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).

  • Turbine section assembly with ceramic matrix composite vane
    Patent number: 10975708
    Abstract: A turbine assembly adapted for use in a gas turbine engine is disclosed in this paper. The turbine assembly includes a turbine vane comprising ceramic matrix composite materials configured for use in high temperature environments. The turbine assembly further includes a vane-stage support for holding the turbine vane and other components in place relative to a turbine case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Michael J. Whittle, Anthony G. Razzell, Roderick M. Townes, David J. Shepherd, Duncan Forbes
  • Turbine section of a gas turbine engine with ceramic matrix composite vanes
    Patent number: 10961857
    Abstract: A turbine section for use in gas turbine engine includes a turbine case, a plurality of gas path components, a vane mount unit, and an inner vane static seal assembly. The turbine vane comprising ceramic matrix composite materials to insulate the metallic materials of the vane mount unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Inventors: Michael J. Whittle, Daniel K. Vetters
  • Turbine section assembly with ceramic matrix composite vane
    Patent number: 10954802
    Abstract: A turbine assembly adapted for use in a gas turbine engine with a turbine vane comprising ceramic matrix composite materials. The turbine vane is configured to redirect air moving through a primary gas path of the gas turbine engine. The turbine assembly includes a vane-stage support for holding the turbine vane in place relative to a turbine case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Inventors: Michael J. Whittle, Anthony G. Razzell, Roderick M. Townes, David J. Shepherd, Duncan Forbes
  • AIRFOIL ASSEMBLY WITH CERAMIC MATRIX COMPOSITE PARTS AND LOAD-TRANSFER FEATURES
    Publication number: 20210062663
    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: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: Michael J. Whittle, Daniel K. Vetters, Ted J. Freeman, Eric Koenig, Jeff Crutchfield, Jeffrey A. Walston, David J. Thomas
  • Turbine wheel assembly
    Patent number: 10934862
    Abstract: The present disclosure is related to turbine wheel assemblies for gas turbine engines. Such turbine wheel assemblies may include ceramic matrix composite airfoil components mounted with different types of coupling to a central disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Whittle, Alexander Wong, Anthony Razzell, Ted J. Freeman
  • Turbine blade comprising ceramic matrix composite materials
    Patent number: 10934859
    Abstract: The present disclosure is related to turbine wheel assemblies for gas turbine engines. Such turbine wheel assemblies may include ceramic matrix composite airfoil components mounted with different types of coupling to a central disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Ted J. Freeman, Anthony Razzell, Michael J. Whittle
  • Turbine vane assembly with reinforced end wall joints
    Patent number: 10934870
    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: September 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignees: Rolls Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Whittle, Daniel K. Vetters, Jeffrey A. Walston, Eric Koenig
  • AIRFOIL ASSEMBLY WITH CERAMIC MATRIX COMPOSITE PARTS AND LOAD-TRANSFER FEATURES
    Publication number: 20210054748
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventors: Michael J. Whittle, Daniel K. Vetters, Ted J. Freeman, Eric Koenig, Jeff Crutchfield, Jeffrey A. Walston, David J. Thomas
  • TURBINE VANE ASSEMBLY WITH CERAMIC MATRIX COMPOSITE PARTS AND PLATFORM SEALING FEATURES
    Publication number: 20210054745
    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: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventors: Daniel K. Vetters, Michael J. Whittle
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MAKING CERAMIC MATRIX COMPOSITE VANE WITH PROFILED END WALLS
    Publication number: 20210047934
    Abstract: Systems and methods of forming a ceramic matrix composite vane with profiled endwalls are provided using a multi-piece tooling. The multi-piece tooling includes core tools as well as profiled endwall tools having three dimensional contours formed in the tools that correspond to the three dimensional shape to be formed on the vane endwalls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventors: Michael J. Whittle, Andrew T. Holt, Guillaume Lambertin
  • CERAMIC MATRIX COMPOSITE COMPONENTS WITH HEAT TRANSFER AUGMENTATION FEATURES
    Publication number: 20210032994
    Abstract: An airfoil assembly for use in a turbine of a gas turbine engine includes an airfoil that extends radially relative to an axis. The airfoil includes an inner surface that defines a cooling cavity that extends radially into the airfoil and an outer surface that defines a leading edge, a trailing edge, a pressure side, and a section side of the airfoil. The airfoil assembly further includes features for increasing the heat transfer coefficient of the airfoil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2019
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Inventors: Michael J. Whittle, Ian M. Edmonds
  • CERAMIC MATRIX COMPOSITE VANE WITH COOLING HOLES AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME
    Publication number: 20210032995
    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 plurality of cooling passages that extend from the cooling cavity through the airfoil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Inventors: Anthony Razzell, Michael J. Whittle, Ian M. Edmonds
  • CERAMIC MATRIX COMPOSITE VANE SET WITH PLATFORM LINKAGE
    Publication number: 20210025282
    Abstract: An airfoil assembly adapted for use in a gas turbine engine includes an airfoil configured to interact with hot gases flowing through the gas turbine engine along a gas path, a support strut that extends radially through the airfoil to support the airfoil, and an inner carrier coupled with the support strut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventors: Alexander Wong, Michael J. Whittle
  • TURBINE SECTION OF A GAS TURBINE ENGINE WITH CERAMIC MATRIX COMPOSITE VANES
    Publication number: 20210017867
    Abstract: A turbine section for use in gas turbine engine includes a turbine case, turbine shroud rings, a turbine vane assembly, and a vane mount ring. The vane mount ring couples the turbine vane assembly to the turbine case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Michael J. Whittle, Daniel K. Vetters
  • Turbine vane assembly having ceramic matrix composite components with expandable spar support
    Patent number: 10890076
    Abstract: A turbine vane assembly adapted for use in a gas turbine engine includes a turbine vane and a spar support. The turbine vane comprises ceramic matrix composite materials and is shaped to include an airfoil configured to direct the flow of hot gases through a primary gas path of the turbine vane assembly. The spar support comprises metallic materials and is configured to support other components of the turbine vane assembly relative to an associated turbine case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Inventor: Michael J. Whittle
  • Anti-fret liner
    Patent number: 10890077
    Abstract: An airfoil vane assembly includes an anti-wear device for blocking fretting on the airfoil shell and/or carrier as an interface between the airfoil shell and carrier during relative movement. The anti-wear device can be secured with one of the airfoil shell and carrier while slidingly engaged with the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Koenig, Michael J. Whittle, Daniel K. Vetters
  • Turbine vane assembly with ceramic matrix composite vanes
    Patent number: 10883376
    Abstract: A turbine section adapted for use in a gas turbine engine includes a turbine case, a turbine wheel, and a turbine vane assembly. The turbine case is made from metallic materials. The turbine wheel is housed in the case. The turbine vane assembly is fixed to the case and configured to smooth and redirect air moving along a primary gas path of the turbine section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Inventors: Michael J. Whittle, Steven Hillier
  • Ceramic matrix composite vane with trailing edge radial cooling
    Patent number: 10883371
    Abstract: A component 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. The aerofoil is formed to include a first passage that extends radially at least partway into the aerofoil and a second passage that extends radially into the aerofoil at a trailing edge of the aerofoil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Inventors: James C. Smith, Emma C. Steedman, Michael J. Whittle, Edward M. Jones
  • TURBINE VANE ASSEMBLY HAVING CERAMIC MATRIX COMPOSITE COMPONENTS WITH EXPANDABLE SPAR SUPPORT
    Publication number: 20200408100
    Abstract: A turbine vane assembly adapted for use in a gas turbine engine includes a turbine vane and a spar support. The turbine vane comprises ceramic matrix composite materials and is shaped to include an airfoil configured to direct the flow of hot gases through a primary gas path of the turbine vane assembly. The spar support comprises metallic materials and is configured to support other components of the turbine vane assembly relative to an associated turbine case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Inventor: Michael J. Whittle
  • CERAMIC MATRIX COMPOSITE VANE WITH TRAILING EDGE RADIAL COOLING
    Publication number: 20200400026
    Abstract: A component 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. The aerofoil is formed to include a first passage that extends radially at least partway into the aerofoil and a second passage that extends radially into the aerofoil at a trailing edge of the aerofoil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: James C. Smith, Emma C. Steedman, Michael J. Whittle, Edward M. Jones