Patents by Inventor Jonathan Acker
Jonathan Acker 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: 11976564Abstract: A rotor assembly includes a first component, a second component, and a splined balance weight. The first component is arranged circumferentially around a central axis. The second component is arranged circumferentially around the central axis. The splined balance weight is located radially between the first component and the second component.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2023Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.Inventors: Eric Thurston, Jonathan Acker, Eric Engebretsen, Aaron Weishaar
-
Patent number: 11105338Abstract: A system for controlling the clearance distance between an impeller blade tip of a centrifugal compressor and a radially inner surface of an impeller shroud in a turbine engine. The system comprises a high pressure air source, an air piston mounted between an engine casing and the shroud and adapted to receive high pressure air from the high pressure air source, a mounting arm coupling the shroud and air piston, and a slidable coupling adapted to allow axial movement of the shroud and joining the shroud to an axial member.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2019Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignees: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.Inventors: Michael Nesteroff, Jonathan Acker, Jeffrey Crutchfield, Nate Cooper, Mark Whitlock, Nathan Ottow
-
Patent number: 11002284Abstract: A system for controlling the clearance distance between an impeller blade tip of a centrifugal compressor and a radially inner surface of an impeller shroud in a turbine engine. The system comprises a thermal driver coupled between the impeller shroud and engine casing by hinged linkages. The thermal driver includes an annular ring and annular seal which together define thermal driver cavity. Relatively warm or relatively cool air supplied to the thermal driver cavity cause expansion and contraction, respectively, of the annular ring which is translated by linkages into axially forward and aft motion, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2019Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: Rolls-Royce CorporationInventors: Michael Nesteroff, Jonathan Acker, Nate Cooper, Nathan Ottow
-
Publication number: 20210062824Abstract: A system for controlling the clearance distance between an impeller blade tip of a centrifugal compressor and a radially inner surface of an impeller shroud in a turbine engine. The system comprises a high pressure air source, an air piston mounted between an engine casing and the shroud and adapted to receive high pressure air from the high pressure air source, a mounting arm coupling the shroud and air piston, and a slidable coupling adapted to allow axial movement of the shroud and joining the shroud to an axial member.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2019Publication date: March 4, 2021Applicants: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.Inventors: Michael Nesteroff, Jonathan Acker, Jeffrey Crutchfield, Nate Cooper, Mark Whitlock, Nathan Ottow
-
Patent number: 10794219Abstract: The bearing surface between a thrust bushing and a boss/or face is increased with the addition of a ring or tab that extends radially into a casing bore configured to receive a bushing and cooperating spindle of a variable stator/guide vane. The addition of the ring adds additional bearing surface area without increasing the size of the vane penny, reducing spindle diameter or reducing the bushing bore diameter.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2017Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: Rolls-Royce CorporationInventors: Grace Aker, Alex Ertman, Jonathan Acker
-
Patent number: 10731660Abstract: According to some aspects of the present disclosure, a diffuser for a centrifugal compressor is provided. The diffuser may comprise an outerband casing and an innerband casing. The outerband casing may comprise an annular flowpath boundary member that has a flowpath boundary surface. The flowpath boundary member may define a plurality of vane-receiving pockets spaced about a circumference of the member. The innerband casing may comprise an annular flowpath boundary member that has a flowpath boundary surface. The flowpath boundary member may comprise a plurality of vanes spaced about a circumference of the member. Each of said plurality of vanes may comprise a vane body that extends from the flowpath boundary surface, a platform head that has a lateral dimension normal to the length of the vane body greater than the lateral dimension of the vane body, and a fillet between the platform head and the vane body.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2018Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: Rolls-Royce CorporationInventors: Michael Nesteroff, Jonathan Acker, Albert Moncada, David Templin
-
Patent number: 10704560Abstract: A centrifugal impeller shroud assembly has a dynamically moveable impeller shroud for encasing a rotatable centrifugal impeller and resolving misalignment between the impeller shroud and the rotatable centrifugal impeller. The assembly comprises a static casing, an impeller shroud, a shroud arm, and a thermal member. The shroud arm is coupled between the casing and the impeller shroud. The thermal member is coupled to the impeller shroud and has a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) lower than the CTE of the shroud. The shroud arm comprises a flexible portion configured to flex responsive to a differential pressure across the shroud arm.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2018Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: Rolls-Royce CorporationInventors: Grace Aker, Michael Nesteroff, Mark Eric Whitlock, Cassandra Cummings, Jonathan Acker, Younes Khamliche, Nathanael Cooper
-
Patent number: 10619998Abstract: A method of measuring the clearance between a rotating component and a static component in a rotating machine. The method comprises installing a rub pin on an interior surface of the static component, operating the rotating machine such that the rotating component impinges on the rub pin, securing the rotating machine, and inserting an optical device to visually ascertain the length of rub pin remaining. The method reduces the time and cost of clearance determinations by avoiding disassembly or the degree of disassembly of the rotating machine required to conduct a clearance determination.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2016Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE CORPORATIONInventors: Mark Whitlock, Jonathan Acker
-
Publication number: 20200056625Abstract: According to some aspects of the present disclosure, a diffuser for a centrifugal compressor is provided. The diffuser may comprise an outerband casing and an innerband casing. The outerband casing may comprise an annular flowpath boundary member that has a flowpath boundary surface. The flowpath boundary member may define a plurality of vane-receiving pockets spaced about a circumference of the member. The innerband casing may comprise an annular flowpath boundary member that has a flowpath boundary surface. The flowpath boundary member may comprise a plurality of vanes spaced about a circumference of the member. Each of said plurality of vanes may comprise a vane body that extends from the flowpath boundary surface, a platform head that has a lateral dimension normal to the length of the vane body greater than the lateral dimension of the vane body, and a fillet between the platform head and the vane body.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2018Publication date: February 20, 2020Applicant: Rolls-Royce CorporationInventors: Michael Nesteroff, Jonathan Acker, Albert Moncada, David Templin
-
Publication number: 20190383304Abstract: A centrifugal impeller shroud assembly has a dynamically moveable impeller shroud for encasing a rotatable centrifugal impeller and resolving misalignment between the impeller shroud and the rotatable centrifugal impeller. The assembly comprises a static casing, an impeller shroud, a shroud arm, and a thermal member. The shroud arm is coupled between the casing and the impeller shroud. The thermal member is coupled to the impeller shroud and has a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) lower than the CTE of the shroud. The shroud arm comprises a flexible portion configured to flex responsive to a differential pressure across the shroud arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2018Publication date: December 19, 2019Applicant: Rolls-Royce CorporationInventors: Grace Aker, Michael Nesteroff, Mark Eric Whitlock, Cassandra Cummings, Jonathan Acker, Younes Khamliche, Nathanael Cooper
-
Patent number: 10508660Abstract: An apparatus and method of controlling the position of a variable vane in a compressor and a kit for adding such apparatus to the compressor are disclosed. The vane is coupled to a unison ring, a cam is secured to a torque tube, a cam follower is secured to the unison ring. The cam follower is secured such that a wall of the cam follower is in contact with the cam. Rotation of the torque tube causes movement of the cam, and movement of the cam moves the cam follower, thereby moving the unison ring and the variable vane coupled thereto.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2017Date of Patent: December 17, 2019Assignees: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.Inventors: Christopher Hall, Russell White, Jonathan Acker, Lyle Helvie
-
Patent number: 10458429Abstract: A system for controlling the clearance distance between an impeller blade tip of a centrifugal compressor and a radially inner surface of an impeller shroud in a turbine engine. The system comprises a high pressure air source, an air piston mounted between an engine casing and the shroud and adapted to receive high pressure air from the high pressure air source, a mounting arm coupling the shroud and air piston, and a slidable coupling adapted to allow axial movement of the shroud and joining the shroud to an axial member.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2016Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignees: ROLLS-ROYCE CORPORATION, ROLLS-ROYCE NORTH AMERICAN TECHNOLOGIES INC.Inventors: Michael Nesteroff, Jonathan Acker, Jeffrey Crutchfield, Nate Cooper, Mark Whitlock, Nathan Ottow
-
Publication number: 20190323514Abstract: A system for controlling the clearance distance between an impeller blade tip of a centrifugal compressor and a radially inner surface of an impeller shroud in a turbine engine. The system comprises a thermal driver coupled between the impeller shroud and engine casing by hinged linkages. The thermal driver includes an annular ring and annular seal which together define thermal driver cavity. Relatively warm or relatively cool air supplied to the thermal driver cavity cause expansion and contraction, respectively, of the annular ring which is translated by linkages into axially forward and aft motion, respectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2019Publication date: October 24, 2019Applicant: Rolls-Royce CorporationInventors: Michael Nesteroff, Jonathan Acker, Nate Cooper, Nathan Ottow
-
Patent number: 10408226Abstract: A system for controlling the clearance distance between an impeller blade tip of a centrifugal compressor and a radially inner surface of a segregated impeller shroud in a turbine engine. The system comprises a driving mechanism coupled to a portion of a segregated impeller shroud. The driving mechanism comprises a driving arm and threaded axial member configured to translate motion of an actuator ring into axially forward and aft motion of the portion of the segregated impeller shroud.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2016Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE CORPORATIONInventors: Nathan Ottow, Jonathan Acker, Nate Cooper, Mark Whitlock, Michael Nesteroff
-
Patent number: 10352329Abstract: A system for controlling the clearance distance between an impeller blade tip of a centrifugal compressor and a radially inner surface of an impeller shroud in a turbine engine. The system comprises a thermal driver coupled between the impeller shroud and engine casing by hinged linkages. The thermal driver includes an annular ring and annular seal which together define thermal driver cavity. Relatively warm or relatively cool air supplied to the thermal driver cavity cause expansion and contraction, respectively, of the annular ring which is translated by linkages into axially forward and aft motion, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2016Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE CORPORATIONInventors: Michael Nesteroff, Jonathan Acker, Nate Cooper, Nathan Ottow
-
Patent number: 10309410Abstract: A system for controlling the clearance distance between an impeller blade tip of a centrifugal compressor and a radially inner surface of an impeller shroud in a turbine engine. The system comprises a two-piece integral impeller shroud with a fixed inner member and a variable outer member. An actuator is coupled to an aft end of the variable outer member and imparts axially forward and aft motion on the aft end, causing deflection of the outer member.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2016Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE CORPORATIONInventors: Nathan Ottow, Jonathan Acker, Nate Cooper
-
Patent number: 10309409Abstract: A system for controlling the clearance distance between an impeller blade tip of a centrifugal compressor and a radially inner surface of an impeller shroud in a turbine engine. The system comprises a high pressure air source, an air piston mounted between an engine casing and the shroud and adapted to receive high pressure air from the high pressure air source, a mounting arm coupling the shroud and air piston, and a slidable coupling adapted to allow axial movement of the shroud and joining the shroud to an axial member.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2016Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE CORPORATIONInventors: Michael Nesteroff, Jonathan Acker, Jeffrey Crutchfield, Nathan Ottow
-
Publication number: 20190120250Abstract: An apparatus and method of controlling the position of a variable vane in a compressor and a kit for adding such apparatus to the compressor are disclosed. The vane is coupled to a unison ring, a cam is secured to a torque tube, a cam follower is secured to the unison ring. The cam follower is secured such that a wall of the cam follower is in contact with the cam. Rotation of the torque tube causes movement of the cam, and movement of the cam moves the cam follower, thereby moving the unison ring and the variable vane coupled thereto.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2017Publication date: April 25, 2019Inventors: Christopher Hall, Russell White, Jonathan Acker, Lyle Helvie
-
Publication number: 20190078461Abstract: The bearing surface between a thrust bushing and a boss/or face is increased with the addition of a ring or tab that extends radially into a casing bore configured to receive a bushing and cooperating spindle of a variable stator/guide vane. The addition of the ring adds additional bearing surface area without increasing the size of the vane penny, reducing spindle diameter or reducing the bushing bore diameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2017Publication date: March 14, 2019Applicant: Rolls-Royce CorporationInventors: Grace Aker, Alex Ertman, Jonathan Acker
-
Publication number: 20180017078Abstract: An engine includes a compressor having a first compressor, a second compressor, and a static hub transition duct. The first compressor includes a rotatable portion and a static portion. The second compressor is disposed downstream of the first compressor and includes an inlet and a rotatable portion. The static hub transition duct includes an inner wall and an outer wall. The inner wall is secured to the static portion of the first compressor, and the inner wall and outer wall define a space that fluidically couples the first compressor and the inlet of the second compressor.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2016Publication date: January 18, 2018Inventors: Steven Mazur, Mark Whitlock, Jonathan Acker, Nate Cooper