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).

  • Patent number: 11965427
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: RTX Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas E. Clark, Marc J. Muldoon
  • Publication number: 20240123245
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Thomas E Kaib, Shane S Volpe, John G Clark
  • Publication number: 20240110491
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Thomas E. Clark, Marc J. Muldoon
  • Patent number: 11920487
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: RTX Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas E. Clark, Andrew E. Breault
  • Patent number: 11913340
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: RTX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dean Johnson, Thomas E. Clark
  • Publication number: 20230407757
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2022
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Dean Johnson, Thomas E. Clark
  • Patent number: 11761343
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: RTX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas E. Clark, William M. Barker
  • Patent number: 11661865
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas E. Clark, Ken F. Blaney
  • Publication number: 20230151740
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2023
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas E. Clark, Daniel J. Whitney, Kathryn S. Read, Andrew J. Lazur, William M. Barker
  • Patent number: 11643948
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas E. Clark, Kathryn S. Read, Winston Gregory Smiddy, Andrew J. Lazur
  • Patent number: 11624292
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas E. Clark, William M. Barker
  • Publication number: 20230100487
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Ken F. Blaney, Thomas E. Clark
  • Publication number: 20230055197
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: Carson A. Roy Thill, Thomas E. Clark, Danielle Mahoney, Andrew D. Keene
  • Patent number: 11578609
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas E. Clark, Daniel J. Whitney, Kathryn S. Read, Andrew J. Lazur, William M. Barker
  • Patent number: 11519283
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Carson A. Roy Thill, Thomas E. Clark, Danielle Mahoney, Andrew D. Keene
  • Publication number: 20220364483
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas E. Clark, Ken F. Blaney
  • Publication number: 20220307382
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: Carson A. Roy Thill, Thomas E. Clark, Danielle Mahoney, Andrew D. Keene
  • Patent number: 11454130
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: William M. Barker, Thomas E. Clark, William Wangard, III, Danielle Mahoney
  • Publication number: 20220290575
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas E. Clark, William M. Barker
  • Patent number: 11421558
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas E. Clark, Ken F. Blaney