Patents by Inventor Stephen A. Bergeron

Stephen A. Bergeron 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: 9856824
    Abstract: A nozzle is provided that is capable providing flowpaths for a combined cycle aircraft propulsion system that in one form includes a gas turbine engine and a ramjet. The gas turbine engine produces an exhaust flow that is offset from an exhaust flow from the ramjet. The two streams can be flowed independent of each other or together depending on the application and relevant portion of a flight envelope. The nozzle includes a movable portion that can selectively open and close an exhaust flowpath for the gas turbine engine. The nozzle includes a surface that provides expansion for both low speed (gas turbine engine) flow and high speed (ramjet) flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan H. Lerg, Stephen A. Bergeron, Benjamin R. Harding
  • Patent number: 9032737
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine having a ramburner is disclosed. The ramburner is disposed downstream of a gas turbine engine combustor and receives an engine exhaust flow from the gas turbine engine combustor. The ramburner also accepts a bypass air. Fuel is injected into the ramburner and a combustion reaction is auto-initiated based upon local gas temperatures. No mechanical flame holders need be used. A slidable valve may be used to vary the amount of bypass air into the ramburner. A movable cowl and a plug nozzle form an exit flow path of the gas turbine engine. The movable cowl can be positioned to vary a throat area and exit area of the gas turbine engine based upon the operation of the ramburner, which may be influenced by the amount of bypass air entering the ramburner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Ress, Jr., Victor L. Oechsle, Randall E. Yount, Stephen A. Bergeron
  • Publication number: 20150121840
    Abstract: A nozzle is provided that is capable providing flowpaths for a combined cycle aircraft propulsion system that in one form includes a gas turbine engine and a ramjet. The gas turbine engine produces an exhaust flow that is offset from an exhaust flow from the ramjet. The two streams can be flowed independent of each other or together depending on the application and relevant portion of a flight envelope. The nozzle includes a movable portion that can selectively open and close an exhaust flowpath for the gas turbine engine. The nozzle includes a surface that provides expansion for both low speed (gas turbine engine) flow and high speed (ramjet) flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Bryan H. Lerg, Stephen A. Bergeron, Benjamin R. Harding
  • Patent number: 8322126
    Abstract: An exhaust device is disclosed that includes a duct that turns an exhaust flow from a gas turbine engine from a first direction to a second direction. A diverter cup is disposed within the duct and serves to split the exhaust flow into two streams as well as introduce cooling air through an ejector pump at the downstream end of the diverter cup. A splitter is disposed downstream of the diverter cup and serves to split the cooling air into two streams which are thereafter mixed with the split exhaust flow. A diffuser is created in the exhaust device between the duct and the splitter. Various cooling slots are also provided in the duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Bies, Stephen A. Bergeron, Bryan H. Lerg, Emil R. Dejulio
  • Publication number: 20120067053
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine having a ramburner is disclosed. The ramburner is disposed downstream of a gas turbine engine combustor and receives an engine exhaust flow from the gas turbine engine combustor. The ramburner also accepts a bypass air. Fuel is injected into the ramburner and a combustion reaction is auto-initiated based upon local gas temperatures. No mechanical flame holders need be used. A slidable valve may be used to vary the amount of bypass air into the ramburner. A movable cowl and a plug nozzle form an exit flow path of the gas turbine engine. The movable cowl can be positioned to vary a throat area and exit area of the gas turbine engine based upon the operation of the ramburner, which may be influenced by the amount of bypass air entering the ramburner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: Robert A. Ress, JR., Victor L. Oechsle, Randall E. Yount, Stephen A. Bergeron
  • Publication number: 20100199626
    Abstract: An exhaust mixer for an engine is provided having multiple flow tubes arranged in an annular array. A cooling space is formed to allow the passage of cooling air between the flow tubes and within the annular array. In one form the exhaust mixer can be constructed from multiple, individual exhaust flow tubes. The flow tubes can be constructed to engage neighboring flow tubes to create the annular array of exhaust flow tubes. The flow tubes can be interchangeable with other flow tubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventors: Benjamin Roland Harding, Stephen A. Bergeron
  • Publication number: 20090288388
    Abstract: An exhaust device is disclosed that includes a duct that turns an exhaust flow from a gas turbine engine from a first direction to a second direction. A diverter cup is disposed within the duct and serves to split the exhaust flow into two streams as well as introduce cooling air through an ejector pump at the downstream end of the diverter cup. A splitter is disposed downstream of the diverter cup and serves to split the cooling air into two streams which are thereafter mixed with the split exhaust flow. A diffuser is created in the exhaust device between the duct and the splitter. Various cooling slots are also provided in the duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicant: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Bies, Stephen A. Bergeron, Bryan H. Lerg, Emil R. Dejulio