Patents by Inventor Kevin Joseph Low

Kevin Joseph Low 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: 10260750
    Abstract: A combustor of a gas turbine engine including a combustor shell having an interior surface defining a combustion chamber, a first panel mounted to the interior surface at a first position, the first panel having a first surface and a first rail extending from the first surface toward the combustor shell, the first rail configured at a first angle relative to the first surface, and a second panel mounted to the interior surface at a second position axially adjacent to the first panel, the second panel having a second surface and a second rail extending from the second surface toward the combustor shell, the second rail configured at a second angle relative to the second surface. The first and second rails are proximal to each other and define a circumferential gap there between and at least one of the first or second angles is an acute angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: John S. Tu, James B. Hoke, Jonathan Jeffery Eastwood, Kevin Joseph Low, Sean D. Bradshaw
  • Patent number: 10240793
    Abstract: A manifold fitting receiving radial and axial manifolds and providing two radial outlets is disclosed. The manifold fitting, when used in conjunction with a fuel injector and a combustor for a gas turbine engine, reduces the radial footprint of the fuel injector and thereby allows for a more compact engine. Additionally, the manifold fitting eliminates parts, reducing weight in the process, as compared to prior art fittings. Such reductions in size, parts count, and weight are particularly beneficial for aircraft applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kevin Joseph Low
  • Patent number: 10190504
    Abstract: A combustor seal for use between a downstream end of a combustor and a turbine vane includes a seal body and a plurality of seal alignment features. The plurality of seal alignment features projects from the seal body. The seal alignment features are arranged such that there is only one alignment of the combustor seal with the turbine vane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Joseph Low, Joey Wong
  • Patent number: 10088162
    Abstract: A combustor includes a shell that bounds at least a portion of a combustion chamber. The shell includes a wall that has an orifice that opens to the combustion chamber. A grommet includes a body portion and a lip that projects from the body portion. The body portion and the lip carry a surface that extends around a passage through the grommet. At least a portion of the lip extends within the orifice of the wall of the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: James P. Bangerter, Kevin Joseph Low, Jonathan M. Jause, Robert Sonntag, Reza Rezvani, David Kwoka
  • Patent number: 10041416
    Abstract: A system for providing a seal between a combustor and a turbine vane. The system includes a flange configured to extend radially from the combustor, and a seal. The flange includes a flange surface configured to face in an axial direction toward a surface of the vane. The seal is configured to be axially loaded between the flange surface and the surface of the vane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Joseph Low, Joey Wong
  • Publication number: 20170184306
    Abstract: A combustor of a gas turbine engine including a combustor shell having an interior surface defining a combustion chamber, a first panel mounted to the interior surface at a first position, the first panel having a first surface and a first rail extending from the first surface toward the combustor shell, the first rail configured at a first angle relative to the first surface, and a second panel mounted to the interior surface at a second position axially adjacent to the first panel, the second panel having a second surface and a second rail extending from the second surface toward the combustor shell, the second rail configured at a second angle relative to the second surface. The first and second rails are proximal to each other and define a circumferential gap there between and at least one of the first or second angles is an acute angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: John S. Tu, James B. Hoke, Jonathan Jeffery Eastwood, Kevin Joseph Low, Sean D. Bradshaw
  • Patent number: 9587831
    Abstract: A cooled combustor seal having a plurality of channels enabling cooling air to pass from outside of a combustion chamber to cool an area inside the combustion chamber around the seal is disclosed. The channels may be provided through a slider, a housing, and/or a washer of the combustor seal. One set of channels or multiple of sets of channels may be provided in the combustor seal. Each of these sets of channels may be in the slider, housing, or washer. The cooled combustor seal may be used in conjunction with an igniter to purge a cavity between the seal and the igniter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Jause, Kevin Joseph Low, David Kwoka
  • Patent number: 9511388
    Abstract: A method for coating a turbine engine component comprises the steps of: providing a turbine engine component having at least one sacrificial attachment on a first side; grasping the turbine engine component via the at least one sacrificial attachment to position a first surface of the turbine engine component relative to a source of coating material; and applying a coating to said first side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Brian S. Tryon, Kevin Joseph Low, James P. Bangerter, Russell A. Beers, Alexander W. Williams
  • Patent number: 9447972
    Abstract: A cooled combustor seal having a plurality of channels enabling cooling air to pass from outside of a combustion chamber to cool an area inside the combustion chamber around the seal is disclosed. The channels may be provided through a slider, a housing, and/or a washer of the combustor seal. One set of channels or multiple of sets of channels may be provided in the combustor seal. Each of these sets of channels may be in the slider, housing, or washer. The cooled combustor seal may be used in conjunction with an igniter to purge a cavity between the seal and the igniter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Jause, Kevin Joseph Low, David Kwoka
  • Patent number: 9400104
    Abstract: A fuel injector nozzle assembly includes a body extending along an axis and a core swirl plug positioned at least partially within the body. The core swirl plug has a flow modifying structure configured to swirl fuel at a location upstream from a distal end of the nozzle assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignees: United Technologies Corporation, Woodward, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Joseph Low, James B. Hoke, Aleksandar Kojovic, Andrew Manninen, Sander Niemeyer
  • Publication number: 20160161124
    Abstract: A manifold fitting receiving radial and axial manifolds and providing two radial outlets is disclosed. The manifold fitting, when used in conjunction with a fuel injector and a combustor for a gas turbine engine, reduces the radial footprint of the fuel injector and thereby allows for a more compact engine. Additionally, the manifold fitting eliminates parts, reducing weight in the process, as compared to prior art fittings. Such reductions in size, parts count, and weight are particularly beneficial for aircraft applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventor: Kevin Joseph LOW
  • Patent number: 9297536
    Abstract: A combustor assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a static structure and an annular combustor extending around a central axis and located radially inwards of the static structure. The annular combustor includes an annular outer shell and an annular inner shell that define an annular combustion chamber there between. The annular combustor is free of any rigid attachments directly between the static structure and the annular outer shell. The annular outer shell includes a radially-outwardly extending flange. A stop member is rigidly connected with the static structure and is located adjacent the radially-outwardly extending flange such that axial-forward movement of the annular combustor is limited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan Jeffery Eastwood, Kevin Joseph Low
  • Publication number: 20160017755
    Abstract: An assembly for a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The gas turbine engine may have a combustor, a diffuser, and a tangential onboard injector. The assembly may include a common joint between the combustor, the diffuser, and the tangential onboard injector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventor: Kevin Joseph Low
  • Publication number: 20150240724
    Abstract: A combustor seal for use between a downstream end of a combustor and a turbine vane includes a seal body and a plurality of seal alignment features. The plurality of seal alignment features projects from the seal body. The seal alignment features are arranged such that there is only one alignment of the combustor seal with the turbine vane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Inventors: Kevin Joseph Low, Joey Wong
  • Publication number: 20150241063
    Abstract: A combustor includes a shell that bounds at least a portion of a combustion chamber. The shell includes a wall that has an orifice that opens to the combustion chamber. A grommet includes a body portion and a lip that projects from the body portion. The body portion and the lip carry a surface that extends around a passage through the grommet. At least a portion of the lip extends within the orifice of the wall of the shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Inventors: James P. Bangerter, Kevin Joseph Low, Jonathan M. Jause, Robert Sonntag, Reza Rezvani, David Kwoka
  • Publication number: 20150241067
    Abstract: A combustor assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a combustor shell, a TOBI, a case, and a joint for securing the combustor shell, TOBI and case together. The joint has a combustor flange integral to the combustor shell. A TOBI flange is integral to the TOBI and a case flange is integral to the case. The combustor flange, the TOBI flange and the case flange are secured together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Jause, Kevin Joseph Low, Dennis John Duhamel
  • Publication number: 20150226131
    Abstract: A system for providing a seal between a combustor and a turbine vane. The system includes a flange configured to extend radially from the combustor, and a seal. The flange includes a flange surface configured to face in an axial direction toward a surface of the vane. The seal is configured to be axially loaded between the flange surface and the surface of the vane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Inventors: Kevin Joseph Low, Joey Wong
  • Patent number: 8800298
    Abstract: A washer for a turbine engine combustor comprises a first surface, a second surface facing generally opposite from the first surface, a bore communicating through the first and second surfaces, and a cooling passage separate from the bore and communicating through the first and second surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Scott A. Ladd, Kevin Joseph Low
  • Publication number: 20140173896
    Abstract: A method for coating a turbine engine component comprises the steps of: providing a turbine engine component having at least one sacrificial attachment on a first side; grasping the turbine engine component via the at least one sacrificial attachment to position a first surface of the turbine engine component relative to a source of coating material; and applying a coating to said first side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian S. Tryon, Kevin Joseph Low, James P. Bangerter, Russell A. Beers, Alexander W. Williams
  • Publication number: 20140144148
    Abstract: A cooled combustor seal having a plurality of channels enabling cooling air to pass from outside of a combustion chamber to cool an area inside the combustion chamber around the seal is disclosed. The channels may be provided through a slider, a housing, and/or a washer of the combustor seal. One set of channels or multiple of sets of channels may be provided in the combustor seal. Each of these sets of channels may be in the slider, housing, or washer. The cooled combustor seal may be used in conjunction with an igniter to purge a cavity between the seal and the igniter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Jause, Kevin Joseph Low, David Kwoka