Patents by Inventor Robert A. Ress

Robert A. Ress 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: 8209952
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine having speed an intermediate stage booster configured to provide speed change to a boost compressor. The boost compressor and fan stage are driven by a low pressure turbine; the fan stage rotates with the low pressure turbine shaft and the boost compressor rotates counter to the low pressure turbine shaft. The intermediate speed booster has an epicyclic gear train that includes an outer annulus, a sun gear, and a planetary gear, and may be engaged by a clutch in some embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Ress, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20120163960
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a unique variable camber vane system for a gas turbine engine. Another embodiment is a unique gas turbine engine. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for gas turbine engines and variable camber vane systems. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventors: Robert A. Ress, JR., James Morton, Dan Molnar
  • Publication number: 20120144836
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is an integrated aero-engine flowpath structure. Another embodiment is a method of manufacturing integrated aero-engine flowpath structure. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for aero-engine flowpath structures. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application shall become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Robert A. Ress, JR., Randall E. Yount, Thomas D. Destefano, Jitendra R. Patel
  • Publication number: 20120076657
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a unique gas turbine engine. Another embodiment is a unique gas turbine engine main engine rotor. Still another embodiment is a unique method for assembling a gas turbine engine main engine rotor. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for gas turbine engines and gas turbine rotors. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application shall become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventor: Robert A. Ress, JR.
  • Publication number: 20120067053
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine having a ramburner is disclosed. The ramburner is disposed downstream of a gas turbine engine combustor and receives an engine exhaust flow from the gas turbine engine combustor. The ramburner also accepts a bypass air. Fuel is injected into the ramburner and a combustion reaction is auto-initiated based upon local gas temperatures. No mechanical flame holders need be used. A slidable valve may be used to vary the amount of bypass air into the ramburner. A movable cowl and a plug nozzle form an exit flow path of the gas turbine engine. The movable cowl can be positioned to vary a throat area and exit area of the gas turbine engine based upon the operation of the ramburner, which may be influenced by the amount of bypass air entering the ramburner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: Robert A. Ress, JR., Victor L. Oechsle, Randall E. Yount, Stephen A. Bergeron
  • Publication number: 20110154827
    Abstract: A turbofan gas turbine engine is provided having a unique power off-take shaft and gear system. Other gas turbine engine types are also contemplated herein. Two power off-takes are provided, one each for the low pressure spool and high pressure spool. The power off-takes extend across a core flow path of the turbofan engine between the low and high pressure shafts to a fan frame of the turbofan. A drive gear is provided near the front end of the high pressure shaft, and another drive gear is provided on the low pressure shaft near the drive gear for the high pressure shaft. Both gears are located in a sump of the gas turbine engine. The power off-take shafts are coupled to the drive gears. Two power devices are coupled to the power off-take shafts and are located in the fan frame. The power devices can be electric generators or motors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventors: Robert A. Ress, JR., Todd Anthony Godleski
  • Publication number: 20100154383
    Abstract: An adaptive cycle gas turbine engine is disclosed having a number of features. A fan arrangement is provided having counter-rotating fan stages, one fan stage is operable to be clutched and decoupled from the other stage. A high pressure compressor bypass is also provided. A clutch is provided to at least partially drive an intermediate pressure compressor with a high pressure turbine when the high pressure compressor is bypassed. A partial bypass of the high pressure turbine may be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventor: Robert A. Ress, JR.
  • Publication number: 20100107650
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a gas turbine engine may include an accessory system integrated in a frame between a bypass flow path and a core flow path. A shaft may be provided between the accessory system and a core shaft of the gas turbine engine. The integrated accessory system may include power devices such as motors and generators, among other types of devices. The gas turbine engine may have more than one device spaced at various circumferential locations. In one non-limiting example, two power devices may be spaced 180 degrees apart. In some embodiments, a shaft and gearing may be provided to a location such as a frame in preparation to receive a power device at a later time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Robert A. Ress, JR., Todd Godleski
  • Publication number: 20100098546
    Abstract: In one embodiment a centrifugal impeller has an axis of rotation, a plurality of blades, and a plurality of pitches defined between the blades. A cavity may be formed in a back side of the impeller, opposite with at least one of the plurality of pitches. In one form the cavity may not extend below a radius determined according to a stress criteria or stress limitation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventors: Calvin W. Emmerson, Robert A. Ress, JR., Stephen N. Hammond
  • Publication number: 20090293445
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine having speed an intermediate stage booster configured to provide speed change to a boost compressor. The boost compressor and fan stage are driven by a low pressure turbine; the fan stage rotates with the low pressure turbine shaft and the boost compressor rotates counter to the low pressure turbine shaft. The intermediate speed booster has an epicyclic gear train that includes an outer annulus, a sun gear, and a planetary gear, and may be engaged by a clutch in some embodiments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventor: Robert A. Ress, JR.
  • 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.
  • Publication number: 20090053064
    Abstract: A turbofan engine blade retainer for use in retaining a fan blade to a fan disk. The blade retainer includes a fore blade retainer for limiting forward movement of the fan blade and an aft blade retainer for limiting aft movement of the fan blade. The fore blade retainer engages a fore portion of the fan blade and the aft blade retainer engaging an aft portion of the fan blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventor: Robert A. Ress, JR.
  • Publication number: 20090047126
    Abstract: A low leakage, integral fixed vane system for a gas turbine engine compression system which can accommodate the latest 3-D aerodynamic airfoil geometries and provide endwall ovalization control. A unitized construction wherein the vanes are integral with the case wall in the compression system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventor: Robert A. Ress, JR.
  • Publication number: 20050268619
    Abstract: A system located with the housing of a gas turbine engine for increasing the pressure of working fluid from the compressor that will be utilized to cool a component. In one form the system includes a pump rotatable with a turbine component to increase the pressure of the working fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Publication date: December 8, 2005
    Inventor: Robert Ress
  • Publication number: 20050253379
    Abstract: An assembly including inner and outer overlapping annular elements with interengaging threads. An axial abutment between the two elements is spaced from the threaded section to permit a structural and fluid seal at the joint. Pilot joints are provided to stabilize the joint and provide additional sealing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Publication date: November 17, 2005
    Inventor: Robert Ress
  • Patent number: 6916550
    Abstract: A method for mechanically cutting a continuous circular shaped groove in a foil sheet for use in a metal matrix composite product. In one form the foil sheet is held adjacent a rotating machine tool by vacuum and a cutting tool is moved relative thereto to cut a spiral groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Allison Advanced Development Company
    Inventors: Robert A. Ress, Jr., Jason E. Dundas, Preston E. Light, Brian P. King
  • Publication number: 20050031446
    Abstract: A passive clearance control system for a gas turbine engine component. The system provides a blade shroud that is isolated from the component case and can move radially to maintain blade clearance. A plurality of vane sectors define a stator ring including a blade shroud. The stator ring and the control ring are coupled together and mounted within the component by a plurality of radial extending mounting members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Publication date: February 10, 2005
    Inventors: Robert Ress, Brian King
  • Patent number: 6428271
    Abstract: A compression system endwall bleed system having a plurality of bleed slots formed in a mechanical housing downstream of a rotating shrouded rotor. In one embodiment, the plurality of bleed slots bleed off a separated tip boundary layer to relieve back pressure associated with this blockage. A sealing structure downstream of the shrouded rotor is utilized to minimize working fluid leakage ahead of the plurality of bleed slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Allison Advanced Development Company
    Inventors: Robert A. Ress, Jr., Jeffrey L. Hansen
  • Patent number: 6418727
    Abstract: The present invention contemplate a seal assembly for reducing the passage of fluid between a combustor liner and a turbine vane segment in a gas turbine engine. In one embodiment, the turbine vane segment has a lip portion defining a sealing surface. A seal element having first and second seal portion is coupled to the turbine vane segment by a support element. The support element urges the first seal portion into engagement with an aft edge of the combustor liner and positions the second seal portion adjacent the sealing surface of the turbine vane segment, while allowing relative movement between the second seal portion and the sealing surface in a direction substantially parallel to the sealing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Allison Advanced Development Company
    Inventors: Edward C. Rice, Robert A. Ress, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20020031678
    Abstract: A method for mechanically cutting a continuous circular shaped groove in a foil sheet for use in a metal matrix composite product. In one form the foil sheet is held adjacent a rotating machine tool by vacuum and a cutting tool is moved relative thereto to cut a spiral groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventors: Robert A. Ress, Jason E. Dundas, Preston E. Light, Brian P. King