Robert M Rukus from 92 Main St, Ellington, CT 06029, age 81, Phone: 860 872-4051

Variable Area Nozzle For Gas Turbine Engines Driven By Shape Memory Alloy Actuators
view source
US Patent:

6735936, May 18, 2004
Filed:

Apr 2, 2001
Appl. No.:

09/824419
Inventors:

Nancy M. Rey - Glastonbury CT
Robin Mihekun Miller - Ellington CT
Thomas G. Tillman - West Hartford CT
Robert M. Rukus - Vernon CT
John L. Kettle - Vernon CT
Assignee:

United Technologies Corporation - Hartford CT
International Classification:

F02K 112
US Classification:

602263, 60232, 244219
Abstract:

A gas turbine engine includes a variable area nozzle having a plurality of flaps. The flaps are actuated by a plurality of actuating mechanisms driven by shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators to vary fan exist nozzle area. The SMA actuator has a deformed shape in its martensitic state and a parent shape in its austenitic state. The SMA actuator is heated to transform from martensitic state to austenitic state generating a force output to actuate the flaps. The variable area nozzle also includes a plurality of return mechanisms deforming the SMA actuator when the SMA actuator is in its martensitic state.

Variable Area Nozzle For Gas Turbine Engines Driven By Shape Memory Alloy Actuators
view source
US Patent:

7004047, Feb 28, 2006
Filed:

Jan 12, 2004
Appl. No.:

10/755566
Inventors:

Nancy M. Rey - Glastonbury CT, US
Robin M. Miller - Ellington CT, US
Thomas G. Tillman - West Hartford CT, US
Robert M. Rukus - Vernon CT, US
John L. Kettle - Vernon CT, US
Assignee:

United Technologies Corporation - Hartford CT
International Classification:

G05G 1/00
US Classification:

74469, 244219
Abstract:

A gas turbine engine includes a variable area nozzle having a plurality of flaps. The flaps are actuated by a plurality of actuating mechanisms driven by shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators to vary fan exist nozzle area. The SMA actuator has a deformed shape in its martensitic state and a parent shape in its austenitic state. The SMA actuator is heated to transform from martensitic state to austenitic state generating a force output to actuate the flaps. The variable area nozzle also includes a plurality of return mechanisms deforming the SMA actuator when the SMA actuator is in its martensitic state.

Shape Memory Alloy Bundles And Actuators
view source
US Patent:

20050150223, Jul 14, 2005
Filed:

Feb 2, 2005
Appl. No.:

11/049920
Inventors:

Nancy Rey - Glastonbury CT, US
Robin Miller - Ellington CT, US
Thomas Tillman - West Hartford CT, US
Robert Rukus - Vernon CT, US
John Kettle - Vernon CT, US
Assignee:

United Technologies Corporation - Hartford CT
International Classification:

F01B029/10
F02G001/04
US Classification:

060527000
Abstract:

A plurality of individual shape memory alloy (SMA) wires are formed into a SMA bundle to increase force output therefrom. The SMA bundle has a parent shape and a deformed shape. The SMA bundle in the deformed shape resumes its parent shape once the SMA bundle is heated to generate increased force output. The SMA wires can be configured into strands, ropes, arrays or other shapes. The SMA material is also used in a variety of actuators for generating substantially continuous motion.

Composite Structure Resin Cure Monitoring Apparatus Using An Optical Fiber Grating Sensor
view source
US Patent:

57701555, Jun 23, 1998
Filed:

Nov 21, 1995
Appl. No.:

8/560268
Inventors:

James R. Dunphy - South Glastonbury CT
Robert M. Rukus - South Windsor CT
Jong-Min Ha - Seoul, KR
Assignee:

United Technologies Corporation - Hartford CT
International Classification:

G01N 2117
US Classification:

422 8205
Abstract:

Resin curing of a composite laminated structure is monitored using an optical fiber 20 having a grating sensor 28 embedded therein. The fiber 20 is surrounded by upper and lower buffer regions 12,14 having a predetermined minimum number of layers 30 (or thickness) with uni-directional reinforcing filaments 32 and resin 34 therebetween. When the filaments 32 are oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fiber 20, the buffer regions 12,14 allow the sensor 28 to exhibit maximum sensitivity to detection of the minimum resin viscosity and the gelation point (i. e. , the onset of a rapid crosslinking rate) of the resin 34. The buffer regions 12,14 also have a minimum thickness which serve to isolate the sensor 28 from interfering stresses from arbitrarily angled filaments 32 in layers 30 of outer regions 10,16 which surround the buffer regions 12,14.

Variable Area Nozzle For Gas Turbine Engines Driven By Shape Memory Alloy Actuators
view source
US Patent:

63180707, Nov 20, 2001
Filed:

Mar 3, 2000
Appl. No.:

9/517937
Inventors:

Nancy M. Rey - Glastonbury CT
Robin M. Miller - Ellington CT
Thomas G. Tillman - West Hartford CT
Robert M. Rukus - Vernon CT
John L. Kettle - Vernon CT
James R. Dunphy - South Glastonbury CT
Zaffir A. Chaudhry - Ridgefield CT
David D. Pearson - West Hartford CT
Kenneth C. Dreitlein - Glastonbury CT
Constantino V. Loffredo - Newington CT
Thomas A. Wynosky - Madison CT
Assignee:

United Technologies Corporation - Hartford CT
International Classification:

F02K 302
F02K 3075
F02K 112
US Classification:

602263
Abstract:

A gas turbine engine includes a variable area nozzle having a plurality of flaps. The flaps are actuated by a plurality of actuating mechanisms driven by shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators to vary fan exist nozzle area. The SMA actuator has a deformed shape in its martensitic state and a parent shape in its austenitic state. The SMA actuator is heated to transform from martensitic state to austenitic state generating a force output to actuate the flaps. The variable area nozzle also includes a plurality of return mechanisms deforming the SMA actuator when the SMA actuator is in its martensitic state.

Optical Fiber Entry Strain Relief Interface For Compression-Molded Structures
view source
US Patent:

56048360, Feb 18, 1997
Filed:

Dec 11, 1995
Appl. No.:

8/570049
Inventors:

James R. Dunphy - South Glastonbury CT
Robert M. Rukus - South Windsor CT
Jong-Min Ha - Seoul, KR
Assignee:

United Technologies Corporation - Hartford CT
International Classification:

G02B 600
US Classification:

385138
Abstract:

An optical fiber entry strain relief interface includes a composite structure (lay-up) 10 having an optical fiber 20 embedded therein. The optical fiber 20 enters (or exits) the lay-up 10 at at least one point 24 and passes through transition layers 47 comprising an adhesive film 42, a thin rubber sealing layer 44, and a thick rubber strain relief layer 46, and through a polymer plug 48 located above the layer 46. The lay-up is consolidated by heating the lay-up over a temperature profile and applying pressure through mostly closed compression molding tools 30,32. The adhesive film 42 bonds the adjacent layer 44 to the upper surface of the lay-up 10, the sealing layer 44 becomes soft enough to seal around the fiber 20 at a temperature lower than the temperature at which the resin 16 exhibits a low enough viscosity to leak out of the lay-up 10, thereby preventing the resin from leaking out of the lay-up 10 during lay-up consolidation, the strain relief layer 46 provides a rubber strain relief for the optical fiber 20, and the plug 48 supports the layers 47 during consolidation.