Patents by Inventor Roger Gates
Roger Gates 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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Publication number: 20260139612Abstract: A fastener assembly for affixing two flanges to a casing of a gas turbine engine is provided. The fastener assembly includes a bolt, a fastener, and first and second spacers. The bolt has a supporting shaft extending from a head and a thread portion. The supporting shaft has a diameter larger than a diameter of the thread portion. The fastener is configured to releasably mate with the thread portion. The first spacer surrounds a portion of the thread portion and is disposed between the fastener and a first flange. The second spacer surrounds the supporting shaft and is disposed between a second flange and the bolt head. The supporting shaft engages holes in the first flange, the casing, and the second flange. At least one of the first and second spacers absorbs a portion of a tensile load acting on the bolt.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2026Publication date: May 21, 2026Inventors: Roger Gates, Gregory E. Reinhardt
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Publication number: 20260035086Abstract: A first propulsion system includes a first open propulsor rotor, a first open guide vane structure, a first engine core and a first geartrain. The first engine core includes a first rotating structure configured to drive rotation of the first open propulsor rotor in a first rotational direction about a first axis through the first geartrain. A second propulsion system includes a second open propulsor rotor, a second open guide vane structure, a second engine core and a second geartrain. The second engine core includes a second rotating structure configured to drive rotation of the second open propulsor rotor in a second rotational direction about a second axis through the second geartrain. The first and the second geartrains each include a plurality of epicyclic gear systems operatively coupled in series between the respective rotating structure and the respective open propulsor rotor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2025Publication date: February 5, 2026Inventors: Jeffrey T. Morton, Andrew E. Breault, Roger Gates
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Publication number: 20260022670Abstract: An assembly is provided for an aircraft. This assembly includes an open propulsor rotor, an engine core and a geartrain. The open propulsor rotor is configured to rotate about an axis. The engine core includes a flowpath, a compressor section, a combustor section, a turbine section and a rotating structure. The flowpath extends through the compressor section, the combustor section and the turbine section from an inlet into the flowpath to an exhaust from the flowpath. The rotating structure includes a compressor rotor in the compressor section and a turbine rotor in the turbine section. The rotating structure is configured to rotate about the axis and drive rotation of the open propulsor rotor. The geartrain is disposed axially between and operatively couples the rotating structure and the open propulsor rotor. The geartrain includes a star gear system and a planetary gear system.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2024Publication date: January 22, 2026Inventors: Jeffrey T. Morton, Andrew E. Breault, Roger Gates
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Patent number: 12523164Abstract: A fastener assembly for affixing two flanges to a casing of a gas turbine engine is provided. The fastener assembly includes a bolt, a fastener, and first and second spacers. The bolt has a supporting shaft extending from a head and a thread portion. The supporting shaft has a diameter larger than a diameter of the thread portion. The fastener is configured to releasably mate with the thread portion. The first spacer surrounds a portion of the thread portion and is disposed between the fastener and a first flange. The second spacer surrounds the supporting shaft and is disposed between a second flange and the bolt head. The supporting shaft engages holes in the first flange, the casing, and the second flange. At least one of the first and second spacers absorbs a portion of a tensile load acting on the bolt.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2023Date of Patent: January 13, 2026Assignee: RTX CorporationInventors: Roger Gates, Gregory E. Reinhardt
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Publication number: 20250369825Abstract: An inspection method is provided during which a distal end of an inspection probe is inserted into an interior of a powerplant. The inspection probe includes a body and a head pivotally connected to the body. The head includes an actuator, and the head is disposed at the distal end of the inspection probe. The powerplant includes a component within the interior of the powerplant. The head is arranged with the component. The arranging includes pivoting the head relative to the body and abutting the head against a surface of the component. Vibrations in the component are induced using the actuator. A vibratory response in the component excited by the vibrations is measured using a sensor to provide sensor data.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2024Publication date: December 4, 2025Inventors: Andrew E. Breault, Jeffrey T. Morton, Jon E. Sobanski, Marc J. Muldoon, Ulf J. Jonsson, Roger Gates
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Publication number: 20250075637Abstract: A fastener assembly for affixing two flanges to a casing of a gas turbine engine is provided. The fastener assembly includes a bolt, a fastener, and first and second spacers. The bolt has a supporting shaft extending from a head and a thread portion. The supporting shaft has a diameter larger than a diameter of the thread portion. The fastener is configured to releasably mate with the thread portion. The first spacer surrounds a portion of the thread portion and is disposed between the fastener and a first flange. The second spacer surrounds the supporting shaft and is disposed between a second flange and the bolt head. The supporting shaft engages holes in the first flange, the casing, and the second flange. At least one of the first and second spacers absorbs a portion of a tensile load acting on the bolt.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2023Publication date: March 6, 2025Inventors: Roger Gates, Gregory E. Reinhardt
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Patent number: 10273819Abstract: A chamfered stator vane rail is provided. The chamfered stator vane rail may comprise a forward rail and an aft rail axially opposite the forward rail. The aft rail may comprise a leading edge and a trailing edge located axially opposite and aft of the leading edge. The aft rail may comprise a chamfered edge on a radially outer surface. The chamfered edge may be oriented at an angle relative to an axis.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2016Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Tracy A. Propheter-Hinckley, Roger Gates, David Richard Griffin, James Tilsley Auxier
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Patent number: 10072585Abstract: A cooling system for a gas turbine engine turbine section includes a rotor supporting a blade having a cooling passage. A disc is secured relative to the rotor and it forms a cavity between the rotor and the disc. A bleed air source is in fluid communication with the cavity. An impeller is arranged in the cavity. The impeller is configured to increase a fluid pressure within the cavity to drive bleed air from the bleed air source and thereby provide a pressurized cooling fluid to the cooling passage.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2014Date of Patent: September 11, 2018Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: John H. Mosley, James P. Chrisikos, John J. O'Connor, Charles C. Wu, David Glasspoole, Roger Gates
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Publication number: 20180058230Abstract: A chamfered stator vane rail is provided. The chamfered stator vane rail may comprise a forward rail and an aft rail axially opposite the forward rail. The aft rail may comprise a leading edge and a trailing edge located axially opposite and aft of the leading edge. The aft rail may comprise a chamfered edge on a radially outer surface. The chamfered edge may be oriented at an angle relative to an axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2016Publication date: March 1, 2018Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Tracy A. Propheter-Hinckley, Roger Gates, David Richard Griffin, James Tilsley Auxier
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Publication number: 20160003166Abstract: A cooling system for a gas turbine engine turbine section includes a rotor supporting a blade having a cooling passage. A disc is secured relative to the rotor and it forms a cavity between the rotor and the disc. A bleed air source is in fluid communication with the cavity. An impeller is arranged in the cavity. The impeller is configured to increase a fluid pressure within the cavity to drive bleed air from the bleed air source and thereby provide a pressurized cooling fluid to the cooling passage.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2014Publication date: January 7, 2016Inventors: John H. Mosley, James P. Chrisikos, Roger Gates, John J. O'Connor, Charles C. Wu, David Glasspoole
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Patent number: 9212557Abstract: A gas turbine engine has a plurality of compressor rotors, as well as a plurality of turbine rotors. A tie shaft of the engine is constrained to rotate with the compressor and turbine rotors during normal operating conditions. Further, an upstream hub is in threaded engagement with the tie shaft. The threads of the upstream hub are handed in a first manner when viewed from an upstream location. A downstream abutment member is positioned downstream of the turbine rotors and is also in threaded engagement with the tie shaft. Threads of the downstream abutment member are handed in the first manner when viewed from a downstream location. Accordingly, the compressor and turbine sections of the engine are reliably held together, and the tie shaft is substantially prevented from unwinding.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2011Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Daniel Benjamin, Roger Gates, Brian C. Lund
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Patent number: 8740554Abstract: An air seal assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a first cover plate with a radially extending knife edge seal defined about and axis of rotation. The first cover plate is mountable to a first rotor disk for rotation therewith, the first radially extending knife edge seal interfaces with a vane structure. A second cover plate with a second radially extending knife edge seal defined about the axis of rotation, the second cover plate mountable to the second rotor disk for rotation therewith. The second radially extending knife edge seal interfaces with the vane structure.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2011Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Scott D. Virkler, Roger Gates
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Patent number: 8585357Abstract: A blade outer air seal (BOAS) support segment for supporting at least one BOAS segment of a static turbine shroud of a gas turbine engine, includes a radially and outwardly extending front leg for engagement with an outer case of the engine. The BOAS support segment further includes a pair of radially elongated rear prongs circumferentially spaced apart from each other and radially outwardly abutting the outer case.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2010Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.Inventors: Franco DiPaola, Roger Gates
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Publication number: 20130051985Abstract: A gas turbine engine has a plurality of compressor rotors, as well as a plurality of turbine rotors. A tie shaft of the engine is constrained to rotate with the compressor and turbine rotors during normal operating conditions. Further, an upstream hub is in threaded engagement with the tie shaft. The threads of the upstream hub are handed in a first manner when viewed from an upstream location. A downstream abutment member is positioned downstream of the turbine rotors and is also in threaded engagement with the tie shaft. Threads of the downstream abutment member are handed in the first manner when viewed from a downstream location. Accordingly, the compressor and turbine sections of the engine are reliably held together, and the tie shaft is substantially prevented from unwinding.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2011Publication date: February 28, 2013Inventors: Daniel Benjamin, Roger Gates, Brian C. Lund
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Publication number: 20120177485Abstract: An air seal assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a first cover plate with a radially extending knife edge seal defined about and axis of rotation. The first cover plate is mountable to a first rotor disk for rotation therewith, the first radially extending knife edge seal interfaces with a vane structure. A second cover plate with a second radially extending knife edge seal defined about the axis of rotation, the second cover plate mountable to the second rotor disk for rotation therewith. The second radially extending knife edge seal interfaces with the vane structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2011Publication date: July 12, 2012Inventors: Scott D. Virkler, Roger Gates
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Publication number: 20110044804Abstract: A blade outer air seal (BOAS) support segment for supporting at least one BOAS segment of a static turbine shroud of a gas turbine engine, includes a radially and outwardly extending front leg for engagement with an outer case of the engine. The BOAS support segment further includes a pair of radially elongated rear prongs circumferentially spaced apart from each other and radially outwardly abutting the outer case.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2010Publication date: February 24, 2011Applicant: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.Inventors: Franco DiPaola, Roger Gates
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Patent number: 6926121Abstract: A cap for sealing an outer end of an oil filler tube of an engine where the oil filler tube has an inner end with ball valve having a float ball and mating valve seat for impeding any reverse flow of oil during engine operation. The cap includes a sealable plug mating the tube outer end; a rod extending from the plug toward the inner end of the tube; and a valve opening device mounted to the rod for dislodging the float ball from the valve seat.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2002Date of Patent: August 9, 2005Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.Inventors: Roger Gates, Ian MacFarlane
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Publication number: 20040065512Abstract: A cap for sealing an outer end of an oil filler tube of an engine where the oil filler tube has an inner end with ball valve having a float ball and mating valve seat for impeding any reverse flow of oil during engine operation. The cap includes a sealable plug mating the tube outer end; a rod extending from the plug toward the inner end of the tube; and a valve opening device mounted to the rod for dislodging the float ball from the valve seat.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2002Publication date: April 8, 2004Inventors: Roger Gates, Ian MacFarlane
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Patent number: 5531457Abstract: Adjacent platforms (16) have feather seals (34) in complementary slots (22). Hot grooves (40) carry cooling air across the seal and discharge it into the gap (20) between adjacent platforms. Grooves discharging from abutting surfaces are staggered and have a flow component parallel to the axial gas flow through the turbine.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 1994Date of Patent: July 2, 1996Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada, Inc.Inventors: Ian Tibbott, Roger Gates