Abstract: A system for measuring a velocity or volumetric fluid flow rate of a fluid flow passing within a pipe includes a SONAR flow meter configured to determine a measured velocity or volumetric rate of a fluid flow passing within a pipe. The system further includes a CFD analysis device configured to produce a simulated velocity or volumetric rate of the fluid flow passing within the pipe. The system further includes a processing unit in communication with the CFD analysis device and the SONAR flow meter. The processing unit is configured to produce at least one error function based on the measured velocity or volumetric fluid flow rate and the simulated velocity or volumetric fluid flow rate, and is configured to determine an adjusted velocity or volumetric fluid flow rate using the at least one error function and the measured velocity or volumetric fluid flow rate.

Abstract: A fluid damping structure is provided that includes an inner and outer annular elements, first and second ring seals, first and second outer annular seals. The inner annular element has an outer radial surface and a plurality of annular grooves disposed in the outer radial surface. The outer annular element has an inner radial surface. A damping chamber is defined by the inner and outer annular elements, and the first and second inner ring seal. A first lateral chamber is disposed on a first axial side of the damping chamber. A second lateral chamber is disposed on a second axial side of the damping chamber. A plurality of fluid passages are disposed in at least one of the inner annular element or the inner ring seals. The fluid damping structure is configurable in an open configuration and a closed configuration.

Abstract: An actively controlled squeeze film damper system comprises a housing defining an annulus receiving a damping fluid during operation, a lubricant source supplying damping fluid to the annulus, and a sensor assembly for measuring a parameter indicative of a compressibility of the damping fluid. A control device adjusts the compressibility of the damping fluid within a predefined range.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a parameter of a fluid flow passing within a pipe is provided. The apparatus includes a sensing device and a processing unit. The sensing device has a sensor array that includes at least one first macro fiber composite (MFC) strain sensor disposed at a first axial position, and at least one second MFC strain sensor disposed at a second axial position. The first axial position and the second axial position are spaced apart from one another. The at least one first MFC strain sensor and the at least one second MFC strain sensor are both configured to produce signals representative of pressure variations of the fluid flow passing within the pipe. The processing unit is configured to receive the signals from the sensor array and measure one or more fluid flow parameters based on the signals.

Abstract: A hydrostatic seal configured to be disposed between relatively rotatable components includes a seal carrier. The seal also includes a beam extending axially from a forward end to an aft end, the beam cantilevered to the seal carrier at one of the forward end and the aft end, the beam free at the other end. The seal further includes a brush seal operatively coupled to the seal carrier and in contact with the beam.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprises a fan rotor having fan blades received within an outer nacelle. The fan blades are provided with at least a first type having a first natural frequency, and a second type having a second natural frequency. The fan rotor has a first mount structure intended for the first type and a distinct second mount structure intended for the second type. The first type of fan blade fits into the first mount structure intended for the first type, but there is a first obstruction preventing the first type of fan blade from being placed into the second mount structure intended for the second type. The second type of fan blade fits into the second mount structure intended for the second type, but there is a second obstruction preventing the second type of fan blade from being placed into the first mount structure intended for the first type.

Abstract: An aeromechanical identification system for turbomachine includes at least one actuator mounted on a stationary structure to excite rotatable airfoils. At least one sensor is mounted proximate the airfoils for measuring a response of the airfoils responsive to excitation from the at least one actuator. A controller is configured to determine a damping characteristic of an aeromechanical mode of the rotating airfoils based on the excitation and the response. A gas turbine engine and a method of determining a flutter boundary for an airfoil of a turbomachine are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for blade health inspection is provided. The system may include a health monitoring processor, an excitation actuator, and a health monitoring sensor. The excitation actuator may pulse a force against an engine blade to cause non-integral vibratory excitations in engine blades. The health monitoring sensor may measure the vibratory excitations. The health monitoring processor may analyze the vibratory excitations to determine the health of the engine blade.

Abstract: An actively controlled squeeze film damper system comprises a housing defining an annulus receiving a damping fluid during operation, a lubricant source supplying damping fluid to the annulus, and a sensor assembly for measuring a parameter indicative of a compressibility of the damping fluid. A control device adjusts the compressibility of the damping fluid within a predefined range.

Abstract: A section for a gas turbine engine includes a rotating structure, a stationary structure, and a flow guide assembly arranged generally between the rotating structure and the stationary structure. A flow path is defined between the flow guide assembly and one of the rotating structure and the stationary structure. The flow guide assembly includes a plurality of apertures configured to disrupt acoustic waves of air in the flow path. A seal is configured to establish a sealing relationship between the rotating structure and the stationary structure, and wherein an inlet to the flow path is adjacent the seal. A gas turbine engine and a method of disrupting acoustic waves in a flow path of a gas turbine engine are also disclosed.

Abstract: A hydrostatic seal configured to be disposed between relatively rotatable components is provided. The seal includes a seal housing.

Abstract: A hydrostatic seal configured to be disposed between relatively rotatable components is provided. The seal includes a seal housing. The seal also includes a shoe extending axially from a forward end to an aft end to define an axial length, the shoe cantilevered to the seal housing at one of the forward end and the aft end, the shoe free at the other end.

Abstract: A hydrostatic seal configured to be disposed between relatively rotatable components includes a base. The seal also includes a seal housing. The seal further includes a shoe operatively coupled to the base and extending axially from a forward end to an aft end. The seal yet further includes a plurality of teeth extending radially from a sealing surface of the shoe, one of the teeth being a longest tooth that extends furthest radially from the sealing surface, the axial distance from the forward end of the shoe to the longest tooth being greater than a radial distance from a radial tooth tip to the sealing surface.

Abstract: A system is provided for testing a component. This system includes a support structure, an excitation system and a sensor system. The support structure is configured to support the component. The excitation system includes a plurality of excitation devices arranged in an array. The plurality of excitation devices at least include a first excitation device, a second excitation device and a third excitation device. The excitation system is configured to respectively control each of the plurality of excitation devices to excite a vibratory response in the component. The sensor system is configured to output data indicative of the vibratory response.

Abstract: A fluid damping structure is provided that includes a damper ring. The damper ring includes an annular body a plurality of fluid check valves, and at least one fluid stop. The annular body extends circumferentially around an axial centerline, and is defined by a first end surface, a second end surface, an outer radial surface, and an inner radial surface. The outer radial surface and the inner radial surface extend axially from the first end surface toward the second end surface. The body includes one or more check valve passages. Each check valve passage extends axially from an open end disposed at the first end surface inwardly toward the second end surface, and is disposed between the inner radial surface and the outer radial surface. An inlet aperture extends between each check valve passage and the outer radial surface, and an outlet aperture extends between each check valve passage and the inner radial surface. Each fluid check valve is disposed in a check valve passage.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for monitoring fluid flow passing within a pipe is provided. The method includes the steps of: a) providing a flow pressure value and a flow temperature value for the fluid flow within the pipe; b) providing a fluid flowmeter operable to be attached to an exterior of the pipe; c) providing one or more of an additional flow related measurement (e.g., DP, SOS, etc.); d) providing a processor adapted to include an equation of state model for the pressure, volume, and temperature properties for the fluid flow, and further adapted to receive composition data values for the fluid flow, the flow pressure value, and the flow temperature value, and the flow velocity signals from the flowmeter; and e) determining a volumetric flow rate of one or more phases of the fluid flow.

Abstract: A bearing assembly includes a bearing housing having a first bearing housing surface and a second bearing housing surface. The bearing housing surfaces are substantially axially parallel. A the first bearing housing surface has a first and second piston ring groove with a corresponding piston ring in each groove. A damper includes a first outer surface radially adjacent to and opposing the first bearing housing surface and a second outer surface radially adjacent to and opposing the second bearing housing surface. The second outer surface includes a third and fourth piston ring groove with a corresponding piston ring disposed in each groove. The bearing housing includes a damping fluid passage configured to provide damping fluid to a gap radially between the first outer surface and the first bearing housing surface and to a gap radially between the second outer surface and the second bearing housing surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is a flutter damper, including an acoustic liner having a perforated radial inner face sheet and a radial outer back sheet, the acoustic liner being configured for peak acoustical energy absorption at a frequency range that is greater than a frequency range associated with fan flutter, a chamber secured to the radial outer back sheet, the chamber being in fluid communication with the acoustic liner, and the chamber being configured for peak acoustical energy absorption at a frequency range that is associated with one or more fan flutter modes, and at least one stiffening structure connected to a top surface of the chamber that tunes the top surface out of the frequency range associated with one or more fan flutter modes.

Abstract: A fluid damping structure is provided that includes an inner annular element, an outer annular element, a first outer seal, a second outer seal, an inner seal, a damping chamber, a supply plenum, a fill port, and a plurality of fluid passages. The plurality of fluid passages is disposed in at least one of the inner annular element or the inner seal. The fluid damping structure is configured such that one or more of the fluid passages is disposed in an open configuration when a local damping fluid pressure within the damping chamber is less than a local damping fluid pressure in an adjacent region of the supply plenum, and the one or more of the fluid passages is disposed in a closed configuration when the local damping fluid pressure within the damping chamber is greater than the local damping fluid pressure in the adjacent region of the supply plenum.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine may include a liftoff carbon seal assembly. Liftoff carbon seal assembly may include a static seal support structure, a magnetic carrier spring assembly coupled to the static seal support structure, a nonferrous metal slab magnetically associated with the magnetic carrier spring assembly and coupled to the static seal support structure. In various embodiments, a combination of the magnetic carrier spring assembly and the nonferrous metal slab create a counter-force using an eddy current to oppose a motion of the magnetic carrier spring assembly.