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).

  • Publication number: 20160208655
    Abstract: A mid-turbine frame for a gas turbine engine includes an inner frame case that includes a bolt opening and at least one spoke for connecting an outer frame case to the inner frame case that includes an inlet passage that extends in a radial direction. A central bolt extends through the bolt opening for securing at least one spoke to the inner frame case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Inventors: Jorge I. Farah, Steven D. Porter, Paul K. Sanchez, Joseph J. Sedor
  • Patent number: 9394915
    Abstract: A seal land for a gas turbine engine can include a seal body that can extend between a leading edge portion, a trailing edge portion, a radially outer surface and a radially inner surface. A notch can extend at least partially through the seal body between the radially outer surface and the radially inner surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Amy M. Gordon, Jonathan J. Jakiel, Jonathan P. Burt, Steven D. Porter
  • Publication number: 20160201514
    Abstract: A gas-turbine engine is provided comprising a high-pressure turbine, a low-pressure turbine aft of the high-pressure turbine, and a housing around the low-pressure turbine and the high-pressure turbine. A stator may be disposed between the low-pressure turbine and the high-pressure turbine with a boss formed on the stator. A bushing may be retained in the boss with a pin coupled to the housing and partially within the bushing. A method of mounting a full-ring stator is also provided, the method including the steps of inserting a bushing into a boss of the full-ring stator by press fitting, and inserting a pin into the bushing of the full-ring stator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven D. Porter, John T. Ols
  • Publication number: 20160194969
    Abstract: A vane for use in a gas turbine engine has an airfoil extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge, a radially outer platform and a radially inner platform. A rib is on one of the radially inner and radially outer platforms, and is adjacent the trailing edge of the airfoil. A mid-turbine frame is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventors: John T. OLS, Richard N. ALLEN, Steven D. PORTER, Paul K. SANCHEZ
  • Publication number: 20160177764
    Abstract: A compliant seal assembly that may be for an MTF of a gas turbine engine includes a housing orientated about an axis with a circumferentially extending groove in the housing opened radially outward. An annular carrier of the assembly is constructed and arranged to move radially within the groove, and includes a circumferentially extending channel that is opened radially outward for receipt of a piston ring that may seal to a surrounding cylindrical wall. In operation, the carrier moves radially with respect to the housing to compensate for radial displacement between the housing and the wall, and the piston ring moves axially along the wall to compensate for axial displacement between the housing and the wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: Jonathan Lemoine, Steven D. Porter
  • Publication number: 20160177763
    Abstract: A sealing arrangement for a gas turbine engine according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a groove that extends between an upstream rail and a downstream rail, a complementary static structure spaced from the groove, and a seal positioned within the groove and configured to seal a clearance between at least one of the upstream rail and the downstream rail and the complementary static structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: Steven D. Porter, John T. Ols
  • Publication number: 20160177755
    Abstract: A gas-turbine engine is provided. The gas-turbine engine comprises a high pressure turbine with an aft blade platform. A static structure may be disposed aft of the high pressure turbine and proximate a cavity defined by the aft blade platform. A vane of the static structure may have a vane platform with a shaped tip extending into the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven D. Porter, John T. Ols, Kyle C. Lana
  • Publication number: 20160169032
    Abstract: A borescope plug assembly includes a borescope plug having a shaft section and a tip section, a bushing engageable with the shaft section and a seal engageable with the tip section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Steven D. Porter, David T. Feindel, Matthew Budnick, Conway Chuong
  • Publication number: 20160153297
    Abstract: A vane pack for a gas turbine engine includes an annular arrangement of vanes. A ring is secured around the vanes and extends proud of an axial end of the vanes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: John T. Olds, Steven D. Porter
  • Publication number: 20160153296
    Abstract: An interface within a gas turbine engine includes a sealing surface defined by a portion of a vane platform. A seal is in contact with said sealing surface. A barrier is transverse to the sealing surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: John T. Ols, Richard N Allen, Paul K. Sanchez, Steven D. Porter, Jonathan Lemoine
  • Publication number: 20160123166
    Abstract: An airfoil extends between radially inner and radially outer platforms. The airfoil extends between a leading edge and a trailing edge, and merges into facing surfaces of the radially inner and outer platforms. A variable fillet merges a facing surface of one of the radially inner and outer platforms into a wall of the airfoil. The variable fillet has a length extending away from a surface of the airfoil and a height extending away from the facing surface of at least one of the radially inner and outer platforms outwardly on to the airfoil. The variable fillet has a greater length at one of the leading edge and the trailing edge. A spaced portion has a shorter length at locations spaced from at least one of the leading and trailing edges. A mid-turbine frame and a gas turbine engine are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: John T. Ols, Karl A. Mentz, Richard N. Allen, Steven D. Porter, Renee J. Jurek, Paul K. Sanchez, Sandra S. Pinero
  • Publication number: 20160069197
    Abstract: A turbine vane has an airfoil extending between an inner platform and an outer platform. The airfoil is hollow. A hollow within the airfoil extends between an inner leading edge to an inner trailing edge. An inner radius is defined at the inner trailing edge in a circumferential direction measured between walls which extend from the inner leading edge to the inner trailing edge. The inner radius varies along a radial length defined between the inner and outer platforms. A mid-turbine frame and a gas turbine engine are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Steven D. Porter, John T. Ols
  • Publication number: 20160069200
    Abstract: A vane has an airfoil extending between a radially outer platform and a radially inner platform. At least one of the platforms has nominally radially thinner portions, and a pad defining a radially thicker portion. The pad has a radial thickness that is greater than a thickness of the nominal radially thinner portions. The pad surrounds an outer periphery of the airfoil on a side of the radially outer platform. The pad has a varying radial thickness. A mid-turbine frame and a gas turbine engine are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: John T. Ols, Richard N. Allen, Steven D. Porter, Paul K. Sanchez, Sandra S. Pinero
  • Publication number: 20160061046
    Abstract: A vane for use in a gas turbine engine has an airfoil extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge, and is generally hollow. The vane has a radially outer platform and a radially inner platform. At least one of the radially inner and radially outer platforms has thicker portions circumferentially located beyond one of the leading edge and the trailing edge, and thinner portions circumferentially beyond circumferential edges of the airfoil. A mid-turbine frame and a gas turbine engine are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: John T. Ols, Richard N. Allen, Steven D. Porter
  • Publication number: 20140373610
    Abstract: Inspection systems for a gas turbine engine (20) are provided. The inspection systems may comprise an inspection port (106), a bore-scope plug (100), a seal seat (108) and a seal (110A/110B). The bore-scope plug (100) may comprise a shaft (102A/102B) having a uniform or stepped profile. The seal (110A/110B) may be a multi-part seal (110A) or a piston seal (110B). Moreover, the bore-scope plug (100) may be configured to support, carry, and/or stabilize one or more internal structures such as, for example, a mid-turbine frame vane 82. In various embodiments, the inspection systems described herein may provide for increased inspection efficiency during development, qualification, maintenance, and event inspections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: David T. Feindel, Steven D. Porter
  • Publication number: 20140079542
    Abstract: A casting mold assembly comprises 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: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven J. Bullied, Carl R. Verner, Steven D. Porter, James B. Park
  • Publication number: 20130323046
    Abstract: A seal land for a gas turbine engine can include a seal body that can extend between a leading edge portion, a trailing edge portion, a radially outer surface and a radially inner surface. A notch can extend at least partially through the seal body between the radially outer surface and the radially inner surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: Amy M. Gordon, Jonathan J. Jakiel, Jonathan P. Burt, Steven D. Porter
  • Publication number: 20130323045
    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: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: Steven D. Porter, Jonathan P. Burt, Jonathan J. Jakiel, Amy M. Gordon, Shelton O. Duelm