Interrelated Reaction Motors Patents (Class 60/224)
  • Patent number: 6966174
    Abstract: Turbojet engines and aircraft configurations for advantageous use of the turbojet engines; the turbojet engines utilizing ram air turbine units that centrifugally compress air isothermally for use in various combustion configurations designed for stoichiometric combustion, wherein a stream of by-pass ram-air jets is mixed with combustion gas jets for discharge in a common discharge nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Inventor: Marius A. Paul
  • Patent number: 6964154
    Abstract: A rocket engine assembly is provided for a vertically launched rocket vehicle. A rocket engine housing of the assembly includes two or more combustion chambers each including an outlet end defining a sonic throat area. A propellant supply for the combustion chambers includes a throttling injector, associated with each of the combustion chambers and located opposite to sonic throat area, which injects the propellant into the associated combustion chamber. A modulator, which may form part of the injector, and which is controlled by a controller, modulates the flow rate of the propellant to the combustion chambers so that the chambers provide a vectorable net thrust. An expansion nozzle or body located downstream of the throat area provides expansion of the combustion gases produced by the combustion chambers so as to increase the net thrust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Robert L. Sackheim, John J. Hutt, William E. Anderson, Gordon A. Dressler
  • Patent number: 6926232
    Abstract: A variable cycle propulsion system for a supersonic airplane, the system comprising at least one engine having at least one compressor and capable of generating thrust for supersonic flight speeds, and at least one auxiliary propulsion assembly separate from said engine, and capable of generating additional thrust for takeoff, landing, and subsonic cruising speeds, at least one pipe connecting the engine to the auxiliary propulsion assembly to convey thereto compressed air produced by the compressor so as to enable the auxiliary propulsion assembly to generate additional thrust for takeoff, landing, and subsonic cruising flight, there being at least one valve enabling the pipe to be closed off for supersonic cruising flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: SNECMA Moteurs
    Inventors: Michel Franchet, Yann Laugier, Jean Loisy
  • Patent number: 6868664
    Abstract: A main engine mounted auxiliary power unit comprises an auxiliary power unit integrated with a primary gas turbine engine into a single power plant suited for aircraft applications. The auxiliary power unit can be mounted within an engine core compartment of the main engine or at the main engine aft center body. The integration of the auxiliary power unit provides for installation and certification cost savings to the airframer by eliminating the need for mounting an auxiliary power unit to the tail section of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jose Albero, Richard Dussault, Robert G. Thompson, Patrick Germain, Michael K. Sahm, Eric Tremaine
  • Patent number: 6834495
    Abstract: This invention provides a multi-fan system separated core engine type turbofan engine in which high pressure air is used as the working fluid for a turbine which drives a fan, thereby reducing the manufacturing costs of the turbofan engine and simplifying the constitution thereof. A turbine for driving a fan 11 which is provided in a propulsion device 3 of the multi-fan system separated core engine type turbofan engine 1 is an air turbine 13 which is driven by the supply through a duct 9 of a part of high pressure air compressed in a compressor 5 of a core engine 2. Since the working fluid of the air turbine 13 for driving the fan 11 is not high temperature combustion gas, there is no need to use expensive heat-resistant material for the turbine, and thus the propulsion device 3 can be manufactured at low cost, the constitution thereof can be simplified, and operational control can be ameliorated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: National Aerospace Laboratory of Japan
    Inventors: Yoshio Saito, Masanori Endo, Yukio Matsuda, Nanahisa Sugiyama, Takeshi Tagashira
  • Patent number: 6792746
    Abstract: A low-noise separated core engine type turbofan engine is provided in which noise generated by a control propulsion device is reduced by using high pressure air as the working fluid of a turbine for driving a control fan used in the attitude control of the airframe. A control fan 17 of a separated core engine type turbofan engine 1, which is comprised in a control propulsion device 4 provided for attitude control of the aircraft, is driven by an air turbine 19 which uses as working fluid high pressure air compressed by a compressor 6 of the core engine 2 and supplied through a duct 10. The speed of the working fluid which is discharged from the control fan 17 and air turbine 19 is sufficiently low for attitude control and not as high as the speed of the working fluid which is discharged from a propulsion device 3 which is provided for thrust, and thus noise generated by the control propulsion device 4 can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: National Aerospace Laboratory of Japan
    Inventors: Yoshio Saito, Masanori Endo, Yukio Matsuda, Nanahisa Sugiyama, Takeshi Tagashira
  • Patent number: 6792745
    Abstract: A turbofan jet engine having a housing and an engine core disposed in the housing. The engine core includes at least a compressor, turbine, and a drive shaft. The drive shaft defines a drive shaft axis. A plurality of fans are disposed in the housing and each is rotatable about a separate fan axis. Each of the fan axes are axially offset from the drive shaft axis. The turbofan jet engine further includes a drive system operably interconnecting the engine core and fans so as to rotatably drive the fans and selectively disengage select fans from the engine core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Paul M. Wojciechowski
  • Patent number: 6705569
    Abstract: A mixed compression supersonic inlet system is provided which includes an external cowl, and an axisymmetric centerbody which preferably translates fore and aft. The centerbody of the inlet system is further provided with indexing segments which circumferentially rotate to provide longitudinal grooves or channels located on the outer periphery of the centerbody and which increase the effective flow area of the inlet. As the indexing segments rotate circumferentially, the channel width varies. The centerbody may also be provided with indexing segments formed of a first and second portion having hinged joints which slide forward and aft in a groove. One end of the indexing segment is hinged to the non-translating section of a translating centerbody. The indexing segments are positioned over a longitudinal channel. As the translating centerbody is translated forward, the hinges of the indexing segment slide in their respective grooves to expose the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Inventors: Bobby W. Sanders, Lois J. Weir
  • Patent number: 6698693
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to method and apparatus for solar-boost assist and solar-sail assist by a mini-optics light concentrator system utilizing a dynamic ensemble of mini-mirrors. In the boost phase of a rocket ship launch, the system focusses solar energy into the rocket chamber to raise the temperature of the propellant and increase the impulse. In the mid-course phase, the system focusses solar energy onto the rocket's solar sail to increase the thrust. In both cases, the system reduces the weight of the rocket by providing a weightless source of thrust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Inventors: Mark P. Davidson, Mario Rabinowitz
  • Publication number: 20040035098
    Abstract: An engine arrangement (14) comprises a gas turbine engine unit (16) and first and second support members (18, 20). The support members (18, 20) extend from a structural component (24) of the engine casing (22) to support the engine unit in a position spaced from the body or airframe of the aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventors: Karim El Hamel, Arnold C. Newton
  • Publication number: 20040031259
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an actuator system comprising: a matrix (100) of pyrotechnic microthrusters; and control means for controlling the respective firing of said microthrusters (100), and being suitable for generating a specific desired effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventors: Jean Baricos, Yan Guelou, Jean-Pierre Gaechter, Daniel Esteve, Carole Rossi
  • Publication number: 20040025493
    Abstract: A turbofan jet engine having a housing and an engine core disposed in the housing. The engine core includes at least a compressor, turbine, and a drive shaft. The drive shaft defines a drive shaft axis. A plurality of fans are disposed in the housing and each is rotatable about a separate fan axis. Each of the fan axes are axially offset from the drive shaft axis. The turbofan jet engine further includes a drive system operably interconnecting the engine core and fans so as to rotatably drive the fans and selectively disengage select fans from the engine core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventor: Paul M. Wojciechowski
  • Patent number: 6634596
    Abstract: An integrated aircraft system which comprises an aircraft frame, a nacelle cowl mounted to the aircraft frame, a primary gas turbine engine mounted within the nacelle cowl, a secondary power system incorporated within the nacelle cowl and being driven by a flow of air created by or through the engine, and an electrical power and cooling unit for supplying electrical power and cabin cooling air. The electrical power and cooling unit is pneumatically driven by engine bleed air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Inventors: Jose Albero, Louis J. Bruno, Richard Dussault, Charles E. Lents, Wayne A. Thresher, Michael K. Sahm, Robert G. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20030177757
    Abstract: A propellant supply device (10) is provided for a vehicle (11) having a main propulsion motor (12) and having an attitude control system (11) including a plurality of thrusters (14A, 14B, 14C, . . . , 14F). The improved device comprises: a pressure vessel (15); first and second movable walls (20, 21) operatively arranged within the pressure vessel and dividing the interior space therewithin into three separate sealed chambers (22, 23, 24) from each of which fluid may be supplied; a first fluid (e.g., a first bipropellant)in one of the chambers; a second fluid (e.g., a second bipropellant) in a second of the chambers; and a third fluid (e.g., ammonia) in a third of the chambers, the third fluid being a volatile liquid having a liquid phase and a gaseous phase, and wherein all three chambers are pressurized to the vapor pressure of the third fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Applicant: Moog Inc.
    Inventor: Robert H. Reinicke
  • Patent number: 6568171
    Abstract: Augmentation of the thrust achieved by a supersonic nozzle of continuous curvature is achieved by causing secondary combustion to occur in an annular region of the interior of the divergent section of the nozzle. The secondary combustion forms a secondary combustion gas that complements the primary combustion gas passing through the nozzle and maintains a wall pressure that is equal to or greater than ambient pressure at low altitudes, eliminating the negative component of the thrust in an overexpanded nozzle at takeoff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Aerojet-General Corporation
    Inventor: Melvin J. Bulman
  • Publication number: 20020189230
    Abstract: A variable cycle propulsion system for a supersonic airplane, the system comprising at least one engine having means for producing exhaust gas and a gas exhaust nozzle for generating thrust for supersonic flight speeds, and at least one separate auxiliary propulsion assembly dissociated from said engine, having no gas generator, and capable of generating thrust for takeoff, landing, and subsonic flight speeds. The system further comprises gas flow tapping means movable between a position in which they tap off at least a fraction of the exhaust gas produced by said engine and feed it to said propulsion assembly to enable it to generate thrust for takeoff, landing, and subsonic cruising flight, and a position in which the gas produced by the engine is directed solely to the engine nozzle for supersonic cruising flight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Applicant: SNECMA MOTEURS
    Inventors: Michel Franchet, Yann Laugier, Jean Loisy
  • Patent number: 6488237
    Abstract: A propellant cross-feed system of the present invention for use with a two-stage rocket. The rocket (or reusable launch vehicle) includes a booster and an orbiter. The booster includes a booster propellant tank that is connected to a booster engine by a booster feed line. The orbiter includes an orbiter propellant tank that is connected to an orbiter engine by an orbiter feed line. Each propellant tank supplies propellant through its respective feed line to its respective engine. The cross-feed system includes a cross-feed line that connects the booster feed line to the orbiter feed line, thereby allowing propellant flow from the booster tank to the orbiter engine for parallel (simultaneous) engine burn. Cross-feed propellant flow is managed by a low pressure, cross-feed check valve that is responsive to propellant flow rate changes that occur as a result of the motorized operation of a switch-over valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Sidney P. Glasser, Charles J. Sosa
  • Patent number: 6415597
    Abstract: A jet engine for supersonic aircraft which enables supersonic flight and high fuel efficiency to be achieved while suppressing noise at take-off. The engine comprises a front engine consisting of a turbofan engine, and a rear engine or engines consisting of a turbofan or turbojet engine disposed to the rear of said front engine, the rear engine(s) being coupled switchably by a tube to the bypass duct of the front engine, the air inlet(s) of the rear engine(s) being coupled to the bypass duct during supersonic flight, or during acceleration to supersonic speed, whereby the pressure and temperature of the bypass air from the front engine is raised by the rear engine(s), and the air inlet(s) of the rear engine(s) being separated from the bypass duct during take-off, in such a manner that the bypass air is discharged without the temperature or pressure thereof being raised further.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: National Aerospace Laboratory of Science and Technology Agency
    Inventors: Hisao Futamura, Hideyuki Taguchi
  • Patent number: 6378292
    Abstract: A microelectrical mechanical system (MEMS) microthruster array is disclosed. The MEMS microthruster array of the present invention can be used for maintaining inter satellite distance in small satellites. One microthruster array includes numerous microthruster propulsion cells, each having a vacuum enclosed explosive igniter disposed on one side by a breakable diaphragm and having a propellant-filled chamber on the opposite side of the diaphragm. Upon explosion of the explosive igniter, the first diaphragm breaks, which, together with the explosion of the explosive igniter, causes the propellant to expand rapidly, thereby providing exhaust gases which are ejected from an exterior face of the microthruster propulsion array, thereby providing a small unit of thrust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel W. Youngner
  • Patent number: 6276632
    Abstract: A mixed compression supersonic inlet system is provided which includes an external cowl, and an axisymmetric centerbody which preferably translates fore and aft. The centerbody of the inlet system is further provided with indexing segments which circumferentially rotate to provide longitudinal grooves or channels located on the outer periphery of the centerbody and which increase the effective flow area of the inlet. As the indexing segments rotate circumferentially, the channel width varies. The centerbody may also be provided with indexing segments formed of a first and second portion having hinged joints which slide forward and aft in a groove. One end of the indexing segment is hinged to the non-translating section of a translating centerbody. The indexing segments are positioned over a longitudinal channel. As the translating centerbody is translated forward, the hinges of the indexing segment slide in their respective grooves to expose the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Inventors: Bobby W. Sanders, Lois J. Weir
  • Patent number: 6227486
    Abstract: A single-stage earth-to-orbit launch vehicle employs a combination of rocket engines and turbojet engines to propel a device into orbit. The vehicle is driven through a unique set of operating conditions of the engines to conserve oxidizer and optimize acceleration. Cooling effects of fuel used by both types of engines is employed to maintain operating temperature of the turbojet engines within limits of lightweight materials. The rocket engines are used during initial acceleration and then permitted to remain deeply throttled or idle until the vehicle reaches a speed of about Mach 6. The rocket engine, with most of its oxidizer intact, is then used to accelerate the vehicle into orbit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: MSE Technology Applications, INC.
    Inventor: Vladimir Balepin
  • Patent number: 5661970
    Abstract: Thrust-generating device with rocket engines arranged in pairs opposite each other for multiple ignition as well as individual and group activation and with an amount of fuel sufficient for the duration of the mission. The thrust-generating device is designed as a closed, storable, modular unit. The rocket engines are operated with liquid fuel and liquid oxidizing agent. At least one tank is provided for each fuel component. The tanks are in the filled, pressureless state before the activation of the thrust-generating device. The rocket engines and a fuel distributor of block design are integrated within a central bulkhead. The thrust-generating device is surrounded by a sealed outer jacket and is divided by the bulkhead into two separate chambers. The outer jacket is lined on the inside with a "self-sealing" film. The oxidizing agent is stored in one chamber, and the fuel in the other chamber. The empty spaces in the chambers contain an adsorbent filling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz Aerospace AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Muller, German Munding
  • Patent number: 5537815
    Abstract: The power unit of ram-jet type comprises an aerobic combustion chamber supplied by a fuel gas generator and by at least one air intake. The gas generator is essentially constituted by a solid propellent whose combustion generates a reducing gas and starting means are provided so that there occurs upstream or at the intake of the combustion chamber a primary combustion which raises the temperature of the air to a value such that stable combustion is produced between the oxidizing air and the reducing gases.(FIG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Office National d'Etudes et de Recherches Aerospatiales
    Inventors: Roger Marguet, Bernard Petit, Lionel Naduad, Pierre Borton
  • Patent number: 5517819
    Abstract: An engine controller system maintains a desired mach number for an aircraft. The fan speed of a slave engine is synchronized with the fan speed of a master engine. A previous Mach number value is compared with an actual Mach number value to determine a Mach number error. The resulting error corresponds to a fan speed which increases or decreases engine thrust to achieve a Mach number error equal to zero, maintaining the desired aircraft Mach number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: John F. Martin
  • Patent number: 5419117
    Abstract: An integral turbo jet/ram jet propulsion system has co-axial forward and rear portions and includes a converging supersonic compression chamber and an inlet in the forward portion for directing air into the supersonic compression chamber. A diverging subsonic compression chamber is disposed rearwardly of the supersonic compression chamber. An inlet sonic throat connects the supersonic compression chamber and the subsonic compression chamber and directs a flow of air from the supersonic compression chamber through the throat and into the subsonic compression chamber. A high by-pass turbo jet engine is disposed adjacent to the subsonic compression chamber for heating and expanding the air which passes into the engine. A subsonic expansion exhaust chamber and supersonic expansion exhaust chamber are disposed rearwardly of the engine with an exhaust sonic throat between the two.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Leonard M. Greene
  • Patent number: 5343698
    Abstract: A rocket engine thrust nozzle assembly is disclosed wherein combustion products from a plurality of rocket engines having hexagonally-shaped exhaust areas flow to the inlet of a main nozzle that transitions the flow of the combustion products from a non-circular flow area to a circular flow area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Lane Porter, Edward B. Thayer
  • Patent number: 5269134
    Abstract: A variable cycle propulsion unit comprises at least two turbojet engines of the bypass type in which the low pressure compressor of each engine is in two parts connected by a shaft, and the flow of compressed air issuing from the first part of the low pressure compressor of a first of the engines is supplied to the second part of the low pressure compressor of a second of the engines and the flow of compressed air issuing from the first part of the low pressure compressor of the second engine is supplied to the second part of the low pressure compressor of the first engine. At full throttle operation the combustion chambers of the two engines are both ignited, and at operation at reduced engine speeds the combustion chamber of one of the engines is extinguished and the engine windmills while the other engine continues to run normally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: Societe Nationale d'Etude et de Construction de Moteurs d'Aviation "S.N.E.C.M.A."
    Inventor: Claude C. F. Menioux
  • Patent number: 5224340
    Abstract: An improved synchrophasing system for synchrophasing fan spools and engine core spools of one or more "slave" turbofan engines to a "master" engine is disclosed. A fuel control means is provided for modulating the flow of fuel to the slave engines to first synchrophase the operation of the engine fan spools. A variable stator vane control means is provided for then modulating the position of variable stator vanes within the slave engines to synchrophase the operation of the engine core spools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Barton H. Snow
  • Patent number: 5191761
    Abstract: An engine for an aerospace plane has an inlet in association with which a core member is provided to render the inlet annular. The inlet leads into a combustion chamber and an outlet. The core member houses a rocket engine which, in use, induces ambient air to flow into the inlet at low and even zero speed, thus allowing the combustion chamber and outlet to be operated as a ram jet engine at low and even zero speed. By way of development, the core member houses oxygen liquification means adapted to capture ambient air and to liquify and separate oxygen therefrom. The oxygen is used in the rocket engine and allows the mass of on-board oxygen at take-off to be reduced. This increases the potential payload.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1993
    Inventor: Charl E. Janeke
  • Patent number: 5150571
    Abstract: A stationary centerbody includes vaulted areas displaced substantially by 180.degree. axially as well as along the circumference with respect to one another on its largest relative diameter. The vaulted areas, while enclosing a shut-off surface which is diagonal on the circumference side with respect to the end of an engine shroud forming a casing lip, encloses an axially spaced circumferential surface which is shut off in the manner of an annular slide valve from the end of the shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1992
    Assignee: MTU Motoren- Und Turbinen-Union Munchen GmbH
    Inventor: Claus Herzog
  • Patent number: 5111657
    Abstract: The invention concerns a propulsion device for acceleration of a self-propelled engine, such as a missile or a rocket. The propulsion device comprises a body (1) equipped with a nozzle (2) and a block of propellant (3) having a longitudinal central duct (4) of variable section. The block of propellant comprises a downstream part (5) having a cylindrical duct (6) which has a circular section whose diameter is less than two thirds of the diameter of the throat of the nozzle (2) and an upstream part (7). The duct (8) of this upstream part (7) on the one hand has a diameter which exceeds the diameter of the duct (6) of the downstream part and is less than the diameter of the throat of the nozzle (2), and on the other hand is connected to the duct (6) of the downstream part by a portion in the shape of a truncated cone (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: Societe Nationale des Poudres et Explosifs
    Inventors: Michel Hivert, Raymond Coleno
  • Patent number: 5094070
    Abstract: A propelling nozzle for a hypersonic jet plane having movable upper and lower primary and secondary flaps assigned to the gas turbojet engine as well as to the ramjet engine, both engines being arranged axially above one another, their outlet ducts being separated by means of a partition extending in the downstream direction to the narrowest cross-section of the propelling nozzle. The nozzle flaps can place themselves against the end edge of the partition on both sides in a manner advantageous with respect to the flow in the transition area from the primary flaps to the secondary flaps. As a result, each of the two outlet ducts can advantageously, either alternatively or simultaneously, be closed or opened, while, at the same time, a narrow cross-section and a divergence of the propelling nozzle can be adjusted which are optimal for the respective flying Mach number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1992
    Assignee: MTU Motoren- und Turbinen Union Munchin GmbH
    Inventor: Heinrich Enderle
  • Patent number: 5074118
    Abstract: A jet engine designed to power a supersonic airplane throughout a range of speeds from subsonic to high supersonic includes a housing which bounds an internal passage having in succession a fixed-area inlet section, a diverging passage section, a mixing section, a combustion section, and an outlet section. A fan rotor rotates in the inlet section and includes a plurality of rotor blade members. The housing includes a main body and at least one flap which is movable between one end position in which it externally bounds a portion of the diverging passage section and another end position in which it externally delimits a diverging discharge passage connecting the diverging passage section with the exterior of the housing. The cross-sectional area of the outlet section is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1991
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Charles E. Kepler
  • Patent number: 5058377
    Abstract: A turbine ramjet engine is provided which has a ram pressure air duct shrouding the basic turbo-engine in an annular manner. When the ramjet operation is disconnected, this ram pressure air duct, while at the same time intake air is released into the basic engine, is blocked off with respect to the supply of ram pressure air. It is provided to unblock or block an intake-side air inflow cross-section of the basic engine by the axial adjustment of a drop-shaped body with respect to a flow divider. A ring slide is provided which is axially adjustable to always be opposite this body which blocks the ram pressure air duct when the inflow cross-section of the basic engine is unblocked and unblocks it when the inflow cross-section is blocked. In addition, the ram pressure air duct is to be widened in a multicornered manner in the upstream direction at the level of a blocking zone caused by a local overtravelling of countersurface of the mentioned body and the ring slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Assignee: MTU Motoren- und Turbinen-Union Munchen GmbH
    Inventor: Walter Wildner
  • Patent number: 5058378
    Abstract: A change-over arrangement for an integrated turboramjet engine has a guide ring which can be displaced in the axial direction and an annular cone which can be displaced against the guide ring. In the turbo-operation, the annular cone is in its front position and the guide ring is in its rear position closing off a ram air inlet duct, and in the ramjet operation, the annular cone, in its rear position, closes off the turbo-inlet duct, and the guide ring opens up the ram air inlet duct. As a result, a low-loss introduction of the air current can take place into the turbo-inlet duct or into the ram air inlet duct, without, at the same time, requiring disadvantageous enlargements of the diameter of the outer casing of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Assignee: MTU Motoren- und Turbinen-Union Munich GmbH
    Inventor: Heinrich Enderle
  • Patent number: 5044155
    Abstract: Integration of engine functions and data communications between an aircraft propulsion module and an airframe is enabled by the use of fiber optic links which multiplex information and control functions without risk of an electrical failure in one portion of the aircraft electronics system propagating to other portions of the aircraft electronic systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Ward H. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 5014508
    Abstract: A combination engine for a flying craft capable of flying at speeds within a wide range from subsonic speeds to hypersonic speeds, is equipped with a rocket engine section that is independent of an atmospheric air supply, and a turbo air jet engine section having a compressor which is driven by a turbine that is also independent of an external air supply. The combination may further include extra fuel supply nozzles for operation as a ram jet which uses the same flow channel as the turbo air jet engine section. A gas generator equipped with two valving mechanisms is arranged coaxially with the rocket engine section. The valving mechanisms are controllable to open the gas generator chamber to the rocket combustion chamber while closing off gas flow to the turbo air jet section or vice versa. Either section can work alone or in parallel and simultaneously with the other section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1991
    Assignee: Messerschmitt-Boelkow-Blohm GmbH
    Inventor: Hans Lifka
  • Patent number: 5012638
    Abstract: A fuel feed method and apparatus for a turboramjet engine having a combustion chamber operable as a turbine engine afterburner and as ramjet engine combustion chamber is disclosed which features the concurrent injection of kerosene and hydrogen. At low Mach numbers, kerosene is the predominant fuel injected, while at growing speeds, hydrogen is injected in increasing proportions. This provides for a short combustion chamber length while minimizing the on-board fuel load and benefits especially small-size hypersonic aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1991
    Assignee: MTU Motoren- Und Turbinen-Union Munchen GmbH
    Inventors: Hubert Grieb, Burkhard Simon, Martin Albers
  • Patent number: 5001644
    Abstract: A throttle split monitor (11) for monitoring a multiple engine aircraft having an automatic throttle (A/T) control system is disclosed. The throttle split monitor (11) comprises a throttle angle section (13), a tachometer section (15) and a throttle limit section (17). The throttle angle section receives signals containing information representative of the positions of the throttles of an aircraft. Based on the throttle position information, the throttle angle section determines the throttle split angle between the positions of the throttles associated with similarly placed engines on opposite sides of the aircraft and adjusts said throttle split angle to compensate for throttle position differences associated with engines producing equal levels of thrust. The throttle angle section produces an A/T disengage signal when said adjusted throttle split angle exceeds a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Goheen, Douglas O. Jackson
  • Patent number: 4679394
    Abstract: A nozzle structure for a gas turbine power plant for a V.T.O.L. or S.T.O.L. type aircraft includes a main engine and at least one auxiliary engine; the efflux from the at least one auxiliary engine may be directed downwardly or alternatively horizontally through a convergent/divergent nozzle which may be closed off when the at least one auxiliary engine is inoperative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1987
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventor: Maurice I. Taylor
  • Patent number: 4546353
    Abstract: An asymmetric thrust warning system for an aircraft having two gas turbine engines. The compressor discharge pressures of the two engines are compared to determine the engine providing the lower thrust and to provide a signal indicative of the actual difference in thrust. If the difference in thrust exceeds a prescribed value related to aircraft altitude, a low thrust warning lamp is illuminated. In addition, the positions of the two augmenter metering valves are compared. If their positions significantly differ, the warning light associated with the valve having the minimum opening will be illuminated. A stall warning circuit may also be included as a part of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1985
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventor: William W. Stockton
  • Patent number: 4527390
    Abstract: A jet propulsion engine with a fan bypass duct includes a duct burner with a plurality of flame stabilizers therein each mounted to inner case and outer case members through spherical bearings. Each of the stabilizers consists of two blade members having integral arms thereon actuated by fore and aft motion of an external actuating ring to assume an expanded position to increase duct turbulence for mixing air flow therethrough with a fuel supply and into a retracted position against each other to reduce pressure drop under nonafterburning operation. Each of the flame stabilizer blades has a platform that controls communication between a hot air source and a duct for improving fuel vaporization during afterburner operation thereby to increase afterburning limits; the platforms close communication between the hot air source and the duct during nonafterburning operation when flame stabilization is not required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1985
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Henry M. Mar, Samuel B. Reider
  • Patent number: 4519563
    Abstract: Aircraft engine exhaust is mixed with air and fuel and recombusted. Air is drawn into the secondary combustion chamber from suction surfaces on wings. Exhaust of the secondary combustion chamber is blown over wing and fuselage surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1985
    Inventor: Raymond M. Tamura
  • Patent number: 4314445
    Abstract: Trim signals are removed from the fuel control computers of aircraft propulsion engines to increase thrust upon detection of a predetermined difference between engine speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1982
    Inventor: Leon D. Lewis
  • Patent number: 4306412
    Abstract: A jet engine having its turbine section and exhaust nozzles particularly arranged to alleviate noise. There is a forward turbine section positioned in a first passageway to receive all or substantially all of the gaseous discharge from the combustion section of the jet engine. There are second and third coannular passageways positioned downstream of the first passageway, with the second passageway being positioned radially inwardly of the third passageway. A second turbine stage is positioned in the second inner passageway to receive a portion of the gaseous flow from the first passageway so as to be driven thereby, with the first portion of gaseous flow being discharged at a relatively low velocity at a radially inward location. A second portion of the gaseous flow passes from the first passageway to the third passageway and is discharged at a relatively high velocity in a generally annular pattern radially outward of the flow of the first portion of the gaseous flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1981
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Garry W. Klees
  • Patent number: 4303976
    Abstract: An electronic fuel control for a multi-engine gas turbine engine provides either independent or master-slave operation according to the position of a selector switch. In one position independent speed demand signals are separately compared with independent actual speed signals and the error signals produced are fed to proportional-plus-integral fuel controls. In the other position engine fuel control receives a signal corresponding to the error between 1/2 of the sum of the average speed demand and the actual speed of that engine whereas the other engines fuel control receives only an error signal representing the difference between the two engine speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1981
    Assignee: Lucas Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael J. Joby
  • Patent number: 4296601
    Abstract: Fuel flow to a gas turbine engine is controlled in response to power lever position and CDP by a hydromechanical section. The hydromechanical section includes a torque motor which may be activated to modify the fuel flow to the engine in response to a control signal produced by an electronic control section. The electronic control section senses a number of engine and ambient parameters and generates engine operating limits from these parameters. The limit corresponding to the lowest maximum engine speed is selected and referenced to actual engine speed for generating the control signal, thereby providing a closed loop engine speed control. At least one of the computed limits is an actual maximum engine speed for steady state engine operation and is used to recompute the engine scheduled speed so that the actual maximum engine speed is obtained at the maximum power lever advance position; in this way power lever dead band is eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1981
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventor: Anthony N. Martin
  • Patent number: 4259838
    Abstract: A throttle servo for each engine of a multiengine aircraft and servo tracking means for detecting and compensating for servo drift during autothrottle mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1981
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventors: James H. McCollum, Jr., Leo P. Kammerer
  • Patent number: 4248041
    Abstract: A V.S.T.O.L. gas turbine power plant includes a main gas turbine engine having an exhaust gas propulsion nozzle and a fan arranged within a fan duct, which duct terminates in two nozzles such that a portion of the fan air may be directed vertically downwards or horizontally, the remaining portion of the fan air acts as a working fluid in one or more further auxiliary gas turbine engines each engine including a vectorable exhaust nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1981
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Limited
    Inventors: Geoffrey L. Wilde, Maurice I. Taylor, Geoffrey P. Medland
  • Patent number: 4244183
    Abstract: This invention serves to improve augmentor effectiveness of a turbine fan engine that has a bypass airstream and a core stream by synthesizing signals indicative of both the airflow of the bypass stream and core stream and directly scheduling fuel/air ratio for both streams and ascertaining the desired fuel flow to be used to meter fuel to each of the streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1981
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Edmond Preti