Patents by Inventor John Gebhard

John Gebhard 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).

  • Publication number: 20230349302
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine for an aircraft may include a shaft fixed to a compressor of the gas turbine engine, at least one of a turboprop and a turbofan, a power gearbox having a power output shaft fixed to the at least one of the turboprop and the turbofan, wherein the power gearbox receives an input rotation from the shaft, an auxiliary gearbox having an auxiliary output shaft powering at least one auxiliary component of the gas turbine engine, a first lubrication system, and a second lubrication system that is separated from the first lubrication system. The first lubrication systems may circulate a first lubricant through the power gearbox, and the second lubrication system may circulate a second lubricant through the auxiliary gearbox.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Applicant: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: John Gebhard, Adam Kempers, Jeremy Gallagher
  • Patent number: 11585239
    Abstract: An oil distribution system uses an oil storage container to contain an air/oil separation unit, a heat exchanger, and an oil reservoir. The functions of oil storage, air/oil separation, and cooling are integrated in the container. Hot aerated oil enters the container at an air/oil separation unit. The air/oil separator deposits hot de-aerated oil into the oil reservoir. The oil reservoir transfers hot de-aerated oil to conduits in a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger uses fuel to cool the oil and warm the fuel. Cooled de-aerated oil is provided to a mechanical device for lubrication and warmed fuel is provided to power an engine. The container may alternatively receive hot aerated oil into the conduits in the heat exchanger. Cooled aerated oil is delivered to the air/oil separation unit to deposit cooled de-aerated oil into the reservoir. Cooled de-aerated oil is pumped to a mechanical device to provide lubrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE CORPORATION
    Inventor: John Gebhard
  • Patent number: 11530633
    Abstract: A system and method of safely servicing a liquid-tight container installed in a location where flammable vapors or electrostatic shock exist, where the structure of the container is fabricated of a non-conductive material. The electrostatic charge build-up inside the container is achieved by coating the inside surface with a dissipative plastic and connecting the dissipative coating to a conductive feed-through with a metallic layer, where at least one of the metallic layer or the conductive layer extends over at least the region between a lower design fill level and an upper design fill level. The conductive feed-through is connected to a system static ground point which is isolated from electronic power supply grounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE CORPORATION
    Inventors: John Gebhard, Adam Kempers, Jeremy Gallagher
  • Patent number: 11422021
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of determining the level of a liquid in a reservoir having curved surfaces is described, where the measuring device comprises a support having a radius of curvature conformable to the curvature of the reservoir. A float assembly is captivated to the support so that it may move freely in the vertical direction, but is constrained in rotation with respect to the support by compatible asymmetrical structural features. The float assembly includes an element that can be sensed by a sensor assembly that is positioned along the support over the length of the support encompassing the range of fluid levels to be measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE CORPORATION
    Inventors: John Gebhard, Adam Kempers, Jeremy Gallagher
  • Patent number: 11408345
    Abstract: An oil delivery system is provided that includes a tank for a gas turbine engine, where the tank is positioned radially outward from a compressor section, a combustor section, and/or a turbine section of the gas turbine engine. The tank is configured to store oil for the gas turbine engine. The oil delivery system further includes a primary lubrication system including a sump of a power gearbox, a pump, and an oil feed line. The oil feed line extends from the tank to the primary lubrication system. The oil feed line is configured to allow a flow of oil to pass from the tank to the pump and from the pump through the power gearbox to the sump of the power gearbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignees: ROLLS-ROYCE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Isabelle Erickson, Adam L. Kempers, David Edwards, John Gebhard, Jeremy Gallagher
  • Publication number: 20210181009
    Abstract: A system and method for efficiently measuring the fluid level in a container having a non-uniform cross sectional area is described. The measuring device may be immersed in the fluid and have a float slidable along a structure having the capability to sense an aspect of the location of the float. Since the accuracy requirements in measuring the fluid level may be more important for the higher levels and the lower levels than the intermediate quantities, the sensor may likewise be configured to provide more accurate measurements near the upper and lower fill levels. The position of a float may be determined by capacitive optical or magnetic sensing techniques and the sensed position translated into engineering units for output by a calibration table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Applicant: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: John Gebhard, Adam Kempers, Jeremy Gallagher
  • Publication number: 20210172352
    Abstract: A system and method of safely servicing a liquid-tight container installed in a location where flammable vapors or electrostatic shock exist, where the structure of the container is fabricated of a non-conductive material. The electrostatic charge build-up inside the container is achieved by coating the inside surface with a dissipative plastic and connecting the dissipative coating to a conductive feed-through with a metallic layer, where at least one of the metallic layer or the conductive layer extends over at least the region between a lower design fill level and an upper design fill level. The conductive feed-through is connected to a system static ground point which is isolated from electronic power supply grounds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Applicant: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: John Gebhard, Adam Kempers, Jeremy Gallagher
  • Publication number: 20210156726
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of determining the level of a liquid in a reservoir having curved surfaces is described, where the measuring device comprises a support having a radius of curvature conformable to the curvature of the reservoir. A float assembly is captivated to the support so that it may move freely in the vertical direction, but is constrained in rotation with respect to the support by compatible asymmetrical structural features. The float assembly includes an element that can be sensed by a sensor assembly that is positioned along the support over the length of the support encompassing the range of fluid levels to be measured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Applicant: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: John Gebhard, Adam Kempers, Jeremy Gallagher
  • Publication number: 20210156280
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine for an aircraft may include a shaft fixed to a compressor of the gas turbine engine, at least one of a turboprop and a turbofan, a power gearbox having a power output shaft fixed to the at least one of the turboprop and the turbofan, wherein the power gearbox receives an input rotation from the shaft, an auxiliary gearbox having an auxiliary output shaft powering at least one auxiliary component of the gas turbine engine, a first lubrication system, and a second lubrication system that is separated from the first lubrication system. The first lubrication systems may circulates a first lubricant through the power gearbox, and the second lubrication system may circulate a second lubricant through the auxiliary gearbox.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Applicant: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: John Gebhard, Adam Kempers, Jeremy Gallagher
  • Publication number: 20210062719
    Abstract: An oil delivery system is provided that includes a tank for a gas turbine engine, where the tank is positioned radially outward from a compressor section, a combustor section, and/or a turbine section of the gas turbine engine. The tank is configured to store oil for the gas turbine engine. The oil delivery system further includes a primary lubrication system including a sump of a power gearbox, a pump, and an oil feed line. The oil feed line extends from the tank to the primary lubrication system. The oil feed line is configured to allow a flow of oil to pass from the tank to the pump and from the pump through the power gearbox to the sump of the power gearbox.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Applicants: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Isabelle Erickson, Adam L. Kempers, David Edwards, John Gebhard, Jeremy Gallagher
  • Patent number: 10851941
    Abstract: A lubrication system comprises a lubricant feed tank, a lubricant feed pump, one or more lubricant nozzles, a scavenge pump drive motor, and one or more scavenge pumps. The lubricant feed pump takes suction from the lubricant feed tank and pumps a lubricant feed as lubricant jets exiting the one or more lubricant nozzles. The lubricant feed pump has a rotating feed pump shaft coupled to a power source. The scavenge pump drive motor drives a rotating scavenge pump shaft that is coupled to the one or more scavenge pumps. The scavenge pumps return lubricant to the lubricant feed tank. The feed pump shaft and scavenge pump shaft rotate independently of each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Wilson, John Gebhard, Josh Gear, Mihir Desai
  • Publication number: 20200271014
    Abstract: An oil distribution system uses an oil storage container to contain an air/oil separation unit, a heat exchanger, and an oil reservoir. The functions of oil storage, air/oil separation, and cooling are integrated in the container. Hot aerated oil enters the container at an air/oil separation unit. The air/oil separator deposits hot de-aerated oil into the oil reservoir. The oil reservoir transfers hot de-aerated oil to conduits in a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger uses fuel to cool the oil and warm the fuel. Cooled de-aerated oil is provided to a mechanical device for lubrication and warmed fuel is provided to power an engine. The container may alternatively receive hot aerated oil into the conduits in the heat exchanger. Cooled aerated oil is delivered to the air/oil separation unit to deposit cooled de-aerated oil into the reservoir. Cooled de-aerated oil is pumped to a mechanical device to provide lubrication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventor: John Gebhard
  • Patent number: 10557208
    Abstract: A container structure having one or more sections and a method for manufacturing such a structure is provided. Using an additive manufacturing process, a mold material is applied to produce a shaped substrate in the form of the desired sections and/or structure. Multiple reinforcement members are disposed within the substrate and extend between and are at least partially exposed at the inner and outer substrate surfaces. A coating material is applied to the inner and outer substrate surfaces and bonds to the exposed portions of the reinforcement members. The mold material is removed and replaced with another material among the reinforcement members between the substrate coatings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: John Gebhard, Doug Schetzel
  • Publication number: 20190218679
    Abstract: A container structure having one or more sections and a method for manufacturing such a structure is provided. Using an additive manufacturing process, a mold material is applied to produce a shaped substrate in the form of the desired sections and/or structure. Multiple reinforcement members are disposed within the substrate and extend between and are at least partially exposed at the inner and outer substrate surfaces. A coating material is applied to the inner and outer substrate surfaces and bonds to the exposed portions of the reinforcement members. The mold material is removed and replaced with another material among the reinforcement members between the substrate coatings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: John Gebhard, Doug Schetzel
  • Publication number: 20190170294
    Abstract: A lubrication system comprises a lubricant feed tank, a lubricant feed pump, one or more lubricant nozzles, a scavenge pump drive motor, and one or more scavenge pumps. The lubricant feed pump takes suction from the lubricant feed tank and pumps a lubricant feed as lubricant jets exiting the one or more lubricant nozzles. The lubricant feed pump has a rotating feed pump shaft coupled to a power source. The scavenge pump drive motor drives a rotating scavenge pump shaft that is coupled to the one or more scavenge pumps. The scavenge pumps return lubricant to the lubricant feed tank. The feed pump shaft and scavenge pump shaft rotate independently of each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Applicant: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Wilson, John Gebhard, Josh Gear, Mihir Desai
  • Publication number: 20190063253
    Abstract: Technologies for engine fluid quality monitoring are disclosed herein. An engine system includes a sensor and an engine controller. The sensor generates sensor data indicative of a fluid property of engine fluid of a gas turbine engine of the engine system. The engine fluid may be engine oil or fuel. The fluid quality may be viscosity, water content, calorific content, specific gravity, heating value, or the presence of contaminants in the engine fluid. The engine controller determines the fluid property based on the sensor data and outputs the fluid property. The fluid property may be stored in non-volatile storage. A user alert such as a cockpit alert may be generated based on the fluid property. A control law of the gas turbine engine may be modified as a function of the fluid property. The engine controller may include the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Dawn K. Andrus, Michael T. Elliott, John Costello, Anthony Fulford, John Gebhard
  • Patent number: 10180075
    Abstract: Technologies for engine fluid quality monitoring are disclosed herein. An engine system includes a gas turbine engine having one or more mechanical components, a fluid quality sensing system, and an engine controller. Each mechanical component includes a tracer material embedded in the mechanical component during manufacture. The fluid quality sensing system applies a laser beam to debris captured in an engine fluid of the gas turbine engine and detects a light signature generated by tracer material in the debris in response to application of the laser beam. The engine controller identifies the tracer material as a function of the light signature. The engine controller determines a potential wear state of a mechanical component as a function of the tracer material. The engine controller may select the mechanical component from multiple mechanical components based on the tracer material. Each mechanical component has a predetermined association with a corresponding tracer material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Dawn K. Andrus, Michael T. Elliott, John Costello, Anthony Fulford, John Gebhard
  • Patent number: 8528205
    Abstract: A dual interface separable insulated connector comprising a faraday cage molded over a bus bar for use in an electric power system and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The faraday cage can be disposed within a semi-conductive shell. The configuration of the separable insulated connector can provide for easier bonding between the faraday cage and insulating material. Additionally, the configuration can eliminate or reduce the need to coat the bus bar with an adhesive agent and to smooth the metal bus bar to remove burrs, other irregularities, and sharp corners from the bar. Manufacturing the dual interface separable insulated connector can include molding a semi-conductive rubber faraday cage over a conductive bus bar, inserting the faraday cage into a shell, and injecting insulating material between the faraday cage and shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: David Charles Hughes, Mark Clifford Kadow, Michael John Gebhard, Sr.
  • Publication number: 20120030944
    Abstract: A dual interface separable insulated connector comprising a faraday cage molded over a bus bar for use in an electric power system and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The faraday cage can be disposed within a semi-conductive shell. The configuration of the separable insulated connector can provide for easier bonding between the faraday cage and insulating material. Additionally, the configuration can eliminate or reduce the need to coat the bus bar with an adhesive agent and to smooth the metal bus bar to remove burrs, other irregularities, and sharp corners from the bar. Manufacturing the dual interface separable insulated connector can include molding a semi-conductive rubber faraday cage over a conductive bus bar, inserting the faraday cage into a shell, and injecting insulating material between the faraday cage and shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: COOPER TECHNOLOGIES COMPANY
    Inventors: David Charles Hughes, Mark Clifford Kadow, Michael John Gebhard, SR.
  • Patent number: 8109776
    Abstract: Stiff and soft materials each provide certain advantages when used in the manufacture of separable insulated connectors, such as elbow and T-body connectors. Utilizing a shell or an insert that includes one section made from a stiff material and one section made from a soft material can provide a separable insulated connector that capitalizes on the advantages associated with both types of materials. The stiff materials and soft materials can be placed strategically on the shell or insert of the separable insulated connector to maximize the advantages of each material. For example, the stiff material can be used to form a section of the separable insulated connector where strength and durability is most desirable, and conversely, the soft material can be used to form a section of the connector where flexibility is desirable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: David Charles Hughes, Thomas Augustia, John Mitchell Makal, Michael John Gebhard, Sr.