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).

  • Patent number: 9546618
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert H. Willie, David F. Cerra, Leonard J. Hebert
  • Publication number: 20160084165
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Nathan O. Packard, Robert H. Willie, Paul R. Tretow
  • Publication number: 20160061115
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: David F. Cerra, Paul Robert Tretow, Robert H. Willie, Abhishek Sahay
  • Publication number: 20160053718
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: David F. Cerra, Robert H. Willie
  • Publication number: 20150361823
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventors: David F. Cerra, Robert H. Willie, Alvaro Prieto
  • Publication number: 20150267644
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: David F. Cerra, Paul R. Tretow, Robert H. Willie, Robert B. Carter, III
  • Publication number: 20150113946
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert H. Willie, David F. Cerra, Leonard J. Hebert
  • Publication number: 20150031276
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Paul R. Tretow, David S. Chambers, Robert H. Willie
  • Publication number: 20140202164
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventors: David F. Cerra, Lie-Mine Gea, Robert H. Willie, Leonard J. Hebert, Donald E. Robinson
  • Patent number: 8356468
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: David F. Cerra, Lie-Mine Gea, Robert H. Willie, Leonard J. Herbert, Donald E. Robinson
  • Patent number: 7861968
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Pradip G. Parikh, Robert H. Willie
  • Publication number: 20100313545
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventors: David F. Cerra, Lie-Mine Gea, Robert H. Willie, Leonard J. Hebert, Donald E. Robinson
  • Patent number: 7611093
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Thomas A. Campbell, David S. Chambers, Robert H. Willie, Charles W. Rust
  • Publication number: 20080179466
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Thomas A. Campbell, David S. Chambers, Robert H. Willie, Charles W. Rust
  • Publication number: 20080099630
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventors: Pradip G. Parikh, Robert H. Willie
  • Patent number: 7344107
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Thomas A. Campbell, David S. Chambers, Robert H. Willie, Charles W. Rust