Patents by Inventor Steven W. Burd

Steven W. Burd 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: 20140099182
    Abstract: An example damper includes a damping member configured to damp a duct wall at an interface between a duct band and the duct wall
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Inventors: Ryan C. McMahon, Robert J. Sayers, Steven W. Burd
  • Publication number: 20140090391
    Abstract: A combustor for a gas turbine engine includes an forward fuel injection system in communication with a combustion chamber and a downstream fuel injection system that communicates with the combustion chamber downstream of the forward fuel injection system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Steven W. Burd
  • Patent number: 8671692
    Abstract: A combustor assembly includes a convergent segment followed by a divergent segment to advantageously improve combustion. The combustor assembly includes a first segment beginning at a forward end that transitions to a second segment past a transition segment in a direction along a combustor axis toward an aft end. The reduction in cross-sectional area within the first segment provides desirable fuel and air mixing properties. The convergent first segment in combination with the divergent second segment decreases residence time of fuel-air mixture within the combustor chamber that decreases production of undesirable emissions from the combustor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Steven W. Burd, William Sowa, Albert K. Cheung, Stephen Karl Kramer, Reid Dyer Curtis Smith, James Hoke
  • Publication number: 20130323405
    Abstract: A method of repairing a component removes a prior coating from an underlying metal substrate. Small cooling air holes extend through the substrate and the coating that is to be removed. A new coating layer is placed on the metal substrate, and over the existing cooling air holes. The location of the cooling air holes is identified by inspecting the coated component for the location of indicators of the coating passing over the cooling air holes. The identified location of the indicators is used to control a cutting tool to remove any new coating from the cooling air holes. The basic method may also benefit new manufacture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventor: Steven W. Burd
  • Publication number: 20130256993
    Abstract: A seal for use between a first duct and a second duct and, the ducts having relative motion therebetween, includes a first plurality of fingers for attachment to the first duct to be disposed about one of the first duct and the second duct, a seal land attaching to about an other of the first duct and the second duct, and a seal attaching to the seal land and in contact with the plurality of fingers wherein one of the plurality of fingers and the seal is metallic and an other of the seal land or the plurality of fingers is non-metallic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventors: Steven W. Burd, Roger W. Bursey, Gonzalo F. Martinez, Meggan H. Harria-Miller
  • Publication number: 20130091849
    Abstract: An augmentor for a gas turbine engine includes an augmentor spray bar with a spray bar outlet, and an augmentor spray bar tip. The spray bar tip includes a tip body, a tip bushing and a tip support strut. The tip body includes a first flow passage extending therethrough between a tip inlet and a tip outlet, wherein the tip inlet is connected to the spray bar outlet. The tip bushing includes a bushing bore. The tip body extends through the bushing bore defining a second flow passage between the tip body and the tip bushing. The tip support strut connects the tip body to the tip bushing across the second flow passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Andreas Sadil, Steven W. Burd, Bessem Jlidi, Dennis M. Moura, Christopher R. Brdar, Leong Ma, Fernando K. Grant, Jodie L. Hermann, Kelly A. Vanston, Matthew J. Westergard, George F. Titterton
  • Patent number: 8418470
    Abstract: A section panel assembly for a bulkhead of a gas turbine combustor includes a section panel defining a rear or cold side and defining a front or hot side. The panel has a circumferential inner edge, a circumferential outer edge and radially extending first and second side edges each extending from the inner edge to the outer edge such that the inner and outer edges subtend a predetermined arc. The panel defines at least one opening extending from the rear side to the front side for receiving cooling air. The rear side includes a central lip extending about a periphery of the opening, and a circumferential rail spaced radially outwardly of and extending about the opening for defining a cavity region including the opening on the rear side of the section panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Steven W. Burd
  • Patent number: 8216687
    Abstract: An article has a metallic substrate having a first emissivity. A thermal barrier coating atop the substrate may have an emissivity that is a substantial fraction of the first emissivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Steven W. Burd, Robert M. Sonntag, Kevin W. Schlichting
  • Publication number: 20120017599
    Abstract: A combustor assembly includes a convergent segment followed by a divergent segment to advantageously improve combustion. The combustor assembly includes a first segment beginning at a forward end that transitions to a second segment past a transition segment in a direction along a combustor axis toward an aft end. The reduction in cross-sectional area within the first segment provides desirable fuel and air mixing properties. The convergent first segment in combination with the divergent second segment decreases residence time of fuel-air mixture within the combustor chamber that decreases production of undesirable emissions from the combustor assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventors: Steven W. Burd, William Sowa, Albert K. Cheung, Stephen Karl Kramer, Reid Dyer Curtis Smith, James Hoke
  • Patent number: 8056342
    Abstract: A combustor for a turbine engine includes an outer liner having a row of circumferentially distributed outer combustion air holes and an inner liner circumscribed by the outer liner and having a row of circumferentially distributed inner combustion air holes. The inner and outer liners each include at least a major air hole having a first hole size, an intermediate air hole having a second hole size, and a minor air hole having a third hole size. The first, second, and third hole sizes are all different from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan K. Shelley, Albert K. Cheung, Steven W. Burd, Stuart L. Kozola
  • Patent number: 8028528
    Abstract: A combustor assembly includes a convergent segment followed by a divergent segment to advantageously improve combustion. The combustor assembly includes a first segment beginning at a forward end that transitions to a second segment past a transition segment in a direction along a combustor axis toward an aft end. The reduction in cross-sectional area within the first segment provides desirable fuel and air mixing properties. The convergent first segment in combination with the divergent second segment decreases residence time of fuel-air mixture within the combustor chamber that decreases production of undesirable emissions from the combustor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Steven W. Burd, William Sowa, Albert K. Cheung, Stephen Karl Kramer, Reid Dyer Curtis Smith, James Hoke
  • Patent number: 7954325
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine has a combustor module including an annular combustor having a liner assembly that defines an annular combustion chamber having a length, L. The liner assembly includes a radially inner liner, a radially outer liner that circumscribes the inner liner, and a bulkhead, having a height, H1, which extends between the respective forward ends of the inner liner and the outer liner. The combustor has an exit height, H3, at the respective aft ends of the inner liner and the outer liner interior. The annular combustor has a ratio H1/H3 having a value less than or equal to 1.7. The annular combustor may also have a ration L/H3 having a value less than or equal to 6.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Steven W. Burd, Albert K. Cheung, Dae K. Dempsey, James B. Hoke, Stephen K. Kramer, John T. Ols, Reid Dyer Curtis Smith, William A. Sowa
  • Patent number: 7947233
    Abstract: A method of combusting a catalyzed hydrocarbon fuel comprising providing a first fluid and a second fluid, at least one of said fluids comprising a mixture of a hydrocarbon fuel with an air stream, passing the first fluid into one or more catalytic tubes of a catalytic reactor, and passing the second fluid adjacent the catalytic tubes in a chamber of a catalytic reactor. A varying tube cross section to modify the flow of one of the fluids is provided for at least a portion of the tube. The flow of the first fluid leaving the catalytic tubes is mixed with the second fluid and combusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Steven W. Burd, Meredith B. Colket, III
  • Patent number: 7934382
    Abstract: A combustor assembly for a turbine engine includes an aft open end that communicates gas flow to a turbine assembly. The combustor assembly includes a liner assembly that terminates at a first fixed vane. A portion of the liner assembly extends an axial distance into the first fixed vane portion. An inner surface of the liner assembly corresponds with inner surfaces of the fixed vane portion to provide a smooth transition from the inner surfaces of the combustor assembly to the turbine assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Steven W. Burd
  • Publication number: 20100223849
    Abstract: A method of combusting a catalyzed hydrocarbon fuel comprising providing a first fluid and a second fluid, at least one of said fluids comprising a mixture of a hydrocarbon fuel with an air stream, passing the first fluid into one or more catalytic tubes of a catalytic reactor, and passing the second fluid adjacent the catalytic tubes in a chamber of a catalytic reactor. A varying tube cross section to modify the flow of one of the fluids is provided for at least a portion of the tube. The flow of the first fluid leaving the catalytic tubes is mixed with the second fluid and combusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven W. Burd, Meredith B. Colket, III
  • Patent number: 7727495
    Abstract: A catalyst conduit for a catalytic reactor of a turbine combustor, the conduit comprising a tube including an inlet and an outlet, and a wall with an interior surface and an exterior surface. The tube contains a variation in its cross sectional area along at least a portion of its length to change a property of a fluid flowing adjacent the wall of the tube. An oxidation catalyst is deposited on at least a portion of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Steven W. Burd, Meredith B. Colket, III
  • Publication number: 20100050643
    Abstract: Gas turbine engine systems and methods involving enhanced fuel dispersion are provided. In this regard, a representative method for operating a gas turbine engine includes: providing a gas path through the engine; introducing a spray of fuel along the gas path downstream of a turbine of the engine; and impinging the spray of fuel with a relatively higher velocity flow of air such that atomization of the fuel is increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORP.
    Inventors: Timothy S. Snyder, Steven W. Burd, Randal G. McKinney, George F. Titterton, Joey Wong
  • Patent number: 7665307
    Abstract: A combustor liner assembly includes an outer shell made of a ceramic composite and an inner heat shell that is supported within the outer shell. The inner heat shield defines a surface that is exposed to combustion gases. The inner heat shield is made of material that is compatible with the ceramic matrix composite and that provides favorable thermal gradient capability for a combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Steven W. Burd, Stephen K. Kramer, John T. Ols
  • Publication number: 20090308077
    Abstract: A combustor for a turbine engine includes an outer liner having a row of circumferentially distributed outer combustion air holes and an inner liner circumscribed by the outer liner and having a row of circumferentially distributed inner combustion air holes. The inner and outer liners each include at least a major air hole having a first hole size, an intermediate air hole having a second hole size, and a minor air hole having a third hole size. The first, second, and third hole sizes are all different from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: Jonathan K. Shelley, Albert K. Cheung, Steven W. Burd, Stuart L. Kozola
  • Patent number: 7631502
    Abstract: A combustor assembly includes an inner and an outer liner defining a combustion chamber. The inner and outer liner includes a plurality of cooling holes that are spaced a specified distance apart. The cooling holes include a specified inclination angle and circumferential angle. A first group of cooling holes is spaced apart according to a uniform geometric pattern and density. A second group disposed between the first group and some structural feature within the liner assembly is disposed at a non-uniform pattern and a hole density equal to the density of the first group of cooling holes. The non-uniform cooling hole arrangement increases cooling flow effectiveness to accommodate local disturbances and thermal properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Steven W. Burd, Albert K. Cheung