Patents by Inventor Lee Becker

Lee Becker 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).

  • Publication number: 20180057182
    Abstract: An aircraft is provided including a fuselage and an aft engine. The fuselage defines a top side, a bottom side, and a frustum located proximate an aft end of the aircraft. The frustum defines a top reference line extending along the frustum at a top side of the fuselage, and a bottom reference line extending along the frustum at a bottom side of the fuselage. The top and bottom reference lines meet at a reference point aft of the frustum. The fuselage further defines a recessed portion located aft of the frustum and indented inwardly from the bottom reference line. The aft engine includes a nacelle extending adjacent to the recessed portion of the fuselage such that the aft engine may be included with the aircraft without interfering with, e.g., a takeoff angle of the aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Patrick Michael Marrinan, Thomas Lee Becker, Kurt David Murrow, Jixian Yao
  • Patent number: 9884687
    Abstract: An aircraft including a fuselage and an aft engine is provided. The fuselage extends from a forward end of the aircraft towards an aft end of the aircraft. The aft engine is mounted to the fuselage proximate the aft end of the aircraft. The aft engine includes a fan rotatable about a central axis of the aft engine, the fan including a plurality of fan blades. The aft engine also includes a nacelle surrounding the plurality of fan blades and defining an inlet. The inlet defines a non-axis symmetric shape with respect to the central axis of the aft engine to, e.g., allow for a maximum amount of airflow into the aft engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Patrick Michael Marrinan, Thomas Lee Becker, Kurt David Murrow, Jixian Yao
  • Publication number: 20180003064
    Abstract: A system includes a gas delivery disk coupled to a second shaft, wherein the second shaft and the gas delivery disk are disposed about an axis. The gas delivery disk includes an inner axial opening configured to facilitate a first axial flow through a first passage within the second shaft, a duct configured to supply a bearing flow in a radial direction toward the axis, and a bearing face disposed within the first passage and radially interior to the inner axial opening. The bearing face is configured to receive the bearing flow, and the bearing face is configured to form a gas bearing between the bearing face and a first shaft disposed about the axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Brandon Wayne Miller, Thomas Lee Becker, Daniel Alan Niergarth, Bugra Han Ertas
  • Publication number: 20180003080
    Abstract: A bearing assembly for a turbine engine includes a first gas bearing configured to receive a load from a rotating shaft of the turbine engine, a transmission disk configured to receive the load from the first gas bearing, and a damping member coupled to a casing of a combustor section of the turbine engine. The transmission disk includes a gas delivery disk, which includes an axial opening configured to facilitate an axial flow through the gas delivery disk and a duct configured to facilitate a radial flow through the gas delivery disk to form the first gas bearing. The damping member is configured to receive the load from the transmission disk.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas Lee Becker, Brandon Wayne Miller, Daniel Alan Niergarth, Bugra Han Ertas
  • Patent number: 9821917
    Abstract: A propulsion system for an aircraft is provided having an aft engine configured to be mounted to the aircraft at an aft end of the aircraft. The aft engine includes a fan rotatable about a central axis of the aft engine having a plurality of fan blades. The aft engine also includes a nacelle encircling the plurality of fan blades with one or more structural members extending between the nacelle and the mean line of the aircraft at a location forward of the plurality of fan blades when the aft engine is mounted to the aircraft. The aft engine may increase a net thrust of the aircraft when mounted to the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas Lee Becker, Kurt David Murrow, Patrick Michael Marrinan, Brandon Wayne Miller
  • Patent number: 9815560
    Abstract: An aircraft including a fuselage and an aft engine is provided. The fuselage extends from a forward end of the aircraft towards an aft end of the aircraft. The aft engine is mounted to the fuselage proximate the aft end of the aircraft and includes a fan and a nacelle. The fan is rotatable about a central axis of the aft engine and includes a plurality of fan blades. The nacelle of the aft engine surrounds the plurality of fan blades and defines a bottom portion having a forward end. Additionally, the nacelle defines a curved surface at the forward end of the bottom portion, the curved surface including a reference point where the curved surface defines the smallest radius of curvature. The nacelle further defines a normal reference line extending normal from the reference point. The normal reference line defines an angle with the central axis of the aft engine greater than zero to, e.g., allow for a maximum amount of airflow into the aft engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Patrick Michael Marrinan, Thomas Lee Becker, Kurt David Murrow, Jixian Yao
  • Publication number: 20170222518
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a gas turbine engine assembly having a compressor configured to increase pressure of incoming air, a combustion chamber, at least one turbine coupled to a generator, a torsional damper, and a controller. The combustion chamber is configured to receive a pressurized air stream from the compressor. Further, fuel is injected into the pressurized air in the combustion chamber and ignited so as to raise a temperature and energy level of the pressurized air. The turbine is operatively coupled to the combustion chamber so as to receive combustion products that flow from the combustion chamber. The generator is coupled to the turbine via a shaft. Thus, the torsional damper is configured to dampen torsional oscillations of the generator. Moreover, the controller is configured to provide additional damping control to the generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Paul Robert Gemin, Thomas Lee Becker, Tod Robert Steen
  • Patent number: 9715492
    Abstract: The sentiment of a message may not be obtainable from the message itself. However, many messages have an associated context that provides information useful in determining the sentiment of a message. Messages may include links to other resources, such as graphics or videos, which in turn include titles, comments, viewer ratings or other attributes that may provide a sentiment of the message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: David Skiba, George Erhart, Lee Becker, Valentine C Matula
  • Publication number: 20170191378
    Abstract: The pump includes a first rotatable member including a radially inward facing groove having an edge. The first rotatable member configured to receive a plurality of flows of fluid over the edge. The first rotatable member configured to rotate at a first angular velocity. The pump also includes a second rotatable member including a collector configured to rotate at a second angular velocity. The second rotatable member also includes a plurality of scoop tubes extending radially outwardly from the collector. Each scoop tube of the plurality of scoop tubes includes a first end coupled in flow communication to the collector and a second end including an inlet opening extending into the groove. The second end curved such that the inlet opening is open in a direction of rotation of the second rotatable member. The inlet opening configured to scoop a fluid collected in the groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas Ory Moniz, Thomas Lee Becker, JR.
  • Patent number: 9637217
    Abstract: An aircraft is provided including a fuselage and an aft engine. The fuselage defines a top side, a bottom side, and a frustum located proximate an aft end of the aircraft. The frustum defines a top reference line extending along the frustum at a top side of the fuselage, and a bottom reference line extending along the frustum at a bottom side of the fuselage. The top and bottom reference lines meet at a reference point aft of the frustum. The fuselage further defines a recessed portion located aft of the frustum and indented inwardly from the bottom reference line. The aft engine includes a nacelle extending adjacent to the recessed portion of the fuselage such that the aft engine may be included with the aircraft without interfering with, e.g., a takeoff angle of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Patrick Michael Marrinan, Thomas Lee Becker, Kurt David Murrow, Jixian Yao
  • Publication number: 20170114665
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a gas turbine engine assembly having a compressor configured to increase pressure of incoming air, a combustion chamber, at least one turbine coupled to a generator, a torsional damper, and a controller. The combustion chamber is configured to receive a pressurized air stream from the compressor. Further, fuel is injected into the pressurized air in the combustion chamber and ignited so as to raise a temperature and energy level of the pressurized air. The turbine is operatively coupled to the combustion chamber so as to receive combustion products that flow from the combustion chamber. The generator is coupled to the turbine via a shaft. Thus, the torsional damper is configured to dampen torsional oscillations of the generator. Moreover, the controller is configured to provide additional damping control to the generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: Paul Robert Gemin, Thomas Lee Becker, Tod Robert Steen
  • Publication number: 20170114664
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a gas turbine engine assembly having a compressor configured to increase pressure of incoming air, a combustion chamber, at least one turbine coupled to a generator, a torsional damper, and a controller. The combustion chamber is configured to receive a pressurized air stream from the compressor. Further, fuel is injected into the pressurized air in the combustion chamber and ignited so as to raise a temperature and energy level of the pressurized air. The turbine is operatively coupled to the combustion chamber so as to receive combustion products that flow from the combustion chamber. The generator is coupled to the turbine via a shaft. Thus, the torsional damper is configured to dampen torsional oscillations of the generator. Moreover, the controller is configured to provide additional damping control to the generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: Paul Robert Gemin, Thomas Lee Becker, Tod Robert Steen
  • Patent number: 9635175
    Abstract: A dialog aggregator provided by a contact center communication system for text-based interaction chains is described along with various methods and mechanisms for administering the same. The dialog aggregator produces a summary, in real-time, of questions posed and existing answers in the interaction chain while identifying outstanding questions that have not been answered for display to an agent. The display includes any current answer the agent is working on as well as completed items and additionally executes rules based on the status of the remaining questions. The display in canonical form of the summary and outstanding question set enables a contact center agent or other observer of the interaction to quickly and efficiently assess the interaction history.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: David Skiba, George Erhart, Lee Becker, Valentine C. Matula
  • Publication number: 20170101191
    Abstract: A propulsion system for an aircraft is provided having an aft engine configured to be mounted to the aircraft at an aft end of the aircraft. The aft engine includes a fan rotatable about a central axis of the aft engine having a plurality of fan blades attached to a fan shaft. The aft engine also includes a nacelle encircling the plurality of fan blades and a structural support system for mounting the aft engine to the aircraft. The structural support system extends from the fuselage of the aircraft, through the fan shaft, and to the nacelle when the aft engine is mounted to the aircraft. The aft engine may increase a net thrust of the aircraft when mounted to the aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas Lee Becker, Kurt David Murrow, Patrick Michael Marrinan, Brandon Wayne Miller
  • Publication number: 20170102006
    Abstract: An aeronautical propulsion device including a fan and a plurality of variable guide vanes is provided. The fan includes a plurality of fan blades for providing a flow of air and the plurality of variable guide vanes are configured for directing air to or from the fan in a desired direction. Each of the plurality of guide vanes defines an inner end along the radial direction and is attached to a housing of the portion device at the inner end in a rotatable manner. The propulsion device further includes a pitch change mechanism positioned in the housing and mechanically coupled to at least one of the plurality of guide vanes for changing a pitch of the at least one of the plurality of guide vanes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventors: Brandon Wayne Miller, Thomas Lee Becker, JR.
  • Publication number: 20170081036
    Abstract: An aircraft including a fuselage and an aft engine is provided. The fuselage extends from a forward end of the aircraft towards an aft end of the aircraft. The aft engine is mounted to the fuselage proximate the aft end of the aircraft. The aft engine includes a fan rotatable about a central axis of the aft engine, the fan including a plurality of fan blades. The aft engine also includes a nacelle surrounding the plurality of fan blades and defining an inlet. The inlet defines a non-axis symmetric shape with respect to the central axis of the aft engine to, e.g., allow for a maximum amount of airflow into the aft engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Patrick Michael Marrinan, Thomas Lee Becker, Kurt David Murrow, Jixian Yao
  • Publication number: 20170081035
    Abstract: A propulsion system for an aircraft is provided having an aft engine configured to be mounted to the aircraft at an aft end of the aircraft. The aft engine includes a fan rotatable about a central axis of the aft engine having a plurality of fan blades. The aft engine also includes a nacelle encircling the plurality of fan blades with one or more structural members extending between the nacelle and the mean line of the aircraft at a location forward of the plurality of fan blades when the aft engine is mounted to the aircraft. The aft engine may increase a net thrust of the aircraft when mounted to the aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas Lee Becker, Kurt David Murrow, Patrick Michael Marrinan, Brandon Wayne Miller
  • Publication number: 20170081013
    Abstract: An aircraft is provided including a fuselage and an aft engine. The fuselage defines a top side, a bottom side, and a frustum located proximate an aft end of the aircraft. The frustum defines a top reference line extending along the frustum at a top side of the fuselage, and a bottom reference line extending along the frustum at a bottom side of the fuselage. The top and bottom reference lines meet at a reference point aft of the frustum. The fuselage further defines a recessed portion located aft of the frustum and indented inwardly from the bottom reference line. The aft engine includes a nacelle extending adjacent to the recessed portion of the fuselage such that the aft engine may be included with the aircraft without interfering with, e.g., a takeoff angle of the aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Patrick Michael Marrinan, Thomas Lee Becker, Kurt David Murrow, Jixian Yao
  • Publication number: 20170081037
    Abstract: An aircraft including a fuselage and an aft engine is provided. The fuselage extends from a forward end of the aircraft towards an aft end of the aircraft. The aft engine is mounted to the fuselage proximate the aft end of the aircraft and includes a fan and a nacelle. The fan is rotatable about a central axis of the aft engine and includes a plurality of fan blades. The nacelle of the aft engine surrounds the plurality of fan blades and defines a bottom portion having a forward end. Additionally, the nacelle defines a curved surface at the forward end of the bottom portion, the curved surface including a reference point where the curved surface defines the smallest radius of curvature. The nacelle further defines a normal reference line extending normal from the reference point. The normal reference line defines an angle with the central axis of the aft engine greater than zero to, e.g., allow for a maximum amount of airflow into the aft engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Patrick Michael Marrinan, Thomas Lee Becker, Kurt David Murrow, Jixian Yao
  • Publication number: 20170081034
    Abstract: A propulsion system for an aircraft including a plurality of primary engines is provided. The plurality of primary engines includes at least a first primary engine and a second primary engine, each configured for mounting to a respective one of a pair of wings of the aircraft. The propulsion system additionally includes an aft engine configured for mounting at a tail section of the aircraft. The plurality of primary engines are sized to provide an amount of thrust sufficient for the aircraft to takeoff without use of the aft engine, such that the aft engine may be configured as a non-prime reliable engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Patrick Michael Marrinan, Thomas Lee Becker, Kurt David Murrow