Patents by Inventor Ronald T. Clawson

Ronald T. Clawson 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: 9011082
    Abstract: A rotational duct blocker for a gas turbine engine includes a duct blocker rotor and a duct blocker stator. The duct blocker rotor includes a plurality of first vane segments that extend radially between an inner rotor platform and an outer rotor platform, and a plurality of first flow apertures that extend axially through the duct blocker rotor. Each first flow aperture also extends circumferentially between respective adjacent first vane segments. The duct blocker stator includes a plurality of second vane segments that extend radially between an inner stator platform and an outer stator platform, and a plurality of second flow apertures that extend axially through the duct blocker stator. Each second flow aperture also extends circumferentially between respective adjacent second vane segments. The first vane segments move circumferentially relative to the second vane segments to regulate fluid flowing between the first flow apertures and the second flow apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: James Jones, Roger W. Bursey, Jr., John H. Maurer, Larry B. Hawke, Ronald T. Clawson, Andrew P. Olech
  • Patent number: 8668431
    Abstract: A method for controlling turbine blade tip seal clearance on a non-cowled gas turbine engine includes the step of directing a flow of relatively hot, pressurized air in contact with an exterior surface of the engine core casing circumscribing the turbine. The flow of relatively hot, pressurized air may be selectively directed in contact with the exterior surface of the engine core casing circumscribing the turbine when it is desired to expand the turbine shroud radially outward, such as during transient operation of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel T. Rog, Ronald T. Clawson
  • Publication number: 20130164117
    Abstract: A rotational duct blocker for a gas turbine engine includes a duct blocker rotor and a duct blocker stator. The duct blocker rotor includes a plurality of first vane segments that extend radially between an inner rotor platform and an outer rotor platform, and a plurality of first flow apertures that extend axially through the duct blocker rotor. Each first flow aperture also extends circumferentially between respective adjacent first vane segments. The duct blocker stator includes a plurality of second vane segments that extend radially between an inner stator platform and an outer stator platform, and a plurality of second flow apertures that extend axially through the duct blocker stator. Each second flow aperture also extends circumferentially between respective adjacent second vane segments. The first vane segments move circumferentially relative to the second vane segments to regulate fluid flowing between the first flow apertures and the second flow apertures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: James Jones, Roger W. Bursey, JR., John H. Maurer, Larry B. Hawke, Ronald T. Clawson, Andrew P. Olech
  • Publication number: 20110236179
    Abstract: A method for controlling turbine blade tip seal clearance on a non-cowled gas turbine engine includes the step of directing a flow of relatively hot, pressurized air in contact with an exterior surface of the engine core casing circumscribing the turbine. The flow of relatively hot, pressurized air may be selectively directed in contact with the exterior surface of the engine core casing circumscribing the turbine when it is desired to expand the turbine shroud radially outward, such as during transient operation of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel T. Rog, Ronald T. Clawson
  • Patent number: 5685142
    Abstract: An afterburner 20 for a gas turbine engine 10 has a fuel spray ring 24a for injecting fuel into the afterburner, a flameholder gutter 34a for stabilizing combustion of a fuel-air mixture flowing through the afterburner, and an ignitor 35 for initiating combustion and includes an enclosure 50 attached to the gutter. The enclosure has radially inner and outer walls 52, 54 and circumferentially spaced apart webs 60, 62 extending between the walls to define a radially and circumferentially bounded chamber 64. Each web has a forward opening 72 and an aft opening 74 so that a portion of the spray ring and a portion of the gutter are embraced by the enclosure. The enclosure is ideally circumferentially aligned with the ignitor and regulates the fuel-air ratio within and in the vicinity of the chamber to ensure reliable lighting of the afterburner and flawless advancement to full afterburning operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Keith S. Brewer, Ronald T. Clawson, Steven B. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5560198
    Abstract: An augmentor for a gas turbine engine with a nozzle is provided having an outer casing, a liner, a stiffening ring, a plurality of fingerseals, and apparatus for fastening the stiffening ring and the fingerseals to the liner. The liner includes a plurality of first cooling apertures. The stiffening ring includes a plurality of second cooling apertures. The finger seals are positioned between the liner and the stiffening ring. Each fingerseal includes a plurality of cooling slots having a lengthwise axis. The cooling slots, first apertures, and second apertures are relatively positioned such that cooling air passing through the second cooling holes must thereafter travel within one of the cooling slots in a direction substantially along the lengthwise axis of the slot, before entering the first apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Keith S. Brewer, Douglas R. Bendix, Ronald T. Clawson