Patents by Inventor Paul F. Croteau
Paul F. Croteau 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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Patent number: 11959396Abstract: A gas turbine engine article includes a silicon-containing ceramic wall that has an external combustion gaspath side and an internal side that borders a cooling air cavity. The external combustion gaspath side has an associated combustion gas flow direction there along. An array of cooling holes extends through the silicon-containing ceramic wall and connects the internal side with the external combustion gaspath side. The cooling holes are oriented to discharge cooling air to the external gaspath side in a direction counter to the combustion gas flow direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2022Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: RTX CORPORATIONInventors: Thomas J. Martin, Gajawalli V. Srinivasan, Paul F. Croteau, Matthew B. Kennedy
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Patent number: 11898701Abstract: A composite pressure vessel assembly includes a plurality of lobes, each of the lobes having at least one interior wall and at least one curved wall, the plurality of lobes being positioned in a side by side arrangement and extending in a longitudinal direction from a first end to a second end. Also included is a plurality of end caps disposed at the ends of the lobes, wherein the plurality of lobes and end caps are formed of at least one fiber-reinforced polymer. A method of manufacturing a composite pressure vessel assembly is provided. The method includes forming a plurality of lobes consisting of at least one fiber-reinforced polymer. The method also includes forming a main body with the plurality of lobes, the lobes disposed in a side by side arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2022Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: RTX CORPORATIONInventors: Wenping Zhao, Ellen Y. Sun, John P. Wesson, Paul F. Croteau, Andrzej Ernest Kuczek
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Publication number: 20230212949Abstract: A gas turbine engine article includes a silicon-containing ceramic wall that has an external combustion gaspath side and an internal side that borders a cooling air cavity. The external combustion gaspath side has an associated combustion gas flow direction there along. An array of cooling holes extends through the silicon-containing ceramic wall and connects the internal side with the external combustion gaspath side. The cooling holes are oriented to discharge cooling air to the external gaspath side in a direction counter to the combustion gas flow direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2022Publication date: July 6, 2023Inventors: Thomas J. Martin, Gajawalli V. Srinivasan, Paul F. Croteau, Matthew B. Kennedy
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Publication number: 20230193772Abstract: A method of machining cooling holes includes providing a workpiece in which a cooling hole is to be formed. The cooling hole, once formed, defines distinct first and second sections. The workpiece is secured in a fixture that is mounted in a first machine. In the first machine, a laser is used to drill a through-hole in a wall of the workpiece. The through-hole is spatially common to the first and second sections of the cooling hole. After drilling the through-hole, the fixture with the workpiece secured therein is removed from the first machine and mounted in a second machine. In the second machine, ultrasonic machining is used to expand a portion of the through-hole to form the second section. An abrasive slurry used in the process is drained through the through-hole during the ultrasonic machining.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2021Publication date: June 22, 2023Inventors: Zhigang Wang, John D. Riehl, Andrew J. Lazur, Robin H. Fernandez, Paul F. Croteau, Gajawalli V. Srinivasan, Ashley A. Smith
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Publication number: 20230108342Abstract: A composite pressure vessel assembly includes a plurality of lobes, each of the lobes having at least one interior wall and at least one curved wall, the plurality of lobes being positioned in a side by side arrangement and extending in a longitudinal direction from a first end to a second end. Also included is a plurality of end caps disposed at the ends of the lobes, wherein the plurality of lobes and end caps are formed of at least one fiber-reinforced polymer. A method of manufacturing a composite pressure vessel assembly is provided. The method includes forming a plurality of lobes consisting of at least one fiber-reinforced polymer. The method also includes forming a main body with the plurality of lobes, the lobes disposed in a side by side arrangement.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2022Publication date: April 6, 2023Inventors: Wenping Zhao, Ellen Y. Sun, John P. Wesson, Paul F. Croteau, Andrzej E. Kuczek
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Publication number: 20230056508Abstract: A method of machining includes mounting a component in a drilling machine. The component has a target region where the hole is to be drilled. The component and a jet head are situated relative to each other in a drilling arrangement in which the target region is at a first position that is vertically equal to or vertically above a second position at which the jet head is located. A liquid stream is jetted from the jet head and contains either abrasive particles or a laser beam. The stream impinges the target region, and the abrasive particles or the laser beam cause removal of material from the component to form the hole. The liquid stream rebounds off of the component as back-splash. The drilling arrangement causes gravitational draining of the back-splash from the target region to reduce interference between the back-splash and the liquid stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2021Publication date: February 23, 2023Inventors: Zhigang Wang, Paul F. Croteau, Gajawalli V. Srinivasan, John D. Riehl, Robin H. Fernandez
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Patent number: 11525545Abstract: A composite pressure vessel assembly includes a plurality of lobes, each of the lobes having at least one interior wall and at least one curved wall, the plurality of lobes being positioned in a side by side arrangement and extending in a longitudinal direction from a first end to a second end. Also included is a plurality of end caps disposed at the ends of the lobes, wherein the plurality of lobes and end caps are formed of at least one fiber-reinforced polymer. A method of manufacturing a composite pressure vessel assembly is provided. The method includes forming a plurality of lobes consisting of at least one fiber-reinforced polymer. The method also includes forming a main body with the plurality of lobes, the lobes disposed in a side by side arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2014Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Wenping Zhao, Ellen Y. Sun, John P. Wesson, Paul F. Croteau, Andrzej Ernest Kuczek
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Patent number: 11286783Abstract: An airfoil includes an airfoil section that has an airfoil wall that surrounds a cavity. The airfoil wall includes an exterior monolithic ceramic shell and an interior CMC liner that has CMC plies. An outermost ply of the CMC plies forms tabs that are raised from an underlying ply so as to define a slot. The exterior monolithic ceramic shell includes an underlapping shell piece and an overlapping shell piece. The underlapping shell piece has a portion disposed in the slot and bonded with the tabs. The overlapping shell piece extends over the tabs and is bonded to the tabs. There are channels bounded by adjacent ones of the tabs, the underlapping shell piece, and the overlapping shell piece. Channel orifices through the CMC liner connect the cavity and the channels.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2020Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Thomas J. Martin, John E. Holowczak, Matthew B. Kennedy, Paul F. Croteau, Paul Attridge
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Patent number: 11261741Abstract: An airfoil includes an airfoil body that has a trailing edge region. The trailing edge region includes first and second monolithic ceramic exterior walls, a flow discharge passage between the first and second monolithic ceramic exterior walls, a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) liner at least a portion of which is disposed in the flow discharge passage between the first and second monolithic ceramic exterior walls, and an array of pedestals disposed in the flow discharge passage. Each of the flow guides bridges the CMC liner and at least one of the first and second monolithic ceramic exterior walls.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2019Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Matthew B. Kennedy, Paul F. Croteau, John E. Holowczak, Thomas J. Martin
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Patent number: 11236677Abstract: A diffuser case support structure for a gas turbine engine includes a fairing disposed circumferentially about a longitudinal axis. The fairing defines a plurality of passages circumferentially spaced apart and forming at least a portion of a fluid path between a compressor and a combustor of the gas turbine engine. A diffuser frame includes a plurality of struts. Each of the plurality of struts is disposed between a pair of adjacent passages of the plurality of passages. The diffuser frame is configured to couple an inner diffuser case to an outer diffuser case. A sliding joint is formed between the fairing and the diffuser frame, the sliding joint comprising a fastener extending generally axially through an aperture disposed in the fairing.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2019Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: Raytheon Technologies CorporationInventors: Matthew Andrew Hough, John S. Tu, Stephen C. Harmon, Paul F. Croteau, Russell B. Hanson, Joshua C. Rathgeb
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Patent number: 11203947Abstract: An airfoil includes an airfoil section that has an airfoil wall that surrounds a cavity. The airfoil wall includes a first wall section comprised of a monolithic ceramic shell, a second wall section comprised of a CMC liner that is bonded along an interface to an interior side of the monolithic ceramic shell, and a ceramic barrier coating that is bonded to an exterior side of the monolithic ceramic shell. The airfoil wall includes at least one of: inter-section cooling channels that extend along the interface and are bounded by the monolithic ceramic shell and the CMC liner, or intra-section cooling channels that extend within the CMC liner.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2020Date of Patent: December 21, 2021Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Paul F. Croteau, John E. Holowczak, Thomas J. Martin, Paul Attridge
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Publication number: 20210348517Abstract: An airfoil includes an airfoil section that has an airfoil wall that surrounds a cavity. The airfoil wall includes a first wall section comprised of a monolithic ceramic shell, a second wall section comprised of a CMC liner that is bonded along an interface to an interior side of the monolithic ceramic shell, and a ceramic barrier coating that is bonded to an exterior side of the monolithic ceramic shell. The airfoil wall includes at least one of: inter-section cooling channels that extend along the interface and are bounded by the monolithic ceramic shell and the CMC liner, or intra-section cooling channels that extend within the CMC liner.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2020Publication date: November 11, 2021Inventors: Paul F. Croteau, John E. Holowczak, Thomas J. Martin, Paul Attridge
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Publication number: 20210332705Abstract: An airfoil includes an airfoil section that has an airfoil wall that surrounds a cavity. The airfoil wall includes an exterior monolithic ceramic shell and an interior CMC liner that has CMC plies. An outermost ply of the CMC plies forms tabs that are raised from an underlying ply so as to define a slot. The exterior monolithic ceramic shell includes an underlapping shell piece and an overlapping shell piece. The underlapping shell piece has a portion disposed in the slot and bonded with the tabs. The overlapping shell piece extends over the tabs and is bonded to the tabs. There are channels bounded by adjacent ones of the tabs, the underlapping shell piece, and the overlapping shell piece. Channel orifices through the CMC liner connect the cavity and the channels.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2020Publication date: October 28, 2021Inventors: Thomas J. Martin, John E. Holowczak, Matthew B. Kennedy, Paul F. Croteau, Paul Attridge
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Patent number: 11137112Abstract: A pressure vessel assembly includes a vessel including a wall defining a chamber and a circumferentially continuous lip projecting into the chamber from the wall. The lip defines a through-bore in fluid communication with the chamber. A nozzle assembly including a tube and a flange projecting radially outward from the tube. The tube includes a first portion projecting from the flange and through the through-bore and an opposite second portion projecting outward from the flange. The flange is in contact with the wall and the first portion includes an outer surface having a contour configured to produce sealing friction between the lip and the outer surface.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2015Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Andrzej Ernest Kuczek, Wenping Zhao, Paul F. Croteau, Ellen Y. Sun
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Patent number: 11047529Abstract: A pressure vessel assembly includes a vessel having a wall defining a chamber and a circumferentially continuous lip projecting into the chamber from the wall. The lip defines a through-bore that is in fluid communication with the chamber. A nozzle assembly of the pressure vessel assembly includes a tube projecting at least in-part into the through-bore, and an o-ring disposed between, and in sealing contact with, the tube and the lip.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2016Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Andrzej Ernest Kuczek, Ellen Y. Sun, Justin R. Hawkes, Paul F Croteau, Wenping Zhao
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Patent number: 11022144Abstract: A diffuser case assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a fairing disposed circumferentially about a longitudinal axis. The fairing defines a plurality of passages circumferentially spaced apart and forming at least a portion of a fluid path between a compressor and a combustor of the gas turbine engine. A diffuser frame includes a plurality of struts. Each of the plurality of struts is disposed between a pair of adjacent passages of the plurality of passages. The diffuser frame is configured to couple an inner diffuser case to an outer diffuser case.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2019Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: Raytheon Technologies CorporationInventors: Matthew Andrew Hough, John S. Tu, Stephen C. Harmon, Paul F. Croteau, Russell B. Hanson, Joshua C. Rathgeb
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Publication number: 20210140325Abstract: An airfoil includes an airfoil body that has a trailing edge region. The trailing edge region includes first and second monolithic ceramic exterior walls, a flow discharge passage between the first and second monolithic ceramic exterior walls, a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) liner at least a portion of which is disposed in the flow discharge passage between the first and second monolithic ceramic exterior walls, and an array of pedestals disposed in the flow discharge passage. Each of the flow guides bridges the CMC liner and at least one of the first and second monolithic ceramic exterior walls.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2019Publication date: May 13, 2021Inventors: Matthew B. Kennedy, Paul F. Croteau, John E. Holowczak, Thomas J. Martin
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Patent number: 10941669Abstract: A diffuser case support structure for a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The diffuser case support structure includes a fairing disposed circumferentially about a longitudinal axis. The fairing forms at least a portion of a fluid path between a compressor and a combustor of the gas turbine engine. The fairing defines a plurality of apertures extending through the fairing. At least one spoke extends through at least one respective aperture of the plurality of apertures. The at least one spoke is configured to couple an inner diffuser case and an outer diffuser case of the gas turbine engine.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2018Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Assignee: Raytheon Technologies CorporationInventors: Matthew A. Hough, Russell B. Hanson, John S. Tu, Paul F. Croteau, Paul K. Sanchez, Stephen C. Harmon, Joshua C. Rathgeb
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Patent number: 10907768Abstract: A composite pressure vessel assembly includes a first vessel having a first inner layer and a second vessel having a second inner layer. An outer layer of the assembly is in contact with and substantially envelopes the first and second inner layers. A junction of the assembly has outer boundaries defined by segments of the first inner layer, the second inner layer and the outer layer. A cross-layered component of the assembly is disposed in the junction, the first and second inner layers and the outer layer for adding strength to the junction and restricting delamination.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2016Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Wenping Zhao, Ellen Y. Sun, Paul F. Croteau, Justin R. Hawkes, Andrzej Ernest Kuczek
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Publication number: 20200362762Abstract: A diffuser case support structure for a gas turbine engine includes a fairing disposed circumferentially about a longitudinal axis. The fairing defines a plurality of passages circumferentially spaced apart and forming at least a portion of a fluid path between a compressor and a combustor of the gas turbine engine. A diffuser frame includes a plurality of struts. Each of the plurality of struts is disposed between a pair of adjacent passages of the plurality of passages. The diffuser frame is configured to couple an inner diffuser case to an outer diffuser case. A sliding joint is formed between the fairing and the diffuser frame, the sliding joint comprising a fastener extending generally axially through an aperture disposed in the fairing.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2019Publication date: November 19, 2020Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Matthew Andrew Hough, John S. Tu, Stephen C. Harmon, Paul F. Croteau, Russell B. Hanson, Joshua C. Rathgeb