Patents by Inventor Thomas Lee Becker
Thomas Lee Becker 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: 12372006Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a gas turbine engine assembly having a compressor configured to increase pressure of incoming air, a combustion chamber, at least one turbine coupled to a generator, a torsional damper, and a controller. The combustion chamber is configured to receive a pressurized air stream from the compressor. Further, fuel is injected into the pressurized air in the combustion chamber and ignited so as to raise a temperature and energy level of the pressurized air. The turbine is operatively coupled to the combustion chamber so as to receive combustion products that flow from the combustion chamber. The generator is coupled to the turbine via a shaft. Thus, the torsional damper is configured to dampen torsional oscillations of the generator. Moreover, the controller is configured to provide additional damping control to the generator.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2023Date of Patent: July 29, 2025Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Paul Robert Gemin, Thomas Lee Becker, Tod Robert Steen
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Patent number: 12215633Abstract: A turbomachine engine includes a core engine having one or more compressor sections, one or more turbine sections that includes a power turbine, and a combustion chamber in flow communication with the compressor sections and turbine sections. The turbomachine engine also includes a shaft coupled to the power turbine and characterized by a midshaft rating (MSR) between two hundred (ft/sec)1/2 and three hundred (ft/sec)1/2. In one aspect, the shaft has a redline speed between fifty and two hundred fifty feet per second (ft/sec). In another aspect, the shaft has a length L, an outer diameter D, and a ratio of L/D between twelve and thirty-seven.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2023Date of Patent: February 4, 2025Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Narayanan Payyoor, Weize Kang, Thomas Lee Becker, Richard Schmidt
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Publication number: 20240117770Abstract: A turbomachine engine includes a core engine having one or more compressor sections, one or more turbine sections that includes a power turbine, and a combustion chamber in flow communication with the compressor sections and turbine sections. The turbomachine engine also includes a shaft coupled to the power turbine and characterized by a midshaft rating (MSR) between two hundred (ft/sec)1/2 and three hundred (ft/sec)1/2. In one aspect, the shaft has a redline speed between fifty and two hundred fifty feet per second (ft/sec). In another aspect, the shaft has a length L, an outer diameter D, and a ratio of L/D between twelve and thirty-seven.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2023Publication date: April 11, 2024Inventors: Narayanan Payyoor, Weize Kang, Thomas Lee Becker, Richard Schmidt
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Publication number: 20240044261Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a gas turbine engine assembly having a compressor configured to increase pressure of incoming air, a combustion chamber, at least one turbine coupled to a generator, a torsional damper, and a controller. The combustion chamber is configured to receive a pressurized air stream from the compressor. Further, fuel is injected into the pressurized air in the combustion chamber and ignited so as to raise a temperature and energy level of the pressurized air. The turbine is operatively coupled to the combustion chamber so as to receive combustion products that flow from the combustion chamber. The generator is coupled to the turbine via a shaft. Thus, the torsional damper is configured to dampen torsional oscillations of the generator. Moreover, the controller is configured to provide additional damping control to the generator.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2023Publication date: February 8, 2024Inventors: Paul Robert Gemin, Thomas Lee Becker, Tod Robert Steen
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Patent number: 11802492Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a gas turbine engine assembly having a compressor configured to increase pressure of incoming air, a combustion chamber, at least one turbine coupled to a generator, a torsional damper, and a controller. The combustion chamber is configured to receive a pressurized air stream from the compressor. Further, fuel is injected into the pressurized air in the combustion chamber and ignited so as to raise a temperature and energy level of the pressurized air. The turbine is operatively coupled to the combustion chamber so as to receive combustion products that flow from the combustion chamber. The generator is coupled to the turbine via a shaft. Thus, the torsional damper is configured to dampen torsional oscillations of the generator. Moreover, the controller is configured to provide additional damping control to the generator.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2022Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Paul Robert Gemin, Thomas Lee Becker, Tod Robert Steen
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Patent number: 11795882Abstract: A turbomachine engine includes a core engine having one or more compressor sections, one or more turbine sections that includes a power turbine, and a combustion chamber in flow communication with the compressor sections and turbine sections. The turbomachine engine also includes a shaft coupled to the power turbine and characterized by a midshaft rating (MSR) between two hundred (ft/sec)1/2 and three hundred (ft/sec)1/2. In one aspect, the shaft has a redline speed between fifty and two hundred fifty feet per second (ft/sec). In another aspect, the shaft has a length L, an outer diameter D, and a ratio of L/D between twelve and thirty-seven.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2023Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Narayanan Payyoor, Weize Kang, Thomas Lee Becker, Richard Schmidt
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Publication number: 20230160346Abstract: A turbomachine engine includes a core engine having one or more compressor sections, one or more turbine sections that includes a power turbine, and a combustion chamber in flow communication with the compressor sections and turbine sections. The turbomachine engine also includes a shaft coupled to the power turbine and characterized by a midshaft rating (MSR) between two hundred (ft/sec)1/2 and three hundred (ft/sec)1/2. In one aspect, the shaft has a redline speed between fifty and two hundred fifty feet per second (ft/sec). In another aspect, the shaft has a length L, an outer diameter D, and a ratio of L/D between twelve and thirty-seven.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2023Publication date: May 25, 2023Inventors: Narayanan Payyoor, Weize Kang, Thomas Lee Becker, Richard Schmidt
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Patent number: 11603801Abstract: A turbomachine engine includes a core engine having one or more compressor sections, one or more turbine sections that includes a power turbine, and a combustion chamber in flow communication with the compressor sections and turbine sections. The turbomachine engine also includes a shaft coupled to the power turbine and characterized by a midshaft rating (MSR) between two hundred (ft/sec)1/2 and three hundred (ft/sec)1/2. In one aspect, the shaft has a redline speed between fifty and two hundred fifty feet per second (ft/sec). In another aspect, the shaft has a length L, an outer diameter D, and a ratio of L/D between twelve and thirty-seven.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2021Date of Patent: March 14, 2023Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Narayanan Payyoor, Weize Kang, Thomas Lee Becker, Richard Schmidt
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Publication number: 20220373019Abstract: A turbomachine engine includes a core engine having one or more compressor sections, one or more turbine sections that includes a power turbine, and a combustion chamber in flow communication with the compressor sections and turbine sections. The turbomachine engine also includes a shaft coupled to the power turbine and characterized by a midshaft rating (MSR) between two hundred (ft/sec)1/2 and three hundred (ft/sec)1/2. In one aspect, the shaft has a redline speed between fifty and two hundred fifty feet per second (ft/sec). In another aspect, the shaft has a length L, an outer diameter D, and a ratio of L/D between twelve and thirty-seven.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2021Publication date: November 24, 2022Inventors: Narayanan Payyoor, Weize Kang, Thomas Lee Becker, Richard Schmidt
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Publication number: 20220372917Abstract: A turbomachine engine includes a core engine having one or more compressor sections, one or more turbine sections that includes a power turbine, and a combustion chamber in flow communication with the compressor sections and turbine sections. The turbomachine engine also includes a shaft coupled to the power turbine and characterized by a midshaft rating (MSR) between two hundred (ft/sec)1/2 and three hundred (ft/sec)1/2. In one aspect, the shaft has a redline speed between fifty and two hundred fifty feet per second (ft/sec). In another aspect, the shaft has a length L, an outer diameter D, and a ratio of L/D between twelve and thirty-seven.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2021Publication date: November 24, 2022Inventors: Narayanan Payyoor, Weize Kang, Thomas Lee Becker, Richard Schmidt
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Patent number: 11447259Abstract: An aircraft including a fuselage and an aft engine is provided. The fuselage extends from a forward end of the aircraft towards an aft end of the aircraft. The aft engine is mounted to the fuselage proximate the aft end of the aircraft and includes a fan and a nacelle. The fan is rotatable about a central axis of the aft engine and includes a plurality of fan blades. The nacelle of the aft engine surrounds the plurality of fan blades and defines a bottom portion having a forward end. Additionally, the nacelle defines a curved surface at the forward end of the bottom portion, the curved surface including a reference point where the curved surface defines the smallest radius of curvature. The nacelle further defines a normal reference line extending normal from the reference point. The normal reference line defines an angle with the central axis of the aft engine greater than zero to, e.g., allow for a maximum amount of airflow into the aft engine.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2019Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Patrick Michael Marrinan, Thomas Lee Becker, Kurt David Murrow, Jixian Yao
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Publication number: 20220282637Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a gas turbine engine assembly having a compressor configured to increase pressure of incoming air, a combustion chamber, at least one turbine coupled to a generator, a torsional damper, and a controller. The combustion chamber is configured to receive a pressurized air stream from the compressor. Further, fuel is injected into the pressurized air in the combustion chamber and ignited so as to raise a temperature and energy level of the pressurized air. The turbine is operatively coupled to the combustion chamber so as to receive combustion products that flow from the combustion chamber. The generator is coupled to the turbine via a shaft. Thus, the torsional damper is configured to dampen torsional oscillations of the generator. Moreover, the controller is configured to provide additional damping control to the generator.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2022Publication date: September 8, 2022Inventors: Paul Robert Gemin, Thomas Lee Becker, Tod Robert Steen
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Patent number: 11346243Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a gas turbine engine assembly having a compressor configured to increase pressure of incoming air, a combustion chamber, at least one turbine coupled to a generator, a torsional damper, and a controller. The combustion chamber is configured to receive a pressurized air stream from the compressor. Further, fuel is injected into the pressurized air in the combustion chamber and ignited so as to raise a temperature and energy level of the pressurized air. The turbine is operatively coupled to the combustion chamber so as to receive combustion products that flow from the combustion chamber. The generator is coupled to the turbine via a shaft. Thus, the torsional damper is configured to dampen torsional oscillations of the generator. Moreover, the controller is configured to provide additional damping control to the generator.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2017Date of Patent: May 31, 2022Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Paul Robert Gemin, Thomas Lee Becker, Tod Robert Steen
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Publication number: 20210062728Abstract: An actuation assembly for concentric variable stator vanes of a rotary component of a gas turbine engine. The actuation assembly includes an inner casing and an intermediate casing defining a first concentric flowpath extending between the inner casing and the intermediate casing. The actuation assembly includes an outer casing defining a second concentric flowpath extending between the intermediate casing and the outer casing. The actuation assembly includes a first variable stator vane extending radially inward from the intermediate casing into the first concentric flowpath. The actuation assembly includes a second variable stator vane extending radially within the second concentric flowpath between a distal end at the outer casing and proximate end at the inner casing and defining a cavity extending therebetween. A first trunnion extends radially inward from the outer casing through the cavity of the second variable stator vane and is drivingly coupled to the first variable stator vane.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2019Publication date: March 4, 2021Inventors: Mark Frisch, Mark Joseph Mielke, Thomas Lee Becker
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Publication number: 20190329896Abstract: An aircraft including a fuselage and an aft engine is provided. The fuselage extends from a forward end of the aircraft towards an aft end of the aircraft. The aft engine is mounted to the fuselage proximate the aft end of the aircraft and includes a fan and a nacelle. The fan is rotatable about a central axis of the aft engine and includes a plurality of fan blades. The nacelle of the aft engine surrounds the plurality of fan blades and defines a bottom portion having a forward end. Additionally, the nacelle defines a curved surface at the forward end of the bottom portion, the curved surface including a reference point where the curved surface defines the smallest radius of curvature. The nacelle further defines a normal reference line extending normal from the reference point. The normal reference line defines an angle with the central axis of the aft engine greater than zero to, e.g., allow for a maximum amount of airflow into the aft engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2019Publication date: October 31, 2019Inventors: Patrick Michael Marrinan, Thomas Lee Becker, Kurt David Murrow, Jixian Yao
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Patent number: 10358228Abstract: An aircraft is provided including a fuselage and an aft engine. The fuselage defines a top side, a bottom side, and a frustum located proximate an aft end of the aircraft. The frustum defines a top reference line extending along the frustum at a top side of the fuselage, and a bottom reference line extending along the frustum at a bottom side of the fuselage. The top and bottom reference lines meet at a reference point aft of the frustum. The fuselage further defines a recessed portion located aft of the frustum and indented inwardly from the bottom reference line. The aft engine includes a nacelle extending adjacent to the recessed portion of the fuselage such that the aft engine may be included with the aircraft without interfering with, e.g., a takeoff angle of the aircraft.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2017Date of Patent: July 23, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Patrick Michael Marrinan, Thomas Lee Becker, Kurt David Murrow, Jixian Yao
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Patent number: 10247017Abstract: A system includes a gas delivery disk coupled to a second shaft, wherein the second shaft and the gas delivery disk are disposed about an axis. The gas delivery disk includes an inner axial opening configured to facilitate a first axial flow through a first passage within the second shaft, a duct configured to supply a bearing flow in a radial direction toward the axis, and a bearing face disposed within the first passage and radially interior to the inner axial opening. The bearing face is configured to receive the bearing flow, and the bearing face is configured to form a gas bearing between the bearing face and a first shaft disposed about the axis.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2016Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Brandon Wayne Miller, Thomas Lee Becker, Daniel Alan Niergarth, Bugra Han Ertas
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Patent number: 10017270Abstract: A propulsion system for an aircraft is provided having an aft engine configured to be mounted to the aircraft at an aft end of the aircraft. The aft engine includes a fan rotatable about a central axis of the aft engine having a plurality of fan blades attached to a fan shaft. The aft engine also includes a nacelle encircling the plurality of fan blades and a structural support system for mounting the aft engine to the aircraft. The structural support system extends from the fuselage of the aircraft, through the fan shaft, and to the nacelle when the aft engine is mounted to the aircraft. The aft engine may increase a net thrust of the aircraft when mounted to the aircraft.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2015Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Thomas Lee Becker, Kurt David Murrow, Patrick Michael Marrinan, Brandon Wayne Miller
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Patent number: 9995175Abstract: A bearing assembly for a turbine engine includes a first gas bearing configured to receive a load from a rotating shaft of the turbine engine, a transmission disk configured to receive the load from the first gas bearing, and a damping member coupled to a casing of a combustor section of the turbine engine. The transmission disk includes a gas delivery disk, which includes an axial opening configured to facilitate an axial flow through the gas delivery disk and a duct configured to facilitate a radial flow through the gas delivery disk to form the first gas bearing. The damping member is configured to receive the load from the transmission disk.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2016Date of Patent: June 12, 2018Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Thomas Lee Becker, Brandon Wayne Miller, Daniel Alan Niergarth, Bugra Han Ertas
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Patent number: 9957055Abstract: A propulsion system for an aircraft including a plurality of primary engines is provided. The plurality of primary engines includes at least a first primary engine and a second primary engine, each configured for mounting to a respective one of a pair of wings of the aircraft. The propulsion system additionally includes an aft engine configured for mounting at a tail section of the aircraft. The plurality of primary engines are sized to provide an amount of thrust sufficient for the aircraft to takeoff without use of the aft engine, such that the aft engine may be configured as a non-prime reliable engine.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2015Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Patrick Michael Marrinan, Thomas Lee Becker, Kurt David Murrow