Patents by Inventor Hervé TURCOTTE

Hervé TURCOTTE 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: 11885242
    Abstract: An aircraft engine has: a compressor section having a compressor rotor rotatable about a central axis; a diffuser downstream of the compressor rotor, the diffuser including a diffuser ring extending circumferentially around the central axis; a bearing housing secured to the diffuser ring, the bearing housing contained within a volume located radially inwardly of the diffuser ring; and an air manifold secured to the diffuser ring, the air manifold defining inlets in fluid flow communication with the compressor section and an outlet in fluid flow communication with the volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Hervé Turcotte, Kenneth Parkman, Oleg Morenko, Nicholas Guglielmin, Gavin Kisun, Ryan Miskie
  • Publication number: 20230417153
    Abstract: Lubricant pump systems and associated methods for aircraft engines are provided. The method includes receiving an input torque, dividing the input torque between a first load path receiving a first portion of the input torque, and a second load path receiving a second portion of the input torque. A first lubricant pump of the aircraft engine is driven via the first load path using the first portion of the input torque. A second lubricant pump of the aircraft engine is driven via the second load path using the second portion of the input torque. When a malfunction of the second lubricant pump occurs, the method includes ceasing to drive the first lubricant pump and the second lubricant pump using the input torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Applicant: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventor: Hervé TURCOTTE
  • Publication number: 20230358145
    Abstract: An aircraft engine has: a compressor section having a compressor rotor rotatable about a central axis; a diffuser downstream of the compressor rotor, the diffuser including a diffuser ring extending circumferentially around the central axis; a bearing housing secured to the diffuser ring, the bearing housing contained within a volume located radially inwardly of the diffuser ring; and an air manifold secured to the diffuser ring, the air manifold defining inlets in fluid flow communication with the compressor section and an outlet in fluid flow communication with the volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2022
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Hervé TURCOTTE, Kenneth PARKMAN, Oleg MORENKO, Nicholas GUGLIELMIN, Gavin KISUN, Ryan MISKIE
  • Patent number: 11788427
    Abstract: Lubricant pump systems and associated methods for aircraft engines are provided. The method includes receiving an input torque, dividing the input torque between a first load path receiving a first portion of the input torque, and a second load path receiving a second portion of the input torque. A first lubricant pump of the aircraft engine is driven via the first load path using the first portion of the input torque. A second lubricant pump of the aircraft engine is driven via the second load path using the second portion of the input torque. When a malfunction of the second lubricant pump occurs, the method includes ceasing to drive the first lubricant pump and the second lubricant pump using the input torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventor: Hervé Turcotte
  • Patent number: 11549443
    Abstract: An apparatus of an aircraft engine having lubricated moving components is provided. The apparatus comprises a housing having a lubricant cavity for receiving lubricant and a service port cavity, the housing defining a selectively openable service port for accessing the service port cavity. A shaft is mounted for rotation about a rotational axis to the housing. A seal is mounted about the shaft forming a partition between the lubricant cavity and the service port cavity. A vent channel extends between the lubricant cavity and the service port cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Simon Baker-Ostiguy, Pierre Gauvin, Herve Turcotte
  • Publication number: 20220397059
    Abstract: Lubricant pump systems and associated methods for aircraft engines are provided. The method includes receiving an input torque, dividing the input torque between a first load path receiving a first portion of the input torque, and a second load path receiving a second portion of the input torque. A first lubricant pump of the aircraft engine is driven via the first load path using the first portion of the input torque. A second lubricant pump of the aircraft engine is driven via the second load path using the second portion of the input torque. When a malfunction of the second lubricant pump occurs, the method includes ceasing to drive the first lubricant pump and the second lubricant pump using the input torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Inventor: Hervé TURCOTTE
  • Patent number: 11525371
    Abstract: Cooling a torque probe involves an elongated sleeve extending along a sleeve axis between a first sleeve end and a second sleeve end. The sleeve is mountable about the torque probe to define a flow passage between an inner surface of the sleeve and an outer surface of the torque probe. The flow passage is in fluid communication with a flow passage inlet of the sleeve and with a flow passage outlet of the sleeve spaced apart along the sleeve axis from the flow passage inlet. A cooling airflow is configured to flow into the flow passage via the flow passage inlet, through the flow passage along the outer surface of the torque probe to cool the torque probe, and out of the flow passage via the flow passage outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Hervé Turcotte, Gabriel Naccache, Adam Logan
  • Patent number: 11480212
    Abstract: An assembly comprising: a nut having a cylindrical body with a threaded external surface, an axially extending interior tool socket, and a radially outwardly extending flange at a proximal end of the cylindrical body; a first component including a hollow cylindrical tube with a connector end having a radially inwardly extending shoulder, the radially inwardly extending shoulder abutting the radially outwardly extending flange of the nut in an assembled position; and a second component including an annular hub with a threaded internal surface matching the threaded external surface of the nut, and an annular mounting surface abutting the connector end of the propeller shaft in the assembled position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Paul Weaver, John Wilson, Michel Desjardins, Herve Turcotte
  • Patent number: 11428122
    Abstract: A thermal shielding arrangement for a turbine probe comprises a heat shield having first and second mating portions axially engaged in overlapping relationship around a probe extending through an air cavity between an exhaust case and a turbine housing. The first mating portion is provided on a radially outer surface of the turbine housing. The second mating portion projects radially inwardly from a radially inner surface of the exhaust case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Guy Lefebvre, Herve Turcotte
  • Publication number: 20220243615
    Abstract: Cooling a torque probe involves an elongated sleeve extending along a sleeve axis between a first sleeve end and a second sleeve end. The sleeve is mountable about the torque probe to define a flow passage between an inner surface of the sleeve and an outer surface of the torque probe. The flow passage is in fluid communication with a flow passage inlet of the sleeve and with a flow passage outlet of the sleeve spaced apart along the sleeve axis from the flow passage inlet. A cooling airflow is configured to flow into the flow passage via the flow passage inlet, through the flow passage along the outer surface of the torque probe to cool the torque probe, and out of the flow passage via the flow passage outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventors: Hervé TURCOTTE, Gabriel NACCACHE, Adam LOGAN
  • Patent number: 11359512
    Abstract: Cooling a torque probe involves an elongated sleeve extending along a sleeve axis between a first sleeve end and a second sleeve end. The sleeve is mountable about the torque probe to define a flow passage between an inner surface of the sleeve and an outer surface of the torque probe. The flow passage is in fluid communication with a flow passage inlet of the sleeve and with a flow passage outlet of the sleeve spaced apart along the sleeve axis from the flow passage inlet. A cooling fluid is configured to flow into the flow passage via the flow passage inlet, through the flow passage along the outer surface of the torque probe to cool the torque probe, and out of the flow passage via the flow passage outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Hervé Turcotte, Gabriel Naccache, Adam Logan
  • Patent number: 11339679
    Abstract: A thermal shielding arrangement for a turbine probe extending through an exhaust case and a turbine housing of a gas turbine engine comprises a sleeve having a radially inner end fixedly mounted to the turbine housing and a radially outer end floatingly received in a probe boss on the exhaust case. The radially outer end of the sleeve opens to an air cavity between the exhaust case and a surrounding engine nacelle to allow for air circulation around the probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Guy Lefebvre, Remy Synnott, Herve Turcotte, Gabriel Naccache
  • Publication number: 20220074349
    Abstract: A turboprop or turboshaft gas turbine engine includes a low pressure turbine drivingly engaged to an output shaft for driving a rotatable load. A low pressure compressor is de-coupled from the low pressure turbine, the low pressure compressor and turbine rotating independently from one another. A high pressure compressor is disposed downstream from the low pressure compressor and is in fluid communication therewith to receive pressurized air therefrom. A high pressure turbine is disposed downstream from the high pressure compressor and is drivingly engaged thereto via a high pressure shaft. The high pressure turbine is disposed upstream from the low pressure turbine and is in fluid communication therewith. An electric motor receives power from a power source, is drivingly engaged to the low pressure compressor, and is operable to drive the low pressure compressor independently from the low pressure turbine, the high pressure compressor and the high pressure turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: Patrick VALOIS, Hervé TURCOTTE, Ghislain PLANTE
  • Publication number: 20220065170
    Abstract: An apparatus of an aircraft engine having lubricated moving components is provided. The apparatus comprises a housing having a lubricant cavity for receiving lubricant and a service port cavity, the housing defining a selectively openable service port for accessing the service port cavity. A shaft is mounted for rotation about a rotational axis to the housing. A seal is mounted about the shaft forming a partition between the lubricant cavity and the service port cavity. A vent channel extends between the lubricant cavity and the service port cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Simon BAKER-OSTIGUY, Pierre GAUVIN, Herve TURCOTTE
  • Patent number: 11208957
    Abstract: A planetary gear train for an aircraft engine, has a sun gear rotatable about a rotation axis, planet gears meshed with the sun gear and circumferentially distributed about the rotation axis, and a ring gear meshed with the planet gears, a planet carrier having first and second disk members axially offset from one another relative to the rotation axis, the planet carrier having planet bearings secured to the first and second disk members and extending axially therebetween, the planet gears rotatably supported by the planet bearings, the planet carrier having connecting members secured to both of the first and second disk members, the connecting members located circumferentially between the planet bearings, a lubrication network extending within the planet carrier and in fluid flow communication with the planet bearing and extending within the connecting members, the connecting members defining outlets of the lubrication network, the outlets oriented toward the sun gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Michel Desjardins, Hervé Turcotte
  • Publication number: 20210388732
    Abstract: A hybrid multi-spool gas turbine engine, has: a LP spool and a HP spool rotatable about a central axis, the LP spool having an LP compressor and an LP turbine engaged to the LP compressor via an LP shaft, the LP shaft engaged to a rotatable load at a first end thereof, the HP spool having an HP turbine and an HP compressor engaged to the HP turbine via a HP shaft; an accessory gearbox (AGB) engaged to both of the LP shaft and the HP shaft and located proximate a second end thereof, the AGB having at least one accessory output drivingly engageable to at least one accessory and at least one input; and at least one electric motor drivingly engaged to the at least one input of the AGB, the at least one electric motor drivingly engaged to the rotatable load via the AGB and the LP shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Inventor: Hervé TURCOTTE
  • Publication number: 20210388733
    Abstract: An hybrid aircraft power plant, has: a gas turbine engine having a high-pressure spool including a high-pressure compressor, a high-pressure turbine, and a high-pressure shaft drivingly engaging the high-pressure turbine to the high-pressure compressor, a low-pressure spool including a low-pressure compressor, a low-pressure turbine, and a low-pressure shaft drivingly engaging the low-pressure turbine to the low-pressure compressor; an electric motor drivingly engaged to the low-pressure shaft; and a torque-transmitting device operatively connected to the HP-shaft and having an engaged configuration in which the torque-transmitting device drivingly engages the electric motor to the high-pressure shaft and a disengaged configuration in which the torque-transmitting device disconnects the electric motor from the high-pressure shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Inventors: Patrick VALOIS, Hervé TURCOTTE, Richard FREER, Jonatan TREMBLAY, Eric LATULIPE
  • Publication number: 20210070423
    Abstract: An assembly comprising: a nut having a cylindrical body with a threaded external surface, an axially extending interior tool socket, and a radially outwardly extending flange at a proximal end of the cylindrical body; a first component including a hollow cylindrical tube with a connector end having a radially inwardly extending shoulder, the radially inwardly extending shoulder abutting the radially outwardly extending flange of the nut in an assembled position; and a second component including an annular hub with a threaded internal surface matching the threaded external surface of the nut, and an annular mounting surface abutting the connector end of the propeller shaft in the assembled position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Paul WEAVER, John WILSON, Michel DESJARDINS, Herve TURCOTTE
  • Patent number: 10907490
    Abstract: An air supply system is configured to provide cooling air with reduced heat pickup to a turbine rotor of a gas turbine engine. The system comprises a first cooling passage extending between a hollow airfoil and an internal pipe extending through the airfoil. The airfoil extends through a hot gas path. A second cooling passage extends through the internal pipe. The coolant flowing through the second cooling passage is thermally isolated from the airfoil hot surface by the flow of coolant flowing through the first cooling passage. The first and second cooling passages have a common output flow to a rotor cavity of the turbine rotor where coolant flows from the first and second cooling passages combine according to a predetermined ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Roger Huppe, Marc Tardif, Herve Turcotte
  • Publication number: 20200256259
    Abstract: A planetary gear train for an aircraft engine, has a sun gear rotatable about a rotation axis, planet gears meshed with the sun gear and circumferentially distributed about the rotation axis, and a ring gear meshed with the planet gears, a planet carrier having first and second disk members axially offset from one another relative to the rotation axis, the planet carrier having planet bearings secured to the first and second disk members and extending axially therebetween, the planet gears rotatably supported by the planet bearings, the planet carrier having connecting members secured to both of the first and second disk members, the connecting members located circumferentially between the planet bearings, a lubrication network extending within the planet carrier and in fluid flow communication with the planet bearing and extending within the connecting members, the connecting members defining outlets of the lubrication network, the outlets oriented toward the sun gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Inventors: Michel DESJARDINS, Hervé TURCOTTE