Patents by Inventor T. Smith

T. Smith 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: 20240209787
    Abstract: A method of operating a gas turbine engine is disclosed, the gas turbine engine comprising a combustor arranged to combust a fuel; and a fuel management system arranged to provide the fuel to the combustor. The fuel management system comprises two fuel-oil heat exchangers through which oil and the fuel flow, the heat exchangers arranged to transfer heat to the fuel and comprising a primary fuel-oil heat exchanger and a secondary fuel-oil heat exchanger; and a fuel pump arranged to deliver the fuel to the combustor, wherein the fuel pump is located between the two heat exchangers. The method comprises controlling the fuel management system so as to transfer between 200 and 600 KJ/m3 of heat to the fuel from the oil in the primary fuel-oil heat exchanger at cruise conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2023
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Craig W BEMMENT, Alastair G HOBDAY, Benjamin J KEELER, Christopher P MADDEN, Andrea MINELLI, Andrew T SMITH, Peter SWANN, Martin K YATES
  • Publication number: 20240210035
    Abstract: A method of operating a gas turbine engine; the gas turbine engine includes a combustor. The combustor includes a combustion chamber and a plurality of fuel spray nozzles configured to inject fuel into the combustion chamber. The plurality of fuel spray nozzles includes a first subset of fuel spray nozzles and a second subset of fuel spray nozzles. The combustor is operable in a condition in which the first subset of fuel spray nozzles are supplied with more fuel than the second subset of fuel spray nozzles. A ratio of the number of fuel spray nozzles in the first subset of fuel spray nozzles to the number of fuel spray nozzles in the second subset of fuel spray nozzles is in the range of 1:2 to 1:5. The method includes: providing fuel to the one or more fuel-oil heat exchangers. Also provided is a gas turbine engine for an aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2023
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Christopher P. MADDEN, Craig W. BEMMENT, Andrew T. SMITH, Peter SWANN
  • Publication number: 20240210037
    Abstract: A method of operating a gas turbine engine including a combustor. The combustor includes a combustion chamber and a plurality of fuel spray nozzles configured to inject fuel into the chamber. The nozzles include a first and second subset of fuel spray nozzles. The combustor is operable in a condition wherein the first subset is supplied with more fuel than the second. A ratio of the number of nozzles in the first subset to the second is 1:2 to 1:5. The method includes operating the engine so a reduction of 20-80% in an average of particles/kg of nvPM in the exhaust when the engine is operating at 85% available thrust for given operating conditions and when the engine is operating at 30% is obtained when fuel provided to the nozzles is a sustainable aviation fuel instead of a fossil-based hydrocarbon fuel. Also, a gas turbine engine for an aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2023
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Christopher P MADDEN, Craig W BEMMENT, Andrew T SMITH, Peter SWANN
  • Publication number: 20240209792
    Abstract: A method of operating a gas turbine engine having a combustor having a combustion chamber and a plurality of fuel spray nozzles configured to inject fuel into the combustion chamber. The fuel spray nozzles have a first subset of fuel spray nozzles and a second subset of fuel spray nozzles. The combustor is operable in a condition in which the first subset of fuel spray nozzles are supplied with more fuel than the second subset of fuel spray nozzles. A ratio of the number of fuel spray nozzles in the first subset of fuel spray nozzles to the number of fuel spray nozzles in the second subset of fuel spray nozzles is in the range of 1:2 to 1:5. The method includes providing a fuel to the plurality of fuel spray nozzles having a calorific value of at least 43.5 MJ/kg. A gas turbine engine can be for an aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2023
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Christopher P. MADDEN, Craig W. BEMMENT, Andrew T. SMITH, Peter SWANN
  • Patent number: 12018841
    Abstract: A method of operating a gas turbine engine including a combustor. The combustor includes a combustion chamber and a plurality of fuel spray nozzles configured to inject fuel into the chamber. The nozzles include a first and second subset of fuel spray nozzles. The combustor is operable in a condition wherein the first subset is supplied with more fuel than the second. A ratio of the number of nozzles in the first subset to the second is 1:2 to 1:5. The method includes operating the engine so a reduction of 20-80% in an average of particles/kg of nvPM in the exhaust when the engine is operating at 85% available thrust for given operating conditions and when the engine is operating at 30% is obtained when fuel provided to the nozzles is a sustainable aviation fuel instead of a fossil-based hydrocarbon fuel. Also, a gas turbine engine for an aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Christopher P Madden, Craig W Bemment, Andrew T Smith, Peter Swann
  • Publication number: 20240197555
    Abstract: A therapy system includes a patient support apparatus and a pneumatic therapy device that is coupleable to the patient support apparatus. The therapy device may receive power and air flow from the patient support apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2024
    Publication date: June 20, 2024
    Inventors: Eric D. BENZ, John G. BYERS, Scott M. CORBIN, Richard H. HEIMBROCK, Michael A. KNECHT, Bradley T. SMITH, Lori Ann ZAPFE, Robert M. ZERHUSEN, Kenneth L. LILLY, Jonathan D. TURNER, James L. WALKE, Joseph T. CANTER, Richard J. SCHUMAN, John V. HARMEYER
  • Patent number: 12011715
    Abstract: A method of forming a microfluidic device is disclosed. The method includes forming a first dielectric layer on a substrate, forming electrodes partially into the first dielectric layer, and forming a second dielectric layer on the electrodes. The method includes filling, with a metal material, two wells formed in the second dielectric layer such that the metal material is in direct contact with the electrodes. The method includes forming a third dielectric layer on the metal material and second dielectric layer. The method includes filling, with a structural material, a channel formed between the wells such that the structural material does not directly contact the electrodes. The method includes forming a fourth dielectric layer on the third dielectric layer and the structural material, extracting the structural material through at least one vent hole in the fourth dielectric layer, and forming a fifth dielectric layer on the fourth dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Joshua T. Smith, Benjamin Hardy Wunsch, Adele L. Pacquette, Eugene J. O'Sullivan
  • Patent number: 12011393
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system for sensing occlusions in an optical system includes a first laser source configured to generate optical signals and a set of optical elements arranged to receive the optical signals from the first laser source and to direct the optical signals along a beam path. The system also includes a detector arranged to receive reflections of the optical signals traveling along at least a portion of the beam path and a control system communicably coupled to the detector. The control system is configured to detect, based on signals generated by the detector, reflection signals associated with the reflections of the optical signals, and disable a second laser source based on detection of the reflection signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald David Bacher, Nikki Koe, Bruno Lassalas, Alireza Mirsepassi, Dean Richardson, Ronald T. Smith
  • Patent number: 12005228
    Abstract: A patency device for catheter assemblies and other elongate tubular devices used for establishing access to an interior body portion of a patient is disclosed. The patency device establishes and preserves patency of one or more lumens defined by the catheter assembly by providing impulses of positive pressure to fluid disposed in the lumen of the catheter assembly. In one embodiment, the patency device comprises a fluid reservoir configured to provide a fluid path to at least one lumen of the catheter assembly, and a pressure input portion. The pressure input portion is configured to provide pressure for one or more impulses of positive pressure to a fluid disposed within the lumen. The impulses are configured to dislodge occlusions that may have formed in the lumen. A negative pressure can then be provided to the lumen to aspirate the occlusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: C. R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Gidon Ofek, Jay A. Muse, Bret Hamatake, Garrick T. Smith
  • Patent number: 12006872
    Abstract: A method of operating a gas turbine engine having an engine core having a turbine, a compressor, a combustor arranged to combust a fuel, and a core shaft connecting the turbine to the compressor; a fan located upstream of the engine core; a fan shaft; a gearbox that receives an input from the core shaft and outputs drive to the fan via the fan shaft; a heat exchange system having at least one fuel-oil heat exchanger arranged to transfer heat to the fuel; and a fuel pump arranged to deliver the fuel to the combustor, wherein the fuel pump is located downstream of the at least one fuel-oil heat exchanger. The method includes operating the gas turbine engine using a fuel having a lubricity of between 0.71 mm and 0.90 mm wear scar diameter (WSD) at 25° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Craig W Bemment, Alastair G Hobday, Benjamin J Keeler, Andrea Minelli, Andrew T Smith, Martin K Yates
  • Patent number: 11999883
    Abstract: A lightweight electromagnetic wave shielding tape is disclosed. The tape includes a first polymer protective layer, a calendered conductive material layer coupled to a bottom side of the first polymer protective layer, and a second polymer protective layer coupled to a bottom side of the conductive material layer so that the conductive material layer is encapsulated within the protective layers. An adhesive layer can also be applied to one of the protective layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Swift Textile Metalizing LLC
    Inventors: Bryan T. Wyrebek, Alexander T. Smith, Jared D G Butlin
  • Patent number: 12000536
    Abstract: A method of generating a pressurized, sub-cooled mixed-phase cryogen is disclosed, including providing a cryogenic system including a reservoir containing a liquid cryogen; and a heat exchange coil immersed in the liquid cryogen, the heat exchange coil having an input end and an output end not immersed in the liquid cryogen; introducing a pressurized gas cryogen to the input end of the heat exchange coil; cooling the pressurized gas cryogen within the heat exchange coil; and collecting the pressurized gas cryogen at an output end of the heat exchange coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: CPSI Holdings LLC
    Inventors: John M. Baust, Joshua T. Smith, Anthony T. Robilotto, Jennie F. McKain
  • Patent number: 11992837
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a fluidic device includes depositing a sacrificial material on a pillar array arranged on a substrate. The method also includes removing a portion of the sacrificial material. The method further includes depositing a sealing layer on the pillar array to form a sealed fluidic cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Evan Colgan, Joshua T. Smith, Benjamin Wunsch
  • Patent number: 11994694
    Abstract: An optical device includes a first array of emitters disposed on a substrate and configured to emit respective beams of optical radiation in a direction perpendicular to the substrate. A second array of microlenses is positioned on the substrate in alignment with the respective beams of the emitters, having respective sag profiles that vary over an area of the substrate. The second array includes at least first microlenses in a central region of the substrate and second microlenses in a peripheral region of the substrate, such that the first microlenses have respective first focal powers, while the second microlenses have respective second focal powers, which are less than the first focal powers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Roei Remez, Keith Lyon, Niv Gilboa, Ronen Akerman, Scott T. Smith
  • Publication number: 20240167929
    Abstract: A device to determine density includes a housing, a first transducer disposed in the housing at a first position, and a second transducer disposed in the housing at a second position. The second transducer is located a distance from the first transducer. The device also includes a controller that reads a first output from the first transducer, and reads a second output from the second transducer. The controller determines a density of a liquid based on the first output, the second output, and the distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2023
    Publication date: May 23, 2024
    Applicant: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Homeland Security
    Inventors: Jeffrey Barber, James C. Weatherall, Duane Karns, Barry T. Smith
  • Patent number: 11988144
    Abstract: A method of operating a gas turbine engine including an engine core including a turbine, compressor, combustor to combust a fuel, and core shaft connecting the turbine and compressor; a fan upstream of the engine core; a fan shaft; a gearbox that receives an input from the core shaft and outputs drive to the fan via the fan shaft; a primary oil loop system to supply oil to the gearbox; and a heat exchange system. The method includes controlling the heat exchange system to adjust fuel viscosity to be lower than or equal to 0.58 mm2/s on entry to the combustor at cruise conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Craig W Bemment, Alastair G Hobday, Benjamin J Keeler, Christopher P Madden, Andrea Minelli, Andrew T Smith, Peter Swann, Martin K Yates
  • Patent number: 11980575
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a multi-core optical fiber cable (MCF). In some embodiments, an MCF comprises a plurality of cores surrounded by a cladding and a coating surrounding the cladding, wherein a refractive index of one or more of the plurality of cores is greater than a refractive index of the cladding. The MCF further comprises a probe comprising a probe tip coupled with a distal end of the MCF and a lens located at a distal end of the probe tip. In some embodiments, the lens is configured to translate laser light from the distal end of the MCF to create a multi-spot pattern of laser beams on a target surface and a distal end of the MCF terminates at an interface with the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Chenguang Diao, Mark Harrison Farley, Alireza Mirsepassi, Ronald T. Smith, Dean Richardson
  • Publication number: 20240141983
    Abstract: Systems are provided for a gearset for a vehicle transmission. In one example, a system includes a shaft comprising one or more lubricant holes oriented radially within the shaft, and one or more gears positioned radially around a central axis of the shaft. The system further includes a ring positioned circumferentially around the shaft. The ring is shaped with a radially extending portion and an axially extending portion, wherein the radially extending portion may direct lubricant flow from the radially oriented lubricant holes toward the axially extending portion, and the axially extending portion directs lubricant flow from the lubricant holes in an axial direction towards the one or more gears. The axially extending portion and radially extending portion form a cut in the ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventors: Mark W. LEBER, Shane T. SMITH, Justin HALL, Langston H. CORN, Michael D. COOK
  • Publication number: 20240138795
    Abstract: Described herein are systems, methods, and computer-readable medium for detecting a perfusion abnormality of a subject. In one embodiment, a method includes the following: obtaining, by dynamic radiography, imaging data for a dynamic series of a plurality of x-ray images that include areas of a subject corresponding to pulmonary vasculature; identifying, based on the imaging data, a dynamic signal corresponding to changing blood volume during the cardiac cycle of the subject; decomposing the dynamic signal into periodic components in frequency space; identifying, from the periodic components in frequency space, signals oscillating at the heart rate of the subject; generating, based on the identified signals oscillating at the heart rate of the subject, a perfusion map representation corresponding to pulmonary tissue perfusion in the subject; and detecting, based at least in part on the generated perfusion map representation, a perfusion abnormality of the subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2022
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventors: Matthew Smith, Gary T. Smith, Jared Grice
  • Publication number: 20240146003
    Abstract: An electrical connector and a ground system which includes ground contacts and ground shields positioned proximate the ground contacts. The ground contacts have receiving sections, securing sections and mounting sections. The receiving sections have first engagement portions and second engagement portions. The ground shields have a nonplanar configuration, with portions of the ground shields passing between signal contacts. Surfaces of the securing sections of the ground contacts are positioned in mechanical and electrical engagement with surfaces of the ground shields, providing first ground contact areas across which ground currents may flow. The first engagement portions of the ground contacts are provided in electrical and mechanical engagement with the surfaces of the ground shields, providing second ground contact areas across which the ground currents may flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2022
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Applicant: TE Connectivity Solutions GmbH
    Inventors: Keith Edwin MILLER, Scott Eric WALTON, Charles Raymond GINGRICH, III, Rodney T. SMITH