Abstract: A sheet metal panel comprising a bent region is disclosed. The region defines a first arc of intersection with a first plane and a second arc of intersection with a second plane. The second arc has a radius of less than twice the thickness of the panel.

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.

Abstract: A method of fabricating sheet metal panels and the article produced thereby. According to one form, the method of fabrication includes the steps of providing a panel of sheet metal, perforating the panel to provide a plurality of holes, forming the panel into a preselected curve about a longitudinal centerline, forming the leading edge portion of the panel into a front flange, forming a shoulder in the panel centered on the holes and extending perpendicularly from a surface thereof, bending an outer portion of the shoulder into a lip, and bonding the portions of the panel comprising the shoulder and lip.

Abstract: Means for axially attaching a variable turbine vane array to a combustor in a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The attachment means are configured so that substantially all of the axial load on the array is transmitted through the walls of the combustor.

Abstract: Blade pitch varying means for use in a gas turbine engine are disclosed. The blade pitch varying means may be used on an engine with a single row or two counterrotating rows of variable pitch blades which are disposed outwardly from an annular gas flowpath and which are connected with a rotating airfoil within the flowpath. The blade pitch varying means comprise actuation means, bearing means, and gearing means. The actuation means are in a nonrotating reference frame disposed inwardly from the flowpath and deliver an axial force. The bearing means transmit the axial force from the nonrotating into a rotating reference frame which contains both the propulsor blade and the airfoil in the gas flowpath. The gearing means are located in the rotating reference frame and convert the axial force into a force for varying the blade pitch.

Abstract: A method of fabricating sheet metal panels and the article produced thereby. According to one form, the method of fabrication includes the steps of providing a panel of sheet metal, perforating the panel to provide a plurality of holes, forming the panel into a preselected curve about a longitudinal centerline, forming the leading edge portion of the panel into a front flange, forming a shoulder in the panel centered on the holes and extending perpendicularly from a surface thereof, bending an outer portion of the shoulder into a lip, and bonding the portions of the panel comprising the shoulder and lip.

Abstract: A combustion chamber for use in gas turbine engines is provided with a liner formed of a high temperature material. The liner includes a plurality of panels of the material mounted by means of a slideable friction mounting arrangement upon a high strength structural frame. As a result of this mounting arrangement, the liner is substantially isolated from structural forces associated with the combustion chamber, while the frame is substantially isolated from thermal stresses associated with the liner. Means are provided for positioning and securing individual liner panels in the circumferential, axial, and radial directions with respect to the frame as well as circumferentially with respect to other liner panels. The individual liner panels may be easily removed for repair or replacement without disassembling the frame and associated components. For the purpose of cooling, a cooling fluid is passed into a plenum to cool the radially outward side of the panels by convection.

Abstract: A combustion chamber for use in gas turbine engines is provided with a liner formed of a high temperature material. The liner includes a plurality of panels of material mounted by means of a slideable, frictional mounting arrangement upon a high strength structural frame. As a result of this mounting arrangement, the liner is substantially isolated from structural forces associated with the combustion chamber, while the frame is substantially isolated from thermal stresses associated with the liner. Means are provided for positioning and securing individual panel members axially relative to the frame. The panels may be continuous annular bodies, or may be circumferentially segmented. In the latter case, means are provided for mounting individual panels in a slideable, frictional cooperation with laterally adjacent panels, as well as for sealing the abutting junctions. The individual liner panels may be easily removed for repair or replacement without disassembling the frame and associated components.

Abstract: An improved rotary labyrinth seal such as may be used in a gas turbine engine. The seal includes a rotor with at least one seal tooth and a stator with an abradable shroud and casing. The first and second members cooperate to inhibit the flow of fluid therebetween. The improvement comprises a conduit for conducting a portion of the fluid through the casing for heat transfer between the fluid and second member. In this manner, the thermal response of the stator is improved.

Abstract: A structurally compact air-to-air heat exchanger, for a gas turbine engine of the fan bypass type, that permits a lower percentage of cooling air, than is presently needed in the art, to cool effectively the hot turbine, and its parts, of the engine. This goal is achieved, in part, by using a portion of the cool flow of fan air as a heat sink, without disturbing the flow of the fan air stream. The heat exchanger is disposed internal of the engine, and, it includes a plurality of flow tubes through which flows the hot cooling air, with the flow tubes positioned in a crossflow relationship with and to a portion of the cool flow of fan air. Three (3) variations of the preferred embodiment of the heat exchanger also are taught.

Abstract: A structurally compact fuel-to-air heat exchanger, for a gas turbine engine, that permits a lower percentage of cooling air, than is presently needed in the art, to cool effectively the hot turbine, and its parts, of the engine. The heat exchanger includes: a plurality of flow tubes through which cool combustor fuel flows, with the flow tubes in a crossflow relationship with and to the hot flow of cooling air; an air manifolding and flow-directing system; and, a fuel manifolding and flow-directing system. The heat exchanger is uniquely disposed internal of the gas turbine engine, within the fire safe cavity, which is ventilated.

Abstract: A thrust vectoring gas turbine engine exhaust nozzle is provided with a variable area flow path wherein cooling of the stationary flow path side walls is partially obtained by the film cooling technique. Regulating means, such as a valve, is provided to control the pressure drop of the cooling fluid across the walls as a function of nozzle flow path area, thus optimizing the coolant flow rate as a function of flow path area. Where a rotating bonnet-type deflector is employed to divert the exhaust stream downward to obtain a vertical take-off and landing capability, a system is provided to cool the deflector walls by both the impingement and convection cooling techniques. A favorable pressure gradient for the cooling fluid is obtained by exhausting the cooling fluid to ambient pressure whenever the deflector is deployed. Another valve is provided to regulate the flow of coolant to an expansion flap when the deflector is in its stowed position external to the flow path.