Abstract: A seal for a gas turbine engine exhaust nozzle is provided, comprising a body, a spine member attached to one side of the body, and a plurality of face segments attached to the side of the body opposite that to which the spine member is attached. The body includes a length and a width, a plurality of corrugations formed in the body extending across the width, and a first and a second channel. One of the channels is positioned on one side of the body width and the other channel is positioned on the other side of the body width. Each face segment includes a first end and a second end. The ends of the face segments are freely received within the first and second channels such that the ends may translate within the channels.

Abstract: A vane assembly for a gas turbine engine is provided, which includes a plurality of vanes, an inner vane support, a casing, and apparatus for maintaining a pressure difference. Each vane has a leading edge, a trailing edge, an outer radial end, an inner radial end, and an internal cavity. The internal cavity includes a forward compartment adjacent the leading edge and an aft compartment adjacent the trailing edge. The casing, which includes an annulus, is positioned radially outside of the vanes. The vanes extend between the inner vane support and the casing. The apparatus for maintaining a pressure difference maintains a difference in the cooling air pressure within the forward and aft compartments of the vane cavity under operating conditions.

Abstract: A shroud for a rotor assembly disposed within a case is provided. The shroud includes suspension apparatus, a control ring, and a blade outer air seal. The suspension apparatus is disposed between the control ring and the case. The control ring includes a body and a first attachment mechanism. The blade outer air seal includes a second attachment mechanism. The first and second attachment mechanisms cooperate to secure the blade outer air seal to the control ring.

Abstract: An article is provided, comprising a structure and a coating for minimizing thermal gradients in the structure. The coating includes a plurality of first layers of thermally conductive material, and a plurality of second layers of thermally conductive material. The first layers of thermally conductive material are less thermally conductive than the second layers at any particular temperature, and the layers are applied to the article such that the second layers of thermally conductive material are distributed amongst the first layers of thermally conductive material. Conduction of thermal energy through the layers to the structure is substantially impeded within the first layers, and substantially laterally dispersed within the second layers, thereby minimizing any thermal gradients within the structure.

Abstract: A shroud for a rotor assembly is provided comprising a mounting ring, an aft seal ring, a forward seal ring, and a blade outer air seal. The mounting ring is fixed within the casing surrounding the rotor assembly, and includes a first attachment apparatus. The blade outer air seal includes a plurality of body segments. Each body segment includes a first face, a second face, a plurality of passages for receiving cooling air disposed between the faces, a second attachment apparatus, and a post for biasing each the body segment in contact with the aft seal ring. The first and second attachment apparatus cooperate to suspend the blade outer seal segments in close proximity to the rotor assembly.

Abstract: A cooled multi-wall liner is provided having an outer wall, an inner wall and a porous midsection disposed therebetween, attached to both walls. The outer wall includes a plurality of first apertures. The inner wall includes a plurality of sections separated by gaps. Fluid on the outer wall side of the liner at a pressure greater than fluid on the inner wall side of the liner may enter the liner through the first apertures, be diffused within the porous midsection, and exit the liner through the gaps between the sections of the inner wall.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a gap between adjacent rotor blades of a turbine engine rotor assembly and for damping vibrations of the rotor blades is provided. The apparatus comprises a platform seal and a damping block. The damping block is independent of the platform seal and includes apparatus for coupling the platform seal and the damping block. The damping block selectively acts against adjacent rotor blades of the turbine engine rotor assembly, forward of the platform seal, and therefore does not interfere with the platform seal. The coupled damping block and platform seal may be installed in the rotor disc prior to installation of the adjacent rotor blades in the disc, thereby obviating the need to blindly install the platform seal.

Abstract: An augmentor for a gas turbine engine with a nozzle is provided having an outer casing, a liner, a stiffening ring, a plurality of fingerseals, and apparatus for fastening the stiffening ring and the fingerseals to the liner. The liner includes a plurality of first cooling apertures. The stiffening ring includes a plurality of second cooling apertures. The finger seals are positioned between the liner and the stiffening ring. Each fingerseal includes a plurality of cooling slots having a lengthwise axis. The cooling slots, first apertures, and second apertures are relatively positioned such that cooling air passing through the second cooling holes must thereafter travel within one of the cooling slots in a direction substantially along the lengthwise axis of the slot, before entering the first apertures.

Abstract: A rotor blade for a rotor assembly is provided comprising a root, an airfoil, and a damper. The airfoil includes a base, a tip, a first cavity, a second cavity, and a passage. The passage includes a pair of walls converging from the first cavity to the second cavity, thereby connecting the first and second cavities. The damper is received within the passage. According to one aspect of the present invention, a difference in gas pressure across the damper biases the damper against the converging walls of the passage. According to another aspect of the present invention, centrifugal force biases the damper against the converging walls of the passage.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a gap between adjacent blades in a rotor assembly for a gas turbine engine is provided. The rotor assembly includes a plurality of blades circumferentially disposed around a disc. Each of the blades includes an airfoil, a root, and a platform extending outward in a lateral direction in a transition area between the root and the airfoil. The disc includes a plurality of complementary recesses circumferentially distributed around the disc for receiving the blade roots. The gaps are formed between edges of adjacent platforms. The platforms collectively form a flow path for primary fluid flow passing by the airfoil side of the platforms and secondary fluid flow passing by the root side of the platforms. The apparatus comprises a thin plate body and apparatus for conducting secondary flow between the thin plate body and root side surfaces of adjacent blade platforms, and thereafter into the gap.

Abstract: A rotor blade for a turbine engine rotor assembly is provided comprising a root, an airfoil, a platform, and apparatus for damping vibrations in the airfoil. The airfoil includes a pocket formed in a chordwise surface. The apparatus for damping vibrations in the blade includes a damper and a pocket lid. The damper is received within the pocket between an inner surface of the pocket and the pocket lid. The pocket lid is attached to the airfoil by conventional attachment apparatus and contoured to match the curvature of the airfoil.

Abstract: A brush seal for an apparatus having a stationary member and a rotating member is provided comprising a seal element and a seal ring. The seal element includes a plurality of bristles and is attached to one of the stationary or rotating members. The seal ring is detachably attached to the other of the stationary or rotating members, aligned with the seal element. The seal ring may be readily detached from the stationary or rotating member and may be replaced in the event of mechanical damage to the seal ring by the seal element. The seal ring isolates the stationary or rotating member, to which the seal ring is attached, from mechanical damage caused by the seal element.

Abstract: An overspeed governor comprises a pair of wedge brakes for selectively acting against a brake surface attached to the rotational shaft of an elevator drive. A maintaining apparatus is provided to maintain the wedge brakes in a normal position, out of engagement with the brake surface. A centrifugal actuating apparatus is also provided, attached to the rotational shaft of the elevator drive. If the rotational velocity of the elevator drive exceeds a predetermined limit, the centrifugal actuating apparatus displaces the maintaining apparatus, thereby allowing one of the wedge brakes to engage the brake surface.

Abstract: A tubular linear motor is provided having a secondary and a primary. The primary consists of a plurality of laminations and coils. Each lamination has a width with a plurality of notches removed therefrom, and a first end and second end, with a length extending therebetween. When the laminations are aligned, the notches collectively form channels which receive the coils. The plurality of coils are arranged in poles, each pole having a discrete number of coils corresponding to the number of phases in the current driving the linear motor, or a multiple thereof. A percentage of the coils corresponding to the phase closest to the first end of the primary, is positioned at the second end of the primary.

Abstract: The moving handrails of an escalator or moving walk-way are driven by a pair of linear powered belts which are positioned along a linear portion of the return path of travel of the escalator. Each handrail drive system includes a pair of drive belts which are entrained about a drive sprocket and an idler sprocket. The drive belts have toothed surfaces which engage teeth on the sprockets. The sides of the belts away from the toothed surfaces are smooth. The belts are moved along a rectilinear path which brings them into the underneath side of the returning handrail. A spreader forces the belts apart and into the side pockets on the handrail where they engage and drive the handrail. The drive system does not contact the outer surface of the handrail and does not move the handrail through a nip where it will bend.

Abstract: The handrail reentry housing on an escalator or moving walkway is provided with a set of journaled rollers which are disposed adjacent to each of the exposed surfaces of the handrail. The rollers are spaced apart slightly from the handrail, and are formed from a low coefficient of friction material such as ultra high molecular weight polyethylene. The rollers are freely rotatable and do not contact the moving handrail, therefore objects that may enter the space between the handrail and the reentry housing can be quickly and easily withdrawn without becoming entrapped therein.

Abstract: An optical fiber (28) disposed at the entry edge (32) of an escalator handrail guard (22) receives light from an LED (38), the magnitude of which is sensed by a detector (40), the output of which is compared (48) to determine whether its magnitude is sufficient to indicate the lack of intrusion of objects into the guard (22); if not a relay (56, 58) will drop power to the motor (62).

Abstract: The cab or counterweight pit buffer for an elevator system includes a cross beam disposed in the pit below the ground floor landing for the elevator. The cross beam is mounted on the cab or counterweight guide rails by means of safety brakes which will allow limited and controlled downward movement of the cross beam when a downwardly directed force is exerted on it. The cross beam carries at least one plunger-type spring or oil buffer on its upper surface for initial engagement with the cab or counterweight in the event the latter must be stopped by the pit buffer. The majority of the braking force for the descending cab or counterweight is provided by the safety brakes on the buffer cross beam. The buffer assembly is particularly adapted for high speed elevator systems.