With Diversely Oriented Inlet Or Additional Inlet For Diverse Fluid (e.g., Heating, Cooling Or Mixed Working Fluid, Etc.) Patents (Class 415/116)
  • Patent number: 10612408
    Abstract: A control ring for use in a gas turbine engine includes a control ring segment defining a centerline axis. The control ring segment includes an inner diameter surface and an outer diameter surface. A thermally isolating contact is operatively connected to at least one of the inner diameter surface and the outer diameter surface. The thermally isolating contact has lower thermal conductivity than the control ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mark Borja
  • Patent number: 10612465
    Abstract: A particle separator for a turbomachine includes a first portion including a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The turbomachine includes a first wall and a second wall defining a primary fluid passage. The first wall further defines an auxiliary fluid passage. The first end is coupled to the first wall. The second end extends from the first wall into the at least one primary fluid passage and extends in a direction defined by the fluid flow through the primary fluid passage. The second end and the first wall define a fluid diversion passage coupled in flow communication with the primary fluid passage and the auxiliary fluid passage. The fluid diversion passage is configured to divert fluid from the primary fluid passage to the auxiliary fluid passage in a direction at least partially opposed to the fluid flow through the primary fluid passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Satoshi Atsuchi, Erich Alois Krammer, Corey Bourassa, Byron Andrew Pritchard, Mehmet Dede
  • Patent number: 10612469
    Abstract: A turbine engine includes a compressor section, a combustor in fluid communication with the compressor section, and a turbine section in fluid communication with the combustor. Also included in the turbine engine is a mixing chamber. The mixing chamber is located between the compressor section and the combustor section and the mixing chamber is radially outward of a primary fluid flow path connecting the compressor section, the combustor section, and the turbine section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Vito Guardi, Christopher B. Lyons, Nathan Snape
  • Patent number: 10605097
    Abstract: A turbine rotor blade comprises: a blade effective part; a snubber disposed on radially outer side of the blade effective part; a platform disposed on radially inner side of the blade effective part; and an implanted part disposed on radially inner side of the platform. A first flow path is formed inside the implanted part for a cooling medium to pass through. A second flow path is formed inside the platform for the cooling medium having passed through the first flow to pass through. A blade effective part flow path is formed inside the blade effective part for the cooling medium having passed through the second flow path to pass through. A snubber flow path is formed inside the snubber for the cooling medium having passed through the blade effective part flow paths to pass through.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Kazutaka Tsuruta, Shoko Ito, Iwataro Sato
  • Patent number: 10605114
    Abstract: A valve device includes a main steam valve that is provided on a steam flow channel, a regulating valve that is provided on the steam flow channel to be connected to the main steam valve in series and that includes a first valve seat and a first valve body, an overload valve that is provided on a branch flow channel which connects a portion of the steam flow channel between the main steam valve and the regulating valve and a steam turbine to each other and that includes a second valve seat and a second valve body, and a driving unit that drives the first valve body and the second valve body as a common driving source of the first valve body and the second valve body such that the first valve body and the second valve body are interlocked with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES COMPRESSOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoaki Nogami, Takuro Koda, Kenichi Nishiyama
  • Patent number: 10590952
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a fan nacelle assembly circumferentially surrounding a fan section, the fan nacelle assembly including an inner wall including an inner wall axial length, and an outer wall an outer wall axial length, wherein the outer wall axial length is greater than the inner wall axial length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Frederick M. Schwarz
  • Patent number: 10590785
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a platform that has a gas path side, a non-gas path side, a first mate face, and a second mate face. The second mate face has a beveled edge sloping towards the first mate face. The gas turbine engine also includes a coverplate that includes a first bend, a flat portion substantially parallel to the first mate face and a first wing substantially parallel to the second mate face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Brandon W. Spangler
  • Patent number: 10577960
    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. Cooling air is directed onto the blade track segments to cool the blade track segments when exposed to high temperatures in a gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc., Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Mark O'Leary, Daniel K. Vetters, Matthew R. Brandt, Ted J. Freeman
  • Patent number: 10577970
    Abstract: A turbine assembly for a gas turbine engine is disclosed herein. The turbine assembly includes a source of cooling air and a turbine shroud configured to extend around blades of a turbine stage and resist gasses from passing the blades without interaction with the blades. The turbine shroud includes a carrier segment comprising metallic materials and a blade track segment comprising ceramic matrix composite materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Aaron P. Jennings
  • Patent number: 10577964
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure include a compressor section, a combustor, and a turbine section. The combustor has a radially outer surface that defines a diffuser chamber radially outwardly of the combustor. The turbine section has a high pressure turbine first stage blade that has an outer tip, and a blade outer air seal positioned radially outwardly of the outer tip. A tap for tapping air has been compressed by the compressor and is passed through a heat exchanger. The air downstream of the heat exchanger passes through at least one pipe and into a manifold radially outward of the blade outer air seal, and then passes across the blade outer air seal to cool the blade outer air seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan Ortiz, Raymond Surace, Renee J. Jurek, Tracy A. Propheter-Hinckley
  • Patent number: 10563531
    Abstract: A seal assembly for a gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a seal including a sealing portion and an engagement portion. A support includes an interface portion and a mounting portion. The interface portion defines a retention slot spaced apart from opposing mate faces. The mounting portion is configured to be fixedly attached to an engine static structure. The engagement portion is dimensioned to be slideably received within the retention slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Michael G. McCaffrey
  • Patent number: 10557412
    Abstract: An outer diameter shroud for retaining a stator of a gas turbine engine having an axis includes an annular body positioned around the axis, extending in an axial direction, and defining a plurality of slots each configured to receive a portion of one of a plurality of stators. The outer diameter shroud further includes a shroud flange coupled to the annular body, extending in a direction perpendicular to the annular body, and configured to be fastened to a case of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul W. Baumann, Brian Barainca, Rolf Thorsen, Mark E. Simonds, Gary F. Fowler, Hector M. Pinero
  • Patent number: 10550726
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a gas turbine engine defining an axial centerline, a longitudinal direction, a radial direction, and a circumferential direction. The gas turbine engine includes one or more frames in which the frame defines an inner ring and an outer ring generally concentric to the inner ring about the axial centerline. The frame defines a plurality of struts extended outward along the radial direction from the inner ring to the outer ring. One or more struts define one or more service passages extended at least partially along the radial direction within the strut, and wherein the inner ring, the outer ring, and the struts together define an integral structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas Ory Moniz, Jordan Tesorero, Joshua Tyler Mook, Jeffrey Donald Clements
  • Patent number: 10551065
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a fan, a compressor section, a combustor, a fan drive gear system, and a turbine section coupled to drive the fan through the gear system. The combustor includes an annular outer shell and an annular inner shell that define an annular combustion chamber. There is a bulkhead in the annular combustion chamber, and an annular heat shield is mounted on the bulkhead. The annular heat shield includes a segment that has a forward face and an aft face, a circumferential outer side and a circumferential inner side, a central orifice between the forward face and the aft face, a lip projecting from the forward face around the central orifice, a rail projecting from the forward face, and a plurality of through-holes between the rail and the lip. The rail contacts the bulkhead to define a cavity bounded by the rail, the lip, and the bulkhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jonathan Jeffery Eastwood, Joey Wong, Robert M. Sonntag, Albert K. Cheung, Timothy S. Snyder
  • Patent number: 10544704
    Abstract: A turbine ring assembly includes a plurality of ring sectors made of ceramic matrix composite material, together with a ring support structure, each ring sector having a portion forming an annular base with an inner face defining the inner face of the turbine ring and an outer face from which there project at least two tab-forming portions, the ring support structure having at least two attachment tabs extending radially, the tabs of each ring sector gripping the attachment tabs of the ring support structure at least at the radially-inner ends of the attachment tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Claire Groleau, Gilles Lepretre, Etienne Voland, Thierry Tesson
  • Patent number: 10544800
    Abstract: Provided are an inlet guide vane and a centrifugal compressor such that air can be caused to efficiently flow in with use of a simple shape. The inlet guide vane is disposed upstream of an impeller in a flow path of a centrifugal compressor. The inlet guide vane has: a plate-shaped plate section that is disposed in the flow path; and a rotation part that causes the plate section to rotate along an axis of rotation aligned with the radial direction of a rotary shaft of the centrifugal compressor. In a cross-section orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the rotation part, the plate section has, at the leading edge thereof on the upstream side of the flow path, a bent part that is tilted with respect to the other portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES THERMAL SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Jun Koga, Yasushi Hasegawa, Shintaro Omura
  • Patent number: 10544701
    Abstract: A turbine shroud assembly is disclosed including an inner shroud, an outer shroud, a shroud dampening pin, and a biasing apparatus. The inner shroud is adjacent to a hot gas path. The outer shroud is adjacent to the inner shroud and distal from the hot gas path, and includes a channel extending from an aperture adjacent to the inner shroud. The shroud dampening pin is within the channel and contacts the inner shroud, and includes a shaft, a contact surface, and a cap. The shaft is within the channel. The contact surface extends through the aperture in contact with the inner shroud. The cap is distal across the shaft from the contact surface. The biasing apparatus contacts the cap, is driven by a pressurized fluid, and provides a biasing force away from the outer shroud along the shroud dampening pin to the inner shroud through the contact surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Glenn Curtis Taxacher, John McConnell Delvaux, Matthew Troy Hafner
  • Patent number: 10544799
    Abstract: Provided are a centrifugal compressor gas-supplementing structure and a compressor using the foregoing gas-supplementing structure. The centrifugal compressor gas-supplementing structure includes a annular gas-supplementing passage (6) for introducing supplemented gas into a gas passage (5) of a compressor, and an airflow-guiding assembly is provided in the annular gas-supplementing passage (6). The gas-guiding assembly is used for adjusting a direction of the supplemented gas flowing into the gas passage (5), so that an angle between a direction of the supplemented gas flowing into the gas passage (5) and a direction of an airflow in the gas passage (5) falls within a preset range, and a turbulence loss generated when the two passages of gas merge is avoided to the greatest extent, thereby improving cycle efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: GREE ELECTRIC APPLIANCES, INC. OF ZHUHAI
    Inventors: Nan Jiang, Zhiping Zhang, Ruixing Zhong, Caiyun Jiang, Rong Xie, Jianfei Liu, Yuhui Chen, Baoqian Huang, Jing Zhang, Yi Zhou
  • Patent number: 10539037
    Abstract: A device for controlling clearance at the tops of turbine rotating blades. The device comprises shroud supporting rings, abradable ring sectors, elastic centering elements, and a shroud supporting ring sectors inserted radially to the supporting shroud, between the elastic elements and the abradable ring sectors, which are attached to said supporting shroud, which has a volume varying according to temperature, due to the action of fluid supply elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Safran Aircraft Engines
    Inventors: Guillaume Michael Maurice Giliberti, Joël Creti, Gabrijel Radeljak
  • Patent number: 10533446
    Abstract: A blade outer air seal (BOAS) assembly includes a rotor blade configured to rotate about an axis. The BOAS assembly also includes a BOAS positioned radially outward from the rotor blade and having a forward-facing BOAS face. The BOAS assembly also includes a shroud block positioned radially outward from the BOAS, having an aft-facing shroud face, and being configured to support the BOAS. The BOAS assembly also includes a first bellows seal extending from the forward-facing BOAS face to the aft-facing shroud face and configured to reduce fluid leakage radially between the BOAS and the shroud block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniel Barak, Joseph F. Englehart
  • Patent number: 10527054
    Abstract: A multi-blade forward-curved impeller for a centrifugal fan is disclosed. The impeller may include a blade having a curved portion and an extended portion. The curved portion may have a leading edge and a trailing edge, and the extended portion may extend outward from the trailing edge of the curved portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Inventor: Mohammad Hassan Orangi
  • Patent number: 10519862
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine having a rotor centering cooling system for cooling struts within an exhaust diffuser and turbine case to reduce tip rub during hot restarts is disclosed. In particular, the rotor centering cooling system may be positioned within struts in the exhaust diffuser downstream from a turbine assembly for limiting thermal gradients between top and bottom struts to prevent the exhaust bearing body from becoming off-center during steady state operation as a result of the top struts becoming hotter than the bottom struts. The rotor centering cooling system may reduce the temperature at the exhaust diffuser and turbine case, thereby reducing the thermal gradient between the top and bottom struts and top and bottom of the turbine case. As such, the exhaust bearing body remains centered, thereby preventing a tighter blade tip clearance at the top of the turbine assembly than at the bottom of the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Kok-Mun Tham, Abdullatif M. Chehab, Ross Peterson
  • Patent number: 10502063
    Abstract: A method of fabricating an airfoil includes forming a tip portion and imaging a second end of a body portion to obtain image data of one or more mortises formed therein. One or more tenons are formed on the first end of the tip portion using the image data of the second end of the body portion. The one or more tenons are manufactured using one of additive or subtractive manufacturing techniques. To complete assembly, the first end of the tip portion is positioned relative to the second end of the body portion such that each of the one or more tenons of the tip portion align with and are in sliding engagement with a respective one of the one or more mortises of the body portion. The body portion and the tip portion are coupled together such that the tip portion and the body portion form the airfoil. An airfoil formed by the method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Scott Andrew Weaver, Scott Michael Oppenheimer, William Thomas Carter
  • Patent number: 10502078
    Abstract: A gas turbine includes a bearing housing surrounding an outside of a tie rod provided on the turbine. One end of a power strut is connected to an outside of the bearing housing, and the other end is radially arranged outwards. A cooling-air supply unit supplies cooling air to the power strut. A heat exchange unit is disposed in the power strut to perform a heat exchange process with cooling air supplied through the cooling-air supply unit. A ring-shaped support frame is connected to the other end of the power strut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Doosan Heavy Industries Construction Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Chul Jung, Young Chan Yang
  • Patent number: 10495001
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a propulsion system including an annular inner wall and an annular outer wall, a nozzle assembly, a turbine nozzle, and an inner casing and an outer casing. The inner wall and outer wall together extend at least partially along a longitudinal direction and together define a combustion chamber inlet, a combustion chamber outlet, and a combustion chamber therebetween. The nozzle assembly is disposed at the combustion inlet and provides a mixture of fuel and oxidizer to the combustion chamber. The turbine nozzle defines a plurality of airfoils in adjacent circumferential arrangement disposed at the combustion chamber outlet. The turbine nozzle is coupled to the outer wall and the inner wall. The inner casing is disposed inward of the inner wall and the outer casing is disposed outward of the outer wall. Each of the inner casing and the outer casing are coupled to the turbine nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joseph Zelina, Sibtosh Pal, Arthur Wesley Johnson, Clayton Stuart Cooper, Steven Clayton Vise
  • Patent number: 10488234
    Abstract: A measuring tube for a magneto-inductive flow measuring device, comprising a support tube and a liner arranged in the support tube. The measuring tube has at least one terminal support bushing of porous material for anchoring the liner to the support tube. A magneto-inductive flow measuring device with such a measuring tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: ENDRESS + HAUSER FLOWTEC AG
    Inventors: Werner Wohlgemuth, Frank Voigt
  • Patent number: 10487689
    Abstract: An aircraft turbine casing configured to carry a set of ring sectors that partly delimits a conduit inside which a gas flow passes through the turbine, including a dynamic mechanism adjusting radial position of ring sectors, an upstream radial lug that connects an upstream end of each ring sector to the casing, and a downstream radial lug that connects a downstream end of each ring sector to the casing. The upstream lug is made as a single piece with the casing and is directly connected to the upstream end of each ring sector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Damien Bonneau, Jean-Christophe Marc Cordier, Fabrice Marcel Noel Garin
  • Patent number: 10480342
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a turbine having a plurality of vanes, a plurality of blades, a turbine shroud arranged around the vanes and blades, and a turbine case arranged around the turbine shroud. The turbine shroud is sized to block combustion products from passing over the blades without pushing the blades to rotate. The turbine shroud includes a runner arranged around the blades and a carrier arranged around the runner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce E. Varney, Jack D. Petty, Daniel K. Vetters, Eugene Clemens
  • Patent number: 10472987
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a casing, a fairing, and a heat shield. The fairing is annularly shaped and disposed adjacent the casing. The heat shield is connected to the casing and includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is generally cylindrically shaped and extends between the fairing and the casing and the second portion extends generally radially away from the casing and the first portion toward the fairing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Matthew Budnick
  • Patent number: 10458259
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for flowing cooling air through an outer wall of an engine component such as an airfoil. The airfoil having the outer wall can include an opening. A framework can be disposed in the opening adapted to reduce the required flow through the opening to increase the efficiency of the engine and improve cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jason Randolph Allen, Ronald Scott Bunker
  • Patent number: 10450877
    Abstract: The invention relates to a guide means (10) for a gas turbine, in particular for an aircraft engine, having at least one casing element (12); having at least one first duct segment (14), which is arranged in the radial direction on the inside of the casing element (12), by means of which at least one duct (16), through which gas can flow, is at least partially delimited outward in the radial direction; having at least one second duct segment (26), which is arranged in the radial direction on the inside of the first duct segment (14), by means of which the duct (26) is at least partially delimited inward in the radial direction; and having at least one guide vane (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines AG
    Inventor: Alexander Boeck
  • Patent number: 10443437
    Abstract: A cooled structure of a gas turbine engine has a main body with a leading edge, a trailing edge, a first side portion, a second side portion, and a cavity. A first set of cooling air micro-channels extends from the cavity and is arranged along the first side portion. A second set of cooling air micro-channels extends from the cavity and is arranged along the second side portion. The first and second set of cooling air micro-channels have turning portions positioned adjacent each other and interwoven exhaust ends originating from each opposing side micro-channel. Each interwoven exhaust end extends around the opposing turning portion and is configured to exhaust cooling air from a plurality of exhaust ports positioned generally radially outward from the turning portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Benjamin Paul Lacy, Christopher Donald Porter, David Edward Schick, Lyndsay Marie Kibler
  • Patent number: 10443424
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a case disposed around a central axis, a vane structure disposed radially inwards of the case, a seal carriage mounted to the case, and a seal arc segment mounted to the seal carriage. The vane structure exerts an axial load on the seal carriage. The seal carriage defines a load path that radially transmits the axial load to the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Michael G. McCaffrey
  • Patent number: 10443501
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel apparatus and methods for providing a flow of cooling air to one or more turbine nozzles or turbine blade outer air seals. The flow of cooling air is provided by an external source and regulated in order to improve turbine nozzle and air seal cooling efficiency and component life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: POWERPHASE LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Kraft, Peter Perri
  • Patent number: 10443403
    Abstract: An apparatus relating to engineering the geometry for a ball-chute support feature in an investment casting core. The investment casting core is for an airfoil region having at least one serpentine feature and at least one inlet feature coupled to the at least one serpentine feature by a ball-chute support feature. The investment casting core is leached out to form cooling passages in the airfoil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Weston Nolan Dooley, James Michael Hoffman, Steven Robert Brassfield
  • Patent number: 10443426
    Abstract: A blade outer air seal according to an example of the present disclosure includes a seal body extending circumferentially about an axis and including at least one channel having a substantially solid radially outer surface. A substrate is radially inward of the at least one channel with respect to the axis. The substrate and the at least one channel form at least one cavity. A rotor rub strip is radially inward of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Philip Robert Rioux, Nicholas R. Leslie, Richard K. Hayford
  • Patent number: 10428834
    Abstract: A fan casing assembly for a turbine engine including a casing having an annular fan cooler. The annular fan cooler includes first and second connection assemblies to fix movement of the fan cooler during engine operation, while permitting circumferential thermal growth of the fan cooler without suffering from high cycle fatigue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Unison Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Derek Thomas Dreischarf, Bernard Albert Luschek, Dennis Alan McQueen, Daniel Scott McCann, Anthony Lynn Lighthill
  • Patent number: 10428688
    Abstract: A turbine ring assembly includes a plurality of ring segments and a ring support structure, the ring assembly further including, for each ring segment, a cooling distribution element fixed to the ring support structure and positioned in a first cavity delimited between the turbine ring and the ring support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Lucien Henri Jacques Quennehen, Sébastien Serge Francis Congratel, Clément Jean Pierre Duffau, Nicolas Paul Tableau
  • Patent number: 10428675
    Abstract: A system for the active setting of a radial clearance size between a blade tip of at least one compressor stage and/or at least one turbine stage of an aircraft engine and a housing that surrounds the at least one compressor stage and/or the at least one turbine stage is provided. The system comprises a model-based setting device, wherein the time-dependent clearance size can be approximated by the model-based setting device, with only those influencing variables being taken into account that have a time-dependent deformation behavior which is equal to or slower than the time-dependent deformation behavior of the housing. The clearance size in the cold state serves as the set point, with the clearance size being reduced by at least one previously saved value of a clearance proportion, which is determined at maximal thrust of the aircraft engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE DEUTSCHLAND LTD & CO KG
    Inventor: Ivo Szarvasy
  • Patent number: 10428676
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling tip clearance in a gas turbine engine are provided. The system may include a distribution manifold positioned along an outer surface of an engine case of a gas turbine engine. The distribution manifold may include a plurality of outlets defined on the distribution manifold to direct a thermal fluid received by the distribution manifold onto an outer surface of the engine case of the gas turbine engine. The system may further include a variable blower configured to blow the thermal fluid into the distribution manifold at a flow rate controlled by the variable blower. The flow rate through the variable blower may be adjustable over a range of non-zero target flow rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignees: ROLLS-ROYCE CORPORATION, ROLLS-ROYCE NORTH AMERICAN TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Adrian Carl Sitler, Andrew Eifert, Ryan C. Humes
  • Patent number: 10422237
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a case having a wall that provides a cavity. The wall includes an aperture and a bore. A tube assembly with a flange provides a fluid passage aligned with the aperture. A flow diverter is arranged in the cavity and includes a plate with a hole. An insert has a body and a head. The body is received in the hole and press-fit in the bore. The head captures the plate against the wall. A fastener secures the flange to the insert and clamps the flow diverter to the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Bruce S. McDavid
  • Patent number: 10422249
    Abstract: An exhaust frame includes: an inner casing; an inner diffuser which defines, between the inner diffuser and the inner casing, an annular inner cooling passage connected to a final-stage wheel space; an outer diffuser which defines an exhaust passage between the outer diffuser and the inner diffuser; an outer casing which defines an annular outer cooling passage between the outer casing and the outer diffuser; a strut which connects the inner casing and the outer casing to each other while crossing the exhaust passage; a strut cover which connects the inner diffuser and the outer diffuser to each other, and defines, between the strut cover and the strut, an annular connection passage connecting the inner cooling passage and the outer cooling passage to each other; and a communication hole provided in a wall of the outer cooling passage at a position on the downstream side of a center line of the strut in the flow direction of a combustion gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takuya Takeda, Tetsuya Nakamura, Ryo Kawai, Kenji Nanataki
  • Patent number: 10422244
    Abstract: In one aspect the present subject matter is directed to a system for cooling a turbine shroud. The system includes a cooling medium source that provides a cooling medium, and a turbine shroud support assembly that includes a shroud support ring. A shroud seal is coupled to the turbine shroud support assembly. The shroud seal includes a back side surface and an inner surface. A pin extends at least partially through the shroud support ring towards the back side surface. The pin includes a flow passage having an inlet that is in fluid communication with the cooling medium source and an aperture that is disposed downstream from the inlet. The aperture is oriented to direct a flow of the cooling medium out of the flow passage in a flow direction that is non-perpendicular to the back side surface of the shroud seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Jason David Shapiro
  • 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: 10415427
    Abstract: A turbine ring assembly includes a plurality of ring segments and a ring support structure, the ring assembly further including, for each ring segment, a cooling distribution element fixed to the ring support structure and positioned in a first cavity delimited between the turbine ring and the ring support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Lucien Henri Jacques Quennehen, Sébastien Serge Francis Congratel, Clément Jean Pierre Duffau, Nicolas Paul Tableau
  • Patent number: 10415421
    Abstract: Disclosed is an active tip clearance control system (ATCCS) for a gas turbine engine, having an electronically controlled regulating valve directing cooling airflow to a turbine case, and an engine electronic control (EEC), controlling the electronically controlled regulating valve, wherein the EEC controls the electronically controlled regulating valve to regulate cooling airflow according to a selected target blade tip clearance schedule, and wherein the selected target blade tip clearance schedule is selected before or after an engine cycle, from of a plurality of target blade tip clearance schedules, each correlating to one of a plurality of thrust rating applications for the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jason Arnold, Graham Ryan Philbrick, Patrick D. Couture
  • Patent number: 10415415
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a turbine shroud assembly arranged around a turbine wheel assembly. The turbine shroud assembly includes an annular turbine case, a blade track, and a forward case. The turbine case is arranged around a central axis of the turbine assembly. The blade track is located radially between the turbine case and the central axis. The forward case is coupled to the turbine case and is arranged to block axial movement of the blade track relative to the turbine case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Edward C Rice, Daniel K Vetters
  • Patent number: 10415426
    Abstract: A turbine ring assembly includes a plurality of ring segments and a ring support structure, the ring assembly further including, for each ring segment, a cooling distribution element fixed to the ring support structure and positioned in a first cavity delimited between the turbine ring and the ring support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Lucien Henri Jacques Quennehen, Sébastien Serge Francis Congratel, Clément Jean Pierre Duffau, Nicolas Paul Tableau
  • Patent number: 10415420
    Abstract: Thermal lifting members for blade outer air seal supports of gas turbine engines include a hollow body defining a thermal cavity therein, at least one inlet fluid connector fluidly connected to the thermal cavity configured to supply hot fluid to the thermal cavity from a fluid source, at least one outlet fluid connector fluidly connected to the thermal cavity configured to allow the hot fluid to exit the thermal cavity, and at least one lifting hook configured to engage with a blade outer air seal support, wherein the thermal lifting member is configured to thermally expand outward when hot fluid is passed through the thermal cavity such that during thermal expansion the at least one lifting hook forces the blade outer air seal support to move outward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: David J. Wasserman, Scott D. Virkler, Eric A. Hudson, Ryan W. Brandt
  • Patent number: 10400788
    Abstract: An intermediate intake-type diaphragm includes a flow-regulating vane that is provided in an introduction flow channel to regulate a first fluid to flow along the radial direction; and a partition wall that partitions the introduction flow channel and an intermediate suction flow channel in the direction of an axial line. A radially inner end portion of the partition wall is located further on a radially inner side than a radially outer end portion of the flow-regulating vane, and further on a radially outer side than a boundary between the introduction flow channel and a curved flow channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES COMPRESSOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akihiro Nakaniwa, Shinji Iwamoto