Patents by Inventor Gregory M. Savela

Gregory M. Savela 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: 10436064
    Abstract: A method of bowed rotor start response damping for a gas turbine engine is provided. A spring rate and a damping characteristic of one or more bearing supports in the gas turbine engine are selectively modified while a shaft of the gas turbine engine rotates below a speed which is adversely affected by a bowed rotor condition of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Gregory M. Savela
  • Patent number: 10287913
    Abstract: A method of bowed rotor start response damping for a gas turbine engine is provided. A spring rate and a damping characteristic of one or more bearing supports in the gas turbine engine are selectively modified while a shaft of the gas turbine engine rotates below a speed which is adversely affected by a bowed rotor condition of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Gregory M. Savela
  • Patent number: 10240529
    Abstract: An example gas turbine engine includes a turbine and first and second spools coaxial with one another. The first spool is arranged within the second spool and extends between forward and aft ends. The aft end extends axially beyond the second spool and supports the turbine. A housing is arranged downstream from the turbine. First and second bearings are mounted to the aft end of the first spool and supported by the housing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Gregory M. Savela
  • Patent number: 10233778
    Abstract: A bearing assembly is provided. The bearing assembly includes an inner race configured to couple to a shaft, an outer race disposed around the inner race, and a housing disposed around the outer race. The housing and the outer race define an annulus and a buffer region, and the buffer region defines an axial boundary of the annulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniel L. Gysling, Gregory M. Savela, John M. Feiereisen, Robert J. Morris
  • Patent number: 10094420
    Abstract: A squeeze film damper includes a static member and a whirling member positioned adjacent to the static member. A gap is formed between the static member and the whirling member. A pressurized oil reservoir is formed in the gap between the static member and the whirling member. A first low pressure oil reservoir is formed in a first cavity in the whirling member, wherein the first low pressure oil reservoir is positioned on a first end of the pressurized oil reservoir. A second low pressure oil reservoir is formed in a second cavity in the whirling member, wherein the second low pressure oil reservoir is positioned on a second end of the pressurized oil reservoir. A first primary seal is positioned between the first end of the pressurized oil reservoir and the first low pressure oil reservoir, and a second primary seal is positioned between the second end of the pressurized oil reservoir and the second low pressure oil reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: David B. Hudson, Gregory M. Savela, Robert J. Morris, Christopher J. Zuck, Daniel L. Gysling, Alan J. Goetschius
  • Publication number: 20180274588
    Abstract: A squeeze film damper includes a static member and a whirling member positioned adjacent to the static member. A gap is formed between the static member and the whirling member. A pressurized oil reservoir is formed in the gap between the static member and the whirling member. A first low pressure oil reservoir is formed in a first cavity in the whirling member, wherein the first low pressure oil reservoir is positioned on a first end of the pressurized oil reservoir. A second low pressure oil reservoir is formed in a second cavity in the whirling member, wherein the second low pressure oil reservoir is positioned on a second end of the pressurized oil reservoir. A first primary seal is positioned between the first end of the pressurized oil reservoir and the first low pressure oil reservoir, and a second primary seal is positioned between the second end of the pressurized oil reservoir and the second low pressure oil reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventors: David B. Hudson, Gregory M. Savela, Robert J. Morris, Christopher J. Zuck, Daniel L. Gysling, Alan J. Goetschius
  • Patent number: 10077713
    Abstract: A film damper for a gas turbine engine includes an annular inner member and an annular outer member located radially outboard of the annular inner member, the annular outer member and the annular inner member defining a damper annulus therebetween. A fluid supply passage delivers a flow of fluid into the damper annulus from the annular outer member, and a backflow prevention device is located at the fluid supply passage to prevent backflow of the flow of fluid from the damper annulus into the fluid supply passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniel L. Gysling, Gregory M. Savela, Robert J. Morris
  • Patent number: 9915174
    Abstract: A bearing assembly is provided. The bearing assembly may include an inner race configured to couple to a shaft, an outer race disposed around the inner race, a bearing support structure coupled to the outer race, and a housing disposed around the bearing support structure. The housing and the bearing support structure may define a squeeze-film damper annulus configured to receive an aerated damping fluid. The aerated damping fluid may be provided from a fluid pump and an air supply port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert J. Morris, Gregory M. Savela, Daniel L. Gysling, Richard A. Lomenzo
  • Publication number: 20170350273
    Abstract: A bearing assembly is provided. The bearing assembly includes an inner race configured to couple to a shaft, an outer race disposed around the inner race, and a housing disposed around the outer race. The housing and the outer race define an annulus and a buffer region, and the buffer region defines an axial boundary of the annulus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel L. Gysling, Gregory M. Savela, John M. Feiereisen, Robert J. Morris
  • Publication number: 20170335767
    Abstract: A film damper for a gas turbine engine includes an annular inner member and an annular outer member located radially outboard of the annular inner member, the annular outer member and the annular inner member defining a damper annulus therebetween. A fluid supply passage delivers a flow of fluid into the damper annulus from the annular outer member, and a backflow prevention device is located at the fluid supply passage to prevent backflow of the flow of fluid from the damper annulus into the fluid supply passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Daniel L. Gysling, Gregory M. Savela, Robert J. Morris
  • Publication number: 20170234158
    Abstract: A method of bowed rotor start response damping for a gas turbine engine is provided. A spring rate and a damping characteristic of one or more bearing supports in the gas turbine engine are selectively modified while a shaft of the gas turbine engine rotates below a speed which is adversely affected by a bowed rotor condition of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventor: Gregory M. Savela
  • Publication number: 20170009655
    Abstract: An example gas turbine engine includes a turbine and first and second spools coaxial with one another. The first spool is arranged within the second spool and extends between forward and aft ends. The aft end extends axially beyond the second spool and supports the turbine. A housing is arranged downstream from the turbine. First and second bearings are mounted to the aft end of the first spool and supported by the housing portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventor: Gregory M. Savela
  • Patent number: 9476320
    Abstract: An example gas turbine engine includes a turbine and first and second spools coaxial with one another. The first spool is arranged within the second spool and extends between forward and aft ends. The aft end extends axially beyond the second spool and supports the turbine. A housing is arranged downstream from the turbine. First and second bearings are mounted to the aft end of the first spool and supported by the housing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Gregory M. Savela
  • Patent number: 9470263
    Abstract: A bearing for a gas turbine engine may comprise a squeeze film damper. A bearing housing may comprise a roughened surface. The roughened surface may increase friction between the bearing housing and the oil in the squeeze film damper. The increased friction may increase the damping force in the squeeze film damper. The increased damping force may prevent oil inertia, and prevent resonant vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gregory M. Savela, Robert J. Morris
  • Publication number: 20160245336
    Abstract: A bearing for a gas turbine engine may comprise a squeeze film damper. A bearing housing may comprise a roughened surface. The roughened surface may increase friction between the bearing housing and the oil in the squeeze film damper. The increased friction may increase the damping force in the squeeze film damper. The increased damping force may prevent oil inertia, and prevent resonant vibrations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: GREGORY M. SAVELA, ROBERT J. MORRIS
  • Publication number: 20140060080
    Abstract: An example gas turbine engine includes a turbine and first and second spools coaxial with one another. The first spool is arranged within the second spool and extends between forward and aft ends. The aft end extends axially beyond the second spool and supports the turbine. A housing is arranged downstream from the turbine. First and second bearings are mounted to the aft end of the first spool and supported by the housing portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventor: Gregory M. Savela
  • Publication number: 20140060083
    Abstract: An example gas turbine engine includes a turbine and first and second spools coaxial with one another. The first spool is arranged within the second spool and extends between forward and aft ends. The aft end extends axially beyond the second spool and supports the turbine. A housing is arranged downstream from the turbine. First and second bearings are mounted to the aft end of the first spool and supported by the housing portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: United Technologies Corpration
    Inventor: Gregory M. Savela
  • Publication number: 20130340435
    Abstract: An example gas turbine engine includes a turbine and first and second spools coaxial with one another. The first spool is arranged within the second spool and extends between forward and aft ends. The aft end extends axially beyond the second spool and supports the turbine. A housing is arranged downstream from the turbine. First and second bearings are mounted to the aft end of the first spool and supported by the housing portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventor: Gregory M. Savela
  • Publication number: 20130195647
    Abstract: An example gas turbine engine includes a housing and first and second spools coaxial with one another and arranged within the housing. The first spool is arranged within the second spool and extends between forward and aft ends. The aft end extends axially beyond the second spool. First and second bearings support the aft end of the first spool relative to the housing. An example method of assembling the gas turbine engine includes arranging a first spool within a second spool. First and second bearings are mounted between an aft end of the first spool and a fixed housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventors: Marc J. Muldoon, William G. Sheridan, Gregory E. Reinhardt, Gregory M. Savela