Patents by Inventor Vance A. Mahan

Vance A. Mahan 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: 9062565
    Abstract: A fan containment system for a gas turbine engine, and a method of making the same, is disclosed that in one embodiment includes casing that surrounds at least a portion of a plurality of fan blades. In one form, a pair of standoff rings is formed in an outer surface of the casing that are spaced apart from one another a predetermined distance running circumferentially about the inner nacelle ring. A containment ring is positioned around a radially outer surface of the standoff rings to form an interference fit between the two.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventor: Vance A. Mahan
  • Patent number: 8616854
    Abstract: A nose cone assembly for a gas turbine engine is disclosed herein. The nose cone assembly includes a spinner body having an outer surface and extending axially between an upstream portion generally tapering to a truncated first end and a base portion generally cylindrical in cross-section at a second end. The nose cone assembly also includes a flange positioned radially inward of the outer surface and axially adjacent to the base portion. The nose cone assembly also includes a plurality of first apertures defined in the flange for removably connecting the spinner body to a fan of a gas turbine engine. The nose cone assembly also includes a second aperture defined in the spinner body through which all of the plurality of first apertures can be accessed for attaching or removing the nose cone assembly from the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventor: Vance A. Mahan
  • Patent number: 8613593
    Abstract: The present invention provides engine case systems for gas turbine engines. Embodiments of the engine case systems include a plurality of ring cases and a tie-bolt case. The ring cases may house blades and vanes for the compressor and/or for the turbine. The ring cases may be stacked in series, and may be clamped together by a tie-bolt case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Wesley Ottow, Vance A. Mahan, Albert Wong
  • Patent number: 8511970
    Abstract: A plug assembly is disclosed herein for a borescope inspection path defined through apertures in spaced walls. The plug assembly includes a first plug operable to at least partially close a first aperture in an inner wall. The plug assembly also includes a second plug operable to at least partially close a second aperture in an outer wall. The plug assembly also includes a member extending along an axis and connecting the first and second plugs together in spaced relation to one another along the axis. The member is operable to elastically buckle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Nathan Wesley Ottow, Vance A. Mahan, Denise C. Tommasone
  • Patent number: 8444380
    Abstract: The present invention provides engine case systems for gas turbine engines. Embodiments of the engine case systems include a plurality of ring cases and a tie-bolt case. The ring cases may house blades and vanes for the compressor and/or for the turbine. The ring cases may be stacked in series, and may be clamped together by a tie-bolt case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Wesley Ottow, Vance A. Mahan, Albert Wong
  • Publication number: 20110154801
    Abstract: A fan containment system for a gas turbine engine, and a method of making the same, is disclosed that in one embodiment includes casing that surrounds at least a portion of a plurality of fan blades. In one form, a pair of standoff rings is formed in an outer surface of the casing that are spaced apart from one another a predetermined distance running circumferentially about the inner nacelle ring. A containment ring is positioned around a radially outer surface of the standoff rings to form an interference fit between the two.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventor: Vance A. Mahan
  • Publication number: 20110076134
    Abstract: A plug assembly is disclosed herein for a borescope inspection path defined through apertures in spaced walls. The plug assembly includes a first plug operable to at least partially close a first aperture in an inner wall. The plug assembly also includes a second plug operable to at least partially close a second aperture in an outer wall. The plug assembly also includes a member extending along an axis and connecting the first and second plugs together in spaced relation to one another along the axis. The member is operable to elastically buckle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventors: Anthony Tommasone, Denise C. Tommasone, Nathan Wesley Ottow, Vance A. Mahan
  • Publication number: 20110008165
    Abstract: The present invention provides engine case systems for gas turbine engines. Embodiments of the engine case systems include a plurality of ring cases and a tie-bolt case. The ring cases may house blades and vanes for the compressor and/or for the turbine. The ring cases may be stacked in series, and may be clamped together by a tie-bolt case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventors: Nathan Wesley Ottow, Vance A. Mahan, Albert Wong
  • Publication number: 20100226786
    Abstract: A nose cone assembly for a gas turbine engine is disclosed herein. The nose cone assembly includes a spinner body having an outer surface and extending axially between an upstream portion generally tapering to a truncated first end and a base portion generally cylindrical in cross-section at a second end. The nose cone assembly also includes a flange positioned radially inward of the outer surface and axially adjacent to the base portion. The nose cone assembly also includes a plurality of first apertures defined in the flange for removably connecting the spinner body to a fan of a gas turbine engine. The nose cone assembly also includes a second aperture defined in the spinner body through which all of the plurality of first apertures can be accessed for attaching or removing the nose cone assembly from the fan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventor: VANCE A. MAHAN
  • Publication number: 20100166546
    Abstract: One embodiment is an apparatus comprising a first rotational gas turbine engine component including first threads; a second rotational gas turbine engine component including second threads; the first threads and the second threads being mated; and the first rotational engine component being fastened to the second rotational engine component substantially only by the first threads and the second threads being mated. Other embodiments include unique apparatuses, systems, devices, and methods relating to gas turbine engine interconnection. Further exemplary embodiments, forms, objects, features, advantages, aspects, and benefits of the present invention are included in the following description, drawings, and claims.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Vance A. Mahan, Daniel K. Morrison, Adam J. Morrison