Motive Fluid Outlet Area And Fuel Flow Control Patents (Class 60/235)
  • Patent number: 11352960
    Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of operating a fuel system for an aeronautical gas turbine engine is provided. The method includes: providing a flow of fuel to a fuel nozzle of the aeronautical gas turbine engine during a wind down condition; operating a fuel oxygen reduction unit to reduce an oxygen content of the flow of fuel provided to the fuel nozzle of the aeronautical gas turbine engine during the wind down condition; and ceasing providing the flow of fuel to the fuel nozzle of the aeronautical gas turbine engine, the fuel nozzle comprising a volume of fuel after ceasing providing the flow of fuel to the fuel nozzle; wherein operating the fuel oxygen reduction unit comprises operating the fuel oxygen reduction unit to reduce an oxygen content of the volume of fuel in the fuel nozzle to less than 20 parts per million.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Alfred Albert Mancini, Daniel Alan Niergarth, Ethan Patrick O'Connor, Brandon Wayne Miller
  • Patent number: 11015525
    Abstract: A method of controlling electrical power supplied to a component of a vehicle, the method comprising: receiving a signal comprising information associated with an operating condition of a gas turbine engine; determining whether a parameter exceeds a predetermined threshold value using the information in the received signal; and controlling a reduction in electrical power supplied to a component of a vehicle from a generator of the gas turbine engine if the parameter exceeds the predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventor: Benjamin J. Sellers
  • Patent number: 9624829
    Abstract: One example of a gas turbine engine may include a gas generator, a reheat combustor that is disposed downstream of the gas generator, and a power turbine that is disposed downstream of the reheat combustor and includes a plurality of nozzle guide vanes. The reheat combustor is configured to increase a fuel flow so as to increase a temperature of the reheat combustor and match a required exhaust temperature. The nozzle guide vanes are configured to increase a real capacity at a power turbine inlet in proportion with the required exhaust temperature. A constant apparent capacity at a gas generator exit upstream of the reheat combustor remains constant, in response to proportionately increasing the temperature and the real capacity with respect to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: INDUSTRIAL TURBINE COMPANY (UK) LIMITED
    Inventors: Jean-Francois Lebel, Carl Carson
  • Patent number: 8904750
    Abstract: A turbofan gas turbine engine (10) comprises a variable area exhaust nozzle (12) arranged at the downstream end of a casing (17). A control unit (66) analyzes the power produced by the gas turbine engine (10), the flight speed of the gas turbine engine (1) and/or the altitude of the gas turbine engine (10). The control unit (66) configures the variable area nozzle (12) at a first cross-sectional area (70A) when the flight speed of the gas turbine engine (10) is less than a first predetermined value. The control unit (66) configures the variable area nozzle (12) at a second, smaller, cross-sectional area (70B) when the flight speed of the gas turbine engine (10) is greater than the first predetermined value and the power produced by the gas turbine engine (10) is greater than a second predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: Malcolm L. Hillel, Stephen G. Brown
  • Publication number: 20130142650
    Abstract: A turbine device, including: a turbine housing including an inlet, a flow channel, an outlet, a middle partition, an arced partition; a turbine impeller; a gas outlet; and an exhaust manifold. The turbine impeller and the gas outlet are arranged inside the turbine housing. The exhaust manifold is connected to the inlet. The flow channel is arranged inside the turbine housing. The outlet is arranged on the flow channel close to the turbine impeller. The middle partition is disposed inside the flow channel and divides the flow channel into a left flow channel and a right flow channel. The arced partition is arranged in both the left and right flow channels. One end of the arced partition is in a rigid connection with the middle partition, and the other end of the arced partition is close to the outlet of the turbine housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2013
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: KANGYUE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: KANGYUE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
  • Patent number: 8302406
    Abstract: A fuel delivery and control system is provided including a dual pump fluid circuit configuration comprising a fixed positive displacement pump sized to supply the main engine burn flow ranging from above windmill through cruise, a positive displacement actuation pump including a variable pressure regulator, wherein the actuation pump is sized to supply fluid to engine actuators, valves and other hydraulically operated engine components and a pump flow sharing system interconnecting the two pumps. The combined flow from the two pumps is sufficient to meet the engine flow demand for windmill relight and maximum flow conditions. During cruise or normal operating conditions, the pumps operate in completely isolated flow circuits, minimizing recirculation and therefore heat input into the fuel supply system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Woodward, Inc.
    Inventor: Carthel C. Baker
  • Patent number: 8166765
    Abstract: A fuel delivery and control system is provided including a dual pump fluid circuit configuration comprising a fixed positive displacement pump sized to supply the main engine burn flow ranging from above windmill through cruise and a variable displacement pump sized to supply fluid to engine actuators, valves and other hydraulically operated engine components with a pump flow sharing system interconnecting the two pumps. The combined flow from the two pumps is sufficient to meet the engine flow demand for windmill relight and maximum flow conditions. During cruise or normal operating conditions, the pumps operate in completely isolated flow circuits, minimizing recirculation and therefore heat input into the fuel supply system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Woodward, Inc.
    Inventors: Carthel C. Baker, Joe F. Wollschlager
  • Publication number: 20100107600
    Abstract: A turbofan gas turbine engine (10) comprises a variable area exhaust nozzle (12) arranged at the downstream end of a casing (17). A control unit (66) analyses the power produced by the gas turbine engine (10), the flight speed of the gas turbine engine (1) and/or the altitude of the gas turbine engine (10). The control unit (66) configures the variable area nozzle (12) at a first cross-sectional area (70A) when the flight speed of the gas turbine engine (10) is less than a first predetermined value. The control unit (66) configures the variable area nozzle (12) at a second, smaller, cross-sectional area (70B) when the flight speed of the gas turbine engine (10) is greater than the first predetermined value and the power produced by the gas turbine engine (10) is greater than a second predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Malcolm L. Hillel, Stephen G. Brown
  • Publication number: 20090211225
    Abstract: The thrust of a rocket motor can be varied to optimize Nozzle Pressure Ratio (NPR) using a design that allows for adjusting the relative position of a plug and a combustion chamber exit. The plug or the exit may be attached to an adaptive control system for position modification. The relative position of the plug and exit may be adjusted to optimize NPR to account for changing propellant flow and/or changing ambient pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: GHKN Engineering, LLC
    Inventors: Donald Gerrit Nyberg, Thomas Adrian Groudle, Richard Doyle Smith, John A. Shuba, Richard T. Smith
  • Patent number: 7478526
    Abstract: A turbine for a sprinkler is disclosed for self-governing its rotational velocity. As a rate of fluid through the sprinkler increases, particularly when air is used to flush the sprinkler system, a portion of the turbine shifts outwardly so as to decrease alignment of vanes located thereon with directed water streams for controlling the rotation of the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. McAfee, Cesar A. Gomez
  • Patent number: 7424360
    Abstract: A turbine overspeed control system for use with a gas turbine engine of a gas turbine electrical powerplant. The overspeed control system preferably comprises a first and second overspeed control subsystem. When an overspeed condition of the gas turbine engine is detected, the first overspeed control subsystem acts to remove air from a combustion section of the engine, while the second overspeed control subsystem operates to alter the angle at which an incoming flow of air is supplied to a compressor turbine located therein. The result of operating the first and/or second overspeed control subsystem is a reduction in the speed of the gas turbine engine that is much more rapid than can be accomplished by simply shutting off a fuel supply thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Altek Power Corporation
    Inventor: Bill C. Munson, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20040237503
    Abstract: A method of synthesizing rotor inlet temperature in a turbine comprising the steps of determining a burner fuel flow (WFGG), a burner inlet pressure (PS32), and a compressor discharge temperature (T3) of a turbine, calculating a ratio unit parameter from the burner fuel flow, the burner inlet pressure, and the compressor discharge temperature, and calculating a synthesized rotor inlet temperature from the ratio unit parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: Craig W. Irwin, Richard W. McBride, Kenneth D. Olson, Carl F. Simmons
  • Patent number: 6487847
    Abstract: A fuel control system for an aircraft gas turbine engine that includes a thrust augmentation system. An augmentor fuel pump is arranged to provide pressurized fuel to an exhaust nozzle throat area actuation system to eliminate the need for a separate hydraulic pump to provide pressurized fluid for exhaust nozzle actuation. An augmentor fuel bypass arrangement is provided to enable the augmentor fuel pump to provide pressurized fuel to the main fuel pressurizing valve and to components operated by the main fuel system in the event of failure of the main fuel pump. The augmentor fuel pump pressure and output flow are controlled as a function of thrust augmentation demand and main fuel system operation. The system provides redundancy by enabling either the main fuel system or the augmentor fuel system to maintain engine operation if one of the fuel systems fails or provides inadequate fuel flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Barton Hunter Snow, Mitchell Donald Smith
  • Patent number: 6270037
    Abstract: A short take-off and vertical landing (“STOVL”) aircraft has a conventional gas turbine engine that is selectively mechanically connected to a vertically-oriented lift fan by a drive shaft when the aircraft operates in a vertical flight mode. An engine control provides for rapid response attitude control of the aircraft when the pilot initiates desired changes in the attitude (i.e., pitch, roll and/or yaw) of the aircraft. The control achieves the rapid response by varying both the inlet guide vanes of the lift fan and the area of the engine nozzle. These variations result in a substantially constant low rotor speed, which facilitates the desired rapid attitude response and corresponding aircraft control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Richard A. Freese, Julio Perez
  • Patent number: 6269627
    Abstract: A short take-off and vertical landing (“STOVL”) aircraft has a conventional gas turbine engine that is selectively mechanically connected to a vertically-oriented lift fan by a drive shaft when the aircraft operates in a vertical flight mode. An engine control provides for rapid response thrust control of the lift fan and low rotor spool when the pilot initiates desired changes in thrust. The control achieves the rapid thrust response by varying the inlet guide vanes of the lift fan, together with selective fuel flow scheduling. These variations result in a substantially constant low rotor speed, which facilitates the desired rapid thrust response and corresponding aircraft control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Richard A. Freese, Eric T. Meyers
  • Patent number: 6000215
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of maintaining fan airflow at 100% for throttle transients from 100% military power to 30% thereof by increasing exhaust nozzle area as the fuel flow the engine decreases until the exhaust nozzle reaches its fully open position. Subsequent reductions in fuel flow produce a commensurate reduction fan airflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: William C. Roberts, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5687564
    Abstract: Corrected fan speed (N1C2) and engine pressure ratio (EPR) are controlled, by controlling exhaust nozzle area (EA) according to a schedule or map so that as altitude increases (P2 decreases) the axial forces on the low rotor are sufficient to minimize low rotor vibrations. The altitude band (critical load region) is determined that produces loading levels in which vibrations appear. As this band is approached, conventional control of N1C2 and EPR is automatically over-ridden. N1C2 is decreased with altitude and exhaust area is reduced, thereby increasing the axial force (load) on the low rotor. When the upper limit of the band is reached, conventional control of N1C2 and EPR is automatically resumed, resulting in crossing the critical load region rapidly over a narrow altitude band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: James B. Kelly, Kenneth D. Olson, Johnny B. Davis, Gerald Bracci
  • Patent number: 5579635
    Abstract: A rocket motor nozzle has a nozzle core that defines a nozzle passage through which combustion products travel during flight. The erosive forces created by the combustion products are longitudinally distributed over the nozzle core so that the nozzle's smallest area remains substantially constant in spite of the erosion. An inner surface of the nozzle core defines the nozzle passage. The inner surface includes an entry region which defines a nozzle entry, an exit region which defines an exit, and an elongate erosion region which defines an erosion passage between the entry and exit. The erosion region length is greater than the average smallest passage diameter, thereby allowing the location of the erosion focus along the erosion region to vary over time as a result of erosion of the erosion region. The nozzle core is formed of a fibrous composite material which is selected according to the type of propellant used and which includes fibers oriented transverse to the erosion passage to resist erosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: Thiokol Corporation
    Inventors: Hermann L. Miskelly, Jr., Mark C. Horton, Sheryl H. Hepler
  • Patent number: 4813226
    Abstract: In a gas turbine power plant system having an engine of the variable geometry type, the variable geometry is controlled in response to an input demand speed signal rather than a signal representing actual engine speed. The geometry which may be varied may take many forms depending on engine design, including variable compressor guide vanes, variable turbine nozzle area or variable engine exhaust nozzle area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1989
    Inventors: Robert A. Grosselfinger, Andrew N. Carras
  • Patent number: 4809500
    Abstract: A secondary control for a gas turbine engine powering fighter class of aircraft serves to modify the primary control solely during transient engine operation primarily in the combat box of between approximately 0.4 to 1.2 Mach number at an altitude between 10,000 to 30,000 feet of the flight envelope and does maintain higher compressor rpm, turbine inlet temperature, and engine air flow at the idle or part power thrust settings by concomitantly adjusting fuel flow and engine exhaust nozzle area thereby enhancing thrust response, low cycle fatigue life, and engine stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1989
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: William C. Roberts, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4501117
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved device to control and regulate the opening and closing of a cross section of a turbojet propulsive nozzle having at least one hydraulic cylinder acting on at least one movable flap element. The invention includes a first system to supply the cylinder with hydraulic fluid under pressure for normal operation and a second supply system to be used in an emergency. The elements for changing from the normal operation to an emergency operation are combined with the elements to generate in the hydraulic cylinder a differential pressure, such that the cross section of the nozzle assumes an intermediate position assuring sufficient thrust for the engine, while avoiding the danger of overloading the compressor. The system is effected automatically when the pilot actuates the emergency supply system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1985
    Assignee: Societe Nationale d'Etude de Construction de Moteurs d'Aviation
    Inventor: Guy M. C. Canivet
  • Patent number: 4397148
    Abstract: The engine includes a main engine fuel flow, an augmentation fuel flow, and a variable area exhaust nozzle. Primary speed control means is powered by first electrical power supply means. Fan speed is controlled by modulation of main engine fuel flow. Loss of electrical power to the primary speed control means during augmented operation results in a reversion from fan speed control to core engine speed control while simultaneously reducing the augmentation fuel flow toward a minimum level and closing the variable area exhaust nozzle. Backup speed control means is coupled to the primary speed control means for limiting fan overspeed in augmented operation during loss of electrical power to the primary speed control means. The backup speed control means is powered by second electrical power supply means which is independent of the first power supply means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1983
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: William W. Stockton, Walter D. Hutto, Jr.