Patents by Inventor Steven A. Ross

Steven A. Ross 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: 12252992
    Abstract: A passive clearance control limits thermal expansion between stator components relative to rotor components. A control ring controls clearance in a passive manner and is located on or adjacent to stationary components which thermally expand during engine operation. The control ring is formed of material having low coefficient of thermal expansion such as CMCs (Ceramic Matrix Composites) and therefore limits, inhibits or restrains expansion of the adjacent stator components as temperatures increase. Limiting expansion of the stator component reduces rotor/stator clearances and limits parasitic leakage of fluid along the flow path through the engine core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bhaskar Nanda Mondal, John Joseph Rahaim, Thomas Moniz, Steven A. Ross, Joel Kirk, Scott Hunter, Daniel Fusinato
  • Publication number: 20240218803
    Abstract: A passive clearance control limits thermal expansion between stator components relative to rotor components. A control ring controls clearance in a passive manner and is located on or adjacent to stationary components which thermally expand during engine operation. The control ring is formed of material having low coefficient of thermal expansion such as CMCs (Ceramic Matrix Composites) and therefore limits, inhibits or restrains expansion of the adjacent stator components as temperatures increase. Limiting expansion of the stator component reduces rotor/stator clearances and limits parasitic leakage of fluid along the flow path through the engine core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2024
    Publication date: July 4, 2024
    Inventors: Bhaskar Nanda Mondal, John Joseph Rahaim, Thomas Moniz, Steven A. Ross, Joel Kirk, Scott Hunter, Daniel Fusinato
  • Publication number: 20220349316
    Abstract: A passive clearance control limits thermal expansion between stator components relative to rotor components. A control ring controls clearance in a passive manner and is located on or adjacent to stationary components which thermally expand during engine operation. The control ring is formed of material having low coefficient of thermal expansion such as CMCs (Ceramic Matrix Composites) and therefore limits, inhibits or restrains expansion of the adjacent stator components as temperatures increase. Limiting expansion of the stator component reduces rotor/stator clearances and limits parasitic leakage of fluid along the flow path through the engine core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Bhaskar Nanda Mondal, John Joseph Rahaim, Thomas Moniz, Steven A. Ross, Joel Kirk, Scott Hunter, Daniel Fusinato
  • Patent number: 11391173
    Abstract: A passive clearance control limits thermal expansion between stator components relative to rotor components. A control ring controls clearance in a passive manner and is located on or adjacent to stationary components which thermally expand during engine operation. The control ring is formed of material having low coefficient of thermal expansion such as CMCs (Ceramic Matrix Composites) and therefore limits, inhibits or restrains expansion of the adjacent stator components as temperatures increase. Limiting expansion of the stator component reduces rotor/stator clearances and limits parasitic leakage of fluid along the flowpath through the engine core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bhaskar Nanda Mondal, John Joseph Rahaim, Thomas Moniz, Steven A. Ross, Joel Kirk, Scott Hunter, Daniel Fusinato
  • Publication number: 20200131922
    Abstract: A passive clearance control limits thermal expansion between stator components relative to rotor components. A control ring controls clearance in a passive manner and is located on or adjacent to stationary components which thermally expand during engine operation. The control ring is formed of material having low coefficient of thermal expansion such as CMCs (Ceramic Matrix Composites) and therefore limits, inhibits or restrains expansion of the adjacent stator components as temperatures increase. Limiting expansion of the stator component reduces rotor/stator clearances and limits parasitic leakage of fluid along the flowpath through the engine core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Bhaskar Nanda MONDAL, John Joseph RAHAIM, Thomas MONIZ, Steven A. ROSS, Joel KIRK, Scott HUNTER, Daniel FUSINATO
  • Publication number: 20160123172
    Abstract: A passive clearance control limits thermal expansion between stator components relative to rotor components. A control ring controls clearance in a passive manner and is located on or adjacent to stationary components which thermally expand during engine operation. The control ring is formed of material having low coefficient of thermal expansion such as CMCs (Ceramic Matrix Composites) and therefore limits, inhibits or restrains expansion of the adjacent stator components as temperatures increase. Limiting expansion of the stator component reduces rotor/stator clearances and limits parasitic leakage of fluid along the flowpath through the engine core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: Bhaskar Nanda MONDAL, John Joseph RAHAIM, Thomas MONIZ, Steven A. ROSS, Joel KIRK, Scott HUNTER, Daniel FUSINATO
  • Patent number: 8820046
    Abstract: Methods and systems for mitigating distortion of a shaft of a gas turbine engine are provided. One method comprises at least one step of applying intermittent rotary power to a shaft of a gas turbine engine. The step of applying intermittent power to the shaft is performed during a period where conditions of temperature differential in the engine exist capable of distorting the shaft. The methods and systems shorten the time needed to start a gas turbine engine in such a way that bowing of a shaft is not a significant problem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Steven A. Ross, Thomas E. Agin
  • Patent number: 8167531
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing dynamic loading of a gas turbine engine is provided. The gas turbine engine includes a rotor shaft assembly including a rotor shaft, a bearing assembly, a mounting race, and a support frame, the mounting race including a spherical surface. The method includes supporting the rotor shaft on the gas turbine engine support frame with the bearing assembly, the rotor shaft including a yield portion configured to permit bending of the rotor shaft during an imbalance operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Daniel E. Mollmann, Steven A. Ross, Richard Wesling, Thomas Edward Agin, Charles Orkiszewski
  • Publication number: 20110232294
    Abstract: Methods and systems for mitigating distortion of a shaft of a gas turbine engine are provided. One method comprises at least one step of applying intermittent rotary power to a shaft of a gas turbine engine. The step of applying intermittent power to the shaft is performed during a period where conditions of temperature differential in the engine exist capable of distorting the shaft. The methods and systems shorten the time needed to start a gas turbine engine in such a way that bowing of a shaft is not a significant problem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventors: Steven A. Ross, Thomas E. Agin
  • Publication number: 20090285674
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing dynamic loading of a gas turbine engine is provided. The gas turbine engine includes a rotor shaft assembly including a rotor shaft, a bearing assembly, a mounting race, and a support frame, the mounting race including a spherical surface. The method includes supporting the rotor shaft on the gas turbine engine support frame with the bearing assembly, the rotor shaft including a yield portion configured to permit bending of the rotor shaft during an imbalance operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Inventors: Daniel E. Mollmann, Steven A. Ross, Richard Wesling, Thomas Edward Agin, Charles Orkiszewski
  • Patent number: 6915938
    Abstract: A damper for reducing vibration in a least a portion of a component during inertia welding. The damper includes a generally annular body having a spiral slot formed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Charles William Carrier, Steven A. Ross, Robert R. Kursmark, Chris League, John Absi
  • Publication number: 20040108358
    Abstract: A damper for reducing vibration in a least a portion of a component during inertia welding. The damper includes a generally annular body having a spiral slot formed therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Charles William Carrier, Steven A. Ross, Robert R. Kursmark, Chris League, John Absi
  • Patent number: 6095750
    Abstract: A turbine nozzle assembly includes a plurality of nozzle segments and a nozzle support for supporting the nozzle segments. Each nozzle segment includes an outer band, an inner band and at least two vanes disposed between the outer and inner bands. A retention flange extends radially inwardly from the inner band and has a first hole formed therein. The nozzle support includes a recess formed therein and a mounting flange extending therefrom. The mounting flange is disposed in contact with the retention flange and has a second hole formed therein. A pin is disposed in the first and second holes to position the flanges with respect to one another. A pin retainer is disposed in the recess and has a holding flange for retaining the pin in place. The nozzle support includes a substantially conical portion and an air seal integrally formed thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Steven A. Ross, Robert J. Albers, Edward P. Brill, Andrew D. Kemp, Larry W. Plemmons
  • Patent number: 5984630
    Abstract: A blocker and swirl inducer hole configuration for use in connection with a high pressure turbine is described. In one embodiment, the blocker holes are oriented to a 45-degree tangential angle with respect to the direction of rotation of the seal, which results in pre-swirling the air before being injected into the swirl cavity. In addition, the number of blocker holes is reduced by as much as 50% of the number of blocker holes used in the known CFM56 turbine. Further, rather than injecting the air into the first swirl cavity as is known, the air is injected into a second swirl cavity. The combined effect of orienting the holes to the 45-degree tangential angle with respect to the direction of rotation of the seal, locating the holes to open into the second swirl cavity, and reducing the flow area by about 50%, results in an increase in blocker hole pressure ratio. Increasing the blocker hole pressure ratio results in a higher hole exit velocity which maximizes the cavity inlet swirl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David A. Di Salle, Robert Proctor, Edward P. Brill, Steven A. Ross, Robert J. Albers, John C. Brauer, Gulcharan S. Brainch, Dean T. Lenahan