Patents Issued in January 17, 2019
  • Publication number: 20190017361
    Abstract: A variation of expanding solvent steam assisted gravity drainage (ES-SAGD) production of heavy oil wherein steam and hydrocarbon solvent are co-injected into a heavy oil reservoir and water, hydrocarbon solvent and heavy oil are produced by gravity drainage until the steam chamber is well developed or until oil recovery reaches about 20-30% of oil in place. At that time, the wells are switched to a lateral sweep using non-condensible gas (NSG) and steam co-injection, where more hydrocarbon solvent is recovered than is recovered with ES-SAGD used alone and where the cumulative steam to oil ratio is reduced over using -ES-SAGD alone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Bo CHEN, Thomas James WHEELER, Pradeep Ananth GOVIND
  • Publication number: 20190017362
    Abstract: The invention discloses a pipeline descaling and rock stratum fracturing device based on electro-hydraulic pulse shock waves, comprising a ground low-voltage control device, a transmission cable and an electro-hydraulic pulse shock wave transmitter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Yi LIU, Fuchang LIN, Yuan PAN, Qin ZHANG, Hua LI, Zhiyuan LI, Siwei LIU
  • Publication number: 20190017363
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to apparatus, systems, and methods of fracturing a geological structure including the application of kinetic energy (e.g., from high velocity frack fluid) to a subterranean structure. In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to apparatus, systems, and methods for delivery of high velocity fluid to a well using a down hole valve and/or throttling system. The present disclosure relates to apparatus, systems, and methods of generating pressure using accumulators (e.g., high pressure accumulators) at the surface of a well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventor: Edward O. Anders
  • Publication number: 20190017364
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for hydraulically fracturing a subterranean formation to improve the production rates and ultimate recovery by contacting unconsolidated resin-coated proppant particulates residing in a propped fracture with a reactive crosslinker in order to form a consolidated proppant pack. The present invention also relates to methods for use in water injection wells to consolidate the resin-coated proppant particulates in a gravel packed or frac packed region of a wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Chad CANNAN, Thu LIENG, Daryl JOHNSON, Mark CONNER
  • Publication number: 20190017365
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a casing disposed within a wellbore, one or more data collection tools coupled to the casing, and one or more sensors disposed within an annulus of the wellbore. Each of the one or more sensors include a substrate, a strain-sensitive element coupled to the substrate, and a transceiver coupled to the substrate and configured to communicate with the one or more data collection tools.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Mark Roberson, Scott Goodwin
  • Publication number: 20190017366
    Abstract: A disclosed subsurface detection system includes a first communication device positioned in a borehole and configured to scan a plurality of frequencies in at least a portion of an annulus surrounding an exterior of a tubing including the casing string in the borehole or an interior of the tubing including the casing string. The plurality of frequencies include a first frequency corresponding to a first type of RFID tag and a second frequency corresponding to a second type of RFID tag. The first communication device is further configured to detect a response to the scan from an RFID tag of the first type or the second type in the portion of the annulus or the interior of the tubing. The system further includes a processor configured to receive communication of the detected response from the first communication device, and based on the detected response, determine one or more characteristics of an environment around the corresponding RFID tag (e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2016
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Yusef H. Alaas, William J. Schaecher, Thanh T. Tran, Krishna Ravi
  • Publication number: 20190017367
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for producing a continuous survey of a previously drilled portion of a wellbore. The method includes receiving a plurality of stationary survey measurements taken at a corresponding plurality of locations along the portion of the wellbore. The method further includes receiving at least one continuous survey including a plurality of continuous survey measurements taken between a pair of stationary survey measurements of the plurality of stationary survey measurements. The method further includes combining the plurality of stationary survey measurements and the plurality of continuous survey measurements to produce the continuous survey of the portion of the wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Adrián Guillermo Ledroz, John Lionel Weston
  • Publication number: 20190017368
    Abstract: A system and method for a position sensor system in a well system. A position sensor system may comprise a downhole tool, a position sensor attached to the downhole tool such that resistance of the position sensor changes with position of the downhole tool, a first conductor attached to the position sensor, and a second conductor attached to the position sensor as an electrical ground. A method for determining position of a downhole tool may comprise taking a first measurement of a line resistance and moving the downhole tool, wherein moving the downhole tool increases or decreases the line resistance. The method may further comprise taking a second measurement of the line resistance, wherein the second measurement provides an indication of the position of the downhole tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Ibrahim El Mallawany
  • Publication number: 20190017369
    Abstract: Production capability of cased hole perforations in a cased completed well lined with a casing in an under-pressured gas producing reservoir is tested. A sonde of a dipole shear or array sonic (full waveform) acoustic well logging tool is moved in a well bore of the cased completed well in the reservoir across a depth interval of interest, which covers cased hole perforations zones in the reservoir. The well logging sonde has in it an acoustic energy source and acoustic energy receivers. Responses are logged at depth intervals of interest to the transit of Stoneley waves along the casing walls from the acoustic energy source to the acoustic energy receivers. Measures of characteristics (e.g., travel time and attenuation) of the Stoneley wave are obtained. The responses are then processed to indicate production capability of the cased hole perforations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventor: Mohammed S. AMEEN
  • Publication number: 20190017370
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products appraise the quality of resistivity LWD data inversion and related earth models. The appraisal uses several quality factors, including signal-to-noise ratio, noise-to-signal ratio, data importance, model parameter importance, and model parameter confidence interval for the resistivity LWD data inversion and related earth models. These quality factors allow a user to determine which data provides useful information, which parts of the earth model may be relied upon, and conversely which parameters in which parts of the model may need to be modified. Such an arrangement is particularly useful in distance-to-bed-boundary (DTBB) inversion for geo-steering and formation evaluation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Glenn A. WILSON, Burkay DONDERICI, Rencheng SONG
  • Publication number: 20190017371
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and techniques for controlling voltage applied across a piezoelectric stack of a downhole acoustic transmitter. At least one of the temperature of the stack and the compressive stress applied to the stack is monitored. At least one of the temperature of the stack and the compressive stress applied to the stack is compared to a temperature threshold and a stress threshold, respectively. When the stack signal is an alternating voltage signal and when at least one of the temperature of the stack and the compressive stress applied to the stack respectively exceeds the temperature threshold and the stress threshold, the stack signal is modified such that a negative polarity portion of the stack signal has a maximum magnitude less than a magnitude of a negative polarity limit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Applicant: XACT Downhole Telemetry Inc.
    Inventor: John Godfrey McRory
  • Publication number: 20190017372
    Abstract: A fluid pressure pulse generator for a telemetry tool comprising a stator and a rotor. The stator comprising a stator body and a plurality of radially extending stator projections spaced around the stator body, whereby adjacently spaced stator projections define stator flow channels extending therebetween. The rotor comprising a rotor body and a plurality of radially extending rotor projections spaced around the rotor body. The rotor projections are axially adjacent the stator projections and the rotor is rotatable relative to the stator such that the rotor projections move in and out of fluid communication with the stator flow channels to generate fluid pressure pulses in fluid flowing through the stator flow channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Gavin Gaw-Wae Lee, Luke Stack, Aaron W. Logan
  • Publication number: 20190017373
    Abstract: A pulser for generating positive pressure mud pulses includes a signal shaft disposed to move between an up position and a down position within a ceramic shaft seal, the signal shaft connected at a top end to a drive shaft, the signal shaft sealing a poppet orifice when in the down position, wherein the drive shaft is connected to an actuator, the actuator connected to a hybrid bearing and a pulser coupling. The pulser is contained in a drill collar and configured to connect to a bottom end assembly. The pulser includes a pressure compensation membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Desmond Anderson, Salvador Berberov
  • Publication number: 20190017374
    Abstract: In one non-limiting embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a controller having a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to: cause a neural network to receive current measurements of a current material; instruct the neural network to determine dominant features of the current measurements; instruct the neural network to provide the dominant features to a decoder; and instruct the decoder to generate a generated spectral response of the current material based on the dominant features. In another non-limiting embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a method including the steps of receiving current measurements of a current material; determining dominant features of the current measurements; providing the dominant features; and generating a generated spectral response of the current material based on the dominant features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Siddharth Misra, Hao Li
  • Publication number: 20190017375
    Abstract: Techniques for determining an amount of chert in a rock formation include identifying first logging data for a selected zone of a first subterranean formation that includes chert, quartz, and zircon; identifying second logging data for a second subterranean formation that is different than the first subterranean formation, the second subterranean formation including chert, quartz, and zircon; determining a first volumetric ratio of quartz to zircon in the selected zone based on the first logging data; determining a second volumetric ratio of quartz to zircon based on the second logging data; determining a maximum value of the second volumetric ratio; and calculating, based on the first and second volumetric ratios and the maximum value of the second volumetric ratio, a volumetric percentage of chert in the selected zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Anas Almarzooq
  • Publication number: 20190017376
    Abstract: Techniques for determining properties of a spotting fluid include positioning a member of a test apparatus into a prepared mudcake sample at a specified depth, the mudcake sample associated with a drilling fluid and including a specified thickness; circulating a flow of the spotting fluid to contact the prepared mudcake sample in a test cell; soaking the prepared mudcake sample in the spotting fluid for a specified time duration; subsequent to the specified time duration, detecting a force exerted on the member relative to a displacement distance of the member from the specified depth in the mudcake sample during removal of the member from the mudcake sample; recording, with the test apparatus, the detected force relative to the displacement distance; and determining, with the test apparatus, one or more properties associated with the mudcake sample based on the recorded force relative to the displacement distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Md Amanullah, Turki Thuwaini Mohammed Alsubaie
  • Publication number: 20190017377
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for fluid characterization of fluid samples from a downhole fluid sampling tool. A fluid characterization method may include obtaining a fluid sample of a reservoir fluid; analyzing the fluid sample to derive input parameters, wherein the input parameters comprise fluid properties obtained from measurement of the fluid sample; determining component mole fractions of the fluid sample using a mole fraction distribution function; and determining calculated fluid properties using equation of state flash calculating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Tian He, Mehdi Alipour Kallenhbasti, Ming Gu, Christopher Michael Jones, Darren Gascooke, Michael T. Pelletier, Di Du
  • Publication number: 20190017378
    Abstract: A method for managing a reservoir, including: receiving a plurality of geological data values associated with the reservoir; identifying a plurality of catchment areas associated with the reservoir based on the plurality of geological data values; identifying a plurality of spill points for the reservoir based on the plurality of catchment areas; identifying a plurality of reservoir traps for the reservoir based on the plurality of spill points and the plurality of catchment areas; and determining a plurality of effective trap sizes and a plurality of effective catchment area sizes based on the plurality of reservoir traps and the plurality of catchment areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventor: Armin I Kauerauf
  • Publication number: 20190017379
    Abstract: Disclosed is a drill and blast method for advancing the tunnel face in a mine, which makes use of a mobile canopy. The mobile canopy having vertical supports connected to a frame that supports a shield. The mobile canopy allows for face production activities and ground support activities to occur simultaneously or near simultaneously. This allows for more rapid advancement of the tunnel face compared to traditional batch drill and blast techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventor: Douglas Morrison
  • Publication number: 20190017380
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a laser-assisted tunnel boring machine and a rock fragmenting method thereof, which belongs to the technical field of tunnel engineering. Two rock fragmenting modes exist: a laser-cutter rock fragmenting mode and a cutter rock fragmenting mode, wherein the two rock fragmenting modes are recognized and switched by an intelligent control system, the laser-cutter rock fragmenting mode is used in the hard rock stratum, so that the rock fragmenting efficiency can be improved, and the cutter rock fragmenting mode is used in the soft rock stratum; and for the laser-assisted rock fragmenting mode, hot fragmenting is mainly performed using lasers, and laser heads are installed on a cutter head of the tunnel boring machine and are assisted by water spray systems, to achieve the purposes of auxiliary rock fragmenting by laser radiation for hot cracking and water spray for quick cooling, and mechanical rock fragmenting for excavation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Zhengzheng WANG, Yang GAO
  • Publication number: 20190017381
    Abstract: An apparatus for backfill paste includes a mixing means configured to produce paste, a storage means configured to store paste, and a feeding means configured to feed paste to a borehole. The mixing means and the storing means is formed of a combined storage and mixing means. The feeding means includes a bottom discharge port configured to feed paste from the combined storage and mixing means. The apparatus includes monitoring means configured to monitor the level of paste in the combined storage and mixing means to maintain the level of paste in the combined storage and mixing means above a setpoint value so as to prevent air from entering the borehole from the combined storage and mixing means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventor: Mathew REVELL
  • Publication number: 20190017382
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a turbine engine defining a longitudinal direction, a radial direction, and a circumferential direction. The turbine engine includes a power turbine including a first turbine rotor assembly interdigitated with a second turbine rotor assembly along the longitudinal direction; a gear assembly coupled to the first turbine rotor assembly and the second turbine rotor assembly, wherein the gear assembly includes a first input interface coupled to the first turbine rotor assembly, a second input interface coupled to the second turbine rotor assembly, and one or more third gears coupled to the first input interface and the second input interface therebetween; and a first output shaft and a second output shaft, wherein each of the first output shaft and the second output shaft are configured to couple to an electrical load device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Jeffrey Donald Clements, Darek Tomasz Zatorski, Brandon Wayne Miller, Joseph Robert Dickman
  • Publication number: 20190017383
    Abstract: A rotor disc for a gas turbine having at least a root cavity for coupling with a blade of the gas turbine, and a disc cooling hole for connecting the root cavity with a source of a cooling gas. The disc cooling hole has a cross section having a first major axis inclined with respect to a circumferential direction of the rotor disc of a first inclination angle comprised between 0 and 45 degrees. A first distance along the major axis of the cross section is greater than a second distance along a second minor axis of the cross section, the major and minor axes being mutually orthogonal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stephen Batt, Thanasekaran Gopal
  • Publication number: 20190017384
    Abstract: An airfoil array for a turbomachine, in particular a turbine or compressor stage of a gas turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Inga MAHLE, Markus BRETTSCHNEIDER, Fadi MAATOUK
  • Publication number: 20190017385
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rotor of a turbomachine, which has a plurality of rotor blades, which each have a blade leading edge and a tip, the rotor blades forming a first group and at least one further group of rotor blades of different construction. It is provided that the rotor blades of the first group are nominal rotor blades, the rotor blades of the at least one further group each have a material cutout in the transition from the blade leading edge to the tip, said material cutout not being present in the case of the rotor blades of the first group, and the rotor blades of the first group and of the at least one further group form a non-periodic sequence in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Maciek OPOKA, Thomas GIERSCH, Bernhard MUECK, John DODDS, Chris HALL
  • Publication number: 20190017386
    Abstract: A fan blade includes first and second portions that are secured to one another and provide a cavity. The first and second portions form an exterior airfoil surface that extends in a radial direction from a root to a tip and in a chord-wise direction from a leading edge to a trailing edge. Radial ribs extend in a radial direction from the root toward the tip and are spaced apart from one another in the chord-wise direction. First and second angled ribs intersect one another at a first apex. The radial ribs intersect at least one of the first and second angled ribs. The first and second angled ribs are at an angle relative to one of the radial ribs. The angle is in a range of 45°+/?30°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Eric W. Malmborg, Michael A. Weisse
  • Publication number: 20190017387
    Abstract: According to one aspect, an airfoil assembly for a gas turbine engine comprises a first end wall, a second end wall, an airfoil and a sheath. The first end wall has surfaces defining a first recess, and the second end wall has surfaces defining a second recess. The airfoil includes a first portion disposed in the first recess, a second portion disposed in the second recess, and a leading edge disposed between the first and second portions. The sheath is in contact with the first and second portions of the airfoil covering the leading edge between the surfaces defining the first and second recesses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Christopher D. Hall, Daniel E. Molnar
  • Publication number: 20190017388
    Abstract: An embodiment of a fan blade includes an interior region between a metallic pressure sidewall and a metallic suction sidewall. Each sidewall extends in span from a base to a tip, and extends in chord from a leading edge to a trailing edge. The interior region of the fan blade includes a first fully dense metallic portion and a first porous metallic portion. The first fully dense metallic portion has a volume occupying at least 10% of a total volume of the interior region, and substantially no porosity. The first porous metallic portion is integrally joined to the fully dense metallic portion, and is selected from a structured lattice, an unstructured foam, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Tahany Ibrahim El-Wardany, Matthew E. Lynch, Om P. Sharma, Catalin G. Fotache
  • Publication number: 20190017389
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for cooling an airfoil tip for a turbine engine can include a blade, such as a cooled turbine blade, having a tip rail extending beyond a tip wall (94) enclosing an interior for the airfoil at the tip. A plurality of film-holes can be provided in the tip rail. A flow of cooling fluid can be provided through the film-holes from the interior of the airfoil to cool the tip of the airfoil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Nicholas William Rathay, Thomas Earl Dyson, Brendon James Leary, Gregory Terrence Garay, Gustavo Adolfo Ledezma, David Wayne Weber, Aaron Ezekiel Smith
  • Publication number: 20190017390
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a component for a gas turbine engine according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes forming the component with a first manufacturing technique to include a first cavity and a second cavity, and a microcircuit in fluid communication with the first cavity, the component including an outer wall and a ribbed portion or a bulged portion extending from the outer wall. The exemplary method includes forming a plunged hole with a second manufacturing technique different from the first manufacturing technique to intersect at least a portion of the microcircuit and extend into the ribbed portion or the bulged portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Tracy A. Propheter-Hinckley, Steven Bruce Gautschi, San Quach
  • Publication number: 20190017391
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for cooling a blade tip for a turbine engine can include an blade, such as a cooled turbine blade, having a tip rail extending beyond a tip wall enclosing an interior for the blade at the tip. A plurality of film-holes can be provided in the tip rail. A flow of cooling fluid can be provided through the film-holes from the interior of the blade to cool the tip of the blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas Earl Dyson, Nicholas William Rathay, Brendon James Leary, Gregory Terrence Garay, Gustavo Adolfo Ledezma, David Wayne Weber, Aaron Ezekiel Smith
  • Publication number: 20190017392
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an impingement insert for a turbomachine. The impingement insert includes an insert body having an inner surface, an outer surface spaced apart from the inner surface, and a thickness extending from the inner surface to the outer surface. The insert body defines a first depression extending from one of the inner surface or the outer surface into the insert body. The first depression has a diameter. The insert body further defines an impingement aperture extending from the first depression through the insert body. The impingement aperture has a length and a diameter. The thickness of the insert body is greater than the length of the impingement aperture and the diameter of the first depression is greater than the diameter of the impingement aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Sandip Dutta, Kassy Moy Hart, Joseph Anthony Weber, Sean Patrick Gunning
  • Publication number: 20190017393
    Abstract: An unshrouded turbomachine impeller is disclosed. The impeller comprises a hub and a plurality of sequentially arranged blades. Each blade extends from a blade root at the hub to a blade tip and is comprised of a first blade edge and a second blade edge. A flow vane is formed between each pair of neighboring blades. A connection member extends across each flow vane between neighboring blades and rigidly or monolithically connects a first modal displacement region of a first one of the pair of neighboring blades to a second modal displacement region of a second one of the pair of neighboring blades.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Giuseppe IURISCI, Angelo GRIMALDI, Simone CORBO
  • Publication number: 20190017394
    Abstract: A sheath for a leading edge structure comprises a sheath core and a protective electroformed coating provided on an external surface of the sheath core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: François-Henri THOMAS, Patrick DERBOIS
  • Publication number: 20190017395
    Abstract: A propeller blade retention element comprises a body portion formed of a corrosion resistant metal, and at least one bearing race portion attached to the body portion, the race portion being formed of an induction hardenable, corrosion resistant metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventor: Christian FAGES
  • Publication number: 20190017396
    Abstract: A variable pitch fan assembly includes variable pitch fan blades circumscribed about engine centerline axis coupled to a drive shaft centered about the engine centerline axis. Each blade pivotable about pitch axis perpendicular to centerline axis and having blade turning lever connected thereto. One or more linear actuators non-rotatably mounted parallel to engine centerline axis and operably linked to fan blades for pivoting fan blades and connected to spider ring through thrust bearings for transmission of axial displacement of non-rotatable actuator rods of actuators while the fan blades are rotating. Spider arms extending away from spider ring towards blade roots and each spider arm connected to one of the turning levers. Turning levers may be connected and caromed to spider arms by pin and slot joint. Each spider arm may include joint pin disposed through joint slot of turning lever. Joint slot may be angled or curved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Aldo Daniel Lopez Guzman, Alberto del Angel Duran, Daniela Martinez Arteaga, Carla Garcia Lopez de Llergo, Ileana Prisabel Corona Acosta
  • Publication number: 20190017397
    Abstract: The invention relates to a guide vane segment for aircraft gas turbine, which extend along a respective circular arc and together form an annular section, wherein, in the radial direction between the outer shroud and the inner shroud, a plurality of guide vanes are arranged adjacently in the peripheral direction, the outer shroud and the two sealing walls form a trough-like profile in longitudinal section, wherein, at the axially front or/and rear sealing wall element(s), at least one relief gap with a main section is provided, which extends substantially radially inward, starting from a radial outer edge of the respective front or/and rear sealing wall element(s) along the sealing wall element. According to the invention, it is proposed that the relief gap has at least one additional section that adjoins the main section radially inward, wherein the additional section is formed by at least one curved subsection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Applicant: MTU Aero Engines AG
    Inventor: Markus Uecker
  • Publication number: 20190017398
    Abstract: A stator vane assembly for a gas turbine engine includes an inner vane support defining a first aperture, an outer vane support defining a second aperture, a stator having an inner end that extends through the first aperture and an outer end that extends through the second aperture, and a first bracket. The first bracket is operatively connected to the inner vane support and extends over the first aperture. The first bracket and the inner vane support defining a first pocket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: William R. Edwards, Nicholas Hunnewell
  • Publication number: 20190017399
    Abstract: An aircraft incorporating a cabin air recovery system in which the aircraft comprises a pressurizable cabin, main turbofan engines, each turbofan engine having fan blades, a gas turbine coupled with the fan blades and a by-pass duct bypassing the gas turbine. The cabin fluidly communicates with the by-pass duct downstream of the fan blades so that, during operation, cabin outflow air is discharged into the by-pass duct downstream of the fan blades. By re-utilizing excess cabin air, engine thrust and efficiency is improved, and fuel consumption is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Javier FRAILE MARTIN, Anton Mendez-Diaz
  • Publication number: 20190017400
    Abstract: A turbine shroud adapted for use in a gas turbine engine includes a plurality of metallic carrier segments and a plurality of blade track segments mounted to corresponding metallic carrier segments. Impingement tubes direct cooling air onto the blade track segments to cool the blade track segments when exposed to high temperatures in a gas turbine engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Daniel K. Vetters, Peter Broadhead, Steven Hillier
  • Publication number: 20190017401
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making a seal comprising fabricating a seal body that includes a first friction surface including nickel and cobalt. The first friction surface on the seal body is contacted with a metal counter-body surface including nickel. Pressure and heat is applied between the seal body and the counter-body, and motion is applied between the seal body and the counter-body with respect to each other in a direction parallel to the first friction surface, followed by separating the seal from the counter-body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventor: Pantcho Stoyanov
  • Publication number: 20190017402
    Abstract: A flexible damper (24) for turbine blades (10) includes a plurality of segments (32) positioned together in a substantially linear pattern, each segment (32) having a first side (46), a second side (48), a top side (50), a bottom side (52), a length (56), a width (54), and a thickness (58).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Nicholas F. Martin, JR., David J. Wiebe
  • Publication number: 20190017403
    Abstract: An assembly includes a plurality of seal shoes, a seal base and a plurality of spring elements. The seal shoes are arranged around an axis in an annular array. The seal base circumscribes the annular array of the seal shoes. Each of the spring elements is radially between and connects a respective one of the seal shoes to the seal base. A first of the spring elements includes a first mount, a second mount and a spring beam. The first mount is connected to the first seal shoe. The second mount is connected to the seal base and disposed a circumferential distance away from the first mount. The spring beam extends longitudinally along a non-straight centerline between and connected to the first mount and the second mount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Conway Chuong, Tara L. D'Ambruoso, Dwayne K. Mecklenburg, Peter E. Gunderson, Eric D. Gray
  • Publication number: 20190017404
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a non-contact seal assembly comprising a plurality of seal shoes arranged about a centerline in an annular array, the seal shoes including a first seal shoe extending axially along the centerline between a first shoe end and a second shoe end. The non-contact seal assembly may comprise a seal base circumscribing the annular array of the seal shoe, the seal base comprising first, second and third inner radial seal base surfaces where the third inner radial seal base surface is axially between the first and second inner radial seal base surfaces and is radially proximate the centerline with respect to the radially distal first and second inner radial seal base surfaces. The non-contact seal assembly may further comprise a plurality of spring elements, each of the spring elements radially distal from and connecting to a respective one of the seal shoes and radially proximate the third inner radial seal base surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Conway Chuong, Tara D'Ambruoso, Joey Wong
  • Publication number: 20190017405
    Abstract: An active clearance control assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a firewall, a fluid intake and an active clearance control manifold. A conduit is configured to direct a fluid from the fluid intake on a first axial side of the firewall through the firewall to at least one active clearance control manifold on a second axial side of the firewall. A valve is located on the first axial side of the firewall and is configured to regulate the flow of the fluid through the conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Jesse M. Chandler, Nathan Snape
  • Publication number: 20190017406
    Abstract: A system and method for aerodynamically sealing rotating and fixed components of a gas turbine engine. The system includes a gas turbine engine having a casing and a rotating portion, a plasma actuator having a first and a second electrodes, the first electrode including at least one section of substantially flat conductive material encased in a dielectric material forming at least a portion of a cylinder disposed circumferentially on the casing. The system also includes the rotating portion operably configured as the second electrode, and an excitation source operably connected between the first electrode and the second electrode, the excitation source generating an excitation signal and applying it to the first and second electrodes to cause the actuator to form a plasma between the first and second electrodes, the plasma inducing an airflow between the casing and the rotating portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventor: Guthrie Bagdonis
  • Publication number: 20190017407
    Abstract: A method of actuating a Blade Outer Air Seal (BOAS) includes moving a retractor against a portion of a BOAS segment to move the BOAS segment from a first position to a second position that is radially outside the first position. The BOAS segment is seated against a support structure when in the first position and spaced from the support structure when in the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventor: Brian Duguay
  • Publication number: 20190017408
    Abstract: A variable vane assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a case having a bore and a recess. The case provides a first portion of a flow path surface. A vane includes a journal that extends along an axis from a vane end and received in the bore. An insert is arranged in the recess and provides a second portion of the flow path surface adjacent to the first flow path surface. The insert includes a pocket that slidably receives the vane end. The vane end is configured to move axially relative to the insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventor: Jose E. Ruberte Sanchez
  • Publication number: 20190017409
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling powerplants that include and/or leverage one or more health models to proactively optimize component life or minimize damage of one or more components of the powerplant are provided. In one exemplary aspect, a control system for a powerplant feeds engine data into one or more health models. The health models output health data indicative of a condition of one or more components of the powerplant. The control system utilizes the health data outputs to proactively control the components of the powerplant in such a way so as to optimize component life/damage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Tarik Yardibi, Jacques Paul
  • Publication number: 20190017410
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a fan and a braking system. The braking system is configured to selectively engage the fan during ground windmilling to apply a first level of braking to slow rotation of the fan. Further, when the rotation of the fan sufficiently slows, the braking system is further configured to apply a second level of braking more restrictive than the first level of braking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Frederick M. Schwarz, William G. Sheridan