Patents by Inventor Michael A. Karam

Michael A. Karam 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).

  • Compressor turbine wheel
    Patent number: 12018581
    Abstract: A turbine wheel for a gas turbine engine including a compressor impeller and a radial inflow turbine integral to or attached to the compressor impeller is provided. A compressor turbine wheel including features to increase surface area of a surface of the compressor impeller and/or the radial inflow turbine and/or a passage to flow air between the compressor impeller and the radial inflow turbine is further provided. Methods for cooling radial inflow turbines integral to compressor impellers are further provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas David Dierksmeier, Michael A. Karam
  • Gas turbine engine with radial turbine having modulated fuel cooled cooling air
    Patent number: 11619170
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a centrifugal compressor, a combustor, a radial turbine, and a cooling air metering system. The centrifugal compressor is configured to rotate about an axis to produce compressed air. The combustor is fluidly connected downstream of the centrifugal compressor to receive the compressed air from the centrifugal compressor. The radial turbine is fluidly connected with the combustor and is axially spaced apart from the centrifugal compressor. The cooling air metering system is configured to selectively block or allow a portion of the compressed air flowing radially between the centrifugal compressor and the radial turbine, bypassing the combustor, and through a heat exchanger for cooling the radial turbine and other components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas D. Dierksmeier, Michael A. Karam
  • Anti-unstart for combined cycle high mach vehicles
    Patent number: 11512667
    Abstract: Vehicles, such as aircraft, may include turbine-based combined cycle power plants (TBCC) for power to achieve high-mach speeds. An anti-unstart configuration provides control for transitioning between the amount of air directed to either engine during operation of gas turbine engine and scramjet engines, to avoid unstart during operation above sonic speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Kaare P. Erickson, Michael A. Karam
  • COMPRESSOR TURBINE WHEEL
    Publication number: 20220349308
    Abstract: A turbine wheel for a gas turbine engine including a compressor impeller and a radial inflow turbine integral to or attached to the compressor impeller is provided. A compressor turbine wheel including features to increase surface area of a surface of the compressor impeller and/or the radial inflow turbine and/or a passage to flow air between the compressor impeller and the radial inflow turbine is further provided. Methods for cooling radial inflow turbines integral to compressor impellers are further provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Applicant: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas David Dierksmeier, Michael A. Karam
  • COMPRESSOR TURBINE WHEEL
    Publication number: 20220034227
    Abstract: A turbine wheel for a gas turbine engine including a compressor impeller and a radial inflow turbine integral to or attached to the compressor impeller is provided. A compressor turbine wheel including features to increase surface area of a surface of the compressor impeller and/or the radial inflow turbine and/or a passage to flow air between the compressor impeller and the radial inflow turbine is further provided. Methods for cooling radial inflow turbines integral to compressor impellers are further provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Applicant: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas David Dierksmeier, Michael A. Karam
  • Gas turbine engine with thermoelectric system
    Patent number: 10801408
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a lubrication system, fuel system and thermoelectric heat exchanger adapted for selective operation in response to operational states of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas D. Dierksmeier, Daniel K. Vetters, Michael A. Karam
  • ANTI-UNSTART FOR COMBINED CYCLE HIGH MACH VEHICLES
    Publication number: 20200271074
    Abstract: Vehicles, such as aircraft, may include turbine-based combined cycle power plants (TBCC) for power to achieve high-mach speeds. An anti-unstart configuration provides control for transitioning between the amount of air directed to either engine during operation of gas turbine engine and scramjet engines, to avoid unstart during operation above sonic speeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: Kaare P. Erickson, Michael A. Karam
  • Gas turbine engine with thermoelectric cooling air heat exchanger
    Patent number: 10654576
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a cooling air system, a coolant system, and a thermoelectric heat exchanger adapted for selective operation in response to operational states of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas D. Dierksmeier, Daniel K. Vetters, Michael A. Karam
  • Gas turbine engine with thermoelectric intercooler
    Patent number: 10612468
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a compressor, a cooling source, and a thermoelectric intercooler adapted for selective operation in response to operational states of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas D. Dierksmeier, Daniel K. Vetters, Michael A. Karam
  • GAS TURBINE ENGINE WITH THERMOELECTRIC INTERCOOLER
    Publication number: 20190003393
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a compressor, a cooling source, and a thermoelectric intercooler adapted for selective operation in response to operational states of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventors: Douglas D. Dierksmeier, Daniel K. Vetters, Michael A. Karam
  • GAS TURBINE ENGINE WITH THERMOELECTRIC SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20180030897
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a lubrication system, fuel system and thermoelectric heat exchanger adapted for selective operation in response to operational states of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Douglas D. Dierksmeier, Daniel K. Vetters, Michael A. Karam
  • GAS TURBINE ENGINE WITH THERMOELECTRIC COOLING AIR HEAT EXCHANGER
    Publication number: 20170248076
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a cooling air system, a coolant system, and a thermoelectric heat exchanger adapted for selective operation in response to operational states of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Douglas D. Dierksmeier, Daniel K. Vetters, Michael A. Karam