Patents by Inventor Michael J. WHITTLE

Michael J. WHITTLE 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: 11434177
    Abstract: A component for use in a gas turbine engine is made from ceramic materials. The component is made from a core preform containing ceramic reinforcement fibers. A plurality of preform tows are applied on at least a portion of the core preform and extend along at least a portion of the core preform to provide an outermost surface. The core preform and the plurality of preform tows are infiltrated with ceramic matrix material to form a ceramic matrix composite component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Inventors: Anthony G. Razzell, Michael J. Whittle, Ian M. Edmonds
  • Publication number: 20220268216
    Abstract: A highly efficient gas turbine engine is a system wherein the fan of the gas turbine engine is driven from a turbine via a gearbox, such that the fan has a lower rotational speed than the driving turbine, thereby providing efficiency gains. The efficient fan system is mated to a core that has low cooling flow requirements and/or high temperature capability, and which may have particularly low mass for a given power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Roderick M TOWNES, Michael J WHITTLE, Pascal DUNNING
  • Patent number: 11415014
    Abstract: The present disclosure is related to turbine vane assemblies comprising ceramic matrix composite materials. The turbine vane assemblies further including reinforcements that strengthen joints in the turbine vane assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Whittle, Daniel K. Vetters, Jeffrey A. Walston, Eric Koenig
  • Patent number: 11415007
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a shroud ring, a vane ring, and a secondary flow assembly. The shroud ring extends around an associated turbine wheel and includes a carrier segment and a blade track segment comprising ceramic matrix composite materials. The blade track segment and the carrier segment defining a shroud cavity radially therebetween. The vane ring includes a heat shield comprising ceramic matrix composite materials that forms an outer platform, an inner platform, and an airfoil defining a heat shield cavity radially through the heat shield. The secondary flow assembly includes a recirculating flow circuit having a discharge tube and a vane pressurizing tube; and the secondary flow assembly is configured to cool the blade track segment. The flow circuit is further configured to pressurize the heat shield cavity thereby providing a seal against the gases from the primary gas path entering the heat shield cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Inventors: Michael J. Whittle, Keith Sadler, Matthew D. Thomason, Andrew Holt
  • Patent number: 11415013
    Abstract: An integral, one-piece ceramic matrix composite turbine vane adapted for use in a gas turbine engine includes an airfoil and two platforms. The airfoil extends radially relative to an axis of the gas turbine engine between the first platform and the second platform. The platforms extend circumferentially partway about the axis of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Inventors: Michael J. Whittle, Laurie Bootle
  • Patent number: 11415005
    Abstract: A turbine vane assembly adapted for use in a gas turbine engine includes a plurality of turbine vanes, an outer vane support, and an inner vane support. The plurality of turbine vanes comprise ceramic matrix composite material and are adapted to interact with hot gases flowing through a gas path of the gas turbine engine during use of the turbine vane assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Inventors: Michael J. Whittle, Keith Sadler
  • Patent number: 11415016
    Abstract: A turbine assembly for use with a gas turbine engine includes a bladed wheel assembly, a vane assembly, and an inner seal. The bladed wheel assembly is adapted to interact with gases flowing through a gas path of the gas turbine engine. The vane assembly is located upstream of the bladed wheel assembly and adapted to direct the gases at the bladed wheel assembly. The inner seal is configured to block gases from passing around the vane assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Whittle, Keith Sadler, Ted J. Freeman
  • Patent number: 11378012
    Abstract: A turbine assembly adapted for use in a gas turbine engine includes a seal segment and a carrier. The seal segment includes a shroud wall that extends circumferentially partway around an axis and a mount post that extends radially outward away from the shroud wall. The carrier is shaped to define a channel that receives at least a portion of the mount post. A mounting insert is used to urge the carrier and mount post toward one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Inventor: Michael J. Whittle
  • Patent number: 11346234
    Abstract: A turbine vane assembly includes a plurality of turbine vanes, an outer vane support, and an inner vane support. The turbine vanes are adapted to interact with gases flowing through a gas path of the gas turbine engine. The outer vane support is arranged radially outward of the turbine vane and configured to receive aerodynamic loads from the turbine vanes. The inner vane support is arranged radially inward from the outer vane support to locate the turbine vane assembly therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Keith Sadler, Michael J. Whittle
  • Publication number: 20220154582
    Abstract: A method of treating a component adapted for use in a gas turbine engine is described herein. The component may comprise ceramic matrix composite materials. The treatment to the ceramic matrix composite component may reduce or eliminate the wear or damage of crack propagation in the ceramic matrix composite component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2022
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Michael J. Whittle, Louise J. Gale, Stephan J. Pattison, Anthony G. Razzell, Ian M. Edmonds, Michael G. Abbott
  • Patent number: 11319822
    Abstract: A vane assembly for use with a gas turbine engine includes an outer wall, an inner wall, and a plurality of airfoils. The outer wall and the inner wall extend at least partway about an axis. At least one of the airfoils is coupled with the outer end wall and the inner end wall to transmit force loads through the vane assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc., Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Ted J. Freeman, Jay E. Lane, Michael J. Whittle, Anthony Razzell
  • Patent number: 11313233
    Abstract: An airfoil assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a vane, a support strut, and an inner carrier. The vane is adapted to interact with hot gases flowing around the airfoil assembly during use of the airfoil assembly. The support strut is located in an interior cavity formed in the vane and configured to receive force loads applied to the ceramic matrix composite vane by the hot gases. The inner carrier is coupled with the support strut and adapted to block the hot gases from flowing radially inward toward an axis of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel K. Vetters, Michael J. Whittle
  • Patent number: 11286792
    Abstract: An airfoil for a gas turbine engine is made from ceramic matrix composite materials. The airfoil has an inner surface that defines a cooling cavity in the body and an outer surface that defines a leading edge, a trailing edge, a pressure side, and a suction side of the body. The airfoil is formed with a hollow tube that extends through the body to define a cooling passage that extends from the cooling cavity through the airfoil to provide fluid communication between the cooling cavity and a gas path environment surrounding the airfoil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Inventors: Anthony Razzell, Michael J. Whittle, Ian M. Edmonds
  • Patent number: 11286798
    Abstract: An airfoil assembly includes a vane that includes an outer platform, an inner platform, and an airfoil. The outer platform defines an outer boundary of a gas path. The inner platform is spaced apart axially from the outer platform relative to an axis and defines an inner boundary of the gas path. The airfoil extends axially between and interconnects the outer platform and the inner platform. Force loads caused by gases interacting with the airfoil are configured to be transmitted from the airfoil assembly to a case arranged around the airfoil assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Whittle, Daniel K. Vetters, Ted J. Freeman, Eric Koenig, Jeff Crutchfield, Jeffrey A. Walston, David J. Thomas
  • Patent number: 11268392
    Abstract: A turbine vane assembly adapted for use with a gas turbine engine includes an airfoil and a spar. The airfoil is formed to define a cavity that extends into the airfoil. The spar is located in the cavity to define a cooling passage that extends around the spar between the spar and the airfoil. The turbine vane assembly includes cooling features to aid heat transfer of the turbine vane assembly during operation in the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Inventors: Roderick M. Townes, Andrew T. Holt, Michael J. Whittle
  • Patent number: 11261747
    Abstract: A turbine vane assembly adapted for use in a gas turbine engine includes an aerofoil configured to interact with gases flowing through the gas turbine engine along a gas path, an outer platform that defines an outer boundary of a gas path, and an inner platform that defines an inner boundary of the gas path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Inventors: Emma C. Steedman, Michael J. Whittle, Edward M. Jones, James C. Smith
  • Patent number: 11255204
    Abstract: An airfoil assembly includes a support carrier and an airfoil unit that includes a platform, an airfoil, and a mount. The platform defines a boundary of a gas path of the airfoil assembly. The airfoil extends away from platform and the mount extends away from the platform opposite the airfoil. The support carrier is coupled with the airfoil unit and engages the mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Inventors: Oliver D. A. O'Carroll, Robert S. Bainbridge, Afzal Ali, Rachel Woodfield, Michael J. Whittle
  • Patent number: 11255200
    Abstract: A method of treating a component adapted for use in a gas turbine engine is described herein. The component may comprise ceramic matrix composite materials. The treatment to the ceramic matrix composite component may reduce or eliminate the wear or damage of crack propagation in the ceramic matrix composite component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce High Temperature Composites Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Whittle, Louise J. Gale, Stephan J. Pattison, Anthony G. Razzell, Ian M. Edmonds, Michael G. Abbott
  • Patent number: 11230937
    Abstract: A turbine shroud assembly for use with a gas turbine engine includes a turbine outer case, a blade track segment, and a carrier. The turbine outer case is arranged circumferentially around an axis. The blade track segment includes an arcuate runner that extends circumferentially partway around the axis to define a gas path boundary of the turbine shroud assembly and an attachment feature that extends radially outward from the runner. The carrier is configured to couple the blade track segment to the turbine outer case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc., Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Ted J. Freeman, Aaron D. Sippel, Alexandra Baucco, Anthony Razzell, Michael J. Whittle, Jeffrey Crutchfield
  • Patent number: 11193381
    Abstract: A turbine vane assembly adapted for use in a gas turbine engine includes a spar, a turbine vane, and load transfer pins. The spar comprises metallic materials and is configured to support other components of the turbine vane assembly relative to an associated turbine case. The turbine vane comprises ceramic matrix composite materials and is shaped to include an airfoil configured to direct the flow of hot gasses through a primary gas path of the turbine vane assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Inventor: Michael J. Whittle