Patents by Inventor William K. Ackermann

William K. Ackermann 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: 10927763
    Abstract: A low pressure compressor for a gas turbine engine includes a low pressure compressor case extending circumferentially around a central axis of the gas turbine engine. The low pressure compressor case includes an inner radial wall surrounding a low pressure compressor rotor and an outer radial wall at least partially defining a fan bypass passage of the gas turbine engine. A low pressure compressor compartment is located between the inner radial wall and the outer radial wall and an electrical component is located in the low pressure compressor compartment. An inlet port at the outer radial wall is configured to admit a cooling airflow into the low pressure compressor compartment from the fan bypass passage to cool the electrical component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Kurt J. Sobanski, William K. Ackermann
  • Patent number: 10927696
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a compressor section having a first portion and an aft portion. A compressor case clearance (CCC) control system is configured to adjust an amount of bleed air delivered to the front portion and the aft portion based on an in-flight phase of an aircraft. In response to invoking a first mode, the CCC control system delivers air to both the front portion and the aft portion. In response to invoking a second mode, the CCC control system reduces the amount of air delivered to the aft portion prior to transitioning from the cruise phase to the descent phase. Accordingly, clearance areas within the compressor section can be selectively increased during specific portions of the flight to avoid contact between blade tips and the engine case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher A. Eckett, William K. Ackermann
  • Publication number: 20200408153
    Abstract: An environmental control system for an aircraft includes a higher pressure tap associated with a higher compression location in a main compressor section. The higher pressure tap leads into a turbine section of a turbocompressor such that air in the higher pressure tap drives the turbine section to in turn drive a compressor section of the turbocompressor. A combined outlet receives airflow from a turbine outlet and a compressor outlet intermixing airflow and passing the mixed airflow downstream to be delivered to an aircraft system. A buffer air outlet communicates airflow to an engine buffer air system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, William K. Ackermann, Harold W. Hipsky
  • Patent number: 10837288
    Abstract: A rotor assembly of a gas turbine engine may be spoked and includes a rotor and a shell. The rotor has a rotor disk and a plurality of blades each having a platform attached to the rotor disk and with a first channel defined radially between the platforms and the rotor disk. The shell projects aft of the rotor and includes inner and outer walls with a passage defined therebetween. The passage is in fluid communication with the first channel and, together, form part of a secondary flowpath for cooling of adjacent components. The rotor assembly may further include a structure located radially inward of the rotor disk and shell. The structure defines a supply conduit for flowing air from the passage and into a rotor bore defined at least in part by adjacent rotor disks. The entering air, being pre-heated when flowing through the channel and passage, warms the bore and reduces thermal gradients, thus thermal fatigue, across the rotor disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Brian D. Merry, James D. Hill, William K. Ackermann
  • Patent number: 10823071
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprises a compressor section and a turbine section, with the turbine section having a first stage blade row and a downstream blade row. A higher pressure tap is tapped from a higher pressure first location in the compressor. A lower pressure tap is tapped from a lower pressure location in the compressor which is at a lower pressure than the first location. The higher pressure tap passes through a heat exchanger, and then is delivered to cool the first stage blade row in the turbine section. The lower pressure tap is delivered to at least partially cool the downstream blade row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Brian D. Merry, Gabriel L. Suciu, William K. Ackermann
  • Patent number: 10823070
    Abstract: An intercooled cooling system for a gas turbine engine includes a heat exchanger in fluid communication with a cooling airflow source directed through the heat exchanger and an auxiliary compressor fluidly coupled to the heat exchanger via a discharge duct to compress the cooling airflow exiting the heat exchanger. A compressor discharge pathway directs a first portion of the cooling airflow from the auxiliary compressor to a first cooling location of the gas turbine engine, and a bypass pathway is fluidly coupled to the discharge duct between the heat exchanger and the auxiliary compressor to direct a second portion of the cooling airflow to a second cooling location of the gas turbine without passing through the auxiliary compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, William K. Ackermann, Brian Merry, Neil Terwilliger
  • Patent number: 10808616
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine is provided that includes a compressor section, a combustor section, a diffuser case module, a turbine section, and a manifold. The diffuser case module includes a multiple of struts within an annular flow path from said compressor section to said combustor section, wherein at least one of said multiple of struts defines a mid-span pre-diffuser inlet in communication with said annular flow path. The manifold is in communication with said mid-span pre-diffuser inlet and said turbine section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, William K. Ackermann
  • Patent number: 10794275
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a shaft and first and second bearing structures that support the shaft. Each of the first bearing structure and the second bearing structure includes a bearing compartment that contains a lubricant and a seal that contains the lubricant within the bearing compartments. A buffer system is configured to pressurize the seals to prevent the lubricant from escaping the bearing compartments. The buffer system includes a first circuit configured to supply a first buffer supply air to the first bearing structure, a second circuit configured to supply a second buffer supply air to the second bearing structure, and a controller configured to select between at least two bleed air supplies to communicate the first buffer supply air and the second buffer supply air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jorn A. Glahn, William K. Ackermann, Clifton J. Crawley, Philip S. Stripinis
  • Patent number: 10794208
    Abstract: An assembly is provided for rotational equipment such as a gas turbine engine for an aircraft propulsion system. This assembly includes a stator, a rotor and a seal assembly. The rotor extends axially along a centerline. The rotor includes a linkage, a first rotor disk, and a second rotor disk. The linkage extends axially from the first rotor disk to the second rotor disk. The linkage is removably attached to the second rotor disk. The seal assembly is configured for sealing a gap radially between the stator and the linkage. The seal assembly includes a hydrostatic non-contact seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick M. Schwarz, William K. Ackermann
  • Patent number: 10774752
    Abstract: An environmental control system for an aircraft includes a higher pressure tap to be associated with a higher compression location in a main compressor section associated with an aircraft engine, and a lower pressure tap to be associated with a lower pressure location in the main compressor section associated with the aircraft engine. The lower pressure location being at a lower pressure than said higher pressure location. The lower pressure tap communicates to a first passage leading to a downstream outlet, and having a second passage leading into a compressor section of a turbocompressor. The higher pressure tap leads into a turbine section of the turbocompressor such that air in the higher pressure tap drives the turbine section to in turn drive the compressor section of the turbocompressor. A turbine outlet receives airflow exhausted from the turbine section. A compressor outlet receives airflow exhausted from the compressor section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, William K. Ackermann, Harold W. Hipsky
  • Patent number: 10760491
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine is provided that includes a compressor section, a combustor section, a diffuser case module, and a manifold. The diffuser case module includes a multiple of struts within an annular flow path from said compressor section to said combustor section, wherein at least one of said multiple of struts defines a mid-span pre-diffuser inlet in communication with said annular flow path. The manifold in communication with said mid-span pre-diffuser inlet and said combustor section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, William K. Ackermann
  • Patent number: 10753218
    Abstract: An example turbomachine assembly includes, among other things, a nose cone of a turbomachine, and a pump at least partially within an interior of the nose cone. The pump is selectively rotated by a motor to communicate air to the interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Simon Pickford, William K. Ackermann, Nathan Snape
  • Patent number: 10731502
    Abstract: A compressor for use in a gas turbine engine comprises a compressor rotor including blades and a disc, with a bore defined radially inwardly of the disc. A radially outer housing surrounds an outer diameter of the blades. A lower pressure tap and a higher pressure tap tap air from two distinct locations within the compressor and radially outwardly through the outer housing. A valve selectively delivers at least one of the lower pressure tap and the higher pressure tap to the bore of the disc. A control for the valve is programmed to move the valve to a position delivering the higher pressure tap at a point prior to take-off when the compressor is mounted in a gas turbine engine on an aircraft. A gas turbine engine and a method of operating a gas turbine engine are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: William K. Ackermann, Matthew P. Forcier, Paul J. Hiester
  • Patent number: 10704468
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine is provided comprising a compressor section, a combustor section, a diffuser case module, and a manifold. The diffuser case module includes a multiple of struts within an annular flow path from said compressor section to said combustor section, wherein at least one of said multiple of struts defines a mid-span pre-diffuser inlet in communication with said annular flow path. The manifold is in communication with said mid-span pre-diffuser inlet and said compressor section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, William K. Ackermann
  • Patent number: 10669888
    Abstract: Assemblies are provided for rotational equipment. One of these assemblies includes a bladed rotor assembly, a stator vane assembly, a fixed stator structure and a seal assembly. The bladed rotor assembly includes a rotor disk structure. The stator vane assembly is disposed adjacent the bladed rotor assembly. The fixed stator structure is connected to and radially within the stator vane assembly. The seal assembly is configured for sealing a gap between the stator structure and the rotor disk structure, wherein the seal assembly includes a non-contact seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: William K. Ackermann, Clifton J. Crawley, Jr., Frederick M. Schwarz
  • Patent number: 10669938
    Abstract: A diffuser for a gas turbine engine is provided that includes an outer shroud, an inner shroud, a multiple of struts between said outer shroud and said inner shroud to define an annular flow path, and a mid-span pre-diffuser inlet in communication with said annular flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, William K. Ackermann
  • Publication number: 20200141315
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a buffer system that communicates a buffer cooling air to at least one bearing structure and at least one shaft of the gas turbine engine. The buffer system includes a first bleed air supply and a conditioning device that conditions the first bleed air supply to render the first buffer supply air at an acceptable temperature to pressurize the at least one bearing structure and cool the at least one shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: William K. Ackermann, Peter M. Munsell
  • Publication number: 20200123923
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a compressor section having a first portion and an aft portion. A compressor case clearance (CCC) control system is configured to adjust an amount of bleed air delivered to the front portion and the aft portion based on an in-flight phase of an aircraft. In response to invoking a first mode, the CCC control system delivers air to both the front portion and the aft portion. In response to invoking a second mode, the CCC control system reduces the amount of air delivered to the aft portion prior to transitioning from the cruise phase to the descent phase. Accordingly, clearance areas within the compressor section can be selectively increased during specific portions of the flight to avoid contact between blade tips and the engine case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Christopher A. Eckett, William K. Ackermann
  • Publication number: 20200049077
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a very high speed low pressure turbine such that a quantity defined by the exit area of the low pressure turbine multiplied by the square of the low pressure turbine rotational speed compared to the same parameters for the high pressure turbine is at a ratio between about 0.5 and about 1.5. The high pressure turbine is supported by a bearing positioned at a point where the first shaft connects to a hub carrying turbine rotors associated with the second turbine section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Frederick M. Schwarz, Daniel Bernard Kupratis, Brian D. Merry, Gabriel L. Suciu, William K. Ackermann
  • Patent number: 10502135
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a buffer system. The buffer system can include a first bleed air supply and a conditioning device that conditions the first bleed air supply to render the buffer supply air at an acceptable temperature to anti-ice the hardware of said fan section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: William K. Ackermann, Philip S. Stripinis