Patents by Inventor John P. Virtue, JR.

John P. Virtue, JR. 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: 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: 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
  • Patent number: 10443543
    Abstract: An aspect includes a system including a high compressor of a gas turbine engine having a ratio of a cold-rotor build clearance to a span between 0.7% and 7%. The cold-rotor build clearance is defined for a plurality of rotor blades of the high compressor with respect to an engine casing assembly interior surface of the high compressor, and the span is defined as a gap between a rotor disk of the high compressor and the engine casing assembly interior surface of the high compressor for at least a last two stages of the high compressor closest to a combustor section of the gas turbine engine. The system also includes at least two bowed rotor management systems for the gas turbine engine to prevent damage to the rotor blades for a bowed rotor condition of the high compressor under a plurality of operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: John P. Virtue, Jr., Rishon Saftler, Frederick M. Schwarz
  • 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
  • Patent number: 10309316
    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: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: John P. Virtue, Jr., Amy R. Grace, Parakrama Herath
  • Publication number: 20180327117
    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: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    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: 20180265223
    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 (fmotoring), 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: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    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: 20180230946
    Abstract: An aspect includes a system including a high compressor of a gas turbine engine having a ratio of a cold-rotor build clearance to a span between 0.7% and 7%. The cold-rotor build clearance is defined for a plurality of rotor blades of the high compressor with respect to an engine casing assembly interior surface of the high compressor, and the span is defined as a gap between a rotor disk of the high compressor and the engine casing assembly interior surface of the high compressor for at least a last two stages of the high compressor closest to a combustor section of the gas turbine engine. The system also includes at least two bowed rotor management systems for the gas turbine engine to prevent damage to the rotor blades for a bowed rotor condition of the high compressor under a plurality of operating conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: John P. Virtue, JR., Rishon Saftler, Frederick M. Schwarz
  • Patent number: 10040577
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    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: 20170233103
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    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: 20170234231
    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: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: John P. Virtue, JR., Amy R. Grace, Parakrama Herath
  • Patent number: 9677472
    Abstract: A disclosed gas turbine engine includes a case for a case for a compressor section including a bleed air slot. The bleed air slot includes an inlet having a first area radially inward of an outlet having a second area with the second area being greater than the first area. The bleed air slot further includes a center portion disposed along a radial line extending from an axis of the engine and an elongated portion extending from the opening at an angle relative to a line normal to the radial line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Brittany Travis, Crystal Monteiro, Sean Nolan, Rishon Saftler, John P. Virtue, Jr., Stephen A. Sarcich
  • Publication number: 20140096536
    Abstract: A disclosed gas turbine engine includes a case for a case for a compressor section including a bleed air slot. The bleed air slot includes an inlet having a first area radially inward of an outlet having a second area with the second area being greater than the first area. The bleed air slot further includes a center portion disposed along a radial line extending from an axis of the engine and an elongated portion extending from the opening at an angle relative to a line normal to the radial line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brittany Travis, Crystal Monteiro, Sean Nolan, Rishon Saftler, John P. Virtue, JR., Stephen A. Sarcich