.g., an internal or external gear pump includes a journal bearing block (20) having a length, a width, and an axial centerline (CL′) passing through a center of the journal bearing block (20) with respect to the length. The journal bearing block (20) includes at least two journal bearing bores (21), the journal bearing bores (21) each having a center (C), wherein a bearing bore centerline (CL) extends between the centers (C) of the journal bearing bores (21) and in parallel with the bearing bore centerline (CL). The bearing bore centerline (CL) is offset with respect to the width of the journal bearing block (20) and the axial centerline (CL′). The bearing assembly (20) is particularly applicable to gear pumps, such as external gear pumps for fuel applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventors: Gregory A. Lafferty, David J. Lawrence
  • Patent number: 6637349
    Abstract: A motorized picnic table having a drive mechanism, wheels connected to and driven by the drive mechanism, a table mounted above the drive mechanism, and at least one seat adjacent the table. In the preferred embodiment, the seats are bench-type seats and flank the drive mechanism. The motorized table includes fenders covering at least a portion of the wheels to protect the feet and legs of picnickers using the table from the wheels when the table is in motion. A foot platform is provided for picnickers to rest their feet upon. The table has a roof and a roof mounting frame for mounting said roof above said table. The roof may be removable. The motorized table has open sides. The motorized table includes a steering mechanism wherein the steering mechanism can be operated by a picnicker seated on one of the seats. In the preferred embodiment, the steering mechanism extends through an aperture in the picnic table. The drive mechanism has a hydrostatic transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Inventor: Gregory A. Lafferty