Patents by Inventor Todd M. LaPierre
Todd M. LaPierre 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: 10883426Abstract: A planetary gear system for a turbomachine includes a forward planetary gear assembly including a plurality of forward planet gears meshed to a forward sun gear disposed on a power shaft and a forward ring gear meshed to the forward planet gears and an aft planetary gear assembly aft of the forward planetary assembly including a plurality of aft planet gears meshed to an aft sun gear disposed on the power shaft and an aft ring gear meshed to the aft planet gears. The system also includes a gear housing disposed between the forward planetary gear assembly and the aft planetary gear assembly. The gear housing includes a stationary carrier, wherein the forward and aft planet gears are rotatably mounted to the stationary carrier, and a mount extending radially from the stationary carrier that is connectable to a stationary portion of the turbomachine.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2019Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Ken F. Blaney, Todd M. LaPierre, Richard K. Hayford
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Publication number: 20200182159Abstract: A planetary gear system for a turbomachine includes a forward planetary gear assembly including a plurality of forward planet gears meshed to a forward sun gear disposed on a power shaft and a forward ring gear meshed to the forward planet gears and an aft planetary gear assembly aft of the forward planetary assembly including a plurality of aft planet gears meshed to an aft sun gear disposed on the power shaft and an aft ring gear meshed to the aft planet gears. The system also includes a gear housing disposed between the forward planetary gear assembly and the aft planetary gear assembly. The gear housing includes a stationary carrier, wherein the forward and aft planet gears are rotatably mounted to the stationary carrier, and a mount extending radially from the stationary carrier that is connectable to a stationary portion of the turbomachine.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2019Publication date: June 11, 2020Inventors: Ken F. Blaney, Todd M. LaPierre, Richard K. Hayford
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Patent number: 10557368Abstract: An active clearance control system of a gas turbine engine includes a radially adjustable blade outer air seal system movable between a radially contracted Blade Outer Air Seal (BOAS) position that defines a first air volume and a radially expanded Blade Outer Air Seal (BOAS) position that defines a second air volume, the second air volume different than the first air volume. An accumulator system accommodate a difference in air volume between the first air volume and the second air volume.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2014Date of Patent: February 11, 2020Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Ken F. Blaney, Todd M. LaPierre
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Patent number: 10527103Abstract: A shaft interlock system may have an a interlocking piston that translates a movable locking apparatus configured to interface with a turbine shaft having a fixed locking apparatus. The movable locking apparatus may engage and disengage the fixed locking apparatus. When the movable locking apparatus is engaged with the fixed locking apparatus, the turbine shaft is only able to turn in one direction. When the movable locking apparatus is disengaged from the fixed locking apparatus, the turbine shaft is able to turn in both directions. In this way, a turbine shaft can be prevented from reverse rotation.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2018Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Gary L. Grogg, Marshall Thayer, Eric Charles Mundell, Todd M. LaPierre, Garth J. Vdoviak
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Patent number: 10519872Abstract: A planetary gear system for a turbomachine includes a forward planetary gear assembly including a plurality of forward planet gears meshed to a forward sun gear disposed on a power shaft and a forward ring gear meshed to the forward planet gears and an aft planetary gear assembly aft of the forward planetary assembly including a plurality of aft planet gears meshed to an aft sun gear disposed on the power shaft and an aft ring gear meshed to the aft planet gears. The system also includes a gear housing disposed between the forward planetary gear assembly and the aft planetary gear assembly. The gear housing includes a stationary carrier, wherein the forward and aft planet gears are rotatably mounted to the stationary carrier, and a mount extending radially from the stationary carrier that is connectable to a stationary portion of the turbomachine.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2017Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Ken F. Blaney, Todd M. LaPierre, Richard K. Hayford
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Patent number: 10247193Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a bearing support positioned fore of a compressor section along a primary flowpath. The bearing support internally includes a fluid reservoir with a reservoir tube, a fluid pump with a fluid pump tube, and a fluid coupler coupling the reservoir tube to the fluid pump tube.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2014Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Todd M. LaPierre, Yuk-Kwan Brian Yuen
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Publication number: 20180252165Abstract: A planetary gear system for a turbomachine includes a forward planetary gear assembly including a plurality of forward planet gears meshed to a forward sun gear disposed on a power shaft and a forward ring gear meshed to the forward planet gears and an aft planetary gear assembly aft of the forward planetary assembly including a plurality of aft planet gears meshed to an aft sun gear disposed on the power shaft and an aft ring gear meshed to the aft planet gears. The system also includes a gear housing disposed between the forward planetary gear assembly and the aft planetary gear assembly. The gear housing includes a stationary carrier, wherein the forward and aft planet gears are rotatably mounted to the stationary carrier, and a mount extending radially from the stationary carrier that is connectable to a stationary portion of the turbomachine.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2017Publication date: September 6, 2018Inventors: Ken F. Blaney, Todd M. LaPierre, Richard K. Hayford
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Publication number: 20180187724Abstract: A shaft interlock system may have an a interlocking piston that translates a movable locking apparatus configured to interface with a turbine shaft having a fixed locking apparatus. The movable locking apparatus may engage and disengage the fixed locking apparatus. When the movable locking apparatus is engaged with the fixed locking apparatus, the turbine shaft is only able to turn in one direction. When the movable locking apparatus is disengaged from the fixed locking apparatus, the turbine shaft is able to turn in both directions. In this way, a turbine shaft can be prevented from reverse rotation.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2018Publication date: July 5, 2018Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Gary L. Grogg, Marshall Thayer, Eric Charles Mundell, Todd M. LaPierre, Garth J. Vdoviak
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Patent number: 9933019Abstract: A shaft interlock system may have an a interlocking piston that translates a movable locking apparatus configured to interface with a turbine shaft having a fixed locking apparatus. The movable locking apparatus may engage and disengage the fixed locking apparatus. When the movable locking apparatus is engaged with the fixed locking apparatus, the turbine shaft is only able to turn in one direction. When the movable locking apparatus is disengaged from the fixed locking apparatus, the turbine shaft is able to turn in both directions. In this way, a turbine shaft can be prevented from reverse rotation.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2016Date of Patent: April 3, 2018Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Gary L. Grogg, Marshall Thayer, Eric Charles Mundell, Todd M. LaPierre, Garth J Vdoviak
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Patent number: 9745898Abstract: A planetary gear system for a turbomachine includes a forward planetary gear assembly including a plurality of forward planet gears meshed to a forward sun gear disposed on a power shaft and a forward ring gear meshed to the forward planet gears and an aft planetary gear assembly aft of the forward planetary assembly including a plurality of aft planet gears meshed to an aft sun gear disposed on the power shaft and an aft ring gear meshed to the aft planet gears. The system also includes a gear housing disposed between the forward planetary gear assembly and the aft planetary gear assembly. The gear housing includes a stationary carrier, wherein the forward and aft planet gears are rotatably mounted to the stationary carrier, and a mount extending radially from the stationary carrier that is connectable to a stationary portion of the turbomachine.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2015Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Ken F. Blaney, Todd M. LaPierre, Richard K. Hayford
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Patent number: 9739173Abstract: A casing for a fan drive gear system includes a cast body with an upper and a lower portion. The cast body defines an oil inlet and an oil outlet arranged below the oil outlet. An integrally cast oil channel extends between the inlet and outlet for conveying oil from the upper portion of the cast body portion to the lower portion of the cast body for providing a supply of lubrication to the gear system when oil pools in an upper portion of an auxiliary oil reservoir during negative-G flight events.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2014Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Christopher M. Valva, Todd M. Lapierre
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Publication number: 20160215786Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a bearing support positioned fore of a compressor section along a primary flowpath. The bearing support internally includes a fluid reservoir with a reservoir tube, a fluid pump with a fluid pump tube, and a fluid coupler coupling the reservoir tube to the fluid pump tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2014Publication date: July 28, 2016Inventors: Todd M. LaPierre, Yuk-Kwan Brian Yuen
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Publication number: 20160201733Abstract: A shaft interlock system may have an a interlocking piston that translates a movable locking apparatus configured to interface with a turbine shaft having a fixed locking apparatus. The movable locking apparatus may engage and disengage the fixed locking apparatus. When the movable locking apparatus is engaged with the fixed locking apparatus, the turbine shaft is only able to turn in one direction. When the movable locking apparatus is disengaged from the fixed locking apparatus, the turbine shaft is able to turn in both directions. In this way, a turbine shaft can be prevented from reverse rotation.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2016Publication date: July 14, 2016Applicant: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Gary L. Grogg, Marshall Thayer, Eric Charles Mundell, Todd M. LaPierre, Garth J. Vdoviak
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Publication number: 20160177841Abstract: A planetary gear system for a turbomachine includes a forward planetary gear assembly including a plurality of forward planet gears meshed to a forward sun gear disposed on a power shaft and a forward ring gear meshed to the forward planet gears and an aft planetary gear assembly aft of the forward planetary assembly including a plurality of aft planet gears meshed to an aft sun gear disposed on the power shaft and an aft ring gear meshed to the aft planet gears. The system also includes a gear housing disposed between the forward planetary gear assembly and the aft planetary gear assembly. The gear housing includes a stationary carrier, wherein the forward and aft planet gears are rotatably mounted to the stationary carrier, and a mount extending radially from the stationary carrier that is connectable to a stationary portion of the turbomachine.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2015Publication date: June 23, 2016Inventors: Ken F. Blaney, Todd M. LaPierre, Richard K. Hayford
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Publication number: 20150089918Abstract: A casing for a fan drive gear system includes a cast body with an upper and a lower portion. The cast body defines an oil inlet and an oil outlet arranged below the oil outlet. An integrally cast oil channel extends between the inlet and outlet for conveying oil from the upper portion of the cast body portion to the lower portion of the cast body for providing a supply of lubrication to the gear system when oil pools in an upper portion of an auxiliary oil reservoir during negative-G flight events.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2014Publication date: April 2, 2015Inventors: Christopher M. Valva, Todd M. Lapierre
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Patent number: 8932011Abstract: A shaft assembly for a gas turbine engine that includes a shaft with a threaded shaft segment, an annular rotor disposed on the shaft, and annular stack nut. The stack nut includes a base nut segment and a clamping nut segment. The base nut segment includes a threaded nut bore that is mated with the threaded shaft segment. The clamping nut segment axially extends from the base nut segment to a load bearing surface. The clamping nut segment includes a radial thickness that decreases as the clamping nut segment extends from the load bearing surface towards the base nut segment. The load bearing surface exerts a force against the rotor securing the rotor to the shaft.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2011Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Eric C. Mundell, Todd M. LaPierre, Marc J. Muldoon, Stephen J. Lyle
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Patent number: 8845282Abstract: A seal assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a carbon seal and a seal plate. The seal plate has a contact face configured to slidably engage the carbon seal. The seal plate has a surface disposed on an opposing side of the seal plate from the contact face. The surface forms a portion of a single passage that extends an entire length of the seal plate. The continuous cooling provided by single passage along the seal plate allows for a more uniform temperature profile along the contact face of seal plate.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2011Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Todd M. LaPierre, Eric Charles Mundell
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Publication number: 20130089432Abstract: A shaft assembly for a gas turbine engine that includes a shaft with a threaded shaft segment, an annular rotor disposed on the shaft, and annular stack nut. The stack nut includes a base nut segment and a clamping nut segment. The base nut segment includes a threaded nut bore that is mated with the threaded shaft segment. The clamping nut segment axially extends from the base nut segment to a load bearing surface. The clamping nut segment includes a radial thickness that decreases as the clamping nut segment extends from the load bearing surface towards the base nut segment. The load bearing surface exerts a force against the rotor securing the rotor to the shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2011Publication date: April 11, 2013Applicant: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Eric C. Mundell, Todd M. LaPierre, Marc J. Muldoon, Stephen J. Lyle
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Publication number: 20130078079Abstract: A seal assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a carbon seal and a seal plate. The seal plate has a contact face configured to slidably engage the carbon seal. The seal plate has a surface disposed on an opposing side of the seal plate from the contact face. The surface forms a portion of a single passage that extends an entire length of the seal plate. The continuous cooling provided by single passage along the seal plate allows for a more uniform temperature profile along the contact face of seal plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2011Publication date: March 28, 2013Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Todd M. LaPierre, Eric Charles Mundell