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: 10309409
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Nesteroff, Jonathan Acker, Jeffrey Crutchfield, Nathan Ottow
  • Patent number: 10309410
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nathan Ottow, Jonathan Acker, Nate Cooper
  • Publication number: 20190120250
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2017
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Christopher Hall, Russell White, Jonathan Acker, Lyle Helvie
  • Publication number: 20190078461
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Applicant: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Grace Aker, Alex Ertman, Jonathan Acker
  • Publication number: 20180017078
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Inventors: Steven Mazur, Mark Whitlock, Jonathan Acker, Nate Cooper
  • Publication number: 20170342996
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Applicants: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Nesteroff, Jonathan Acker, Jeffrey Crutchfield, Nate Cooper, Mark Whitlock, Nathan Ottow
  • Publication number: 20170343334
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Applicant: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Whitlock, Jonathan Acker
  • Publication number: 20170342994
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Applicant: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Nesteroff, Jonathan Acker, Nate Cooper, Nathan Ottow
  • Publication number: 20170343002
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Applicant: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Nathan Ottow, Jonathan Acker, Nate Cooper
  • Publication number: 20170342995
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Applicant: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Nathan Ottow, Jonathan Acker, Nate Cooper, Mark Whitlock, Michael Nesteroff
  • Publication number: 20170343001
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Applicant: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Nesteroff, Jonathan Acker, Jeffrey Crutchfield, Nathan Ottow