Brent E Merritt

US Patent:

7140839, Nov 28, 2006

Filed:

Dec 28, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/023935

Inventors:

Christopher McAuliffe - Windsor CT, US
Mark L. Harris - Broad Brook CT, US
Brent Merritt - Southwick MA, US
Ronald Struziak - Longmeadow MA, US

Assignee:

Hamilton Sundstrand - Windsor Locks CT

International Classification:

F04D 29/46

US Classification:

415163, 4151711

Abstract:

A diffuser is provided having a spaced apart shroud and backing plate. A diffuser vane is provided between the backing plate and shroud. The vane includes first and second sealing surfaces opposite from one another and adjacent to the backing plate and shroud. Leading and trailing surfaces are arranged opposite from one another and adjoin the first and second sealing surfaces. The first sealing surface includes a first protrusion extending therefrom approximate to the leading surface with a gap extending from the trailing surface to the first protrusion. The second surface includes a second protrusion extending therefrom proximate to the trailing surface with a second gap extending from the leading surface to the second protrusion. The surfaces provide four corners such that the protrusions are arranged on opposite corners from one another to create a pressure differential between the first and second sealing surfaces.

US Patent:

7402020, Jul 22, 2008

Filed:

Dec 14, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/302712

Inventors:

Craig Beers - Wethersfield CT, US
Christopher McAuliffe - Windsor CT, US
Brent Merritt - Southwick MA, US

Assignee:

Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation - Windsor Locks CT

International Classification:

F01D 25/16
F01D 25/12

US Classification:

415 1, 415107, 415230, 415104, 416198 A

Abstract:

An air cycle machine includes a housing having a compressor housing portion. A shaft is supported by the housing and includes a thrust runner. A hydrodynamic thrust bearing is arranged adjacent to the thrust runner and includes upstream and downstream sides. A compressor rotor is mounted on the shaft. A seal is arranged between the compressor rotor and the compressor housing portion. An orifice is provided in the compressor housing portion at the downstream side of the hydrodynamic bearing. The orifice vents hot compressed air that may leak past the seal prior to reaching the hydrodynamic thrust bearing.

US Patent:

7407367, Aug 5, 2008

Filed:

Apr 18, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/108286

Inventors:

Christopher McAuliffe - Windsor CT, US
Craig Beers - Wethersfield CT, US
Brent Merritt - Southwick MA, US
Robert Telakowski - Windsor Locks CT, US

Assignee:

Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation - Windsor Locks CT

International Classification:

F04D 29/46

US Classification:

415150, 415 9, 415148, 415160, 415164

Abstract:

A diffuser includes multiple vanes rotatable about pivot pins between multiple positions. A mounting plate supports a backing plate. The vanes are arranged between the backing plate and the shroud. The pivot pins are in a slip fit relationship with the backing plate, vanes and shroud and are threadingly received by bosses in the mounting plate. The mounting plate and pivot pin arrangement better enables the backing plate and shroud to remain parallel with one another during deflection of the backing plate and/or shroud. Structure, such as integral protrusions and/or bolts, extend from between the backing plate and shroud through apertures in the vanes to better contain the vanes in the event of a catastrophic failure.

US Patent:

7757502, Jul 20, 2010

Filed:

Apr 12, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/103847

Inventors:

Brent Merritt - Southwick MA, US
Christopher McAuliffe - Windsor CT, US

Assignee:

Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation - Windsor Locks CT

International Classification:

F28B 9/00
F25D 9/00

US Classification:

62172, 62402, 418 83, 417405, 417406, 454 71

Abstract:

An environmental control system includes a RAM air fan system downstream of a respective heat exchanger in the relatively high temperature RAM exhaust. The RAM air fan includes a RAM air fan electric motor such that the RAM air fan is driven at a speed independent of an air cycle machine. A fan rotor is completely supported by hydrodynamic foil journal and thrust bearings. As the RAM air fan is driven by the RAM air fan electric motor the RAM air fan is installed in the environmental control system as a self-contained system.

US Patent:

8147143, Apr 3, 2012

Filed:

Sep 22, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/947570

Inventors:

Ronald Struziak - Longmeadow MA, US
Christopher McAuliffe - Windsor CT, US
Brent Merritt - Southwick MA, US
Seth Rosen - Middletown CT, US

Assignee:

Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation - Windsor Locks CT

International Classification:

F16C 32/06

US Classification:

384105, 384103

Abstract:

A thrust bearing for a rotary machine includes first, second and third layers. The second layer includes a corrugated foil arranged between the first and third layers. The corrugated foil includes a wall having peaks engaging the first layer and valleys engaging the third layer. A depression is arranged in the wall between first and second peaks. The depression is spaced from the first and third layers. The first layer includes multiple arcuate top foils that are arranged adjacent to a thrust runner of a rotatable shaft. A corresponding number of arcuate corrugated foils may be used to support the top foils. The third layer, which is provided by an annular main plate, includes multiple arcuate spacers arranged circumferentially on the main plate. The spacers are generally aligned with a trailing edge of the top foils. The depressions decrease the stiffness of the bump foils.

US Patent:

8347647, Jan 8, 2013

Filed:

Nov 3, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/980045

Inventors:

Christopher McAuliffe - Windsor CT, US
Brent J. Merritt - Southwick MA, US
Craig M. Beers - Wethersfield CT, US

Assignee:

Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation - Windsor Locks CT

International Classification:

F25D 9/00

US Classification:

62401, 62402

Abstract:

An ECS system provides an ACM which locates the compressor upon a common shaft between a first turbine and a second turbine. Each RAF is located remote from the ACM such that the turbines are located outboard on each end of the ACM to provide the highest efficiency possible with each turbine using a straight axial outlet diffuser. As the compressor is located between the turbines the bypass circuits from the turbines are less circuitous and more efficient. Integral valve ports formed into the ACM housing portions results in a weight reduced design due to increase bypass efficiencies and simplified installations.

US Patent:

8418495, Apr 16, 2013

Filed:

Sep 20, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/230842

Inventors:

Brent J. Merritt - Southwick MA, US
Craig M. Beers - Wethersfield CT, US

Assignee:

Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation - Windsor Locks CT

International Classification:

F25D 9/00

US Classification:

62402, 62 88, 62401, 62 6, 62 87, 60796, 60797, 60798, 60799, 60805, 417407, 4152161, 416204 R, 416204 A, 416244 A, 416244 R

Abstract:

An air cycle machine includes two turbines and a compressor mounted on an integral shaft. The integral shaft includes a plurality of shaft sections that are welded together and machined in a single set-up process into a desired shaft shape to provide highly aligned bearing surfaces. The shaft includes three stops that cooperate with three fasteners to secure the two turbines and the compressor on the shaft.

US Patent:

8496432, Jul 30, 2013

Filed:

Mar 22, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/728313

Inventors:

Craig M. Beers - Wethersfield CT, US
Brent J. Merritt - Southwick MA, US
Victoria S. Richardson - Hartford CT, US

Assignee:

Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation - Windsor Locks CT

International Classification:

F04D 29/58

US Classification:

415180, 415229, 415104, 384105

Abstract:

A compressor rotor compresses and delivers compressed air across a turbine rotor. The turbine rotor is connected to the compressor rotor such that rotation of the turbine rotor drives the compressor rotor. A shaft is connected to rotate with the turbine rotor and the compressor rotor. A thrust bearing is provided by a member extending perpendicular and radially outwardly of the shaft. The member rotates with the shaft and faces a first housing wall. A hollow chamber is formed on an opposed side of the first housing wall. A cooling air path supplies air across a thrust bearing surface, and between the member and the first housing wall. The first housing wall has a communication hole for communicating cooling air from the cooling air path into the hollow cavity to drive air within the hollow chamber. Also, a housing incorporating the communication hole is disclosed.