Patents by Inventor Steven Strecker

Steven Strecker 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: 11384687
    Abstract: An anti-icing system for a gas turbine engine comprises a closed circuit containing a phase-change fluid, at least one heating component for boiling the phase-change fluid, the anti-icing system configured so that the phase-change fluid partially vaporizes to a vapour state when boiled by the at least one heating component. The closed circuit has an anti-icing cavity adapted to be in heat exchange with an anti-icing surface of the gas turbine engine for the phase-change fluid to release heat to the anti-icing surface and condense. A feed conduit(s) has an outlet end in fluid communication with the anti-icing cavity to feed the phase-change fluid in vapour state from heating by the at least one heating component to the anti-icing cavity, and at least one return conduit having an outlet end in fluid communication with the anti-icing cavity to direct condensed phase-change fluid from the anti-icing cavity to the at least one heating component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: David Menheere, Richard Kostka, Steven Strecker
  • Publication number: 20200318541
    Abstract: An anti-icing system for a gas turbine engine comprises a closed circuit containing a phase-change fluid, at least one heating component for boiling the phase-change fluid, the anti-icing system configured so that the phase-change fluid partially vaporizes to a vapour state when boiled by the at least one heating component. The closed circuit has an anti-icing cavity adapted to be in heat exchange with an anti-icing surface of the gas turbine engine for the phase-change fluid to release heat to the anti-icing surface and condense. A feed conduit(s) has an outlet end in fluid communication with the anti-icing cavity to feed the phase-change fluid in vapour state from heating by the at least one heating component to the anti-icing cavity, and at least one return conduit having an outlet end in fluid communication with the anti-icing cavity to direct condensed phase-change fluid from the anti-icing cavity to the at least one heating component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Inventors: David MENHEERE, Richard KOSTKA, Steven STRECKER
  • Patent number: 10443503
    Abstract: A gas turbine fuel system including a main fuel line providing fuel flow from a fuel tank to a combustor, and at least one pump, including an ejector pump, pumping fuel from the fuel tank to the combustor via a fuel metering unit. The fuel metering unit directs a portion of the fuel into a motive flow line which returns a portion of the fuel to the ejector pump. First and second heat exchangers are disposed in serial flow communication within the main fuel line between the pump and the fuel metering unit. The first heat exchanger is a fuel-to-fuel heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Daniel Alecu, Steven Strecker, Andrew Walz
  • Publication number: 20160281656
    Abstract: A fuel system for a gas turbine engine having a combustor that is fed fuel from a fuel tank includes a main fuel line providing fuel flow from the fuel tank to the combustor, at least one pump pumping fuel from the fuel tank to the combustor via a fuel metering unit. The at least one pump includes an ejector pump. The fuel metering unit directs a portion of the fuel into a motive flow line. The motive flow line provides return of the portion of the fuel to the ejector pump. A first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger are disposed in serial flow communication within the main fuel line between the at least one pump and the fuel metering unit. The second heat exchanger is downstream from the first heat exchanger. The first heat exchanger is a fuel-to-fuel heat exchanger providing heat transfer communication between the main fuel line and the motive flow line. A method of heating fuel in a fuel system of a gas turbine engine is also presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Daniel ALECU, Steven STRECKER, Andrew WALZ
  • Patent number: 9239005
    Abstract: The combined cooling system uses a single heat exchanger to cool both engine air for use in an engine system and aircraft air for use in an aircraft system. More particularly, a bleed air path leads from the compressor stage to the heat exchanger where it is placed in thermal exchange contact with a flow of cooling air coming from a cooling path. From an outlet end of the heat exchanger, the bleed air splits into two paths: an aircraft air path leading to at least one aircraft system such as an Environmental control system (ECS), a wind de-icing system or the like, and an engine air path leading to at least one engine system such as a buffer air system for pressurizing the bearing cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Steven Strecker, Xiaoliu Liu, Adam Logan
  • Publication number: 20130133334
    Abstract: The combined cooling system uses a single heat exchanger to cool both engine air for use in an engine system and aircraft air for use in an aircraft system. More particularly, a bleed air path leads from the compressor stage to the heat exchanger where it is placed in thermal exchange contact with a flow of cooling air coming from a cooling path. From an outlet end of the heat exchanger, the bleed air splits into two paths: an aircraft air path leading to at least one aircraft system such as an Environmental control system (ECS), a wind de-icing system or the like, and an engine air path leading to at least one engine system such as a buffer air system for pressurizing the bearing cavities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Inventors: STEVEN STRECKER, Xiaoliu Liu, Adam Logan
  • Patent number: 8092153
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine has a plurality of radial struts in a bypass duct. At least one strut has a scoop incorporated with the fairing of the strut and in communication with an air passage of an engine secondary air system. The scoop faces a bypass air flow to scoop a portion of the bypass air flow using available dynamic pressure in the bypass duct. Scooped air may be provided, for example, to an active tip clearance control apparatus in a long duct turbofan engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Steven Strecker, Hong-Wei Hui
  • Publication number: 20100150700
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine has a plurality of radial struts in a bypass duct. At least one strut has a scoop incorporated with the fairing of the strut and in communication with an air passage of an engine secondary air system. The scoop faces a bypass air flow to scoop a portion of the bypass air flow using available dynamic pressure in the bypass duct. Scooped air may be provided, for example, to an active tip clearance control apparatus in a long duct turbofan engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Steven STRECKER, Hong-Wei HUI