Specific Casing Or Vane Material Patents (Class 415/200)
  • Patent number: 10533450
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine is provided. The gas turbine engine comprising: a fan section having a fan; and a containment zone encircling the fan, the containment zone comprising: a ballistic liner composed of a plurality of ring segments located radially outward of the fan; wherein each of the plurality of ring segments include two opposing circumferential ends, and wherein the plurality of ring segments are arranged circumferentially around the fan section and the circumferential ends of each of the plurality of ring segments meet at joints to form the ballistic liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Colin J. Kling, Darin S. Lussier, Mark W. Costa
  • Patent number: 10533424
    Abstract: A rotor for a gas turbine engine includes a hub having an outer periphery, a first plurality of blades arranged on the outer periphery of the hub, and a second plurality of blades arranged on the outer periphery of the hub. The first plurality of blades is made of a first material and has a first elastic modulus over density ratio. The first plurality of blades has a first natural frequency. The second plurality of blades is made of a second material and has a second elastic modulus over density ratio. The second elastic modulus over density ratio is different from the first elastic modulus over density ratio. The second plurality of blades has a second natural frequency different from the first natural frequency. A method of fabricating a bladed rotor is also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventor: Bruce Fielding
  • Patent number: 10519809
    Abstract: Assemblies and methods useful for mounting an engine to an aircraft structure are disclosed. An exemplary assembly comprises a body made of a magnesium-based material defining a socket formed therein and a liner disposed in the socket for receiving and interfacing with an engine mounting element of the aircraft. The liner comprises a peripheral side wall and a bottom wall having an outer periphery in sealing engagement with a lower portion of the peripheral side wall. The liner is made of a liner material that provides a galvanic potential between the liner material and a material of the engine mounting element that is lower than a galvanic potential between the magnesium-based material of the body and the material of the engine mounting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Eric Wintgens, Pierre Samson, Catherine B-Morency, Manon Bolduc
  • Patent number: 10502130
    Abstract: A composite thermal barrier coating (TBC) may be applied to a surface of components within an internal combustion engine. The composite TBC provides low thermal conductivity and low heat capacity insulation that is sealed against combustion gasses. The composite TBC includes three layers, bonded to one another, i.e., a first (bonding) layer, a second (insulating) layer, and a third (sealing) layer. The insulating layer is disposed between the bonding layer and the sealing layer. The bonding layer is bonded to the component and to the insulating layer. The insulating layer includes hollow microspheres that are sintered together to form insulation that provides a low effective thermal conductivity and low effective heat capacity. The sealing layer is a thin film that is configured to resist the high temperatures, present within the engine. The sealing layer is impermeable to gasses and presents a smooth surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Russell P. Durrett, Paul M. Najt, Peter P. Andruskiewicz, IV, Jason R. Traub, Michael J. Walker
  • Patent number: 10480530
    Abstract: A fan section for a gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a fan containment case assembly that has an outer case extending about an axis, and a thermally conforming liner assembly radially inward of the outer case. The liner assembly has a shell, a wrap radially outward of the shell, and a ballistic liner between the outer case and the wrap. The wrap has a first fiber construction, and the ballistic liner has a second fiber construction that differs from the first fiber construction in stiffness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mark W. Costa
  • Patent number: 10472985
    Abstract: A turbine engine has an engine case with an inlet and an interior of the engine. A bearing is disposed on a portion of the engine case. A fan is disposed within the engine and rotates with operation of the engine. The fan includes a plurality of fan blades, and each fan blade is secured at a first end to a disk. A second end of each fan blade is disposed adjacent to the bearing. The portion is oriented relative to the fan such that a reaction force of a fan blade impacting the bearing is directed axially or away from the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Milind Khare, Srinivas Chinthapally, Avinash Kumar, Venkatarao Ganji, Theodore Brockett
  • Patent number: 10465715
    Abstract: A blade of a gas turbine engine may comprise a cavity defined, at least partially, by a first interior surface of the blade and by a second interior surface of the blade. A first rib and a second rib may extend from the first interior surface. A third rib may extend from the second interior surface and may be located between the first rib and the second rib. A bulkhead rib may traverse the cavity and may separate the cavity into a radially inward portion and a radially outward portion. A viscoelastic material may be disposed in the radially inward portion of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventor: Thomas A. Pollack
  • Patent number: 10465533
    Abstract: A process of producing a hot gas path turbine component. The process includes forming a void in a first ceramic matrix composite ply and forming a void in a second ceramic matrix composite ply. The second ceramic matrix composite ply is positioned on the first ceramic matrix composite ply such that the positioning aligns the voids to at least partially define a cavity in the component. A third ceramic matrix composite ply is positioned on the first ceramic matrix composite ply and the first ceramic matrix composite ply, the second ceramic matrix composite ply and the third ceramic matrix composite ply are densified to form a densified body. The cavity is present in the densified body. A ceramic matrix composite having cavities therein is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Victor John Morgan, Jacob John Kittleson, Andres Jose Garcia-Crespo, Benjamin Paul Lacy
  • Patent number: 10443573
    Abstract: A wind turbine comprising a support structure and one or more turbine blades is disclosed, that incorporates means for reducing the radar cross section (RCS), wherein the support structure is notionally divided into an upper section in the shadow of the blade sweep area, and a lower section beneath the upper section, wherein the upper section is adapted to have the means for reducing the RCS, and the lower section does not have the said adaptation. The invention makes use of the realization that the blade masking the tower as it rotates (or the blade being masked by the tower if facing away from a radar), contributes significantly to interference to radar systems, and so localized application of e.g. RAM can give good RCS reduction at a lower cost than treating the whole structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: QINETIQ LIMITED
    Inventors: Greg Peter Wade Fixter, Christopher Douglas James Spooner, Christopher James Perry, Vincent Savage
  • Patent number: 10436220
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing a low-pressure compressor stator for an axial turbine engine. The stator comprises an external shroud with stubs and an annular row of stator blades extending radially towards the inside from the stubs. The method comprises the following stages: supply or production of a starting bar; bending of the bar so that it makes a circle, in order to form an unwrought external shroud; turning to form an axial annular wall delimited by annular fixing flanges; orbital friction-welding of a row of blades onto the stubs of the external shroud. The stubs are realized during a milling stage of the bar or of the external shroud, the milling being carried out before or after the bending stage. The shroud and the blades can be produced in titanium or in a thermoplastic polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Safran Aero Boosters SA
    Inventor: Francois Hindryckx
  • Patent number: 10422074
    Abstract: A carbon fiber material is coated with nanoparticles, where the coating contains from 0.01 to less than 10% by weight of nanoparticles, based on the dry weight of the coated fiber material, and the coating may optionally be involved in further reactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Evonik Degussa GmbH
    Inventors: Stephan Sprenger, Matthias Naumann
  • Patent number: 10415407
    Abstract: An airfoil includes an airfoil section that defines an airfoil profile, and a first endwall section with which the airfoil section is attached. First and second airfoil pieces form different portions of the airfoil profile. The first and second airfoil pieces include respective first ends. The first ends interlock with the first endwall section such that the first and second airfoil pieces are retained with the first endwall section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Raymond Surace, Tracy A. Propheter-Hinckley
  • Patent number: 10415399
    Abstract: A composite fiber stator ring for a gas turbine engine compressor includes a plurality of composite fiber vane structures. Each of the composite fiber vane structures includes a plurality of fiber plies. All of the fiber plies flow in a single direction at each joint of the corresponding composite fiber vane structure. The plurality of composite fiber vane structures are arranged circumferentially in a ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Michael G. Ducharme, Farruqh Shahab
  • Patent number: 10392951
    Abstract: A vane assembly includes inner and outer rings, a plurality of segmented vane structures circumferentially-spaced around a central axis and between the inner and outer rings, and at least one spring that mechanically traps the segmented vane structures in radial compression between the inner and outer rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jesse M. Carr, Bryan P. Dube, Shelton O. Duelm
  • Patent number: 10383282
    Abstract: An airflow system that has a fan spacer within a fan assembly is provided for use with equipment such as work vehicles, which may include agricultural implements or other agricultural equipment. The fan spacer influences a width dimension of a fan housing interior and airflow characteristics of the fan assembly, such as output pressure and flow rate, to optimize fan performance for a particular implementation. In this way, the fan spacer allows for highly customizable fan performances by using housing spacers to modify fan housing dimensions and provide performance characteristics that correspond to what is needed for particular implementations while using common fan housing segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ka Po Catherine Hui, Martin J. Roberge, Dennis George Thompson
  • Patent number: 10370988
    Abstract: Described is a nozzle guide vane assembly may comprise: a plurality of nozzle guide vane passages arranged in an annular array, each nozzle guide passage comprising inner and outer radial platforms, a suction surface of a first vane, and a pressure surface of a second vane, wherein the nozzle guide passages are made from a plurality of layers of ceramic fibers held in a ceramic matrix, wherein a first nozzle guide passage includes at least one attachment lug attaching the nozzle guide passage to either or both of an engine casing and an adjacent second nozzle guide passage, the attachment lug being integral with the first nozzle guide passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Steven Hillier
  • Patent number: 10358913
    Abstract: A progressive cavity positive displacement motor having a rotor and stator includes a measurements-while-drilling (“MWD”) tool disposed within the rotor. The motor may use one or more alignment members to measure the position of the rotor relative to the stator. The MWD tool can collect data regarding physical properties such as orientation, temperature, pressure, and other properties. The MWD tool incorporated in the rotor is configured to measure differential properties near or at the uphole and downhole ends of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Edward Richards
  • Patent number: 10337337
    Abstract: A blading member for fluid flow machines, for example, gas turbine engines. The blading member includes a platform member, at least one airfoil member, and at least one interlock member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventor: Herbert Brandl
  • Patent number: 10309411
    Abstract: A rotator may be configured to be accommodated in a casing of a pump for sucking a fluid into the casing and discharging the fluid outside of the casing. The rotator may comprise an insert portion configured to insert a rotating shaft and one or more communicating openings. The one or more communicating openings may be disposed in a vicinity of the insert portion, and pierce the rotator in a direction along the rotating shaft. The rotator may be made of resin. A flow direction of the resin located around the insert portion and the one or more communicating openings may extend at least in the direction along the rotating shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Arm Limited
    Inventor: Yoshihiko Honda
  • Patent number: 10294807
    Abstract: An inter-turbine duct includes a first annular wall with a ceramic composite material and including a first plurality of layers and a second plurality of layers, the first plurality of layers including a slot extending therethrough; and a first vane with a material of a metal alloy or a ceramic material. The first vane has a first end and a flange extending through the slot with the flange extending away from the first end and being retained between the first plurality of layers and the second plurality of layers of the first annular wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Harry Lester Kington, James Neumann
  • Patent number: 10287911
    Abstract: A turbine engine rotor shaft includes at least one portion having an outer periphery having a determined diameter forming a free surface for heat exchange with the environment of said rotor. The outer periphery includes a plurality of irregularities which are designed to provide a heat exchange surface of the shaft of the rotor which is greater than a surface of the periphery of a cylinder having the same determined average diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventor: Pierre Yves Francois Charbonnelle
  • Patent number: 10266677
    Abstract: Composite materials having carbon reinforcement fibers impregnated with a matrix material are augmented with functionalized graphene nanoplatelets having amine groups formed on a surface of the graphene nanoplatelets and epoxide groups formed on at least one edge of the graphene nanoplatelets as a supplement to or a replacement for resin matrix material to increase strength of the composite materials. Related methods of increasing strength of composite materials include mixing the functionalized graphene nanoplatelets into the matrix material prior to impregnating the carbon reinforcement fibers, depositing the functionalized graphene nanoplatelets onto the matrix material to form an interlayer, and depositing the functionalized graphene nanoplatelets onto a bed of carbon reinforcement fibers with no resin matrix material. The composite materials and related methods for increasing strength of composite materials may include graphene nanoplatelets having holes formed through the graphene nanoplatelets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Keith Daniel Humfeld
  • Patent number: 10267167
    Abstract: Disclosed is a blade element of a turbomachine, in particular of a gas turbine, which comprises a fastening element (10) with which the blade element is arranged in a receptacle (11) of the turbomachine. in the region of the fastening element, the blade element has a core region (18) and an envelope region (19) which at least partially envelops the core region. The core region is formed from a blade base material which is more brittle than the envelope material of the envelope region, and the envelope region is formed by a coating. The envelope material is a blade base material which has been modified to achieve a higher ductility or is a pseudoelastic or superelastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines AG
    Inventors: Erich Steinhardt, Wilfried Smarsly, André Werner
  • Patent number: 10247010
    Abstract: A turbine component includes an airfoil-shaped core having an outer peripheral surface. A plurality of channels is formed in the core, each opening to the outer peripheral surface. The channels extend substantially radially to be elongated in the radial direction. A first platform is attached to the core. The component also includes an airfoil-shaped non-permeable skin having a hollow interior, an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface. The skin is sized so that the core can be received in the hollow interior of the skin. A second platform is attached to the skin. The core is received in the hollow interior of the skin such that the outer peripheral surface of the core engages the inner peripheral surface of the skin such that a plurality of generally radial cooling channels are formed between the channels in the core and the inner peripheral surface of the skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Douglas J. Arrell, Stefan Mazzola
  • Patent number: 10221718
    Abstract: A turbine engine fan case (48) comprises a composite body member (300) circumscribing an axis (500) and having an annular mounting portion (310, 410), a segmented polymer member (320, 330, 420, 440) along the annular mounting portion, and integrated therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Steven C. Clarkson, Thomas J. Robertson, Jr., Michael Parkin
  • Patent number: 10202860
    Abstract: A method of constructing the nozzle guide passage may include the steps of: providing a tubular pre-form having a plurality of layers of unconsolidated CMC fibers in which the internal walls of the tubular preform provide either working surfaces which define the main gas path walls of the assembled nozzle vane, or extraneous wall portions which do not provide working surfaces of the assembled nozzle guide vane arrangement; cutting the wall portions to provide one or more flaps which remain attached to the pre-form via a connecting portion of wall; and, displacing the flap from a first pre-cut position, to a second consolidation position to provide one or more ancillary features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Steven Hillier
  • Patent number: 10161266
    Abstract: A nozzle for a gas turbine engine, including an airfoil having an exterior surface, flange and radially compressive contact face. Also included is an airfoil support frame having a mating face positioned in engagement with the contact face. A non-orthogonal engagement angle is provided in order to transmit a compressive force to the airfoil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Anthony Ruthemeyer, Richard William Albrecht, Jr., Darrell Glenn Senile
  • Patent number: 10138740
    Abstract: A ceramic component is generally provided that includes a silicon-based layer comprising a silicon-containing material (e.g., a silicon metal and/or a silicide) and about 0.001% to about 85% of a Ga-containing compound. For example, the silicon-based layer can be a bond coating directly on the surface of the substrate. Alternatively or additionally, the silicon-based layer can be an outer layer defining a surface of the substrate, with an environmental barrier coating on the surface of the substrate. Gas turbine engines are also generally provided that include such a ceramic component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Glen Harold Kirby, Julin Wan
  • Patent number: 10132324
    Abstract: To solve the problems of compressor wheel blade flow separation causing surge type noises when a compressor return or recirculation valve is opened or closed, recirculation airflow from a compressor recirculation valve is fed into an annular volume, defined between inner and outer walls or shaped as a radially expanded, axially flattened cylindrical space in the compressor inlet, so that the generally unidirectional radial flow from the compressor recirculation valve is re-directed and organized as it is turned from generally radial to generally axial, merging with the general inlet flow and presenting the compressor wheel with airflow of“circumferentially uniform” flow velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Paul K Anschel, David G Grabowska, Brock Fraser
  • Patent number: 10132186
    Abstract: In one aspect the present subject matter is directed to a system for supporting a turbine shroud. The system includes a shroud support at least partially defining a first piston sleeve and a piston assembly having a first piston head disposed within the first piston sleeve and a second piston head coupled to the first piston head. The first piston head is slideably engaged with an inner surface of the first piston sleeve. The second piston head is slideably engaged with an inner surface of a second piston sleeve. The system also includes a turbine shroud that is fixedly connected to the piston assembly and that extends radially inwardly from the shroud support. The piston assembly provides for radially inward and radially outward movement of the turbine shroud in response to a change in a radial force applied to a hot side surface of the turbine shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Jason David Shapiro
  • Patent number: 10077779
    Abstract: A rotor for a supercharging device may include a compressor wheel and a turbine wheel. A sealing disc may be arranged between the compressor wheel and the turbine wheel. The sealing disc may include a first side interfacing with the compressor wheel and a second side interfacing with the turbine wheel. The compressor wheel and the turbine wheel may each define one of a holding contour and a counter-holding contour, which respectively interact with a corresponding one of a holding contour and a counter-holding contour defined on each of the first side and the second side of the sealing disc. The respective holding contour may correspond to the respective counter-holding contour, which may engage in one another and secure the compressor wheel, the sealing disc and the turbine wheel to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Bosch Mahle Turbo Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Michal Klusacek
  • Patent number: 10072583
    Abstract: A mounting bracket for mounting an accessory to a gas turbine engine, the mounting bracket including a space frame structure. The space frame structure including a plurality of struts joined to one another at nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Richard Peace, Rong Yang, Joshua Lee, Liam Kelly
  • Patent number: 10066502
    Abstract: A rotor disk includes a ring shaped rotor body defining a radially inward opening, rims protrude radially outward from the rotor body, and outwardly facing rotor blade retention slots are defined between circumferentially adjacent rims. Each slot is operable to receive and retain a corresponding rotor blade, and each rim of the rims includes an anti-vibratory feature. The anti-vibratory feature includes a structure defining an isogrid pattern intruding into a surface of the rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Carney R. Anderson
  • Patent number: 10064537
    Abstract: Dishwasher drain assemblies having overmolded volutes are disclosed. A disclosed example drain assembly for a dishwasher having a tub, a sump fluidly coupled to the tub, and a discharge outlet includes a drain pump having an impeller to pump fluid from the sump to the discharge outlet, and a resilient member overmolded onto at least a portion of the drain pump, the resilient member defining a volute for the drain pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Rodney M. Welch
  • Patent number: 10060436
    Abstract: A progressive vortex pump comprises an inlet housing in contact with the pumped fluid, a pump housing connected to the inlet housing, and an outlet housing connected to the pump housing and connected to a pumping pipe. The pump housing comprises a disc-shaped rotor having a central bore and a rim with vanes. Each rotor comprises at least one through hole along the axial direction, the through hole being positioned between the central bore and the rotor rim. Advantageously, the presence of a through hole on the rotor enables, under operating conditions, fluid exchange from the posterior fluid film to the anterior fluid film, thus promoting a pressure balance between the posterior and anterior fluid films, therefore enabling the rotor to work evenly, preventing rubbing on adjacent diffusers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: HIGRA INDUSTRIAL LTDA
    Inventor: Silvino Geremia
  • Patent number: 10054009
    Abstract: A turbine exhaust case (28) comprises a one-piece fairing (120) defining an air-flow path through the turbine exhaust case, and a multi-piece frame (100). The multi-piece frame is disposed through and around the one-piece vane fairing to support a bearing load, and comprises an inner ring (104), an outer ring (102), a plurality of covers (110), and a plurality of radial struts (106). The outer ring is disposed concentrically outward of the inner ring, and has hollow bosses (114) with strut apertures (SA) at vane locations. The covers are secured to the hollow bosses. The radial struts pass through the one-piece vane fairing and through apertures in the outer angled ring, and are radially fastened to the inner ring and the flat caps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Jonathan Ariel Scott
  • Patent number: 10041196
    Abstract: A fiber structure includes a blank portion formed as a single part by three-dimensional weaving between a first plurality of yarn layers and a second plurality of yarn layers, the blank portion corresponding to all or part of a fiber reinforcement preform for a part made of composite material. Outside the blank portion, the fiber structure includes one or more two-dimensional fabric layers, each two-dimensional fabric layer grouping together the yarns of a single layer belonging to at least the first plurality of yarn layers and situated outside the blank portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignees: SNECMA, SAFRAN
    Inventors: Matthieu Gimat, Yann Marchal, Dominique Coupe
  • Patent number: 10035330
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fan case for an aircraft engine in the region of the fan thereof, comprising a plurality of substantially cylindrically arranged fiber-reinforced plastic layers that are joined together, wherein a reinforcement ply made of a glass fiber-reinforced plastic is disposed between an inner layer and an outer layer. According to the invention, the reinforcement ply consists of at least 20 plies of a glass fiber-reinforced plastic, and that deformation layers are disposed on both sides of the reinforcement ply, which deformation layers have a lower strength than the reinforcement ply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: FACC AG
    Inventors: Walter Fuerst, Ernst Haugeneder, Konstantin Horejsi, Boris Stubna, Andreas Hoellrigl
  • Patent number: 10023985
    Abstract: Washing machine control method including an outer tub and an inner tub containing clothes rotatably disposed therein. The method includes detecting an amount of dry clothes, supplying water between the outer and inner tub such that the clothes are not wetted, discharging water from the outer tub to a circulation channel and introducing water into the inner tub through the circulation channel to wet the clothes, discharging unabsorbed water collected in the outer tub to the circulation channel such that a water level in the outer tub becomes zero while detecting a flow rate of water, and determining an amount of circulation water discharged to the circulation channel based on the flow rate detected until a water level in the outer tub becomes zero and determining properties of the clothes based on the amount of circulation water and a predetermined anticipated amount of circulation water corresponding to the amount of dry clothes detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sunku Kwon, Bonkwon Koo, Sunho Lee, Sanghyun Lee
  • Patent number: 9995160
    Abstract: An airfoil profile-shaped seal is disposable between an inside surface of a hollow airfoil body and a seal support. The seal includes an elongated member defining a generally closed curve having a generally straight portion, a generally curved portion, and having a solid cross-section across and along the length of the elongated member. When the seal is disposed in an airfoil profile-shaped groove of a seal support adjacent to the inner surface of the hollow airfoil body, and a fluid pressure on one side of the seal is greater than a fluid pressure on the other side of the seal, portions of the seal engage the inner surface of the hollow airfoil body and a surface of the groove to form a seal to inhibit leakage of fluid from the one side to the other side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Neelesh Nandkumar Sarawate, Kirk D. Gallier, Robert Frederick, Darrell Senile, Benjamin Huizenga
  • Patent number: 9964192
    Abstract: A thrust washer for a torque converter is provided. The thrust washer includes an inner circumferential surface, an outer circumferential surface and a first axial surface extending from the inner circumferential surface to the outer circumferential surface. The axial surface includes a plurality of arcuate sections and a plurality of grooves circumferentially between the arcuate sections. Each of the arcuate sections includes an arcuate axial surface including a first section, a second section and a third section. The first and third sections extend circumferentially away from the second section in opposite directions and extend axially inward from the second section. A torque converter and a method for forming at least one torque converter are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Schaeffer Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Matthew Smith
  • Patent number: 9957835
    Abstract: A fan track liner assembly for a ducted fan engine which provides for ease of installation and replacement. The assembly includes a plurality of panels; and a plurality of fastening members which are arranged to secure the panels to the fan case of the engine, wherein: each fastening member has a base portion and an elongate arm member, and further wherein: the base portion has an attachment portion which is used to secure the fastening member to the fan case; and the arm member extends from the base portion, and each panel has slotted edge portions on opposing edges at one end of the panel which are each arranged to engage with respective arm members of fastening members on either side of the panel when the panel is assembled with the fastening members by sliding the panel onto the fastening members or vice-versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Dale Edward Evans
  • Patent number: 9938839
    Abstract: Articles suitable for use as high-temperature machine components include a substrate and an environmental barrier coating disposed over the substrate, where the environmental barrier coating includes at least one hermetic self-sealing layer formed from a mixture including an alkaline earth metal aluminosilicate and a rare-earth silicate, and where the at least one hermetic self-sealing layer exhibits substantially no net remnant or residual expansion when subjected to high temperature heat treatment. The environmental barrier coating can further include a bondcoat disposed between the substrate and the hermetic self-sealing layer, a topcoat disposed over the hermetic self-sealing layer, and/or an intermediate layer disposed between the hermetic self-sealing layer and the bondcoat. The intermediate layer can include a barrier material that is substantially inert with respect to silica.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Larry Steven Rosenzweig, Reza Sarrafi-Nour
  • Patent number: 9932842
    Abstract: A structural guide vane for use in a gas turbine engine has a leading edge section, a trailing edge, a pressure surface and a suction surface. An erosion coating such as polyurethane resin is on the pressure surface and the suction surface. The leading edge of the vane is without the erosion coating and is bare metal. The vane is formed to include a plurality of pockets and bond shelves in the pressure surface side, and an epoxy bond line on the bond shelves holding a cover plate protected by the erosion coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas B. Hyatt, Carl Brian Klinetob
  • Patent number: 9920444
    Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for a co-bonded electroformed abrasion strip are disclosed. A disclosed method for making a unitary abrasion strip for a fluid dynamic surface includes manufacturing or identifying a first metallic section having an overlap region on a first end of the first metallic section. The method further includes manufacturing or identifying an overlap region disposed on the first end of the first metallic section by preparing the first end of the first metallic section. Also, the method includes creating a second metallic section onto the overlap region on the first end of the first metallic section by performing a first electro-deposition process on the first end of the first metallic section; where the first metallic section, the overlap region, and the second metallic section together form a unitary, inseparable abrasion strip for a fluid dynamic surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Christopher M. Gatley
  • Patent number: 9879637
    Abstract: A system and method is provided that combines fan bypass components and minimizes assembly interfaces in a turbofan engine. The system and method provide a front frame structure of reduced weight that slidably installs/removes from within the combined fan bypass components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Mark Knowles, Shawn Alstad, Justin C. Mickelsen, Raymond Gage, Bill Russell Watson
  • Patent number: 9797409
    Abstract: A system and method is provided in which a turbocharger includes a heat shield wall that is formed together with the bearing housing as a unitary structure. The wall can extend from a main body portion of the bearing housing in a generally radially outward direction. The wall can be spaced from the main body and attached by a plurality of ribs such that chambers are defined therebetween. A circumferential passage can extend through the bearing housing to permit fluid communication between the chambers and outside of the bearing housing. In this way, a fluid outlet from the chambers is provided. As a result of such an arrangement, the need for a separate heat shield is eliminated, which can facilitate the assembly process and special attachment methods associated with a separate heat shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Bucking, Daniel N. Ward
  • Patent number: 9784134
    Abstract: A method of fabricating an inlet assembly for a gas turbine engine, the method including defining an intake duct of the inlet assembly between first and second space apart inlet case portions, locating at least one strut across the intake duct, each strut having a proximal end made integral to the first inlet case portion and an opposed distal end engaged in a respective strut-receiving aperture defined through the second inlet case portion, while maintaining the distal end of each strut in the respective strut-receiving aperture, adjusting the relative position of the first inlet case portion and the second inlet case portion until a predetermined throat dimension of the intake duct is obtained, and locking the adjusted relative position by attaching the second inlet case portion to each strut. An inlet assembly and gas turbine engine with inlet assembly as also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventor: Andreas Eleftheriou
  • Patent number: 9784113
    Abstract: Single-airfoil vanes each having an inner platform, an outer platform, and an airfoil are obtained by three-dimensionally weaving a fiber blank in a single piece, by shaping the fiber blank to obtain a single-piece fiber preform, and by densifying the preform with a matrix to obtain a vane of composite material forming a single piece with inner and outer platforms incorporated therein. A plurality of vanes is assembled together at an intermediate stage of densification to form a multi-airfoil composite material guide vane sector for a turbine nozzle or a compressor diffuser and the assembled-together vanes are bonded together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignees: HERAKLES, SNECMA
    Inventors: Eric Fremont, Antoine Beaujard, Romain Nunez
  • Patent number: 9771816
    Abstract: A blade cooling circuit feed and exhaust duct and related cooling structure are provided. The feed duct may include a feed chamber having a feed entrance fluidly coupled to a cooling fluid source and a feed exit to an elongate entrance to the cooling circuit, the feed exit including a ramped wall maintaining a flow velocity of the cooling fluid along the elongated entrance to the cooling circuit. The exhaust duct may include a substantially concave exhaust chamber including an exhaust entrance at a wider end of the exhaust chamber and in fluid communication with an elongated exit from the cooling circuit, and an exhaust exit at a narrower end of the exhaust chamber, the exhaust exit including an opening to an exhaust passageway from the exhaust chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: David Wayne Weber