Patents by Inventor Robert DeFelice

Robert DeFelice 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).

  • Publication number: 20230027605
    Abstract: A closure assembly including a retaining cover, a first catch plate sitting partially within the retaining cover, a second catch plate sitting partially within the retaining cover opposite the first catch plate and spaced apart from the first catch plate, and a closure pressing against the first catch plate and pressing against the second catch plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2021
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Applicant: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Francis P. Marocchini, Robert DeFelice, Lukasz Burek
  • Patent number: 11557952
    Abstract: A torque motor assembly includes a shell which has a first wall and a second wall which defines a cavity. A torque motor is positioned at least partially within the cavity. At least one compliant pad is positioned between the first wall and the torque motor and is configured to trap at least one wire within the shell. A housing for a torque motor and a method of assembling a torque motor assembly are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Robert DeFelice, David J. Zawilinski
  • Patent number: 11441426
    Abstract: Disclosed is a valve assembly with: a valve body defining valve inlet and outlet ports; a manifold connected to the valve outlet port, the manifold includes: a manifold inlet body portion defining: a manifold internal surface forming a manifold channel; and a first manifold external surface defining a manifold inlet opening that opens to the manifold channel, the manifold channel is fluidly coupled to the valve outlet port via the manifold inlet opening; a manifold outlet port, and a manifold outlet conduit extending from the manifold inlet body portion to the manifold outlet port; a manifold exhaust port, and a manifold exhaust conduit extending from the manifold inlet body portion to the manifold exhaust port, the manifold exhaust and outlet conduits are fluidly coupled to each other via the manifold channel, heat fins extend from the manifold exhaust conduit; and a eutectic plug disposed within the manifold exhaust conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Scott W. Simpson, David J. Zawilinski, Robert DeFelice
  • Patent number: 11346356
    Abstract: A bleed valve includes a housing with an inlet coupled to an outlet by a duct, a guide tube with an orifice fixed in the housing between the inlet and the outlet, a piston, and baffle. The piston is slideably supported on the guide tube and is movable between an open and a closed position, the duct fluidly coupling the inlet and outlet in the open position, the duct fluidly separating the inlet and outlet in the closed position. The orifice fluidly couples the inlet and outlet in the open and closed positions to move piston between the open and closed positions according to differential pressure between the bleed valve inlet and outlet. The baffle is slideably supported by the guide tube to set the differential pressure at which the piston moves between the open and closed positions. Gas turbines and differential pressure adjustment methods are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Robert DeFelice, Scott W. Simpson, Josh Kamp
  • Patent number: 11274760
    Abstract: A pressure relief valve controller (PRVC) includes a housing having a spring, a spring seat connected to the spring, a piston, and a portion of which is disposed between the spring seat and the piston, wherein one or more grooves and/or protrusions are disposed on at least one of the spring seat or the piston. The diaphragm can conform to the one or more grooves of the spring seat thus preventing diaphragm rupture due to excess pressure without affecting calibrations of current PRVCs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Robert DeFelice
  • Publication number: 20210348619
    Abstract: A bleed valve includes a housing with an inlet coupled to an outlet by a duct, a guide tube with an orifice fixed in the housing between the inlet and the outlet, a piston, and baffle. The piston is slideably supported on the guide tube and is movable between an open and a closed position, the duct fluidly coupling the inlet and outlet in the open position, the duct fluidly separating the inlet and outlet in the closed position. The orifice fluidly couples the inlet and outlet in the open and closed positions to move piston between the open and closed positions according to differential pressure between the bleed valve inlet and outlet. The baffle is slideably supported by the guide tube to set the differential pressure at which the piston moves between the open and closed positions. Gas turbines and differential pressure adjustment methods are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Applicant: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Robert DeFelice, Scott W. Simpson, Josh Kamp
  • Publication number: 20210340873
    Abstract: Disclosed is a valve assembly with: a valve body defining valve inlet and outlet ports; a manifold connected to the valve outlet port, the manifold includes: a manifold inlet body portion defining: a manifold internal surface forming a manifold channel; and a first manifold external surface defining a manifold inlet opening that opens to the manifold channel, the manifold channel is fluidly coupled to the valve outlet port via the manifold inlet opening; a manifold outlet port, and a manifold outlet conduit extending from the manifold inlet body portion to the manifold outlet port; a manifold exhaust port, and a manifold exhaust conduit extending from the manifold inlet body portion to the manifold exhaust port, the manifold exhaust and outlet conduits are fluidly coupled to each other via the manifold channel, heat fins extend from the manifold exhaust conduit; and a eutectic plug disposed within the manifold exhaust conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Scott W. Simpson, David J. Zawilinski, Robert DeFelice
  • Patent number: 11067176
    Abstract: A torque transfer arrangement for a butterfly valve includes a crank having a tubular portion with an outer radial surface and an inner radial surface defining a cylindrical bore about a first axis. The tubular portion has two openings connecting the outer surface with the inner surface. A shaft is sized and configured to fit within the cylindrical bore and aligned with the first axis. A hole formed therethrough is substantially perpendicular to the first axis. A tapered pin is sized and configured to snuggly engage within the two openings and the hole. A butterfly valve and method are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Robert DeFelice, David J. Zawilinski
  • Patent number: 11053949
    Abstract: A bleed valve includes a housing with an inlet coupled to an outlet by a duct. A guide tube is fixed within the housing between the inlet and the outlet. A piston with a piston orifice is slideably supported on the guide tube and movable between an open position and a closed position. The duct fluidly couples the inlet to the outlet in the open position, the duct fluidly separates the inlet from the outlet in the closed position, and the piston orifice fluidly couples the inlet with the outlet in the open position and the closed position to move piston between the open position and the closed position according to differential in pressure between the inlet and the outlet of the bleed valve. Compressors, gas turbine engines, and methods of controlling fluid flow are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Robert DeFelice, David J. Zawilinski, Scott W. Simpson
  • Publication number: 20210190210
    Abstract: A torque transfer arrangement for a butterfly valve includes a crank having a tubular portion with an outer radial surface and an inner radial surface defining a cylindrical bore about a first axis. The tubular portion has two openings connecting the outer surface with the inner surface. A shaft is sized and configured to fit within the cylindrical bore and aligned with the first axis. A hole formed therethrough is substantially perpendicular to the first axis. A tapered pin is sized and configured to snuggly engage within the two openings and the hole. A butterfly valve and method are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventors: Robert DeFelice, David J. Zawilinski
  • Publication number: 20210111616
    Abstract: A torque motor assembly includes a shell which has a first wall and a second wall which defines a cavity. A torque motor is positioned at least partially within the cavity. At least one compliant pad is positioned between the first wall and the torque motor and is configured to trap at least one wire within the shell. A housing for a torque motor and a method of assembling a torque motor assembly are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Inventors: Robert DeFelice, David J. Zawilinski
  • Patent number: 10975875
    Abstract: A bleed valve includes a housing with an inlet coupled to an outlet by a duct, a guide tube with an orifice fixed in the housing between the inlet and the outlet, a piston, and baffle. The piston is slideably supported on the guide tube and is movable between an open and a closed position, the duct fluidly coupling the inlet and outlet in the open position, the duct fluidly separating the inlet and outlet in the closed position. The orifice fluidly couples the inlet and outlet in the open and closed positions to move piston between the open and closed positions according to differential pressure between the bleed valve inlet and outlet. The baffle is slideably supported by the guide tube to set the differential pressure at which the piston moves between the open and closed positions. Gas turbines and differential pressure adjustment methods are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Robert DeFelice, Scott W. Simpson, Josh Kamp
  • Patent number: 10830372
    Abstract: A pneumatic controller includes a manifold, a selector, and a biasing member. The manifold has a low pressure port, a high pressure port, an actuator port, and a vent. The selector is movable within the manifold between a first position and a second position, the low pressure port in fluid communication with the actuator port in the first position, the high pressure port in fluid communication with the actuator port in the second position. The biasing member is supported within the manifold and urges the selector towards the first position, wherein the low pressure port is in fluid communication with the vent in both the first position and the second position to cool the biasing member with low pressure fluid received at the low pressure port. Inline valves, gas turbine engines, and methods of controlling fluid flow through inline valves are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert DeFelice, Peter J. Dowd
  • Patent number: 10823087
    Abstract: An inline valve includes a valve body, a valve member, and a control manifold. The valve body has an exterior, an inlet, and an outlet. The valve member is supported within the valve body and is movable between a first position and a second position. The inlet in fluid communication with the outlet while the valve member is in the first position and the inlet fluidly separated from the outlet while the valve member is in the second position. The control manifold is supported by the valve body, has a reference fluid port and a control fluid port, and is in pneumatic communication with the valve member through the valve body exterior to passive movement of the valve member according to pressure at the valve body inlet. Gas turbine engines and methods of controlling valves are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert DeFelice, Peter J. Dowd
  • Patent number: 10823308
    Abstract: A controller for an inline valve includes a manifold seating a set screw and has a reference fluid port, a control fluid port, and an actuator fluid port. A selector is movable within the manifold between a first position and a second position, the reference fluid port in fluid communication with the actuator fluid port in the first position, the control fluid port in fluid communication with the actuator fluid port in the second position. A biasing member is arranged between the selector and the set screw and urges the selector towards the first position. The set screw extends through an exterior of the manifold for adjustment of differential in pressures at the reference fluid port and the control fluid port responsive to which the selector moves between the first position and the second position. Inline valves and methods of controlling fluid flow through inline valves are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert DeFelice, Peter J. Dowd
  • Patent number: 10824172
    Abstract: A pneumatic controller for an inline valve includes a manifold with a set screw seated within it, a selector, and a biasing member. The manifold has a low pressure port, a high pressure port, and an actuator port. The selector is movable within the manifold between a first position and a second position, the low pressure port in fluid communication with the actuator port in the first position, the high pressure port in fluid communication with the actuator port in the second position. The biasing member urges the selector towards the first position with a biasing force and is spaced apart from the selector to limit eccentric force exerted on the selector. Inline valves and methods of controlling fluid flow through inline valves are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert DeFelice, Peter J. Dowd
  • Patent number: 10753493
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of applying a biasing force against a piston in a valve as the piston moves along a piston stroke axis in a first direction and an opposing second direction, the piston having a first axial end that is a distal end of the piston, the method including: moving the piston along a piston stroke axis in the first direction and the opposing second direction, wherein while moving the piston along the piston stroke axis: applying a first biasing force in the second direction against the first axial end of the piston from a first spring, and applying a second biasing force in the second direction against the first spring from a second spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventor: Robert DeFelice
  • Publication number: 20200040901
    Abstract: A bleed valve includes a housing with an inlet coupled to an outlet by a duct, a guide tube with an orifice fixed in the housing between the inlet and the outlet, a piston, and baffle. The piston is slideably supported on the guide tube and is movable between an open and a closed position, the duct fluidly coupling the inlet and outlet in the open position, the duct fluidly separating the inlet and outlet in the closed position. The orifice fluidly couples the inlet and outlet in the open and closed positions to move piston between the open and closed positions according to differential pressure between the bleed valve inlet and outlet. The baffle is slideably supported by the guide tube to set the differential pressure at which the piston moves between the open and closed positions. Gas turbines and differential pressure adjustment methods are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Robert DeFelice, Scott W. Simpson, Josh Kamp
  • Publication number: 20200040902
    Abstract: A bleed valve includes a housing with an inlet coupled to an outlet by a duct. A guide tube is fixed within the housing between the inlet and the outlet. A piston with a piston orifice is slideably supported on the guide tube and movable between an open position and a closed position. The duct fluidly couples the inlet to the outlet in the open position, the duct fluidly separates the inlet from the outlet in the closed position, and the piston orifice fluidly couples the inlet with the outlet in the open position and the closed position to move piston between the open position and the closed position according to differential in pressure between the inlet and the outlet of the bleed valve. Compressors, gas turbine engines, and methods of controlling fluid flow are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Robert DeFelice, David J. Zawilinski, Scott W. Simpson
  • Publication number: 20200032918
    Abstract: A pressure relief valve controller (PRVC) includes a housing having a spring, a spring seat connected to the spring, a piston, and a portion of which is disposed between the spring seat and the piston, wherein one or more grooves and/or protrusions are disposed on at least one of the spring seat or the piston. The diaphragm can conform to the one or more grooves of the spring seat thus preventing diaphragm rupture due to excess pressure without affecting calibrations of current PRVCs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Applicant: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Robert DeFelice