Patents by Inventor Robert H. Willie
Robert H. Willie 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: 9546618Abstract: A flow vectoring turbofan engine employs a fixed geometry fan sleeve and core cowl forming a nozzle incorporating an asymmetric convergent/divergent (con-di) and/or curvature section which varies angularly from a midplane for reduced pressure in a first operating condition to induce flow turning and axially symmetric equal pressure in a second operating condition for substantially axial flow.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2013Date of Patent: January 17, 2017Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Robert H. Willie, David F. Cerra, Leonard J. Hebert
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Publication number: 20160084165Abstract: Pre-cooler inlet ducts that utilize active flow-control and systems and methods including the same are disclosed herein. The systems include a pre-cooler inlet duct for a jet engine that is configured to receive a pre-cooler air stream and to direct the pre-cooler air stream into a heat exchanger. The pre-cooler inlet duct includes a flow-directing surface, which defines at least a portion of the pre-cooler inlet duct, and an active flow-control device. The active flow-control device is located to modify a boundary layer fluid flow within a boundary layer adjacent the flow-directing surface to resist separation of the boundary layer from the flow-directing surface when the pre-cooler air stream flows through the pre-cooler inlet duct. The methods include methods of resisting boundary layer separation in the pre-cooler inlet duct by flowing the pre-cooler air stream across the flow-directing surface and modifying the boundary layer with the active flow-control device.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2014Publication date: March 24, 2016Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Nathan O. Packard, Robert H. Willie, Paul R. Tretow
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Publication number: 20160061115Abstract: A core cowl for a turbofan engine may include a plurality of valleys formed in an outer surface of the core cowl. Each valley may include a convex portion upstream of a concave portion, and may be configured to disrupt a shock cell exiting a fan nozzle of the turbofan engine. Associated methods for reducing turbofan engine noise are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2014Publication date: March 3, 2016Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: David F. Cerra, Paul Robert Tretow, Robert H. Willie, Abhishek Sahay
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Publication number: 20160053718Abstract: A thrust reverse variable area nozzle system for a nacelle of an aircraft engine system may include a reverse thrust opening disposed in the nacelle, and a thrust reverser door pivotally movable relative to the nacelle for selectively covering the reverse thrust opening, wherein the thrust reverser door is pivotally movable between a first position for completely covering the reverse thrust opening, a second position for partially uncovering a forward portion of the reverse thrust opening and discharging a bypass airflow through the forward portion of the reverse thrust opening in a forward direction, and a third position for partially uncovering an aft portion of the reverse thrust opening and discharging the bypass airflow through the aft portion of the reverse thrust opening in an aft direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2014Publication date: February 25, 2016Inventors: David F. Cerra, Robert H. Willie
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Publication number: 20150361823Abstract: A flow vectoring turbofan engine employs a fixed geometry fan sleeve and core cowl forming a nozzle incorporating an asymmetric convergent/divergent (con-di) and/or curvature section which varies angularly from a midplane for reduced pressure in a first operating condition to induce flow turning and axially symmetric equal pressure in a second operating condition for substantially axial flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2014Publication date: December 17, 2015Inventors: David F. Cerra, Robert H. Willie, Alvaro Prieto
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Publication number: 20150267644Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods provide for an integrated primary nozzle. The integrated primary nozzle defines an annular vent and includes an integrated panel that includes an acoustic treatment. The integrated panel includes a combination of an integrally formed portion of an outer wall of the primary nozzle, an acoustic treatment, and an aft cowl. An annular vent is defined by a gap between an outer surface of the integrated panel and an inner surface of a forward cowl.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2014Publication date: September 24, 2015Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventors: David F. Cerra, Paul R. Tretow, Robert H. Willie, Robert B. Carter, III
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Publication number: 20150113946Abstract: A flow vectoring turbofan engine employs a fixed geometry fan sleeve and core cowl forming a nozzle incorporating an asymmetric convergent/divergent (con-di) and/or curvature section which varies angularly from a midplane for reduced pressure in a first operating condition to induce flow turning and axially symmetric equal pressure in a second operating condition for substantially axial flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2013Publication date: April 30, 2015Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Robert H. Willie, David F. Cerra, Leonard J. Hebert
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Publication number: 20150031276Abstract: Auxiliary power unit inlet apparatus and methods are disclosed. An example apparatus includes an air inlet for an aircraft including a first air flow path and a second air flow path. The first air flow path is immediately adjacent the second air flow path. The first air flow path is at least partially separated from the second air flow path by a first panel. The example apparatus includes a door hingably coupled adjacent the air inlet. The door includes a second panel extending from an interior surface of the door to substantially prevent air from flowing across the interior surface between the first air flow path and the second air flow path.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2013Publication date: January 29, 2015Inventors: Paul R. Tretow, David S. Chambers, Robert H. Willie
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Publication number: 20140202164Abstract: A gas turbine engine exhaust nozzle comprises a housing having an aft end that terminates in a row of chevrons. At least one surface of the housing has scalloped root regions proximate bases of adjacent chevrons. The scalloped root regions have a reduced thickness relative to the rest of the aft end.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2013Publication date: July 24, 2014Inventors: David F. Cerra, Lie-Mine Gea, Robert H. Willie, Leonard J. Hebert, Donald E. Robinson
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Patent number: 8356468Abstract: In one embodiment, a gas turbine engine exhaust nozzle comprises a housing having a length which extends along a central longitudinal axis and comprising an interior surface and an exterior surface, and a row of chevrons extending from an aft end of the housing, the chevrons having a root region and a tip, wherein at least a portion of at least one of the interior surface or the exterior surface is scalloped proximate the root region of a chevron. Other embodiments may be described.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2009Date of Patent: January 22, 2013Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: David F. Cerra, Lie-Mine Gea, Robert H. Willie, Leonard J. Herbert, Donald E. Robinson
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Patent number: 7861968Abstract: An inlet apparatus and method for use with a cabin air compressor on a high speed, airborne mobile platform, such as a commercial or military aircraft. The apparatus includes a Pitot inlet of a desired shape that is supported outside an exterior surface of a fuselage of the aircraft by a diverter structure. The diverter structure diverts a low energy portion of a boundary layer so that the low energy portion does not enter the Pitot inlet. The Pitot inlet receives the higher energy portion of the boundary layer and channels a ram airflow to an inlet of a cabin air compressor. The apparatus provides a recovery factor (RF) of at least about 0.8 at a cabin air compressor (CAC) inlet face, which keeps the electric power required to drive the CAC within available power limits, while minimizing the drag of the inlet apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2006Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Pradip G. Parikh, Robert H. Willie
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Publication number: 20100313545Abstract: In one embodiment, a gas turbine engine exhaust nozzle comprises a housing having a length which extends along a central longitudinal axis and comprising an interior surface and an exterior surface, and a row of chevrons extending from an aft end of the housing, the chevrons having a root region and a tip, wherein at least a portion of at least one of the interior surface or the exterior surface is scalloped proximate the root region of a chevron. Other embodiments may be described.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2009Publication date: December 16, 2010Inventors: David F. Cerra, Lie-Mine Gea, Robert H. Willie, Leonard J. Hebert, Donald E. Robinson
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Patent number: 7611093Abstract: Dual flow auxiliary power unit (APU) inlets and associated systems and methods are disclosed. An inlet in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes an entrance aperture and a divider positioned in the inlet and located to separate a first portion of the inlet from a second portion of the inlet. The first portion can be configured to couple to an engine air intake of an APU, and the second portion can be configured to direct air away from the air intake. The divider can be positioned to direct air having a first total pressure level and a first distortion level to the first portion of the inlet, and direct air having a second total pressure level and second distortion level to the second portion of the inlet. The first total pressure level can be approximately the same as or higher than the second total pressure level, or the second distortion level can be approximately the same as or higher than the first distortion level, or both.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2007Date of Patent: November 3, 2009Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Thomas A. Campbell, David S. Chambers, Robert H. Willie, Charles W. Rust
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Publication number: 20080179466Abstract: Dual flow auxiliary power unit (APU) inlets and associated systems and methods are disclosed. An inlet in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes an entrance aperture and a divider positioned in the inlet and located to separate a first portion of the inlet from a second portion of the inlet. The first portion can be configured to couple to an engine air intake of an APU, and the second portion can be configured to direct air away from the air intake. The divider can be positioned to direct air having a first total pressure level and a first distortion level to the first portion of the inlet, and direct air having a second total pressure level and second distortion level to the second portion of the inlet. The first total pressure level can be approximately the same as or higher than the second total pressure level, or the second distortion level can be approximately the same as or higher than the first distortion level, or both.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2007Publication date: July 31, 2008Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Thomas A. Campbell, David S. Chambers, Robert H. Willie, Charles W. Rust
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Publication number: 20080099630Abstract: An inlet apparatus and method for use with a cabin air compressor on a high speed, airborne mobile platform, such as a commercial or military aircraft. The apparatus includes a Pitot inlet of a desired shape that is supported outside an exterior surface of a fuselage of the aircraft by a diverter structure. The diverter structure diverts a low energy portion of a boundary layer so that the low energy portion does not enter the Pitot inlet. The Pitot inlet receives the higher energy portion of the boundary layer and channels a ram airflow to an inlet of a cabin air compressor. The apparatus provides a recovery factor (RF) of at least about 0.8 at a cabin air compressor (CAC) inlet face, which keeps the electric power required to drive the CAC within available power limits, while minimizing the drag of the inlet apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2006Publication date: May 1, 2008Inventors: Pradip G. Parikh, Robert H. Willie
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Patent number: 7344107Abstract: Dual flow auxiliary power unit (APU) inlets and associated systems and methods are disclosed. An inlet in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes an entrance aperture and a divider positioned in the inlet and located to separate a first portion of the inlet from a second portion of the inlet. The first portion can be configured to couple to an engine air intake of an APU, and the second portion can be configured to direct air away from the air intake. The divider can be positioned to direct air having a first total pressure level and a first distortion level to the first portion of the inlet, and direct air having a second total pressure level and second distortion level to the second portion of the inlet. The first total pressure level can be approximately the same as or higher than the second total pressure level, or the second distortion level can be approximately the same as or higher than the first distortion level, or both.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2004Date of Patent: March 18, 2008Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Thomas A. Campbell, David S. Chambers, Robert H. Willie, Charles W. Rust