Patents by Inventor Thomas E. Clark
Thomas E. Clark 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).
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Patent number: 11965427Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a primary flow path fluidly connecting a compressor section, a combustor section and a turbine section. A cooling air flowpath is disposed radially outward of the primary flowpath. A first seal spans from an inner diameter of the cooling air flowpath to an outer diameter of the cooling air flowpath. The first seal includes at least one axial convolution and a plurality of pass through features defining a purge airflow. A heat shield is positioned immediately downstream of the first seal and is configured in relation to the first seal such that the purge airflow enters a mixing plenum defined between the heat shield and the first seal.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2022Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignee: RTX CorporationInventors: Thomas E. Clark, Marc J. Muldoon
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Publication number: 20240123245Abstract: A wearable medical device configured to monitor a patient for cardiac arrhythmias includes a water-resistant belt, ECG sensing electrodes, and therapy electrodes discrete from the ECG sensing electrodes. At least some of the ECG sensing electrodes and therapy electrodes are disposed on one or more common adhesive backings configured to be adhesively attached to the patient's torso. The wearable medical device also includes an elongated cable, including a removable connector, and a control unit configured to be removably electrically coupled to the electrodes via the removable connector. The control unit is configured to monitor a sensed ECG of the patient, and responsive to a detection of cardiac arrhythmia, provide at least one defibrillating pulse to at least one of the therapy electrodes. The control unit is housed in a waterproof case formed from a waterproof material that is sealed to prevent ingress of water during operation in a wet environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2023Publication date: April 18, 2024Inventors: Thomas E Kaib, Shane S Volpe, John G Clark
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Publication number: 20240110491Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a primary flow path fluidly connecting a compressor section, a combustor section and a turbine section. A cooling air flowpath is disposed radially outward of the primary flowpath. A first seal spans from an inner diameter of the cooling air flowpath to an outer diameter of the cooling air flowpath. The first seal includes at least one axial convolution and a plurality of pass through features defining a purge airflow. A heat shield is positioned immediately downstream of the first seal and is configured in relation to the first seal such that the purge airflow enters a mixing plenum defined between the heat shield and the first seal.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2022Publication date: April 4, 2024Inventors: Thomas E. Clark, Marc J. Muldoon
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Patent number: 11920487Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a primary flow path fluidly connecting a compressor section, a combustor section and a turbine section. A cooling air flowpath is positioned radially outward of the primary flowpath. A first seal spans from an inner diameter of the cooling air flowpath to an outer diameter of the cooling air flowpath. The first seal includes at least one axial convolution and a plurality of pass through features. A bifurcation feature is positioned downstream of the first seal. The bifurcation feature is configured to direct a portion of an airflow through the first seal into a cooling air passage. A second seal contacts the bifurcation and the first seal, such that fluid radially inward of the bifurcation feature.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2022Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: RTX CorporationInventors: Thomas E. Clark, Andrew E. Breault
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Patent number: 11913340Abstract: A seal system for a gas turbine engine includes a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) seal arc segment and a carrier supporting the CMC seal arc segment. The CMC seal arc segment defines radially inner and outer sides and has an abradable layer disposed on the radially outer side. There is a cooling cavity radially between the carrier and the abradable layer. The carrier includes a ridge that projects into a groove in the abradable layer and provides a labyrinth seal that partitions the cooling cavity into sub-cavities.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2022Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: RTX CORPORATIONInventors: Dean Johnson, Thomas E. Clark
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Publication number: 20230407757Abstract: A seal system for a gas turbine engine includes a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) seal arc segment and a carrier supporting the CMC seal arc segment. The CMC seal arc segment defines radially inner and outer sides and has an abradable layer disposed on the radially outer side. There is a cooling cavity radially between the carrier and the abradable layer. The carrier includes a ridge that projects into a groove in the abradable layer and provides a labyrinth seal that partitions the cooling cavity into sub-cavities.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2022Publication date: December 21, 2023Inventors: Dean Johnson, Thomas E. Clark
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Patent number: 11761343Abstract: A blade outer air seal assembly includes a support structure. A blade outer air seal has a plurality of seal segments arranged circumferentially about an axis and mounted in the support structure by a carrier. The carrier has first and second hooks that extend radially outward from a platform along an axial length of the carrier. The first and second hooks are in engagement with the support structure.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2019Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: RTX CORPORATIONInventors: Thomas E. Clark, William M. Barker
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Patent number: 11661865Abstract: A method of assembling a blade outer air seal assembly includes engaging a first blade outer air seal with a first attachment surface on a first attachment body. The first blade outer air seal includes a first attachment body passage for accepting the first attachment body. A second blade outer air seal is engaged with a second attachment surface on the first attachment body. The second blade outer air seal includes a second attachment body passage for accepting the first attachment body. Rotation is prevented of the first attachment body relative to the first blade outer air seal with a first post engaging the first blade outer air seal. Rotation is prevented of the first attachment body relative to the second blade outer air seal with a second post engaging the second blade outer air seal.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2022Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: Raytheon Technologies CorporationInventors: Thomas E. Clark, Ken F. Blaney
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Publication number: 20230151740Abstract: A fiber-reinforced component for use in a gas turbine engine includes a first braided fiber sleeve forming a cooling channel and a plurality of fiber plies enclosing the first braided fiber sleeve, with the plurality of fiber plies forming first and second walls separated by the first braided fiber sleeve. The fiber-reinforced component further includes a matrix material between fibers of the braided fiber sleeve and the plurality of fiber plies.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2023Publication date: May 18, 2023Inventors: Thomas E. Clark, Daniel J. Whitney, Kathryn S. Read, Andrew J. Lazur, William M. Barker
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Patent number: 11643948Abstract: A method for forming a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) component with an internal cooling channel includes partially densifying a first fiber preform to form a portion of a final ceramic matrix volume, machining a first channel into a surface of the partially densified first fiber preform, covering the first channel with a fibrous member to form a near net shape fiber preform with an internal passage formed by the first channel and the fibrous member, and densifying the near net shape fiber preform.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2020Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: Raytheon Technologies CorporationInventors: Thomas E. Clark, Kathryn S. Read, Winston Gregory Smiddy, Andrew J. Lazur
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Patent number: 11624292Abstract: A blade outer air seal assembly includes a support structure and a blade outer air seal having a plurality of segments extending circumferentially about an axis and mounted to the support structure. At least two segments have a base portion extending from a first circumferential side to a second circumferential side, a first protrusion extending from the first circumferential side and having a first slot, and a second protrusion extending from the second circumferential side and having a second slot. A feather seal is arranged in the first slot and the second slot between the at least two segments such that the feather seal is pivotable between first and second positions in response to relative movement between the first and second protrusions.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2022Date of Patent: April 11, 2023Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Thomas E. Clark, William M. Barker
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Publication number: 20230100487Abstract: A mandrel for a molding process includes a first portion and a second portion that form a mandrel having a channel between the first and second portions. At least one locking pin is configured to urge the first and second portions away from each other to establish a gap in response to inserting the locking pin into the channel along a respective end of the mandrel. A molding apparatus and method of forming a matrix composite component are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2022Publication date: March 30, 2023Inventors: Ken F. Blaney, Thomas E. Clark
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Publication number: 20230055197Abstract: A component for a gas turbine engine includes a component body formed of ceramic matrix composite lamina and has at least one hook. The at least one hook has an attachment region radially inward of the at least one hook. The attachment region is radially thinner from a hook end of the at least one hook to a remote end, and then becomes radially thicker. A slot is formed through a radial thickness of the at least one hook from the hook end in a remote direction, such that there are two sections of the attachment region. A gas turbine engine is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2022Publication date: February 23, 2023Inventors: Carson A. Roy Thill, Thomas E. Clark, Danielle Mahoney, Andrew D. Keene
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Patent number: 11578609Abstract: A fiber-reinforced component for use in a gas turbine engine includes a first braided fiber sleeve forming a cooling channel and a plurality of fiber plies enclosing the first braided fiber sleeve, with the plurality of fiber plies forming first and second walls separated by the first braided fiber sleeve. The fiber-reinforced component further includes a matrix material between fibers of the braided fiber sleeve and the plurality of fiber plies.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2020Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: Raytheon Technologies CorporationInventors: Thomas E. Clark, Daniel J. Whitney, Kathryn S. Read, Andrew J. Lazur, William M. Barker
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Patent number: 11519283Abstract: A component for a gas turbine engine includes a component body formed of ceramic matrix composite lamina and has at least one hook. The at least one hook has an attachment region radially inward of the at least one hook. The attachment region is radially thinner from a hook end of the at least one hook to a remote end, and then becomes radially thicker. A slot is formed through a radial thickness of the at least one hook from the hook end in a remote direction, such that there are two sections of the attachment region. A gas turbine engine is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2021Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: Raytheon Technologies CorporationInventors: Carson A. Roy Thill, Thomas E. Clark, Danielle Mahoney, Andrew D. Keene
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Publication number: 20220364483Abstract: A method of assembling a blade outer air seal assembly includes engaging a first blade outer air seal with a first attachment surface on a first attachment body. The first blade outer air seal includes a first attachment body passage for accepting the first attachment body. A second blade outer air seal is engaged with a second attachment surface on the first attachment body. The second blade outer air seal includes a second attachment body passage for accepting the first attachment body. Rotation is prevented of the first attachment body relative to the first blade outer air seal with a first post engaging the first blade outer air seal. Rotation is prevented of the first attachment body relative to the second blade outer air seal with a second post engaging the second blade outer air seal.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2022Publication date: November 17, 2022Inventors: Thomas E. Clark, Ken F. Blaney
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Publication number: 20220307382Abstract: A component for a gas turbine engine includes a component body formed of ceramic matrix composite lamina and has at least one hook. The at least one hook has an attachment region radially inward of the at least one hook. The attachment region is radially thinner from a hook end of the at least one hook to a remote end, and then becomes radially thicker. A slot is formed through a radial thickness of the at least one hook from the hook end in a remote direction, such that there are two sections of the attachment region. A gas turbine engine is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2021Publication date: September 29, 2022Inventors: Carson A. Roy Thill, Thomas E. Clark, Danielle Mahoney, Andrew D. Keene
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Patent number: 11454130Abstract: A blade outer air seal includes a carrier that has a dovetail and a ceramic seal segment supported on the dovetail. The ceramic seal segment has first and second axial ends, first and second circumferential sides, an inner side, an outer side, and first and second inward-facing dovetail hooks that project from the outer side and define a dovetail key. The ceramic seal segment is axially receivable onto the dovetail of the carrier via the dovetail key.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2019Date of Patent: September 27, 2022Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: William M. Barker, Thomas E. Clark, William Wangard, III, Danielle Mahoney
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Publication number: 20220290575Abstract: A blade outer air seal assembly includes a support structure and a blade outer air seal having a plurality of segments extending circumferentially about an axis and mounted to the support structure. At least two segments have a base portion extending from a first circumferential side to a second circumferential side, a first protrusion extending from the first circumferential side and having a first slot, and a second protrusion extending from the second circumferential side and having a second slot. A feather seal is arranged in the first slot and the second slot between the at least two segments such that the feather seal is pivotable between first and second positions in response to relative movement between the first and second protrusions.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2022Publication date: September 15, 2022Inventors: Thomas E. Clark, William M. Barker
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Patent number: 11421558Abstract: A seal assembly includes at least one blade outer air seal (BOAS) including a base portion that extends between a leading edge and a trailing edge. A forward wall and an aft wall extend radially outward from the base portion to a radially outer portion. The radially outer portion is spaced from the base portion and at least partially defines a passage with the forward wall, aft wall, and base portion. At least one attachment body is located at least partially within the passage. The at least one attachment body includes a leading edge connected to a trialing edge by a radially inner surface and a radially outer surface. The radially outer surface includes at least one blade outer air seal attachment surface for engaging the at least one BOAS. At least one post extends from the radially outer surface and has a blade outer air seal guide surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2021Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Thomas E. Clark, Ken F. Blaney