Patents by Inventor Jon Erik Sobanski
Jon Erik Sobanski 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).
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Publication number: 20250146440Abstract: An aircraft propulsion includes a core engine section that defines a core flow path where an inlet airflow is compressed, mixed with fuel, and ignited to generate an exhaust gas flow, an inner nacelle assembly that surrounds the core engine section, an outer nacelle assembly that is spaced radially apart from the inner nacelle assembly, and a strut heat exchanger that extends radially between the inner nacelle assembly and the outer nacelle assembly, within the strut heat exchanger a portion of the exhaust gas flow is placed in thermal communication with a second flow for transferring thermal energy.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2023Publication date: May 8, 2025Inventors: Jon Erik Sobanski, Jacob C. Snyder
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Publication number: 20250085060Abstract: A grid arrayed microtube heat exchanger with vibration dampening support including an upper portion comprising an upper portion support wall having multiple upper portion receivers; a lower portion comprising a lower portion support wall having multiple lower portion receivers; a grid array comprising multiple rows of the lower portion receivers and the upper portion receivers; multiple microtubes supported by the upper portion receivers and the lower portion receivers; a gap located between each microtube; and a support insertable through the gap between the multiple microtubes, the support including at least one cam contacting the microtube, the at least one cam being rigid.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2023Publication date: March 13, 2025Applicant: RTX CorporationInventors: Jon Erik Sobanski, Jacob C. Snyder
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Patent number: 12221895Abstract: A turbine engine assembly includes a first case structure with a first flange and a second case structure that includes a second flange. The second flange is configured for securement to the first flange at a connection interface. At least one steam conduit is in thermal communication with the connection interface and configured to receive a portion of a flow of steam to heat the connection interface. Heating the connection interface provides for control of a thermal gradient generated by a difference in temperature in temperatures on either side of the connection interface.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2023Date of Patent: February 11, 2025Assignee: RTX CORPORATIONInventor: Jon Erik Sobanski
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Publication number: 20250043700Abstract: A turbine engine assembly includes a first case structure with a first flange and a second case structure that includes a second flange. The second flange is configured for securement to the first flange at a connection interface. At least one steam conduit is in thermal communication with the connection interface and configured to receive a portion of a flow of steam to heat the connection interface. Heating the connection interface provides for control of a thermal gradient generated by a difference in temperature in temperatures on either side of the connection interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2023Publication date: February 6, 2025Inventor: Jon Erik Sobanski
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Publication number: 20240410313Abstract: A turbine engine assembly includes a condenser where water is extracted from the exhaust gas flow and an evaporator system where thermal energy from the exhaust gas flow is utilized to generate a steam flow from at least a portion of water that is extracted by the condenser for injection into the core flow path. A duct for the exhaust gas flow includes a cooling passage for a flow of water that accepts heat from the exhaust gas flow to cool the duct.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2023Publication date: December 12, 2024Inventor: Jon Erik Sobanski
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Publication number: 20240410314Abstract: A turbine engine assembly includes an active clearance control system that is configured to utilize water that is extracted from the exhaust gas flow to control a clearance between a tip of a rotating blade and a case structure by controlling thermal growth of the case structure. Water extracted by the condenser is also provided to an evaporator system where thermal energy from the exhaust gas flow is utilized to transform water into a steam flow. A portion of water utilized in the active clearance control system is communicated to the evaporator system.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2023Publication date: December 12, 2024Inventor: Jon Erik Sobanski
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Patent number: 12152839Abstract: A heat exchanger including a primary inlet manifold and a primary outlet manifold supporting at least one tube bundle at opposite ends; said at least one tube bundle including an inlet end piece with each of a first tube, a second tube and a third tube fluidly coupled in series to an outlet end piece; and the first tube, the second tube and the third tube forming one of a coiled tube arrangement and a straight tube arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2022Date of Patent: November 26, 2024Assignee: RTX CorporationInventors: James Fredric Wiedenhoefer, Jon Erik Sobanski
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Publication number: 20240377141Abstract: A heat exchanger assembly includes an inlet manifold that is configured to receive a working fluid, a plurality of microtube assemblies that define corresponding plurality passages for the working fluid and an outlet manifold that is configured to exhaust the working fluid. The plurality of microtube assemblies include a one-piece unitary structure that has a web portion that extends between at least a first microtube portion and a second microtube portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2023Publication date: November 14, 2024Inventors: Jon Erik Sobanski, Jacob C. Snyder
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Publication number: 20240360784Abstract: A propulsion system for an aircraft includes a fan that is rotatable about a fan axis, a core engine that is configured for generating a gas flow utilized to generate shaft power for driving the fan, a nacelle that surrounds the core engine and the fan, a condenser where water in the gas flow is condensed into a liquid form, an exhaust duct assembly where the gas flow exhausted from the core engine is directed to the condenser, an ejector duct where a portion of a bypass airflow is thermally communicated with the condenser to cool the gas flow, and an evaporator assembly that is in thermal communication with the exhaust duct where water recovered by the condenser is heated to generate a steam flow that is subsequently communicated to the core engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2023Publication date: October 31, 2024Inventors: Jon Erik Sobanski, Jesse M. Chandler
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Patent number: 12092022Abstract: A propulsion system for an aircraft includes a core engine that generates a core gas flow, a propulsor section that is driven by the core engine and disposed aft of the core engine, a nacelle that surrounds the core engine and the propulsor section, a water recovery system that is disposed in the nacelle, an exhaust duct where the core gas flow is directed radially outward from the core engine to the nacelle, an evaporator assembly that is in thermal communication with the exhaust duct where water is recovered by the water recovery system and is heated to generate a steam flow that is subsequently communicated to the core engine.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2023Date of Patent: September 17, 2024Assignee: RTX CORPORATIONInventors: Jon Erik Sobanski, Jacob C. Snyder
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Patent number: 12091183Abstract: A propulsion system for an aircraft includes a propulsor section that includes a fan with a plurality of fan blades that are rotatable about a fan axis, a core engine that is configured to generate a gas flow, a power turbine where the gas flow from the core engine is expanded to generate shaft power, and a power turbine shaft that is coupled between the power turbine and the propulsor section. The power turbine shaft is of an axial length between a first end portion and a second end portion along the fan axis that is greater than half a distance between a leading edge of the fan blades and a mechanical coupling of the power turbine shaft to the power turbine, and includes an outer diameter that increases in a direction away from each of the first end portion and the second end portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2023Date of Patent: September 17, 2024Assignee: RTX CORPORATIONInventor: Jon Erik Sobanski
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Publication number: 20240295194Abstract: A fan drive turbine drives a drive shaft. A compressor section and a turbine section rotate about a rotational axis, with the turbine section positioned in a downstream direction. A fan has fan blades and a fan hub positioned radially within a fan case, with the fan case defining a bypass duct. A fan inlet guide vane case is upstream of the fan blades and a fan exit guide vane case is mounted downstream. The drive shaft is mounted on at least one input drive shaft bearing inwardly of the fan inlet guide vane case. The drive shaft drives a flexible coupling to in turn drive a gear reduction. The gear reduction drives a fan drive shaft to in turn drive the fan hub. At least two fan drive shaft bearings support the fan drive shaft within the fan exit guide vane case. An aircraft is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2024Publication date: September 5, 2024Inventors: Jon Erik Sobanski, Andrew E. Breault
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Publication number: 20240263578Abstract: A propulsion system for an aircraft includes a core engine that generates a core gas flow, a propulsor section that is driven by the core engine and disposed aft of the core engine, a nacelle that surrounds the core engine and the propulsor section, a water recovery system that is disposed in the nacelle, an exhaust duct where the core gas flow is directed radially outward from the core engine to the nacelle, an evaporator assembly that is in thermal communication with the exhaust duct where water is recovered by the water recovery system and is heated to generate a steam flow that is subsequently communicated to the core engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2023Publication date: August 8, 2024Inventors: Jon Erik Sobanski, Jacob C. Snyder
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Publication number: 20240254915Abstract: A steam injected turbine engine includes a core engine section that generates a first gas flow, a burner where an inlet flow is mixed with fuel and ignited to generate thermal energy, and an evaporator where thermal energy from at least the first gas flow is used to transform water into a first steam flow. The first steam flow is injected into a core flow through the core engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2024Publication date: August 1, 2024Inventors: Jacob C. Snyder, Jon Erik Sobanski
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Publication number: 20240229239Abstract: A tooling assembly suitable for use in infiltrating a fibrous preform comprises an outer tooling fixture and an inner tooling fixture. The outer tooling fixture comprises a first portion removably attached to a second portion, and a first pair of oppositely disposed windows defined by the first portion and the second portion. Each of the first portion and the second portion comprise a base with a recess. The inner tooling fixture comprises a body defined by at least one portion, the body configured to at least partially surround the fibrous preform, a plurality of holes extending through a thickness of the at least one portion, each hole of the plurality of holes having a length (L) and a diameter (D), and a first neck region engageable with a recess of the first portion or the second portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2022Publication date: July 11, 2024Inventors: Alyson T. Burdette, Raymond Surace, Jon Erik Sobanski
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Publication number: 20240209793Abstract: A fan drive turbine drives a drive shaft. A compressor section and a turbine section rotate about a rotational axis, with the turbine section positioned in a downstream direction. A fan has fan blades and a fan hub positioned radially within a fan case, with the fan case defining a bypass duct. A fan inlet guide vane case is upstream of the fan blades and a fan exit guide vane case is mounted downstream. The drive shaft is mounted on at least one input drive shaft bearing inwardly of the fan inlet guide vane case. The drive shaft drives a flexible coupling to in turn drive a gear reduction. The gear reduction drives a fan drive shaft to in turn drive the fan hub. At least two fan drive shaft bearings support the fan drive shaft within the fan exit guide vane case. An aircraft is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2022Publication date: June 27, 2024Inventors: Jon Erik Sobanski, Andrew E. Breault
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Patent number: 12018620Abstract: A fan drive turbine drives a drive shaft. A compressor section and a turbine section rotate about a rotational axis, with the turbine section positioned in a downstream direction. A fan has fan blades and a fan hub positioned radially within a fan case, with the fan case defining a bypass duct. A fan inlet guide vane case is upstream of the fan blades and a fan exit guide vane case is mounted downstream. The drive shaft is mounted on at least one input drive shaft bearing inwardly of the fan inlet guide vane case. The drive shaft drives a flexible coupling to in turn drive a gear reduction. The gear reduction drives a fan drive shaft to in turn drive the fan hub. At least two fan drive shaft bearings support the fan drive shaft within the fan exit guide vane case. An aircraft is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2022Date of Patent: June 25, 2024Assignee: RTX CorporationInventors: Jon Erik Sobanski, Andrew E. Breault
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Patent number: 11993548Abstract: A tooling assembly suitable for use in infiltrating a fibrous preform comprises an outer tooling fixture with a plurality of outer sidewalls defining an inner volume, each of the plurality of outer sidewalls having an outer wall thickness, and a window extending through the outer wall thickness of at least one outer sidewall of the plurality of sidewalls. The tooling assembly further comprises an inner tooling fixture positioned within the inner volume of the outer tooling fixture, the inner tooling having a plurality of inner sidewalls, each of the plurality of inner sidewalls having an inner wall thickness, and a plurality of holes extending through the inner wall thickness of at least one inner sidewall of the plurality of inner sidewalls. The at least one outer sidewall is positioned adjacent the at least one inner sidewall such that the window overlaps with at least a subset of the plurality of holes in the at least one inner sidewall.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2022Date of Patent: May 28, 2024Assignee: RTX CorporationInventors: Alyson T. Burdette, Jon Erik Sobanski, Kenneth Petroski, Ying She, Kathryn S. Read
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Patent number: 11988137Abstract: A steam injected turbine engine includes a core engine section that generates a first gas flow, a burner where an inlet flow is mixed with fuel and ignited to generate thermal energy, and an evaporator where thermal energy from at least the first gas flow is used to transform water into a first steam flow. The first steam flow is injected into a core flow through the core engine.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2023Date of Patent: May 21, 2024Assignee: RTX CORPORATIONInventors: Jacob C. Snyder, Jon Erik Sobanski
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Publication number: 20240141831Abstract: A propulsion system for an aircraft includes a core engine generating an exhaust gas flow that is expanded through a turbine section, a hydrogen fuel system suppling hydrogen fuel to the combustor through a fuel flow path, a condenser extracting water from the exhaust gas flow, an evaporator receiving a portion of the water extracted by the condenser and generating a steam flow. The steam flow is injected into a core flow path upstream of the turbine section and a cooled cooling air system uses water extracted from the exhaust gas flow for cooling a cooling airflow communicated to the turbine section.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2023Publication date: May 2, 2024Inventors: Joseph B. Staubach, Jon Erik Sobanski