Patents by Inventor Lawrence E. Portlock

Lawrence E. Portlock 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: 12428975
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a fan shaft diving a fan having fan blades. The gas turbine engine also includes a gear system including a sun gear surrounded by a plurality of intermediate gear, a carrier at least partially supporting said plurality of intermediate gears, and a ring gear surrounding said plurality of intermediate gears, wherein said sun gear is driven by a turbine. The gas turbine engine also includes a flexible coupling fixing said ring gear from rotation relative to an engine static structure and a lubricating system for said gear system. Said lubricating system includes a lubricant input, there being a stationary first bearing receiving lubricant from said lubricant input. Said bearing has an inner first race in which lubricant flows, and a second bearing for rotation within said first bearing. Said second bearing has a first opening in registration with said inner first race such that lubricant may flow from said inner first race through said first opening into a first conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2025
    Assignee: RTX Corporation
    Inventors: William G. Sheridan, Michael E. McCune, Lawrence E. Portlock
  • Patent number: 12385409
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes a propulsor section including a propulsor supported on a propulsor shaft, a turbine section including a turbine shaft, a compressor section having a plurality of compressor hubs with blades driven by the turbine shaft about an engine axis, and an epicyclic gear train interconnecting the propulsor shaft and the turbine shaft. The epicyclic gear train includes a sun gear coupled to the turbine shaft, intermediary gears arranged circumferentially about and meshing with the sun gear, a carrier and a ring gear including first and second portions. The first and second portions have axially opposed faces abutting one another at a radial interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2024
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2025
    Assignee: RTX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, Lawrence E. Portlock, Frederick M. Schwarz
  • Publication number: 20250052168
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes a propulsor section including a propulsor supported on a propulsor shaft, a turbine section including a turbine shaft, a compressor section having a plurality of compressor hubs with blades driven by the turbine shaft about an engine axis, and an epicyclic gear train interconnecting the propulsor shaft and the turbine shaft. The epicyclic gear train includes a sun gear coupled to the turbine shaft, intermediary gears arranged circumferentially about and meshing with the sun gear, a carrier and a ring gear including first and second portions. The first and second portions have axially opposed faces abutting one another at a radial interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2024
    Publication date: February 13, 2025
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, Lawrence E. Portlock, Frederick M. Schwarz
  • Patent number: 12084978
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a propulsor section including a propulsor supported on a propulsor shaft, a turbine section including a turbine shaft, a compressor section having a plurality of compressor hubs with blades driven by the turbine shaft about an engine axis, and an epicyclic gear train interconnecting the propulsor shaft and the turbine shaft. The epicyclic gear train includes a sun gear coupled to the turbine shaft, intermediary gears arranged circumferentially about and meshing with the sun gear, a carrier and a ring gear including first and second portions. The first and second portions have axially opposed faces abutting one another at a radial interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: RTX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, Lawrence E. Portlock, Frederick M. Schwarz
  • Publication number: 20240110497
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a fan shaft diving a fan having fan blades. The gas turbine engine also includes a gear system including a sun gear surrounded by a plurality of intermediate gear, a carrier at least partially supporting said plurality of intermediate gears, and a ring gear surrounding said plurality of intermediate gears, wherein said sun gear is driven by a turbine. The gas turbine engine also includes a flexible coupling fixing said ring gear from rotation relative to an engine static structure and a lubricating system for said gear system. Said lubricating system includes a lubricant input, there being a stationary first bearing receiving lubricant from said lubricant input. Said bearing has an inner first race in which lubricant flows, and a second bearing for rotation within said first bearing. Said second bearing has a first opening in registration with said inner first race such that lubricant may flow from said inner first race through said first opening into a first conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: William G. Sheridan, Michael E. McCune, Lawrence E. Portlock
  • Patent number: 11885252
    Abstract: In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a gas turbine engine includes a fan, a first compressor stage and a second compressor stage, a first turbine stage and a second turbine stage, and wherein said first turbine stage drives said second compressor stage as a high spool, and wherein said second turbine stage drives said first compressor stage as part of a low spool, and a gear train driving said fan with said low spool, and such that said fan and said first compressor stage rotate in the same direction, and wherein said high spool operates at higher pressures than said low spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: RTX Corporation
    Inventors: William G. Sheridan, Michael E. McCune, Lawrence E. Portlock
  • Patent number: 11815001
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a fan shaft diving a fan having fan blades. A gear system includes a sun gear surrounded by a plurality of intermediate gears. A carrier at least partially supports the plurality of intermediate gears. A ring gear surrounds the plurality of intermediate gears. The sun gear is driven by a turbine. At least one fan shaft support bearing is located forward of the gear system. A coupling fixes the ring gear from rotation relative to an engine static structure. A lubrication system lubricates components across a rotation gap. The lubrication system includes a lubricant input. A stationary first bearing receives lubricant from the lubricant input and has a first race in which lubricant flows. A second bearing rotates within the first bearing. The second bearing has a first opening in registration with the first race such that lubricant may flow from the first race through the first opening into a first conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: RTX Corporation
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, William G. Sheridan, Lawrence E. Portlock
  • Publication number: 20230304416
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a propulsor section including a propulsor supported on a propulsor shaft, a turbine section including a turbine shaft, a compressor section having a plurality of compressor hubs with blades driven by the turbine shaft about an engine axis, and an epicyclic gear train interconnecting the propulsor shaft and the turbine shaft. The epicyclic gear train includes a sun gear coupled to the turbine shaft, intermediary gears arranged circumferentially about and meshing with the sun gear, a carrier and a ring gear including first and second portions. The first and second portions have axially opposed faces abutting one another at a radial interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, Lawrence E. Portlock, Frederick M. Schwarz
  • Patent number: 11680492
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a propulsor section including a propulsor supported on a propulsor shaft, a turbine section including a turbine shaft, a compressor section, and an epicyclic gear train interconnecting the propulsor shaft and the turbine shaft. The gear train includes a sun gear coupled to the turbine shaft, intermediary gears arranged circumferentially about and meshing with the sun gear, a carrier supporting the intermediary gears, and a ring gear including first and second portions each having an inner periphery with teeth intermeshing with the intermediate gears. The first and second portions have axially opposed faces abutting one another at a radial interface. The first and second portions have grooves at the radial interface that form a hole that expels oil through the ring gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, Lawrence E. Portlock, Frederick M. Schwarz
  • Patent number: 11499624
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a propulsor section including a propulsor supported on a propulsor shaft, a turbine section including a turbine shaft, and an epicyclic gear train interconnecting the propulsor shaft and the turbine shaft. The epicyclic gear train includes a sun gear coupled to the turbine shaft, intermediary gears arranged circumferentially about and meshing with the sun gear, a carrier supporting the intermediary gears, and a ring gear including first and second portions each having an inner periphery with teeth intermeshing with the intermediate gears. The first and second portions have axially opposed faces abutting one another at a radial interface and respective flanges extending along the radial interface radially outward from the teeth. The first and second portions define a trough axially between and separating the teeth of the first portion from the teeth of the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, Lawrence E. Portlock
  • Publication number: 20220243802
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a propulsor section including a propulsor supported on a propulsor shaft, a turbine section including a turbine shaft, and an epicyclic gear train interconnecting the propulsor shaft and the turbine shaft. The epicyclic gear train includes a sun gear coupled to the turbine shaft, intermediary gears arranged circumferentially about and meshing with the sun gear, a carrier supporting the intermediary gears, and a ring gear including first and second portions each having an inner periphery with teeth intermeshing with the intermediate gears. The first and second portions have axially opposed faces abutting one another at a radial interface and respective flanges extending along the radial interface radially outward from the teeth. The first and second portions define a trough axially between and separating the teeth of the first portion from the teeth of the second portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, Lawrence E. Portlock
  • Publication number: 20220228506
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a propulsor section including a propulsor supported on a propulsor shaft, a turbine section including a turbine shaft, a compressor section, and an epicyclic gear train interconnecting the propulsor shaft and the turbine shaft. The gear train includes a sun gear coupled to the turbine shaft, intermediary gears arranged circumferentially about and meshing with the sun gear, a carrier supporting the intermediary gears, and a ring gear including first and second portions each having an inner periphery with teeth intermeshing with the intermediate gears. The first and second portions have axially opposed faces abutting one another at a radial interface. The first and second portions have grooves at the radial interface that form a hole that expels oil through the ring gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2022
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, Lawrence E. Portlock, Frederick M. Schwarz
  • Patent number: 11378039
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a bypass ratio greater than about ten (10). A fan is supported on a fan shaft and has a plurality of fan blades. A gear system is connected to the fan shaft. A plurality of planetary gears and a first set of opposed angled ring gear teeth are separated from a second set of opposed angled ring gear teeth. A lubricant flow path is located axially between the first set of opposed angled ring gear teeth and the second set of opposed angled ring gear teeth. A gear system support is relative to a fixed housing facilitating segregation of vibrations. An annular channel is axially aligned with the lubricant flow path. A low pressure turbine has an inlet, an outlet, and a low pressure turbine pressure ratio greater than 5:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, Lawrence E. Portlock, Frederick M. Schwarz
  • Patent number: 11319831
    Abstract: A turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a fan shaft, at least one tapered bearing mounted on the fan shaft, the fan shaft including at least one passage extending in a direction having at least a radial component, and adjacent the at least one tapered bearing, a fan mounted for rotation on the at least one tapered bearing. An epicyclic gear train is coupled to drive the fan, the epicyclic gear train including a carrier supporting intermediate gears that mesh with a sun gear, and a ring gear surrounding and meshing with the intermediate gears, wherein the epicyclic gear train defines a gear reduction ratio of greater than or equal to 2.3. A turbine section is coupled to drive the fan through the epicyclic gear train, the turbine section having a fan drive turbine that includes a pressure ratio that is greater than 5. The fan includes a pressure ratio that is less than 1.45, and the fan has a bypass ratio of greater than ten (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, Lawrence E. Portlock, Frederick M. Schwarz
  • Patent number: 11221066
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a fan section including a turbo fan supported on a turbo fan shaft, a turbine section including a turbine shaft, and an epicyclic gear train interconnecting the turbo fan shaft and the turbine shaft. The epicyclic gear train includes a sun gear coupled to the turbine shaft, intermediary gears arranged circumferentially about and meshing with the sun gear, a carrier supporting the intermediary gears, and a ring gear including first and second portions each having an inner periphery with teeth, the first and second portions arranged about and intermeshing with the intermediate gears, the first and second portions abutting one another at a radial interface, the first and second portions including respective flanges extending along the radial interface radially outward from the teeth, and the teeth of the first and second portions being oppositely angled teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, Lawrence E. Portlock
  • Publication number: 20210231025
    Abstract: A turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a fan shaft, at least one tapered bearing mounted on the fan shaft, the fan shaft including at least one passage extending in a direction having at least a radial component, and adjacent the at least one tapered bearing, a fan mounted for rotation on the at least one tapered bearing. An epicyclic gear train is coupled to drive the fan, the epicyclic gear train including a carrier supporting intermediate gears that mesh with a sun gear, and a ring gear surrounding and meshing with the intermediate gears, wherein the epicyclic gear train defines a gear reduction ratio of greater than or equal to 2.3. A turbine section is coupled to drive the fan through the epicyclic gear train, the turbine section having a fan drive turbine that includes a pressure ratio that is greater than 5. The fan includes a pressure ratio that is less than 1.45, and the fan has a bypass ratio of greater than ten (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, Lawrence E. Portlock, Frederick M. Schwarz
  • Publication number: 20210180492
    Abstract: In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a gas turbine engine includes a fan, a first compressor stage and a second compressor stage, a first turbine stage and a second turbine stage, and wherein said first turbine stage drives said second compressor stage as a high spool, and wherein said second turbine stage drives said first compressor stage as part of a low spool, and a gear train driving said fan with said low spool, and such that said fan and said first compressor stage rotate in the same direction, and wherein said high spool operates at higher pressures than said low spool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: William G. Sheridan, Michael E. McCune, Lawrence E. Portlock
  • Patent number: 10907579
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a bypass ratio greater than about ten (10). A fan is supported on a fan shaft and has a plurality of fan blades. A gear system is connected to the fan shaft and a plurality of planetary gears. A first set of opposed angled ring gear teeth are separated from a second set of opposed angled ring gear teeth. A lubricant flow path is located axially between the first set of opposed angled ring gear teeth and the second set of opposed angled ring gear teeth. An annular channel axially is aligned with the lubricant flow path. A low pressure turbine has an inlet, an outlet, and a low pressure turbine pressure ratio greater than 5:1. A low fan pressure ratio is less than 1.45 across the fan blade alone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, Lawrence E. Portlock, Frederick M. Schwarz
  • Publication number: 20210017936
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a bypass ratio greater than about ten (10). A fan is supported on a fan shaft and has a plurality of fan blades. A gear system is connected to the fan shaft. A plurality of planetary gears and a first set of opposed angled ring gear teeth are separated from a second set of opposed angled ring gear teeth. A lubricant flow path is located axially between the first set of opposed angled ring gear teeth and the second set of opposed angled ring gear teeth. A gear system support is relative to a fixed housing facilitating segregation of vibrations. An annular channel is axially aligned with the lubricant flow path. A low pressure turbine has an inlet, an outlet, and a low pressure turbine pressure ratio greater than 5:1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, Lawrence E. Portlock, Frederick M. Schwarz
  • Publication number: 20210010584
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a fan section including a turbo fan supported on a turbo fan shaft, a turbine section including a turbine shaft, and an epicyclic gear train interconnecting the turbo fan shaft and the turbine shaft. The epicyclic gear train includes a sun gear coupled to the turbine shaft, intermediary gears arranged circumferentially about and meshing with the sun gear, a carrier supporting the intermediary gears, and a ring gear including first and second portions each having an inner periphery with teeth, the first and second portions arranged about and intermeshing with the intermediate gears, the first and second portions abutting one another at a radial interface, the first and second portions including respective flanges extending along the radial interface radially outward from the teeth, and the teeth of the first and second portions being oppositely angled teeth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, Lawrence E. Portlock