Abstract: Example pump systems having dual-function annular heat exchangers are disclosed. An example pump system to pressurize a fluid within a closed loop transport bus includes a pump to move the fluid, a conduit in fluid connection with the pump, a heat exchanger positioned around at least a portion of the conduit, the heat exchanger to receive a first electrical signal transmitted in a first direction at a first time and a second electrical signal transmitted in a second direction at a second time different from the first time, the second direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: An air turbine starter that includes a housing. The housing can circumscribe a turbine coupled that is coupled to a gear train in a gear box via a drive shaft. The gear train can couple to an output shaft via at least a carrier. The air turbine starter can include at least a first bearing assembly and a second bearing assembly to rotatably support the drive shaft and the output shaft.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture are disclosed to dynamically support axial thrust in pumps. Examples disclosed herein include a thrust bearing system including a thrust disc coupled to an impeller shaft; a first thrust pad coupled to a body of the pump, the first thrust pad positioned on a forward side of the thrust disc; a second thrust pad coupled to the body of the pump, the second thrust pad positioned on an aft side of the thrust disc; and a spring-loaded assembly integrated into the first and second thrust pads, the spring-loaded assembly connected to a pump outlet via a first flowline, the first flowline to transmit a working fluid from the pump outlet to the forward side of the thrust disc or the aft side of the thrust disc based on a position of the spring-loaded assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture are disclosed to dynamically support axial thrust in pumps. Examples disclosed herein include a thrust bearing system including a thrust disc coupled to an impeller shaft; a first thrust pad coupled to a body of the pump, the first thrust pad positioned on a forward side of the thrust disc; a second thrust pad coupled to the body of the pump, the second thrust pad positioned on an aft side of the thrust disc; and a spring-loaded assembly integrated into the first and second thrust pads, the spring-loaded assembly connected to a pump outlet via a first flowline, the first flowline to transmit a working fluid from the pump outlet to the forward side of the thrust disc or the aft side of the thrust disc based on a position of the spring-loaded assembly.

Abstract: An airfoil assembly extends along a radial direction between a root and a tip, the airfoil assembly comprising: a first blade segment positioned proximate the root of the airfoil assembly; a second blade segment positioned adjacent the first blade segment along the radial direction; and a tensioning assembly comprising a plurality of tensioning strings that extend between and mechanically couple the first blade segment and the second blade segment.

Abstract: An airfoil assembly and a method of manufacturing the same are provided, the airfoil assembly defining a span axis, a root end, and a tip end. The airfoil assembly includes a reinforcement structure comprising a first helical support structure wrapped around the span axis between the root end and the tip end and a second helical support structure wrapped around the span axis between the root end and the tip end; a polymeric matrix material positioned at least partially around the reinforcement structure; and an outer skin positioned around the reinforcement structure and the polymeric matrix material.

Abstract: A pump system for pressurizing a fluid within a closed loop thermal transport bus is disclosed herein. The example of the pump system disclosed herein includes an electric motor including a rotor shaft and a stator, wherein the rotor shaft is to generate a first torque; a pump including an impeller coupled to an impeller shaft, wherein the impeller is to increase a kinetic energy of the fluid; a driver wheel attached to the rotor shaft, wherein the driver wheel is radially connected to a follower wheel; and a co-axial magnetic coupling to connect at least one of the follower wheel to the impeller shaft or the driver wheel to the rotor shaft, wherein the co-axial magnetic coupling includes an outer hub, an inner hub, and a barrier can, the barrier can to hermetically seal a portion of the pump system from the fluid.

Abstract: An airfoil assembly and a method of manufacturing the same are provided, the airfoil assembly defining a span axis, a root end, and a tip end. The airfoil assembly includes a reinforcement structure comprising a first helical support structure wrapped around the span axis between the root end and the tip end and a second helical support structure wrapped around the span axis between the root end and the tip end; a polymeric matrix material positioned at least partially around the reinforcement structure; and an outer skin positioned around the reinforcement structure and the polymeric matrix material.

Abstract: An air starter for starting a turbine engine that includes a housing, a turbine member, a drive shaft, and at least one bearing assembly. The housing can define an interior where the turbine member rotatably couples to the drive shaft, where the drive shaft or turbine member are rotatably supported by the least one bearing assembly. A scoop wheel located in the interior of the housing provides lubrication to the at least one bearing assembly.

Abstract: Impeller bearings for pumps are disclosed. An example fluid pump includes a motor, a shaft coupled to a rotor of the motor, an impeller coupled to the shaft, a first radial bearing positioned around the shaft of the motor aft of the motor, and a second radial bearing positioned around the impeller.

Abstract: High pressure magnetic coupling shrouds and methods of producing the same are disclosed herein. An example shroud disclosed herein includes an inner shell including a thermoplastic composite or a metal, and an outer shell including a composite material.

Abstract: Layered barrier cans and methods of producing the same are disclosed herein. An example shroud disclosed herein includes an inner shell including a first non-metallic material, an outer shell including the first non-metallic material or a second non-metallic material, and a metal core shell positioned between the inner shell and the outer shell.

Abstract: A pump system for pressurizing a fluid within a closed loop supercritical transport bus is disclosed herein. The examples of the pump system disclosed herein include an impeller coupled to an impeller shaft; an axial flux electric motor including rotors and a stator; a rotor shaft connected to the rotors, wherein the rotor shaft is coupled to the impeller shaft; a seal to prevent the fluid from contacting the axial flux electric motor; a first housing to frame the impeller shaft; and a second housing to frame the axial flux electric motor, wherein the second housing is separate from the first housing.

Abstract: Oil lubricated supercritical fluid pumps with oil separators are disclosed herein. An example pump system to pressurize a fluid within a closed loop thermal transport bus disclosed herein includes a pump housing, a duct fluidly coupled to the pump housing, a first portion of the duct to include a mixture of an oil and the supercritical fluid, a second portion of the duct to include the supercritical fluid, and a separator positioned in a third portion of the duct between the first portion of the duct and the second portion of the duct, the separator to separate the oil in the mixture from the supercritical fluid.

Abstract: A pump system for pressurizing a fluid within a closed loop thermal transport bus is disclosed herein. The example of the pump system disclosed herein includes an electric motor including a rotor shaft and a stator, wherein the rotor shaft is to generate a first torque; a pump including an impeller coupled to an impeller shaft, wherein the impeller is to increase a kinetic energy of the fluid; a driver wheel attached to the rotor shaft, wherein the driver wheel is radially connected to a follower wheel; and a co-axial magnetic coupling to connect at least one of the follower wheel to the impeller shaft or the driver wheel to the rotor shaft, wherein the co-axial magnetic coupling includes an outer hub, an inner hub, and a barrier can, the barrier can to hermetically seal a portion of the pump system from the fluid.

Abstract: A pump system to pressurize a fluid within a closed loop transport bus is disclosed herein. The example of the pump system disclosed herein includes a pump, including an impeller, to increase kinetic energy of a fluid flowing through the impeller; an electric motor, including a rotor shaft connected to the impeller, to provide torque to the rotor shaft; a first bearing to support the rotor shaft at a first operational speed range, the first bearing coupled to an inner race; a second bearing to support the rotor shaft at a second operational speed range, the rotor shaft coupled to an outer race; and one or more sprag elements configured to: engage the inner race with the outer race at the first operational speed range; and disengage the inner race from the outer race at the second operational speed range.

Abstract: An air turbine starter that includes a housing. The housing can circumscribe a turbine coupled that is coupled to a gear train in a gear box via a drive shaft. The gear train can couple to an output shaft via at least a carrier. The air turbine starter can include at least a first bearing assembly and a second bearing assembly to rotatably support the drive shaft and the output shaft.

Abstract: An air starter for starting a turbine engine that includes a housing, a turbine member, a drive shaft, and at least one bearing assembly. The housing can define an interior where the turbine member rotatably couples to the drive shaft, where the drive shaft or turbine member are rotatably supported by the least one bearing assembly. A scoop wheel located in the interior of the housing provides lubrication to the at least one bearing assembly.

Abstract: An air turbine starter that includes a housing. The housing can circumscribe a turbine coupled that is coupled to a gear train in a gear box via a drive shaft. The gear train can couple to an output shaft via at least a carrier. The air turbine starter can include at least a first bearing assembly and a second bearing assembly to rotatably support one or more of the drive shaft, the carrier, or the output shaft.

Abstract: An air turbine starter that includes a housing. The housing can circumscribe a turbine coupled that is coupled to a gear train in a gear box via a drive shaft. A primary air flow path is defined between a primary inlet and a primary outlet. Air in the primary air flow path can flow into a secondary air flow path or rotate the turbine, that converts energy from the air flow to rotational mechanical energy. Air in the secondary air flow path can pass through at least a first cavity and first passage before rejoining the primary air flow or joining ambient air.