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: 10473037
    Abstract: A bleed air cooling system for a gas turbine engine includes one or more bleed flowpaths operably connected to a bleed outlet to divert a bleed airflow from a gas turbine engine flowpath. Each bleed flowpath includes two or more bleed ports to divert a bleed airflow from a gas turbine engine flowpath, a bleed duct configured to convey the bleed airflow from the two or more bleed ports to the bleed outlet, and a delta-pressure valve located at each bleed port of the two or more bleed ports configured to move between an opened position and a closed position in response to a difference between a first pressure upstream of the delta-pressure valve and a second pressure downstream of the delta pressure valve. The bleed airflow is selectably conveyed through a bleed port of the two or more bleed ports depending on the operation of the associated delta-pressure valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jonathan Ortiz, William K. Ackermann, Matthew P. Forcier
  • Patent number: 10415478
    Abstract: Air mixing systems for gas turbine engines include a heat exchanger, a first extraction conduit fluidly coupled to an inlet of the heat exchanger, a second extraction conduit fluidly coupled to an outlet of the heat exchanger, an injection conduit fluidly coupled to the second extraction conduit, an onboard injector supply chamber fluidly coupled to the injection conduit, and an onboard injector fluidly coupled to the onboard injector supply chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Frederick M. Schwarz, James D. Hill, William K. Ackermann
  • Patent number: 10415468
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: William K. Ackermann, Peter M. Munsell
  • Patent number: 10371056
    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: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Brian D. Merry, Gabriel L. Suciu, William K. Ackermann
  • Publication number: 20190226351
    Abstract: An assembly is provided for rotational equipment. The assembly includes a circumferentially segmented stator and a rotor radially within the stator. The assembly also includes a seal assembly configured for substantially sealing a gap radially between the stator and the rotor. The seal assembly includes a carrier and a non-contact seal seated with the carrier. The carrier includes a plurality of discrete carrier segments circumferentially arranged around the non-contact seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventors: Frederick M. Schwarz, William K. Ackermann
  • Patent number: 10358932
    Abstract: An assembly is provided for rotational equipment. The assembly includes a circumferentially segmented stator and a rotor radially within the stator. The assembly also includes a seal assembly configured for substantially sealing a gap radially between the stator and the rotor. The seal assembly includes a carrier and a non-contact seal seated with the carrier. The carrier includes a plurality of discrete carrier segments circumferentially arranged around the non-contact seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick M. Schwarz, William K. Ackermann
  • Patent number: 10352241
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods related to thermal management systems for gas turbine engines. For example, a thermal management system comprises a thermally neutral heat transfer fluid circuit, a first heat exchanger disposed on the fluid circuit, and a second heat exchanger disposed on the fluid circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nathan Snape, Gabriel L. Suciu, Brian D. Merry, James D. Hill, William K. Ackermann
  • Patent number: 10337406
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine 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 is in communication with said mid-span pre-diffuser inlet and a bearing compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, William K. Ackermann
  • Patent number: 10330010
    Abstract: A compressor section for use in a gas turbine engine comprises a compressor rotor having a hub and a plurality of blades extending radially outwardly from the hub and an outer housing surrounding an outer periphery of the blades. A tap taps air at a radially outer first location, passing the tapped air through a heat exchanger, and returning the tapped air to an outlet at a second location which is radially inward of the first location, to provide cooling air adjacent to the hub. A gas turbine engine is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Brian D. Merry, Jesse M. Chandler, William K. Ackermann, Matthew R. Feulner, Om P. Sharma
  • Publication number: 20190186357
    Abstract: A turbofan engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a fan including fan blades, an outer housing that surrounds the fan to define a bypass flow path, a compressor section in fluid communication with the fan, the compressor section including a low pressure compressor section and a high pressure compressor section, a turbine section including a fan drive turbine section driving the fan and the low pressure compressor section and a high pressure turbine section driving the high pressure compressor section. A gear reduction including an epicyclic gear train is between the fan drive turbine section and the low pressure compressor section such that the low pressure compressor section and the fan are rotatable at a common speed and such that the fan is rotatable at a lower speed than the fan drive turbine section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Frederick M. Schwarz, William K. Ackermann, Daniel Bernard Kupratis
  • Patent number: 10287914
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a turbine section including a fan drive turbine and a second turbine. The fan drive turbine has a first exit area at a first exit point and is rotatable at a first speed. A mid-turbine frame is positioned intermediate the fan drive turbine and the second turbine, and can include a bearing support. The second turbine has a second exit area at a second exit point and is rotatable at a second speed. A first performance quantity is defined as the product of the first speed squared and the first area. A second performance quantity is defined as the product of the second speed squared and the second area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Frederick M. Schwarz, Gabriel L. Suciu, William K. Ackermann, Daniel Bernard Kupratis, Michael E. McCune
  • Publication number: 20190120084
    Abstract: A turbofan engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a fan, and an outer housing surrounding the fan to define a bypass flow path, a compressor, a turbine section including a fan drive turbine and a second turbine, an epicyclic gear system with a gear reduction, the fan drive turbine driving the fan through the gear system, and the gear system straddle-mounted by first and second bearings. The fan drive turbine has a first exit area at a first exit point and is rotatable at a first speed. The second turbine has a second exit area at a second exit point and is rotatable at a second speed. A first performance quantity is defined as the product of the first speed squared and the first area. A second performance quantity is defined as the product of the second speed squared and the second area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Frederick M. Schwarz, Gabriel L. Suciu, William K. Ackermann, Daniel Bernard Kupratis, Michael E. McCune
  • Publication number: 20190107055
    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: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Inventors: Brian D. Merry, Gabriel L. Suciu, William K. Ackermann
  • Patent number: 10240526
    Abstract: A compressor section is in fluid communication with a fan, which includes a first compressor section and a second compressor section. A turbine section includes a first turbine section driving the fan and the first compressor section and a second turbine section driving the second compressor section and the second compressor rotor. A first performance quantity is defined as a product of the first speed squared and the first area. A second performance quantity is defined as a product of the second speed squared and the second exit area. A performance ratio of the first performance quantity to the second performance quantity is between about 0.2 and about 0.8. A gear reduction is included between the first turbine section and the first compressor section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Frederick M. Schwarz, William K. Ackermann, Daniel Bernard Kupratis
  • Patent number: 10196930
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a gas turbine engine that includes a fan configured to generate a fanstream and a fanstream duct configured to receive the fanstream flowing therethrough. An engine electronic component is positioned in flow communication with the fanstream. A heating element is positioned in the fanstream upstream from the engine electronic component and is operative to heat at least a portion of the fanstream in flow communication with the engine electronic component. The position of the engine electronic component passively thermally conditions the engine electronic component and the heating element actively thermally conditions the engine electronic component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Kurt J. Sobanski, Wesley K. Lord, William K. Ackermann
  • Publication number: 20190003327
    Abstract: Assemblies are provided for rotational equipment. One of these assemblies includes a first bladed rotor assembly, a second bladed rotor assembly, a stator vane assembly, a stator structure and a seal assembly. The second bladed rotor assembly includes a rotor disk structure. The stator vane assembly is axially between the first and the second bladed rotor assemblies. The stator structure is mated with 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: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventors: William K. Ackermann, Clifton J. Crawley, JR., Frederick M. Schwarz
  • Publication number: 20180355756
    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: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Inventors: William K. Ackermann, Clifton J. Crawley, JR., Frederick M. Schwarz
  • Publication number: 20180334918
    Abstract: A bleed air cooling system for a gas turbine engine includes one or more bleed flowpaths operably connected to a bleed outlet to divert a bleed airflow from a gas turbine engine flowpath. Each bleed flowpath includes two or more bleed ports to divert a bleed airflow from a gas turbine engine flowpath, and a bleed duct in fluid communication with the bleed ports and configured to convey the bleed airflow from the two or more bleed ports to the bleed outlet. A valve is located at each bleed port of and is configured to move between an opened position and a closed position, and one or more sensors are located along the bleed flowpath to sense one or more conditions of the bleed air cooling system. The valve at a particular bleed port is moved to the opened position based on the sensed one or more conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Inventors: Jonathan Ortiz, William K. Ackermann, Matthew P. Forcier
  • Publication number: 20180334966
    Abstract: A bleed air cooling system for a gas turbine engine includes one or more bleed flowpaths operably connected to a bleed outlet to divert a bleed airflow from a gas turbine engine flowpath. Each bleed flowpath includes two or more bleed ports to divert a bleed airflow from a gas turbine engine flowpath, a bleed duct configured to convey the bleed airflow from the two or more bleed ports to the bleed outlet, and a delta-pressure valve located at each bleed port of the two or more bleed ports configured to move between an opened position and a closed position in response to a difference between a first pressure upstream of the delta-pressure valve and a second pressure downstream of the delta pressure valve. The bleed airflow is selectably conveyed through a bleed port of the two or more bleed ports depending on the operation of the associated delta-pressure valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Inventors: Jonathan Ortiz, William K. Ackermann, Matthew P. Forcier
  • Publication number: 20180334962
    Abstract: A bleed air cooling system for a gas turbine engine includes a bleed port located at an axial location of the gas turbine engine to divert a bleed airflow from a gas turbine engine flowpath, a bleed outlet located at a cooling location of the gas turbine engine and a bleed duct in fluid communication with the bleed port and the configured to convey the bleed airflow from the bleed port to the bleed outlet. A modulating valve is located at the bleed duct and is movable between a fully open position and a fully closed position to regulate the bleed airflow through the bleed duct based on one or more operating conditions of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Inventors: Jonathan Ortiz, William K. Ackermann, Matthew P. Forcier