How Jet Engines Use Heat to Automatically Adjust Airflow
A GE patent for a jet engine component that changes shape based on temperature to automatically control how much cooling air flows into the engine core.
Original patent title: “Flow aperture method and apparatus”
A GE patent for a jet engine component that changes shape based on temperature to automatically control how much cooling air flows into the engine core. Granted to General Electric Co in 2023 with 22 claims.
Key facts
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent describes a way to manage temperatures inside a jet engine by using materials that physically change shape when they get hot. The engine has a hot core and a cooler secondary airflow, such as air from a fan or bleed line. By using a passageway made of a material that deflects—or bends—as it heats up, the engine can automatically open or close a gap to let more or less cooling air in. A thermal barrier coating is used to ensure the material reacts specifically to the temperature of the hot core, rather than the cooler air passing through it, allowing for precise, passive control of airflow without needing complex electronic sensors.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover active control systems that use electronic sensors or actuators to adjust airflow.
- Does not cover cooling systems that rely on fixed-geometry apertures that do not change shape.
- Does not cover materials that do not exhibit temperature-dependent deflection (e.g., standard rigid steel components).
- Does not cover methods of cooling that do not involve a secondary fluid source like a fan or bleed line.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
What made this novel
The innovation lies in using a thermal barrier coating to 'tune' the deflection of the metal. By insulating the material from the cooler air it is meant to regulate, the engineers force the metal to respond only to the temperature of the hot engine core, creating a self-regulating thermostat made of metal.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
High-bypass turbofan engines
Engine bleed air management systems
Variable area bypass injectors
Why it matters
The bigger picture
Managing heat is the primary challenge in increasing jet engine efficiency. By replacing heavy, failure-prone electronic control systems with a passive, material-based solution, engineers can potentially reduce engine weight and complexity while improving fuel efficiency. This is particularly relevant for modern high-bypass turbofan engines where precise thermal management is critical for performance.
Filed
December 8, 2021
Granted
November 14, 2023
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
General Electric (GE Aerospace) is the primary developer of this technology. Other major aerospace manufacturers like Pratt & Whitney and Rolls-Royce actively research similar passive thermal management systems to optimize engine cooling and fuel burn.
Market impact
This patent represents a shift toward 'smart' mechanical components that reduce the need for complex control software and electronic hardware. If widely adopted, it could lead to lighter, more reliable engine architectures that require less maintenance and offer better fuel economy in commercial aviation.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent describes a way to manage temperatures inside a jet engine by using materials that physically change shape when they get hot. The engine has a hot core and a cooler secondary airflow, such as air from a fan or bleed line. By using a passageway made of a material that deflects—or bends—as it heats up, the engine can automatically open or close a gap to let more or less cooling air in. A thermal barrier coating is used to ensure the material reacts specifically to the temperature of the hot core, rather than the cooler air passing through it, allowing for precise, passive control of airflow without needing complex electronic sensors.
The clever bit
The innovation lies in using a thermal barrier coating to 'tune' the deflection of the metal. By insulating the material from the cooler air it is meant to regulate, the engineers force the metal to respond only to the temperature of the hot engine core, creating a self-regulating thermostat made of metal.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover active control systems that use electronic sensors or actuators to adjust airflow.
- Does not cover cooling systems that rely on fixed-geometry apertures that do not change shape.
- Does not cover materials that do not exhibit temperature-dependent deflection (e.g., standard rigid steel components).
- Does not cover methods of cooling that do not involve a secondary fluid source like a fan or bleed line.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Moderate
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
15/20
Broad claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
20/20
Major company or institution
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$21K – $67K
Midpoint $42K · 15.5 yr remaining · industry ×0.9
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
The original legal language
Original claims
22 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Jonassen, D. R., Schimmels, S. A., Perveiler, D. A., Hoffman, J. M., & Chenery, M. G. (2023). How Jet Engines Use Heat to Automatically Adjust Airflow (U.S. Patent No. 11,814,186). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11814186/starship-lunar-lander-hls
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does How Jet Engines Use Heat to Automatically Adjust Airflow cover?
A GE patent for a jet engine component that changes shape based on temperature to automatically control how much cooling air flows into the engine core.
Who owns patent US 11814186?
General Electric Co owns this patent, granted in 2023.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on November 14, 2043, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
Managing heat is the primary challenge in increasing jet engine efficiency. By replacing heavy, failure-prone electronic control systems with a passive, material-based solution, engineers can potentially reduce engine weight and complexity while improving fuel efficiency. This is particularly relevant for modern high-bypass turbofan engines where precise thermal management is critical for performance.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover active control systems that use electronic sensors or actuators to adjust airflow.
Same assignee
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