ROLLS-ROYCE NORTH AMERICAN TECHNOLOGIES, INC. Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20160130980 | GAS TURBINE ENGINE AND FRAME - One embodiment of the present invention is a unique gas turbine engine. Another embodiment is a unique frame for a gas turbine engine. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for gas turbine engines and gas turbine engine frames. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application shall become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith. | 05-12-2016 |
20160115904 | NOZZLE SUPPORT SYSTEM - A nozzle support system for a nozzle of a gas turbine includes an outer ring, an inner ring disposed within the outer ring, and a plurality of links pivotally attaching the outer ring to the inner ring. Each one of the links may have an outer end that is pivotally attached to the outer ring, and each one of the links may have an inner end that is pivotally attached to the inner ring, such that the inner ring moves along a longitudinal axis of the outer ring. | 04-28-2016 |
20150203209 | GAS TURBINE ENGINE CONFIGURATION INTERFACE - A gas turbine engine is disclosed which is capable of being reconfigured for one operating mode to another. A display is provided that permits a pilot or other operator to select between engine modes. One aspect is the ability to provide variable cooling that can be controlled by various devices. The variable cooling features can be used with devices such as cooled turbine components like vanes and/or blades. Devices can be used to reconfigure the performance and/or operability of a gas turbine engine. | 07-23-2015 |
20150129676 | COMPACT ACTUATION SYSTEM FOR FLOW NOZZLE - Embodiments may include an actuation system for an exhaust nozzle of a gas turbine engine. The actuation system may comprise a plurality of flap assemblies including a plurality of convergent flaps movable between first and second convergent positions and a plurality of divergent flaps movable between first and second divergent positions. Each of the plurality of divergent flaps may extend from a respective one of the plurality of convergent flaps. The system may further include a first sync ring rotatably carried by an engine body and configured to synchronously move the divergent flaps between the first and second divergent positions and a second sync ring rotatably carried by the engine body and configured to synchronously move the convergent flaps between the first and second convergent positions. A method may translate rotation of the sync ring to movement of a vehicle surface between radially outward and inward positions. | 05-14-2015 |
20150128561 | THREE STREAM, VARIABLE AREA, VECTORABLE NOZZLE - An exhaust nozzle for a gas turbine engine may include a plurality of flap trains in the exhaust stream of the gas turbine engine. The flap trains are operable to selectively control three separate flow paths of gas that traverse the engine. A first stream of is the core airflow. The second stream of air is peeled off of the first stream to form a low pressure fan bypass air stream. The third stream of air traverses along the engine casing and is passed over a flap assembly to aid in cooling. The flaps are operable converge/diverge to control the multiple streams of air. | 05-14-2015 |
20150121897 | GAS TURBINE ENGINE WITH SOFT MOUNTED PRE-SWIRL NOZZLE - An exemplary gas turbine engine may include a compressor, a turbine, and a combustor disposed between the compressor and the turbine. The combustor generally may have an inner casing. The exemplary gas turbine may further include a pre-swirl nozzle configured to receive a cooling stream. The cooling stream may be supplied from a cooled cooling air stream. The pre-swirl nozzle may further be configured to direct at least a portion of the cooling stream to the turbine. The pre-swirl nozzle may be flexibly mounted to the inner casing of the combustor. | 05-07-2015 |
20150047315 | GAS TURBINE ENGINE FLOW DUCT HAVING INTEGRATED HEAT EXCHANGER - A gas turbine engine flow duct comprising a flow duct disposed along an engine centerline of the gas turbine engine and defining a stream flow passage, and first and second rows of heat exchangers disposed along the engine centerline of the gas turbine engine and integrated in the flow duct in fluid communication with the stream flow passage of the flow duct. | 02-19-2015 |
20150016971 | COMPARTMENTALIZATION OF COOLING AIR FLOW IN A STRUCTURE COMPRISING A CMC COMPONENT - A structure in a gas turbine engine comprises a spar and a CMC component adjoining the spar and separated from the spar by a cavity supplied by cooling air. At least one rope seal is installed in the cavity within a groove made in the spar to thus compartmentalize the cavity and control the flow of cooling air. | 01-15-2015 |
20150014994 | VEHICLE RECUPERATOR - An engine may have a recuperator that may be powered by an electrical generator driven by the engine. The recuperator may be disposed within or incorporated into a compressor discharge of the engine, such as in the form of a vane or tube. The engine may be configured to operate in a variety of modes at least some of which may use thermal energy from the recuperator to heat a fluid flow stream of the engine. An energy storage device may be used with an electrical generator to provide power to a load. | 01-15-2015 |
20150013340 | GAS TURBINE ENGINE COMBUSTOR LINER - A gas turbine engine variable porosity combustor liner has a laminated alloy structure. The laminated alloy structure has combustion chamber facing holes on one side and cooling plenum facing holes on a radially opposite side. The combustion chamber facing holes are in fluid communication with the cooling plenum facing holes via axially and circumferentially extending flow passages sandwiched between metal alloy sheets of the laminated alloy structure. Porous zones having respective different cooling flow amounts are formed in the laminated allow structure based on at least one of an arrangement of the combustion chamber facing holes, an arrangement of the cooling plenum facing holes, and an arrangement of the flow passages. | 01-15-2015 |
20140366563 | ADAPTIVE TRANS-CRITICAL CO2 COOLING SYSTEMS FOR AEROSPACE APPLICATIONS - A cooling system includes a heat exchanger through which a refrigerant flows, and which rejects heat to a fluid, an evaporator, a first circuit having an expansion device, a second circuit having an expansion machine coupled to a compressor, and a set of valves arranged to direct the refrigerant through the first circuit, the second circuit, or both the first and second circuits based on ambient conditions. | 12-18-2014 |
20140363276 | ULTRA HIGH BYPASS RATIO TURBOFAN ENGINE - An ultra high bypass ratio turbofan engine includes a variable pitch fan, a low pressure turbine, a reduction gearbox, and a plurality of outlet guide vanes. The ultra high bypass ratio turbofan engine has a bypass ratio between about 18 and about 40. The variable pitch fan and the low pressure turbine are coupled together by the reduction gearbox. The reduction gearbox reduces the speed of the variable pitch fan relative to the low pressure turbine. The plurality of outlet guide vanes are spaced aft of the variable pitch fan and are axially swept. The variable pitch fan and the low pressure turbine are configured to generate a fan pressure ratio between about 1.15 and about 1.24. | 12-11-2014 |
20140360205 | GAS TURBINE ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - One embodiment of the present disclosure is a unique gas turbine engine. Another embodiment of the present disclosure is a unique machine. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for gas turbine engines and electrical systems. | 12-11-2014 |
20140356177 | TURBINE SEGMENTED COVER PLATE RETENTION METHOD - An improved gas turbine cover plate assembly is disclosed for use in connection with segmented cover plates in turbine configurations where it is not possible to stagger the blades to create assembly clearance. The improved turbine assembly also avoids cover plate loading slots in the disc which can cause high stress features. The improved system also includes a method to axially retain segmented cover plates in relation to a turbine disc using a segmented retainer ring. | 12-04-2014 |
20140356125 | GAS TURBINE ENGINE HEAT EXCHANGER SYSTEM - An apparatus includes a gas turbine engine and a heat transfer system. The gas turbine engine includes an inlet particle separator that separates inlet air into scavenge air and clean air. A scavenge air path conveys the scavenge air from the inlet particle separator to the heat transfer system. A heat exchange fluid path conveys a heat exchange fluid to the heat transfer system and a cooled heat exchange fluid away from the heat transfer system. The heat transfer system is configured to transfer heat from the heat exchange fluid path to the scavenge air path to cool the heat exchange fluid. | 12-04-2014 |
20140352317 | INTERCOOLED GAS TURBINE WITH CLOSED COMBINED POWER CYCLE - A turbine engine includes a fan that provides an air flow to the turbine engine as compressor intake air and as compressor bypass air, a first stage compressor positioned to receive the compressor intake air and output a first stage compressed air, and a boiler positioned to cool the first stage compressed air using a fluid. A second stage compressor is positioned to receive the cooled first stage compressed air. A pump is configured to pump the fluid as a liquid into the boiler, extract energy from the first stage compressed air, and cause the cooling of the first stage compressed air. | 12-04-2014 |
20140327213 | RETENTION PIN AND METHOD OF FORMING - A retention pin assembly may include a stud having a head, a shaft, and a deformable end. The shaft may include a stepped surface having a greater diameter than the deformable end. The assembly may include a support member having an opening for receiving the deformable end. The support member may include a pocket. The stepped surface of the shaft may position the stud in relation to the support member. The deformable end of the stud may be operable to be melted to form a mechanical retainer within the pocket without forming a metallurgical joint between the stud and the pocket. | 11-06-2014 |
20140311164 | GAS TURBINE ENGINE AND TURBINE BLADE - One embodiment of the present invention is a unique turbine blade for a gas turbine engine. Another embodiment is a unique gas turbine engine. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for gas turbine engines and turbine blades for gas turbine engines. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith. | 10-23-2014 |
20140303832 | DISTRIBUTED CONTROL SYSTEM WITH SMART ACTUATORS AND SENSORS - A system for controlling operation of an aircraft engine includes a master controller, a control node coupled to a component of the aircraft engine and to the master controller, wherein the control node includes a computing device for performing diagnosis of the component. The computing device is configured to assess performance of the component during operation of the aircraft, determine whether the component is performing within specification, and if not performing within specification, indicate that the component is out of specification. | 10-09-2014 |
20140301849 | TURBINE SPLIT RING RETENTION AND ANTI-ROTATION METHOD - A gas turbine engine disk split retainer ring system is provided and includes an apparatus and method for retaining a split ring in relation to a turbine cover plate or disk. Pegs are used to capture and retain a split retainer ring of the gas turbine rotor in relation to the cover plate. An anti-rotation peg has a radially oriented tab for engaging the split ring so as to control the rotation of the ring. The system may be used to balance the operating condition of a turbo machine. | 10-09-2014 |
20140277992 | INTEGRATED HEALTH MANAGEMENT APPROACH TO PROPULSION CONTROL SYSTEM PROTECTION LIMITING - A real-time engine management system having a controller system configured to control demand on a first component of an engine. The controller system is also configured to access a first set of prognostic data about the first component, where the first set of prognostic data includes a remaining lifespan approximation of the first component operating at a present operating condition. The controller system is also configured to identify a temporal length of an engine procedure operating at the present operating condition, alter a current limit constant associated with the first component to increase the remaining lifespan approximation of the first component beyond the temporal length, and implement the current limit constant associated with the first component so that the first component does not fault during the engine procedure. | 09-18-2014 |
20140277991 | PROGNOSTIC HEALTH MANAGEMENT APPROACHES FOR PROPULSION CONTROL SYSTEMS - A real-time gas turbine management system includes a controller system coupled to a gas turbine engine. The controller system is configured to control demand on a first and second component of a gas turbine engine. The controller system is configured to identify a set point reference of the first component, identify a set point reference of the second component, and identify a data set indicative of a level of deterioration of the gas turbine engine. The controller system is also configured to change the set point reference of the first component to extend a lifespan of the gas turbine engine and/or change the set point reference of the second component to extend the lifespan of the gas turbine engine. | 09-18-2014 |
20140271116 | HEAT EXCHANGER INTEGRATED WITH A GAS TURBINE ENGINE AND ADAPTIVE FLOW CONTROL - One embodiment of an engine may include an enclosure surrounding an engine having an engine centerline, and the enclosure defining a passage for a cold-side airflow. The engine may also include one or more contiguous heat exchangers having a cold side inlet surface receiving a cold-side airflow. The heat exchanger may be disposed within the passage, such that a surface normal relative to the cold side inlet surface is offset by at least 30 degrees from the engine centerline. | 09-18-2014 |
20140271038 | RETENTION PIN AND METHOD OF FORMING - An improved retention pin assembly and method of forming a pin assembly that uses a melt in a pocket without a metallurgical joint having been formed. The assembly can be generated by a method of forming a joint which includes providing a metal shaft and a member that is operable to receive the shaft. A pocket is formed within the member which operates to receive a melt pool. Next the shaft is inserted into apertures in the member. A welding or melting operation is then performed to create a melted portion that occupies the pocket. A joint is created using a retention pin. | 09-18-2014 |
20140263737 | THREE STREAM, VARIABLE AREA FIXED APERTURE NOZZLE WITH PNEUMATIC ACTUATION - An exemplary nozzle having a variable internal exhaust area for a gas turbine engine can have a plurality of flap trains extending around a periphery of the gas turbine engine. Each flap train can include a convergent flap pivotally attached to an engine body and a divergent flap pivotally attached to the engine body downstream of the convergent flap. The nozzle can further have a fluid circuit in communication with the convergent and divergent flaps and configured to pivot the convergent and divergent flaps between a radially inward position and a radially outward position. | 09-18-2014 |
20140260980 | LIQUID FLOW WITH GAS MIXING - A system for removing oxygen from a fuel is provided including a pressurized gas lumen and a liquid transport lumen having a fuel separation device. The liquid transport lumen is positioned partially within the pressurized gas lumen and includes a plurality of openings formed along its length within said pressurized gas lumen. A shearing feature is formed within the liquid transport lumen and is positioned downstream of the openings and upstream of the fuel separation device. The gas enters the liquid transport lumens through the openings to form a plurality of bubbles removing oxygen from the fuel. The shearing feature collapses the bubbles into larger bubbles prior to flow into the fuel separation device. | 09-18-2014 |
20140260341 | ADAPTIVE TRANS-CRITICAL CARBON DIOXIDE COOLING SYSTEMS - A cooling system includes a first heat exchanger, an evaporator coupled to a thermal load of an aircraft. first and second cooling circuits coupled to the heat exchanger, the first and second cooling circuits selectable via a set of cooling circuit valves that are arranged to direct a refrigerant through the first circuit, the second circuit, or both the first and second circuits based on air passing through the first heat exchanger at ambient conditions of the aircraft, and a receiver configured to accumulate reserve refrigerant to provide flexibility in system operation as the cooling system operates in sub-critical, trans-critical, and super-critical modes of operation. | 09-18-2014 |
20140260340 | ADAPTIVE TRANS-CRITICAL CO2 COOLING SYSTEMS FOR AEROSPACE APPLICATIONS - A cooling system for an aircraft includes a first cooling circuit having a first evaporator and a second evaporator, and a second cooling circuit having a third evaporator and a fourth evaporator. One of the first and second cooling circuits includes a first set of valves arranged to direct refrigerant through a first cooling sub-circuit, a second cooling sub-circuit, or both the first and second cooling sub-circuits based on ambient conditions. Two of the evaporators are installed on a first side of the aircraft, and the other two of the four evaporators are installed on a second side of the aircraft opposite the first side, and the first and second cooling circuits reject heat, via a heat exchanger, from their respective cooling circuit to air passing into an engine of the aircraft. | 09-18-2014 |
20140260282 | GAS TURBINE ENGINE COMBUSTOR LINER - A gas turbine engine variable porosity combustor liner has a laminated alloy structure. The laminated alloy structure has combustion chamber facing holes on one side and cooling plenum facing holes on a radially opposite side. The combustion chamber facing holes are in fluid communication with the cooling plenum facing holes via axially and circumferentially extending flow passages sandwiched between metal alloy sheets of the laminated alloy structure. Porous zones having respective different cooling flow amounts are formed in the laminated alloy structure based on at least one of an arrangement of the combustion chamber facing holes, an arrangement of the cooling plenum facing holes, and an arrangement of the flow passages. | 09-18-2014 |
20140255181 | GAS TURBINE ENGINE DIFFUSER SYSTEM FOR A HIGH PRESSURE (HP) COMPRESSOR - A gas turbine engine includes a compressor assembly that is rotationally coupled to a shaft. The engine includes a radial diffuser assembly coupled to a shroud of the compressor assembly and positioned to receive compressed air from a centrifugal impeller. The radial diffuser assembly includes a first arcuate wall and a second wall, and a near axial diffuser coupled to the radial diffuser assembly and positioned to receive the compressed air from the radial diffuser assembly. The gas turbine includes a gas seal coupled between the second wall and a wall of the near axial diffuser, the gas seal configured to prevent the compressed air from passing through the seal while allowing relative motion between the radial diffuser assembly and the near axial diffuser. | 09-11-2014 |
20140250894 | DUAL-WALL IMPINGEMENT, CONVECTION, EFFUSION (DICE) COMBUSTOR TILE - A gas turbine engine includes a combustor having a dual-wall impingement convention effusion combustor tile assembly. The dual-wall tile assembly provides a cooling air flow channel and attachments for securing the tile to the cold skin liner of the combustor. Cooling is more efficient in part due to the dual wall construction and in part due to reduced parasitic leakage, and the design is less sensitive to attachment features which operate at lower temperatures. | 09-11-2014 |
20140248142 | GAS TURBINE ENGINE IMPELLER SYSTEM FOR AN INTERMEDIATE PRESSURE (IP) COMPRESSOR - A gas turbine engine includes a compressor assembly that is rotationally coupled to a shaft, the compressor assembly having a centrifugal impeller and a shroud covering a bladed portion of the centrifugal impeller. The compressor assembly includes a diffuser that is attached to the shroud via a pair of flanges, the diffuser including a strut that is mounted through an aft-extending leg to a base of an intercase. A sealing assembly is attached to the diffuser and is attachable to a transition duct that is positioned to receive air from the diffuser. The sealing assembly is configured to prevent air from passing through the sealing assembly while allowing relative motion to occur between the transition duct and the diffuser. | 09-04-2014 |
20140248122 | HIGH PRESSURE COMPRESSOR THERMAL MANAGEMENT - A gas turbine engine includes an inner shaft extending axially along the gas turbine engine, a plurality of disks extending radially inwardly and toward the inner shaft, at least one hole in at least one of the plurality of disks, and an obstruction positioned between the inner shaft and an end of the disk having the at least one hole, such that a bore flow that flows along an axial length of the inner shaft is obstructed from flowing along the shaft by the obstruction, and forced to flow radially outward from the obstruction, through the at least one hole, and radially inward toward the inner shaft. | 09-04-2014 |
20140246864 | GAS TURBINE ENGINE - One embodiment of the present disclosure is a unique gas turbine engine having an electrical machine for generating electrical power. Other embodiments include other unique gas turbine engines having electrical machines for generating electrical power. Still other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for gas turbine engines having electrical machines for generating electrical power. | 09-04-2014 |
20140246170 | RAM AIR THERMAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - An aircraft may have a heat generating component and an engine, at least one of which generates a heat load, and a thermal management system to cool the heat load. The engine may have a duct and an engine fan configured to draw an inlet air stream into an inlet portion of the duct, where at least a portion of the inlet air stream may be used as an engine air stream. The thermal management system may include a cooling circuit configured to circulate a fluid through the heat load such that at least a portion of it may be transferred to the fluid, a heat exchanger configured to enable heat transfer between the fluid and a cooling air stream, and a pumping device. The pumping device may be configured to draw the cooling air stream through the heat exchanger and into a portion of the engine air stream. | 09-04-2014 |
20140237954 | PARTICLE SEPARATOR - One embodiment of the present disclosure is a unique particle separator. Another embodiment is a unique aircraft. Another embodiment is a unique inertial particle separator. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for aircraft, engines and particle separators for aircraft and engines. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith. | 08-28-2014 |
20110024567 | ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATION APPARATUS FOR CONTRA-ROTATING OPEN-ROTOR AIRCRAFT PROPULSION SYSTEM - An electrical power generation apparatus is embedded in a contra-rotating propulsion system that includes overlapping first and second shafts operatively connected for counter-rotation about a common axis. The electrical power generation apparatus includes a winding mounted to one of the shafts and a field array mounted to the other of the shafts adjacent to the winding. Relative rotation of the winding and the field array induces electrical current in the winding. | 02-03-2011 |
20090288628 | Electrically isolated rotor ground - A thrust-producing engine includes an engine structure, a rotor that is electrically isolated from the engine structure, and an electrical conductor connected to the engine structure. The electrical conductor is in electrical contact with the engine structure and the rotor as the rotor rotates relative to the electrical conductor and the engine structure to reduce electrical arcing between the engine structure and the rotor. | 11-26-2009 |
20090288388 | Gas turbine exhaust - An exhaust device is disclosed that includes a duct that turns an exhaust flow from a gas turbine engine from a first direction to a second direction. A diverter cup is disposed within the duct and serves to split the exhaust flow into two streams as well as introduce cooling air through an ejector pump at the downstream end of the diverter cup. A splitter is disposed downstream of the diverter cup and serves to split the cooling air into two streams which are thereafter mixed with the split exhaust flow. A diffuser is created in the exhaust device between the duct and the splitter. Various cooling slots are also provided in the duct. | 11-26-2009 |