Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090107795 | Material wear indication system - A material wear indication system is provided that includes a friction plate capable of engaging a moving surface and a wear indicator. The friction plate includes a wearable portion and a non-wearable portion. In one embodiment the wear indicator is embedded in the non-wearable portion and is prevented from contacting the moving surface until the wearable surface has been sufficiently eroded. When the wear indicator contacts the moving surface it emits a particulate matter that can be detected by a sensor. The sensor is operable to generate an electrical signal that is transmitted to a control unit when the wearable surface has eroded thereby exposing the wear indicator to the moving surface. | 04-30-2009 |
20090320491 | DUAL CLUTCH ARRANGEMENT - A dual clutch arrangement is disclosed herein. The dual clutch arrangement includes a first input rotatable member. The dual clutch arrangement also includes an output rotatable member. The dual clutch arrangement also includes a first clutch coupling the first input rotatable member and the output rotatable member such that the first input rotatable member drives the output rotatable member in rotation. The first clutch is operable to be overrun. The dual clutch arrangement also includes a second input rotatable member. The dual clutch arrangement also includes a second clutch operable to selectively couple the second input rotatable member and the output rotatable member such that the second input rotatable member drives the output rotatable member in rotation. The first clutch is overrun when the second clutch is engaged. The dual clutch arrangement can be one exemplary way of practicing the method of operating a turbine engine to produce thrust for a vehicle, directing air into the turbine engine with a fan during said operating step, and changing a speed of the fan during said operating step to change a bypass ratio of the turbine engine. | 12-31-2009 |
20100005810 | POWER TRANSMISSION AMONG SHAFTS IN A TURBINE ENGINE - A method of transmitting power among a plurality of shafts in a turbine engine is disclosed herein as well as a turbine engine for practicing the method. The turbine engine includes a compressor section having a low pressure portion and a high pressure portion. The turbine engine also includes a turbine section spaced from the compressor section along a centerline axis. The turbine section includes a low pressure portion and a high pressure portion. The turbine engine also includes a low pressure shaft extending between the low pressure portion of the compressor section and the low pressure portion of the turbine section. The turbine engine also includes a high pressure shaft extending between the high pressure portion of the compressor section and the high pressure portion of the turbine section. The turbine engine also includes a tower shaft operably engaged with both of the low pressure shaft and the high pressure shaft. The tower shaft can impart initial rotation to the high pressure shaft and the low pressure shaft can transmit power through the tower shaft after initial rotation has been imparted to the high pressure shaft. | 01-14-2010 |
20100056321 | GEARING ARRANGEMENT - A gearing arrangement is disclosed herein. The gearing arrangement includes a shaft operable to rotate about an axis of rotation. The gearing arrangement also includes a first gear fixed for rotation with the shaft and encircling the axis of rotation. The gearing arrangement also includes a plate member positioned radially adjacent to the shaft. The gearing arrangement also includes a second gear operable to mesh with the first gear. The gearing arrangement also includes a layshaft supporting the second gear. The layshaft extends along a central axis between first and second ends. The layshaft is engageable with the plate member in a plurality of different positions to adjustably position the second gear relative to the first gear. | 03-04-2010 |
20100162723 | GAS TURBINE ENGINE SHAFT COUPLER - A gas turbine engine is provided that includes a gearbox operable to selectively couple a relatively high pressure spool shaft to a relatively low pressure spool shaft. In one form the gearbox includes a cone clutch that engages a male member of the cone clutch to a female member of the cone clutch during an engine start of the gas turbine engine. A relatively high pressure of a working fluid can be used to bring the male member and the female member together. A spring can also be used to urge the male member and the female member apart when the working fluid is at a relatively low pressure. | 07-01-2010 |
20110024254 | LIFT FAN CLUTCH - A multi-plate clutch is provided to couple a drive shaft from a gas turbine engine with a driven shaft of a lift fan. When disengaged the plates of the clutch can be physically separated. Plates of one shaft are coupled to the shaft with individual energy members that return the plates to a disengaged position. The plates of the other shaft can be coupled together with a travel member and/or lug key and energy devices between at least some of the plates. | 02-03-2011 |
20120031104 | TURBINE ENGINE - A turbine engine is disclosed herein. The turbine engine includes a starter/generator operable to deliver rotational power in a first mode of operation and to generate electrical power in a second mode of operation. The turbine engine also includes an accessory gear box mechanically coupled to the starter/generator. The turbine engine also includes a shaft mechanically coupled to the accessory gear box such that the accessory gear box is operably disposed between the shaft and the starter/generator. The turbine engine also includes a clutch operably disposed between the accessory gear box and the starter generator. The clutch is operable to slip in and out of full engagement in response to a first predetermined level of torque between the starter/generator and the accessory gear box. | 02-09-2012 |
20120090943 | CLUTCH PLATE SEPARATION - One embodiment of the present invention is a unique clutch system. Another embodiment is a unique clutch system. Another embodiment is a unique method. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for clutch systems. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith. | 04-19-2012 |
20150014937 | SEAL ASSEMBLY AND SHAFT THEREFOR - A fluid sealing assembly includes a shaft and a seal. The shaft includes a surface portion having a microstructural geometry. The seal has a radially flexible portion disposed in proximity to the surface portion having the microstructural geometry such that when the shaft is rotated a pressure differential is generated at the interface of the seal and the surface portion having the microstructural geometry that pushes or pulls fluid relative to the interface. | 01-15-2015 |
20150046061 | SHAFT DISPLACEMENT CONTROL - An aircraft powerplant having a shaft is disclosed in one embodiment in which a squeeze-film damper is used. The squeeze-film damper includes a plurality of sectors having a working fluid. A pressure can be controlled in the working fluid to the sectors to discourage changes in the sectors as a result of vehicle maneuvering. A controller is used to operate upon sensed aircraft motion and regulate pressure in the sectors. | 02-12-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090314601 | SEPARATOR SPRING FOR CLUTCH PLATE SEPARATION AND STABILIZATION - A clutch assembly includes a plurality of reaction plates separated by one or more separator springs to maintain a distance between the reaction plates when the clutch is not activated. | 12-24-2009 |
20130118859 | LIMITING TORQUE CLUTCH IN AN INPUT DAMPER - The present disclosure provides an input damper for coupling to a torque-generating mechanism. The damper includes an outer cover, a hub, and a carrier assembly coupled to the hub. The carrier assembly is movably disposed within the cover. A clutch assembly moves between an engaged position and a disengaged position and is biased towards the engaged position. The input damper further includes an angular displacement mechanism operably coupled to the clutch assembly for moving the clutch assembly between the engaged position and disengaged position. The outer cover is coupled to the carrier assembly in the engaged position. | 05-16-2013 |
20130213759 | SEPARATOR SPRING FOR CLUTCH PLATE SEPARATION AND STABILIZATION - A clutch assembly includes a plurality of reaction plates separated by one or more separator springs to maintain a distance between the reaction plates when the clutch is not activated. | 08-22-2013 |
20150053528 | LIMITING TORQUE CLUTCH IN AN INPUT DAMPER - The present disclosure provides an input damper for coupling to a torque-generating mechanism. The damper includes an outer cover, a hub, and a carrier assembly coupled to the hub. The carrier assembly is movably disposed within the cover. A clutch assembly moves between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The input damper further includes an angular displacement mechanism operably coupled to the clutch assembly for moving the clutch assembly between the engaged position and disengaged position. A damper spring is disposed between the outer cover and the clutch assembly. The outer cover is coupled to the carrier assembly in the engaged position. | 02-26-2015 |