Patents by Inventor Paul D. Kemper

Paul D. Kemper 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: 7726116
    Abstract: A nozzle assembly for a gas turbine aircraft engine is provided. The nozzle assembly includes a nacelle and a core cowl positioned at least partially within the nacelle such that the core cowl and the nacelle are aligned substantially concentrically to each other defining an annular fan bypass duct. A first member couples the nacelle to the core cowl and includes a first flap hingedly coupled to each sidewall of the first member. An opposing second member couples the nacelle to the core cowl and includes a second flap hingedly coupled to each sidewall of the second member. The first flaps and the second flaps are selectively positionable between a first operational position and a second operational position to vary a throat area of said fan bypass duct. A turbofan engine assembly and a method for operating the same are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Paul D. Kemper, Thomas Ory Moniz, Jorge Francisco Seda
  • Patent number: 7673458
    Abstract: A method for operating a turbofan engine assembly including a core gas turbine engine is provided. The method includes varying an operating speed of the turbofan engine assembly from a first operating speed to a second operating speed. The method also includes selectively positioning a first arcuate portion and a second arcuate portion of a split cowl assembly to vary a throat area of a fan nozzle duct defined downstream from the core gas turbine engine to facilitate improving engine efficiency at the second operating speed. The split cowl assembly is downstream from the core gas turbine engine and inside the fan nozzle duct. A turbofan engine assembly and nozzle assembly are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Paul D. Kemper, Thomas Ory Moniz, Jorge Francisco Seda
  • Publication number: 20080110152
    Abstract: A method for operating a turbofan engine assembly including a core gas turbine engine is provided. The method includes varying an operating speed of the turbofan engine assembly from a first operating speed to a second operating speed. The method also includes selectively positioning a first arcuate portion and a second arcuate portion of a split cowl assembly to vary a throat area of a fan nozzle duct defined downstream from the core gas turbine engine to facilitate improving engine efficiency at the second operating speed. The split cowl assembly is downstream from the core gas turbine engine and inside the fan nozzle duct. A turbofan engine assembly and nozzle assembly are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventors: Paul D. Kemper, Thomas Ory Moniz, Jorge Francisco Seda
  • Publication number: 20080110154
    Abstract: A nozzle assembly for a gas turbine aircraft engine is provided. The nozzle assembly includes a nacelle and a core cowl positioned at least partially within the nacelle such that the core cowl and the nacelle are aligned substantially concentrically to each other defining an annular fan bypass duct. A first member couples the nacelle to the core cowl and includes a first flap hingedly coupled to each sidewall of the first member. An opposing second member couples the nacelle to the core cowl and includes a second flap hingedly coupled to each sidewall of the second member. The first flaps and the second flaps are selectively positionable between a first operational position and a second operational position to vary a throat area of said fan bypass duct. A turbofan engine assembly and a method for operating the same are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventors: Paul D. Kemper, Thomas Ory Moniz, Jorge Francisco Seda