Patents by Inventor Robert W. Cedoz

Robert W. Cedoz 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: 10378439
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include unique gas turbine engines. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for gas turbine engines. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Cedoz, Syed J. Khalid
  • Patent number: 10329943
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine including a compressor, a turbine, and a variable-ratio unit is disclosed. The turbine is coupled to the compressor to drive rotation of multiple stages of the compressor. The variable-ratio unit is configured to transmit rotational power from the turbine to at least one stage of the compressor to drive rotation of the at least one stage of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc., Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew J. Eifert, Craig E. Heathco, Robert W. Cedoz, Robert T. Duge
  • Patent number: 9982676
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine including a compressor, a turbine, and a transmission is disclosed. The turbine is coupled to the compressor to drive rotation of multiple stages of the compressor. The transmission is configured to transmit rotational power from the turbine to at least one stage of the compressor to drive rotation of the at least one stage of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc., Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew J. Eifert, Craig E. Heathco, Robert W. Cedoz, Robert T. Duge
  • Patent number: 9878798
    Abstract: An aircraft including a frame, a first turbofan engine coupled to the frame, and a second turbofan engine coupled to the frame is disclosed. The first turbofan engine includes a first turbine, a first fan coupled to the first turbine to be driven by rotation of the first turbine, and a first transmission coupled between the first turbine and the first fan to transmit rotation from the first turbine to the first fan. The second turbofan engine includes a second turbine, a second fan coupled to the second turbine to be driven by rotation of the second turbine, and a second transmission coupled between the second turbine and the second fan to transmit rotation from the second turbine to the second fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Robert W. Cedoz
  • Publication number: 20160201682
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine including a compressor, a turbine, and a transmission is disclosed. The turbine is coupled to the compressor to drive rotation of multiple stages of the compressor. The transmission is configured to transmit rotational power from the turbine to at least one stage of the compressor to drive rotation of the at least one stage of the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventors: Andrew J. Eifert, Craig E. Heathco, Robert W. Cedoz, Robert T. Duge
  • Publication number: 20160185460
    Abstract: An aircraft including a frame, a first turbofan engine coupled to the frame, and a second turbofan engine coupled to the frame is disclosed. The first turbofan engine includes a first turbine, a first fan coupled to the first turbine to be driven by rotation of the first turbine, and a first transmission coupled between the first turbine and the first fan to transmit rotation from the first turbine to the first fan. The second turbofan engine includes a second turbine, a second fan coupled to the second turbine to be driven by rotation of the second turbine, and a second transmission coupled between the second turbine and the second fan to transmit rotation from the second turbine to the second fan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventor: Robert W. Cedoz
  • Publication number: 20160138603
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine including a compressor, a turbine, and a variable-ratio unit is disclosed. The turbine is coupled to the compressor to drive rotation of multiple stages of the compressor. The variable-ratio unit is configured to transmit rotational power from the turbine to at least one stage of the compressor to drive rotation of the at least one stage of the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Andrew J. Eifert, Craig E. Heathco, Robert W. Cedoz, Robert T. Duge
  • Publication number: 20150330301
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include unique gas turbine engines. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for gas turbine engines. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventors: Robert W. CEDOZ, Syed J. KHALID
  • Patent number: 8075438
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for transmitting a rotary input into counter-rotating outputs is disclosed herein. An exemplary apparatus for performing the method includes a planetary gear set having a sun gear rotatable by a rotary input, a plurality of planet gears in meshed engagement with the sun gear, a carrier coupling the plurality of planet gears together, and a ring gear encircling and in meshed engagement with the plurality of planet gears. The exemplary apparatus also includes a first shaft member coupled to the carrier for transmitting motion in a first rotational direction. The exemplary apparatus also includes a second shaft member coupled to the ring gear for transmitting motion in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction. The first shaft member at least partially encircles the second shaft member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel K. Vetters, Robert W. Cedoz
  • Patent number: 8021267
    Abstract: A coupling assembly for transmitting torque between a first body and a second body is disclosed herein. The coupling assembly includes a diaphragm plate extending radially between a radially inner periphery fixed for rotation with the first body. The diaphragm plate extends to a radially outer periphery and is operable to elastically deform in response to changes in the axial positions of the first and second bodies relative to one another. The coupling assembly also includes a socket assembly engaged with the radially outer periphery of the first diaphragm plate for concurrent axial movement in response to changes in the axial positions of the first and second bodies relative to one another. The socket assembly is also operable to transmit torque between the second body and the diaphragm plate. The socket assembly includes a radially-accommodating structure operable to at least partially move in response to changes in an outer profile of the second body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel K. Vetters, Robert W. Cedoz
  • Publication number: 20100147998
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for transmitting a rotary input into counter-rotating outputs is disclosed herein. An exemplary apparatus for performing the method includes a planetary gear set having a sun gear rotatable by a rotary input, a plurality of planet gears in meshed engagement with the sun gear, a carrier coupling the plurality of planet gears together, and a ring gear encircling and in meshed engagement with the plurality of planet gears. The exemplary apparatus also includes a first shaft member coupled to the carrier for transmitting motion in a first rotational direction. The exemplary apparatus also includes a second shaft member coupled to the ring gear for transmitting motion in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction. The first shaft member at least partially encircles the second shaft member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: DANIEL K. VETTERS, Robert W. Cedoz
  • Publication number: 20100151985
    Abstract: A coupling assembly for transmitting torque between a first body and a second body is disclosed herein. The coupling assembly includes a diaphragm plate extending radially between a radially inner periphery fixed for rotation with the first body. The diaphragm plate extends to a radially outer periphery and is operable to elastically deform in response to changes in the axial positions of the first and second bodies relative to one another. The coupling assembly also includes a socket assembly engaged with the radially outer periphery of the first diaphragm plate for concurrent axial movement in response to changes in the axial positions of the first and second bodies relative to one another. The socket assembly is also operable to transmit torque between the second body and the diaphragm plate. The socket assembly includes a radially-accommodating structure operable to at least partially move in response to changes in an outer profile of the second body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: DANIEL K. VETTERS, Robert W. Cedoz
  • Patent number: 4642029
    Abstract: In an aircraft propulsion system including a gas turbine engine driving a pair of counter rotating bladed members through a planetary gear set, a brake for simultaneously retarding rotation of both bladed members after engine shut-down includes a pair of concentric transfer shafts each rotatably connected to separate elements of the planetary gear set, a pair of friction plates supported on respective ones of the transfer shafts for rotation therewith, a plurality of non-rotatable reaction members between the friction plates, and a single actuator selectively operable to compress the stack of friction plates and reaction members to simultaneously retard rotation of both transfer shafts and thereby simultaneously retard rotation of and eventually simultaneously stop both of the counter rotating bladed members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1987
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Robert W. Cedoz