Patents by Inventor Tracy A. Propheter

Tracy A. Propheter 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: 11041395
    Abstract: Methods for forming airfoils, core assemblies, and airfoils for gas turbine engines are described. The methods include forming an airfoil body about a core assembly configured to define one or more internal cavities of the airfoil body, the core assembly comprising at least core structure having a purge slot protrusion extending from a portion of the core structure, removing the core assembly from the airfoil body to form one or more internal cavities, wherein at least one internal cavity has a cavity extension define by the purge slot protrusion, and forming a squealer pocket in a tip of the formed airfoil body, wherein a cavity purge slot is formed at the cavity extension to fluidly connect the respect internal cavity with the squealer pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tracy A. Propheter-Hinckley, Emma J. Place, Timothy J. Jennings, Jeremy B. Fredette
  • Patent number: 11028702
    Abstract: An airfoil includes a cooling passage network is embedded in an airfoil wall between inner and outer portions of the airfoil wall. The cooling passage network has an entrance region adjacent the first end of the airfoil section, a plenum region between the entrance region and the second end of the airfoil section, and an exit region adjacent the plenum region. The entrance region includes a plurality of flow guides that divide the entrance region into a plurality of channels that open into the plenum region. The plenum region includes a plurality of pedestals that have a shape that is different from the flow guides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tracy A. Propheter-Hinckley, Allan N. Arisi
  • Patent number: 11028700
    Abstract: An airfoil includes a cooling passage circuit that has a first plenum, a skincore passage, a first connector passage, a second plenum, and a second connector passage. The first plenum is in a first platform and extends adjacent a first side, a trailing end, and a second side of and airfoil section. The skincore passage is embedded in the first side of the airfoil section and extends longitudinally. The first connector passage is longitudinally spaced from an internal core cavity in the airfoil section so as to extend around the cavity. The first connector passage connects the first plenum with the skincore passage. The second plenum is in the second platform and extends adjacent the first side, the trailing end, and the second side of the airfoil section. The second connector passage connects the skincore passage with the second plenum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Allan N. Arisi, Tracy A. Propheter-Hinckley
  • Publication number: 20210163365
    Abstract: A method for forming a hole within a ceramic matrix composite component includes forming a first core portion for a ceramic matrix composite component; embedding a hollow member into the first core portion at a desired location; wrapping the first core portion with a first ceramic matrix composite material; inserting a rod through the hollow member and into the first core portion; removing the hollow member; assembling a second core portion to the first core portion such that the rod extends into the second core portion; and wrapping the first core portion and the second core portion with a second ceramic matrix composite material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Applicant: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Tracy A. Propheter-Hinckley
  • Patent number: 11014145
    Abstract: A core assembly for a casting system according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a core that includes a body and at least one hole formed through the body and a spacer that extends through the at least one hole. The spacer includes a stud portion and a chaplet portion configured to abut a surface of the body that circumscribes the at least one hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tracy A. Propheter-Hinckley, James T. Auxier, Eric A. Hudson
  • Publication number: 20210148236
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine article includes an article wall that defines leading and trailing ends and first and second sides that join the leading and trailing ends. The article wall defines a cavity. A cooling passage network is embedded in the article wall between inner and outer portions of the article wall. The network has an inlet orifice through the inner portion to receive cooling air from the cavity, a plurality of sub-passages, at least one outlet orifice that is connected to the sub-passage region, and a manifold region that has a plenum upstream of the sub-passages. The outer portion of the article wall has a sloped impingement surface located opposite the inlet orifice. The sloped impingement surface is angled to divert flow of cooling air from the inlet orifice toward the plenum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: Corneil S. Paauwe, Tracy A. Propheter-Hinckley, Allan N. Arisi
  • Patent number: 11008979
    Abstract: A passive centrifugal valve for a gas turbine engine. The passive centrifugal valve includes an inner section with a flow control inlet orifice, a cantilevered valve adjacent to the flow control inlet orifice, and an outer section with a seal land geometry that operates to at least partially support the cantilevered valve in response to a first centrifugal force that deflects the cantilevered valve away from the flow control inlet orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Michael G. McCaffrey, Tracy A. Propheter-Hinckley
  • Patent number: 11002153
    Abstract: A balance bracket for a diffuser case of gas turbine engine is disclosed. In various embodiments, the balance bracket includes a first portion configured for mounting to a first boss on the diffuser case, a second portion configured for mounting to a second boss on the diffuser case, the second portion spaced a distance from the first portion, and a first undulating portion positioned intermediate the first portion and the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Alberto A. Mateo, Tracy A. Propheter-Hinckley, San Quach
  • Patent number: 10987727
    Abstract: An investment casting core system includes first and second investment casting cores. The first investment casting core has a pin and the second investment casting core has a hole and an access slot that opens to the hole. The pin is disposed in the hole such as to space the first investment casting core in a fixed position relative to the second investment casting core. A bonding agent is disposed in the access slot and around the pin in the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tracy A. Propheter-Hinckley
  • Patent number: 10968753
    Abstract: Airfoils for a gas turbine engines and gas turbine engines are described. The airfoils include an airfoil body extending in a radial direction from a first end to a second end, and axially from a leading edge to a trailing edge. A radially extending leading edge channel is formed in the leading edge of the airfoil body, having first and second channel walls that join at a channel base. A first leading edge impingement cavity is located within the airfoil body proximate the leading edge and is defined, in part, by the first channel wall. A leading edge feed cavity is arranged aft of the first leading edge impingement cavity to supply air into the first leading edge impingement cavity. A first leading edge impingement hole is formed in the first channel wall and angled toward a portion of the second channel wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tracy A. Propheter-Hinckley, Carey Clum, Timothy J. Jennings
  • Patent number: 10968752
    Abstract: A turbine airfoil includes an airfoil outer wall that defines leading and trailing ends and first and second sides that join the leading and trailing ends. At least one cooling passage is embedded in the airfoil outer wall and has a radially-elongated entrance manifold, a radially-elongated diffuser orifice that opens to an exterior surface of the airfoil outer wall, and a bank of sub-passages fluidly connecting the radially-elongated entrance manifold with the radially-elongated diffuser orifice. The radially-elongated diffuser orifice is sloped relative to the radially-elongated entrance manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: James Tilsley Auxier, Tracy A. Propheter-Hinckley, Allan N. Arisi
  • Patent number: 10968777
    Abstract: A vane for a gas turbine engine includes at least one airfoil. A first platform has a first rail located at a first end of the airfoil. A second platform has a second rail located at a second end of the airfoil. A first chordal seal is located on an axially aft surface of the first rail. A second chordal seal is located on an aft surface of the second rail and has a second radius of curvature at least partially truncated by an outer edge of the second rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tracy A. Propheter-Hinckley, Kyle J. Brevick
  • Publication number: 20210095596
    Abstract: A flowpath component for a gas turbine engine includes a body having a leading edge and a trailing edge. A first exterior wall connects the leading edge to the trailing edge and a second exterior wall connects the leading edge to the trailing edge. At least one first internal cooling passage has a first inlet at a first end of the body. At least one second internal cooling passage has a second inlet at a second end of the body. The at least one first internal cooling passage is isolated from the at least one second internal cooling passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: Renee Behlman, Tracy Propheter-Hinckley, Raymond Surace, Matthew Devore
  • Publication number: 20210079793
    Abstract: Airfoils for a gas turbine engines and gas turbine engines are described. The airfoils include an airfoil body extending in a radial direction from a first end to a second end, and axially from a leading edge to a trailing edge. A radially extending leading edge channel is formed in the leading edge of the airfoil body, having first and second channel walls that join at a channel base. A first leading edge impingement cavity is located within the airfoil body proximate the leading edge and is defined, in part, by the first channel wall. A leading edge feed cavity is arranged aft of the first leading edge impingement cavity to supply air into the first leading edge impingement cavity. A first leading edge impingement hole is formed in the first channel wall and angled toward a portion of the second channel wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventors: Tracy A. Propheter-Hinckley, Carey Clum, Timothy J. Jennings
  • Publication number: 20210071580
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine article includes an article wall that defines leading and trailing ends and first and second sides that join the leading and trailing ends. The article wall defines a cavity. A cooling passage network is embedded in the article wall between inner and outer portions of the article wall. The cooling passage network has an inlet orifice through the inner portion of the article wall to receive cooling air from the cavity, a plurality of sub-passages that extend axially from the at least one inlet orifice, at least one outlet orifice through the outer portion of the airfoil wall, and trip strips for mixing cooling air in the cooling passage network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Allan N. Arisi, Tracy A. Propheter-Hinckley
  • Publication number: 20210071684
    Abstract: An assembly is provided for a variable vane arrangement of a turbine engine. A platform extends circumferentially about a centerline and radially relative to the centerline between a first platform side and a second platform side. The platform includes a plurality of variable vane receptacles arranged in an annular array about the axial centerline, which variable vane receptacles include a first variable vane receptacle. The first variable vane receptacle is configured with a recess, a bore and a shelf. The recess extends longitudinally along a variable vane pivot axis into the platform from the first platform side to the shelf. The bore extends longitudinally along the variable vane pivot axis into the platform from the shelf. An insert includes a sleeve and a plate. The sleeve lines at least a portion of the bore. The plate is located within the recess adjacent the shelf.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Robert R. Mayer, Peter F. Gero, Tracy A. Propheter-Hinckley
  • Patent number: 10941663
    Abstract: Airfoils for gas turbine engines are provided. The airfoils include a body extending between leading and trailing edges in an axial direction, between pressure and suction sides in a circumferential direction, and between a root and tip in a radial direction. A first transitioning leading edge cavity is located adjacent one of the sides proximate the root of the body and transitions axially toward the leading edge as the first transitioning leading edge cavity extends radially toward the tip. A second transitioning leading edge cavity is adjacent the other side and adjacent the leading edge proximate the root of the body and transitions axially toward the trailing edge as the second transitioning leading edge cavity extends radially toward the tip. A portion of the second transitioning leading edge cavity shields a portion of the first transitioning leading edge cavity proximate the root of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Timothy J. Jennings, Tracy A. Propheter-Hinckley, Kyle C. Lana
  • Patent number: 10914320
    Abstract: A blade is provided for a gas turbine engine. The blade includes an airfoil portion with at least one internal cavity and a damper located within the internal cavity. The damper includes a cantilever spring arm. A fan blade is provided for a gas turbine engine. The fan blade includes an airfoil portion with at least one internal cavity; and a damper located within the internal cavity. The damper includes a cantilever spring arm that terminates with a rub surface pad adjacent to a friction bridge between a concave pressure side and a convex suction side of the airfoil portion. A method is also provided for damping a blade of a gas turbine engine. The method includes deflecting a cantilever spring arm to contact a rub surface pad with a friction bridge between a concave pressure side and a convex suction side of an airfoil portion of the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Wendell V. Twelves, Jr., Tracy A. Propheter-Hinckley, Pauline Cabrila
  • Publication number: 20210033027
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a baffle for a gas turbine engine component includes providing a baffle that has a baffle wall that circumscribes an open interior region, the baffle wall defining two datum features, wherein at least one of the two datum features is semi-spherical, establishing a fixed reference position of the baffle in a fixture by engaging the two datum features with two corresponding locators on the fixture, and performing at least one operation on the baffle that is dependent upon the reference position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Inventors: Scott A. Kovach, Tracy A. Propheter-Hinckley
  • Patent number: 10907479
    Abstract: Airfoils for gas turbine engines are provided. The airfoils include an airfoil body extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge in an axial direction, between a pressure side and a suction side in a circumferential direction, and between a root and a tip in a radial direction, a first transitioning leading edge cavity located proximate the leading edge proximate the root of the airfoil body and transitioning axially toward the trailing edge as the first transitioning leading edge cavity extends radially toward the tip, and a second transitioning leading edge cavity located aft of the first transitioning leading edge cavity proximate the root of the airfoil body and transitioning axially toward the leading edge as the second transitioning leading edge cavity extends radially toward the tip. The second transitioning leading edge cavity includes an impingement sub-cavity and a film sub-cavity along the leading edge and proximate the tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Timothy J. Jennings, Tracy A. Propheter-Hinckley, Kyle C. Lana