Abstract: A flexural joint for connecting opposing ends of first and second annular ducts. The joint includes a lip which extends outwardly from the first duct and a flange member which extends outwardly from the second duct. The flange member contains a recess which is adapted to engage the lip.

Abstract: In accordance with a preferred, exemplary embodiment of the invention, an apparatus for forming a blisk from a workpiece is disclosed. The workpiece includes a blank having oppositely facing first and second faces defined by a radially inner base, a radially outer top, a first edge, and a second edge.The apparatus includes first and second complementary electrodes positionable about the workpiece blank. Each electrode has a support portion and a working portion. Means for channeling electrolyte from an inlet to an outlet defined between the electrodes, and means for sealing the working portions to prevent leakage are disclosed.Electrolyte is channeled between the first and second edges to finally electrochemically machine an airfoil in a single operation from the blank.

Abstract: An integrated control system for coaxial counterrotating aircraft propulsors driven by a common gas turbine engine. The system establishes an engine pressure ratio by control of fuel flow and uses the established pressure ratio to set propulsor speed. Propulsor speed is set by adjustment of blade pitch.

Abstract: An electro-optical system for inspecting an object includes a source producing a beam of electromagnetic energy, for example, a laser. It also includes a means for discriminating between electromagnetic energy of the beam scattered from objects within a predetermined distance of a plane intersected by the beam of electromagnetic energy and electromagnetic energy not so scattered. Thus, spurious electromagnetic energy scatteed by other objects near the inspected object are ignored.

Abstract: In one form of the present invention, an emissive substance radiates electromagnetic radiation as a function of temperature. The radiation is transmitted by a waveguide to a sensor which measures the intensity of the radiation and infers the temperature of the emissive substance therefrom.

Abstract: A retainer ring clamps, for example, a turbine cooling plate to a rotatable turbine disc. The retainer ring has a wedge-shaped channel that engages annular flanges on the cooling plate and the disc. The wedge-shaped channel converts radial forces on the ring to axial clamping forces which secure the cooling plate to the disc. Special tooling is not required to assemble the retainer ring to the cooling plate and turbine disc, and preloading of the cooling plate against the disc is not necessary. An angled or slanted gap in the ring eases assembly and disassembly of the retainer ring onto the annular flanges of the cooling plate and turbine disc and ensures that axial and radial movement of the retainer ring is required for disassembly of the ring from the flanges.

Abstract: A seal assembly for reducing fluid leakage around a circumferential periphery of an annular nozzle stage in a gas turbine engine includes an abradable annular steel member having an annular attachment ring attached to an outer surface, the ring including a radially extending flange portion. The side of the seal member opposite the attachment ring forms a conventional labyrinth seal with a rotating member extending from a turbine wheel. The nozzle stage includes an annular portion extending inward towards the seal member and having an axially facing area for abutting the attachment ring. The member depending from the nozzle stage in conjunction with the attachment ring forms a radially slidable seal. Tabs are provided attached to one side of the seal member for engaging the depending member from the nozzle stage for holding the seal member in sliding contact against the nozzle stage.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine has an annular combustor structure which includes a plurality of annularly displaced combustion zones. A fuel nozzle is positioned in each combustion zone for supplying fuel thereto. A swirler is supported on each of the fuel nozzles and includes a plurality of angularly-directed passages for causing a swirling action of the air entering the combustion chamber through the nozzles. The swirlers are associated in pairs, each of the swirlers of each pair including a tab extending radially outwardly. When air is supplied through the angularly-directed passages, the swirlers are urged in a direction which brings the tabs of each pair into engagement with each other and thereby limits further rotational movement of the swirlers.

Abstract: An ionization detector comprises a substrate having detector traces adjacent conductive grounded traces to minimize crosstalk and charge leakage between the detector traces and to reduce the effects of contamination and humidity.

Abstract: In a turbomachine having stationary and rotating bladed stages, the blades of the rotating bladed stage are cooled by ducting cooling fluid into an interior cavity formed in each blade. Each rotating blade has a tip portion which is closely adjacent an annular shroud to avoid hot gas products bypassing the blades. The required close clearance between the blade tips and the annular shroud has caused manufacturers to provide a recessed blade tip cap and an open plenum at the blade tip to improve cooling flow. This invention minimizes the height requirements of sidewalls to the open plenum by providing an opening in the blade sidewalls whereby cooling air can be discharged from the interior blade cavity and the blade plenum without regard to the clearance between the blade tip and the annular shroud.

Abstract: A rotor stage disposed within an annular fluid flowpath in a turbomachine is disclosed. The rotor stage includes outer and inner rings and a plurality of first and second airfoils. The outer and inner rings define flowpath surfaces for said flowpath. The first and second airfoils extend between the rings for transferring energy between the fluid and the rotor stage. At least one of the first airfoils surrounds means for transmitting energy across the flowpath.

Abstract: A system and method for nondestructive testing of a part using eddy current impedance measuring techniques. An eddy current probe is positioned above the surface of the part for measuring an induced eddy current signal and generating an electrical signal representative thereof. A first and second movement signal is generated representative of a first and second scan direction of the probe. Relative movement is effected between the probe and the part, whereby the probe scans the part for producing electrical signals varying as a function of eddy current signal. The electrical signals are converted to mutually perpendicular drive signals representative of the eddy current signature at a corresponding location of the part. The first and second movement signals are combined with the mutually perpendicular drive signals of and second composite signal which varies as a function of the movement of the probe and eddy current signal.

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 centrifugal pump is provided for degrading antimisting fuel. The centrifugal pump has a rotary impeller closely surrounded by a vaned diffuser for receiving fuel therefrom. The diffuser includes a plurality of recirculation channels disposed along its inner circumferential surface for directing some of the fuel which passes from the impeller to the diffuser back to the impeller for enhancing the degradation of the fuel. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: In the repair of a metallic article portion, a metal powder and laser beam are applied concurrently, the laser beam being applied in a power density range of 10.sup.4 to 10.sup.6 watts per square centimeter at an interaction time between the laser and the article and powder of 0.005-2 seconds to generate a repair layer.Apparatus for delivering a consistent, continuous flow of powder comprises the combination of an enclosed powder reservoir including means to introduce a gas under pressure, a mechanical means to feed powder into a conduit, a conduit vibrating means, and a fluid-cooled powder delivery nozzle.

Abstract: A fluid transfer seal for transferring hydraulic fluid between differentially rotatable components, such as between the stator and rotor of a gas turbine engine. A circumferential channel is formed about the stator with a fluid passageway connecting the channel to a fluid supply reservoir in the stator. An annular seal carrier is positioned within the channel such that opposite sides thereof are in sliding contact with sidewalls of the channel for inhibiting fluid escape around the carrier. Radially outer and inner circumferential slots are formed on the carrier with apertures through the carrier for coupling fluid between the slots. Outer circumferential grooves are formed around the carrier on opposite sides of the outer slot. Seal rings are positioned in the grooves in contact with the carrier and the rotor for preventing fluid escape along the carrier-rotor interface.

Abstract: A rotor assembly comprising a disk, blade, and seal is disclosed. The disk has a circumferential blade retaining slot disposed therein. The blade includes an airfoil and root separated by a platform so that the root is mountable within the slot and the platform extends beyond the root to first and second opposite ends. The seal generally contacts the slot and platform and extends circumferentially from the root to the first end.

Abstract: The present apparatus relates to nonvolatile fault flags for use in aircraft. The term "flag" refers to an electromechanical indicator which displays a human-readable signal which identifies a fault. A fault is a malfunction occurring in the aircraft. The term "nonvolatile" refers to the feature that the signal is not lost when electrical power is terminated to the indicators. In addition, apparatus are provided for displaying the first, and only the first, fault signal received by the indicator, and for the prevention of triggering of the indicator by spurious signals.

Abstract: An apparatus for varying the pitch of propulsor blades of a gas-turbine engine by eccentrically driven gears. A first gear is coaxially coupled to one of the propulsor blades whereby angular displacement of the first gear with respect to an engine center-line causes angular displacement of the propulsor blade. A second gear is rotatably coupled to the first gear with one of the first gear and second gear being a first internal gear and the other being a first mating gear. The first internal gear is eccentrically disposed with respect to the first mating gear and has more teeth than does the first mating gear. A third gear is rigidly coupled to the second gear. A fourth gear is rigidly coupled to a rotating structure of the engine and rotatably coupled to the third gear with one of the third gear and fourth gear being a second internal gear and the other being a second mating gear. The second internal gear is eccentrically disposed with respect to the second mating gear.

Abstract: An apparatus for varying the pitch of propulsor blades of a gas turbine engine by eccentrically driven gears. The gas turbine engine includes a rotating structure, an annular gas flowpath coaxial with the rotating structure, a plurality of rotor blades coupled to the rotating structure and extending into the gas flowpath such that a gas stream flowing through the flowpath causes the rotating structure to rotate with respect to the stationary member and a plurality of variable pitch propulsor blades coupled to and disposed radially outwardly of the rotating structure. The pitch of the blade is varied by a pinion gear coaxially coupled to one of the propulsor blades and an internal gear radially disposed about the pinion gear for driving the pinion gear. Annular displacement of the pinion gear causes angular displacement of the propulsor blade with respect to the rotating structure.