Patents by Inventor Michael E. McCune

Michael E. McCune 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: 9874150
    Abstract: A method of assembling an epicyclic gear train comprises the steps of providing a unitary carrier having a central axis that includes spaced apart walls and circumferentially spaced connecting structure defining spaced apart apertures provided at an outer circumference of the carrier. Gear pockets are provided between the walls and extend to the apertures. A central opening is in at least one of the walls. A plurality of intermediate gears are inserted through the central opening and move the intermediate gears radially outwardly into the gear pockets to extend into the apertures. A sun gear is inserted through the central opening. The plurality of intermediate gears is moved radially inwardly to engage the sun gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, William G. Sheridan
  • Publication number: 20180010681
    Abstract: An epicyclic gear train for a turbine engine includes a gutter with an annular channel. A rotating structure includes a ring gear that has an aperture that is axially aligned with the annular channel. Axially spaced apart walls extend radially outward relative to the rotating structure to define a passageway. The passageway is arranged radially between and axially aligned with the aperture and the annular channel. The walls are configured to inhibit an axial flow of an oil passing from the aperture toward the annular channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, Lawrence E. Portlock
  • Publication number: 20170362959
    Abstract: A system for a turbine engine includes a first bearing, a second bearing, a first rotating assembly, a second rotating assembly, a first lubrication circuit and a second lubrication circuit. The first rotating assembly includes a first component rotatably supported by the first bearing. The second rotating assembly includes a second component rotatably supported by the second bearing. The first lubrication circuit includes a first pump and the first bearing. The first pump is driven by the first rotating assembly and configured to pump lubricant to the first bearing. The second lubrication circuit includes a second pump and the second bearing. The second pump is configured to pump lubricant to the second bearing. The second lubrication circuit is configured discrete from the first lubrication circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Michael E. McCune
  • Patent number: 9835052
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a fan, a compressor section, and a turbine section including a fan drive turbine and a second turbine. The fan drive turbine has a first exit area at a first exit point and is rotatable at a first speed. A mid-turbine frame is positioned intermediate the fan drive turbine and the second turbine, and can include a bearing support. The second turbine has a second exit area at a second exit point and is rotatable at a second speed. A first performance quantity is defined as the product of the first speed squared and the first area. A second performance quantity is defined as the product of the second speed squared and the second area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Frederick M. Schwarz, Gabriel L. Suciu, William K. Ackermann, Daniel Bernard Kupratis, Michael E. McCune
  • Publication number: 20170342858
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a fan shaft driving a fan having fan blades, a fan shaft support that supports the fan shaft and a gear system connected to the fan shaft. The gear system includes a ring gear defining a ring gear transverse stiffness, at least one journal bearing defining a journal bearing transverse stiffness, a gear mesh defining a gear mesh transverse stiffness, and a reduction ratio greater than 2.3. The ring gear transverse stiffness is less than 20% of the gear mesh transverse stiffness and the journal bearing transverse stiffness is less than or equal to the gear mesh transverse stiffness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, Jason Husband
  • Publication number: 20170335718
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a fan shaft driving a fan having fan blades. A fan shaft support supports the fan shaft and defines a support transverse stiffness. A gear system is connected to the fan shaft and includes a gear mesh defining a gear mesh transverse stiffness and a reduction ratio greater than 2.3. A gear system input is connected to the gear system and defines a gear system input lateral stiffness. A flexible support supports the gear system and defines a flexible support transverse stiffness. The gear system input lateral stiffness is less than 5% of the gear mesh lateral stiffness and the flexible support transverse stiffness is less than 20% of the fan shaft support transverse stiffness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, Jason Husband
  • Publication number: 20170306842
    Abstract: A gas generator has at least one compressor rotor, at least one gas generator turbine rotor and a combustion section. A fan drive turbine is positioned downstream of a path of the products of combustion having passed over the at least one gas generator turbine rotor. The fan drive turbine drives a shaft and the shaft engages gears to drive at least three fan rotors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Michael E. McCune, Jesse M. Chandler, Alan H. Epstein, Steven M. O'Flarity, Christopher J. Hanlon, William F. Schneider, Joseph B. Staubach, James A. Kenyon
  • Publication number: 20170306855
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a gear system that provides a speed reduction between a fan drive turbine and a fan rotor. Aspects of the gear system are provided with some flexibility. The fan drive turbine has a first exit area and rotates at a first speed. A second turbine section has a second exit area and rotates at a second speed, which is faster than said first speed. A performance quantity can be defined for both turbine sections as the products of the respective areas and respective speeds squared. A performance quantity ratio of the performance quantity for the fan drive turbine to the performance quantity for the second turbine section is relatively high.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, Jason Husband, Frederick M. Schwarz, Daniel Bernard Kupratis, Gabriel L. Suciu, William K. Ackermann
  • Publication number: 20170298768
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a fan shaft driving a fan having fan blades, a fan shaft support that supports the fan shaft defining a fan shaft support lateral stiffness and a fan shaft support transverse stiffness and a gear system connected to the fan shaft having a reduction ratio of greater than 2.3. A flexible support supports the gear system and defines a flexible support lateral stiffness and a flexible support transverse stiffness. A low fan pressure ratio of less than 1.45 measured across the fan blades alone. At least one of the flexible support lateral stiffness is less than 11% of the fan shaft support lateral stiffness and the flexible support transverse stiffness is less than 20% of the fan shaft support transverse stiffness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, Jason Husband
  • Publication number: 20170298770
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a fan shaft driving a fan having fan blades, a fan shaft support that supports the fan shaft and a gear system connected to the fan shaft. The gear system includes a ring gear defining a ring gear lateral stiffness, a gear mesh defining a gear mesh lateral stiffness, and a reduction ratio greater than 2.3. A bypass ratio is greater than 10 (10). The ring gear lateral stiffness is less than 12% of the gear mesh lateral stiffness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, Jason Husband
  • Publication number: 20170298767
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a turbine section including a fan drive turbine and a second turbine. The fan drive turbine has a first exit area at a first exit point and is rotatable at a first speed. A mid-turbine frame is positioned intermediate the fan drive turbine and the second turbine, and can include a bearing support. The second turbine has a second exit area at a second exit point and is rotatable at a second speed. A first performance quantity is defined as the product of the first speed squared and the first area. A second performance quantity is defined as the product of the second speed squared and the second area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: Frederick M. Schwarz, Gabriel L. Suciu, William K. Ackermann, Daniel Bernard Kupratis, Michael E. McCune
  • Publication number: 20170298757
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a fan shaft driving a fan having fan blades. A fan shaft support supports the fan shaft and a gear system is connected to the fan shaft. The gear system includes a gear mesh defining a gear mesh lateral stiffness and a gear mesh transverse stiffness and a reduction ratio greater than 2.3. A gear system input to the gear system defines a gear system input lateral stiffness and a gear system input transverse stiffness. At least one of said gear system input lateral stiffness and said gear system input transverse stiffness is less than 5% of a respective one of said gear mesh lateral stiffness and said gear mesh transverse stiffness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, Jason Husband, Frederick M. Schwarz, Daniel Bernard Kupratis, Gabriel L. Suciu, William K. Ackermann
  • Patent number: 9777825
    Abstract: A turbine engine includes a housing supporting compressor and turbine sections. An epicyclic gear train includes a carrier, a sun gear and intermediate gears arranged about and intermeshing with the sun gear. The intermediate gears are supported by the carrier. A baffle is supported relative to the carrier and includes a lubrication passage near at least one of the sun gear and intermediate gears for directing a lubricant on at least one of the sun gear and the intermediate gears. A spray bar is external to the carrier and is in communication with the lubrication passage. The spray bar terminates near the sun gear for directing lubricant on the sun gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: William G. Sheridan, Michael E. McCune
  • Publication number: 20170276009
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a fan shaft driving a fan having fan blades, a fan shaft support said that supports fan shaft and a gear system connected to the fan shaft. The gear system includes a ring gear defining a ring gear lateral stiffness and a ring gear transverse stiffness, a gear mesh defining a gear mesh lateral stiffness and a gear mesh transverse stiffness, and a reduction ratio greater than 2.3. At least one of the ring gear lateral stiffness and the ring gear transverse stiffness is less than 12% of a respective one of the gear mesh lateral stiffness and the gear mesh transverse stiffness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, Jason Husband, Frederick M. Schwarz, Daniel Bernard Kupratis, Gabriel L. Suciu, William K. Ackermann
  • Publication number: 20170276010
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a fan shaft driving a fan having fan blades supported by a fan shaft support defining a fan shaft support lateral and transverse stiffness. A gear system connected to the fan shaft including a ring gear defining a ring gear lateral and transverse stiffness, a gear mesh defining a gear mesh lateral and transverse stiffness, and a reduction ratio greater than 2.3. At least one of the ring gear lateral and transverse stiffness is less than 12% of a respective one of the gear mesh lateral and transverse stiffness. A flexible support supports the gear system and defines a flexible support lateral and transverse stiffness. At least one of the flexible support lateral and transverse stiffness is less than 11% of a respective one of the fan shaft support lateral and transverse stiffness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, Jason Husband, Frederick M. Schwarz, Daniel Bernard Kupratis, Gabriel L. Suciu, William K. Ackermann
  • Publication number: 20170276046
    Abstract: A method of designing a gas turbine engine includes configuring a speed reduction device for driving a fan and configuring a lubrication system for lubricating 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 for rotation is 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. The first bearing is configured to also include a second race into which lubricant flows. The second bearing has a second opening in registration with the second race such that lubricant may flow from the second race through the second opening into a second conduit. The first and second conduits deliver lubricant to distinct locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, William G. Sheridan, Lawrence E. Portlock
  • Publication number: 20170260876
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a fan shaft driving a fan having fan blades, a fan shaft support that supports the fan shaft and a gear system connected to the fan shaft. The gear system includes a gear mesh defining a gear mesh transverse stiffness, and a reduction ratio greater than 2.3. A flexible support supports the gear system and defines a flexible support transverse stiffness. The flexible support transverse stiffness is less than 8% of the gear mesh transverse stiffness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, Jason Husband
  • Publication number: 20170260875
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a fan shaft driving a fan having fan blades, a fan shaft support that supports the fan shaft and defines a fan shaft support transverse stiffness. A gear system connected to the fan shaft and includes a gear mesh defining a gear mesh transverse stiffness, and a reduction ratio greater than 2.3. A flexible support supports said gear system and defines a flexible support transverse stiffness. The flexible support transverse stiffness is less than 20% of the fan shaft support transverse stiffness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, Jason Husband
  • Patent number: 9759309
    Abstract: An epicyclic gear train component includes spaced apart walls with circumferentially spaced mounts that interconnect the walls. The mounts provide circumferentially spaced apart apertures between the mounts at an outer circumference of the walls. Baffles are arranged between the walls near the mounts. Gear pockets are provided between the baffles and the baffles include a lubrication passage that terminates at least one of the gear pockets. One of the walls includes a hole which has a tube that extends through the hole and is received in an opening in the baffle. The tube is in communication with the lubrication passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: William G. Sheridan, Michael E. McCune
  • Patent number: 9752510
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a core engine with a compressor section, a combustor and a turbine. The turbine drives an output shaft, and the output shaft drives at least four gears. Each of the at least four gears extends through a drive shaft to drive an associated fan rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Alan H. Epstein, Wesley K. Lord, Michael E. McCune, Brian D. Merry