Patents by Inventor Mark Whitlock

Mark Whitlock 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: 11105338
    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: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Nesteroff, Jonathan Acker, Jeffrey Crutchfield, Nate Cooper, Mark Whitlock, Nathan Ottow
  • Publication number: 20210062824
    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: September 23, 2019
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Applicants: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Nesteroff, Jonathan Acker, Jeffrey Crutchfield, Nate Cooper, Mark Whitlock, Nathan Ottow
  • Patent number: 10935044
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Nathan Ottow, Johnathan Acker, Nate Cooper, Mark Whitlock, Michael Nesteroff
  • Patent number: 10619998
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark Whitlock, Jonathan Acker
  • Publication number: 20190353180
    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: August 1, 2019
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Applicant: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Nathan Ottow, Johnathan Acker, Nate Cooper, Mark Whitlock, Michael Nesteroff
  • Patent number: 10458429
    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: August 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignees: ROLLS-ROYCE CORPORATION, ROLLS-ROYCE NORTH AMERICAN TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Michael Nesteroff, Jonathan Acker, Jeffrey Crutchfield, Nate Cooper, Mark Whitlock, Nathan Ottow
  • Patent number: 10408226
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nathan Ottow, Jonathan Acker, Nate Cooper, Mark Whitlock, Michael Nesteroff
  • 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: 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: 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: 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
  • Patent number: 8087013
    Abstract: In assisting migration of data processing resources from a first operating environment to a second operating environment, a migration controller responds to a problem encountered during a migration process by invoking a network-based service to discover migration resources. A service provider makes migration resources available via the network-based service. The migration controller can obtain the latest migration rules and use them to resolve certain migration problems. The cooperation between the migration controller and network-based service can be automated to reduce reliance on manual updating of installed computer programs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John Anthony Kelly, Mark Patrick Nuttal, Craig Howard Stirling, Mark Whitlock
  • Publication number: 20080115123
    Abstract: In assisting migration of data processing resources from a first operating environment to a second operating environment, a migration controller responds to a problem encountered during a migration process by invoking a network-based service to discover migration resources. A service provider makes migration resources available via the network-based service. The migration controller can obtain the latest migration rules and use them to resolve certain migration problems. The cooperation between the migration controller and network-based service can be automated to reduce reliance on manual updating of installed computer programs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: John Anthony Kelly, Mark Patrick Nuttal, Craig Howard Stirling, Mark Whitlock