Patents by Inventor Mike Fontaine
Mike Fontaine 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).
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Publication number: 20190040794Abstract: A compound cycle engine having an output shaft; at least two rotary units each defining an internal combustion engine, a first stage turbine, and a turbocharger is discussed. The first stage turbine includes a rotor in driving engagement with the output shaft between two of the rotary units. The exhaust port of each rotary unit is in fluid communication with the flowpath of the first stage turbine upstream of its rotor. The outlet of the compressor of the turbocharger is in fluid communication with the inlet port of each rotary unit. The inlet of the second stage turbine of the turbocharger is in fluid communication with the flowpath of the first stage turbine downstream of its rotor. The first stage turbine has a lower reaction ratio than that of the second stage turbine. A method of compounding at least two rotary engines is also discussed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2018Publication date: February 7, 2019Inventors: Sebastien BOLDUC, Mike FONTAINE, Luc LANDRY, Jean THOMASSIN
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Patent number: 10107195Abstract: A compound cycle engine having an output shaft; at least two rotary units each defining an internal combustion engine, a first stage turbine, and a turbocharger is discussed. The first stage turbine includes a rotor in driving engagement with the output shaft between two of the rotary units. The exhaust port of each rotary unit is in fluid communication with the flowpath of the first stage turbine upstream of its rotor. The outlet of the compressor of the turbocharger is in fluid communication with the inlet port of each rotary unit. The inlet of the second stage turbine of the turbocharger is in fluid communication with the flowpath of the first stage turbine downstream of its rotor. The first stage turbine has a lower reaction ratio than that of the second stage turbine. A method of compounding at least two rotary engines is also discussed.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2015Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.Inventors: Sebastien Bolduc, Mike Fontaine, Luc Landry, Jean Thomassin
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Publication number: 20180187591Abstract: An engine assembly including an engine core including at least one internal combustion engine each including a rotor sealingly and rotationally received within a respective internal cavity to provide rotating chambers of variable volume in the respective internal cavity, a compressor having an outlet in fluid communication with an inlet of the engine core, a first intake conduit in fluid communication with an inlet of the compressor and with a first source of air, a second intake conduit in fluid communication with the inlet of the compressor and with a second source of air warmer than the first source of air, and a selector valve configurable to selectively open and close at least the fluid communication between the inlet of the compressor and the first intake conduit. A method of supplying air to a compressor is also discussed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2017Publication date: July 5, 2018Inventors: Jean THOMASSIN, Sebastien BOLDUC, Bruno VILLENEUVE, Stephane BERUBE, Mike FONTAINE, David GAGNON-MARTIN, Andre JULIEN, Mark CUNNINGHAM, Serge LAFORTUNE, Pierre-Yves LEGARE
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Publication number: 20180179948Abstract: A compound engine assembly with an engine core including at least one internal combustion engine, a compressor, and a turbine section where the turbine shaft is configured to compound power with the engine shaft. The turbine section may include a first stage turbine and a second stage turbine. The turbine shaft is rotationally supported by a plurality of bearings all located on a same side of the compressor rotor(s) and all located on a same side of the turbine rotor(s), for example all located between the compressor rotor(s) and the turbine rotor(s), such that the compressor rotor(s) and the turbine rotor(s) are cantilevered. A method of driving a rotatable load of an aircraft is also discussed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2017Publication date: June 28, 2018Inventors: Sylvain LAMARRE, Mike FONTAINE, Andre JULIEN, Michael GAUL, Jean THOMASSIN, Lazar MITROVIC
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Patent number: 9970295Abstract: An engine assembly having an internal combustion engine, a turbine module including a turbine casing, a support casing rigidly connecting the turbine casing to a remainder of the assembly, and an inlet scroll connected to the turbine casing without any direct rigid connection to the support casing. The inlet scroll includes an inlet pipe for each engine exhaust port. An exhaust pipe is provided for each exhaust port, connected to and providing fluid communication between the respective exhaust port and inlet pipe. The exhaust pipe is movable relative to at least one of the exhaust port and the inlet pipe at a corresponding connection therewith. One of the exhaust and inlet pipes floatingly extends through an opening defined in the support casing. The assembly may be a compound engine assembly.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2016Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.Inventors: Mike Fontaine, Sebastien Bolduc, Bruno Villeneuve
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Patent number: 9932892Abstract: A compound engine assembly having an engine core including at least one internal combustion engine in driving engagement with an engine shaft, a compressor having an outlet in fluid communication with an inlet of the engine core and including at least one rotor rotatable about an axis coaxial with the engine shaft, the engine shaft in driving engagement with the compressor rotor, and a turbine section having an inlet in fluid communication with an outlet of the engine core and including at least one rotor engaged on a rotatable turbine shaft, the turbine shaft configured to compound power with the engine shaft. The turbine and engine shafts are parallel to and radially offset from one another, and the turbine shaft and the axis of the compressor rotor are parallel to and radially offset from one another. A method of driving a rotatable load of an aircraft is also discussed.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2015Date of Patent: April 3, 2018Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.Inventors: Jean Thomassin, Sebastien Bolduc, Bruno Villeneuve, Stephane Berube, Mike Fontaine, David Gagnon-Martin, Jade Bilodeau, Andre Julien, Pierre-Yves Legare, Jason Nichols
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Patent number: 9926842Abstract: In one aspect, described is a rotary engine having a purge port located rearwardly of the inlet port and forwardly of the exhaust port along a direction of the revolutions of the rotor, the purge port being in communication with the exhaust port through each of the chambers along a respective portion of each revolution, and the inlet and outlet ports being relatively located such that a volumetric compression ratio of the engine is lower than a volumetric expansion ratio of the engine.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2014Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.Inventors: Mike Fontaine, Andre Julien, Jean Thomassin
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Patent number: 9896998Abstract: A compound engine assembly including a compressor, an engine core including at least one rotary internal combustion engine and having an inlet in fluid communication with an outlet of the compressor, a turbine section having an inlet in fluid communication with an outlet of the engine core and configured to compound power with the engine core, and an air conduit having at least one heat exchanger extending thereacross. An outer wall of the air conduit has a plurality of openings defined therethrough downstream of the heat exchanger(s), each selectively closable by a pivotable flap movable between a retracted position where the opening is obstructed and an extended position away from the opening. Each opening defines a fluid communication between the air conduit and the ambient air when the respective flap is in the extended position. A method of directing flow through a compound engine assembly is also discussed.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2015Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.Inventors: Jean Thomassin, Sebastien Bolduc, Bruno Villeneuve, Stephane Berube, Mike Fontaine, David Gagnon-Martin, Andre Julien, Mark Cunningham, Serge Lafortune, Pierre-Yves Legare
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Patent number: 9890649Abstract: An inlet guide assembly for a turbine receiving a pulsed flow, including a duct having an internal volume, and an inlet port, first outlet nozzle and second outlet nozzle each communicating with the internal volume. The inlet port is configured to receive at least part of the pulsed flow. The first and second outlet nozzles each define a respective nozzle area communicating between the internal volume and a flow path of the turbine. The first and second outlet nozzles are spaced from one another with the first outlet nozzle located closer to the inlet port than the second outlet nozzle relative to a flow direction through the duct, the nozzle area of the first outlet nozzle being smaller than the nozzle area of the second outlet nozzle. A compound engine assembly and method of introducing a pulsed flow into a flow path of a turbine are also discussed.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2016Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.Inventors: Jean Thomassin, Marie-Claude Vallieres, Mike Fontaine, Andre Julien, John Perera
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Publication number: 20180030883Abstract: A compound engine assembly including a common air conduit having an inlet in fluid communication with ambient air, a compressor, at least one internal combustion engine having an inlet in fluid communication with an outlet of the compressor, a turbine section having an inlet in fluid communication with an outlet of the at least one internal combustion engine, the turbine section configured to compound power with the at least one internal combustion engine, and at least one heat exchanger in fluid communication with the common air conduit, each of the at least one heat exchanger configured to circulate a fluid of the engine assembly in heat exchange relationship with an airflow from the common air conduit circulating therethrough. The compressor has an inlet in fluid communication with the common air conduit upstream of the at least one heat exchanger. The internal combustion engine may be a reciprocating engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2017Publication date: February 1, 2018Inventors: Jean THOMASSIN, Sebastien BOLDUC, Bruno VILLENEUVE, Stephane BERUBE, Mike FONTAINE, David GAGNON-MARTIN, Andre JULIEN, Mark CUNNINGHAM, Serge LAFORTUNE, Pierre-Yves LEGARE
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Patent number: 9879591Abstract: An intake assembly for a compressor providing compressed air to an internal combustion engine core, including an air conduit having at least one heat exchanger extending thereacross, an intake plenum for the compressor, a first intake conduit connected to the air conduit upstream of the heat exchanger(s), a second intake conduit connected to the air conduit downstream of the heat exchanger(s), and a selector valve configurable between a first configuration to allow a fluid communication between the intake plenum and the air conduit through the first intake conduit and a second configuration to prevent the fluid communication through the first intake conduit. Fluid communication between the intake plenum and the air conduit through the second intake conduit is allowed at least when the selector valve is in the second configuration. An engine assembly and method of supplying air to a compressor are also discussed.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2015Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.Inventors: Jean Thomassin, Sebastien Bolduc, Bruno Villeneuve, Stephane Berube, Mike Fontaine, David Gagnon-Martin, Andre Julien, Mark Cunningham, Serge Lafortune, Pierre-Yves Legare
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Patent number: 9869240Abstract: A compound engine assembly with an engine core including at least one internal combustion engine, a compressor, and a turbine section where the turbine shaft is configured to compound power with the engine shaft. The turbine section may include a first stage turbine and a second stage turbine. The turbine shaft is rotationally supported by a plurality of bearings all located on a same side of the compressor rotor(s) and all located on a same side of the turbine rotor(s), for example all located between the compressor rotor(s) and the turbine rotor(s), such that the compressor rotor(s) and the turbine rotor(s) are cantilevered. A method of driving a rotatable load of an aircraft is also discussed.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2015Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.Inventors: Sylvain Lamarre, Mike Fontaine, Andre Julien, Michael Gaul, Jean Thomassin, Lazar Mitrovic
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Patent number: 9856789Abstract: A compound cycle engine having an output shaft, at least two rotary units each including an internal combustion engine with the rotor of each rotary unit mounted on the output shaft and in driving engagement therewith, and a turbine including a rotor in driving engagement with the output shaft. The exhaust port of each rotary unit housing is in fluid communication with the flowpath of the turbine upstream of its rotor. The turbine is disposed co-axially between two of the rotary units. The engine may further include a compressor in fluid communication with the inlet port of each housing and a second turbine having an inlet in fluid communication with the flowpath of the first turbine downstream of its rotor. A method of compounding rotary engines is also discussed.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2015Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.Inventors: Sebastien Bolduc, Mike Fontaine, Luc Landry, Jean Thomassin
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Patent number: 9797297Abstract: A compound engine assembly including an air conduit having an inlet in fluid communication with ambient air around the compound engine assembly, a compressor having an inlet in fluid communication with the air conduit, an engine core including at least one rotary internal combustion engine and having an inlet in fluid communication with an outlet of the compressor, a turbine section having an inlet in fluid communication with an outlet of the engine core and configured to compound power with the engine core; and at least one heat exchanger in fluid communication with the air conduit, each heat exchanger configured to circulate a fluid of the engine assembly in heat exchange relationship with an airflow from the air conduit circulating therethrough. A method of supplying air to a compound engine assembly is also discussed.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2015Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.Inventors: Jean Thomassin, Sebastien Bolduc, Bruno Villeneuve, Stephane Berube, Mike Fontaine, David Gagnon-Martin, Andre Julien, Mark Cunningham, Serge Lafortune, Pierre-Yves Legare
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Publication number: 20170218783Abstract: An inlet guide assembly for a turbine receiving a pulsed flow, including a duct having an internal volume, and an inlet port, first outlet nozzle and second outlet nozzle each communicating with the internal volume. The inlet port is configured to receive at least part of the pulsed flow. The first and second outlet nozzles each define a respective nozzle area communicating between the internal volume and a flow path of the turbine. The first and second outlet nozzles are spaced from one another with the first outlet nozzle located closer to the inlet port than the second outlet nozzle relative to a flow direction through the duct, the nozzle area of the first outlet nozzle being smaller than the nozzle area of the second outlet nozzle. A compound engine assembly and method of introducing a pulsed flow into a flow path of a turbine are also discussed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2016Publication date: August 3, 2017Inventors: Jean THOMASSIN, Marie-Claude VALLIERES, Mike FONTAINE, Andre JULIEN, John PERERA
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Publication number: 20170218760Abstract: An engine assembly having an internal combustion engine, a turbine module including a turbine casing, a support casing rigidly connecting the turbine casing to a remainder of the assembly, and an inlet scroll connected to the turbine casing without any direct rigid connection to the support casing. The inlet scroll includes an inlet pipe for each engine exhaust port. An exhaust pipe is provided for each exhaust port, connected to and providing fluid communication between the respective exhaust port and inlet pipe. The exhaust pipe is movable relative to at least one of the exhaust port and the inlet pipe at a corresponding connection therewith. One of the exhaust and inlet pipes floatingly extends through an opening defined in the support casing. The assembly may be a compound engine assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2016Publication date: August 3, 2017Inventors: Mike FONTAINE, Sebastien BOLDUC, Bruno VILLENEUVE
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Publication number: 20160245166Abstract: A compound engine assembly having an engine core including at least one internal combustion engine in driving engagement with an engine shaft, a compressor having an outlet in fluid communication with an inlet of the engine core and including at least one rotor rotatable about an axis coaxial with the engine shaft, the engine shaft in driving engagement with the compressor rotor, and a turbine section having an inlet in fluid communication with an outlet of the engine core and including at least one rotor engaged on a rotatable turbine shaft, the turbine shaft configured to compound power with the engine shaft. The turbine and engine shafts are parallel to and radially offset from one another, and the turbine shaft and the axis of the compressor rotor are parallel to and radially offset from one another. A method of driving a rotatable load of an aircraft is also discussed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2015Publication date: August 25, 2016Inventors: Jean THOMASSIN, Sebastien BOLDUC, Bruno VILLENEUVE, Stephane BERUBE, Mike FONTAINE, David GAGNON-MARTIN, Jade BILODEAU, Andre JULIEN, Pierre-Yves LEGARE, Jason NICHOLS
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Publication number: 20160245156Abstract: An engine assembly including an engine core with at least one internal combustion engine, a first casing, a turbine module including a second casing located outside of the first casing, and a compressor module including a third casing located outside of the first and second casings. The turbine shaft extends into the first casing, is rotationally supported by a bearings all contained within the first casing, and is free of rotational support within the second casing. The first casing may be a gearbox module casing through which the turbine shaft is in driving engagement with the engine shaft. A method of driving a rotatable load of an aircraft, and an engine assembly with a rotary engine core, a gearbox module with a first casing, and a second module including a second casing located outside of the first casing and detachably connected to the first casing are also discussed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2015Publication date: August 25, 2016Inventors: Sylvain LAMARRE, Mike FONTAINE, Andre JULIEN, Michael GAUL, Jean THOMASSIN, Lazar MITROVIC, Ilya B. MEDVEDEV, Sergey USIKOV, Andrey ZOLOTOV
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Publication number: 20160245174Abstract: A compound engine assembly with an inlet duct having an inlet surrounded by an inlet lip including at least one conduit extending therethrough, a compressor, an engine core including at least one internal combustion engine, a turbine section having a turbine shaft in driving engagement with the engine shaft, and an exhaust conduit providing a fluid communication between the outlet of the turbine section and the conduit(s) of the inlet lip. An exhaust duct and ant exhaust conduit providing a fluid communication between the outlet of the turbine section and the exhaust duct may also be provided. The internal combustion engine(s) may be rotary engine(s). A method of driving a rotatable load of an aircraft is also discussed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2015Publication date: August 25, 2016Inventors: Sylvain LAMARRE, Mike FONTAINE, Andre JULIEN, Michael GAUL, Jean THOMASSIN, Ilya B. MEDVEDEV, Sergey USIKOV, Andrey ZOLOTOV
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Publication number: 20160245162Abstract: A compound engine assembly with an inlet duct, a compressor, an engine core including at least one internal combustion engine, and a turbine section including a turbine shaft configured to compound power with the engine shaft. The turbine section may include a first stage turbine and a second stage turbine. The turbine shaft and the engine shaft are parallel to each other. The turbine shaft, the engine shaft and at least part of the inlet duct are all radially offset from one another. A method of driving a rotatable load of an aircraft is also discussed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2015Publication date: August 25, 2016Inventors: Sylvain LAMARRE, Mike FONTAINE, Andre JULIEN, Michael GAUL, Jean THOMASSIN, Lazar MITROVIC, Ilya B. MEDVEDEV, Sergey USIKOV, Andrey ZOLOTOV