Patents by Inventor Paul H. Dolman

Paul H. Dolman 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: 11549399
    Abstract: A disclosed lubrication system for a turbofan engine includes a pump for driving lubricant through a lubrication circuit, at least one sensor generating a signal indicative of an engine operating condition and at least one valve for controlling a flow of lubricant through the lubrication circuit. A controller controls operation of the valve to vary the flow of lubricant based on the engine operating condition to maintain lubricant flow within predefined operating limits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Paul H. Dolman, Michael E. McCune
  • Publication number: 20220178275
    Abstract: A disclosed lubrication system for a turbofan engine includes a pump for driving lubricant through a lubrication circuit, at least one sensor generating a signal indicative of an engine operating condition and at least one valve for controlling a flow of lubricant through the lubrication circuit. A controller controls operation of the valve to vary the flow of lubricant based on the engine operating condition to maintain lubricant flow within predefined operating limits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2022
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventors: Paul H. Dolman, Michael E. McCune
  • Patent number: 11280221
    Abstract: A disclosed lubrication system for a turbofan engine includes a pump for driving lubricant through a lubrication circuit, at least one sensor generating a signal indicative of an engine operating condition and at least one valve for controlling a flow of lubricant through the lubrication circuit. A controller controls operation of the valve to vary the flow of lubricant based on the engine operating condition to maintain lubricant flow within predefined operating limits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Paul H. Dolman, Michael E. McCune
  • Patent number: 11193422
    Abstract: A lubrication system is disclosed. The lubrication system may be used in conjunction with a gas turbine engine for generating power or lift. The lubrication system utilized a flow scheduling valve which reduces lubricant flow to at least one component based on an engine load. The lubrication system may further include a main pump which may be regulated by an engine speed. Thus, a lubrication system which provides a lubricant to engine components based on the load and speed of the engine is possible. The system may improve efficiency of the engine by reducing the power previously spent in churning excess lubricant by at least one engine component as well as reducing the energy used by a lubricant cooler in cooling the excess lubricant. The lubricant cooler size may also be minimized to reduce weight and air drag due to the reduced lubricant flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Francis Parnin, Paul H. Dolman, David M. Daley, Denman H. James, Richard W. Clark
  • Publication number: 20200040768
    Abstract: A disclosed lubrication system for a turbofan engine includes a pump for driving lubricant through a lubrication circuit, at least one sensor generating a signal indicative of an engine operating condition and at least one valve for controlling a flow of lubricant through the lubrication circuit. A controller controls operation of the valve to vary the flow of lubricant based on the engine operating condition to maintain lubricant flow within predefined operating limits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Paul H. Dolman, Michael E. McCune
  • Patent number: 10436067
    Abstract: A disclosed lubrication system for a turbofan engine includes a pump for driving lubricant through a lubrication circuit, at least one sensor generating a signal indicative of an engine operating condition and at least one valve for controlling a flow of lubricant through the lubrication circuit. A controller controls operation of the valve to vary the flow of lubricant based on the engine operating condition to maintain lubricant flow within predefined operating limits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Paul H. Dolman, Michael E. McCune
  • Patent number: 10309307
    Abstract: A method of supplying a bearing compartment with fluid includes the steps of pumping a fluid from a main reservoir to a bearing compartment through a main supply passage which includes one or more passage segments. During a positive gravity condition, the pumping step is performed using a main pump arranged in the main supply passage. The main reservoir includes upper and lower portions. The main supply passage is in fluid communication with the lower portion. Fluid is provided from the main reservoir to the bearing compartment through a secondary supply passage that is fluidly connected to at least one segment of the main supply passage in response to a negative gravity condition. The secondary supply passage is in fluid communication with the upper portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: William G. Sheridan, Paul H. Dolman
  • Publication number: 20190055886
    Abstract: A lubrication system is disclosed. The lubrication system may be used in conjunction with a gas turbine engine for generating power or lift. The lubrication system utilized a flow scheduling valve which reduces lubricant flow to at least one component based on an engine load. The lubrication system may further include a main pump which may be regulated by an engine speed. Thus, a lubrication system which provides a lubricant to engine components based on the load and speed of the engine is possible. The system may improve efficiency of the engine by reducing the power previously spent in churning excess lubricant by at least one engine component as well as reducing the energy used by a lubricant cooler in cooling the excess lubricant. The lubricant cooler size may also be minimized to reduce weight and air drag due to the reduced lubricant flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: Francis Parnin, Paul H. Dolman, David M. Daley, Denman H. James, Richard W. Clark
  • Patent number: 10107197
    Abstract: A lubrication system is provided. The lubrication system may be used in conjunction with a gas turbine engine for generating power or lift. The lubrication system utilized a flow scheduling valve which reduces lubricant flow to at least one component based on an engine load. The lubrication system may further include a main pump which may be regulated by an engine speed. Thus, a lubrication system which provides a lubricant to engine components based on the load and speed of the engine is possible. The system may improve efficiency of the engine by reducing the power previously spent in churning excess lubricant by at least one engine component as well as reducing the energy used by a lubricant cooler in cooling the excess lubricant. The lubricant cooler size may also be minimized to reduce weight and air drag due to the reduced lubricant flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Francis Parnin, Paul H. Dolman, David M. Daley, Denman H. James, Richard W. Clark
  • Patent number: 9695714
    Abstract: A turbine module comprises a turbine shaft, a rotor assembly secured to the shaft, a bearing assembly rotatably supporting the turbine shaft, and a bearing housing containing the bearing assembly. The bearing housing includes a gutter at least partially circumscribing the bearing assembly, and a drain disposed proximate a base of the gutter. The gutter includes a first sloped floor portion circumferentially adjacent to the drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: David R. Olsen, Frederic G. Miner, Paul H. Dolman
  • Publication number: 20170002687
    Abstract: A lubrication circulation system may comprise a first oil pump configured to retrieve oil from a bearing compartment, and a second oil pump located separately from the first oil pump and configured to retrieve the oil from a fan-drive gear system compartment. The first oil pump may be configured to provide the oil to the bearing compartment and the fan-drive gear system compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Paul H. Dolman
  • Publication number: 20160290229
    Abstract: A method of supplying a bearing compartment with fluid includes the steps of pumping a fluid from a main reservoir to a bearing compartment through a main supply passage which includes one or more passage segments. During a positive gravity condition, the pumping step is performed using a main pump arranged in the main supply passage. The main reservoir includes upper and lower portions. The main supply passage is in fluid communication with the lower portion. Fluid is provided from the main reservoir to the bearing compartment through a secondary supply passage that is fluidly connected to at least one segment of the main supply passage in response to a negative gravity condition. The secondary supply passage is in fluid communication with the upper portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: William G. Sheridan, Paul H. Dolman
  • Patent number: 9410448
    Abstract: A lubrication system includes a bearing compartment. A main reservoir is fluidly connected to the bearing compartment by a main supply passage. A main pump is arranged in the main supply passage configured to provide fluid from the main reservoir to the bearing compartment during a positive gravity condition. A secondary supply passage fluidly connects the main reservoir to at least one segment of the main supply passage, thereby providing fluid from the main reservoir to the bearing compartment during a negative gravity condition. A method of supplying a bearing compartment with fluid includes pumping a fluid from a main reservoir to a bearing compartment through a main supply passage during a positive gravity condition, and providing fluid from the main reservoir to the bearing compartment through a secondary supply passage, fluidly connected to at least one segment of the main supply passage, in response to a negative gravity condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: William G. Sheridan, Paul H. Dolman
  • Publication number: 20160208651
    Abstract: A disclosed lubrication system for a turbofan engine includes a pump for driving lubricant through a lubrication circuit, at least one sensor generating a signal indicative of an engine operating condition and at least one valve for controlling a flow of lubricant through the lubrication circuit. A controller controls operation of the valve to vary the flow of lubricant based on the engine operating condition to maintain lubricant flow within predefined operating limits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Inventors: Paul H. Dolman, Michael E. McCune
  • Publication number: 20160090871
    Abstract: A turbine module comprises a turbine shaft, a rotor assembly secured to the shaft, a bearing assembly rotatably supporting the turbine shaft, and a bearing housing containing the bearing assembly. The bearing housing includes a gutter at least partially circumscribing the bearing assembly, and a drain disposed proximate a base of the gutter. The gutter includes a first sloped floor portion circumferentially adjacent to the drain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: David R. Olsen, Frederic G. Miner, Paul H. Dolman
  • Publication number: 20160069211
    Abstract: A turbine module comprises a turbine shaft, a rotor assembly secured to the shaft, a bearing assembly rotatably supporting the turbine shaft, a bearing housing containing the bearing assembly, and a bearing compartment containing the bearing housing. A bearing compartment wall has at least one integral fluid supply passage in fluid communication with the bearing housing. The at least one integral fluid passage extends generally longitudinally through the bearing compartment wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: David R. Olsen, Frederic G. Miner, Paul H. Dolman
  • Publication number: 20140150439
    Abstract: A lubrication system is disclosed. The lubrication system may be used in conjunction with a gas turbine engine for generating power or lift. The lubrication system utilized a flow scheduling valve which reduces lubricant flow to at least one component based on an engine load. The lubrication system may further include a main pump which may be regulated by an engine speed. Thus, a lubrication system which provides a lubricant to engine components based on the load and speed of the engine is possible. The system may improve efficiency of the engine by reducing the power previously spent in churning excess lubricant by at least one engine component as well as reducing the energy used by a lubricant cooler in cooling the excess lubricant. The lubricant cooler size may also be minimized to reduce weight and air drag due to the reduced lubricant flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Francis Parnin, Paul H. Dolman, David M. Daley, Denman H. James, Richard W. Clark
  • Publication number: 20130319006
    Abstract: A lubrication system for a fan drive gear system includes a main lubrication system and an auxiliary lubrication system. The auxiliary lubrication system including a collection channel disposed about the fan drive gear system for collecting expelled lubricant and an auxiliary pump including an inlet receiving lubricant from the collection channel and an outlet in communication with an auxiliary passage. The auxiliary pump supplies lubricant through the auxiliary passages to a bearing passage for communicating lubricant to a bearing. The auxiliary passages include a reservoir after the outlet of the auxiliary pump and before the bearing passage for storing lubricant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: Francis Parnin, Paul H. Dolman
  • Publication number: 20130319798
    Abstract: A lubrication system includes a bearing compartment. A main reservoir is fluidly connected to the bearing compartment by a main supply passage. A main pump is arranged in the main supply passage configured to provide fluid from the main reservoir to the bearing compartment during a positive gravity condition. A secondary supply passage fluidly connects the main reservoir to at least one segment of the main supply passage, thereby providing fluid from the main reservoir to the bearing compartment during a negative gravity condition. A method of supplying a bearing compartment with fluid includes pumping a fluid from a main reservoir to a bearing compartment through a main supply passage during a positive gravity condition, and providing fluid from the main reservoir to the bearing compartment through a secondary supply passage, fluidly connected to at least one segment of the main supply passage, in response to a negative gravity condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: William G. Sheridan, Paul H. Dolman