Patents by Inventor Steven D. Roberts

Steven D. Roberts 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: 11914849
    Abstract: A method for enhancing interaction between a customer and a customer service representative of a company is provided. A graphical user interface (GUI) of a windows control tool is displayed. A type of an interaction between the customer and the customer service representative at a computer operated by the company is determined. One or more applications associated with the type of interaction are launched based on a predetermined display layout associated with the type of interaction. One or more application windows corresponding to the launched applications are arranged on a screen based on the predetermined display layout associated with the type of interaction. The windows control tool is configured to control the one or more application windows based on customer service representative's input. The GUI of the windows control tool displays a plurality of window objects corresponding to the one or more launched applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association
    Inventors: David W. Roberts, Aaron Quade, Steven D. Sternitzke
  • Patent number: 11111804
    Abstract: Integrally bladed rotors (IBRs) are described. The IBRs include a central hub, an outer rim defining an outer circumference of the central hub, the outer rim defining a plurality of platforms, a plurality of circumferentially distributed blades, wherein a blade extends from each of the plurality of platforms, a rotor slot arranged between two adjacent blades, wherein the rotor slot is defined by a cut within the outer rim, and a rotor slot insert installed within the rotor slot, the rotor slot insert sized and shaped to fit within the rotor slot and prevent air leakage from a first side of the central hub to a second side of the central hub through the rotor slot during operation of the integrally bladed rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Weston Behling, Jason Leroux, Robert B. Fuller, Steven D. Roberts
  • Patent number: 11008879
    Abstract: A vane arm assembly for a gas turbine engine is provided including: a vane arm having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and an aperture proximate the second end, the aperture being defined by an aperture wall; a vane stem extending through the aperture of the vane arm; a mechanical fastener retaining a position of the vane arm in the longitudinal direction of the vane stem; and an impedance clip partially enclosing a portion of the second end of the vane arm to provide redundant position retention of the vane arm in the longitudinal direction of the vane stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: William S. Pratt, Matthew E. Bintz, Steven D. Roberts, Adam Hart
  • Patent number: 10968767
    Abstract: A variable vane actuation system of a gas turbine engine is provided. The variable vane actuation system including: a variable vane; a vane stem operably associated with the variable vane, wherein the variable vane is configured to rotate with the vane stem; a vane arm having vane stem end and a vane pin end opposite the vane stem end, the vane arm being operably connected to the vane stem at the vane stem end; and a rotational variable differential transformer operably connected to the vane stem, the rotational variable differential transformer configured to detect an amount of rotation of the vane stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: William S. Pratt, Martin Richard Amari, Steven D. Roberts, Ryan M. Stanley
  • Patent number: 10808539
    Abstract: A rotor blade for a gas turbine engine includes a blade extending from a root and a contoured tip portion at a first end of the blade. The first end is opposite the root. The contoured tip portion includes a first sloped region and a second sloped region. The second sloped region is steeper than the first sloped region, relative to a platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Taryn Narrow, Matthew E. Bintz, Lucas D. Sorensen, Daniel J. Monahan, Steven D. Roberts, Jordan T. Wall, Yuan Dong, Lisa I. Brilliant, Andrew J. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20200291802
    Abstract: Integrally bladed rotors (IBRs) are described. The IBRs include a central hub, an outer rim defining an outer circumference of the central hub, the outer rim defining a plurality of platforms, a plurality of circumferentially distributed blades, wherein a blade extends from each of the plurality of platforms, a rotor slot arranged between two adjacent blades, wherein the rotor slot is defined by a cut within the outer rim, and a rotor slot insert installed within the rotor slot, the rotor slot insert sized and shaped to fit within the rotor slot and prevent air leakage from a first side of the central hub to a second side of the central hub through the rotor slot during operation of the integrally bladed rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Inventors: Weston Behling, Jason Leroux, Robert B. Fuller, Steven D. Roberts
  • Publication number: 20200232336
    Abstract: A vane arm assembly for a gas turbine engine is provided including: a vane arm having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and an aperture proximate the second end, the aperture being defined by an aperture wall; a vane stem extending through the aperture of the vane arm; a mechanical fastener retaining a position of the vane arm in the longitudinal direction of the vane stem; and an impedance clip partially enclosing a portion of the second end of the vane arm to provide redundant position retention of the vane arm in the longitudinal direction of the vane stem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventors: William S. Pratt, Matthew E. Bintz, Steven D. Roberts, Adam Hart
  • Publication number: 20200032669
    Abstract: A rotor system for a gas turbine engine may comprise a shrouded blade assembly. The shrouded blade assembly may include a blade configured to rotate about a central longitudinal axis of the gas turbine engine, an inner diameter shroud located at a proximal end of the blade, and a blade tip shroud located at a distal end of the blade. A radial seal assembly may be located radially outward of a distal surface of the blade tip shroud.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Steven D. Roberts
  • Publication number: 20190338665
    Abstract: A variable vane actuation system of a gas turbine engine is provided. The variable vane actuation system including: a variable vane; a vane stem operably associated with the variable vane, wherein the variable vane is configured to rotate with the vane stem; a vane arm having vane stem end and a vane pin end opposite the vane stem end, the vane arm being operably connected to the vane stem at the vane stem end; and a rotational variable differential transformer operably connected to the vane stem, the rotational variable differential transformer configured to detect an amount of rotation of the vane stem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: William S. Pratt, Martin Richard Amari, Steven D. Roberts, Ryan M. Stanley
  • Publication number: 20190264574
    Abstract: A vane arm assembly for a gas turbine engine. The vane arm assembly includes a vane arm defining an aperture at an end thereof with an aperture wall. The vane arm assembly also includes a vane stem extending through the aperture of the vane arm. The vane arm assembly further includes a mechanical fastener retaining a position of the vane arm in the longitudinal direction of the vane stem. The vane arm assembly yet further includes an impedance ring disposed within the aperture of the vane arm and within an impedance ring groove defined by the vane stem to provide redundant position retention of the vane arm in the longitudinal direction of the vane stem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventors: Diane C. Kjelby, William S. Pratt, Adam Hart, Steven D. Roberts
  • Patent number: 10302041
    Abstract: Tracks (35), fastened to static structure of an aircraft engine nozzle, guide sliders (32) journaled in struts (27, 28) fastened to a flap (23) of the nozzle. Each slider and attached journal axle or bolt (33) is formed of cobalt, and each track slider surface (61) and journal bushings (43, 44) are formed of a nickel alloy to reduce wear from rubbing. Track slides (40, 41) are mounted to the static structure of the nozzle by blind bolts (68) having a tool recess (70) at its threaded tip to prevent the bolt (68) from turning as a nut is secured. Each slider has limited rotation due to a pin (102), thereon engaging a slot in a tab (100) of the bushing (43) to assist in inserting the slider (32) into the beveled ends of the tracks (35, 36), when mounting or replacing a flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph J. Czapski, Jr., David C. Pimenta, Chung-Han Liou, Paul R. Senofonte, Steven D. Roberts
  • Publication number: 20180023396
    Abstract: A rotor blade for a gas turbine engine includes a blade extending from a root and a contoured tip portion at a first end of the blade. The first end is opposite the root. The contoured tip portion includes a first sloped region and a second sloped region. The second sloped region is steeper than the first sloped region, relative to a platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Taryn Narrow, Matthew E. Bintz, Lucas D. Sorensen, Daniel J. Monahan, Steven D. Roberts, Jordan T. Wall, Yuan Dong, Lisa I. Brilliant, Andrew J. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20170298867
    Abstract: Tracks (35), fastened to static structure of an aircraft engine nozzle, guide sliders (32) journaled in struts (27, 28) fastened to a flap (23) of the nozzle. Each slider and attached journal axle or bolt (33) is formed of cobalt, and each track slider surface (61) and journal bushings (43, 44) are formed of a nickel alloy to reduce wear from rubbing. Track slides (40, 41) are mounted to the static structure of the nozzle by blind bolts (68) having a tool recess (70) at its threaded tip to prevent the bolt (68) from turning as a nut is secured. Each slider has limited rotation due to a pin (102), thereon engaging a slot in a tab (100) of the bushing (43) to assist in inserting the slider (32) into the beveled ends of the tracks (35, 36), when mounting or replacing a flap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph J. Czapski, Jr., David C. Pimenta, Chung-Han Liou, Paul R. Senofonte, Steven D. Roberts
  • Patent number: 9551294
    Abstract: Tracks (35), fastened to static structure of an aircraft engine nozzle, guide sliders (32) journaled in struts (27, 28) fastened to a flap (23) of the nozzle. Each slider and attached journal axle or bolt (33) is formed of cobalt, and each track slider surface (61) and journal bushings (43, 44) are formed of a nickel alloy to reduce wear from rubbing. Track slides (40, 41) are mounted to the static structure of the nozzle by blind bolts (68) having a tool recess (70) at its threaded tip to prevent the bolt (68) from turning as a nut is secured. Each slider has limited rotation due to a pin (102), thereon engaging a slot in a tab (100) of the bushing (43) to assist in inserting the slider (32) into the beveled ends of the tracks (35, 36), when mounting or replacing a flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph J Czapski, Jr., David C Pimenta, Chung-Han Liou, Paul R Senofonte, Steven D. Roberts
  • Patent number: 9359972
    Abstract: A multi axis slide carriage system includes a channeled track, a slide, a shaft and a slide carriage bracket. The channeled track extends along a first axis. The slider slides along the first axis within the channeled track, and includes a slider segment aperture extending therein along a second axis. The shaft includes a slider segment connected to a carriage bracket segment. The slider segment slides along the second axis within the slider segment aperture. The slide carriage bracket is positioned adjacent to the channeled track, and is connected to the carriage bracket segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Steven D. Roberts, Paul R. Senofonte
  • Patent number: 9284889
    Abstract: A flexible seal system for a gas turbine engine includes an annular mounting bracket, an annular support bracket, an annular flexible seal and a plurality of mounting spacers. The flexible seal extends axially between a first mounting segment and a second mounting segment. The first mounting segment is connected axially between the mounting bracket and the support bracket, and includes a plurality of mounting apertures that extend axially through the first mounting segment. Each of the mounting spacers is arranged within a respective one of the mounting apertures, and extends axially between the mounting bracket and the support bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jocelyn C. Damgaard, Steven D. Roberts, Timothy Dale
  • Patent number: 9228533
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine system includes an airframe support, a gas turbine engine mounted to the airframe support, a nozzle exhaust mounted to the airframe support, and a flexible annular seal having a first end that is attached to the gas turbine engine and a second end that is attached to an exhaust nozzle. The flexible annular seal may include a flexible annular wall that permits relative deflection between the gas turbine engine and the exhaust nozzle to facilitate the reduction of undesirable load transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Steven D. Roberts, Richard W. Monahan, David C. Pimenta
  • Publication number: 20150192092
    Abstract: Tracks (35), fastened to static structure of an aircraft engine nozzle, guide sliders (32) journaled in struts (27, 28) fastened to a flap (23) of the nozzle. Each slider and attached journal axle or bolt (33) is formed of cobalt, and each track slider surface (61) and journal bushings (43, 44) are formed of a nickel alloy to reduce wear from rubbing. Track slides (40, 41) are mounted to the static structure of the nozzle by blind bolts (68) having a tool recess (70) at its threaded tip to prevent the bolt (68) from turning as a nut is secured. Each slider has limited rotation due to a pin (102), thereon engaging a slot in a tab (100) of the bushing (43) to assist in inserting the slider (32) into the beveled ends of the tracks (35, 36), when mounting or replacing a flap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph J. Czapski, JR., David C. Pimenta, Chung-Han Liou, Paul R. Senofonte, Steven D. Roberts
  • Publication number: 20140182292
    Abstract: An article includes a body portion made of a metal and configured for use in a gas turbine engine, a sensing feature monolithically formed with the body portion, and an interior passage connected to the sensing feature and passing through the body portion. An article with integrated sensing features may be made additive manufacturing, resulting in a structure having internal passageways connecting an aperture at one surface of the monolithic article to a second aperture at another surface of the monolithic article at the opposite end of the internal passageway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: David J. Hudon, Steven D. Roberts, Gary A. Schirtzinger, Joe Ott
  • Patent number: 8755555
    Abstract: A set of adjustable and convertible headphones includes a headband, an adjustment member, and an earpiece. The adjustment member is connected to the headband by a hinge; earpiece has a channel receiving the adjustment member and is slidably connected to the adjustment member. Rotation of the adjustment member with respect to the headband is spring-loaded in only one direction. The adjustment member and the earpiece in combination include a detent mechanism for resisting sliding movement of the earpiece with respect to the adjustment member. The adjustment member may be completely removed from the channel, thereby disconnecting the earpiece from the headband. The earpiece may then be replaced by another ear covering (e.g., an earmuff, an ear protector, etc.) as desired. The replacement ear covering may include an audio speaker, for example an audio/earmuff combination earpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: The Echo Design Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Dougherty, Steven D. Roberts