Abstract: A pulse detonation system for a gas turbine engine having a longitudinal centerline axis extending therethrough includes a rotatable cylindrical member having a forward surface, an aft surface, and an outer circumferential surface, where at least one stage of circumferentially spaced detonation chambers is disposed therein. The pulse detonation system further includes a shaft rotatably connected to the cylindrical member and a stator configured in spaced arrangement around the forward surface, the aft surface, and the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical member and a portion of the shaft. The stator has at least one group of ports formed therein which sequentially align with the detonation chambers as the cylindrical member rotates. In this way, detonation cycles are performed in the detonation chambers of each detonation stage so that reaction forces induced by the detonation cycles create a torque which causes the cylindrical member to rotate.

Abstract: A pulse detonation system for a gas turbine engine having a longitudinal centerline axis extending therethrough, the pulse detonation system includes an air inlet duct in flow communication with a source of compressed air, the air inlet duct including at least one port formed therein for permitting compressed air to flow therethrough, a fuel injector mounted to the air inlet duct in circumferentially spaced relation to each port, and a device mounted to the air inlet duct in circumferentially spaced relation to each fuel injector for initiating a detonation wave. A rotatable ring member is also positioned in coaxial relation around a portion of the air inlet duct, with the ring member including at least one stage of detonation disposed therein. Accordingly, a detonation wave is produced in each detonation stage and combustion gases following each detonation wave create a torque which causes the ring member to rotate.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating torque, the apparatus comprising: a rotor hub adapted for applying torque to a shaft; and a plurality of pulse detonation engines adapted for impulsively detonating a plurality of fuel/air mixtures to generate thrust forces and applying the thrust forces to the rotor hub to generate the torque.

Abstract: An apparatus for lifting and propelling a rotorcraft, the apparatus comprising: a rotor hub adapted for applying lift and propulsive forces to the rotorcraft; a plurality of rotor blades mechanically coupled to the rotor hub to form a rotor assembly and adapted for generating the lift and propulsive forces; and a plurality of pulse detonation engines adapted for impulsively detonating a plurality of fuel/air mixtures to generate thrust forces and applying the thrust forces to the rotor assembly.

Abstract: A pulse detonation system for a turbofan engine including a fan assembly and a turbine sub-system, which includes at least one turbine, is configured to create a temperature rise and a pressure rise within the turbofan engine and to generate thrust for the turbofan engine. The pulse detonation system includes a pulse detonation core assembly comprising at least one detonation chamber configured to detonate a fuel mixture. The pulse detonation core assembly is positioned between the fan assembly and the turbine sub-system.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising: an airfoil adapted for generating a lift force; and a first pulse detonation actuator disposed inside the airfoil and adapted for impulsively detonating a fuel/air mixture to produce a pressure rise and velocity increase of combustion products therein, the airfoil having a plurality of lift control holes adapted for communicating combustion product flows from the first pulse detonation actuator to an airfoil surface to modulate the lift force.

Abstract: A pulse detonation system for a turbofan engine including a fan assembly and a turbine sub-system, which includes at least one turbine, is configured to create a temperature rise and a pressure rise within the turbofan engine and to generate thrust for the turbofan engine. The pulse detonation system includes a pulse detonation core replacement assembly comprising at least one detonation chamber configured to detonate a fuel mixture. The pulse detonation core replacement assembly is positioned between the fan assembly and the turbine sub-system.

Abstract: A method facilitates generating thrust from a gas turbine engine using a pulse detonation system. The method includes introducing fuel and air to the engine, mixing fuel and air in a pulse detonation system deflagration chamber positioned radially outward from an engine exhaust centerbody, and detonating the fuel and air mixture within the pulse detonation system to facilitate increasing the temperature and pressure within the engine and to generate engine thrust.

Abstract: A turbofan engine includes a pulse detonation system to create a temperature rise and a pressure rise within the engine to generate thrust from the engine. The system includes a pulse detonation augmentor including a shock tube sub-system. The shock tube sub-system includes a plurality of shock tubes which mix air and fuel introduced to the pulse detonation augmentor and detonate the mixture. The detonation creates hot combustion gases which are directed from the engine to produce thrust for the engine. Alternatively, the system includes a pulse detonation augmentation system that replaces a core engine of a turbo-fan engine.

Abstract: A turbofan engine includes a pulse detonation system to create a temperature rise and a pressure rise within the engine to generate thrust from the engine. The system includes a pulse detonation augmentor including a shock tube sub-system. The shock tube sub-system includes a plurality of shock tubes which mix air and fuel introduced to the pulse detonation augmentor and detonate the mixture. The detonation creates hot combustion gases which are directed from the engine to produce thrust for the engine. Alternatively, the system includes a pulse detonation augmentation system that replaces a core engine of a turbo-fan engine.

Abstract: A turbofan engine includes a pulse detonation system to create a temperature rise and a pressure rise within the engine to generate thrust from the engine. The system includes a pulse detonation augmentor including a shock tube sub-system. The shock tube sub-system includes a plurality of shock tubes which mix air and fuel introduced to the pulse detonation augmentor and detonate the mixture. The detonation creates hot combustion gases which are directed from the engine to produce thrust for the engine. Alternatively, the system includes a pulse detonation augmentation system that replaces a core engine of a turbo-fan engine.

Abstract: A thrust reverser is provided for both modulating and reversing bypass flow discharged from a fan through a bypass duct of a turbofan gas turbine engine. The reverser includes an aft cowl joined to a forward cowl and having an aft end surrounding a core engine to define a discharge fan nozzle of minimum flow throat area. The aft cowl is axially translatable relative to the forward cowl from a first position fully retracted against the forward cowl, to a second position partially extended from the forward cowl, and to a third position fully extended from the forward cowl. A plurality of cascade turning vanes are disposed between the forward and aft cowls, and a plurality of thrust reversing deflector doors are pivotally mounted to the aft cowl and bound the bypass duct. The deflector doors are selectively deployed from a stowed position corresponding with the first and second positions of the aft cowl for allowing unrestricted flow of the bypass flow through the fan nozzle.

Abstract: The invention concerns the mounting of propeller blades to a ring-shaped rotor. The blades are of the variable pitch type, and the shank of each blade extends through a respective hole in the rotor. Each hole contains an annular shelf which is fastened to the wall of the hole and surrounds each shank. Each shank bears a pair of bearing races which sandwich the annular shelf in order to connect the blade to the rotor. Bearing rollers are positioned between the annular shelf and the bearing races.

Abstract: A method for coupling an engine to a support frame for mounting to a fuselage of an aircraft using a three point vibration isolating mounting system in which the load reactive forces at each mounting point are statically and dynamically determined. A first vibration isolating mount pivotably couples a first end of an elongated support beam to a stator portion of an engine with the pivoting action of the vibration mount being oriented such that it is pivotable about a line parallel to a center line of the engine. An aft end of the supporting frame is coupled to the engine through an additional pair of vibration isolating mounts with the mounts being oriented such that they are pivotable about a circumference of the engine. The aft mounts are symmetrically spaced to each side of the supporting frame by 45 degrees.

Abstract: High by-pass fan jet engine includes counterrotating turbine blade sets for receiving hot combustion gases from a core engine portion and driving the fan blades through a planetary gear-type reduction gear assembly. Lightweight, highspeed, concentric, counterrotating shafts transmit power from both turbine blade sets to the fan via the reduction gear assembly. A pair of planetary gear assemblies with fixed fing gears and a rotatable common planetary gear carrier is used to drive a single set of fan blades via the carrier, and a pair of planetary gear assemblies with a fixed common planetary gear carrier and rotatable ring gears is used to drive two or more counterrotating fan blade sets via the ring gears. A low pressure "booster" compressor feeding the core engine portion can be directly driven from one of the two high speed shafts.

Abstract: A coupling arrangement for supporting a power turbine in a gas turbine engine. The power turbine section comprises a stator structure, first and second rotors, and first and second bearings. The first and second rotors are coaxially disposed about a longitudinal axis of the stator. An annular gas flowpath is coaxially positioned between the first and second rotors. Annular arrays of turbine blades are coupled to the first and second rotors and extend into the flowpath so that a gas stream flowing through the flowpath reacts with the turbine blades causing the rotors to counterrotate. The first bearings are interposed between the first rotor and the stator structure to rotatably secure the first rotor to the stator structure. The second bearings are interposed between the second rotor and the first rotor to rotatably secure the second rotor to the first rotor.

Abstract: A power takeoff for an unducted fan gas turbine engine having first and second counterrotating coaxial rotors coupled respectively to first and second propellers. The rotors and propellers are oriented for rotation about a longitudinal axis of the engine. A gear is coupled to each of the rotors for rotation therewith and arranged to provide rotational motion about an axis transverse to the engine axis. A shaft is coupled to the gear for rotation about the transverse axis. Each of the propellers includes a plurality of propeller blades, each of the blades is rotatable about a corresponding blade axis, and a control is coupled to the blades for varying the pitch thereof whereby power is selectively distributed between the propellers and the power takeoff. The power takeoff may include a propeller coupled to the shaft for developing thrust substantially transverse to the engine axis and/or a pump, compressor, or generator to supply fluids or electric power to other apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a high bypass turbofan engine configuration wherein a fan drive turbine is divided into first and second turbine sections mounted for independent rotation within the engine frame. The first, higher pressure, higher speed turbine section is coupled to the fan section drive shaft via a gear box which reduces the rotational speed of the power delivered by the higher pressure first turbine section to match the design rotational speed of the fan section. The second turbine section, having a larger diameter and lower rotational speed as compared to the first turbine section, is directly connected to the fan section and drives the fan section at the same rotational speed as that of the second turbine section. In this manner, the fan drive shaft horsepower is provided while reducing the weight and size of the necessary gearing between the fan drive turbine and the fan. The weight and size of the fan drive turbine and the booster compressor are also reduced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coupling an engine to a support frame for mounting to a fuselage of an aircraft using a three point vibration isolating mounting system in which the load reactive forces at each mounting point are statically and dynamically determined. A first vibration isolating mount pivotably couples a first end of an elongated support beam to a stator portion of an engine with the pivoting action of the vibration mount being oriented such that it is pivotable about a line parallel to a center line of the engine. An aft end of the supporting frame is coupled to the engine through an additional pair of vibration isolating mounts with the mounts being oriented such that they are pivotable about a circumference of the engine. The aft mounts are symmetrically spaced to each side of the supporting frame by 45 degrees.

Abstract: A fluid seal arrangement for use in a turbomachine, having first and second adjacent sets of turbine blades arranged for relative rotation about a common machine axis. A main fluid flowpath is established across the blades. Parts of at least one set of blades form a clearance opening which communicates between the main fluid flowpath and an outside region. An annular arm projects over the clearance opening into the outside region to form with an outer periphery of the other set of blades an annular passage communicating with the clearance opening. An annular cavity on the other blades receives a buffer fluid. Jet openings from the cavity direct a pressurized supply of the buffer fluid into the annular passage, to induce a sealing fluid flow from the outside region through the clearance opening and into the main fluid flowpath to prevent leakage of fluid from the main fluid flowpath through the clearance opening.