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: 11492932
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a turbine section that includes a fan drive turbine. A geared architecture includes a sun gear in driving engagement with the fan drive turbine. A plurality of planet gears surrounds the sun gear. A ring gear surrounds the plurality of planet gears. A deflection limiter mechanically attaches the ring gear to an engine static structure. The deflection limiter includes a first support fixed to the ring gear that has a first interlocking feature and a second support fixed to the engine static structure that has a second interlocking feature. The first and second interlocking features define at least one of a radial clearance of between 0.005 inches (0.127 mm) and 0.080 inches (2.032 mm) or a circumferential clearance of between 0.005 inches (0.127 mm) and 0.250 inches (2.032 mm). A fan section includes a plurality of fan blades in driving engagement with the geared architecture through a fan drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: William G. Sheridan, Michael E. McCune
  • Patent number: 11448310
    Abstract: A method of assembling an epicyclic gear train includes positioning a carrier, the carrier being a unitary structure with side walls and mounts unitary with one another, inserting intermediate gears through a central opening of the carrier, moving each of the intermediate gears into intermediate gear pockets, inserting baffles into the carrier, inserting a sun gear through the central opening, and moving the intermediate gears to intermesh with the sun gear, and moving a ring gear into engagement with the intermediate gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: William G. Sheridan, Michael E. McCune
  • Patent number: 11448309
    Abstract: A fan drive gear system for a turbofan engine according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, among other possible things includes a sun gear that is rotatable about an axis, a plurality of intermediate gears driven by the sun gear, and a baffle that is disposed between at least two of the plurality of intermediate gears for defining a lubricant flow path from an interface between the sun gear and at least one of the plurality of intermediate gears. The baffle includes a channel with at least one ramp portion directing lubricant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Janice Jabido, Michael E. McCune
  • Patent number: 11434829
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine may include a high speed spool, a low speed spool, a first epicyclic gear system, and a second epicyclic gear system. Generally, the high speed spool mechanically connects a high pressure turbine to a high pressure compressor, and the low speed spool mechanically connects a low pressure turbine to at least one of a fan and a prop via the first epicyclic gear system and to a low pressure compressor via the second epicyclic gear system, according to various embodiments. The first epicyclic gear system and the second epicyclic gear system may include a common sun gear shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: William G. Sheridan, Michael E. McCune
  • Publication number: 20220260022
    Abstract: A method of assembling a gear train includes providing a unitary carrier. The unitary carrier has 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 provided between the walls and extending to the apertures, and a central opening in at least one of the walls. The method includes inserting a plurality of intermediate gears through the central opening and moving the intermediate gears radially outwardly into the gear pockets to extend into the apertures, placing a ring gear on an outer periphery of the intermediate gears to engage the intermediate gears, and securing the gear train to a fan shaft by a connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, William G. Sheridan
  • 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
  • Patent number: 11401864
    Abstract: An epicyclic gear system includes a sun gear, a ring gear, and two or more star gear assemblies enmeshed between the sun gear and the ring gear. Each star gear assembly includes a star gear and a journal bearing supportive of the star gear. The journal bearing includes one or more lubricant passageways to deliver a flow of lubricant to a selected location of the star gear assembly, wherein a first cross-sectional area of a lubricant passage of a first journal bearing of the two or more star gear assemblies is greater than a second cross-sectional area of the corresponding lubricant passage of a second journal bearing of the two or more star gear assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Michael E. McCune
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20220178275
    Abstract: A disclosed lubrication system for a turbofan engine includes a pump for driving lubricant through a lubrication circuit, at least one sensor generating a signal indicative of an engine operating condition and at least one valve for controlling a flow of lubricant through the lubrication circuit. A controller controls operation of the valve to vary the flow of lubricant based on the engine operating condition to maintain lubricant flow within predefined operating limits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2022
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventors: Paul H. Dolman, Michael E. McCune
  • Patent number: 11339726
    Abstract: A method of assembling an epicyclic gear train includes the steps of providing a carrier having a central axis that includes spaced apart side walls and circumferentially spaced connecting structure defining spaced apart apertures provided at an outer circumference of the carrier, gear pockets provided between the side walls and extending to the apertures, and a central opening in at least one of the side walls, inserting a plurality of intermediate gears through the central opening and moving the intermediate gears radially outwardly into the gear pockets to extend into the apertures, inserting a sun gear through the central opening after the step of inserting the plurality of intermediate gears through the central opening, moving the plurality of intermediate gears radially inwardly to engage the sun gear, and placing a ring gear on an outer periphery of the intermediate gears to engage the intermediate gears after the step of moving the plurality of intermediate gears radially inwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, William G. Sheridan
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20220128060
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine has a fan drive turbine driving a gear reduction, the gear reduction, in turn, driving a fan rotor, the fan rotor delivering air into a bypass duct as bypass air and into a compressor section as core flow. A forward bearing is positioned between the gear reduction and the fan rotor and supports the gear reduction. A second bearing is positioned aft of the gear reduction and supports the gear reduction. The second bearing is a thrust bearing. A fan drive turbine drive shaft drives the gear reduction. The fan drive turbine drive shaft has a weakened link which is aft of the second bearing such that the fan drive turbine drive shaft will tend to fail at the weakened link, and at a location aft of the second bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2022
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: William G. Sheridan, Michael E. McCune
  • Patent number: 11313278
    Abstract: A gearbox assembly for a gas turbofan engine includes a sun gear rotatable about an axis and a plurality of intermediate gears driven by the sun gear. A baffle disposed between at least two of the plurality of intermediate gears includes a first gap distance within a first gap portion and a second gap distance within a second gap portion. The first gap portion is disposed between the baffle and one of the intermediate gears away from the meshed interface with the sun gear and the second gap portion is disposed near the interface with the sun gear. The first gap distance within the first gap portion is different than the second gap distance within the second gap portion to define a desired lubricant flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, Marc J. Muldoon
  • Patent number: 11280221
    Abstract: A disclosed lubrication system for a turbofan engine includes a pump for driving lubricant through a lubrication circuit, at least one sensor generating a signal indicative of an engine operating condition and at least one valve for controlling a flow of lubricant through the lubrication circuit. A controller controls operation of the valve to vary the flow of lubricant based on the engine operating condition to maintain lubricant flow within predefined operating limits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Paul H. Dolman, Michael E. McCune
  • Publication number: 20220074353
    Abstract: A method of assembling a gear system for a gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes the steps of providing a unitary carrier, positioning baffles between side walls of the carrier such that an end of each of the baffles abuts a respective mount of the carrier, inserting intermediate gears through a central opening of the carrier, and then moving the intermediate gears radially outwardly into respective gear pockets of the carrier, inserting a sun gear through the central opening, moving the intermediate gears radially inwardly to engage the sun gear, coupling a shaft to the carrier, including attaching a torque frame to the carrier such that the torque frame interconnects the carrier and the shaft, placing first and second ring gear halves of a ring gear onto an outer periphery of the intermediate gears, and fixedly attaching the ring gear to an engine static structure. A gear system is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: William G. Sheridan, Michael E. McCune
  • Patent number: 11255337
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine has a fan drive turbine driving a gear reduction, the gear reduction, in turn, driving a fan rotor, the fan rotor delivering air into a bypass duct as bypass air and into a compressor section as core flow. A forward bearing is positioned between the gear reduction and the fan rotor and supports the gear reduction. A second bearing is positioned aft of the gear reduction and supports the gear reduction. The second bearing is a thrust bearing. A fan drive turbine drive shaft drives the gear reduction. The fan drive turbine drive shaft has a weakened link which is aft of the second bearing such that the fan drive turbine drive shaft will tend to fail at the weakened link, and at a location aft of the second bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: William G. Sheridan, Michael E. McCune
  • Publication number: 20220049629
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a turbine section that includes a fan drive turbine. A geared architecture includes a sun gear in driving engagement with the fan drive turbine. A plurality of planet gears surrounds the sun gear. A ring gear surrounds the plurality of planet gears. A deflection limiter mechanically attaches the ring gear to an engine static structure. The deflection limiter includes a first support fixed to the ring gear that has a first interlocking feature and a second support fixed to the engine static structure that has a second interlocking feature. The first and second interlocking features define at least one of a radial clearance of between 0.005 inches (0.127 mm) and 0.080 inches (2.032 mm) or a circumferential clearance of between 0.005 inches (0.127 mm) and 0.250 inches (2.032 mm). A fan section includes a plurality of fan blades in driving engagement with the geared architecture through a fan drive shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Inventors: William G. Sheridan, Michael E. McCune
  • Publication number: 20220049622
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a fan shaft configured to drive a fan, a support configured to support at least a portion of the fan shaft, the support defining a support transverse stiffness and a support lateral stiffness, a gear system coupled to the fan shaft, and a flexible support configured to at least partially support the gear system. The flexible support defines a flexible support transverse stiffness with respect to the support transverse stiffness and a flexible support lateral stiffness with respect to the support lateral stiffness. The input defines an input transverse stiffness with respect to the support transverse stiffness and an input lateral stiffness with respect to the support lateral stiffness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2021
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, Jason Husband
  • Publication number: 20220034394
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine including a drive shaft that drives a propulsor. A frame which supports the drive shaft is a K-frame bearing support. A gear system is connected to the drive shaft. The gear system includes a gear mesh that defines a gear mesh lateral stiffness and a gear mesh transverse. A flexible support supports the gear system that defines a flexible support transverse stiffness and a flexible support lateral stiffness. The flexible support lateral stiffness is less than 8% of the gear mesh lateral stiffness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, Jason Husband