Patents by Inventor Michael P. Dougherty

Michael P. Dougherty 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).

  • Publication number: 20180119628
    Abstract: The disclosure includes a system that includes a real-time engine model module and an adaptive control module. The real-time engine model module is configured to determine an engine parameter estimate signal based on at least one feedback signal indicative of an operating parameter of an engine. The adaptive control module is configured to receive a power request signal and receive, from the real real-time engine model module, the engine parameter estimate signal. The adaptive control module is further configured to determine a power demand signal based on the power request signal and the engine parameter estimate signal, wherein the adaptive control module is configured to determine the power demand signal based on the power request signal using a set of control laws. The adaptive control module is further configured to output the power demand signal to control at least one component of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Robert J. Zeller, Curtis Harvey Cline, Michael P. Dougherty, Richard Joseph Skertic
  • Patent number: 9932851
    Abstract: An improved system, apparatus and method for controlling vane angles in a gas turbine engine, and more specifically, for correcting vane angle error in a gas turbine engine. An active synchronization ring comprises a plurality of micro-actuators coupled to the synchronization ring to correct distortion in the synchronization ring. The micro-actuators apply a bending moment to the synchronization ring to cancel or compensate for synchronization ring distortion. The micro-actuators may be controlled open loop or closed loop. Strain sensors measure ring distortion and provide signals to the controller for closed loop control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce NOrth American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael P. Dougherty
  • Publication number: 20170324360
    Abstract: A multi-engine power system is described that includes a load requiring a total amount of electrical power, a first engine configured to provide a first portion of the total amount of electrical power to be provided to the load, and a second engine configured to provide a second portion of the total amount of electrical power to be provided to the load. The system further includes a controller configured to determine the total amount of electrical power to be provided to the load, estimate a respective service time associated with each of the first and second engines, and control each of the first and second engines to provide the total amount of electrical power to the load and to coordinate the respective service times associated with the first and second engines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventors: Curtis Harvey Cline, Michael P. Dougherty, Richard Joseph Skertic, Robert J. Zeller
  • Publication number: 20150184535
    Abstract: An improved system, apparatus and method for controlling vane angles in a gas turbine engine, and more specifically, for correcting vane angle error in a gas turbine engine. An active synchronization ring comprises a plurality of micro-actuators coupled to the synchronization ring to correct distortion in the synchronization ring. The micro-actuators apply a bending moment to the synchronization ring to cancel or compensate for synchronization ring distortion. The micro-actuators may be controlled open loop or closed loop. Strain sensors measure ring distortion and provide signals to the controller for closed loop control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Inventor: Michael P. Dougherty