Patents by Inventor Michael Winter

Michael Winter 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: 12370909
    Abstract: A hybrid propulsion update system includes a controller in signal communication with a replaceable battery. The controller includes a tuning parameters storage unit configured to store at least one tuning parameter corresponding to the replaceable battery. The controller is configured to execute at least one optimization algorithm that utilizes the tuning parameters to control operation of the hybrid electric aircraft according to a first performance. The tuning parameters storage unit is configured to receive at least one updated tuning parameter from a controller updating device. The controller executes the at least one optimization algorithm that utilizes the at least one updated tuning parameter such that the hybrid electric aircraft operates according to a second performance that improves upon the first performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2025
    Assignee: RTX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Michael Winter
  • Patent number: 12373040
    Abstract: This document relates to employing tongue gestures to control a computing device, and training machine learning models to detect tongue gestures. One example relates to a method or technique that can include receiving one or more motion signals from an inertial sensor. The method or technique can also include detecting a tongue gesture based at least on the one or more motion signals, and outputting the tongue gesture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2024
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2025
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Raymond Michael Winters, IV, Tan Gemicioglu, Thomas Matthew Gable, Yu-Te Wang, Ivan Jelev Tashev
  • Patent number: 12358630
    Abstract: An engine-driven cryogenic cooling system for an aircraft includes a first air cycle machine, a second air cycle machine, and a means for condensing a chilled air stream into liquid air for an aircraft use. The first air cycle machine includes a plurality of components operably coupled to a gearbox of a gas turbine engine and configured to produce a cooling air stream based on a first engine bleed source of the gas turbine engine. The second air cycle machine is operable to output the chilled air stream at a cryogenic temperature based on a second engine bleed source cooled by the cooling air stream of the first air cycle machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2025
    Assignee: RTX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Frederick M. Schwarz, Michael Winter, Charles E. Lents, Nathan Snape, Alan H. Epstein
  • Patent number: 12359616
    Abstract: A hybrid electric propulsion system including: a gas turbine engine comprising a low speed spool, a high speed spool, and a combustor; a lubrication circuit comprising a bearing compartment, a supply pump, and a scavenger pump; an electric motor configured to augment rotational power of the low speed spool or the high speed spool; and a controller operable to: control the electric motor based upon a pressure differential between an interior of the bearing compartment and an exterior of the bearing compartment and to drive rotation of the low speed spool and/or the high speed spool via the electric motor responsive to a thrust command while fuel flow to the combustor is inhibited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2025
    Assignee: RTX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Winter, Denman H. James, Richard W. Monahan
  • Patent number: 12351318
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a compressor section and a turbine section operably coupled to the compressor section. The gas turbine engine further includes a means for selectively releasing a cooling fluid flow produced at a cryogenic temperature and a plumbing system in fluid communication with the means for selectively releasing the cooling fluid flow. The plumbing system is configured to route the cooling fluid flow to one or more of the compressor section and the turbine section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2025
    Assignee: RTX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Frederick M. Schwarz, Michael Winter, Charles E. Lents, Nathan Snape, Alan H. Epstein
  • Patent number: 12344389
    Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring operation of hybrid electric engines of aircraft. The methods include monitoring a motor condition of an electrical power system associated with an engine condition using a motor sensor, wherein the electrical power system comprises an electric machine operably coupled to at least one shaft of an engine core, wherein the electric machine is configured to at least one of add power to the at least one shaft and extract power from the at least one shaft, receiving motor data from the motor sensor at a motor controller, wherein the motor controller is configured to control operation of, at least, the electric machine, analyzing the motor data to determine the presence of a fault in the engine core, and, when a fault is detected, performing a fault response action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2025
    Assignee: RTX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Zubair Ahmed Baig, Martin Richard Amari, Michael Winter
  • Patent number: 12337961
    Abstract: An assembly is provided for an aircraft propulsion system. This aircraft propulsion system assembly includes a plurality of upstream airfoils, a plurality of downstream airfoils, a sensor, an actuator and a controller. The upstream airfoils include a first upstream airfoil. The downstream airfoils are arranged downstream of and adjacent the upstream airfoils. The downstream airfoils include a first downstream airfoil. The sensor is arranged with the first upstream airfoil. The sensor is configured to provide sensor data indicative of a parameter for the first upstream airfoil. The actuator is coupled to the first downstream airfoil. The controller is configured to signal the actuator to move the first downstream airfoil based on the sensor data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2025
    Assignee: RTX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Winter, Carroll V. Sidwell
  • Patent number: 12337974
    Abstract: A ground-based cryogenic cooling system includes a means for cooling an airflow and producing chilled air responsive to a power supply. A liquid air condensate pump system is operable to condense the chilled air into liquid air and urge the liquid air through a feeder line. A cryogenic cartridge includes a coupling interface configured to detachably establish fluid communication with the feeder line and a cryogenic liquid reservoir configured to store the liquid air under pressure. The cryogenic cartridge can be coupled to a cryogenic liquid distribution system on an aircraft. The liquid air can be selectively released from the cryogenic cartridge through the cryogenic liquid distribution system for an aircraft use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2025
    Assignee: RTX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Frederick M. Schwarz, Michael Winter
  • Patent number: 12312966
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine with hybrid fan exit guide vanes including a fan duct supporting a circumferential pattern of split variable fan exit guide vanes, the split variable fan exit guide vanes comprising an upper section and a lower section, the upper section and the lower section each being adjustable about an axis extending along a span of each of the split variable fan exit guide vanes; an upper actuator in operative communication with the upper section, the upper actuator configured to independently adjust an incidence angle of the upper section responsive to predetermined gas turbine operating conditions; and a lower actuator in operative communication with the lower section, the lower actuator configured to independently adjust an incidence angle of the lower section responsive to the predetermined gas turbine operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2024
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2025
    Assignee: RTX Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Kupratis, Dmitriy Sidelkovskiy, Flavien Thomas, Michael Winter
  • Patent number: 12291338
    Abstract: A system for an aircraft includes an engine bleed source of a gas turbine engine. The system also includes a means for chilling an engine bleed air flow from the engine bleed source to produce a chilled working fluid. The system further includes a means for providing the chilled working fluid for an aircraft use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: RTX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Michael Winter
  • Publication number: 20250114758
    Abstract: A system includes a recirculation line, a mainline flow meter operable to measure a flowrate of fluid flowing through the recirculation line, a mixing chamber, an inlet line coupled between the recirculation line and the mixing chamber, at least one chemical injection port coupled to the inlet line, a dedicated feed pump operably associated with each chemical injection port, and an outlet line coupled between the mixing chamber and the recirculation line. The mixing chamber includes a plurality of mixing zones, a mixing blade assembly that includes at least one blade within each mixing zone, and a motor coupled to the mixing blade assembly and operable to rotate the mixing blade assembly. Each of the dedicated feed pumps is coupled to a separate chemical supply and is operable to pump a chemical to the corresponding chemical injection port for injection into the inlet line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2024
    Publication date: April 10, 2025
    Inventor: Stephen Michael Winter
  • Patent number: 12168206
    Abstract: A system includes a recirculation line, a mainline flow meter operable to measure a flowrate of fluid flowing through the recirculation line, a mixing chamber, an inlet line coupled between the recirculation line and the mixing chamber, at least one chemical injection port coupled to the inlet line, a dedicated feed pump operably associated with each chemical injection port, and an outlet line coupled between the mixing chamber and the recirculation line. The mixing chamber includes a plurality of mixing zones, a mixing blade assembly that includes at least one blade within each mixing zone, and a motor coupled to the mixing blade assembly and operable to rotate the mixing blade assembly. Each of the dedicated feed pumps is coupled to a separate chemical supply and is operable to pump a chemical to the corresponding chemical injection port for injection into the inlet line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: EnviroTech Water Treatment L.L.C.
    Inventor: Stephen Michael Winter
  • Patent number: 12123309
    Abstract: An after-fan system for an engine may comprise an after-fan turbine an electrical generator operationally coupled to the after-fan turbine, and an electric motor electrically coupled to the electrical generator. The electrical generator may be configured to generate an electrical current in response to rotation of the after-fan turbine. The electric motor may be configured to generate torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: RTX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dmitriy B. Sidelkovskiy, Pitchaiah Vijay Chakka, Michael Winter, Daniel Bernard Kupratis, Nathan L. Messersmith
  • Publication number: 20240307172
    Abstract: Methods and systems for rotationally aligning a commissure of a prosthetic heart valve with a commissure of a native valve are disclosed. In some examples, a method can include advancing a distal end portion of an assembly toward a native heart valve, the assembly comprising a delivery apparatus and a prosthetic heart valve, and including one or more radiopaque markers, where one radiopaque marker is suspended within a cell of a frame of the prosthetic heart valve and aligned with a commissure of the prosthetic heart valve. The method further includes receiving a fluoroscopic image in a selected imaging view of the prosthetic heart valve on the delivery apparatus, determining, based on the fluoroscopic image and the one or more radiopaque markers, whether the prosthetic heart valve is in a desired rotational orientation, and rotating the assembly until the prosthetic heart valve is in the desired rotational orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2024
    Publication date: September 19, 2024
    Inventors: Michael R. Bialas, Kristen Hicks, Michael C. Murad, Gil Senesh, Quang Ngoc Vu, Gonzalo German Angelico, Carla Susana Cerqueira, Victoria Mariko Low, Andrea Fernandez, Jeanette Jasmine Corona Kelly (formerly Corona), Taylor Michael Winters, Ashley Akemi Ishigo, Brendan Michael Dalbow, Kim D. Nguyen, Lien Huong Thi Hoang
  • Patent number: 12092038
    Abstract: Hybrid electric propulsion systems are described. The systems include a gas turbine engine having low and high speed spools, each spool having a respective compressor and turbine. A mechanical power transmission is configured to at least one of extract power from and supply power to at least one of the low speed spool and the high speed spool, an electric machine is configured to augment rotational power of at least one of the spools, and a controller is operable to determine a rotational speed of the low speed spool, determine a rotational speed of the high speed spool, determine if a predetermined operational zone of operation based on the determined rotational speeds is present, and when a predetermined operational zone is determined, control a power augmentation of at least one spool to limit dwell operation of the gas turbine engine within the predetermined operational zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: RTX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gary Collopy, Arthur M. Salve, Jr., Michael Winter
  • Publication number: 20240270667
    Abstract: A process for separating a Cs or C6 alkanediol from a crude product stream comprising the Cs or C6 alkanediol, light contaminants and heavy contaminants comprising one or more of: a C 10 or C 12 linear ester, or a C 10 or C 12 cyclic acetal or ketal is disclosed. The process comprises feeding the crude product stream to a separation system comprising a first distillation zone, to which the crude product stream is fed and from which the heavy contaminants are removed in a heavies stream taken as a bottom stream, and a second distillation zone, in which the Cs or C6 alkanediol is separated from a reaction product, comprising one or more of: a Cs or C6 cyclic ester, or a Cs or C6 aldehyde, formed in the first distillation zone and from which the Cs or C6 alkanediol is withdrawn in a refined product stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2022
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Inventors: Paul GORDON, Maria del Amo LOPEZ, Graham REED, Michael WINTER
  • Patent number: 12060834
    Abstract: An engine system of an aircraft includes an energy storage system, a gas turbine engine, and a controller. The gas turbine engine includes a low spool, a high spool, a low-spool generator operably coupled to the low spool, and a high-spool electric motor operably coupled to the high spool. The controller is configured to detect a braking condition of the aircraft, transfer power from the low-spool generator to the energy storage system based on the storage capacity state of the energy storage system, and transfer power to the high spool through the high-spool electric motor to support combustion in the gas turbine engine while a rotational speed of the low spool is reduced responsive to the low-spool generator extracting energy from the low spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: RTX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jonathan Gilson, Zubair Ahmed Baig, Martin Richard Amari, Michael Winter
  • Patent number: 12042881
    Abstract: A laser hole drilling system includes a laser source that generates a laser beam along an optical axis; a spherical lens along the optical axis downstream of the laser source; and a control system in communication with the spherical lens and the laser source, the control system operable to locate the spherical lens with respect to the laser source to produce a light distribution in polar coordinates of a real portion of the Fourier Transform to generate an asymmetric teardrop shaped energy distribution at a focal plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: RTX Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Winter
  • Publication number: 20240207044
    Abstract: Methods and systems for attaching a radiopaque marker to a prosthetic heart valve to indicate a location of a commissure of the prosthetic heart valve are disclosed. As one example, a prosthetic heart valve can include a frame, a plurality of leaflets arranged within the frame, and at least one commissure comprising an attachment member comprising a central portion and a flap extending outward from the central portion, the flap folded over a radially outward facing side of the central portion, and the attachment member arranged across a selected cell of the frame. The commissure further comprises commissure tabs of two adjacent leaflets coupled to a radially inward facing side of the central portion, and a radiopaque marker arranged on the flap of the attachment member, between the flap and the radially outward facing side of the central portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2024
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Inventors: Jeanette Jasmine Corona Kelly (formerly Corona), Taylor Michael Winters, Ashley Akemi Ishigo, Brendan Michael Dalbow
  • Patent number: 12019808
    Abstract: This document relates to employing tongue gestures to control a computing device, and training machine learning models to detect tongue gestures. One example relates to a method or technique that can include receiving one or more motion signals from an inertial sensor. The method or technique can also include detecting a tongue gesture based at least on the one or more motion signals, and outputting the tongue gesture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Raymond Michael Winters, IV, Tan Gemicioglu, Thomas Matthew Gable, Yu-Te Wang, Ivan Jelev Tashev