Patents by Inventor Steven D. Porter

Steven D. Porter 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: 9851008
    Abstract: A seal land for a gas turbine engine can include a seal body circumferentially extending about a longitudinal centerline axis. The seal body includes at least one sealing surface that extends in a plane that is transverse to the longitudinal centerline axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven D. Porter, Jonathan P. Burt, Jonathan J. Jakiel, Amy M. Gordon, Shelton O. Duelm
  • Patent number: 9828881
    Abstract: A seal support structure for a turbomachine includes a mounting portion shaped to mount to a stationary structure of a turbomachine and a cylindrical leg portion disposed on the mounting portion extending axially from the mounting portion. The cylindrical leg portion can include a radially extending flange. The flange can extend at an angle of 90 degrees from the end of the cylindrical leg portion. The flange can extend at least partially in an axial direction. The cylindrical leg portion can be formed integrally with the mounting portion. In embodiments, the cylindrical leg portion is not integral with the mounting portion, i.e., the cylindrical leg portion is a separate piece joined to the mounting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seth A. Max, Anthony P. Cherolis, Steven D. Porter, Joshua D. Winn, Gregory E. Reinhardt, Jeffrey J. Lienau
  • Publication number: 20170335702
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a seal comprising: a first fitting configured to couple to a first disk, and a curvic joint including curvic teeth, where a first distance between the first fitting and the curvic teeth is equal to or greater than a first thickness of the first disk. In some embodiments, an engine comprises: a compressor disk, a turbine disk, and a seal including: a first fitting configured to couple to the turbine disk, a second fitting configured to couple to the compressor disk, and a curvic joint including curvic teeth, where a first axial distance between the first fitting and the curvic teeth is greater than or equal to a first radial thickness of the turbine disk.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Steven D. Porter, Thomas A. Mariano
  • Patent number: 9822667
    Abstract: A washer includes a hub and a first lobe connected to the hub. The first lobe includes a first hole. A second lobe is also connected to the hub and includes a second hole. A third lobe is also connected to the hub and includes a third hole. The first lobe extends from the hub at least partially in a first direction opposite the second lobe and the third lobe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Steven D. Porter, Anthony P. Cherolis, Alberto A. Mateo, Joshua Daniel Winn, Seth A. Max
  • Patent number: 9822666
    Abstract: A washer includes a first lobe comprising a first hole, a second lobe comprising a second hole, a third lobe comprising a third hole, and a fourth lobe comprising a fourth hole. A first leg extends from the first lobe to the second lobe, and a second leg extends between the third lobe and the fourth lobe, wherein the second leg is parallel to the first leg. A third leg extends from the first lobe to the third lobe and spaces the first leg from the second leg such that the second lobe is disposed opposite the fourth lobe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Seth A. Max, Steven D. Porter
  • Publication number: 20170328204
    Abstract: Methods of manufacturing toothed components for gas turbine engines are provided. The methods include forming a first tooth in the component with a top land, a bottom land, a side wall extending therebetween, and a fillet radius transitioning between the side wall and the bottom land, forming a second tooth in the component adjacent the first tooth, the second tooth having a top land, a bottom land, a side wall extending therebetween and facing the first tooth, and a fillet radius transitioning between the side wall and the bottom land, the bottom land of the second tooth extending toward the bottom land of the first tooth, wherein the bottom lands define a gable area of the component, and forming a stress relief feature in the gable area such that the stress relief feature reduces a stress concentration near the gable area during operation of the toothed component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas A. Mariano, Steven D. Porter
  • Publication number: 20170268351
    Abstract: A disc of a gas turbine engine system with particular retaining ring placement and engagement implementation are provided. For example, the disc includes a disc bore including, a groove formed on an axially extending surface of the disc bore, wherein the groove includes a forward surface that extends radially into the disc bore to a groove floor that is cut into the disc bore, and wherein the groove extends axially to an aft surface that extends radially outward to at least the axially extending surface of the disc bore, and a disc web that extends radially outward from the disc bore, relative to an axis of rotation of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Nicholas Waters Oren, Steven D. Porter
  • Publication number: 20170268352
    Abstract: A disc of a gas turbine engine system with particular retaining ring placement and engagement implementation are provided. For example, the disc includes a disc bore including, a groove formed on an axially extending surface of the disc bore, wherein the groove includes a forward surface that extends radially into the disc bore to a groove floor that is cut into the disc bore and extends axially to an aft surface that extends radially outward to at least the axially extending surface of the disc bore, and a scallop formed along at least one surface of the groove, wherein the scallop is configured to provide a flow path, and a disc web that extends radially outward from the disc bore, relative to an axis of rotation of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Nicholas Waters Oren, Steven D. Porter
  • Publication number: 20170268354
    Abstract: According to one or more embodiments, a cover plate for a gas turbine engine is provided. The cover plate includes a cover plate body that extends from a disc blade attachment radially along an outside surface of a disc web to a disc bore of a disc creating a cavity between the cover plate body and the disc web of the disc, and an attachment protrusion extending from the inner most end of the cover plate body toward the disc bore, and wherein the attachment protrusion is configured to engage with a retention ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Nicholas Waters Oren, Steven D. Porter
  • Publication number: 20170268353
    Abstract: A disc of a gas turbine engine system is provided. The disc includes a disc bore including, an interstage coupling disposed on an axially extending surface at a peripheral edge of the disc bore that includes a protrusion that extends axially beyond an outer surface of the disc bore, and a groove formed on the axially extending surface of the disc bore wherein an aft surface of the groove is also a forward surface of the interstage coupling, wherein the groove includes a forward surface that extends radially into the disc bore to a groove floor that is cut into the disc bore and extends axially to the aft surface that extends radially outward to at least the axially extending surface of the disc bore, and a disc web that extends radially outward from the disc bore, relative to an axis of rotation of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Steven D. Porter, Nicholas Waters Oren
  • Publication number: 20170081967
    Abstract: A casting mold assembly includes an airfoil defining section and a casting core. The airfoil defining section includes an outer mold wall and a direct-shelled inner mold wall. The direct-shelled inner mold wall is disposed within a forward chordwise portion of the airfoil defining section. The direct-shelled inner mold wall includes an aft end having an external radius measuring more than about 0.075 in. (1.9 mm). The casting core is secured within an aft chordwise portion of the airfoil defining section, and includes an aft end with an external radius measuring less than about 0.075 in. (1.9 mm). A cast component and a method for making the casting mold assembly are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Steven J. Bullied, Carl R. Verner, Steven D. Porter, James B. Park
  • Publication number: 20160376925
    Abstract: A seal support structure for a turbomachine includes a mounting portion shaped to mount to a stationary structure of a turbomachine and a cylindrical leg portion disposed on the mounting portion extending axially from the mounting portion. The cylindrical leg portion can include a radially extending flange. The flange can extend at an angle of 90 degrees from the end of the cylindrical leg portion. The flange can extend at least partially in an axial direction. The cylindrical leg portion can be formed integrally with the mounting portion. In embodiments, the cylindrical leg portion is not integral with the mounting portion, i.e., the cylindrical leg portion is a separate piece joined to the mounting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Seth A. Max, Anthony P. Cherolis, Steven D. Porter, Joshua D. Winn, Gregory E. Reinhardt, Jeffrey J. Lienau
  • Publication number: 20160348590
    Abstract: A seal system is provided. The seal system may comprise a first duct having an annular geometry, a second duct overlapping the first duct in a radial direction, and a seal disposed between the first duct and the second duct. The seal may comprise a groove defined by the first duct and a piston configured to slideably engage the groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven D. Porter, Donald W. Peters, James P. Bangerter
  • Patent number: 9486853
    Abstract: A casting mold assembly includes an airfoil defining section and a casting core. The airfoil defining section includes an outer mold wall and a direct-shelled inner mold wall. The direct-shelled inner mold wall is disposed within a forward chordwise portion of the airfoil defining section. The direct-shelled inner mold wall includes an aft end having an external radius measuring more than about 0.075 in. (1.9 mm). The casting core is secured within an aft chordwise portion of the airfoil defining section, and includes an aft end with an external radius measuring less than about 0.075 in. (1.9 mm). A cast component and a method for making the casting mold assembly are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Steven J. Bullied, Carl R. Verner, Steven D. Porter, James B. Park
  • Publication number: 20160290167
    Abstract: A washer includes a hub and a first lobe connected to the hub. The first lobe includes a first hole. A second lobe is also connected to the hub and includes a second hole. A third lobe is also connected to the hub and includes a third hole. The first lobe extends from the hub at least partially in a first direction opposite the second lobe and the third lobe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: Steven D. Porter, Anthony P. Cherolis, Alberto A. Mateo, Joshua Daniel Winn, Seth A. Max
  • Publication number: 20160290166
    Abstract: A washer includes a first lobe comprising a first hole, a second lobe comprising a second hole, a third lobe comprising a third hole, and a fourth lobe comprising a fourth hole. A first leg extends from the first lobe to the second lobe, and a second leg extends between the third lobe and the fourth lobe, wherein the second leg is parallel to the first leg. A third leg extends from the first lobe to the third lobe and spaces the first leg from the second leg such that the second lobe is disposed opposite the fourth lobe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: Seth A. Max, Steven D. Porter
  • Publication number: 20160258322
    Abstract: A mid-turbine frame for a gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a first frame case, a flange coupled to the first frame case, and a heat shield adjacent to the flange and between adjacent spokes. A method of cooling a portion of a gas turbine engine is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: Joshua Daniel Winn, Anthony P. Cherolis, Steven D. Porter, Christopher Treat, Kevin Zacchera
  • Publication number: 20160215638
    Abstract: A sealing arrangement has a turbine static structure with contact surfaces, a bearing compartment with contact surfaces, and a cavity between the turbine static structure and the bearing compartment. There are also two seals, wherein each seal is configured to contact the turbine static structure and the bearing compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventors: Steven D. Porter, Seth A. Max
  • Publication number: 20160215639
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a sealing arrangement includes a turbine static structure with an inner case and a seal ring each having contact surfaces. The sealing arrangement also has a bearing compartment with a contact surface. A piston seal is positioned between the inner case, the seal ring, and the bearing compartment and is configured to contact the contact surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventors: Steven D. Porter, Jonathan Lemoine, Kevin Zacchera
  • Publication number: 20160215702
    Abstract: A sealing arrangement includes a turbine static structure with a seal ring having groove with a contact surface. Also included is a bearing compartment with a second contact surface, and a piston seal positioned between the turbine static structure and the bearing compartment. The piston seal includes sides configured to contact the contact surfaces and is positioned in the groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventors: Anthony P. Cherolis, Jorge I. Farah, Seth A. Max, John H. Mosley, Steven D. Porter, Gregory E. Reinhardt, Kevin Zacchera