Patents by Inventor Richard Ivakitch

Richard Ivakitch 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: 9080461
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine having at least one spool assembly, the at least one spool assembly including a fan rotor, a compressor disposed downstream of the fan rotor, a turbine and a shaft connecting the fan rotor, compressor and turbine, a joint affixed to an upstream end of the shaft, and including a first link connecting the fan rotor to the shaft and a second link connecting the compressor to the shaft, the second link being less rigid then the first link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Richard Ivakitch, Andreas Eleftheriou, Philippe Bonniere
  • Patent number: 8998574
    Abstract: A vane assembly of a gas turbine engine includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced vanes extending radially between an outer case and an inner case. A spring-tensioned stator restraining strap is provided around the outer case and surrounding outer ends of the respective vanes. The outer ends of the vanes are received in corresponding openings defined in the outer case and project radially outwardly from the outer case. The spring-tensioned strap compresses the respective vanes radially and inwardly in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: David Harold Menheere, Richard Ivakitch, Andreas Eleftheriou
  • Patent number: 8967978
    Abstract: In a gas turbine engine, a fan rotor and a compressor rotor are connected to a joint which is attached to a shaft. The fan rotor is connected to the joint by a plurality of fasteners extending through mounting openings in the joint and through apertures in the fan rotor. A standard retaining ring is attached to the joint to cover a portion of an enlarged head of each of the respective fasteners in order to prevent removal of the respective fasteners from the mounting openings in the joint before the respective fasteners are connected to the fan rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: David Denis, Richard Ivakitch
  • Patent number: 8932022
    Abstract: A fan and shaft assembly for a turbofan gas turbine engine comprises a shaft and a fan. Sets of aligned throughbores are respectively of the shaft and the fan, at a junction between the shaft and the fan. Fastening systems are provided for the sets of aligned throughbores. Each fastening system comprises a sleeve received in one of the sets of aligned throughbores and sized to fit without play in the set of aligned throughbores. A head of the sleeve abuts a surface at the junction between the shaft and the fan. A fastener is inserted in the sleeve and extends beyond both ends of the sleeve to clamp the fan to the shaft, the fastener being loosely received in the sleeve. A method for replacing a component of a fastening system retaining a fan to a shaft is provided as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Richard Ivakitch, Andreas Eleftheriou, Alain Carrieres
  • Patent number: 8827637
    Abstract: A seal arrangement for a gas turbine engine comprises a seal support having a hub portion and a peripheral rim portion. A seal member is mounted to a radially inner surface of the hub portion. A first set of circumferentially spaced-apart channel segments project from the peripheral rim portion of the seal support. A second set of circumferentially spaced-apart channel segments projects from a mating stationary structure of the gas turbine engine. The first and second sets of circumferentially spaced-apart channel segments circumferentially may be aligned to complementary form a circumferentially extending channel. A retaining ring may be mounted in the circumferentially extending channel for retaining the seal support on the mating stationary structure of the engine. The seal support may be provided with a diaphragm to provide flexibly between the seal member and the point of attachment of the seal support to the mating structure of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Richard Ivakitch, Andreas Eleftheriou
  • Patent number: 8696311
    Abstract: A vane assembly of a gas turbine engine has a plurality of vanes extending radially and inwardly from an annular casing. An outer end of each vane radially and outwardly projects from the casing and is received in one of apertures defined in an elastomeric ring which is placed around the casing. A strap of a non-metallic material is placed in a pre-tensioned condition around the elastomeric ring to compress the elastomeric ring and to radially retain the outer end of each vane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Andreas Eleftheriou, Richard Ivakitch
  • Publication number: 20140072444
    Abstract: A rotor assembly for a gas turbine engine, with an annular sleeve having an inner member connected around the shaft to rotate together therewith and having an outer member with a first end connected to the inner member, the outer member defining an annular continuous frustoconical inner surface angled such as to extend closer to the central axis near the first end. A rotor disc includes an annular protuberance extending radially inwardly of the outer member and forced toward the first end, and having an annular continuous frustoconical outer surface complementary to the inner surface of the outer member and in torque-transmitting engagement therewith. The assembly includes means for axially pressing the sleeve and the disc against one another to maintain the complementary frustoconical surfaces in torque-transmitting engagement. A method of engaging a rotor disc to a driving shaft in a gas turbine engine is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Inventors: Andreas Eleftheriou, Richard Ivakitch
  • Publication number: 20140026591
    Abstract: In a gas turbine engine, a fan rotor and a compressor rotor are connected to a joint which is attached to a shaft. The fan rotor is connected to the joint by a plurality of fasteners extending through mounting openings in the joint and through apertures in the fan rotor. A standard retaining ring is attached to the joint to cover a portion of an enlarged head of each of the respective fasteners in order to prevent removal of the respective fasteners from the mounting openings in the joint before the respective fasteners are connected to the fan rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: David DENIS, Richard IVAKITCH
  • Patent number: 8632299
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a structure defining a circumferential passage in fluid communication with an internal passage in at least one strut radially extending into the engine, circumferential passage also in fluid communication with a plurality or nozzles or jets to provide a wash manifold integrated with the engine casing structure. One or more nozzles are provided in the manifold for directing a washing fluid injected into the duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Andreas Eleftheriou, David Menheere, Richard Ivakitch, Enzo Macchia
  • Publication number: 20130249172
    Abstract: A seal arrangement for a gas turbine engine comprises a seal support having a hub portion and a peripheral rim portion. A seal member is mounted to a radially inner surface of the hub portion. A first set of circumferentially spaced-apart channel segments project from the peripheral rim portion of the seal support. A second set of circumferentially spaced-apart channel segments projects from a mating stationary structure of the gas turbine engine. The first and second sets of circumferentially spaced-apart channel segments circumferentially may be aligned to complementary form a circumferentially extending channel. A retaining ring may be mounted in the circumferentially extending channel for retaining the seal support on the mating stationary structure of the engine. The seal support may be provided with a diaphragm to provide flexibly between the seal member and the point of attachment of the seal support to the mating structure of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventors: Richard IVAKITCH, Andreas ELEFTHERIOU
  • Publication number: 20130251517
    Abstract: A vane assembly for a gas turbine engine includes an annular shroud having openings therein and a plurality of vanes extending radially from the shroud and each having an extremity received within one of the openings. A grommet is positioned within each opening for shielding the vane extremity from the annular shroud. The grommet includes an annular protrusion for providing sealing between the opening and the vane extremity, and an annular restraint element adjacent the protrusion for retaining the vane in place relative to the shroud.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventors: Richard Ivakitch, Andreas Eleftheriou
  • Publication number: 20130205800
    Abstract: Vane assemblies for gas turbine engines and methods for assembling vane assemblies are disclosed. The vane assemblies may include at least one shroud having at least one vane-receiving portion, at least one vane having at least one end portion received in the vane-receiving portion, and at least one sealing member having an uncompressed cross-section that is substantially circular. The sealing member(s) are disposed between and in contact with the end portion of the vane and the vane-receiving portion of the shroud.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventors: Richard Ivakitch, Andreas Eleftheriou, David Denis, David Menheere
  • Publication number: 20130202450
    Abstract: A fan and shaft assembly for a turbofan gas turbine engine comprises a shaft and a fan. Sets of aligned throughbores are respectively of the shaft and the fan, at a junction between the shaft and the fan. Fastening systems are provided for the sets of aligned throughbores. Each fastening system comprises a sleeve received in one of the sets of aligned throughbores and sized to fit without play in the set of aligned throughbores. A head of the sleeve abuts a surface at the junction between the shaft and the fan. A fastener is inserted in the sleeve and extends beyond both ends of the sleeve to clamp the fan to the shaft, the fastener being loosely received in the sleeve. A method for replacing a component of a fastening system retaining a fan to a shaft is provided as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventors: RICHARD IVAKITCH, Andreas Eleftheriou, Alain Carrieres
  • Publication number: 20130202440
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for connecting a fan rotor to a shaft of a gas turbine engine includes a segmented clinch nut plate having a plurality of clinch nuts installed in pre-drilled holes in each segment. A plurality of mounting bolts extending through the holes in the rotor shaft and holes in a mounting device of the shaft threadedly engage the clinch nuts of the clinch nut plate. The segments of the clinch nut plate are disposed separately one from another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Richard IVAKITCH, Andreas ELEFTHERIOU
  • Publication number: 20130202442
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine having at least one spool assembly, the at least one spool assembly including a fan rotor, a compressor disposed downstream of the fan rotor, a turbine and a shaft connecting the fan rotor, compressor and turbine, a joint affixed to an upstream end of the shaft, and including a first link connecting the fan rotor to the shaft and a second link connecting the compressor to the shaft, the second link being less rigid then the first link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Richard IVAKITCH, Andreas ELEFTHERIOU, Philippe BONNIERE
  • Publication number: 20130058771
    Abstract: A vane assembly of a gas turbine engine includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced vanes extending radially between an outer case and an inner case. A spring-tensioned stator restraining strap is provided around the outer case and surrounding outer ends of the respective vanes. The outer ends of the vanes are received in corresponding openings defined in the outer case and project radially outwardly from the outer case. The spring-tensioned strap compresses the respective vanes radially and inwardly in position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: David Harold MENHEERE, Richard IVAKITCH, Andreas ELEFTHERIOU
  • Publication number: 20120251313
    Abstract: A vane assembly of a gas turbine engine has a plurality of vanes extending radially and inwardly from an annular casing. An outer end of each vane radially and outwardly projects from the casing and is received in one of apertures defined in an elastomeric ring which is placed around the casing. A strap of a non-metallic material is placed in a pre-tensioned condition around the elastomeric ring to compress the elastomeric ring and to radially retain the outer end of each vane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Andreas ELEFTHERIOU, Richard IVAKITCH
  • Publication number: 20120134777
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a structure defining a circumferential passage in fluid communication with an internal passage in at least one strut radially extending into the engine, circumferential passage also in fluid communication with a plurality or nozzles or jets to provide a wash manifold integrated with the engine casing structure. One or more nozzles are provided in the manifold for directing a washing fluid injected into the duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Andreas ELEFTHERIOU, David MENHEERE, Richard IVAKITCH, Enzo MACCHIA
  • Patent number: 7908869
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine has a compressor assembly and a turbine assembly rotationally mounted on a shaft, the turbine assembly being driven by hot gases discharged from a combustion chamber disposed between the compressor and turbine assemblies, the compressor having a centrifugal impeller for pressurizing and impelling air into the combustion chamber. The engine also includes an impeller shroud covering the bladed portion of the centrifugal impeller, the impeller shroud having a support bracket having a thin and curved load-isolating profile for supporting a strut that secures the impeller shroud to a case of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Richard Ivakitch, Philip Ridyard, Patrick Chiu
  • Patent number: 7850173
    Abstract: A repairable labyrinth seal of a gas turbine engine comprises at least one fin having a base with a thickness and a tip portion extending therefrom. A shoulder distinguishes the base from the tip portion. The shoulder defines a machining site suitable for receiving a welded replacement piece for shaping a new tapered tip portion following removal of a worn tapered tip portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventor: Richard Ivakitch