Patents by Inventor Robert Joseph Orlando

Robert Joseph Orlando 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: 20080098718
    Abstract: A turbofan engine assembly includes a core gas turbine engine including a high-pressure compressor, a combustor, and a high-pressure turbine, a low-pressure turbine coupled to said core gas turbine engine, a counter-rotating booster compressor comprising a first rotor section configured to rotate in a first direction and a second rotor section configured to rotate in an opposite second direction, and a gearbox comprising an input and an output, said gearbox output coupled to at least one of said first and second rotor sections, said gearbox input coupled to said low-pressure turbine. A method of assembling the turbofan engine assembly described herein is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventors: John Leslie Henry, Robert Joseph Orlando, Thomas Ory Moniz
  • Publication number: 20080098715
    Abstract: A turbofan engine assembly includes a core gas turbine engine including a high-pressure compressor, a combustor, and a high-pressure turbine, a booster compressor coupled upstream from the core gas turbine engine, an intermediate-pressure turbine coupled to the booster compressor, the intermediate-pressure turbine disposed downstream from the core gas turbine engine, a counter-rotating fan assembly disposed upstream from the booster compressor, the counter-rotating fan assembly comprising a first fan configured to rotate in a first direction and a second fan configured to rotate in an opposite second direction, and an intermediate-pressure turbine disposed downstream from the core gas turbine engine, wherein the intermediate-pressure turbine drives the booster compressor and the second fan assembly. A method of assembling the above turbofan engine assembly is also described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventors: Robert Joseph Orlando, Thomas Ory Moniz
  • Publication number: 20080098716
    Abstract: A method for assembling a gas turbine engine includes coupling a low-pressure turbine to a core turbine engine, coupling a counter-rotating fan assembly including a forward fan assembly and an axially aft fan assembly to the low-pressure turbine such that the forward fan assembly rotates in a first direction and the aft fan assembly rotates in an opposite second direction, and coupling a booster compressor directly to the low-pressure turbine such that the booster compressor rotates in the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventors: Robert Joseph Orlando, Thomas Ory Moniz
  • Publication number: 20080098717
    Abstract: A turbofan engine assembly includes a core gas turbine engine including a high-pressure compressor, a combustor, and a high-pressure turbine, a booster compressor coupled upstream from the core gas turbine engine, an intermediate-pressure turbine coupled to the booster compressor, the intermediate-pressure turbine disposed downstream from the core gas turbine engine, a counter-rotating fan assembly disposed upstream from the booster compressor, the counter-rotating fan assembly comprising a first fan configured to rotate in a first direction and a second fan configured to rotate in an opposite second direction, and a low-pressure turbine disposed downstream from the intermediate-pressure turbine, the low-pressure turbine configured to drive the counter-rotating fan assembly. A method of assembling the above turbofan engine assembly is also described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventors: Robert Joseph Orlando, Thomas Ory Moniz
  • Patent number: 7353647
    Abstract: A method facilitates assembling a gas turbine engine including a compressor and a rotor assembly coupled in axial flow communication downstream from the compressor. The method comprises coupling a bypass system in flow communication with the compressor to channel a portion of flow discharged from the compressor towards the rotor assembly is channeled through the bypass system, and coupling a downstream end of the bypass system within the gas turbine engine such that the flow entering the bypass system flows past the rotor assembly and is discharged downstream from the rotor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Joseph Orlando, Thomas Ory Moniz, John C. Brauer, John Leslie Henry, Raymond Felix Patt, Randy Marinus Vondrell, James Patrick Dolan, Erich Alois Krammer, David Cory Kirk
  • Publication number: 20080072567
    Abstract: A method for assembling a gas turbine engine assembly includes coupling a fan assembly to a core gas turbine engine such that the fan assembly is upstream from the core gas turbine engine, coupling a low-pressure turbine downstream from the core gas turbine engine such, wherein the low-pressure turbine includes a disk and a plurality of splines formed in the disk, providing a shaft that includes a first end and a second end that includes a plurality of splines, coupling the shaft first end to the fan assembly, and coupling the shaft second end to the low-pressure turbine such that the shaft splines mesh with the disk splines such that torque is transmitted from the low-pressure turbine to the fan assembly via the shaft during engine operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas Ory Moniz, Robert Joseph Orlando
  • Publication number: 20080075590
    Abstract: A method for assembling a gas turbine engine assembly includes coupling a fan assembly to a core gas turbine engine such that the fan assembly is upstream from the core gas turbine engine, coupling a fan assembly to a core gas turbine engine such that the fan assembly is upstream from the core gas turbine engine, wherein the core gas turbine engine includes a high-pressure turbine, coupling a low-pressure turbine downstream from the core gas turbine engine such, wherein the low-pressure turbine includes a disk and a plurality of splines formed in the disk, providing a shaft that includes a first end and a second end that includes a plurality of splines, coupling the shaft between the low-pressure turbine and the fan assembly, and coupling a differential bearing between the shaft and the high-pressure turbine such that the shaft provides rotational support for the high-pressure turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas Ory Moniz, Robert Joseph Orlando
  • Publication number: 20080072569
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a gas turbine engine outlet guide vane includes fabricating an airfoil that includes a leading edge portion and a trailing edge portion each fabricated from a first material, and installing a filler portion between the leading and trailing edge portions, the filler portion is fabricated from a second material that is lighter than the first material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas Ory Moniz, Robert Joseph Orlando, Noel Istvan Macsotai
  • Publication number: 20080072568
    Abstract: A method for assembling a gas turbine engine including a core gas turbine engine, a low-pressure turbine, a starter, and a generator is provided. The method includes coupling a starter to the core gas turbine engine, and coupling a generator to the low-pressure turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas Ory Moniz, Paul Cooker, Robert Joseph Orlando
  • Patent number: 7334981
    Abstract: A method for assembling a gas turbine engine that includes providing a low-pressure turbine inner rotor that includes a first plurality of rows of turbine blades configured to rotate in a first rotational direction, providing a low-pressure turbine outer rotor that includes a second plurality of rows of turbine blades configured to rotate in a rotational direction that is opposite the first rotational direction, and coupling a support structure between the outer rotor and a turbine mid-frame such that the support structure supports a forward end of the outer rotor, and wherein the support structure includes a first portion that has a first coefficient of thermal expansion and a second portion that has a second coefficient of thermal expansion that is different than the first coefficient of thermal expansion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas Ory Moniz, Robert Joseph Orlando
  • Patent number: 7334392
    Abstract: A method for assembling a gas turbine engine includes providing a first fan assembly including a plurality of rotor blades that are configured to rotate in a first rotational direction at a first rotational speed, rotatably coupling a second fan assembly axially aft of the first fan assembly, wherein the second fan assembly includes a plurality of rotor blades that are configured to rotate in a second rotational direction, and coupling a gearbox to the second fan assembly that is configured to rotate the second fan assembly at a second rotational speed that is different than the first rotational speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas Ory Moniz, Robert Joseph Orlando
  • Patent number: 7290386
    Abstract: A method for assembling a gas turbine engine that includes providing a low-pressure turbine inner rotor that includes a first plurality of turbine blade rows configured to rotate in a first direction, and rotatably coupling a low-pressure turbine outer rotor to the inner rotor, wherein the outer rotor includes a second plurality of turbine blade rows that are configured to rotate in a second direction that is opposite the first rotational direction of the inner rotor and such that at least one of the second plurality of turbine blade rows is coupled axially forward of the first plurality of turbine blade rows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Joseph Orlando, Thomas Ory Moniz
  • Patent number: 7269938
    Abstract: A method for assembling a gas turbine engine includes providing a high pressure turbine, providing a low-pressure turbine inner rotor that includes a first plurality of turbine blade rows configured to rotate in a first direction, providing a low-pressure turbine outer rotor that includes a second plurality of turbine blade rows configured to rotate in a second direction that is opposite the first direction, and coupling a plurality of bearings between the outer rotor and a turbine mid-frame between the high pressure turbine and at least one of the inner and outer rotors such that the plurality of bearings support a forward end of the outer rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas Ory Moniz, Robert Joseph Orlando
  • Patent number: 7195447
    Abstract: A method for assembling a gas turbine engine that includes providing a low-pressure turbine inner rotor that includes a first plurality of turbine blade rows configured to rotate in a first direction, providing a low-pressure turbine outer rotor that includes a second plurality of turbine blade rows configured to rotate in a second direction that is opposite the first direction, coupling a turbine mid-frame assembly including a plurality of spokes within the engine such that the spokes are spaced axially forward of the inner rotor, coupling a bearing between the turbine mid-frame assembly and the inner rotor such that the inner rotor is rotatably coupled to the turbine mid-frame, and adjusting the plurality of spokes to align the bearing in a radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas Ory Moniz, Robert Joseph Orlando
  • Patent number: 7186073
    Abstract: A method for assembling a gas turbine engine includes providing a low-pressure turbine inner rotor that includes at least a first pair of adjacent rows of turbine blades that are configured to rotate in a first direction providing a low-pressure turbine outer rotor that includes a forward end, an aft end, and at least one row of turbine blades that is rotatably coupled between the first pair of inner rotor turbine blades, wherein the at least one row of outer rotor turbine blades is configured to rotate in a second direction that is opposite the first direction, and coupling a support assembly between the first pair of inner rotor turbine blades such that the support assembly supports the outer rotor forward end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Joseph Orlando, Thomas Ory Moniz
  • Patent number: 7096674
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine having a longitudinal centerline axis therethrough, including: a fan section at a forward end of the gas turbine engine including at least a first fan blade row connected to a first drive shaft; a booster compressor positioned downstream of and in at least partial flow communication with the fan section including a plurality of stages, each stage including a stationary compressor blade row and a rotating compressor blade row connected to a drive shaft and interdigitated with the stationary compressor blade row; a core system positioned downstream of the compressor, where the core system further includes an intermediate compressor positioned downstream of and in flow communication with the booster compressor, the intermediate compressor being connected to a second drive shaft, and a combustion system for producing pulses of gas having increased pressure and temperature from a fluid flow provided to an inlet thereof so as to produce a working fluid at an outlet; and, a low pressure turbine
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Joseph Orlando, Kattalaicheri Srinivasan Venkataramani, Ching-Pang Lee, Thomas Ory Moniz, Kurt David Murrow
  • Patent number: 7093446
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine having a longitudinal centerline axis therethrough, including: a fan section at a forward end of the gas turbine engine including at least a first fan blade row connected to a drive shaft; a booster compressor positioned downstream of the fan section including a plurality of stages, where each stage includes a stationary compressor blade row and a rotating compressor blade row connected to the drive shaft and interdigitated with the stationary compressor blade row; and, a combustion system for producing pulses of gas having increased pressure and temperature of a fluid flow provided to an inlet thereof so as to produce a working fluid at an outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Joseph Orlando, Kattalaicheri Srinivasan Venkataramani, Ching-Pang Lee
  • Patent number: 7007488
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a compressor powered by a turbine. The turbine includes a nozzle having vanes extending between outer and inner bands. Each vane includes an internal cooling plenum and a bypass tube extending through the bands. First and second manifolds surround the outer band and are disposed in flow communication with the plenums and bypass tubes, respectively. A bleed circuit joins the compressor to the manifolds for providing pressurized air thereto. A control valve modulates airflow to the first manifold and in turn through the cooling plenums of the vanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Joseph Orlando, Thomas Ory Moniz, John Christopher Brauer, Ian Francis Prentice, Erich Alois Krammer, James Patrick Dolan, Robert Alan Frederick
  • Patent number: 6935837
    Abstract: A method enables a gas turbine engine including a first rotor assembly and a second rotor assembly coupled in axial flow communication downstream from the first rotor assembly to be assembled. The method comprises coupling an upstream end of an extension duct to an outlet of the first rotor assembly, wherein the extension duct includes a plurality of panels coupled circumferentially, and coupling a downstream end of the extension duct to an inlet of the second rotor assembly using at least one fish mouth seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas Ory Moniz, Robert Joseph Orlando, John Christopher Brauer
  • Publication number: 20040168443
    Abstract: A method enables a gas turbine engine including a first rotor assembly and a second rotor assembly coupled in axial flow communication downstream from the first rotor assembly to be assembled. The method comprises coupling an upstream end of an extension duct to an outlet of the first rotor assembly, wherein the extension duct includes a plurality of panels coupled circumferentially, and coupling a downstream end of the extension duct to an inlet of the second rotor assembly using at least one fish mouth seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas Ory Moniz, Robert Joseph Orlando, John Christopher Brauer