Patents by Inventor Robert B. Franconi
Robert B. Franconi 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: 8356693Abstract: A pressure-regulated bearing assembly is provided for deployment within an aircraft bearing lubrication system. The pressure-regulated bearing assembly includes a vent valve and a bearing housing having an air cavity therein. The vent valve includes a valve housing having a main flow passage coupled to the air cavity. A valve element is disposed within the main flow passage and configured to move between (i) an open position and (ii) a closed position. A bellows is coupled to the valve element and configured to move the valve element from the open position to the closed position when the pressure within the air cavity surpasses a predetermined pressure threshold.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2007Date of Patent: January 22, 2013Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventor: Robert B. Franconi
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Patent number: 8011382Abstract: A bi-modal bleed valve assembly is provided. In one embodiment, the bi-modal bleed valve assembly includes a housing assembly having a bleed inlet, a bleed outlet, a control servo port, and a control chamber therein. A main flow control valve is fluidly coupled to the control chamber and configured to move between an open position and a closed position to regulate fluid flow from the bleed inlet to the bleed outlet. The main flow control valve is configured to move from an open position to a closed position when the pressure within the control chamber surpasses a predetermined threshold. A switching valve is fluidly coupled between the bleed inlet, the servo control port, and the control chamber. The switching valve is configured to route fluid flow into the control chamber from: (i) the bleed inlet in an autonomous mode, and (ii) the servo control port in a servo-controlled mode.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2008Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventor: Robert B. Franconi
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Patent number: 7845575Abstract: A temperature-actuated valve assembly is provided, which includes a valve assembly housing having a main flow passage and a control flow passage. A pneumatically-actuated valve is fluidly coupled to the control flow passage and configured to control fluid flow through the main flow passage. A first thermostatic valve is in thermal communication with the main flow passage and configured to control fluid flow through the control flow passage to position the pneumatically-actuated valve.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2007Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventor: Robert B. Franconi
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Publication number: 20100092116Abstract: A pressure balanced valve assembly is provided. In one embodiment, the pressure balanced valve assembly includes a housing assembly having first and second seats. A flow passage formed through the housing assembly includes a first inlet, a second inlet, and an outlet. A piston is slidably mounted in the housing assembly for movement between: (i) a first position wherein the piston contacts the second seat to restrict fluid flow from the second inlet to the outlet, and (ii) a second position wherein the piston contacts the first seat to restrict fluid flow from the first inlet to the outlet. First and second dynamic seals are mounted in the housing assembly. The first and second dynamic seals sealingly engage first and second portions of the piston over areas substantially equivalent to the sealing areas of the second and first seats, respectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2008Publication date: April 15, 2010Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.Inventor: Robert B. Franconi
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Publication number: 20100083667Abstract: A bi-modal bleed valve assembly is provided. In one embodiment, the bi-modal bleed valve assembly includes a housing assembly having a bleed inlet, a bleed outlet, a control servo port, and a control chamber therein. A main flow control valve is fluidly coupled to the control chamber and configured to move between an open position and a closed position to regulate fluid flow from the bleed inlet to the bleed outlet. The main flow control valve is configured to move from an open position to a closed position when the pressure within the control chamber surpasses a predetermined threshold. A switching valve is fluidly coupled between the bleed inlet, the servo control port, and the control chamber. The switching valve is configured to route fluid flow into the control chamber from: (i) the bleed inlet in an autonomous mode, and (ii) the servo control port in a servo-controlled mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2008Publication date: April 8, 2010Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventor: Robert B. Franconi
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Publication number: 20090078506Abstract: A pressure-regulated bearing assembly is provided for deployment within an aircraft bearing lubrication system. The pressure-regulated bearing assembly includes a vent valve and a bearing housing having an air cavity therein. The vent valve includes a valve housing having a main flow passage coupled to the air cavity. A valve element is disposed within the main flow passage and configured to move between (i) an open position and (ii) a closed position. A bellows is coupled to the valve element and configured to move the valve element from the open position to the closed position when the pressure within the air cavity surpasses a predetermined pressure threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2007Publication date: March 26, 2009Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventor: Robert B. Franconi
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Publication number: 20090020168Abstract: A temperature-actuated valve assembly is provided, which includes a valve assembly housing having a main flow passage and a control flow passage. A pneumatically-actuated valve is fluidly coupled to the control flow passage and configured to control fluid flow through the main flow passage. A first thermostatic valve is in thermal communication with the main flow passage and configured to control fluid flow through the control flow passage to position the pneumatically-actuated valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2007Publication date: January 22, 2009Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventor: Robert B. Franconi
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Publication number: 20080196773Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve body, a primary valve, and a pilot valve. The valve body includes an inner surface that forms a chamber, a first inlet receiving fluid from a first source and having a port fluidly communicating with the chamber, a restriction orifice receiving fluid from the first source, a second inlet receiving fluid from a second source, a vent outlet line, and an outlet. The primary valve moves between an open position, in which the port and restriction orifice fluidly communicate with the outlet, and a closed position, in which the restriction orifice, but not the port, fluidly communicates with the outlet. The pilot valve moves in response to a differential pressure between the first and second sources, between a first position, in which the chamber fluidly communicates with the vent orifice, and a second position, in which the chamber fluidly communicates instead with the second source.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2007Publication date: August 21, 2008Inventor: Robert B. Franconi
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Publication number: 20070284553Abstract: An apparatus is provided for a valve assembly comprising a valve element movable between open and closed positions, a valve seat, a valve guide, and a plurality of vents. The valve seat has a valve seat surface against which the valve element seats when in the closed position, and a valve seat passage extending therethrough. The valve guide is coupled to the valve seat, and has at least an inner surface and an outer surface. The valve guide inner surface defines a valve guide passage that is at least substantially aligned with the valve seat passage. The plurality of vents are formed between the valve guide inner and outer surfaces, and are in fluid communication with the valve guide passage within which the valve element moves. Each of the vents is disposed radially outward of the valve element.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2006Publication date: December 13, 2007Inventor: Robert B. Franconi
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Patent number: 6910851Abstract: A turbofan jet engine that includes a valve assembly mounted within the engine and in fluid communication with the engine bypass flow passage. The valve assembly includes a valve body that has a fluid inlet port in fluid communication with the bypass flow passage, and two or more fluid outlet ports in fluid communication with two different turbine case sections. The valve is disposed in the valve body and is selectively moveable between a closed position and an open position. In the close position only one fluid outlet port is in substantial fluid communication with the fluid inlet port, to thereby supply cooling air to one turbine case section. In the open position, all of the fluid outlet ports are in substantial fluid communication with the fluid inlet port, to thereby supply cooling air to all of the turbine case sections.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2003Date of Patent: June 28, 2005Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.Inventors: Robert B. Franconi, Robert B. Goodman, Scott R. MacDonald, Paul Mazzone
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Publication number: 20040240988Abstract: A turbofan jet engine that includes a valve assembly mounted within the engine and in fluid communication with the engine bypass flow passage. The valve assembly includes a valve body that has a fluid inlet port in fluid communication with the bypass flow passage, and two or more fluid outlet ports in fluid communication with two different turbine case sections. The valve is disposed in the valve body and is selectively moveable between a closed position and an open position. In the close position only one fluid outlet port is in substantial fluid communication with the fluid inlet port, to thereby supply cooling air to one turbine case section. In the open position, all of the fluid outlet ports are in substantial fluid communication with the fluid inlet port, to thereby supply cooling air to all of the turbine case sections.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2003Publication date: December 2, 2004Inventors: Robert B. Franconi, Robert B. Goodman, Scott R. MacDonald, Paul Mazzone