Patents by Inventor Steven J. Sirica

Steven J. Sirica 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: 20180107176
    Abstract: A system for simulating an operation of a gas turbine engine is disclosed, having a computing system and a FADEC in electronic communication therewith, the computer system simulating an engine state. In each delta time, being the FADEC sampling rate (1) the FADEC: senses the simulated engine state from the computing system; determines a difference between the sensed state and a predetermined engine state; and outputs engine control commands intended for achieving the predetermined state; and (2) the computing system: receives the FADEC output; utilizes the output in an m×m Jacobian Block, having m active balances; and performs a reduced balance simulation, wherein: fewer than m columns of the Block are analyzed, the analysis of each column defining a Rolling Jacobian Pass; output from the Rolling Jacobian Passes is integrated into the Block, to define an updated simulated engine state; and the updated state is communicated to the FADEC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: David Sembiante, Steven J. Sirica, Igor Fuksman, Jeffrey C. Simmons
  • Patent number: 9097133
    Abstract: A compressor tip clearance management system includes a compressor section having a low pressure compressor and a high pressure compressor arranged downstream from the low pressure compressor. A variable stator vane is arranged upstream from the high pressure compressor. The variable stator vane is connected to an actuator, and a controller is in communication with the actuator. The controller is configured to provide a command to the actuator to move the variable stator vane in response to a high pressure compressor clearance condition. A high pressure compressor rotor speed is altered, and the high pressure compressor clearance condition is changed to a desired clearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuan Dong, Lisa I. Brilliant, Daniel Carminati, Steven J. Sirica
  • Patent number: 9003768
    Abstract: A turbine engine includes a plurality of variable fan inlet guide vanes. Where the turbine engine is a tip turbine engine, the variable fan inlet guide vanes permit the ability to control engine stability even though the fan-turbine rotor assembly is directly coupled to the axial compressor at a fixed rate. The fan inlet guide vanes may be actuated from an inner diameter of the fan inlet guide vanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Brian Merry, James W. Norris, Steven J. Sirica
  • Patent number: 8615980
    Abstract: A rotary-wing aircraft includes a retractable port movable between a closed position and an open position to selectively control flow of combustion gases into a bypass passage to change a power distribution between a rotor system and a secondary propulsion system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Rajendra K. Agrawal, Steven J. Sirica, William F. Schneider
  • Publication number: 20130323012
    Abstract: A compressor tip clearance management system includes a compressor section having a low pressure compressor and a high pressure compressor arranged downstream from the low pressure compressor. A variable stator vane is arranged upstream from the high pressure compressor. The variable stator vane is connected to an actuator, and a controller is in communication with the actuator. The controller is configured to provide a command to the actuator to move the variable stator vane in response to a high pressure compressor clearance condition. A high pressure compressor rotor speed is altered, and the high pressure compressor clearance condition is changed to a desired clearance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: Yuan Dong, Lisa I. Brilliant, Daniel Carminati, Steven J. Sirica
  • Patent number: 8511058
    Abstract: A convertible gas turbine propulsion system operates in multiple output modes. The convertible gas turbine propulsion system comprises a gas generator, a first power turbine, a secondary propulsion system and an exhaust duct. The gas generator is configured to produce exhaust gas. The first power turbine is aligned with the gas generator to receive the exhaust gas. The secondary propulsion system is in series with the gas generator and the first power turbine. The exhaust duct coaxially extends from the first power turbine to the secondary propulsion system. The exhaust duct includes an exhaust port for opening the exhaust duct to ambient air pressure and permitting exhaust gas to bypass the secondary propulsion system. In various embodiments of the invention, the first power turbine is connected to a first rotary propulsion system, and the secondary propulsion system comprises a second power turbine or a nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Rajendra K. Agrawal, Steven J. Sirica, William F. Schneider
  • Publication number: 20130019585
    Abstract: A turbine engine includes a compressor section, a combustor arranged in fluid-receiving communication with the compressor section, a turbine section arranged in fluid-receiving communication with the combustor and a gearbox assembly coupled to be driven by the turbine section. The gearbox assembly is located at an axial position that is aft of the compressor section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Inventors: Brian Merry, Gabriel L. Suciu, James W. Norris, Steven J. Sirica, Frederick M. Schwarz
  • Patent number: 8276362
    Abstract: A turbine engine includes a plurality of variable fan inlet guide vanes. Where the turbine engine is a tip turbine engine, the variable fan inlet guide vanes permit the ability to control engine stability even though the fan-turbine rotor assembly is directly coupled to the axial compressor at a fixed rate. The fan inlet guide vanes may be actuated from an inner diameter of the fan inlet guide vanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Brian Merry, James W. Norris, Steven J. Sirica
  • Publication number: 20120167593
    Abstract: A gearbox support assembly for a turbine engine includes an epicyclic gear arrangement and a first tapered bearing and a second tapered bearing spaced apart from the first tapered bearing. The first tapered bearing and the second tapered bearing support the epicyclic gear arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Brian Merry, James W. Norris, Steven J. Sirica
  • Publication number: 20120121375
    Abstract: A turbine engine includes a plurality of variable fan inlet guide vanes. Where the turbine engine is a tip turbine engine, the variable fan inlet guide vanes permit the ability to control engine stability even though the fan-turbine rotor assembly is directly coupled to the axial compressor at a fixed rate. The fan inlet guide vanes may be actuated from an inner diameter of the fan inlet guide vanes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Brian Merry, James W. Norris, Steven J. Sirica
  • Publication number: 20120023891
    Abstract: A rotary-wing aircraft includes a retractable port movable between a closed position and an open position to selectively control flow of combustion gases into a bypass passage to change a power distribution between a rotor system and a secondary propulsion system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Rajendra K. Agrawal, Steven J. Sirica, William F. Schneider
  • Publication number: 20110142601
    Abstract: A turbine engine includes a plurality of variable fan inlet guide vanes. Where the turbine engine is a tip turbine engine, the variable fan inlet guide vanes permit the ability to control engine stability even though the fan-turbine rotor assembly is directly coupled to the axial compressor at a fixed rate. The fan inlet guide vanes may be actuated from an inner diameter of the fan inlet guide vanes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Brian Merry, James W. Norris, Steven J. Sirica
  • Patent number: 7882694
    Abstract: A turbine engine includes a plurality of variable fan inlet guide vanes. Where the turbine engine is a tip turbine engine, the variable fan inlet guide vanes permit the ability to control engine stability even though the fan-turbine rotor assembly is directly coupled to the axial compressor at a fixed rate. The fan inlet guide vanes may be actuated from an inner diameter of the fan inlet guide vanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Brian Merry, James W. Norris, Steven J. Sirica
  • Publication number: 20090139202
    Abstract: A convertible gas turbine propulsion system operates in multiple output modes. The convertible gas turbine propulsion system comprises a gas generator, a first power turbine, a secondary propulsion system and an exhaust duct. The gas generator is configured to produce exhaust gas. The first power turbine is aligned with the gas generator to receive the exhaust gas. The secondary propulsion system is in series with the gas generator and the first power turbine. The exhaust duct coaxially extends from the first power turbine to the secondary propulsion system. The exhaust duct includes an exhaust port for opening the exhaust duct to ambient air pressure and permitting exhaust gas to bypass the secondary propulsion system. In various embodiments of the invention, the first power turbine is connected to a first rotary propulsion system, and the secondary propulsion system comprises a second power turbine or a nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Rajendra K. Agrawal, Steven J. Sirica, William F. Schneider
  • Publication number: 20090074568
    Abstract: A turbine engine includes a plurality of variable fan inlet guide vanes. Where the turbine engine is a tip turbine engine, the variable fan inlet guide vanes permit the ability to control engine stability even though the fan-turbine rotor assembly is directly coupled to the axial compressor at a fixed rate. The fan inlet guide vanes may be actuated from an inner diameter of the fan inlet guide vanes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Brian Merry, James W. Norris, Steven J. Sirica