Patents by Inventor William D. Neff

William D. Neff 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: 6393331
    Abstract: A method of designing an outer air seal for the turbine blades of a gas turbine engine utilizes a knowledge-based product model software program for generating a parametric, three-dimensional, geometric model of the air seal. The product model software program is embodied in a knowledge-based engineering system. The model is created by the program through user selection of various structural feature options available for the air seal. The product model software program uses its internal knowledge base of configuration dependent parameter relationships and rules to design the model. Various types of analyses may then be run to validate the model. The model may be changed, if necessary, as a result of the analyses. The air seal model output from the product model software program is in a file format that defines the topology and dimensions of the geometry of the air seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory E. Chetta, Charles A. Ellis, Joey C. Hayes, Daniel E. Kane, William D. Neff, Joseph A. Oblak, Susan A. Rose, Kevin L. Worley