Abstract: A thrust reverser system for a turbine engine includes a support structure, a transcowl, and a door. The transcowl is mounted on the support structure and is axially translatable, relative to the support structure, between first and second positions. The door is pivotally coupled to the support structure and is rotatable, about a pivot axis, between stowed and deployed positions when the transcowl translates between the first and second positions, respectively. The door has an internal surface and a balance plane, and pressure forces acting along the balance plane effectively creates no moment about the pivot axis. The internal surface of the door has a first surface area forward of the balance plane and a second surface area aft of the balance plane, and the second surface area substantially exceeds the first surface area.

Abstract: A thrust reverser system comprising a single row vane assembly is provided. The provided thrust reverser system is capable of meeting performance requirements for turbine engines with reduced weight and cost.

Abstract: Systems and methods for additive manufacturing for air data probes are provided. In at least one embodiment a probe comprises a support structure comprising one or more ports for receiving one or more fluids, the support structure comprising an endoskeleton mandrel having an opening for receiving a fluid; and a heating cable encircling an external surface of the endoskeleton mandrel. The probe also comprises an additive coating fused to the external surface of the endoskeleton mandrel and an external surface of the heating cable; and an internal assembly inside the support structure for carrying pressures from the one or more ports to one or more instruments that respond to the one or more fluids to provide a measurement.

Abstract: An air data probe includes a probe body. The air data probe also includes a housing surrounding the probe body, wherein a cavity is defined between the probe body and the housing. The air data probe also includes a heater element disposed within the cavity between the probe body and the housing. The air data probe also includes a low melting point metal disposed within the cavity between the probe body and the housing, wherein engaging the heater element causes at least a portion of the low melting point metal to transition from a solid state to a liquid state.

Abstract: An air data probe comprises an elongated body structure having a proximal end and a distal end, with the elongated body structure including an outer surface and an opposing inner surface that defines an interior channel. A probe tip is located at the distal end of the elongated body structure, with the probe tip including an outer surface and an inner surface that are contiguous with the outer an inner surfaces of the elongated body structure. The probe tip has an opening in communication with the interior channel that allows outside air to pass from the probe tip into the interior channel. An electrical heater cable is coupled to the elongated body structure and the probe tip. The electrical heater cable comprises a compact double layer helix portion coupled to the elongated body structure or the probe tip, or coupled to both the elongated body structure and the probe tip.

Abstract: A precooler system having a symmetrical precooler core that is optimized to be integrally mounted to the turbofan engine, regardless of the turbofan engine size, is provided. The provided precooler system optimizes available space between a turbofan engine and the nacelle, and does not substantially increase weight and cost. The provided precooler system may be flexibly implemented as either a right handed precooler system or a left handed precooler system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for additive manufacturing for air data probes are provided. In at least one embodiment a probe comprises a support structure comprising one or more ports for receiving one or more fluids, the support structure comprising an endoskeleton mandrel having an opening for receiving a fluid; and a heating cable encircling an external surface of the endoskeleton mandrel. The probe also comprises an additive coating fused to the external surface of the endoskeleton mandrel and an external surface of the heating cable; and an internal assembly inside the support structure for carrying pressures from the one or more ports to one or more instruments that respond to the one or more fluids to provide a measurement.

Abstract: Plenums for bifurcated ducts and bifurcated ducts are provided for stabilizing flow therethrough. The plenum comprises an outer cylindrical body intersected by a pair of exhaust duct stubs that are configured to be coupled to a corresponding pair of exhaust ducts and an inner body. The outer cylindrical body includes an axial rear end portion. The inner body is disposed in the axial rear end portion and increases in diameter in the aft direction. The inner body comprises one of a generally axi-symmetrical inner body or a non-axi-symmetrical inner body. The bifurcated duct comprises the plenum and the pair of exhaust ducts. Exhaust systems are also provided.

Abstract: A system for directing air flow to separate plena of a compartment that is defined at least by a compartment wall includes a NACA scoop, and a Pitot scoop. The NACA scoop is formed in the compartment wall, and includes two side walls, a bottom wall, and an entrance lip that is defined by the compartment wall and is spaced apart from the bottom wall to form a NACA scoop air inlet. The Pitot scoop is longitudinally aligned with the NACA scoop, includes a Pitot scoop air inlet, a Pitot scoop air outlet, and a Pitot scoop flow passage.

Abstract: A system for directing air flow to separate plena of a compartment that is defined at least by a compartment wall includes a NACA scoop, and a Pitot scoop. The NACA scoop is formed in the compartment wall, and includes two side walls, a bottom wall, and an entrance lip that is defined by the compartment wall and is spaced apart from the bottom wall to form a NACA scoop air inlet. The Pitot scoop is longitudinally aligned with the NACA scoop, includes a Pitot scoop air inlet, a Pitot scoop air outlet, and a Pitot scoop flow passage.

Abstract: A bleed air duct that preferably includes an inlet section configured to include a flush scoop and a louver. The louver is located and configured such that in the desired operating flow range of the duct, the fluid entering the flush scoop is disturbed and as a result creates a low pressure region downstream of the louver. The low pressure region substantially eliminates the generation of any pressure pulses and acoustic resonance also known as Helmholtz resonance.

Abstract: A mixer for a turbofan engine includes a centerbody and a mixer nozzle. The mixer nozzle surrounds at least a portion of the centerbody and is spaced apart to define a core flow path between the mixer nozzle and the centerbody. The mixer nozzle is configured, when bypass air flows through the turbofan engine, to direct at least a portion of the bypass air to impinge on the centerbody. The mixer nozzle includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced mixer lobes that extend axially in a rearward direction and have a cross-section shape defined by a set of equations.

Abstract: A bleed air duct that preferably includes an inlet section configured to include a flush scoop and a louver. The louver is located and configured such that in the desired operating flow range of the duct, the fluid entering the flush scoop is disturbed and as a result creates a low pressure region downstream of the louver. The low pressure region substantially eliminates the generation of any pressure pulses and acoustic resonance also known as Helmholtz resonance.

Abstract: A burner-based system for producing exhaust that simulates the exhaust produced by a production type internal combustion engine. The system is computer controlled so that parameters such as the composition of the exhaust, its rate of flow, and its temperature can be specified. This permits various engine operating conditions to be simulated. An emissions control device can be installed to receive the exhaust, and to thereby undergo rigorous testing. Various tests for durability can be performed.

Abstract: A system is provided in an aircraft that includes a power unit and an eductor. The power unit has a nozzle, and is configured to exhaust gas, a portion of which flows in a swirling motion, through the nozzle. The eductor communicates with the power unit and includes a housing and a plurality of flow straighteners. The housing has an inlet, an outlet, and an inner peripheral surface that defines a flow passage. The inlet is configured to surround at least a portion of the nozzle and to receive the gas, and the outlet is configured to exhaust the gas. The plurality of flow straighteners extend radially inwardly from the housing inner surface into the flow passage and are configured to reduce swirl motion of the gas that flows therethrough. The power unit may be an auxiliary power unit or a turboshaft engine.

Abstract: Compact exhaust mixer assemblies comprising a compact mixer and a trimmable open centerbody are provided. The trimmable center body allows for adjustments of the open centerbody after manufacturing and during production testing. The trimmable open centerbody may be used to compensate for production tolerances making it possible to obtain the desired core effective area for proper engine operation. The compact mixer may be either lobed or serrated. The compact exhaust mixer assemblies have a length of about half that of conventional exhaust mixer assemblies.

Abstract: A thrust vector control system for a flight vehicle comprises a fixed nozzle defining a first thrust vector direction and at least one exhaust deflector moveable to a location downstream of said fixed nozzle to provide a second thrust vector direction. Movement of the at least one exhaust deflector may allow for simultaneous control of both thrust vector direction and nozzle throat area. Translational motion of each exhaust deflector may be independently controlled. A flight vehicle incorporating a thrust vector control apparatus, and a method for thrust vector control are also disclosed.

Abstract: An exhaust mixer assembly having a twisted mixer and an open centerbody is provided. The open centerbody is centrally disposed within the twisted mixer and helps to provide efficient cooling of exhaust air from gas turbine engines. A method for cooling exhaust air from a gas turbine engine using the exhaust mixer assembly of the invention is also provided.

Abstract: A combustor liner for shielding an engine from heat generated in a combustion zone includes a sheet with a cool surface for intercepting a cooling air stream and a hot surface enclosing the combustion zone, the combustor liner further including an array of effusion holes extending from the cool surface to the hot surface to allow a portion of the cooling air stream to pass through the effusion holes into the combustion zone, where a portion of the array includes a plurality of upstream-pointed effusion holes oriented such that each upstream-pointed effusion hole has an orientation obtuse to a direction of main flow in the combustion zone so as to control the momentum of cooling air passing into the combustion zone.

Abstract: A solid rocket motor including a combustion chamber, in which propellant is ignited to produce combustion gas, and a nozzle having a throat with an effective flow area, implements a system and method to inject gas into the nozzle throat to control its effective cross sectional flow area. Controlling the effective cross sectional flow area of the nozzle throat in turn controls combustion chamber pressure, thus the burn rate of the propellant in the combustion chamber, and thus the thrust generated thereby.