Air And Diverse Fluid Discharge From Separate Discharge Outlets (e.g., Fan Jet, Etc.) Patents (Class 60/226.1)
  • Patent number: 9869248
    Abstract: A method of configuring a plurality of gas turbine engines includes the steps of configuring each of the engines with respective ones of a plurality of propulsors. Each propulsor includes a propulsor turbine and one of a fan and a propeller. Each of the engines is configured with respective ones of a plurality of substantially mutually alike gas generators, with the respective propulsor turbine driven by products of combustion downstream of the gas generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Brian D. Merry
  • Patent number: 9869249
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a fan, a fan drive gear system coupled to drive the fan about an engine central axis, a compressor section including a first compressor and a second compressor and a turbine section. The turbine section includes a first turbine coupled to drive a first spool. The first spool is coupled at a first axial position to a compressor hub that is coupled to drive the first compressor. The first spool is also coupled at a second, different axial position to a fan drive input shaft that is coupled to drive the fan drive gear system. The turbine section also includes a second turbine coupled through a second spool to drive the second compressor. A sensor probe is operable to determine a rotational speed of the first spool. The sensor probe is located at a third axial position that is axially forward of the first axial position and axially aft of the second axial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Brian P Cigal, Todd A. David
  • Patent number: 9863325
    Abstract: An assembly for an aircraft turbine engine, including a rolling bearing bracket defining an inner space on either side thereof; a rotary assembly including a first gear; a housing for drawing mechanical power including a second gear mating with the first gear; a shaft for drawing mechanical power, inserted into the housing and rotated by the second gear, the shaft passing through a first opening of the bracket. The assembly includes a mounting device for mounting the housing on the bearing bracket, the mounting device passing through a second opening via the bracket, the mounting device passing through a second opening via the bracket, the second opening being configured so as to allow the housing to be inserted into the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventor: Kevin Morgane Lemarchand
  • Patent number: 9856793
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprises a main compressor section having a high pressure compressor with a downstream discharge, and more upstream locations. A turbine section has a high pressure turbine. A tap taps air from at least one of the more upstream locations in the compressor section, passes the tapped air through a heat exchanger and then to a cooling compressor. The cooling compressor compresses air downstream of the heat exchanger, and delivers air into the high pressure turbine. The cooling compressor includes a downstream connection that delivers discharge pressure air to an upstream location in the high pressure turbine and a second tap from an intermediate pressure location within the cooling compressor. The second tap is connected to a downstream location within the high pressure turbine. An intercooling system for a gas turbine engine is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Mark F. Zelesky, Gabriel L. Suciu, Brian D. Merry
  • Patent number: 9840917
    Abstract: An example stator vane assembly of a turbomachine includes a shroud having a leading edge, a trailing edge, and at least one circumferential edge. The leading edge is circumferentially offset relative to the trailing edge when installed within the turbomachine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Mark David Ring
  • Patent number: 9828106
    Abstract: A control system for an aircraft gas turbine propulsion engine includes an engine control that is adapted to receive at least engine inlet temperature data and aircraft altitude data. The engine control is configured to determine the availability of the engine inlet temperature data and implements a measured temperature engine thrust setting schedule when the engine inlet temperature data is available, and a default temperature engine thrust setting schedule when the engine inlet temperature data is unavailable. The default temperature engine thrust setting schedule ensures that the gas turbine propulsion engine will generate at least 90% of rated engine thrust at all actual engine inlet temperatures at the sensed aircraft altitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Yufei Xiong, Dave Faymon, Scot Coffey
  • Patent number: 9821736
    Abstract: A device for ventilating and electrically powering a computer of an engine of an aircraft, the device including a feed mechanism feeding air to a proximity of the computer and a fan connected to a drive mechanism and configured to generate a stream of air for ventilating the computer. The fan is mounted in the air feed mechanism, and the drive mechanism includes an electrical machine configured to operate as a motor for driving the fan, and as a generator for powering the computer, a rotor of the machine when operating as a generator being driven by the fan, which is itself driven by a stream of air flowing in or leaving the air feed mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Thomas Lepage, Bruno Robert Gaully
  • Patent number: 9816438
    Abstract: A flow guiding system for a rotary combustion engine, in particular an aircraft jet engine. The flow guiding system comprises a bypass region positioned radially around a core region, a flow scoop device for guiding a first airflow from the bypass region, at least one flow guiding device for decoupling the flow regime in a region containing a flammable fluid from a flow regime in a region with tip clearance control by at least partially guiding at least one airflow divided from the first airflow, a second airflow directed into the region containing flammable fluid, and/or a third airflow directed into a region away from the region containing flammable fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG
    Inventors: Luis Daniel Teia Dos Santos Medes Gomes, Carlos Hannover Galindo-Lopez
  • Patent number: 9816443
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes an engine centerline longitudinal axis and a fan section including a fan with fan blades and rotatable about the engine centerline longitudinal axis. A low corrected fan tip speed less than about 1400 ft/sec and the low corrected fan tip speed is an actual fan tip speed determined at an ambient temperature divided by [(Tram ° R)/(518.7 ° R)]0.5, where T represents the ambient temperature in degrees Rankine. A bypass ratio greater than about 11 and a speed reduction device having a gear system with a gear ratio. A low and high pressure turbine in communication with a first and second shaft, respectively. The first and second shafts are concentric and mounted via at least one of the bearing systems for rotation about the engine centerline longitudinal axis and the first shaft is in communication with the fan through the speed reduction device and the low pressure turbine includes four stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: William G. Sheridan, Karl L. Hasel
  • Patent number: 9810158
    Abstract: Bleed air systems for use with aircraft and related methods are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a compressor having a compressor inlet, a compressor outlet, and a first drive shaft. The compressor outlet is to be fluidly coupled to a system of an aircraft that receives pressurized air, and the compressor inlet is to receive bleed air from a low-pressure compressor of an engine of the aircraft. The example apparatus includes a gearbox operatively coupled to the first drive shaft to drive the compressor. The gearbox is to be operatively coupled to and powered by a second drive shaft extending from the engine. The example apparatus also includes a clutch disposed between the first drive shaft and the gearbox to selectively disconnect the first drive shaft from the gearbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: David W. Foutch, Steve G. Mackin
  • Patent number: 9803546
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for supplying air to a precooler. Air flow is created through a fan duct in an engine system. A first portion of the air flow is directed into a first inlet of an inlet system to feed a first half of the precooler. A second portion of the air flow is directed through the fan duct into a second inlet of the inlet system to feed a second half of the precooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert Henry Willie, Paul R. Tretow
  • Patent number: 9797407
    Abstract: An aircraft engine including a fan having a center of mass, a low-pressure shaft that couples the fan directly to a low-pressure turbine of the aircraft engine, and a bearing arrangement for mounting the low-pressure shaft, where the bearing arrangement has at least two front bearings for mounting the low-pressure shaft, a first front bearing and a second front bearing, with the first front bearing being arranged in the axial direction in front of the second front bearing. It has been provided that the first front bearing is arranged substantially in the same plane, extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft engine, as the center of mass of the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG
    Inventor: Sascha Burghardt
  • Patent number: 9797311
    Abstract: A thermal system for a gas turbine engine includes a bypass flow duct and a compressor flow duct which meets with the bypass flow duct at an intersection. A valve is located within the intersection and is movable between a first position and a second position. First position is operable to selectively communicate fan bypass flow from the bypass flow duct and block the compressor flow duct. The second position is operable to selectively block the bypass flow duct and communicate bleed flow through the compressor flow duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Allan R. Penda, Brian D. Merry, Christopher M. Dye, Nathan Snape
  • Patent number: 9789972
    Abstract: A system for fuel and thermal management of fuel delivered to an engine is disclosed. The system includes a supply of fuel in fluid communication with a fuel inlet of the engine, and an oxygen sensor for measuring dissolved oxygen content in the fuel is in fluid communication with the fuel. The fuel is heated by transferring heat from engine oil in a heat exchanger. The temperature of the fuel is controlled by controlling engine oil flow and airflow through another heat exchanger upstream of the fuel/oil heat exchanger on the oil circulation path with engine oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Peter G. Smith, Craig R. Bolt, Jonathan K. Niemeyer, Thomas G. Tillman
  • Patent number: 9784129
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine with a rear mount assembly including link rods interconnecting the bypass duct wall and the core portion and connecting assemblies connected to the bypass duct wall. Each connecting assembly has inner and outer surfaces bordering an opening through which an outer end of a respective link rod extends. The outer surface is accessible from outside the bypass duct wall. A first locking member is engaged to the outer end in a first locked position, and includes an abutment portion located radially inwardly of the inner surface and abutting the inner surface, and an outer portion protruding radially outwardly through the opening beyond the outer surface. A second locking member is engaged the outer end in a second locked position, and has an abutment portion located radially outwardly of the outer surface and abutting the outer surface. A method of supporting a core portion is also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Andreas Eleftheriou, Bryan Olver, Carmen Alecu
  • Patent number: 9784181
    Abstract: A method for servicing a gas turbine engine includes providing access from a forward section of the gas turbine engine to a gearbox contained within a bearing compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Todd A. Davis, Gregory E. Reinhardt, Enzo DiBenedetto
  • Patent number: 9771871
    Abstract: A fan shaft includes a first end, a second end, and an axis, the fan shaft and configured to be coupled to a gear assembly of a gas turbine engine at the first end and to a fan more proximal to the second end than the first end such that in response to being coupled, the fan shaft can transfer torque from the gear assembly to the fan. At least one axial portion of the fan shaft satisfies the relationship 0.55 ? T * C J * ? ? 0.95 , where T represents peak torque during fan blade off, C represents a distance from a centerline of the gas turbine engine to an outer fiber of the fan shaft, J represents a polar moment of inertia of the fan shaft, and ? represents yield stress in shear of the fan shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jason Husband, Drew W. Lancaster
  • Patent number: 9771878
    Abstract: A thrust scheduling method for a gas turbine engine that includes a plurality of blades having a variable pitch beta angle is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Manxue Lu, Jeffrey Anthony Hamel
  • Patent number: 9759087
    Abstract: A variable area fan nozzle assembly for a turbofan engine includes a nacelle having an aft edge and a translating nozzle segment having a forward edge and a first end. The nozzle segment is movably disposed behind the aft edge such that an upstream bypass flow exit is defined between the aft edge and the forward edge when the nozzle segment is in a deployed position. A deflector is disposed between the aft edge and the forward edge proximate to the first end. The deflector substantially prevents bypass flow from exiting the upstream bypass flow exit in a region that is proximate to the first end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel M. Amkraut, Michael John Layland, Norman John James
  • Patent number: 9752585
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes an intercooled twin centrifugal compressor. A pipe diffuser extends from the intercooled twin centrifugal compressor into an airflow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel B. Kupratis
  • Patent number: 9745896
    Abstract: Systems and methods for frequency separation in a gas turbine engine are provided herein. The systems and methods for frequency separation in a gas turbine engine may include determining a hot gas path natural frequency, determining a combustion dynamic frequency, and modifying a compressor discharge temperature to separate the combustion dynamic frequency from the hot gas path natural frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Sarah Lori Crothers, Matthew Durham Collier, Scott Edward Sherman, Joseph Vincent Citeno
  • Patent number: 9745918
    Abstract: A nacelle assembly for a high-bypass gas turbine engine includes a core nacelle defined about an engine centerline axis. A fan nacelle is mounted at least partially around the core nacelle to define a fan bypass flow path. A variable area fan nozzle is in communication with the fan bypass flow path. The variable area fan nozzle has a first fan nacelle section and a second fan nacelle section. The second fan nacelle section is axially movable relative to the first fan nacelle section to define an auxiliary port at a non-closed position to vary a fan nozzle exit area and adjust fan bypass airflow. The second fan nacelle section includes an acoustic system that has an acoustic impedance located on a radially outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jonathan Gilson, Dennis Cicon, Oliver V. Atassi
  • Patent number: 9714610
    Abstract: An air-oil cooler (AOC) for a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The AOC may comprise an oil inlet, an oil outlet, and heat exchange elements between the oil inlet and the oil outlet. The AOC may be longitudinally positioned between a fan and a V-groove of the engine and radially spaced between a low pressure compressor and a low pressure compressor panel. A gas turbine engine comprising an AOC is disclosed. The AOC of the engine may comprise an oil inlet, an oil outlet, and heat exchange elements between the oil inlet and the oil outlet. The AOC of the engine may be longitudinally positioned between a fan and a V-groove of the engine and radially spaced between a low pressure compressor and a low pressure compressor panel. A method of operating an AOC for use on a gas turbine engine is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nathan Snape, Gabriel L. Suciu, Simon Pickford, Allan R. Penda
  • Patent number: 9714627
    Abstract: A propulsion system of an aircraft may include an inner fixed structure (IFS) and an outer sleeve. The IFS and the outer sleeve may be separately coupled to the pylon. The inner fixed structure may be hingeably coupled directly to the pylon with a first set of hinges defining a first axis of rotation. The outer sleeve may be hingeably coupled directly to the pylon with a second set of hinges, wherein the second set of hinges are distinct from the first set of hinges and define a second axis of rotation. Thus, portions of the pylon are exposed to the fan duct air flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony Lacko
  • Patent number: 9708924
    Abstract: The combined pump and energy recovery turbine includes at least one fluid flow pressurizing a sliding vane pump and a sliding vane energy recovery turbine that recovers energy from a second fluid flow, such as the brine discharge from an RO seawater desalination system. A cylindrical rotor has two sliding vanes in respective slots, the rotor being concentrically disposed within an oval-shaped enclosure defining two mirror image crescent-shaped chambers, each chamber having inlet and outlet passageways. The first chamber pressurizes the first fluid flow, and the second chamber functions as a second outflow-driven energy recovery turbine, thus enabling the single rotor device to operate as a pressurizing pump on the first fluid flow, and second outflow-driven energy recovery turbine recovering energy from the pressure drop in the second fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: KUWAIT UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Osama M. Al-Hawaj
  • Patent number: 9664117
    Abstract: A turbine engine including a power gear box shaft, a turbine shaft, a connecting part of annular shape by which one end of the power gear box shaft and one end of the turbine shaft are connected in a rotationally fixed manner, a structural housing, and a guide bearing for guiding the connecting part relative to the housing, is provided. The guide bearing is mounted between the connecting part and the housing and includes an external ring mounted on the housing, an internal ring mounted on the connecting part, and at least one rolling element configured to enable the external ring to roll around the internal ring. The guide bearing is configured to form a ball joint link enabling a relative angular displacement of its external ring with respect to its internal ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Olivier Belmonte, Julien Austruy, Mathieu Perrier
  • Patent number: 9657686
    Abstract: A virtual blocker door for use in an aircraft thrust reverser is provided. The virtual blocker door may be capable of creating a wall of air to inhibit fan air flow through a fan air duct. The wall of air may direct the fan air flow through a cascade to provide a reverse thrust. Moreover, the virtual blocker door provides for improved aerodynamic efficiency in the fan air duct by replacing traditional brackets, drag links, and doors with a wall of air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Aten
  • Patent number: 9638201
    Abstract: An air bleed system for a jet engine is provided. The air bleed system is located in the low pressure compressor chamber and comprises a movable bleed valve and a stationary, annular bleed case having a forward section and an aft section and ligaments connecting the two sections and providing structural support to the bleed case. The ligaments are machined from the bleed case into an aerodynamic shape that maximizes the flow of air through the bleed ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryan Edward LeBlanc, Kevin J. Cummings, Barry M. Ford
  • Patent number: 9631542
    Abstract: A system includes a gas turbine engine that includes a combustor section having one or more combustors configured to generate combustion products and a turbine section having one or more turbine stages between an upstream end and a downstream end. The one or more turbine stages are driven by the combustion products. The gas turbine engine also includes an exhaust section disposed downstream from the downstream end of the turbine section. The exhaust section has an exhaust passage configured to receive the combustion products as an exhaust gas. The gas turbine engine also includes a mixing device disposed in the exhaust section. The mixing device is configured to divide the exhaust gas into a first exhaust gas and a second exhaust gas, and to combine the first and second exhaust gases in a mixing region to produce a mixed exhaust gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignees: General Electric Company, ExxonMobile Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Moorthi Subramaniyan, Christian Michael Hansen, Richard A. Huntington, Todd Franklin Denman
  • Patent number: 9624789
    Abstract: A turbomachine casing assembly including a casing adapted to encase an aerofoil structure, the aerofoil structure having a tip, a leading edge and a trailing edge, the casing substantially surrounding the tip of the aerofoil structure, wherein the casing has a set-back portion extending from a position in the region of the leading edge or the trailing edge of the aerofoil structure part way towards a position in the region of the respective other edge and set back from the remainder of the casing away from the aerofoil structure, such that the set-back portion permits a flow over a corresponding portion of the tip of the aerofoil structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventor: John R Webster
  • Patent number: 9624832
    Abstract: A heat exchange arrangement for a gas turbine engine. The arrangement includes a first conduit for an engine component cooling fluid and a second conduit for a second fluid. The arrangement further includes a heat exchange portion in which fluids flowing through the first and second conduits are in a heat exchange relationship. A valve is provided, which is configured to moderate the mass flow rate of one of the fluids through the heat exchange portion. The arrangement includes divert valve in the first conduit which diverts flow to the second conduit as the flow in the second conduit is moderated to reduce thermal shock in the heat exchange portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Paul Fletcher
  • Patent number: 9611859
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a very high speed fan drive turbine such that a quantity defined by the exit area of the low pressure turbine multiplied by the square of the low pressure turbine rotational speed compared to the same parameters for the high pressure turbine is at a ratio between about 0.5 and about 1.5. The high pressure turbine is mounted by bearings positioned at an outer periphery of a shaft driven by the high pressure turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick M. Schwarz, Gabriel L. Suciu, William K. Ackermann, Daniel Bernard Kupratis
  • Patent number: 9593591
    Abstract: A control for a turbine engine using electrical machines monitors engine health and allocates power extraction between the electrical machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven D. Phillips, Tom M. Neuman, Michael Armstrong
  • Patent number: 9562477
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine assembly is connected to a pylon for mounting the gas turbine engine to an aircraft. The assembly has a frame supporting at least one accessory independently of the gas turbine engine. The frame is attached to the pylon at forward and rearward engine mounting locations. The frame comprises at least one hollow tube and at least one duct is arranged to supply coolant into the at least one hollow tube and the at least one hollow tube is arranged to supply coolant to the at least one accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE DEUTSCHLAND LTD & CO KG
    Inventor: Jürgen Beier
  • Patent number: 9548639
    Abstract: A power generation unit is connected with an engine rotary shaft via an accessory gearbox. A rotor extends through the accessory gearbox and a drive gear is disposed at an intermediate portion of the rotor for driving the latter. Permanent magnet elements are mounted on opposite side portions with the intermediate portion intervening therebetween, and stator coils are disposed so as to confront respective outer peripheries of the permanent magnet elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tatsuhiko Goi, Kenichiro Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9541028
    Abstract: A turbofan engine control system for managing a low pressure turbine speed is provided. The turbofan engine control system includes a low spool having a low pressure turbine that are housed in a core nacelle. The low pressure turbine is adapted to rotate at a speed and includes a maximum design speed. A turbofan is coupled to the low spool. A fan nacelle surrounds the turbofan and core nacelle and provides a bypass flow path. The bypass flow path includes a nozzle exit area. A controller is programmed to command a flow control device adapted to effectively decrease the nozzle exit area in response to a condition. Reducing the nozzle exit area, either physically or otherwise, maintains the speed below the maximum design speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: William J. McVey
  • Patent number: 9534505
    Abstract: A fan nacelle includes a metallic fan containment case. A nacelle inlet is secured to the metallic fan containment case by permanent fastening elements. A gas turbine engine includes a metallic fan containment case. A core engine has a static engine structure housing a compressor section, a combustor section and a turbine section. The core engine is configured to receive core airflow. A fan is arranged within the metallic fan containment case. The fan is coupled to the core engine and is arranged in a bypass flowpath provided between the core engine and the metallic fan containment case. A nacelle inlet is secured to the metallic fan containment case by permanent fastening elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: James L. Lucas
  • Patent number: 9528391
    Abstract: An axially extending outer case for a gas turbine engine comprises an arcuate case wall, an opening, a boss and contouring. The arcuate case wall has an inner surface and an outer surface. The opening extends through the arcuate case wall. The boss extends radially from the outer surface of arcuate case wall and surrounds the opening. The contouring surrounds the opening along the inner surface of the arcuate case wall within the boss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Donald Dougan, Jr., Daniel Carminati, Cheng-Zhang Wang
  • Patent number: 9523329
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, a stream diverter for a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The stream diverter may include a first air duct, a second air duct, a third air duct, and a door operatively associated with the second and third air ducts of the gas turbine engine. The door may have at least an open position allowing air from the second air duct to flow into the third air duct and a closed position preventing air from flowing between the ducts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniel Bernard Kupratis, Francis R. Moon
  • Patent number: 9506402
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a core section having a low spool, intermediate spool and a high spool that rotate about a common axis. The intermediate spool is supported at an aft position by an inter-shaft bearing arrangement on the low spool. The low spool is supported for rotation in an aft position by an aft roller bearing supported on a turbine exhaust case of the gas turbine engine. The high spool is supported by a high spool aft roller bearing disposed within a high spool bearing compartment. The high spool bearing compartment is positioned within a radial space between the combustor and the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Brian D. Merry
  • Patent number: 9488131
    Abstract: A control device for controlling a variable section nozzle of an aircraft power plant, the variable section nozzle including one or several movable parts capable of modifying the nozzle section and connected by a mechanical transmission chain to an actuator. The control device includes a system for regulating the power plant connected to a control member configured to control the actuator. The control device includes a single control member, an immobilization unit configured to immobilize all the movable parts which are deactivated only when the regulation system controls the positional change of the movable part or parts and a determination unit configured to determine the actual position of the movable part or parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS (SAS)
    Inventors: Guillaume Bulin, Patrick Oberle, Nicolas Devienne
  • Patent number: 9470153
    Abstract: A compression pump for an engine is provided. The pump may include a first pump impeller operatively coupled to a main shaft of the engine, a first inlet configured to at least partially receive bypass airflow, and a first outlet configured to direct compressed air to a thermal management system. The first pump impeller may be rotatably fixed about a common axis of the compression pump. Additionally the compression pump may extend radially to one exterior side of the engine. Furthermore the compression pump can be coupled to the main shaft of the engine by an engine towershaft. A first intake manifold may be coupled to a first inlet of the compression pump and a first discharge manifold may be couple to a first outlet of the compression pump which may have one or more heat exchangers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Jorn A. Glahn, Brian D. Merry, Christopher M. Dye
  • Patent number: 9410482
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine having a heat exchanger is disclosed. In one form the gas turbine engine includes a particle separator that can be used to separate particles or foreign objects and create a dirty flow and a clean flow. A blower can be used to discharge the particles or foreign objects from the separator. The heat exchanger includes a relatively warm flow path from a downstream region of a compressor and a relatively cool flow path from an upstream region of the compressor. The relatively cool flow path is merged with the dirty flow. In another embodiment, the gas turbine engine is a turbofan and the relatively cool flow path is merged with a bypass flow. In one embodiment of the engine the relatively warm flow path, after having exchanged heat with the relatively cool flow path is delivered to a working component without passing through a turbomachinery component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Stephen Krautheim, Carlos Soto-Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 9409650
    Abstract: An aircraft nacelle includes: a thrust reverse device having movable cowls, and a supporting structure to support the thrust reverser device. The supporting structure includes: a base body extending along a longitudinal direction of the nacelle and made from a composite material, and a wall of the base body forming an unclosed cross section having an open portion to provide access to an inner surface of the supporting structure from outside, and a plurality of reinforcements which is made from a composite material, and attached on the inner surface along the longitudinal direction. In particular, the reinforcements are integrated in the inner surface of the supporting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: AIRCELLE
    Inventors: Alexandre Bellanger, Florent Bouillon, Laurent Dubois
  • Patent number: 9404420
    Abstract: An epicyclic reduction gear, including a planetary gear movable in rotation about an axis of rotation, planet pinions driven by the planetary gear and movable in rotation about axes of planet gears carried by a planet carrier, the planet pinions rolling on a fixed ring gear and the planet carrier being axially positioned laterally relative to the ring gear, the gear formed by the planet pinions and the ring gear being formed to axially eject lubricating oil thereof after use. The planet carrier includes a radial extension positioned facing the gear and forming a mechanism for guiding the oil to a radial end thereof to be ejected from there by centrifugation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Francois Gallet, Boris Briantais, Jean-Pierre Serey, Alexandre Tan-Kim
  • Patent number: 9366202
    Abstract: A propulsion system of an aircraft includes an inner fixed structure (IFS) and the outer sleeve that may be separately coupled to the pylon. For instance, the inner fixed structure and the outer sleeve may move independently with respect to each other. A single latch of the latching system disclosed herein, may be configured to latch all 4 panels, (e.g. both halves of the IFS and both doors of the outer sleeve) together and/or in a closed and retained position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: ROHR, INC.
    Inventor: Anthony Lacko
  • Patent number: 9359960
    Abstract: Gas turbines with multiple gas flow paths are provided. In this regard, a representative gas turbine includes: a spool; a compressor; a turbine mechanically coupled to the spool; the compressor having a first set of blades and a second set of blades, the second set of blades being located downstream of the first set of blades, the first set of blades and the second set of blades being driven by the spool; and means for enabling the first set of blades to rotate at a lower rotational speed than the second set of blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel B. Kupratis
  • Patent number: 9341080
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a fan, a compressor section, a combustion section, and a turbine section. A fan drive gear system is configured for driving the fan at a speed different than the turbine section. A lubricant system includes a lubricant pump delivering lubricant to an outlet line. The outlet line splits into at least a hot line and into a cool line. The hot line is directed primarily to locations in the gas turbine engine that are not intended to receive cooler lubricant. The cool line is directed through one or more heat exchangers at which the lubricant is cooled, and the cool line then is routed to the fan drive gear system. At least one of the one or more heat exchangers is a fuel/oil cooler at which lubricant will be cooled by fuel leading to the combustion section. The fuel/oil cooler is downstream of a point where the outlet line splits into the at least the hot line and the cool line, such that the hot line is not directed through the fuel/oil cooler. A method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Kathleen R. Phillips, Thomas G. Phillips, Ethan K. Stearns, Federico Papa
  • Patent number: 9334038
    Abstract: A shroud panel (60) is attached to a wing skin overhang (28) by a series of pivoting butt straps (86) to permit relative strains to occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Airbus Operations Limited
    Inventor: David Mark Stewart
  • Patent number: 9332671
    Abstract: A cooling unit in a transport unit includes power electronics; a heat exchanger for thermally coupling a cooling agent of a central cooling system of the transport unit with air of the cooling unit to cool one or more generating devices; and a heat pipe for heat dissipation of the power electronics. At a first portion of the heat pipe, at least some of a working agent is in the liquid phase and, at a second portion of the heat pipe, at least some of the working agent is in the gas phase. In the first portion of the heat pipe, heat from the power electronics is absorbed by evaporating the working agent in the liquid phase. In the second portion of the heat pipe, heat is released to the cooling agent by condensing the working agent in the gas phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Jens Schult, Torsten Trümper