Abstract: A hollow actuating ring and apparatus for actuating and/or vectoring the flaps of an aircraft gas turbine engine nozzle by transferring actuation loads from a small number of actuators to a greater number of pivotal divergent flap members of the nozzle. The actuating ring has a generally hollow annular structure including axially spaced apart coaxial forward and aft walls, struts axially extending between and structurally joining together the forward and aft walls, and a ring stiffening for decreasing the effective ring bending and torsional length of at least one of the forward and aft walls between the struts. Stiffening structure is provided for spreading out loads transferred from the struts to one of the forward and aft walls using structural braces extending diagonally between the struts and one of the forward and aft walls.

Abstract: A clearance control arrangement for the rotor blade-to-stator shroud clearance in an aircraft engine or other turbo machine. The disclosed arrangements use large area piston-like structures located circumferential to the turbo machine and capable of operation from pressures developed within the machine. One disclosed arrangement incorporates static adjustment capability that can be disposed to provide symmetrical or asymmetrical clearances. The disclosed clearance control can be used as a fast-acting supplement or in lieu of other clearance control arrangements and is arranged to be actuated upon sensing the onset of rotor-to-stator collision pinch point conditions in the turbo machine.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine thermal backbone deflection control apparatus to counter the effects of backbone bending due to nacelle aerodynamic, thrust, and maneuver loads by introducing a controlled backbone counter-bending moment by applying an uneven temperature or thermal field around the backbone to induce controlled compression and/or tensioning forces in the backbone or casing between axially spaced apart frames connected by the backbone. One embodiment of the invention provides for flowing thermal control air along an axially and circumferentially sector of the engine casing. The thermal backbone deflection control apparatus is controlled by the engines digital electronic control system using input signals generated by engine thrust load, inlet moment load sensors and/or blade tip clearance sensors.

Abstract: An expansion joint for connecting first and second fluid-carrying pipes comprising first and second annular couplings which are operably affixable to respective ones of the pipes. In a preferred embodiment the couplings include cylindrical bores of substantially the same diameter disposed relative to one another to form a passage for providing flow communication between the pipes. An annular bellows extends between the couplings for accommodating relative axial movement and angular misalignment between the pipes and is disposed radially outward of the passage to capture any fluid leaking between the interfacing surfaces of the couplings. A second cylindrical bore of a first one of the couplings engages an outer spherical surface of the second coupling to allow the second coupling to pivot in a manner which accommodates angular misalignment between the pipes.

Abstract: A tube coupling assembly for use in connecting first and second fluid-carrying tubes comprising an annular sleeve member and an annular ferrule which are operably affixable to respective ones of the tubes. A tube connector and a coupling nut threadingly engage one another so as to force first and second spherical surfaces of the sleeve member against generally frusto-conical surfaces of the ferrule and coupling nut respectively, thereby forming a fluid sealing means and accommodating angular misalignment between the tubes. An internal locking means is provided for preventing the disengagement of the sealing means. The coupling nut and tube connector each include wrenching surfaces which must be used to torque the assembly, with the applied torque and counter-torque avoiding torsional loading of the tubes.

Abstract: An aircraft engine thrust mount includes a pair of spaced apart thrust links pivotally joined at one end to an engine first frame and at opposite ends to a lever. A platform is fixedly joined to an aircraft pylon and includes first and second spaced apart clevises and a center clevis therebetween. The center clevis is pivotally joined to a center of the lever for carrying thrust force from the first frame through both thrust links and to the platform and pylon during normal operation. A pair of pins pivotally join the thrust links to the lever and extend through apertures in the platform first and second clevises to define predetermined gaps therebetween for allowing the lever to rotate relative to the platform center clevis up to a predetermined angular rotation. In a failure mode of operation the pins contact the platform first and second clevises for transmitting thereto either tension or compression thrust loads for providing an alternate failsafe loadpath.

Abstract: A system for changing pitch in aircraft propfans is disclosed, in which a motor, located at a stationary position, changes pitch of the blades by of a gear train. Three features of the system are that a feather brake can override the motor and drive the blades toward feather; a unison brake can prevent pitch from undergoing excursions toward fine pitch when propeller speed exceeds a limit; and the motor is non-rotating in the absence of pitch change. A pair of such systems can be used in a counterrotating propfan system, in order to independently change pitch of the propfans.

Abstract: In one type of aircraft propulsion system, propeller blades are mounted on a ring which surrounds a turbine. An annular space exists between the turbine and the ring. If a propeller blade should break free, the unbalanced centrifugal load tends to deform the ring. The invention reduces the deformation, as by locating spacers between the turbine and the ring.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine has a core frame separable from a vane frame for removably attaching the vane frame to a core structure through a mid ring. The mid ring includes an annular forward panel and an annular aft panel, each of which has a radially outer flange and a radially inner flange. The inner flanges are welded to the core frame and the outer flanges are bolted to the vane frame. A plurality of circumferentially spaced stiffeners extend between the forward and aft panels, with each of the stiffeners including a pair of stringers extending diagonally across the stiffeners. Panels may be incorporated with the stringers between the triangular shaped areas adjacent the forward and aft panels of the stiffener. The bolted connection between the mid ring and the vane frame includes a plurality of tongue and groove joints formed in the flanges of the mid ring and vane frame. The tongue and groove joints provide additional radial support for the core engine within the vane frame.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine combustor is provided, having a single wall sheet metal liner which is generally annular in shape which may be corrugated and a multi-hole film cooling means which includes at least one pattern of a great many small closely spaced sharply downstream angled film cooling holes disposed essentially along portion of the liner to be cooled. Another embodiment provided a corrugated aircraft engine afterburner sheet metal liner having at least one pattern of great many small closely spaced sharply downstream angled film cooling holes disposed essentially along the entire surface of the liner.

Abstract: A structural frame component for use in a gas turbine engine includes an annular outer shell, an annular inner central hub, a plurality of circumferentially-spaced struts extending between the outer shell and central hub, each strut being attached at its inner end to the central hub, and a multi-yoke attachment between the outer ends of the struts and the outer shell. The multi-yoke attachment is composed of a plurality of yokes. Each yoke includes a clevis and a plurality of radially oriented fasteners and tangentially oriented fasteners respectively attaching the clevis between the outer shell and the outer end of a respective one strut.

Abstract: A compressor discharge flowpath for a gas turbine engine includes flowpath outer and inner walls joined to a plurality of circumferentially spaced flowpath dividers extending therebetween. An inner support extends from the inner wall and is joined to a turbine nozzle, and an outer support extends from the outer wall and is joined to an engine casing. The outer support preferably includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced beams being sized and configured for carrying both axial force and torque transmitted therethrough from the turbine nozzle to the casing while allowing the beams to bend radially for accommodating differential thermal movement between the casing and the outer wall.

Abstract: The invention concerns aircraft propellers of the variable pitch type. Each propeller blade is carried by a trunnion which is rotatably mounted to a common ring. Each trunnion contains a reduction gear set which is driven by a radial shaft. The reduction gear sets multiply the torque applied by the shafts, thus allowing shafts of reduced diameter to be used. The reduced diameter is important when the shafts must pass through a turbine flowpath, and thus be concealed within turbine blades. The reduced diameter shafts can be easily concealed within turbine blades without redesigning and compromising blade aerodynamics.

Abstract: A telemetry carrier ring for use in a gas turbine engine includes an annular support ring connected to the engine and an annular carrier ring coupled to the support ring, each ring exhibiting different growth characteristics in response to thermal and mechanical loading. The carrier ring is coupled to the support ring by a plurality of circumferentially spaced web members which are relatively thin in an engine radial direction to provide a predetermined degree of radial flexibility. the web members have a circumferential width and straight axial line of action selected to transfer torque and thrust between the support ring and the carrier ring without substantial deflection. The use of the web members with radial flexibility provides compensation between the support ring and the carrier ring since the carrier ring grows at a different rate than the supporting ring.

Abstract: The clearances between an array of high pressure turbine blades and its surrounding high pressure turbine shroud as well as the clearances between an array of low pressure turbine blades and its associated low pressure turbine shroud are carefully controlled by a support structure which provides for evenly controlled circumferential cooling of the shroud support structure. Radial loads on the shroud support structure are reduced by counterbalancing loads imposed on the support structure by the shroud with predetermined pressure loads controlled and set through a series of cooling air cavities. The high pressure turbine shroud and low pressure turbine shroud are formed as integral segments in a segmented shroud design. Forward and aft shroud hanger members interconnect the shroud with its support so as to facilitate assembly and disassembly of the shroud segments to and from their support structure.

Abstract: The invention concerns a cowling for aircraft propulsion systems of the counterrotating propeller type. The cowling includes a pair of mounting rings located fore and aft of a propeller array. Removable panels extend between the mounting rings and contain openings through which the propeller blades extend.

Abstract: The invention concerns a connector, in an aircraft engine, for mounting a ring to a turbine rotor which the ring surrounds. The ring carries propeller blades, and the connector transmits both thrust and torque loads between the ring and the rotor, without significant deformation. However, the connector does deform in order to accommodate differential thermal growth between the ring and the rotor.

Abstract: A simplified actuation system for positioning the divergent flaps of a vectorable two-dimensional exhaust nozzle is disclosed. The system includes lever arms having cam surfaces pivotably attached to diverent flap crank shafts. An actuator is pinned to the nozzle sidewall and operably connected to a slider bar which has two cam followers at either end which are fixed with respect to each other and enage the cam surfaces of the lever arms. The slider bar is slideably engaged to the nozzle sidewall so as to permit radial movement with respect to the nozzle centerline. As the convergent flaps are moved the lever arms are translated axially and the cam followers in cooperation with the cam surfaces on the lever arms schedule the relative angle between the divergent flaps and thereby the exit area of the nozzle. Vectoring is provided operating the actuators which translate the cam followers in the radial direction, up or down, thereby rotating the divergent flaps so that they are pitched up or down in unison.

Abstract: Air control mechanism within a power turbine section of a gas turbine engine. The power turbine section includes a rotor and at least one variable pitch propulsor blade. The propulsor blade is coupled to and extends radially outwardly of the rotor. A first annular fairing is rotatable with the propulsor blade and interposed between the propulsor blade and the rotor. A second fairing is located longitudinally adjacent to the first fairing. The first fairing and the second fairing are differentially rotatable. The air control mechanism includes a platform fixedly coupled to a radially inner end of the propulsor blade. The platform is generally positioned in a first opening and a first fairing. The platform and the first fairing define an outer space. In a first position corresponding with a first propulsor blade pitch, the platform is substantially conformal with the first fairing.

Abstract: Blade carrying means for variable pitch propulsor blades of a gas turbine engine are disclosed. The blade carrying means comprise dual, axially positioned rings and a plurality of generally cylindrical bearing journals supported between the rings. Each of the journals has a radially outer and inner edge and is adapted to support a single propulsor blade. The blade carrying means also comprise stiffening means, such as a bulkhead attached to the inner edge, for preventing distortion of the journal inner edge.