Patents by Inventor Steven Hillier

Steven Hillier 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: 11976036
    Abstract: Processes for producing n-heptane from a mixture of 1-hexene and 1-octene in the presence of a suitable isomerization-metathesis catalyst followed by a hydrogenation step are disclosed. Integrated manufacturing systems for producing n-heptane with minimal waste also are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Steven M. Bischof, Jeffery C Gee, James Hillier, Kamaljeet Kaur, Ronald C. Smith, Darin B. Tiedtke, Mark L. Hlavinka
  • Patent number: 11773730
    Abstract: A turbine vane assembly adapted for use in a gas turbine engine includes a support and a turbine vane arranged around the support. The support is made of metallic materials. The turbine vane is made of ceramic matrix composite materials to insulate the metallic materials of the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce High Temperature Composites Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Whittle, Steven Hillier, Stephen Harris, Sungbo Shim
  • Publication number: 20230130393
    Abstract: A turbine vane assembly adapted for use in a gas turbine engine includes a support and a turbine vane arranged around the support. The support is made of metallic materials. The turbine vane is made of ceramic matrix composite materials to insulate the metallic materials of the support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2021
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventors: Michael J. Whittle, Steven Hillier, Stephen Harris, Sungbo Shim
  • Patent number: 11274567
    Abstract: A blade track for a gas turbine engine includes a plurality of blade track segments. The blade track segments are arranged circumferentially around a central axis to form the blade track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc., Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel K. Vetters, Aaron D. Sippel, David J. Thomas, Andrew J. Eifert, Paul A. Davis, Simon L. Jones, Peter Broadhead, Bruce E. Varney, Jeffrey A. Walston, Steven Hillier
  • Patent number: 11078802
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine assembly includes a first component, a second component, and a seal. The first component is spaced apart from the second component to form a gap between the first component and the second component. The seal is configured to block gases from flowing in the gap between the first component and the second component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Inventors: Anthony G. Razzell, Michael J. Whittle, Steven Hillier
  • Patent number: 11002143
    Abstract: A turbine shroud adapted for use in a gas turbine engine includes a plurality of metallic carrier segments and a plurality of blade track segments mounted to corresponding metallic carrier segments. Impingement tubes direct cooling air onto the blade track segments to cool the blade track segments when exposed to high temperatures in a gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel K. Vetters, Peter Broadhead, Steven Hillier
  • Patent number: 10883376
    Abstract: A turbine section adapted for use in a gas turbine engine includes a turbine case, a turbine wheel, and a turbine vane assembly. The turbine case is made from metallic materials. The turbine wheel is housed in the case. The turbine vane assembly is fixed to the case and configured to smooth and redirect air moving along a primary gas path of the turbine section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Inventors: Michael J. Whittle, Steven Hillier
  • Patent number: 10844738
    Abstract: This document discloses a wall arrangement for a gas turbine engine, comprising: an annular wall comprising a plurality of circumferential wall segments, adjacent wall segments having opposing first and second end wall portions which define a separating gap therebetween, the gap including a saddle portion which faces radially outwards and comprises a first sealing face on the first end wall portion and a second sealing face on the second end wall portion; and, a longitudinal seal member having a curved sealing surface located within the saddle portion, wherein the curved sealing surface contacts either or both first and second sealing faces along the length of the saddle portion in use, wherein the seal member includes one or more axial restraint features which engage with a corresponding feature of the wall segment or a supporting structure thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Steven Hillier
  • Publication number: 20200355089
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine assembly includes a first component, a second component, and a seal. The first component is spaced apart from the second component to form a gap between the first component and the second component. The seal is configured to block gases from flowing in the gap between the first component and the second component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventors: Anthony G. Razzell, Michael J. Whittle, Steven Hillier
  • Publication number: 20200340883
    Abstract: According to an aspect of this disclosure, a system of applying thermal loads may include at least one laser module, and a plurality of optical components fixed to the at least one laser module and directing a plurality of laser beams from the plurality of optical components towards a surface. Further, the plurality of laser beams apply radiative heating to the surface in accordance with the system. The system also includes at least one infrared camera measuring thermal conditions of the surface, and a controller coordinating operation of the at least one laser module and the at least one infrared camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: Alexander Wong, Steven Hillier, Michael J. Whittle
  • Patent number: 10767493
    Abstract: A turbine section adapted for use in a gas turbine engine includes a turbine case, a turbine wheel, and a turbine vane assembly. The turbine case is made from metallic materials. The turbine wheel is housed in the case. The turbine vane assembly is fixed to the case and configured to smooth and redirect air moving along a primary gas path of the turbine section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Michael J. Whittle, Steven Hillier
  • Patent number: 10767494
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) aerofoil. Example embodiments include an aerofoil comprising first and second tubular CMC cores (302, 303) extending along a longitudinal axis of the aerofoil; and an outer CMC layer surrounding the first and second tubular CMC cores (302, 303) and defining an outer shape of the aerofoil having leading and trailing edges, wherein fibres within a wall of the second tubular CMC core extend to the trailing edge of the aerofoil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventor: Steven Hillier
  • Publication number: 20200263557
    Abstract: A turbine vane assembly adapted for use in a gas turbine engine includes a support and a turbine vane arranged around the support. The support is made of metallic materials. The turbine vane is made of ceramic matrix composite materials to insulate the metallic materials of the support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Michael J. Whittle, Steven Hillier
  • Publication number: 20200248564
    Abstract: A turbine section adapted for use in a gas turbine engine includes a turbine case, a turbine wheel, and a turbine vane assembly. The turbine case is made from metallic materials. The turbine wheel is housed in the case. The turbine vane assembly is fixed to the case and configured to smooth and redirect air moving along a primary gas path of the turbine section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: Michael J. Whittle, Steven Hillier
  • Publication number: 20200248573
    Abstract: A turbine section adapted for use in a gas turbine engine includes a turbine case, a turbine wheel, and a turbine vane assembly. The turbine case is made from metallic materials. The turbine wheel is housed in the case. The turbine vane assembly is fixed to the case and configured to smooth and redirect air moving along a primary gas path of the turbine section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: Michael J. Whittle, Steven Hillier
  • Publication number: 20200191005
    Abstract: A seal segment is disclosed for a shroud ring of a rotor of a gas turbine engine. The gas turbine engine has a principal axis, there being defined an axial direction (A) parallel to the principal axis, a radial direction (R) perpendicular to the principal axis and a circumferential direction (C) perpendicular to the radial direction and the axial direction. The seal segment comprises a radially inner side and a radially outer side, wherein the seal segment comprises a circumferential side face with a slot extending axially along the seal segment and circumferentially into the seal segment. The slot is for retaining a strip seal therein. There is provided at least one relief slit formed in the seal segment from the radially outer side of the seal segment and in communication with the slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Steven HILLIER
  • Patent number: 10584605
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine assembly adapted to separate a high pressure zone from a low pressure zone includes a seal assembly configured to block gasses from passing through the interface of two adjacent components. The seal assembly includes a rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc., Rolls-Royce High Temperature Composites Inc., Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Aaron D. Sippel, Ted J. Freeman, David J. Thomas, Joseph P. Lamusga, Brian J. Shoemaker, Steven Hillier
  • Patent number: 10563535
    Abstract: A blade track for a gas turbine engine includes a plurality of blade track segments. The blade track segments are arranged circumferentially around a central axis to form the blade track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc., Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Daniel K. Vetters, Aaron D. Sippel, David J. Thomas, Andrew J. Eifert, Paul A. Davis, Simon L. Jones, Peter Broadhead, Bruce E. Varney, Jeffrey A. Walston, Steven Hillier
  • Publication number: 20190330988
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) aerofoil. Example embodiments include an aerofoil comprising first and second tubular CMC cores (302, 303) extending along a longitudinal axis of the aerofoil; and an outer CMC layer surrounding the first and second tubular CMC cores (302, 303) and defining an outer shape of the aerofoil having leading and trailing edges, wherein fibres within a wall of the second tubular CMC core extend to the trailing edge of the aerofoil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Steven HILLIER
  • Patent number: 10393026
    Abstract: This disclosure describes a wall arrangement for a gas turbine engine, comprising: an annular wall comprising a plurality of circumferential wall segments, adjacent wall segments having opposing first and second end wall portions which define a separating gap therebetween, the gap including a saddle portion which faces radially outwards and comprises a first sealing face on the first end wall portion and a second sealing face on the second end wall portion; and, a longitudinal seal member having a curved sealing surface located within the saddle portion, wherein the curved sealing surface contacts the either or both first and second sealing faces along the length of the saddle portion in use, wherein the seal member includes axially compressible segments which allow the seal member to bend longitudinally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Steven Hillier