Patents by Inventor Gregory E. Reinhardt

Gregory E. Reinhardt 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: 11486269
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a core housing that includes an inlet case and an intermediate case that respectively provide an inlet case flow path and an intermediate case flow path. A first shaft supports a low pressure compressor section that is arranged axially between the inlet case flow path and the intermediate case flow path. A first bearing supports the first shaft relative to the inlet case. A second bearing supports a second shaft relative to the intermediate case. A low pressure compressor hub is mounted to the first shaft. The low pressure compressor hub extends to the low pressure compressor section between the first bearing and the second bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian D. Merry, Gabriel L. Suciu, Todd A. Davis, Gregory E. Reinhardt, Enzo DiBenedetto
  • Patent number: 11433322
    Abstract: A machine has a first member; a second member; a third member; a bearing having an inner race mounted to the second member and an outer race mounted to the third member; a damper chamber between the first member and the third member; a fluid outlet in the first member to the damper chamber; a fluid supply flowpath to the fluid outlet; and an unvented chamber open to and locally above the fluid supply flowpath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel L. Gysling, Gregory E. Reinhardt, Daniel A. Szkrybalo
  • Patent number: 10935048
    Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, a center body support for a gas turbine engine includes a fan exit guide vane mounting ring and an outer annular wall. An aft flange extends radially outward from the outer annular wall. An inner annular wall is radially spaced from and structurally interconnected to the outer annular wall by a circumferential array of struts. A brace interconnects the aft flange to a forward portion of the outer annular wall. The aft flange includes inner and outer mounting features spaced radially apart from one another. The inner and outer mounting feature respectively receive first and second sets of fasteners. The forward portion extends in a radially outward direction from the outer annular wall. The forward portion includes a forward mounting feature that receives a third set of fasteners. The outer and forward mounting features are secured to the fan exit guide vane mounting ring respectively by the first and third sets of fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: John C. Ditomasso, Gregory E. Reinhardt
  • Publication number: 20210054880
    Abstract: A machine has a first member; a second member; a third member; a bearing having an inner race mounted to the second member and an outer race mounted to the third member; a damper chamber between the first member and the third member; a fluid outlet in the first member to the damper chamber; a fluid supply flowpath to the fluid outlet; and an unvented chamber open to and locally above the fluid supply flowpath.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventors: Daniel L. Gysling, Gregory E. Reinhardt, Daniel A. Szkrybalo
  • Patent number: 10927709
    Abstract: A gas turbine includes a shaft, a turbine coupled with the shaft for rotation with the shaft, and a bearing coupled with the shaft to facilitate rotation of the shaft. A bearing nut is adjacent the bearing on the shaft. The turbine has a first load path and the bearing has a second load path. The bearing nut exerts a force on the bearing such that the first load path is not aligned with the second load path relative to a central axis of the gas turbine engine. A method of assembling a gas turbine engine is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Marc J. Muldoon, Gregory E. Reinhardt
  • Patent number: 10920621
    Abstract: A horizontal support tool for an engine build stand, the horizontal support tool includes a support tube along an axis and a tie shaft between a handle and a puck assembly, the puck assembly including a puck selectively extendable and retractable transverse to the axis in response to rotation of the handle. A method of horizontally assembling a portion of a gas turbine engine including mounting a first module to an engine build stand; installing a horizontal support tool into the first module, the horizontal support tool supported in a spherical bearing supported by the engine build stand; and installing a second module to the first module, the horizontal support tool operable to at least partially support second module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gabrielle Murphy, Robert M. Lewis, Gregory E. Reinhardt
  • Patent number: 10767555
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a fan that includes a plurality of fan blades rotatable about an axis. An on-wing portion includes a compressor section and a combustor that is in fluid communication with the compressor section. A turbine section is in fluid communication with the combustor. A core flow path is arranged within a core nacelle. The fan is arranged upstream from the core flow path. A fan drive gear system module is coupled to the turbine section for rotating the fan about the axis. A connector assembly including first and second members respectively is secured to the on-wing portion and the fan drive gear system module. The first and second members are removably secured to one another by radially extending fasteners. The first members are connected to an on-wing portion of the gas turbine engine and the second members are connected to the fan drive gear system module. The fasteners are accessible through the bypass flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel W. Major, Gregory E. Reinhardt, Paul Thomas Rembish, Barry William Spaulding, Donald Summers
  • Patent number: 10767560
    Abstract: A bearing assembly for a gas turbine engine includes, among other things, a bearing housing extending along an axis to define a bearing compartment, a lubricant seal assembly adjacent to the bearing housing to bound the bearing compartment, an air seal assembly defining a vent cavity along the bearing housing, wherein a mixing cavity is defined between the lubricant seal assembly and the air seal assembly, and wherein the bearing housing defines an airflow supply passage, an airflow vent passage and a scupper passage having respective fluid ports at different circumferential positions relative to the axis, the fluid port of the airflow vent passage fluidly coupled to the vent cavity, and the fluid ports of the airflow supply and scupper passages fluidly coupled to the mixing cavity. A method of sealing for a gas turbine engine is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniel S. Rogers, Taryn Narrow, Gregory E. Reinhardt, Collin P. Fitzgerald, Christopher M. Valva, Leonard Kolshak
  • Publication number: 20200080478
    Abstract: A bearing assembly for a gas turbine engine includes, among other things, a bearing housing extending along an axis to define a bearing compartment, a lubricant seal assembly adjacent to the bearing housing to bound the bearing compartment, an air seal assembly defining a vent cavity along the bearing housing, wherein a mixing cavity is defined between the lubricant seal assembly and the air seal assembly, and wherein the bearing housing defines an airflow supply passage, an airflow vent passage and a scupper passage having respective fluid ports at different circumferential positions relative to the axis, the fluid port of the airflow vent passage fluidly coupled to the vent cavity, and the fluid ports of the airflow supply and scupper passages fluidly coupled to the mixing cavity. A method of sealing for a gas turbine engine is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Daniel S. Rogers, Taryn Narrow, Gregory E. Reinhardt, Collin P. Fitzgerald, Christopher M. Valva, Leonard Kolshak
  • Publication number: 20200025030
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a core housing that includes an inlet case and an intermediate case that respectively provide an inlet case flow path and an intermediate case flow path. A first shaft supports a low pressure compressor section that is arranged axially between the inlet case flow path and the intermediate case flow path. A first bearing supports the first shaft relative to the inlet case. A second bearing supports a second shaft relative to the intermediate case. A low pressure compressor hub is mounted to the first shaft. The low pressure compressor hub extends to the low pressure compressor section between the first bearing and the second bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: Brian D. Merry, Gabriel L. Suciu, Todd A. Davis, Gregory E. Reinhardt, Enzo DiBenedetto
  • Patent number: 10533498
    Abstract: An assembly system for assembling a gas turbine engine including a support beam defining a horizontal plane for assembly of engine components along a horizontal axis substantially parallel with the support beam. A forward arm is supported on the support beam for supporting a forward portion of an engine component. An aft arm is supported on the support beam for supporting an aft portion of the engine component. An aft mounting ring is attachable to an aft end of an engine assembly. A forward mounting ring is attachable to a forward end of the engine assembly. A drive is mounted to the aft arm engageable to the aft mounting ring for rotating the engine assembly about the horizontal axis. A roller is supported on the forward arm and engageable to the forward mounting ring to support the first end of the engine assembly during rotation about the horizontal axis. A method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gabrielle Murphy, Gregory E. Reinhardt, Robert M. Lewis, Scott L. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20190368379
    Abstract: A gas turbine includes a shaft, a turbine coupled with the shaft for rotation with the shaft, and a bearing coupled with the shaft to facilitate rotation of the shaft. A bearing nut is adjacent the bearing on the shaft. The turbine has a first load path and the bearing has a second load path. The bearing nut exerts a force on the bearing such that the first load path is not aligned with the second load path relative to a central axis of the gas turbine engine. A method of assembling a gas turbine engine is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Marc J. Muldoon, Gregory E. Reinhardt
  • Patent number: 10400629
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a core housing that includes an inlet case and an intermediate case that respectively provide an inlet case flow path and an intermediate case flow path. A first shaft supports a low pressure compressor section that is arranged axially between the inlet case flow path and the intermediate case flow path. A first bearing supports the first shaft relative to the inlet case. A second bearing supports a second shaft relative to the intermediate case. A low pressure compressor hub is mounted to the first shaft. The low pressure compressor hub extends to the low pressure compressor section between the first bearing and the second bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Brian D. Merry, Gabriel L. Suciu, Todd A. Davis, Gregory E. Reinhardt, Enzo DiBenedetto
  • Publication number: 20190153900
    Abstract: A horizontal support tool for an engine build stand, the horizontal support tool includes a support tube along an axis and a tie shaft between a handle and a puck assembly, said puck assembly including a puck selectively extendable and retractable transverse to the axis in response to rotation of the handle. A method of horizontally assembling a portion of a gas turbine engine including mounting a first module to an engine build stand; installing a horizontal support tool into the first module, the horizontal support tool supported in a spherical bearing supported by the engine build stand; and installing a second module to the first module, the horizontal support tool operable to at least partially support second module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gabrielle Murphy, Robert M. Lewis, Gregory E. Reinhardt
  • Publication number: 20190120140
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a bearing compartment that has at least one seal, a bearing disposed in the bearing compartment, a deoiler fluidly connected with the bearing compartment, and a vacuum generator fluidly connected with the deoiler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Jorn A. Glahn, Matthew J. Howlett, Myles R. Kelly, Victor M. Pinedo, Gregory E. Reinhardt, Bradley C. Schafer, Ethan K. Stearns
  • Publication number: 20190107120
    Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, a center body support for a gas turbine engine includes a fan exit guide vane mounting ring and an outer annular wall. An aft flange extends radially outward from the outer annular wall. An inner annular wall is radially spaced from and structurally interconnected to the outer annular wall by a circumferential array of struts. A brace interconnects the aft flange to a forward portion of the outer annular wall. The aft flange includes inner and outer mounting features spaced radially apart from one another. The inner and outer mounting feature respectively receive first and second sets of fasteners. The forward portion extends in a radially outward direction from the outer annular wall. The forward portion includes a forward mounting feature that receives a third set of fasteners. The outer and forward mounting features are secured to the fan exit guide vane mounting ring respectively by the first and third sets of fasteners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Inventors: John C. Ditomasso, Gregory E. Reinhardt
  • Patent number: 10221724
    Abstract: A horizontal support tool for an engine build stand, the horizontal support tool includes a support tube along an axis and a tie shaft between a handle and a puck assembly, said puck assembly including a puck selectively extendable and retractable transverse to the axis in response to rotation of the handle. A method of horizontally assembling a portion of a gas turbine engine including mounting a first module to an engine build stand; installing a horizontal support tool into the first module, the horizontal support tool supported in a spherical bearing supported by the engine build stand; and installing a second module to the first module, the horizontal support tool operable to at least partially support second module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gabrielle Murphy, Robert M Lewis, Gregory E Reinhardt
  • Patent number: 10215098
    Abstract: A sealing arrangement includes a turbine static structure with a seal ring having groove with a contact surface. Also included is a bearing compartment with a second contact surface, and a piston seal positioned between the turbine static structure and the bearing compartment. The piston seal includes sides configured to contact the contact surfaces and is positioned in the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony P. Cherolis, Jorge I. Farah, Seth A. Max, John H. Mosley, Steven D. Porter, Gregory E. Reinhardt, Kevin Zacchera
  • Patent number: 10167737
    Abstract: A turbofan engine structural guide vane is mounted to a forward bulkhead of a core engine case structure at an inner end and to a fan case at an outer end. A plurality of shear pins extend from the aft portion of the structural guide vane into a corresponding plurality of openings defined in the bulkhead for bearing circumferential loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory E. Reinhardt, Paul Thomas Rembish, Steven L. Conner, Thomas B. Hyatt, Steven J. Feigleson, Carl Brian Klinetob
  • Patent number: 10151240
    Abstract: A mid-turbine frame buffer system for a gas turbine engine includes a mid-turbine frame that supports a shaft by a bearing. An air compartment and a bearing compartment are arranged radially inward of the mid-turbine frame. The bearing compartment is arranged within the air compartment and includes first and second contact seals arranged on either side of the bearing. The air compartment includes multiple air seals. A high pressure compressor is fluidly connected to the air compartment and is configured to provide high pressure air to the air compartment. A method of providing pressurized air to a buffer system includes sealing a bearing compartment with contact seals, surrounding the bearing compartment with an air compartment, and supplying high pressure air to the air compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Marc J. Muldoon, Gregory E. Reinhardt