Patents by Inventor Oran A. Watts, III

Oran A. Watts, III 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: 10267177
    Abstract: A rotor system lock for a gas turbine engine is described which blocks movement of rotating wheel assemblies relative to static vane assemblies in a gas turbine engine in order to block unintended rotation (or windmilling) of the gas turbine engine when it is exposed to high winds while at rest or to ram air during pre-launch flight and thereby avoid damage to components of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc., Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Oran A. Watts, III, Larry A. Junod
  • Patent number: 10233768
    Abstract: A power plant for an aircraft such as an unmanned aero vehicle in which a gas turbine engine drives an electric generator to produce electrical power for a system load of the aircraft. An engine control unit monitors engine performance and regulates engine power output through fuel flow control to a combustor. A power control module regulates power output of the generator to the system load and to a battery through a bus. A pulse width modulation is used between the power control module and the bus to optimize performance of the gas turbine engine instead of adjusting fuel flow to the combustor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Florida Turbine Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Oran A. Watts, III, John W Polywoda, III
  • Publication number: 20160230587
    Abstract: A rotor system lock for a gas turbine engine is described which blocks movement of rotating wheel assemblies relative to static vane assemblies in a gas turbine engine in order to block unintended rotation (or windmilling) of the gas turbine engine when it is exposed to high winds while at rest or to ram air during pre-launch flight and thereby avoid damage to components of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: Oran A. Watts, III, Larry A. Junod
  • Publication number: 20090288628
    Abstract: A thrust-producing engine includes an engine structure, a rotor that is electrically isolated from the engine structure, and an electrical conductor connected to the engine structure. The electrical conductor is in electrical contact with the engine structure and the rotor as the rotor rotates relative to the electrical conductor and the engine structure to reduce electrical arcing between the engine structure and the rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicant: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Oran A. Watts, III, Matthew J. Starr, Robert A. Ress, JR.
  • Patent number: 3963372
    Abstract: A control system for a helicopter power plant with three power units driving the lifting rotor system. Each power unit comprises a gas-coupled gas turbine engine, a hydromechanical fuel control receiving electrical inputs to set a gas generator governor, an engine electronic control, and engine accessories.Power plant operation is normally controlled by the pilot through condition levers and switches on a control quadrant, through a collective pitch control for the rotor blades, and through a master beeper switch which is operable to trim the setting of a rotor speed governor and the gas generator governors. A condition lever transmits a speed command signal through the electronic control of each power unit to its gas generator governor. A collective pitch signal from the rotor control system is another factor in setting the gas generator governor of each unit.The power plant includes a power management control which equalizes the power outputs of the engines and includes the rotor isochronous governor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1976
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Richard D. McLain, Robert E. Nelson, Bernard H. Van Sickle, Oran A. Watts, III