Patents by Inventor Robert A. White, III

Robert A. White, III 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: 11448078
    Abstract: A pin assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, among other possible things includes a spring housing, a spring situated in the spring housing, a pin having a first end configured to be received in the spring housing and to engage the spring, and a boot configured to receive a second end of the pin. The boot is configured to span a gap between first and second adjacent components and configured to transfer a spring force from the spring to the first and second adjacent components. A vane assembly and a method of assembling a vane assembly are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Robert White, III, Amy M. Sunnarborg
  • Patent number: 11448075
    Abstract: A vane arc segment includes a hollow ceramic airfoil section that has walls that define an internal cavity, a trailing edge, a leading edge, a pressure side, and a suction side. A structural spar piece supports the hollow ceramic airfoil section. The spar piece includes a first spar platform, a hollow leg that has a proximal end at the spar platform and an opposed distal end. The hollow leg extends into the internal cavity of the hollow ceramic airfoil section and has an outer surface with raised bearing pads. Multiple ones of the bearing pads contact the walls of the hollow ceramic airfoil section to support the hollow ceramic airfoil section. A second spar platform is secured with the distal end of the leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Robert A. White, III
  • Publication number: 20220290569
    Abstract: An assembly includes first and second core gaspath walls. Each of the core gaspath walls defines a core gas path side and a non-core gas path side. The first and second core gaspath walls are arranged next to each other and define a gap therebetween. There is a seal arranged on the non-core gas path side that bridges over the gap to seal the gap. A spring device has a plurality of spring elements. The spring elements bias the seal against the non-core gas path sides of the first and second core gaspath walls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventor: Robert A. White, III
  • Publication number: 20220282630
    Abstract: A vane arc segment includes an airfoil fairing that has an airfoil wall that defines a fairing platform and a hollow airfoil section. A spar has a spar platform adjacent the fairing platform and a spar leg that extends from the spar platform and through the hollow airfoil section. The spar leg is spaced from the airfoil wall in the hollow airfoil section such that there is a first gap. The spar platform is spaced from the fairing platform such that there is a second gap. A support platform is secured to the spar leg such that the airfoil fairing is trapped between the spar platform and the support platform. There is a spring seal between the spar platform and the fairing platform. The spring seal biases the airfoil fairing toward the support platform and seals the first gap from the second gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2021
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Inventors: Robert A. White, III, Benjamin B. Simpson
  • Patent number: 11391163
    Abstract: A vane arc segment includes an airfoil wall that defines first and second fairing platforms and a hollow airfoil section. A spar leg extends through the hollow airfoil section and has an end portion that protrudes from the hollow airfoil section. The spar leg is spaced from the airfoil wall in the hollow airfoil section such that there is a first gap. There is a support platform adjacent the second airfoil fairing and a second gap therebetween. A baffle is disposed in the first gap and is spaced apart from the airfoil wall and the spar leg so as to divide the first gap into a plenum space between the spar leg and the baffle and an impingement space between the baffle and the airfoil wall. A seal is disposed between the airfoil wall and the spar leg to seal the impingement space from the second gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Howard J. Liles, Robert A. White, III, Jon E. Sobanski
  • Publication number: 20220195879
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a ceramic wall for bounding an engine core gas path. The ceramic wall has a ceramic wall first side that faces the engine core gas path and a ceramic wall second side that faces away from the engine core gas path. There is a metallic wall adjacent the ceramic wall second side. The metallic wall has a metallic wall first side that faces the ceramic wall and a metallic wall second side that faces away from the ceramic wall. The metallic wall and the ceramic wall are spaced apart such that there is a channel there between. There is a seal on the ceramic wall second side, and the metallic wall has at least one cooling hole adjacent the seal for emitting cooling air to cool the seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: San Quach, Robert A. White, III, Tyler G. Vincent
  • Publication number: 20220136398
    Abstract: An airfoil vane assembly includes a vane piece defining a first vane platform, a second vane platform, and a hollow airfoil section joining the first vane platform and the second vane platform. The first vane platform defines a collar projection therefrom. A spar piece defines a spar platform and a spar extends from the spar platform into the hollow airfoil section. The spar platform includes a radial opening defined by first and second axial faces. The radial opening is configured to receive the collar projection, and a groove in the first axial face. A seal is situated in the groove. The seal seals against the collar projection and a biasing member is configured to bias the seal towards the collar projection. A method of assembling a vane is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2022
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventor: Robert White, III
  • Publication number: 20220136393
    Abstract: A vane arc segment includes a hollow ceramic airfoil section that has walls that define an internal cavity, a trailing edge, a leading edge, a pressure side, and a suction side. A structural spar piece supports the hollow ceramic airfoil section. The spar piece includes a first spar platform, a hollow leg that has a proximal end at the spar platform and an opposed distal end. The hollow leg extends into the internal cavity of the hollow ceramic airfoil section and has an outer surface with raised bearing pads. Multiple ones of the bearing pads contact the walls of the hollow ceramic airfoil section to support the hollow ceramic airfoil section. A second spar platform is secured with the distal end of the leg.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventor: Robert A. White, III
  • Patent number: 11261748
    Abstract: An airfoil vane assembly includes a vane piece defining a first vane platform, a second vane platform, and a hollow airfoil section joining the first vane platform and the second vane platform. The first vane platform defines a collar projection therefrom. A spar piece defines a spar platform and a spar extends from the spar platform into the hollow airfoil section. The spar platform includes a radial opening defined by first and second axial faces. The radial opening is configured to receive the collar projection, and a groove in the first axial face. A seal is situated in the groove. The seal seals against the collar projection and a biasing member is configured to bias the seal towards the collar projection. A method of assembling a vane is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Robert White, III
  • Patent number: 11261736
    Abstract: A vane for a gas turbine engine includes an airfoil section that has an airfoil wall defining a leading edge, a trailing edge, a pressure side, and a suction side that bound an internal cavity. The airfoil section has associated characteristics including a center of pressure and an aerodynamic load vector through the center of pressure. The airfoil wall has a single rib connecting the pressure side and the suction side. The single rib is aligned with the aerodynamic load vector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jon E. Sobanski, Rutva A. Patel, Robert White, III
  • Publication number: 20210332710
    Abstract: A pin assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, among other possible things includes a spring housing, a spring situated in the spring housing, a pin having a first end configured to be received in the spring housing and to engage the spring, and a boot configured to receive a second end of the pin. The boot is configured to span a gap between first and second adjacent components and configured to transfer a spring force from the spring to the first and second adjacent components. A vane assembly and a method of assembling a vane assembly are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventors: Robert White, III, Amy M. Sunnarborg
  • Patent number: 11156105
    Abstract: An airfoil vane assembly includes a vane piece defining a first vane platform, a second vane platform, and a hollow airfoil section joining the first vane platform and the second vane platform. The first vane platform defines a collar projection therefrom. A spar piece defines a spar platform and a spar extends from the spar platform into the hollow airfoil section. The spar piece includes a radial opening defined by first and second opposed faces. The radial opening is configured to receive the collar projection, and a groove in the spar platform opening to the first face. A seal is situated in the groove. The seal seals against the collar projection. A gas turbine engine and a method of assembling a vane are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Robert White, III
  • Publication number: 20210140330
    Abstract: An airfoil vane assembly includes a vane piece defining a first vane platform, a second vane platform, and a hollow airfoil section joining the first vane platform and the second vane platform. The first vane platform defines a collar projection therefrom. A spar piece defines a spar platform and a spar extends from the spar platform into the hollow airfoil section. The spar platform includes a radial opening defined by first and second axial faces. The radial opening is configured to receive the collar projection, and a groove in the first axial face. A seal is situated in the groove. The seal seals against the collar projection and a biasing member is configured to bias the seal towards the collar projection. A method of assembling a vane is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventor: Robert White, III
  • Publication number: 20210140326
    Abstract: An airfoil vane assembly includes a vane piece defining a first vane platform, a second vane platform, and a hollow airfoil section joining the first vane platform and the second vane platform. The first vane platform defines a collar projection therefrom. A spar piece defines a spar platform and a spar extends from the spar platform into the hollow airfoil section. The spar piece includes a radial opening defined by first and second opposed faces. The radial opening is configured to receive the collar projection, and a groove in the spar platform opening to the first face. A seal is situated in the groove. The seal seals against the collar projection. A gas turbine engine and a method of assembling a vane are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventor: Robert White, III