United Technologies Corporation

Mtu Aero Engines Ag

Raytheon Technologies Corporation

Daniel Benjamin

Daniel R Kapszukiewicz

Kaliya Balamurugan

Brian C Lund

Marc J Muldoon

Gregory E Reinhardt

John P Tirone

Eric Charles Mundell

Paul D Genereux

Peter T Schutte

Roger Gates

David C Fritzinger

Daniel Carminati

Roland R Barnes

Steve A McLeod

Lyubov Y Belko

Robert L Williston

Robert B Berkley

Stephan Proestler

David S Jang

Larry James Timmons

John P Tirone Iii

Brian C Lung

The invention relates generally to a modified human C3 protein containing a number of single amino acid changes in the α and β-chain of human C3 protein, designed to increase the affinity of the modified protein to factor B or Bb, to decrease the affinity of the modified protein to factor H, and to reduce the immunogenicity of the modified protein as compared to the native human C3 protein, a nucleotide sequence encoding the modified C3 protein, a plasmid or viral vector containing the nucleotide sequence for expression the modified C3 protein, and a host cell containing the plasmid or viral vector. We also present a polyethylene glycol covalently bound to the modified C3 protein for reducing immunogenicity and increasing plasma half-life of the modified C3 protein; a method for depleting complement in a patient by administering the modified C3 protein to the patient in an amount effective to deplete complement; a method of ameliorating effects caused by or disease or a method of ameliorating reperfusion injury in a patient by delivering the modified C3 protein.

Modulators of complement function

A rotating leaf spring seal is disclosed. In various embodiments, the rotating leaf spring seal includes a first annular ring configured for positioning against a support structure; a hook section having an outer surface configured for sealing engagement with a tie shaft and an inner surface configured for receiving a hold down ring; and a spring section disposed between the first annular ring and the hook section.

Rotating leaf spring seal

Systems and methods for reducing friction during gas turbine engine assembly may comprise, a rear hub which may comprise a conical web, a horizontal arm coupled to the conical web, and/or a hub kickstand coupled to the conical web. The conical web, horizontal arm, and/or hub kickstand may converge at a pivot point. The hub kickstand may be removably coupled to the tie shaft.

Systems and methods for reducing friction during gas turbine engine assembly

A middle support member is used to provide axial support and control to the tie shaft. The middle support member includes a high pressure compressor coupling nut that applies a preload that allows the high pressure compressor stack to be installed separately from the high pressure turbine rotor through a kickstand.

Dynamic stability and mid axial preload control for a tie shaft coupled axial high pressure rotor

A method is disclosed for manufacturing a tie shaft for aero or land based gas turbine engine. The method includes flow forming a tie shaft preform to produce a tie shaft. In one example, the tie shaft includes a nickel alloy cylindrical wall having a length to diameter ratio of at least 6:1, wherein the diameter is an average outer diameter. The wall includes a minimum effective strain of 0.3 in/in (7.6 mm/mm), and a grain size is in the range of G4 to G16 per ASTM E112. The wall includes a roll formed threaded surface having a thread roughness of less than 1260 &#x3bc;in (32 microns).

Tie shaft for gas turbine engine and flow forming method for manufacturing same

A thermal management system for a gas turbine engine includes a high pressure compressor rotor having a plurality of disks and a shaft; at least one forward cavity between a rim of at least one of the disks and the shaft and at least one aft cavity formed between a rim of at least one other of the disks and the shaft; a first flow of cooling air in the at least one forward cavity; and a second flow of cooling air in the at least one aft cavity.

Thermal management system for a gas turbine engine

A gas turbine engine has a plurality of compressor rotors, as well as a plurality of turbine rotors. A tie shaft of the engine is constrained to rotate with the compressor and turbine rotors during normal operating conditions. Further, an upstream hub is in threaded engagement with the tie shaft. The threads of the upstream hub are handed in a first manner when viewed from an upstream location. A downstream abutment member is positioned downstream of the turbine rotors and is also in threaded engagement with the tie shaft. Threads of the downstream abutment member are handed in the first manner when viewed from a downstream location. Accordingly, the compressor and turbine sections of the engine are reliably held together, and the tie shaft is substantially prevented from unwinding.

Assembly and method preventing tie shaft unwinding

A fastener arrangement has first and second threaded members. The fastener arrangement includes the first threaded member having threads that extend from a first end to a second end. The threads have a thread contour that is provided by load and clearance flank surfaces that are joined to one another by crests and roots. The crest provides a crest diameter. A root provides a root diameter and is arranged between adjoining threads. At least one thread near the first end has a weakened thread contour that decreases rigidity of the one thread compared to other threads. The threads extend along an axis. The crest diameter of the second threaded member varies and lies along crest angle relative to the axis and comprises a second threaded member that has load flank surfaces that are engaging the load flank surfaces of the first threaded member at thread contact interfaces. The thread contact interfaces are smaller towards the second end than thread contact interfaces toward the first end.

Thread load distribution

A turbomachine includes a tie shaft extending along an axis. Multiple rotors are mounted on the tie shaft. First and second clamping members are secured to the tie shaft and exert a clamping load between the rotors and clamping members at multiple interfaces. The clamping load at one of the interfaces includes a radial clamping load of greater than 5% of a total design clamping load at the one interface. In one example, one of the clamping members is provided by a hub including a first leg extending between first and second opposing ends. The first end provides a flange configured to be supported by the tie shaft. The second end includes first and second hub surfaces respectively extending in radial and axial directions. The first leg is inclined between 15&#xb0; and 75&#xb0; relative to the axial direction.

Tie shaft arrangement for turbomachine

A fastener arrangement includes a threaded member having threads extending from a first end to a second end. The threads have a thread contour provided by a load and clearance flank surfaces joined to one another by a crest and root. For the external threaded member the crest provides a crest diameter, and a root provides a root diameter and is arranged between adjoining threads. At least one thread near the first end has a weakened thread contour that decreases rigidity of the one thread compared to other threads, enabling axial loads to be distributed more evenly between the threads.

Independent axial preloading of compressor and turbine disks in a gas turbine engine rotor is achieved by a dual tie shaft arrangement wherein a forward tie shaft engages forward and aft portions of a compressor hub within which the compressor disks are disposed to axially and compressively preload the compressor disks between the forward and aft portions of the compressor hub. An independent tie shaft engages an aft portion of a turbine hub within which turbine disks are disposed and an aft portion of the compressor hub to axially and compressively preload the turbine disks between the turbine and compressor hubs.

Gas turbine engine rotor tie shaft arrangement

An exemplary device for testing a gas turbine engine component includes a shaft that is configured to be rotated. A first hub is selectively fixed to the shaft near a first end of the first hub with an opposite, second end spaced from the shaft. A second hub is selectively fixed to the shaft near a first end of the second hub with an opposite, second end spaced from the shaft. The second ends of the hubs each have a feature for supporting the component between the first and second hubs at a location spaced from the shaft for introducing a load on the component near the location.

Device and method for testing a gas turbine engine component

A gas turbine engine assembly includes a rotor shaft having a threaded portion, a rotor stack support positioned radially outward from the rotor shaft, and a locking nut. The locking nut includes a body portion, a threaded portion located on a radially inner surface of the body portion, and a lug portion extending from the body portion. The rotor stack support radially rests upon the body portion of the locking nut, and the rotor stack support axially rests against the lug portion of the locking nut. The threaded portion of the locking nut and the threaded portion of the rotor shaft are engaged together.

Retaining member for use with gas turbine engine shaft and method of assembly

A gas turbine engine has a compressor section carrying a plurality of compressor rotors and a turbine section carrying a plurality of turbine rotors. The compressor rotors and the turbine rotors are constrained to rotate with the tie shaft. An upstream hub provides an upstream abutment face for the compressor rotors. A downstream hub bounds the downstream end of the compressor rotor to bias the compressor rotors against the upstream hub using an abutment member. The downstream hub has a rearwardly extending arm which provides a stop for the turbine rotors. A second abutment member is tightened on the tie shaft to force the turbine rotors against the downstream hub to hold together the turbine rotors.

Gas turbine engine compressor and turbine section assembly utilizing tie shaft

An integrally bladed rotor is utilized in at least a stage of one of a compressor and turbine section. Airfoils extend radially outwardly from a platform, and there is an undercut inward from the platform at a downstream edge of the airfoil.

Growing community of inventors

Simsbury, CT, United States of America

Daniel Benjamin