Patents by Inventor William E. Fortmann

William E. Fortmann 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: 4864820
    Abstract: An exhaust nozzle extends from an engine nacelle and has an opening disposed at an acute angle such that the exhaust stream is blown over a length of the propeller blade. The opening has a plurality of guide vanes disposed therein to shape the exhaust stream most effectively. By spreading the exhaust stream over the length of a propeller, mixing of the exhaust stream with ambient air is maximized, thereby lowering the temperature of the exhaust stream to tolerable levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Wynosky, Michael J. Larkin, William E. Fortmann
  • Patent number: 4445815
    Abstract: Temperature regulation of an air cycle refrigeration system is achieved by selectively adjusting the turbine stator geometry in response to the temperature of turbine airflow at a desired location. Such adjustment in stator geometry includes the selective positioning of a portion of the stator adjacent the turbine blades thereby controlling the amount of cooling produced by the turbine or the selective opening and closing of bypass ports provided in the turbine stator to control the flow of air through the turbine. Both of these adjustments in stator geometry are effected by an actuator comprising at least two members of differing coefficients of thermal expansion such as a bimetallic element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1984
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: William E. Fortmann
  • Patent number: 4415307
    Abstract: Temperature regulation of an air cycle refrigeration system is achieved by selectively adjusting the turbine stator geometry in response to the temperature of turbine airflow at a desired location. Such adjustment in stator geometry includes the selective positioning of a portion of the stator adjacent the turbine blades thereby controlling the amount of cooling produced by the turbine or the selective opening and closing of bypass ports provided in the turbine stator to control the flow of air through the turbine. Both of these adjustments in stator geometry are effected by an actuator comprising at least two members of differing coefficients of thermal expansion such as a bimetallic element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1983
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: William E. Fortmann
  • Patent number: 4402618
    Abstract: Journal and/or thrust bearings of a high speed rotary machine are mounted on a portion of the machine stator by mounts which allow limited tracking of pivotal rotor displacements by the bearings to reduce the risk of bearing damage due to nonuniform bearing pressurization from such pivotal shaft displacements. The mounts resist radial and axial shaft displacements for maintenance of sufficient shaft-stator alignment to prevent risk of rotor-stator impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1983
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: William E. Fortmann, James A. Mrazek, Robert Telakowski, Robert Sherman
  • Patent number: 4247155
    Abstract: A fluid-film foil bearing has a resilient bearing insert assembly disposed between a rotatable and a stationary member. The insert assembly comprises a plurality of resilient corrugated spring pad supports separated from each other to provide a series of spaces and a compliant, unitary foil mounted on the pad supports, the foil having a plurality of perforations aligned across its entire width and over the spaces which are operative under dynamic conditions both to initiate foil deflection and to cause uniform replenishment of fluid lost through side leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1981
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: William E. Fortmann
  • Patent number: 4082375
    Abstract: A dual wedge thrust bearing for holding two relative rotating members in spaced relation includes a wave spring which supports both a thick flexible plate and a thin flexible plate stacked in that order between the cooperating bearing surfaces of the members. By securing the leading edge of the thin plate to the member on which the wave spring rests and in spaced relation to the cooperating bearing surface, a wedge-shaped passage is formed to create a fluid bearing which is efficient for low speeds and loads. At high speeds and loads, when the thin plate would have sagged making an inefficient wedge, the thick plate deflects against the spring at its leading edge to form a more efficient wedge-shaped opening between it and the cooperating bearing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1976
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1978
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: William E. Fortmann