Patents by Inventor Kristin Kopp-Vaughan

Kristin Kopp-Vaughan 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: 11408297
    Abstract: An air seal assembly for a gas turbine includes a flow path platform. The air seal assembly further includes a casing disposed radially outside the flow path platform. The air seal assembly further includes an annular finger seal mounted to the casing and disposed between the flow path platform and the casing. The annular finger seal includes a first circumferential portion mounted to the casing, a second circumferential portion extending from the first circumferential portion, and a third circumferential portion extending from the second circumferential portion and contacting an outer surface of the flow path platform. The third circumferential portion includes a plurality of air cooling holes configured to direct a cooling air stream onto the flow path platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Lienau, Robert Newman, Conway Chuong, Kristin Kopp-Vaughan, Senthil Prasad Mathiyalagan, Krishna Nelanti, Rajendra Prasad Uppara Allabanda
  • Publication number: 20210231023
    Abstract: An air seal assembly for a gas turbine includes a flow path platform. The air seal assembly further includes a casing disposed radially outside the flow path platform. The air seal assembly further includes an annular finger seal mounted to the casing and disposed between the flow path platform and the casing. The annular finger seal includes a first circumferential portion mounted to the casing, a second circumferential portion extending from the first circumferential portion, and a third circumferential portion extending from the second circumferential portion and contacting an outer surface of the flow path platform. The third circumferential portion includes a plurality of air cooling holes configured to direct a cooling air stream onto the flow path platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Lienau, Robert Newman, Conway Chuong, Kristin Kopp-Vaughan, Senthil Prasad Mathiyalagan, Krishna Nelanti, Rajendra Prasad Uppara Allabanda
  • Patent number: 10794596
    Abstract: A fuel nozzle for a combustor of a gas turbine engine includes an outer air swirler along an axis, said outer air swirler defines an outer annular air passage between an outer wall and an inner wall, the outer wall defines a convergent-divergent nozzle. An inner air swirler along the axis to define an annular liquid passage therebetween, the annular liquid passage terminates upstream of the convergent-divergent nozzle and an annular fuel gas passage around the axis between the outer air swirler and the inner air swirler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Zhongtao Dai, Randolph J Smith, Kristin Kopp-Vaughan, Timothy S. Snyder, Donald J Hautman
  • Patent number: 10294873
    Abstract: A method of controlling an aircraft bleed may include the steps of monitoring a temperature of a precooled airflow exiting a precooler, and determining a status of a wing anti-ice system of an aircraft. The wing anti-ice system may be configured to receive the precooled airflow from the precooler. The method may further comprise the steps of determining whether an engine operating condition of the aircraft is within an icing envelope, selecting a temperature set point for the precooled airflow based on the status of the wing anti-ice system and whether the aircraft is within an icing envelope, and modulating a fan airflow from a fan to the precooler to adjust the temperature of the precooled airflow to the temperature set point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Federico Papa, Bradley C Farnum, Kristin Kopp-Vaughan, Nathan Roe
  • Patent number: 10228137
    Abstract: A fuel nozzle for a combustor of a gas turbine engine includes an outer air swirler along an axis, the outer air swirler defines an outer annular air passage. An inner air swirler along the axis defines an annular fuel gas passage around the axis between the outer air swirler and the inner air swirler, the annular fuel gas passage terminates with a multiple of skewed slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Kristin Kopp-Vaughan, Timothy S Snyder, Randolph J Smith, Zhongtao Dai
  • Patent number: 10060629
    Abstract: A combustor is provided. The combustor may comprise an axial fuel delivery system, and a radial fuel delivery system aft of the axial fuel delivery system. The radial fuel delivery system may be configured to direct fuel at least partially towards the axial fuel delivery system. A radial fuel delivery system is also provided. The system may comprise a combustor including a combustor liner, a mixer coupled to the combustor liner, and a nozzle disposed within the mixer, wherein the mixer and the nozzle are configured to direct fuel in a direction at least partially forward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wookyung Kim, Zhongtao Dai, Kristin Kopp-Vaughan
  • Patent number: 10054312
    Abstract: A mixer assembly for a gas turbine engine is provided, including a main mixer, and a pilot mixer having an annular housing. The pilot mixer can further include features to cool portions of the annular housing, such as a radial edge of the annular housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Zhongtao Dai, Kristin Kopp-Vaughan
  • Publication number: 20180216538
    Abstract: A method of controlling an aircraft bleed may include the steps of monitoring a temperature of a precooled airflow exiting a precooler, and determining a status of a wing anti-ice system of an aircraft. The wing anti-ice system may be configured to receive the precooled airflow from the precooler. The method may further comprise the steps of determining whether an engine operating condition of the aircraft is within an icing envelope, selecting a temperature set point for the precooled airflow based on the status of the wing anti-ice system and whether the aircraft is within an icing envelope, and modulating a fan airflow from a fan to the precooler to adjust the temperature of the precooled airflow to the temperature set point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Federico Papa, Bradley C Farnum, Kristin Kopp-Vaughan, Nathan Roe
  • Patent number: 9958162
    Abstract: A combustor assembly includes a first wall, a second wall, a bulkhead and a plurality of fuel injectors. The bulkhead forms a combustion chamber with the first and the second walls. The fuel injectors are configured with the first wall in a unique and/or a fluctuating pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Zhongtao Dai, Jeffrey M. Cohen, Kristin Kopp-Vaughan, James B. Hoke
  • Patent number: 9791153
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a fuel injector may comprise a fuel nozzle and a pilot stage. The fuel nozzle may define a main fuel channel, a secondary fuel channel, a simplex fuel channel and a heat shield area. The main fuel channel may be disposed about at least a portion of the simplex fuel channel. The secondary fuel channel may be disposed about at least a portion of the simplex fuel channel. The heat shield area may be configured to separate and protect the fuel channels from a heat load to prevent fuel coking. The pilot stage may be operatively coupled to the fuel nozzle and may be configured to receive fuel from the secondary fuel channel or the simplex fuel channel. The main stage may be operatively coupled to the fuel nozzle. The main stage may be configured to receive fuel from the main fuel channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Zhongtao Dai, Kristin Kopp-Vaughan, Dave Hyland, Russell B. Hanson, Lexia Kironn
  • Publication number: 20160252252
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a fuel injector may comprise a fuel nozzle and a pilot stage. The fuel nozzle may define a main fuel channel, a secondary fuel channel, a simplex fuel channel and a heat shield area. The main fuel channel may be disposed about at least a portion of the simplex fuel channel. The secondary fuel channel may be disposed about at least a portion of the simplex fuel channel. The heat shield area may be configured to separate and protect the fuel channels from a heat load to prevent fuel coking. The pilot stage may be operatively coupled to the fuel nozzle and may be configured to receive fuel from the secondary fuel channel or the simplex fuel channel. The main stage may be operatively coupled to the fuel nozzle. The main stage may be configured to receive fuel from the main fuel channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Zhongtao Dai, Kristin Kopp-Vaughan, Dave Hyland, Russell B. Hanson, Lexia Kironn
  • Publication number: 20160245522
    Abstract: A mixer assembly for a gas turbine engine is provided, including a main mixer, and a pilot mixer having an annular housing. The pilot mixer can further include features to cool portions of the annular housing, such as a radial edge of the annular housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: ZHONGTAO DAI, KRISTIN KOPP-VAUGHAN
  • Publication number: 20160245523
    Abstract: A combustor is provided. The combustor may comprise an axial fuel delivery system, and a radial fuel delivery system aft of the axial fuel delivery system. The radial fuel delivery system may be configured to direct fuel at least partially towards the axial fuel delivery system. A radial fuel delivery system is also provided. The system may comprise a combustor including a combustor liner, a mixer coupled to the combustor liner, and a nozzle disposed within the mixer, wherein the mixer and the nozzle are configured to direct fuel in a direction at least partially forward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wookyung Kim, Zhongtao Dai, Kristin Kopp-Vaughan
  • Publication number: 20160209038
    Abstract: A fuel nozzle for a combustor of a gas turbine engine includes an outer air swirler along an axis, the outer air swirler defines an outer annular air passage. An inner air swirler along the axis defines an annular fuel gas passage around the axis between the outer air swirler and the inner air swirler, the annular fuel gas passage terminates with a multiple of skewed slots.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Inventors: Kristin Kopp-Vaughan, Timothy S Snyder, Randolph J Smith, Zhongtao Dai
  • Publication number: 20160209037
    Abstract: A fuel nozzle for a combustor of a gas turbine engine includes an outer air swirler along an axis, said outer air swirler defines an outer annular air passage between an outer wall and an inner wall, the outer wall defines a convergent-divergent nozzle. An inner air swirler along the axis to define an annular liquid passage therebetween, the annular liquid passage terminates upstream of the convergent-divergent nozzle and an annular fuel gas passage around the axis between the outer air swirler and the inner air swirler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Zhongtao Dai, Randolph J Smith, Kristin Kopp-Vaughan, Timothy S. Snyder, Donald J Hautman
  • Publication number: 20160201897
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a dual fuel nozzle (200) for use in a gas 200 turbine engine is provided. The nozzle may be configured to supply and gas and a liquid. The dual fuel nozzle (200) may include an interior wall (217). The interior wall (217) may include a shoulder (219). The shoulder (219) may include one or more gas ports (216). Gas may be discharged through the gas ports (216) and penetrate a mixing zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventors: Timothy S Snyder, Zhongtao Dai, Randolph J Smith, Kristin Kopp-Vaughan
  • Publication number: 20150219338
    Abstract: A combustor assembly includes a first wall, a second wall, a bulkhead and a plurality of fuel injectors. The bulkhead forms a combustion chamber with the first and the second walls. The fuel injectors are configured with the first wall in a unique and/or a fluctuating pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Inventors: Zhongtao Dai, Jeffrey M. Cohen, Kristin Kopp-Vaughan, James B. Hoke