Patents by Inventor Robert Eugene Kraft

Robert Eugene Kraft 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: 7966831
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for suppressing dynamic instability in a bleed duct of a gas turbine engine includes a fan bypass duct configured to permit a flow of air through the gas turbine engine. The fan bypass duct defines a fan duct surface, and the bleed duct has an inlet in fluid communication with the fan bypass duct and a flow control valve having an opened position and a closed position. A flow diverter is positioned on the fan duct surface proximate the inlet of the bleed duct and diverts the flow of air from the inlet when the flow control valve is closed, while permitting a portion of the flow of air to enter the inlet when the flow control valve is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Eugene Kraft, William Andrew Bailey, William Charles Groll
  • Patent number: 7607308
    Abstract: A bleed duct is configured for bleeding fan air from the fan bypass duct in a turbofan aircraft engine. The bleed duct includes a tubular conduit having an inlet and outlet at opposite ends. The conduit is configured in flow area for recovering pressure from speeding fan air bled therethrough. A shroud extends forwardly from the duct inlet for suppressing dynamic pressure oscillations inside the conduit without degrading the pressure recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Eugene Kraft, Nelson Dirk Gibbens, Rolf Robert Hetico, William Charles Groll, William Andrew Bailey, James Edward Stoker
  • Publication number: 20090094989
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for suppressing dynamic instability in a bleed duct of a gas turbine engine includes a fan bypass duct configured to permit a flow of air through the gas turbine engine. The fan bypass duct defines a fan duct surface, and the bleed duct has an inlet in fluid communication with the fan bypass duct and a flow control valve having an opened position and a closed position. A flow diverter is positioned on the fan duct surface proximate the inlet of the bleed duct and diverts the flow of air from the inlet when the flow control valve is closed, while permitting a portion of the flow of air to enter the inlet when the flow control valve is opened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert Eugene Kraft, William Andrew Bailey, William Charles Groll
  • Patent number: 7100377
    Abstract: A method for operating a pulse detonation system. The method includes providing a pulse detonation chamber including a plurality of detonation tubes extending therein, and detonating a mixture of fuel and air within each detonation tube such that at least a first tube is detonated at a different time than at least a second detonation tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Robert Eugene Kraft
  • Patent number: 7007455
    Abstract: A method for operating a pulse detonation system. The method includes providing a pulse detonation chamber including a plurality of detonation tubes extending therein, and detonating a mixture of fuel and air within each detonation tube such that at least a first tube is detonated at a different time than at least a second detonation tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Robert Eugene Kraft
  • Patent number: 6813878
    Abstract: A method for operating a pulse detonation system. The method includes providing a pulse detonation chamber including a plurality of detonation tubes extending therein, and detonating a mixture of fuel and air within each detonation tube such that at least a first tube is detonated at a different time than at least a second detonation tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Robert Eugene Kraft
  • Publication number: 20040112060
    Abstract: A method for operating a pulse detonation system. The method includes providing a pulse detonation chamber including a plurality of detonation tubes extending therein, and detonating a mixture of fuel and air within each detonation tube such that at least a first tube is detonated at a different time than at least a second detonation tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventor: Robert Eugene Kraft
  • Patent number: 6619913
    Abstract: A fan casing for a gas turbine engine is provided which combines the functions of blade containment and noise suppression. The fan casing has an annular metallic inner shell with a plurality of holes are formed therethrough. An acoustic absorber, such as a cellular resonator, is disposed around the inner shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Paul Czachor, Paul Michael Smith, Robert Eugene Kraft
  • Publication number: 20030156940
    Abstract: A fan casing for a gas turbine engine is provided which combines the functions of blade containment and noise suppression. The fan casing has an annular metallic inner shell with a plurality of holes are formed therethrough. An acoustic absorber, such as a cellular resonator, is disposed around the inner shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Paul Czachor, Paul Michael Smith, Robert Eugene Kraft