Patents by Inventor Nigel David Sawyers-Abbott

Nigel David Sawyers-Abbott 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: 12163897
    Abstract: An article of manufacture may include a tangible, non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising: commanding, via the processor, a first scan of a bladed rotor; generating, via the processor, a three-dimensional model based on a first set of data received from a first scanner; comparing, via the processor, the three-dimensional model to an acceptable three-dimensional model of the bladed rotor; determining, via the processor, areas of interest based on the comparison; and commanding, via the processor, a contact probe to perform a non-destructive inspection on the areas of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: RTX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nigel David Sawyers-Abbott, Ron I. Prihar, Garrett Kernozicky, Zhong Ouyang
  • Publication number: 20240003266
    Abstract: A seal system has: a first member; a seal carried by the first member and having a seal face; and a second member rotatable relative to the first member about an axis. The second member has: a seat on a first piece of the second member, the seat having a seat face in sliding sealing engagement with the seal face; and a radially outwardly closed collection channel for collecting centrifuged oil; a second piece encircling and attached to the first piece and having a circumferential array of apertures; and cooperating with the first piece to define a plenum; and a flowpath from the collection channel passing radially outward axially spaced from the seat face to cool the seat face and passing axially away from the seat face in the plenum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Applicant: RTX Corporation
    Inventors: Nigel David Sawyers-Abbott, Armando Amador, Todd A. Davis
  • Publication number: 20230315937
    Abstract: A method can comprise receiving, via the processor, one of a point cloud and a three-dimensional model for an inspected integrally bladed rotor (IBR) and a defect including a defect shape, a defect size, and a defect location; performing, via the processor, a simulation of a rotor module in a gas turbine engine, the rotor module including the inspected IBR with a potential repaired defect; determining, via the processor, the potential repaired defect would produce an estimated life less than a design life for the inspected IBR; determining, via the processor, the estimated life would exceed a remaining life threshold for the inspected IBR; and generating, via the processor, a repair process for the potential repaired defect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2022
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Applicant: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: DEREK J. MICHAELS, GARRETT KERNOZICKY, NIGEL DAVID SAWYERS-ABBOTT, RON I. PRIHAR
  • Publication number: 20230311252
    Abstract: A method of determining a repair method for a defect in a bladed rotor can comprise comparing the defect in a three-dimensional model of an inspected integrally bladed rotor (IBR) to a plurality of known defects from a repair database; determining the defect is matching a known defect in the plurality of known defects in the repair database; and generating a repair process associated with the known defect in response to determining the defect is matching the known defect. A method can also comprise determining a potential repair process; performing a structural simulation of a finite element model for the inspected IBR with the potential repair; performing an aerodynamic simulation of an aerodynamic model for the inspected IBR with the potential repair; and generating the potential repair process for the defect in response to determining the inspected IBR with the potential repair meets structural and the aerodynamic criteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2022
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Applicant: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: NIGEL DAVID SAWYERS-ABBOTT, RON I. PRIHAR, GARRETT KERNOZICKY, ZHONG OUYANG, LAWRENCE P. ROBERTS, ADAM F. KNAPP
  • Publication number: 20230304943
    Abstract: An article of manufacture may include a tangible, non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising: commanding, via the processor, a first scan of a bladed rotor; generating, via the processor, a three-dimensional model based on a first set of data received from a first scanner; comparing, via the processor, the three-dimensional model to an acceptable three-dimensional model of the bladed rotor; determining, via the processor, areas of interest based on the comparison; and commanding, via the processor, a contact probe to perform a non-destructive inspection on the areas of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2022
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Applicant: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: NIGEL DAVID SAWYERS-ABBOTT, RON I. PRIHAR, GARRETT KERNOZICKY, ZHONG OUYANG
  • Patent number: 11753964
    Abstract: A seal system has: a first member; a seal carried by the first member and having a seal face; and a second member rotatable relative to the first member about an axis. The second member has: a seat on a first piece of the second member, the seat having a seat face in sliding sealing engagement with the seal face; and a radially outwardly closed collection channel for collecting centrifuged oil; a second piece encircling and attached to the first piece and having a circumferential array of apertures; and cooperating with the first piece to define a plenum; and a flowpath from the collection channel passing radially outward axially spaced from the seat face to cool the seat face and passing axially away from the seat face in the plenum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: RTX Corporation
    Inventors: Nigel David Sawyers-Abbott, Armando Amador, Todd A. Davis
  • Patent number: 11512608
    Abstract: A passive transpirational flow acoustic liner assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a guide vane assembly and a conduit configured to deliver airflow received from the guide vane. The guide vane assembly includes an airfoil having a transpirational flow acoustic liner. The acoustic liner includes a face sheet defining a portion of an outer surface of the airfoil and having a plurality of first apertures, a segmented member coupled to the face sheet and having a plurality of chambers in fluid communication with the outer surface via the plurality of first apertures, a backing sheet having a plurality of apertures and being coupled to the segmented member such that the segmented member is positioned between the face sheet and the backing sheet, and a plenum coupled to the backing sheet opposite the segmented member and fluidly connected to the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Nigel David Sawyers-Abbott, Anthony R. Bifulco
  • Patent number: 11448128
    Abstract: A lubrication system for a gas turbine engine includes a primary fluid tank to receive a primary fluid, at least one secondary fluid tank to receive at least one fluid additive, and a mixer. The mixer has at least a first inlet in fluid communication with the primary fluid tank and a second inlet in fluid communication with the at least one secondary fluid tank. The mixer has at least one outlet that delivers a mixture of the primary fluid and the at least one fluid additive to a gas turbine engine component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nigel David Sawyers-Abbott, Kenneth N. Baker
  • Patent number: 11408349
    Abstract: A vane for use in a gas turbine engine includes an airfoil having a suction side and a pressure side, and a transpirational flow acoustic liner disposed in the airfoil. The liner includes a face sheet defining a portion of an outer surface of the airfoil and having a plurality of first apertures, a segmented member coupled to the face sheet, and a backing sheet coupled to the segmented member the segmented member such that the segmented member is positioned between the face sheet and the backing sheet. The segmented member includes a plurality of chambers in fluid communication with the outer surface via the plurality of first apertures. The backing sheet has a plurality of second apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Nigel David Sawyers-Abbott, Dilip Prasad
  • Patent number: 11402304
    Abstract: An environmental sampling system includes a passage in an aircraft component and a removable collector disposed in the passage. The passage has an inlet at a first region and an outlet at a second region. When the aircraft component is in operation the first region is at a greater pressure than the second region such that air flows through the passage from the inlet to the outlet. The removable collector is configured to retain constituents from the air and to react with the media designed to mimic corrosion effects seen at higher temperatures on engine parts. The constituents can then be characterized and correlated to engine deterioration to predict maintenance activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joel H. Wagner, Kevin W. Schlichting, Michael Joseph Murphy, Steven H. Zysman, Nigel David Sawyers-Abbott, Andrew A. Consiglio, Charles Waldo Haldeman, IV
  • Patent number: 11377221
    Abstract: A turbofan engine may comprise an inlet and a fan case coupled to the inlet. An engine case may be coupled to the fan case via a vane extending between the fan case and the engine case. A strut apparatus may extend from the fan case and limit deflection of the fan case. The strut apparatus may comprise a first end proximate the fan case, and a second end coupled to at least one of the engine case or a structure for mounting the turbofan engine to an aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Nigel David Sawyers-Abbott, Frederick M. Schwarz
  • Patent number: 11371374
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine component includes a first member, a second member rotatable relative to the first member about an axis, and a seal assembly that includes a seal supported by the first member and a seal runner that rotates with the second member relative to the seal. The seal runner includes at least one internal passage to direct cooling fluid flow through the seal runner. A restriction is associated with the at least one internal passage to restrict flow through the at least one internal passage in response to an engine condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Nigel David Sawyers-Abbott
  • Publication number: 20220162993
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes at least one shaft that interconnects a compressor section and a turbine section. A starter turbine provides torque to the at least one shaft during an engine start event. The starter turbine includes an air inlet and an outlet. A buffer air system is in fluid communication with the starter turbine and is configured to receive air associated with the outlet to supplement sealing of a bearing compartment sealing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2020
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventors: Nigel David Sawyers-Abbott, Jorn Axel Glahn
  • Publication number: 20220049656
    Abstract: A vane for use in a gas turbine engine includes an airfoil having a suction side and a pressure side, and a transpirational flow acoustic liner disposed in the airfoil. The liner includes a face sheet defining a portion of an outer surface of the airfoil and having a plurality of first apertures, a segmented member coupled to the face sheet, and a backing sheet coupled to the segmented member the segmented member such that the segmented member is positioned between the face sheet and the backing sheet. The segmented member includes a plurality of chambers in fluid communication with the outer surface via the plurality of first apertures. The backing sheet has a plurality of second apertures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Inventors: Nigel David Sawyers-Abbott, Dilip Prasad
  • Publication number: 20220049624
    Abstract: A seal system has: a first member; a seal carried by the first member and having a seal face; and a second member rotatable relative to the first member about an axis. The second member has: a seat on a first piece of the second member, the seat having a seat face in sliding sealing engagement with the seal face; and a radially outwardly closed collection channel for collecting centrifuged oil; a second piece encircling and attached to the first piece and having a circumferential array of apertures; and cooperating with the first piece to define a plenum; and a flowpath from the collection channel passing radially outward axially spaced from the seat face to cool the seat face and passing axially away from the seat face in the plenum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2021
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Applicant: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Nigel David Sawyers-Abbott, Armando Amador, Todd A. Davis
  • Publication number: 20220049621
    Abstract: A passive transpirational flow acoustic liner assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a guide vane assembly and a conduit configured to deliver airflow received from the guide vane. The guide vane assembly includes an airfoil having a transpirational flow acoustic liner. The acoustic liner includes a face sheet defining a portion of an outer surface of the airfoil and having a plurality of first apertures, a segmented member coupled to the face sheet and having a plurality of chambers in fluid communication with the outer surface via the plurality of first apertures, a backing sheet having a plurality of apertures and being coupled to the segmented member such that the segmented member is positioned between the face sheet and the backing sheet, and a plenum coupled to the backing sheet opposite the segmented member and fluidly connected to the conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Inventors: Nigel David Sawyers-Abbott, Anthony R. Bifulco
  • Publication number: 20220025776
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine component includes a first member, a second member rotatable relative to the first member about an axis, and a seal assembly that includes a seal supported by the first member and a seal runner that rotates with the second member relative to the seal. The seal runner includes at least one internal passage to direct cooling fluid flow through the seal runner. A restriction is associated with the at least one internal passage to restrict flow through the at least one internal passage in response to an engine condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventor: Nigel David Sawyers-Abbott
  • Patent number: 11230975
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes an engine core having a compressor, a combustor fluidly connected to the compressor, and a turbine fluidly connected to the combustor. A core nacelle is disposed radially outward of the engine core. A cavity is disposed between an inner surface of the core nacelle and an outer surface of the engine core. The cavity includes a vent disposed at an aft end. The vent includes at least one flap configured to be maintained in an unrestricted position and in a restricted position. An actuator is configured to control the position of the at least one flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Nigel David Sawyers-Abbott, Federico Papa
  • Publication number: 20210246828
    Abstract: A lubrication system for a gas turbine engine includes a primary fluid tank to receive a primary fluid, at least one secondary fluid tank to receive at least one fluid additive, and a mixer. The mixer has at least a first inlet in fluid communication with the primary fluid tank and a second inlet in fluid communication with the at least one secondary fluid tank. The mixer has at least one outlet that delivers a mixture of the primary fluid and the at least one fluid additive to a gas turbine engine component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Nigel David Sawyers-Abbott, Kenneth N. Baker, Ph.D.
  • Publication number: 20210139155
    Abstract: A turbofan engine may comprise an inlet and a fan case coupled to the inlet. An engine case may be coupled to the fan case via a vane extending between the fan case and the engine case. A strut apparatus may extend from the fan case and limit deflection of the fan case. The strut apparatus may comprise a first end proximate the fan case, and a second end coupled to at least one of the engine case or a structure for mounting the turbofan engine to an aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2020
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Applicant: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nigel David Sawyers-Abbott, Frederick M. Schwarz