Patents by Inventor John P. Virtue

John P. Virtue 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: 12209501
    Abstract: An operating method is provided during which a command is received to decrease thrust generated by a propulsor rotor from a first thrust level to a second thrust level. The propulsor rotor is operatively coupled to an engine core and an electric machine. The engine core includes a flowpath, a compressor section, a combustor section and a turbine section. The engine core is operated in a transient state to decrease total power of the engine core from a first power level to a second power level in response to the command. The electric machine is operated as a generator to reduce power output from the engine core to the propulsor rotor while the engine core is operating in the transient state. A clearance control system for the engine core is operated based on the operation of the electric machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: RTX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Graham R. Philbrick, Gary Collopy, John P. Virtue, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20250027425
    Abstract: An operating method is provided during which a command is received to increase thrust generated by a propulsor rotor from a first thrust level to a second thrust level. The propulsor rotor is operatively coupled to an engine core and an electric machine. The engine core includes a flowpath, a compressor section, a combustor section and a turbine section. The engine core is operated in a transient state to increase power output from the engine core to the propulsor rotor from a first power level to a second power level in response to the command. The electric machine is operated to boost the power output from the engine core to the propulsor rotor while the engine core is operating in the transient state. A clearance control system for the engine core is operated based on the operation of the electric machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2023
    Publication date: January 23, 2025
    Inventors: Graham R. Philbrick, Gary Collopy, John P. Virtue, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20250027424
    Abstract: An operating method is provided during which a command is received to decrease thrust generated by a propulsor rotor from a first thrust level to a second thrust level. The propulsor rotor is operatively coupled to an engine core and an electric machine. The engine core includes a flowpath, a compressor section, a combustor section and a turbine section. The engine core is operated in a transient state to decrease total power of the engine core from a first power level to a second power level in response to the command. The electric machine is operated as a generator to reduce power output from the engine core to the propulsor rotor while the engine core is operating in the transient state. A clearance control system for the engine core is operated based on the operation of the electric machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2023
    Publication date: January 23, 2025
    Inventors: Graham R. Philbrick, Gary Collopy, John P. Virtue, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20240344466
    Abstract: A bowed rotor prevention system includes a gas turbine engine, and electric motor, and a core turning controller. The gas turbine engine includes a rotor that is rotatably coupled to a drive shaft. The electric motor is rotatably coupled to a motor shaft, which is mechanically coupled to the drive shaft so as to rotate therewith. The core turning controller in signal communication with the electric motor. The core turning controller determines whether a rotor bow is present in the rotor based on an operating time of the gas turbine engine, determines a motoring time based on the operating time, and invokes an anti-rotor bowing mode configured to control the electric motor to rotate the rotor according to the motor time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2024
    Publication date: October 17, 2024
    Inventors: Bradley C. Schafer, Brian V. Winebrenner, Jason B. Solomonides, Marc J. Muldoon, John P. Virtue, JR.
  • Patent number: 12060839
    Abstract: A bowed rotor prevention system includes a gas turbine engine, an electric motor, and a core turning controller in signal communication with the electric motor. The gas turbine engine includes a rotor that is rotatably coupled to a drive shaft. The electric motor rotatably is coupled to a motor shaft, which is mechanically coupled to the drive shaft so as to rotate therewith. The core turning controller is configured to invoke an anti-rotor bowing mode, and to control the electric motor to periodically rotate the rotor into a plurality of rotor positions during a given time period in response to invoking the anti-rotor bowing mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: RTX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Marc J. Muldoon, Bradley C. Schafer, John P. Virtue, Jr., Brian V. Winebrenner, Jason B. Solomonides
  • Publication number: 20240255055
    Abstract: A machine comprising a rotor having: an inner member; an outer member encircling the inner member; and a groove in one of the inner member and the outer member. The groove has a first side wall, a second side wall and a base. A split ring seal is accommodated in the groove and contacts a surface of the other of the inner member and the outer member The first side wall has a plurality of open radial first channels and the second side wall has a plurality of open radial second channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2024
    Publication date: August 1, 2024
    Applicant: RTX Corporation
    Inventors: Calvin Jay Winder, Fadi S. Maalouf, Matthew E. Bintz, Ryan Hamilton Quinn, Justin Roger Delarm, Shane Tyler West, John P. Virtue, JR., David R. Lyders, Anna Lauren Wright, Kalpendu J. Parekh, Pieter Van Lieu
  • Patent number: 12018578
    Abstract: A bowed rotor prevention system includes a gas turbine engine, and electric motor, and a core turning controller. The gas turbine engine includes a rotor that is rotatably coupled to a drive shaft. The electric motor is rotatably coupled to a motor shaft, which is mechanically coupled to the drive shaft so as to rotate therewith. The core turning controller in signal communication with the electric motor. The core turning controller determines whether a rotor bow is present in the rotor based on an operating time of the gas turbine engine, determines a motoring time based on the operating time, and invokes an anti-rotor bowing mode configured to control the electric motor to rotate the rotor according to the motor time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: RTX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bradley C. Schafer, Brian V. Winebrenner, Jason B. Solomonides, Marc J. Muldoon, John P. Virtue, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11892083
    Abstract: A split ring seal has: a first circumferential end and a second circumferential end; an inner diameter surface and an outer diameter surface; a first axial end face and a second axial end face. A circumferentially distributed first plurality of open channels are along the first axial end face. A circumferentially distributed second plurality of open channels are along the second axial end face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: RTX Corporation
    Inventors: Liam P. Sullivan, Nicholas J. Lawliss, Xuejun Liu, John P. Virtue, Jr., Kalpendu J. Parekh
  • Publication number: 20230323950
    Abstract: A split ring seal has: a first circumferential end and a second circumferential end; an inner diameter surface and an outer diameter surface; a first axial end face and a second axial end face. A circumferentially distributed first plurality of open channels are along the first axial end face. A circumferentially distributed second plurality of open channels are along the second axial end face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2022
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Applicant: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Liam P. Sullivan, Nicholas J. Lawliss, Xuejun Liu, John P. Virtue, JR., Kalpendu J. Parekh
  • Patent number: 11542872
    Abstract: An aspect includes a hybrid gas turbine engine system of a hybrid electric aircraft. The hybrid gas turbine engine system includes a gas turbine engine having a low speed spool and a high speed spool, a generator operably coupled to the low speed spool, a high spool electric motor operably coupled to the high speed spool, and a controller. The controller is configured to control the hybrid gas turbine engine system in a powered warm-up state to add heat to one or more components of the gas turbine engine by operating the gas turbine engine with a higher engine power setting above idle to drive rotation of the generator, transfer power from the generator to the high spool electric motor, and produce thrust. The gas turbine engine transitions from the powered warm-up state after reaching a target temperature of the one or more components in the powered warm-up state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Neil Terwilliger, John P. Virtue
  • Publication number: 20220034262
    Abstract: An aspect includes a hybrid gas turbine engine system of a hybrid electric aircraft. The hybrid gas turbine engine system includes a gas turbine engine having a low speed spool and a high speed spool, a generator operably coupled to the low speed spool, a high spool electric motor operably coupled to the high speed spool, and a controller. The controller is configured to control the hybrid gas turbine engine system in a powered warm-up state to add heat to one or more components of the gas turbine engine by operating the gas turbine engine with a higher engine power setting above idle to drive rotation of the generator, transfer power from the generator to the high spool electric motor, and produce thrust. The gas turbine engine transitions from the powered warm-up state after reaching a target temperature of the one or more components in the powered warm-up state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: Neil Terwilliger, John P. Virtue
  • Patent number: 11149649
    Abstract: An aspect includes a hybrid gas turbine engine system of a hybrid electric aircraft. The hybrid gas turbine engine system includes a gas turbine engine, an electric motor operable to perform an electric taxiing of the hybrid electric aircraft, and a controller. The controller is operable to prevent fuel flow to the gas turbine engine during at least a portion of the electric taxiing and monitor for a powered warm-up request during the electric taxiing. A powered warm-up state of the gas turbine engine is initiated based on detecting the powered warm-up request. The powered warm-up state adds heat to one or more components of the gas turbine engine prior to transitioning to a takeoff power state. The gas turbine engine transitions from the powered warm-up state to the takeoff power state after reaching a target temperature of the one or more components in the powered warm-up state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Neil Terwilliger, John P. Virtue
  • Patent number: 10995674
    Abstract: An embodiment of an engine assembly includes a plurality of offtakes powered by a combustion turbine engine having a high spool and at least one lower spool, and a controller configured to operate the combustion turbine engine through a range between a first low-idle mode, a second high idle mode, and a maximum takeoff power rating mode. The controller operates the engine in the low-idle mode by directing at least a first portion of power from the at least one lower spool to the plurality of offtakes, and wherein the controller operates the engine in the high idle mode by increasing a speed of the high spool relative to a speed of the high spool in the low-idle mode, thereby increasing a compressor outlet (T3) temperature in the high idle mode relative to a T3 temperature in the low-idle mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Neil Terwilliger, John P. Virtue
  • Publication number: 20200362714
    Abstract: A hydrostatic seal configured to be disposed between relatively rotatable components includes a seal carrier. The seal also includes a beam extending axially from a forward end to an aft end, the beam cantilevered to the seal carrier at one of the forward end and the aft end, the beam free at the other end. The seal further includes a brush seal operatively coupled to the seal carrier and in contact with the beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Brian F. Hilbert, Daniel L. Gysling, John P. Virtue, Eric A. Grover
  • Patent number: 10787277
    Abstract: A system for starting a gas turbine engine of an aircraft is provided. The system includes a pneumatic starter motor, a discrete starter valve switchable between an on-state and an off-state, and a controller operable to perform a starting sequence for the gas turbine engine. The starting sequence includes alternating on and off commands to an electromechanical device coupled to the discrete starter valve to achieve a partially open position of the discrete starter valve to control a flow from a starter air supply to the pneumatic starter motor to drive rotation of a starting spool of the gas turbine engine below an engine idle speed, where the controller modulates a duty cycle of the discrete starter valve via pulse width modulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthew D. Teicholz, Jeffrey W. Sutliff, William H. Greene, Jr., Kenneth J. White, Matthew R. Feulner, John P. Virtue, Jr., Jorn A. Glahn, Philip D. Hoover, Victor M. Pinedo, Jason B. Solomonides
  • Patent number: 10625881
    Abstract: A system for controlling a start sequence of a gas turbine engine includes an electronic engine control system, a thermal model, memory, a model for determining a time period (tmotoring), and a controller. The thermal model synthesizes a heat state of the gas turbine engine. The memory records the current heat state at shutdown and a shutdown time of the gas turbine engine. The model for determining the time period is for motoring the gas turbine engine at a predetermined speed Ntarget that is less than a speed to start the gas turbine engine, where tmotoring is a function of the heat state recorded at engine shutdown and an elapsed time of an engine start request relative to a previous shutdown time. The controller modulates a starter valve to maintain the gas turbine engine within a predetermined speed range of NtargetMin to NtargetMax for homogenizing engine temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthew D. Teicholz, Jeffrey W. Sutliff, William H. Greene, Jr., Kenneth J. White, Matthew R. Feulner, John P. Virtue, Jr., Jorn A. Glahn, Philip D. Hoover, Victor M. Pinedo, Jason B. Solomonides
  • Publication number: 20200056546
    Abstract: An aspect includes a hybrid gas turbine engine system of a hybrid electric aircraft. The hybrid gas turbine engine system includes a gas turbine engine, an electric motor operable to perform an electric taxiing of the hybrid electric aircraft, and a controller. The controller is operable to prevent fuel flow to the gas turbine engine during at least a portion of the electric taxiing and monitor for a powered warm-up request during the electric taxiing. A powered warm-up state of the gas turbine engine is initiated based on detecting the powered warm-up request. The powered warm-up state adds heat to one or more components of the gas turbine engine prior to transitioning to a takeoff power state. The gas turbine engine transitions from the powered warm-up state to the takeoff power state after reaching a target temperature of the one or more components in the powered warm-up state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2018
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Inventors: Neil Terwilliger, John P. Virtue
  • Publication number: 20200056549
    Abstract: An embodiment of an engine assembly includes a plurality of offtakes powered by a combustion turbine engine having a high spool and at least one lower spool, and a controller configured to operate the combustion turbine engine through a range between a first low-idle mode, a second high idle mode, and a maximum takeoff power rating mode. The controller operates the engine in the low-idle mode by directing at least a first portion of power from the at least one lower spool to the plurality of offtakes, and wherein the controller operates the engine in the high idle mode by increasing a speed of the high spool relative to a speed of the high spool in the low-idle mode, thereby increasing a compressor outlet (T3) temperature in the high idle mode relative to a T3 temperature in the low-idle mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2018
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Inventors: Neil Terwilliger, John P. Virtue
  • Patent number: 10480533
    Abstract: An example method of cooling a compressor of a gas turbine includes, among other things, diverting a flow from a compressor, and directing the flow at the compressor in a direction, the direction having a circumferential component and an axial component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brad Powell, Anthony R. Bifulco, Paul E. Coderre, John P. Virtue, Brian Lucker
  • Patent number: 10443505
    Abstract: A bowed rotor start mitigation system for a gas turbine engine is provided. The bowed rotor start mitigation system includes a controller operable to receive a vibration input indicative of an actual vibration level of the gas turbine engine and a speed input indicative of a rotor speed of the gas turbine engine. The controller generates a bowed rotor start mitigation request based on comparing the actual vibration level to a modeled vibration level at the rotor speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: John P. Virtue, Jr., Amy R. Grace, Parakrama Herath