Air Passage Bypasses Combustion Chamber Patents (Class 60/262)
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Patent number: 11827370Abstract: A propulsion system for an aircraft having a nacelle and a fuselage is provided. The nacelle has a gas flow path and a nacelle interior region. The system includes a compressor section, an intermittent IC engine, a turbine section, a fan, and an IC cooling system. A first electric motor powers the compressor section. The compressor section produces a flow of elevated pressure compressor air. The intermittent IC engine selectively intakes the compressor air flow and produces an exhaust gas flow. The turbine section powered by exhaust gas in turn powers a first electric generator. The fan is driven by a second electric motor. The IC engine cooling system has a heat exchanger disposed within the gas flow path, coolant, coolant piping, and a pump. The heat exchanger is disposed in the nacelle.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2022Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.Inventor: Richard Freer
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Patent number: 11788492Abstract: A reheat assembly for a gas turbine engine includes; a jetpipe casing defining a reheat core section configured to duct a core flow of air and a reheat bypass section configured to duct a bypass flow of air. The reheat bypass section is disposed radially outward of the reheat core section, and the reheat core section and the reheat bypass section are at least partially separated by a support duct. An integrated flameholder is mounted to the jetpipe casing, and a fuel pipe is configured to convey fuel to the integrated flameholder. The integrated flameholder includes a flameholder body extending radially inward from the jetpipe casing through the reheat bypass section and into the reheat core section to promote a wake-stabilised region downstream of the body; and an integrated atomiser configured to atomise fuel provided to the integrated flameholder and to discharge the atomised fuel into the wake stabilised region.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2023Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plcInventors: Ashley Powell, Andrew Wilkinson, Eduardo Romero
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Patent number: 11773785Abstract: A gas turbine engine has a first spool having a low pressure compressor section disposed forward of an air inlet along a direction of travel of the engine, and a low pressure turbine section disposed forward of the low pressure compressor section and drivingly engaged thereto. A second spool has a high pressure compressor section disposed forward of the low pressure compressor section, and a high pressure turbine section disposed forward of the high pressure compressor section and drivingly engaged thereto. The high pressure turbine section is disposed aft of the low pressure turbine section. An output drive shaft drivingly engages the low pressure turbine section and extends forwardly therefrom to drive a rotatable load. A method of operating a gas turbine engine is also discussed.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2023Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.Inventors: Keith Morgan, Robert Peluso, Ghislain Plante, Eugene Gekht, Eric Durocher, Jean Dubreuil
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Patent number: 11719164Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes an engine case along an engine axis, a conformal accessory drive gearbox housing mounted to the engine case, and at least one accessory mounted to the conformal housing.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2018Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: Raytheon Technologies CorporationInventor: Gary D. Roberge
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Patent number: 11692493Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a first spool associated with a diffuser and a primary combustor and a second spool associated with a secondary combustor. The first spool includes a first compressor and a first turbine mounted to a first shaft, and the second spool includes a second compressor and a second turbine mounted to a second shaft. An inlet duct fluidly connects the diffuser to the second compressor. An outlet duct assembly fluidly connects the second turbine to the diffuser and the primary combustor.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2022Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Paul R. Hanrahan, Stephen K. Kramer, Daniel B. Kupratis
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Patent number: 11692480Abstract: An air intake scoop intended to be fastened on a panel of an aircraft includes an air inlet mouth having a wall, a peripheral collar intended to be fastened to the panel, and a bearing element intended to support the air circulation duct. The air inlet mouth is made of a thermoplastic material and the bearing element is fastened on the peripheral collar so as to achieve a pressure barrier in case of breakage of the wall of the air inlet mouth.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2019Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: Safran NacellesInventors: François Bellet, Laurent Georges Valleroy, Mathieu David
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Patent number: 11635026Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure regard a fan case assembly for a gas turbine engine, the fan case assembly comprising a fan case having an inner surface and an outer surface, a front acoustic panel having an outer surface, and attachment means attaching the front acoustic panel outer surface to the fan case inner surface. The attachment means comprise a sliding arrangement allowing the front acoustic panel to be slid axially into the fan case. The sliding arrangement comprises a first longitudinal member and a second longitudinal member, one of the members being attached to the fan case inner surface and the other member being attached to the front acoustic panel outer surface. The attachment means further comprise removable fastening means fixing the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member in the axial direction.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2022Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE DEUTSCHLAND LTD & CO KGInventors: Robert W. Heeter, Dennes K. Burney, Jonathan M. Rivers
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Patent number: 11608786Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a propulsor section including a propulsor, a compressor section including a low pressure compressor and a high pressure compressor, a geared architecture, a turbine section including a low pressure turbine and a high pressure turbine, and a power density of greater than or equal to 4.75 and less than or equal to 5.5 lbf/in3, wherein the power density is a ratio of a thrust provided by the engine to a volume of the turbine section.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2022Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Frederick M. Schwarz, Daniel Bernard Kupratis
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Patent number: 11585291Abstract: An ejector assembly for a cooling system of a gas turbine engine may comprise: a tail cone having a tail cone outlet in fluid communication with a cooling air flow of the cooling system; an ejector body defining a mixing section, a constant area section, and a diffuser section; and a nozzle section in fluid communication with an exhaust air flow of the gas turbine engine, the ejector assembly configured to entrain the cooling air flow via the exhaust air flow.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2020Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Assignee: Raytheon Technologies CorporationInventors: Marc J. Muldoon, Jonathan Rheaume, Stephen H. Taylor
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Patent number: 11549434Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a compressor section, a combustor, and a turbine section. A bleed tap taps air from the compressor section through a bleed valve. The bleed valve is selectively opened by a control to dump air from the compressor section to a dump outlet. A heat exchanger duct includes a duct air inlet to cool a fluid in a heat exchanger and a duct air outlet. The dump outlet is within the heat exchanger duct.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2021Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: Raytheon Technologies CorporationInventors: Steven H. Zysman, Karl D. Blume, James H. Anderson, Holly Teufel, Jesse W. Clauson, Xiaojun Campbell, William O. Taylor, Graham A. Kaiser, Karl Milenkovic, Michael C. Rhodes, Tsering Dolma
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Patent number: 11519289Abstract: A hybrid electric gas turbine engine includes a fan section having a fan, a turbine section having a turbine drivably connected to the fan through a main shaft that extends along a central longitudinal axis, a gas generating core extending along a first axis that is radially offset from the central longitudinal axis, and an electric motor drivably connected to the main shaft, wherein the electric motor is colinear with the main shaft.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2019Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: Raytheon Technologies CorporationInventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Om P. Sharma, Joseph B. Staubach, Marc J. Muldoon, Jesse M. Chandler, David Lei Ma
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Patent number: 11518545Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for managing a supplemental cooling unit. The process receives data for a supplemental cooling unit. The data comprises a pressure, a temperature, and a speed. The process generates a set of alerts based on the data for the supplemental cooling unit and a signature in the data.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2019Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Jared D. Mulholland, Hamid R. Nikjou
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Patent number: 11401888Abstract: A steam turbine 1 includes a turbine body 11 which includes a rotor 5 which is configured to rotate around an axis Ac, and a casing 6 which covers the rotor 5 to form a flow path through which steam flows in an axis Ac direction, together with the rotor 5, a thermal insulation member 12 which is provided to be in contact with an outer surface of the casing 6 in a high-pressure side region 61 out of the high-pressure side region 61 and a low-pressure side region 62 of the steam in the axis Ac direction of the casing 6, and a soundproof cover 13 which covers the low-pressure side region 62 out of the high-pressure side region 61 and the low-pressure side region 62 via a space between the outer surface of the casing 6 and the soundproof cover 13.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2020Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignees: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES COMPRESSOR CORPORATION, SANYU INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.Inventors: Akito Kunimoto, Keita Mori
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Patent number: 11339710Abstract: This invention relates to a turbocharger (210). More specifically, the invention relates to an axial-entry type turbocharger, where the exhaust gases are directed to meet the turbine wheel at least front-on, having a variable volume for controlling pressure, allowing for a substantially uniform pressure and uniform velocity to act simultaneously on and around the turbine wheel, while enabling the volume of the turbocharger to be adjusted under predetermined set pressure conditions. The turbocharge includes: a turbine housing defining a substantially axial primary flow duct, a primary turbine wheel (216) mounted along such primary flow duct (214), and a diverter (218) for diverting flow passing thereover into a primary annular flow path directed to impinge the primary turbine wheel (216). The turbine housing of the turbocharger defines a secondary flow duct (222) for directing some flow to: (i) impinge the primary turbine wheel (216); and/or (ii) bypass the primary turbine wheel (216).Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2019Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Inventor: Feizal Alli Gaffoor
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Patent number: 11286805Abstract: A geared turbofan engine with at least one compression stage and at least one turbine stage on a high speed shaft, the high speed shaft coupled through a speed reduction gear box to a low speed shaft with a fan and a starter/generator. The low speed shaft is collinear with the high speed shaft but does not rotate within the high speed shaft. The speed reduction gear box is positioned between and mechanically couples the high speed shaft and the low speed shaft, which allows the fan and the integrated starter/generator on the low speed shaft to operate at a lower speed than the high speed shaft.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2020Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: Florida Turbine Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Joseph D. Brostmeyer, Robert A. Ress, Jr., Tyler W. Sloss, Barry J. Brown
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Patent number: 11274632Abstract: In a cowl for a nozzle, an internal wall has a cross-section with a determined abscissa on the axis defining a neck line on the internal wall. The cowl has, downstream of the determined abscissa, indentations in the trailing edge which delimit chevrons distributed in the circumferential direction. The internal wall of the cowl diverges radially towards the interior, in a second axial half-plane passing through the tip of a chevron, from the upstream tangent on the point of the neck line in the second axial half-plane, and the lines defining the internal wall of the cowl in any axial half-plane do not have a turning point downstream of the determined abscissa of the neck line.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2019Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINESInventors: Jonathan Langridge, Julien Szydlowski
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Patent number: 11261827Abstract: A gas turbine engine has a fan rotor including at least one stage, with the at least one stage delivering a portion of air into a low pressure duct, and another portion of air into a compressor. The compressor is driven by a turbine rotor, and the fan rotor is driven by a fan drive turbine. A channel selectively communicates air from the low pressure duct across a boost compressor.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2019Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: Raytheon Technologies CorporationInventor: Gary D. Roberge
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Patent number: 11248535Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprising: a compressor; a first turbine; and a first compressor bleed valve in fluid communication with the compressor and configured to release bleed air from the compressor; wherein the first compressor bleed valve is configured to release bleed air to a downstream location in the engine, the downstream location being downstream of the first turbine; wherein the first compressor bleed valve is configured to open wherein the first compressor bleed valve is configured to open to at least two positions, to thereby release a variable amount of bleed air from the compressor.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2019Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plcInventors: Richard Peace, Robert Goulds
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Patent number: 11187160Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprises a fan drive turbine driving a shaft. The shaft engages a gear reduction. The gear reduction drives a fan rotor at a speed that is less than the speed of the fan drive turbine. The gear reduction is a non-epicyclic gear reduction.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2020Date of Patent: November 30, 2021Assignee: Raytheon Technologies CorporationInventor: William G. Sheridan
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Patent number: 11143142Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a first spool, a second spool, a primary combustor, and a diffuser. The first spool includes a first compressor rotationally driven by a first turbine via a first shaft. The second spool includes a second compressor driven by a second turbine via a second shaft. The first compressor, the diffuser, and the primary combustor are arranged in series to provide a compressed airflow discharged from the first compressor to the primary combustor via the diffuser, which includes walls that diverge towards the primary combustor. The second compressor is fluidly coupled to the diffuser to receive at least a portion of the compressed airflow from the diffuser. The second turbine is fluidly coupled to the diffuser to discharge an expanded airflow to the diffuser.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2018Date of Patent: October 12, 2021Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Paul R. Hanrahan, Daniel Bernard Kupratis
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Patent number: 11073107Abstract: A hybrid electric gas turbine engine includes a fan section having a fan, a turbine section having a turbine drivably connected to the fan through a main shaft that extends along a central longitudinal axis, a gas generating core extending along a first axis that is radially offset from the central longitudinal axis, a first electric motor drivably connected to the main shaft, wherein the electric motor is colinear with the main shaft, and an electric compressor extending along a second axis that is radially offset from the central longitudinal axis, the electric compressor in fluid communication with the second turbine section.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2020Date of Patent: July 27, 2021Assignee: Raytheon Technologies CorporationInventors: Daniel Bernard Kupratis, Paul R Hanrahan
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Patent number: 11067035Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a main gas flow exhaust nozzle having an annular inner surface which, in use, bounds a flow of exhaust gas. The gas turbine engine further includes cooling passages having respective outlets therefrom to provide a flow of cooling air over a surface of the engine or an adjacent airframe component, thereby protecting the cooled surface from the exhaust gas flow. Adjacent cooling passages of the or each pair of the nested cooling passages are separated from each other by a respective dividing wall. The outlets from the nested cooling passages are staggered in the axial direction of the exhaust nozzle such that cooling air flowing out of an inner one of the adjacent cooling passages of the or each pair of the nested cooling passages flows over the dividing wall separating the adjacent passages.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2018Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plcInventors: Edward C Gower, Paul R Davies
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Patent number: 11022048Abstract: A method for controlling thrust from a turbojet that is fuel flow rate regulated by a high limit value for providing protection against surging of a compressor of the turbojet is provided. The method includes: obtaining a first thrust value corresponding to a first operating point of the compressor on the high limit value, the high limit value taking account of an underestimate of the fuel flow rate; controlling the turbojet to reach the first thrust value; monitoring the turbojet to detect underspeed of the compressor; and where applicable: obtaining a second thrust value corresponding to a second operating point that guarantees a predetermined margin relative to the high limit value so as to obtain protection against underspeed of the turbojet; and controlling the turbojet to reach the second value.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2015Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINESInventors: Amaury Olivier, Christophe Javelot, Darragh McGrath
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Patent number: 10941692Abstract: A mixer assembly for an exhaust aftertreatment system includes a first support ring. The first support ring defines a plurality of first slots angularly spaced apart from each other. A second support ring spaced apart from the first support ring defines a plurality of second slots angularly spaced apart from each other. A plurality of blades extends between the first support ring and the second support ring. Each of the plurality of blades is coupled to each of the first support ring and the second support ring. Each of the plurality of blades includes a base. The base includes a first connecting portion engaged with a corresponding first slot from the plurality of first slots and a second connecting portion engaged with a corresponding second slot from the plurality of second slots. At least one tab extends outwardly from the base at an angle relative to the base.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2019Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.Inventors: Yanping Zhang, Henry Zhang, Meng-Huang Lu, Fulun Yang
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Patent number: 10760527Abstract: An exhaust mixer for a gas turbine engine includes an annular wall having upstream end adapted to be fastened to an engine case and a downstream end forming a plurality of inner and outer mixer lobes. A support member interconnects at least a number of the inner lobes, and includes a circumferentially extending stiffener ring located radially inwardly from the inner lobes and a series of circumferentially spaced apart mixer struts radially extending from the inner lobes to the stiffener ring. The mixer struts have a radial length at least equal to a width of a main gas path defined between the inner lobes and the exhaust cone such that the mixer struts extend entirely through the main gas path. The stiffener ring being fixed solely to the mixer struts such as to float with respect to the exhaust cone and permit relative movement therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2016Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.Inventors: Guy Lefebvre, Nicolas Grivas, Richard Bouchard, Denis Leclair, Eric Durocher
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Patent number: 10704786Abstract: A fuel injector for injecting alternate fuels having a different energy density in a gas turbine is provided. A first fuel supply channel (18) may be fluidly coupled to a radial passage (22) in a plurality of vanes (20) that branches into passages (24) (e.g., axial passages) to inject a first fuel without jet in cross-flow injection. This may be effective to reduce flashback in fuels having a relatively high flame speed. A mixer (30) with lobes (32) for injection of a second fuel may be arranged at the downstream end of a fuel delivery tube (12). A fuel-routing structure (38) may be configured to route the second fuel within a respective lobe so that fuel injection of the second fuel takes place radially outwardly relative to a central region of the mixer. This may be conducive to an improved (e.g., a relatively more uniform) mixing of air and fuel.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2015Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY, INC.Inventors: Walter Ray Laster, Timothy A. Fox, Robert H. Bartley
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Patent number: 10654579Abstract: In an aircraft including a gas turbine engine having a compressor including a compressor booster, a turbine, and a nacelle, a system for cooling compressor discharge air provided to the turbine to cool the turbine includes a heat exchanger provided in a nacelle compartment of the gas turbine engine configured to cool the compressor discharge air by exchanging heat from the compressor discharge air to a cooling fluid; and a cooling fluid circuit configured to circulate cooling fluid through the heat exchanger and a heat sink, wherein the heat sink is at least one of an inlet of the nacelle compartment, an inlet of the compressor booster, or outlet guide vanes of the gas turbine engine.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2016Date of Patent: May 19, 2020Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY GLOBAL RESEARCHInventor: Carlos Enrique Diaz
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Patent number: 10385774Abstract: A turbine engine includes a first compressor and a second compressor fluidly parallel to the first compressor. A reverse flow combustor is fluidly connected to the first compressor and the second compressor. A first turbine and a second turbine are fluidly connected in series, and fluidly connected to an output of the reverse flow combustor.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2016Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Daniel Bernard Kupratis, Tania Bhatia Kashyap, Mark F. Zelesky, Arthur W. Utay, Gabriel L. Suciu, Thomas N. Slavens, Kevin L. Rugg, Brian Merry
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Patent number: 10371090Abstract: A variable area exhaust mixer is provided for a gas turbine engine. The variable area exhaust mixer includes an outer wall with a multiple of doors. Each of the multiple of doors is operable to control a passage entrance into at least one of a multiple of circumferentially arrayed vanes with a respective strut flow passage which essentially alters its bypass ratio during flight to match requirements.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2015Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Jeffery A. Lovett, Nathan L. Messersmith, Sean P. Zamora
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Patent number: 10309318Abstract: An example turbomachine exhaust flow diverting assembly includes an upstream flow diverter disposed about a rotational axis of a turbomachine, and a downstream flow diverter disposed about the rotational axis and axially misaligned with the upstream flow diverter, the upstream flow diverter and the downstream flow diverter both independently moveable between a first position and a second position, the first position permitting more bypass flow from a bypass flow passage to a core flow passage than the second position.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2015Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventor: Jose E. Ruberte Sanchez
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Patent number: 10302014Abstract: A method comprises the steps of modifying an existing engine which includes a high pressure compressor driven by a high pressure turbine and a low pressure turbine to drive a low pressure compressor. The modifying step includes utilizing the high pressure compressor as a low pressure compressor in a modified gas turbine engine, and designing and incorporating a new high pressure compressor downstream of the low pressure compressor section in the modified engine, such that a portion of the design of the existing engine is utilized in the modified engine. A gas turbine engine is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2015Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Wesley K. Lord, Brian D. Merry
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Patent number: 10288283Abstract: A multiphase burner for flaring gaseous/liquid combustible mixtures is disclosed. The burner may include a hollow base with an inlet for receiving the combustible gas/liquid mixture as well as a distal end that may be coupled to or that forms a nozzle cap. The nozzle cap may form as first outlet. The base may be coupled to a central body and a hollow bushing that encircles at least part of the central body. The base may form a mouth disposed between the inlet and the central body. The mouth may be in communication with a first passage that extends from the mouth to the first outlet and between the bushing and the distal end of the base. The mouth may be in communication with a second passage that extends from the mouth to the second outlet and between the bushing and central body.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2012Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Roman Alexandrovich Skachkov, Pavel Andreevich Golikov, Christian Menger, Vladimir Konstantinovich Khan
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Patent number: 10267229Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes an inner annular combustor radially inboard of an outer annular combustor. An outer variable turbine vane array is downstream of the outer annular combustor and an inner variable turbine vane array downstream of the inner annular combustor.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2014Date of Patent: April 23, 2019Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Daniel B. Kupratis, Howard K. Gregory
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Patent number: 10253726Abstract: An engine assembly for an aircraft, including an internal combustion engine having a liquid coolant system in fluid communication with a heat exchanger, an exhaust duct in fluid communication with air passages of the heat exchanger, a fan in fluid communication with the exhaust duct for driving a cooling air flow through the air passages of the heat exchanger and into the exhaust duct, and an intermediate duct in fluid communication with an exhaust of the engine and having an outlet positioned within the exhaust duct downstream of the fan and upstream of the outlet of the exhaust duct. The outlet of the intermediate duct is spaced inwardly from a peripheral wall of the exhaust duct. The engine assembly may be configured as an auxiliary power unit. A method of discharging air and exhaust gases in an auxiliary power unit having an internal combustion engine is also discussed.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2016Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.Inventors: Andre Julien, Jean Thomassin, Maxime Courtois, Bruno Villeneuve, Serge Dussault, Richard Ullyott, Serge LaFortune, Luc Dionne, Anthony Jones, Behzad Hagshenas, David Menheere
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Patent number: 10197007Abstract: A variable core cowl vent nozzle system is described herein, the system including a core casing at least partially surrounding a core engine of a gas turbine engine, and a core cowl extending aftward from the core casing. The core cowl defines a core cowl vent area between the core cowl and a primary nozzle. At least one of the core cowl and the primary nozzle is movable to vary the core cowl vent area. A method for varying the core cowl vent area by moving one or more of the core cowl and the primary nozzle is also described herein.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2016Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Durga Srinivas Chillapalli, Hemanth Gudibande Sathyakumar Kumar, Bhaskar Nanda Mondal, Kishanjit Pal, Sushilkumar Gulabrao Shevakari, Thomas Ory Moniz
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Patent number: 10145336Abstract: A flow control device includes a first axially extending flow control surface, a second axially extending flow control surface radially offset from the first surface to define a gas flow path therebetween, the gas flow path having a downstream flow path exit, and a third axially extending flow control surface radially offset from the first surface and capable of axially translating with respect to the first and second surfaces for modifying the gas flow path and selectively closing the flow path exit. A turbofan engine includes a core flow passage, a fan bypass passage located radially outward from the core flow passage, a third stream bypass passage located radially outward from the fan bypass passage, and a flow control device that dynamically regulates the third stream bypass passage, allowing fluid flowing through the third stream bypass passage to provide thrust to the turbofan engine and reduce afterbody drag.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2014Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: John R. Buey, Robert H. Bush, Felix Izquierdo
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Patent number: 10132242Abstract: A gas turbine engine assembly includes first and second annular members having different first and second thermal expansion coefficients connected together with dual arm V brackets. Brackets include first and second arms angularly spaced apart from a bracket centerline and extending axially away from bracket bases attached to a first one of the first and second annular members. Arms are attached to a second one of the first and second annular members. A turbine frame includes struts extending between outer and inner rings. An annular mixer and centerbody substantially made from a ceramic matrix composite materials is connected to and supported by the outer and inner rings with first and second sets respectively of the dual arm V brackets. Bracket bases of the first and second sets are attached to the outer and inner rings respectively. Arms of the first and second sets are attached to mixer and centerbody respectively.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2013Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Michael Anthony Ruthemeyer, Darrell Glenn Senile, Bernard James Renggli, Randy Lee Lewis
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Patent number: 10131441Abstract: An electrical network for an aircraft. The aircraft includes at least one variable pitch propulsor. The electrical network includes a wound field synchronous AC electrical generator having a wound rotor driven by an internal combustion engine. The network further includes a voltage regulator configured to regulate output voltage of the electrical generator by regulating rotor winding magnetic field strength, and a synchronous AC drive motor coupled to a respective variable pitch propulsor and provided with power from the output of the electrical generator.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2016Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE PLCInventors: Huw L. Edwards, Alexander C Smith, Judith M. Apsley, Charalampos Manolopoulos
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Patent number: 10119468Abstract: A bleed air supply system for a gas turbine engine comprising a duct having an inlet end and extending to an outlet end. The inlet end of the duct is provided with a central insert. In another feature, there may be a plurality of ducts, and inlet ends of the plurality of ducts being spaced by at least 90°. In another feature, a compressor may have a diffuser with a shroud ending upstream of the downstream end of an inner shroud, having an outer shroud ending at a location upstream of a downstream end of an inner shroud at locations circumferentially aligned with an inlet end of the duct.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2012Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Cheng-Zhang Wang, Thomas G. Phillips, David F. Cloud, Peter M. Munsell
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Patent number: 10100705Abstract: An exhaust mixer includes, a plurality of outwardly oriented vanes having planar surfaces, and a plurality of inwardly oriented vanes alternately positioned perimetrically between the plurality of outwardly oriented vanes, and a core flow area defined inwardly of inner most portions of the plurality of inwardly oriented vanes, the exhaust mixer being configured such that a minority of the total flow through the exhaust mixer travels through the core flow area when the exhaust mixer is employed during a mixing operation.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2015Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATIONInventors: Vladimir Ilic, Donald William Lamb, Jr.
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Patent number: 10077715Abstract: An accessory gearbox for turbomachine equipment comprising a casing (30) and two gear lines (40a, 40b) arranged in a “V” shape, the casing (30) comprising two arms (30a, 30b) in both of which one of the two gear lines (40a, 40b) is arranged, with a lubricant tank (35) being arranged between the two gear lines (40a, 40b).Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2015Date of Patent: September 18, 2018Assignee: SAFRAN TRANSMISSION SYSTEMSInventors: Julien Viel, Jordane Peltier, Stéphane Prunera-Usach
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Patent number: 10060630Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel apparatus and way for reducing the recirculation zone at the inlet end of a combustor. The recirculation zone is reduced by altering the geometry of the inlet end through a tapering of the liner wall thickness and a tapering of the thermal barrier coating to reduce the bluff body effect at the combustion liner inlet end.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2014Date of Patent: August 28, 2018Assignee: ANSALDO ENERGIA IP UK LIMITEDInventors: Peter John Stuttaford, Hany Rizkalla
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Patent number: 10030558Abstract: An airflow system for a gas turbine system according to an embodiment includes: a compressor component of a gas turbine system; an airflow generation system for attachment to a rotatable shaft of the gas turbine system, the airflow generation system and the compressor component drawing in an excess flow of air through an air intake section; a mixing area for receiving an exhaust gas stream produced by the gas turbine system; an air extraction system for: extracting at least a portion of the excess flow of air generated by the airflow generation system and the compressor component to provide bypass air; and diverting the bypass air into the mixing area to reduce a temperature of the exhaust gas stream; and an exhaust processing system for processing the reduced temperature exhaust gas stream.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2015Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert Joseph Reed, Lewis Berkley Davis, Jr., Parag Prakash Kulkarni
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Patent number: 10018150Abstract: A turbine exhaust case (TEC) of a turbofan aeroengine includes a mixer for mixing exhaust gases with a bypass air stream, the TEC comprising an annular hub and the mixer surrounding the hub, and a plurality of deswirling struts circumferentially spaced apart with respect to a central axis of the TEC and located entirely within an axial length of the mixer. The mixer defines a trailing edge having one or more upstream-most locations thereof where the mixing of the exhausted gases and the bypass air stream begins to take place. The deswirling struts each extend radially across the annular exhaust gas duct and interconnect the mixer and the hub, defining a trailing edge positioned upstream of and axially spaced away from the one or more upstream-most locations of the trailing edge of the mixer.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2016Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA INC.Inventors: Remo Marini, Mark Huzzard Cunningham, Francois C. Bisson, Reza Mohammad Kameshki
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Patent number: 10006369Abstract: A method and system for a heat exchanger are provided. The heat exchanger includes a plurality of arcuate heat exchanger segments, each including a first header configured to extend circumferentially about at least a portion of a circumference of an internal surface of a fluid duct. The heat exchanger also includes a second header configured to extend circumferentially about the portion spaced axially apart from the first header in a direction opposite of fluid flow through the fluid duct and a first plurality of heat exchanger tubes extending generally axially between the first header and the second header, the first plurality of heat exchanger tubes each including a first flow path separate from a second flow path of any other of the first plurality of heat exchanger tubes, the first flow path changing direction along the flow path from the first header to the second header.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2015Date of Patent: June 26, 2018Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Thomas Kupiszewski
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Patent number: 9995289Abstract: The invention provides an energy recovery device comprising an engine comprising a plurality of Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) or Negative Thermal Expansion (NTE) elements fixed at a first end and connected at a second end to a drive mechanism wherein a holder is configured with a plurality of slots adapted to receive the plurality of Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) or NTE elements.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2015Date of Patent: June 12, 2018Assignee: EXERGYN LIMITEDInventors: Barry Cullen, Kevin O'Toole, Geogiana Tirca-Dragomirescu, Keith Warren, Rory Beirne
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Patent number: 9982556Abstract: The present invention relates to a turbine engine (10) comprising: at least one hollow guidance arm (44) radially extending from a hub (38) to an annular housing (42), and having one radially external end which opens out in an opening (60) of said annular housing, a radial countershaft (48) located in said guidance arm (44) for rotatably driving at least one device arranged at the periphery of said annular housing (42). According to the invention, a transfer case (50) is disposed facing the opening (60) of the annular housing, and the turbine engine comprises rotational power transfer means (78, 52) between the radial countershaft (48) and the device, with the guidance arm (44) being equipped, at the external end thereof, with a widened section (56) by which it opens out in the opening (60) of the annular housing and in which part of the transfer case (50) is accommodated.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2015Date of Patent: May 29, 2018Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINESInventor: Jean-Baptiste Etienne Bernard Lepretre
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Patent number: 9970323Abstract: A gas turbine engine has a compressor section, a compressor case substantially surrounding the compressor section, and a diffuser case attached at an attachment interface to the compressor case. The attachment interface is between a forward and an aft end of the compressor. A geared turbofan is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Frederick M. Schwarz, Gabriel L. Suciu
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Patent number: 9771968Abstract: A vaned wheel device traversed by a radial drive shaft includes radial arms, one of which contains the shaft, and stationary vanes manufactured separately from the casing and a ferrule and assembled thereto. A sleeve encompassing the shaft traverses the casing and serves to support a bearing for supporting the shaft with positional accuracy, and maintaining tightness by forming a single cavity with the radial arm cavities traversing the shaft.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2012Date of Patent: September 26, 2017Assignee: SNECMAInventors: Thierry Francois Maurice Duchatelle, Virginie Guilbert, Cedric Magret, Thierry Georges Paul Papin
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Patent number: 9726112Abstract: A gas turbine engine has a propulsor including a fan and a power turbine, an engine core aerodynamically connected to the propulsor by a transition duct, and a bypass valve in the transition duct that allows for air from the engine core to bypass the power turbine.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2014Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Brian D. Merry