Patents by Inventor William W. Rice

William W. Rice 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: 10859699
    Abstract: An axial location of a time of arrival probe may be determined by attaching a wedge comprising a distal surface to a blade. A first edge of the distal surface and a second edge of the distal surface may form an angle. The axial location of the probe may be determined based on the angle and a distance extending from the first edge of the wedge to the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Darren M. Wind, Eli Cole Warren, William W. Rice, Sebastian Martinez, Charles Kniffin, Corey A. Benoit
  • Patent number: 10598041
    Abstract: A performance measurement system of an inlet of a gas turbine engine includes a probe strut configured for installation to a case strut of an inlet case of a gas turbine engine. The probe strut includes one or more probes extending therefrom configured to measure one or more characteristics of an airflow past the one or more probes, a first attachment point configured to secure the probe strut to a hub portion of the inlet case, and a second attachment point configured to secure the probe strut to an outer case portion of the inlet case. A data acquisition module is located at a central longitudinal axis of the inlet and is operably connected to the probe to collect sensed data therefrom. The probe strut and the data acquisition module are configured to be installed, removed, and/or relocated without removal of the inlet case from the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: William W. Rice, Alfred F. Covino, Richard C. Hendricks, Douglas H. Thomesen, Bryan J. Hackett
  • Patent number: 10295420
    Abstract: A deflection measurement assembly according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a nacelle arranged about an axis to define a flow path, a cable assembly arranged at least partially about the axis, and a transducer coupled to the cable assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joshua V. Wood, Michael Joseph Murphy, Justin R. Urban, Robert E. Malecki, William W. Rice, David W. Lamarre
  • Publication number: 20190120079
    Abstract: A performance measurement system of an inlet of a gas turbine engine includes a probe strut configured for installation to a case strut of an inlet case of a gas turbine engine. The probe strut includes one or more probes extending therefrom configured to measure one or more characteristics of an airflow past the one or more probes, a first attachment point configured to secure the probe strut to a hub portion of the inlet case, and a second attachment point configured to secure the probe strut to an outer case portion of the inlet case. A data acquisition module is located at a central longitudinal axis of the inlet and is operably connected to the probe to collect sensed data therefrom. The probe strut and the data acquisition module are configured to be installed, removed, and/or relocated without removal of the inlet case from the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2017
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: William W. Rice, Alfred F. Covino, Richard C. Hendricks, Douglas H. Thomesen, Bryan J. Hackett
  • Publication number: 20190011555
    Abstract: An axial location of a time of arrival probe may be determined by attaching a wedge comprising a distal surface to a blade. A first edge of the distal surface and a second edge of the distal surface may form an angle. The axial location of the probe may be determined based on the angle and a distance extending from the first edge of the wedge to the blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Darren M. Wind, Eli Cole Warren, William W. Rice, Sebastian Martinez, Charles Kniffin, Corey A. Benoit
  • Patent number: 10151214
    Abstract: A pressure probe includes a non-deflecting airfoil, a sensing feature, and an interior passage. The non-deflecting airfoil is made of a metal and configured for use in a gas turbine engine. The airfoil extends from a base to a tapered portion, and then to a linear portion, along a primary axis. The sensing feature is formed monolithically with the airfoil, as by additive manufacturing. The interior passage is operatively connected to the sensing feature and passes through both the airfoil and the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: William W. Rice, Michael Ian Walker, Douglas H. Thomesen
  • Patent number: 10107124
    Abstract: A modular egress seal assembly includes an annular plate with an axially extending aperture. A base plate is mountable to the annular plate. The base plate includes an aperture extending along the axis when said base plate is mounted to the annular plate thereby forming an axial passageway and a cover plate mountable to said annular plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: William W. Rice
  • Publication number: 20170292882
    Abstract: A deflection measurement assembly according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a nacelle arranged about an axis to define a flow path, a cable assembly arranged at least partially about the axis, and a transducer coupled to the cable assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Inventors: Joshua V. Wood, Michael Joseph Murphy, Justin R. Urban, Robert E. Malecki, William W. Rice, David W. Lamarre
  • Publication number: 20160348531
    Abstract: A pressure probe includes a non-deflecting airfoil, a sensing feature, and an interior passage. The non-deflecting airfoil is made of a metal and configured for use in a gas turbine engine. The airfoil extends from a base to a tapered portion, and thence to a linear portion, along a primary axis. The sensing feature is formed monolithically with the airfoil, as by additive manufacturing. The interior passage is operatively connected to the sensing feature and passes through both the airfoil and the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: William W. Rice, Michael Ian Walker, Douglas H. Thomesen
  • Patent number: 9285205
    Abstract: An example turbomachine probe assembly includes a probe body extending along a probe axis from a first sensor end to an opposing second end. An eccentric retention feature is configured to engage the probe body into contact with wall having an aperture that receives the probe body. The eccentric retention feature limits movement of the probe body along the probe axis relative to the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Eli Cole Warren, William W. Rice
  • Publication number: 20160010479
    Abstract: A modular egress seal assembly includes an annular plate with an axially extending aperture. A base plate is mountable to the annular plate. The base plate includes an aperture extending along the axis when said base plate is mounted to the annular plate thereby forming an axial passageway and a cover plate mountable to said annular plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventor: William W. Rice
  • Publication number: 20140056692
    Abstract: An example turbomachine probe assembly includes a probe body extending along a probe axis from a first sensor end to an opposing second end. An eccentric retention feature is configured to engage the probe body into contact with wall having an aperture that receives the probe body. The eccentric retention feature limits movement of the probe body along the probe axis relative to the wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Inventors: Eli Cole Warren, William W. Rice
  • Patent number: 5678727
    Abstract: A diaper dispenser apparatus includes a housing having an interior region. The housing includes a front panel formed to include an aperture therein. The apparatus also includes a spring loaded platform located in an interior region of the housing. The platform is configured to support a stack of diapers and to locate a top diaper on the stack in alignment with the aperture in the front panel of the housing to permit removal of the top diaper through the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Inventor: William W. Rice